2025 Tetsu was once a five star (for me) on Google maps and also worthy of being considered one of the top three Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. My last visit was not particularly good. As I really like the chef, I will not say too much except that each dish must be as fresh as possible.
My earlier review is below.
2019 I tried this place about mid-February (2019). I went by myself as my wife was out of town for a few nights. The place came with great reviews from friends so was not too surprised by the high quality of the sushi. The closest comparable is Masayoshi. These two restaurants represent the best for pure sushi. They are close but I would have to try Tetsu another four or five times to form an opinion on the better sushi restaurant. The Tetsu sauces appear to be more advanced but perhaps that would be overshadowed by other factors over time.
I was excited enough about Tetsu that I ran over to Masayoshi the next night - for a side by side comparison. They are close in quality. One minor but interesting difference is the fact that Masayoshi makes his own ginger whereas Tetsu purchases ginger from an outside supplier. Masayoshi's ginger can vary according to the batch made. I have mentioned this to Masayoshi - he just smiles.
Both offer excellent service. I like the staff at both restaurants. Having said this, the best service is at Tojo's. When I am by myself, I seldom pour my own tea.
Although the two restaurants excel in sushi, the best cooked japanese meals are at Yuwa (the old Zest Restaurant). Unfortunately, Yuwa has come down a notch from the Zest days. Some of the seasonal dishes are unique. Try stinging nettle tempura or dishes from the matsutake season.
I will write a bit more after I try Tetsu a few more times.
Good luck to this restaurant as Vancouver needs more restaurants like yours.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Casey
A must-try for sushi lovers! It’s not just fresh fish — the chef brings so much creativity to each piece. The spot prawn with Shaoxing wine was a standout, and the smoked cherry trout was incredible. It had beautiful balance of aroma and flavor. I also added the Kuruma Ebi nigiri and loved it so much. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
mazen ellaz
Tetsu Sushi gave me one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked in, the team made me feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. Every dish was a perfect blend of innovation, flavour, and freshness, and the presentation was so beautiful that it felt like art on a plate.
What truly made the night unforgettable was how the staff went above and beyond for my birthday. They paid attention to every detail and made the whole experience feel warm, special, and personal. It’s rare to find a place where the quality is this high and yet it still feels like home.
If you love nigiri or simply want a memorable night out, you need to visit Tetsu Sushi. This place is a gem and I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delbert Yap
Excellent omakase experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marc Finkelstein
My experience of the omakase was that it was mechanical and soulless. The servers were attentive but they were impaired by the cuisine.
The food itself had many dishes that were not good. Dishes without rice were generally bland. The rice was too salty and earthy. Presentation was poor. Freshness of the fish was good but it was insufficient to carry the nigiri, which were mediocre.
The atmosphere was compressed. The open dish washing area on the way to the washroom was icky. The staff seemed unhappy.
As a customer of many Vancouver omakases I’d place Tetsu in the bottom quartile.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Grant R
Absolutely stunning. Very Japanese in the impeccable and precise service and the food was fresh and creative. So impressed with every bite. Can’t wait to go back next time I am in Vancouver. Fish selection you often don’t see on a menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Foodie Files
The name 哲 (Tetsu) has been carried in the names of Chef Satoshi’s family. Hence the name of the restaurant. Opened in 2017, housing 12 seats, this place gained steadfast popularity receiving notable awards and accolades.
“While we may only welcome a few guests each day, we find great joy in the dinner experiences created with you. - Thank you for so warmly embracing Tetsu.”
Much love, CHEF SATOSHI MAKISE
Comments from the author 100/10 - GO!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sima Godfrey
I have had the omakase dinner here twice with my daughter and her Japanese husband and they both agree that the exquisite food and service match and even surpass some of their best meals in Japan. They were also very accommodating about foods any of us don’t eat. Highly recommend!
Nolan Ryland
Wonderful staff. Very accommodating budget friendly menu as well. We were impressed with the quality and service.
Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane WONG
One of the best Omakase in this price range. Fresh fish and good sushi rice texture.
The omakase is excellent. Highly recommend trying it. The chef and staff are very nice and welcoming. If you need restaurant recommendations in Vancouver, ask the chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jacob Blackburn
Amazing Omakase, one of the best I had so far!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leah N
Tetsu never goes wrong! Been here multiple times and it’s my go-to omakase place in Vancouver. Chef is friendly and he shares restaurants in Japan with us when we tell him we going to Fukuoka soon. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J K
Tetsu knows how to make good sushi. Extremely good sushi. Service was awesome too. I would definitely visit again. 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arek Dembowski
Mia and Anita where good servers with great service and food
2025
Tetsu was once a five star (for me) on Google maps and also worthy of being considered one of the top three Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. My last visit was not particularly good. As I really like the chef, I will not say too much except that each dish must be as fresh as possible.
My earlier review is below.
2019
I tried this place about mid-February (2019). I went by myself as my wife was out of town for a few nights. The place came with great reviews from friends so was not too surprised by the high quality of the sushi. The closest comparable is Masayoshi. These two restaurants represent the best for pure sushi. They are close but I would have to try Tetsu another four or five times to form an opinion on the better sushi restaurant. The Tetsu sauces appear to be more advanced but perhaps that would be overshadowed by other factors over time.
I was excited enough about Tetsu that I ran over to Masayoshi the next night - for a side by side comparison. They are close in quality. One minor but interesting difference is the fact that Masayoshi makes his own ginger whereas Tetsu purchases ginger from an outside supplier. Masayoshi's ginger can vary according to the batch made. I have mentioned this to Masayoshi - he just smiles.
Both offer excellent service. I like the staff at both restaurants. Having said this, the best service is at Tojo's. When I am by myself, I seldom pour my own tea.
Although the two restaurants excel in sushi, the best cooked japanese meals are at Yuwa (the old Zest Restaurant). Unfortunately, Yuwa has come down a notch from the Zest days. Some of the seasonal dishes are unique. Try stinging nettle tempura or dishes from the matsutake season.
I will write a bit more after I try Tetsu a few more times.
Good luck to this restaurant as Vancouver needs more restaurants like yours.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
A must-try for sushi lovers! It’s not just fresh fish — the chef brings so much creativity to each piece. The spot prawn with Shaoxing wine was a standout, and the smoked cherry trout was incredible. It had beautiful balance of aroma and flavor. I also added the Kuruma Ebi nigiri and loved it so much. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tetsu Sushi gave me one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked in, the team made me feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. Every dish was a perfect blend of innovation, flavour, and freshness, and the presentation was so beautiful that it felt like art on a plate.
What truly made the night unforgettable was how the staff went above and beyond for my birthday. They paid attention to every detail and made the whole experience feel warm, special, and personal. It’s rare to find a place where the quality is this high and yet it still feels like home.
If you love nigiri or simply want a memorable night out, you need to visit Tetsu Sushi. This place is a gem and I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent omakase experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
My experience of the omakase was that it was mechanical and soulless. The servers were attentive but they were impaired by the cuisine.
The food itself had many dishes that were not good. Dishes without rice were generally bland. The rice was too salty and earthy. Presentation was poor. Freshness of the fish was good but it was insufficient to carry the nigiri, which were mediocre.
The atmosphere was compressed. The open dish washing area on the way to the washroom was icky. The staff seemed unhappy.
As a customer of many Vancouver omakases I’d place Tetsu in the bottom quartile.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Absolutely stunning. Very Japanese in the impeccable and precise service and the food was fresh and creative. So impressed with every bite. Can’t wait to go back next time I am in Vancouver. Fish selection you often don’t see on a menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The name 哲 (Tetsu) has been carried in the names of Chef Satoshi’s family. Hence the name of the restaurant. Opened in 2017, housing 12 seats, this place gained steadfast popularity receiving notable awards and accolades.
“While we may only welcome a few guests each day, we find great joy in the dinner experiences created with you. - Thank you for so warmly embracing Tetsu.”
Much love,
CHEF SATOSHI MAKISE
Comments from the author 100/10 - GO!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have had the omakase dinner here twice with my daughter and her Japanese husband and they both agree that the exquisite food and service match and even surpass some of their best meals in Japan. They were also very accommodating about foods any of us don’t eat. Highly recommend!
Wonderful staff. Very accommodating budget friendly menu as well. We were impressed with the quality and service.
Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best Omakase in this price range. Fresh fish and good sushi rice texture.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
The omakase is excellent. Highly recommend trying it. The chef and staff are very nice and welcoming. If you need restaurant recommendations in Vancouver, ask the chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing Omakase, one of the best I had so far!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tetsu never goes wrong! Been here multiple times and it’s my go-to omakase place in Vancouver. Chef is friendly and he shares restaurants in Japan with us when we tell him we going to Fukuoka soon. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tetsu knows how to make good sushi. Extremely good sushi.
Service was awesome too. I would definitely visit again. 👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mia and Anita where good servers with great service and food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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