My husband and I came here for dinner and really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. The restaurant 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. read more

This is a hipster restaurant for after-work drinks and sushi, where the crowd is relatively young. The rooftop bar and open air is great for a breezy summer evening. The music is a bit on the loud side, but you can still have a chat with a group. I ordered the Akira Back Pizza, Mango Bongo Roll, and Super Spider Roll. Akira Back Pizza was my favorite, as the crunchy chip base and truffle drizzle made it extremely craveable. The rolls were pretty good too, and they use real crab! By the way, Lumi's AI answering service says they do not do take-out, but they do. Their receptionist is difficult to reach to confirm, but I have ordered take-out from their bar without any issues. It's just that they may not be able to allow call-ins for to-go orders. read more

We came here for some drinks and it looked like a very good casual date spot. The roof rooftop has great views of the pantry Hotel in downtown. -parking in the gas lamp is difficult street parking, therefore highly suggested to use a shared ride service. This place is pretty walkable from the convention center though. They have a pretty good drink list that's moderately priced about $20 + for a drink. We got the Kosho Hana -which has patron, strawberry yuzu kosho and topped off with egg white and an orchid. I couldn't really taste too much of the strawberry but it did have more of a Yuzu taste to it. Very light, refreshing and great drink overall. It's not overly sweet, which was perfect. -Service was very attentive which we liked and they also had some good recommendations for the food. -also saw the menu that they have a Monday through Thursday happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Overall, a great place to just sit and grab some drinks. May need to come back for some of the sushi. read more

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Came here on a Tuesday night and it was not busy at all but half the tables were unbussed, and we were sat in the corner and it felt like we were forgotten for a bit. Other couple tables around us... Now it was 8:30 and I get it, its late but I felt like the service was just not up to standards.. now as a server myself I understand the closing shifts, not having a busser on the floor but we are big spenders and I felt like a lot of the service was lacking I had to ask for water to get water, wasabi and ginger didn't come out when I asked for it.. the steps of service was off and I just wished the server took more time w us bc it would've made everything so much better. Sake order took forever.. But it's fine bc I get it, it's a Tuesday night, just maybe wouldn't fly with another person. Now the food quality really makes up for it. - For sake, I usually prefer Junmai Daiginjo. I picked the first one listed, but it ended up being a little too dry for me. Our server did mention it was their driest sake, so that's on me lol. Next time I'll definitely go with the lighter option. 7/10 -yellowtail& jalapeños, spicy tuna crispy rice - decent, solid, no complaints 8/10 -Ribeye/ Wagyu: AMAZING. Seriously, so good. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, tender -- easily one of my favorites of the night. 10/10 - tai snapper appetizer- great w the yuzu kosho- garlic crunch!! 8/10 - shoutout to the busser who knew his food! I asked about the fish and the sauce. - the NIGIRI quality was really fricking good, the toro, the tai, even the bluefin aka like wow 10/10 If it wasn't last call I would've ordered more Wanted dessert but everything was out except mochi- this is also fine bc I get it restaurants run out just shows how good this place is Overall, the food quality was absolutely there and is the reason I would come back. I just wish the service matched the quality of the food because with a little more attention, this easily could've been an amazing experience from start to finish. read more

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Came here for a bday party. I loved the atmosphere and the food was pretty good. I was just disappointed in the sushi rolls and the condiments. It might just be me that wants all that extra stuff on my sushi. They should really have a special seasoning, some kind of special condiments for the tables. It might just be me but I can't stand going to a spot and having to ask for things that could possibly make my food taste even better. Sometimes you just don't know what they have because it isn't offered to you. The ambiance is beautiful and we were there as the sun set which is nice. I had a great time. I really loved the salmon pizza, it's not called that but it's yummy! read more

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Lost count of the number of times i have eaten here. Every single time is always perfect. Their happy hour specials definitely make it on the more affordable side with plenty of great options. Today we got the akira back pizza and the shrimp tempura appetizers, as well as the sea-bass serano roll. We also got the krispy rice with spicy tuna. The waiter was friendly and patient as we made our decisions Will continue to come here even if i ever move out of downtown read more

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If it wasn't for the good service, I would give this place 1 star. Other than that, the sushi was way below average and it's kinda crazy how they flaunt a Michelin star status. The fish didn't seem super fresh, and they throw asparagus into every single roll. The portions are pretty small too, and way over priced. Too much sauce on each roll, and it just wasn't tasty at all. Very disappointed meal. read more

Good music, nice breezy rooftop, vibey, drinks were excellent and food was yummy. We ordered shishito peppers, edamame, yellowtail and some rolls. read more

Lumi - Drinks - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for San Diego Restaurant week in January 2026. Three course for $65. We ordered: 1st -Chicken karaage - hard crunch just straight up fried chicken skin and chicken jerky due to the dryness. No flavor unless you dip. It was like eating chicharron. -Egg plant skewers - Couldn't tell it wasn't meat, it had the firm and tender texture with Unami flavors. 2nd -Rock shrimp tempura - this would taste better with rice. Almost like honey walnut shrimp. Ate like 3 and got full. Too much batter. -Big eye tuna tataki - nothing stood out 3rd -Surf and turf roll - by the time we got this dish, we were already disappointed not satisfied. -Kim chi chaufa - basic fired rice with the crispy burnt rice at the bottom. For a place this upscale, I wasn't impressed with the restaurant week menu. The food was under whelming. Sad to say that our favorite dish out of all were the egg plant skewers. I would rate 2 for the food but increase due to the view and ambiance. We looked around and saw every table with the pretty sushi box. I expected the menu not to offer all cooked dishes. This would go down as one of our least favorite restaurant week dining experience. No parking in this area so we took an uber. I can't believe we spent over $100 each and left disappointed and hungry. read more

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Located on the 4th floor and had a really nice vibe. Everyone was super nice and friendly, and everything our waiter recommended was really good. We made it for happy hour and the yellowtail Serrano was our fav. read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service at the bar was great!! Got here a little late and a when coming in a server told us they were done with dinner service. Went to the bar to get a cocktail and search on our phones for a different place in the area for food. Bartender told us there was still time for food and saved our evening!! Super friendly bar staff and a great location on the rooftop. Dinner was great and would come back not on a time crunch to try more food!! read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Loved this place. Service was great and the food all tasted very fresh. The karage chicken didn't look good but it was seasoned well. The drinks were pretty and good The rooftop is nice depending on where they sit you. Def worth checking out. read more

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The service was excellent and very attentive to our group. We always love the vibe with the dj and the lighting with the artwork on the walls. The rooftop has fire pits too which is always nice. We got some drinks and i love the appetizers we got which is the pizza one and yellowtail Serrano. Then I got the charred yellowtail roll which was delicious too. The nigiri chefs selection was nice and fresh as well. read more

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I love a good rooftop restaurant, and downtown SD there are not too many sushi ones, so this was at the top of my list! I'd say that the overall Yelp ratings are very representative of my experience here. The rolls were great and we were mostly happy with all the items we ordered. I had asked what the most popular app to share was and our server recommended the akira back pizza, which ended up being just okay. Each slice was about a bite and a half or two bites, and if you ate it in two bites all the toppings would slide off with it (so one bite is recommended hahah). It was alright, wouldn't order again. I love the fusion concept and would come back to try other dishes. Our server was incredibly sweet and really attentive. Overall, a little pricey for what you get but that's downtown San Diego restaurants with a great ambiance for ya!! Truly a great vibe here. Music a bit loud for conversations but can make it work, ahah. read more

Lumi - AKIRA BACK PIZZA - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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The sushi was not that great today I usually like coming here but today I am very disappointed . Sushi wasn't fresh . Will still give them a good score for past experiences that I do appreciate read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Visited San Diego for a college graduation and we had dinner at Lumi for the post-graduation celebration! Best decision we could've made! We knew it was popular and it was recommended to make reservations well in advance which we did. When you get to the hostess stand on ground level, she greeted us warmly and directed us to the elevator that would take us to Lumi. Once at the top, you're greeted by the Lumi staff to check you in. As you get to view the roof top, there are lots of tables, a strategically placed bar, some fireplace tables, comfortable seating, a live DJ, and beautifully done murals and deco. Very tasteful! The food was amazing and so fresh! If you don't like sushi, Lumi has a lot of dishes that would also accommodate your palette. Appetizers, sushi, and drinks were all great. Prices is a little high but keep in mind that you're also paying for the experience! The staff were all friendly and our host Becky was so sweet and attentive! She checked in on us regularly and gave us great recs! Highly recommend! read more

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I really like the vibe of this place ! Really lively for a Thursday and even to our surprise there was a Dj ! Yassss! Really delicious food not disappointed at all and I ordered a martini it was made to perfection! I would be going back again! read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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We had the Endless Tuna Experience extended on the rooftop of Lumi. A highly anticipated and pricey event that left us disappointed. The lines were ridiculous! They had a seared station, nigiri station, hand rolls station, and carving station...all had long lines. We waited more than 30mins in the nigiri line. Afterwards my husband and I split up to make sure we can try everything. It was a hot day and rooftop had no AC, so be warned! After 1hr and 20mins in line, the manager finally went around to say more food will be brought out on service trays...a little too long, too late. The chefs and servers were really good, tuna was deliciously fresh...those were the 2 stars. Wish it was a better experience for the price we paid! I talked to many people there, same consensus that we won't do it again. read more

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Lunch at Lumi - up on the roof. It's what you do when you're in the Gaslamp. At least, that's what I do ... No reservation this time. But keep in mind, I was there early. Not long after opening. You may want to for dinner or on the weekends. At least that's my suggestion. Started off at the bar, but then moved to a table as I had a few join me. Service is always great at the bar (not my first time here) but as it got busy, tapered off but not to the point of feeling like the staff was MIA. It got busy but our party was still tended to. There wasn't an empty table or seat at the bar by the time my party started ordering food. I enjoyed lunch (see pics). Eating out with others always comes with the benefit of being able to try more dishes. Even tried the Akira Back Pizza. Not a fan, but didn't absolutely hate it. I guess I'm just used to tuna being served served simply with soy and or wasabi. My party felt the same way. We did finish it though - probably just wouldn't order it again as my palate isn't ready for it. I come here every year and I intend on keeping up the tradition. It's always an awesome time and great food. Maybe will get to meet another celebrity. This year it was Norman Reedus. read more

Endless Tuna Experience! Complete Fail!! Attended the Tuna Carving and Endless Tuna Experience, and the event was completely oversold. For $160 per person, it was a complete scam. Great idea, but poorly executed. I spent more time waiting in line than actually eating. I was only able to make it to two stations for servings of food. For that price point, you would expect not to be waiting in lines like you're at an overcrowded buffet just to get a small plate of fish. Then, once you're done with one line, you have to get into another line and wait another 30+ minutes. The lines were barely moving too. Not enough staff for the amount of people. I could go to a 5-course seated meal for that price and actually leave full. If you enjoy waiting in line in the heat, cramped like sardines, go ahead and book it. The tuna stations were very good and seeing the carving was cool, but overall, it was a complete scam for the price. Might as well go to a nice omakase for the same amount. read more

On Saturday, at the peak of Comic-Con, my friends and I took a breather from our action-packed day and had lunch at the beautiful rooftop restaurant. We took an elevator that led us to the fourth floor. The restaurant was beautiful with a nice view of downtown. We were seated at a table across from the bar. As we sat down, we spotted actor Norman Reedus with his crew sitting at a corner table by the ledge not too far from us. I poked my head in to take a few photos of the actor and he got up and asked if I wanted a photo with him. We shook hands and hugged, then he took a selfie of us with my phone. That was the highlight of my day! I'm told that stars often come to this restaurant! Aside from being star struck, I was also pleased with the food. We ordered the following to share: spicy chili, garlic edamame, Lumi roll, rainbow roll, Akira back pizza, and the chef's premium sashimi selection. For dessert, we each ordered an AB Cigar (white chocolate matcha mousse, strawberry jelly, cacao nibs). The sashimi were all very fresh. We enjoyed the Lumi roll and rainbow roll. The Akira back pizza was not a favorite. It was just ok and none of us really cared for it. The "crust" was crunchy but also extremely greasy. We really enjoyed the AB Cigars. I liked how the matcha mousse wasn't too sweet. Service wasn't too bad, considering the Comic-Con crowd. This restaurant is worth a repeat visit when it's not so chaotic. Overall, I enjoyed our lunch and would recommend this restaurant. read more

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Lumi was highly recommended to me by a friend, and I can see why it's one of his favorite spots in Gaslamp. Lumi is a beautiful rooftop bar and restaurant with great views of the skyline. I liked its lounge-y laid-back vibe, but I would err to the side of smart casual based on what most customers were wearing. I made dinner reservations for 9pm on a Thursday evening. It was chilly, but we felt comfortably warm thanks to the heat lamps. The group next to us requested one of the servers to turn off the lamp, which was not a problem. The walls were high enough to break the wind, so the chilliness wasn't too bad. Our server's name was Carlos, and he was great. Personable and very attentive. Bonus points for our food coming out in a timely manner. My husband and I enjoyed the food. We shared plates of the Tempura Shrimp, Huntress Dry Aged Ribeye, Puffed Salmon Roll, and AB Cigar. I will go as far as saying that Lumi's Tempura Rock shrimp is much better than Nobu's. The batter was extra crunchy, and the creamy salsa verde was excellent. The ribeye was juicy, tender, and fatty. I did find it to be a tad salty, but it was still my favorite dish. The Puffed Salmon roll was fine. Probably the most basic of the 3 dishes, but it was a nice palate cleanser. The AB Cigar was a lovely light dessert with white chocolate matcha filling with the raspberry gelee. read more

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Food: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Portions: 3/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Speed: 4/5 Price: $$$ Outdoor seating: yes ADA access: yes, elevator Restrooms: yes, 3rd floor M/F Dogs: no Vegetarian options: yes, few Vegan options: yes, few Ambiance: casual to upscale Pros: excellent customer service! Beautiful ambiance. Delicious food and drink. Cons: not enough veg/vegan options if you ask me. Parking can be expensive to get to this location read more

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Came here for a friends birthday recently. Beautiful open air space with cute modern decor. Our server was great and attentive. I got the yellowtail Serrano which was great. I'll definitely be back! read more

Lumi - Yellowtail Serrano - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Food was solid. Some dishes were better than other. Vibes are dope tho and it's a cool rooftop to get a drink. Food- Akira back pizza ($29): Not bad. Very truffle flavored on the fish if you like that. It's a nice lil cold starter. I wouldn't necessarily hafta get it again but it was decent Robatayaki flight ($28): it's basically Japanese style skewers. They good but again not necessarily something you have to get here Charred yellow tail roll($29): loved the char from the yellow tail. The sauce is good but I think they should have less of it instead of drenching the roll. It over powers everything else. Mystery box($53): this is basically an omakase box. Presentation is really cool and all the stuff fish inside were really good. Id recommend Overall, I think the food is a lil overpriced due to the vibes/ambiance multiplier. The mystery box I would def recommend. It's also a fun place for drinks with a pretty extensive cocktail menu. Wouldn't come back just to eat but wouldn't mind coming back for drinks/snacks etc read more

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we had our holiday party here and it was the best! it was a private event and the venue is incredible. the food is also so good. highly recommend if you want to have an event here! the only downsides are is it is downtown gaslamp so parking is limited the drinks are pricey, but you should know if you go downtown that is the norm! still would go back for HH if they have one! read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for NYE. Great service and delicious sushi! Would definitely recommend! Can't wait to come back here. read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Okay, so we came to dinner for my niece Coco's birthday on the 29th. Since her sister Cinnamon works at Huntress, I was excited to enjoy the rooftop. This was my first time visiting this restaurant. The restaurant wasn't too crowded; it had the right vibe and environment for the night. The service we received was IMPECCABLE--100/100! Everything, from the sushi flights, rock shrimp, ambiance, service, and the smiles of EVERYONE that worked there, showed me it is a great place to work. You can normally tell by the staff how they're treated by management. I can tell by this group of people it's a smooth working environment. I was extremely impressed when the manager (I believe his name was Manny) came to the table and introduced himself after my niece said he was the manager. He responded, "Tonight I'm a server." I LOVE THAT! It showed me that your title is simply just that. When work needs to be done, they work together as a team to provide the BEST service that can be provided! For me, that was very impressive because there are some people who work in an industry and take their title to heart, and when it comes down to doing the dirty work, they feel like they are above it. My overall experience at Lumi restaurant was SPECTACULAR! Since it was right after Christmas, the holiday decorations were still up, so we were able to take some amazing photos. Thank you, Lumi, for a BEAUTIFUL night filled with ambiance, joy, laughter, and wonderful memories. Now, my pictures are not all that great because the food was SOOOOO GOOD, I started eating before I could photograph everything. If you're looking for a place with a chill vibe and GREAT food, Lumi is it. read more

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The sushi just isn't good enough for the price point. The miso soup was fantastic and the yellowtail Serrano was great, but our 3 sushi rolls were so underwhelming. Also, the purple overhead lighting made it look gray and unappetizing. The service was fine, but I won't be going back. read more

Lumi - LUMI ROLL, SEABASS SERRANO ROLL, SUPER SPIDER ROLL - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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After trying out 60% of their menu and $500+ later, i must say that I won't be coming back. The vibe is dull, the food is 7.5/10 at best, while some dishes shouldn't even be on the menu. The flavors feel out of place and as if the kitchen is run by various chefs. The mixology is also just okay. The only positive part was the great attitude by our lovely server who I can't remember other than she was asian. read more

Great atmosphere rooftop seating and great attentive staff. Food is on point very flavorful sushi rolls read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Very cute spot with a nice aesthetic. The service was good and the food is good. Mostly recommend for the aesthetic of the spot, very nice presentation for the food and my drink was blue with a design of a girl on it. Cute for pictures and nice central location. read more

Actually so delicious. And immaculate vibes. I don't eat raw fish so caveat my taste review but the vegan roll and tempura roll were two of the best I've ever had. The chef is clearly a rare talent. Even if the food was bad I would go back for the views of the city on the rooftop. read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Hey, so I had my first time at LUMI for a birthday bash, and it was an experience! It's right above the steakhouse, and the rooftop setting was perfect for enjoying the cool San Diego weather. Don't worry, though - there are heaters above the tables, and they even provide blankets for your legs if you need them. Just bring a jacket, just in case. Met Steven, Lumi's mascot, while we were there . From where we were seated, there wasn't much to see, but there's a ledge where Steven keeps an eye on everyone enjoying their meal. Our server was super friendly and helpful. She was always checking in on us to make sure everything was set up right and explained everything on the menu. We tried her recommendations, and they were all absolutely delicious! The food presentation was beautiful, and everything was made with high-quality ingredients. It was a bit pricey, but it was worth it. The Akira Back Pizza was a must-try - we ordered two! We ordered few dishes to share, and most of them were spicy. spicy tuna in the roll took over the few of the sushi we tried . Really love the atmosphere at LUMI. It's a trendy and hip place, and it's definitely worth checking out. The only downside is that the restrooms is not on the same level. You have to take the stairs to get there, but there is an elevator if you prefer. Highly recommended, definitely going back to try more of the menu! Check out the happy hour menu too. It is in downtown, better to carpool or use uber/lyft. read more

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Nothing really bad to say about this place except that our server was the bartender and when the bar got busy we had to wait longer to ask for anything. Very instagramable place so I can see why a lot of people flock here. The ribeye was delicious! Although I've never had a steak come out already cut into slices. Sashimi was great and the sushi ok. read more

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We went to Lumi for my daughter's birthday. Our waiter was attentive and answered all of our questions. The sushi rolls were expensive but we knew this. I just wish I was blown away by the taste. It was good but not great for the price. The ambiance was fun for a roof top restaurant/bar. We met Steven the Lumi mascot. He hung out with us the entire dinner. I would recommend Lumi for a nice fun dinner with friends. read more

I attended the sushi-making class at Lumi on November 20, and it was genuinely one of the best experiences I've had in San Diego. Chef Daniel and his Sous Chef led the class and personally came by each table to give one-on-one help. They were friendly, patient, and happy to share tips, tricks, and answer all our questions. It was such a treat to meet the Head Chef, I even took selfies with him and his team! We were welcomed with a cocktail, plus complimentary tuna tataki and edamame to snack on before class. They even held a raffle where someone won a flight and another person won a bottle of sake. Such fun energy all around. We also left with gift bags, and my favorite touch: custom chopsticks etched with the date of our class. This was my first sushi class, but definitely not my last. I walked out feeling more confident, excited, and ready to show off my new skills. Lumi also hosts private parties, corporate events, and birthdays--which I'm already thinking about for the future. HUGE THANK YOU to everyone at Lumi for making this an unforgettable experience for me and my mom. Special shout to Melody and Jennifer. If you're thinking about signing up--just do it! 10/10 highly recommend! read more

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Great ambience, happy to have stumbled into to this place! Great service, the staff was friendly and quick to seat us! Didn't try the food but the drinks were so good!! read more

Lumi - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Javert, Danny, Julian and E were such wonderful bartenders! we had such a wonderful comic con experience with them serving us! These guys were so wonderful and seriously made our whole night! These guys deserve the highest praises :) Thank you guys for being so kind! i'm read more

It was a splendid experience at Lumi. It was an easy reservation set for me and I was taken care of by their team. Vanessa, Kimmy, and Connor were the best, they provided recommendations and quickly brought out my items. They were quick to answer any questions I had. It was a pleasure meeting the manager as well. Having a tight knit staff is always a plus and shows the warm welcome at any place I go to -- especially when I'm visiting out of town. If staying near downtown, I think you should check out their happy hour menu. There were many good bites and drinks, shareable too. I couldn't eat everything to myself so I definitely had takeout containers. The espresso martini drink and the red one pictured was really good. I'm a big fan of everything I had here, can't wait to try more! I sat upstairs on the rooftop and everything was cozy. They have a dj at night sometimes too :) Check them out! Akira back pizza - crispy, delicious, & unique. Not something you can find at every sushi restaurant. 10/10 crispy cauliflower - wish it was spicier or something 7/10, still enjoyed the texture Serrano yellowtail roll I believe? 8/10 The sashimi dish I had (not sure of the name) was my favorite by far. A huge kick of flavor! 10/10 read more