Still a local gem. Outstanding food: fresh fish, good service, fun crowd, reasonable prices love the sukiyaki.
Julie P.
We ordered takeout on a Saturday night. The person taking the order was very helpful and the order was ready at the estimated time. The vegetable tempura was hot and crisp and the 4 different rolls were outstanding. Delicious and tastefully prepared. We were Just passing through but if we lived here this would be our first choice for Japanese food!
Aimee Larkin
Delicious! The green tea tempura ice cream was so good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
elijah larkin
I started out my night in a fit of discomfort because of a rumbling stomach in turmoil with intense hunger. The feast that awaited me was… astonishing. Rich miso soup with teriyaki salmon that’s was simply put peerless. To finish off the idyllic night we shared green tea tempura with a soft yet robust flavor. At the end of the day this was one of a few restaurants worth every penny and every second of commute.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Unagi
Tate Larkin
Quick, easy, and exquisite dining. Superb chicken katsu that dissolves in your mouth and leaves a heavenly aftertaste. Also the green tea tempura ice cream was magical ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vanessa L.
My son spit out his California roll, and was dry heaving. I examined the rolls, and the avocado was rancid and mouldy. We took it to go, and I don't feel like driving back to return it. But I'm grossed out. I love fresh avocado, but nothing is worse than rotten avocado. I'm really surprised the chef put this avocado in the roll, which he made while I waited. Very disappointing.
Toni A.
Miyako food is good. However, the to go service order is not reliable. The guy who pick up the phone order leave you hanging on the phone for 30 minutes and never came back or the to go order is missing the sauce. If you keep this guy working in your restaurant, it's time to let him go because your reputation is at stake and will eventually lose business.
Russell Cecala
Great place! Can't go wrong. Everything is great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michele C.
Sadly I don't recommend this restaurant. I wanted to and I tried to give the place many chances however the first strike was when we went in (early maybe 4:30p) there was only (1) family there, all the tables were "available" (no one sitting there), yet they all had reserved signs on them except for approx six (2) person tables in the middle. I hate sitting in the middle. I wanted a table along the side wall. They refused... again, no one was there but (1) other family and about (5) other tables wide open. I understand keeping a table open for larger groups but the place was empty!! Then the menu was a trifold paper and it was not written very well and looked cheap. #2 When we received our soup we didn't get soup spoons... we had to wait for a waitress to come by and ask for a spoon... why not bring the spoon with the bowl of soup? #3 We received our appetizer... same thing, no small plates... we had to wait for the waitress to come by to get plates, why deliver the food with our plates or at least bring them ahead of time. #4 I had ordered a Sushi roll with Mango in it "to go", the waitress confirmed my choice to box it "to go".... The sushi roll was delivered to the table on a plate... and it was the wrong sushi roll, it was a duplicate of what my daughter ordered!! I said No, first off it's "to go", second it's the wrong sushi roll.... When it was time to go they brought my to go box with the roll... considering how the night went I should have checked it (my huge mistake)... well later in our hotel I went to eat the sushi roll and it was the same "wrong roll" they tried to serve me at the table!!... paying for something I didn't want and (yes) I gave a small tip! I now wish I hadn't. Partway through our meal I looked up and noticed (2) People (not sure of their exact nationality) the people seemed to look like the people who worked there (my daughter and I are a different nationality and do not look like the staff there) they were treated very well like they were friends of theirs. I was a bit upset because when we finished, the (2) people I mentioned were the only (2) person couple who arrived the whole time and they got a (4) seated table along the wall...hmmm a bit of discrimination crossed my mind for sure! Why wouldn't it. During our meal only (1) large group of (5) ppl showed up, I understood their large table along the wall. There was about (6) two person tables in the middle, so why didn't the other (2) people get seated in the middle.... Now the food: The food was decent and some items were very good, that's the only reason for the (2) Stars. Sadly I will not be back and I love sushi and I've been to the best rated locations of everywhere I travel and at my local area. I spend a good amount of money and I know good food and good service. Sadly I can't recommend this restaurant in good conscience.
Biff L.
There are a lot of good sushi places in Santa Cruz, but I think Miyako is the best. Their fish is always incredibly fresh and delicious. Staff is fast and efficient and the service is always good. This place is easy to miss from the outside, but you won't regret checking it out.
Theyre spicy mayo sucks! Its not even spicy and they use regular american mayo not japanese, but other than that sushi was pretty clean i only had the avocado an cucumber roll.
George I.
This is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the Santa Cruz area with authentic decor & ambience. This place is better than other Japanese restaurants in Aptos, Capitola & Santa Cruz. Miso soup has the right flavor. Fresh sashimi cut in the right size, and staff is friendly & efficient.
Debbie S.
Don't treat you friendly, frowning upon not ordering a drink besides water. They have Covid plastic up instead of seating at the sushi bar, it's definitely an off-putting vibe. They charge $14/tuna hand roll for mushy tuna (YUCK!!!) rice, cucumber and a tiny avocado slice so small I couldn't even taste it. The one avocado slice was 4 times thinner than the cucumber. I'm hoping they read this and consider making some alterations, too many competitors in our town to stay stagnant.
Kevin Tracy
The Mary roll was amazing and the staff was friendly and kind. Would recommend highly!
Still a local gem. Outstanding food: fresh fish, good service, fun crowd, reasonable prices love the sukiyaki.
We ordered takeout on a Saturday night. The person taking the order was very helpful and the order was ready at the estimated time. The vegetable tempura was hot and crisp and the 4 different rolls were outstanding. Delicious and tastefully prepared. We were Just passing through but if we lived here this would be our first choice for Japanese food!
Delicious! The green tea tempura ice cream was so good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I started out my night in a fit of discomfort because of a rumbling stomach in turmoil with intense hunger. The feast that awaited me was… astonishing. Rich miso soup with teriyaki salmon that’s was simply put peerless. To finish off the idyllic night we shared green tea tempura with a soft yet robust flavor. At the end of the day this was one of a few restaurants worth every penny and every second of commute.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Unagi
Quick, easy, and exquisite dining. Superb chicken katsu that dissolves in your mouth and leaves a heavenly aftertaste. Also the green tea tempura ice cream was magical ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My son spit out his California roll, and was dry heaving. I examined the rolls, and the avocado was rancid and mouldy. We took it to go, and I don't feel like driving back to return it. But I'm grossed out. I love fresh avocado, but nothing is worse than rotten avocado. I'm really surprised the chef put this avocado in the roll, which he made while I waited. Very disappointing.
Miyako food is good. However, the to go service order is not reliable. The guy who pick up the phone order leave you hanging on the phone for 30 minutes and never came back or the to go order is missing the sauce. If you keep this guy working in your restaurant, it's time to let him go because your reputation is at stake and will eventually lose business.
Great place! Can't go wrong. Everything is great!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sadly I don't recommend this restaurant. I wanted to and I tried to give the place many chances however the first strike was when we went in (early maybe 4:30p) there was only (1) family there, all the tables were "available" (no one sitting there), yet they all had reserved signs on them except for approx six (2) person tables in the middle. I hate sitting in the middle. I wanted a table along the side wall. They refused... again, no one was there but (1) other family and about (5) other tables wide open. I understand keeping a table open for larger groups but the place was empty!! Then the menu was a trifold paper and it was not written very well and looked cheap. #2 When we received our soup we didn't get soup spoons... we had to wait for a waitress to come by and ask for a spoon... why not bring the spoon with the bowl of soup? #3 We received our appetizer... same thing, no small plates... we had to wait for the waitress to come by to get plates, why deliver the food with our plates or at least bring them ahead of time. #4 I had ordered a Sushi roll with Mango in it "to go", the waitress confirmed my choice to box it "to go".... The sushi roll was delivered to the table on a plate... and it was the wrong sushi roll, it was a duplicate of what my daughter ordered!! I said No, first off it's "to go", second it's the wrong sushi roll.... When it was time to go they brought my to go box with the roll... considering how the night went I should have checked it (my huge mistake)... well later in our hotel I went to eat the sushi roll and it was the same "wrong roll" they tried to serve me at the table!!... paying for something I didn't want and (yes) I gave a small tip! I now wish I hadn't. Partway through our meal I looked up and noticed (2) People (not sure of their exact nationality) the people seemed to look like the people who worked there (my daughter and I are a different nationality and do not look like the staff there) they were treated very well like they were friends of theirs. I was a bit upset because when we finished, the (2) people I mentioned were the only (2) person couple who arrived the whole time and they got a (4) seated table along the wall...hmmm a bit of discrimination crossed my mind for sure! Why wouldn't it. During our meal only (1) large group of (5) ppl showed up, I understood their large table along the wall. There was about (6) two person tables in the middle, so why didn't the other (2) people get seated in the middle.... Now the food: The food was decent and some items were very good, that's the only reason for the (2) Stars. Sadly I will not be back and I love sushi and I've been to the best rated locations of everywhere I travel and at my local area. I spend a good amount of money and I know good food and good service. Sadly I can't recommend this restaurant in good conscience.
There are a lot of good sushi places in Santa Cruz, but I think Miyako is the best. Their fish is always incredibly fresh and delicious. Staff is fast and efficient and the service is always good. This place is easy to miss from the outside, but you won't regret checking it out.
Restaurantji Recommends
Theyre spicy mayo sucks! Its not even spicy and they use regular american mayo not japanese, but other than that sushi was pretty clean i only had the avocado an cucumber roll.
This is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the Santa Cruz area with authentic decor & ambience. This place is better than other Japanese restaurants in Aptos, Capitola & Santa Cruz. Miso soup has the right flavor. Fresh sashimi cut in the right size, and staff is friendly & efficient.
Don't treat you friendly, frowning upon not ordering a drink besides water. They have Covid plastic up instead of seating at the sushi bar, it's definitely an off-putting vibe. They charge $14/tuna hand roll for mushy tuna (YUCK!!!) rice, cucumber and a tiny avocado slice so small I couldn't even taste it. The one avocado slice was 4 times thinner than the cucumber. I'm hoping they read this and consider making some alterations, too many competitors in our town to stay stagnant.
The Mary roll was amazing and the staff was friendly and kind. Would recommend highly!
My favorite Sushi place in Santa Cruz. Period!