Asian Fusion Restaurant Moving Into Former Trinktisch Space in Belmont Center

Zen Asian Fusion, an innovative Asian fusion restaurant, will come to Belmont Center later this year, filling the vacancy left by Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch when it closed in late 2023.

According to information provided by landlord Locatelli Properties, the new restaurant owned by Karma Restaurant Group will offer a high-standard sushi bar and creative cocktail program with a “lounge vibe.” It will occupy about 3,500 square feet and accommodate around 90 guests.

According to a release, the remaining lower-level portion will feature a commissary kitchen supervised by the Karma Restaurant Group. Karma has several locations, including Concord, Winchester, Wellesley, Burlington, and Westford.

In an official statement, Iverson Zen Guo, founder of Karma Restaurant Group, expressed enthusiasm for the new location and said the new location would be a “unique location, inviting friends and families to linger and feel like they’re something special.”

“There’s a growing interest in distinctive bar experiences with innovative sushi selections, and we saw an opportunity to create something very appealing in Belmont Center, which we see as one of the premier downtown centers in Massachusetts, with its great stores and beautiful buildings,” he said. “We are committed to investing significantly in the space and business to uphold our high standards for exceptional food and an overall outstanding dining experience.”

Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne said she was pleased to hear another “first-rate restaurant” was coming to Belmont Center.

“This is a strong sign that the restaurant zoning reforms approved by Town Meeting in November 2023 are yielding positive results for the town,” Dionne said. “In recent discussions about the future of Belmont Center, many residents have requested more dining and bar options, especially in the later evening hours. As we approach a critical mass of restaurants, I firmly believe that Belmont will soon be a dining destination with a diverse range of culinary options, where residents of neighboring towns come to spend their precious dining dollars.”

Kevin Foley, manager of Locatelli Properties and representative of the landlord, added, “Karma Restaurant has been a huge hit in Winchester Center. We are fortunate to have them as a tenant, and we enjoy our partnership. The owners of Karma are well known for their creative, modern approach to restaurant design. We are confident that Zen Asian Fusion will be a stunning and perfect addition to Belmont Center.”