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    Zen Sushi Dana Point

    4.0 (29 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Zen Sushi Dana Point Photos

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    Elisa G.

    I'm always worried about sushi places that other people give five stars so I decided to come in here and check it out for myself! It's very cute and Annie is really nice and the fish looks very fresh so that's all good. I am impressed with there specials of the day. I ordered and I'm waiting for my food and it's definitely happening for a Tuesday night. There is no cell phone reception if you have Verizon but they do have a Wi-Fi password which is great. The salmon carpaccio is way too fatty for me I can't really give it a fair rating because I took it to go. Bf said it wasn't completely fresh but I'm encouraged to dine in next time. The yellowtail collar is meaty and she gave me gluten free tamari to douse it with. Overall...3 stars

    Christopher N.

    Is by far the best sushi in all of Orange County! The black widow and Ichiban rolls are their amazing specialties. The staff is fast and kind and very helpful with their recommendations. The decorations are high class yet accessible and very calming. Cannot recommend this place enough.

    scallop carpaccio

    Absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish. The service was impeccable, and our server was attentive and friendly. We loved everything we ordered, but the standout of the night was definitely the citrus salmon roll. I will definitely be back!

    Assorted sashimi!
    Jax J.

    Wonderful night out with delicious dinner & service. Fresh sashimi specialty fish, salmon skin rolls, scallop carpaccio. Attentive, friendly and pleasant staff. All day Happy Hour! Restaurant is spacious, can hold big parties inside and in the heated covered patio. Nicely decorated interior, beautiful lighting, and most importantly very clean! Love Zen Sushi Dana Point. Will definitely come back for more!!

    Salmon skin hand-roll.
    Tim T.

    First time at Zen Sushi and it didn't disappoint. I used to go to Honsan Sushi in Laguna Niguel, and this is the chef's second spot. The salmon skin hand roll was perfectly crunchy, and the sashimi was fresh and thick...especially the sweet shrimp. Fresh, beautiful and delicious.

    Sushi
    Gia L.

    Everything was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. You could really taste how fresh everything was. The sushi practically melted in my mouth, and the tempura was perfectly crispy. The staff were all so friendly and attentive, which made the whole dining experience even more enjoyable. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back again. Highly recommend

    Bluefin Nigiri and Black Widow
    Jaylen L.

    Amazing service and great food. Everyone was very nice and handled us with great care.

    Zach N.

    Stumbled onto this place last Friday trying to find somewhere decent in Dana Point. Sat at the bar, ordered way too much, and didn't regret a single roll. Had a couple carpaccio tastings and the bling bling roll. Fish was fresh, rice was on point, and the server actually knew the menu instead of just reading it back. Easily one of the better sushi spots I've hit in a while. Going back this weekend.

    DEVOURED THIS FOOD. seriously came in unsure and went out blown away. Highly recommend this establishment to anyone and everyone. Such amazing service and amazing food. God was showing off making this place if you know what I am (it has been blessed)

    Staffing is so immaculate, great staffing, food is incredible. Not a big sushi fan, but this place made me fall in love with sushi. The atmosphere was so welcoming, felt like I was out on sea eating the freshest food. The food is to die for. Can only use few words of how incredible it is. It's a must go! Perfect for date nights or any occasion of the sort.

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    3 days ago

    Food and service was amazing!!! New owners have improved the quality of the food. Will definitely be coming back.

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    3 days ago

    The best sushi on the west coast, great staff, amazing ownership, cozy atmosphere while staying high end, will be coming back often.

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    Ask the Community - Zen Sushi Dana Point

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    Maki Yaki

    Maki Yaki

    4.3
    (366 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    If you're in Dana Point and looking for something simple, honest, and actually made with care --…read morethis little spot surprised me in the best way. I ended up here in the middle of the day while working in the area. Never been before. I try to avoid chains when I can and pick something new each time. This place caught my eye, and I'm glad I walked in. It's a small, family-run vibe -- and I mean literally. Looked like a husband and wife running everything themselves. They were both super polite, calm, and you can tell they really care about the food and about every guest who walks in. No rush, no attitude, just warm hospitality. I went with something safe for me -- ramen and salmon sushi. And both were just... really solid. Not overcomplicated, not trying to be something fancy. Just good food made right. The broth had depth, noodles cooked right, and the sushi was fresh with balanced flavor. No complaints there at all. The place itself is small. Not a big dining room. A few tables inside, clean but definitely more of a takeout-focused spot. They don't have a restroom available inside, which kind of confirms that they expect people to grab food and go. And honestly -- I would. Not because it's bad to sit there -- it's fine. But this is the kind of meal that hits even better sitting somewhere by the ocean with the breeze. I'd definitely order takeout from here and eat outside by the water next time. I paid around $30, which is very fair for the quality, especially in California. They do ask about tip at checkout before you get your food -- that part always feels a bit weird to me, but I get it. Overall -- 5 stars for the food and the heart behind the place. I'll remember it. And I'll be back -- probably to pick up a to-go order and take it straight to the beach.

    This quaint location is a mom & pop shop run by the sweetest people ever. Don't expect stellar…read moredine-in service as you will have to order and pay up front before anything. Either way, the staff here will always make sure you have everything you need as long as you ask. You're free to help yourself w/ hot or room temp water at the dispenser in front of the green wall. Plenty of parking and jsyk there is no public restroom. As for the food, everything tastes great! You get a great amount of fresh fish for the most affordable prices in the area. The sushi rice tastes good and I appreciate how the rolls aren't stuffed w/ rice to make up for the lack of fish. I especially like the Aloha roll, Lollipop roll, Crunch (shrimp tempura) hand roll, and the sashimi & carpaccios are all fresh. Love how you can get pickled wasabi (real wasabi) for a reasonable up-charge. All of their salad dressings are made in-house too! Great place for a quick & casual bite to eat. They got treats for dogs and lots of friendly vibes to share. Super accommodating to all, and can confidently say that they treat their regulars so well. Always happy to support a local, family-owned business! Thank you :)

    Photos
    Excellent
    Excellent
    Baked Salmon roll
    Baked Salmon roll
    California Beef Bowl

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    California Beef Bowl
    Sushi Kara

    Sushi Kara

    4.6
    (146 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I hardly ever give out five stars because I believe there's always room for improvement. I cannot…read morein good faith give this place 4 stars as 4 stars does not do It justice. Realistically it's a 4.8 for me which is saying a lot. Let's begin with the service; the service is great, no complaints. The ambience is nice, the World Cup was playing so win win. Food: Edamame: warm and seasoned well California roll: made to perfection Spicy tuna crispy rice: WOW the cilantro and raw jalapenos is chefs kiss- this is a must Yellowtail roll: elite, every bite felt like a breath of fresh air, I was genuinely impressed Soy paper salmon: a unique roll that taste like a proper Oceanside appetizer I am genuinely impressed. As an LA girly, this place blew every sushi place out the water for me back home. Can't wait to be back.

    First, the beer was not chilled at all, despite the fact that Japanese restaurants typically serve…read morevery cold beer ("hiyashi") in their culture. I ordered a spicy seafood udon, but it only contained two pieces of mussel, a few tough, dried calamari rings Finger size), a couple of tiny scallops about the size of baby fingernails, and three pieces of baby shrimp. The soup lacked any seafood flavor and had an overly salty, unappealing red color. The price seemed unreasonable compared to the quality of the food. It's no surprise that they only had two tables occupied on a Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM. I recommend they consider changing the restaurant's name from "Sushi Kara" to "Kara Sushi." If they are truly Japanese, they would understand the significance of this.

    Photos
    A really nice interior
    A really nice interior
    Pick up order Washington Roll & Rainbow Roll / Ponzu on side
    Pick up order Washington Roll & Rainbow Roll / Ponzu on side
    Hamachi, Blue Fin Tuna and Albacore beautifully plated!

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    Hamachi, Blue Fin Tuna and Albacore beautifully plated!
    Good Choice Sushi By The Sea

    Good Choice Sushi By The Sea

    4.0
    (360 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Can't beat the view if you have a window seat or better yet, an outside seat... I sat at the sushi…read morebar as they were very busy. But that was fun as the sushi chefs are engaging. My server was very good - she and another lady covered the entire place and they were both moving constantly - hard workers!! I started with a sunomono salad with octopus added. It was very good! I ordered a Negi-Hama and negi-Toro roll plus a rainbow roll. All of the rolls were delicious - the small Negi rolls were my favorites. They have a great menu and will even make custom requests, which all looked fantastic. Prices were extremely reasonable, too. Friendly and very good food!

    Good Choice Sushi by the Sea is a tiny little sushi restaurant across from Capo Beach, directly…read morenext to Sunsets. There is very limited parking and even though it is not always busy you may want to make a reservation because of how limited the seating is. Food quality is good. The fish is very fresh, the salads are well dressed, and they do have gluten-free soy sauce when asked for. We had a Baja Crudo, we had bluefin Nigiri, shotgun roll, house, salad, edamame, a side of rice. The rolls could have been wrapped a little tighter, in our role, we did have a little bit of the fish that couldn't be eaten due to it being not as well cleaned and chopped as the rest, and the edamame serving was a bit small. Service is very friendly. Expect a slower pace as the restaurant is very calm and casual. It is in an older building and the ambience is amazing during the day when you can see the ocean but very rootsy, and a little rundown at night. Overall, we had a nice dinner at a very reasonable price and will probably try it out again.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Lunch Nigiri
    Lunch Nigiri
    Adegashi Tofu, Sautéed Shishito Peppers, Seared Tuna, yellowtail belly

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    Adegashi Tofu, Sautéed Shishito Peppers, Seared Tuna, yellowtail belly
    Taikun Omakase

    Taikun Omakase

    5.0
    (21 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$$

    We had an amazing dinner here last night for my wife's birthday. We were the only people at the…read more5:30 seating, so had a private dinning experience. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you get a chance to eat here, you'll love the food, the experience and the ambiance.

    I'd been wanting to try Taikun for three years--ever since my friends went and couldn't stop raving…read moreabout it. It's so special that my previous company even hosted client dinners there. And Adrian has always been incredibly accommodating, somehow making magic happen every time. When my aunt came to town--the same aunt who introduced me to sushi at age 13 in Seattle--I finally had the perfect excuse to book Taikun. After all, I had to show my appreciation to the woman who opened my palate to the wonders of sushi. And at long last, I got to experience it for myself. Adrian, Chef Yasu, and the entire Taikun omakase completely blew me away. Sixteen courses, each one thoughtful, seasonal, and absolutely delicious, made for an unforgettable evening. I even tried rare fish I've never seen anywhere else. Adrian introduced every course with the story behind it--seasonality, origins, ingredients--and even shared photos of the fish to give more context. It truly elevated the entire experience. Don't even get me started on the intimate setting of the experience. It only seats 9 people max which makes it incredibly personal and hands on. You sit right in front of the chef, and he's so nice you feel totally comfortable asking him anything.

    Photos
    Your private dining room...cheers!
    Your private dining room...cheers!
    Taikun Omakase
    Taikun Omakase

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    Glasspar

    Glasspar

    4.1
    (629 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    Wow! What a gem!! My boyfriend and I discovered Glasspar spontaneously on a Saturday late afternoon…read morewhile we were taking the trolley and enjoying the breezy free ride down the coast. We happened to stop nearby and decided to look around this plaza. We were starting to get hungry and Glasspar looks like the most appealing option so we decided to check it out. HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Thurs 4:30-6pm, Fri-Sat 4-6pm. Wow what a deal. I normally don't think about happy hour deals on Saturdays but we were pleasantly surprised. It was 5:30pm already so we had to make some quick decisions. Chad was very friendly and helpful with our order. We decided to get a Dozen and a Half Oysters (HH $3/each), an Oyster Shooter (HH $5), Duck Fat French Fries (HH $7), 1/2 lb Steamed Clams (HH $13), and Seafood Poke (HH $12). The specialty cocktails were such a good deal I wanted 2 but asked my boyfriend to order one so I don't look like too much of an alcoholic. I had the White Sangria Spritzer (HH $12) and a G3 (HH $12). Everything came out in a reasonable amount of time and Chad communicated checking on things for us as we were waiting. He was really on top of it. The oysters were awesome! My only regret was not ordering more. For the dozen and a half came with 6 of each of Baracats, Stingrays, and Pacific Plumps. I thought the baracats and stringrays were mild. My favorite was definitely the pacific plumps; it was sweet and creamy with a good bite to it. The shucking was also really well. I just want to give them that credit. The oyster shooter was strong, in a good way. Tasty! The duck fat fries were nice and crispy. It came with a rich truffle aioli. The steamed clams were good, but the slice of bread they gave us with it was burnt to an inedible level. I also would have liked a spoon to sip that garlic white wine and butter liquid. Clams were fresh. The seafood poke came with crispy wonton chips. It was decent. After our original order we decided we wanted to finish off with somethings small, so we got the Clam Chowder ($14). I would have liked it a smidge thicker in texture but the taste and the quality of ingredients are on point. I get the bacon essence and a good amount of clams in the soup too. I'm really glad we added that to our order. I also really like that the check comes in books. Chad told us that we can write a note in it if we want. They look at it like a way to interact with their customers. So cute!! We are DEFINITELY coming back here!! Next time I'll order even more oysters :)

    First time here and we loved it! All the food was so fresh and well plated. Service was wonderful…read more Environment wasn't super loud but also wasn't dead silent. Definitely a kid friendly place for the wide variety of dishes. I was so excited I forgot to take a picture of the Oyster Rockefellers. Those were tasty, decadent, but not too overwhelming. The cod fish had this curry sauce on it that was so good you could drink it. The inspirational dish of the day was this wild sea bass. It's so difficult to find a place that can prepare fish that isn't too dry or salty, Glasspar was fantastic.

    Photos
    Glasspar
    Caesar salad
    Caesar salad
    Beer

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    Beer

    Zen Sushi Dana Point - sushi - Updated August 2026

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