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Service was really good. Our server was friendly, quick, and attentive. I ordered the lite omakase and hawaiian charming roll. I enjoyed all the fish except the roll that came with the omakase. Other than the roll with the omakase, fish was fresh. The sesame dressing for the cucumber salad was delicious.
Wow! What a find! This place has it all going for it! Japanese and Hawaiian dishes with contemporary twists, great service and great decor! To start, the staff was friendly and helpful. When my better half was looking for Gluten Free, the wait person picked up on that right away and pointed things out to her. Even dropped off a bottle of GF shoyu without being asked. Started off with edemame but cooked with butter and garlic. Wow, what a difference! We both got rolls that were well made, fresh, nicely placed on the dish and delicious! I think whichever roll you order will be made with the same quality and expertise. When we get back this way, this is one of the places we'll return to.
The restaurant is spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were attentive and friendly throughout the meal. While it's not an authentic Japanese dining experience, it's a decent option for the area since there aren't many Asian restaurants nearby. The food itself was just average. Most dishes leaned heavily on sauces and seasonings, which tended to overpower the natural flavors of the ingredients. The sushi rolls also came with an unusually large amount of rice, making them feel a bit unbalanced. Overall, it's a convenient neighborhood spot with good service and a pleasant atmosphere, but I wouldn't go out of my way for the food.
Craving sushi on a Saturday night, we wanted to try a new spot for us. Yelp pointed us toward Kai Ola and we thought we would give it a try. Right on one of the main drags of Carlsbad Village, Kai Ola is a little corner sushi spot with a few outdoor tables, a small dining room, and some sushi bar seating. It was quite busy when we arrived around 7:15pm and seemed to die down by about 8:30pm. We were seated at the sushi bar area. Cool points - got to watch the chef make the sushi. Always fun. Unfortunately, they reached between us sometimes to put the tickets up for the chef in the beginning, although eventually they ended up reaching behind my BF or I instead. Still distracting a bit but not like an arm between us. (We didn't choose this spot, we were out here, so it's not like we choose the "service bar" area.). Overall, we enjoyed our time here. Brendan, I believe his name was, the sushi chef was hard at work and even checked in with us. Seemed really cool. But what about the actual food!? It was good! The nagiris were my favorite. Just a little rice and let the fish shine. We had the Kampachi (Amberjack,) the New Zealand King Salmon, and the Shiro (Albacore.) (we ordered the Yellowtail as well, but I think the server didn't hear us, because we did not get it, but it wasn't on the bill so it was fine.). They were all really good. I think the King Salmon was my fav We also tried the Crispy Rice. Their version is a little different than others I am used to as they use a fried rice patty versus the rice just formed into a cake and fried. This seemed to have a crust. The rice patty was topped with spicy tuna, spicy mayo, eel sauce, masago, green onions and a jalapeno slice. At first I didn't think the tuna was spicy at all but it creeped up and had a comfortable heat. I also really enjoyed the Protein roll and it was good for my BF who was trying to not overdo it in the rice. We ended with the Tempura shrimp which had the light crisp breading and had much more of a light feeling for being fried. BF thought the whole meal was good and had nice flavors. Not inexpensive so not some place we will come weekly, but we would come back.
First timer! Busy (free) street parking. Really cute restaurant with friendly staff. Ordered take out and waited about 30 minutes. Food was packaged beautifully and was tasty. The fish was definitely very fresh! Our order: Hawaiian roll Rainbow roll Tuna roll Chicken teriyaki plate
My daughter really likes this place, so we most recently stopped by here for lunch on her birthday. Service is always pretty quick and friendly, and fish is very fresh. This is an easy stop for lunch when visiting the village, and I find it usually isn't too busy which is also nice. I also would like to note the cleanliness of this location! I'll be back next time I am in Carlsbad.
The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a relaxed Hawaiian-inspired atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for a laid-back dining experience. The vibe is warm and welcoming, making it a great spot to unwind and enjoy a meal. The sushi itself is incredibly fresh, and the presentation is beautiful--each roll looks as good as it tastes. You can tell there's real attention to detail in both the quality of the fish and how everything is plated. That said, be prepared to bring your pocketbook. The prices are definitely on the higher side. While the quality and presentation are impressive, it's certainly more of a splurge night than an everyday sushi stop. Still, if you're in the mood for fresh sushi in a fun island-style setting, it's worth checking out.
not a fan of Kai Ola. premium pricing. skimpy portions. the two cut rolls (MOONLIGHT -- yellowtail, avocado, krab, jalapeno, lemon slice, and sea salt, and BEACON's -- tuna, shishito tempura, avocado, cucumber, sumiso sauce, and furikake) were dishelved and appeared to have been cut with a weed-whacker and plated in a haphazard toss across the room. except that they weren't extra "ricey," the cut rolls looked like fugitives from an AYCE place. their only redeeming quality was the sauces and seasoning went beyond the gloppy, heavy-handed sriracha-mayo and sweet soy (that i will sheepishly confess to enjoying) that dominate the other American-style sushi places in the neighborhood. the uni was definitely NOT premium grade. the briny, taste of the sea was AWOL and the texture and aftertaste were off-putting the salmon skin on the handroll was gummy rather than crispy, but the shaved bonita topping was a nice touch. the place was packed so apparently mine's a minority opinion. nobody looked familiar, so maybe the crowd was vacationing out-of-towners who didn't know any better. sushi's a competitive niche in the village with Taisho and Blue Ocean in easy walking distance. all-and-all, would rate dinner at KAI OLA a disappointingly subpar experience.
I'm glad to see more sushi spots in the Village area. Kai Ola Sushi took over the chocolate shop that used to be there...can't remember the name. We came across this place after coming from an event in the area. We were craving some premium sushi. When we stepped inside, it had a casual atmosphere with Hawaiian vibes. The service was pretty good...didn't have to wait too long. I ordered the Moonlight roll which was sooo fresssh and yummy to my tummy...yesss. Loved the creativity and flavors! I'll be coming back for more ;-)
New cool spot in downtown Carlsbad. Decided to try it out and it did not disappoint. I had the edamame, with the yellow tail roll and shrimp house specialty with mango sauce. Both were very good. I will definitely go back to try other items in the menu as it is close to my house. It is conveniently located in Downtown Carlsbad. It is modern and nicely decorated. I highly recommend give this a try. Also, the service was pretty good as the hostess was able to accommodate my party quickly.
Pretty good. Nothing to come out of your way for, but solid if you're hankering for sushi in this area. Slightly pricey for what you get, but fair for the neighborhood and inflation.
I was in the area due to an event and decided to check this spot out. Service was good, I really liked the decor. I ordered the flaming ahi and my friend got the moonlit something in honor of the full moon. Both were decent, the flaming ahi had a bit a kick to it so that was nice. Overall, okay sushi spot, if in the area I may stop by again.
I will be thinking about this meal for a long, long time. And looking forward to the next time I get to eat here. We got the saimen, and the broth is unbelievable! And full of all the stuff. Cucumber salad with sesame dressing--so yummy! Shrimp Tempura roll-- so good! Shrimp Gyoza--I LOVE. Excellent, efficient, friendly service!
Kai Ola Carlsbad absolutely crushed it. The quality of the fish was outstanding, especially the tuna. We tried the tuna special flight, and the fatty tuna "cheek" cut was something completely new for me. Easily one of the highlights of the night. The Tamarack Roll topped with wagyu was incredible, the Moonlight Roll was another standout, and we ended up ordering two orders of tuna nigiri because it was that good. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and thoughtfully prepared. Great atmosphere and service, beautiful presentation, and some seriously impressive tuna. Kai Ola has quickly become one of my favorite sushi spots in North County. I'll definitely be back. * Tuna special flight was the highlight * Fatty tuna cheek was amazing * Tamarack Roll + wagyu was excellent * Moonlight Roll was a standout * Tuna nigiri was so good we ordered it twice read more
20 days ago
We just finished eating there tonight, 9/10/26. Oh my, this was some of the best sushi we've ever had. Our server was exceptional. She was on top of her game. She was attentive to our needs. We had about $450 worth of sushi and it was absolutely delicious. I won't bore anyone with everything we ordered, but I will say it was stellar, extremely delicious. Our sushi masters were talented with the cuts of sushi they served as well with the design of each platter we ordered. I highly recommend Kai Ola. You won't be disappointed at all. They will take great care of you and you'll leave thinking....when can I come back for more. read more
1 month ago
Hiya B.U.M.S., If you are looking for a casual, sushi spot in North County, Kai Ola Sushi on State Street in Downtown Carlsbad is a gem. One of the best parts about this place is its location--it's situated in a vibrant, family-friendly area that is just minutes away from the beach, making it perfect to pair with a coastal day out. We popped in during lunch and got lucky because it wasn't busy at all. Normally, when it's just the two of us without our son, we love sitting right at the bar, at a sushi place, but today we opted for standard seating. The straightforward, fuss-free atmosphere and simple presentation keep the focus entirely on good food. We ordered a Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box Plate. The chicken was juicy and tender, it came paired with a bowl of miso soup that hit the mark on both flavor and temperature--a big plus, as miso soup can sometimes be served lukewarm elsewhere. The Hamachi Kama (Yellowtail Collar) was nicely cooked and rich in flavor, though it just needed a tiny extra squeeze of fresh lemon to bring out the bright citrus notes. The Flaming Ahi Roll was served fresh and executed cleanly--simple, classic, and delicious. Tips: Beat the Lunch Crowd: Stop by during standard weekday lunch hours for a prompt, quiet meal without the evening wait times. Make It a Beach Day Combo: Since Kai Ola is right in Carlsbad Village, grab an early lunch before walking down State Street straight to the shoreline. Do you have a go to sushi spot in the North County area? Let's us know down in the comments. read more
Service was really good. Our server was friendly, quick, and attentive. I ordered the lite omakase and hawaiian charming roll. I enjoyed all the fish except the roll that came with the omakase. Other than the roll with the omakase, fish was fresh. The sesame dressing for the cucumber salad was delicious. read more
Wow! What a find! This place has it all going for it! Japanese and Hawaiian dishes with contemporary twists, great service and great decor! To start, the staff was friendly and helpful. When my better half was looking for Gluten Free, the wait person picked up on that right away and pointed things out to her. Even dropped off a bottle of GF shoyu without being asked. Started off with edemame but cooked with butter and garlic. Wow, what a difference! We both got rolls that were well made, fresh, nicely placed on the dish and delicious! I think whichever roll you order will be made with the same quality and expertise. When we get back this way, this is one of the places we'll return to. read more
2 months ago
The restaurant is spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were attentive and friendly throughout the meal. While it's not an authentic Japanese dining experience, it's a decent option for the area since there aren't many Asian restaurants nearby. The food itself was just average. Most dishes leaned heavily on sauces and seasonings, which tended to overpower the natural flavors of the ingredients. The sushi rolls also came with an unusually large amount of rice, making them feel a bit unbalanced. Overall, it's a convenient neighborhood spot with good service and a pleasant atmosphere, but I wouldn't go out of my way for the food. read more
Craving sushi on a Saturday night, we wanted to try a new spot for us. Yelp pointed us toward Kai Ola and we thought we would give it a try. Right on one of the main drags of Carlsbad Village, Kai Ola is a little corner sushi spot with a few outdoor tables, a small dining room, and some sushi bar seating. It was quite busy when we arrived around 7:15pm and seemed to die down by about 8:30pm. We were seated at the sushi bar area. Cool points - got to watch the chef make the sushi. Always fun. Unfortunately, they reached between us sometimes to put the tickets up for the chef in the beginning, although eventually they ended up reaching behind my BF or I instead. Still distracting a bit but not like an arm between us. (We didn't choose this spot, we were out here, so it's not like we choose the "service bar" area.). Overall, we enjoyed our time here. Brendan, I believe his name was, the sushi chef was hard at work and even checked in with us. Seemed really cool. But what about the actual food!? It was good! The nagiris were my favorite. Just a little rice and let the fish shine. We had the Kampachi (Amberjack,) the New Zealand King Salmon, and the Shiro (Albacore.) (we ordered the Yellowtail as well, but I think the server didn't hear us, because we did not get it, but it wasn't on the bill so it was fine.). They were all really good. I think the King Salmon was my fav We also tried the Crispy Rice. Their version is a little different than others I am used to as they use a fried rice patty versus the rice just formed into a cake and fried. This seemed to have a crust. The rice patty was topped with spicy tuna, spicy mayo, eel sauce, masago, green onions and a jalapeno slice. At first I didn't think the tuna was spicy at all but it creeped up and had a comfortable heat. I also really enjoyed the Protein roll and it was good for my BF who was trying to not overdo it in the rice. We ended with the Tempura shrimp which had the light crisp breading and had much more of a light feeling for being fried. BF thought the whole meal was good and had nice flavors. Not inexpensive so not some place we will come weekly, but we would come back. read more
First timer! Busy (free) street parking. Really cute restaurant with friendly staff. Ordered take out and waited about 30 minutes. Food was packaged beautifully and was tasty. The fish was definitely very fresh! Our order: Hawaiian roll Rainbow roll Tuna roll Chicken teriyaki plate read more
7 months ago
My daughter really likes this place, so we most recently stopped by here for lunch on her birthday. Service is always pretty quick and friendly, and fish is very fresh. This is an easy stop for lunch when visiting the village, and I find it usually isn't too busy which is also nice. I also would like to note the cleanliness of this location! I'll be back next time I am in Carlsbad. read more
The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a relaxed Hawaiian-inspired atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for a laid-back dining experience. The vibe is warm and welcoming, making it a great spot to unwind and enjoy a meal. The sushi itself is incredibly fresh, and the presentation is beautiful--each roll looks as good as it tastes. You can tell there's real attention to detail in both the quality of the fish and how everything is plated. That said, be prepared to bring your pocketbook. The prices are definitely on the higher side. While the quality and presentation are impressive, it's certainly more of a splurge night than an everyday sushi stop. Still, if you're in the mood for fresh sushi in a fun island-style setting, it's worth checking out. read more
not a fan of Kai Ola. premium pricing. skimpy portions. the two cut rolls (MOONLIGHT -- yellowtail, avocado, krab, jalapeno, lemon slice, and sea salt, and BEACON's -- tuna, shishito tempura, avocado, cucumber, sumiso sauce, and furikake) were dishelved and appeared to have been cut with a weed-whacker and plated in a haphazard toss across the room. except that they weren't extra "ricey," the cut rolls looked like fugitives from an AYCE place. their only redeeming quality was the sauces and seasoning went beyond the gloppy, heavy-handed sriracha-mayo and sweet soy (that i will sheepishly confess to enjoying) that dominate the other American-style sushi places in the neighborhood. the uni was definitely NOT premium grade. the briny, taste of the sea was AWOL and the texture and aftertaste were off-putting the salmon skin on the handroll was gummy rather than crispy, but the shaved bonita topping was a nice touch. the place was packed so apparently mine's a minority opinion. nobody looked familiar, so maybe the crowd was vacationing out-of-towners who didn't know any better. sushi's a competitive niche in the village with Taisho and Blue Ocean in easy walking distance. all-and-all, would rate dinner at KAI OLA a disappointingly subpar experience. read more
I'm glad to see more sushi spots in the Village area. Kai Ola Sushi took over the chocolate shop that used to be there...can't remember the name. We came across this place after coming from an event in the area. We were craving some premium sushi. When we stepped inside, it had a casual atmosphere with Hawaiian vibes. The service was pretty good...didn't have to wait too long. I ordered the Moonlight roll which was sooo fresssh and yummy to my tummy...yesss. Loved the creativity and flavors! I'll be coming back for more ;-) read more
New cool spot in downtown Carlsbad. Decided to try it out and it did not disappoint. I had the edamame, with the yellow tail roll and shrimp house specialty with mango sauce. Both were very good. I will definitely go back to try other items in the menu as it is close to my house. It is conveniently located in Downtown Carlsbad. It is modern and nicely decorated. I highly recommend give this a try. Also, the service was pretty good as the hostess was able to accommodate my party quickly. read more
I was in the area due to an event and decided to check this spot out. Service was good, I really liked the decor. I ordered the flaming ahi and my friend got the moonlit something in honor of the full moon. Both were decent, the flaming ahi had a bit a kick to it so that was nice. Overall, okay sushi spot, if in the area I may stop by again. read more
11 months ago
I will be thinking about this meal for a long, long time. And looking forward to the next time I get to eat here. We got the saimen, and the broth is unbelievable! And full of all the stuff. Cucumber salad with sesame dressing--so yummy! Shrimp Tempura roll-- so good! Shrimp Gyoza--I LOVE. Excellent, efficient, friendly service! read more
2 months ago
6 months ago
I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner and sushi was on the menu. This place didn't disappoint as it was absolutely divine! Everyone was so nice, the waitress checked in throughout the meal and even put my beer in the cooler when I used the restroom. The place was clean and had a great vibe. I spent around 2 hrs reading, having a beer or two, and enjoying my meal of Yellowtail hand roll and specialty rolls of Stone Steps, and Sunset. It is hard to pick a favorite as everything was delicious. The convenience of it being on the corner and on the main strip of the Village makes it ideal to pop up and grab a bite. read more
5 months ago
This place was an amazing addition to the Village. Sushi chef, Brandon, is as talented as he is friendly. He engages with guests in such a welcoming way. Our server Audrey was spot on with the Flaming Ahi roll recommendation. DELICIOUS! Gavin was a sweetheart. The food is killer and the staff are wonderful. Love down bad Kai Ola read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
Decided to pop in to this local spot for a celebratory lunch and was not disappointed. Large menu to appeal to folks but small enough it's not overwhelming, felt like a genuine sushi experience. Our server was busy yet attentive and the tuna and omakase tasted fresh and delicious. We were also able to snag a plate (for an upcharge) of real wasabi which added to the experience. Plenty of bar seating and table seating, despite being a little corner spot. Located right in the hustle and bustle of the main street in Carlsbad, I would def dine here again! read more
I've tried the Encinitas location before and wasn't the biggest fan, but the Carlsbad Village spot feels much better--more spacious, comfortable, and newer overall. The sushi here is decent, but what really stood out was the bluefin tuna flight--it was delicious and definitely worth ordering. I also tried the yellowtail roll, which was on the smaller side but very fresh and flavorful. Still fairly new location, service was friendly but pretty laid back. A nice easy vibe for lunch Overall, a nice spot in the village with good sushi and a couple standout items that made the visit worthwhile. read more
5 months ago
This sushi spot is amazing! The service was amazing and pretty fast too! The servers made sure we were taken care of and the chefs blew us away with how good and fresh the food was. We started with miso soup and veg tempura, they both were great, it was so good we didn't even grab pictures. The sushi was really amazing, moonlight roll with jalapeño and lemon was the star of the show. Be sure to come by when in Carlsbad. read more
3 months ago
Great food which was super savory.Additionally, it was very traditional with various traditional Japanese cuisine.The service was great with kind servers and the chef giving gracious amounts of food.Finally, besides the faint hum of the fridge is was otherwise quiet. read more
5 months ago
We checked this new place out today. It's their soft opening so not their complete menu as their other locations They've done a great job reworking the old tried chocolate shop that sat at this location for years. Here's the run down: * Clean and fresh decor * Attentive staff * Food appealing (presentation & tastes) * Worth a second look. read more
Very surprised to see this Kai Ola Sushi in Carlsbad location. Corner store Ambiance is inviting. Service was good. Sushi rolls seem to have too much rice and not enough fish. Overall nice location and hope it does well. Rainbow salad was good. Pass on the Omakse. read more
2 years ago
I was able to sit at the sushi bar without waiting for more than 5 minutes. The chairs at the sushi bar are a bit too close to one another but we made it work. Our sushi chef was super nice and was able to explain what each piece of fish was on the omakase plate. The time it took for our drinks/food to come out was longer than I had expected, but I did keep in mind that they JUST opened 2 weeks ago and probably still getting the hang of the pace. The fish was so fresh! I just kept saying that I'm not usually a fan of albacore, but when I ate the albacore belly on my omakase plate, my mind changed so quick!! I want to go back just so I can get a taste of their locally caught tuna. read more
6 months ago
I love Kai Ola, it's one of the best local sushi spots I've had, and I've tried many. The tuna flight is to die for, it's delicious and always hits the spot. I will continue to come here for my weekly dates with my husband and can't recommend it enough! read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
This new sushi spot in the village is great! The chef and staff are always friendly and welcoming and waitress is very knowledgeable on food allergies or sensitivities. I came in recently on a rainy day and the sake was nice and hot! To the gluten free people out there: they do not use gluten in the crab in their rolls so most of the rolls are ok AND they have gluten free soy sauce! The rainbow roll and cucumber-avo roll did not disappoint! Soooo good and they have a nice happy hour where they offer simple rolls and discounted beer/sake! Check it out you'll be glad you did! read more
6 months ago
This place is amazing!!! Great food, friendly staff and an attentive professional manager, Aschliey. We highly recommend this place. We have never been disappointed any time we have gone to dinner there. The Best fresh sushi and the best service and staff in North county. A must have when visiting Carlsbad YUM!! read more
8 months ago
6 months ago
The food was really good great service and affordable prices everyone there was super nice The fish was super fresh. Recommend this place to any of my friends. read more
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2998 State St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
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(760) 637-5011
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