Posted by If you’re looking for a fun dining spot along Roswell’s lively Canton Street, Zest is definitely worth checking out. This local favorite has been serving sushi, small plates, and creative fusion dishes since 2011, and after visiting with the Georgia Foodies, I can confirm: everything was delicious, but that tabletop tenderloin totally stole the show.
🎥 Watch our full Georgia Foodies video from Zest Roswell here:
The Vibe
Located right in downtown Roswell, Zest offers a mix of cozy indoor seating and a bustling patio perfect for people-watching on Canton Street. It’s got that upscale-casual energy, think date-night friendly but relaxed enough for group outings or a sushi-and-cocktails hangout with friends.
There is both indoor and outdoor space, and since we were there in such a nice fall weather day, most people were sitting outside, but a few folks were hanging out at the inside bar as well.
General Manager Anthony Gonzalez and Assistant Manager Andrew Antoci described Zest as a “sushi and small plates restaurant” with a menu that blends Japanese and Korean influences. The staff was welcoming and clearly proud of their craft – they even walked us through their top must-try dishes…
5 Must-Try Dishes at Zest on Canton Street
Tabletop Tenderloin
This was hands-down my favorite dish of the night! Zest’s Tabletop Tenderloin is served ishiyaki-style – thin slices of tender beef that you cook yourself on a sizzling hot stone right at the table. It comes with Korean chimichurri and Japanese sea salt on the side, creating the perfect balance of buttery, savory, and herby flavors.
When we filmed, the chef cooked it for us for the video demo, but guests usually get to do the fun part themselves – searing each piece to their preferred doneness. The result? Perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef that tastes incredible with that refreshing Korean chimichurri (seriously good – goes with everything!)
Zest Ramen
The Zest Ramen features a homemade pork-based broth that’s made in-house and served with traditional ramen noodles, mixed vegetables, charred corn, carrots, seaweed flakes, and fish cakes (yes, the cute pink-and-white swirled narutomaki 🍥). It’s topped with a hard-boiled egg and wow the pork belly was SO good!
The broth leans on the lighter side of pork-based ramen, not overly rich or fatty, but still packed with savory depth. It’s comforting and flavorful, especially when paired with the sweetness of the corn and the chew of the noodles. Perfect for a cozy day or anyone who appreciates a good, balanced bowl of noodles.
Korean Cheesesteak Sandwich
The Korean Cheesesteak is Zest’s fusion take on a Philly classic. It features bulgogi-marinated tenderloin layered with a Monterey Jack and white cheddar blend, then piled high with sautéed shishito and red peppers, grilled onions, mushrooms, and soy-garlic sauce, all tucked into a toasted hoagie. The tender beef, melted cheese, and peppers create a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and umami. It’s served with house fries, but you can upgrade to the truffle fries!
Firecracker Roll
If you like a little spice with your sushi, the Firecracker Roll is the one to get. It’s filled with spicy crab and shrimp salad plus avocado, then topped with fresh tuna, a drizzle of spicy sesame oil, soy glaze, and sesame dressing, with masago and scallions sprinkled on top.
It’s got that perfect balance — creamy, savory, and just the right amount of heat that sneaks up on you at the end. 🌶️ In the video, we joked about whether the spice was more of a “love tap” or a “roundhouse kick,” and if you like spicy, then it’s a love tap! But if you’re not then maybe something in between… Enough to wake up your taste buds, but not so spicy you can’t go back for another bite (which you absolutely will).
Rainbow Roll
The Rainbow Roll is a sushi classic and always a good choice if you like variety. This one starts with crab stick, avocado, and cucumber on the inside, then gets topped with fresh tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and striped bass – basically a little sampler of all the good stuff.
It’s light, fresh, and super satisfying without being heavy. 🍣 I love rolls like this because every bite is a little different – sometimes you get the buttery salmon, sometimes the clean, mild flavor of yellowtail or striped bass. It’s a great one to share or to follow something spicier like the Firecracker Roll if you want to cool things down a bit.
Here’s the chef making it!
Fresh Oysters
If you’re into oysters, definitely don’t skip these! When we visited, Zest was serving three varieties: Blackberry, Blue Point, and Va Va Voom. All were super fresh and beautifully presented on ice. Each one had its own flavor profile, from briny and bold to clean and buttery.
They come with all the classic fixings: a lemon wedge, cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, and mignonette sauce (a tangy, vinegar-based sauce), plus you can grab some hot sauce and crackers if that’s your style.
BTW the oyster varieties can change depending on what’s fresh and in season, so be sure to ask what’s available when you visit!
Final Thoughts
Between the tabletop tenderloin, creative sushi, and ramen made from scratch, Zest Roswell truly delivers a little bit of everything and does it well. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, cozy noodle soups, or fun small plates to share, you’ll find something to love here.
📍 Zest Roswell
955 Canton St, Roswell, GA 30075
🕒 Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM · Fri–Sat 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM · Sun 11:30 AM – 9 PM