Zen Bistro Grill - Sushi
2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33607
Zen Bistro Grill - Sushi Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
2223 N Westshore Blvd
Tampa, FL, 33607 - Phone (813) 443-0732
- Website https://www.zenbistrotampa.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Yo K.
Great Sushi, good atmosphere, beautiful spot!
(5)Kelly K.
Baystreet is full of good and great restaurants, we chose zen because of the lunch options and expedited service for the little time allotted. The look is clean and up-to-the-minute with the new surge of restaurants in town. They have a good selection of beverages and a decent list of sushi. Since we were in a hurry and were there for lunch the waiter recommended the lunch box. When the lunch box came out I was surprised at the abundant serving, there was only one roll but the extras were filled to the brim. I ordered the spicy tuna roll, original and difficult to mess up. The roll was lacking taste and wasn't quite the temperature that I was expecting. I was however impressed with the additions to the meal but what I really wanted was a good Tuna roll. I may have shot myself in the foot for admitting that we were on a time constraint so I plan to go again when i have more time. All in all a good place, maybe next time it will be great.
(4)Brendan C.
I came here 6 months ago, I ordered edamame, veggie rolls, zen noodle bowl without chicken and vegetable tempura. I totally forgot I actually ate here, which kind of reflects my opinion of this place. I was craving japanese food and sushi, we decided to try this place because we wanted to eat at every single international plaza restaurant that could fit our alternative healthy vegetarian lifestyle. I remember the veggie rolls were good, my noodle bowl was meh - could use more noodles and less vegetables and filler stuff. I liked the peanuts in it. Vegetable tempura really tastes the same everywhere so It wasn't much of an appetizer. Overall it was a decent date but I don't recall the service being good. I remember waiting for like 30+ maybe 40 minutes for our order. Plus we came later in the evening and the restaurant turns up the techno music and tries to become a dance club or bar in the evenings, which was kind of annoying since you have to yell the entire time
(3)Joe C.
Nice place for quiet lunch. I had the sushi Bento box which was perfect. The service was very good too.
(4)Angie B.
They sat us down and no body came for next 15 plus minutes. Didnt even give us any word or eye contact while they passed by many time. Rude.
(1)Nabeel N.
It was a pleasure to see toro sashimi on my plate, as I haven't had it in a while. Place was pretty packed for a lunchtime crowd but service at the bar was excellent. Washed my meal down with an excellent G Sake. Definitely a good choice if you're staying in the area.
(4)Ed G.
Recently had my birthday dinner here. The sushi was very good with a variety of different choices and decent service (the waiter kept passing us by and couldn't remember my wife's drink order but did offer her tofu when she requested no meat). My chief complaint however was putting our group right next to the DJ speakers, was unable to turn them down, and had to shout to hear each other. So if you go here, make sure not to sit next to the DJ booth, and if the weather permits, sit outside.
(3)Dora And Boots E.
For mall sushi this place probably deserves 5 stars, but in terms of all sushi places it probably falls at around 3.5....so I decided to round out to 4. Overall, great sushi. I was here on vacation from the Philly/NJ/NY area, so my expectations for sushi were high. They did not disappoint. Order: Drink: Speciality rum infused with honey comb and vanilla Delicious! Food: Lime beef, Lobster Lotus Roll, Om Roll The beef was great, flavorful, but not so much as to overwhelm the taste of the meat itself. One of the best steak appetizers I've had from a Japanese restaurant. The Lobster Lotus Roll was amazing. The ingredients all complemented each other well, and the basil butter/eel sauce was tasty. The Om roll was good, not great, but I have to admit I was full by the time I got around to it. The service was friendly and attentive. Overall great experience.
(4)Brenda H.
The mussels are tasty, also had the dynamite (which I try at all sushi restaurants), it was good, but small in comparison to others I've had. The tuna tartare is a must have!
(4)Phillip G.
Now I know why this place was so empty for lunch. This was my first crack at the Bistro. I was really hoping to get a Bento box of some teriyaki steak or salmon but they don't offer that to go. Why not? Because of the special plate they use for it in house. Um, hey Zen, do you know of those Styrofoam containers that have three different sections to keep sauces off each other? Minus one star for that. Plan B: I gave the Lemongrass chicken a try looking for a healthy option - grilled chicken with a bunch of different veggies under it with some sauce that was absolutely putrid. It was like pure vinegar. Fortunately it came on the side and I was smart enough to taste it before pouring it over the food. Minus one star for bad flavor. Finally, the packaging was awkward. Do I really need a bag as deep as a keg to carry out ONE single takeout box? Cut down your waste folks
(2)Brian S.
One of the first sushi places I tried around Tampa. I enjoy this place, the atmosphere is great, the wait staff is kind and friendly and the food is delicious. I haven't ventured too far out of my normal order, but I can tell you the spicy mayo is gooooood! If you like sushi and are looking for a great place to sit and chat and enjoy an afternoon, definitely check out this restaurant.
(4)Rebecca P.
I had lunch here with my niece and her bridal party, after a long day of dress shopping. Everything in the area was crazy busy like an hour to get a table. So we decided to give this place a try since we're big sushi fans!! Let me tell you... We were not disappointed at all! I had a California roll and a bagel roll, and it was oh so yummy! And the Service was on point! I highly recommend this place if your in the area. (:
(4)Andres R.
Great sushi, have to try the Infinity Within
(5)Cari E.
A-Ok is exactly how I would describe the Sushi at Zen Bistro in West Chase. I can only review the Sushi because I've never tried the entrees. I've tried quite a few rolls and nothing has blown me away but I've never had anything I didn't like either. I love places that have the rolls wrapped in cucumber. I became addicted after I had one a Sakana on Gandy. However, Zen's cucumber is a little too thick and overwhelms the taste of the seafood inside. I may have given this place a better rating if they'd start having lunch specials. It's not good enough to spend $20 on lunch.
(3)Kait G.
I went to Zen Bistro last night after shopping with my mom. We love to get sushi together and decided to try Zen! It was a Friday night at about 8:30 and for whatever reason there was a DJ blasting music like it was some sort of club? We were too hungry and it was pouring outside and decided to suck it up and try to enjoy a mother daughter meal. Our sushi was good, not the best I've ever head but I did enjoy it. I really did not enjoy the club atmosphere though. We couldn't even hear each other from right across the tiny table. I hardly got a chance to enjoy my food because we rushed to eat and leave! I will not be returning on a weekend night again.
(3)Nat W.
This is relatively a new restaurant at International Plaza. It is located outside of the food court where Cafe Japon used to be. The ambiance is com temporary and bar-ish. They have TVs at the sushi bar and they high tops with red fluffy bar stools. Their menu has enough varieties and the price is moderate. My friend ordered lunch Kalbi box and I ordered eel, avocado, egg rice bowl from regular menu. My rice bowl was small but presented well. I wanted it to taste as good as its look but unfortunately the eel was very tough and chewy. My friend's Kalbi was also very chewy. The service from out waiter was excellent. He was so nice and attentive! I will go back to this place for further update. Obviously I need to try their sushi to determine whether it is a good sushi restaurant.
(3)Renee B.
Delicious quick stop for lunch while shopping! Quick service and excellent quality food! Definitely must come back for dinner!
(5)Ira B.
I movd to tampa from hawaii last month and tried about 6 sushi places (that were all horrible and i ended up throwing away half the rolls). Lets say im sushi-spoiled liuving on an island with constant fresh fish. I have been twice the first time was ok. waitress was slow, didnt care to explain things, no smile. the roll was sub-par. The 'Art Of Meditation' is nothing more than a california roll (with fake crab) with some raw ahi chunks on top. not seasoned nearly as amazing as they describe on the menu. rather bluntly fishy tasting. But i was amazed to see the huge portion for such a decent price. the place is very clean and well dsigned. the second time was amazing. I ordered a 'Dojo'. spicy tuna avocado and tempura hamachi with spicy aioli and my friend got a 'Nirvana'-salmon cucumber and crm chz and the whole roll is deep fried with eel sauce. I dont even like salmon and i was in love with it. my roll was spicy and crunchy and delicious and my friends(we shared) i would say is one of THE BEST rolls i have ever had. the waiter was very attentive and friendly, seemed to genuinly care that we had a good time. HEADS UP: if u order bottled water its $5 a bottle. BUT: the sushi rolls are enormous and 8 pieces for $5-$12, which is truly amazing in my books. i just got a job in that area and can say i will DEFINITLY be back at least a couple times a week. New favorite resturaunt
(5)Rick S.
If judged on the food alone, it gets 4 stars. You make your own decision about the service/environment. Edamame: good. Kamikaze roll: tasty. Service: alright... : / Music: I like it but in a sushi place...?
(3)Larissa S.
A-OK is pretty good coming from me when it comes to Sushi. I am often there on work lunches. It is right down the road at International Plaza and hardly busy. This is their second location. The decor is very clean trendy and modern. As far as drinks go, they do have a full bar and even offer a line of specialty drinks ranging form $9 to $12 dollars. A shorter selection of Sake, but includes Ginjo, Nigori, and even Sparkling. Beer selection is the usual Japanese beers, with the usual domestics for those who don't like to venture out (even though they are very similar). Props for throwing in a Jai Alai and Magic Hat on draft. Like any other restaurant, they have a wine selection so fear not winos. If you don't like raw fish, they do have other selections. Now for the fish... The quality of the fish is not horrible, but it is not the best. Most of their rolls are soaked sauce, which takes away from the fish itself. I am a sucker for fresh rolls. They really don't give me that option. I usually end up ordering sashimi. The best quality fish there is the Salmon, which is not much to say since Salmon is farmed and found fresh easily everywhere. It is much harder to do that with other fish. Overall, not bad, but I've had better. I'll still do lunch, but would go elsewhere for dinner.
(3)Alina K.
Loved it! Food was cooked beautifully, the atmosphere was well set! Me and my boyfriend shred the art of meditation roll and some delicious crab filled pot stickers! We both also got the zen noodles, which I highly recommend on getting! Can't wait to come back!
(5)Adam C.
I was told about Zen Bistro by like 2 people but they freaking raved. I went in around 6 it was slow on a Monday. The service was good, great atmosphere but the food was extremely amateur. Lets start with the miso soup. Oh wait, it came last so I can't start my meal with it. It was OK but the bowl was full of kelp. I mean full. I would have needed a fork about 10 ladles of soup and it was gone. It was the first soup I needed a knife for. Very unbalanced. I started with the sea weed salad. It was old. partially dry, not flavored at all. So that was a big red flag because it's so easy. The sushi roll was the hot sizzling something, the tempura in it was old because it was chewy instead of crispy. Nothing seemed maid to order. It was all pre-made and BAD. The sushi rice wasnt warm or good. It broke too easily when grabbed or dipper which means its no longer sticky. I mean I am extremely disappointed. I guess I should go when its busy so that there is more turnover with the food but Should I have to do that as a diner to get fresh food? I won't go back.
(1)A. L.
Bad experience: Walked out paying about $6 in up charges. I ordered hot green tea and asked for a refill, charged twice for 2 tea bags, not even natural tea. My tea cost $5! Also, other up charges that were unnecessary. The waitress didn't mention any of it! Horrible customer service!
(2)Virginia C.
Love the lychee Martini and service. The tuna tataky was ok.
(3)Jeanie Y.
I was sad when Cafe Japon closed down, so to see that there was a new sushi place opening, my friends and I were quite excited. We went on a friday, two weeks after they opened, the place was nice and more of a lounge feel. We were seated immeditately,which was great. Our waiter and service was a whole different experience. Our waiter did not come for 10 minutes (just to acknowledge us would have been nice, but nothing). But we gave them a chance since they just opened. My friends and I have traveled the world eating, and we know our fish. Lets just say, our food was eh......ewww.....wtf.... and two of us felt queasy afterwards on the way home. From the reviews it seems they have gotten mixed reviews. Im bit hesitant to try them again, from my past experience with them. I give them the best of luck, but for now, I will stick to the places I enjoy.
(1)Leslie F.
Well...3.5. MY ONE COMPLAINT: Make sure if you order an item with "snow crab" that it is actually snow crab you will be served rather than imitation "krab." Otherwise, this place rocks. GEt the Tiger Roll on their Happy Hour menu. Insanity. For my lengthier review...see below: The last two times I have dined at Zen, I have been delighted with my excellent menu selections and content with the friendly, knowledgeable service. Seated immediately, both times with the tall, dark and handsome server, my eyes have lit up and my mouth has begun to water the second I scroll through the menu. A new-age, innovative sushi connoisseur and a fan of Asian fusion, I've discovered that Zen Bistro has some of the most creative concoctions in town. Because I am an indecisive food lover to the point of annoyance, menu selections take a bit long. A beverage is a much easier choice and with fun and inventive drinks at Zen Bistro, there is a little something for everyone. On this particular hot and sunny day, a cool Pineapple and Jalapeno cocktail made with Tito's handmade vodka screamed my name. With my mouth made of steel, I could've handled far more jalapeño infusion but this refreshing drink is shaken to please even the spicy fearing kind of guests. Seated for a very late lunch, right at 4PM, Happy Hour specials were officially underway which meant a selection of $6 cocktails, $5 starters and $6 sushi rolls. The Tiger Roll was listed on the HH menu and was too tempting to miss. A 7-piece roll filled with tempura shrimp, crab, cucumber, cream cheese, and avocado and then topped with Ebi shrimp, tempura chips and atomic aioli, it was pleasingly rich and fun with its varying textures. Due to the heaviness of tempura, cream cheese and aioli, the insanely delicious Tiger Roll was a decadent treat perfect to share as a starter. My beau hadn't fulfilled his sushi fix for the day so he went on to order the "Sixth Sense"- a roll made with spicy tuna, avocado, tempura onion, wrapped in rice paper and topped with spicy tuna and beat tobiko. Tasty and generous with loads of fresh tuna, this sushi roll was indeed divine. Lacking in exciting contrasting textures, we were unable to experience the same love affair we had with the Tiger Roll. With eyes bigger than my stomach, I made the mistake of ordering an entrée. Served with a choice of Miso soup or Ginger salad, I was in food regret when the Zen Noodle bowl arrived. A mish-mosh of Thai and Vietnamese ingredients, this bowl was filled with flame broiled lemongrass marinated chicken breast, romaine, cilantro, Thai basil, mint, cucumbers, pickled carrots, daikon and rice noodles. As I am allergic to most nuts, I nixed the peanut garnish but accepted the sweet and savory Vietnamese dipping sauce. Not too bland, the fresh mixture wasn't too flavorful either. The Thai Basil was nonexistent and the lemongrass marinade on the chicken was rather mild. However, with all of the veggies crisp and the chicken grilled flawlessly moist and tender, my complaints are minimal. I can't help but mention my visit to Zen Bistro just a couple of weeks prior when we arrived in time for the lunch menu. I had indulged in sushi the night before so the Tuna Lime bowl and Spicy Snow Crab bowl sounded superb. As a crab aficionado, I ordered the Spicy Snow Crab bowl. Presented beautifully with colorful ingredients creating food art, I was stoked to dig into the fun flavor combination of "crab," cucumber, Asian pear, avocado, and tempura onion served over rice and topped with a creamy sesame sauce and masago. Yet, something looked suspicious the second I saw the dish. I ignored my suspicion. The creation was so yummy, that it took a few bites for me to...gasp. The "fresh snow crab," was imitation crab. Normally I'd be livid, as our server should have been informed that the kitchen was out of snow crab and substituting it with "krab". However, once I took a few more bites, I found that this dish was executed so well, I almost (for once) didn't mind imitation crab. If I was to order this again though, I'd be sure to specify the crab used. Some of the menu descriptions specifically list "imitation crab" whereas others list "fresh crab" or "snow crab." Hmmm... My beau ordered the Tuna and Lime bowl. It was outstanding. Cubed tuna with a chili lime sauce served over rice with cilantro, ginger, scallions, Vietnamese mint, cucumber, crispy shallots and peanuts, this bowl was again, a piece of art, resisting the destructive pierce of a fork. The tanginess of the lime sauce, coolness and crunch from the cucumber, freshness from the mint and the smooth decadence of the tuna created an exceptional dish.
(4)Sundi P.
Good food. We had miso soup, spicy tuna rolls and the angry himachi roll. They were all good.
(3)Andrew M.
This is quite possibly the worst sushi outlet that I have ever experienced. The food is not fresh, the composition of the rolls is not tight, the flavors don't match and presentation leaves a lot to be desired. To top it all off, there isn't a single authentic looking sushi chef on premises. The infused vodka jugs that Zen pushes is absolutely horrendous, they taste like sugary kool-aid with a drop of low grade alcohol. I've given this place 3 tries and every time walked out with a bloated "I just ate junk food" feeling. There is nothing redeeming about the food here, nothing. Avoid.
(1)Tracy G.
As of recent, I have been rediscovering all of the fantastic restaurants at International Plaza. I had lunch yesterday for the first time at Zen Bistro. After hearing so much about their fantastic menu and innovative cocktail list, I was eager to pop in. To avoid the busy lunch crowd, I went in about 2:30. I was immediately impressed by the airy decor and overall swanky vibe. Since I was alone, I grabbed a seat at the bar and began to make that difficult decision....what was I going to order? As much as I was craving sushi, I decided to save that for my next visit when I could also enjoy some of their exotic cocktails. My eyes were drawn to their selection of Bento Boxes, as it had been way to long since I enjoyed eating lunch from one. With mouth-watering choices such as BBQ Short Rib, Korean BBQ Beef, Chicken, Sashimi, Tempura Shrimp, Maki Bento and Nigiri Bento, I went with the bartender's suggestion of BBQ Short Rib. Served with miso soup, crab dumpling, mixed green salad, cucumber salad and your choice of white or brown rice, it was a generous amount of food. The miso soup was piping hot and soothing. I had been having a case of the Mondays and somehow all my worries seemed to disappear as I savored this cup of warm goodness. As my bento box was presented, I could not help but smile. It was so colorful and smelled amazing. Not knowing where to begin, I sampled from each section. The meat on the short ribs melted right off the bone. As I worked my way around each tasty section, I was loving everything. The salad was refreshing and tossed with a citrus dressing. I gobbled up the scrumptious crab dumpling which was served with a duo of dipping sauces. I could not get over the flavor of the short ribs and did not leave an ounce of meat on the bones. This was one of the best lunches I had experienced in quite sometime. Service was fast and friendly and the food was beyond delicious. If you are looking for a great spot to grab lunch in the Westhshore district, be sure and head over to International Plaza. Zen Bistro is a fantastic spot for a quick and tasty lunch. I was in and out in less than an hour. My next visit will include sushi and cocktails after a day of shopping.
(4)Model M.
I tried this for my first time today and was very pleased. The interior is very modern and relaxed with a trendy feel. The service is extremely friendly, though a bit slow for the amount of staff and emptiness of the restaurant. I went here for lunch on a Saturday and it was very reasonably priced. The food was really good, tasted very fresh and I got a surprisingly good amount of sushi for the price.I also got the Dynamite Mussels which were bursting with flavor though a tad bit hard to get out of the shell.
(4)Shanna H.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and had down drink specials too. Enjoyed the Lady Luck for $6 and it was delish. Curry crab wontons were good - exactly what we expected. Next we had the Red Dragon and Zen roll. Both were good - I liked the Red Dragon more. Rolls were a little sloppy and fell apart, which is why this isn't a 4 star.
(3)Laura J.
I had lunch here today with my family before heading to the airport to meet our flight home. I ordered one of the only specialty rolls on the menu without tempura since I have Celiac Disease and cannot eat gluten. The roll was said to have snow crab in it and the crab was shredded into what looked like a mayo based salad which should have been my first warning that they were in fact using imitation crab rather than the real thing. Two hours later in an airport ready to board I had my proof and have been horribly sick since. I even asked for their gluten free soy sauce in order to make sure I was clear and gluten-free. I am incredibly disappointed that a restaurant would substitute imitation crab in a $12 roll not only for the cost rip off but also for that fact that the wheat in imitation crab is dangerous to my health and I intentionally ordered so that I could avoid such issues. I will never return to this restaurant and am angry that they mislead their customer.
(2)erik a.
Totally mediocre sushi but decent specialty drinks. Beware, they advertise $5 tito's anything but charge $7 for a Tito's martini and fill it halfway. Total bummer, I will go elsewhere like everyone else that works in the plaza.
(2)Ann J.
Just last night we (4 of us) found ourselves at Zen Bistro for the 2nd time. The first visit, for the most part was a pleasant experience, outside the fact that the toro they served did not taste so much like toro to me. Furthermore, it was smelling a little toooo fishy, not going to swallow that one! During our 1st visit my husband ordered a not so impressive roll that was recommended by the bartender as we sat at the bar... I requested that the Chef use gluten free soy sauce (Tamari) this brand just happens to be GMO free soy sauce and they did have a bottle of it on hand. However, be alerted that Sodium Benzoate a nasty little preservative is an ingredient in all of their table bottles. Read below if you want to learn of the side effects of consuming such a cheap and disgusting product. Last night there was no Tamari available, leaving me ordering chicken fried rice, but guess what they doused it, as they do with many entrees that come out of their kitchen with an even more harmful ingredient MSG. If you want to wake up with a headache or other ailments over time... consume that stuff on a regular basis. Poison to your body and mind. Then when I sent it back, they over salted it with some cheap kitchen salt... Chefs in the kitchen YIKES! The Hamachi I ordered was pink unlike any Hamachi (Nigiri) I've ever ordered before... I believe they serve any kind of fish to anybody... They must think we are all idiots and don't know our sushi. The Tempura shrimp with vegetables was not impressive, the shrimp was bready, more breading, not so much shrimp. Needless to say, they have lost my business for now. Sodium benzoate (Preservative) E211 Sodium benzoate is a preservative used in foods such as cheap soy sauce varieties, soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, and coffee flavoring syrups, as well as a variety of condiments. As more people become aware of the chemicals they consume when they eat processed foods, this preservative has come under increasing scrutiny. And for good reason. Consuming products that contain Sodium benzoate E211 are being questioned as it appears that Sodium benzoate forms a chemical knowns as benzene while in the presence of vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid. Benzene causes damage to DNA, your genetic material, it is also a known carcinogen and appears to play a role in a variety of diseases as a result of it's damaging capabilities of our DNA. Sodium Benzoate also has an effect on children, studies have shown that sodium benzoate along with artificial food colorings can cause children to be more hyperactive. The heating of products with Sodium benzoate plays a role in the conversion to benzene, this could increase the risk of negative health effects. Imagine when Zen Bistro Chefs are using their cheaper soy sauce to stir fry their fried rice... YIKES MSG MSG the food additive and flavor enhancer is classified as an excitotoxin, it belongs to a class of chemicals that damage nerve cells by overexciting them. MSG and its derivatives have been implicated in damage to the central nervous system, endocrine organ disorders, cardiac distress, and illness in other parts of the body. Many users are familiar with some of the well known side effects which are headache, heart palpitations, a cold sweat, numbness and weakness. It has no nutritional value, it is used to enhance foods flavor, to hide unwelcome tastes and to cover inferior ingredients used in products. It is found in so many different foods under many different names, one being hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which may contain anywhere from 12 to 40 percent MSG. This makes it difficult for the uninformed consumer who is sensitive to MSG. Because their are so many ingredient names for the free processed glutamic acid (MSG) you will find that most Asian restaurants, although they claim "We have no MSG in our food" Do in fact have it in their food... Many bartenders and waitresses do not understand the subject and it is nothing for an uninformed kitchen staff to say NO MSG, sometimes even stating a little white lie... However, this can be dangerous for the health of the customers... and furthermore, if a restaurant is in business to lose business... they will by continuing to use this nasty ingredient in their kitchens.
(2)David G.
In the never ending list of sushi restaurants in Tampa this place stands out to me, little things take this place to the top in town. This will be a strictly lunch review today but I have sat for dinner here also. Now to start REAL jasmin tea is served that is always a good start. For lunch I usually choose one of the sushi or sashimi bento boxes. It starts with a pretty standard miso but I love soup and they serve a nice sized bowl of warming broth. But once the box comes that's where this place shines. The salad is very good not just iceberg but mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and a delicious housemade carrot ginger dressing and lots of it just as I like! It also has a nice crunchy (fried but hey who doesn't like fried stuff) crab dumpling. But I'm not here for soup and salad, on to the fish. Here's where they don't get 5 stars but this is as close to 5 as I would give to 99% of sushi places in America. It's fresh and nicely sliced pieces. This place is busy so the fish always seems top notch. You also get a nice portion of rice and this yummy marinated cucumber slices. Can't beat this place for a lunch Japanese sorta style. One thing I don't mention a ton in my reviews is the service but this place stands out. Great friendly staff and they make sure that a lunch comes out fast and accurate. If I hadn't been to Japan or lived in NYC where I have has 5 star sushi meals this place would be a 5 star but I have been spoiled so it gets a 4.5 from me. Better then any other sushi lunch in Tampa!
(4)Kristen P.
I came here for a friends birthday and I had heard of it but had not been before. The place was not the most spacious but it was nice a classy to where you can dress up with your friends or partners. Definitely more fun in the evening for a nighttime atmosphere. I ordered some sushi as an appetizer (the Tampa roll) and it was delicious. For dinner my favorite, Pad Thai. The serving was wayyyyyyyyy more than I expected, especially for the price. Everyone in the party enjoyed the foods they ordered too. I would definitely come back here especially for a date night with my boyfriend. I say come here with your friends or with a boy or girlfriend.
(4)Katie N.
Had lunch here this past weekend and It was decent. I quite liked it actually... Not that the food was really great but the vibe is chill and inviting enough. We got 3 specialty rolls and a zen noodle bowl for our meal and they were ok... Im a sushi fanatic so I might be picky. Overall, this place is average at best.
(3)Beverly Ratzlaff H.
The food was really good. Andy, our bartender/waiter was very attentive. The music was a cross of dance room techno and alternative...not great for conversation over food. The seating was very uncomfortable...one likes to lean back and relax at the end of the day with a nice Titos martini. Staff=great, food=great, atmosphere=needs work.
(3)Desiree D.
I came here for lunch on a Wednesday.... It was pretty dead, which was surprising because it is in such a great location and it has a great concept (plush and trendy). In all fairness, I did have my lunch a little late. I ordered a few of their flavored specialty martinis which were delicious! Not to sweet, but a good alternative to the traditional martini. Jesse was the bartender and he was clearly very skilled and had a great personality to match. For food, I ordered the sashimi which was fresh and prompt. It is a bit pricey, however this is international plaza, so it expected. I will definitely be back when I am in the area.
(4)Mylez E.
great food, fantastic service. The only reason I am not a 5 star guy on this one is that there is a terrible acoustic problem. There were so many children in there at lunch time that I couldn't hear my partner sitting next to me at the bar. That is a flaw for me! :)
(4)Keval K.
We were at international mall shopping and decided to check this place out as I love any sort of Asian food and the menu looked good. We were attended promptly by the hostess and sat immediately. Our server was great throughout the meal. Ambience was average. The food/ we had crab dumplings for our appetizers which I highly recommend and we were box excited for our mains. I ordered the SPICY Hong Kong Noodles with beef and my wife ordered the Bento Lunch Box Ribs. There was no taste to the noodles they weren't spicy at all. My wife said her food tasted bland. Not impressed at all! We then asked for the check and when I gave my card it took close to 20 mins for them to give it back to me, saying their computers were down, unfortunately this should not happen in my opinion. Frankly this place left a bad taste and had a sour ending :(
(2)Marc S.
I am torn here...wanted to give 4 stars but leaned more towards 3 stars (we need to add half stars). I have been here a few times and never had a problem...experience has always just been normal. It did take quite a bit of time for someone to come seat us or be acknowledged that someone would come over. We did have good service and did enjoy the night there. The food was good. Most people at the table said it was good and I had no issues with my dish. It does seem like the prices are a bit higher compared to other similar restaurants but I will assume that is because this is in International Plaza Bay Street! I did enjoy the ginger salad that came out before the meal and have to say the portion sizes are nice. All in all, not a bad place to try!
(3)Kathy D.
Quite an usual little eatery. It was under some construction, but wasn't any big inconvenience. It really has little to no character or ambiance. Plain. Happy hour has a few beverages to include Tito's @ $5 or $6 & some appetizers few dollars off the regular price. I got a crab Rago on type of ap, that was quite good. Hot, nicely browned & crispy, full of cream cheese, crab, shallots & delightful herbs. It came with a bit spicy, but well balanced dipping sauce. Those that got sushi, commented it was fresh & very good. I got the shrimp fried rice & someone has been listening to me, I could get it with brown rice, hallelujah, finally! I hate white & yellow rice & they have no nutritional value, why everyone serves it is a mystery to me. Surely I am not the only one who prefers brown rice! LOL, I guess I could be. The entree came with soup or salad. I opted for the soup. It was a miso base with some tofu,shallots, greens.... it was okay & wasn't really hot. The entree was an ample helping. It had about 8 large shrimp, greens of green onions, bamboo shoots, peas, carrots, cashews ( nice touch), scrambled egg & I am sure a few other ingredients. It wasn't a hodgepodge, like it is sounding, it was small amounts added, that blended splendidly. I can't believe even the shrimp were cooked properly, not overcooked. Service was good, but a bit flighty. Bar service was great. Prices very fair & wallet ftiendly. My only complaint would be your entree coming a minute after your soup. Service was so quick, you had to decide what to get cold. Usually you wait & wait, not at Zen. What's a girl to do? I left quite satisfied, thrilled about the brown rice & food quality. I would give an extra star for brown rice, but would have to take it away for the dining area being so plai, the bathroom was cool.
(3)Michelle M.
I was hoping it was just an off night, but it appears that the quality of the sushi has gone drastically downhill at Zen Bistro Grill. My last three visits have all been very disappointing. My sister and I usually order four rolls on each visit and both agree the sushi isn't as good as it used to be. Our last visit was the worst. Three weeks ago we dined at the International Plaza location on a Friday night. We were not a fan of the nightclub atmosphere the restaurant created that evening. The restaurant lights were turned down and a DJ was blasting techno music next to our table so it was impossible to have a conversation. To make matters worse, our waitress was so slow so we had to listen to the terrible techno music for over an hour. We never finished our Angry Hamachi roll because it tasted like dirty socks. I tried removing the seared Hamachi from the roll since the center was just spicy tuna and jalapenos, but overall this roll was just terrible. When our waitress noticed we didn't finish our sushi she asked us if we wanted a to-go box. We told her not to bother and that we did not like the roll. When she asked us if it was too spicy we told her that the fish on the roll was the issue, not the spice. I don't think she heard me over the techno music because she just smiled and nodded. Three strikes and you're out! I will not be returning to Zen Bistro.
(2)Mel L.
Friend convinced me to go back and try the sushi. I was definitely surprised at how tasty it was! Much better value, and experience than the first time. The next time I'm craving sushi at the mall I will definitely stop here.
(3)Shannon P.
I gave it a 3 star ONLY because there was no greeting. The hostess sat there head down thumbing through her IG account while I hovered 10 inches from her face. She was so distracted that she had no idea I was waiting for more than what was acceptable. The bartender saw me and was able to have someone nudge her to lift her head up. The bartender compensated and was very nice and attentive. The space is small and trendy, a dj was playing background music. The price is moderate $13 for a Dragon Roll. It was all ok for a late dinner and wine.
(3)Victoria F.
Not sure why this place hasn't gotten better overall reviews. I went here last night with my husband after shopping and we had a great experience. The food was great and we didn't have to wait long for our drinks/appetizers or main entree. We split the chicken stir fry because it was a lot of food. The server was also very attentive but not overly to the point where it's annoying. The sweet potato roll was seriously amazing.
(4)Megan L.
Must try the roxy roll! It's off the menu, but still definitely on their systems for you to be able to order. Super fresh and delicious. Staff was pretty friendly, but not attentive. Sorry you lose a star for not getting me water after 20 minutes. Wah.
(4)Marie P.
Food was okay... Expensive for what we received. .Meals all came soaked in liquid like soup
(2)Christina C.
Nice trendy place to be on a Friday night with friends, but the food and drinks are pretty ordinary. My mom came into town and I wanted to show her a bit of the nightlife in Tampa, while getting sushi. Very specific, which led me to Zen Bistro. I like the close proximity to other bars/restaurants. It is pretty hidden. Out of the three friends we were meeting, two couldn't find it. I have the feeling most people deliberately come here and don't stumble upon it, which is a shame, because I think there is potential here. Like other reviews have said, it can be loud. It isn't so loud that you have to shout to hear each other, but the hard of hearing will have a difficult time here. We were right next to the DJ booth and it was still fine. I like the decor of the place. It is very Japanese trendy. However, I do not appreciate that there is only one bathroom. When people are drinking, one does not do it! We started with the Tuna Tartar and Firecracker Shrimp. I didn't try the shrimp, but I noticed that it did not go that quickly. I thought the Tuna Tartar was good and it came with some fried wontons. I honestly cannot remember all five rolls we got. The rainbow roll tasted fresh, but nothing spectacular and there was one that was wrapped in rice paper that I enjoyed. Other than that, I thought the sushi was satisfactory, but not amazing. I also got their mango drink that came with rum and coconut water. I wasn't the biggest fan and would probably try something else. Overall it served its purpose and I enjoyed the dinner, but I wouldn't rank it amongst one of the best sushi places in Tampa.
(3)Jonathan H.
We returned to this restaurant and the food was still great but the service was lagging. Our waitress was tired and a bit pretentious. Have to dock a star for the service.
(4)Rebeca P.
Best sushi bar I've been too. I love how they have a DJ. The music and service is wonderful... Loved it
(5)Sandi P.
The atmosphere was nice and the food was delicious. I had the tuna, salmon and crab sashimi. It was very fresh and presented beautifully. The place was a bit pricey and the music was terrible, pop rave music.
(4)Eric C.
I was expecting a bit more when I went in, but wasn't completely impressed with the server that didn't know what was on the menu (but was very pleasant and extremely responsive). My wife enjoyed her veggie tempura, but was much smaller than others I've seen for similar prices. I decided on two of the sushi roles, the Mexican and the Crunch Roll, but was not impressed with either one. I've eaten sushi in many places and used to live in Japan and know excellent, good, poor and sub-par, this was on the good level. The price was good at $5/roll on Wed, but can go elsewhere to get a better $3/roll M-F and a more expanded menu. I might go back again, depending on what they offer, not sure yet. The drink prices were very high and chose not to indulge.
(3)Ray S.
Affable waitress with exuberant smile and enthusiasm that made our party welcome. Tempura shrimp and veggies had a plethora of breading that inhibits the taste of intrinsic farm raised foliage and oceanic crustaceans. Sushi rolls exhibited a culinary excellence that provided enjoyment to the taste buds and an explosion of flavors and superb blend of texture enrichment. Pineapple jalapeno cocktail touted by the masses could use more zest provided by a fiery jalapeno. Bass thumping melodies add to the ambience of a Vegas like lounge and overall a great experience that we enjoyed.
(4)Kelleigh M.
Meh....this place is ok. The potential is there, but the delivery was lacking. We arrived at noon with a work group of 6 people. We were sat right away in a tucked away corner. The menu was impressive and the specials menu sounded intriguing. Between the 6 of us, we ordered a decent selection off the menu. Everything looked good, but some of the rolls were put together quite sloppily (i.e. rolls falling apart, rice paper not cut all the way through, sauce slapped on etc....) One person in our party made it very clear that he did not want ANY mayo whatsoever on his plate. The waitress said no problem, but when our rolls arrived, 2 of his rolls had spicy mayo on them....frustrating. Would I go back? Sure if I was craving sushi and I was already at the mall, but I wouldn't crave Zen or go out of my way to eat there.
(3)Jen G.
I'm not a sushi eater, but my fiance' is, so we dined here with friends on a Friday night. I was pleased with the experience. I got a steak and veggies with rice dish, and it was delicious. The martini I had was also tasty. We had great service as we dined with our group, and the place wasn't too loud or too busy. I would definitely go back!
(4)Mariuxi V.
On Friday the 3rd of this month I had a family gathering of 17 people, went to cheescake factory the manager told us it was going to be 2 hour wait! went to Brio which is around the corner and the hostess told us it was going to be an 1 hour wait and they could not sit us together only they could offer us different tables, i was really upset that there was no place to eat! until I saw zen bistro i walk over and the manager a beautiful professional after asking me how many people we were going to be she started to send her employees right away to fix the tables for my family gathering! I was really happy and the food was delicious the Volcano Roll OMG! great place god bless them.
(5)Lulu L.
Great place for Asian food! The Mussels, tuna belly sashimi, short rib BBQ, noodles are all great. We had a great time here. Don't miss it!
(5)Yitzi B.
Really relaxed atmosphere and great decor. They have a variety of sake you can try and the food is out of this world. I haven't tried anything I didn't like there so I can't complain at all. If your looking for good food and a nice place to eat it this is the place for that. There is also a bar with tvs playing sports so if you can enjoy all the action while eating.
(5)Haley D.
I met a girlfriend of mine for an impromptu girls night out. We decided on sushi and came to Zen for dinning our experience. Upon arrival, I noticed that the restaurant was designed to appear more like a lounge and less like a traditional sushi restaurant. I am not opposed to this style of restaurant, but I don't think the name is suiting, being that is says bistro. I feel as a bistro setting is more modest and this was most definitely not. There was a DJ playing throughout the entire course of our evening, which I found to be a little loud, preventing us from casual conversation. However unimpressed I was with the ambiance and overall atmosphere of the place, I will say that my meal was more than adequate, so that is the reason I am giving it four stars instead of three. Actually, the food was some of the best I've had. My girlfriend and I split our specialty rolls between the two of us and both started with salads. The highlight of our experience was The Art of Meditation roll. It's constructed with snow crab and tempura asparagus, topped with chunks of tuna marinated in spicy sesame oil and lime sauce with fresh mint, basil and cilantro. It was one of the best specialty rolls I've ever had. The Kamikaze roll was outstanding as well. It's more or less their version of a spicy tuna will with salmon and ponzu sauce. Our server was attentive, but nothing beyond a typical order taker. She offered refills when necessary and returned promptly with requested items when asked of her. I will definitely return to this sushi "lounge" for dinner again. Or maybe I'll just take it to-go
(4)Francesca L.
I was curious to try this place as it has mixed reviews, but I love sushi and it's a very convenient location for me. It was "meh" but there was nothing BAD about it so I can't give less than 4 stars. There was also nothing spectacular about it so I can't give it 5... Food/Drinks/Pricing: 4/5 stars-I had a "rock & zen roll", a spicy tuna roll, and a mimosa. The mimosa was good and only $4, and the rolls were $12 and $7 respectively. The Rock and Zen roll was good, the Spicy tuna roll was very spicy but also good. Again...flat line here, nothing bad or exceptional. Atmosphere: 3/5 Cool decor..but I went in around 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon and I was the ONLY person there. It's tough to get a feel for the service and clientele when it's empty. I want to go back at night and see it lit up and who hangs out there. Service: 5/5 I sat at the bar I was the ONLY person in the restaurant so it's no surprise the bartender was nice and attentive and the food came out fast. I would and probably will return, give em a try and judge for yourself!
(4)Alfreda D.
I don't know why this place isn't rated higher. I was on vacation with a girlfriend and we popped in this place for dinner while shopping at the mall. There are a variety of options at the mall but we were craving sushi. We had the option of being seated at a table or at the bar. We chose the bar. The basketball game was on and our bartender/server was pretty damn hot too! That's a win-win for me. The ambiance was also pretty cool. Low lights, cool vibe and nice decor. They had a unique/creative/eclectic mix of sushi options. The Sirloin Roll. I have never heard of seared sirloin on a sushi roll! I was sooooo skeptical of trying it but our server assured me that I would like it. And he was right. It was so different and unique. Definitely a first for me. I can't remember what other roll I had but it was good. Everything on the menu we tried was good to be honest... including the drinks. The only negative that turned out to be positive in the end was that our appetizer somehow got lost in the shuffle. We ordered the curried crab dumplings and after a while when we saw other diners' orders come out before ours we weren't too happy. There was a mix up for sure and eventually our appetizers came out during the middle of our meal but at least they were free (as they should have been). I won't ding the rating for that though, simply because the server was nice and it didn't seem to be his fault... somebody else swiped our dish before he could get to it!
(5)Amanda H.
I've been to Tampa twice and eaten here twice, for one thing, their spicy snow crab bowl. I would definitely suggest getting there at lunch time for their lunch bowls. The eel avocado is also good. The only other thing I can speak for is the curried crab dumplings. The couple we were with didn't like them much, which was just fine because that meant my husband and I got to eat them all up, and we thoroughly enjoyed them.
(4)Elspeth F.
Always delicious sushi! Although not the cheapest, cost would not be my first concern for sushi!
(4)Kate R.
Wasn't sure about this place at first but I was pleasantly surprised. Good portions for the price and everything tasted fresh. This was my first time in and will keep it in mind next time I'm at international plaza. Amazing sauces!! My husband had the Seafood Dynamite bowl and it was awesome!! Give it's try!
(4)Hoda B.
Modern decor conveniently located in the international plaza mall, very friendly and fast service, good sushi but far from being great. It is a good place to go to after a long shopping afternoon.
(3)Eleni R.
Came in for lunch...ordered 3 rolls of sushi to split. They were not amazing but they were edible and fish tasted relatively fresh. The place was kind of dirty-pieces of crumbs in my water, old wasabi in our soy dishes, dirty seat before sitting down. However, my friend ordered a cocktail, which I tried, and it was delicious. Service was fast. Maybe they were having an "off day" regarding cleanliness...
(3)Duyen P.
I came in for lunch. I got the Korean BBQ style bento box and it was by far nothing like it. The beef itself didn't even taste like beef. They probably gave me some other kind of meat. It was just not good. Highly disappointing. Not only that, their ginger dressing was so oily. It didn't even taste authentic. I don't know how you can mess up something so basic. Their sushi wasn't that great either but it was edible. I don't really have anything good to say about this place. I expected better since it was located in the Bay Street with other fancy restaurants. I should've just eaten inside the mall. I would've gotten a better meal and saved myself the trouble.
(2)Elizabeth D.
Can't say much about the sushi, but Darryl and I love to go in for Happy Hour for the lime beef. If it's between 5 and 7pm and we're at the mall and hungry, it's Zen Bistro all the way. Otherwise, I'm not so sure we would wander in. Too many other distractions in the area.
(3)Steve E.
I'm a little confused by the marketing message for Zen Bistro, and that's why I'm only giving them 3 stars. The restaurant is located within the Bay Street "upscale outdoor food court" section of International Plaza, and it's tucked around the corner from Bar Louie and Blue Martini on the quiet, side-access walkway near Chammps. The restaurant has taken over the space once owned by Cafe Japon, and has brought a sushi restaurant back to the International Plaza area. I've eaten at Zen Bistro in Westchase, and so I had high hopes for their sister location at International Plaza. I was expecting a quiet, reserved traditional sushi bar, and instead I walked into a well-appointed, high-end New York-style bar / club which also happens to serve some excellent sushi and Pan-Asian food. You can sit at the sushi bar at the far end of the restaurant, but most people sit in front of the bartenders who are busy mixing craft cocktails. The main part of the restaurant has tables for groups, and the noise level can get high as Zen keeps the volume pumped up on high-energy music with live DJ's in their lounge. Now don't get me wrong, the sushi was quite good. I had some fresh-fish nigiri and some of their specialty rolls including the Art Of Meditation, which was snow crab and tempura asparagus roll topped with chunks of tuna marinated in spicy sesame oil and lime sauce with fresh asian herbs. I also tried the Siddhartha, which was a spicy yellowtail, cucumber and avocado roll topped with seared tuna, onion and garlic ponzu sauce. The rolls were very flavorful, and not drowning in sauces which is always a good thing. My waiter at the main bar was Jesse, and he was excellent -- suggesting some rolls, bringing me extra Sriracha sauce, and keeping my drinks refilled. We chatted a bit in between me watching ESPN Sports Center, and him mixing drinks for other customers. From a food perspective, Zen is a solid choice for sushi, stir frys, noodle bowls, and other Asian delights. From an atmosphere perspective it can be a bit disconcerting if you were planning on a quiet night at a traditional Japanese-style sushi bar. Expect it to be loud, rocking, and more in keeping with a high-end club.
(3)Tim N.
Well, you can't eat atmosphere... Not bad sushi
(3)Mary N.
Server today must have had a sip of hatorade. My husband and I came in and stood at the entry for a good minute before being seated. Got seated asked for two ice waters. They came without any lemon but considering everyone that was around they had a slice. One of the cups had some food stain So I decided to Order myself a sprite and that had some small floating particle. It was on the upper rip so I let that pass. Our appetizer of short ribs came out but we had no utensils. We waited a bit for our server to come by but she didn't so My husband had to get up and ask for a fork to eat the short ribs. Next our sushi came out a short period later. We still didn't have any napkins or chopsticks. Had to ask for that. For My spider roll, I asked for masago on the side so that my husband can have it since I'm pregnant and can't have it on the roll. That never came, period. Our little plates to eat both had food particles and stains. The server never offered to refill my sprite considering I finished that at the start. Service was below par. Server not so great and don't know what's up with the dish washing. Food was decent. Bad first impression and last visit for the remainder of my trip. I considered the one star but gave two bc the server wasn't rude
(2)Hew K.
I met a friend here for lunch on a whim. I'm vegan and wasn't expecting to have many options; I was planning to have a boring bowl of rice or something. To my surprise, however, the menu was full of super awesome vegan options! When I ordered a noodle entrée and asked for it without the chicken, the waitress suggested tofu instead. Very nice of her to offer since I didn't see it listed on the menu. Aside from the vegan options, everything on the menu looked OM NOM NOM. I was half tempted to throw out my "no animal" restrictions and go to town on some sushi. Drink menu was bomb diggity. I had one or five of their cucumber martini. So good you'll slap your sister.
(5)Josh W.
After a few hours of shopping and spending waaaay too much(which some would say continued here. It was good though), we came here to grab a bite to eat. Very trendy, modern, cool looking restaurant. It was early on a Saturday evening(5ish) and the place was just filling up as we sat down. We ordered Tuna tartare, the bagel roll(smoked salmon & cream cheese), red dragon roll(spicy tuna in, regular tuna on top), tao roll(baked scallop, fancy sauce, on top of CA roll I believe), and rainbow roll. The tartare was REALLY good. We loved the taste of the tuna, which went well with the wonton crisps and avocado. The rolls were really good too! I generally don't like smoked salmon in sushi rolls, but this bagel roll was good. Their red dragon's were good too(though not quite as good as Matoi's, for those who follow my sushi reviews). Overall the wife and I really liked this place. They also had a variety of other Asian dishes(somewhat pricier than you'd find elsewhere) on the menu as well. There were a couple other families eating here as well, but I wouldn't go much later than this time if bringing kids, as it definitely has that trendy, club type vibe that I've heard others refer too. I'd say it is fine for kids though, probably before 6pm. Our service was excellent! Our server forgot to bring my daughter's miso soup, but apologized and said it was on her(no charge) when she brought it later(with our sushi). I was impressed, as we didn't see it as that big of a deal, but she takes her job quite serious which says a lot. The wife and I will very likely be back here for lunch(especially since I have to return to the mall to pick up my clothes which apparently needed altering), as we enjoyed everything.
(4)Suyin L.
It's stared 3 just for its environment and service. Have to say the food quality is just so-so.
(3)