Itani Sushi - Berkeley

We are regulars here - absolutely delicious, always fresh, and decently priced to-go sushi options! Not to mention super friendly and kind service. Recently they threw in an extra toro nigiri (for free) with the cutest note written!! Can’t recommend Itani Sushi enough :)

Had a few ok experiences but then got their Japanese potato salad and it was rancid! I had to spit it out. Their marinated spinach also tasted old. I returned those two items plus a sushi roll which I didn’t taste because I wasn’t willing to risk it. I’m really sad about it because I wanted to support them.

Food: 2

Absolutely delicious! Been coming here for years and everything on the menu is amazing. The quality and freshness is unmatched.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The team at Itani is the nicest, and they serve up fresh, yummy sushi and sashimi.

In particular, I like their take on agedashi tofu. The item includes avocado tempura, which combines the slightly squishy texture of avo with the crispness of tempura.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Iwana Arctic Char

I’ve been a huge fan of Hopscotch, Itani Ramen, and Yonsei Handrolls for years, and I was beyond excited to see that the same group was opening a sushi spot in the Gourmet Ghetto! Of course I had to try it with a friend 😅

We each ordered a three-course sushi set and decided on the ITSU set and the baller set. We also added some miso soups and eventually more nigiri, including their delicious Hokkaido scallops and fantastic Hokkaido uni, both of which were about half the price I usually see when eating sushi in the Bay Area, Seattle, Hawaii, and New York. The arctic char was also phenomenal 🤤 (I should probably mention that I didn’t confirm that the scallops and uni were from Hokkaido, but the uni had that sweet butter consistency that I’ve only seen with Hokkaido uni.)

For drinks we both had still water, and my friend tried the iced tea. I went with the yuzu lemonade, which was delicious and perfect for the warm day but threatened to overwhelm my pallette at times. Service was prompt, generally lovely, and better than most of the service I’ve experienced across multiple states in the last few weeks (including other Bay Area restaurants). They also have different soy sauces available, and both of the ones we tried (I think it was the Yonsei house soy sauce and a garlic soy sauce?) were delicious!

Itani Sushi also had a bunch of freshly made to go options that looked like a perfect option for those in a bit of a hurry or wanting to enjoy the sunshine and some fresh air in their gorgeous, shared back patio (accessible if you walk past the bathrooms and towards the back of the building). I will 100% be back and look forward to my next visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My partner and I love hamachi carpaccio and came across this spot when looking for a sushi restaurant that was open on Mondays!

We had a wonderful dinner here. The hamachi carpaccio is incredible and the owner also let us sample the arctic char which was also really good. The staff are very welcoming and the ambiance is really cute. This is definitely our new sushi spot and we’re looking forward to visiting again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Iwana Arctic Char

Everything is good but the fish was cut too thin even for sashimi.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Best sushi in Berkeley and best value. Total winner. Outdoor seating behind the building is lovely.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing counter sushi spot in the food hall. The arctic char and toro nigiri was absolutely incredible. The Chef was so nice and personable and his suggestions were spot on. Definitely coming back here before it’s gets too crowded and won’t be able to get a spot at the counter

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The fish was so fresh and delicious and the head chef is amazing. An awesome new addition to Berkeley!

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious sushi!!
First time and will return!!!
Staff is amazing!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Atmosphere is cool because it’s an indoor shared space, long wait if you’re waiting, rolls are smaller than other places.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Had the sashimi and the nigiri omakase. When we told them we were sitting out back, the chef prepared everything on ceramic plates instead of to go containers- so much better.
The presentation was beautiful and the quality of fish was great. They are the sister restaurant with one in Oakland and Albany so I imagine have a strong connection for sushi grade fish.
We will definitely return.
I heard they may get a license for sit down bar inside which would be great.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great for on the go food or if you happen to be in the area. Would I ever seek out the resturant? No. mid miso soup, smallish portions and mid quality sushi. I had shrimp tempura, which i think costco could match or best in quality and price. Lovely location though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Food was awesomesauce

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5