Zooma Sushi

As a local I'll stop into this good enough sushi restaurant when I'm hungry for sushi and don't want to make a 15-min drive to Nobu. I've been eating here for 20 years, and the sushi has gone downhill. (BTW, Nobu isn't what it used to be either.) The rolls were once tightly wound and well made, but now they are big and loosely made and fall apart upon first bite. The chefs are no longer insulted when you order an American sushi roll like spider or dragon. Still tasty, if you ask the chef what's the freshest, you'll get great sashimi. Otherwise, don't order the fish if it's not the freshest. The tempura (ordered by my spouse) is no longer crisp and light as it once was long ago. Over the years they've been very accommodating for large groups, families with kids, couples, solos, you name it. The staff are friendly as always but apparently they still are surprised to see non-white patrons after all these years. For a Malibu restaurant, it has no view except of the parking lot. The TV is always on and turned to a sports channel during dinnertime. Great neighborhood restaurant if you're in the 'Bu, but I wouldn't drive farther than 5 min to it. Pros: Service is fast, friendly. Parking is free, available Cons: Sushi rolls are loose and fall apart. TV is always on. more

Not the best, but not trying to be. I've been to Zooma several times over the past few years, and while it is a cool location--in a cranny on the backside of Point Dume--the sushi is definitely not top-tier. That's also not really what the place is going for, it doesn't seem like. Any sushi place that is connected to a Mexican place next door is not trying to be Nobu. But it's good at what it does, which is decent, no frills sushi that is nowhere near Nobu priced. So if you want to be kind to your wallet and don't need Fresh Prime Toro, or are just looking for something with a kind of funky, hole-in-the-wall feel, then this a pretty solid place. more

A group of friends wanted to try this place in Malibu. So we read the reviews on citysearch, and after eating there, let me just tell you the only review that was correct was the peron who states ""Sushi for people who don't no anything about sushi"" was the only correct review out of the seven reviews. I've had sushi from east to west coast and this was not good sushi. The salmon was brown, the rolls were warm and small and it smelled like fish when you walked in the door and it was expensive for bad quality sushi.....the only thing that made the sushi bearable was the margarita we had at the mexican place next door and the three bottles of crazy milk sake!! And to top it off this was a hard place to find but parking wasn't bad. Pros: good parking the mexican place next door Cons: the food more

Zooma sushi is fantastic! The atmosphere is fun and lots of locals. Toshi and the staff are energetic and will entertain you all night! The sashimi is to die for and the portions are generous. It's fast simple and you never know who you will sit next to that night! Pros: Sashimi, Toshi, the staff Cons: Toshi has Sunday and Monday off we want him 7 days a week! more

This place isn't good at all! The fish isn't fresh and the avocado is spoiled!!! It really is only considered good because most the people that eat there don't know anything about sushi, so obviously these people can't tell good from bad when it comes to anything. Pros: they give a nice portion of ice cream for $3 Cons: everything else more

Zooma was my first LA sushi experience and still the restaurant which all others are judged by. Ask for Toshi and you are guaranteed the most exquisite sushi experience possible. The Toro is always excellent and buttery. Get the green mussels when available. Always finish with the live scallops for dessert...you can't go wrong. Don't forget to show your appreciation to the chef with a cold one. Prices are no higher then the trendy LA shops but the fish far better. Pros: Toshi, everything Cons: I can't live there more

Zooma is my favorite place for sushi, bar none. Recently I was in the car, driving from San Francisco to L.A. (again) and we stopped for lunch. Joking around I said, ""Man, this was a long way to drive for In-n-Out!"" My boyfriend responded, ""But, would you drive twice the distance just for sushi at Zooma?"" Without hesitation I replied, ""YES!"" It can be a little pricy, but not in relation to the quality of the sushi you will get. Toshi introduced me to my first lobster handroll and there's been no going back. I literally dream of this delicacy. Also had the best cut of toro of my life at Zooma - this place is the BEST! Pros: lobster handroll, fresh sushi, Toshi Cons: parking, a little pricy more

Having lived a mile away from Zooma Sushi for 15 years and having traveled, I have never had sushi as good as theirs. Not in NYC, not at Nobu in Malibu, not anywhere, have I had fish as fresh, service as welcoming and a bill as reasonable as Zooma Sushi has been for the past 15 years. Not exaggerating, I have eaten there over 100 times and NEVER had a bad piece of fish, and I've tried it all. Toshi is the man, always buy him a beer, they reciprocate. Pros: Freshest Fish, Great Staff, Reasonable Prices more

I am a relative novice at sushi, having been only recently introduced to it. A co-worker told me about this place and drew me a map. I ate there last night and really enjoyed what was the best sushi (best of four experiences) I have had. The staff is friendly and very helpful and there is a great crowd there. The parking is a little crowded so be prepared to park on PCH, south of the restaurant. Pros: Food, Staff, Atmosphere Cons: parking more

Most of the names at the top of favorites for sushi are hyped quite a bit: freshest fish, a little abuse, a little of this or that. Zooma Sushi just consistently serves very fresh fish, ample portions, at more than fair prices, in a relaxed atmosphere, by very friendly people. Several of the chefs are outstanding for omikase. Cooked items are good, too, especially the soft shell crab, miso soup, grilled yellowtail, and deep-fried spicey tuna. Freshest clams, great fresh water eel. Worth the drive! Pros: fresh good food, reasonable prices, friendly ambience more