Zuma is opening a pop up in Gstaad and Courchevel this winter. | Image: Zuma
This winter, luxury hospitality in Europe will add a glamorous Japanese twist with Zuma setting up two winter pop-ups in two European resorts. The acclaimed contemporary Japanese restaurant brand is partnering with Ultima Collection to launch exclusive culinary residencies at Ultima Hotel Gstaad in Switzerland and Ultima Hotel Courchevel in France. Zuma currently has a winter residence in one other European ski resort, with the Zuma Restaurant inside the Weisses Rossl hotel, which opened in the 2023-24 season.
From December 5, 2025, through March 15, 2026, Zuma will take over the restaurant, bar, and winter terrace at Ultima Gstaad in a full seasonal pop-up, marking Zuma’s debut in Switzerland. The experience promises Zuma’s signature à la carte menu—like its famous tuna tartare with oscietra caviar or wagyu tataki with truffle ponzu—and private in-chalet dining for more secluded culinary indulgence. The design will embrace the Japanese “Shakkei” principle of “borrowed scenery,” weaving the surrounding alpine landscape into Zuma’s refined interiors. There will be two seatings per evening and if the Kitzbühel experience is anything to go by, you can expect bookings to be sold out quickly—and bookings opened just last week.
The Gstaad pop-up will be in the stunning Ultima Gstaad. | Image: Ultima Collection
In addition, Ultima Hotel Courchevel will also unveil its own Zuma residency starting December 12. There, guests will be treated to Zuma’s private in-chalet lunches and dinners. Both hotels will integrate Zuma’s “izakaya style” social dining alongside its signature Japanese gastronomy, creating immersive food-and-lifestyle moments on the slopes.
In Gstaad, Zuma’s pop-up will include live après-ski DJ sets, a winterized terrace with mountain-views, and full service from lunch through dinner—though evening service will likely be the main draw.
At Courchevel, the residency will lean more intimate, with chalet-based private dining experiences designed for guests seeking exclusivity and privacy.
The Courchevel pop-up offers a true ski-in/ski-out experience and will feature in-chalet lunch service. | Image: Ultima Collection
Zuma, founded by German-born chef Rainer Becker, who has worked in Sydney, Tokyo, and London, is known for blending the informal, social spirit of Japan’s izakayas with upscale approach to ingredients, presentation and ambiance. Its global footprint includes locations in major destination resorts and cosmopolitan cities—from Ibiza and St. Tropez to Cannes and Mykonos. The exclusive partnership with Ultima Collection has been long in the making, the hotel chain had previously hoped to negotiate a deal for its hotels in Geneva or Zurich.
Beyond Gstaad and Courchevel, the collaboration with Ultima Collection expands to Le Grand Jardin Cannes and Ultima Promenade Gstaad, where bespoke in-residence dining and gastronomic events will be available.
Zuma’s black cod on the snow. | Image: Zuma
Zuma is not the first high-end restaurant chain to set up winter pop-ups in Europe. Nobu’s Mykonos team heads to St. Moritz, Switzerland, each year for the last two decades where it now runs its Matsushisa brand of high-end dining at Badrutt’s Palace with great success each winter. In the U.S., Japanese chef Nobu Matsushisa famously operates a Matsushisa restaurant in the Solaris hotel as well as a two-storey restaurant on Aspen’s Main Street.
Zuma will offer freshly prepared sashimi and nigiri sushi at three European resorts this winter. | Image: Zuma
AloJapan.com