Zama Restaurant & Bar

Review summary

1. R

   Renad

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was horrible I felt like I was held hostage waiting for my food for 3 hours
   

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2. C

   Carlos

   San Diego

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   We recently dined at Zuma in San Diego to celebrate my husband’s 34th birthday. While the evening had some high points, our experience was a mix of hits and misses. First, the restaurant itself is undeniably stunning. The ambiance is upscale and modern, with thoughtfully designed interiors that set the tone for a special evening. It’s the kind of place that feels like an event in itself, perfect for a celebration. The menu, however, left much to be desired. While it offered a variety of dishes, it wasn’t particularly impressive or unique. The food we ordered was average at best—not bad, but certainly not living up to the expectations set by the restaurant’s luxurious vibe or price point. The service, on the other hand, was exceptional. Our server was attentive, professional, and seemed genuinely invested in making the evening memorable. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we were well taken care of, which is something I deeply appreciated. The drinks were another highlight. They were creative, well-balanced, and delicious, complementing the overall aesthetic of the restaurant. As for the pricing, Zuma is undeniably expensive, and unfortunately, the food didn’t quite justify the cost. While I’m always happy to splurge for a great experience, I walked away unsure if the value was there. One standout moment was the birthday surprise they provided—it was unique, fun, and added a special touch to the celebration. It’s clear they make an effort to go the extra mile for special occasions, which we genuinely appreciated. Overall, Zuma is a beautiful restaurant with stellar service and fantastic drinks, but the food and value fell short for us. If you’re looking for a striking venue with excellent service, it’s worth a visit, but keep your expectations in check regarding the menu.
   

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3. M

   Marcos

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Best birthday dinner ever. Such a fun spot and our server made me feel so special and made sure I had a great time. The food was amazing, the dj was bumpin. Will recommend to everyone celebrating
   

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4. Y

   Yalda

   Greater Boston

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was amazing, the best sushi ive had in san diego for sure. Lamb lollipops and the octopus were also delicious. Definitely a loud restaurant, they have a DJ but we loved it and loved the music!
   

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5. A

   Ajia

   Washington DC

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 31, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Literally have no idea how the restaurant is, sure it’s great it looks really good online, we just couldn’t find parking. #justagirl🥰💅
   

   Zama Restaurant & BarResponded on January 7, 2025

   We totally get it—parking can sometimes be a bit of a challenge! We're so sorry you couldn't find a spot, but we’d love to welcome you in when you can. Pro tip: downtown is tough, uber if possible! Thank you for the kind words about how we look online—our food and vibe are even better in person! 🥰 Hope to see you soon!
   

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6. J

   Juliana

   San Diego

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 26, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Foods good overpriced …atmosphere cheap tacky… foods tasted very good… service is ok not too professional..
   

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7. A

   Alex

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 20, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Incredible food- salmon was spectacular. Awesome drinks as well and the staff was very attentive.
   

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8. s

   sean

   VIP

   San Francisco

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 15, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was sub par, atmosphere was really cool, paying more for atmosphere than food quality
   

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9. j

   james

   Philadelphia

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 14, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I proposed to my girlfriend last night at ZAMA. I have no words to describe how amazing the ZAMA staff was. They took such good care of us, especially Nicolas the Manager, allowing us to play a love song for the proposal, and bringing out the entire staff with sparklers. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was a lively happy Vibe. So appreciative of the other diners at ZAMA who fully embraced our moment and made it memorable. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
   

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10. J

    Jose

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Great food, great service, beautiful decorations. The music was a little loud and it was difficult to hear other people at the table (it was a Saturday night, maybe other nights is not as loud).
    

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