Zama
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Restaurant in Philadelphia, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Zama is a practical Rittenhouse-area pick for a date, birthday, or business meal when convenience and a composed room matter. Choose lunch for schedule control and dinner for the occasion feel; cross-shop Aleksandar or Scarpetta for a more formal Center City plan, or Goldie and Federal Donuts when casual value matters more.
About Zama
Zama is a Philadelphia venue with service windows for weekday lunch and nightly dinner. The schedule is specific enough to make planning direct: lunch is listed Monday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM, dinner runs Sunday through Thursday from 5–9 PM, Friday and Saturday dinner runs from 5–10 PM.
The safest way to evaluate Zama is around its basics: a Philadelphia location, posted hours, a smart casual dress code. Use the current hours as the main starting point, confirm any menu or booking details directly before committing to a group plan.
A Philadelphia option with clear lunch and dinner windows
Use Zama when the schedule fits the meal you are planning. Weekday lunch is available Monday through Friday, while dinner is available every night, with the latest closing time on Friday and Saturday. If you are comparing other options, Goldie or Federal Donuts works for a different kind of meal.
For specific culinary style or occasion details like menu, chef, pricing, reservation, or atmosphere, check the venue's own channels. Consider Zama a Philadelphia venue with lunch and dinner hours for planning. If you are comparing other Philadelphia dinner options, consider Aleksandar, Veda, or Scarpetta.
Lunch is weekday-only; dinner runs nightly
Lunch is the practical slot if you need a weekday midday meal, since the lunch window is Monday through Friday from 12–2:30 PM. Dinner is the broader option, running nightly from 5 PM, with service listed until 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Reservations: confirm current booking availability directly with the venue. Dress: smart casual. Budget: confirm current pricing before anchoring a group plan. Good for: plans that fit the lunch or dinner windows. Keep exploring: use the Philadelphia restaurants guide, plus the city guides for hotels, bars, wineries, experiences.
Planning details
- Location
- 128 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- zamaphilly.com
- Phone
- +12155681027
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Zama presents a restrained, minimalist Japanese room that leans into technique and quiet refinement. The space is small and counter-focused, with clean material surfaces and deliberate lighting that draws attention to preparations at the bar. The acoustic design favors conversation over background noise, so the overall effect is an intimate, contemplative dining environment rather than a boisterous izakaya. In Rittenhouse terms it reads as a calmer, more deliberate alternative to the neighborhood's louder, New American destinations—the sort of place where the room’s discipline signals the kitchen’s seriousness.
Best For
This is a dinner-centric spot that suits date nights, business dinners and other special occasions when guests want a composed, technique-forward Japanese experience. The clientele tends to book ahead and return, which makes Zama a reliable choice for reservations and planned evenings. Because the service cadence is measured and the room is compact, it fits small-party celebrations or focused two-top meals better than casual walk-ins or raucous group outings. The kitchen’s chef-driven approach rewards diners who come prepared to savor composed sashimi, marinated fish and curated roll preparations.
Ordering Tips
Book a reservation and, if possible, request a counter seat to watch the technique-driven preparations that define the room. Lean into the kitchen’s specialties: the sashimi platter and Miso-Marinated Chilean Sea Bass or Black Cod Saikyoyaki showcase the firm, refined side of the menu, while signature items like the Wasabi Hummus Roll and Berkshire Pork Tonkatsu offer approachable contrasts. The balanced acoustic and attentive service let you linger between courses, so pace your meal to enjoy the contrasts between raw and marinated preparations.
Venue details
Ambiance
Chic and gracious atmosphere with vibrant and welcoming energy, designed for both casual diners and sushi enthusiasts.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Wasabi Hummus Roll
- Miso-Marinated Chilean Sea Bass
- Sashimi Platter
- Black Cod Saikyoyaki
- Tofu Beignets
- Berkshire Pork Tonkatsu
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if Zama does not fit
Choose Aleksandar or Scarpetta when the meal needs a more formal Center City feel. Choose Goldie or Federal Donuts when speed and casual value matter more than a full sit-down occasion.
Restaurant context
How Zama compares in Philadelphia
Zama is the more useful choice when the meal needs to feel polished but not overly formal. Aleksandar and Scarpetta make more sense for a higher-commitment dinner, especially when the room and pacing are central to the occasion. Zama is the lower-friction Center City option for a date or work meal where location and timing matter.
For value and speed, Goldie and Federal Donuts are easier casual alternatives, but they solve a different problem. Pick them for a quick bite, not a sit-down celebration. Veda is the better cross-shop if the group wants another sit-down Philadelphia dinner with a clearer social-meal frame.
Explore Philadelphia
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Zama guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Zama
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zama | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Aleksandar | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Goldie | Philadelphia | ; | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants · #12025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
| Federal Donuts | Philadelphia | Doughnuts | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3452024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3082023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Veda | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Scarpetta | Philadelphia | ; | Michelin Guide Shanghai Jiangsu Zhejiang 20262025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How Zama Philadelphia compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Zama?
Plan around Zama's hours instead: Mon–Thu 12–2:30 PM and 5–9 PM, Fri 12–2:30 PM and 5–10 PM, Sat 5–10 PM, Sun 5–9 PM. Check directly with the venue for seating details.
What are alternatives to Zama in Philadelphia?
Federal Donuts, Goldie, Aleksandar, Veda, Scarpetta are useful comparisons depending on the kind of meal you want.
What should a first-timer know about Zama?
Plan around the posted hours: lunch runs Mon–Fri from 12–2:30 PM, dinner is available nightly from 5 PM, Friday and Saturday extend to 10 PM. Zama is in Philadelphia, the dress code is smart casual.
Is Zama good for a special occasion?
It is best to confirm the current menu, availability, setting directly before planning a special occasion. If timing is the main factor, dinner is available nightly, with Friday and Saturday service listed until 10 PM.
Is lunch or dinner better at Zama?
Lunch is available only on weekdays from 12–2:30 PM, so it is the better fit for a midday Monday–Friday plan. Dinner is available nightly from 5 PM, running to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
