Zuma

What groups say

Groups book the upstairs private rooms and banquet space for birthdays, client dinners and company lunches on multi-course set menus.

• Several private rooms sit upstairs near a second bar, with signage naming each party inside.
• Reviewers report pre-selected menus of 10 to 12 courses in the private rooms, plus premium omakase around 250 dollars per person.
• Large tables are told dishes are served family style rather than as individual orders; one group of 10 was charged a 90 dollar cake-cutting fee.
• Reported group spends range from about 1,000 dollars for 10 people to 14,000 dollars for a business dinner.

Drawn from 70 Google reviews of Zuma that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

• private room birthday

  In one word? Divine! We celebrated a friend's birthday in one of Zuma's private rooms, and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience. Having the entire room to ourselves, along with two attentive waiters, added to the sense of exclusivity. The room itself was spacious and cozy, although I must admit that the choice of music didn't quite align with the restaurant's overall ambiance. Nevertheless, the rest of the establishment exuded a luxurious atmosphere without feeling pretentious. When it comes to food we were presented with a pre-selected menu consisting of 12 different courses—a sheer delight for any food enthusiast! The dishes were not only meticulously presented but also flavorful and overall delicious. Every item served was of exceptional quality. While I definitely had my favorites, there wasn't a single dish that I didn't enjoy. One that stood out particularly was the seared tuna with chili daikon, which surpassed all expectations and it was so soft it simply melted on my tongue. The thinly sliced sea bass sashimi was another highlight, offering a delightful texture and delicious flavor. I also enjoyed the chef's selection of fresh sashimi and maki, as well as the rice hot pot with mushrooms, even though I'm not particularly fond of their texture. While the beef tenderloin looked visually appealing, it fell slightly short of the anticipated taste. Nevertheless, it was still tasty. Despite feeling full after having 11 courses, I still made room for the sweet finale in terms of a dessert platter featuring fresh fruit, ice cream, and a chocolate fondant. It definitely was not a cheap night, but everyone's should treat themselves once in a while and Zuma is perfect for that! Visited in June 2023.

• corporate banquet dinner

  Overall great spot. Second time there, first time was for a work event in the banquet space which is absolutely stunning room to have dinner in. We did the premium omakase ($250/pp) and my only criticism is that the first several courses came out way too fast so took a point off for that, it almost felt like we were being rushed, multiple courses on the table at the same time which I didn’t appreciate however, later on, they definitely slowed it down. Food was incredible, DJ vibe was fun the music wasn’t too loud. Menu highlights were the tuna tartare, scallops, lobster, wagyu steak, sea bass (raw and cooked), wagyu dumplings. Presentation was fun throughout, cocktails were on point (Fig Manhattan and vida tequila drinks). More regal and authentic than Tao (which is for sure also a solid pot). Dessert was a fun combination of fresh fruits, but also had ice cream and lava cake which was outstanding. The espresso martini was on point and the branded chocolate flake on top was a nice touch. Would go again to try their regular menu.

• birthday dinner, party of 10

  We visited last night with a party of 10 to celebrate a birthday and spent well over $1,000, yet the service completely ruined what should have been a fun evening. From the start, the staff was rude and unprofessional. One server mocked a guest for ordering a Diet Coke instead of alcohol, even after she explained she had to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. for work—completely unnecessary and uncomfortable. While some dishes were shared, many guests ordered individual meals. We were then told they “don’t do individual orders” and everything had to be family-style, which was never communicated beforehand. Food, including sushi, was repeatedly dropped at the opposite end of the table with no effort to give it to the person who ordered it. The biggest issue came at the end. We brought a small $13 birthday cake just for a quick photo and a single bite for the birthday girl. We were told there was a $90 cake-cutting fee. When we asked them not to cut it and simply provide a fork, they refused—no fork, plate, napkin, or knife—and even cleared the table, stating it was “$90 or nothing.” This felt incredibly petty and money-driven given how much we had already spent. We ultimately had to box the cake up and throw it out outside the restaurant. The restaurant has a great vibe, which makes this even more disappointing. Unfortunately, the service was rude and uncomfortable, and our group will not be returning or recommending this place to others.

• private room booking

  If you are planning to reserve a private room or attend with a large party, DON’T! They will cancel your reservation with little notice regardless of if you have paid a deposit and signed a contract. They will only offer you a weak apology. This is a very unprofessional and disorganized establishment.

• company lunch

  Went for a company lunch in one of their private dining rooms, and frankly it was a wonderful experience. The food definitely lived up to the expectations (especially the desserts, absolutely delicious) and the service was really good and attentive. The restaurant in and of itself is of course beautiful, sober and elegant. 100% recommended.

Good to know

Trendy, high-end Japanese place with an izakaya-inspired menu including sushi & robata grilled fare.

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Zuma have a private dining room?

Yes. Zuma offers a private dining room for groups in Murray Hill. 5 combinable rooms (Matsu, Yuri, Kashi, Hana, Sugi); up to 200 reception / 125 seated.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Zuma?

Guests at Zuma typically spend $100+ per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Zuma for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Zuma open?

Zuma is open Monday to Wednesday 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 to 11:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 to 11:30 PM, Saturday 5:00 to 11:30 PM, and closed Sunday, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Zuma?

Zuma is a $$$$ Modern Japanese restaurant in Murray Hill, New York City, rated 4.3 stars across 2,121 Google reviews. Google describes it as: Trendy, high-end Japanese place with an izakaya-inspired menu including sushi & robata grilled fare. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance.

What do guests say about group dining at Zuma?

Groups book the upstairs private rooms and banquet space for birthdays, client dinners and company lunches on multi-course set menus. Several private rooms sit upstairs near a second bar, with signage naming each party inside. Reviewers report pre-selected menus of 10 to 12 courses in the private rooms, plus premium omakase around 250 dollars per person. Large tables are told dishes are served family style rather than as individual orders; one group of 10 was charged a 90 dollar cake-cutting fee. Reported group spends range from about 1,000 dollars for 10 people to 14,000 dollars for a business dinner. Reviewers praise: private rooms feel exclusive, spacious, with dedicated waiters; multi-course set menus cover sashimi, sushi, robata steak, dessert platter; staff attentive and professional in the private and banquet rooms; banquet room described as stunning for work events. Watch for: reports of private room bookings cancelled despite deposit and contract; main dining room is very loud and dark; long waits at the door; family-style-only policy and cake-cutting fee not communicated in advance. Based on 70 Google reviews of Zuma that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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