Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Glass Box San Diego

    4.2 (524 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Glass Box San Diego Takeout or Delivery

    Glass Box San Diego Photos

    Business Info

    GLASS BOX SAN DIEGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy

    You might also consider

    More like Glass Box San Diego

    Recommended Reviews - Glass Box San Diego

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Anna V.

    I've been to Glass Box a few times and overall it's a good spot for sushi. The rolls are tasty, the ingredients are fresh, and they have a nice variety to choose from. The atmosphere is modern and enjoyable. Nothing that completely blew me away, but overall a solid sushi spot.

    Menu 6/2026
    Long D.

    Very good every day 2-6 pm happy hour menu with $1 oyster and $5 Sapporo draft. Accept reservations and plenty of parking is available big plus. Quick and attentive service. Water always filled. If you want to add Uni on top of the oysters, just ask. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's an open air seating, and the bar is inside the glass box so small group can fit in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]A little noisy as expected.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Clean table and settings.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Use small square table so it can be set for big group.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Executing chef Eric walked around and chatted with patrons. Tried oysters, karagge, and salmon tacos. Not special but good for the price. Chase, the server, is attentive and efficient. Recommended to try the happy hour to start.

    Restaurant Week 2022 Lunch Menu
    Norbert K.

    We've enjoyed Happy Hours and lunches at Glass Box. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Located in the rear of the Sky Deck, the center of the restaurant is its namesake, a "Glass Box" that contains the sushi bar and a few tables. You can't miss it[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Most tables are outside the Box, subject to the noise of the Sky Deck, which can be exceedingly loud at night and on weekends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Some of our favorite menu items include: Oysters on the Half Shell (5/5) at Happy Hour ("Buck a Shuck Oysters", $1 each with minimum order of 6); Tuna Poke Tacos (5/5); Shrimp Tempura Roll (4/5); Spicy Tuna Roll (4/5), Rainbow Roll (4/5); Hamachi Kama (grilled yellowtail collar, 4/5). Our only real disappointment was the Pork Belly Skewers (2/5). Glass Box has several interesting cocktails that we've tried: House Margarita (3/5); Lychee Martini (4/5); Samurai Old Fashion (5/5). Service has been good to very good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Once again, the Sky Deck noise level detracts from the overall dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Ashley Y.

    Happy hour food was fantastic - such a great treat after a hike. The prices are otherwise really high if you don't come at happy hour. I loved the sushi tacos, skewers, chicken karaage, and sushi roll. The edamame and oysters were just okay - really small oysters but only $1 at happy hour each. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance gorgeous.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was good.

    Chicken Fried Rice
    Caitlin D.

    I came here again for happy hour recently and the service was fast and friendly. I was thankful we were able to sit down even without a reservation. I ordered a Beef Skewer, California Rolls, and Chicken Fried Rice. I appreciated that the beef was cooked well. It was juicy and it wasn't overly salty. The California rolls were good! They gave us sliced ginger and wasabi. The chicken fried rice was enough for two people. Rice was well prepared and had a good amount of chicken in it. Enjoyable dinner for 2! Ate in under 30 min! Would recommend.

    HAMACHI KAMA!
    Suzanne C.

    Wow wow wow! We stopped in for happy hour. The prices are great. But the food was even better! The hamachi kama was the best we've ever had. The garage chicken was crispy and hot. Chase our server was very nice and makes a great margarita. We shall be back!

    Jenny B.

    My husband and I love sushi so we've tried a lot of different sushi spots around SD and we find ourselves always coming back to this one. Not only is the food absolutely delicious, but their menu offers a variety of food aside from just sushi, so if you aren't in the mood for sushi- or dining with people who don't like sushi (hard to believe there are such people but there are!), you can definitly find something else to eat and enjoy! In addition to their TSA roll, which is my fave, I also love their Zen wings, longevity noodles and oysters! Restaurant is small but we've never had issues getting a reservation! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sitting in the "glassbox" is nice as well![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They do have high chairs so kid friendly is a plus![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Sandra C.

    We ordered a variety of dishes sharing family style. The service was good and with our server Jon making suggestions among the sushi and the cooked/kitchen items. Dishes we loved: *kalbi (short ribs) *salmon kama (grilled collarbone) *TSA roll *samurai roll *Hanabi "crispy rice" *chicken katsu (fried cutlet with curry sauce and bok choy) *sea bass The dishes we thought were on the normal spectrum: *kimchi fried rice (a little bland, needed much more spice and flavor) *terryaki salmon (needed a kick, seasoning) [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is located at "The Sky Deck" in Del Mar -- which is a large upstairs structure (part of a large mall complex) that is like a fancy food court. It has a common area with many open air bars and restaurants.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place had a glass box (see thru doors) around the sushi bar. We sat outside the glass box in the open area[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It's not that big of a restaurant so it's a good idea to make reservations. Thank you for a great dining experience. We would like to come back to try HH and brunch/lunch on a weekend.

    Shrimp tempura roll
    Mia B.

    Love love LOVE happy hour here at Glass Box. Family and I came in for a last minute belated VDay dinner and the kindest servers were able to squeeze us in--thank you for accommodating us guys! Again, the happy hour deal literally such a steal and every item we've tried has been amazing. Some favorites include the chicken karaage, pork belly skewers, $1 oysters, and the shrimp tempura sushi roll. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the vibes and ambiance every time I come and I'd just love to try the omakase experience in the box one day.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Jennifer A.

    What a perfect team outing @glassboxsd @skydeckdelmar Incredible bites by @chefethanyang great vibes, and even better company. Pro tip: lunch specials till 4 PM + happy hour till 6 PM I love how they can accommodate up 15 people !!! Amazing, the staff was soo friendly and everything ran soo smoothly!!! Fern, Terry, Kanika, and Chef Evan are amazing. !!!

    Shrimp Tempura Roll
    Vivian

    A key feature of Glass Box is their daily happy hour from 2 PM to 6 PM. The happy hour menu includes small bites, sushi rolls, cocktails, beer, and wine. Portions are smaller, but prices are fair, which makes it easy to try multiple items without spending too much. Glass Box is located inside Sky Deck in Del Mar near One Paseo. It's a smaller space with limited seating, especially inside the actual glass box where you can watch the sushi chefs work. We came around 4 PM with reservations, and it got noticeably busier closer to 5 PM. Parking is in the main shopping center lot and we had to circle around before finding a spot. Lychee martini: The presentation was nice, served chilled in a standard martini glass with a clean look. Flavor wise, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't my favorite. There was a creamy note to it that caught me off guard. It reminded me more of lychee Ramune than a traditional lychee martini. I usually prefer lychee martinis that taste light, crisp, and fruit forward. This one leaned creamier and slightly artificial tasting. It was still drinkable, just didn't have that refreshing finish I look for. Karaage ($6): The chicken came out hot with a golden crispy exterior that stayed crunchy throughout. The inside was juicy and tender and you could tell it was freshly fried. It was well seasoned on its own and didn't rely on the sauce. The dipping sauce added a creamy contrast and balanced the crisp texture well. The portion was fair for happy hour. Pork belly skewer ($5): The pork belly had great flavor and was nicely charred on the edges. The fat rendered well, giving it that rich melt in your mouth texture. It was seasoned properly and didn't need anything extra. The only downside was the portion size. It was one skewer with about three thinner slices. The flavor was strong, but I do wish there was either more meat or a thicker cut to make it feel more complete. Salmon poke taco (2 for $10): The salmon tasted fresh and clean and the portion was generous for the size of the taco shell. The crispy wonton shell added a nice crunch, and the poke style preparation made it feel like poke nachos in taco form. The sauce had a noticeable wasabi presence, but it wasn't overpowering. It added depth without being too spicy. The green onions and sauce tied everything together well. Yum! Shrimp tempura cut roll ($12): The roll was very balanced. The rice was soft and held together well. It was fresh and enjoyable. Nothing stood out in a major way, but it was still good quality. Spicy scallop cut roll ($12): The scallop mixture was fresh and had a good texture. This was super spicy though! So beware if you don't appreciate a good kick. Like the shrimp roll, it was well made but didn't have a strong wow factor. It's a good option if you want something lighter. Service was attentive and multiple staff checked on us throughout the meal. Sitting inside the glass box made the experience more interesting since you could watch the chefs prepare food. The space felt clean and modern, but the small tables made it feel cramped once everything arrived. Happy hour here is worth trying, especially if you want to try multiple items at a lower price. The karaage and salmon poke tacos were the highlights. I would come back and explore more of their full menu next time.

    Chefs chirashi bowl, lychee martini
    Danielle B.

    Came here for Lunch for San Diego Restaurant Week/Happy Hour and will definitely be coming back! Fish quality is good, refreshing tasty flavors all around! Their happy hour has a lot of good deals from $7 lychee martinis to $10 for 2 poke tacos to $1 oysters. You could also easily take advantage of the deal since happy hour runs Monday-Sunday 2-6pm here it would be perfect to stop in for a late lunch or early dinner! Hamachi Serrano crudo: fresh fish, refreshing taste, touch of spice from the Serrano Crispy rice spicy tuna: perfectly crispy crunchy rice square topped with a dollop of fresh spicy tuna. I LOVE this appetizer anywhere I get it and this place is no exception Chefs chirashi bowl: fresh sashimi, tasty seasoned sushi rice, veggies Salmon poke tacos: fresh fish in a crunchy flavorful wonton shell. I could probably eat 20 of these if given the chance! I will say the only thing I was disappointed by was that they didn't have the black sesame ice cream with miso caramel and roasted sesame seeds as described on the SDRW menu. We were sadly given sorbet as a substitute :( Overall the staff was nice, we did have to wait a bit at times to get someone's attention but it was probably due to where we were seating, I wasn't surprised given the slightly odd layout with the bar seating inside the box in the middle followed by a main seating area outside and tables surrounding the rest of the box, we were sat outside the box/bar seating area on the side opposite the main seating area so waiters did not pass by us as often as the other two areas. This restaurant is located inside what I would call an upscale food court similar to Anaheim packing district if you've ever been there. Its location is somewhat random as it's on the second floor above a grocery store in the back of the area, however this also means there's ample parking. Walking into the space you would never expect it to be where it is located since it actually looks a lot nicer on the inside than the outside when you pull up to the location! This restaurant and the other restaurants in this food court space are all nice looking standalone restaurants I saw a wide range from ramen to Thai food to a brewery in the space. The overall theme inside seems nature-y and modern. Might be a little off putting from the outside for a first date but would definitely recommend as a casual date night or friend hangout spot!

    Hao W.

    We have always been a fan of their happy hour, so when we saw their $25 for THREE courses for SDRW it's a no brainer we had to try. The quality of ingredients you get for this price is chef's kiss! First course I opt in for Hamachi Serrano Crudo. It was a light start and there were 3 piece of yellowtail marinated in yuzu ponzu topped with serrano, crispy garlic, and shiso oil. Second course it was a debate between the Lunch Bento or Chef Chirashi Bowl. You can't go wrong with sashimi and really glad I went with this choice. The sashimi is chopped up and you get a good amount of variety. Last course is my favorite! Black Sesame Ice Cream Sundae. Not all ice cream is created equal and I'm happy to report this one had the good black sesame taste. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so reservation is recommended. We stopped by the first thing when they opened, so we were able to get seated but was told nicely to leave by 12:15PM for the next reservation which was more than plenty of time.

    See all

    Review Insights

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    10 hours ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ronel R.

    Ronel R.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cesar C.
    207
    450
    10357

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Salman S.
    20
    263
    939

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 14

    Glass Box San Diego Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Glass Box San Diego

    You might also consider

    Sushi Ota

    Sushi Ota

    4.4
    (4.8k reviews)
    10.2 mi
    $$$

    This is one of the OG sushi spots in San Diego, and I've been coming here on and off for decades…read more It had been quite a few years since my last visit, though. With so many new sushi restaurants opening around town, it's a little out of the way for us, and honestly, I had almost forgotten about it. I'm so glad we decided to come back because it's every bit as good as I remembered. I made a reservation for the sushi bar, which is always my favorite place to sit at a traditional sushi restaurant. Instead of ordering my usual rolls, I decided to splurge on the Chef's Choice nigiri. I also asked the chef to serve each piece one at a time rather than bringing everything out at once. I love taking my time, enjoying each bite, and watching the chefs work, which is another reason I prefer sitting at the counter. The Chef's Choice was absolutely worth it. Every piece was incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared. My favorite was the aged toro, which had been aged for three months. It had such a rich, buttery flavor and completely melted in my mouth. My husband ordered a few specialty rolls, and he was very happy with both the quality and the generous portions. I also upgraded my regular miso soup to the clam miso soup, and I'm so glad I did. The broth was delicate and flavorful without being overly salty, and the clams added a wonderful sweetness. Even though I was already pretty full, I couldn't resist ordering three pieces of tempura after seeing them come out for another customer. I rarely order tempura in the U.S. because it's often heavily battered, when authentic Japanese tempura should be light, crisp, and delicate. If you've ever been to a dedicated tempura restaurant in Japan, you know exactly what I mean. This tempura was surprisingly close to what you'd find in Japan--light, airy, and perfectly crispy without feeling greasy. For dessert, we shared the green tea Basque cheesecake. It leaned a little on the dry side, but I still really enjoyed it because the matcha flavor was rich, bold, and not overly sweet. We also had a chance to chat with Akira-san behind the sushi bar, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The hospitality and attention to detail really reminded me why I've always loved this place. With so many trendy and expensive sushi restaurants in San Diego these days, this restaurant continues to stand the test of time. The quality of the fish is outstanding, the atmosphere is authentic, and I honestly think the prices are very reasonable for what you get. It's a classic for a reason, and I'll definitely be making the drive back more often.

    after trying to get a reservation here for a while we were able to finally try this place for a…read morebirthday! we got seated right away. though keep in mind the parking lot is on the smaller side but there is some street parking available too. we tried the chirashi bowl, double double spicy tuna, and tokusen nigiri. each dish was really fresh. the waitress at the end even brought over an ice cream at the end to celebrate our birthday!

    Photos
    Interior space
    Interior space
    Tokusen nigiri
    Tokusen nigiri
    Double double tuna roll, Softshell Crab roll, Shrimp tempura roll

    See all

    Double double tuna roll, Softshell Crab roll, Shrimp tempura roll
    Chef JUN - Bay Ho

    Chef JUN - Bay Ho

    4.6
    (694 reviews)
    9.4 mi
    $$

    My bestie searched up this spot and we were excited to try it out. Parking was a little tight but…read moreluckily I found a spot right away. She made a reso so that was helpful since it did seem to get quite busy. The HH was bomb we both had the Iced Green Tea which tasted a little like matcha! The roll were very unique and fresh!

    Came here with two friends for a late birthday dinner celebration. I made a reservation for six,…read morebut we ended up needing to push it to 6:30, which wasn't an issue at all. Booking was easy through their website. When we arrived around 6:30, and there were still a handful of open tables so reservations may not always be necessary, but it's probably still a good idea. Our server was phenomenal and really elevated the experience. She gave great recommendations and even let us sample both the Cabernet and Merlot when we couldn't decide on a bottle of wine. We ordered a variety of dishes: * Spicy Edamame: very flavorful, but definitely on the spicy side so be warned if you're sensitive to heat. * Fire Fire Roll: light and fresh fish, but the seared salmon flavor didn't really stand out. * Orange Roll: also light and fresh, but I didn't really pick up the citrus/lemon zest element. A bit underwhelming compared to expectations. * Salmon Belly Nigiri: very fresh and a favorite at the table. * Crab Roll Special: generous portion of fresh crab. * Yuzu Cheesecake: served with three spoons to share. It tasted like a classic cheesecake, pleasant, but I didn't really get a distinct yuzu flavor. The space is cute and conveniently located in a shopping center with plenty of parking. Overall, the atmosphere is laid-back and comfortable. While the rolls themselves are fairly simple and not especially standout, everything tasted fresh and the service was excellent, which made the experience enjoyable.

    Photos
    Chef JUN - Bay Ho
    Spicy tuna
    Spicy tuna
    Spicy tuna

    See all

    Spicy tuna
    Sushi MARU

    Sushi MARU

    4.8
    (85 reviews)
    16.5 mi

    Adequate street parking in front and a huge ACE parking lot right in front if you're down to pay a…read morelittle extra. Easy to miss the door but theres a small wooden plaque by the front. Super small and intimate service, never felt rushed and very attentive staff. Extensive sake list and more than the usual options for beer. Chef Maru recommended to take photos upside down to get a better angle and he's so right lol The nigiri was great and I loved how the menu switched from fresh snappy bites to buttery melt in your mouth pieces, never felt like the last piece was competing with the next. I loved that crab was used in multiple dishes, like the warm dish and soup. I wish the nigiri was bigger in general, on the smaller side compared to other spots. Tuna lovers will appreciate how many dishes had tuna. The warm dish (seabass w hairy crab sauce) was one of my favorites, the hairy crab sauce consistency reminded me of banh canh cua. Tuna is from Mexico, most veggies and fruits were from Chino farms.

    The food is absolutely of the best quality! Their method and process for preparing and cooking is…read moreunparalleled from most anywhere I have seen in the world let alone San Diego. Truly world class! The service was amazing- I am a messy eater and dropped my napkin several times, each time they handed me a new clean napkin. The ambiance is incredible- so intimate. This is an experience!

    Photos
    San Diego Uni!! So sweet!
    San Diego Uni!! So sweet!
    Kobujime Tai
    Kobujime Tai
    Kasugo-dai

    See all

    Kasugo-dai
    Soichi Sushi

    Soichi Sushi

    4.8
    (552 reviews)
    14.0 mi
    $$$$

    The first time experiencing Soichi, we just lucked in to it. We were in the area, popped in and…read morethey happened to have a table for 2, the reason I say lucked in is we tried to get a reservation the next time and they book out months at a time. It is not surprising as this Michelin 1 star since 2021 is quite the tiny, yet comfortable setting that continues to get high praise. Unlike several of the other Michelin guide or Michelin Star sushi establishments, they offer more than just Omakase. While the do offer Full Omakase for $189, Nigiri Omakase for $140, and Petite Omakase for $65, they also allow you to order nigiri, sashimi along with multiple other specials and cut rolls. On our first walk in experience, we ordered the Petite Omakase which included 4 seasonal dishes, 6 pieces of sushi, a light fish broth, and a small dessert, we also ordered some add-on sushi. On our first reservation here, we opted for the Full Omakase, which was absolutely amazing. It is hard to find any fault in the experience here as everything is done with such meticulous care, and exceptional service, making you feel welcome. I cannot recommend Soichi enough!

    Came back for my 3rd visit here since they've opened and am thrilled that the business is doing…read morewell and has continued to hold it's Michellin star. I've ordered the Omakase each time and while I still love the atmosphere and the energy from Chef Soichi and the staff, I do have to say that this last go round was not quite as good as the last two. This is meant to be opinionated criticism to help improve but I think the dishes could use more diversity and depth. Having done a fair share of omakase from places like Kinme and Matoi, I feel like this isn't that much more memorable or special and I'd hate for it to follow the same path Tadokoro did where they were absolutely my #1 choice and fell after they got their star (which they later lost). Still love that Chef Soichi continues his tradition of birthday serenades with his guitar and the place still has that mom and pop charm so I hope they continue to thrive!

    Photos
    Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!
    Beautiful flowers for Valentines!!
    Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!
    Fried shrimp head. Whole thing is edible!
    Appetizer

    See all

    Appetizer
    Ichifuji

    Ichifuji

    4.9
    (205 reviews)
    11.1 mi
    $$$$

    **5:30pm Omakase seating with Nigiri**…read more My dear friend and I came here for dinner on Monday night to enjoy Ichifuji's summer menu. Everything was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. All of the fish is high-quality, and most of it is imported from Japan. They do also source fantastic shrimp and uni from San Diego at times. Both sushi chefs are super personable, very skilled, and they have rad knife skills! Service from the waitstaff was attentive yet unobtrusive. The restaurant is diminutive and consists primarily of the sushi bar with 10 seats and an attached patio dining area. They do have a small parking lot which is appreciated! The pacing was just right, and each course was presented simply yet beautifully. I truly enjoyed this experience and give it my highest possible accolades! I loved that we were able to taste test three different sakes before choosing, and the carafe of sake was perfect for two of us to enjoy with our meal. It was also fun to choose our own special sake cup/glass from Ichifuji's eclectic collection for the evening I truly enjoyed all of the 19!! courses but the chilled chawanmushi, king salmon & all the nigiri were my favorites. When you come to Ichifuji, know that you are getting a very authentic Japanese dining experience. This is the real deal! Another fun thing that Ichifuji does is they give you a punchcard, and once you've tried all four seasonal menus, you will receive a special gift from Japan. Arigato gozaimasu!

    [Food] Spring Omakase $165pp - Appetizers: 4 dishes…read moreconsisting of minced tuna, squid fly, oyster, & tempura. All delicious and wish I could've gotten seconds! - Sashimi: Chef's selection of 4 different sashimi with a side of seaweed. I enjoyed them all but my favorite are the toro and amaebi. Love that they also fried the shrimp head and gave us a choice of salt & lemon or ponzu sauce to pair with it! - Yakimono: Grilled cod with asparagus, crispy fried lotus root, and goji berries. The cod was so buttery and cooked to perfection. - Nigiri: 9 piece nigiri chef's selection. All were super fresh, melts in your mouth, and of course delicious! - Uni wrap: I'm not sure if this was part of the nigiri or its own course, but chef let us try San Diego Uni & Hokkaido Uni! Both incredibly yummy. I feel like the SD Uni has a nice sweetness while the Hokkaido Uni has a slight bitterness. My group mostly liked the Hokkaido Uni. - Chawanmushi: Very flavorful and silky as I think they added dashi to enhance the egg. - Soup: Red miso clam soup (Nagoya style) was delicious. Super comforting and savory to end the course out before dessert. - Dessert: Hojicha Panna Cotta with strawberries! I usually don't like the desserts at most omakases, but I loved this! Great balance of light sweetness of the Panna Cotta with the sweet and acidity from the strawberries. [Service] - Friendly, charming, attentive, helpful - Shoutout to our Chef, Hiro-San & server Ken-San for making sure our experience was beyond amazing! Thank you! [Ambiance] - Classy, upscale, intimate - Has sushi bar & patio seating [Overall] - Made reservations for a party of 6 for my bf's bday and they definitely made it special! I love that they took pics for us with the chefs and even gave us a print out with a stand. So cute! - Would definitely come back for the food, vibes, and great service! - Each season they have a different menu, if you had all 4 on your stamp card, you'd receive a little gift! I definitely would love to try all 4 seasons but unfortunately I don't live around the area.

    Photos
    Ichifuji
    Toro handroll
    Toro handroll
    Chawanmushi

    See all

    Chawanmushi
    Shino Sushi

    Shino Sushi

    4.4
    (677 reviews)
    16.3 mi
    $$$

    Neighborhood jewel where Little Italy/Columbia District/and the Harbor meet! Calming, traditional…read moreambiance, balancing small tables, the sushi bar with two or three chefs busy at their craft. Japanese beer and sake, the freshest nigiri, sashimi, large choice of rolls and other favorites arrive, beautifully arranged on elegantly dressed tableware. A great place for a private date or fun with friends! Plenty of shareable dishes! Moderately priced and worth every penny.

    An extra star for the thoughtful and child-friendly service…read more I brought my 6 year old here for sushi after trying to get into Sugarfish and then Azuki. There was no wait here but parking was a nightmare and there is almost no street parking right around the restaurant which is near the trolley tracks. I recalled coming here for a light dinner with my husband many years ago and thinking it was good, but expensive. I asked if they had Japanese soda for my daughter because it was not on the menu, and they said no, but after we came back from the bathroom the host had found one for us. They gave us chopstick helpers and were very nice. We ordered braised pork belly as an app and wagyu nigiri, albacore, hamachi, salmon belly, 2 salmons, and unagi. I think that was all. They nicely split the order so half had no wasabi for the kid. They were very considerate and I appreciated it. The food however took a while to come out. The braised pork belly was ok, but the fat had not rendered as well as at some other places so we ate around it. The flavor was good though. The hamachi was probably the best item-tender and tasty. The albacore was standard and a generous piece, but the salmon was a bit tough and my kid who usually inhales salmon tasted and then left the salmon. The wagyu had good flavor but was surprisingly chewy. For $26 I would expect it to melt in your mouth but it was not easy to bite through. The eel was very tender but had a weird taste, and was disappointing. I found myself chewing on a scale from maybe the salmon and was overall underwhelmed by the food. The bill for a soda and the sushi came to almost $150 after tax and tip for me and a 6-year old. Usually my husband and I and my kid go to places with better quality and pay the same price for the three of us. Will not be back.

    Photos
    Shino Sushi
    Tofu
    Tofu
    Toro Toro Roll

    See all

    Toro Toro Roll
    Hakumaru

    Hakumaru

    4.6
    (279 reviews)
    8.4 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    High quality sushi at a low-key spot! We visited during early dinner without a reservation and was…read morelucky to get seated right away! It looks like most of the other tables were reserved for reservations. The decor is modern and very clean and chic. They also had a high chair and was accommodating with our baby. Food was incredible and the quality of the fish is evident throughout. We started with the mixed shrimp and vegetable tempura - light crispy batter, really good. The sashimi champaloo came with 12 pieces of sashimi, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and the fish of the day was albacore. For rolls, we got the Luna Lemon, Maru's Sushi Toro, and Hamachi Hiro. The rolls were a good size and I loved how each had a fun twist (but at the same time not TOO crazy with their combinations like some other sushi places). You can tell it was designed with intention and each roll had a nice balance. The Luna Lemon roll was great with spicy tuna inside, salmon outside, and the soy dressing and shallot oil put it over the top. The Maru's Sushi - Toro roll looked so good in the photos so I knew we had to order it. The negitoro was delicious and did not disappoint. The Hamachi Hiro roll was hearty and loved the combination of yellowtail outside the shrimp tempura in the inside. We were blown away by how fast the service is. The staff was friendly and on top of everything, and the food came out REALLY fast. For example, when we ordered an extra roll at the end, it came out in maybe 3 minutes and we were shocked. Highly recommend!

    We ordered takeout, and the food was packaged well!…read more We ordered the: -Sashimi champloo ($31.95): This had twelve pieces of prime cuts of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and chef's choice. Every piece was delicious! -Chirashi bowl ($30.95): I really enjoyed the sushi rice in this bowl since not every restaurant does quality sushi rice. The sashimi was pretty good, but quality wise the sashimi champloo was definitely superior. -Salmon mango roll ($9.50): This had spicy salmon, mango, and ume furikake. This was quite tasty, and definitely had a kick to it. -Maru Maru roll ($9.50): This had imitation crab meat, shrimp tempura, and avocado. A basic roll but still good. -Chicken katsu curry don ($16.95): This was disappointing because the portion was quite small for the price. I do like how the curry was packaged separately. All in all, Hakumaru has quality sashimi and rolls, but could work on portion size for chicken katsu curry don.

    Photos
    Wagyu Nigiri
    Wagyu Nigiri
    Luna Lemon
    Luna Lemon
    Haku's Alasakan

    See all

    Haku's Alasakan
    Lumi

    Lumi

    4.2
    (1.1k reviews)
    17.2 mi

    The wait staff are awesome and go above and beyond to provide a great guest experience! They even…read morewent and got me a burger from huntreess! Just fantastic food and service!

    My husband and I came here for dinner and really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. The…read morerestaurant has a modern rooftop vibe in the heart of Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, making it a great spot for date night. We ordered the miso soup, spicy edamame, Den Miso pork belly skewers, tamarindo tuna ceviche, seabass serrano, crispy karikari tuna, and mochi ice cream for dessert. To drink, we had the Taiyo Margarita and the Clouds of Matcha cocktail. The spicy edamame was probably the only dish that fell a little short for us. It wasn't bad by any means, but we were hoping for more flavor. The absolute standout was the Den Miso pork belly skewers. My husband and I both took our first bite at the same time, looked at each other, and immediately said, "Oh!" We were genuinely surprised by how juicy, tender, and flavorful they were. There were only two skewers, but they packed so much flavor that we instantly wanted to order another plate. The tamarindo tuna ceviche was fresh, light, and refreshing. The taro chips added a nice crunch without overpowering the dish. The seabass serrano was enjoyable, though it wasn't a stand out for us. The crispy karikari tuna (spicy tuna over crispy rice) is one of my go-to orders whenever I visit a sushi restaurant, and this version was up to par. The only component I wasn't crazy about was the long, thin slice of avocado on top--I personally could have done without it, though my husband actually liked it, so that's just a matter of preference. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream, which was the perfect sweet ending. Overall, we had a great dining experience. Between the rooftop ambiance, attentive service, and several delicious dishes - especially those unforgettable pork belly skewers - we'd definitely come back and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a great dinner spot in the Gaslamp.

    Photos
    Inside the upstairs.
    Inside the upstairs.
    Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime
    Namaiki "Sassy" made with producer espadin, herradura blanco tequila, aji amarillo, pink guava, lime
    Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

    See all

    Uchuu "Universe" made with bombay dry gin, alma tepec chili liqueur, passionfruit, lemon, effervescence, coconut cream

    Glass Box San Diego - seafood - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...