Zuma Miami — Restaurant in Miami

Zuma Miami is a high-end Japanese restaurant that delivers an extraordinary dining experience, seamlessly blending traditional izakaya-style cuisine with contemporary sophistication. Nestled in the heart of downtown Miami, Zuma offers an elegant yet lively ambiance, making it a top choice for those seeking an upscale and dynamic dining experience.

Atmosphere & Service

From the moment you step into Zuma, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of refined luxury. The sleek, modern decor, with its rich wood finishes and warm lighting, sets the stage for an immersive dining journey. The waterfront location enhances the experience, providing beautiful views of the Miami River. The service is impeccable—attentive yet unobtrusive, ensuring that every guest feels valued. Whether you’re visiting for a business lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a weekend brunch, the staff ensures a seamless and memorable experience.

Menu Highlights

Zuma’s menu is a masterclass in Japanese culinary excellence, featuring a well-balanced selection of sushi, sashimi, robata grill items, and decadent signature dishes. Below are some standout options:

Wagyu Selection

Zuma’s wagyu offerings are a must-try, showcasing the highest quality beef with exquisite preparation. Highlights include: • Wagyu Gunkan – A delicate bite of wagyu sushi topped with daikon and black truffle, an umami bomb that melts in your mouth. • Seared Wagyu Striploin with Truffle Ponzu (48) – Perfectly seared with a rich, earthy truffle finish. • Japanese Wagyu Tartare (64) – Served on crispy nori with cured egg yolk, delivering a luxurious texture and deep flavor. • Braised Japanese Wagyu Brisket (72) – Wrapped in pickled daikon and sesame sauce, this dish is both tender and flavor-packed. • 32 oz Wagyu Tomahawk (255) – A show-stopping cut, grilled to perfection with wasabi and black truffle.

Signature Dishes & Robata Grill

Beyond wagyu, Zuma’s robata grill offers standout selections like: • Spicy Beef Tenderloin (56) – A perfect balance of heat and umami with sesame, red chili, and sweet soy. • Barley Miso Baby Chicken (38) – Slow-roasted over cedar wood, delivering a smoky, caramelized depth. • Kurobuta Pork Belly Skewers (26) – Glazed with yuzu mustard miso, striking a perfect sweet-savory balance. • Lobster with Shiso Ponzu Butter (85) – A luxurious offering, combining sweet lobster meat with citrusy, umami-packed butter.

Cold & Raw Dishes

Zuma’s raw menu features masterfully executed sashimi and tartare: • Seared Tuna with Chili Daikon and Ponzu (24) – A fresh, vibrant dish with a hint of heat. • Botan Ebi with Yuzu Koshu and Oscietra Caviar (45) – A true indulgence, blending creamy prawns with premium caviar. • Salmon and Tuna Tartare with Imperial Oscietra Caviar (52) – A rich, silky dish that is a must for caviar lovers.

Tasting Menu Omakase

For those seeking a curated experience, Zuma offers Signature (150) and Premium (228) tasting menus, ensuring a comprehensive journey through their best dishes.

Wine & Sake Selection

The extensive wine and sake list caters to the most discerning palates. The Red Burgundy selection features bottles from prestigious vineyards, including: • Domaine Michel Magnien 1er Cru “Climats d’Or” 2021 (310) • Jean-Marie Pillot “Clos St. Jean” 1er Cru 2020 (250) • Nicole Lamarche “Les Chaumes” 1er Cru 2022 (450)

Each bottle is expertly curated to pair with the delicate flavors of Japanese cuisine.

Final Thoughts

Zuma Miami is not just a meal—it’s an experience. The combination of world-class ingredients, precise execution, and a luxurious ambiance makes it a premier dining destination. Whether indulging in wagyu, savoring fresh sashimi, or enjoying a meticulously curated omakase, Zuma consistently delivers excellence. It’s a must-visit for food lovers and an essential stop on Miami’s...

The terrible experience I never expected to receive from Zuma!

To the management at Zuma,

Long-standing memories have tied me to Zuma; from youthful birthdays to adult celebrations. This establishment has been my go-to for introducing loved ones to fine dining, and last night, I was eager to share its magic with a dear friend that came from Spain to visit..

Our plan? Sip on your famed mocktails (given I was the designated driver and she's fresh from surgery) and enjoy the cuisine that I've raved about for years... But, what unfolded was a series of unfortunate and unprofessional interactions that tarnished our evening.

Directed to the bar by the hostesses, we settled in, anticipating a pleasant wait. However, 30 minutes in, a tattooed, dark-haired bartender asked for our IDs. Now, while my ID was dutifully presented, my friend, a visitor to the country from Spain, was without her passport - a reasonable expectation for a relaxed dinner... The ensuing treatment, where we were advised to "leave" our seats, was both unforeseen and unwarranted (considering we are both 21+). Also, an Italian manager around 8pm confronted us too, stating we need to "wait outside" and denying everything I had to say. Their approach wasn't one of clarification but of accusation, making us feel less like valued patrons and more like criminals for no reason.

It's hard to express the dismay I felt when, instead of attempting to remedy the situation, we were further alienated by the manager's suggestion to "wait outside". The insinuation that we were aiming to “break the law,” especially when our intent was clear (non-alcoholic beverages as adults), was a bitter pill to swallow. The feeling of being criminalized was palpable, a sentiment I've never associated with Zuma before.

To be clear, I come with substantial experience in the hospitality industry, having served in roles ranging from hostess to manager. I understand the intricacies and the paramount importance of customer satisfaction. The dismissive attitude and lack of basic understanding from Zuma's staff were genuinely disappointing!! It's crucial to highlight that while my ID was presented, the treatment we received simply because my friend, a tourist, didn't carry her passport was appalling....

For an establishment I've praised and frequented, the lack of clear communication regarding ID policies, particularly for non-alcoholic beverages, was glaring. The neglect we faced as loyal, law-abiding adults over 21 was entirely out of place.

The irony isn't lost on me. A wait of 30 minutes at the bar, and only then a confrontational approach? It begs the question: was our patronage inconvenient? Or were they unhappy with our non-alcoholic orders? ...

I've always held Zuma in high esteem, but last night was a low point. The final blow? Despite waiting "outside" as directed, we never even received a call for our table. An entire evening of anticipation, only to be left in the cold without the dining experience we came for:(

Used to champion your place, but this was a miss. If there’s a strict ID policy, communicate it. Love the food, love the place, but service? Needs a refresh. I urge you to view this as more than just a complaint, but as feedback crucial for rectification!

P.s Looking for the Zuma I once loved... with good service, good atmosphere, good food and customer...

Prices are medium high (double what most places charge) but ambience is really comfy and has a nice water view or open fire kitchen view. The seafood dishes are delicious but some of the sushi rolls was only ok. The different sauces were innovative and tasty. I tried a fruity drink but the ginger component did make it less appetizing. The wait staff was attentive and helpful as well as super friendly.

The restaurant didn’t open until 6:00 pm so we waited by the bar, but there was a little delay with seating, as well as being overlooked or forgotten by the front desk so they started seating people who came in 30 minutes after we did.

The lighting was rather low to keep it all relaxing but the music was a bit loud and disconnected from the general vibe.

Dessert was awesome, we got the lychee pana cotta with strawberry sherbet and the chocolate cake gooey liquid chocolate center accompanied with pecan praline ice cream (dessert was my mom’s favorite and that’s saying something since she likes savory over sweet things).

Billing was fast and the manager was quick in applying the “open table” gift card.

Bathroom is a bit tricky, so look for the alcove or hallway between the kitchen and the bar and you will see the words “W” and “M” for women and men and look for the handle since the door and walls look identical (it’s a camouflage wall detail) which is pretty but also harder to spot.

The bar has limited seating so you might have to stand. The “writing on the wall” seems like a favorite, it’s pleasant for a non-drinker like myself with citrus, mint, vodka, and I forget if it was lychee or some other fruit.

Overall it was a very pleasant evening and definitely a nice date night option.

The restaurant is inside a hotel “epic” by Biscayne Blvd , so I am not sure if their parking is expensive , it’s a small driveway entrance so we actually parked in another parking garage near the wellsfargo building and just walked over instead. Restaurant is to the left once you enter the front...