Ultra-modern, exclusive, super trendy: since it was opened in 2002, Zuma has become the trendiest Japanese restaurant in the city. A fashionable meeting place where you can taste the cuisine of the Rising Sun as you have never tried it before. A place where you can relax, sipping a cocktail on the rooftop overlooking the historic centre of Rome.
The amazing view of Zuma’s rooftop by night.
Zuma is exclusive. And the location counts it well. The restaurant is located on the fourth and fifth floors of Palazzo Fendi, a luxurious building on Via della Fontanella Borghese that, on the ground floor, also houses the famous maison’s atelier (independent from the local restaurant). The interior design mixes Orient décor with modernity, following the aim of Rainer Becker and his partner Arjun Waney, the minds behind Zuma.
Legend counts that the two met at their mutual barbershop in London when Becker wanted to open a place inspired by Japanese informal cuisine, while Arjun wanted to finance his own place after Nobu’s experience. The result is Zuma, now scattered in various locations around the world. All the restaurants, including the one in Rome, have an extremely well-designed interior. In fact Rainer is strongly convinced that the atmosphere is just as important as the excellence of the menu.
The interior décor made by wood exalts Zuma’s elegance.
Between wood, steel, glass and stone, the restaurant – managed entirely by a team of italians – proposes the philosophy of izakaya, the Japanese family cuisine, with dishes designed to be shared at the table. Forget everything you know about Japanese cuisine: Zuma’s proposals are inspired by dishes of the Rising Sun as they use the same preparation techniques, but veer towards the contemporary in terms of flavours and raw materials. They create by “stealing” new elements from the tradition of the country where the reastaurant is located.
One of Zuma’s creation. A real tasting experience.
The menu, complete and enticing, offers authentic dishes, bold flavours and simple yet impressive presentations, to be ordered without a precise protocol but only following the inspiration provided by the three stations. The main kitchen, the Robata grill, the special Japanese barbecue where food is grilled in full view over hot coals, and the Sushi Bar, where sushi is prepared on the spot by the sushi chef. After 11 p.m., when the lights go down and the music rises, you can continue your staying by going up to the bar on the fifht floor or the terrace. You will enjoy Zuma’s famous cocktails or one between the 40 varieties of sake, some created exclusively for the restaurant. Zuma is the first restaurant in Europe boasting a sake sommelier.
