Maiko Sushi Lounge

Mediocre sushi at best

Early 2025 update:

Maiko is a classy sushi joint in proper downtown. I'd say it's quite good food, but I'm not sure about the price to quality ratio. I would suggest that the prices are a little higher than the quality based on all these sushi available in town. Don't get me wrong, it's good and not a terrible value.

Personal note:
I'm less fond of this place because they used to be my favorite sushi place, and then they moved from kind of West 6th area, into the middle of downtown. This transition meant the removal of the reverse happy hour menu. The prices went up dramatically.

It used to be that you could go in there for reverse happy hour as two people and get out for probably less than 50 bucks, around $40ish -- if you stuck to the reverse happy hour menu. It had drinks and sushi alike. This would mean an appetizer, a couple of rolls, and each person with a beer and shared sake. Buying the same meal there now is well over $80, More like over $100. Considering the price basically doubled, I kind of quit going there. I've only been there 2-3 times since it moved.

The move also made it more challenging to go there and park. Now parking is much more complicated and it's nearly impossible to park for free in this area.

Loss of one star for change in price to quality ratio. Bring back the reverse happy hour menu, and you'll get your star back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

I really wanted to like this place. The staff and service is amazing. Super friendly staff that’s really helpful. I would come back purely because of the staff.

The food is honestly very mediocre. I do come from the SF Bay Area, so I know I’m spoiled by all the amazing food we have. I already tried to play it safe by ordering on the poke bowl. Maiko’s poke bowl is easily one of the worst I have ever had. Way too much sauce and the sauce is overly sweet and heavy mayo. The rice was overcooked and soggy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

I have a special place in my stomach for Toro, or any Tuna this good. The staff is professional and kind, the Tuna is amazing and not the defrosted Midwest awful I’ve had to suffer the past few years. I had the 123 and the hand roll, and chose Tuna as my fish option. Even my California sushi hasn’t been this good, granted I don’t know where to go in Cali yet, so perhaps that’s been my issue. I know where I want to go in Austin now, and during SxSW they have specials!? Just amazing. Not a first date space perhaps, a date night potential though for sure.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Okay taste but paid 100 dollars of sushi to go and got a 1 inch tiny thing of ginger, also very small 20 dollar sushi rolls. Very overpriced

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

Spicy edamame

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

A typical Americanized Japanese restaurant. Food is decent and service too, but not a nice atmosphere. Mostly empty for a Saturday lunch hour. The music was VERY loud and quite annoying. We asked the waitress to lower the volume a bit, and they did, but a few minutes later they cranked it up again, I guess not for us. We ate and left.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 4

Food is good, but delivery is incredibly expensive. A $64 order becomes an $84 order when you add in taxes and all the extra fees.

Food: 4

Amazing sushi and sides. Nice quiet place with phenomenal service and great prices

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

WOW what a place! Their sushi is delectable and their lunch deals are unbeatable. Very impressed with this establishment. Will definitely be coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Avocado, Salad

The sushi here is pretty average, but the prices are surprisingly high. For the cost, you’d expect a better experience. It’s priced like a high-end sushi spot, but the fish doesn’t taste as fresh, and the restaurant has an overpowering smell of cleaning products. The atmosphere is lacking, and the bar is often empty, which doesn’t give it a lively vibe. To top it off, there are several spelling errors on the menu, which feels unprofessional

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 3

Great seared scallops!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Food and atmosphere were amazing! Service was great also!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We came here on a Thursday for some after work eats and some sake. Great sushi and nice atmosphere. Sat at the bar and our bartender Daniela was VERY attentive, so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Will be back again! Thank you so much Daniela!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roll, Uni Nigiri Sea Urchin Roe

Our waitress was so sweet and gave a great recommendation. Can't remember name but had super long hair. We loved the food and the martini was my fave

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5