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    Sun Sushi and Izakaya

    4.0 (33 reviews)

    Sun Sushi and Izakaya Photos

    SUN SUSHI AND IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

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    Madison J.

    This place was really great. We went for the lunch AYCE and had a really great experience. Our server was so nice and continued to come back to make sure we had all our order in and our waters were refilled. The sushi was okay quality, typical for an ayce place. The servings were on the smaller side which works out perfectly for trying lots of rolls, not as good if you're ordering al la carte. The salmon nigiri was really tender. I wish there was more variety available on their lowest tier of ayce, but overall still a good experience.

    Scallop and flying fish egg nigiri
    Adam J.

    This is a great new AYCE sushi place in Gainesville. They have some "rules" around the AYCE service like 90 minute timer and you can't place more orders until your previous orders are all delivered, but they really didn't take away from our experience much at all. We went for lunch which I would recommend, I didn't feel that ordering from the orange and blue tiers would be worthwhile. Because of the AYCE, the variety of rolls is somewhat limited. But overall the quality of sushi was great, and we absolutely got our money's worth at $25 for lunch. The salmon and yellowtail were incredible, the tuna was a bit lower quality but not bad. I would definitely return.

    Theos R.

    First off, incredible experience with the server Yonna. Her service was legendary! She was so efficient, friendly, and did a phenomenal job in explaining the menu as well as AYCE options. This new sushi restaurant opened up recently (1-2 months ago) and seems to be pretty slow in the summer time in Gainesville. It should pick up in the Fall. If you look at the price structure, it is incredibly fair. I got the base AYCE black option, but would likely try the orange or blue in the future. The service was incredibly swift. After placing an order, I had my first set of appetizers and sushi rolls within 10 minutes time. The flavor of everything was also fairly solid. The quality was good for the price, and there was a large variety of options. I would absolutely come back in the future. Very solid restaurant!

    Yellowtail sashimi
    Tina N.

    Came here with a party of 6 and were seated immediately. The server was very accommodating and thorough with his explanation of the menu and AYCE tiers. The interior is beautiful and the owner came and chatted with us towards the end of our meal. Fun fact- he built and installed everything you see in there! We got the Orange tier which means the whole menu can be ordered. Best bites: yellowtail sashimi, hamachi kama, and fresh oyster(from Japan)

    First let me preface by saying we very much enjoyed the former restaurant (Swamp Boil) that was housed here previously and when it closed we anxiously waited for something new to take it's place. We couldn't be more thrilled that Sun Sushi has arrived! This week we decided to take advantage of the 20% off for their grand opening, and we were not disappointed. Yes, there are some rules, but once you understand what you can and can't do it becomes easier. ORANGE menu (Reg. $39.95/pp) you get to try EVERYTHING from the Orange, Blue, and Black price lists! (Limit 5 out of the 10 from Orange and Blue priced items with no repeats!) BLUE menu (Reg. $35.95/pp) is everything on the Blue list and all of the Black. (Limit 5 out of the 10 from the Blue priced items with no repeats!) *TIP: Also, you are allowed to order up to 5 items at a time per person, each time you order. I would recommend doing that in the beginning at the very least, so you will have food to enjoy early on. We went on Wednesday early evening at 6pm and it was already half filled with diners and with more coming in. We were seated promptly and within five minutes the lovely Ayonna/Yonna came and took our drink orders. It took about another 20 minutes before we were able to order, but we welcomed that time to peruse the extensive menu. Ayonna/Yonna continued to check on us, and her service was EXCELLENT! From previous reviews about "small" portions we came with lowered expectations, but then realized you can really enjoy this more by thinking of it as a "tasting menu", however most sushi rolls were full-sized! That being said we personally tried our hardest not to consume too much with rice and found EVERYTHING we tried was so fresh and delicious. Of course, we eventually succumbed to some really awesome sushi rolls. There's also a "90 minute rule" for ordering, but they don't adhere strictly to that, and we think it was meant to encourage people to dine and not linger. We tried so many different things and hardly made a dent in the large AYCE menu, but after being there for almost 2.5 hours we had no complaints at all about the food or the service. One star taken off for atmosphere as the noise level was really loud at it's busiest, and for the young *bus* girl who seemed to just be wandering around looking for something to do and not doing much of anything! We left very happy and satisfied, and since there are no pictures of the menu items listed, I hope that my pictures will help some folks make decisions about what to try. We will certainly be back! Parking: Parking is a shared lot between Dollar General and several other businesses in this shopping plaza.

    Crazy salmon roll

    Great portions, quality, and service, new and clean interior. Good variety of sashimi and nigiri. You'll get your money's worth. I recommend the lime hotate buri and crazy salmon roll

    Example of what we ordered

    Wife and I ate here, it was great overall. Chef did an amazing job with the sushi. We eat sushi a lot and most places don't "dress/flavor" sashimi but here they do an it was a great selection. The "rules" are simple pretty much don't order 5 rolls at a time. I know I was curious if I was limited but they would prefer just 2-3 at a time per person. Service in beginning was slacking but then Brittany took over after noticing. She was amazing at explaining the menu, food items and all around fun personality. Service is top notch with her so make sure to ask for her. Also the atmosphere was nice, not to quiet or loud, I could see a big patio but didn't go out there. Cool spot to go and will be back often!

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    Ask the Community - Sun Sushi and Izakaya

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    Hana

    Hana

    4.3
    (273 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    I'm in town for a work trip and was looking for somewhere to grab dinner when I came across Hana…read more The reviews were great, sushi sounded good, so I decided to take a chance, and I'm so glad I did! The first night it was CRAZY busy. It's a smaller restaurant, and even though I was sitting at the bar, I had to wait a little because the kitchen was backed up. I honestly didn't mind because I figured that was probably a good sign that I picked the right place! I sat at the bar and was taken care of by Will. I overheard that he had literally just come from working his first job and was starting his second shift, and you never would've known it. He was on top of everything, taking care of his tables and everyone at the bar while still being friendly and attentive. He recommended the Lonely Angel roll, and it was a 10/10. I had it with miso soup and a glass of wine and left very happy with my choice. Well, I worked all day the next day and hadn't eaten, and I'm a creature of habit. If somewhere is good, I'm going back! I went back a little earlier this time, so it was much quieter, and to my surprise Will was behind the bar again. I got to talk with him a little more and he was super personable and genuinely enjoyable to chat with. He recommended a tuna tobachi and a Hokkaido roll, and somehow they were BOTH even better than what I had the night before. Seriously, 100/10. Great food, great service, and clearly consistent enough to get me there two days in a row. If I'm ever back in Gainesville, I will absolutely be back. Definitely ask Will what he recommends because he hasn't missed yet!

    I'm from Atlanta and have had some of its finest sushi but this place is a 5 star plus. Leo our…read moreserver and staff were spot on. Their quality of fish absolutely the best I've had anywhere. Chu toro, uni, salmon,scallops, & real wasabi root. Could be best in the South. Try it's fabulous. Cheers.

    Photos
    Hana
    Chicken and Shrimp Hibachi Meal
    Chicken and Shrimp Hibachi Meal
    Steak Hibachi Lunch Portion

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    Steak Hibachi Lunch Portion
    Mahzu Sushi & Grill

    Mahzu Sushi & Grill

    4.2
    (350 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    I am so glad I tried this place out today. I was craving for a premium sushi rice bowl today, and…read moresaw that this restaurant had a Hokkaido don bowl, which had premium scallops from Hokkaido Japan, sea urchin (uni), and red fish eggs (ikura). Soup was included too. It was a decent size bowl with generous portions of each mentioned fish. It tasted mostly fresh, with the uni having the premium silky flavor, the ikura having the briny pop, and the scallops having the buttery texture with a hint of lemon since they sliced it. The rice was flavorful with the added seasonings. It was definitely a luxury splurge. And best of all, it was a great deal for only 30 dollars. The soup was nothing special, but still refreshing and enjoyable. The service was pretty casual, but quick and friendly. The atmosphere is very casual with a limited amount of tables, and the sushi bar is pretty small. When you enter, you would think it was just a counter service or takeout restaurant. At least there was nice Japanese music in the background. This restaurant is a great example of why you shouldn't judge it by it's atmosphere. While it looks so casual and a little boring, their Hokkaido bowl makes it feel luxurious. It was well worth the splurge and such a great deal for 30 dollars. I will definitely eat here again whenever I visit Gainesville, and try their Mahzu don next time, which uses other higher end fishes they have. Overall: A

    Good sushi at affordable prices. The place is very…read moreoverwhelmed and understaffed (hence, the rating). Casual dining, lots of UF students. I would definitely return for the food. Free Parking available in the parking lot in front.

    Photos
    Inari ikura uni
    Inari ikura uni
    Sushi sashimi combo
    Sushi sashimi combo
    Hokkaido bowl - sea urchins,  Hokkaido scallops, and red fish eggs. A great deal for 30 dollars.

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    Hokkaido bowl - sea urchins, Hokkaido scallops, and red fish eggs. A great deal for 30 dollars.
    Arashi Yama Sushi & Hibachi

    Arashi Yama Sushi & Hibachi

    4.5
    (140 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    We checked this place out about a year and a half ago, so we wanted to come back and leave an…read moreupdated review. We arrived later on a Saturday night craving hibachi and sushi, and it definitely hit the spot. I ordered the steak hibachi with fried rice, and my husband went with the lobster roll. My meal started with a cup of miso soup and if you follow our adventures you know I love miso. They did not disappoint. It was hot, flavorful, and tasted freshly made with good ingredients. For a drink I ordered a Long Drink. We first tried these at a local festival and fell in love, so when we saw a citrus flavor we had never tried before we were excited to order it. My hibachi came out hot and smelled amazing. The steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce mixed into the rice was really good. I do wish they gave just a little extra sauce for the rice. The rice itself was a bit stiff, but the sauce helped a lot. We also came about an hour before closing, so we were not too bothered by that. Our waitress was good, and her coworker stepped in to help when she was busy, which we appreciated. I also liked that you can see the sushi chefs working right there, and my husband really enjoyed his roll. The restaurant was very clean, including the bathrooms, which always matters. I also have to mention the water because it actually tasted good. If you know, you know how rare that can be. They also have plenty of parking, which makes things easy. Overall we had a great experience and it was the perfect spot for a much needed date night.

    Saw numerous reviews on this restaurant, so after the gym wife and I headed there when they opened…read moreup, got sat right down right away. Our Server Annie was very friendly and very helpful with the menu. Love the decor ,very modern, a lot of lighting aesthetics. soft music playing over speakers We ordered a couple appetizers which came out hot, also been getting into sushi lately. So we ordered a roll to share as an appetiter as well, very fresh. Very good, they have a large variety of sushi rolls, raw and cooked. I learned the black Fried Rice with chicken supposed to be more healthy than regular Fried Rice for you. It was very very good! My wife got the spicy seafood soup, which was very good.I tried a little bit of that as well. I can see why all the reviews were really good. Its definitely one of my top 3 now!!

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    Arashi Yama Sushi & Hibachi
    Arashi Yama Sushi & Hibachi
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    Momoyaki

    Momoyaki

    4.1
    (364 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    That sushi boat was rockin! But really, this was hands down some of the best sushi I've had in GNV…read more A great spot for an anniversary, birthday, any big celebration, or just a chill night out with friends. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating, and tables for big parties and small ones. Big fan of the sushi boat - there's a classic sushi boat option and a signature boat. I would highly recommend going for the signature as their speciality rolls are to die for! Great value for the amount of sushi you get. Plenty for a party of 2. 2 spotlights were the surf n' turf and Godzilla. Love this place! 5 big stars

    Listen, the decor in here is incredible. It's cute, it's curated, it's everything a mood board is…read moresupposed to be. The staff? Beautiful people. Attentive. Great energy. But you can't eat the wallpaper. I'm looking at this chicken and I'm confused. I thought we were doing something sophisticated, but they brought out those boneless nuggets you find in the back of the freezer at 2:00 AM. Then they hit it with a drizzle of ketchup like it's a consolation prize. This isn't Korean Fried Chicken; it's a school lunch with a passport. It's dishonest. Then you got the pork belly. I don't know if this pig was an athlete or if it's just been sitting back there since the grand opening, but it's got the texture of a pink eraser. I'm chewing and chewing, just waiting for a flavor that never shows up. My jaw is doing a full-body workout. I didn't come here for a survival mission, I came here for a snack. And please, watch yourself when you pull up. There is a pothole in the lot that looks like a portal to another dimension. An asteroid literally made a home in front of the building. If you hit that thing, your car is staying there forever. The service is elite and the chairs are nice, but the kitchen is confused. It's style over substance. Take a picture for the 'gram, say hi to the nice server, and then go get a burger somewhere else. Don't do this to your suspension or your stomach.

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    Much better inside!!!
    Much better inside!!!
    Korean Chicken, Steak, Vegetarian Noodles...Japchae
    Korean Chicken, Steak, Vegetarian Noodles...Japchae
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    Koto Hibachi Express & Sushi

    Koto Hibachi Express & Sushi

    3.9
    (47 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    We had really high hopes for this place. Even though it's a quick-service restaurant and more…read morebudget-friendly, we were expecting a better experience. Unfortunately, we must have visited on an off night. My rice was hard, the steak tasted like it had been reheated, and some of the vegetables were cold in spots. The staff was very friendly, and there's plenty of parking in the large lot, which was a plus. My husband ordered sushi and said it was good, so that may be the better option. If you're planning to get the steak hibachi, I'd recommend going during a busier time when the food is likely being made fresh. Unfortunately, based on our experience, we probably won't be back.

    Koto was not what I was expecting for our first time visit, which was good and bad…read more The good: prices were excellent, inside was bright and clean. The unexpected: It is not a sit-down restaurant. You order at the counter, they call you back to retrieve your tray, then seat yourself, get your own drink refills and bus your own trays. (This is also how the prices stay so low I'm sure) But this did not make for a date night, experience lol. It did make us laugh at ourselves for not checking reviews ahead of time. The not so great: Noise level was borderline too loud due to the plethora of hard surfaces and unnecessary club-like mix being played. The sushi rolls were decent, not great, but I guess what I would expect for the price point. Would I go back, yes - but probably for lunch or very casual early dinner where my expectations are much more in line with the experience.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    L-R: Salmon Avocado Roll - Rainbow Roll*  - Snow Mountain Roll - Fire Cracker Roll (Fried Roll)
    L-R: Salmon Avocado Roll - Rainbow Roll* - Snow Mountain Roll - Fire Cracker Roll (Fried Roll)
    L-R: Rainbow Roll*  - Snow Mountain Roll - Fire Cracker Roll (Fried Roll)

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    L-R: Rainbow Roll* - Snow Mountain Roll - Fire Cracker Roll (Fried Roll)
    Dragonfly Sushi and Sake

    Dragonfly Sushi and Sake

    4.2
    (1k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Dragonfly is an experience from start to finish. It's one of the best restaurants in Gainesville…read morefor a special occasion, especially if you're a sushi lover. I was a little hesitant about sitting outside since, well, it's Gainesville and it seems to rain all the time. But the patio was incredibly comfortable, and the atmosphere was just as enjoyable as dining indoors. Even if outdoor seating is your only option, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. The food was phenomenal, easily a 10/10. The sushi and sashimi felt incredibly fresh and authentic, and I had one of the best sushi rolls I've ever eaten. The service was just as impressive. Our server was genuinely kind, attentive, and made my birthday feel extra special throughout the evening. Between the incredible food, welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service, Dragonfly absolutely lives up to the hype. I can't recommend it enough.

    I've been to Dragonfly a few times now. It lives up to the hype! The space is large, dimly lit, and…read moreperfect for a date night or special evening out. Every time we've visited, we have tried something new. For their appetizers, we always order the Brussels sprouts, Shisito peppers, and tuna fried rice. For rolls, we have really enjoyed Kobra Cai and Bomb. All of their drinks are also delicious. Our servers have been so friendly each time and always provided great service! The food comes out quick and they always check in periodically to make sure we don't need anything. I would highly recommend visiting!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Dragonfly Sushi and Sake
    Cute plaza area in downtown. Nice place to relax and walk around.

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    Cute plaza area in downtown. Nice place to relax and walk around.

    Sun Sushi and Izakaya - sushi - Updated August 2026

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