Dragonfly is an experience from start to finish. It's one of the best restaurants in Gainesville for a special occasion, especially if you're a sushi lover. I was a little hesitant about sitting outside since, well, it's Gainesville and it seems to rain all the time. But the patio was incredibly comfortable, and the atmosphere was just as enjoyable as dining indoors. Even if outdoor seating is your only option, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The food was phenomenal, easily a 10/10. The sushi and sashimi felt incredibly fresh and authentic, and I had one of the best sushi rolls I've ever eaten. The service was just as impressive. Our server was genuinely kind, attentive, and made my birthday feel extra special throughout the evening. Between the incredible food, welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service, Dragonfly absolutely lives up to the hype. I can't recommend it enough. read more

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I've been to Dragonfly a few times now. It lives up to the hype! The space is large, dimly lit, and perfect for a date night or special evening out. Every time we've visited, we have tried something new. For their appetizers, we always order the Brussels sprouts, Shisito peppers, and tuna fried rice. For rolls, we have really enjoyed Kobra Cai and Bomb. All of their drinks are also delicious. Our servers have been so friendly each time and always provided great service! The food comes out quick and they always check in periodically to make sure we don't need anything. I would highly recommend visiting! read more

We've only left Yelp reviews for drinks before, but we finally decided to grab a few bites at Dragonfly Sushi, and wow, this place fully deserves 5 stars! I ordered the Steak Skewers, and anyone who watches our YouTube channel knows we LOVE steak. Honestly, this is some of the best steak we've ever had, so fresh, fat-free, and flavorful that I had to order a second round. They might just become my new Free Music Friday snack! Our server was amazing, super cool, knowledgeable, and you can tell he genuinely loves his job. We also tried his recommendations, and let me tell you, our socks were completely blown off. My drink, the Gangster and the Geisha, had me laughing because of an inside joke from when I dressed as a geisha in high school in Cosmo! Everything about this place is great, Colby loved his sushi rolls, perfectly fresh, and even the bathrooms are decorated and spotless. Nothing disappointed us, and we will definitely be back! Stop second-guessing and just go, Dragonfly Sushi is a hometown favorite for a reason. read more

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I always have such a wonderful time at Dragonfly! The vibes are upscale and elegant but also laid back and approachable, great for both a special-occasion date night or a more casual family outing. The service is always friendly, attentive and informative and, most importantly, the food is delicious. As someone who was not previously a fan of sushi, this is the place that made me come around! Aside from many raw sushi options, there are some really interesting cooked sushi options, such as the black and blue roll with steak (so tasty!). read more

Dragonfly definitely lives up to its reputation as a staple in Gainesville when it comes to ambiance. The space is absolutely gorgeous--romantic, dimly lit, and perfect for a date night or special evening out. That said, the experience didn't fully match the expectations we had going in. The menu is a bit confusing, especially when it comes to customizing rolls with different seafood options, and our waiter wasn't very helpful in guiding us through it. It felt a little like he was ready to end his shift, which made ordering more difficult than it should have been. As for the food, we tried a couple of rolls. The Black n Bleu was definitely unique, with N.Y. strip, spinach, sautéed red onion, bleu cheese, jalapeño, and honey-wasabi mayo. The flavor combination was interesting and overall tasty, but the bleu cheese left a bit of an aftertaste for me--though if you're a big fan of bleu cheese, you might really enjoy it. The Mango Tango, on the other hand, was a standout. With smoked salmon, cream cheese, mango, avocado, tempura flakes, sweet potato curls, and a peach-apricot reduction, it had a really delicious balance of flavors. Mango and sushi is always a winning combo, and this one delivered. Overall, we really wanted to love this place, but the prices and portion sizes didn't quite live up to the hype we had heard from so many people. That said, we're always open to giving a spot another try, especially one with such a beautiful atmosphere. read more

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I lived in Gainesville for so many years and I never visited this restaurant. I came to visit for a music festival, and finally was able to stop by this place that everybody openly raves about. The hype was definitely valid & this place turned out to be is so delicious. I loved the drink menu, and the variety on the food menu. The service was also really good. The location is also very nice being that it is located in downtown Gainesville, where there are a lot of things to explore. For such a popular and busy restaurant, the wait time was not long at all. They were kind enough to text us when our table was ready. I would definitely visit again! read more

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The scallops shooters delicious. Service is fast. Busy place on Friday night. Parking challenging in this area. Cool and relaxing decor. On uni go for nigiri over maki - definitely more uni. Pricey for portion sizes but fresh and delicious. Hamachi Kama stoled the show. Whole collar. Huge portion. Delicious. Oddly not served with ponzu to cut the richness as it typically is. The pickled veggies and rice help but still better with ponzu. read more

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We loved this place and talked about the food for a few days!! At first the menu seemed overwhelming! There are a ton of options, but it is family style, so just start ordering something. We started with a roll and then the fun started. I got the mushrooms, a friend got ramen and another ordered multiple rolls and we went for it! We each shared a little of each dish and it was so fun! The mushroom ragout was out of this world!!! The flavor was so rich and we all loved it. I also ordered the mojito and it was fresh and light, not at all overly sweet or full of syrup. This was a memorable experience and I highly recommend giving them a try with a group. Ordering the smaller plates and trying each other's food was a lot of fun and the quality of the meal was excellent. Our waitress was sweet and attentive, despite being quite busy. read more

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I had such a wonderful experience dining in at the Dragonfly with a few friends on a Sunday evening. I have to check all the boxes for this establishment. Service was great and interactive; ambiance was very cozy; food was not only presentable, but equally delicious! I'd love to return and experience this place again! read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

It's always a great night when eating out at Dragonfly, especially when they are ranked on the Top 25 Places to Eat in the area. My parents and I came for an early birthday dinner to enjoy some good bites. We were sat outside which was nice as the weather was not too cool but just a nice breeze. Unfortunately, we did have to switch tables as the tables were really tight. Our waiter was pretty friendly and chill. We got there during happy hour, so we did order some apps from the menu. We ordered the kimchi cucumbers, short rib bao buns, and calamari - which was not on the happy hour menu. I also got my usual drink - Secret of the Sakurakai. If you're looking for a cucumber vodka drink - this one is refreshing and not sweet. The apps came out pretty quick, so starting with the calamari. It was pretty crispy and the pieces of squid were huge. Very chewy and tender, definitely something I would get again. My parents loved the short rib bao buns. Even the waiter mentioned it was one of his favorite apps. They loved how tender and flavorful the short rib was and the toppings in the bao buns. The kimchi cucumbers were good and had a good kick to them. For our main entrees, I went with my go to sushi roll, yellowtail tuna roll. My mom ordered the slammin salmon roll. It was very pretty and came with a piece of baked salmon on top. My mom loved every bite of it. My dad got the King oyster mushroom ramen, as he loves some ramen. Plus, it was perfect for this cooler weather. He liked it but was not a huge fan. However, the main star was the blue crab fried rice. That rice has always been my favorite and now my parents have a new dish to rave about. The rice was pipping hot and came with huge chunks of tender and sweet blue crab meat. The rice is so flavorful and garlicky. I can't get enough of this entree. Great early birthday dinner to enjoy with my parents on a weekday night. read more

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Ate here a couple years ago and thought the food was good, with just a slightly higher price point than I wished. Decided to check this place out again recently, and I don't know if inflation has settled in my mind or what, but thought the food was great with a reasonable price point this time. Server was very attentive as well. Recommend checking this place especially during happy hours 5-7pm M-Thurs for drinks/appetizers. Will definitely come back! read more

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This is the absolute BEST sushi spot in the whole area! They have wonderful sushi options and everything taste so fresh. If you are a sushi lover this is your spot, if you're new to sushi this is a great place to go and try options. I absolutely love the appetizers. Definitely come during happy hour to explore the menu at a good price. The parking is not free as it's located downtown but the location is great for college students and they also have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. I love the decor and the vibe, it gets riper crowded so make reservations during busy hours. The service is great and they will help you make the right choice of you're new to sushi. I would have given this place 5 stars but they need to improve on the Ramen. I WILL ALWAYS COME HERE WHEN IN THE AREA! read more

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It's been six years since I moved away from Gainesville, but every time I'm back in town, stopping here is a must. This is the best sushi restaurant in Gainesville and one that holds a special place in my heart. The Orenji Roll is my absolute favorite. It's tangy, zesty, and spicy all at once, with a perfect combination of oranges, tuna, and avocado. The Mango Tango Roll is another standout, and honestly, you can't go wrong with any of their rolls. Their happy hour is fantastic, with a great selection of creative and delicious cocktails. The drinks are as impressive as the food! Service is always exceptional. Every staff is fast, friendly, and attentive. Dragonfly is a a true Gainesville gem that never disappoints, and I can't wait to stop back by! read more

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Food is consistently high quality. Good ginger salad, shrimp tempura, and pork potstickers. Music inside is often too loud, it's a cool vibe, BUT! Waitress in early June 2026 tried to clear our table too soon. "Hey, we're not done with the salad yet." read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Gin and tonic! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Yes, it's worth all of the positive reviews, but I'll add mine. Great atmosphere, great service, and the best sushi and over all meal we have had probably since we moved to Florida over a year ago. The cocktails were inventive, balanced and delicious. The fish was super fresh and memorable. The sea bream was my favorite bite. read more

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I went back to Dragonfly for happy hour again! (surprise surprise). I really love the elevated ambiance of Dragonfly and the servers are always so nice. Do expect to wait for a table so I would recommend alotting time out for that or making a reservation. We went on a Sunday this time at 5pm when happy hour started. I decided to get the shrimp tempura roll to try something new as well as the kimchi cucumber. The kimchi cucumber was super well-marinated and it was a good blend of sour and spicy, but more sour than spicy. The shrimp tempura roll was so yummy and the crispy tempura flakes on top had me wanting to scrape the plate! I did not get a drink this time but recommended the Musashi's Paddle to my friend since I got it last time. If you are a tequila lover, I would get that! Fair warning, it does have a spicy kick to it from the chili which I was wary about at first but it makes the drink so unique and really good! My friends both got the gyozas - which you can get seared or fried as well as veggie or pork - so they are very accommodating to whatever you are craving. Overall, I love doing happy hours at Dragonfly for both dinner and drinks! read more

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My family had a wonderful time dining at Dragonfly. Alisa is a professional and knows the menu well. Zayne is a joy to talk to with much to relate about traveling stories. Cocktails and rolls are 10/10. We will be back! read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This sushi restaurant located in Gainesville offers a sophisticated twist on traditional Japanese tapas style dining. Open for dinner from 5-10pm and 5-11pm on weekends, they have a happy hour and a nice menu. The atmosphere is very nice. I had the Ginger Salad $8, Edamame $8 and the Japanese Blue Crab Fried Rice $21. It was all delicious but the crab fried rice could have been served on an entree plate with egg and bigger chunks of crab. Our server was very friendly and efficient. read more

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Delicious sushi at a popular spot. Happy hour is 5-7 but what we wanted was unfortunately not on happy hour pricing. The butter edamame is tasty & smoky. The Smokey Dragon & Black Dragon rolls were great. The service was professional and good even though they were really busy on a Monday evening and had an event going on in the private room. It was a pricey family dinner but we were really pleased. read more

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I went here with my daughter and I was very happy . we had reservations and we were seated quickly.We ordered The Bomb-which maybe in this day and age they shouldn't have that as a name.Tuna, tempura shrimp,krab delight, avocado, tempura flakes, spicy sauce, eel sauce. Spicy tuna crispy rice- spicy kimchi sauce, avocado, moscato, scallions, kaiwawre, puffed rice. Dragonfly, Union Street rolls And more. The place was very busy and we were very happy with our food - all very fresh. My daughter has wanted to try this place for a long time-so she was very happy! read more

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Best sushi around this area! The miso black cod is also a must try along with the prawns. Highly recommended!! read more

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I came here for the first time and I made a reservation and I'm glad I did as it was busy! The service was quick. I got the steamed buns - ribs and it was amazing! Then I got the braised short ribs and it cut so well and was amazing! It definitely has the ambience for amazing sushi and delicious Asian food! I definitely would come back! read more

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Have heard a lot about Dragonfly, I'm sure it's the most well known sushi place in Gainesville and so I wanted to try it out. I was warned that the prices were on the higher side but assured that it was worth it. They were super busy on the Thursday night we went but we were seated by our reservation time and our server checked on us regularly. However, the food did take awhile to come out which I'm sure is a side effect of the crowds. We also happened to be seated in one of the few outdoor spots outside that didn't really have lighting which made it hard to read the menu. Ordered the Smoky Dragon which was great! Would def recommend. It's $18 which is pricy but to be honest, it's comparable to some specialty rolls at other sushi restaurants. The roll had so much flavor and complexity. The smokiness (more torched-smoky than smoked salmon type smoky) was the dominant flavor but there was plenty of other flavor layered beneath it. Additionally, the roll was well-portioned. There were six pieces, I think, but some of the pieces were so thick that it was almost the size of two. For reference, I typically need about two sushi rolls to feel full but due to the thickness and fullness of the roll, the singular roll was enough without any apps/sides. My friend got the O-Renji which had a nice and light vibe thick with fish and with the mandarin oranges on top to give it a little sweetness. However, we both agree that the Smoky Dragon is the far superior roll and I'm not sure I would pay the $16 or $17 for that roll. read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Smoky Dragon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I personally have heard not so good things about Dragonfly so I was hesitant to come in. From people saying it's overpriced and saying it's overhyped to some saying that they have great sushi . I decided to try it for myself and make my own decision in if it's worth it. To start off it looks very high end inside. I appreciate the details in the decor and set up of the restaurant. To start off we ordered wontons. The wontons weren't what I'm used to. It was kind of one note and the wrapper to me was too thin. It just was not good feeling in the mouth. It tasted like just cream cheese with a burnt wrapper.it needed something to cut the fat flavor. For the ramen I got the pork ramen but subbed the pork for short rib. It was a crazy idea but so good. It was a great portion and packing so much flavor. I wish I could bottle that up and save it to take home. The short rib was so tender and juicy. The soft boiled egg was as incredible and I'm not a fan of a soft yolk. My friend got some spicy tuna sushi and I am not into raw sushi. I was pushed to try it , peer pressure if you will. I am now a lover of raw sushi. I have always been put off by it because of how fishy it smelled and I've tried sashimi but I think the quality wasn't the best but I'm starting to think maybe I should venture out to high quality sushi places and give it a try. The only thing is the portion size for sushi and the price is just not comparable to me. I might just come back for the ramen and try another appetizer next time. read more

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Dragonfly is my absolute favorite restaurant in Gainesville. Happy hour is the absolute best, especially the tempura shrimp roll! Cozy ambiance with dimmed lighting and music while also being lively with conversation when crowded. read more

Absolutely delicious and amazing ambience. Try the spring roles, the black dragon roll and the green tea creme brûlée. The mocktails are amazing too! read more

Dragonfly is a go-to sushi place for me when in Gainesville! It's a nice atmosphere for a date night, birthday dinner or if you're craving some flavorful sushi. I like the bomb roll, where there's tuna, tempura shrimp, krab, avocado and both eel sauce and spicy sauce. The sweetness pairs well with the soy sauce/wasabi. The crispy ebi is a good appetizer, it reminds me of coconut shrimp. Most of the sushi rolls I've tried are pretty tasty!! During happy hour, they also have good deals on drinks and appetizers and a few select rolls. The staff is friendly and I really enjoy dining in here:) read more

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Came back again and the service was amazing. Jack was on top of everything from the recommendations to the super friendly personality it really made our meal better. The atmosphere was awesome and I will be back and ask for him. read more

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One of the most popular sushi place right at down town Gainesville. Great location, plenty of seating in and patio site. We were there just for a quick bite -steamed bun with braised ribs pretty delish, and have a glass of wine. They have huge menu as well from sushi to ramen you name it, they have it. Drinks menu is plenty from sake to local beer. Great service and casual ambience. It's a must if you are in the area. read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Steamed bun with braised short ribs - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Hello. When I write reviews, I write them sincerely and only when I truly enjoyed a restaurant. Usually I prefer to move on and not react to negative experiences. But this time was different. During our two days in Gainesville, two people visited Dragonfly for the first time (We lived in the hotel opposite). We waited 30 minutes outside just to get into a restaurant that presents itself as offering high-quality customer service and charges premium prices for this type of food. Then we waited an hour for our food after being seated. Can you imagine waiting that long for a plate of sushi while sitting at an empty table? One of the dishes we ordered was a 3-piece nigiri plate. It was actually the dish that made us come back to the restaurant the next day. It was beautifully balanced: a long piece of rice topped with a thick, generous slice of very fresh fish for only $10. We specifically mentioned how delicious it was and left with very positive impressions. We asked if we could order it if there was no happy hour on Friday. We were told we could get the same thing with 7 pieces for $33, rather than the previous 3 pieces for $10. Despite the unbelievable wait time, we returned the next day specifically because of that dish. However, when I ordered what was supposed to be the same dish, I was served a $33 version made of 7 tiny pieces of rice with paper-thin slices of fish that were almost transparent because of how thinly they had been cut. The entire plate was much smaller than the 3-piece $10 happy hour version from the day before. I pointed this out immediately and asked for an explanation. I explained that the dish did not match the description, that the sauce mentioned on the menu was missing, that there was no octopus included, and that the portion size was smaller than the $10 dish we had the previous day. The day before, my son and I split each piece in half, and that half was noticeably larger than the whole piece the second day. Strange, right? First, one manager came to our table, listened to the situation, and told us the dish would be removed from the bill. Then a second manager ( perhaps it was the restaurant owner) came over and explained that they had a new chef working his first day. All the food portions that day were very small and different from the previous day. The sushi was hastily thrown together. And most importantly, it wasn't tasty. We live in the Miami area and have the opportunity to compare the quality of sushi restaurants with Dragonfly. But when the check arrived, we were very disappointed to see that instead of removing the dish, they only discounted it by $10. It turns out we were deceived twice. Overall, we spent more than $100 on food (sushi) for two people, without alcohol and with only one drink (for one person), and we left disappointed and still hungry. To be honest, we had a nice waitress on our second day. She was friendly and did her job well. I do not think this restaurant is the best choice. Everything feels like luck: either you wait an unreasonable amount of time, or you receive a dish that clearly does not match what was promised. They apologize, but they do not actually correct the mistake. In this situation, reputation does not seem important because you are simply another customer in a constant stream of people. And honestly, it is very upsetting to spend more than $100 for two people and leave with ruined emotions and hungry. The restaurant is located in downtown Gainesville and is constantly busy. The service and food quality feel rushed and inconsistent. The prices do not match the quality. Very disappointed. I would not recommend this restaurant, and I will not return. read more

I have been in Gainesville for 4.5 years now and just now got around to coming here after tons of recommendations! I was always worried it would be too expensive or hard to get a table, but neither of those were the case. We got here early so there were plenty of tables (though it did start to fill up as we were eating!) and the prices were really not too bad for the quality and amount of food we got! The sushi rolls were delicious and the spicy tuna crispy rice was the best I've had, it was perfectly crispy and flavorful. The ambiance is very nice and it would be a great spot for a date night or celebration dinner. The service was very quick as well and our server was super helpful. I will definitely be back as there were lots of things on the menu that I still want to try! read more

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For the past 10 years of visiting Dragonfly, they still impress me. The food, service and ambiance is amazing. Definitely try the lemon shooters! If you are in Gainesville, you have to stop by Dragonfly read more

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I can go on and on about the food at dragonfly!! expect to wait long hours on weekends especially game day weekends. We sat at the sushi bar and it was a top-notch experience as we were able to interact with the chefs and ask their opinions. The atmosphere is modern but loud with lots of tables and unique decor. my recommendations are: black dragon, mango tango, and orenji read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Visited here on a very hot Saturday afternoon. Was seated quickly without a reservation but there was a small line at open. Don't be afraid to ask for seating in the shade (I did) and it was promptly accommodated. This is tapas style where the portions are small and you order a few things either individually or to share. I got the ginger salad, the spring rolls, and both sushi and rolls. The sushi was fresh, salad was crisp, and the spring rolls right out of the fryer. Service was prompt and attentive. Really having a hard time finding anything bad about this place. A little pricey but such is this kind of fare. If you haven't been, worth your time and money. read more

Dragonfly sushi earns it stars and probably deserves more. This is amazing sushi and amazing service. We have been coming here for several years. I consider it a perfect date night sushi spot. I can't even think of all the rolls that we get but none have ever disappointed me! If you're looking at other sushi restaurants in the area, then this is it. Look no more. It is most definitely super fresh if you know your sushi well. read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

This sushi was ok. Service was decent however rolls were not consistently cut and rolls stuffed with cheaper ingredients like crab, shrimp or cream cheese. Definitely not worth $18 a roll. read more

My partner and I decided to stop by Dragonfly on a Wednesday evening at around 8 pm, and it was super busy inside. We waited around 30 minutes on the waitlist before we were seated outside, which wasn't too bad but it was raining a little. The restaurant interior was really nice but the outside seating around we were placed was pretty different, more dinky. We decided to order 3 sushi rolls, the Cobra Kai, Volcano, and Black Dragon, and a side of buttered edamame. The sushi took around 30 minutes to come out, but the kitchen lost the ticket for the appetizer so it was around an hour in before we got our edamame. The sushi was good, the cobra kai roll was our favorite - the salmon was perfectly complimented with the slight lemon flavor and was very light and fresh. The other two were baked rolls and felt a bit too heavy and creamy flavor, but were pretty yummy as well. Edamame was great! Our waiter pretty much never checked on us besides bringing out the food, and wasn't the friendliest. Overall great food, but took off a star because the service was very subpar. Would still come back for the fresh fish though! read more

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Dragonfly offers wonderful food created from the heart ... the Izakaya style menu offers a wide variety and something for everybody ....

We were seated as soon as we walked in; and to our surprise it was happy hour! Our party of 2 opted for edamame, pan fried gyoza, seaweed salad, ginger salad, and two rolls to share. The Big Boss was my favorite - but everything was spectacular. This place is perfect for dinner, with dim lights, attentive service, and great food and prices. Would happily return! read more

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gainesville, Florida