Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2026

DINING ZAKI’S CAFÉ
Caesar Salad with Chicken
Roast Beef Sandwich
Co-owners Crystal and Wally Alsous
ADDRESS
2093A E Pass Rd. Gulfport
CONTACT
228.206.1124
WEBSITE
www.zakiscafe.com
HOURS
Daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
story and photos by Anne Pitre
32 | February 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Some places just feel good the moment you walk in, and Zaki’s Café in Gulfport is one of them. The first thing that hit me was the aroma—freshly brewed coffee and buttery pastry—and I knew I was onto something special. Zaki’s strikes
the balance between indulgent and approachable, offering an experience that feels luxurious without ever feeling out of reach.
I first fell in love with Zaki’s over the summer after spotting their now-famous Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup on Instagram. I went the very next day—and have introduced many a friend and family member to it. The café is family owned, and that sense of warmth carries through everything they do. Co-owner Wally Alsous runs the business alongside his parents and his wife, Crystal.
Everything possible is made fresh to order, including all sauces—salad
dressings and sandwich spreads alike are homemade. That commitment to quality shows up on the plate. While waiting for my order, Wally’s wife, Crystal, surprised me with an off-menu slice of banana bread. It was warm, sweet, studded with chocolate chips, and nut-free—one of those small gestures that instantly makes you feel cozy and cared for.
I started with a pistachio latte, served extra frothy with a generous drizzle of pistachio cream. It wasn’t syrupy or overly sweet; instead, the coffee itself was mellow and smooth with subtle cereal notes, though strong on the caffeine front.
We arrived right at lunchtime and
were starving, so we went savory next. The Caesar salad with chicken arrived
in a generously sized bowl, hearts of romaine piled high with freshly shredded Parmesan, croutons, and simply seasoned grilled chicken breast. The house-made