Zest
28 Halkett Pl, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4WG
Rating: 5.0 ★ (17 ratings)
Details
Zest is a welcoming venue found at 28 Halkett Place in St. Helier, Jersey, offering an atmosphere that combines the relaxation of a café with an elevated dining experience. This establishment, run by a father-daughter team, is set within an iconic town building, boasting a bright and very pretty interior where a beautifully handcrafted coffee machine takes pride of place. It aims to provide a memorable dining experience in a setting that feels both special and comfortable.
The cuisine at Zest is known for being "Inspired Cuisine, Bold on flavour," with dishes thoughtfully crafted from the freshest seasonal ingredients. Guests can enjoy a wide array of all-day plates, with highlights such as "The Big Cheese" featuring creamy burrata, "Purple Toast," and a spicy "Prawn to be Wild" dish. Their pan-seared caramelised onion gnocchi is a notable special, alongside popular homemade banana bread and delightful Kids' French Toast, complemented by an excellent selection of specialty coffees, wines, and signature cocktails including the Banoffee Martini.
This versatile spot caters wonderfully to a range of visitors and occasions, from those seeking a relaxed breakfast, brunch, or lunch to guests celebrating a special event. Described as trendy, fun, and smart casual, Zest creates a clean and friendly environment, making it perfect for birthdays, thank yous, or simply a lovely catch-up with friends. The option to host evening events further broadens its appeal for various gatherings.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: Closed | Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Sunday: Closed
Contact
+44 1534 727110 | https://zest.je/
Comments
+ The food was exquisite. For really reasonable prices (especially in Jersey) I just wasn’t expecting it to be *that* good. The high quality of ingredients was apparent, the presentation felt ‘gourmet’ and portion size was generous. The menu is really varied and not your ‘run of the mill’ dishes. You can really tell a lot of thought, planning and care has gone into opening this restaurant.
+ Whilst I didn’t order any, there were a reasonable range of alcoholic drinks available (including cocktails) in addition to the usual coffees and soft drinks. It would definitely be a nice place to go for an afternoon tipple.
I would recommend the prawns and chorizo toast and the adobo chicken (pictured) - both were incredible. There was lot of flavour, it was filling and yet, it didn’t feel heavy. I waited a very short time for the food to arrive (maybe 10 minutes) - it was clear there were plenty of staff working (there are parts of the kitchen that are deliberately open).
+ The decor is modern, bright and welcoming. Seating is comfortable and amply spaced out - it doesn’t feel as though you’re being packed into a tight space. The doorway is quite wide and I would expect it would be wheelchair accessible given the wide open space and lack of steps. (Some prams were pushed into the restaurant when I was there, without issue).
+ The staff were friendly, attentive and helpful. I attended at approximately 50% capacity but not once did I find difficulty getting the attention of staff. I was approached at appropriate times during and after my meal asking how everything was.
- There is a 10% 'discretionary' service charge incorporated into your bill. Whilst I didn’t mind paying it personally, I don’t really agree with the principle of paying ‘X% service charges’ (I prefer to tip a discretionary amount based on the level of service I have received and I feel like service is a concept that is already built into pricing so it sometimes feels silly to add a flat % of the monetary value of a meal as an ‘extra’). It’s worth noting because it will affect your total, and some people may be on a budget.
All in all, I will definitely be going back, and I will definitely be recommending it to others. I’m hoping that it will open for dinner service in future, because it really feels like it has the potential to be a top tier evening restaurant, in addition to its breakfast and lunch service.