Dao Restaurant

Over a year ago, my wife and I went to Dao for our Wednesday night date night.  This had been one of three locations on our regular date-night rotation.  Up to this point, we had seen a decline in customer service.  Everything was slower, certain items on the menu were unavailable, etc.  Still, we kept coming back because whatever we got at the table was fantastic.  On the night in question, we sat for almost 10 minutes without service.  I flagged the hostess down and another waiter to no avail.  I mentioned this to the hostess on the way out and barely got a, "Sorry about that."  So, we did not go back till yesterday (11/23/2025). We were in the mood for sushi and were in the area.  Surely, the experience could not be as bad as before.  We were greeted by the hostess and sat at a table with no wait.  There were at least four waiters and two hostesses working.  We were one of 6 tables inside.  We sat and watched all but one waitress pass our table.  The table behind my wife ordered drinks, had them delivered, and then ordered food.  Another couple was seated behind me.  We had seen no one and were looking around to see if we could get a waitress's attention.  One did walk up, but she stopped at the newly seated table behind me, taking their drink order.  My wife is usually the patient one, enjoying experiences, taking her time.  Before I could say anything, she looked at me and said, "Let's go".  On the way out, we mentioned the service issue, as I did before.  The hostess first wished us a good day, then gave us a confused look when we told her we had not received service.  The hostess had sat us in a nearly empty restaurant less than 10 minutes before and had already forgotten us. Yes, the food at Dao is good.  Yes, they have adequate staffing and have been around for a while.  Yes, their location is ideal and probably costs a good bit in rent.  However, something has changed in their management, rendering customer service as an afterthought.  We will NOT go back again.  Too many good to great sushi restaurants in Tallahassee to spend money at one that does not put their customers first.

Enjoyed a wonderful lunch here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've been here three time and each time was excellent. The last two times I've had the gluten free Taiwanese style noodles and they were great. The waitresses we've had are excellent as well.

Semi frequent customer. Heres a photo of my most recent visit i wanted to take because it was so pretty & yummy. I always have good experiences here. The sushi is fantastic and portions are good. I have always had attentive servers. I like the atmosphere, kind of quiet so i come here alone to enjoy myself. Awesome drinks as well.

Thanks team

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was my first time visiting Dao. My family loved the food and atmosphere. They were also able to accommodate our large party.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Cold egg roll
Cold Miso Soup
Waited 35 minutes never received main entrees
Told “manager” my dissatisfaction she responded with “no worries”
Unsatisfactory

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

What happened to this place? The quality has really gone down over the years. The staff is still great but it feels like they went all-in on cocktails and forgot about sushi. The basic rolls are now grocery store quality. Any roll that isn’t deep fried or covered in a mayonnaise-based sauce, tastes like regret. Expensive regret.

Verdict: Go if someone else is paying. Great drinks, fun staff, but it’s not a sushi place anymore.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Great service, clean environment and amazing food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Good portion for take out

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Came to Dao for lunch for the first time and really enjoyed our meal. I had the sweet and sour chicken bento and my daughter had the kids chicken nuggets. The portions were definitely worth it and service was friendly and attentive. It reminds me of Masa but if I’m in the area would definitely go again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have been a patron of DAO restaurant in Tallahassee Florida for years.
Their menu is incredible, anyone can find something they love.
The staff is always attentive. Their food is always fresh, and the presentation is beautiful!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crispy Spicy Tuna, Miso Soup, Sesame Chicken, Calamari, Sashimi Salad, General TSO's Chicken Bento Box

GET A NEW MANAGER!!! The manager at this place is the absolute WORST! Because my kids aren’t 8 or younger she refuses to let them order off the kids menu. My kid is picky and loves the chicken nuggets here which used to be perfect because we could get sushi and she was happy with the nuggets. I’ve offered to pay for the food off the kids menu and I even offered to buy an extra adult meal that no one would eat - she still refuses. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of! Two thumbs down. Do better.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

My favorite local sushi place!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Been here twice now and had Bri as our server both times - she was fantastic! Will be returning and will never ask for anyone but her

HUGELY DISAPPOINTED in a pork tenderloin dish. Since Dao is a sister restaurant to Azu Lucy Ho’s in Tallahassee , I opted for the “Pork Tenderloin with mushroom black pepper sauce”, which I had eaten recently at Azu, fully expecting the dish to have the same ingredients and preparation. Unfortunately, it bore NO RESEMBLANCE to the superb dish of identical name at AZU, and was a bland, tough piece of meat with very little sauce at all. Dao will not see me again. Roger LaBrucherie, Tallahassee