Hidden gem in Gaslamp for locals. Great rooftop ambiance. Service was best in forever. Local menu was decent and delicious read more

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

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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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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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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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 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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Amazing food, but literally some of the worst service I've had anywhere, ever. From rudeness, to a team Of 3 behind the bar not taking care of their guests when the restaurant was not busy, to food not arriving on time ( one of our apps came long after the main) , to people trying to pull food away from us and then removing the dish it was served on, to waiting 25 minutes for water to be refilled and then a refill dring order forgotten - . It was one of the worst hospitality experiences I've ever had and I would not go back - for this price point especially. 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

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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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

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

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

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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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

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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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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We were visiting San Diego to celebrate a milestone birthday for our son & Lumi was the perfect venue! ...good music & a great vibe! Even through guest count fluctuations, Allie was incredible to work with from the start. She assisted with firepit (& table reservations), arranged personalized chopsticks & drink toppers. She was sweet, accommodating & extremely helpful throughout the entire booking process. Conner was our head waiter when we arrived, and he was awesome! We had a large group of 18, which he handled with ease. He was friendly, had a great demeanor & helped elevate our experience. Thank you both for a wonderful evening!!! read more

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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Such a fun sushi spot with an awesome atmosphere! The sushi is incredible -- fresh, creative, and unique compared to your typical sushi restaurant. The outdoor ambiance is especially great and makes it such a fun place to relax, people watch, and enjoy the overall vibe. Perfect mix of good energy, amazing food, and a memorable experience. 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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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

Lumi is unique on so many levels. The Asian fusion inspired food is packed with delicious flavors that will keep you wanting more. The Akira pizza is for raw sushi fans. It's really good but not sure if I'd order again. Sushi is great! Ingredients are fresh and high quality. I've been here a handful of times for dinner and brunch. Service is always great. Drinks are strong. Ambiance is a vibe as it's located in the heart of the gas lamp district. Sometimes there's a live dj! Roof top vibes and good music. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Parking will be a struggle since it's in gaslamp. I'd walk or take an uber. read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday. The rooftop has a really nice ambiance -- lots of seating and couches for bigger groups, and it stays pretty warm with all the heated lamps for chilly nights. Service was excellent! Friendly and attentive. I started off with the Ka "Fire" cocktail which was yummy and had a little kick to it. For food, my boyfriend and I tried the charred yellowtail roll, the Lumi roll, and some A5 wagyu nigiri (we wanted to try the otoro, but they were out!) I think everything was pretty good, but not quite exceptional, especially for the $$$. One of my favorite things we ate might've been the rock shrimp tempura that we shared with the table, nice crunch and very tasty paired with the wasabi aioli. Overall, a nice spot for a special occasion or a night out in downtown! Good vibes and good selection of food and drinks. Appreciate the sweet treat they brought for our friend's birthday :) read more

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A few friends and I enjoyed a lovely dinner for my 45th birthday at Lumi this week and it was everything I wanted in a celebration! Cassie, our server was so sweet to acknowledge my birthday throughout the evening, which included a tasty treat from the bar and check-in's to make sure we had everything we needed. Maria surprised us by sending over the Yellowtail Serrano and Snapper crudo (off the secret menu) which was absolutely delicious and melted in your mouth. I love birthday surprises! Other highlights of our meal included the Akira Back Pizza, Charred Yellowtail and Seabass Serrano rolls. I could eat that every day! Oh, and mochi for the table for a bday dessert Rooftop vibes, fire pit, wonderful service, delicious food and amazing company filled this birthday girl's heart! read more

Lumi - Mochi for the birthday girl with her besties!!! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Fantastic delicious food, presentation was outstanding!! Every sushi dish so tasty! Yummy dessert dishes!! Great service!! Special Thanks to sushi Chef!! read more

I reviewed this place one during restaurant week many months ago, and just returned, and would truly give it 6 stars if I could!! I really think Lumi takes the prize of my favorite restaurant in SD at this time, the service is always friendly and reliable, and rolls are creative and fresh, and the vibes are awesome. Had a wonderful time here on a Sunday evening and was happy to say it was still crowded and lovely. The Supay Roll and Salmon Puff are two of my favorites, but have never had a bad bite here! read more

Lumi - AKIRA BACK PIZZA - great texture and spice! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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The vibe is amazing! It's a beautiful rooftop with a lovely bar and thoughtful seating - some tables with fire pits. There's a DJ that's pretty awesome and helps create a fun social environment. The food also is really great! Our server was super friendly and helpful and attentive. Will be back! read more

Sake selection was pretty good, music was fun, nice views, great service! Food was alright, nothing memorable but nice for a one time. Never know maybe we didn't order the right stuff. The fish quality seemed good but not blow your socks off. Dessert was from the restaurant downstairs, cool presentation but a bit dry and just ok tasting. Just didn't seem like it was made that day or something. read more

I went for restaurant week because I had been wanting to try out Lumi, and it was great! I was worried about it being on the rooftop because it was raining and cold out, but they had good covers and heaters that kept it very cozy. The service was a little slow, but we had a big group and it was probably busier than normal with the restaurant week special. Otherwise, everyone was lovely and the food was excellent! I had the spicy lobster miso soup as an appetizer, which was incredible. To drink I had a mocktail, and it was excellent, like a grown-up lemonade. My favorite dish by far was the Akira Back Pizza, like a really fancy tuna tostada. For the third course I tried two of the rolls, which were good but I didn't feel like they were worth the price on the regular menu. read more

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I've been to Lumi many times, and I can confidently say that this is one of the best sushi spots in downtown! I went here on a date and I would say that the ambiance is very romantic yet casual and cozy. Even though it is getting more chilly, they offer blankets upon request, and the restaurant is thoroughly heated because of all the heaters they have. If you're cold just ask!! Service: I was immediately greeted by the hosts and then we were shown to our table. Our server named Cassidy took care of us really well. She checked on us multiple times and also answered any questions we had about the menu. Sometimes the managers will even walk by the tables and check in on you! That's how you know the service is the best. Food: I ordered the Dry Aged Steak, Surf N Turf Roll, Yellowtail Serrano, Charred Yellowtail roll, Lumi Roll, and Seabass Serrano Roll. Dry Aged 12 oz Steak: 5/5 You can't go wrong with a ribeye. Medium Rare and also they have compound butter on top that just melts into the ribeye. Soo delicious! I recommend asking to try this as it is offered from their sister restaurant Huntress downstairs! Surf N Turf Roll: 4/5 The surf and turf roll is soo fresh, but also tasty. Very light but still filling. The leek miso sauce mixed with the garlic flavor is a must try. Yellowtail Serrano: 5/5 Out of all the rolls I love trying the yellowtail. It's marinated in a ginger soy sauce and topped with pickled Fresno. It's my favorite out of the menu. Charred Yellowtail: 5/5 Another favorite of mine. The Yuzo aioli and ponzu is amazing. It has a tangy creamy flavor, kind of like mayonnaise but elevated! Seabass Serrano: 5/5 The Seabass Serrano is also a favorite. It is also another tangy roll which I love. AB Cigar: 5/5 I like the Ab Cigar because it is a light and refreshing dessert to end the night. The strawberry and matcha pair well together. Overall: 5/5 I love coming to Lumi and all the food items are so good. I would recommend this place for first dates, birthday celebrations, or any other special occasions. Good for groups too! I will be coming back read more

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Food and service were amazing!!! Food came out very fast after ordering, we were blown away with the ambiance and setting of the restaurant. read more

Lumi - CALIFORNIA ROLL Skewers CHARRED YELLOWTAIL ROLL - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jumping right in. We got the Akira Back Pizza which sounds like an injury you'd get from working out too hard, but it's actually the best thing on the menu. We also got these sample skewers that are basically a vertical buffet on a stick. Eggplant, shrimp, chicken, sirloin - it's like they're trying to cover every food group. The seabass roll was super clean and fresh. The Pop Rocks Roll though... they went a little sauce-crazy. Like when you're at a self-serve frozen yogurt place and you black out at the toppings station. Sometimes less is more, you know? Our server Nicole was amazing. Very attentive and personable. The view up there is pretty incredible too. You're looking down at the Gaslamp District like "oh, so this is what pigeons see all day." No wonder they're so confident about where they decide to use the bathroom. Overall, it's a solid date night spot if you're trying to convince your significant other you're still cool. They've got a DJ up there spinning music. I caught myself saying "why is it so loud in here?" and immediately felt like my parents. But the food makes up for feeling old, and honestly, being able to afford this place is a pretty good trade-off for not knowing what music was playing. read more

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