About Us
OUR STORY
We've Been Creating Delicious Food for Over 20 Years.
Zama Beach Club was created in 2006 to blend culture, cuisine, music, and nature into a seamless escape. With a menu rooted in local seafood cuisine, a lively yet elegant ambiance, and personalized service, Zama captures the soul of the Caribbean. In 2020 Zama Beach Club was awarded one of the best 300 restaurants in Mexico by Culinaria Mexica and it is still considered one of the best beach clubs in Isla Mujeres.
With over 30 years of experience, Chef López has represented Mexico in international culinary forums, served as a judge in global competitions, and collaborated with top chefs worldwide. Passionate about education and sustainability, Chef López is also a leader in promoting local ingredients, regional gastronomy, and cultural preservation through food.
Chef Federico López
Co-founder Executive Chef Zama Beach Club
JAPANESE CULINARY MASTERY
The Name "Zama": A Bridge Between Worlds
Our name carries deep significance rooted in two rich traditions. In Mayan, Zamá means “dawn” or “sunrise”, a sacred symbol of new beginnings.
In Japanese, Zama (座間) can be interpreted as a poetic composition of characters:
座 (za) meaning “seat” or “gathering place”
間 (ma) meaning “space” or “harmony”
Together, they evoke a “space to gather in harmony”—a perfect match for our mission to offer a sanctuary where guests can come together, relax, and celebrate life.
Chef Carlos Vélez is a Culinary Arts graduate from L’École Des Chefs with experience in leading hospitality groups like Marriott and Meliá. He specializes in culinary consulting, focusing on standardization and menu engineering for diverse gastronomic concepts.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, he has taught at the university level and received international training in France, Spain, and Japan. He is an alumnus of Kyoto’s Taiwa Gakuen Japanese Culinary and Cultural Human Resource Program and holds a Silver Medal Certification in Japanese Culinary Skills awarded by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Chef Carlos Velez
Sushi Sensei for Zama Sushi Bar