19 Best Japanese Restaurants in Palo Alto

“From the warm greeting everyone receives when walking through the door to the attentive and super friendly service, this place is amazing! The sushi was outstanding… hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had! The texture, taste and presentation was top notch. Wish there was a location on the east coast!“

“Many promotions going on, they have eat for under $10 and I was more than full. Also they have a gift card deal and more discounts when leaving a review that I am taking advantage of! This place is very well priced and you can tell everything is fresh. I saw the girl cutting up all the vegetables from scratch. Very honorable place, really liked the kake, similar to miso soup in my opinion“

“Iki Omakase gave me one of the most enjoyable omakase experiences I’ve had. The food was excellent — super fresh ingredients, perfectly balanced flavors, and every course felt thoughtfully prepared. The uni was incredibly sweet and the toro literally melted in my mouth.
What made the night even better was the chef. He wasn’t just skilled — he was really funny and made the whole experience more relaxed and enjoyable. His jokes, stories, and interactions added a personal touch that you don’t get at many omakase places. You can tell he loves what he’s doing.
Service was warm and attentive, and the pacing of the meal was just right. For the price, this was absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely be back and will recommend Iki Omakase to friends!“

“Absolutely amazing❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ best sushi!“

“good place to dine and very clean“

“Incredibly delicious. Friendly atmosphere. Awesome.“

“adoro la variedad de Mocho que tienen además la excelente atención“

“Excellent meal in the restaurant!“

“Excellent spicy miso broth, not too spicy, but enough to warm you up by the end of the bowl. There are a lot of options including half noodles.“

“Delicious sushi and dessert!“

“Yummy food! Well made! Udon is awesome!“

“Fantastic! Sat at the sushi counter for omakase service. Chef explain each bite/dish and service was excellent. Great casual neighborhood vibes, comfortable seating. Most importantly, excellent quality fish that shined w/ traditional and understated preparations. I'll be back when in town for work.“

“From the moment we walked in, the staff treated us like regulars — warm, attentive, and genuinely happy to help. Service was flawless all night: timely drink refills, thoughtful answers to menu questions, and spot-on recommendations that made ordering easy and fun.
The sushi is insanely fresh. Every roll and piece of nigiri tasted clean, perfectly cut, and beautifully balanced. Whether you’re into classic sashimi or more creative rolls, everything is done right. The menu is also impressively broad — not just sushi, but tempura, grilled dishes, and specialty items that clearly show how much they care about quality. Personally, I’m a big fan of the sake kama (salmon collar) — rich, flavorful, and cooked perfectly.
The atmosphere strikes that rare balance of traditional and relaxed, making it ideal for date night or a special dinner with friends or family. We didn’t do a tatami room this time, but even the main dining area felt cozy and authentic. There’s real sushi culture here — not just good food, but the full experience.
Parking and reservations were easy (a huge win in Palo Alto), and I left already planning my next visit. If you’re looking for excellent sushi, genuinely kind staff, and a place that truly delivers on quality, this is it.“

“The food tastes great! There are a lot of options, so even if you don't like sushi there's plenty of options, like miso and udon. The staff are always patient and attentive. There are many affordable roll options, and the menu is decently priced for the area as well. Great place to go with a partner or a group of friends.“

“I totally recommend YAYOI Restaurant SM Cebu City branch! For their great & delicious food and great staff, especially to our server Ms. Ygerne 🫶“

“Great sushi place! The fish was very fresh and every dish was well prepared. Good sized servings too. There was a bit of a wait on Friday night string 7pm but no more than 20 minutes as the service is quite and the tables turn over pretty quickly. Will definitely come back.“

“Third time trying this chain now at a different location and all in all still pretty good.
Again I went for the poke bowl which I find to be a great value and tastes good to boot.

Unironically their onigiris aren't bad but their bowl is just a better bang for your buck most times.“

“It’s so yummy 🤤 and the food is so fresh“

“😋Best super fresh sushi, without spending what is typically outrageous prices for this area. Good portions, delicious sushi, and really everything on their menu. We go back again and again.“