Some of the best sushi I've had in my sushi eating career. Madi gras roll and flamming jack were phenomenal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aaron Baxter
This is my favorite sushi place in Portland, hands down. They have some really yummy and unique sushi as well as some other hot and cold entrees that are excellent. It's also located in the Pearl District and close to lots of shops and the waterfront Park. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Troy Thomas
It is a smaller restaurant with many fresh offerings. The hamachi yuzu roll and Waikiki rolls were the two favorites this trip, but basically everything on the menu sounds good. They have a small list of appetizers and salads, endless nigiri and sashimi options, and daily specials. On nice days, they have a ton of sidewalk seating as well. Highly recomend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiff Gorum
Went for lunch and was in and out within 45 minutes. Everything was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kris Knight
This place used to be amazing but has really fallen to the bottom of my list for sushi in Portland. Prices are quite high for the lack of quality. The seaweed they’re wrapping the sushi with is chewy and both of us choked on it multiple times while trying to eat our rolls. The hot tea had no flavor and generally the atmosphere is not fantastic with mariachi music playing behind the sushi bar. Four chewy rolls, some flavorless tea and a tiny bowl of miso was 100 bucks. We won’t be coming back. I think we’ll go to bamboo next time.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Oregon, Volcano Roll
Ian Hodge
Serving spoiled albacore in Portland in the middle of Oregon’s albacore season should be a grounds for closure. The worst! You could actually see where it was browning in the middle. The ahi tuna was no better. You could smell it and know it was bad. Waitress was a total smart ass when I asked her where the three types of salmon came from. Her reply was “from the ocean. To give where credit is due, two of the pieces of salmon were good.
It would be impossible for the Sushi chef not know the lack of quality of fish he was serving.
I am an avid Oregon fisherman, and eat sushi all over the world. It saddens me to say this is one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had.
I own multiple businesses, including a restaurant and I know the effect a negative review has. It was after 24 hrs of consideration that I decided to the write this
Yama, you can do so much better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
William Crooke
Excellent selection of sake, and very knowledgeable waitress
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cigal Shaham
Fresh fish and a nice vegan bento box.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Lao
Yama Sushi & Sake Bar — A Must-Visit Sushi Spot in Portland!
We had an amazing lunch here today and everything about the experience was spot-on. Let’s start with the food — every piece of sushi was beautifully presented and incredibly fresh. • Uni Gunkan (Sea Urchin Sushi): Creamy, sweet, and melts in your mouth. The freshness was top-tier — no fishy taste, just pure ocean goodness. • Salmon & Red Tuna Nigiri: Perfectly sliced and served at the right temperature. You can tell they take care in how they handle their fish. • Fatty Tuna & Yellowtail Nigiri: Rich and buttery — legit melt-in-your-mouth texture. A real treat! • Signature Sushi Rolls: We tried the Yama Roll — loaded with eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, and topped with tobiko. Flavor bomb! • And of course, everything paired beautifully with a cold Asahi beer 🍺
The ambience was cozy but classy, and sitting at the counter gave us a front-row seat to the chefs preparing everything with precision and care. Staff were friendly and welcoming too!
Prices were very reasonable for the quality, and guess what? No sales tax in Portland! 🙌 That alone made me extra happy — high quality without the usual sting of tax.
Highly recommend this place if you’re visiting Portland and craving premium sushi in a relaxed setting. Would definitely come back next time 💕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Weiss
We came in for dinner this week and found the fish to be extremely fresh. The sake selection was really good here too. The service was quick and attentive. All in all a fantastic place!
Great food But $20 for a hand roll!!! Wow what a surprise when I got the bill. Be sure to ask the price for anything not listed on the menu. $130 lunch for three.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
William Ng
One of Portland’s finest. It’s solid service with decent prices, and the food is good. 5 stars would be overrating it though, but it’s a solid 4 stars and you should check it out if you’re craving fresh sushi/ nigiri.
david berguglia
When Judgment Replaces Hospitality
On June 14, 2025, I decided to go eat at the Yama Sushi & Sake Bar restaurant at the foot of my building with a friend who had just arrived from Europe. I’m almost a regular there, as I’ve been ordering takeout about once a month for the past two years.
The waitresses greeted us and seated us quickly. When it came time to order, my friend and I wanted to have two beers. The waitress told me she wouldn’t serve my friend because, according to her, he was already intoxicated. Surprised by this comment, I asked her what made her think that. She gestured that he strongly smelled of alcohol. I explained to her that he hadn’t had anything to drink all day. The waitress insisted. Shocked, we decided to leave.
I was outraged by this attitude, which seemed more like profiling than a genuine concern for someone’s health. It’s shameful to label someone as drunk based on a hypothetical assumption. Being welcomed, seated, and then refused service like that is just strange.
What’s even more absurd is that the restaurant is filled with a nauseating smell of cold fish — it spreads onto the sidewalk and even inside my building. That’s actually why I’ve always ordered takeout instead. I’ve seen their kitchen, which opens directly onto the trash room of my building. If the health department ever came by, I’m pretty sure it would cause a scene.
In short, the waitress’s inappropriate, judgmental, and insulting behavior opened my eyes to the values of this restaurant. I won’t be going back. Besides, there are far better Asian restaurants in Portland.
Some of the best sushi I've had in my sushi eating career. Madi gras roll and flamming jack were phenomenal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is my favorite sushi place in Portland, hands down. They have some really yummy and unique sushi as well as some other hot and cold entrees that are excellent. It's also located in the Pearl District and close to lots of shops and the waterfront Park. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is a smaller restaurant with many fresh offerings. The hamachi yuzu roll and Waikiki rolls were the two favorites this trip, but basically everything on the menu sounds good. They have a small list of appetizers and salads, endless nigiri and sashimi options, and daily specials. On nice days, they have a ton of sidewalk seating as well. Highly recomend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went for lunch and was in and out within 45 minutes. Everything was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place used to be amazing but has really fallen to the bottom of my list for sushi in Portland. Prices are quite high for the lack of quality. The seaweed they’re wrapping the sushi with is chewy and both of us choked on it multiple times while trying to eat our rolls. The hot tea had no flavor and generally the atmosphere is not fantastic with mariachi music playing behind the sushi bar. Four chewy rolls, some flavorless tea and a tiny bowl of miso was 100 bucks. We won’t be coming back. I think we’ll go to bamboo next time.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Oregon, Volcano Roll
Serving spoiled albacore in Portland in the middle of Oregon’s albacore season should be a grounds for closure. The worst! You could actually see where it was browning in the middle. The ahi tuna was no better. You could smell it and know it was bad. Waitress was a total smart ass when I asked her where the three types of salmon came from. Her reply was “from the ocean. To give where credit is due, two of the pieces of salmon were good.
It would be impossible for the Sushi chef not know the lack of quality of fish he was serving.
I am an avid Oregon fisherman, and eat sushi all over the world. It saddens me to say this is one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had.
I own multiple businesses, including a restaurant and I know the effect a negative review has. It was after 24 hrs of consideration that I decided to the write this
Yama, you can do so much better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Excellent selection of sake, and very knowledgeable waitress
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fresh fish and a nice vegan bento box.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yama Sushi & Sake Bar — A Must-Visit Sushi Spot in Portland!
We had an amazing lunch here today and everything about the experience was spot-on. Let’s start with the food — every piece of sushi was beautifully presented and incredibly fresh.
• Uni Gunkan (Sea Urchin Sushi): Creamy, sweet, and melts in your mouth. The freshness was top-tier — no fishy taste, just pure ocean goodness.
• Salmon & Red Tuna Nigiri: Perfectly sliced and served at the right temperature. You can tell they take care in how they handle their fish.
• Fatty Tuna & Yellowtail Nigiri: Rich and buttery — legit melt-in-your-mouth texture. A real treat!
• Signature Sushi Rolls: We tried the Yama Roll — loaded with eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, and topped with tobiko. Flavor bomb!
• And of course, everything paired beautifully with a cold Asahi beer 🍺
The ambience was cozy but classy, and sitting at the counter gave us a front-row seat to the chefs preparing everything with precision and care. Staff were friendly and welcoming too!
Prices were very reasonable for the quality, and guess what? No sales tax in Portland! 🙌 That alone made me extra happy — high quality without the usual sting of tax.
Highly recommend this place if you’re visiting Portland and craving premium sushi in a relaxed setting. Would definitely come back next time 💕
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came in for dinner this week and found the fish to be extremely fresh. The sake selection was really good here too. The service was quick and attentive. All in all a fantastic place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very long wait time
Great food But $20 for a hand roll!!! Wow what a surprise when I got the bill.
Be sure to ask the price for anything not listed on the menu. $130 lunch for three.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
One of Portland’s finest. It’s solid service with decent prices, and the food is good. 5 stars would be overrating it though, but it’s a solid 4 stars and you should check it out if you’re craving fresh sushi/ nigiri.
When Judgment Replaces Hospitality
On June 14, 2025, I decided to go eat at the Yama Sushi & Sake Bar restaurant at the foot of my building with a friend who had just arrived from Europe. I’m almost a regular there, as I’ve been ordering takeout about once a month for the past two years.
The waitresses greeted us and seated us quickly. When it came time to order, my friend and I wanted to have two beers. The waitress told me she wouldn’t serve my friend because, according to her, he was already intoxicated. Surprised by this comment, I asked her what made her think that. She gestured that he strongly smelled of alcohol. I explained to her that he hadn’t had anything to drink all day. The waitress insisted. Shocked, we decided to leave.
I was outraged by this attitude, which seemed more like profiling than a genuine concern for someone’s health. It’s shameful to label someone as drunk based on a hypothetical assumption. Being welcomed, seated, and then refused service like that is just strange.
What’s even more absurd is that the restaurant is filled with a nauseating smell of cold fish — it spreads onto the sidewalk and even inside my building. That’s actually why I’ve always ordered takeout instead. I’ve seen their kitchen, which opens directly onto the trash room of my building. If the health department ever came by, I’m pretty sure it would cause a scene.
In short, the waitress’s inappropriate, judgmental, and insulting behavior opened my eyes to the values of this restaurant. I won’t be going back. Besides, there are far better Asian restaurants in Portland.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Nice place. Nothing wow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Loading...