Zest Sushi and Small Plates is average at best, a far cry from high quality Japanese fare. From a strict culinary perspective, Zest deserves 2 stars, in my opinion. But when you factor in the affordable price tag and amiable service, 3 stars is more like it. Here is what we ate, in order of preference:
Kiss of Death Roll (A-): Very flavorful, although not spicy at all Polynesian Pork Belly (B+): Nice seasoning, although we’ve had much better Mocktail – Mint Mule (B+): Very refreshing Butter Garlic Oysters (B): Decent Tempura Veggie (C+): Too soft, almost soggy Fish & Chips (C-): The fries were very good, but the fish was terrible (insipid, soggy) Tuna Nigiri (D+): I’ve had better grocery store nigiri Salmon Poke Crunch (D): Just bad poke. No flavor whatsoever Mocktail – Lychee Limeade (D-): Just no flavor, utterly forgettable Gyoza Dumplings (F): The worst gyozas ever. Limp and soggy
On the positive side, we only spent $118 for a 3-person meal, before tipping (2 mocktails, water, 7 small plates, 1 larger entrée, no alcohol). We won’t be returning to Zest Sushi.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Alex Tasich
Food was decent, along with atmosphere. However, after spending $200+ with an other couple we were asked by the manager to leave because they needed to turn over the table. Very unprofessional and unexpected.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell
Midnight Star200
We had a big party here and our server was doing a fabulous job. It was just her for our large tables so I asked the bartender if I could order a glass of wine from him. He told me I needed to wait for my waitress. I then see him bring a cocktail to a man at our table. What would you call this? The food was absolutely delicious. I would recommend coming here for sure. Next time I’ll dress like a man so the bartender will serve me.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Christina DeJoseph
Always enjoyed every thing that I've ordered here. Service has always been prompt & polite. Does not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roll, Seafood
Dendaung Nualkhae
Ramen is the worst in Atlanta.
Macy Schneider
Zest was fabulous! Went for dinner here after shopping on Canton St. the food was fabulous, great sushi! The vibe is fantastic and everyone was super nice! Great drinks as well! Good spot for a girls dinner and catch up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Aja Rockwell
Parking: Amazing food our services was amazing orederd alot of food to much for the table. He started with light to heavy as far as food goes. Our server answered all of my and girlfriend questions and enlighten us on other things we didn't know. For example the raw oysters. And by the way I really recommend the lobster tacos!!!
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Soup, Seafood
Bert Hayden
The atmosphere was steller, the food was average, and the service was below average.
The area and the dining atmosphere are beautiful. It's a very romantic area of town with a massive walk-score.
Food left a bit to be desired. The lamb was tough, the oysters were flavorless, and the roman was mid; however, the beer was cold, and the sake was hot.
Service lacked any attention to detail, and non-alcoholic drinks were left empty most of the meal, and we needed to ask for things several times before they were provided.
Overall, for the price, there is much better sushi in the area. Great for drinks and maybe an app at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Lamb Lollipops, Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Tuna, Roll, Edamame
Raisa Abuhassan
I haven't had a chance to try their food to the full experience. I am sure their food is good, I would just recommend changing the picture in doordash for the Zest roll. The picture does not show at all what you are going to get and that is a bit confusing after you get your order. Here is the picture so you understand what I mean ( here I ate one roll, there were 6 rolls). In doordash without discounts this was 20$ and fees and tip almost 27 $. I managed to get it discounted to 16$ with coupons. Overall, the cucumbers had a good taste! In doordash I saw the cucumber wrap comment but due to the picture I thought the cucumber wrap was inside the sushi. I would have not ordered it if I knew it was just cucumber. Overall, good taste, just be clear what you offer in the picture.
Emily Gaines
Adam our server was awesome and the food was phenomenal. Adam was great with giving us details on all the food options. Each item we picked was delicious. Will definitely be back for more!
Service was fantastic and they went above and beyond to make sure my husband and I had a great dinner to celebrate our anniversary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Smith
Terrible Sushi and Service. Second time we have tried it and Will never go back again!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Laura Patterson
The location is wonderful, the food and drinks amazing and Mary was great! She totally added to the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Roll
Noelle Miller
My friend and I went to Zest on a Saturday night. I would anticipate the restaurant to be busy, but you would never know it because Ashley was SUPER attentive and amazing. I ordered a drink that I didn’t like, and she was SO sweet and understanding and had it remade. The Phoenix Roll was absolutely incredible. I swear, I’m going to have dreams about it- it was that yummy! I will definitely be back the next time I’m in town from Florida- and I’ll definitely be asking for Ashley!
Zest Sushi and Small Plates is average at best, a far cry from high quality Japanese fare. From a strict culinary perspective, Zest deserves 2 stars, in my opinion. But when you factor in the affordable price tag and amiable service, 3 stars is more like it. Here is what we ate, in order of preference:
Kiss of Death Roll (A-): Very flavorful, although not spicy at all
Polynesian Pork Belly (B+): Nice seasoning, although we’ve had much better
Mocktail – Mint Mule (B+): Very refreshing
Butter Garlic Oysters (B): Decent
Tempura Veggie (C+): Too soft, almost soggy
Fish & Chips (C-): The fries were very good, but the fish was terrible (insipid, soggy)
Tuna Nigiri (D+): I’ve had better grocery store nigiri
Salmon Poke Crunch (D): Just bad poke. No flavor whatsoever
Mocktail – Lychee Limeade (D-): Just no flavor, utterly forgettable
Gyoza Dumplings (F): The worst gyozas ever. Limp and soggy
On the positive side, we only spent $118 for a 3-person meal, before tipping (2 mocktails, water, 7 small plates, 1 larger entrée, no alcohol). We won’t be returning to Zest Sushi.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Food was decent, along with atmosphere. However, after spending $200+ with an other couple we were asked by the manager to leave because they needed to turn over the table. Very unprofessional and unexpected.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell
We had a big party here and our server was doing a fabulous job. It was just her for our large tables so I asked the bartender if I could order a glass of wine from him. He told me I needed to wait for my waitress. I then see him bring a cocktail to a man at our table. What would you call this? The food was absolutely delicious. I would recommend coming here for sure. Next time I’ll dress like a man so the bartender will serve me.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Always enjoyed every thing that I've ordered here. Service has always been prompt & polite. Does not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roll, Seafood
Ramen is the worst in Atlanta.
Zest was fabulous! Went for dinner here after shopping on Canton St. the food was fabulous, great sushi! The vibe is fantastic and everyone was super nice! Great drinks as well! Good spot for a girls dinner and catch up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Parking: Amazing food our services was amazing orederd alot of food to much for the table. He started with light to heavy as far as food goes. Our server answered all of my and girlfriend questions and enlighten us on other things we didn't know. For example the raw oysters. And by the way I really recommend the lobster tacos!!!
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Soup, Seafood
The atmosphere was steller, the food was average, and the service was below average.
The area and the dining atmosphere are beautiful. It's a very romantic area of town with a massive walk-score.
Food left a bit to be desired. The lamb was tough, the oysters were flavorless, and the roman was mid; however, the beer was cold, and the sake was hot.
Service lacked any attention to detail, and non-alcoholic drinks were left empty most of the meal, and we needed to ask for things several times before they were provided.
Overall, for the price, there is much better sushi in the area. Great for drinks and maybe an app at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Lamb Lollipops, Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Tuna, Roll, Edamame
I haven't had a chance to try their food to the full experience. I am sure their food is good, I would just recommend changing the picture in doordash for the Zest roll. The picture does not show at all what you are going to get and that is a bit confusing after you get your order. Here is the picture so you understand what I mean ( here I ate one roll, there were 6 rolls). In doordash without discounts this was 20$ and fees and tip almost 27 $. I managed to get it discounted to 16$ with coupons. Overall, the cucumbers had a good taste! In doordash I saw the cucumber wrap comment but due to the picture I thought the cucumber wrap was inside the sushi. I would have not ordered it if I knew it was just cucumber. Overall, good taste, just be clear what you offer in the picture.
Adam our server was awesome and the food was phenomenal. Adam was great with giving us details on all the food options. Each item we picked was delicious. Will definitely be back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was fantastic and they went above and beyond to make sure my husband and I had a great dinner to celebrate our anniversary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible Sushi and Service. Second time we have tried it and Will never go back again!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The location is wonderful, the food and drinks amazing and Mary was great! She totally added to the experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Gulf Oysters on the Half Shell, Roll
My friend and I went to Zest on a Saturday night. I would anticipate the restaurant to be busy, but you would never know it because Ashley was SUPER attentive and amazing. I ordered a drink that I didn’t like, and she was SO sweet and understanding and had it remade. The Phoenix Roll was absolutely incredible. I swear, I’m going to have dreams about it- it was that yummy!
I will definitely be back the next time I’m in town from Florida- and I’ll definitely be asking for Ashley!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary was awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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