Black cod
Miso-marinated black cod is repeatedly singled out, including by diners who called it the standout fish dish.
DIFC
In DIFC, Zuma Dubai is a Japanese restaurant built around sushi, robata-style grill dishes and sharing plates. Reviews make the black cod, crab salad and business lunch stand out, while the elegant, music-led setting suits dinner gatherings, celebrations and late-night drinks.
Source: Google Maps
Miso-marinated black cod is repeatedly singled out, including by diners who called it the standout fish dish.
Several diners found the business lunch good value, with one set menu including soup, two starters and a main.
The cocktail programme gets strong feedback, including a well-balanced Harmony and a creative, well-crafted bar selection.
The second-floor bar can turn into a lively DJ-and-dancing spot, especially later in the evening.
Valet parking is available, which is useful for a business lunch or dinner in DIFC.
One diner said the server carefully double-checked dishes when a guest mentioned an allergy.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Zuma Dubai, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
“Everything tasted so good :p especially the crab salad, sushi, and calamari :) the service was great too”
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“Everything tasted so good :p especially the crab salad, sushi, and calamari :) the service was great too”May 2026
“Another small issue was the crab salad while the flavor was great, the green leaf stems were quite distracting and took away from the overall experience of the dish.”October 2025
“Ordered a mix across the menu — sushi, robata, and a few small plates. Standouts were the black cod and the wagyu — both perfectly executed, full of flavour, and exactly what you go there for. Sushi is consistently solid as well.”
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“Ordered a mix across the menu — sushi, robata, and a few small plates. Standouts were the black cod and the wagyu — both perfectly executed, full of flavour, and exactly what you go there for. Sushi is consistently solid as well.”May 2026
“Everything is great, but the black cod is a must !”June 2025
“• Spicy Beef Tenderloin: Well-cooked, tender, and seasoned just right. A solid dish that I enjoyed.”
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“• Spicy Beef Tenderloin: Well-cooked, tender, and seasoned just right. A solid dish that I enjoyed.”January 2025
“Spicy Beef Tenderloin (8.5/10) Cooked to perfection and full of flavor. A bit more heat or an additional dip could take it up a notch.”July 2025
“The ebi maki was delicious but maybe not the best choice for me, though definitely worth trying (7/10).”
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“The ebi maki was delicious but maybe not the best choice for me, though definitely worth trying (7/10).”February 2025
“Ebi Maki (7.5/10) Decent, but I personally found it lacking in bold flavor.”July 2025
“Our children were also very well taken care of and loved the food – they had yakitori skewers and gyoza, both of which were delicious.”
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“Our children were also very well taken care of and loved the food – they had yakitori skewers and gyoza, both of which were delicious.”February 2026
“The gyoza was equally impressive, with a crisp exterior giving way to a juicy, flavorful filling.”September 2025
“King Crab Salad (8.5/10) A standout dish, vibrant, well-balanced, and creative. Portion size is generous enough for at least two people.”
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“King Crab Salad (8.5/10) A standout dish, vibrant, well-balanced, and creative. Portion size is generous enough for at least two people.”July 2025
“• King Crab Salad: A highlight of the meal! Fresh, flavorful, and well-balanced, this dish set a high standard right from the start.”January 2025
“Having tried steaks in many parts of the world, I was expecting the AA7 Wagyu sirloin to deliver a more elevated taste, but it was simply good, not exceptional.”
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“Having tried steaks in many parts of the world, I was expecting the AA7 Wagyu sirloin to deliver a more elevated taste, but it was simply good, not exceptional.”July 2025
“Loved the Australian beef steak and the spicy beef as well.”
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“Loved the Australian beef steak and the spicy beef as well.”October 2024
“Avocado tempura was also very good.”
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“Avocado tempura was also very good.”June 2026
“Cocktail do try “big apple berry” (on the sweeter side) damn well done and wa (gin based) was perfect.”
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“Cocktail do try “big apple berry” (on the sweeter side) damn well done and wa (gin based) was perfect.”May 2026
“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”
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“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”June 2026
“We finally tried the Ebisu business lunch at Zuma Dubai and it absolutely lived up to expectations. From the appetizers all the way to dessert, everything was beautifully executed. The steak was a standout, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Even the desserts impressed me, and I’m usually not someone who gravitates toward sweets, but I genuinely enjoyed them. For the quality and experience (service could have been warmer), the business lunch is definitely worth the money. A must-try, and we will definitely be back.”
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“We finally tried the Ebisu business lunch at Zuma Dubai and it absolutely lived up to expectations. From the appetizers all the way to dessert, everything was beautifully executed. The steak was a standout, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Even the desserts impressed me, and I’m usually not someone who gravitates toward sweets, but I genuinely enjoyed them. For the quality and experience (service could have been warmer), the business lunch is definitely worth the money. A must-try, and we will definitely be back.”February 2026
“Dessert - Chawan mushi is a choco lava cake what stood out was the cake was made of dark chocolate which was exceptionally yummy! Must try.”
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“Dessert - Chawan mushi is a choco lava cake what stood out was the cake was made of dark chocolate which was exceptionally yummy! Must try.”May 2026
“Similarly, the Chilean seabass was flavourful and memorable.”
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“Similarly, the Chilean seabass was flavourful and memorable.”June 2026
“The corn was another highlight, perfectly seasoned with just the right touch of smokiness and sweetness.”
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“The corn was another highlight, perfectly seasoned with just the right touch of smokiness and sweetness.”September 2025
“The dessert platter is amazing.”
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“The dessert platter is amazing.”June 2025
“Dynamite Spider Maki (8/10) Great crunch and a nice balance of spice. Could benefit from a touch more sauce or creaminess.”
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“Dynamite Spider Maki (8/10) Great crunch and a nice balance of spice. Could benefit from a touch more sauce or creaminess.”July 2025
“But the fondant was excellent as always!”
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“But the fondant was excellent as always!”November 2025
“-grilled lamb ribs (what a kick)”
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“-grilled lamb ribs (what a kick)”January 2026
“-grilled octopus (super well prepared)”
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“-grilled octopus (super well prepared)”January 2026
“• Grilled Sweetcorn: Absolutely loved this! Simple yet packed with flavor — a must-try side dish for anyone visiting.”
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“• Grilled Sweetcorn: Absolutely loved this! Simple yet packed with flavor — a must-try side dish for anyone visiting.”January 2025
“Some outstanding dishes we had were: -kinoko kamameshi with truffle (simple but super tasty)”
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“Some outstanding dishes we had were: -kinoko kamameshi with truffle (simple but super tasty)”January 2026
“As for the food, it’s on par with the high standards of the Zuma brand. I absolutely love Black Cod—it’s the best fish dish for me. The way they prepare it at Zuma is unmatched, except maybe at Ce La Vie in Dubai. And, of course, the lava cake is always a must! I order it every time I visit places like Zuma and Nobu—it never disappoints.”
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“As for the food, it’s on par with the high standards of the Zuma brand. I absolutely love Black Cod—it’s the best fish dish for me. The way they prepare it at Zuma is unmatched, except maybe at Ce La Vie in Dubai. And, of course, the lava cake is always a must! I order it every time I visit places like Zuma and Nobu—it never disappoints.”February 2025
“-miso black cod (best one according to kids)”
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“-miso black cod (best one according to kids)”January 2026
“The mushroom risotto was a delightful surprise—creamy, earthy, and bursting with umami, it was comfort food elevated to a sophisticated level.”
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“The mushroom risotto was a delightful surprise—creamy, earthy, and bursting with umami, it was comfort food elevated to a sophisticated level.”September 2025
“• Pecan Pie: A satisfying dessert to end the meal. While not extraordinary, it was good enough to leave me content.”
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“• Pecan Pie: A satisfying dessert to end the meal. While not extraordinary, it was good enough to leave me content.”January 2025
“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”
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“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”June 2026
“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”
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“Overall still a great experience. Rikka Tonics are great, Black Cod Miso well executed, pecan pie Sunday a must,”June 2026
“The shared dessert, roasted pecan with an in-house sweet potato ice cream was simply heavenly. I'm not a great fan of desserts but this is something one has to experience.”
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“The shared dessert, roasted pecan with an in-house sweet potato ice cream was simply heavenly. I'm not a great fan of desserts but this is something one has to experience.”June 2026
“• Rock Shrimp Tempura: It was good, but I felt it could have been a bit more crispy or flavorful to stand out compared to similar dishes I’ve tried.”
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“• Rock Shrimp Tempura: It was good, but I felt it could have been a bit more crispy or flavorful to stand out compared to similar dishes I’ve tried.”January 2025
“The food is really good. We had the signature tasting menu and we were extremely full afterwards.”
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“The food is really good. We had the signature tasting menu and we were extremely full afterwards.”June 2025
“The Japanese sake was not that great, but the sparkling sake was easy to drink.”
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“The Japanese sake was not that great, but the sparkling sake was easy to drink.”January 2026
“For dessert, we had their special chocolate, and it was absolutely amazing—definitely a must-try! (10/10).”
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“For dessert, we had their special chocolate, and it was absolutely amazing—definitely a must-try! (10/10).”February 2025
“Special Chocolate Dessert (8/10) It’s not a high quality chocolate, but it’s really rich in flavor. I’d suggest replacing the ice cream with saffron ice cream and adding a touch of salt to the caramel in cake for contrast.”
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“Special Chocolate Dessert (8/10) It’s not a high quality chocolate, but it’s really rich in flavor. I’d suggest replacing the ice cream with saffron ice cream and adding a touch of salt to the caramel in cake for contrast.”July 2025
“The toro (fatty tuna belly) was outstanding, and my sashimi was of absolute top quality.”
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“The toro (fatty tuna belly) was outstanding, and my sashimi was of absolute top quality.”February 2026
Mixed feedback
“Roasted Potato (8.5/10) Surprisingly flavorful, crispy on the outside, soft and well-seasoned inside.”
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“Roasted Potato (8.5/10) Surprisingly flavorful, crispy on the outside, soft and well-seasoned inside.”July 2025
“To balance out the meal, I ended with a soothing cup of chamomile tea, which was a perfect finishing touch—calming, fragrant, and refreshing after such a flavorful spread.”
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“To balance out the meal, I ended with a soothing cup of chamomile tea, which was a perfect finishing touch—calming, fragrant, and refreshing after such a flavorful spread.”September 2025
“Norisan Drink(7.5/10) Refreshing and tropical, with a pleasant blend of pineapple, orange, and passion fruit.”
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“Norisan Drink(7.5/10) Refreshing and tropical, with a pleasant blend of pineapple, orange, and passion fruit.”July 2025
“The Japanese sake was not that great, but the sparkling sake was easy to drink.”
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“The Japanese sake was not that great, but the sparkling sake was easy to drink.”January 2026
“I ordered the seared tuna, and it turned out to be a bit chewy due to membrane.”
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“I ordered the seared tuna, and it turned out to be a bit chewy due to membrane.”September 2025
“Shrimp tempura were drained in oil, were impossible to eat.”
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“Shrimp tempura were drained in oil, were impossible to eat.”April 2026
“Amondo Drink(7/10) Overly sweet, likely due to the orgeat syrup, but the nutty almond flavor added an interesting twist.”
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“Amondo Drink(7/10) Overly sweet, likely due to the orgeat syrup, but the nutty almond flavor added an interesting twist.”July 2025
Try lunch. Consider the business lunch for better value; one set menu included miso soup, two starters and a main, with dessert extra.
Order black cod. The miso-marinated black cod is one of the safest first orders, with several diners calling it a standout.
Share crab. The king crab salad works well for sharing; one diner found its portion generous enough for at least two people.
Time your visit. For a quieter meal, avoid peak periods: reviews describe lunch as crowded and late evenings as increasingly loud.
Book ahead. Reserve ahead for brunch or busy evenings, as one Saturday brunch became fully booked.
Check pacing. If you prefer courses spaced out, ask the team to pace the dishes; one group had five plates arrive together.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 1:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM |
Multiple reviews describe Zuma as expensive, with some diners questioning whether the food consistently justifies the bill.
Lunch and peak evening periods can become very crowded and loud, making conversation less comfortable.
Some guests were repeatedly asked whether they had finished and saw plates cleared while still eating.
Service is often praised but has also been described as slow, less friendly than before, or unwelcoming on arrival.
A few diners found dishes bland, oily or below Zuma’s expected standard, including one report of oily shrimp tempura.
The Bottom Line
Zuma Dubai is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in DIFC, with sushi, sashimi, robata grills and sharing plates. The black cod, king crab salad and wagyu receive some of the strongest feedback, while the business lunch is repeatedly described as good value compared with the usual spend. It is a natural choice for a birthday, business meal or dinner where food and atmosphere matter equally.
The room is elegant but energetic rather than hushed. Music, cocktails and a second-floor bar with DJs can build into dancing later at night; lunch and brunch, meanwhile, can be crowded and noisy. Valet parking is available.
Families are not overlooked: one review describes children enjoying yakitori, gyoza and dessert, while another mentions careful allergy checks. Prices are firmly at the premium end, and the experience is not completely consistent. Many guests praise attentive, knowledgeable service, but others report slow pacing, a brusque welcome or being hurried out before finishing.
Food reviews range from excellent to merely average, with occasional complaints about bland dishes or oily tempura. Book ahead for busy brunches, consider the business lunch, and ask for dishes to arrive at a slower pace if you want a more relaxed meal.