Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar

Sushi was okay at best. Service was pretty good. I sat at the bar and the chefs had some pretty rude comments to say about patrons.

I would not return and will go somewhere else for Sushi next time out. Place was pretty expensive for what I got.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 2

From VA, and this is really good Japanese food. They have katsu don which is pretty hard to find at typical Japanese restaurants, but they had it here and it was SO good. Husband got the Hawaiian bomb maki roll and he liked his too! Staff is very nice as well. Would definitely come back here again!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I don’t know which was worse. The service or the food. The waitress came to our table after 15 min she had sat us down. And only because we tried to get her attention. We ordered sushi dinner and it has a bad taste like it wasn’t fresh. Didn’t want to return or say anything because it looked like we were trying to get back at the waitress. Nothing from the sushi was good. Only the miso soup maybe. Big thumb down

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

The food/service/atmosphere was great! It's a little pricey, though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tuna, Rolls

The overall experience is just poor. I love sushi and believe it to be a beautiful craft - there is no commitment to craft at benkay. The waitstaff is rude and abrupt (minus one sweet older lady), the rice is mushy, the rolls have no structure.

I expect this kind of sushi in the Midwest, no Portland Maine. If you’re reading this and considering sushi in Portland, go to yosaku.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Benkay is not only the best sushi around but also one of the best restaurants in Portland (which is saying something)! The food quality, atmosphere and staff are all top notch. We’ve been coming here for decades and it’s always been amazing. Do yourself a favor and eat here!

Kid-friendliness: My daughter has been coming here since she was born! They are so kind and accommodating for kids but she also loves the sushi and miso soup here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Edamame, Crunchy Spicy Tuna, Sushi Deluxe Lunch Special, Baja California Roll, Miso Soup, Benkay Roll, Hot Sake, Avocado, Salmon Sashimi, Rolls, Spicy Scallop

Great lunch and specials too. Top notch

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best restaurant in

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food, friendly wait staff and a quite relaxing atmosphere. The sashimi was fresh and tasted excellent. The California roll was good, but not great. Neither was the roll my wife ordered. The nigiri was tasty and the rice was well made. My only real gripe was that the miso soup tasted like it was instant miso, not hand made. At this price point I thought that should have been better. Sadly, parking was terrible. Ended up paying $18 to park for an hour's lunch...thanks Portland!

Dietary restrictions: Lots of options for those with dietary restrictions. My wife has gluten, egg and dairy allergies and was able to find multiple great options.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Super fresh sushi! ? will totally come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crunchy Spicy Tuna

Very clean and modern space. Excellent tuna poke, miso soup, and sushi. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Edamame, Baja California Roll, Miso Soup, Tuna, Rolls

We had an amazing lunch at Benkay during our first visit to Portland. We love sushi and have tried many sushi restaurants in destinations across the country. This is definitely one of our favorites so far! Delicious food, great service, relaxed vibes, and price wasn’t bad given the high quality. No pics of the sushi - it looked so yummy, we just had to dig in!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sashimi fish was fresh, but sushi rice was not so tasty.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Go here all the time. Love the new location.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup

Each dish here is meticulously prepared with the freshest ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail that shines through in every bite. The sushi, in particular, was a standout - fresh, melt-in-your-mouth fish served with perfectly seasoned rice that elevated the dining experience to new heights.

One of the highlights of my visit was sitting at the sushi bar and watching the skilled chefs work their magic. Their expertise and precision in crafting each piece of sushi was a sight to behold, and added an extra element of excitement to the meal.

The service at Benkay was exemplary, with attentive staff members who were knowledgeable about the menu and always willing to offer recommendations. The warm hospitality and genuine passion for Japanese cuisine were apparent in every interaction, further enhancing the overall dining experience.

In addition to the exceptional food and service, the ambiance at Benkay was sophisticated yet inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special night out. The subtle Japanese decor and tranquil atmosphere created a serene backdrop for a meal that was truly unforgettable.

Overall, my dining experience at Benkay Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar was nothing short of spectacular. The combination of exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and elegant ambiance made it a dining destination that I can't wait to return to.