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Zōtō is an upscale Izakaya restaurant blending Japanese bar culture and culinary tradition. Located at the University Town Center, Zōtō offers a sleek, relaxed atmosphere with a menu offering premium sushi, Japanese sharing plates, and craft cocktails. Zōtō’s menu features elevated interpretations of Japanese fare—thoughtfully plated, seasonally driven, and perfectly paired with a comprehensive beverage program featuring Japanese whisky, Asian beers, premium sake, an extensive wine list, and Japanese-inspired cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 190 N Cattlemen Rd Unit 5, Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: (941) 414-6143
Website: https://zotosushi.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
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Zōtō
Location: 190 N Cattlemen Road Sarasota, FL. Mon – Thurs 4:30pm – 9:30pm. Fri – Sat 4:30pm – 10pm. Sun 4:30pm – 9:30pm. Contact: (941) 414-6143 · info@zotosushi …
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Reviews
amanda finney
Wow! What an amazing experience- we are big fans of sushi an although there are many great sushi restaurants in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, Zoto is next level! The sushi flavors were outstanding and each bite melted in your mouth with the ability to taste each ingredient- truly remarkable- that’s off to the chefs!!! The presentation of the food was clean and very fresh. The ambiance was upscale but not stuffy. A very pleasant and relaxing vibe. Ellie, our waitress was very knowledgeable and did an outstanding job of explaining the history of Zoto, the menu, and featured items. Delivery of food is tapas style, so dishes come out as they are freshly made. It was fun to chat and see what we would experience next in our order. Highly recommend a selection of the appetizers such as the curry rib corn and don’t miss the skewers – the pork belly is to die for!
… moreJeremy Finney
I must say, I have had sushi all over the World…not saying that to impress but more to convey the exceptional nature of both the quality of sushi and service available at Zoto. My wife, son, and myself went to dinner tonight expecting a good experience and walked away having experienced something really special.
The Sushi they create is a work of art with multi layered flavors in each bite and some of the most fresh fish you have ever had.
To complete the experience, we had the best service delivered by Ellie. She very clearly conveyed the menu in detail and with a great smile and energy. Was very helpful and excited to do her job which was clear with the level of service she provided.
If you are into sushi….make a reservation today.
… moreThe Sushi they create is a work of art with multi layered flavors in each bite and some of the most fresh fish you have ever had.
To complete the experience, we had the best service delivered by Ellie. She very clearly conveyed the menu in detail and with a great smile and energy. Was very helpful and excited to do her job which was clear with the level of service she provided.
If you are into sushi….make a reservation today.
Veronika Trifonova
We truly enjoyed the food at Zōtō—everything was delicious and beautifully prepared. The pacing of the courses was excellent, and the quality of the ingredients really stood out to us.
From a culinary standpoint, it absolutely delivers.
However, the overall experience was impacted by several service and atmosphere issues.
First, the lack of privacy between the two-top tables was surprising. Our table was only about two hand-widths away from the next one, which felt uncomfortably close.
We did request to move to another table and were told it was reserved for a four-top, which we understood.
However as the night went on that table was never used, and later we were given last call, which made it clear it was going to remain empty the rest of that evening. This was disappointing.
Service was inconsistent.
It took a while for our server to greet us, and there was little to no explanation of any the dishes or the menu.
The caviar service felt unpolished.
The caviar itself was outstanding—beautiful beluga hybrid with excellent flavor and texture.
We also couldn’t help but notice that several nearby tables remained dirty for a long time. The table next to us wasn’t cleaned until we were on dessert. When it finally was, staff sprayed cleaning chemicals right next to us while we were still eating dessert, which took away from the experience.
Overall, the food is outstanding and clearly the highlight.
With improvements in service, spacing, and attention to detail, this could be an exceptional dining experience.
… moreFrom a culinary standpoint, it absolutely delivers.
However, the overall experience was impacted by several service and atmosphere issues.
First, the lack of privacy between the two-top tables was surprising. Our table was only about two hand-widths away from the next one, which felt uncomfortably close.
We did request to move to another table and were told it was reserved for a four-top, which we understood.
However as the night went on that table was never used, and later we were given last call, which made it clear it was going to remain empty the rest of that evening. This was disappointing.
Service was inconsistent.
It took a while for our server to greet us, and there was little to no explanation of any the dishes or the menu.
The caviar service felt unpolished.
The caviar itself was outstanding—beautiful beluga hybrid with excellent flavor and texture.
We also couldn’t help but notice that several nearby tables remained dirty for a long time. The table next to us wasn’t cleaned until we were on dessert. When it finally was, staff sprayed cleaning chemicals right next to us while we were still eating dessert, which took away from the experience.
Overall, the food is outstanding and clearly the highlight.
With improvements in service, spacing, and attention to detail, this could be an exceptional dining experience.
Erin Ellis
Last week at Zōtō (soft opening menu). Not one thing disappointed! From the service to the sushi – everything was on point. This place is a refreshing upgrade of our former local Asian-fare favorite, Kojo.
The toro selection was buttery and delicate. We ordered one of every roll and had a hard time ranking best to “worst”. The spicy tuna roll captured the perfection of simplicity to a T. Talk about freshness! Even the accoutrements tasted as if they came straight from the garden. The edamame was garlicky and tender and the green beans were nutty and toothsome. Although the menu was selective, it had something for the cuisine connoisseurs to those with a more reserved palate. Lucky for us they got their liquor license the day before so were able to enjoy some well rounded cocktails, too.
The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Camila provided excellent service! Moody atmosphere with upbeat music. Food came out like clockwork and was presented Instragram-worthy with every dish. The entire team did not skip a beat.
We cannot wait to return and see their full menu. This place is going to make a lasting impression at UTC. They will become the go-to sushi joint in the area – mark my words!
P.S. GF soy sauce!
… moreThe toro selection was buttery and delicate. We ordered one of every roll and had a hard time ranking best to “worst”. The spicy tuna roll captured the perfection of simplicity to a T. Talk about freshness! Even the accoutrements tasted as if they came straight from the garden. The edamame was garlicky and tender and the green beans were nutty and toothsome. Although the menu was selective, it had something for the cuisine connoisseurs to those with a more reserved palate. Lucky for us they got their liquor license the day before so were able to enjoy some well rounded cocktails, too.
The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Camila provided excellent service! Moody atmosphere with upbeat music. Food came out like clockwork and was presented Instragram-worthy with every dish. The entire team did not skip a beat.
We cannot wait to return and see their full menu. This place is going to make a lasting impression at UTC. They will become the go-to sushi joint in the area – mark my words!
P.S. GF soy sauce!
M
Great experience at Zōtō as we’ve now been twice. They have some great appetizers, the edamame is super flavorful, chicken karage is good if you have picky eaters or kids, the truffle salmon is great & personally I love the miso salmon bites! The wagyu bites were buttery, and the miso soup broth was great!
The lychee martini and Lina drinks are delicious, but I found the pandan drink to have a bit of an eggy after taste, so I’d stick to the lychee.
I will say… I understand it’s a new spot so reservations may not be the easiest to get, but we were booking for a birthday party and tried for about two weeks calling and didn’t get a single answer once, and when booking online it would only let us book for up to 4 people, I was finally able to book my reservation after emailing them and got a response a few days later, but for people trying to get same day/day before reservations it may be a bit difficult if you have a party larger than 4 and can not book through open table which can be frustrating.
The sushi is fresh and delicious but the sushi menu is small and they don’t have simple rolls like salmon or tuna though you may be able to request. The dynamite roll was very flavorful and soft, lightly torched with sauce on top, which I would get again.
While it is a bit pricey, it is nice for a special occasion, and I must say our server was lovely, and while I forgot to ask her name, she was very attentive, kind and sweet, so if you’re the waitress that worked the evening of the 18th, for the birthday party of 7 and you had the cute crybaby pen, thank you for making our experience as lovely and as smooth as possible <3
… moreThe lychee martini and Lina drinks are delicious, but I found the pandan drink to have a bit of an eggy after taste, so I’d stick to the lychee.
I will say… I understand it’s a new spot so reservations may not be the easiest to get, but we were booking for a birthday party and tried for about two weeks calling and didn’t get a single answer once, and when booking online it would only let us book for up to 4 people, I was finally able to book my reservation after emailing them and got a response a few days later, but for people trying to get same day/day before reservations it may be a bit difficult if you have a party larger than 4 and can not book through open table which can be frustrating.
The sushi is fresh and delicious but the sushi menu is small and they don’t have simple rolls like salmon or tuna though you may be able to request. The dynamite roll was very flavorful and soft, lightly torched with sauce on top, which I would get again.
While it is a bit pricey, it is nice for a special occasion, and I must say our server was lovely, and while I forgot to ask her name, she was very attentive, kind and sweet, so if you’re the waitress that worked the evening of the 18th, for the birthday party of 7 and you had the cute crybaby pen, thank you for making our experience as lovely and as smooth as possible <3
jr merritt
I’m always on the lookout for good sushi. Zoto is a good addition to Sarasota.
We dined as part of their preview, and still had much to choose from.
The tuna and uni were particularly good. They had o-toro (fatty tuna) and chu-toro (medium fatty tuna) as well as the usual kami (lean tuna). The higher grades of tuna are always a pleasure to find. They also had kinmedi (golden eye snapper) and anago tare (SALT water eel with tare sauce). Most eel in this area is unagi (fresh water), so if you love eel, give this a try. The kinki (rockfish) nigiri was also tasty.
At the time if our visit, beer was not available, but expected to be added as their opening continues. I had a pour of each of the three sake on the menu– all were good and the bar manager was able to talk about why and who they source their sake from. The cocktails were also tasty. I’m looking forward to trying their full menu.
… moreWe dined as part of their preview, and still had much to choose from.
The tuna and uni were particularly good. They had o-toro (fatty tuna) and chu-toro (medium fatty tuna) as well as the usual kami (lean tuna). The higher grades of tuna are always a pleasure to find. They also had kinmedi (golden eye snapper) and anago tare (SALT water eel with tare sauce). Most eel in this area is unagi (fresh water), so if you love eel, give this a try. The kinki (rockfish) nigiri was also tasty.
At the time if our visit, beer was not available, but expected to be added as their opening continues. I had a pour of each of the three sake on the menu– all were good and the bar manager was able to talk about why and who they source their sake from. The cocktails were also tasty. I’m looking forward to trying their full menu.
xmarkstheespot
We came here to celebrate a birthday and had an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was upscale yet welcoming, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor—every roll was a hit.
Our waiter, Stevie, truly elevated the night. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the celebration feel extra special without being overbearing. His recommendations were spot-on and his service was top-tier.
Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to celebrate something special or simply enjoy high-quality sushi and exceptional service. We’ll definitely be back!
If you want it more fun, more formal, or shorter, just say the word.
… moreOur waiter, Stevie, truly elevated the night. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the celebration feel extra special without being overbearing. His recommendations were spot-on and his service was top-tier.
Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to celebrate something special or simply enjoy high-quality sushi and exceptional service. We’ll definitely be back!
If you want it more fun, more formal, or shorter, just say the word.
Katelyn Borton
Great experience. Food came out in a timely manner and all dishes were thoughtfully curated in flavor profiles. Lychee mocktail was fruity and tropical. They have bluefin tuna which is so delicious. Brenda our server was attentive and explained the concept of the restaurant. The owners were also around thanking us for the support and I loved that.
… morechristine albritton
A nice addition to the UTC dining scene. The decor is very Zen. The staff (bartender) was helpful and welcoming. Suggestions were offered for the lite bite we were after. I will definitely try Zoto for a full dinner. The sea bass skewers and the UTC roll were very nicely prepared and presented. The lychee cocktail and the mango margarita style cocktail were both very refreshing.
… moreEllerie Hamner
Honest Review – Zōtō Sarasota
I opted in for Zōtō’s soft opening at UTC, knowing about it months in advance, and wanted to share my experience as a special needs patron with autism and epilepsy.
Environment: The restaurant has a sleek, moody atmosphere with dim lighting. It wasn’t strobe-like or overwhelming, but some may find it darker than expected. The bar area is livelier, while seating further inside or outdoors is calmer and better for low-stimulation dining.
Food: I tried the crab fried rice, a Yuzu drink, and sashimi.
* The crab fried rice was flavorful but mild enough to be sensory-friendly, with a good balance of flavors.
* The sashimi was very fresh with a clean texture, served simply without heavy sauces.
* The Yuzu drink was tangy and refreshing, citrus-forward and not too sweet, though the sharpness may be strong for some.
Staff: The team was amazing and accommodating, especially when it came to alternative options for soy allergies. They were knowledgeable, attentive, and thoughtful, which made the experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Overall: The food was well-prepared and beautifully presented. As a special needs patron, I found it approachable and enjoyable, and I hope this helps my fellow autistic diners decide if it might work for them.
… moreI opted in for Zōtō’s soft opening at UTC, knowing about it months in advance, and wanted to share my experience as a special needs patron with autism and epilepsy.
Environment: The restaurant has a sleek, moody atmosphere with dim lighting. It wasn’t strobe-like or overwhelming, but some may find it darker than expected. The bar area is livelier, while seating further inside or outdoors is calmer and better for low-stimulation dining.
Food: I tried the crab fried rice, a Yuzu drink, and sashimi.
* The crab fried rice was flavorful but mild enough to be sensory-friendly, with a good balance of flavors.
* The sashimi was very fresh with a clean texture, served simply without heavy sauces.
* The Yuzu drink was tangy and refreshing, citrus-forward and not too sweet, though the sharpness may be strong for some.
Staff: The team was amazing and accommodating, especially when it came to alternative options for soy allergies. They were knowledgeable, attentive, and thoughtful, which made the experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Overall: The food was well-prepared and beautifully presented. As a special needs patron, I found it approachable and enjoyable, and I hope this helps my fellow autistic diners decide if it might work for them.