We tried this restaurant while visiting Gainesville, FL. It's located in a strip mall in a downtown neighborhood and offers ample parking. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, with heat lamps available for cooler evenings. We had a reservation and arrived a bit early but had to wait until our scheduled time, which wasn't surprising since every seat was full. We initially sat at the bar, where the bartender promptly took our order. We had both hot and cold sake--the cold sake came in a can and was especially delicious. After a short wait, we were taken to our table, which featured large, high-back leather chairs that were very comfortable. Our waitress greeted us quickly and brought water right away. We started with a few appetizers. The lobster wontons with truffle were just okay--slightly dry and lacking a sauce. They were small and mostly wonton, with minimal filling and flavor. We also tried the dumpling appetizer, which came with only three very small dumplings. The wrappers themselves were very good, and each dumpling had a different spicy flavor, but there was only a tiny piece of meat in each. Overall, it felt overpriced for what was included. I also had the miso truffle soup, which was decent but mostly broth with very little substance. For our main courses, I had the scallops with mushrooms, which were very good. The dish included a nice variety of mushrooms and vegetables that were fresh and crunchy. My husband ordered the lamb chops, and they were spectacular--tender, flavorful, and truly melted in your mouth. The accompanying sauce was absolutely perfect. After dinner, we were each given a small box containing two wine corks, which was a thoughtful and pleasant surprise. If in the area again, we'd go back. read more

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The food was good, I like Suchi and my wife had pork belly the service was outstanding. read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - The main tables and chairs at the restaurant - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I couldn't have asked for better quality of food, quality of workmanship in both the meal prep and design of the restaurant, quality of atmosphere, and especially quality of service. The waygu beef is even imported from Japan. A5 quality waygu beef, directly imported. The dessert was crafty and excellent too. Just top to bottom outstanding. Is it pricey? Hell yes it is. But if you're looking to impress and make a statement, this is it. read more

Upscale asian bistro with unique and perfectly crafted dishes and cocktails. Service was fast and the waitress was very helpful describing the menu. Gorgeous presentation and aesthetic interior. Great place to go for a celebration. Everything we tried tasted amazing!! (the best ramen we have ever had, would highly recommend) read more

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This was a very pleasant dinner experience. The food was good although a bit overpriced for the quality and the volume. Service was outstanding seeing that it was Christmas Day. Overall a good experience but not sure that we will return all the time primarily because of the high prices. read more

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Getting a reservation in Gainesville on a football weekend or graduation is almost impossible. In late March I was able to reserve a table for 4 to celebrate my son's graduation on May 3. We had a 3 hour window between the two ceremonies and Sensei was going to be the perfect place to celebrate. A table was available for 4 on Open Table at 4:45. On May 2 I received a confirmation that the table would be ready. As we were driving to Sensei to celebrate this milestone a message popped up at 4:13 that the restaurant cancelled. No phone call, just a text and when I tried to call the line kept ringing busy. How disappointing and how unprofessional. A simple call explaining would have gone a long way. If you thought this was my last year going to Gainesville... you are so wrong. I have 3 years left! I will NEVER recommend this restaurant nor will I ever step foot inside. read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - Cancellation at 4:13 for a 4:45 reservation - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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I'm torn on this review and decided to be generous with 4 stars. The food was overall good. It's basically fancy Asian food. But the cons outweigh the pros. First the prices are too high. $40-50 for entrees and appetizers that were also small and overpriced. Then the service was super slow. Took over 40 minutes to get our entrees. That is not acceptable. So, good food, but given the price and slow service I don't see a reason to go back. Too bad. read more

This is one of those times I wish there were a half star option but alas. The ambiance of the place is great - nice decor, dimly lit, perfect for a nice dinner or date night. The service was wonderful as everyone was super nice and helpful. Unfortunately the food is where we took a downturn and I didn't feel the prices of the dishes/drinks were justified. Drinks - margarita and old fashioned were ok however not even half the glass was full for the OF with the ice cube, not nearly worth the price Lobster wonton - nothing that you probably haven't had before but good Negi toro maki - not bad, not great. Wouldn't order again Miso glazed Chilean sea bass - actually almost inedible due to the overly sweet miso butter emulsion on top, would not pay $20 let alone $48 Sichuan chili chicken - this was the most enjoyable dish and actually tasty, only thing I'd return for read more

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Came for the happy hour and got the tofu starter. It was ok, but wasn't really flavorful, but the plating was beautiful. We ate outside, which was very tranquil and the indoor area looked very fancy. Good service. I'd come back to try some of the other vegetarian menu items I was just underwhelmed with this dish, but it looked like a work of art. read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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I came with a party of 5 on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30. We were the only table in the restaurant and they took forever to get us seated (outside). The service was extremely slow and the food was overpriced for what it was. My friend ordered a Sauv Blanc from their happy hour and the server came back to tell her they were all out of the one on HH but she could have one for full price. One drink and one appetizer and it was $50. My sangria was the best part of the meal. All of us collectively agreed we would not return. Also, not sure if this is customary or because we were a party of 5, but there was an 18% auto gratuity added to each of our bills. read more

I ate here for a holiday party. The service was friendly and attentive. The prices here are high but the food is very good. I really recommend the fried tofu appetizer. The presentation was stunning and the flavor was amazing. The XO shrimp and scallop could have used some spice or acid. That is the only reason this is a 4 star review and not a 5. read more

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Decided to check this place out which is conveniently located in Celebration pointe. First of all, this is about $$$ semi-fine dining restaurant, not a general asian cuisine you would find on the street. However, it appears that there is no dress code. Each dish is about ~$30-50 depending on what you get. The server was courteous and asked us frequently if we needed anything else all throughout the dining experience. The food was mediocre though for the price point in my honest opinion. Would recommend considering as an option for the semi-fine dining experience! read more

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I really wanted to like this place - I loved the ambiance. Dim, mood lighting, chic decor. Perfect for a date night. But the food was sadly just not it. And on top of that it was way too expensive. We got an old fashioned that was reasonable, but a bit pricey in GNV. The miso glazed chilean sea bass was the biggest miss for me - the butter emulsion on top was almost gelatinous and tasted horribly. I scooped it off of the sea bass, which was thankfully cooked well, and I ate the sea bass plain. Too bad, for $48 you would think this dish would knock it out of the park. The sichuan chili chicken was the only redeeming dish of the entire meal. I'd order this to go next time, if I do ever decide to dine here again. Overall, save your money. Hop over next door for better drinks and food. read more

What a hidden gem in Gainesville! We enjoyed the tasting menu during the recent 2025 spring UF graduation and the meal far exceeded our expectations. We've been fortunate to travel and eat at many of the best restaurants around the world and this meal was right up there with the best of them. As others have said, the restaurant has a terrific ambiance with a very clean and modern look and feel. The service was terrific - attentive without being overbearing. They had a nice selection of sakes to complement their drink menu. We enjoyed a couple of terrific junmai daijingo options. All the bites in the 5 course tasting menu were very good to great. We did the waygu add on and it was very good - 8/10. The star of the meal was the fried rice. Such a simple dish, but if you've ever had a really great one you know how rare it is to find. Kudos to you Sensei - wish that you were closer to my home! read more

Dinner for JUST THE FOUR OF US Saturday night two weeks ago. This was my second time here and it did not disappoint. This is my number one absolute favorite in Gainesville for elevated dining. We've had just about everything on the menu. Appetizer highlights are the lobster wontons and wagyu foie Gras is to die for but the rockstar is the wagyu New York strip steak. Wow! Holy smokes. We've had wagyu steaks in many cities of our great country and this quality has been one of the best. Highly recommend for a special occasion as this deliciousness will set you back US$150.- but we'll worth every Penny. I recommend sitting with Zoe either at the bar or request her for your table. She is an amazing professional who offers enough conversation without overcrowding your dinner. We love her! I left some pictures which speak for themselves. Run don't walk to this establishment and don't forget to make reservations so Mavis the manager doesn't get mad at you for just walking in. read more

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One of the best food experiences we've ever had. Service was excellent and ambiance was so luxurious and soothing. Added to our Top three restaurants ever. Wow. read more

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Wow, another Gainesville gem! I was recommended this restaurant by my close friend who often comes here to eat. Located conveniently in Celebration Pointe, we came here for dinner. First off, the service was amazing, all the waitresses were so sweet and it was nice seeing them be so hospitable to us. We got seated quickly after having a table reserved, and waters were brought out. I ordered the Lobster Wonton for an appetizer, as well as the Mongolian Ribeye Steak for my entrée! The wontons were piping hot, and scrumptious with the lobster meat and cream cheese filling. When I took the first bite of the steak, I was blown away. It was warm, tender and juicy. Paired with the side of rice and the veggies, it made for a filling and delicious meal. I greatly enjoyed the dish, and my friends said the Tofu & Vegetable Curry was delicious as well! Overall, I had a great experience here and will definitely visit again. We even got to try a complimentary dish from the chef! With amazing service and delectable dishes, this is definitely a win in my book! read more

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The food was beautifully prepared and the layers of flavor made every bite delectable!! The service was terrific as well seeing that we didn't have a reservation and were there close to closing time due to late Final Four finish - Go Gators!! A real treat for anyone in Gainesville! read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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The food here is phenomenal! It's a small very chic Asian restaurant. The server was attentive and made some great suggestions for us. I had the maki toro and the wagyu fried rice. Yes, both of those are as good as they sound. We will be back here for sure! Thanks! read more

I dined in with my family and I am still having difficult time believing the fact that this restaurant is still around. Atmosphere: Overall the interior is nice, but lighting is completely off where bar and dining area are very bright with white color that just don't go well with the interior. Service: while my server was very courteous and making sure that the we were doing okay, but I absolutely felt terrible for a gentleman sitting at the bar. Two female servers/bartender(?) were not even trying to make that customer feel included and welcomed as they only acknowledge him when he asked questions, not to mention that they were laughing with each other occasionally while conversing in a foreign language. He seemed uncomfortable and awkward and left as soon as he finished his first drink. Food: Absolutely below mediocrity. Chicken katsu is no different than reheated chicken tender (see photos) with absurd amounts of breading that is not panko (... Should this even called katsu then?) Sushi (nigiri) are with overly sweet rice and thin & soulless fish pieces. I wish I am being sarcastic but one could get a better sushi meal from Publix. Agedashi tofu has thick eel sauce-like sauce rather than what it should have (dashi infused light soy sauce), and shishito pepper was not very well paired with its garnish and sauce. No peppers were grilled or torched, rather simply pan sautéed... Terrible texture. Overall: I really wished that this place was going to be the next Dragon Fly, or an alternative option to Hana Sushi when they are too busy. But the lack of proper trainings for servers, terrible lighting, and the worst wannabe-Japanese style of menu offering just makes me shake my head. read more

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The food is great. Really controlling labor expense, however, at this bistro. 43 min to get a drink order in. Which doesn't make sense since the bar is such a high margin business. I don't understand. read more

Delish and fresh sashimi is the highlight here. Beautiful plating. The lobster fried rice was also excellent. A bit pricey, but to be expected for top notch ingredients. Wonderful service. read more

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To start, the aesthetics of this place are really beautiful. It's clean and there is a choice of both indoor and outdoor seating. I came for lunch around 12 and there was only one other table. The service is attentive which is great. For lunch, I had the Philly egg rolls and the Sichuan chili chicken with a side of Furikake rice. The presentation was beautiful! The chicken was crispy and fresh. The reason why I'm giving for stars is two-fold: first, although the food is fresh and looks like it's well seasoned, to me both the chicken and the philly egg rolls were underseasoned. Furthermore, the lunch prices are just a tad bit high for Gainesville, by like 1-3 bucks. All if the lunch entrees are a la carte and the Furikake rice was $3. A side of white rice is only $1 (it's not on the menu) so essentially you're paying 2 extra bucks for them to sprinkle some sushi seasoning on top of it. read more

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I may have to try this place again. So many people raved about how good this place was for food but I however unfortunately was not impressed. Nothing I got stood out to be delicious or omg I have to go back it was just ok. I got a salad with a side and my sorority sister got a fish dish which looked really good but was super small. I was intending on trying on what we thought was a veggie on her dish but it happened to be a rock; apparently the dish they decorated it with rocks...it was very interesting to say the least. The ambiance was nice inside and the service was nothing spectacular. I mean I would try it again perhaps it was an off day with food or maybe I should try something else. read more

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Everything was perfect from start to finish and everything in between! If you like innovation meets elegance this is the place for you.

The food is superb and the service is excellent! We went for lunch to avoid the crowd. It's worth a visit. read more

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Decided to take my significant other here for her birthday. Read many reviews on yelp, both good and bad, but decided to take the dive myself. Made a reservation on OpenTable for 6:00 pm on MLK day indicating it was a birthday occasion. Arrived and sat with a nice "Happy Birthday" sign at the table which added a nice touch. Interior was nice but it was a smaller venue overall. We ordered the Omakase Sushi Boat I, Wagyu Ishiyaki, and Wagyu Jajang Myun. The wait time for food was lengthy and we didn't mind but it was more frustrating to see tables who were sat after us receive their food before we did. Kiki was our server and she did a great job taking care of us. Omakase Sushi Boat I - $43: Fresh selection and carefully curated with beautiful presentation. Contained around 30 pieces of sushi roll, sashimi, and nigiri that included shrimp, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, imitation crab, and eel. Centerpiece is a light up glass of sake filled with veggies. Overall very tasty and decently sized pieces. Worth the price? Just maybe. Wagyu Ishiyaki - $54: The crown jewel of the menu being the highest priced entree (2nd only to the Omakase Sushi Boat II which is technically under the chefs choice sushi Menu). 9 thinly sliced pieces of Wagyu beef accompanied by side of ponzu sauce, Korean barbecue sauce, butter, and hibiki suntory whiskey where you dip before searing. Unfortunately didn't get to ask of the source/grade of the beef but the menu lists Japanese A4~A5 on the sushi side so I'm assuming it is. This was my first time ever experiencing "Wagyu" beef. The slices were rich but the marbling visually didn't appear to be "extreme" as the Wagyu I've seen online. The experience was nice overall but maybe not worth the hefty price at about $6 for a centimeter thick slice. Wagyu Beef Jajang Myun - $23: Nicely presented noodle bowl of assorted veggies and ground wagyu protein. Decent portion but misses on the sauce. Traditional Korean Jajang Myun has the noodles coated in the black sauce but here the sauce seemed 1/3 the portion it should be. In conclusion, this Asian fusion restaurant has great quality food... for not quality price. Left the place $175 lighter, for only party of 2. There are definitely better value options out there, even for splurging purposes, but if you needed some top notch Asian fusion food with consistent beautiful presentation and attention to detail, this is the place to be. read more

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Folks, you are in for a roller coaster of a review- which I only hope will serve to paint the picture of what we experienced our first (and last) time eating at Sensei Asian Bistro. I went with my brother and two other friends to Sensei, and we were very excited to try it based on many other positive reviews! We were seated outside as requested on a very chilly evening since we brought our dog, where we unfortunately found there were no heaters set up... which surprised us given the label of "fine dining" given this restaurant on yelp and google. We ordered two sushi boats, and the server told us that there would be about a 45 minute wait for the sushi boats. We deliberated briefly, and decided we were ok with this wait time. We placed an order for a hot bottle of sake and two appetizers, broccolini and two orders of spring rolls. We asked if the spring rolls were gluten free, since my brother has celiac disease, and the server told us she would check but she didn't think so. Then, we waited. And waited. The broccolini came out and was limp, flavorless, and cold. We asked them to take it back and reheat it. It came out again, only barely hotter than when we sent it back in originally. A different person came by and told us the order had been placed for the spring rolls and that they would be coming out shortly. When we asked to try to confirm whether they were gluten free or not, she told us they were not gluten free. So then, we asked if we could take off one order, since we only would've ordered two if everyone could eat it. It was too late, and the order came out anyway. Our basil fried rice came without issue and was good. We never saw a server again for the next 30 minutes. After over an hour and a half at the restaurant and not a sushi boat in sight, nor an update on the status or a refilled water, we were getting very frustrated and annoyed. We asked them to send a manager over to us. Then we waited for another 15 minutes.... no manager. However, we were brought some "virgin" drinks since they could see we were getting annoyed. FINALLY someone came over and we explained what had been going on throughout the evening and how disappointed we were, and how long we had been waiting for our food that never came, as well as the disappointing experiences with the appetizers. The manager told us that there was ONE sushi chef in the entire place... at a sushi restaurant... They tried to offer us free dessert. We told them that we did not feel it was right to have to pay for this disaster of a meal. We arrived at 7:15 PM and did not get our entrees until 9:30 PM. All while freezing to death outside. In the end, they comped the whole meal (which we thought they should have offered at the outset, rather than trying to ply us with free drinks and dessert, given the egregiousness of the experience. We had plans for after dinner, but wasted an entire evening wasting away outside of Sensei Asian Bistro. If you read this far, congratulations. And I'm sorry. But not as sorry as we are that we ever set foot in Sensei Asian Bistro. read more

Low-key luxury lunch... Loved it. Sensei Asian Bistro was more than just a meal - it was an experience. The ambiance was as amazing as the imaginative decor and cocktails. The food was flavorful, filling and fit well with the overall theme. I was just impressed that they had a hit toddy... that was actually well balanced. We had a starter and a couple of the lunch special. Everything was delish. Hubby and I will be back for a quick date meal sometime soon. read more

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A fun place to have dinner with a trendy environment. A little pricey but service is excellent and food is solid. I had the Mongolian steak - not a stingy portion and the meat was tender and well-seasoned. We had the agedashi tofu, sashimi salad and coconut shrimp as appetizers. I could have skipped the agedashi tofu since the portion was small for the price. The highlight was tiramisu dessert - highly recommend. read more

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This place is great! Came for an early dinner and tried a variety of things on the menu. The Mongolian beef was cooked perfectly, the strawberry sake tasted like there was no alcohol which could be deadly (YOU HAVE TO GET IT), and the veggie gyoza was flavored just right. The sushi boat was presented with a glass of sake, filled with maybe dry ice, and decorated with leafy greens and colorful seafood. The soy sauce is made in house and the basil Thai rice was *chef's kiss* good. We also tried the mochi, but I'd pass on that since it was similar to those in the grocery store. Otherwise, I had a great experience and admired the atmosphere at Sensei. read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - Sushi boat, Thai basil fried rice, Szechuan chicken - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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The aesthetics of this restaurant are amazing. The food is a little on the expensive side but the quality of the food makes up for the price. The workers were extremely nice and food was extremely tasty. The Sichuan chili chicken was great and the seared ribeye sashimi was savory and soft. I would recommend coming here for a fancy date night :)). read more

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Wow! Nothing short of amazing!! If you live or visit Gainesville, you are missing out if you haven't tried this place! Absolute perfection from service to dessert! Presentation, flavor and even the decor of this place was exquisite! Can't wait to return! read more

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We stumbled upon this place and wow, what a delicious surprise! We will absolutely be coming back! My dad had the Tokyo Tea ~ a colorful & sweet cocktail! For starters, we had the coconut shrimp, lobster wontons, and wagyu tataki. The coconut shrimp was yummy and crunchy and the dipping sauce was also good. I had the Sake (salmon) nigiri sushi which was delicious and made me very happy. My dad had the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass which had the most beautiful presentation. Pan seared and perfectly cooked. So for the most wonderful secret: they serve Lady M's Green Tea Crêpe Cake!!!! read more

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Love their Wagu fried rice & their Wagu appetizer!!!! They are both amazing! The duck is also really good.

Fabulous! 10/10 Highly recommend! The ambiance, food, and service are 5 Star!! This is a place I could eat every day.

We were really impressed by this new little Asian spot. Next time we come we will have to try the omakase nigiri boat as that looked absolutely amazing. The menu was rather small but I feel the chef really presented his best work and made sure each menu item was worth it and made the restaurant proud. Really don't have much to say in terms of critique except the drink I had-- the Silk Road of gin, honey, and black tea. The presentation was awesome with an aflame honey comb. It understandably tasted like semi-sweet tea but for a cocktail lacked a depth that could possibly be brought by some bitters. We will definitely be back to try more things. read more

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This place is amazing. A hidden gem in Celebration Pointe. I recommend planning to go two or three times before you find that favorite meal. I had trouble making my final selection on my first visit because I wanted to try every thing. The sushi was amazingly fresh and good portions while the drinks were crafted and presented with an presentation that is unrivaled in Gainesville. Also, my food presentation also was immaculate. read more

Sensei Asian Bistro - Mongolian Ribeye Steak - Asian Fusion Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Pretty presentation Overpriced. Seafood in the Thai soup was over cooked. Very little sushi. "Minimalist" menu taken too far! Saturday afternoon service was great. Had tried it once before. Came with a group and had awful service. read more

Though I generally liked the food here, I wish I had not looked at the menu beforehand because I was greatly disappointed. The pictures of the food on the menu look NOTHING like what was served to us. I think they have since disconnected their gallery with their menu, but we ordered something like a steak sashimi and it came out like medium-well pot roast. The food is generally good, if extremely overpriced. Environment: 5/5 Taste: 4/5 Expectations met: 0/5 Worth it for the price? No. read more