28 Best Japanese Restaurants near Atlantic Highlands

“the service and the food“

“We had a magnificent time here. the food was great, high quality 👌🏼
They have a terrific selection of Sake, too, which made things even better.
our waitress was so nice, and gave good guidance to help us make decisions.
decently priced too, they have great lunch specials.
The only downside is the parking.“

“I loved this sushi place. The King Dragon Roll was excellent. The menu has a picture of every sushi roll. Our waitress Sky was friendly and attentive at the right times. My cup was always full of green tea that tasted like it was brewed at the correct temperature.“

“This is my favorite sushi place. Top quality sushi, top notch chefs, family run business !!! Awesome My favorite is their brown rice tea, eel special and smoke salmon sashimi“

“Great food and excellent service. I’ve been going here for many years.“

“This place is a whole vibe !! Came here for me & my mom’s bday & we had a blast. They took great care to our party of 10 & were extremely attentive & made sure we had everything we needed. Jon went above and beyond ! Thank u for an awesome bday dinner!!“

“Sono has always been our go to for delicious fresh sushi. Tonight there was a delay with our pick up....it's lent. We get it - they even gave us 2 free sodas to apologize. Then 2 hours later they send us an apology text. Honesty and apologetic. Now that's a classy move!“

“We have been ordering take-out from Rainbow for two years. The sushi is consistently fresh, service is excellent and delivery is quick. Today we ordered steak hibachi for the first time; it was delicious. Even our son who is a picky eater cleaned his plate!“

“Excellent restaurant. My wife and I love their food. Extremely high quality food at great pricing. Every meal we’ve ordered is delicious.“

“My wife and I ate here last night. We were looking for a unique experience where quality was high and we could share new memories. Omakase Ichi definitely exceeded all expectations.

First, if you are coming here, you should have an open mind as they are selecting all your sushi pieces and you are going to be led in this dance. Chef selects his fish based on availability and quality. That means no two visits here will be exactly the same. You are also experiencing works of art that impress your vision as well as your taste. You will be thoroughly satisfied in every way.

The staff is friendly and attentive, and we learned new things with each offering. We cannot wait to return.“

“My family and I order take out from here all the time and let me tell you, they’re consistent. The food is always delicious and fresh, and the portions for the price are unmatched. Our favorite thing to get is the poke bowl combo with a sushi roll. This place just became our go to dinner spot when we’re hungry and too lazy to cook. Definitely recommend!“

“A little secret! Really good food! Tasty, fresh, and made with love.“

“Fantastic“

“Amazing, family-run business that never compromises on quality! Even as Omakase has grown, their sushi is always made with the freshest ingredients. I can’t wait to see how they expand upon their catering business!“

“The food is fresh and beautifully presented. Waitstaff is so helpful. The restaurant is immaculate. Our favorite restaurant. It is worth the hour and a half drive to get there.“

“If you're a sushi lover looking for quality and quantity, this place is a hidden gem. The all-you-can-eat option is a dream come true — not just for the variety, but for the freshness and flavor packed into every bite.

The service was top-notch from the moment we walked in. The staff was warm, attentive, and fast without being pushy. You can tell they actually care that you’re having a good experience.

Now let’s talk about the star of the show: the Magic Salmon Rolls. Absolutely incredible. The salmon was buttery and fresh, perfectly paired with a unique combination of flavors that made each bite feel a little indulgent. Easily one of the best specialty rolls I’ve had in a long time.

Will definitely come back next time!“

“This place is a gem! I liked it better than sushi that cost 3x as much, everything was really fresh and the special rolls were really creative combinations, we had the Krusty Krab roll and the Black Angel Roll and were blown away. The fried rice had a really great flavor too, a sign of a great chef to make fried rice memorable!! We eat sushi a lot and I've never felt so strongly about a place that I went and wrote a review, this is really something special!!“

“FUKU Japanese Sushi is the go-to spot around the Holmdel and Hazlet area. Kevin and his son Andy are incredibly welcoming and make you feel like family the moment you walk in. The food is outstanding. Awesome family-owned restaurant that’s well worth the visit. 🍣“

“TOMO – A Refreshing Return to Fine Dining in NYC 🍣✨

Thing have changed here over the years and what an improvement.
TOMO has evolved, improved, and is absolutely worth a revisit. In a time when many restaurants are cutting portions, raising prices, and compromising quality, TOMO defies the odds, maintaining its integrity in sourcing, portions, and pricing. It’s clear that their vendor relationships and smart business practices are giving them an edge in an increasingly unstable market.

💎 What Makes TOMO Stand Out?
• Fresh, Never Frozen Ingredients – Every bite reflects a commitment to premium seafood selection.
• Immaculate Cleanliness – From spotless tables to polished surfaces, the attention to hygiene and atmosphere is evident.
• Proper Tableware – No disposable wooden chopsticks here—a small but meaningful touch that reflects their commitment to the dining experience.
• Balanced, Intentional Dishes – Flavors and textures are designed to enhance, not overpower, ensuring that every element shines.

🥢 My Dining Highlights:
• Kani Salad – Unlike many places that drown it in sauce, TOMO keeps it clean and simple, letting the seafood shine.
• King Crab Pizza – An unexpectedly brilliant dish topped with a semi-sweet, tangy raisin that perfectly complements the crab.
• Volcano Salad – A dish that lets you appreciate every ingredient without one overpowering the other.
• Sashimi & Sushi – Generous portions, perfectly seasoned rice, and fish so fresh it felt like it was caught today.

The most refreshing aspect? TOMO hasn’t shrunk its portions or inflated prices like so many others have. They respect the diner, their ingredients, and the experience they provide.

A Few Areas for Improvement:
• Music Selection & Atmosphere: The restaurant’s identity would benefit from a carefully curated soundtrack rather than a shuffled mix of house and classical music.
• Service Precision: Attentive service is a highlight here, but small refinements—like ensuring used napkins and forks are replaced immediately—would elevate the experience further.
• Sake Preparation: When served warm, sake should be gently heated rather than boiled. Maintaining temperature control and proper vessel heating could perfect this offering.

That being said, these are minor details that do not overshadow the incredible quality of food and service TOMO delivers. This is a restaurant that respects its diners, their time, and their expectations—something rare in today’s dining landscape.

⭐ A truly worthwhile dining experience that I highly recommend. TOMO is an example of what restaurants should be—consistent, honest, and dedicated to quality“

“We found ourselves in the Red Bank area for an event and were looking for a late meal that wouldn’t break the bank. RB has a plethora of fantastic higher end restaurants but we were looking for quality at a good price and… we found it at Oriental Empire. Fusion offerings were pretty standard but the taste was amazing. Ordering the Pad See Ew and it was delicious, as good as I’ve had. Service was impeccable and a very relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend.“

“Solid bowl that hit the spot and warmed the body on a cold January afternoon. Pickled mushroom provided a mild tang to offset the richness of the broth, jammy-ish egg, and fatty pork belly. Staff was friendly and readily answered menu questions“

“Amazing tuna poke bowl! Will be back!“

“Great sushi! Always fresh :)“

“Delicious food, cozy interior, great service. BYOB.“

“In town for an event, 8 of us went out for dinner. Everything was so delicious, the 3 of us still in town the next day went back the next night for round two.I personally enjoyed the Red Curry Chicken and Beef Pad Thai. Especially of note is their General Tso's Chicken which was ordered both nights, as it is mostly chicken, not cheap breading like a lot of other places. The Shrimp Shumi were also reordered on day two. The prices were completely reasonable as well. I would 100% return to this restaurant for round three.

Parking: Parking was easy as not a lot of people were there when we were, however I could see it getting crowded when busy.

Wheelchair accessibility: There is an outdoor ramp if needed.“

“We have been dining here since Covid hit. Awesome family owned business with great food, pleasant atmosphere, extensive menu (I’ve never made a bad choice but my go-to is the Pink Angel) . We are still here every Monday and holidays when we’re in town. 10
Stars!!⭐️“

“The food is fresh and beautifully presented. Waitstaff is so helpful. The restaurant is immaculate. Our favorite restaurant. It is worth the hour and a half drive to get there.“

“Really good food!!

I understand what people are saying about having to wait a long time for their order to be ready. I wish they accepted online payment for pickup orders because it seems that they don’t start cooking orders until customers come in and pay.“