Zoo Sushi & Bubble Tea — Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

• review edited/updated

Owner contacted me directly upon reading the review. Lady was very apologetic and claimed that the table was reserved. I did still highlight that not once were we advised of this, the two staff members let us sit down, took our order and when the party came to sit at the table they still did not tell us about their mistake. If they had simply told us the table was reserved or even after they had taken our order they could have come clean and explained what had happened we could have figured something out. If we had known about the reserved table we could have ordered take away!! I still maintain my stance on this review based primarily on today's experience but applaud the owner for her professionalism and the courtesy she has given us upon reading about the poor experience we had today. It is not that the restaurant does not welcome locals or non Asian customers but today their staff appeared to prioritise Japanese visitors. If they had dealt with the matter better we would not have felt quite so unwanted.

We have become a regular at Zoo Sushi since moving to Stratford Upon Avon in December. Until today we have always felt welcome and our custom appreciated. The lady who typically serves us on week days knows our order and is always very friendly . We have brought family and friends here for lunches when they visit, however today was the last day we will ever step foot inside the restaurant!!! Myself , my husband and our two children went in for lunch and our kids were so excited. We noticed the place was busy but the big table by the door was free. After a while the staff reluctantly let us sit down, but it was clear they were not happy about us sitting at the last available table. We were ready to order quite quickly but struggled to get the staffs attention, they were talking amongst themselves when finally the young girl came to our table with a high chair for our youngest son. We said we didn't need one but then realised they were trying to get us to move.

Another group of customers came in, after some chatting back and forth behind us the young waitress came to us and asked if we would move to the barseats at the till. There were only three bar seats on offer so as two adults and two children this obviously didnt work. We took the hint, cancelled our order and left. The group waiting behind us swooped in took our table and the staff seemed quite happy with the result!!!! Our three year old daughter was very upset, how do you explain to a young child that you are not welcome in a place you visit so...

My partner got food poisoning! Don’t eat here! I ordered the beef ramen and unfortunately it was extremely unpleasant and didn’t resemble any ramen I have ever had before. The broth tasted like fish soup - I should’ve known it wouldn’t be an authentic ramen since the menu did not describe the broth and there was not an option to have a pork ramen or even any pork meals at all on the menu. I disliked the ramen so much after one sip that I gave it to my partner who likes seafood (again, still not sure why a beef ramen tastes like seafood). A few hours later and he is now very sick (from both ends). We paid over £16 for the pleasure of having food poisoning Also note that the prices are incredibly high. I’ve never been to a Japanese restaurant that charges more the $1 for miso soup. This place charges £5 and the bowl came out dirty. For the price I expected that perhaps the miso soup was made fresh and I was looking forward to it, but it was just instant miso and boiling water. Expect to pay £10 for one simple sushi roll and the rice was undercooked which Ive never experienced before in 15 years of eating sushi Basically, if you’re a millionaire and have never had japanese before you will probably like this place . Otherwise you will be very disappointed and possibly sick too UPDATE After attending the A&E, the hospital confirmed my partner did indeed get food poisoning. I have lodged an official complaint with the Stratford food safety board. I’m glad the sarcastic and inappropriate responses from the owner to poisoning their guests is public for...

A Taste of Japan in Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Tucked away in the picturesque setting of Shakespeare’s birthplace, this Japanese restaurant offers a dining experience that is both unpretentious and delightful. The relaxed atmosphere harmonises beautifully with the historic charm of the area, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely meal. The food is simple yet incredibly tasty, letting the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the chefs shine through. The chicken ramen was hearty and satisfying, with a rich broth and tender chicken that felt like pure comfort in a bowl. The Zoo Sushi Fashion was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavour without being overly complicated. For dessert, the Matcha milk tea with red bean was a lovely treat—smooth, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness. The service was outstanding. The staff were friendly, approachable, and attentive, creating a welcoming environment that made the experience even more enjoyable. Their cheerful demeanour and helpful recommendations added a special touch to the meal. With its focus on fresh, simple, and delicious food paired with excellent service, this restaurant is well...