Zest: A Roswell Gem for Exceptional Sushi & Asian Small Plates on Canton Street

Zest Introduce

Hello, Georgia food enthusiasts! If you're strolling down Roswell's lively Canton Street and looking for a dining experience that truly brings flavor and excitement, you absolutely must make a stop at Zest. This highly-rated Japanese restaurant has quickly become a local favorite, celebrated for its "delicious Asian small plates and sushi" that consistently meet or exceed expectations. From the moment you're "greeted with kindness" to the last bite of a "spectacularly created" roll, Zest promises a memorable culinary journey. Get ready to indulge in fresh ingredients, creative dishes, and stellar service that will make you wish you'd discovered it sooner!

Introduction / Overview: A Vibrant Culinary Hub on Canton Street

Zest stands out as a dynamic and welcoming Japanese restaurant located on Roswell's bustling Canton Street. It has garnered a loyal following for its exceptional blend of fresh sushi, innovative Asian small plates, and a vibrant atmosphere. Customers consistently praise the "wonderful" food and the genuine "kindness" of the staff, making every visit a pleasant one. Whether you're a long-time resident or just exploring the area, Zest offers a chic dining experience with a modern feel.

The menu at Zest is designed to excite the palate, offering a diverse selection that goes beyond traditional sushi. Reviewers highlight popular items such as the Pork Belly, Veggie Tempura, Bonsai Brussels, and Lettuce Wraps, all of which are noted for their delicious flavors and quality. Sushi lovers will find their favorites, including the "Dragon Roll" and the "Roswell Roll," both receiving high marks. The restaurant is also known for its "assortment of sake" and hand-crafted cocktails, perfectly complementing the food offerings. The stellar service, from the friendly bartenders like Allie and Adam to the attentive General Manager Anthony, creates an inviting environment that encourages diners to return and explore more of their dishes and daily specials.

Location and Accessibility: Right in the Heart of Roswell's Culinary Scene

Zest is ideally situated at 957 Canton St, Roswell, GA 30075, USA. This puts it squarely in the heart of Roswell's vibrant Canton Street, an area renowned for its charming boutiques, art galleries, and diverse culinary offerings. Its central location makes it a prime spot for both planned dinners and spontaneous lunch outings while enjoying the downtown Roswell ambiance.

Parking on Canton Street can sometimes be a consideration, as it's a popular area. However, Zest is well-situated with various options. There is often a paid parking lot directly across the street. Additionally, limited metered parking is available behind the restaurant and along other parts of Canton Street. Visitors can also utilize the larger free parking lots available throughout downtown Roswell, such as at City Hall or the Green Street Parking Lot, which are a short walk away. Despite the bustling nature of Canton Street, these options ensure that finding a spot is manageable, allowing you to easily access and enjoy your Zest experience.

Services Offered: A Comprehensive Asian Culinary Experience

Dine-In Service: Enjoy a chic and lively dining experience within Zest's modern interiors, or opt for their charming outdoor patio. It's perfect for both intimate meals and group gatherings.
Sushi Bar: Indulge in a wide array of fresh sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls, expertly crafted with high-quality ingredients. Popular rolls include the Dragon Roll, Roswell Roll, Kiss of Death Roll, and Firecracker Roll.
Asian Small Plates (Graze, Surf, Handhelds): Explore a diverse menu of shareable appetizers and small plates with Asian-inspired flavors. Options range from Bonsai Brussels, Tempura Veggie, and Pork Belly to Yuzu Crab Cakes, Bang Bang Shrimp, and various tacos (Soft Shell Crab BLT, Thai Shrimp Tacos, Pork Belly Tacos).
Entrees: For those seeking larger plates, Zest offers delicious entrees such as Shaking Beef Tenderloin, Soba Noodle dishes, Karaage Chicken Tenders, Green Coconut Curry, Lamb Lollipops, and Zest Ramen.
Lunch Service: Zest is an excellent choice for midday dining, offering a "Lunch time bento box" and other options perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Full Bar & Beverage Program: Enjoy a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including an assortment of sake, beer, wine (including half-priced bottles on Wednesdays), and a creative list of hand-crafted cocktails.
Private Events & Catering: While not explicitly detailed in the reviews, restaurants of this caliber often offer options for private events or catering, which could be explored by contacting them directly.
Takeout and Delivery: For added convenience, Zest offers takeout service, and their menu is available for delivery through popular platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Live Music: On certain nights, Zest features live music, adding to the vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

Features / Highlights: What Makes Zest Shine

Exceptional Food Quality: Customers consistently praise the "delicious" and "amazing" food, with dishes meeting or exceeding expectations due to fresh ingredients and expert preparation.
Creative & Diverse Menu: Zest offers a broad range of options, from traditional sushi and sashimi to innovative Asian small plates and substantial entrees, catering to various tastes and preferences.
Stellar Service: The staff, from bartenders to the general manager, are noted for their "stellar service," kindness, and attentiveness, creating a warm and welcoming dining environment.
Vibrant Canton Street Location: Being situated on popular Canton Street adds to the restaurant's appeal, making it a great spot for people-watching and enjoying the lively downtown Roswell scene.
Hand-Crafted Cocktails & Sake Selection: A robust beverage program, including an assortment of sake and creative cocktails, perfectly complements the culinary offerings.
Daily Specials & Promotions: Zest runs attractive daily specials (e.g., Two for Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, Sake Sundays) that offer excellent value and encourage repeat visits.

Promotions or Special Offers

Zest is well-known for its engaging daily specials, which provide excellent value and encourage locals to return frequently. These promotions add extra incentive to try their diverse menu:

Martini Mondays: Enjoy $7 Ketel One Martinis.
Two for Tuesdays: Get two specialty rolls for $28 (dine-in only) – a fantastic deal for sushi lovers.
Wine Wednesdays: Enjoy half off bottles of wine, perfect for pairing with your meal or unwinding mid-week.
Thursday Power Hour: Indulge in $1 Gulf oysters from 4 PM - 6 PM, often accompanied by live music from 6 PM - 8 PM.
Friday & Saturday: Look forward to Chef-inspired features nightly, showcasing the culinary creativity of the kitchen.
Sake Sundays: All sake bottles are half price, and you can enjoy $5 Sparkling Sake Mimosas, making for a perfect weekend cap.
Lunch Bento Box: A popular lunchtime option, providing a convenient and delicious meal at a great price.

These recurring specials, alongside their enticing regular menu, ensure there's always a reason to visit Zest.

Contact Information

Ready to experience the vibrant flavors and stellar service at Zest? Here’s how you can get in touch:

Address: 957 Canton St, Roswell, GA 30075, USA

Phone: (678) 461-6788 (also available as +1 678-461-6788 for mobile contact)

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Friday - Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

It is always recommended to check their official website (zestoncantonstreet.com) or call ahead for the most current hours, especially around holidays, as schedules may vary.

Conclusion: Why Zest is Suitable for Locals

For Georgia residents, particularly those in and around Roswell, Zest offers an exceptional and dynamic dining experience that makes it a perfect fit for the local community. Its prime location on bustling Canton Street provides a lively atmosphere, ideal for both casual lunches and vibrant evening outings. The combination of "delicious Asian small plates and sushi" with "stellar service" from a genuinely kind and attentive staff ensures that every visit is enjoyable and memorable.

Zest's commitment to culinary creativity, evident in their unique specialty rolls and diverse small plates, means there's always something new and exciting to try. Furthermore, the attractive daily specials – from "Two for Tuesdays" to "Wine Wednesdays" and "Sake Sundays" – offer fantastic value and encourage repeat visits, making it an affordable luxury for regular diners. Whether you're seeking a quick bite, a fun night out with friends, or a delightful family meal, Zest delivers on all fronts, cementing its status as a must-visit destination in Roswell's vibrant culinary landscape.

Zest Photos

Zest Location

Zest

Georgia Fulton County Roswell Canton Street

957 Canton St, Roswell, GA 30075, USA

Zest Reviews

One of my favorite places to go for lunch or a quick bite. I've always been greeted with kindness and the food is wonderful. My favorite is the Lunch time bento box, dragon roll and ginger salad.
May 21, 2025 · Mrs. Monestime
We finally made it to Zest and wish it didn’t take us so long to get here!Delicious Asian small plates and sushi partnered with an assortment of sake and STELLAR service from the bartenders Allie and Adam to the General Manager Anthony.We tried the Pork Belly, Veggie Tempura, Bonzai Brussels, Lettuce Wraps and Roswell Roll. All of which met or exceeded our expectations! We will definitely be back to try some of their other dishes and to check out their other daily specials :)
Feb 01, 2025 · Quest and Consume
The atmosphere was steller, the food was average, and the service was below average.The area and the dining atmosphere are beautiful. It's a very romantic area of town with a massive walk-score.Food left a bit to be desired. The lamb was tough, the oysters were flavorless, and the roman was mid; however, the beer was cold, and the sake was hot.Service lacked any attention to detail, and non-alcoholic drinks were left empty most of the meal, and we needed to ask for things several times before they were provided.Overall, for the price, there is much better sushi in the area. Great for drinks and maybe an app at the bar.
Dec 31, 2024 · Bert Hayden
Zest Sushi and Small Plates is average at best, a far cry from high quality Japanese fare. From a strict culinary perspective, Zest deserves 2 stars, in my opinion. But when you factor in the affordable price tag and amiable service, 3 stars is more like it. Here is what we ate, in order of preference:Kiss of Death Roll (A-): Very flavorful, although not spicy at allPolynesian Pork Belly (B+): Nice seasoning, although we’ve had much betterMocktail – Mint Mule (B+): Very refreshingButter Garlic Oysters (B): DecentTempura Veggie (C+): Too soft, almost soggyFish & Chips (C-): The fries were very good, but the fish was terrible (insipid, soggy)Tuna Nigiri (D+): I’ve had better grocery store nigiriSalmon Poke Crunch (D): Just bad poke. No flavor whatsoeverMocktail – Lychee Limeade (D-): Just no flavor, utterly forgettableGyoza Dumplings (F): The worst gyozas ever. Limp and soggyOn the positive side, we only spent $118 for a 3-person meal, before tipping (2 mocktails, water, 7 small plates, 1 larger entrée, no alcohol). We won’t be returning to Zest Sushi.
Mar 30, 2025 · Richard Mingorance
The food and zest has always been delicious and amazing and the service and everyone who works.There are intentive and friendly. I was just there and they have done a beautiful redecoration of the venue with new colors chairs menu, decor and more. It's absolutely beautiful. Anthony, the general manager was here talking with diners to make sure we were having a great experience. If you haven't been before, I highly recommend you check it out.
Jan 14, 2025 · Tracey Newsome