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    Sushi Nakano

    4.6 (315 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars
    Closed Closed

    Sushi Nakano Photos

    Business Info

    SUSHI NAKANO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Nakano

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    Reviews With Photos - Sushi Nakano

    ika geso
    Jessica L.

    I love the thick fish cut on the nigiris. Fish is so fresh. Love the ika geso i wish the portion was bigger. Lots of fish inside the handrolls as well. Some seating inside, you can even sit right in front of the chefs!

    My husband and I came here for a date night tonight, and we had an amazing experience! Everything was absolutely delicious, the service was great and the restaurant was spotlessly clean. The atmosphere is so pleasant and welcoming. We are already looking forward to our next visit! Highly recommend.

    Jazmine C.

    Great sushi spot in Ahwatukee! Clean restaurant, friendly staff, and a fun view of the sushi chefs in action. Watching them prepare the dishes was a highlight. They also have a YouTube award for Life of a Sushi Chef, haven't watched yet, but thought it was worth noting. Their hours are limited (Tuesday-Sunday from 4:30pm-9pm) so would recommend for happy hour or a date night!

    Nice service: a wet towelette with the chopsticks.
    Jeff B.

    First time at Sushi Nakano. I arrived at 12:30 on a Friday and it was half full. The restaurant was located next to Trader Joe's. I ordered the lunch bento box, which had a few choices. I got the mixed tempura and the Cali roll but with spicy tuna. It came with miso soup and a salad, plus rice. Pretty standard bento box. It came to $20.63 plus tip. My soup arrived in less than five mins and was the standard miso soup, with tofu and scallions. My bento box came about seven mins later. The salad was a bit odd. I couldn't tell what the dressing tasted like. It wasn't sesame, nor miso or ginger. It was good, just didn't know. The Cali roll a nice size, with eight pieces. The tempura was the highlight for me, but probably because I love onions so much. There was one prawn, one green bean and three onions. It was tender, fresh and very delicate. Also on the plate, next to the steamed rice, was a tiny seaweed salad. I mixed it with my rice and really enjoyed it. Service was very pleasant, efficient and thorough, even though she was the only one. Definitely a return trip upcoming.

    Specials
    Martha A.

    This place is super cute! The sushi box is a good amount of food for dinner (and delicious), it came with a salad and soup. The service was wonderful and the employees were very sweet.

    Rainbow roll, spider roll, and Sakura roll!
    Kara J.

    Amazing quality in food and service, despite how busy it can get! I would say that expanding the location to more than a couple of tables in a small building space could help with the wait times, but truly, something about the smaller and more intimate space maintains the quality treatment you feel as a customer while dining in. We went on a Friday evening at around 6, and had to wait about 30 minutes, but it was so worth it. The waitresses do it all and keep a respectful approach to their work, while the sushi chefs are clearly passionate about the presentation and quality of their food. Highly recommend to anyone in the Ahwatukee area looking for fresh quality fish and creative rolls!

    Bella G.

    We came for the first time yesterday and had a great experience. The food was awesome and the service was fantastic from the waitress and chefs themselves. We especially loved the negi toro and Agadashi tofu. We will be back for sure!

    Rachel K.

    I was celebrating a new job and knew this would be the perfect place to celebrate with my family. We were not let down! Sushi Nakano has undergone a remodel/refresh recently. It is a classic but modern Japanese sushi restaurant. Impeccably clean and bright. The staff are kind and welcoming. They are responsive and helpful. They give you plenty of space to enjoy your meal but are prompt should anything be required. The food is the true star. A more limited menu but with high quality ingredients and the fish is some of the freshest you will find in Phoenix. The rolls are perfect for sharing. The temaki (hand rolls) were substantial and a great addition for our meal. We ended our meal with the Raijan (i think i spelled that right). It was an elevated Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna. Honestly my favorite bite of food I have had in a long time. If you are in the area, please pop in. If you're not, make the trip. I love this place and it feels so special to have here.

    Heaven R.

    Recognized as one of the Best in Phoenix for 2023!! A must try for sure!! Very intimate restaurant, just the way they are in Japan! Small and cozy! High quality sushi. The Chef is from Tokyo and gets all his fish shipped right from Japan. Rare fishes to have specific specials for those that ask. Definitely worth it all. He even did a little demonstration on Stonefish for us. He knew it was our first time. The chefs are very clean, they washed hands in between each roll when switching fish. The sake was yummy! They typically have specials and only open specific hours of the day. Keep that in mind. Both chefs were extremely nice! Totally worth it we will be returning. The server was nice, she was on it and the only one for the entire restaurant. Love the extra touch if the wet wipe. If you know you know!!

    Salmon Belly w/ Ume Ponzu
    Sabrina H.

    THE BEST. No notes. No, but really. If you think there is a better sushi restaurant in the valley than Sushi Nakano, you are simply wrong. Nothing beats this place. From the food to the service to the ambiance... everything made up for the most perfect experience. I never thought that my all-time favorite spot for sushi would be in Phoenix, but I've been twice already and I absolutely loved each time! This is my boyfriend and I's go-to spot every time he's visiting back in Arizona. We always try to make time to stop here and indulge in a few nigiri pieces and handrolls. Each time, we had the pleasure of being served by both Chef Janet and Chef Leo, the sweetest couple. We always sit at the bar just so we can engage in conversation with the chefs, you learn a lot about their history and work such as the interesting and unique techniques they use. Chef Leo actually uses a traditional barrel aged soy sauce, which can take up to a few years to make. The first time we came, Chef Janet kindly crafted us her favorite handroll for dessert to try - a tamago handroll with a sweet soy based sauce that was soft and heavenly. The fish itself is incredible. My favorite has to be the salmon belly with ume ponzu. I swear my body started to float and 20 years were added to my lifespan after having this perfect bite. A few other things I loved: unagi, toro, any of the handrolls! They have a bay scallop one that is extremely creamy and salmon cucumber that is so fresh. I want to try everything on their menu, you really can't go wrong with any of the options. It seems like they have quite a few regulars as they greet each guest with such familiarity. The customers already know off the top of their head what they want, and the chefs deliver. We made a mental note to order a few of their popular sushi rolls the next time we dine here - they look so pretty and delicious. There's also the sweetest waitress that rushes to open the door for you! The fish is also quite affordable - especially for how high quality everything is. They pack each handroll with a generous amount of fish. They do not skimp. The total for two people would come out to be a little less than $100 without tip, and we would leave feeling full! We will continue to stay true and loyal to Sushi Nakano forever. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality and keep up the amazing work!

    Spiny Tuna Crispy Rice
    Brittany E.

    Hands down one of the best sushi restaurants in the valley. I've visited many and none of them come close. It's a go to date night spot and certainly a hidden gem. The owner is almost always there and recognizes us. Small but mighty team, quaint space, and high quality food. Really all you can ask for in a solid restaurant.

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    6 years ago

    This is amongst the best sushi I have ever had both in quality and treatment. Truly superb.

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    7 years ago

    This place is small but large and in charge when it comes to the food. Amazing food, high quality and the chefs plate never disappoints.

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    7 years ago

    I will never go to another sushi place. Neal, Michael and Byron are the absolute best. Everyone should experience Sushi Nakano!!

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    5 years ago

    Average sushi for the price. Was actually disappointed. Sushi Ken and Ginban are better for your money!

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    Page 5 of 8

    Ask the Community - Sushi Nakano

    Lunch specials?? and do they offer them on weekends?

    No, they are only open for dinner. But worth it!

    How much is the omakase?

    $180 for 14pc of handcrafted sushi!

    Does this business have a happy hour?

    There was a Happy hour on Friday's, might want to call to verify. Discount on sashimi/sushi & drinks.

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    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown

    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown

    4.6
    (3.2k reviews)
    11.1 mi
    $$$

    Easily has become my new favorite Japanese restaurant! Our server Brad was by far the biggest…read morehighlight outside of our delicious meal! He went out of his way to take care of us and he was such a delight to talk to. We had a big group too and the food came out so quickly! I would drive out of my way just to come back here .

    We were going downtown for a concert, craving some sushi and found this place on Yelp. No…read morereservations available, I did check their website where you can be adding to a waitlist, but it stated currently no waitlist and invited us to just arrive at restaurant. We arrived a little after 5pm and the restaurant was mostly empty. But in the next 20 minutes it filled up and there was open sitting at the bar only. The mood was initially quiet but quickly turned more up beat as the restaurant filled and pop rock music was playing. We asked our waiter a few questions about a few of their rolls and he was very helpful with guidance and recommendations. We ordered Salmon Lemon, Spicy Tuna, Salmon Avocado Maki and California rolls to share for two. This restaurant uses purple rice rather than traditional white rice. This was the first time we have tried a sushi roll made with purple rice and we both loved it. It added a nutty flavor and hearty texture. Purple rice is similar to wild rice and far nutritionally superior to white rice with more antioxidant and fiber. Shortly after we ordered we were served a potsticker dish. I mentioned that we did not order the item and were informed the appetizer was complementary. We thanked the server and tasted the dish. The potstickers were nicely pan fried and had a great crust and flavorful chicken filling. Delicious! About five minutes later our rolls were delivered. All were fresh tasting and delicious. Our favorite was the Salmon Lemon roll. We loved the pop the lemon added. Honorable mentions to the Spicy Tuna roll, very well done, excellent balance of heat and flavors. We truly enjoyed our dining experience and look forward to returning. Highly recommended for a quality sushi experience!

    Photos
    Bar/waiting area
    Bar/waiting area
    Mt. Fuji Roll (~$17)
    Mt. Fuji Roll (~$17)
    Bite View

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    Bite View
    Zu Izakaya

    Zu Izakaya

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    11.0 mi
    $$

    Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

    Awesome late night spot, for decent quality Japanese eats, and in the Tempe-Scottsdale area. Zu…read moreIzakaya was a solid post-study dinner spot when I was a student, and this time it definitely held up! We were nearby for a show, and decided to stop in on a Wednesday evening for a late dinner with some friends. They have a good happy hour menu, and my friends ordered off there, but I was craving sushi so I got the nigiri omakase. It came with miso soup, which I enjoyed, definitely hard to go wrong there. The sushi itself was decent, nothing crazy, but definitely better than grocery store quality. The tuna and salmon pieces were a little fishy, maybe not the freshest, but it was also quite late (~10pm) so I wasn't expecting too much. Beautifully presented, and the cuts were quite large which was nice! The food came out pretty fast, and the service was pleasant. The restaurant vibes are pretty dark, and moody. The bathroom was kind of scary personally, super dark and a little messy, so I decided to wait till I got home. Overall, a solid experience, and definitely a good choice if I am in the area.

    Photos
    Lots of inside seating options
    Lots of inside seating options
    JJAMBBONG POT
    JJAMBBONG POT
    NIGIRI OMAKASE

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    NIGIRI OMAKASE
    Sake Haus

    Sake Haus

    4.4
    (305 reviews)
    11.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    Our plan was to have dinner at Pedal Haus before an event, but our plan quickly changed. The…read morebrewery was packed with people watching the last game of the NBA finals AND the World Cup. We shifted gears and went next door to Sake Haus, and I'm so glad we did! Everything was spectacular! First of all--BEST edamame I've ever had! That tallow really adds a richness! And the gyoza had just the right amount of kick to them. We had both the hamachi crudo and the halibut crudo. They were both delicious, but the hamachi was the standout. Hamachi is usually a little too fishy for me, but this just melted in my mouth and left me wanting more. We also had one of the specials, the 808 roll. It was topped with poke, and we would not let them take the plate until we'd scooped up every little morsel! Cocktails and service were excellent as well. We definitely ended up with a pricier meal than what we'd planned next door, but it was totally worth it! I wish I'd taken pics of the beautifully plated dishes, but I was too just eating!

    Met up with a friend here for light snacks and drinks and the ambiance of the time start was ver…read moremuch calm, fun and eccentric in a good way. Service was great and the quality of the food was simply amazing. We ordered orange blossom which was salmon and another tuna one that I don't recall the name. Both tasted very fresh and the sear on the tuna was amazing

    Photos
    Hai Melon Highball
    Hai Melon Highball
    PYT Chef's Special
    PYT Chef's Special
    Atmosphere at Sake Haus

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    Atmosphere at Sake Haus
    Palma

    Palma

    4.1
    (728 reviews)
    11.5 mi
    $$

    I had sushi in Arizona and it was great! I would order it again too…read more This was one of the best restaurants we ate at while in Phoenix! Everyone in our party enjoyed their meal too. Noodle salad, shrimp tacos and the crispy chicken sandwich. The service was great too. We sat inside but the patio had misters. There were quite a few people sitting outside on their beautiful patio.

    I am really conflicted about this review. The establishment itself is nice on the outside and OK on…read morethe inside too. We didn't have a reservation however we put our name on the waiting list when we arrived and was able to sit within the first 20 minutes. While waiting on the waitlist, we were gonna sit at the outside bar. But upon our arrival of the bar back/bartender was rude and throw the menu at us. No sir, we are here to spend money and we don't need you making our drinks. So we promptly headed inside. At the inside bar, we were served by the manager, and she was delightful. Such a change from the barback that was outside who clearly was hung over. On the inside bar, we ordered the blood orange margarita frozen with a tajin rim. It was good. We eventually were set at a table and Q was our server. Q was a breath of fresh air compared to the experience we had outside, even though he was swamped with several tables inside and outside we never had to wait too long to place an order refresh on the drinks or get any type of accommodation. For food, I got the beef hash. Overall it was tasty. I did have to ask for some butter to put on my toast and the toast was dry. Also had to ask for a knife. I don't know how they expected me to get the jelly from the packets onto the damn toast. My husband ordered the breakfast sandwich and he enjoyed that but wanted more meat so I would see if you could ask for an extra Patty for a little bit of a up charge to make sure you're full. He also ordered the burger to go and he enjoyed that we shared the five spice beignets and those were a nice treat very fluffy and were fried just like they do down in New Orleans. I will say that the accompanying caramel sauce was interesting. I didn't hate it, but I'm not sure. I like it either. Overall, it was a good dining experience maybe comeback for happy hour. I don't think I'll be back for brunch as the floor was sticky some of the staff or hung over and getting items at times took a while. Also, I thought my drink was a little weak when I ordered the blood orange shaken margarita but the one in the machine was pretty good so there's that. I will say that the overall experience was OK. I just think they're lacking in some senior leadership and you could tell that the place is being ran by people that are pretty young. It just feels more like a club vibe than going there for a restaurant like experience.

    Photos
    Inside bar
    Inside bar
    Palma [Share] Popcorn Chicken
    Palma [Share] Popcorn Chicken
    Lavender Sour and Splash

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    Lavender Sour and Splash
    Bisutoro

    Bisutoro

    3.9
    (203 reviews)
    14.4 mi
    $$$
    Fine dining
    Takes reservations

    We came here for restaurant week. The menu was great and delicious, perfect amount of food for me…read moreto try a bit of everything on the menu. We each did the restaurant week menu and shared. The appetizer was amazing, we each got the crispy rice and I love that each one was a different fish and slightly different flavor. I don't remember which roll we got, I think it was the blue dragon one, but that was delicious, good amount of rice and fish and great flavor. The truffle rib pasta was good as well, the short ribs were cooked perfectly and the flavor on that was insane. I do wish that they would've tossed the pasta in the same sauce the rib came in before adding it to the red pasta sauce. The pasta sauce itself lacked flavor and just tasted like blended down tomatoes. If the pasta had a scoop of the rib sauce too, that would be absolutely insane!! For dessert we didn't have a choice and it was just the miso caramel cheesecake. Now that is some of the best cheesecake I've had in an incredibly long time. I don't taste the miso flavor in the caramel besides the salty sweetness of it but that combo was perfect, especially with the homemade candied pecans. I don't know if the cheesecake was left out or purposefully like that but I love how when the cheesecake was served it wasn't cold! Usually cheesecake is served really cold and kind of like a cream cheese brick you have to cut into it with your fork. But this was barely chilled so the cheesecake was not super cold and it just melts in your mouth. It's so smooth, best dish of the night hands down. This place was very nice and great location. Everything is clean and a great ambience. There's a bar you can sit at when you walk in before you go to the tables. I do think that every side smaller table should automatically have the table lamp for light because it was just too dark to see the menu from my perspective. It looks like great lighting in the pictures because the phone took it in night mode and corrected the lighting but... it's a bit dark and I saw that they do have those modern battery table lamps so I think every table against the wall should have it. Now onto why it's only 4 stars. The service was so beyond incredibly slow. I kid you not we waited 35min at least before our first dish was served and it wasn't even the appetizer, it was the entree rib pasta. You could tell just how short staffed they were and you could hear that there's only 1 sushi chef 1 regular chef and that's it for the kitchen. I don't know who is managing the shift schedule, maybe it's because we came on Memorial Day, but this type of service is not acceptable. I don't take this on the employees at all. They were so incredibly nice and apologetic and doing the best they can and even the front of house was now bussing tables to help out!!! Because they're so busy, I had to keep reminding different waiters for small things like ginger for my sushi 3x, refill on my water, and he almost said we're good to go without paying the check but we didn't even receive our cheesecake dessert yet OR paid the bill. In total it took us 2 hours from sitting down, ordering within 5min, and waiting and waiting and waiting to eat... inexcusable on management

    Catfished! Pictures are deceptive. This is tough...I was excited to try this place as a trusted…read morefoodie friend said the food was good. That was NOT at all my experience. I will mention the place is designed very nicely. For starters the food was bland, except the shishito peppers. The peppers were fantastic and that's the only thing I enjoyed. The ramen was second best compared to the other items. Edamame was good. The sushi roll, seaweed would not break down as I was chewing it and the roll didn't have much flavor to it. Now for the reason for the two stars...the crispy rice. The bites are soooo big I had to cut them in half in order to eat it (good thing) because when I broke the second one in half; I found a black HAIR about the same length of a finger cooked in the rise (I'm blonde by the way). I was shocked and hate complaining. I wasn't going to say anything as I lost my appetite. My friend who was dinning with me, said something politely. The waiter said okay I'll get you another one and ran away with the plate before we got a chance to said we didn't want another one. We saw him show the manager and she okayed him to make another. I was shocked the manager or waiter didn't apologize, wasn't shocked by it, acted normal like nothing was wrong. For this reason I will not be returning. Again my other friend had a great experience and I had a bad one, so 50/50 shot. I know we are human and mistakes happen. It was the way it was handled that drop the rating. Along with bland food for the price.

    Photos
    Bisutoro
    Bisutoro
    Bisutoro

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    Sushi Nakano - sushi - Updated July 2026

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