San Diego, meet Zuma – the contemporary Japanese restaurant group that has built a presence in more than a dozen cities worldwide since its London launch nearly 25 years ago. The new venue is located at 500 W Broadway in downtown San Diego – and people are already raving about it.
A space made for sharing
The San Diego location spans approximately 12,000 square feet and accommodates around 220 guests across indoor and outdoor areas. It includes a garden terrace, a wraparound bar, and a dedicated DJ booth — reflecting Zuma’s format of pairing Japanese cuisine with an energetic atmosphere. The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday, 5 – 10 PM, and reservations are encouraged, since ‘popular‘ is an understatement.
Design rooted in the Baja California landscape
Zuma’s design team drew on the wonderful geography and flora of Baja California. You’ll find boulder walls, impressive stone elements, and natural textures throughout the space. The interior features screens that reference Japanese motifs and the lattice structure of Balboa Park‘s Botanical Building. A secluded courtyard terrace completes the space – imagine a hidden retreat within the downtown core.
What’s on the menu?
Expect Zuma’s signature izakaya-style sharing format. Standout dishes include gin-dara no saikyo yaki (marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf) from the robata grill, Arjun’s chu-toro maki (prime tuna with spring onion and Oscietra caviar) from the sushi counter, and yaki taraba gani (Norwegian king crab with ponzu) from the kitchen.
The bar features more than 40 varieties of sake alongside Japanese spirits and original cocktails, like the the Zuma Paloma, made with tequila, clarified yuzu and hibiscus cordial, and grapefruit Himalayan solution.
San Diego joins a select global group
Founded in London in 2002 by Becker and Arjun Waney, Zuma has since expanded to cities including Dubai, Miami, New York, Rome, and Madrid. San Diego becomes the brand’s first California address and its latest permanent addition.
