Zuma Istanbul

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Zuma many times over the years, and one thing I can say for certain is that it never disappoints. I would consider it the top restaurant in Turkey for Asian fine dining. Every dish is crafted with the utmost care and expertise, which is evident from the very first bite. This particular experience was on New Year’s Eve, and in addition to the exceptional food, the ambiance and live DJ entertainment were top-notch.

Zuma Istanbul is an exceptional fine dining experience! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, complemented by impeccable service and outstanding food. Every dish is a delight, crafted with precision and bursting with flavor. The music adds a lively yet sophisticated vibe, making it a perfect spot for a memorable evening. Highly recommended!

Zuma provides a chic and vibrant dining experience with modern Japanese cuisine at its heart. Known for its sleek decor and lively atmosphere, the restaurant offers expertly crafted dishes, from sushi to robata grill specialties. Perfect for a stylish night out, Zuma combines exceptional food with a sophisticated vibe.

Fantastic atmosphere and keen staff whom are willing to deliver the best experience ever to guests. Food is fantastic and very well presented.

I’ve been to my fair share of upscale restaurants whether its in Istanbul or Tokyo but I was disappointed by Zuma İstanbul. We arrived at the establishment around 5 pm and greeted but no one but silence so we went directly upstairs and the host was no where to be find so we asked a waiter to be seated and waited for a few more minutes and guided to our table. As we walked by the tables it was clear to me this isn’t the wonderful place I’ve been few years back and something has gone wrong. As we sat down we were given our menus and greated twice once by waiter and second one by host whom weren’t present at the first place. Menus were wee bit dirty and for a place with Michelin guide plaques at the entrance which indicates they’re shooting for a star or at least bib gourmad ant it was disappointing. We ordered vegetables tempura to share, 9 piece nigiri , chili miso marinated beef ribs wine and beer. Tempura was good with not overpowering batter and we were able to taste the vegetables, also I enjoyed the tempura sauce. Unfortunately rice of the nigiris were dry and little bit crunchy which indicates there is some room for improvement in that front also wasabi wasn’t fresh grated. When it comes to the beef ribs it was great and melting in our mouth with its spice level was fine. The thing was I had to ask for cutlery which was weird because it wasn’t presliced or bite sized food like in an izakaya setting. But this being an izakaya we weren’t given hot towels and offered otoshi but this must be the contemporary side for an establishment which prides itself being both an izakaya and contemporary. At the end of our meal there was Chorei - Japanese prework meeting- yelling at the kitchen which was fine by me but not for the regular folks which most of them were staring at the kitchen. Overall it was a fine experience but not an upscale one.

Zuma is a well-known and highly regarded establishment that provides a distinctive ambiance and caters to a specific clientele. Due to its exceptional menu, high-quality cuisine, and pleasant background music, it frequently experiences a high volume of customers. It is an ideal location for group gatherings, offering a delightful dining experience complemented by refreshing beverages. Furthermore, its convenient location within Istenye Park allows visitors to seamlessly transition from shopping to a satisfying meal.

Food so so not bad not good Serving too small for a costly meal Taste not much tasty Place too dark for me I don’t like

Honestly its a waste of michellen stars, food was average we were a big party so we got a bit of everything, service was great though and the booking process was really easy, it was kid friendly but make sure to be here before nighttime, atmosphere was incredible, probably the best thing here, menu was pretty limited to be honest. Overall a 6/10 I wouldn’t necessarily choose to come back but I wouldn’t hate it.