Ton of seating and great lighting, not too bright nor too loud. Favorite roll: Toro Roll, super light, fresh and delicious. I could eat 3 of these!! Favorite appetizer: deep fried baby octopus! (There's literally a whole baby octopus in there. Super worth it, trust me! I've tried the fire roll and while it's good, it's a bit too dense for me, I'm unable to taste any other ingredients other than rice and the fried portion. I also had the deep fried crab appetizer and it was pretty good, but I wouldn't get it again. Nothing negative to say about service, great as always! read more

See all

Got into the coveted Tuna cutting experience. They only allow 30 people or so and the event is maybe once a month, but or fewer. Once they announce it, you need to call immediately or get shut out. My observation about the place itself. The U shaped bar is gigantic for the space. It's a bar-bar too not like a sushi counter. This seems to draw a crowd of local drinkers rather than the normal sushi crowd. You feel like you walked into a sports bar. The place was really loud and it was hard to hear the chef explaining everything. Once seated... it's the chefs carving the tuna off to the side. There were 2 bar tenders making drinks and like 3 chefs cutting tuna.... other than that, no waitstaff. Which is really odd. You have to grab the manager who was running around helping to get your Wasabi refilled. Not to mention they gave zero place settings for about 8 of us, until we asked. The bar tenders seemed to pass over my empty drink until I asked for a refill too. It's a more chaotic event than I would have liked for $120 per person. It also takes time to carve the tuna so if you arrive hungry be prepared to not get your first tiny bite until 45 minutes after the start. The star was Chef Timmy. Honestly he was awesome. The tuna.... so good. You end to with only 3 pieces of Nigiri which was a little disappointing but the sashimi part was unlimited. Of course you have to take your plate up and ask for some. They only put about 6 small pieces of the various cuts per trip. I think I went up 5 times for sashimi alone. The tuna handrolls you can make yourself or ask the chef nicely. Those were really good. Probably best I ever had because it's so fresh. There is a limited amount of the highly prized (and highly priced) Kamatoro, but you can experience it here as it's included in the experience. That's a hard cut to find. The finale was a shot of tuna spinal fluid. My first time with that but it's not bad. You're probably looking at $150 per person unless you order alcohol than it's alot more. The fresh cut tuna is amazing. I'm glad I did it. The chaos and the setting made it less than ideal. I don't think I would go again to this location for it. One and done. It's a bit weird that you're paying $120 for this and you're still intermingled with local patrons just there to grab some beers after work and watch the game. Because of the massive bar it is impossible to create a space secluded to do it. They also should have a roaming waiter at least taking care of the 30 people who came for this experience. read more

See all

The best sushi in Worcester. I've been coming to Kai's ever since they were originally at Webster Sq plaza (I used to walk there with my friends before I even got my license). The food overall has always been consistently good, they've never changed; not even their spicy mayo and I love that so much!! All of the appetizers, entrees, sushi & drinks are phenomenal. They never miss. The staff is always so nice and attentive, even if the place is busy. They have 2 small parking lots, one in the front of the building and one out back. They're also on DoorDash now. Out of all the sushi places in Worcester, Kai's is top notch for me. Argue with your mama! read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

I recently heard about Kai and decided to try it out. So glad we did. Sushi was excellent. We had the Kai Maki and two other rolls that were all delicious. Service was also excellent. Server convinced us to order the tempura banana dessert with coconut ice cream (generally comes with vanilla). It was so good that we went back two nights later, just for a cocktail and dessert. Only downside was that it can get pretty loud. read more

Great place! I've been going to Kai forever! Sushi is so fresh, top quality! Run, don't walk to Kai! read more

Very good every dish was elegantly designed and a joy to eat! Ambience was great and staff was as friendly and attentive!

Absolutely 5 star sushi. Very unique options. Not the typical sushi you'll routinely find. Highly recommend.

The worst Japanese food ( is it Japanese ?) food ever . Service great , food especially rice , hard and old , nothing fresh. Just go to Baba , around the corner. They are authentic read more

Always our go-to when we want sushi and adult beverages! We've never had a dish we didn't love, and prices are comparable to other Japanese restaurants. They don't have Chinese apps like chicken or beef teriyaki on a stick, but they do have crab rangoons which are delicious. read more

See all

Very impressed with Kai! I didn't know Kai existed in Worcester for the longest time since most people talk about Baba Sushi. I heard that Kai was offering Omakase so I had to check it out. I called to make a reservation and learned that they offer omakase at certain times of the month. Kai was super easy to find, it's located in a shopping center with a Shaws and Planet Fitness but parking was still plentiful. It's pretty small inside so I definitely recommend reservations or coming during a not so busy time. We did Omakase which was $110 per person and we got 14 courses along with miso soup. We were so impressed with the attention to detail and just the overall art and thought put into each dish. The chef brought us many of the dishes and personally gave us an explanation on each of them. We truly were treated like VIP. For this price point, I don't think Kai can be beat. Each course is bigger than many of the courses you'd get at city Omakase spots. And Kai is much cheaper than going to Boston for it. Overall, I highly recommend Kai! read more

See all

I never thought I'd attend a bluefin tuna cutting event in Worcester! We were lucky to snag reservations to this limited seating event, but it sounds like there will be future events as well for those who missed out. Timmy and crew put on quite the show. If you're a sushi lover, you really can't go wrong with an omakase set list featuring a 120 lb bluefin tuna. My wife and I loved every dish and were definitely full by the end of it. To add to the uniqueness of the experience, Chef Timmy invited each diner up to the table to craft handrolls with him. The top two winners (not me) ended up winning prizes. Clear your evening as the event does span a long time (understandably) considering they are prepping the entire fish in front of you while also serving the entire restaurant at once. The event spanned from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. The staff handled this busy new event very well despite the fully booked restaurant. This was also in their brand new location, which is quite larger than their previous one. The experience was well worth it, and Kai will remain my choice for omakase over Boston or Providence. read more

We stopped in last night for the first time for dinner. This is a smaller place located in a busy shopping plaza, but everyone working there was friendly. There were times though when I was trying to order where the waitress thought i was done talking and tried walking away. This kept happening a couple times and she forgot to put our appetizer in and when we asked about, she asked if we still wanted it( our sushi had came out at that point) There were only two other couples dining so it wasn't like they were slammed. Sushi was good quality, although not the freshest or best rolls I've ever had. The boat presentation definitely added a nice touch! All in all we would probably stop in again. read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Chef's Special, cucumber roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Been visiting Kai off and on for years, mostly for takeout. Went here yesterday with a couple of my close friends for some sushi and apps. Sushi here is always very good and fresh, and I like the large Chinese porcelain dishes they serve the sushi in. The servers here are also very friendly and welcoming. Would definitely recommend and be back! read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Assortment of sushi and sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

I was a regular here while I was in college. But I couldn't resist stopping by when I'm in the area. The wait for food is a little long but it's so worth it for the price. Here are some favs that I always get: Salmon belly nigiri: $8 for 2 pieces but the salmon is perfectly torched and glazed with a sweet sauce. Beetle roll: the combination of crispy salmon skin with avo and apples work so well here Volcano roll: the crab and sriracha Mayo mixture on top of the sushi is to die for! So good This time we tried the toro maki which is great but I don't think it's worth the price. I would rather get the dragon roll instead! read more

See all

You'd have to be quite the sushi snob to not LOVE this place. Food is amazing and a convenient spot. Down to earth atmosphere with patrons enjoying themselves at the bar and good service.. read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Fancy rolls and not so fancy rolls. All yummy. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

By far the best sushi chefs around! Everything on the menu is amazing and the staff and service as well!

Disappointed With This Takeout Order We've dined in here several times pre-pandemic, and have enjoyed some good meals. Last night was our first takeout order, and we found mixed results. Salmon Sashimi - Excellent Chicken Fried Rice - Mediocre (Rice was heavy, stuck together, chicken was a little overcooked) Gyoza - Poor (Way overcooked) Lambchops - Mediocre (Half of these were overcooked) Crab Rangoon - Good Teriyaki Chicken Wings - Fair (Heavily breaded) When they assembled my order into the bags, the sushi was placed in the same bag as the hot food. It would have been better if they had a hot and cold food separation policy. Though the staff were all wearing masks, there was no guidance that I could see on social distancing, no indication where to stand, or how to pay for orders to go, they didn't accept payment over the phone, there was no hand sanitizer visible. There is much they could do here to improve safety protocols. Would I return here? Perhaps in the future when dining in is more appropriate, In the meantime I'd try a different venue next time we're in a Sushi frame of mind. read more

See all

Oh, my sweet, sweet, Lord! The quality of the fish in this place is impressive! I would never believe to find such quality on a strip mall. I order sushi pieces individually: Saba, American uní, Japanese uni, and other as well as the Omakase nigiri appetizer, with gems such as toro, scallops, and other that I devoured so fast I couldn't remembered their names. The interior is unassuming and the exterior seem like a generic place. It it wasn't for the "OPEN" sign, I wouldn't entered thinking it was closed. Please, Go over yourself and enter, you will grateful you did. Enthusiastically recommended! read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - The view inside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Had salmon belly, toro and two rolls. Didn't eat one of the rolls as it was not good. Ordered another roll which was ok, I was hungry so I ate it. Server didn't take the one I didn't like off the bill. It rice for the most part. Both rolls were falling apart. Only good one was the salmon belly sushi. Will not go back. read more

Really great service and quality of fish. If you don't want to spend a fortune at Baba, this gives you the same quality or better, for a cheaper price. The area is a little seedy but this place is great for quality sushi. read more

The Omakase dining experience is amazing! The food is high quality and delicious! The staff are kind & Chef Timmy is a creative genius . Love this small & intimate setting. read more

See all

Came for lunch with a business partner and really enjoyed the sushi. Try clean restaurant, friendly and attentive server. Very fresh sashimi platter included tuna, salmon, white tuna and was delicious! So many great and different rolls (maki) on the menu I will definitely be back to try other selections! Located in a plaza with lots of ample parking too! read more

Had a craving for sushi for weeks, so my husband and I ordered some takeout from Kai's. We live outside the area, but were in the area for pick up and drove our goodies all the way home to devour them there. As another reviewer mentioned, Kai's is located in a rather dumpy mall, but the food is delicious! When we arrived to pick up our food, there was a line of people outside waiting for inside seating. With so many people waiting, Kai's must be a gem. Their sushi did not disappoint. We ordered Spicy Scallop, Spicy Shrimp, Tiger Eye, Rock & Roll, and Shrewsbury Maki hand rolls. Each tight roll tasted fresh and delicious. I also appreciated how they packaged the cold and warm sushi in different trays. Why I docked a star: they just weren't quite up to five-star quality. The Shrewsbury Maki was a little dry, almost as if it was left in the fryer a few seconds too long. Additionally, they said our order would be ready in 30 minutes when we placed the order, but it took 45 minutes (perhaps due to the crowd) before our order was ready. My favorite rolls were the Spicy Scallop, Spicy Shrimp followed by the Rock & Roll, which had a lot going on. Overall, I enjoyed the sushi and would definitely go back. I'd like to try more of their specialty rolls....and now I'm craving sushi again. Guess I'll be back sooner rather than later! read more

See all

Best authentic sushi! The chef's really know their stuff! Try the lobster tempura! Omakase in central mass!!!! read more

Excellent service, prices, and food. Best in Worcester! Repeat customer. Can't say enough good things about this place. read more

Crab Rangoons were great, Yellowtail sashimi was very fishy and not edible. Will look around for better options.

Kai is one of the best sushi joints in all of New England. The menu also includes appetizers, noodles, and some very good steak and seafood entrees. They don't shy away from the lobster, either! I recommend the lobster tempura for an appetizer. Kai shines through its sushi. The sushi menu is pretty standard and they have an excellent roll menu filled with great combinations (try the Celtic Roll). I have been to Kai many times before and have always been pleased with their food, drink, hospitality, and kindness. Tonight, I decided to ask for the pieces of fish that were posted on their Instagram page. Please follow them at @kaisushiworcester. I was treated to one of the best dinners of my life. The brilliant young chef served up one of the most thoughtful and well prepared meals I have ever had. The chef is ambitious and wants to show off his wonderful culinary talent. Go to Kai! If you do visit Kai, please try their special rolls and ask for the chefs to prepare a plate allowing them creativity. Order a couple Sufferin' Bastards, too read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

80 minute wait for a to go order. No thx When we called in the order (5:28pm) we asked for it to be ready at 6pm. The woman who took our order made no indication it would take any longer. I showed up at 6:10 and got my order at 6:39. I've never put sushi to my lips that's worth that kind of wait. Goodbye forever read more

Very impressed! Presentation was beautiful and sushi was delicious. Small cozy neighborhood restaurant. Tables next to us were getting omakase and their dishes looked amazing! Would love to come back and try. read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Spicy tuna and california rolls - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Great good and great service. I would definitely categorize it as a hidden gem! Mai Tais were good too.

The food is always so delicious. Their Mai Tai's always slaps. And the service is always amazing.

Small and quaint establishment, very good food and sushi selection! Crab Rangoon,Dragon Roll,Lobster Tempura, Red Sox Roll, Spicy Scallop Maki, Sushi Salad, Celtic Roll, Great chicken tempura, nice house salad with great ginger dressing, Unagi roll, any combination you'd like to have. The Udon noodles are delicious as well as great drinks. read more

Absolutely love it it's in a plaza so you can do your shopping before afterwords and sit and have some great fresh sushi for cocktails thumbs up and the employees are very pleasant and accommodating. read more

Hidden gem, sushi is amazing, atmosphere is nice (not too many tables, but bar is a good size) and the service is great too.

This rating is purely on the service and not the food. Sure the food is fine. Tried to check this place out, told it would be 15-20 min wait and the hostess doesn't think it would be longer than that, ok cool! Gave my number, which was written down incorrectly the 1st time and I had to correct her and left to wait, the list looked like there were only a few names ahead of us( the place is small) never got a call and came back after 20 minutes and when I checked to see how much longer I was told it would be another 30 min wait because there were reservations? I can tell the list was full now which is fine but why didn't you mention this sooner? not sure what happened but either way disappointed and won't be back. The place is small and lots of sketchy characters roaming outside. read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - This is how big it is, and the right side is a one sided bar fits about 8-10 tops - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Just got robbed for $8 udon noddles! Half filled bowl... never again. Subpar taste at that. 800% mark up? read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

Seriously one of the best local places for sushi. This small shop used to be Panda King (Chinese takeout buffet) way back then and ever since Kai moved in, I continue to keep coming here every once in a while when I'm in the mood for sushi. The best part is it's right in the heart of my neighborhood! Tonight, Monday evening, I had a great experience and although I came in an hour before close (9pm), the bar seats were filled, plenty of other diners in the restaurant as well, which is a great sign. I usually go straight for the rolls, so I can't tell you about the appetizers or entrees. We ordered Spider Roll, Sexy Roll, Passion Roll, and Fire Roll and a Creme de Sake bottle (nigori). Although the rolls did take a little long, I had no problem waiting because I understand they are a small team and when a ton of orders come in at once, there will be a slow down. So remember that, and maybe order an appetizer to buy some time. All the rolls were delicious, they are tightly packed with loads of filling in and out and dressed with plenty of the good sauce, and beautifully presented as well. I can't stand a loosely wrapped, dry and boring Maki Roll, and Kai's is far from that! Service is usually great, again they are a small team but I never see the servers skip a beat. Ambiance is relaxing and cozy, with upbeat to chill EDM genre of music which played off well in this setting. All in all, fantastic place for local fair priced sushi, especially their designer rolls, although I highly recommend dining in over taking out because my experience with takeout is that the rolls aren't that pretty looking... which I completely understand why that is. read more

See all

I've tried a lot of different sushi restaurants in the area and every time I try them I'm like yeah it was good but it wasn't Kai! Kai is my favorite sushi spot in the Worcester area hands down. My go to sushi is the sexy roll, I've never had anything quite like it! I also often get the surf and turf roll or the Sturbridge. They always have different special rolls as well which are always something creative. The mai tais dont only taste great but they really pack a punch! The bartenders are really nice and attentive! They even have low carb rolls which are awesome especially if you want more than one roll but don't want all the rice. My favorite low carb roll is the winter roll which is wrapped in rice paper and has apple in it! It's a small place so I suggest making a reservation! If you love sushi, YOU NEED TO GO HERE! read more

Kai Sushi Bar & Grill - Summer roll (cucumber wrap), winter roll (wrapped in rice paper), rainbow roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

See all

Popped in for a quick bite as I was in the area. I had the Celtic Roll, and it was okay. Maybe I didn't order the right things, but I was left less than impressed with it. The crab Rangoon were good, but just good. My server was very friendly, and it was an overall pleasant experience, but it's definitely not "the best sushi in New England". Still, perhaps if I'm in Worcester again, I will try something else. Try it yourself and see- perhaps you'll like it more than me! read more

See all

Great food and service. We tried fried rice, sushi, and hibachi steak. Delicious food. Clean and pleasant environment. We'll definitely come back! read more