Hands down one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time. Huge thank you to Chef Dereck for crafting such incredible dishes, and to Barbara for the impeccable service from start to finish.
We were lucky enough to experience the magic of Kyuu-juu during their pop-up at Bad Medicine and it only made us even more excited for their brick-and-mortar home to open.
If you’re thinking about trying one of Cleveland’s newest restaurants, don’t hesitate. Set that date. Make that reservation. Eat, drink, and be merry at what we now consider one of the best spots in The Land!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emil Gallik
I took my spouse here to celebrate their birthday and it 100% did not disappoint. We got the broccolini, the broiled tofu, albacore tuna and ocean trout sashimi, chicken yakitori and the crepe cake. Embarrassingly, but I feel it must be said, I got emotional over the tuna sashimi. It just made me realize how much I love the experience of fresh, no frills, no bs beautiful food. While the price is worth every bite, it's not a place my spouse and I can afford very often. But for celebrations and news and events worth toasting over a complex, gorgeous glass of wine and a textbook definition of umami in the form of tuna sashimi. It was the perfect way to celebrate my spouse: a beautiful, complex, no frills human being. Thank you for existing, Kyuu-juu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atif Sharif
Food is awesome and deserves 5 stars. Ordered karaage chicken, sashimi, yakitori, octopus, and chicken skin chips. Everything was top quality and full of flavour. Only thing I’ll suggest is to serve chicken skin chips with an aioli or sauce. Now why 3 stars if food is great, mainly due to their service charge policy. A 20% service charge is added to every order even if you are eating alone at the bar, like I did. With that, you are being told by the guy handing over the check that 20% will be distributed among all staff members and anything you pay on top of this will go to me. After hearing that you don’t have a choice but to pay more. Remind you all it’s an expensive place already, $22 manhattan is an example. If you are charging high you should be able to pay your staff well. I’m fine paying premium for premium ingredients, food, and experience, but not able to make sense of being forced to pay 30% tip while sitting alone at the bar. You have a good thing going on here but you will need return customers to sustain, and this policy will give me a pause for sure. People like to tip high for great service and experience, myself included, but no one likes to be forced into it
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Roger Tokars
Thanks for making our anniversary special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin Zelman
Excellent attention to service provided by the team. The highest quality Japanese food I've eaten since I left Japan 6 weeks ago. Absolutely outstanding sushi and sashimi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia Kaunitz
This was our first time! We did not have a reservation (none available) but arrived at 5 PM on the dot and easily got a table. (they say they reserve tables for walk-ins). Had an incredible meal and the vibe was right. We ate on the main level (regular a la carte menu not omakase). All of the dishes were spectacular. If I knew Japanese I could tell you the names BUT my favorites were the eggplant and all of the sashimi that we ordered. Family loved the salmon roe - which I thought was great, but they were willing to die for. :) Only downside was a table with small children that were playing games loudly and flinging food. The staff TRIED to manage them but the parents were oblivious. Luckily they wrapped up about 1/2 way through our meal. We will certainly be returning as much as we can fit it in the budget. Well worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chrissy
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kyuu-Juu with a group of six friends, and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Cleveland. I made a reservation in advance (highly recommend if you’re coming with a larger group), and from the moment we walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. The space itself is gorgeous, and we were seated outside in a beautiful patio area that even had its own restrooms—super convenient.
The menu is designed tapas-style, with smaller plates meant for sharing. I’d definitely suggest ordering a rice dish or two to anchor the meal, then layering on a mix of the small plates. The rice bowls, priced around $16–25, were surprisingly filling on their own. What really impressed me was how smoothly the staff rotated dishes in and out so our table never felt cluttered, even with lots of plates coming through.
The food itself was phenomenal. The sushi was some of the freshest I’ve ever had in Cleveland—the fish is flown in from Japan, and you can truly taste the difference. The hamachi with the sauce they use was my personal favorite. The yakitori and sirloin were cooked to perfection: tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Dessert was equally impressive—we tried the crepe cake and fruit bowl, both as beautiful as they were delicious.
My partner loved that the drinks menu featured authentic Japanese imports, including his favorite Kirin beer. We even had a great conversation with the owner, who shared more about their beverage sourcing, which added such a personal touch.
Parking was easy with both street options and a nearby corner lot. For those interested in their omakase experience, it’s held upstairs in an intimate setting with only about eight seats, typically booked out at least a month in advance. Service for omakase runs about three hours—definitely on my list for next time.
Yes, the price point is on the higher side, but between the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the artistry of the presentation, the incredible service, and the stunning atmosphere, Kyuu-Juu is absolutely worth it. I’d call this a 100/10 dining experience, and without a doubt one of Cleveland’s most special spots.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jude Goergen
Ok let’s be clear - the food is great. Really. We sat at the counter and our server was excellent. I had gone prior and sat in the dining room and the service was…confused? The price though is EXPENSIVE. I’ve lived in Chicago, NYC and London - and this was at least as expensive as any of these other cities. So be prepared. I do like and support built in service fees for staff / back of house BUT the suggested tip is based on the total - added ON TOP of that service fee and tax. I’m sorry but that is unacceptable and kind of shady…so do your own math to tip the servers. The 3 star rating though is for that alone.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nam Vo
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kyuu-Juu, and it was an absolutely outstanding experience from start to finish!
The restaurant offers a tapas-style approach, meaning the portions are small but artfully prepared, allowing you to try a variety of their creative dishes. We sampled the sashimi and yakitori, both of which were amazing.
The quality of the sashimi was a true highlight—offering wild-caught options and incredibly fresh, featuring unique varieties that you don't normally see on a standard menu. Clearly, Kyuu-Juu prioritizes sourcing the best ingredients.
What truly sets this spot apart is the attention to detail. Every dish is prepared and presented in a very unique and artistic way, delighting the eye as much as the palate.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere was great, creating a comfortable and sophisticated dining setting, and the staff was very friendly and attentive.
While the price point is on the higher side, the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the unique preparation, the wonderful ambiance, and the excellent service make it definitely worth the cost. If you're looking for an upscale, creative, and memorable Japanese dining adventure, Kyuu-Juu is a must-try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
GIULIANA CHIRICHELLA
Everything about this restaurant was great. The service was amazing, the drinks were very good, and the food was delicious. We got the hamachi, akami, chicken yakitori, and chicken rice. The sashimi tasted so fresh and flavorful. I also got the martini which was 10/10. I highly recommend :)
I came for the clam bake, I stayed for the Octopus. Ryan, Megan, and Barb are some of the best staff around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristin Galvin
Best Japanese food in Cleveland. Period.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick Ellett
I fell in love with this spot on my first bite of food. The flavors are authentically Japense, and it is very much an upscale Izakaya. It's not cheap, but they import a lot of their ingredients from Japan, and the taste absolutely makes the price point worth it. The design is warm and welcoming along with a super friendly staff. I highly reccomend you give this place a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin Freeman
By far some of the best fish i have ever eaten in my life. Great sake selection as well. It is on the pricier side but if you are a fan of high quality fish than this is the spot for you.
Hands down one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time. Huge thank you to Chef Dereck for crafting such incredible dishes, and to Barbara for the impeccable service from start to finish.
We were lucky enough to experience the magic of Kyuu-juu during their pop-up at Bad Medicine and it only made us even more excited for their brick-and-mortar home to open.
If you’re thinking about trying one of Cleveland’s newest restaurants, don’t hesitate. Set that date. Make that reservation. Eat, drink, and be merry at what we now consider one of the best spots in The Land!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I took my spouse here to celebrate their birthday and it 100% did not disappoint. We got the broccolini, the broiled tofu, albacore tuna and ocean trout sashimi, chicken yakitori and the crepe cake. Embarrassingly, but I feel it must be said, I got emotional over the tuna sashimi. It just made me realize how much I love the experience of fresh, no frills, no bs beautiful food. While the price is worth every bite, it's not a place my spouse and I can afford very often. But for celebrations and news and events worth toasting over a complex, gorgeous glass of wine and a textbook definition of umami in the form of tuna sashimi. It was the perfect way to celebrate my spouse: a beautiful, complex, no frills human being. Thank you for existing, Kyuu-juu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is awesome and deserves 5 stars. Ordered karaage chicken, sashimi, yakitori, octopus, and chicken skin chips. Everything was top quality and full of flavour. Only thing I’ll suggest is to serve chicken skin chips with an aioli or sauce. Now why 3 stars if food is great, mainly due to their service charge policy. A 20% service charge is added to every order even if you are eating alone at the bar, like I did. With that, you are being told by the guy handing over the check that 20% will be distributed among all staff members and anything you pay on top of this will go to me. After hearing that you don’t have a choice but to pay more. Remind you all it’s an expensive place already, $22 manhattan is an example. If you are charging high you should be able to pay your staff well. I’m fine paying premium for premium ingredients, food, and experience, but not able to make sense of being forced to pay 30% tip while sitting alone at the bar. You have a good thing going on here but you will need return customers to sustain, and this policy will give me a pause for sure. People like to tip high for great service and experience, myself included, but no one likes to be forced into it
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Thanks for making our anniversary special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent attention to service provided by the team. The highest quality Japanese food I've eaten since I left Japan 6 weeks ago. Absolutely outstanding sushi and sashimi.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our first time! We did not have a reservation (none available) but arrived at 5 PM on the dot and easily got a table. (they say they reserve tables for walk-ins). Had an incredible meal and the vibe was right. We ate on the main level (regular a la carte menu not omakase). All of the dishes were spectacular. If I knew Japanese I could tell you the names BUT my favorites were the eggplant and all of the sashimi that we ordered. Family loved the salmon roe - which I thought was great, but they were willing to die for. :) Only downside was a table with small children that were playing games loudly and flinging food. The staff TRIED to manage them but the parents were oblivious. Luckily they wrapped up about 1/2 way through our meal. We will certainly be returning as much as we can fit it in the budget. Well worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kyuu-Juu with a group of six friends, and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Cleveland. I made a reservation in advance (highly recommend if you’re coming with a larger group), and from the moment we walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. The space itself is gorgeous, and we were seated outside in a beautiful patio area that even had its own restrooms—super convenient.
The menu is designed tapas-style, with smaller plates meant for sharing. I’d definitely suggest ordering a rice dish or two to anchor the meal, then layering on a mix of the small plates. The rice bowls, priced around $16–25, were surprisingly filling on their own. What really impressed me was how smoothly the staff rotated dishes in and out so our table never felt cluttered, even with lots of plates coming through.
The food itself was phenomenal. The sushi was some of the freshest I’ve ever had in Cleveland—the fish is flown in from Japan, and you can truly taste the difference. The hamachi with the sauce they use was my personal favorite. The yakitori and sirloin were cooked to perfection: tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Dessert was equally impressive—we tried the crepe cake and fruit bowl, both as beautiful as they were delicious.
My partner loved that the drinks menu featured authentic Japanese imports, including his favorite Kirin beer. We even had a great conversation with the owner, who shared more about their beverage sourcing, which added such a personal touch.
Parking was easy with both street options and a nearby corner lot. For those interested in their omakase experience, it’s held upstairs in an intimate setting with only about eight seats, typically booked out at least a month in advance. Service for omakase runs about three hours—definitely on my list for next time.
Yes, the price point is on the higher side, but between the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the artistry of the presentation, the incredible service, and the stunning atmosphere, Kyuu-Juu is absolutely worth it. I’d call this a 100/10 dining experience, and without a doubt one of Cleveland’s most special spots.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ok let’s be clear - the food is great. Really. We sat at the counter and our server was excellent. I had gone prior and sat in the dining room and the service was…confused? The price though is EXPENSIVE. I’ve lived in Chicago, NYC and London - and this was at least as expensive as any of these other cities. So be prepared. I do like and support built in service fees for staff / back of house BUT the suggested tip is based on the total - added ON TOP of that service fee and tax. I’m sorry but that is unacceptable and kind of shady…so do your own math to tip the servers. The 3 star rating though is for that alone.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kyuu-Juu, and it was an absolutely outstanding experience from start to finish!
The restaurant offers a tapas-style approach, meaning the portions are small but artfully prepared, allowing you to try a variety of their creative dishes. We sampled the sashimi and yakitori, both of which were amazing.
The quality of the sashimi was a true highlight—offering wild-caught options and incredibly fresh, featuring unique varieties that you don't normally see on a standard menu. Clearly, Kyuu-Juu prioritizes sourcing the best ingredients.
What truly sets this spot apart is the attention to detail. Every dish is prepared and presented in a very unique and artistic way, delighting the eye as much as the palate.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere was great, creating a comfortable and sophisticated dining setting, and the staff was very friendly and attentive.
While the price point is on the higher
side, the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the unique preparation, the wonderful ambiance, and the excellent service make it definitely worth the cost. If you're looking for an upscale, creative, and memorable Japanese dining adventure, Kyuu-Juu is a must-try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything about this restaurant was great. The service was amazing, the drinks were very good, and the food was delicious. We got the hamachi, akami, chicken yakitori, and chicken rice. The sashimi tasted so fresh and flavorful. I also got the martini which was 10/10. I highly recommend :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Absolutely fantastic Japanese cuisine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came for the clam bake, I stayed for the Octopus. Ryan, Megan, and Barb are some of the best staff around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Japanese food in Cleveland. Period.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I fell in love with this spot on my first bite of food. The flavors are authentically Japense, and it is very much an upscale Izakaya. It's not cheap, but they import a lot of their ingredients from Japan, and the taste absolutely makes the price point worth it. The design is warm and welcoming along with a super friendly staff. I highly reccomend you give this place a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
By far some of the best fish i have ever eaten in my life. Great sake selection as well. It is on the pricier side but if you are a fan of high quality fish than this is the spot for you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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