Sumo — Restaurant in Zone 1

It is with a sad heart that I write this review, but after my experience, I will not be dining at Sumo again. I wish I could give it zero stars but google wouldn't let me! 💔

I am a sushi lover and I was overjoyed to see Sumo opening up in Islamabad. To find out that an experienced and popular pan Asian restaurant from Lahore is coming to town was so I went there first chance I got and went to Sumo within a week of it's opening. I must say, it was a delight to experience such high levels of customer service and food quality with complex yet fantastic flavors. Happily, of course, I told all my friends in Karachi and Lahore to share my wonderful experience and spread the word.

Last Friday, I went there again with a friend, and it was almost like I have come to a different place altogether. Gone was the level of customer service and the food quality was horrible. Everyone at my table, all sushi lovers, were extremely disappointed and vowed never to come back.

It started with the welcome drink, which was a watered down tasteless version of what I had the first time and loved. What I was served barely had any taste and seemed like some water with ice and lemon.

We ordered the large Sashimi platter which was what I had last time. Sadly, it looked and tasted nothing like what I had.

I have sushi almost every day, and I know very well what fresh fish is supposed to look and taste like. What Sumo served was greyed out and had a bad fishy taste. The Maki they served was deep fried, which would have been fine if that was what I had ordered. I had expressly told the waiter that we were here for raw sushi and he failed to mention that the served Maki would be deep fried. Even the deep fried Maki was served barely not cold and tasted of bad fish.

As for the service, when I told the manager there that the Sashimi is not right, he basically told me that I had no idea what sushi is supposed to look or taste like and that I don't know what I am talking about. He basically tried to convince me that I am an idiot and that the dirty grey color is exactly what fresh fish is supposed to look like, and the bad fishy taste is what it is supposed to taste like. The Sashimi was served much later than the Sashimi and we had to remind the staff multiple times for the drinks. I guess it's hard to get a mint margarita made right but it takes a true artist to get a Sprite wrong! In my experience, this behavior is typical of restaurants whose owners have stopped caring about the customer, lost focus on quality or service, and the onsite staff is just dialing it in at this point driving loyal customers away. Not expected out of a quality restaurant that opened just a few months having decades of experience.

I have nothing against Sumo, or it's management, or the staff but I do feel saddened to see such a promising addition to Islamabad going down adamantly in quality and service so quickly.

I hope the owners will read this review and pay more attention to the affairs at this restaurant and make sure they are delivering the quality and service promised and charged for and what is worthy of...

Be aware that their sushi is not always fresh! On my 3rd visit to this branch I ordered the Classic Philadelphia roll. The salmon on the outside of the roll had a VERY unusual smell and taste, and I spat it out into a napkin immediately. I brought it to the attention of management who then replaced it. The replacement tasted absolutely fine, and as raw salmon should taste. However I wasn't offered any explanation as to what the issue was. I asked whether they had taken up my suggestion to try eating a piece themselves and tell me whether I was imagining it, but they didn't answer that. If something is wrong, at least offer an explanation or admit to being wrong and assure the customer it won't happen again! Why try to hide it? So glad I did not eat the rest of the initial roll.

I also had an issue with the prawn gyoza which I'd specifically asked before ordering whether it was spicy and was told 'no'. I'd explained clearly that I cannot eat chillies at all. Once it arrived and I took a bite and realized it was spicy, I brought it to their attention. Not one but THREE different staff/supervisors came and asked me the same question: "sir did you dip it in the (spicy) sauce?" Why do three different people need to ask you the same patronizing question?? And if a sauce has chilli seeds and chillies floating around in it, do you really think someone who is intolerant to chillies is really stupid enough to dip their food in it? Also hats off to whoever thought that serving a spicy dipping sauce to someone with a chilli intolerance is a good idea!

Moving onto positives, the views here are amazing, if you can get a seat by the window, and the food in general is good, though not quite up to the standard of the two Lahore branches. The Tuna Pizza which I've now had twice is a firm favorite. However I will most likely stick to Gaia for my sushi fix from now on, as (touchwood) I've never had any issues there with anything, in over a...

If you're looking for a truly exceptional dining experience, this Japanese restaurant is an absolute gem. From the moment you step inside, the serene ambience takes you on a journey to Japan, with minimalist yet elegant décor, soft lighting, and traditional elements that create a peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're seated by the window, with a stunning view of the city skyline or nestled in a cozy corner, the setting makes every meal feel special.

The cleanliness is impeccable, with every corner of the restaurant being well-maintained, making it clear that the staff takes great pride in their establishment. The service is prompt, attentive, and friendly, which further enhances the dining experience.

As for the food, it's simply sublime. The sushi is fresh and expertly crafted, with each piece melting in your mouth. The flavors are perfectly balanced, from the tang of the dumplings to the delicate taste of the sweet dish. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared with premium ingredients that shine through in every bite. Whether you're a fan of curry, tempura, or sushu, the menu has something to satisfy every palate.

And the best part? The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food and experience you're getting.Specifically if you r coming with a credit card that offers a discount . It's a true value for the money, making it a great place for both special occasions and casual outings. Highly recommend this Japanese restaurant for an unforgettable dining experience!Book it before arrival as the waiting time...