UH-mazing This chef loves food & has a passion for each creation! Why is it so yum you ask? It is clearly cooked with love! Please never change a thing!
(5)
Brandon F.
The best sushi place in Gainesville IMO. I usually share a boat with a friend and come here occasionally. Their assortment of fresh fish is nice and authentic when I imagine Japanese cuisine. I've never really tried any of their other dishes, except for the Rice dons which is good but not nearly worth the price they charge. All in all, the sushi is great, I would recommend every time.
(4)
Michelle V.
Tried the sushi and it was pretty good, but too over priced compared to other sushi places in Gainesville. The best of the rolls I tried was the Volcano roll but for almost $14... not worth it. And the wait time was super long, was there waiting for my food for almost an hour.
(4)
Jen L.
Honestly this place was just ok. It's a small establishment in a strip mall and it's usually very crowded. The sushi is average, not the best but tasty enough. I wouldn't say Gainesville is the greatest place to find good sushi but if you're in the city, there is better sushi to be found. You can also try other sushi at 'Dragonfly' downtown or 'Chopstix' on 13th Street. We had a couple basic rolls which were the Philadelphia roll and Tampa roll with the pork gyozas as an appetizer. The pork gyozas were obviously frozen and came in a dish with only 4 gyozas (They could spare at least one more I think). Our friends next to us ordered some sashimi and a couple raw rolls which looked decent. We sat at the sushi bar and watched the sushi being made which was exciting! The Volcano roll definitely looked the best! If you're in Gainesville and you're looking for well-priced, fast sushi, check this place out!
(3)
Beth F.
It's really three stars (or was when I was there) but how could I give three stars to the place that introduced me to a whole new cuisine that has become a staple in my life? I remember coming here with my roomie Romy who was going to get me to try sushi - we were to start with a cucumber roll. You know, the "Gateway" Roll/Drug. Matsuri had just opened two years prior and sushi was still special, new, and for most people un-explored territory. I remember sitting down in a sparse room, decorated in beige, wood and soft lighting. I saw a boat go by - what the heck is that?? How can people eat so much food (oh I was so naive!) I was nervous -- was I going to like raw fish? (ha!) I put this roll of krab (this is Gainesville remember) cucumber and avocado in my mouth and......... .....10 years later I am still in love. With that bit of heaven in my mouth I started the downhill spiral into salmon, tuna, and what's this? Eel? Ew. Nope, not for me. The rest of the evening was a blur but this became my go-to first date place, service always being pleasant and the space never getting too loud. Having been to some of the best sushi restaurants in LA now I understand this place was a bit bland but hey, it's Gainesville, land-locked city in Florida. I have tasted worse. I think they are doing the best they can with what they got and I, for one, am grateful to Romy for taking me here. Thank goodness for Matsuri, turning out decent rolls for hungry sushi-eatin' Gators.
(4)
Chelsea B.
Although the food is decent, the quality of service at Sushi-Matsuri has been too hit or miss for me to consider this a favorite. I'll come here, and I often do, as it does seem to be a Gainesville favorite, especially if you aren't willing to make the trip downtown to Dragonfly. Immediate seating is always available at Sushi-Matsuri (definitely not at Dragonfly), and there are a few menu items that I can always count on.
(3)
Coty S.
Matsuri is the last of the old guns in Gainesville. There are many new fusion type places that have popped up as well as places that have the baked and deep fried rolls. But, if you are looking for the high quality raw stuff, this is the place to go. You won't find anything fancy here, just raw fish. If you want to get down to the basics, then give it a try. It is a small space, so it will get slammed during peak hours.
(3)
Whitney F.
I like coming here if I want a casual dinner, nicer than Bento but more affordable than Dragonfly. It's definitely reasonably priced and the food is pretty fresh and authentic. I like getting their sushi boats and beef tataki! Updating review to give them a 4 star. Good consistency and sushi quality is always great.
(4)
MacKensie G.
This place had lots of unique rolls and friendly service. The Futomaki roll had mushroom and pickle inside of it! Very tasty. The Gator roll was also fantastic. It's not cheap, but the small, manageable sushi pieces are very flavorful and the small, intimate setting is great. Definitely try the Kawaii roll -- it's wrapped in cucumber. Very fresh and delicious!
(4)
Brea G.
Pretty decent sushi and they've got a damned good lunch deal. The Mix Dan is 9 pieces of sashimi over a bowl of rice with mushrooms/wakami salad and a bowl of miso for ~ $12 I've been going here once a week for lunch with some people from work and it's everything it should be ... reasonably fast, reasonably priced, and good. I've gone here a few times for dinner as well and consistently been happy. The Matsuri giant sushi boat is a LOT of food. Probably enough to feed 3 people. I'm happy to continue going here for lunch every week.
(3)
Kristen S.
This place has the best authentic sushi in Gainesville, as far as I'm concerned. Sure, Dragonfly is good for fusion rolls, but Matsuri's rolls are just fresher and more flavorful, without being too creamy. The sashimi salad is a great appetizer, and the Kawaii roll has got to be my favorite roll--its sweet, tangy, and filled with fresh fish and veggies. Service can be slow at times, but they are super friendly and always happy to bring you what you want
(5)
Jared And Daisy T.
Sushi Matsuri has a lot going for it: nice staff, good food, and a quaint atmosphere. But the downsides for this hideaway are the ridiculously small size. Everything feels so cramped and claustrophobic. They really need to move locations. Being located next to an abandoned Blockbuster and an abandoned ColdStone serves no real incentive to go there. Location matters a lot, especially in this town. The food is good, but like most sushi places they don't time things well. It feels very uncomfortable to have one person's meal come out... and then 15 minutes later another person's. It's understandable that the sushi is freshly rolled, but would it really hurt to have them put one to the side while they roll the next so that everyone in the party could eat together? That's really the only complaint. The desserts are good, the cooked food is great, the soups are fantastic -- definitely try the miso and the ginger salad as appetizers.
(4)
Tom L.
Incredible Sushi! Friendly ambiance! Great for dining alone! Awesome place to reconnect with an old chum or a date. You can actually hear each other speak while enjoying delicious Japanese cuisine. Come in and say hi to Binh, Minh and Shu! p.s. the things here that are worth trying or I haven't found elsewhere in town: 1) sea eel 2) tamago made in-house 3) nato beans
(4)
Ian S.
This is like the sixth sushi place I have reviewed in the Gainesville area. My take away is there is no good sushi place in the area. I guess my standards are just too high for Gainesville, but after living in San Jose, CA and Melbourne, FL there is just nothing this town has that really comes close to the flavor and freshness that I have come accustom to in sushi. Dragon Fly is about as good as it gets here, and sushi really isn't their best option. This place is ok, but they are priced way too high. I got a roll that cost $10, that really should have been $7-8. I was going to get a sashimi plate, but it cost over $20. Kind of ridiculous especially, after tasting their quality. I really feel I will have to save my sushi yearnings for when I get to Orlando.
(2)
Tu-van L.
This is the sushi place I used to go to for reliably good sushi in a relaxed atmosphere. Nothing super-spectacular but if you're looking for regulars like tuna, salmon or eel rolls, this was the place to go. I even like getting their gigantic rainbow rolls and soft shell crab rolls. Lopped off one stars herebecause of one time when my dinner and partner and I were almost forgotten and didn't get our bill until they were ready to step out the door. Lopped off another star because they changed their chefs or something because their eel sauce tasted not as sweet as it used to be.....
(3)
Chest R.
Id give it a 3.5 because it is the best of the worst. There may be some place overall better in Gainesville, but I havent discovered it. Its cute. Its homey. Ok its small, but I dont go there when people normally eat dinner. I go there a little later cuz if I eat at 7pm-8pm, I am just going to get hungry later, so I go 830pm-930pm. Sushi has a good selection! I always get one of their more expensive rolls (cant remember it right now) + a roll I have them fry in katsu. Very, very tasty and I usually get near full. Down side? You get charged $1 for a tiny dish of spicy mayo OR $1 for a tiny dish of eel sauce. This I dont understand and feel I am cleary getting ripped off. I actually asked why I am paying this much. Sushi chef said "cuz we make it from scratch. it doesnt come from a jar." If that is true, which I dont know, I dont mind if it comes from a jar! $1 for a condiment is too damn expensive! If you want something fried its another $1, but thats what I choose. Now I gotta add $2 for dipping sauces? I cant leave that place without spending over $24 with tip and thats with drinking water. Also, they dont have brown rice. Hah, if they did, theyd charge more for it, I am sure. (most places do that anyway..but I dont think Dragonfly does)
Always have the freshest sashimi and sushi. The recent decor change is nice. Quaint place with good service. Have yet to find better/fresher food in Gainesville.
(5)
Juan S.
Unfortunately didn't even had a chance to try their food. Their sign says they close at a certain time and I showed up 20 mins earlier only to be told they were closed. I tend to believe that respect is essential irrespective of their quality. Not sticking to the schedule is extremely disrespectful. There are countless sushi options on town. Don't come here.
(1)
Laura B.
Have eaten at Sushi Matsuri twice now and have been pleased with both meals. Three and a half stars might be right on, but four works too. First time I had plum wine and some sushi. Second visit I had miso soup (very good, but could have been hotter), eggplant tempura (yum), and three rolls. My husband also ordered two rolls and inarizushi. The vegetarian sushi (including rolls filled with wakame, another with "gourd shavings", and another with mixed vegetables were all delicious. The "Mexican" roll with tempura shrimp and avocado was also good, but I preferred the veggie sushi. Will be back again. If you are looking for some Japanese fare, check this place out. I don't think you will be disappointed.
(4)
Tony M.
They just renovated the inside and i must say, im impressed. The atmosphere is excellent, i prefer small sushi joints, and i have only sat at the sushi bar here. Their fish is of great quality, and the bluefin is excellent. They without a doubt, serve the best Nigiri, especially the spicy tuna. The prices are more reasonable than the other places in town, and with Sawamura being under renovation, I will continue coming here.
(4)
John P.
One of the best Asian restaurants in Gainesville. They have unique dishes that most other Asian restaurants here don't have, like their donburi bowls. If you're into rolls, their Ochi-chi rolls are a must have. I'm actually not that fond of rolls and sushi, but the Ochi-chi roll changed my mind about that. It's a salmon wrapped roll that melts in your mouth. The staff is solid and relatively helpful when it comes to suggesting choices. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Gainesville.
(5)
Brandon C.
Authentic, they have all the dishes I love that you any find at other Japanese restaurants. Beef Yukke and Soba noodle soup for example. Pricey with small portions but that's normal with small authentic places. Overall is the best Japanese in Gainesville.
(5)
Hannah P.
Best sushi in Gainesville! Quality is excellent, every roll I've had has blown me away, everything tastes fresh. My favorite is the Daikon roll and the Gator Special salad. I definitely prefer to Dragonfly, as it's cheaper, the ambience is much better (no weird trendy music), and the rolls are better. On more than one occasion the hostess has been a total bitch, but I think it might just be the girl they had/have (and not representation of the rest of the staff). Yes, they do sometimes close ~20 minutes earlier than expected. And yes, they do get extremely busy during peak hours, and usually when I come here I have to wait for a table. Because it is a restaurant! As a response to the reviewer who expected to not wait, it's a busy restaurant!! I spend $100+ every time I come here and have brought in dozens of new patrons, but I don't expect to be treated any differently than their other regular customers. Love this place. Might have to go visit tonight. My only regret is that I only recently discovered it!
(5)
Aric D.
Best sushi in Gainesville, atmosphere, presentation, texture, taste etc. If you want sushi, not pink martinis, plasma screens, neon lights or techno, this is the place. They have no need for all those distractions. The food, whether from the sushi bar or kitchen, does all the talking. Btw, we all know sushi is only as good as the rice, these guys got it RIGHT.
(5)
Landon E.
Very good service. We'd arrived maybe 30 minutes prior to closing, but the wait staff did not rush us at all and were quick to service and very friendly. Even after they'd cleaned up the restaurant, and we were finishing dessert, they were courteous. The food was quite good, the sushi was better than most other places in Gainesville, and you get a rather decent serving portion. The dessert was mediocre, but that was the only slight in a good dining experience. All in all, pretty good.
(4)
Mike W.
I went here Thursday night with a friend after not having visited Sushi-Matsuri for nearly a year. Their space is fairly small, tucked into a small shopping center on the outskirts of the huge Butler Plaza complex on Archer Road. The decorations and atmosphere are typically Japanese-American and welcoming. Unlike Dragonfly or even Bento, there is no effort here to be trendy or a destination restaurant. Instead, the emphasis seems mostly on the sushi and other dishes. We both ordered sushi and the overall quality of sushi was pretty good, though I've had better. They did have umeboshi, which is a type of pickled Japanese plum-like fruit that is commonly seen in Japan as a sushi filling but is more rare stateside. I was pretty impressed by that: Maru Sushi in San Francisco always had its Japanese pickles but you don't see that in Florida much. The gyoza, or steamed dumplings, which I ordered also were really good. The fish tasted fresh but not amazingly so: the nigiri I had, where you could really taste the fish as it was just salmon and rice, could have been better. Service was fine but not exceptional. So how does Sushi-Matsuri stack up to other sushi bars in Gainesville? Probably one of the better ones and one that to some extent attempts to provide an authentic sushi experience. Dragonfly has become kind of the gold standard in Gainesville which is unfortunate because much of its stellar repute is for its atmosphere and clubby, trendy, ways instead of its food quality. Not to say Dragonfly is substandard, but it's very Americanized. In San Francisco you have Blowfish, a very trendy sushi bar but one that also is fully capable of focusing on true sushi, with emphasis on the fish and not creating cute rolls with names like "Tebow Gator Amazing Roll" or something, stuffing these with every fish known to mankind, and then selling them for $12 each. That isn't how sushi should be done, especially not with enough various sauces piled on it to mask any taste of the fish itself. Ichiban probably has the best traditional sushi in town overall, but still they're lacking in some regards as is Sushi-Matsuri. Both Matsuri and Ichiban are trying, but for whatever reason not quite there . . . Dragonfly and Shooting Star, which to me is like the paperback version of Dragonfly, honestly, are more bar-oriented, let's-go-party places with a sushi/Japanese theme than traditional sushi bars. Bento is fine for what it is, but the quality of sushi seems to vary some. Someone really needs to open a small, simple, neighborhood sushi bar akin to Sumo Sushi up in Jacksonville: Sumo does a GREAT job and is pretty traditional yet American enough to please most customers. Sushi-Matsuri could be that place, but they need a little more emphasis on tradition and on personal service . . . also the prices seemed a bit steep for what they were offering. I cannot be sure, but I think their prices were about the same as Dragonfly's yet without the posh atmosphere . . . my friend who dined with me noticed this too and kind of frowned upon it.
(4)
Sarah K.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant in town - when I'm looking for something to satisfy my sashimi cravings. I have been coming to Sushi Matsuri for years. I have never been disappointed by the consistency of the food. The service may not always be perfect, but once that plate is in front of me everything fades to the glory of melt in the mouth deliciousness. They don't have a full service bar (just limited beer, wine, and sake) and the dress code is casual (with the occasional hitting the town look). The rolls are good (love the Kawai), but what keeps me coming back is the fresh fish.
(5)
Rob F.
Went there a few days ago and really enjoyed the sushi. We ordered the California roll, gainesville roll and a cooked beef roll. The cooked beef roll was delicious and might've been one of best bites of sushi I have ever tasted. I am not a sushi expert and am not at all an expert so I just go off how it tastes not on the techniques used, etc. My girlfriend ordered a soup and enjoyed it and also ordered a "Japanese pickle roll" which we both did not like but it was more of a personal preference kind of thing than something the restaurant did. Overall this place was very good and I would definitely visit there again as it was affordable and the ambiance is nice.
(4)
Han L.
Sushi Matsuri gets nothing but love from me. I heart you Sushi Matsuri :) Yea the place is tight, literally, but you got to love their SUSHI! I have no problems with the service here. Although it does get busy and orders get pushed back. One time, I ordered to go and I had to wait a bit, but the cashier gave me a salad and miso soup out of the blue for my wait. She originally offered one or the other, but ended up giving me both. YAY for free food! The sushi here is good yo. They're wrapped neat enough for me. The selection is varied enough and it's not as costly as DragonFly's. Course I love DragonFly, but honestly, Matsuri is just as good. Matsuri has some unique sushi too, for instance, the kawaii roll. Sometimes, there's a slight fish after-taste, but I'm also not paying an arm and a leg for the sushi either. For their service, quality, and consistency, I give them a YOWSAH!
(5)
WW T.
Shrimp teriyaki is sooooooo good! Juicy tender and fresh. also ordered tampa roll, great. salmon teriyaki is also good
(4)
Stephanie R.
This place was ok. I had a california roll and tuna roll. Very small but also cheap so the price was right. My mom had katsu shrimp, or maybe it was tempura. I do remember that the shrimp was overcooked. I might go back since the rolls were decent and cheap, their non sushi items may be a bit iffy.
(3)
geoff c.
Best sushi Gainesville, FL has to offer even though its not that GREAT but its decent. the prices are not bad and probably has the best selection of sushi and sashimi here. I love the sweet shrimps!!!
(3)
James B.
So now I'm still on my quest to find decent Japanese food in Gainesville, and I ended up at this small and cute restaurant. The decor is more traditional, you can choose from chairs or sitting on pillows! Their menu is nice and refined, but nothing special to write about so the food better be good... My first appetizer was tempura. Gross. Thick batter, not crispy, lame tempura sauce, and appaling looks. Come on, I expected delicately crispy fried vegetables and shrimp, and not this lame stuff. My second appetizer was tuna tataki on a bed of alfalfa sprouts. Let's just say it was a bunk bed of alfalfa sprouts. Am I supposed to eat it with the tuna? Well, thats what I did. The tuna wasn't bad, but again, not memorable. The seared edges should be well crusted and flavor, and in this case, it was not. And then I had edamame which should have a sprinkling of sea salt but it was just boiled in salt water :(. I just ordered the sushi appetizer, which was okay. The fish wasn't the freshest I've had but it wasn't bad. They actually give you REAL decent slices of fish, and not just enough to cover the rice. I guess for the average person it would be great, but I've had the same or much better. I'd give it 2.5 stars, your average sushi restaurant giving standard fare food.
(2)
Claudia M.
We have been going to Matsuri for over 10 years, right around the time I first moved to the area. A colleague and friend told me about this place. Hands down the best fish quality. Being of similar respectful introverted nature, we like the chefs and some of the original hosts and waiters especially. Some of the best miso, salad, wakame, sashimi and handrolls you will find. Only downside is the opening times. We have to go to other places that are open for lunch or in the afternoon, and really would much prefer coming here instead!
(5)
Eve A.
It's some of the best sushi in Gainesville, though I found the miso soup rather bland and tepid. I had the Matsuri Roll and it was excellent. I'll be ordering that again.
(4)
Edward K.
The sushi has been exceptionally fresh both times that I have visited. The service was great, and the pricing was fair. I highly recommend visiting.
(5)
Chris T.
Came here again after probably a year-long hiatus. I used to not really prefer this place - mainly because of the prices - but in the end, I don't think it is a bad option for a little sushi. Echoing what other reviews have said, if I had to pick, raw sushi is their speciality. They don't have many of the fried/crunchy/etc rolls as what you'll usually find nowadays in most sushi places, so if you're looking for those - you will be disappointed. Closest things they have are probably their $13.95 Volcano Roll or their Ochi-chi Roll. But if you want to experiment or love sushi with raw items, this place will cater to your palate. I particularly like their Yukke Roll (raw beef and kimchi) @ 4.95 and their Beef tataki is delicious too. Beef Negimaki is enjoyable but they sometimes broil the beef too much thus making it abrasive. Their Udon is just that..Udon and their Chicken Katsu is OK, nothing special. Matsuri is very small. I'm estimating a maximum of around 45 before the fire marshall comes through, but Matsuri still offers something different to Gainesville. Awkward pillow cushion things still line the wooden benches and their prices still could be a little lower but overall I still give it a 3.5. I don't know how to explain it but I'm beginning to feel Sushi-Matsuri is more of an acquired taste AKA just come here for raw items.
(3)
Eugene S.
Went for a dinner Tempura is so so katsu don is quite original In gainesville probably one of the better japanese place for the money. Sushi is quite good, will go to dragon fly first for sushi but the price is right
(3)
Haritha A.
Do not be fooled, like the many college students around you, by the flashing lights of downtown Gainesville (cough:oxymoron). This little strip mall restaurant serves the best sushi in town. I recommend the shigiyaki -- tempura eggplant -- the Kawaii roll, and the volcano.
(5)
Allison P.
Went for the first time tonight and can definitely recommend others to eat here. I will say I wasn't the biggest fan of the Shrimp Teriyaki but that's mainly bc I'm not a fan of mushrooms. It also wasn't served hot which I didn't like- not worth the $15 price to me. I read many reviews commenting on how good the miso soup and salad with the ginger dressing was and I wasn't overly impressed by it. It wasn't bad by any means but no better quality than others I have had. Their sushi was awesome though. I had the Ochi-Chi Roll and the Spider Roll. The both were very good but the Ochi-Chi Roll was my favorite- crab roll with baked salmon on top. The Happy Hour special (ends at 7) consisted of two for one Saki or beer. Had the Saki and each serving was about four shots- eight shots total for $3.50. Need I say more? The service was fast and friendly, never felt rushed and was able to enjoy my meal with friends. Will come back again!
(4)
Thurgood S.
By Gainesville standards, I give Matsuri 4 stars. It's an oldie but goodie around here, and we often go for Birthdays and family celebrations. The restaurant is on the small side, and I prefer to eat on the right where it is somewhat partitioned. The service is above average and so is most of the food. I love the avocado salad--the avocado always seems to be perfectly ripe--although I think they use iceberg lettuce. The dressing is delicious, the standard orange sesame ginger Japanese dressing. My family loves the tuna tataki, pork shumai, and gyoza appetizers. Edamame is always a safe bet. Their miso soup and wakame salad is good too. The age tofu is pretty good if that's your thing, with a slightly sweet sauce. The sushi is really good here. My brother is a sushi whore and can eat the hell out of some Matsuri sushi and sashimi. Before I forget, it's closed on Mondays...otherwise we would have gone there tonight for my mom's Bday, but we went to Miya Sushi instead, which is pretty good and has remodeled again, but it's never as good as Matsuri. Did I mention that they serve their beer in glasses so cold that the top of the beer forms a thin layer of frost? I love it. Anything frosty in Florida is cool. And the fried cheesecake with ice cream? If I die today, let it be eating that. By the way, if you don't like sushi, there are plenty of other options (chicken terriyaki and the like), and if you're a vegetarian, there are plenty of sushi and non-sushi options. My favorite roll (I make it up): fried sweet potato, avocado, asparagus, scallion
(4)
Mark G.
My go-to place for inhaling sushi and gulping 16oz Kirin Ichibans.A wee bit of a tight fit ,and wait,on any given weekend,but hey,that's Gville for you. Recommend: Miso soup Any salad with that killer ginger dressing Scallop Teriyaki Mexican roll Volcano roll Beef Negimaki 16 oz Kirin Ichiban!
(4)
Connie C.
Okay, so this is MY regular sushi place. It is not too expensive, the sushi is always good and it has a good atmosphere. The only downsides are that the restaurant is small, so it can get busy during peak times (waiting for a table AND waiting for your food). My favorites are the Florida Roll and Mexican Roll. They are very accomodating too if you need to add or subtract ingrediants.
(4)
Tommy S.
my personal fav in gainesville... been a loyal customer since 2002. once again, not much room inside- so might have to wait during the weekends, but the turnover is pretty quick... both the sushi and kitchen are great! appetizers such as beef yukke (raw beef), Neigmaki (thinly sliced beef rolled with scallions), and deep fried chicken morsels.. also love the katsu-don (pork katsu over egg, shitake shrooms, and rice... try the daikon roll (sushi roll that uses daikon instead of nori filled with crab and tuna... cant go wrong with matsuri.. it's a pity im no longer in town...
(4)
Logan f.
Mediocre sushi. I have had better. Its no Dragonfly.
(2)
Mindy M.
Top-grade sushi draws crowds here, but avoid Friday and Saturday nights and you will not be sorry. I recommend the spicy tuna handroll (not on the menu; write it in), the spider roll (fried soft-shell crab from heaven), the fresh salmon nigiri-sushi, and the yellowtail nigiri-sushi. The mushroom roll is yummy -- if you tend to like mushrooms, of course. Everything with the "spicy sauce" is great, but I try not to order more than one spicy-sauce item at one sitting.
(5)
Heather S.
There is a bit of an Archer-road-crush if you attempt to eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, but the wait is worth it! Skip the dull traditional menu items and go for the sushi - that's why you're here, right? Fresh & inventive - I like it better than Kotobuki!
(4)
Air Squid S.
The sushi was excellent, but the service was absolutely terrible. We were there for ten minutes before anybody even got to our table. Our waitress was not friendly or attentive, probably due partly to their apparent short-staffing. In all likelihood, as previous reviewers said, this would be less of a problem on nights other than Friday and Saturday.
(3)
Lydia L.
A cute little restaurant with good, fresh sushi. Reasonable prices. Really good service. I found it much more appealing than Dragonfly.
(4)
Jackie S.
this is a place i will miss from gainesville. not so much because of its inconvenient location or the wait time usually involved. not so much because sometimes they would sneak wasabi paste into my cucumber roll. not so much because the booths are a little bit too deep and i can't lean back and then i have that little slippery cushion that keeps threatening to send me under the table. not so much even because i never got to eat anything off of a little wooden boat. their sushi is all right, but i've had better. it kicks the crap out of sushi 2 go at least. the ginger dressing on the salad was okay. the appetizers i've had have all been good, but not life-changing. so why five stars? for being the place of such excellent food-related memories during my time in titletown. the atmosphere is nice and the prices are affordable, which allowed for many sushi binges (here is a nod to luca c.) that left me uncomfortably full but pretty stoked on life. you go, girl.
(5)
Ashley B.
The first time I came here, we waited FOREVER for our food- the people next to us, who arrived after us, were almost done before our food ever came. No apology from the waitress or anything- we ended up walking out. The people's food around us looked good though, so we gave it another try the next week. That time, we eventually got our food. It was pretty good, and decently priced. I hope that poor service was a one time thing, but it'll color my opinion of the place for a little while.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kara G.
UH-mazing This chef loves food & has a passion for each creation! Why is it so yum you ask? It is clearly cooked with love! Please never change a thing!
(5)Brandon F.
The best sushi place in Gainesville IMO. I usually share a boat with a friend and come here occasionally. Their assortment of fresh fish is nice and authentic when I imagine Japanese cuisine. I've never really tried any of their other dishes, except for the Rice dons which is good but not nearly worth the price they charge. All in all, the sushi is great, I would recommend every time.
(4)Michelle V.
Tried the sushi and it was pretty good, but too over priced compared to other sushi places in Gainesville. The best of the rolls I tried was the Volcano roll but for almost $14... not worth it. And the wait time was super long, was there waiting for my food for almost an hour.
(4)Jen L.
Honestly this place was just ok. It's a small establishment in a strip mall and it's usually very crowded. The sushi is average, not the best but tasty enough. I wouldn't say Gainesville is the greatest place to find good sushi but if you're in the city, there is better sushi to be found. You can also try other sushi at 'Dragonfly' downtown or 'Chopstix' on 13th Street. We had a couple basic rolls which were the Philadelphia roll and Tampa roll with the pork gyozas as an appetizer. The pork gyozas were obviously frozen and came in a dish with only 4 gyozas (They could spare at least one more I think). Our friends next to us ordered some sashimi and a couple raw rolls which looked decent. We sat at the sushi bar and watched the sushi being made which was exciting! The Volcano roll definitely looked the best! If you're in Gainesville and you're looking for well-priced, fast sushi, check this place out!
(3)Beth F.
It's really three stars (or was when I was there) but how could I give three stars to the place that introduced me to a whole new cuisine that has become a staple in my life? I remember coming here with my roomie Romy who was going to get me to try sushi - we were to start with a cucumber roll. You know, the "Gateway" Roll/Drug. Matsuri had just opened two years prior and sushi was still special, new, and for most people un-explored territory. I remember sitting down in a sparse room, decorated in beige, wood and soft lighting. I saw a boat go by - what the heck is that?? How can people eat so much food (oh I was so naive!) I was nervous -- was I going to like raw fish? (ha!) I put this roll of krab (this is Gainesville remember) cucumber and avocado in my mouth and......... .....10 years later I am still in love. With that bit of heaven in my mouth I started the downhill spiral into salmon, tuna, and what's this? Eel? Ew. Nope, not for me. The rest of the evening was a blur but this became my go-to first date place, service always being pleasant and the space never getting too loud. Having been to some of the best sushi restaurants in LA now I understand this place was a bit bland but hey, it's Gainesville, land-locked city in Florida. I have tasted worse. I think they are doing the best they can with what they got and I, for one, am grateful to Romy for taking me here. Thank goodness for Matsuri, turning out decent rolls for hungry sushi-eatin' Gators.
(4)Chelsea B.
Although the food is decent, the quality of service at Sushi-Matsuri has been too hit or miss for me to consider this a favorite. I'll come here, and I often do, as it does seem to be a Gainesville favorite, especially if you aren't willing to make the trip downtown to Dragonfly. Immediate seating is always available at Sushi-Matsuri (definitely not at Dragonfly), and there are a few menu items that I can always count on.
(3)Coty S.
Matsuri is the last of the old guns in Gainesville. There are many new fusion type places that have popped up as well as places that have the baked and deep fried rolls. But, if you are looking for the high quality raw stuff, this is the place to go. You won't find anything fancy here, just raw fish. If you want to get down to the basics, then give it a try. It is a small space, so it will get slammed during peak hours.
(3)Whitney F.
I like coming here if I want a casual dinner, nicer than Bento but more affordable than Dragonfly. It's definitely reasonably priced and the food is pretty fresh and authentic. I like getting their sushi boats and beef tataki! Updating review to give them a 4 star. Good consistency and sushi quality is always great.
(4)MacKensie G.
This place had lots of unique rolls and friendly service. The Futomaki roll had mushroom and pickle inside of it! Very tasty. The Gator roll was also fantastic. It's not cheap, but the small, manageable sushi pieces are very flavorful and the small, intimate setting is great. Definitely try the Kawaii roll -- it's wrapped in cucumber. Very fresh and delicious!
(4)Brea G.
Pretty decent sushi and they've got a damned good lunch deal. The Mix Dan is 9 pieces of sashimi over a bowl of rice with mushrooms/wakami salad and a bowl of miso for ~ $12 I've been going here once a week for lunch with some people from work and it's everything it should be ... reasonably fast, reasonably priced, and good. I've gone here a few times for dinner as well and consistently been happy. The Matsuri giant sushi boat is a LOT of food. Probably enough to feed 3 people. I'm happy to continue going here for lunch every week.
(3)Kristen S.
This place has the best authentic sushi in Gainesville, as far as I'm concerned. Sure, Dragonfly is good for fusion rolls, but Matsuri's rolls are just fresher and more flavorful, without being too creamy. The sashimi salad is a great appetizer, and the Kawaii roll has got to be my favorite roll--its sweet, tangy, and filled with fresh fish and veggies. Service can be slow at times, but they are super friendly and always happy to bring you what you want
(5)Jared And Daisy T.
Sushi Matsuri has a lot going for it: nice staff, good food, and a quaint atmosphere. But the downsides for this hideaway are the ridiculously small size. Everything feels so cramped and claustrophobic. They really need to move locations. Being located next to an abandoned Blockbuster and an abandoned ColdStone serves no real incentive to go there. Location matters a lot, especially in this town. The food is good, but like most sushi places they don't time things well. It feels very uncomfortable to have one person's meal come out... and then 15 minutes later another person's. It's understandable that the sushi is freshly rolled, but would it really hurt to have them put one to the side while they roll the next so that everyone in the party could eat together? That's really the only complaint. The desserts are good, the cooked food is great, the soups are fantastic -- definitely try the miso and the ginger salad as appetizers.
(4)Tom L.
Incredible Sushi! Friendly ambiance! Great for dining alone! Awesome place to reconnect with an old chum or a date. You can actually hear each other speak while enjoying delicious Japanese cuisine. Come in and say hi to Binh, Minh and Shu! p.s. the things here that are worth trying or I haven't found elsewhere in town: 1) sea eel 2) tamago made in-house 3) nato beans
(4)Ian S.
This is like the sixth sushi place I have reviewed in the Gainesville area. My take away is there is no good sushi place in the area. I guess my standards are just too high for Gainesville, but after living in San Jose, CA and Melbourne, FL there is just nothing this town has that really comes close to the flavor and freshness that I have come accustom to in sushi. Dragon Fly is about as good as it gets here, and sushi really isn't their best option. This place is ok, but they are priced way too high. I got a roll that cost $10, that really should have been $7-8. I was going to get a sashimi plate, but it cost over $20. Kind of ridiculous especially, after tasting their quality. I really feel I will have to save my sushi yearnings for when I get to Orlando.
(2)Tu-van L.
This is the sushi place I used to go to for reliably good sushi in a relaxed atmosphere. Nothing super-spectacular but if you're looking for regulars like tuna, salmon or eel rolls, this was the place to go. I even like getting their gigantic rainbow rolls and soft shell crab rolls. Lopped off one stars herebecause of one time when my dinner and partner and I were almost forgotten and didn't get our bill until they were ready to step out the door. Lopped off another star because they changed their chefs or something because their eel sauce tasted not as sweet as it used to be.....
(3)Chest R.
Id give it a 3.5 because it is the best of the worst. There may be some place overall better in Gainesville, but I havent discovered it. Its cute. Its homey. Ok its small, but I dont go there when people normally eat dinner. I go there a little later cuz if I eat at 7pm-8pm, I am just going to get hungry later, so I go 830pm-930pm. Sushi has a good selection! I always get one of their more expensive rolls (cant remember it right now) + a roll I have them fry in katsu. Very, very tasty and I usually get near full. Down side? You get charged $1 for a tiny dish of spicy mayo OR $1 for a tiny dish of eel sauce. This I dont understand and feel I am cleary getting ripped off. I actually asked why I am paying this much. Sushi chef said "cuz we make it from scratch. it doesnt come from a jar." If that is true, which I dont know, I dont mind if it comes from a jar! $1 for a condiment is too damn expensive! If you want something fried its another $1, but thats what I choose. Now I gotta add $2 for dipping sauces? I cant leave that place without spending over $24 with tip and thats with drinking water. Also, they dont have brown rice. Hah, if they did, theyd charge more for it, I am sure. (most places do that anyway..but I dont think Dragonfly does)
(3)Sue M.
Sometimes what makes a great dining experience is simple, fresh food sans any smoke, flowers or any fancy pants décor. That's exactly what Sushi Matsuri is all about. A smallish business with about a dozen tables and no grills, the sushi bar is the highlight. I have a feeling that's what most patrons are here for as there was a constant flow of them grabbing a roll and leaving. I enjoyed an expertly prepared platter of sushi that had a good amount of seaweed salad and daikon. The fish was extremely fresh without a hint of any fish odor. Their fish is shipped twice a week. Prices were reasonable and a small bowl of sushi rice was $1. It was evident that sushi chef Mil has been doing this for awhile as he rolled and sliced with precision. Most importantly was his attention to food safety as he thoroughly washed his hands constantly.
(4)Nan T.
Always have the freshest sashimi and sushi. The recent decor change is nice. Quaint place with good service. Have yet to find better/fresher food in Gainesville.
(5)Juan S.
Unfortunately didn't even had a chance to try their food. Their sign says they close at a certain time and I showed up 20 mins earlier only to be told they were closed. I tend to believe that respect is essential irrespective of their quality. Not sticking to the schedule is extremely disrespectful. There are countless sushi options on town. Don't come here.
(1)Laura B.
Have eaten at Sushi Matsuri twice now and have been pleased with both meals. Three and a half stars might be right on, but four works too. First time I had plum wine and some sushi. Second visit I had miso soup (very good, but could have been hotter), eggplant tempura (yum), and three rolls. My husband also ordered two rolls and inarizushi. The vegetarian sushi (including rolls filled with wakame, another with "gourd shavings", and another with mixed vegetables were all delicious. The "Mexican" roll with tempura shrimp and avocado was also good, but I preferred the veggie sushi. Will be back again. If you are looking for some Japanese fare, check this place out. I don't think you will be disappointed.
(4)Tony M.
They just renovated the inside and i must say, im impressed. The atmosphere is excellent, i prefer small sushi joints, and i have only sat at the sushi bar here. Their fish is of great quality, and the bluefin is excellent. They without a doubt, serve the best Nigiri, especially the spicy tuna. The prices are more reasonable than the other places in town, and with Sawamura being under renovation, I will continue coming here.
(4)John P.
One of the best Asian restaurants in Gainesville. They have unique dishes that most other Asian restaurants here don't have, like their donburi bowls. If you're into rolls, their Ochi-chi rolls are a must have. I'm actually not that fond of rolls and sushi, but the Ochi-chi roll changed my mind about that. It's a salmon wrapped roll that melts in your mouth. The staff is solid and relatively helpful when it comes to suggesting choices. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Gainesville.
(5)Brandon C.
Authentic, they have all the dishes I love that you any find at other Japanese restaurants. Beef Yukke and Soba noodle soup for example. Pricey with small portions but that's normal with small authentic places. Overall is the best Japanese in Gainesville.
(5)Hannah P.
Best sushi in Gainesville! Quality is excellent, every roll I've had has blown me away, everything tastes fresh. My favorite is the Daikon roll and the Gator Special salad. I definitely prefer to Dragonfly, as it's cheaper, the ambience is much better (no weird trendy music), and the rolls are better. On more than one occasion the hostess has been a total bitch, but I think it might just be the girl they had/have (and not representation of the rest of the staff). Yes, they do sometimes close ~20 minutes earlier than expected. And yes, they do get extremely busy during peak hours, and usually when I come here I have to wait for a table. Because it is a restaurant! As a response to the reviewer who expected to not wait, it's a busy restaurant!! I spend $100+ every time I come here and have brought in dozens of new patrons, but I don't expect to be treated any differently than their other regular customers. Love this place. Might have to go visit tonight. My only regret is that I only recently discovered it!
(5)Aric D.
Best sushi in Gainesville, atmosphere, presentation, texture, taste etc. If you want sushi, not pink martinis, plasma screens, neon lights or techno, this is the place. They have no need for all those distractions. The food, whether from the sushi bar or kitchen, does all the talking. Btw, we all know sushi is only as good as the rice, these guys got it RIGHT.
(5)Landon E.
Very good service. We'd arrived maybe 30 minutes prior to closing, but the wait staff did not rush us at all and were quick to service and very friendly. Even after they'd cleaned up the restaurant, and we were finishing dessert, they were courteous. The food was quite good, the sushi was better than most other places in Gainesville, and you get a rather decent serving portion. The dessert was mediocre, but that was the only slight in a good dining experience. All in all, pretty good.
(4)Mike W.
I went here Thursday night with a friend after not having visited Sushi-Matsuri for nearly a year. Their space is fairly small, tucked into a small shopping center on the outskirts of the huge Butler Plaza complex on Archer Road. The decorations and atmosphere are typically Japanese-American and welcoming. Unlike Dragonfly or even Bento, there is no effort here to be trendy or a destination restaurant. Instead, the emphasis seems mostly on the sushi and other dishes. We both ordered sushi and the overall quality of sushi was pretty good, though I've had better. They did have umeboshi, which is a type of pickled Japanese plum-like fruit that is commonly seen in Japan as a sushi filling but is more rare stateside. I was pretty impressed by that: Maru Sushi in San Francisco always had its Japanese pickles but you don't see that in Florida much. The gyoza, or steamed dumplings, which I ordered also were really good. The fish tasted fresh but not amazingly so: the nigiri I had, where you could really taste the fish as it was just salmon and rice, could have been better. Service was fine but not exceptional. So how does Sushi-Matsuri stack up to other sushi bars in Gainesville? Probably one of the better ones and one that to some extent attempts to provide an authentic sushi experience. Dragonfly has become kind of the gold standard in Gainesville which is unfortunate because much of its stellar repute is for its atmosphere and clubby, trendy, ways instead of its food quality. Not to say Dragonfly is substandard, but it's very Americanized. In San Francisco you have Blowfish, a very trendy sushi bar but one that also is fully capable of focusing on true sushi, with emphasis on the fish and not creating cute rolls with names like "Tebow Gator Amazing Roll" or something, stuffing these with every fish known to mankind, and then selling them for $12 each. That isn't how sushi should be done, especially not with enough various sauces piled on it to mask any taste of the fish itself. Ichiban probably has the best traditional sushi in town overall, but still they're lacking in some regards as is Sushi-Matsuri. Both Matsuri and Ichiban are trying, but for whatever reason not quite there . . . Dragonfly and Shooting Star, which to me is like the paperback version of Dragonfly, honestly, are more bar-oriented, let's-go-party places with a sushi/Japanese theme than traditional sushi bars. Bento is fine for what it is, but the quality of sushi seems to vary some. Someone really needs to open a small, simple, neighborhood sushi bar akin to Sumo Sushi up in Jacksonville: Sumo does a GREAT job and is pretty traditional yet American enough to please most customers. Sushi-Matsuri could be that place, but they need a little more emphasis on tradition and on personal service . . . also the prices seemed a bit steep for what they were offering. I cannot be sure, but I think their prices were about the same as Dragonfly's yet without the posh atmosphere . . . my friend who dined with me noticed this too and kind of frowned upon it.
(4)Sarah K.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant in town - when I'm looking for something to satisfy my sashimi cravings. I have been coming to Sushi Matsuri for years. I have never been disappointed by the consistency of the food. The service may not always be perfect, but once that plate is in front of me everything fades to the glory of melt in the mouth deliciousness. They don't have a full service bar (just limited beer, wine, and sake) and the dress code is casual (with the occasional hitting the town look). The rolls are good (love the Kawai), but what keeps me coming back is the fresh fish.
(5)Rob F.
Went there a few days ago and really enjoyed the sushi. We ordered the California roll, gainesville roll and a cooked beef roll. The cooked beef roll was delicious and might've been one of best bites of sushi I have ever tasted. I am not a sushi expert and am not at all an expert so I just go off how it tastes not on the techniques used, etc. My girlfriend ordered a soup and enjoyed it and also ordered a "Japanese pickle roll" which we both did not like but it was more of a personal preference kind of thing than something the restaurant did. Overall this place was very good and I would definitely visit there again as it was affordable and the ambiance is nice.
(4)Han L.
Sushi Matsuri gets nothing but love from me. I heart you Sushi Matsuri :) Yea the place is tight, literally, but you got to love their SUSHI! I have no problems with the service here. Although it does get busy and orders get pushed back. One time, I ordered to go and I had to wait a bit, but the cashier gave me a salad and miso soup out of the blue for my wait. She originally offered one or the other, but ended up giving me both. YAY for free food! The sushi here is good yo. They're wrapped neat enough for me. The selection is varied enough and it's not as costly as DragonFly's. Course I love DragonFly, but honestly, Matsuri is just as good. Matsuri has some unique sushi too, for instance, the kawaii roll. Sometimes, there's a slight fish after-taste, but I'm also not paying an arm and a leg for the sushi either. For their service, quality, and consistency, I give them a YOWSAH!
(5)WW T.
Shrimp teriyaki is sooooooo good! Juicy tender and fresh. also ordered tampa roll, great. salmon teriyaki is also good
(4)Stephanie R.
This place was ok. I had a california roll and tuna roll. Very small but also cheap so the price was right. My mom had katsu shrimp, or maybe it was tempura. I do remember that the shrimp was overcooked. I might go back since the rolls were decent and cheap, their non sushi items may be a bit iffy.
(3)geoff c.
Best sushi Gainesville, FL has to offer even though its not that GREAT but its decent. the prices are not bad and probably has the best selection of sushi and sashimi here. I love the sweet shrimps!!!
(3)James B.
So now I'm still on my quest to find decent Japanese food in Gainesville, and I ended up at this small and cute restaurant. The decor is more traditional, you can choose from chairs or sitting on pillows! Their menu is nice and refined, but nothing special to write about so the food better be good... My first appetizer was tempura. Gross. Thick batter, not crispy, lame tempura sauce, and appaling looks. Come on, I expected delicately crispy fried vegetables and shrimp, and not this lame stuff. My second appetizer was tuna tataki on a bed of alfalfa sprouts. Let's just say it was a bunk bed of alfalfa sprouts. Am I supposed to eat it with the tuna? Well, thats what I did. The tuna wasn't bad, but again, not memorable. The seared edges should be well crusted and flavor, and in this case, it was not. And then I had edamame which should have a sprinkling of sea salt but it was just boiled in salt water :(. I just ordered the sushi appetizer, which was okay. The fish wasn't the freshest I've had but it wasn't bad. They actually give you REAL decent slices of fish, and not just enough to cover the rice. I guess for the average person it would be great, but I've had the same or much better. I'd give it 2.5 stars, your average sushi restaurant giving standard fare food.
(2)Claudia M.
We have been going to Matsuri for over 10 years, right around the time I first moved to the area. A colleague and friend told me about this place. Hands down the best fish quality. Being of similar respectful introverted nature, we like the chefs and some of the original hosts and waiters especially. Some of the best miso, salad, wakame, sashimi and handrolls you will find. Only downside is the opening times. We have to go to other places that are open for lunch or in the afternoon, and really would much prefer coming here instead!
(5)Eve A.
It's some of the best sushi in Gainesville, though I found the miso soup rather bland and tepid. I had the Matsuri Roll and it was excellent. I'll be ordering that again.
(4)Edward K.
The sushi has been exceptionally fresh both times that I have visited. The service was great, and the pricing was fair. I highly recommend visiting.
(5)Chris T.
Came here again after probably a year-long hiatus. I used to not really prefer this place - mainly because of the prices - but in the end, I don't think it is a bad option for a little sushi. Echoing what other reviews have said, if I had to pick, raw sushi is their speciality. They don't have many of the fried/crunchy/etc rolls as what you'll usually find nowadays in most sushi places, so if you're looking for those - you will be disappointed. Closest things they have are probably their $13.95 Volcano Roll or their Ochi-chi Roll. But if you want to experiment or love sushi with raw items, this place will cater to your palate. I particularly like their Yukke Roll (raw beef and kimchi) @ 4.95 and their Beef tataki is delicious too. Beef Negimaki is enjoyable but they sometimes broil the beef too much thus making it abrasive. Their Udon is just that..Udon and their Chicken Katsu is OK, nothing special. Matsuri is very small. I'm estimating a maximum of around 45 before the fire marshall comes through, but Matsuri still offers something different to Gainesville. Awkward pillow cushion things still line the wooden benches and their prices still could be a little lower but overall I still give it a 3.5. I don't know how to explain it but I'm beginning to feel Sushi-Matsuri is more of an acquired taste AKA just come here for raw items.
(3)Eugene S.
Went for a dinner Tempura is so so katsu don is quite original In gainesville probably one of the better japanese place for the money. Sushi is quite good, will go to dragon fly first for sushi but the price is right
(3)Haritha A.
Do not be fooled, like the many college students around you, by the flashing lights of downtown Gainesville (cough:oxymoron). This little strip mall restaurant serves the best sushi in town. I recommend the shigiyaki -- tempura eggplant -- the Kawaii roll, and the volcano.
(5)Allison P.
Went for the first time tonight and can definitely recommend others to eat here. I will say I wasn't the biggest fan of the Shrimp Teriyaki but that's mainly bc I'm not a fan of mushrooms. It also wasn't served hot which I didn't like- not worth the $15 price to me. I read many reviews commenting on how good the miso soup and salad with the ginger dressing was and I wasn't overly impressed by it. It wasn't bad by any means but no better quality than others I have had. Their sushi was awesome though. I had the Ochi-Chi Roll and the Spider Roll. The both were very good but the Ochi-Chi Roll was my favorite- crab roll with baked salmon on top. The Happy Hour special (ends at 7) consisted of two for one Saki or beer. Had the Saki and each serving was about four shots- eight shots total for $3.50. Need I say more? The service was fast and friendly, never felt rushed and was able to enjoy my meal with friends. Will come back again!
(4)Thurgood S.
By Gainesville standards, I give Matsuri 4 stars. It's an oldie but goodie around here, and we often go for Birthdays and family celebrations. The restaurant is on the small side, and I prefer to eat on the right where it is somewhat partitioned. The service is above average and so is most of the food. I love the avocado salad--the avocado always seems to be perfectly ripe--although I think they use iceberg lettuce. The dressing is delicious, the standard orange sesame ginger Japanese dressing. My family loves the tuna tataki, pork shumai, and gyoza appetizers. Edamame is always a safe bet. Their miso soup and wakame salad is good too. The age tofu is pretty good if that's your thing, with a slightly sweet sauce. The sushi is really good here. My brother is a sushi whore and can eat the hell out of some Matsuri sushi and sashimi. Before I forget, it's closed on Mondays...otherwise we would have gone there tonight for my mom's Bday, but we went to Miya Sushi instead, which is pretty good and has remodeled again, but it's never as good as Matsuri. Did I mention that they serve their beer in glasses so cold that the top of the beer forms a thin layer of frost? I love it. Anything frosty in Florida is cool. And the fried cheesecake with ice cream? If I die today, let it be eating that. By the way, if you don't like sushi, there are plenty of other options (chicken terriyaki and the like), and if you're a vegetarian, there are plenty of sushi and non-sushi options. My favorite roll (I make it up): fried sweet potato, avocado, asparagus, scallion
(4)Mark G.
My go-to place for inhaling sushi and gulping 16oz Kirin Ichibans.A wee bit of a tight fit ,and wait,on any given weekend,but hey,that's Gville for you. Recommend: Miso soup Any salad with that killer ginger dressing Scallop Teriyaki Mexican roll Volcano roll Beef Negimaki 16 oz Kirin Ichiban!
(4)Connie C.
Okay, so this is MY regular sushi place. It is not too expensive, the sushi is always good and it has a good atmosphere. The only downsides are that the restaurant is small, so it can get busy during peak times (waiting for a table AND waiting for your food). My favorites are the Florida Roll and Mexican Roll. They are very accomodating too if you need to add or subtract ingrediants.
(4)Tommy S.
my personal fav in gainesville... been a loyal customer since 2002. once again, not much room inside- so might have to wait during the weekends, but the turnover is pretty quick... both the sushi and kitchen are great! appetizers such as beef yukke (raw beef), Neigmaki (thinly sliced beef rolled with scallions), and deep fried chicken morsels.. also love the katsu-don (pork katsu over egg, shitake shrooms, and rice... try the daikon roll (sushi roll that uses daikon instead of nori filled with crab and tuna... cant go wrong with matsuri.. it's a pity im no longer in town...
(4)Logan f.
Mediocre sushi. I have had better. Its no Dragonfly.
(2)Mindy M.
Top-grade sushi draws crowds here, but avoid Friday and Saturday nights and you will not be sorry. I recommend the spicy tuna handroll (not on the menu; write it in), the spider roll (fried soft-shell crab from heaven), the fresh salmon nigiri-sushi, and the yellowtail nigiri-sushi. The mushroom roll is yummy -- if you tend to like mushrooms, of course. Everything with the "spicy sauce" is great, but I try not to order more than one spicy-sauce item at one sitting.
(5)Heather S.
There is a bit of an Archer-road-crush if you attempt to eat here on a Friday or Saturday night, but the wait is worth it! Skip the dull traditional menu items and go for the sushi - that's why you're here, right? Fresh & inventive - I like it better than Kotobuki!
(4)Air Squid S.
The sushi was excellent, but the service was absolutely terrible. We were there for ten minutes before anybody even got to our table. Our waitress was not friendly or attentive, probably due partly to their apparent short-staffing. In all likelihood, as previous reviewers said, this would be less of a problem on nights other than Friday and Saturday.
(3)Lydia L.
A cute little restaurant with good, fresh sushi. Reasonable prices. Really good service. I found it much more appealing than Dragonfly.
(4)Jackie S.
this is a place i will miss from gainesville. not so much because of its inconvenient location or the wait time usually involved. not so much because sometimes they would sneak wasabi paste into my cucumber roll. not so much because the booths are a little bit too deep and i can't lean back and then i have that little slippery cushion that keeps threatening to send me under the table. not so much even because i never got to eat anything off of a little wooden boat. their sushi is all right, but i've had better. it kicks the crap out of sushi 2 go at least. the ginger dressing on the salad was okay. the appetizers i've had have all been good, but not life-changing. so why five stars? for being the place of such excellent food-related memories during my time in titletown. the atmosphere is nice and the prices are affordable, which allowed for many sushi binges (here is a nod to luca c.) that left me uncomfortably full but pretty stoked on life. you go, girl.
(5)Ashley B.
The first time I came here, we waited FOREVER for our food- the people next to us, who arrived after us, were almost done before our food ever came. No apology from the waitress or anything- we ended up walking out. The people's food around us looked good though, so we gave it another try the next week. That time, we eventually got our food. It was pretty good, and decently priced. I hope that poor service was a one time thing, but it'll color my opinion of the place for a little while.
(3)