Zuma Bar
Zuma reviews
Probably the best Japanese I have had in London. Great atmosphere, and what a difference freshly-ground wasabi makes!
by carson (7 reviews), 13 Apr 2008I've been to Zuma 3 times and only had to phone once for a table. It's always been fantastic and the family have voted it their favourite for a special treat. 5 stars, maybe 6! We love it.
by deirdrewickins (2 reviews), 09 Nov 2007Not a bad Japanese restaurant. However, you need to be known as a regular or accompanied by one to make it through the doors. We really enjoyed our food and our young waitress from Provence was absolutely adorable and professional. Anyone feel free to invite me there any time!
by raidako (2 reviews), 04 Oct 2007Great place with a fantastic atmosphere! To sit in the bar whilst the chef cooks you dinner is the best! They have a crocant octupus that is fantastic, and for dessert I recommend the 'volcano of chocolate' - it's delicious. They have very good drinks as well.
by Luli, 14 Jul 2007The very best restaurant I have ever been to! Delicious food. We had several different meals, wine, coffee... it was all just perfect. My first visit to London, and just because of this fantastic time I am now planning a trip with my husband and cannot wait till next week when we have a table waiting for us at Zuma.
by Kjersti, 09 Jan 2007Hands down, the best restaurant in London. Best food and excellent service. I am usually impossible to please, but never at Zuma. I keep going back and invariably have a great meal and a great time.
by toughcookie, 16 Nov 2006An appalling experience from start to finish. A bad table tucked away at the back of a noisy restaurant next to the waiter's station... at least that might mean attentive service.
The overpriced wine took 15 minutes to arrive and then was left unopened for a further 10. The indifferent waiter recommended a selection of sushi, which would have been totally inadequate for 4 diners even if they hadn't had to wait nearly 40 minutes for its lukewarm limp arrival. This, interestingly, was preceded by the appearance of one of our party's main courses.
Numerous waiters experienced problems with the space time continuum as 'it'll just be two minutes' stretched into 5, 10, 20 for the various constituent parts of our main course.
The signature black cod was beautifully presented, but completely lacking in taste. When the rice and vegetables finally arrived they were cold and overcooked -a challenging feat that chef and waiting staff must have conspired to achieve.
Our very polite but increasingly frustrated complaints were met with apathy and disinterest, and when the manager deigned to appear she feigned shock at the situation and promised to investigate. I can only assume that investigation is still continuing, as apart from waiving the extortionate service charge she took great care to avoid any further interaction.
Perhaps the presence of 'celebrity chef' Anthony Worrall-Thompson and the fawning that entailed over-stretched the capabilities of the plentiful, but ineffective staff. A £200+ lunch bill for 4 disillusioned diners added the final insult.
Very cool, and very good sushi. Hot dishes don't quite rival Nobu's, but the service is just as bad as Nobu if that's what they were aiming for.
by Anonymous, 22 Oct 2005The food was average Japanese, but atmosphere was very stylish and fresh.
by AA (3 reviews), 13 Jul 2005The best Japanese in Europe you could find. The service was great, taking care of all the details as nowhere else in London. Thanks.
by Anonymous, 16 Jun 2005Excellent service and food... cool design apart the roof (looks unsexy compared with the rest.)
Probably the best restaurant I've ever been to.
Great food, good service, except for reception staff whom I find to be arrogant and invariably rude. Cool designs; could be more family friendly. Nobu remains my favourite Japanese where I've never had a reception problem! I would have liked to give it a score of 4 had it not been for its reception and telephone manners, both need to be polished, remembering who's the customer!
by Anonymous, 03 Jan 2005Fantastic service and a casual atmosphere that at the same time makes you comfortable but feel important. A great selection of fusion Eastern dishes including my favourite black cod. A great place to go on a Sunday as it is more of a "degustation des sens" than a slap dash meal.
by Laetitya (5 reviews), 08 Dec 2004Seeing the design of the place I was expecting style over substance, but the food was great too. Clientele not quite my scene, but it's still worth checking out.
by mr_benn (22 reviews), 03 Dec 2004This is my one of my favourite restaurants. It's often difficult to book due to its popularity and it's worth mentioning that smoking is not allowed, which suits me, but might put others off.
After eating have a drink at the bar as the cocktails are excellent and the bar staff are good at suggesting interesting (and potent!) new drinks to try.
Good place for celeb spotting too, if that's your thing.
Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Zuma







