Next month, Zenirō will open in the heart of Nice, introducing a contemporary dining and lifestyle destination where Japanese precision and elegance meets Mediterranean warmth, flavour, and seasonality. Inspired by a journey through Japan and the spirit of the Mediterranean, Zenirō reimagines Japanese flavours through local, seasonal ingredients, celebrating provenance, freshness, and a deep respect for produce.
As part of its commitment to authenticity and sustainability, Zenirō will also establish an exclusive farm in Provence, dedicated to cultivating the finest regional produce. This partnership will allow the restaurant to showcase the very best of the Mediterranean’s ingredients, grown with care and crafted with Japanese artistry.
Spanning across three levels, with 120 covers in the restaurant and 40 in the rooftop bar, guests can expect an immersive, multi-sensory experience featuring an open show kitchen, innovative in-house mixology, and a menu that balances artistry and authenticity.
With long-term plans to grow the brand, Zenirō aims to bring its unique vision of Japanese dining to new destinations around the Mediterranean, sharing this distinctive culinary philosophy with an even broader audience.
Menu
At the core of the kitchen lies a focus on charcoal-grilled creations, complemented by a refined selection of sushi, sashimi, and tartares, showcasing Japanese craftsmanship and the finest Mediterranean ingredients.
Led by Head Chef Ricardo Pérez whose extensive experience includes roles at Nobu London Shoreditch and Tapasake at One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro, the menu will unite Japanese precision with Riviera produce. Pérez draws on a global career across luxury restaurants and resorts, specialising in Japanese-Peruvian and Mediterranean-Asian cuisine, to create dishes that are seasonal, balanced, and deeply flavourful.
The cocktail programme, like the cuisine, will be ingredient-driven and crafted with restraint, balance, and intention.
Design
The interiors and exteriors are by award-winning Cannes-based architect and designer, Samy Chams, famed for his emotionally resonant, globally inspired spaces including the iconic La Guérite Cannes, Bagatelle Courchevel, Jimmy’z Monaco and Queen Miami Beach.
Unfolding across three thoughtfully designed levels, Zenirō will offer a layered experience, from intimate dining spaces to a rooftop bar and DJ-led lounge. The interiors will blend Japanese minimalism with Mediterranean warmth, creating a fluid environment that evolves throughout the evening.
“With Zenirō, the goal is to create a spatial rhythm, minimalist but immersive, that invites guests to move, pause, and engage with their surroundings. It is a dialogue between Japanese stillness and Mediterranean warmth,” says Samy Chams.
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Dining and Cooking