Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The General Public

    3.4 (190 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 11:00 PM

    The General Public Photos

    Business Info

    THE GENERAL PUBLIC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Loud
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like The General Public

    Recommended Reviews - The General Public

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The Yoko (front) & Popeye Roll (back)
    Dana S.

    Just looking at it from the outside, I always thought the aesthetic of this place was kind of garish, which put me off from visiting, but my friend lives nearby and recommended it for a big group of us, and when I actually was made to go in and give it a chance, I thought the look was actually genuinely eccentric in kind of a fun way. And they were able to seat a party of 8 immediately on Sunday night which was great. They have so many rolls it was hard to choose, but I ended up going with the Popeye Roll and the Yoko, two veggie rolls. The Popeye was basically gomaae in sushi form and as a gomaae fan I really enjoyed this. Unusual but simple. The Yoko had a lot more going on but was also really good. I liked this because it had lots of layers of flavour which is sometimes hard to find with vegetarian sushi (at least at places that aren't specialized). The house rolls (6-8 pieces) come at a pretty good price! The veggie rolls are all under $10 and the non-veg are all in the $8.5-$11.5 range. Basic rolls are even cheaper, the oshi are all $15. The entrees are also a great deal, everything is under $20 with most plates being around $15. I ended up getting a cocktail too, the Coco Colada. Definitely could have used more rum, just from a flavour standpoint to cut the sweetness of all the juice, although I didn't get as much of an effect as I usually do when I drink so I doubt there was a full 2oz in there. Our waitress was good. Friendly enough and attentive without being overbearing. It seemed like they mostly brought the dishes out as they were ready, so there was some staggering. Maybe that's just part of the deal when you go out as a group of 8, but one person ordered donburi and it didn't come out until everyone else was done or almost done so I felt a little bad for him.

    a bowl of soup and a bowl of soup
    Allison K.

    I'm giving a solid three stars for The General Public. A few things are preventing me from giving this place a higher star review: #1 As an avid crafter, I appreciate the work that went into the busy decor. However as the evening went on and the natural light started to dim, the black light lamps kicked in and my eyes started going berserk from all the different colours turning into neon shades. Instant headache. The music was a tad on the loud side. I had to ask my daughter to repeat herself often #2 Service was friendly but slow. #3 the food took a very long time to arrive. To balance my review, here are three great things: #1 the food was delicious #2 the ambiance was chill and relaxed #3 the restaurant was clean including washrooms. I've never been to a Japanese style pub before. Definitely a new experience for me. Will we go back? Probably not. We went tonight because we were craving Japanese food and they were the only Japanese place that offered dine-in.

    Kelven W.

    We've driven by here a few times and it looked like a pub. What we thought was a bit weird was that there's a sushi roll sign hanging outside of it. That struck us as very odd so we finally decided to give this a shot. It definitely felt like a dark pub with lots of eclectic decorations all over the place. They presented us the menu and lo & behold, it was a sushi menu. Lots of drinks to also order but we stuck to the food. There seemed to be a never ending list of options for sushi (seriously!) and a pretty creative names for most. We decided on the Barbie roll, dragon roll, Godzilla and the Main. All of them were quite good and fresh. They definitely pride themselves on making it a unique experience and enjoyed the food. Definitely come here for a funky fresh sushi event and get your drink on (if that's what you want).

    perfection
    Chelsea A.

    CAN WE BRAGGGGG ABOUT THIS PLACE FOR A SECOND. After you find parking its all uphill from there. The decor of this place is DECENT. It is unique and adds to your visit immediately. Then the servers look comfortable, they can dress their speed so they add to the ambience. Our server was named Sabrina and she did a great job explaining the menu and attending to our party of 5. Miso soup always a must, and I got some drink that came in a mason jar that was perfect, as well as some chocolatey kinda shot I loved... Prices are reasonable and I was definitely in my happy place! I was visiting Vancouver from DC and this definitely add to my trip. Thank you all!

    Lychee mojito mason jar, soooooooo delicious and refreshing
    Diane R.

    Cool atmosphere, delicious drinks, yummy food and great service! The ring of fire platter was all so delicious and great to share with 2 (or 3) people, 2 of us had the equivalent of 1 roll leftover. Not pictured but also DELICIOUS was the Fat Elvis, definitely a fun place to go out for some tasty eats

    Becky M.

    I enjoyed my experience here. It's very visually stimulating as they have bright art creations hanging all over the room. They also have a large movie screen on which they display films and have a cool tiki style bar. I always liked the Eatery in Kits, so I was happy to hear its sister restaurant was on Main St. To be honest, I thought I'd be more blown away by their sushi creations, but I think I just need to try more of them. I only had two rolls - the S&M roll and the crunchy spicy tuna. I'll definitely be back to try more of their rolls. I like that you can order platters to share; I think that's the best way to try many rolls at once. They also have interesting bowls of fish & rice as well as several vegetarian options. I like the local beer they have on tap. I had Driftwood's Fat Tug IPA; that's a go-to for me whenever I'm at a restaurant that serves it. There are also several other options for drinks.

    Leena S.

    Being a vegetarian, and loving sushi can be very difficult. However, with the general publics vegetarian options - it makes it SO much easier! I am very happy with the menu, so much to choose from they definitely can accomodate vegan/vegetarians! Great vibes inside, well decorated, great spot for large groups, good patio. Cant wait to come back and explore more items on the menu!

    Andrew S.

    For the longest time, I thought this place was a pub since people on the patio have caesars, sangria, beer, etc. My friends asked if I wanted #sushi and I said 'sure'. They also originally thought this place was a pub but said it's sushi. It's like The Eatery so inside has hanging displays made up of toys put together into bigger objects like gun. Also you may get the 'hot girl discount' when you come with some girls. Would it be bad if you come with some girls and don't get the discount? Got the lychee mojito. It was really good, had lots of mint. We ordered a bunch of rolls and appetizers. The aburi was good and somewhat melts in the mouth. The 'finding nemo' us like the spider roll. The 'roe money roe problems' was pretty good. I would come back and try their other items.

    Issabelle F.

    2 main reasons you should visit The General: 1) Cool AF vibes. Dark lighting, neon furniture, UV lights, cool decor made out of toys, and old movies on their large tv screens. This place screams trendy the minute you walk in. 2) The delicious, delicious, delicious, sushi. If you're a fan of authentic, simple, plain sushi... then skip this place, because it is not for you. But if you're a fan of sushi that's deep fried, unhealthy, and covered in sauce (like me), then you need to come here ASAP. Just a few things I've tried and loved: + Miso Soup + The Berkeley + Jalapeno Popper Roll + Green Hornet + X Rated + Dragon Roll + Red Ninja + Devil's Tail But real talk, I think I could eat everything on their menu and be happy. Choosing something to eat from this menu was a struggle. I'd recommend bringing a small group along with you and ordering 6-7 rolls and splitting them all between your group. It'll be more than enough. Honestly, this spot is like the cooler older sibling of other sushi restaurants in the city. I can't believe how long I've gone without checking it out. Now that this place is on my radar, I will definitely be back more often than not. The General is also the sister restaurant of The Eatery in Kits. I have yet to visit, but if it's anything as good as The General, then I know I'm going to love it just as much.

    Funky atmosphere.
    Tammy C.

    This is my second time here. I came back for the spicy tofu agadashi. The first time I met friends on Sunday night. I had heard people talking about this place already and was happy my friends suggested it. The spicy tofu agadashi is so yummy. I had suggested we share, but my friends said oh no, you won't want to share it. They were so right but loved it. This is a bustling restaurant and very hip. The service was excellent and everything was amazing. My server on this visit went above and beyond. I was so Jonesing for the tofu agadashi that I arrived just before opening. She was kind enough to see me and let me in. Her name is Holly and she's been wonderful. All the staff seem wonderful

    See all

    Photo of Anisa W.
    3
    380
    349

    9 months ago

    A mid sushi spot, I feel the music is always too loud esp when theres a DJ/show theyre playing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Love the eclectic decor here. Had the Ebi Mayo, the baked San Francisco sushi and the Sailor Moon cocktail. Everything was delicious!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt D.
    220
    15
    7

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Holy fuck this place has awful service. We were there 25 min before we got our drinks and over an hour before the food came.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Edward L.
    605
    3887
    47650

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of George A.
    17
    479
    906

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Sushi Bars 14,088 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Guu with Garlic

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.5 km
    $$

    Guu with Garlic has become one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. It's an energetic…read moreizakaya with a fun atmosphere without feeling over the top. One of the best parts is the ever-changing menu of daily specials alongside the regular menu, so there's always something new to try while still coming back to your favorites. This visit we ordered the shrimp garlic fried rice, Agedashi Nasu, Grilled Squid with Garlic Mayo, and an assortment of sashimi. The shrimp garlic fried rice is an absolute must every time. It's packed with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and somehow manages to be comforting without feeling too heavy. It is a large dish and can easily be shared by 3-4, depending on what else you order. We also love the Agedashi Nasu here with melt-in-your-mouth eggplant wrapped in a light, delicate coating that soaks up the savory broth. Service is always quick and organized, even when the restaurant is busy. Dishes arrive as they're ready, making it easy to share everything around the table, which is exactly how an izakaya experience should feel. If it's your first visit, don't skip the shrimp garlic fried rice, and make sure to check out the daily specials before ordering. They often feature seasonal dishes that aren't available on the regular menu and are well worth trying.

    Maybe it's an American thing to linger and enjoy a dining experience. To stay longer than needed to…read moresoak up the ambiance and give a good moment some extra time for memories. But in other parts of the world the meal is what's important and so is a quick turn around. Guu with Garlic reminded me a lot of the Izakaya restaurants I found under the train lines of Tokyo in many ways, including the amount of time it felt right to stay. The food came out quick, the servers took orders quicker, and the alcohol came out chilled and as nice contrast to the hot food. Looking around and you see the hand written menu on blackboard surfaces on the walls and this feeling of authenticity. The heat of the flames from the kitchen can be felt and seen if you sit at the bar. And the flavors just hit all the right notes. Starting with appetizers, a section izakayas shine at, the first dish we got was their scallop and mayo pizza. With a crispy crunch on the bottom and crust, this reminds you of the flavors of a baked volcano roll or scallop roll you can find in almost any North American sushi restaurant. Just like that dish, it's important to eat it while it's still hot so it doesn't get gross and 느끼 에. Then came the yellowtail tuna "tempura" pieces. Thick pieces of yellowtail tuna flash fried for just the right crisp on the outside with slight pink of the fish inside. It is meaty without being oily or fatty. Great bite. The beef tongue after was interesting. From the color of the sauce it accompanies it you would think it would be heavy in flavor but it is actually light and citrusy. A good cut into the richer tones of the beef tongue. The yaki udon was one of the best I ever had. It was smokey without being overpowering. The beef was thin and tender and balanced well with the mushrooms it also came with. The udon noodles stayed bouncy and chewy which I didn't expect from being grilled. Very tasty and highly recommend this dish. For our final bite we shared a hot stone bowl of their pork and cabbage rice. With the hot stone bowl constantly cooking even after this dish arrived it was imperative to stir the ingredients together constantly for the first two minutes. It allowed for the runny egg to meld with the rice and the crispy texture of some ingredients was a nice bonus. All in all, I loved eating here and if my appetite was bigger I would've tried more on their menu. A solid place to eat with a great atmosphere, if you're looking for delicious food that won't take too much of your time but still lingers in your memories you have to check out Guu with Garlic.

    Photos
    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    Una-Meshi

    See all

    Una-Meshi
    Saku

    Saku

    4.5
    (526 reviews)
    4.3 km
    $$

    First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

    We had a great meal here celebrating our 25th 1st anniversary…read more and reminiscing the great katsu dishes we had in Japan just a few months ago. We both ordered the Tokujyu Rosu Katsu. The crust was light and crispy and tte pork loin pieces have the perfect balance of fat and lean meat. How was it perfect? Every bit I took had a good portion of juicy fat. The lean meat was tender and moist as well. The whole meal was mouth watering bite after bite. Rice, miso soup, and cabbage came with unlimited refill. I was planning on requesting a second serving of cabbage but I was full at the end. The dipping sauce for the katsu was a little too tard for me though so I could only dap my katsu pieces very very lightly in it so I wasn't able to experience the full flavour of the sauce. However, I was able to savour the flavour of the pork loin itself. It was a lovely meal. The staff was very helpful, professional and friendly as well. The restaurant decor is modern, airy, comfortable, and inviting.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu katsu

    See all

    Zenbu katsu
    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8
    (44 reviews)
    2.6 km

    I went here for a special occasion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended because they are…read morevery small - 12 diners per sitting and 2 sittings per night. I made reservations about 4 months in advance. Upon arrival, one of the hostesses opened the door for us, and asked us to waiting in a very ornate waiting area. We only waited a couple of minutes before another hostess seated us at the main seating area. The space is very dark, and only lit with candles while the rest of the diners trickled in. During that time they take drink orders, which is limited to sake, wine, beer and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Of note, they don't provide a drink menu, so we were a little surprised of the cost - the yuzu sake and the plum wine were $30 each. My non-alcoholic drink was $12, but a fair size. The theatrical portion started a few minutes later than the official start time - closer to 6pm. The shades lifted, the lights turned on, and the chefs introduced themselves. And from that moment on, they immediately went to work preparing our meal. They operate like clockwork to show the ingredients whole to the diners, and then preparing them, and serving them. Soon as the one dish was completed by all the diners, the next round came shortly after. Over 20+ dishes, there was very little wait time in between each. Every time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish in Japanese and English, and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I though a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most if the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's quite expensive. This is definitely a splurge meal. I think half the diners at our sitting was celebrating a birthday. On the most part, the food is very good, watching the chefs at work is part of the entertainment, and the service is excellent. It's not some place I could afford to go to often, but glad to do it at least this one time.

    I made a reservation at Okeya Kyujiro for my partner's 40th birthday, and he had the best time…read more Honestly, it was one of the most memorable omakase experiences I've had in Vancouver. Okeya Kyujiro is a Michelin one-star theatrical omakase restaurant, and when they say theatrical, they mean it! From the moment you're welcomed by smiling ushers in kimono to the closing tea ceremony, every movement feels intentional, precise, and elevated. The ambiance is serene and anticipatory. At the start, guests sit in silence as a black screen conceals the chefs. You see their shadows moving behind it. A bell rings, the screen lifts, and the performance begins. Dinner is a 25+ course experience priced at $325 per person. It's undeniably a splurge, but for a milestone celebration, it feels justified. The menu is seafood-forward, with many ingredients flown in from Japan. Each ingredient is presented before preparation, then carefully assembled and served directly from chef to guest. Courses arrive one by one, never rushed. The service team moves seamlessly in the background, refilling water and attending to drinks (available as an add-on) without disrupting the flow. The finale is a matcha ceremony, whisked in front of you with the same quiet precision that defines the evening. When the final sip is taken, the bell chimes once more, the chefs and staff bow, and the screens close. It was a beautifully choreographed dining experience, perfect for marking a special moment, and one I'd gladly return to for the next celebration.

    Photos
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    A5 wagyu sukiyaki

    See all

    A5 wagyu sukiyaki
    Guu Original Thurlow

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1
    (841 reviews)
    3.6 km
    $$

    Found this little Izakaya spot while visiting Vancouver and it was such a great experience. It's as…read moreauthentic as it gets and reminds me a lot of Japan when I visited in 2025. This place gets busy, so I highly recommend reserving a table online (via OpenTable) but we did show up early to see if there was walk-in seating available. Luckily, we did get the last 2 seats at the bar. The staff are so friendly and cheery. They greet customers that come in and thank every customer when they leave. People who haven't been to an izakaya may think it's loud and noisy, but the point of izakayas is they're supposed to be vibrant, high energy, and filled with cheerful chatter. Think of a tapas-style pub/bar for people to unwind and gather to chat after a long day at work. I loved the atmosphere, as it's casual, entertaining, and lively. The food was great and I couldn't think of a dish I didn't like. The sashimi were so fresh and high quality. Of course they use freshly grated wasabi too. The hanger steak was cooked perfectly and super tender and flavorful. The saba mackerel is grilled to perfection and reminds me of the ones I ate in Japan. I'm not a big fan of bonito but the yaki udon was so tasty, I still ate it with the bonito flakes on top! I would love to come back or go to their Toronto (closer to me) location next!

    I came here for dinner on a weeknight with two foodie friends of mine. Said friends lived in Japan…read morefor over a decade and they've dined here often in the past, saying it's very "authentic" Izakaya and it reminds them of their past life in Japan (which they miss a lot). Me, I know nothing about Izakaya or what is or isn't authentic Japanese cuisine, so this review is coming from someone with zero knowledge or expectation of any specific foods or experiences. Despite it being a weeknight, the place was packed. It was good that we had a reservation. There was a couple in line before me and they were walk-ins, and there were no available seats for them. I noted how small this place was, and crowded, with the tables close together and a long bar with a counter and barstools there (also close together). Our reserved table was right by the front door - literally, - so every time the door opened, we got a gust of cold air (and it was a cold February night when we were there). I kept my coat on. Truth be known, I was not very comfortable. Also, it was loud. Very loud. I like how the staff shout Japanese greetings to diners whenever they enter but between the frequent shouts and the sheer volume of chatter from all the diners, all sitting close together in close proximity, it was kinda hard to hear what my friends were saying during our dinner. That said, the environment was super vibrant and, again, my friends said this was very typical of an Izakaya in Japan. Food-wise, I have no idea what my friends ordered. The menu was primarily available by way of a QR code and I had no idea what the dishes were, so I deferred to my friends' knowledge. But I can attest that all the dishes were DELICIOUS. We had some sort of Japanese street food "pancakes" (they were wonderful). We had some sort of stirfry beef with noodles (amazing). We had two types of sashimi (omg both were so fresh and so so good!). We had a few other dishes that I can't recall, but I remember I loved them. So.... the food here was GREAT. Service was also attentive which I hadn't expected, being as busy as the restaurant was. I really liked this place but I'll probably go back in the summertime when the weather is nicer as I was cold there, and I'd dine at an off-time, when the volume wasn't so loud. (I'm too old for the loudness!).

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Fried pork belly
    Fried pork belly
    Eel with rice

    See all

    Eel with rice

    The General Public - sushi - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...