Gaslamp Restaurant Zama Ordered Closed By Health Inspectors Weeks After Sister Venue AKA Shutdown, Amid Broader Pattern Across Ownership Group

Zama Restaurant & Bar in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter was ordered temporarily closed by San Diego County health inspectors on April 6 following a routine inspection that uncovered multiple major and non-compliant violations, including "major" vermin. The closure comes just weeks after a similar shutdown at nearby sister restaurant AKA, and adds to a growing pattern of recent health enforcement actions tied to the San Diego Dining Group restaurants.

According to the County of San Diego’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality, inspectors cited several serious issues at Zama, including major violations for vermin activity and improper shellfish tagging. Additional out-of-compliance findings included deficiencies in warewashing facilities, wiping cloth storage, and plumbing systems. The report did not include a posted score or grade due to the immediate closure order, which requires correction of violations and a follow-up inspection prior to reopening.

Zama, located at 467 Fifth Avenue, opened in 2022 as a Latin American and Asian fusion concept from San Diego Dining Group, led by restaurateurs Vincenzo Loverso, Alessandro Minutella and Giancarlo Guttilla. The jungle-inspired restaurant quickly became a prominent Gaslamp destination, offering a menu that blends ceviches, sushi, grilled meats, and tropical cocktails within a high-energy, nightlife-driven setting.

While Zama operates under the San Diego Dining Group banner, the company itself is part of a broader and often difficult-to-untangle network of affiliated operators, partnerships, and entities tied to Loverso and a rotating cast of collaborators. Over the past decade, this loosely connected ecosystem has expanded rapidly across San Diego, frequently rebranding concepts, reshuffling ownership structures, and repurposing restaurant spaces under new names while maintaining overlapping personnel behind the scenes. 

The latest shutdown follows a March 12 closure of the group’s nearby concept AKA, located one block away at 611 Fifth Avenue. That inspection also cited vermin and operational deficiencies, though the restaurant was able to correct the issues and reopen the following day after passing re-inspection. While isolated closures are not uncommon in high-volume dining districts, the proximity and timing of these incidents have drawn increased attention.

Beyond Zama and AKA, public health records show a series of similar enforcement actions across other concepts operated by members of the same ownership group. Allegro in Little Italy was ordered closed multiple times in September 2025 due to major vermin violations before ultimately passing re-inspection and reopening. Osteria Panevino was also ordered closed as recently as March 2026 following a routine inspection that cited vermin and food safety concerns, though it too was cleared to reopen after corrections were made.

Additional closures have impacted Greystone The Steakhouse, which was ordered closed in February 2025 after inspectors identified major violations including vermin and improper shellfish tagging. While the restaurant later regained compliance and an “A” grade, the incident adds to a broader record of recurring enforcement actions within the San Diego Dining Group portfolio.

Even restaurants that have avoided closure have shown signs of compliance challenges. Vincenzo Cucina Italiana was temporarily downgraded to a “B” rating with a score of 80 in March 2026 following multiple violations, including major issues related to handwashing and holding temperatures, before returning to an “A” rating after re-inspection.

The pattern of closures and compliance issues exists alongside a broader narrative that has followed the group in recent years. SanDiegoVille has received ongoing messages from former employees, industry workers, and diners alleging concerns ranging from workplace conditions and wage practices to operational inconsistencies, ingredient sourcing and management conduct across various restaurants tied to this ownership network. These claims have not been independently verified, and no regulatory agency has publicly substantiated the more serious allegations. However, the volume and consistency of these accounts, combined with the group’s frequent rebrands and overlapping business entities, along with recent health department shutdowns, have contributed to increased public scrutiny of how these establishments operate behind the scenes. 

While each restaurant is independently evaluated by county inspectors and most closures are resolved quickly through corrective action, the frequency of vermin-related violations and temporary shutdowns across multiple properties related to San Diego Dining Group further raises questions about operational consistency within the company’s broader portfolio. Industry-wide pressures, including staffing shortages, rising costs, and high turnover, have also contributed to compliance challenges across San Diego, particularly in high-volume districts like the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy.

It remains unclear when Zama will reopen, as the restaurant must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before resuming service. Attempts to reach ownership for comment were not returned as of publication.

Zama Restaurant & Bar is located at 467 Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit zamasandiego.com. 

Originally published on April 8, 2026.