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    Daigo

    4.3 (409 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order Daigo Takeout or Delivery

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    DAIGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Daigo

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    Reviews With Photos

    Ivy C.

    Yummy omakase! Service was great, food was great, and the sashimi was fresh. The omakase is about 17-18 courses and does not include dessert. No worries - I think dessert was the weakest dish here so just come for the omakase or sashimi! Some highlights - toro, salmon belly, black cod/sea bass? And the best chuwanmushi. Uni was a tad too briny. Hojicha ice cream is homemade but not very creamy. Good amount of sweetness, though. All in all, totally worth it! And not tough to get reservations for. I'd come back.

    Claire H.

    Daigo has been on my list for a while and I was happy to stop by on a Sunday morning for lunch. We arrived right when they opened and was seated in the outside tent area since the shop is pretty tiny and filled up quickly. Prices were definitely higher compared to other sushi places as this restaurant leaned closer to finer, delicate Japanese dining. We ordered 3 different sushi rolls, 3 chawanmushis, miso cod, shishamo kaarage, and the softshell crab (total including tax but before tip was a little over $160). Overall, the food was good. I liked that the rolls had less rice and good quality fish and ingredients. The chawanmushi had a good variety of seafood (scallop and 2 types of shrimp). I would just keep in mind that portions were very small for the price you are paying. There was also only one server so it was a bit slow, but she was attentive.

    Calli Y.

    I was visiting my nephew and he asked for sushi. I looked around to find a reasonable Omakase, but still had great flavors. This place was recommended. It's hidden off the side of the road, so people must know about it because it was busy. I was able to make a reservation by texting them. We got the Omakase and everything we had was delicious. It was fresh and the flavors for very good. It was a lot of food as well. It was the 18 items I believe. I opted in for the extra dessert which was Yuzu lemon cheesecake. $13 for the dessert for the size you get I thought it was a little pricey. Everything else was delicious. Service was great as well. We always had water in our glass. Glad I got to check out this little gem. SYOY!

    Emeline T.

    This place is an easy 5/5 sushi spot. It is kind of tucked away and unassuming but it's worth the search for street parking. There is interior seating and a covered outdoor patio, which is where my boyfriend and I ended up for our reservation. We had to actually push our reservation back by 30 minutes so we were too late for omakase but honestly we had a great time just continuously ordering from the main menu. We ordered a variety of maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, and enjoyed the gindara and agedashi tofu as well. All of the fish tasted incredibly fresh and super high quality. I definitely need to make the effort to arrive hungry next time because I wish I had eaten more. The items were so simple yet so delicious and flavorful. I can't wait to come back!

    Hamachi Shot
    Nat P.

    What a great find! Cozy little spot that is tucked away behind a bistro in old downtown Palo Alto. I like how small and intimate this place is. Very Japanese in style! The indoor was very inviting and I love the bar decor! They do have outdoor seating with heaters which is great as lines fill up so quick! Ordered the omakase as well as starting off with their popular hamachi spots and the tofu. Both starters are delicious! The hamachi shot was a punch in your mouth, it was amazing! You can either take it as it is or mix and then drink it. The tofu was delicate, soft, and flavorful! Be careful once you bite in because it was very hot! Almost burnt my tongue but totally worth it! Love the broth in it as well. The omakase from start to end was amazing. Each dish stood on its own with their own flavors and it was just delicious. I will say out of them , my favorite was chawanmushi which had snow crab, truffles, and all the other good stuff! Truly remarkable! The eight piece nigiri were very good! The favorite is the toro. You just can't go wrong with toro. Also the Suzuki nigiri which has this sea bass and wow that was very good! Did not expect that! Wonderful service who gave us good recommendations!

    Alyssa S.

    Daigo is just like one of those exclusive tiny Japanese restaurants you would walk into in Japan where you would need an invitation to get into. I've eaten both inside and outside and like the ambiance of both for my date nights. They have a wide variety of fish flown in from Japan and from all over the world and it reflects in both quality and taste. Try everything if you're up for it. I haven't had a miss from them yet and it brings me memories from when I lived in Japan. Slightly pricy as they price per nigiri instead of by pairs but worth it. Make reservations as they do fill up and turn away customers. It's right off of University Avenue so it's conveniently located

    Dragon Roll
    Richard H.

    As part of this year's pledge to go to restaurants that I have not been to, we chose Daigo as it was on the way back home. Arriving around 8:15 this minimalist restaurant tucked away in an alley has patio seating along with inside seating consisting of 6 seats at the sushi counter along directly behind 3 deuce tables and one 4 top where we sat. The sashimi platter that we ordered was extremely fresh and every piece was at the perfect temperature. The Negitoro and Negihama maki rolls which did not make the picture were nicely done along with Dragon roll pictured. Because they close at 9:30 the Omakase menu was not available.We knew before we arrived that they did not have a wide variety of hot entrees as they are known for their sashimi and rolls. Overall prices are higher than other sushi restaurants but are similar to Ebisu in San Francisco which also has high quality raw fish items. Would come back here again if wanting similar items that we had along with trying some of the appetizers such as agadashi tofu. Food and service was 5 stars.

    Chawanmushi - good but so little
    Christine L.

    Cozy space with indoor and outdoor seating with heaters. A bit tucked away from the main road so can be tricky to locate. Found street parking nearby. Services was professional, efficient and friendly. Food is expensive for very small portions. Maybe their rent is too expensive but I probably wouldn't eat here much because of the cost. Excellent quality and taste though if you are looking to splurge on a fancy dining experience. I love the special dish and plating for each food item. Would be a cute date spot or if you don't mind splurging on an evening out. I left hungry and a hole in my wallet though.

    Nigiri Dinner
    Sung Hee P.

    We went here on a Saturday night as we were able to get last minute reservations at 8 pm. The table was available a little bit before 8 pm, and we were seated inside (very thankful for that as it was a cold night). We ordered the omakase for $110 a person - I thought it was a good value. If you are a nigiri person that emphasizes the sushi rice, I don't think this will be your place, but you are able to focus more on the fish, which is good. To be honest, the nigiri is not very memorable, but man, this is pretty Texas priced in Palo Alto! The best of the menu in my opinion was the chawanmushi (egg custard) and yuzu cheesecake dessert. I enjoyed it so much, I asked for the source. Unfortunately, straight from Japan :( Had a good night here - thank you!

    Torotaku and Hama hand roll
    Quynh Nhu D.

    The food is spectacular This was a super light dinner since we did pay a lot and was still hungry after, so just mind your wallet. The soft shell crab was really good, love the dashi vinegar and the veggies with it was a great balance. Shishamo was also really delightful with the numbing sansho salt. How do I get this salt ? It's so interesting and a fun surprise. Aburi saba was also really delish, and their ginger taste super fresh. The hand rolls themselves was ok, not as exciting as the rest of the meal. The service was quick and attentive. There's indoor and outdoor sitting that give a nice cozy environment.

    Omakase 10PC
    Zak R.

    This is a favorite of many of my friends who are sushi snobs. Their fish is extremely delicious! I enjoy eating at the bar when with girlfriends. The outdoor seating is nice and has heat lamps so great year round. I guess I don't come here often enough.

    Olee L.

    Bad service. Server order us to order quick 2-3 times, when we are just looking at the menu. We arrived on time and not wasted any time. Next table did not get any pressure and the order less than us and stay longer. We order omakase. Sushi quality, presentation and selection are underwhelming. We are seated outside and there is no table inside. Seating area are not nice and it was super hot with no wind. Just look the picture with raw shrimp, it is not red like amaebi. It is grey. Look and tasted disgusting. I hope it is not from ranch 99 fridge. Big mistake to celebrate birthday there!

    Nigiri Dinner
    Linda L.

    Since working in the Peninsula I've been looking for good food to try. It's been tough to find a solid sushi spot but I think the search can end because Daigo was delish! Service was great and well informed us about the menu. Pretty sure you need a reservation but my friend and I walked in for early dinner and they let us have a table that we had to give up in 1.5 hours for a reservation which was fine! The fish is super fresh and they even ask if you prefer wasabi for the nigiri or not, most places don't ask this which I love because I am not a fan of wasabi. The nigiri is by the single piece and not for 2 pieces each order-which I also liked because then you can create your own omakase plate. Restaurant is nice and quaint with some outdoor seating but cute little spot to NOT bring a large party. Must try in Palo Alto!

    Daigijo

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    Food is fresh here and service is great. It's pretty busy here. I suggest you need make rsvp to avoid wait time

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    Awesome sushi and sashimi. Very fresh and nicely prepared. Much better than your average Japanese restaurants.

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    2 years ago

    All the fish tasted fresh. Good service and appreciated the accommodation for my allergy. Would come back again!

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    2 years ago

    Great food and friendly service! Brought some friends here for the first time and they really enjoyed it (especially the kanpachi shot!)

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food and service! Coming back soon with my family and friends within the next month!

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    3 years ago

    Sometimes a few words are enough. Charming spot. Lovely staff. Absolutely FABULOUS sushi.

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    Page 6 of 11

    Daigo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Daigo

    Do you serve dinner in the patio area as we have a small dog with us?

    Yes

    How can i make a reservation? i tried called multiple times during business hours but nobody picked up.

    Please call between 1pm-5pm.

    Are they the same as the Daigo in the outer richmond in san Francisco?

    Yes, it's same. But the location in SF is permanently closed.

    What are the new business hours? They seem to have been removed from Yelp

    Hi Lucia, I just updated the business hours. Thank you for letting us know about this.

    Is their sushi rice vinegar gluten free? Is their miso soup gluten free?

    Rice is not gluten free

    Hello. May i buy a gift certificate please?

    Sorry we don't do gift cards

    Hi, I can't eat 12 piece omakase by myself (I'd also like to try kitchen dishes also). Is it two pair of each fish so two people can share it? Thanks

    You can order individually from the daily special menu

    Hello I've tried to call to make a reservation but was not able to. Can you let me know what may be the best time to call?

    Tuesday to Sunday 3pm-9pm

    Hello Is reservation required? If so how can we make reservations?

    Make a reservation is highly recommended, please call the restaurant at 6503846880. Thank you

    Do you have beer and red wine?

    We do have beers but no red wines

    Do you have outdoor seating with heating lamp ? Thanks !

    Yep

    Is Daigo temporarily closed? On Google Maps it shows closed for entire week

    On vacation. Resume business 1/7

    I've tried calling like 10 times to place an order for pickup but the phone rings and then asks me to enter a "remote access code." 😳 Is there a specific code I need? I'm not sure how else to call the restaurant.

    We're close until Friday, sorry for any inconvenience.

    How do you make a reservation?

    Yelp says "no reservation" but a server told us we need to make a reservation by phone. Hope Yelp can change that

    Are you seating outside?

    Yes we do, for reservations only.

    Do they offer gluten free soy sauce?

    Yes we do

    Do we make reservations?

    Don't be fooled by the "no reservation" description on Yelp. A server told us we need to make a reservation by phone

    Are you open for dining in yet?

    Not for indoor dining, but we do have patio seating.

    Is there a corkage fee for BYOB?

    $20 per 720ml

    Do you serve omakase at lunch time?

    Sorry we don't serve onakase at lunch time.

    View All 27 Questions

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    4.6
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    We got the Iki bento a few weeks ago and loved it, so we came back for their lunch omakase on a…read moreFriday, and it did not disappoint. The space is intimate, with only 8 counter seats, so you're served directly by chef Li. To my surprise, all of the seats were full on a Friday at lunch. I didn't want to drink too much at lunch, but they had a $29 sake flight of three 1.5 oz pours, which was just the right amount to pair with the sushi but still be able to go back to work after lunch! Pre sushi: 1. Pickled baby ginger: I love this stuff, and he was good about refilling it 2. Crab with Japanese citrus jelly and shiso: a generous amount of sweet, fresh crab 3. Ankimo: two pieces, served with wasabi 4. Signature octopus: massaged 1 hour and stewed 1 hour - very flavorful and tender 5. Steamed abalone: served over soba with abalone liver sauce 6. Seaweed shot 7. Chawanmushi with scallops and caviar Sushi: 1. Hokkaido scallop with yuzu and sea salt 2. Spanish mackerel 3. Akami: lean bluefin tuna 4. Kinmedai: golden eye snapper, torched 5. Isaki: 3 line grunt fish 6. Kelp cured black snapper, shiso leaf, yuzu 7. Chutoro 8. Saba: mackerel with kelp 9. Otoro: torched, topped with uni The scallop and kinmedai were the highlights for me. We also got one of the à la carte add ons: the hand chopped fatty tuna and uni hand roll. To finish: red miso soup At the end, you can watch the chef preparing the bento boxes, which was a good reminder for me to keep my eye out for the next available pickup. The fish was high quality, and the pieces were cut to the right size (I've been to way too many places with unappealingly large cuts). Each course was thoughtfully prepared, and pacing was consistent. For the quality and quantity of food, as well as the service and dining experience, this was a hot deal for $125 a person. We will definitely be coming back!

    Small intimate 8 person omakase. Plenty of street parking and in the lot in the back. We were…read morekindly greeted and sat at our reservation at 8pm. This was my first time having omakase and I can only give this experience a 10/10. Chef Li has change the way I want to enjoy sushi. It was 20 courses, every dish was perfectly executed and full of flavor. My favorite and surprisingly for me was the monk fish liver, talk about a mouth full of flavor. Ten out of ten would recommend

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    Drunken Monk

    Drunken Monk

    4.2
    (303 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    One of the best japanese restaurants we've been to in the south bay. We ordered some of the popular…read moredishes, like chawanmushi, corn kakiage, chicken karaage, and many many skewers (gizzards, chicken hearts, shishito peppers, chicken meatball and scallops. Everything was delicious. The standouts were the corn kakiage, chicken meatball, and chawanmushi. It is very expensive for the serving size, but the food is excellent and the staff was extremely accommodating and attentive. The ambience is also really cute, feels like a great place for date night. We will definitely be back!

    Overall: 3 stars…read more Comforting Japanese Izakaya that brings all the elements of Japan to Menlo Park, with a few subtle notes of Western influence such as the truffle salt. At this price point, I was expecting a little more consistency in the seasoning of the food, and not having to wait several minutes to get seated, but these are minor critiques that do not overshadow how well the menu was conceived and the mastery of the cook of the food. Corn Kakiage - Delicious appetizer that with beautifully saline forward and mildly spiced seasoning to pair with a crisp and tender corn. Matcha Nigori - Interesting drink with lots going on. On the bottom is a thicker mixture that gives yuzu yogurt, and that is topped with a nice blend of green matcha and toasted marshmallow. Oyakodon - Classic home comfort dish of chicken and egg served on top a bed of rice with some colorful additions for plating. Gizzard - Cooked well to maintain a tender chew such that it has texture without completely overly dominating. Wagyu Skewer - Very tender and pairs well with both the fresh wasabi and the truffle salt; I do think the skewer would benefit from a more generous portion of the salt. Wing Skewer - Petite and tender, but of course naturally more difficult to eat when the sticks form a hashtag. I like that there are different layers of flavor coming from the bone, skin, and sauce to empower the fowl. Pork Cheek - Very tender and flavorful coming from that layer of alternating fat and meat. Chicken Thigh Skewer - tenderly grilled chicken full of flavor, with the daikonified sauce adding a supplementary palette of brightness to the dish. Food: E Presentation: +1 Price: -1 Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: +1 Insta/Yelp/Beli: @amei_eats Insta/TikTok: @ameizing.race

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    Ramen Nagi

    Ramen Nagi

    4.5
    (3.4k reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    I've been to other locations and had to come here when visiting the bay because I loved the other…read moreones so much, I have to say that this one completely DOMINATES the others. The broth is absolutely UH-MAY-ZING. I don't know what this location does different from other places when prepping but the food is freaking immaculate, it tastes like I'm back in the homeland! The service here is A++++++. You can tell that this place is well managed. The whole experience felt efficient running smooth as butter. I needed accomodations for my food and sometimes I feel like I'm asking too much, but the manager here really made me feel comfortable with everything I asked and met all my needs with a smile on his face so a big thanks to Michael! This place can get hectic but e v e r y single worker looked as if they genuinely loved their job while kicking a$$ which made it THAT much more enjoyable to eat here!

    This review is long overdue. I've been here many times, and it always satisfies my ramen cravings…read more If you want to minimize the wait, I recommend going on a weekday and getting there early. Even then, the lines can get pretty long, but they are efficient and turn tables over quickly! My go to order is the red king with firm thick noodles and level 5 spice. I usually choose normal or heavy oil/garlic depending on my mood. I usually prefer chashu but I think kakuni (pork belly) is the better choice here as it is more tender and flavorful. It's really nice how they have so many customization options so you can adjust the ramen to your preferences. I enjoy spicier food and think level 5 is a solid medium so you can definitely go higher if you like more spice. I have also tried the black king, which has a more unique umami flavor from the squid ink. The chicken karaage is a popular appetizer, but I think it is just okay. Street parking only but usually not too difficult to find a spot!

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    Menu January 2026

    Daigo - sushi - Updated August 2026

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