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    Yama

    4.2 (265 reviews)
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    YAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Yama

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    Chicken Teriyaki
    Tina V.

    I had a positive dining experience at Yama. I ordered the teriyaki steak - it was tender and flavorful - and also the Naruto, which was a sushi roll wrapped in cucumber instead of rice--a low-carb option that I really appreciated! Everyone else in my group was also happy with their dishes. Two had sushi and one had the chicken teriyaki - only one of our group got dessert: a green tea cheesecake. I do wish they offered more fancy cocktail options and I also I wish that a few menu items had that "wow" factor (for instance, the other YAMA location in Southpark has a big sushi love boat on the menu). That being said, the drinks and menu they have are perfectly fine. The place is clean and tastefully decorated. Service was friendly and efficient, making the overall experience even better.

    Soybeans
    Jennifer D.

    I was a little put off by the long wait despite seeing several empty tables. Ended up sitting at the bar (which was packed) but the service was still good. The bartender was alone trying to serve everyone at the bar plus make drinks for the whole restaurant which I thought was ridiculous but she still did a nice job. All of the sushi was excellent as were the spring rolls! I tried two cocktails and both were tasty. The prices were very fair and the experience overall was good!

    Arpee O.

    Food was delicious. Service was great. Drinks also great. Would've given 5 stars but the bathroom was an atrocity.

    Linh T.

    Great food, great drinks, and an overall enjoyable dining experience. We really loved the sake and sushi -- everything tasted fresh and high quality. The ambiance was stylish and welcoming, making it a nice spot to relax and enjoy a meal. Even though it's a busy location, the service was fast, efficient, and attentive. Our waitress was friendly and made excellent drink recommendations that we ended up loving. There was no wait when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, and the portion sizes were generous for the price. We left satisfied and impressed. We would definitely return and recommend it to anyone looking for fresh sushi, good drinks, and a great dining vibe.

    Absolutely great sushi!
    Angel F.

    We've only been here twice, but there's nothing bad i can say about this place. We had the same waitress both times; Allison/ Alli was friendly, she knew the menu & she was attentive to us. We live in Columbia but WILL TRAVEL FOR GOOD FOOD! And right now it's our favorite sushi spot in Charlotte.

    Bento Box C with shrimp tempura
    Dan R.

    Across the street from my company's office, went here for lunch with the team. Place was busy but got seated right away and service was quick. Had the bento box lunch special which included shrimp tempura and veggies, gyoza, California roll, soup, and salad. Good value for the amount of food. Overall food is good!

    hamachi kama -- $18
    Laura H.

    : average food, slightly overpriced entrees, modern ambience, un-noteworthy service. I've been to the Waverly Yama three times: the first time, I was fairly impressed with their Spider Roll, the star being the fried soft-shell crab. There was size pieces of sushi, which made for a light lunch. I enjoyed the fragrant chunks of fried crab and the crunchy batter. If I hadn't come back, I would've given it 4/5 stars. The second time I went, I was extremely disappointed by the stir-fried chicken udon: it was ~$20 and so salty I couldn't finish the dish. The dish felt really oily overall and gave me acid reflux for the next hour. The spider roll portion was also significantly smaller. We also got hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) for an appetizer. The fish was tender and well-fried, but not worth $18. The third time, I got a Totoro roll. It tasted good and was decently portioned. Was it worth $18? Meh. Sushi is expensive, so it's expected. Overall, wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but am not opposed to it either.

    Danyel Nicole S.

    Food was absolutely amazing Best sushi in Charlotte area I've had since moving here from Los Angeles. Highly recommend

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    2 years ago

    Mya (blonde hair waitress) is amazing! Great service! Absolutely loved her. Food was good. Drinks were strong. Great ambiance.

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    3 years ago

    I love this sushi place. The food is good and reasonably priced. The service was good. The feel of the restaurant

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    3 years ago

    We love this sushi and Japanese restaurant! Great service and great food! Highly recommend reservations.

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    3 years ago

    Food is always fresh tasting and delicious. Restaurant is bright and clean. Bar has innovative drinks.

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    3 years ago

    I love this place! Sushi is so good! The food is always yum and the service is great!

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    2 years ago

    Very good food, great staff, and convenient location. Never a bad meal or experience.

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    Page 2 of 7

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    Sushi Hana - Charlotte Roll (D)

    Sushi Hana

    4.2(264 reviews)
    12.4 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    Anytime you stumble across all-you-can-eat sushi , it already feels like a win, but this place…read moremanages to bring much more to the table. The restaurant is stylish, modern, and surprisingly chic , with a great location that makes it easy to add to an evening out. As first-time guests, we especially appreciated our server, who patiently walked us through the process and made sure there were no surprises. The explanation about the charge for uneaten all-you-can-eat sushi that guests want to take home was particularly helpful. Knowing the rules upfront makes all the difference and sets the right expectations from the start. The food was excellent. We worked our way through several rolls , sampled dumplings , and didn't find a miss among them. My Lycheetini was delicious, and after tasting a couple of sakes , I ended up buying a bottle to take home. Zero regrets there. Parking requires a little planning, with a paid lot nearby unless you're fortunate enough to snag a street spot right in front. Overall, I'd happily return and enjoy the entire experience all over again.

    Really good service but sushi left a bit to be desired! I will say all our food came very quickly…read moreexcept the hibachi plates. It's probably a really good spot for a quick work lunch where you're truly limited on time! However, in the spirit of honesty, I would probably venture elsewhere in Charlotte to some of the other all you can eat sushi options based on quality and flavor of sushi rolls alone. I really appreciate that this spot offers free parking in the dimensional garage, but we had a really difficult time accessing the garage when we left? Like I'm not sure where the entrance and exits are really supposed to be- it was really difficult.

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    Sushi Hana - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Sushi Hana - Nigiri

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    Konnichiwa - Charlotte

    Konnichiwa - Charlotte

    4.3(271 reviews)
    11.3 miDilworth
    $$

    Has some fantastic sushi rolls tonight. Ate every bite. This restaurant chain is the best. This…read morelocation had plenty of booths, tables, and chairs at the bar. Service was quick from Anja. The only negative was the lighting was very bright. Tip: there is a parking entrance behind the restaurant into a free parking garage, which is well lit, with lots of cameras. Tip: the I Devil Dice Roll - Spicy yellowtail, cilantro, & cucumber. Topped with yellowtail, salmon, avocado, ponzu, serrano peppers, & sriracha. The Queen Roll - Smoked salmon, avocado, cream cheese, & crunch. Topped with crab salad, sriracha, & scallions BSA Roll - Scallop tempura, asparagus, mango. Topped with tuna, scallop, sweet chili sauce, kabayaki sauce, red tobiko, & scallions

    I was coming home after days of traveling and asked my husband to pick a place to eat not too far…read morefrom the airport because I was going to be starving once I touched down. So his choice was here. Google directions suck they took us around the back to the parking garage for the 2nd level and since we have never been here before it took us a few minutes to figure out how to get down to the first level. When we entered there was a waiter taking an order and no one else on the floor so we had a little bit to get seated even though there were only two other parties in the restaurant. We were able to sit wherever we wanted so I sat with a view of the screen with the replay of the Brazil FIFA game on. My husband wanted the unagi don but didn't order because the price seemed high. The table next to us all ordered bowls and the serving size was huge so my husband regretted it. We order takoyaki, spicy wings, and 3 rolls Godzilla, Hadouken, and Master Roshi. The wings had amazing flavor but were not spicy. Takoyaki was flavorful and the perfect temperature. I get a lot of takoyaki that is entirely too hot and have to crack them open to cool before eating them. My husband did not enjoy the Godzilla roll he said the topping was too much and didn't add to the flavor. But enjoyed the other two. I enjoyed all three rolls the flavor was fresh and very little need for soy sauce fine without it. If we are ever in Charlotte with time to eat I would stop here again.

    Photos
    Konnichiwa - Charlotte - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Konnichiwa - Charlotte - Good size portions as you can see

    Good size portions as you can see

    Konnichiwa - Charlotte - Streetview

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    Muraya - Beef empanadas

    Muraya

    3.8(185 reviews)
    12.4 miSouth End, Dilworth

    Really enjoyed this restaurant. The atmosphere was great, and the staff was very friendly and…read morewelcoming. The food came out surprisingly fast, which was a nice bonus. The octopus honestly wasn't fully my type flavor-wise because of the seasoning, but it was cooked extremely well -- probably the most tender octopus I've ever had. The cocktails were also very good and definitely strong in a good way. Overall, a really good experience, and I'd come back again.

    After a couple hours scrolling on the internet, my friend and I agreed to try this spot. I…read morepersonally have been craving latin food since coming from Honduras. Great location in south end near the light rail. We had a reservation for 6:30 and were seated promptly. The restaurant is gorgeous! I was in amazement walking to my seat. The host was about to sit us at a table, but we requested a booth and were accommodated. Our server was very nice and thoroughly explained the menu. We started off with the empanadas and I ordered my first virgin "pinny yolada" :). The empanadas were mind blowing! They were nice and hot, flavorful, and absolutely a delight! We were so impressed, we decided to order the double fried wings afterwards. The wings were good and had an interested flavor with the tamarind. After the wonderful appetizers, it was time for the entrees. I ordered the short rib yuca gnocchi and my friend the arroz con pollo. On paper the gnocchi sounded sublime, but in actuality it was lacking a lot. The entire dish lacked so much flavor, even with hot sauce, additional salt, and lime it tasted bland. I was very disappointed. The empanadas and service were a saving grace, I ordered two orders of empanadas to go for my family. However they were so expensive. I paid $14 for 3. Even though I loved the empanadas, I probably would not be back.

    Photos
    Muraya - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    Muraya - Calentado Criollo

    Calentado Criollo

    Muraya - Limonada de Coco

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    O-Ku - Sushi Roll (??)...Tiny portion, and terrible presentation!

    O-Ku

    4.3(723 reviews)
    12.1 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    Incredible service, outstanding fish, and a chicy-boob-boom vibe!…read more Probably the place to go number one for a fantastic sushi experience in Charlotte, this is definitely a place where a cool kids go, but you can be 100% DadBod and, as long as you're not in White new balance and cargo pants, they'll let you fit right in. The menu has so many great things on it, and skipping the tuna flight might darn well be criminal. You're gonna enjoy that quite a bit. The service team there is long tenure and really knows what they're doing. They just got a new general manager, and she's got great energy and standards of excellence around her. The AGM is the best dang manager you're ever gonna see! When I have close friends in town, who really want great meal, this is one of the places that we will for sure go. To a great walkable area and while the youngsters there tried to get all the tail feathers up a little too much, don't let that bother you. The restaurant knows what it's about and who it is serving ultimately

    My daughter wanted an Omakase experience for her birthday. After reading reviews and comparing a…read morefew places, I decided on O‑Ku. We'd never tried Omakase before, but we've had other curated dining experiences. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately. Our waitress was pleasant, she started on beverages, and explained that the Omakase would be a two‑hour experience...totally fine. Within the first 20 minutes, our first dish arrived and it was excellent...But then...nothing. We waited, and waited, and waited. An entire hour passed before the next dish appeared. I pulled the waitress aside to check on the delay, she explained they had a sudden influx of customers but she'd ask the kitchen to move a little quicker. The food did start coming out after that, and the managers came over to address the delay, which I appreciated, but the damage was done. I wanted a memorable birthday experience for my daughter, and unfortunately it ended up being a bit of a disappointment considering the time and cost. The food itself was delicious, but poor pacing and lack of attention to the customer overshadowed the entire experience. I didn't ask for compensation but the managers took it upon themselves to comp my wine flight. I hope this was a one off experience but I can't say that I'll return to this restaurant.

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    O-Ku
    O-Ku - Black Magic, Salmon Usuzukuri, Cucumber Maki, Top Shelf Roll

    Black Magic, Salmon Usuzukuri, Cucumber Maki, Top Shelf Roll

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    Yamazaru - 8 Piece Tiger Shrimp

    Yamazaru

    4.3(711 reviews)
    12.1 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    I really like this restaurant and come here often, usually around four times a month. The prices…read moreare very reasonable, and the quality of the food is excellent for what you pay. We had never had any problems here until our most recent visit, when our server, Mauro M., took care of our table. We placed our order, and after our regular rolls were brought out, I asked whether he remembered that we had also ordered a specialty roll. He said yes, but later came back and told us that it was no longer available and that they no longer make it. That itself was not a big deal -- we could have simply ordered something else. What bothered me was that he did not tell us until I specifically asked about it. If I had forgotten, we might have just kept waiting for something that was never coming. When we received the check, the total was also higher than it should have been because the specialty roll that we never received was still included. He eventually brought us a corrected check. Because of the poor service and difficult communication, I left a smaller tip than I normally would. However, when I checked my bank account today, I noticed that the final amount charged to my card was higher than what I had authorized on the receipt. The difference was not large, and I disputed it through my bank, but for me this is about the principle. A server should never change the amount of a tip or charge a customer more than what the customer authorized. Because the experience had already been problematic from the beginning, I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I took photos of both receipts. First, we were charged for an item we never received, and then the final charge to my card was higher than the amount I actually authorized. We will still come back because we genuinely like this restaurant and have had many good experiences here. However, if Mauro M. is our server again, I will ask to be seated with someone else. Updated: The manager reached out to me, apologized, and assured me that they would take care of the issue, so I'm changing my rating to 5 stars. Bad situations can happen anywhere. What matters most is how a business responds, and I really appreciate that they listened to my concerns, took them seriously, and showed that they genuinely care about their customers.

    Here's the deal : Nicely situated sushi restaurant in the south end of Charlotte…read more They have indoor and outdoor seating and have some tasty specialty rolls. Definitely a go to spot in the area

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    Yamazaru - Crispy Tuna / 5 Nigiri & Tuna Roll

    Crispy Tuna / 5 Nigiri & Tuna Roll

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    Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar - Earth & Sea Roll

    Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar

    4.2(184 reviews)
    12.9 miUptown, First Ward
    $$

    I booked this for a private meal for 32 people. We were able to rent out the downstairs area. It…read morewas intimate for our group. They set up two rows of long tables for us, one with a bench style by the window and other sides had chairs. We ordered the Yakitori platters to start spread out across the tables. My favorite was the asparagus and the beef. We then did mix ordering of sushi's and sides to share family style. I like the Toro sushi, spicy tuna and seaweed salad. They had a nice selection of drinks as well. I ordered a creamy sake to share amongst the table. I wish I remembered the name, but it was in a white bottle, for which they brought a bottle chiller out for. Reserving with the restaurant was easy. Called in and they sent a Open Table link for the reservation. They checked on reservation a couple days out and also personally called to ensure reservation again. It was nice to do something different, for this group of people. For 5 people it was the first time trying sushi and having the yakitori options allowed them to try new things. It was also nice, as some people had deitary restrictions in the group, and Saku was able to work around everyone's preferences. Thank you for wonderful service and amazing food! I left very satisfied and full!

    I forgot to take a picture. I'm on a mission to find the…read morebest sushi in Charlotte and this place is awesome! Got the spider roll and the powder puff. The powder puff was absolutely AMAZING. The spider roll was just meh. You need to try this place and definitely get the powder puff. Also had a cocktail- east meets west, it was really good.

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    Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar - Vibe

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