One of my very favorite Japanese sushi restaurants in Philly, run & supervised by a Japanese chef from Japan. I felt as if I were back in Tokyo. If you want fake greasy cheap sushi that overuses mayonnaise & tenkasu, this is not a place for you. Chic Japanese sushi lovers only. read more

Zama - Sushi & Sashimi combo. Chic. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place is tasty and caters to rittenhouse crowd. They have a few menu items similar to morimoto for the fraction of the price (ie, tofu cooked at your table). We enjoyed their fried rock shrimp and sea bass appetizers. They were tiny but tasty. I think my fav app/side was their fried Brussels sprouts. Their sushi was good - nothing out of this world. we liked the petite dessert options. It allows you to try a bunch of different ones without overcommitting. Overall, our experience was good. Our server was a little slow, but we weren't in a rush so it was fine. The interior is nice, the restaurant itself is deceivingly long. I'll probably be back here. I have yet to find an affordable "go to" sushi place after 3 years in Philly. However, this place is kinda on the pricier side. read more

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Cool spot with good sushi and great service. It did take a very long time to get our order taken and food out though. Sushi was really good. I've had better though. We really liked the desserts. Not too expensive either. Come here for great food without the bells and whistles. Easy going dinner spot. read more

Zama - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Zama is a superb sushi bar in Rittenhouse. Simple, beautiful, and traditional Japanese, Zama has a great atmosphere for any occasion. From a quick bite, to a family dinner, or date, this restaurant is a great place to go. The fish here is fresh and very high quality. They have toro consistently which is hard to come by in Philadelphia. I was very happy to try Zama and go there as often as I can when I'm in Rittenhouse. read more

We really enjoyed our time at Zama. My parents had been here before and raced about it. After some deliberations, we decided to go with the $65 tasting menu. I got pictures of every courses but not a good one of the last one, so my apologies! High points: - the sushi, nigiri, and maki were delicious and the quality of fish was really impressive - the tasting menu is more haute cuisine (expect small plates) -- the women in our party felt very satisfied but Padre Bear could have had another roll or two - the plating is beautiful - you will get a mix of cooked and non cooked elements in the tasting menu which is in line for this, a fusion restaurant (personally, I am more of a straight sushi gal -- you could always just order a sushi selection if that is your preference!) Additional comments: - the venue is very cute and I think would be a great date night choice - we weren't very impressed with our wine, which was a non-Burgundy burgundy aka a Pinot noir - we had a somewhat SNOBBY eater in our party and she was thrilled with the entire food experience read more

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Zama has a nice location and is walking distance from just about everything in the area. I had a lunch reservation for 3 people here for my first experience. What struck me was the service. Our waitress couldn't have been homier or more helpful. She was diner waitress level familiar and offered a lot of guidance on the menu. A few times she stopped us from ordering something unnecessarily OR if there was an option that came with a side or something similar. That's pretty amazing. The sushi was good. I wasn't blown away if I'm being honest. Being in Philly where Morimoto's is based must be humbling for a sushi joint but Zama's basic rolls were pretty tasty. We ordered dumplings as an appetizer. A few entrees came with soup. We had edamame as well. I ordered the spicy and crunchy tuna. It wasn't very spicy but I may crave a bit more zing than the average bear. Our server was really helpful when pointing out what came as a "full" order and whether I'd need something more. That was amazing and she was spot on each time. Everyone seemed satisfied with their choices. We even ordered coffee and she was quick to point out that they just offered garden variety coffee but the place a few doors down had more exotic choices. I could more see myself returning here for the service than for the sushi which again -- was GOOD but didn't blow me away. Seating here is comfortable. The front betrays your eyesight since there are booths further back. It looks much smaller than it actually is. Once ordered, our food came out pretty quickly. If we were in a rush we could have been out the door in less than 35 minutes. Nice place. Moderate prices. read more

The service was amazing but the food unfortunately Was subpar. I went for my one year anniversary and had such high hopes but there wasn't a single thing I ordered that I thoroughly enjoyed. We decided on Miso soup - it needed salt Edamame - my partner said it was fine House salad w/ avocado - not enough ginger dressing Vegetable dumplings - it's okay Spicy rock shrimp tempura - it's okay NY strip steak- mediocre, chewy, would not recommend Salmon on salmon - it's okay Hamachi ponzu- best dish I ordered Mixed tuna tartare- not what I expected Sake/drunken whale - I enjoyed very much I wouldn't try this spot again but happy to have checked it off my Philly restaurant list. read more

We stopped in for dinner at Zama after a day in the city. We arrived earlier than our reservation and were seated promptly. The interior has a nice ambiance and we both decided to try the tasting menu. Unlike other places, Zama has four 7-course tasting menus at different price points from $55 to $120. We had a great server, Merci, who let us see all the menus so we could decide on the one that appealed to us. All of the menus, really looked great. Tasting menu chosen, we ordered hot sake and then the courses started to arrive. Every course was well prepared and delicious and we had no complaints about the quality or the preparation. The only slight downside was that the nigiri sushi, while delicious; was below average in size from other places we've been. Having had sushi across three continents and in multiple cities, I think that for the price point, the nigiri sushi should be to the average standard in size. For dessert, I had the tofu beignets with the two dipping sauces (on Merci's recommendation) and they were phenomenal. Piping hot, light and delicious - don't let the 'tofu' detract you. If you've never had bread with tofu as an ingredient, you will be surprised to find that it makes the bread light, fluffy and uber delicious. Overall, we enjoyed everything from the delicious food to Merci's great service and we will definitely be back at Zama soon. read more

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I'm not usually one for this type of food, but I loved this place! The menu was super extensive and accessible to vegetarian dining preferences. Our server was very personable, service was quick, and the vibes inside of the restaurant were very clean/calm/mellow. The dessert menu was the best part IMO- definitely check this place out if you're in Philly! read more

3.5/5 Came here twice and paid two very expensive bills both times. Overall, the sushi is amazingly fresh and tasty, although I would recommend getting the tasting menus for a more unique experience. First time I got the sushi and sashimi combination which was alright--definitely did not feel full off of it for lunch but all the sashimi was extremely fresh. The roll was actually my favorite part, because it tasted fresh yet you could also taste the high quality of the rice and other ingredients in the sushi. For this plate however, I cannot justify paying its steep price. The second time I came I got the $100 tasting menu, and definitely felt full after that meal. I wish I had taken pictures for it because all the dishes were so beautiful. The tasting menu was really unique and I highly recommend trying it, depending on if you like what's on the menu for that day. My friend got the $75 tasting menu and it was good as well, but if you're already paying that much for the tasting menu, I'd recommend going for a truly amazing experience with the $100 tasting menu. read more

Zama - Sushi and Sashimi Combination - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The service was definitely 10/10, our waiter Travis was very nice and accommodated. The Lunch Combo is a great value in my opinion, the udon was chewy and a great paired with the tempuras. The sashimi was fresh, however, they were sliced too thin. Overall, a good experience! read more

Zama - Sashimi Combination Black Belt - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our server made good recommendations for us. The food was good. I like the pan seared dumplings. I personally would have preferred the edamame to be more spiced but the other people in my group seemed to like it fine. read more

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BEST sushi ever! 1st time there. Highly recommended by regulars OMG worth every penny. The red miso soup idk how I can ever get basic miso now. Smokey yummy amazing ness Travis sever was Definitely 3/$12 dessert Cho mousse Hubby got special sushi read more

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This place is good but too expensive for what you are getting in my opinion. The miso soup had mushrooms in it which was different but very good. All the sushi tastes fresh but I didn't like the escargot dish read more

Zama - Miso Soup - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

this place has great sushi, a great ambiance, and such a good location in rittenhouse. this is one of my go to center city sushi spots. definitely worth checking it out. read more

Zama - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The service here was top notch and the servers were quick to clear the table between dishes and top off our drinks. Sushi is absolutely played out and has hit peak basicness. Skip the sushi unless you live under a rock and never get the chance to eat sushi. They have some weird house blend soy sauce that leaves an awful aftertaste in your mouth. The Zama fried chicken is just sesame chicken and the Japanese slaw is literally just raw shredded cabbage. I was expecting some sort of breaded fried chicken. Major let down. The Kirin ichiban braised short rib was surprisingly good! The rib is so tender that you can pull it apart with a simple tug of your chopsticks. It is also a little bit bigger than pictures let off. But only a little bit. The Brussels sprouts are heavily seasoned with Parmesan cheese which clashes heavily with the rest of the spread. I did not expect a Japanese restaurant to hose their vegetables with Italian cheese. This was terrible. Fortunately this came out last so it didn't ruin the braised short rib. I love the dessert sampler set up - you get to pick 3! They all look good so you can't go wrong. read more

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Great service, accommodated me on a walk in. Fish was incredibly fresh and delicious. read more

Zama - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Had a great meal- all the rolls and sushi were so good! The dessert was delicious - the banana bombe was especially delicious

Located in the Rittenhouse Square section of Center City is an above average sushi restaurant with fresh fish at well above average pricing, where you can expect dinner for two to be at least $55 per person. Service is average, more attentive with the better waitresses. The ginger dressing isn't the typical ginger dressing you're used to. At Zama, it's closer to a vinaigrette with a twist of ginger added in. The restaurant is small not intimate with approximately 4 larger booths for parties of 6-10. There's seating at the sushi bar, and reservations can be made on OpenTable. read more

Food was amazing. Sushi was great but the brussels with bacon were INCREDIBLE!!! Cocktails were top notch as well. Highly recommend. read more

Zama - Brussel Sprouts with bacon. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A cute little spot with great rolls. I honestly don't remember what I ordered, but I don't think you can go wrong since I enjoyed every bit of it. Servers were friendly and the ambiance was great. Not very loud and chill. read more

Everything was amazing. Food was delicious, definitely recommend the Kirin Ichiban Braised Short Rib and the Wasabi Tuna Maki. read more

Zama - Wasabi Tuna - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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What time : 6PM Reservation: Yes (very easy to book and has good availability) Parking: lots nearby What we ate: House salad miso soup edamame black cod entree salmon salmon entree Tuna truffle appetizer Dessert: choose 3 including all the following - chocolate mousse cake mini - cheesecake mini - crème brûlée mini Really good meal. We were starving after flying in that day and I was so happy to find this place. I found it on Philadelphia Magazine's list of places to eat it--Where to Eat in Rittenhouse: The Ultimate Guide They fed us well. I recommend this restaurant. read more

Lunch perfection. Beautifully presented delicious food. I got an amazing bento box with a noodle miso soup (decent size bowl, not a tiny miso bowl), salad with a tasty dressing, small tempura side, and a 6 piece maki roll and 3 piece surprise extra of another roll. Other diners in my party had the chicken/noodle/miso bowl and another lunch special. We shared the three mini dessert plate - passionfruit mini creme brulee, pistachio mini cheesecake and a bitter chocolate mousse. The deserts are made *in house* by their own pastry chef. I can't wait to return! read more

Zama - Lunch Bento Box. Yum! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Really fantastic! Staff was friendly and attentive, food was phenomenal. The Hamachi Ponzu was a standout, and the Bluefin Crudo and Orange Dragon Roll on the seasonal menu were both fantastic. Only real complaint was that it was super pricey, but delicious and great atmosphere. read more

Came with a party of ten at 5:30 on a Monday and it was near empty. Left at 7 and there was a line. Creative but not funky, the assortment has something for everyone. Apps and samplers were best way to go. Fresh and velvety smooth fish. Will be back for that tasting menu. read more

The sushi never disappoints! Wine and cocktail selections are pretty good too. Vibes are good for date night, or a dinner date with friends. read more

Zama - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Zara has really improved over the last few years. It's become my go to spot when I want quality sushi. I love that they are open for lunch as well. I typically will do a sushi combo, and they offer the option to upgrade to the better cut of fish for these combos as well. Their desserts are unique. It's $12 and you get. A choice of 3 mini desserts. I love this for the variety. The beignets are fantastic! read more

This cute, intimate and classy Japanese restaurant in the heart of Rittenhouse square did not disappoint! Everything that was ordered was made to perfection with a flavorful twist. The oysters were my favorite and are probably my favorite in the city. The servers are very knowledgeable and friendly. A very nice gem that's a must try. read more

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Really want to like this place, but the sushi is boring, bland, and overpriced. Skimpy portion sizes too. Atmosphere inside is nice, service is good, but the sushi is nothing special. read more

My mouth is watering just looking back at these photos. I loved both rolls of sushi- especially the specialty roll. We also had the sample bao bun appetizer that was AMAZING. I cannot wait to go back to Zama. read more

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This is one of my favorite little spots in Philly. Why? 1-Great sushi. I mean really good. It is Creative, fresh, quality, just damn good.... Try the Philly cheesesteak sushi roll. I have never had anything like it. All sorts of traditional stuff too, but that one is just fun and amazing. 2-Great sake selection. Drunken Whale is a big favorite of mine. 3-You can eat at the counter. 4-they always have mochi (a dessert). You are missing out if you have not had it yet...! 5-the staff really is good and care about what they do. Things to know: 1- it is not a big place. Make a reservation 2- You are going to pay for this meal. Good food has a price, but it is worth it. 3-it is not a big place. Make a reservation. If you are looking for a nice date night, then this is the place. read more

I was really going back and forth between 3-4 stars, but landed on 3 stars because the portion size was just so ridiculous even though there was good service and quality. You walk in and there's nothing flashy about Zama. There's the sushi bar up front and seating following that. I ordered the sushi and sashimi combo for $39 and some saki. First off, the Zama saki is absolutely wonderful with its fruity tones. Hot sake was pretty standard. I was most disappointed with the portion size of my fish. Everything seemed like baby portion. With that said, if you're hungry, there's a chance you will leave still hungry. I could not believe how small the sashimi and nigiri pieces were. Practically a joke. The only thing to really enjoy is that the fish was fresh. read more

Food is just OK, not great, especially for the price I was paying. I got the most expensive $100 Omakase (Chef's tasting menu), and my wife got the $59 Chirashi and we were not impressed by the quality or taste at all. Other food we ordered was just OK as well. No one in my family was impressed by the food when considering the price we're paying. I've had better food and better Omakase at many other Japanese restaurants. Service from the waitresses was hit and miss. Our waitress was good, but occasionally other waitresses will help bring the food over to the table. One of the other waitress was not good at all. First time she put the food down and said what it was, but she definitely looked like she didn't want to be there. She didn't even make eye contact with us at all. Second time she put the food down quickly and instantly left and didn't even bother to say anything at all, and we didn't know what the food was as we didn't order it (eventually we found out from another waitress that it's a complimentary side that came along with one of the entrees). read more

Overall, the food was mixed in quality. Agedashi Tofu - sauce was watery, and the tofu itself was too hard on texture. Chicken Somen - Way too much lemon flavor in the soup Rittenhouse Three - these hand rolls were actually pretty good read more

Came in on a Wednesday around 6:30PM with a reservation for 2 - the place is pretty spacious, might even be able to do a walk in on a weekday? They also offer bag and coat check at the front. My friend and I opted for the $65 chef's tasting anniversary special - it was a good amount of food and lasted us almost 2 hours. They're very considerate and serve the dishes as you finish them, but also take a bit of time serving you? If you're in a rush, might not be the best place. There are some portions of the menu where you can select: we picked spicy paiche (really wasn't spicy), oysters 3 ways (can share, the lemon and lime on top of oysters was interesting), and the chirashi bowl (solid option which bits of my beloved uni!!). The menu isn't very crazy sushi heavy so definitely not omakase but great blend to a balanced palette. I particularly enjoyed the sashimi platter, the spicy shrimp tempura hand roll on soy paper (paper was a good interesting!!) and the yuzu creme brûlée for dessert (tart, smooth finish!!) I always enjoy a chefs tasting menu, but they do offer a la carte if you fancy having more control of your night. read more

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Definitely excellent fish and preparation. The service was great, wait staff a little rough around the edges. This is a loud and crowded restaurant with sushi bar AND full Kitchen and full bar. We ordered the less expensive tasting menu - PLenty of food for 2. We also ordered dragon roll, miso soup and two Manhattans. I will totally go back, but only order the tasting menu, because we were more than full. Reservation is key! read more

Stunningly good sushi, imaginative dishes, excellent service. No notes. I won't miss this place when passing through Philadelphia

Nice and clean environment, but personally thought there's better and cheaper sushi in the city. Atmosphere: Not too dim, and good level of background music noise. Friendly service, and food came out really quickly - we were in and out in less than 45 minutes. Food: Our favorite specialty roll was the "eel and shrimp fiesta" and the grilled avocado as a small bite. Was not a huge fan of the bronzino specialty roll (bronzizzle) - not very flavorful. On the whole, I think the sushi was generally average though, but not worth the price for how much they costed. Each specialty roll was around 16-20 dollars. Overall: 2/5 - Felt like it was generally average, but a tad overpriced for the sushi. Likely won't be back, given the other sushi options in Philly. read more

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I came here for lunch today and ordered the fried chicken bento box with a spicy tuna roll. The box itself was really cool. The fried chicken was tasty but it came with a weird cabbage slaw and would have been a lot more enjoyable with white rice. The sushi roll was OK but not great. The roll itself was really loose and kept coming apart. There was very little spicy sauce, so it lacked flavor and spice. There is much better sushi in Center City. The ambience, decor and service were topnotch. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. While the food was just OK, and a bit overpriced, I would go back for the cool upscale experience. read more

Zama - Sushi Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania