Our story
Welcome to ZORI – a place of joy, celebration, and unforgettable moments!
ZORI is not just a restaurant—it’s a place with a soul, a story, and a mission to bring happiness to everyone who walks through its doors.
Our story begins with Zori, a man whose light could brighten any room. Born into an Armenian family in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), he faced life’s hardships from a young age. As a child, he and his family were forced to flee their homeland due to war, finding a new home in Ukraine—a beautiful country that embraced them with warmth and kindness.
Fate can be very poetic: in Ukrainian, “Zori” means “stars”, and just like a star, he shined with joy, kindness, and an unstoppable zest for life. Zori had a gift—he could turn any ordinary day into a celebration. He believed that life is too short not to enjoy every second, and his greatest pleasure was making others happy.
From childhood, he was surrounded by his mother’s care and the incredible aromas of her cooking. To him, her food was the most delicious in the world, filled with love, warmth, and tradition. He dreamed of opening a restaurant so that as many people as possible could experience this food and feel the same warmth that always filled their home.
But life is unpredictable, and we tragically lost Zori in Ukraine far too soon.
His brother, Suren, searched for a way to honor him, to keep his spirit alive, and to continue his mission of bringing happiness to people. This is how ZORI was born —a place of good events, where joy, warmth and celebration never end. In Ukraine, ZORI became more than a restaurant— it became a destination, recognized among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide for its soul, atmosphere, and unforgettable experiences.
Then, once again, war changed everything. This time, in Ukraine. Our family had to leave, bringing only our memories and dreams. But dreams don’t fade—they find new beginnings
Why LA? Because it’s the city of stars - the home of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, and countless legends. And our star deserves to shine here too.
Thank you, Los Angeles, for the opportunity to reopen ZORI—a place where dining is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration. Our restaurant embraces modern flavors and signature cocktails, but we’ve also kept a few cherished traditional dishes made from our mother’s recipes, allowing you to experience the warmth and joy they bring.
Every detail here was created with love, inspiration, and a deep belief that life should be lived fully, joyfully, and with no regrets. We want you to laugh, indulge, toast to life, and create memories that will last forever.
So, leave your worries at the door, raise your glass, and enjoy every bite, every laugh, every moment—because joy is always on the menu at ZORI!
Come for the food. Stay for the happiness. Leave with unforgettable memories.
