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Name: Matsuri
Address: 5759 Bird Rd, Coral Terrace, FL, 33155
Telephone: (305) 663-1615
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.06

Matsuri

5759 Bird Rd, Coral Terrace, FL, 33155

(305) 663-1615
Store is closed

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Matsuri Menu

Soups

Miso Soup

Suimono Soup

Asari Soup

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Noodle Soup
Salads

Matsuri House Salad

Vegetable Salad

Avocado Salad

Cold Wakame Salad

Tofu Salad
Vegetables

Ohitashi

Shigiyaki

Yaki Nasu

Hijiki

Kimpira Gobo
Completed Dinner Specials

Haru (spring)

Natsu (summer)

Aki (autumn)

Fuyu (winter)
Sushi Or Sashimi

Tamago

Inari

Octopus Salmon Hirame

Tuna Hamachi

Ikura Big Eye Toro

Hotate-gai

Uni
Desserts

Ice Cream

Tempura Ice Cream

Cheese Cake

Tempura Cheese Cake

Fresh Orange

Healthy Meal suggestions for Matsuri

Soups

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Suimono Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asari Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Matsuri House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cold Wakame Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetables

Ohitashi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shigiyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yaki Nasu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hijiki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kimpira Gobo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Completed Dinner Specials

Haru (spring) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Natsu (summer) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aki (autumn) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fuyu (winter) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Or Sashimi

Tamago [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Inari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Octopus Salmon Hirame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Hamachi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ikura Big Eye Toro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hotate-gai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Uni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura Cheese Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Orange [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Si C.

When I found out about this place like 5 years ago, I've been coming here like crazy. I think I've tried all the items on the menu lol. Everything is super fresh and awsome. Highlight on the spicy seafood soup and sashimi! They also have shishamo if you ask for it.
(5)
Ikam A.

I have been meaning to come here since everyone raves about it but my experience was horrible. First of all, the tables are seriously too close. You practically have to sit on your neighbor's lap. SO we opted for the sushi bar. The waitress couldn't be bothered with any questions, even though the descriptions on the menu for the special rolls are super vague. We left before ordering the entree because our waitress Margot was super rude. The appetizer we ordered was pretty good, but there are several other places with delicious food in the area that aren't so pretentious.
(1)
Kabir K.

Excellent. I've grown up coming to Matsuri. I believe the first time must have been around 1993, I was only a child (but their chicken teriyaki won my heart at an early age before I discovered sushi), I remember they had pictures of celebrities on the wall, and this was way before they renovated and changed the layout of the place. I have ordered almost everything on this menu. If you are a fan of rolls that you would find at a typical american Sushi restaurant, don't expect that here. Matsuri has rolls, but they are straightforward. The real gem here is the selection and the freshness of the fish. The hot food is awesome. I love the Matsuri New World menu -- try the bibim bop (Korean hot pot rice bowl) and the hot shrimp. The Japanese risotto is also interesting. However Matsuri really is traditional. I often come and see Japanese businessmen, even Japanese military who are coming through Miami come and order from the Japanese menu. There are off the menu items including the Kimchi Ramen noodle soup which is fantastic and spicy (not so secret any more). There is usually a wait for dinner and it gets busy for lunch. They close between lunch and dinner, and they aren't open every day. Lunch bento box is a great deal. Only complaint is when I call sometimes for pick up, the phones won't get answered. Other than that, enjoy great food at Matsuri.
(5)
Dainy L.

this is clearly a place that adheres to the old tradition of ruling with an iron fist, an outdated tradition solely in effect to cater to an individual's all-too-large ego. an aura of tyranny pervades the establishment with nervous attendents fearing reprimand and militant protocol that extracts a moment of hurried honesty "if i leave the menu with you, they will yell at me later." matsuri won't cater to dietary restrictions - or cater at all, really. request anything and the response will be a flat out, very dry "no." not a "no, sorry and heres why:" nor even one of feigned apology, which i think is the modern etiquette for rejection, no?
(1)
Ti O.

Best miso soup I've ever had! Excellent soba dishes and sushi as well. Very nice decorations, and friendly, incredibly fast service
(5)
Romi C.

If you choose a beautiful piece or Toro over a deep fried roll when you're wanting sushi then congratulations, you've found a nice restaurant. No offense to those still stuck in the 90's feeling adventurous ordering a California Roll but this place will knock your socks off with how fresh and authentic the food is. Beautifully presented and well executed in taste, this is the kind of place you'd like to take someone on a first sushi date because it is a hidden gem. a pricey hidden gem but a gem nonetheless. small but updated decor. The crowd i've seen is mostly made up of asian families...good sign.
(5)
Ricky A.

Won't EVER come back, was literally told they don't want to serve me cause the sushi chefs wanted to go home. Very BAD customer service.
(1)
Roman A.

Average sushi, small pieces of fish, and overpriced for the product. I had heard good things for awhile, and finally decided to go. Not sure if they had a bad night, but it was not anywhere near what I expected. $100 for two people, no drinks. We were still hungry, and it didn't taste all that good. The blue fin sushi was very good, probably the only thing we had that left an impression. Even the seaweed salad was mediocre, as it was far too marinated. I am not a picky eater either. I was truly surprised with the amount of disappointment I had leaving the place.
(2)
Olivia R.

good fresh sushi but i have a BIG COMPLAINT! for takeout, they only give you six pieces of sushi instead of eight. when you eat there they give you eight, but when you get takeout they only give six. not fair. messed up. for that reason i give three stars. they also don't have great combinations
(3)
Michelle P.

the best! I have been to Matsuri twice in the past month and had a wonderful experience each time. The sushi is incredibly fresh...really good. I honestly don't know what I was thinking going to other sushi restaurants. The atmosphere is upbeat, tables are really close together and you have to speak up to have a conversation with your dinner-mate, but service is fast and friendly. You forget you're in a strip mall once you're seated inside this hidden gem.
(5)
MICHELLE C.

Friends invite us out for Sushi and said we were coming here. I have had this place bookmarked forever. What an unassuming place in a small strip mall. Our friends thankfully are regulars and knew the menu well. When we first walked in I was shocked at what a nice decor they had. Like my friend said "it looks like it belongs in NY city." For me it was a touch of modern decor with a zen feeling. The only thing I noticed were the wooden floors, although pretty the acoustics's were very loud because of the type of ceiling. The main dining area is very crowded and loud. This is the type of atmosphere I would have to be in the mood for because loud noises annoy me. Our wonderful friends requested a booth towards the back where you had privacy and it was not that loud. The menu is huge. At first glance I was a bit overwhelmed. We ordered like three appetizers, and I had a salad as well. Wow, thank goodness our friends are experts of this place. Every recommendation they made was superb. First the salad dressing is to die for. I wanted to pick the bowl up ( yes I did ask for extra) and just drink it. Our waitress was friendly and accommodating. This place gets so packed and understandably so. Our entree's arrive, and my dish looked amazing. My friend had suggested it. Pardon me for not remembering the exact name but basically it was a bowl of white rice and fresh fish and shrimp laid on top. It was so pretty I did not want to eat it. Heck no had to try this amazing looking entree. Wow no disappointment! The fish was so fresh, the pure delight of each bite was quite the memory. And seriously the white rice was some of the very best rice ever. OK it's just rice, no excuse me this rice was fabulous. Sticky, and just perfect. Every dish we ordered was fantastic. Now I finally realize why everyone loves this place. This was such an amazing evening with good friends and very good food. We thank you for introducing us and taking us on this Sushi, Sashimi adventure! Five stars for our wonderful company and an amazing evening. Check out my pic....wow I am still dreaming about my dish. We are looking so forward to going back very soon!
(4)
Lucy P.

This is my go to restaurant for Ramen. I always order the Kimchi ramen noodles and I keep coming back for more. Everyone I bring here loves the place and it truly amazes me how with no advertising and no street presence (you can't even see the restaurant sign from the street) this place continues to be packed every single time I've gone. If you want a quiet and calm dinner I don't recommend coming here but if you don't mind or you're in the mood for great Japanese food this is your place. The sushi is good but not great in my opinion but I'm really picky so my standards might be too high for the average sushi eater. Also, some dishes are smaller than expected and with so many items on the menu you can get a bit confused but the selection is great and there's something for everyone on the menu. Also, make a reservation so you don't have to wait 30 minutes to be seated.
(4)
Jessica F.

Matsuri is the restaurant equivalent of your friend that doesn't try to hard to get dressed but somehow always looks fresh and put together. Simple, traditional and subtle elements come together to create that perfect look, or in the case of Matsuri, the perfect dish. The menu has hints of that awesome Japanese humor I love, witty names are given for some of the house specialties. Ramen is a staple here, hearty and rich, make sure to save some for lunch. The sushi is fresh, I'm afraid to say I haven't tried the omakase, but the nigiri and sashimi has always been excellent when I've ordered it. This last time we had the broiled codfish, which will now be on my regular rotation along with hijiki, which I am glad to see back on the menu. The service is good, I wish they were open Mondays, but everyone needs to rest. It is located in a strip mall, but I feel like this is common for most legitimate Japanese restaurants.
(5)
Brittany J.

It's weird that Miami, a coastal city, has hardly any (aka none) amazing sushi restaurants. This place is pretty yummy as far as Miami sushi goes....but if you're from another city and know better you might just want to skip sushi all together.
(4)
Margo B.

Loved the place from the moment we walked in. I went here on my birthday and I really enjoyed myself. The service was quick and easy. No need to speak Japanese. Their menu is very well explained and easy to follow. I loved that the server told me how to pronounce the various things that I ordered. The portions are small, which usually I hate, but in this case it allowed me to try various dishes. The food was very well seasoned and fresh. I will be going back.
(5)
Carlos H.

I love Matsuri! It wasn't close to my hotel on Sunny Isles Beach, but well worth the drive! I am so glad fellow Yelpers recommended it to me. The sushi was excellent! As many people pointed out - the clientele is Japanese which is always a good sign. The food came out fast and more importantly - fresh! This was some of the freshest fish I have tasted in the State of Florida. I have been to tons of places in Tampa Bay and Orlando and can attest to Matsuri being one of my top choices in the sunshine state. I saw plenty of sushi places when I was searching online, but few had the recommendations of Matsuri. We ordered Okonomiyaki and man it was delicious! It surpassed my expectation and honestly the only place where I have had better is in Asia itself. I also like that the prices are fair (in a place where sushi can take your entire bonus) - and the atmosphere of the restaurant feels Asian, but also casual so you don't feel smothered. Some people complain that the tables are too close together, but I didn't feel it was an issue for me and my party. I think if you have a smaller table it might be an issue. I put food first though and the food was great. I look forward to visiting Miami again for another delicious meal at Matsuri!
(5)
Ani L.

I've been eating here since 1999, back when employees wore those weird purple and satiny ninja-like outfits, but after my most recent non-meal, I'll never go back. Back then I overlooked the wacky outfits, but I can't overlook the wack service now. Five minutes past our reservation time we're still waiting and two guys walk up from the parking lot, talking about how they'll go in and see if it's a long wait. They get seated immediately with no reservations! Everyone with reservations is still waiting. I began to feel like I was waiting at the DMV where it takes longer to be served with an appointment than without! I complain to the guy at the desk. He says the problem is not him, it's Mr. Ponytail who seats people. I talk to Mr. Ponytail, but he says the problem is Mr. Desk. I ask to speak to the manager. Everyone says the manager is in the back and I can't talk to him. Mr. Ponytail says, OK, OK, I'll seat you now. He seats us, but no one ever comes and gives us menus or drinks. I again ask to speak to the manager. I explain the problem about people without reservations getting seated before people with. He tells me, "That didn't happen." I explain that it did and I saw it with my own eyes. (He's been in the back the whole time after all.) He says, "No, you are mistaken." I said, "Excuse me, don't you think the customer is always right?" He exclaims (in his best samurai villain voice), "Actually, I don't think so. Go home!" He points to the door with his super pointy sushi knife. So that's what I did. I later tried to call to get the information about the name of Mr. Ponytail and the manager to make a Better Business Bureau complaint, but Mr. Ponytail hung up on me three times. Finally, I got a waitress who passed me to the owner. The owner was apologetic, but his English was so limited that I really don't think he could deal with the problem. It breaks my heart to write this review because I have been eating here for nearly 14 years. Yes, the prices are high, but I had never had a bad meal until this night. And on this night I didn't even have a meal because the manager told me that he wants his customers to "go home". I've just started eating at his competitors instead.
(1)
Zhi K.

If anyone has read my review on Izakaya, I stated that their are only 2 places in Florida you can find traditional Japanese food, and Matsuri is one of them. The trick to Matsuri however is for starters get their relatively early because this place gets extremely packed, and the other is to try and bring a friend that speaks Japanese. The normal menu consist of the usual Japanese entrees from sushi to udon to even the eccentrics of salmon cheeks. However the real secret/jewel lies in the Japanese menu that is fully written... well in Japanese. Here you can find dishes that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else in Florida, including raw beef topped with quail eggs, special types of rice bowls that only natives usually indulge in, and even a different assortment of quick eats like onigiri! This place is located in a very convenient location,and has very easy to spot. The food is a little pricey, but definitely worth the experience.
(5)
Christine W.

We have frequented this restaurant for over 14 years and have never been disappointed! Great fresh sushi and friendly staff! Out of all the sushi restaurants in Miami this is my families favorite! Great place to meet friends for lunch! Reasonably priced and since the last renovation great decor and very clean! We often do take out and food is always ready on time for pick up! Wish they delivered!
(4)
Anthony D.

Tough review to write...........very tough. Here's why: 1- Popped in after finding it on my new Yelpy mobile app. Been craving sushi for a week now and we were in the area. Easier to find online than in parking lot. I guess they didn't want their sign to stick out from the other businesses. 2- Walk in around 2:30pm for some lunch. Guy at the door seats us right away, by the sushi bar which is in back. 3- Decor is so-so. Did they run out of bamboo paneling and raid the Brady Bunch house to finish the rest? What's the deal with the walls behind the sushi chefs? No money left for artwork or something? 4- Waitress is a sour puss and in a big hurry. Not sure why but I'm about to find out. 5- I can't figure out this Greek diner size menu. Comedian put it together and didn't click "spell check" before going to print. 6- Sour puss waitress tells us we need to order because kitchen is about to close. Thanks for mentioning it after I order my large beer and sake combo. Guy at door could have mentioned that too. I guess they thought we wanted fast foo-shi. 7- I finally give up and just go with Bento lunch special. I never order that but I'm exhausted from deciphering the funny-less menu. 8- Sour puss brings food then check...no smile. Gonna call her Cara de Culosan. 9- While we're finishing up, 2 ladies walk in and are told by munching crew that restaurant is closed. I guess they don't bother locking their front door. 10- As we leave, we notice a waiter lying down on the bench seat by the door, with his shoes off and playing with his phone. I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd started scratching his nuts and ripping a few farts, like he probably does at home. The only reason why I give this place 3 stars is because the food was actually pretty good, but with that type of service, I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Brittany R.

One of the best sushi places in all of Miami. You get what you pay for here. Not only was everything maybe the freshest I have ever had, but was incredible. This is not a creative rolls place, this is a straight up sushi joint. Small with a long wait always, but well worth it. Had the Tuna Hot Stone (incredible with crispy rice on the outside, soft rice on the inside, topped with toro and a quail egg....need I say more?), the Spicy Hurricane Salad, vegetable udon, invitation to the white house and american idol roll. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING. Biggest suggestion: go early and on a week night to get in quick.
(5)
Occy V.

This place is always packed with Japanese business men during lunch in Miami which to me says its authentic. They have great food all over there menu. Their tempura appetizers are so perfectly done as well as their salads. Their miso is very on point as well. Their sushi is pretty straight forward, I'm not really into fusion with fruit topped sushi so for someone like me this is heaven. I always stick to spicy tuna just the way it comes here because its just so damn good. A+ Location if you live in Coral Gables or are staying at the Biltmore. Some people say its hard to find but if you live in Miami its on Bird (40th) and Red in the old Piggly Wiggly plaza where Milam's now is. The sign is very inconspicuous but you'll notice the black stone on the front of their store in the plaza.
(5)
Fed C.

The authentic Japanese dishes such as the udon, tempura and katsu are exceptional. However, the sushi leaves a lot to be desired. While they have a nice selection, it just isn't as fresh as it should be or what I have come to expect from a highly rated restaurant such as this one. Either way, it still is one of the better Japanese establishments in Miami.
(3)
Fumi T.

I don't usually give 5 stars...but when I do, I make it worth the while. I have been coming here since I was a kid, and my dad has been coming here even before that. This place is one of the better sushi places in town by far, hands down. Even before the face lift it received a little while back, the food has been amazing. You can always tell a good sushi place has its bearings in place when they serve fresh (not frozen) tuna. This place not only does that, but the toro (underside of the tuna) is to die for. Sometimes if I go for a meeting....it is usually a bad idea, because I am immersed in my food, and tune out the person/people talking. I usually get the chirashi (spring for the "top choice", which is equivalent to upgrading from bottom shelf liquor to top shelf...there difference is worth the money.) The sushi moriawase or nigiri special is amazing as well. Pretty much any sushi/sashimi you will not be disappointed. Everything is balanced...the shari (rice ball for sushi) is just perfect, not too much rice, perfectly prepared, and the fish melts in your mouth. Uni, ikura, amaebi, mirugai (giant clam), saba, hirame (flounder), hamachi....*closes eyes....just can't get enough! If you happen to go for lunch, try out the bento boxes. All of them are loaded with variety in their respective compartments. Quick Jap tip for you: One thing that's not on the English menu & is on the Japanese menu, is that you can choose tekka maki (tuna roll) in lieu of the listed California roll. You won't be disappointed...if you are, hold me accountable (I'll take care of your left overs.)
(5)
Mona K.

I always love me my sushi... add a plum wine and I am Sold! Make a reservation - unless you don't mind waiting.. end up waiting close to 30 mins. Started off with the hurricane salad and avocado salad (both were not your typical salads but amazingly tasty!! My friend and I end up ordering, Alaskan roll ( probably wouldn't order again - nothing special), the beef tataki (really good) , the fatty tuna was my favorite!!! Really tasty - a bit on the expensive side. The shrimp dumpling was also really tasty, especially for being steamed. When the fish is fresh the sushi experience becomes excellent. Definitely would recommend!!
(4)
Lola L.

This place is to die for!!! Be ware it was quite hard to find ... something about their sign isn't right. But make sure you find it FAST because this place is full ALL the TIME!!! It's located in the middle of the plaza... to the right of the grocery store. Their food is very very good and the service is super fast. They have to be fast... too many people want to eat there. I would recommend any time. Not very romantic but if you're into the food more than the intimacy then you'll be fine.
(5)
Mindy G.

Loved this place. Came from the beach to check it out. The sushi was great, service was good and the very reasonably priced!
(5)
Isis N.

If you love sushi, you are going to adore this place. Don't get fooled by the ugly strip mall; once you sit in Matsuri, be ready for the experience. I went with a large group for a birthday celebration. The sushi was so fresh and delish, you feel like the Sushi Chef is in love with you... Start this journey with the rolls with the funny names: Invitation to the White House and Mr. Bush at 3PM are great selections. I wasn't sure about the Bush one (I'm allergic to the dumb guy), but this sushi roll make him look smart. They even added a pretzel to remind everyone Bush choke with one at a gala dinner. Clever. Now, the service is a different story (The reason of the 4 stars). Our server was MIA for almost 15 minutes, so I couldn't have my hot tea refill when desperately needed. She was so slowwwww, taking her time. Not really caring for a table of 7. I wouldn't left her any tip, but we did. Management needs to make sure they hire energetics employees, otherwise people will keep giving this place 4 stars, despite the great food.
(4)
John S.

Excellent sushi, creative dishes on the menu mixed with traditional sushi and sashimi. Service was decent and prices were very reasonable. Sushi and sashimi combo was great.
(5)
Carlos L.

Unexpected Japanese greatness tucked in a west Miami strip mall. Very good food, I had the lunch box with sashimi, teriyaki salad and rolls, best teriyaki I have had so far. Would love to come again
(5)
Monica B.

Really good sushi! I really recommend this place, everything is fresh and tastes wonderful. Recommended crunch hip hop roll, x roll and dynamite
(5)
Nevik E.

Note: On Yelp I review exclusively sushi bars. Tied for my third best sushi in South Florida. English and Japanese menus (which differ of course). A legitimate sushi bar, properly staffed and trained with a head chef who happily prepares a great meal omakase. Some of the highest quality fish I have tasted. A classic selection of food and usually a few fish imported from Japan that are not widely seen here. Even their green tea is fantastic. I have traveled to eat there many times.
(5)
Tati Z.

I came here cause it was recommended by my coworker but wow what a bad experience just because of the waitress. If u decide to go try this place make sure you do not get her. Her name is Deanne, Dyanne, not sure how you spell it but she made it so uncomfortable and unwelcoming. That my friend and I canceled our sushi order and left. I got to try the tuna tataki which was good.
(1)
Priya M.

This is the best Japanese in Miami. Always fresh. Hands down the best sushi. The salmon here is always cooked to perfection, never dry. Sometimes the service can be a little frustrating. I have had waitresses that simply don't care and others that don't speak English.... They usually get very busy, so I would recommend a reservation. Overall a great place!!!
(5)
Chimichanga C.

2nd review ever: Beautiful sushi and good service. I noticed alot of nice looking people eating sushi.Feel free to email with any questions. Thanks for reading
(4)
Andre L.

If you are in the Coral Gables or Coconut Grove areas, Matsuri is the best Japanese restaurant around. I've been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years and the (high) quality remains the same after all those years.
(5)
George S.

You would never think that such an amazing restaurant could be found in a strip-mall. The food is excellent. The variety is fantastic. Make sure to ask your waiter if they have any special selections for sushi/sashimi.
(5)
Maria T.

Horrible!!The place looks really nice but the service was horrible. The waitress wasn't nice at all.
(1)
Paul M.

I figured for my 69th review it would be appropriate for me to review a Sushi place because I like to eat...... uh never mind. I used to come here almost obsessively many moons ago while I was a UM student. I remember that one of my frat brothers loved the salmon so much here that he would order 20 pieces of nigri every time - all salmon. Well we found ourselves recently in the Red Road area so we decided to pop in for lunch. I'm pleased to say that the interior of the restaurant looks pretty good considering this place has been around for so long. Not sure if there's been a remodel, but the restaurant was very clean and looked great. We had the "special lunch boxes" - both with sashimi and one with yakiniku (beef teriyaki) and one with chicken teriyaki. We also had some Sapporo and a bottle of sake. The sashimi was exceptional, I'm glad to see the quality of the fish still so good after all this time. The yakiniku had much to be desired, but I still haven't really found good beef teriyaki anywhere. The Chicken was pretty good as well. There's a reason this place has managed to remain open in a nondescript strip mall in Westchester - great sushi at a good price. If you are in the area and need a sushi fix, definitely come here!
(4)
H. Deborah S.

My tastes run towards a finer, fresher, higher quality fish. I still think Toni's Sushi on Miami Beach is the best in South Florida, but Matsuri is closer to where I live and every once in a while I can handle tasty, freshly prepared, japanese. Matsuri is not bad, but it's not a Blue Ribbon or Zuma, however you pay for what you get. It's good honest Japanese food. It's always packed. The service is harried, but efficient. The other night Emilio Estephan was sitting there with some pals. It's a fun place and the food is good. But it is not fine japanese dining.
(3)
Ryan A.

One of my favorite sushi spots. Great rolls, unique entree items. My wife and I enjoy this place a lot. Can get pretty crowded for dinner so we always try to go a little early to beat the crowd. Mickey's great adventure? Sure.
(5)
Debbie C.

The very first time I went here before they changed owners and remodeled, I loved the place. It was a little run down in a shady looking plaza. But the food was good! Ever since then it hasn't completely recovered to its original glory. I want to love it, but I just can't! Nevertheless, it's still a good place to go for good sushi.
(3)
Cliff F.

Nicholas Cage approved. But more on that later. The fish is fresh, the service is prompt, and the decor is pleasant. Age Tofu makes a great appetizer, and you can't really beat the "American Idol" roll. I suggest you experiment on your own...I can't really imagine an unpleasant roll at Matsuri. My review may seem a little short on the content, but I'm really just building up to an anecdote that can illustrate how good Matsuri is-- The last time I went (i.e. Tuesday), I finished my meal and went to use the restroom. Upon returning to the dining room, I spotted a very discreet Nicholas Cage with his family seated at the back booth. Moral of the story: if Nicholas Cage goes out of his way to make it to Matsuri for sushi, you should too.
(4)
Stephanie L.

One fish two fish, red fish blue fish... Matsuri might have lots of options with very fresh fish, but otherwise I just can't love it the way I do some other sushi places. I had heard that Matsuri had the best sushi in Miami. Completely willing to overlook the strip mall exterior, I was pleasantly surprised with the calming and simple elegance of the inside, which was completely packed, even in the middle of the week. Seating was a bit tricky since it kind of felt like Japanese cafeteria benches, but again, this is still not enough to deter me. A friend and I each got a miso soup, and we shared a couple of rolls. My soup arrived completely cold. As for the rolls, they weren't huge, but they did seem pretty fresh. Maybe it's just that I like the Americanized versions of sushi with more creative options, but the rolls I tried all just tasted okay to me. Also the service was just mediocre and the waitress seemed like she was in a bit of a rush to get our food and get us out. I just couldn't understand what all the hype was about, maybe if I had gone with something other than the sushi rolls I might have been more impressed. I guess I'll have to give it another chance before completely writing it off, but so far I feel like there are definitely better sushi options in Miami.
(3)
D D.

Cozy cute restaurant. The sushi rolls are very good and fresh. The futomaki was excellent!
(5)
Leigh C.

Just got back from Matsuri! Yummmmm amazing sushi!
(5)
Alberto D.

Great place for sushi ! Im more traditional so i went with the shrimp tempura and it was really really good, although I prefer sushi sake . Price is not that bad if you go for lunch they have the special lunch box which brings fried vegetables and your choice of chicken or beef along with a sushi roll for $9 bucks, not bad at all.
(4)
Joann C.

Super yummy japanese tapas. More fusion than traditional but still very yummy and fabulous atmosphere. I have so many favorites at this restaurant that I dont know where to begin. This the only place in S. Florida that serves the Gyo Don, which I absolutely love! The "Mr. Bush" is great (albeit a bit rich), the eggplant with spicy miso sauce is also great. Topped with cinnamon fried donuts and its a great experience. Reservations are highly recommended as this place is always busy!
(4)
Javier L.

Best Japanese Restaurant in Miami. Real authentic. I been to Japan and this as close as it gets outside of Japan.
(5)
A P.

Not easy to spot the first time as its sign is unlit. However inside the place is nice designed and well lit. Was impressed by the variety, quality and value of raw fish. The o-toro was excellent and a bargain! Bluefin tuna and hamachi were very good. Fresh water eel was ok. The scallop risoto with a taste of bacon was also excellent. Only suggestion would be avoid using imitation crab on avocado salad.
(4)
Eschel H.

I've got a fairly short list of restaurants in Miami that I consider the effort for sushi, and Matsuri has to rank somewhere near the top of that list. They always have incredibly fresh fish, and they're sushi rice is some of the best I've ever had. Additionally, they've got a fairly diverse menu of non-sushi items, including a new favorite for me -- wings! I had these for the first time tonight and enjoyed them immensely. They were literally finger-licking good. And all this in spite of the fact that they can be ludicrously crowded sometimes, and you'll often have to deal with noisy children. It's that good. Really.
(4)
Michael D.

Miami's best sushi, with most bang for the buck. Friendly wait staff, quick service except at peak hours. Fish is very fresh, never had any issues with spoiled fish.Try it, I'm sure you'll love it. I do!
(5)
Victoria P.

I love this place because it is a hole in the wall that transforms into a swanky sushi restaurant. It's small but long & you wouldn't expect it judging from the outside. There is no big flashy sign & it's located in a shopping plaza. Remember never judge a book by it's cover. ......the food is amazingg! You can tell it's fresh & unique. It's been a while since I've been there but I definitely will go back :)
(4)
Alissa W.

So we were in the area Friday night when I remembered I ate here a while back and always wanted to go back and try it again. WE called around 6:30 to get a reservation at 7:30 and glad we did because the place gets packed. I think the prices are so reasonable that people love this place. We ordered so much food and it was only $60 for two people. I have to admit though I was not super impressed. Got the seaweed salad that was good. Then the Daikon salad was alright just lettuce mixture with shaved diakon. Ordered a tuna roll, and a Salmon avocado the salmon was chopped up. EWWW Not a fan of the end pieces left over chopped up into my rolls. I also got the spicy octopus was nothing special. The quality of fish is really good but besides that I found the food average.
(3)
Javi V.

My new favorite sushi place in Miami. So fresh and delicious. It was my first time going but I'll definitely be back. I had a couple of sushi rolls but I saw a lot of things on the menu that caught my attention. I'll try something different every time I go. I recommend it.
(5)
Mike A.

Very good authentic Japanese and sushi. The food is great, but didn't love the strip mall feel. For food it would get 5 stars but the location is less than ideal.
(4)
Danny N.

Rick solid
(4)
Bao P.

I'm new to this authentic sushi stuff. I've mostly just eaten the "American" sushi, but after trying it It's gonna be hard to go back to "American" sushi now. I tried the sea urchin sushi and it was awesome!! i'm addicted to sea urchin now. ADDICTED! Very fresh, very good, very expensive. love, Bao Eat on my Friends!
(5)
Krystle C.

Matsuri is the best, period. Don't question it, just come. I will say though the ONLY con is the wait, which never exceeds half an hr but it is worth it I PROMISE. Great service, great food, great prices, clean, nice atmosphere, the head sushi chef looks like a samurai warrior...just the fact alone that there are so many regulars that come in and dine or order takeout like crazy, the fact that the Japanese people of Miami come solely to this place is alone an indicator that Matsuri is the shiz. I'm very likely going to be a regular myself very soon! By the way did I mention that they've been in business for a long time? Yeah, 'nuff said.
(5)
d d.

The sushi and other menu items at Matsuri are great. The fish is always very fresh, and the dishes are artfully composed. I usually have the house salad with ginger dressing, gyoza, and mixed sashimi plate, but I like to switch occasionally. We typically eat an early dinner and, therefore, don't have to deal with the crowds. But, as others have suggested, reservations are a good idea. Another tip for Matsuri is they keep this place *super* cold. As your grandmother would say, bring a sweater! Service is not five-star, but it's not horrible. The servers are often just kind of stoic. And, because the place is often very busy, they're often in a hurry. Never been horrible - just never been great.
(4)
Kris B.

Had some sushi rolls, and a lunch box with chicken teriyaki and tempura. Solid sushi, and a good price. Nice place for being in a strip mall!
(4)
Nicole C.

Wow, is all I can say. This WAS our go-to sushi spot, but apparently the staff has taken to making fun of the handicap and I will never, ever go back. Seriously, their food is merely good, not great, and every single time I've been there, the staff is so extremely snotty. Get real, people! You are in a craptastic strip mall, not working at Nobu! Get over yourselves and your illusions of grandeur! Sayonara, Matsuri, I won't miss you, your mediocre food or your miserable staff. Karma is bitch, and this place is in need of a good comeuppance.
(1)
Jing L.

The sushi is delicious but last time they calculate 20% for the tax! Unbelievable. Although they recalculate, I'll not go to this place again.
(3)
Michael B.

Matsuri is simply the best quality sashimi I have yet to find in Miami. It melts in your mouth and is more tender and delicious than anything I have experienced in my lifetime of sushi-going. The lunch specials are an amazing value. They are $8 and the one I get comes with miso soup, 6 pieces of sashimi, shrimp and vegetable tempura, a small salad with ginger dressing, and a california roll. It's pretty hard to beat the value and quality of Matsuri. If you haven't been before and you love sushi, it is a must!
(5)
Mia M.

I haven't been to Matsuri in a while, and I would normally give this place five stars because I think the sushi there is arguably the best in Miami, as evidenced also by the fact that every time I go there it's packed with people, Japanese people nonetheless (and there aren't that many of us to begin with in Miami). But I recently went in for a dinner with my parents, and maybe I was just moody or maybe it was the company, but I was just... B O R E D. I'm not a very fancy girl, I don't need a laser light show or part-time models delivering technicolor sauces with my sushi as some places might offer, but I do like to get excited about my food order and I had a hard time ordering because I couldn't really decide on anything I really wanted. We ended up getting a big sushi/sashimi/rolls platter that ultimately just felt like the S.O.S. to me that night; Fresh, meaty, and well made, but S.O.S. nonetheless. Don't let that deter you though... the menu here is pretty straightforward, traditional Japanese, so if that's what you are looking for, I wholeheartedly recommend this place. Nevermind the disconnect between the urbanity of Matsuri's subtly chic, modern facade/interiors and the Bird Rd. strip mall it sits in- just another prime example of you work with what you got, as far as I'm concerned. The service is ok, it can be a bit off and on: they're very good at getting you settled and taking your order quickly, and the orders come out super fast, but because the waitresses are all so busy, there's a bit of flagging down to be done. I have noticed, however, that they're pretty good at turning the tables, which is a good thing if you happen to walk-in without a reservation or, in my case, having the check delivered just as soon as my mother started on about how nice an old ex-boyfriend of mine was and how much she liked him.
(4)
Papito N.

OMG what a disappointment the noise level was intolerable we could not hear each other from across the table. The soft shell crab was soggy and greasy and the salmon skin rolls tasted like old bait. At that point we stopped we left and went to Kampai !
(1)
Shawn H.

When I crave sushi this is where I go. I don't eat sushi rolls, I'm more of a purist. They have the best tuna belly and sea urchin(my 2 favorite pieces) within 15 miles of my house. They also have a great yellowtail collar, tuna tartare, and agadashi tofu. They get slammed for lunch because they have a great bento box special but it look a little too generic for me to try. Decor is modern but the place remains casual. Service cab range from non existent to excellent, you never know. But that's kind of the norm in Miami.
(4)
Chao-Hung S.

It has been three years since I discovered this restaurant on my first trip to Miami. After that, once a month, I would drive 3 hours from Melbourne to Miami just to have the nigiri in Matsuri, and make another 3 hour trip back to Melbourne on the same day. People thought that I was crazy until they came down with me to experience the awesomeness in this restaurant. The waiting is sometimes not good in this restaurant, but all I care is the food. I'm a nigiri maniac. I only order sushi by pieces, and I order a few pieces per order, because I don't want to let the fish get old. And I usually end up spending more than $100 per meal, because I eat too much Uni (imported Japanese sea urchin), Sake (Salmon), and Hotate Gai (Scallop), so sometimes, I have to order ramen to fill up my stomach if I don't want to spend that much money.
(5)
Rachel P.

Very fresh sushi. This is a small sushi restaurant inside of a strip mall. We tried to go early (6pm on a Sat) and it was packed then! We waited for about 20 min. and finally got seated at the sushi bar. When we left @ 7:30, it was super packed, loads of people spilling over into the parking lot. So, obviously this place is very well known. The crunch roll was our favorite, but I have to say, still a big fan of Akashi!
(4)
Ali S.

Excellent sushi. Does not have thai+sushi, or cuban+sushi like many restaurants in Miami. Real Japanese.
(5)
Rebecca C.

I checked out the reviews here first and was excited to go since a friend had told me it was good too. I guess my expectations were too high because it definitely didn't impress. The menu was large and hard to navigate. Many of the rolls were either the ones you've heard of before and have already had, or some crazy new concoction. So we aimed for the new ones. But boy were we disappointed. Some of them were nothing like described. The portions were on the small size and the prices were a bit steeper than usual. But otherwise, I think this place was good to experience but I've definitely had better! I also thought I'd add - we didn't have a reservation on the weekend and got in just fine. The table we sat at was also not cramped at all like others mentioned and they had large, spacious booths also available. But being such a sushi lover and trying almost every Japanese restaurant I can in Miami - I really don't see what the hype is about Matsuri.
(3)
Julian B.

Best sushi in Miami I've been told. You know its good when you see mostly Asian people eating here. The salmon is delicious and the sushi cooks definitely know what they're doing. Not too expensive either, have been many times and will continue to go.
(5)
Marina V.

Decent crowd, decent sushi. The menu has a nice all-around selection of eats. We had a nice little sampling; spicy tuna, Salmon roll...then did some cooked snacks. Good local place if you're tasting sushi! The servings I thought were a little small, but the food was very fresh, and the place always attracts a decent crowd, so it has to be good. Parking...If you own anything bigger than a VW beetle, be prepared to fight the parking spots, and get ready for the door dings !! But this is not Matsuri's fault; just my observation on the parking situation.
(3)
Paul S.

Matsuri is absolutely impossible to find. Even having driven through the strip mall its in, I missed it twice. It's flanked by a colorful pizza spot and another bright lit place, and Matsuri's unassuming sign got past me. But I digress. Having been through lots of crap/cheap sushi places (I used to live in LA), I wasn't expecting much, and am new to the Miami scene. I was PLEASANTLY surprised. The menu was even in Japanese. I got Tonkatsu, and a sushi sampler I shared with a friend. Everything was very well prepared, fresh, and delicious. And everything was reasonably priced as well. I don't really see a reason to stray from Matsuri to try other places. Unless its happy hour......
(4)
Martha S.

I LOVE Japanese food. I don't mean the Thai/Japanese fusion food seemingly abundant in Miami either. I mean real Japanese food. Well, in honesty, I am also OK with some Americanizations to my Japanese food (sushi rolls, etc). That said, I have had a hard time finding a place to quench my Japanese food desires near where I live. I read about this place on Yelp and figured I would give it a shot since it wasn't Thai/Japanese. I gotta say, when we got to the parking lot, I was almost sure that I had written down the wrong address. But one of the group I was with spotted the TINY restaurant sign--so we weren't lost after all. Walking through the door transports you to some far away fancy place--very unexpected! There is good Japanese food here. I especially appreciate the variety in the menu, and the fact that they actually have okonomyiaki--even though it tasted pre-made and reheated. Ive been here at least twice now since my first visit and I've tried a few different things. The sashimi is ALWAYS delicious--and you can never go wrong with that. I had ton katsu once and it was o.k., but nothing to write home about. On that trip husband got the fish katsu and he felt a little ripped off when he got it because it was like 3 fish sticks with katsu sauce on the side! Another time, I got the Complete Dinner Special Aki (fall) and It was an incredibly good deal with SOOOO much food including the always perfect sashimi! On that trip my husband got the Tuna hot stone bibim bap: which was surprisingly a Japanese version of the Korean dish. It wasn't what he expected, but, exactly what you would expect from a Japanese restaurant, which is to say Korean food with the lighter, delicate, Japanese feel to it. Overall, I am a fan of this place. But, it can get expensive very quickly. For this reason, I think of Matsuri as a place to go when nothing but Japanese food with satisfy, and not quite a go-to sushi/Japanese food place.
(4)
Sam M.

Extremely fresh, service was fantastic. All around gem in Miami and it's poppin'!
(5)
Erica A.

Went here yesterday for lunch with a friend who recommended the place, and my overall experience was good. Showed up around noon, and the place was pretty busy and loud. The space was a bit crowed for my taste and I was about 4 inches from each neighboring table. Little to close for my comfort but I understand the reasoning behind it. People really seem to love the place. Our server was alright, we ended up having to ask for a check from another server because she was MIA but we got our drinks, food, and check pretty quick so no complaints. I had the lunch box with teriyaki chicken and yakiniku. It is a very big meal and I felt like I had to roll out, but the food was excellent. The teriyaki sauce was somewhat sweet and different from the usual flavor. The yakiniku was different from what I am used to- It was similar to cold bulgogi (korean) with onions. Still very good. The rest was on average, but how else can you change the taste of ginger dressing, miso soup, and california rolls? I would definitely go back to try all of their other food, but probably not around lunch time. I hear dinner time is even crazier and you can't get in without a reservation. So heads up!
(3)
Jay H.

It only took me two years, but I finally found the best sushi in Miami. Unassumingly located next to a Milam's market that's seen better days, Matsuri is Miami's finest, at least for those of us that don't wish to spend an arm and a leg on sushi. In a city like Miami you'd never expect to find this kind of authenticity and quality at such reasonable prices. I've grown tired of all the stupid, gimmicky sushi restaurants down here. You won't find any trendy fusion dishes at Matsuri, no South Beach Esq music or decor, no tacky pomegranate sake. This is a sushi restaurant for sushi lovers, nothing more nothing less. If you're looking for super Americanized rolls with "unique" ingredients, look elsewhere. This is the freshest sashimi I've had in Miami, and excuse the stereotyping, but the heavily Asian clientele is a sign that they are obviously doing something right. Try the nagiri special, and add some uni (sea urchin) if you're feeling adventurous. Two can easily walk out for under $40, and that's one of the many reasons why after visiting Matsuri, every other Miami sushi restaurant pretty much became obsolete.
(5)
Paula E.

Ugh... I had to go with the 3, sorry. I've frequented this place in the past because it's one of my father's and good family friend's favorite Japanese restaurant that's conveniently located near our house (apparently the older you get, the less likely you are to venture away from your neighborhood... unless you're a Yelper of course). Matsuri is the epitome of a catch 22. We love to dine here because we appreciate the fact that they have Japanese delicatessens that you are not likely to find elsewhere (like sea urchins...yummmm!) There's also an entire part of the menu titled Matsuri New World in which the chef gets super creative and comes up with random, but dynamic dishes that I promise you won't find anywhere in Miami, like their Negitoro Yukke. But unfortunately these dishes keep getting smaller and smaller, as a matter of fact I wouldn't even be able to call these Tapas...and the prices remain the same. So either you come and have your a-typical Japanese dishes, and have to order half the menu and drop a good chunk of your pay-check to feel satisfied, or opt for your ordinary sushi/sashimi rolls that you could've gotten at any other sushi joint without having to elbow the stranger sitting at the table next to you. That's another thing, thank jeebus they opened up the back and added more room for extra tables, because even though I enjoy the decor, this isn't NYC, and if I'm paying this much, I don't feel like having to resist the urge of picking on my neighboring table's plate bc they're sitting 2 inches away from me.
(3)
Maria C.

I wish I could speak as highly of the service as I will of the food... We walked in to the restaurant at about 9:15 pm. They were basically kicking us out at 9:50. The server was rude, loud and just plain unpleasant. She forgot our sake, so we drank it after our meal and just before we were shoved out the door (not literally but figuratively people)! Now the food.... That's a different story all in itself. Quality fish, excellent cuts. These people know what they're doing. I'll definitely go back, but at least 2 hrs before closing.
(4)
Henry Y.

This is my first review on Yelp. I Intentionally Chose Matsuri to be my First. I give it 5 Stars and I'll Tell U why. I've Been Eating here since the 1996. Why? "Consistency". This is the most important factor in any Restaurant. In other Restaurants, You may experience a Good night when the chef is on the ball or he has beaten the spread that day. But @ Matsuri, I have never Had a Bad Meal here in all that time. Yes, They have had some mistakes in the Kitchen, New help and I had to endure their learning curve. (less than 5xs) Mostly in the Tempura Department, where the cook couldn't judge the temperature. Their Cooked Food Department is excellent. Quality control is spot on! Few of my favorite dishes for you to consider: Hotate Yaki #53 (Sauteed Scallops) Hamachi Kama #57 (Broiled Yellowtail Jaw/Cheek) Gubdara Misozuke-Yaki #61 ( broiled codfish) The Sushi Bar has always been Great. Freshness is the key to sushi, and Matsuri delivers everytime. Their tuna has Airline reservations. Only a handful in Miami can say that. Others are vacuum packed and dyed. The other Element is the Rice, Its always perfect. Never undercooked, Never Overcooked. Nice and separate with a hint of sushi condiments. This is the only Place where I would eat Raw Seafood without any skepticism. My recommendation from the sushi bar: Anything that you like. My Favorites: Sushi & Sashimi *All of it Spicy Conch Salad #10 Negitoro Yukke #100 (spicy chopped tuna) I have consider how many stars to give Matsuri for a long time. Their service is 3 stars at best. I gave it a 5 because of their quality of food, and the consistent delivery of that food. Also, 5 stars because the cost /benefit ratio. the price is really good for what you get. These two aspects out weights the par service. Selfishly, I do not want to give it this good of a rating in fear that all of you may make me wait to be seated. This place is Awesome, but please don't go there! Japanese own & Operated. Please folks, If its not, then its not a Japanese Restaurant! Come On..Use those Grey Matter that God gave you. Many Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai have tried...They just don't have what it takes. Do your Research and bypass those wannabees. Bottom Line: this is the best Japanese Restaurant in Town.
(5)
Michael S.

Three and a half stars. Since the renovation the food has become a lot more pedestrian. and who makes a sushi bar where you cant see the fish and the chefs working??? Maybe they don't want us seeing what they are doing?
(3)
Chris L.

pretty decent japanese restaurant. Been here a few times, and it never failed me. Tip: if you want to order ramen, you have to ask for it. Because it's not in the English menu. It's only in the Japanese menu.
(4)
Juan Jose D.

This is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in Miami, with non traditional plates to our cosmopolitan city, this place has great quality food, forget about your dragon roll and order what ever you dont recognize, you wont be dissapointed. This place is #1 in the Miami Zagat Japanese restaurant list, and it deserves it. Get here early and although is not that pricey, be prepared.
(4)
Elizabeth D.

I discovered Matsuri thanks to the Miami New Times Best of 2008. I honestly could not believe there could be a better sushi restaurant than my personal favorite, Shoji. Matsuri definitely rivals it. My first impression was a good one - lots of Japanese people. That's definitely a good sign. It also passed my infamous sushi rice test: 5 stars all around. Very sweet and sticky. I had been back a few times, but this past weekend I hit a small bump in the road. I ventured outside of my usual order of just sushi rolls and had something called "Mickey's Great Florida Adventure" (I posted a picture of it). Essentially, it is a hollowed-out orange with different pieces of sashimi and some sort of citrusy tasting sauce. Now, I'm usually conservative when it comes to food, but my boyfriend is definitely very adventurous and usually pleased with anything. This plate in particular just didn't make sense to either of us. Sashimi just doesn't taste right with the orange. We kind of both made a face to each other after our first bite. Wrong in taste, and wrong in concept. Another mini-issue that is not really a big issue, but it's a personal thing - they carry no cream cheese. But I'll forgive them - they ARE trying to be authentic after all. Regardless, I'm a HUGE fan of Matsuri. They carry possibly the freshest fish out of any sushi restaurant I've visited in Miami thus far. There is usually a wait, but it isn't very long and very well worth it. Someone was celebrating a birthday when we went and I thought they had the right idea. They have very creative platters that are shareable. I think next time I'll make it a group thing.
(4)
Steve D.

I went for dinner on a Friday evening because I heard the food was great and authentic. More about the food in a bit, but the first thing I'd say is that I can't think of a worse place to take a date. McDonalds, maybe. It's in a strip mall off Bird Road right next to an auto tag store. The restaurant was incredibly crowded and cramped, with 3 people taking up bench spaces meant for 2. The lighting was soft but very, very bright, putting an emphasis on the plasticy decor and furniture. Super loud, filled with large families with small kids being small kids, making it necessary to shout to be heard by my date right across from me. As for the food itself, there are other Japanese places nearby of equal quality, and even if it's every bit as good as the highest reviewers claim--and I'm at best ambivalent about that--my face was all bloated the following day, which only happens when I've had a very large amount of sodium the day before (and no, there was no other food I ate that day that could've been the cause). For an average size dinner for my date and I, and with the most high-end item being a small salad with a miniscule amount of salmon, with tax & 20% tip the cost was $85. There's no justification for that. None.
(1)
Antonio L.

Hands down one of the best sushi restaurants in Miami. Very fresh and well priced. The place is small, so it can get crowded on weekend nights.
(5)
Isha S.

I adore this little gem tucked inside a random strip mall. You really wouldn't expect food this fantastic from this unassuming location. Every time I walk in here, it's got a number of Japanese patrons speaking, well, Japanese. As someone who was lucky enough to study abroad in Japan and live in an awesome town like Miami, one of the first things I look for in an "ethnic" restaurant is for people from the home country to be there. Incidentally, the food tastes very much like it did in Japan. :) All that aside, the food is tremendously delicious. I've never had something I didn't like here. While I wouldn't be able to afford going here all the time, the bill is definitely not going to make the dent in your wallet you might expect. I'm not the biggest fan of sushi, but they've got a reasonably-priced roll for everyone. I love that their sushi and sashimi are definitely great, but they have all the basics of Japanese cuisine presented before the sushi and expertly executed for a great price. The only thing they could do a little better on is the service---I'd knock them down a half star for that. The servers are attentive when you get their attention, but they're never rude. Great place, I go here often when in Miami!
(5)
Lorely B.

This place has consistently fresh and tasty sushi. I've gone for lunch multiple times and really enjoy their sashimi platters best. The chunks of fish they serve are huge and the tuna is just SO FRESH it hurts. It will be hard to go to other places with their scrawny thin pieces of sashimi, so I won't! Their sushi pieces are also delightfully fresh, like their salmon sushi!! Their rolls are nice also, particularly the rainbow roll (loaded with tons of fish on top) and the shrimp tempura roll.
(5)
Tony A.

I have to say, Matsuri had a special place in my heart for a short while. It used to be my favorite sushi restaurant in Miami. I'd travel all the way from the north side of town to eat there. I then discovered the Japanese Market, then Naoe and Makoto came to town, and then driving down to Bird Road never seemed to make much sense. Recently, I found myself down that way and Matsuri up. It was very good. The fish was fresh, and they had sea urchin, and toro, and those great items that a lot of normal sushi bars don't have, but I realized the difference between my new favorite spots and Matsuri. Cold fish. Matsuri's sushi was all frigid, and didn't melt in your mouth like sushi should. Don't get me wrong. Matsuri is very good, but sushi is more than just fresh fish and rice. It's an experience where texture plays a huge role, and I think Matsuri lacks in that department a little. That being said, it is a very solid sushi joint and better than most in the city.
(4)
Carol A.

My favorite Japanese restaurant in Miami! I've been eating here for years. Always full of Japanese people, including groups of Japanese businessmen entertaining clients- a sure sign of good food! (I used to work in a Japanese restaurant) We also see young Japanese families bringing their children in to eat, but don't worry- that doesn't make it a noisy place, just a safe place to bring anyone from just yourself, to a date, to the whole family! Great sushi, small plates, and "safe" food for your less adventurous friends!
(5)
Andrew S.

Matsuri is definitely a deal, and offers some interesting dishes that most places in Miami wouldn't (or can't) offer, for a variety of reasons. I am not going to lie and say that this is authentic Japanese, because it really isn't. For every delcious 'Gion' on the menu, there is also a selection of mayonaisse-fused dishes (a very Western-Japanese thing) and a dishes titled "Mr. Bushes 3am"... This was an impromptu date night, so we quickly ordered a small bottle of the house sake for $3.50 -- what a deal, and it was a perfect compliment to our food! No doubt these dishes are delicious. My fiance and I started off with a Bird Nest salad, which was described as a a salad with fried yam noodles. For anyone that has lived or does work in Asia (like I have/do), you will instantly recognize these tiny crunch noodles as traditional "Rice Noodles", and I couldn't tell the difference between the stated yam-variety and the traditional rice one. The service was fast, so our dishes came up quickly. We ordered a Mr. Bushes 3AM, which was a wasabi-infused mayonaisse and tuna tartare dish (very good, although a bit too much mayo). Next came a Gion, which was a cucumber-wrapped roll with fish, carrots, and a citrus... it was very good, highly recommended! Lastly, we ended with two yakitori (Chicken), which were very authentic, and an American Idol Roll. The Roll had too much rice, which was a bummer, and didn't stand out at all. Ultimately, it's an OK place that I'm sure I will take friends back to sometime.
(3)
Jenaia F.

The Japanese fare at Matsuri is phenomenal in my opinion. Their sushi is uber fresh and melts in your mouth while their cooked dishes are tasty and delicious. There's only 1 thing that I believe they could improve on... and that's their warmth or welcoming demeanor. However, that's nothing that would ever keep me from returning because despite that, their service is quite good. They have this one dish that I think is out of this world... want to say that they call it Wasabi Toro(?). Basically, it's a raw quail egg served on top of a toro tuna tar-tar with wasabi and other fixings. It sounds crazy, but it is amazing and worth a visit to Matsuri.
(5)
Eli F.

I'm rating this place 5 stars and wish i could rate it higher! I see myself as a sushi expert. I have eaten i think at every sushi restaurant in miami there is. If its a new place i've probably eaten there. This place, although a little expensive for a college student, is probably the best place to get top quality sushi. The sushi is amazing. The toro melts in your mouth. everything is cut just so. There arent even words to explain this place. Go and see for yourself. I have never been let down coming here. Just a tip order the crab croquettes :)
(5)
Donald M.

I have been coming here for years. The remodel is very nice. My usual is the chirashi don. excellent! Matsuri roll is also good. Some of the servers well... Suck. But the food is good.
(4)
Lila M.

It is very unfortunate that the food being so good you have to put up with very rude waitresses. I am sure they are not all rude but some of them are. As an example, you are enjoying the food and the company and the plate is being brought to you between you and your guest without even an "excuse me". This was done three times during dinner. Personnel needs to get a little training because the food is out of this world!
(3)
Irina L.

I recently had a horrible sushi experience in MSP, and needed a meal of redemption. I struck gold! This restaurant is quite unassuming, located in a strip mall in Coral Gables. The locals hosted us, so I cannot provide any driving info -- look it up. The hostess area is practically non-existent, and patrons awaiting their table all clustered in a small area near the door. But, oh boy, is the wait worth it! The four of us were seated in a comfy booth - which is much better than the elbow-to-elbow small tables lined up in the center of the back room. This being Saturday night, the place was full. The service was quite efficient: the waitress came up 2 minutes after we were seated. Our sake selection was delivered promptly, on ice, with 4 chilled shot glasses. Soups and salads followed quickly, and then, with hardy any wait -- the "piece de resistance": a fab platter of sushi & sashimi. The sashimi cuts were thick, "meaty", extremely fresh and full of flavor. The sushi was fresh, abundant, perfect balance of rice, fish and wasabi. The amaebi was delicately sweet, and heads crunchy. True feast for the senses. My only honest complaint is Matsuri does not offer low sodium soy sauce. Thank goodness for the market next door: problem solved! The price for the huge platter and additional nigiri was quite reasonable. The next time we are in the greater Miami area, we will make the time to drive to Coral Gables, just to partake of this fabulous sushi!
(5)
Gustavo A. L.

Without a doubt the best Sushi in Miami - evidence of this is the predominant Japanese crowd - always a good sign It is really good, the choices are good, I usually favor sashimi - in a place as good as this ... all I want is raw fish some soy sauce and loads of wasabi... wash it all down with a cool Japanese beer or maybe some warm sake and I can stay here for hours. This place is always a hit with my out of town friends... so we will keep on coming ... often.
(5)
Jose Z.

Horrible service, food was ok. I had better expectations.
(2)
Jeff O.

Definitely take objection to the negative reviews. The food here is fresh, and reasonably priced. Pretty much your run-of-the-mill Japanese menu with all of the favorites. The ambiance is great. We were definitely surprised to step in to a fun, clean and contemporary sushi joint basically wedged between a Milam's and a Wallgreens. Only complaint is that the staff does rush you a bit from the get-go. Judging by the reviews, I'm not the only one with this observation. Other than that one small complaint, I'd recommend Matsuri to anyone looking to stay in the neighborhood for some sushi.
(4)
Melissa C.

Literally, "meh." The sushi was warm...tepid. It's not too hard to chill your plates. Honestly, warm sushi is gross. Best part was that the food came out fast so we were able to bolt at the first opportunity. Sorry but not good. Mediocre.
(2)
Chantalle G.

Growing up in a cuban household, on rare occasion would we go out to eat at great restaurants, considering I had a cuban grandmother chef at my disposal at home. Usually my parents would take my brother and I to franchise restaurants, presuming they are "family friendly." Now all grown up and married to a foodie, I have the opportunity of eating at great restaurants, that aren't franchises, every week. I have many favorite restaurants now, but I will say my number one favortie restaurant is Matsuri. My first time at the restaurant the hubby and I did not have a reservation, the hostess said about 45 minute wait, which ended up being 20 minutes. I will agree, if you are with a larger party, reservations are highly recommended. Walking to our table I was impressed with the expansive size of the restaurant. I like how they seperate the areas. I also didn't mind the closeness of the tables, it is something that feels very Euro and I kind of like the vibe. The decor is minimalistic modern Japanese with neutral tones that are inviting. The menu is rather large and for an ADD person like myself, it can get a little fustrating. Servers aren't very helpful, but they also aren't rude. Food: There was not one thing that I have ordered from there that I did not enjoy. Everything is excellent and the quality of the fresh fish is superb and ironically hard to find in a coastal city like Miami. Some of my favorites include: Matsuri house salad (best ginger dressing in town), Miso soup (you can find this anywhere, but it is great here), Pork Gyoza, Hotate Yaki (sauteed scallops, THE BEST!), vegetable tempura (not super greasy), sashimi (seriously all of them are good, but bluefin ohtoro, salmon, yellowtail snapper are excellent choices), Matsuri Combination platter for two is a great choice as well. Desserts: Tempura Ice Cream, Special Fried Doughnut, and Tempura Cheesecake are also excellent choices. Please keep in mind that this is an authentic Japanese restaurant, there is no cream cheese in the rolls!!!! A japanese meal would not be the same without a nice chilled bottle of Sake. They have plenty of it here and great selections as well! Love this joint come here frequently! I also like how they serve everything quickly. Prices are extremely reasonable and you know this place is good if Japanese people come to eat here. Make your res or simply get some take out! Enjoy :)
(5)
Jun S.

I'll still give 5 stars to Matsuri since this is for sure one of the best Japanese restaurants in Miami. Fish is fresh most of the time and some "izakaya" like menu is plus. Please check out photos I uploaded. The decor had been improved after renovation years ago. BUT the service needs to be improved as many of other reviewers pointed out.
(5)
Christopher P.

The best sushi I have found in the Miami area. Always extremely fresh fish, beautifully prepared. Service is quick and professional. The decor is very nice and soothing. Expect a crowd if you go at prime time for lunch or dinner, the word is out on the quality of this local find. The tables can fill a bit close together, but the sushi bar is spacious and provides a great view of the action. Not the easiest place to find in a crowded strip shopping area on Bird Road. The sign on the front is very low key and easy to miss. Highly recommended.
(5)
Rachel S.

Superb sushi with beautiful presentation. Reasonably priced as well. Good service. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ana M.

So when you see a place with 103 reviews ... so you still review it? Yes... Thats how good this place it. It's just that good. I was really impressed. This place is in a strip mall, weird, but good. Its nice that its hidden, and that there's parking. The sushi pizza is a must and the tofu. I cant remember the name but its like 8 bucks, its got veggies and its not the healthy one, but its the good one. I have lived in Miami for 10 years and I think all the asian people in Miami were at this spot the night we went. We had a table of 8 Janponese folks next to us and this cute Asian couple on the other side of us. This is a good sign, right? Well.. we kept eyeing their stuff. They knew what to order. Next time I will be more adventourous. There were these little fish, looked like sardines. They looked delightful. I cant stop thinking of this place. I'm actually going back tonight. Yummmm.
(5)
Kevin W.

This neat looking place is in a shopping mall off of Bird Road. I know what you are thinking,... they can't have great sushi. Well, you are wrong. I sat at the sushi bar and was in and out in 30 minutes during lunch. There were people out the door waiting to get in and this place is big (lots of seats). There were a bunch of Japanese people eating and one guy had a conversation in Japanese with one of the sushi chefs when he sat down at the bar. Good indication that this is authentic and good. I had an amazing dish with toro, scallions, special wasabe sauce, and quail's egg. Yummy good!!! I followed that up with the 1165 roll (which costs $11.65). No rice but in cucumber. I was counting calories today except for the Sapporo beer. Finished off with an amazing green tea which I saw everyone drinking. Is this Nobu or Shoji? No. Is this great sushi at an affordable price which draws a big crowd (which is what you want for a fresh sushi restaurant so you can have the freshest fish)? Yes!! Go but don't tell too many people so I don't have to wait at the door next time. ha ha
(5)
Dani B.

I love sushi - and there are places that I've been going to forever that I have rated very highly. And don't get me wrong, those places are great... but this blows them out of the water! Matsuri is on another level. The prices are reasonable and the sushi is absolutely outstanding! I wish I lived closer, but actually - it's good that I don't, because I think I would eat here every single day. I want to make a recommendation of what to order, but honestly, every single thing on the menu that we ordered was delicious. You really can't go wrong. Make a reservation if you are going on a Friday or Saturday night because it gets really crowded. I have yet to try better sushi than this anywhere in Miami. Enjoy!
(5)
Carla L.

You know it has to be good when its full of Japanese people. l have been countless times and always around 50% of the customers are Japanese. Some of the best sushi in Miami, l can't say l have been too creative, we usually order a nice boat with rolls, sashimi, & sushi but that's enough for us. The miso soup is not too salty, just right with a smooth texture. DELlSH!!!!!!!! Service good - parking not so bad. A must try.
(5)
Micaela S.

My father lived in Japan for 11 years and he loves this place. Enough said.
(5)
Hannah S.

By far some of the best sashimi I've ever had the pleasure of partaking in. The fish is straight-out-of-the-ocean fresh, and melts in your mouth. I stand mesmerized by the brilliant red of the tuna, and the perfect marbling of the salmon. This is our place, our favorite restaurant in Miami, thus far. :) The sashimi is what we're all about, and it's to die for. The rolls are good, but I'm not necessarily blown away by them - they could use a few more creative options that don't include "spicy sauce." Props to the Mr. Bush's 3 O'clock (tuna, wasabi mayo - delicious), Mickey's Great Adventure (orange flavor makes it sizzle) and the American Idol roll (yum). Haven't veered into much of the rest of the menu, as of yet, since we consistently gorge ourselves on the raw fish, but one of these days I'm sure we will. Tempura, good stuff - wakame salad, also consistently good. Nice selection of sakes. Also, I find the prices here super reasonable, for the quality of food. Service is a tad spotty here. The guys behind the sushi counter are very nice, but the waitresses are on and off. Last server we had was super aloof. There can also be waits, so reservations are recommended. Note: They have an all-Japanese menu for patrons who speak it. I'm DYING to get ahold of that with a fluent speaker in tow... I have a feeling there are some hidden gems on those pages.
(5)
Ron S.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the low raters. We were very disappointed at lunch today, after getting spanked for a quintuple sawbuck. OK, let's go, and, please, I don't intend to get into tl/dr territory... The Plusses: 1) Nice decor, upscale-looking; well beyond the locale, which I think is cool 2) The piano jazz was a very nice touch from the ambient/chill/electronica that some resturants mistakenly believe enhances pleasure and/or digestion 3) My Sauteed Yaki Soba with Spicy Vegetables was nicely seasoned and tasty 4) The busboy/runner should be in the running for the next Pope. A Good Man The Minusses: 1) The waitress wasn't openly nasty, but was cold and inattentive; fortunately, the Next Pope was there to compensate 2) Miniscule portions at high prices. The Gyoza were tiny, non-noteworthy in taste. My soba - lost in the serving bowl. The Tsukemono was microscopic for $3.50 3) The Pork Ginger was tough, overcooked, and flavorless, and a nano-portion to boot 4) The menu contains tons of items that are mostly variations on the same ingredients and theme. It could be greatly simplified and clarified. Why do all the Rolls have crab? Why are a bunch of menu items based on California Rolls? Alright, lastly - and this is the big one. One waitress was clearly sick and throwing coughing/sneezing fits at the kitchen door end of the Sushi Bar. Two of the service pieces delivered to our table were obviously chipped with exposed ceramic. Two heaping large plates of tuna and whitefish awaiting prep were uncovered and un-iced on the top of the Sushi Bar for the entire time (40+ minutes) while we ate, as patrons were being seated directly in front of them, at face-level. Not good sanitary practice. I have never in my life seen this before at a Sushi Restaurant, where the fish is ritualistically, carefully covered, separated from patron exposure, and iced at all times. Glad we didn't have the Sushi/Sashimi today. Maybe being in the food biz in a previous life has made me too OCD; I can dig a place having an off day or missing the mark on a few items, but Matsuri seems to be gunning for an "A" game, and really missed the mark today. Sorry, we won't be back
(1)
Emy B.

I love Matsuri and so does my parents! My parents are real Japanese and they know the owner. Staff are friendly and the place is packed always! Every dish was delicious! The fish was very fresh and everything was very typical traditional Japanese besides the "fried" rolls. Definitely would recommend. My parents would fly to Miami from South America to eat at Matsuri and so do I from California! Love it, love it ! Fresh sushi/sashimi at its best! Very reasonable for great sushi!
(5)
Cathleen P.

The only reason I didn't give Matsuri 5 stars, is because the service left much to be desired. The waitresses were slow and unfriendly. Had to ask several times for eel sauce, and was finally addressed when I asked the sushi chef behind the bar. BUT, the food makes a trip there totally worth it! We had the BBQ tuna, yellow tail cheek, scorpion roll, and my favorite an appetizer called the "Russian Bomb" which was flash-fried asparagus wrapped in bacon. Sinful, but oh so good!
(4)
Julio H.

To think sushi and to try to equate Matsuri with that thought would be a big mistake. If you are only interested in sushi, there are many places in Miami that may offer better selections, better cuts, even better ambiance. And not because Matsuri doesn't have great sushi but simply because Matsuri is not just a sushi bar. Come to think of it, if Matsuri was just a sushi bar, it would probably float on the three or four star range. But that is not what Matsuri is. A "sushi bar" offers miso soup, sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls, sake, beer and wine. A "Japanese restaurant", on the other hand, offers all of the above plus tempura, teriyaki meats, gyozas, fish, vegetables. If Matsuri were to only offer all of the above, I would still think of it as a solid four star Japanese restaurant, even though they have great stuff. Still, that is not what Matsuri is. What Marsuri is, without much fanfare, is a piece of Japan in Miami. As far as I know, Matsuri is the only place where you can find seafood soup, tonkotsu ramen, yakitori, gyozas, tempura, teriyaki, bitter vegetables, pork, etc, all in one menu. Not everything that is offered is gourmet quality, sometimes, but the food is of very high quality and will satisfy you regardless. Yet all this is besides the point. To be able to immerse yourself in Japanese gastronomy in the way that only Marsuri allows you is nearly impossible. Even in Japan, you will not find yakitori in the same place where ramen is sold. The same applies to sushi bars, or noodle shops. Foods don't mix, everything is separated and labeled accordingly. That is why Matsuri earns five stars from me. Sometimes is not about how good the food is, and I must say, Matsuri has really good dishes, but it is about the experience. I have not seen anything like Matsuri ever, and I love that they decided to make Miami their home. I'm not sure why I never wrote a review for Matsuri. I have been patronizing Matsuri long before food became part of Miami's lifestyle. Besides the great food, this is one of the most family friendly establishments in town. It is no wonder why so many Japanese nationals visit this restaurant repeatedly. Matsuri is also old school Miami. It is very traditional and it is not flashy. The restaurant sits in a shopping center, the location has been remodeled recently, and the menu is unassuming but long, and there is a separate Japanese menu. If you ask, they will give you the food from the Japanese menu, but it is basically the same stuff as the regular menu. Finally, just to retrace my opening, come here to eat Japanese food. There is a huge selection of sushi rolls, but there is also a very large selection of soups, vegetables and meats that you won't find anywhere else. If you do this, you will understand why Matsuri is still the best Japanese restaurant in Miami. Oh! Don't forget to order the fried ice cream. It's pretty unusual.
(5)
Kammy Ny N.

I've never expected I found such an authentic Japanese restaurant in this area. Our family were on our way to airport, back to NY from Key Largo vacation. We had late weekday lunch menu. What we ordered: Nami Chirashi sushi bowl with miso soup : $18 Old fashioned Japanese style teishoku menu,menchi cutlet lunch,came with miso soup,salad,tomato sphagetthi :$12 A roll of Sushi and Ramen combo set :$12 They offer various lunch menu at affordable prices, yet large portion I enjoyed my chirashi bowl,though rice was too sticky for sushi and too warm for chirashi bowl. My son liked his Miso ramen,as well as tuna roll. Service was quick and decent ,and the space was clean. If you're in NY you have a lot more choices for various Japanese but it cost you more.
(4)
Marcus Z.

My go to place for Japanese food. Both time I was here, I sat at the bar because they are super busy and I do not want to wait for the deliciousness. Besides, you can see the Japanese sushi sansei preparing your food. I watched lots of Japanese cartoon and the chef is the most Japanese man I have even seen! We ordered the sashimi platter for 2, and it is perfect from both freshness to presentation. We also ordered kimchi ramen, it was not bad but I've had better. The Saba shio yaki was pretty good but not amazing. The green tea icecream is delicious and it is a great ending. The fried ice cream is interesting but will make you feel gross after you had it. All in all, as long as you order sushi and sashimi, this place is 100/100, but for overall experience, 90/100.
(5)
Julie S.

Matsuri is a delightful Japanese Restaurant. In the search for a mouth-watering sushi place, my better half and I walked into Matsuri; little did we know that we were in for a treat. Matsuri has an ample menu including a broad selection of traditional Japanese food. They serve delicious, great quality pieces of fish in their assorted sushi and/or sashimi plates. We were absolutely gratified with the Bluefin Toro piece and roll in our sushi plate. If you are looking for authentic Japanese food, delicious, water-melting sushi, sashimi and maki, this is the place to go.
(5)
Nathalie P.

Just amazing. For once a sushi restaurant that exceeded my expectations. We had such a great experience dining here. I love the decor and ambiance. The food was outstanding. The sushi here is probably the best I've had in Miami. Sake is decently priced as well. We had 4 different rolls and also tried the tuna belly (toro), which was melt in your mouth deliciousness and totally worth the $5 a piece price. Service was quick and efficient. I can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Julie F.

Worked late closes @ 10pm called 9:30 to place pick up order. I dislike placing last minute orders quality of the food isn't the same. Except with Matusri, food was insanely delicious and very authentic. 1163 Roll is the bomb! Tuna Carpaccio on 3 baguette to die for. Ohhh and I forgot the Miso soup, perfectly hits the spot. Authentically delicious, you can't go wrong, every dish is a party in your mouth.
(4)
Jonathan C.

Top place to go for Japanese food for me in Miami! I especially like the Sushi Awase with Otoro! Also one of the places I can consistently get good Uni in Miami. It can get crowded here at night and during the weekends, so prepare for the crowd!
(5)
Pete D.

Delicious, authentic & fresh. Recommend the sashimi platters and Caribbean roll. Fried doughnuts... My gf ordered them... And she loved it.
(4)
Liz G.

Love this place. Hidden in such an unassuming place, but amazing food and great atmosphere!
(5)
Craig J.

Taking price into consideration, I'll argue that this is the best sushi in Miami. Don't let the strip mall location put you off. Like many local establishments, Matsuri does have some problems endemic to Miami. Service is poor, waits can be long, and you'll be packed in like sardines during busy times. This is really the geographic baseline and barely deserves mention. Having said that, the interior is looking much nicer since a relatively recent remodel. However, you really can't argue with the food here. Having tried a great many menu items on numerous occasions, nothing has been a disappointment save for some previously frozen, not quite defrosted otoro I was served once. Try the squid (Ika) rings when they're available. The best deal on the menu for run of the mill maki is the "Rolling Stones" combination. To answer another review: yes, cheaper fish goes into the rolls. Nicer cuts are used for nigiri and sashimi. The prices suggest this. Of note, Matsuri has two seatings daily for lunch and dinner. Don't make the mistake of turning up at 4pm for a sushi fix.
(4)
Mimi S.

Great value and lunch-time spot. If you're cramped for time, order a bento-box special for less than $10 and try to get there before noon. We ordered the sashimi/tempura option and sashimi/pork dumplings (gyoza). Comes with miso soup beforehand and in the box: ginger-dressed salad, a small California roll, and your specific box order. We both had sashimi of tuna, salmon, and a white fish, and I had tempura shrimp and salad while my husband had the dumplings. Everything tasted great and it was plenty of food/value for the money plus you can get it fast.
(4)
Sabrina L.

I had read so many reviews about this place I had add it to my "must visit" list. So my friend and I decided to pay a visit on Thursday night. As I first walked in, I was quite surprised by the decor, it almost felt like this place should be somewhere close to the beach...not inside a shopping plaza. So after taking a look at the menu..we decided to order the edamame, the eggplant and vegetable tempura. The eggplant was bland..no seasoning was added, wouldn't recommend it. Everything else was fine. Now...when it came to the rolls menu I was quite dissapointed. They were very limited and none of them seemed to have eel. So I sticked to the shrimp tempura and also had the crabmeat /avocado roll. Both rolls were ok but I've definetely had better. I really don't know what the hype about this place is. Sorry but It didn't make the cut for me. Service was so-so..for some reason we felt the waitress was in a rush for us to get up and pay the bill.
(2)
Sal G.

The wait, wow. This place is popular. I didn't have to wait long...I don't think I would have eaten here had I had to wait a long time. This restaurant is a scenic drive from downtown and can be a bit confusing. I was a tad bit worred coming here since the farther you get away from downtown, the less diverse the inhabitants become. I was happy to find that there were MANY Asians in this restaurant. Not Americans of Asian descent, but Asians and Asian Americans. When true Asians patronize an Asian restaurant, you know that there is something good about it. Lift up your nose and take a big sniff first. NO fish smell is present -- good sign. The menu is gargantuan and I saw items on the menu I haven't seen since Asia: something about squid, sticks, and squid on sticks among other things. I couldn't help myself, I was the proverbial kid in a candy store: Udon soup Gyoza, pork (steamed) Chicken wings (fried) Chicken teriyaki with a side of white rice Tekka don with avocado and a side of spicy mayo MatsuriTempura (Shrimp, Chicken, Fish, Crab, Vegetables) Coke Asahi super dry Unsweet Tea with lemon The first thing we did was order the Gyoza, coke, and tea. Coke comes in a can; the tea was somewhat watered down so I went ahead and ordered the Asahi beer. It was at this point that we ordered the Tempura -- I wanted to try the new fried meats. When the Gyoza arrived, my stomach couldn't believe my eyes -- there were ONLY three and they were VERY small. I assumed that everything would be small portions and we ordered the Udon Soup and the Chicken Wings while still deciding on dinner. While small in stature, the flavor was phenomenal and they were gone quickly. The gyoza (do not call them dumplings) were light yet you could still taste the flavor of the pork and seasonings. The dipping sauce was very pungent and acidic while not masking the flavors of the gyoza. With a refill of the coke we ordered the Chicken Teriyaki with a side of rice (if you don't order the rice, you won't get it) and a Tekka Don with a side of spicy mayo and a side of avocado. As our server left a runner brought out the udon soup, a salad, the tempura platter and the chicken wings. I began to question my stomach's ability to guage proper size since the proportions for these dishes ranged from moderate to large -- nothing like the size of the gyoza. I sampled the different meats in the tempura, but in the end I found that the vegetables were still my favorite type of tempura; next time it will just be shrimp and vegetable tempura. The udon soup was very good: a basic broth with large flour noodles that were al dente. I love good udon. I ate the soup with the tempura. My friend was eating the chicken wings this entire time, but had a look of disdain on his face. I decided to play it safe and just stay away from them -- he said I wouldn't like them and I trusted his word. As we polished off the rest of our appetizers, the main courses arrived. I was very happy that the Tekka Don was composed of sushi rice on the bottom and thicker pieces of tuna on top and a garnish of omelet. We dug in to our meals and I found that the Tekka Don used a very good grade of Tuna -- not the best I have had, but fairly decent for what it was. I tried bits of the avocado and spicy mayo to make certain they were good before I let them infect the rest of my food. The avocado was good. The spice mayo was not...mayo, that is. It tasted like Miracle Whip. God I hate the taste of Miracle Whip; I stayed away from the spicy sauce for the rest of the meal. I ate the rest of the Tekka Don with the rice and avocado and was pleased with the overall taste. I also took a foray into the Chicken Teriyaki that my friend had orderd and found that it tasted good. If you are craving the Teriyaki, I would recommend the Chicken solely based on price as the other meats are quite a bit pricier and from what I tasted of the sauce, I don't think they would merit the cost. The chicken teriyaki wasn't made from poor cuts of meat. Overall, I will return here; but I won't order anywhere near as much. The final bill cost us $40 per person to stuff ourselves silly without being able to finish everything (including tip). I would also probably stay away from the Tekka Don since I really do like it more with spicy mayo. I will try some of the different sushi, sashimi, makizushi, and nigiri that they make. Space is at a premium here, so if you don't like to feel cramped then you may wish to stay away.
(4)
Camila J.

so the fish here is just about as good as it gets. amazingly fresh and melts in your mouth. only thing is, service sucks. the place was slammed and after having to sit at the bar to avoid the 30 min wait, the waitress was running around everywhere and took forever to bring out just about everything. my water stayed empty for a bit and i waited for my check a while. they definitely need more servers. but all in all, great food. ill be back for lunch when it's not as busy.
(4)
Nicole M.

Beef tataki is the boom!
(5)
Christina C.

Went here for lunch today for about the 3rd time and I absolutely love it! It's not the closest place to my office, but it's definitely the best Japanese restaurant in the area. Funny that Christopher C. mentions that his Japanese coworkers love this place; mine do as well. Apparently, they even have a special menu in Japanese. I usually order a lunch box special (with some nigiri and a basic tuna/california roll), but today I went for something different. It had a lot of nigiri with different fish options and it was veeeerrrry tasty. I'm looking forward to going back soon. As to those complaining about the wait, if you get there right after 12pm you shouldn't have to wait too long, but it's definitely not a place to go in a large group.
(5)
Pedro P.

Everyon raves about this place. It is pretty, trendy, it smells good, they serve water in a fancy glass, and the food presentation is very elegant. The soup and the rolls I ate were also pretty tasty. So what's the problem? Where's the fish??? The pieces of fish in my sushi were so small I could barely taste them. Even an obvious flavor like Tuna was lost in the rolls. The service was a little slow too. It was lunch time and one of our rolls took almost 1/2 an hour to be served. I'll eat here again and see if it was just a crappy day. Stay tuned.
(3)
Brittany C.

I feel compelled to write this to inform my fellow anti-social/anthropophobic peers about this place. My husband-- who has been here before and loved the food despite his distaste of sushi-- surprised me by taking me here for my birthday. It was a Tuesday night at 9, yet this place was pretty full. I had no clue of what Matsuri looked like, if I had, I wouldn't have gone. Imagine a long hallway, with a continuous bench on each wall. Then imagine several tiny, two person tables about 6-8 inches apart with a chair opposite of the bench. This is Matsuri. We were seated almost directly in the middle of the restaurant, next to another young couple on the verge of dry humping and a 4 person group of older people who were well into their drinking. I couldn't even hear my husband when he would talk, and I was trying my best not to bump the guy sitting next to me. I was ready to leave before the menus came. I tried desperately to tell my husband, but I ended up texting him due to the noise level. It seemed like everyone had to talk over one another just to hear the person across from them. I had an anxiety attack! I don't understand how a business can think to cram their customers into such a small place like sardines. The food could have been the greatest in Miami, but if the atmosphere is going to be like that, then I'll never be able to set foot in there again. :-\ In summary: +3 stars, because my husband insists the food is great... - 2 stars, because unless you're a social butterfly or just plain don't give a care if you snuggle elbows with your neighbor, then this small space is a nightmare...
(3)
Aris F.

Shocked and dismayed ... by the ordinariness of the food at Matsuri, after reading all the fawning reviews here and at Chowhound. Small hunks of fish that don't seem particularly noteworthy in any way. Rice that is equally unimpressive. And if the prices on the menu seem surprisingly low, it's only because the portions are miniscule. I rarely leave any restaurant hungry; Matsuri is one of those restaurants whose meals leave me with a strong desire for a sandwich and a huge dessert. Apart from the food: very elegant front of the restaurant, where the diners sit, with a shamefully less than spotless back of the house (glimpsed on the way to the washrooms). Not to say you'll have a bad meal here. Only that the hype is undeserved.
(3)
cristina o.

Love the makeover!! matsuri will always hold a special place in my heart as the place that introduced me to sushi rolls dunked in ginger dressing. so delicious. however, i am not on the "best sushi in miami" bandwagon with this place. its good but i've never had anything, other than the aforementioned, that has made me think "i need to come back here for this" and honestly, the thai donuts here are just alright. thai donuts are supposed to come w/ peanuts and condensed milk, what is with the green apple goo they drizzle on top?? service ihas never been spot on here either. they get very busy fridays so you serve yourself well to get a reservation. it is a very nice restaurant inside and kind of evokes an nyc spot.
(3)
Sheenon O.

This is hands down the best sushi I Miami. So fresh the fish is like butter melting your mouth. I always think of the west coast killing the east coast for the freshest sushi. Matsuri will give the most season sushi restaurants a run for the money.
(5)
Adam C.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say that Matsuri is my favorite sushi spot in Miami. Every time I go, even when it was on a horrible match date, I fall in love with this place all over again. (about that match date.....she bathed each piece of delicious raw fish in an obscene amount of soy sauce. that wasn't necessarily the deal breaker. she proceeded to drop a huge piece of tuna in the sauce, and it managed to splash all over the woman sitting next to her at the bar.....she then shrugged her shoulders, laughed, and shoved the fish in her mouth....but I digress) Like I've said in past reviews, I think a place that makes perfect sushi rice is amazing. Matsuri's rice is perfect. Each grain is like a pearl soaked in the perfect combination of vinegar and sugar; not too firm, not mushy at all. The fish looks and tastes like the highest quality. I haven't tried a roll, but based on everything else I've eaten, they must be good. Aside from the sushi, they also have great cooked dishes. I had the grilled squid, the hamachi kama, and the gyoza. The gyoza was standard, but everything else was great. The decor is kind of minimalist, yet inviting. The outside isn't much to look at. It is in the Bird Red or Red Bird Plaza. I give Matsuri five stars. The prices are reasonable too.
(5)
Kristen C.

We were seated immediately in a great little booth. The contemporary Asian decor is very nice and even relaxing. The prices are OK - between $6 and $18ish per roll. The miso soup was good -- not too salty and a good amount of tofu. We ordered the matsuri, Alaskan, something Tornado, and Where is Tiger Woods rolls. All, except the Tornado, were great. The Tornado roll was too funky for me. It had pork and was a filled with too much greens. But, everyone else liked it. The Tiger Woods roll was awesome -- it had baked salmon, asparagus and balsamic vinegar and some other spices. SO good. Overall, our experience at Matsuri was great. However, the Tiger Woods roll came out after we had finished eating the other rolls.
(4)
Vincent D.

The best Sashimi in Miami. Quality of the fish is out of this world, service is quick and efficient. Fantastic value....
(5)
Rula S.

Can't believe I never yelped this place... Most important tell tale that it's a great Japanese restaurant ...Japanese people eat here! No need to explain any further. Try the Japanese menu (or copy what the Japanese order :) I have no favorite because it's always a different favorite. It's as fresh as it gets...mmmm! Even though their service isn't consistent (or just sometimes bad)... their everything else compensates for it.
(5)
Cynthia A.

All I have to say is...wow...the sushi here is amazinggg!! Definitely the best sushi place in Miami( well, other than Nobu). To be honest, I had tried sushi before but I wasn't too big of a fan. Then I discovered Matsuri and now I'm absolutely hooked on sushi! Loved their Matsuri rolls. Also, the owners here are Japanese and tons of Japanese customers come here which means it must be authentic tasting. The only bad thing I have to say about this place is that it is really, really cramped. You basically have to eat NYC style, very close to the other people. Also, the place is always packed so expect to wait if you're going on a weekend at peak hours. I would definitely recommend making a reservation before hand.
(5)
Eddy G.

So after hearing tons of positive feedback on Matsuri as one of the top 5 sushi places in Miami I decided to take it for a "roll." At first glance from the street, you look at the shopping center where its housed "Redbird Plaza" and the immediate thought is "really, the best sushi?" I suggest you go in with an open mind because the second you walk inside the restaurant the lighting, wood floor, faux bamboo decorative paneling, and all the happy faces nom noming at their favorite (or just discovered) Japanese delicacies, will all suddenly make you realize you're in the right place. Their food is actually quite the bargain when you consider the quality that you are getting. Most dishes/appetizers/rolls range from $5 to $12 - which means you can order a lot of little deliciousnesses and share. The menu has many options from more traditional Japanese cuisine rather than just sushi which is much appreciated. The sake on the other hand was on a bit on the steeper end by a couple bucks - still the quality was good and they had a decent selection with many cold filtered and unfiltered options. I showed up for a quick dinner with a friend who lives nearby and had to make it quick since I had to meet some other friends in an hour and a half at the movies. We ordered a Dynamite dish, a side of Okonomyaki, and a Crunchy Hip-Hop roll and I got a piece of their Blu-fin Otoro tuna. Everything was devoured to leave clean and shiny plates ready to be retired. The quality also goes beyond the food too! All the furnishings, inner details/trimmings, dinnerware, plates, waiter uniforms, amount of waiters, etc, make you feel like you're in a place where everyone is taking what they're doing seriously. The place is a heavy operational machine with good kung-fu. The only reason why I don't give Matsuri a 5 rating is because when the rolls arrived there was no wasabi anywhere on our table. I asked our waitress to please bring some wasabi and i waited a while till I got frustrated and asked one of the food-runners to please bring us wasabi. He also took long but I finally had some good wasabi on the table that I quickly used to create a delicious mudbath for for the roll son the table and it was delicious. Anyhow excellent food but for having so many employees and a strong employee to customer ratio, I think they could've done better on the service side.
(4)
Chris C.

I work for a Japanese company with many Japanese staff and frequent visitors from Japan. It is not uncommon for a Japanese visitor to go straight from the airport to Matsuri and it is not uncommon for several Japanese staff members to frequent Matsuri several times a week or more. For fresh, great tasting fish....Matsuri is definitely the best in Miami...it's not just me saying it...but my Japanese colleagues as well. The quality of the food, especially the fish, can not be beat....and prices are very reasoable.
(5)
Andres S.

You would neved expect to find this place in the middle of a small strip mall on Bird and Red Road, but there it is, and once you're in, it is hard to believe your eyes, very nice decor. There are many Japanese restaurants in Miami, far too many I would say, but if I had to pick just one, I would say this is the top one. They have a great menu, including dishes that are very hard to find. The Tuna Tartar here is unbelievable, tasty and spicy, really good, and the sushi rolls are different, with options that go beyond your traditional California or Dragon Rolls, there is much more. Pricing is moderate, but you get great value for what you pay.
(5)
Christie A.

Am I one of the only people who does not like this place?! My husband and I went to eat here when we got married and moved into the neighborhood based on all the rave reviews from our friends who had been. We went before it was revamped, but that was not the issue. The issue was that the service SUCKED, the server spilled my Ichiban all over the table and me, another server kept bringing my husband the wrong dish, it was terrible. And then, to our HORROR, a waitress literally pointed at us and all of the servers with her started laughing out loud- literally! WTF was that all about?!?! And when the food did come, I was not impressed at all! Nothing so great to warrant the bill over. Both of us were VERY unimpressed. So much so, that we have never been back and have no plans to go back at all.
(1)
jen r.

ok so i know everyone loooves this place but im really just not that into it. yes it looks great after the remodel (before was super dark, tight and drab) and the food is good. but there is just something about it that seems super overrated and not worth it. every time i eat out with my uncle and his kids we end up here, they are borderline obsessed with matsuri and i dread every minute of it. there are soooo many better sushi restaurants in miami or just restaurants in general! actually i feel like i need to give it another shot soon without uncle/kids and see if thats the problem...
(3)
Philip T.

You know, this place has fantastic food. Super fresh, the tuna a deep cherry purple, the salmon so sweet and supple it seems to melt on your tongue. The miso soup was delicious, the sushi rolls divine, and yet I'm still going to just give it four stars. The reason was because they served the food so fast, so fast, that we hadn't even taken our first sip of the wine before everything was before us. The food being so delicious, we gobbled it up, and then that was it. Done. We'd stepped into the joint only some 25 minutes before, and already we were being presented the bill. When we walked back outside, we were almost blinking. It felt like we'd walked through a revolving door. So yes. Absolutely gorgeous food. The pacing? Too rushed.
(4)
Adam S.

Best Japanese Restaurant in all of Miami. I say Japanese, because this place is so much more than just sushi. Yes the sushi is fresh and expertly prepared, as my Japanese roommate felt the need to remind me of this every time we went. But they have a full menu of Japanese delights like hamachi kama (fish collar), yuuke (a Japanese beef tartare with a garlic sauce) and okonomiyaki (Japanese crepe with seafood and veggies). Everything is always delicious and very consistent. The wait can be a little long during peak hours, but you can just go peruse Top Hat for a nice after dinner drink while you wait. The bill can get a little out of hand if your not careful, so maybe get a bowl of rice to fill you up and keep your order small.
(5)
Melissa M.

I would give Matsuri 4 1/2 starts if I could. For starters, it has all the right aspects of an authentic Japanese restaurant. I wouldn't mind a zabuton and tatami section, but it's pretty good as is. If you read/speak Japanese, just ask! They have a full Japanese menu! We ordered from the English menu because we hadn't figured that part out. There were some Japanese foods we were hoping for that weren't on the menu, but they didn't even hesitate when we asked and it came out a few minutes later. At one point during dinner when the restaurant was humming with Nihongo chatter from Japanese families I felt a little bit like we were back in Japan :) The food was awesome, and the prices are great. We had 7 menu items between the two of us, and a soda and it was $40! I had Tsukemono (japanese pickles!), Yasaii Tempura, and Yasaii Maki and my husband had a mixture of sashimi (tuna, salmon and white fish), Wakame (seaweed) salad, miso soup and Gyudon (which wasn't on the menu). It was all fantastic! The ginger is just right and the wasabi is made in the store. They had TONS of options ranging from authentic Japanese bentos to a wide array of sushi, Japanese and American style. Plenty of Japanese Beer too. We saw a handful of young children enjoying various noodle dishes. It seemed like they had something to please everyone. We will absolutely be back, especially now that I know they have okonomiyaki :) Definitely a must try whether you live in the neighborhood, are adventuring out from South Beach or are just in town for the weekend.
(4)
Gina L.

My all time favorite place in Miami! Genuine and oh so delicious...
(5)
Soichiro H.

Its not worth for what you paid. Too expensive for tiny four slices of sashimi. $16.00 for whole Anago (kind of eel) which is too thin and worse than frozen real eel in a pack sold at chinese grocery for $ 6.00!!! Reputation is too high value is too low, thats rip off !!!! Four small appetizers cost over 65 bucks !!! Don't go that restaurant unless you want waste your money and time. Trust me i am Japanese and know what is good and what is bad for this kind of food.
(1)
Johnson W.

This place has decent sushi, however all the other food portions are extremely small. My entire family was still hungry after eating here. The price is too high for the amount you get.
(2)
Michael D.

Matsuri is a great authentic, elegant Japanese restaurant despite it being in a strip-mall. Matsuri would be great anywhere in the world. They also have a separate menu in Japanese that has a lot of other choices. They do this to keep the locals from ordering items and sending them back because they don't like what they ordered. Luckily for me my wife speaks Japanese. On this menu they have ramen. Pretty great ramen. Better than Setagaya, not as good as Ippudo. It's very odd for a sushi place to serve ramen, but they do it well. Their sushi is the best I've ever had (that includes the rice). The sushi chef is the real deal and he takes what he does very seriously. _____
(5)
Vanessa S.

I'm dedicated to my hole in the wall restaurants for Sushi, but I read such good reviews about Matsuri I had to give it a try. Boy am I glad I did... this tiny place is just what every die hard sushi fan searches for... incredibly fast service, fresh food and helpful waiters!
(3)
John T.

Looks like I will be the 150th review, but I'm not sure what to add. Consistent with most of the other reviews, I had an EXCELLENT seven piece nigiri + tekka tuna roll + small salad for $15. Fresh, delicious, reasonably priced sushi.
(4)
Anders H.

Best Japanese restaurant in Miami. How do you know it's good? You actually see Japanese people eating there. They have a lot of authentic Japanese dishes as well as modern dishes that they have created. Make sure to try the Matsuri Risotto and the Russian Bomb! If you go to this place and just order sushi, you are not taking advantage of how great their menu is.
(5)
Alberto M.

This rating was even given by Japanese people, I like everything on the menu and most important Mr. Masa which I believe is the owner is in front of the counter making the food himself,
(5)
Jennifer S.

Excellent sushi but service is slow and at times rude. This was my go-to Japanese resto until last week when a phone order I placed was filled incorrectly. When I called to tell them, the woman basically said it was my fault. As a regular and loyal customer, I am very disappointed. I'm looking for a new go-to sushi spot. 5 star sushi, 2 star service.
(3)
G G.

Food was very good and fresh. Service was good, but the big downfall was it was very pricy. I ordered fried squid and I got 7 rings for 7 bucks, good but pricy.
(4)
Janelle F.

Matsuri is solid for sushi. Now, I just wish they'd pick it up from the little strip mall it's in and place it in a really kick ass spot on south beach or anywhere near the water. If you go, make sure to save room for dessert and order the ice cream tempura- best i've ever had. The tuna tataki is also fantastic- but the portion is small- so don't agree to share this with anyone because you will want to eat it all up by yourself! The rolls- all the ones I've tried have been great. I took my mom and she was really pleased as well. The only downside is that I'm a cream-cheese addict and they claimed to have NO cream cheese to add to my rolls. No cream cheese = No 5 stars. booya. p.s. call and make a reservation. they're really good about holding a table if you call ahead.
(4)
Elias G.

I've been coming to Matsuri every few years ever since my Japanese teacher recommended to us about 15 years ago. I hadn't been to Matsuri for several years; my wife suggested I have my birthday dinner there after seeing it had been remodeled back in February. I was very impressed by the new look and decor. We ordered a huge assorted platter for three, which my brother, my best friend and I shared. The fish really is as fresh as it can get. I was a little disappointed because the nigiri sushi had too much wasabi under it. The sashimi was great, I'm not a huge fan of salmon, and theirs just had an excellent marbling to it that made it delicious. The chicken teriyaki my wife had was very good, too. We ordered tempura ice cream, cheesecake and thai donuts for dessert. All were good, though the fried ice cream wasn't as good as I remembered.
(4)
D. G.

I have been going to this place for years. Since before they renovated it. I take all my friends who come to visit Miami here. They always want to know why they're leaving the beach and why we're going to a strip-mall for dinner. From the moment we walk in,...they get it!
(4)
Khai H.

This is by far the best sushi I've had on the Continental US. Great food and by far the best Uni I've ever had!
(5)
Alex D.

This is the place to come get sushi in Miami... The george bush is da bomb
(5)
Annie R.

Good, authentic food at fair prices and in a pleasant setting. I can't believe this place is in a Miami strip mall!
(4)
Bill L.

I would rather give this place a 7/10 instead of 4/5. But that's just me. I'm not as easy as some yelpers LOL! Sushi was good. Service was okay. Nothing spectacular. Funny story. I'm sitting there perusing the menu and chatting with FoodMuse and I feel a bump against my right shoulder. I kind of glance over my shoulder and I get a boob in the face. The server's boob. Maybe she thought I was picking up the tab. Little did she know that it was on FoodMuse that night. The soups we ordered were great. LIke the other yelpers, it's solid for susi. No time to give a more comprehensive review.
(4)
Jacob C.

I had been hearing so many things about Matsuri so I decided to come here with my family for a graduation celebration and I wasn't disappointed. Everything was very fresh and delicious and fairly priced. The ambiance was also quite nice. The cold soba noodles were outstanding and the okonomiyaki was delicious as well. I can now see why everyone talked about Matsuri so highly. I am going to make another trip soon because there are so many other things on the menu that I want to try.
(5)
T S.

Best sushi in Miami! since Shoji on SOBE closed we didn't think a good sushi restaurant in Miami exisited! we went last week and are going again tonite! good value for VERY fresh fish! I hear the rest of the menu is amazing as well.
(5)
Dietrich C.

Best Japanese in Miami in my opinion. I'm somewhat of a Japanese snob when it comes to food having traveled to Tokyo extensively. Matsuri is great. In comparison, Yakko-san is a little more grundgy and Noae is a very refined (and long) dining affair. The sign of a very good sushi restaurant is the availability of bluefin otoro. Bluefin is the most coveted tuna species. And otoro the most coveted cut. There are 3 cuts and most restaurants only advertise two. Maguro: is quite lean and looks deep red. Chutoro: often just called toro is a better cut with more fat marbeling Otoro: that is the best cut; most restaurants only serve chutoro. This has the most fat content and is just like butter. Enjoy it as nigiri or sushimi. Otoro incidentally means 'golden.' Matsuri has an extensive menu both for standard American-Japanese fare (like chicken teriyaki) and for authentic Japanese. My favorites or things worth trying (since you'll be coming back I'm sure): Sashimi: - Salmon (it's a simple item but the salmon is one of the best in Miami) - Japanese Snapper - Yellowtail - Sweet shrimp (make sure they give you the head of the shrimp fried) - Bluefin otoro Nigiri: - Anago (I prefer it to Unagi in barbecue sauce; the anago is more delicate and the addition of sea salt is great) - Bluefin otoro (some may prefer this in nigiri form as the fat content makes the bluefin very rich) - chopped scallopes in spicy mayo and masago - Japanese Uni (sea urchin; may take some getting used to but it's the texture is velvety) Rolls: I am not a big roll person but my absolute favorite roll which Matsuri also makes is a Negitoro Roll. Negitoro used to be a poor man's dish in Japan. Fishermen would scrape the leftovers from tuna into a rice dish, and just garnish it with scallions and serve it with soy sauce and wasabi. This now evolved into a roll of which negitoro has the finest ingredients. In Japan you can order this in the original form in a rice bowl or as a roll. Other dishes: - Sauteed scallops - Hot shrimps - Cold Soba (I like that as an appetizer; it's often served in Japan for brunch on a Sunday) - Yakitori (order it Japanese style and make sure they give you the Japanese pepper) -- yakitori is often served in Japan in dedicated yakitori restaurants. Basically everything involving chicken (and some other select meats); from thighs to wings to breast to meatballs to heart to liver. I even had chicken sashimi once in Tokyo. Not for the faint of heart but with the Japanese obsession to hygiene and detail worth trying. I would not try that in the US. - Wings (these are not your ordinary KFC wings -- again order it Japanese style) - Hamachi Kama (cheek) - Japanese pancakes. An unusual dish not often found in the US. In Japan they have dedicated pancake houses where they give you the particular pancake dish and you cook it yourself on a hot plate. Not the best version I've had but if you want to try something different, this may be a good option Another excellent option is the go-to-ren special. You specify how much you want to spend per person (2 person minimum; $30 per person minimum) and the chef just does his thing. We've gone to Matsuri so many times that the sushi chef knows our preference but always surprises us with something new. Great option if you want to explore. I usually go at least once a week. Not super expensive like Nobu. A high quality decent meal sets me back $30-40. By the way, ask for bluefin otoro at Nobu and you won't find it. I've found bluefin otoro on occasion at Bond St. and Toni's Sushi. Enjoy and don't tell too many people about Matsuri. It's open Tuesday to Sunday and always full.
(5)
Delilah M.

The best in a neighborhood fast and fresh. Always busy so just be patient it's worth the wait.
(5)
Christine C.

EH. I am a sushi lover, and went to this place after hearing great things. Yes, it's in a parking lot, but the inside is very cute! The food however... the sushi rolls were very dry, and the portions are small, very small. The spicy mayo side was basically a side of orange mayonnaise. The rolls they have pre-created aren't anything special, just got a regular spicy tuna roll and I was not full, satisfied or impressed. Our waitress stood next to our table the entire time, staring at my friend and I making us a bit uncomfortable. They also do ordering from their phones, so I couldn't tell if she was bluntly texting or playing with the application they use..was a bit strange.
(2)
Natasha P.

I've been eaten at this place more than a dozen times. Either at the restaurant or take out. The food is very fresh and so delicious. They have the best ginger dressing and sushi. The green tea and the little cups they come in are so cute. Minimalist decorating, and i love the wood bars on the ceiling and bamboo picture. Stop by for good food.
(5)
Naty S.

After 7 check-ins it is fair that I give my favorite restaurant on this city a well-deserved review. I believe I still don't have the right words to convey this message of greatness and perfection. As far as I am concerned, Matsuri is in the top when it comes to Japanese restaurants in Miami. I cannot get into details with each menu item. They are all so unique in the way they are prepared and the ingredients used, that each plate comes to your table with a signature taste very different from your next one. If you are a connoisseur of Japanese food and language they have a Japanese menu available. Is a lot of fun when you are sharing your table with someone who knows this particular menu well; You will be in for an amazing time at Matsuri. If you are not it is OK. Anything you order will be amazing. Make sure to get creative and try new things every time you are here. Did you know that they have amazing and "affordable" lunch items? Whenever I am around for lunch i will drive the extra mile and visit them. You can call ahead and reserve a table. Yes, a reservation for Lunch; However, they close early, keep an eye on your watch. Made it for lunch? I highly recommend to order one of the Lunch Boxes. For less than $10 you can get a complete lunch including Miso soup, salad with Ginger dressing and different options of rolls, gyoza, sashimi, tempura items and some more combinations. It is perfect! The fish is always fresh, their menu items offer everything to please everyone.
(5)
Angela C.

I just moved to Miami, but I've already eaten here three times! Great atmosphere, almost always busy (which I think says something for the quality). I would absolutely suggest checking this place out!!
(5)
Renee D.

It's comparable to it's sushi neighbors but at better price - I've only done take out - but so far so good. Coming from the beach where delivery from Hiro's was always sub-par - this is a take out gem ;) too bad they don't deliver!! I've got two kids and sushi night is usually accompanied by a Disney movie ;) They've got some original rolls - all fresh and super yummy. Menu is on the fridge - as a sushi conniseur - I say u can't go wrong here ;)
(4)
Andrew J.

Where Japanese people go for Japanese food in Miami. Seriously. Consistently excellent and not that expensive. It used to be a hole in the wall but they really upgraded the interior about a year ago. Always packed and a good urban vibe.
(4)
krista L.

Oh man, I haven't been here in a while, I tend to always forget about it when I'm in town and have a hankering for sushi. Maybe because I spend most of my time on the beach or in Aventura. My husband and I went here on our first date, so it holds a special place in my heart, we tried to go back for our 2 year dating anniversary, but I had a wisdom tooth issue, so we were unable to make it. Anyway, as I said, it's been a long time since I went, so I can't quite remember any of the dishes, I do know that it's damn fresh fish and delicious food. They serve blow fish, which I think it's the only restaurant in Miami that does. Can't say I've had the blow fish, I had planned on having it, until the whole wisdom tooth thing happened. Not sure if this has changed, but they did not have low sodium soy sauce which was a negative for me, but not enough to deduct a star.
(5)
Moni L.

I heard from my sister that the Matsuri is where a lot of top notch japanese business men go for some great sushi and dining. She was right about that. The decor of the restaurant is great. Clean lines, very simple and upscale. The seating is difficult though and is very crowded and quite loud. Food on the other hand was great. We had sushi, tempura, some udon, and some appetizers. I have to say, the green tea ice cream we had at the end was great. i think it could have possibly been made in house. Everything was very fresh and delicious. The sushi was fresh, although the salmon wasn't the best I have had. The dining experience was pretty hectic. But I enjoyed the food and the service was pretty great. Our waitress was very attentive and sweet. I would go back but not with a group, seating is just a little difficult.
(4)
bridget s.

matsuri is one of those great little places you have to hear about by word of mouth because otherwise you wouldn't notice it hidden away in yet another shopping plaza, but once you go there you realize why 5 different people (who don't know each other) have led you here. I've been hearing about this place for quite some time but just decided to stop by this week. so glad i did! the place has a nice ambiance. Most important to me, the servers were friendly and quick and the food was good. The guys working the sushi line are even friendly. i tried the rainbow roll, healthy tofu steak, and a bite of my abuela's avocado salad- which were all delicious. Including desert, the price tag was more than fair for our meal. All the regulars are there for a reason.
(5)
FRANCO P.

Great sushi, great ambiance and great all around restaurant. My favorite sushi spot in Miami, even if it is in a strip mall.
(4)
adrian s.

I thought it was good... but I was hoping for something better based on some of the reviews. The location sucks. The space is pretty small. The sushi was good and I would not mind having it again, but you've got to be kidding me if you think this is the best sushi in Miami. Red Koi, Sake Room, Shibui, Oishi Thai or even Abokado, all blow this place out of the water. I will go back again to try different things to see if maybe it's better the second time around.
(3)
Carl K.

Still think it's the best sushi in Miami but because of the shortcomings mentioned in my review below, e.g., most dishes are good not fantastic, service is efficient but not much more, the strip mall location leaves much to be desired, no wine list and the ambiance is a notch-above a cafeteria compel me to give Matsuri four not five stars, and I give it four stars just because the straightforward sushi and sashimi is first class, and in my opinion the best in town. Otherwise I would rank the restaurant in the three star range.
(4)
Bruce L.

Damn, the fish is fresh. If you are a New Yorker, it's ALMOST as good as Blue Ribbon, but not quite. If you are from Minneapolis, it's equivalent to Origami. We enjoyed it. My wife wasn't enamored with the weird fusion rolls. One was named after "George Bush"! I mean, come on! I told her that I thought it would still taste good -- even if not politically kosher in my mind. Get the special fried doughnuts dipped in honey for dessert ... mighty tasty.
(4)
JennyLee M.

It's not only around the corner from me, it was also the Toyota weekly lunch spot. Luckily, my Japanese colleagues were able to give me some great recommendations which weren't on the English menu (which I don't understand). Kabe tama is my favorite, scrambled eggs, cabbage and bacon all stir-fried and delicious low-carb selection. The 1163 roll, which is priced at $11.63 is my favorite roll. Wished they were open on Monday nights too, maybe that'll one day change. The renovation took this place from a hole in the wall setting to a much nicer, sophisticated look. Definitely the best Japanese restaurant in town... which is likely why you'll find yourself over hearing Japanese throughout from their loyal native patrons.
(4)
Cam L.

Been working in Miami for the last 2 weeks and I've eaten here 4 times already. What more can be said? The fish is extremely fresh and the hot spicy veggie soup is amazing. Plus other Asian people eat there so you KNOW it has to be good. Forgot to say...sometimes it takes awhile to get a table, so go early or make a reservation. The homies will thank you for it.
(4)
Elyse H.

It's a good thing I don't judge a book by its cover! This place is tiny and located in an old strip mall. While I was waiting for my friend to show up, I almost couldn't believe that this was the place he suggested. We went on a Friday night and it was PACKED. Good sign, and good thing we made reservations! We still had to wait about 15-20 minutes, no big deal for me. We ordered one of the sashimi meals for two and it was incredibly fresh. I loved it! We also had the wakame salad, which is also good, but not the best I've ever had. Our waitress was friendly and efficient... I really enjoyed the vibe of this place. It was a bit noisy on this particular evening, but it definitely didn't bother us. I'd definitely come here again.
(4)
Kei O.

I am very happy about everything except one thing. My sushi was prepared by a amigo looking chef. There were 5 chefs in the sushi bar, and two of them were Japanese. As a Thai looking waitress took my order, one of the amigo chef started preparing my sushi. If I was a manager there and a customer is Japanese, I will be careful who prepares for it. Also, all the staffs there seems to be very snobbish attitude.
(4)
Tatiana E.

Yum! I ordered a small roll and a spicy crab salad. Definitely delicious :) The salad was a bit small but generous on the crab and spicy mayo which made it well worth the trip :) Recommended!
(5)
John S.

Hands down my favorite sushi place in Miami.
(5)
Gaie C.

I been going to Matsuri for a quite a few years. I have not been back since they renovated until recently. I went there for a total of 3 times. The hot food was good and very consistent. The sushi is great except for the Tuna, it was not to my liking the last time I was there, but the waitress was very quick on replacing it and she was very apologetic. In fact I had the best service the last time I was there. There service definitely need improvement, it is very inconsistent. Matsuri was my favorite Japanese restaurant before the renovation and it still is.
(4)
J N.

I love everything that is on the menu, although there are other factors because of which I don't visit this as often. First, the food - When you see and taste their sushi rolls you know the difference between this and most other places. Rick is cooked perfectly and doesn't need moisture from sauces and syrups. Fish is in the right amount and usually pretty right in terms of flavor, depending on what you order. I usually good for sashimi because, given the quality of their fish and rice, you get the most for your meal. Service is pretty good although I would like them to pay a little more attention to quality and interaction with customers. We don't go there very often because of the price and the service. We feel we are on an assembly line which is not fair given the rather high prices. Sushi meals are supposed to be enjoyed over longer duration. Typically, you enjoy one roll at a time and choose the next one on progression. You can't do that here. Despite that, a four star is justified due to quality and taste of the food. Reservations are highly recommended for dinners, especially for Friday and Saturday nights. I have heard that this place is also busy during lunch hours.
(4)
J M.

I love Matsuri, yesterday I was on a commercial job in South Miami. And turns out that several people on set love Matsuri so much, they sent the PA out to get us sushi lunch from here. Ignoring the fact that there were 20 other japanese places around the corner and before the PA would get to Matsuri.
(4)
Julie L.

My sister took me here early June of this year. Everything is really fresh and yummy. We had a variety of sashimi and sushi. The size may be a little small but it is offset by the quality.
(4)
Len D.

I loved their food and their sushi is probably the best in Miami/South Beach, but their service sucks. My girlfriend hated it for the service alone, so her food criticism is probably biased if you asked her. So first I'll describe the service. They rush you to a table and rush you to ordering. It feels like they want you out of there as soon as possible so they can get you out of the table to serve more people. The waitresses give you a feeling like they are doing you a favor by sitting you down. When we were looking at the menu we actually got to witness this huge scene with a table next to us. A couple wanted sushi and brought their kid. Their kid had McDonald's with them since the kid hates sushi( I think he was 4 which is understandable). When they were ordering their staff asked them to please throw away the food or eat it outside. I overheard their little story about their kid and how they just wanted to get some sushi. They ended up getting kicked out because they refused. I actually understand, but my girlfriend hated the fact they refused to serve them. If you have kids and want to eat at a fancy restaurant. Don't bring in McDonald's to the table. Order to go or just eat somewhere more child friendly. It is the sacrifices of having children. I ordered the toro and some sushi platter. The sushi was fresh and perfectly made. I've never had toro, but heard it is the filet mignon of sushi. Even though it was $4 a piece, it was worth it. I heard they charge as high as $10 a piece at most places, so I can't complain. My girl ordered the teriyaki which she said was average. I tasted it and thought it was great. The fried green ice cream was awesome. Again my girlfriend said she had better which I still think she was affected by the previous scene that was described. The place is like a hidden gem. From the outside it doesn't even look like a restaurant. It's in the middle of some average looking shopping square. The windows are tinted and just has the word Matsuri over the door. When you go in you feel like you've just entered some fancy Japanese restaurant that will end up emptying your wallet, but the prices are actually pretty cheap. They have a huge selection of authentic Japanese food. They probably have the biggest selection of sushi I've ever seen. If you want sushi or soup then I would say go there and try it out. I give the place 4 stars, but my girlfriend is forcing me to give them at most 3.
(3)
Jaimie A.

Went to Matsuri for the first time this past weekend, and I must say I was very impressed. I have only lived in south miami for about 6 months and have tried nearly all sushi places around this area. Matsuri is the best yet. Service was friendly and fast and the food was outstanding!
(4)
Gianna O.

The food was fantastic! BUT, it's very pricey if you have a big appetite, like I do. The portions are small, so I ended up spending a lot of money. I also didn't like the atmosphere that much. Yes, the decor is clean, pretty, urban, but it's loud and bright. Not very soothing for dinner.
(3)
Laura M.

Best sushi in Miami; truth be told...it has a lot of Japanese customers.
(5)
Marc M.

Falls squarely into the Ã±eh category. It's not bad, but not great, it's good. There's plenty of parking, but the Red Bird Mall sucks seriously as a place to hang out. The service is lackadaisical at best, the plates are OK, the quallty is OK. The tables are the worst worst part. Very small, very close, you just hear every conversation around you. And the place is brutally noisy. Nothing that says "come back"
(2)
Kameelah R.

This place is really nice. The inside is very modern and chic. The seating is a little odd, so we sat at the sushi bar. The food here is great. We started with the Su-no-mono salad it had a great texture and flavor. The beef Negimaki is excellent, very tender. The Matsuri Tempura was good and crispy. The Fire Fish Sashimi is awesome, its wrapped in cucumber and is light and refreshing. The Crunch Hip Hop Roll is a great twist on the tempura roll, it is built like a tower and is covered in a spicy sauce and tempura flakes. The Caribbean Roll is very good it has red snapper, it's great. The tempura cheesecake is a great finisher. The service was good, but kinda strange. In all it was a great experience.
(5)
Greg C.

I had a horrible meal at this restaurant. The fish was not fresh, in fact we sent food back. I never do this. For getting such high marks here and in Zagat I was extremely disappointed. Go to Shibui its much better.
(1)
David M.

Incredible sushi that I'd have to say is the best in Miami. Even the tuna and cucumber rolls were amazing but nothing compared to their specialty rolls which are a perfect blend of wild and taste. Granted this place is somewhat pricey but in my experience with sushi, you get what you pay for. Good luck getting seated on a Saturday night though.
(5)
Ben L.

Best and most authentic Japanese food in Miami. I am a total Sushi Snob, and this was just amazing. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
(5)
L A.

Enjoyed the atmosphere, very nicely decorated. The sushi was great, Spider Roll is a must and the cold sweet saki!!! I enjoyed it!
(4)
fatima f.

AWESOME sushi restaurant.. Super fresh sushi..The best value sushi/sashimi lunch ever which includes salad, soup, tempura veggies and shrimp and california rolls. Most of the staff is great and have worked there for quite a while. If you were there last year you know it wasnt a pretty place or great atmosphere however that has changed. They remodeled and its a very nice restaurant now...Make sure to visit if you are a sushi lover.
(5)
Karla D.

Without a doubt Miami's Best Sushi!!! Always fresh and delicious.
(5)
Tony E.

This is one of my favorite lunch spots. Fast and courteous service. Great sushi and not too expensive. A great little hidden gem.
(5)
monica c.

Nearly every table was full (9pm on a Thursday night) and we were all so indecisive with the extensive menu, our waitress came up to us about 4 times before we finally ordered. She was really attentive and patient, and looking around at everyone else there, it appeared that they were getting the same service. Started off with a Sapporo ($5.50) and miso soup ($2) which I slurped down, not too salty, good flavor and hearty bits of tofu swimming around. Fried pork gyoza followed ($3.50 for 3), tasted good, but way too greasy (yes, I realize it's fried) and overpriced in my opinion. Salmon skin hand roll ($3) was nice and crunchy, no complaints. My Okonomiyaki ($7) which I was most excited about left something to be desired. The batter was pretty bland but since it's something not commonly found around these parts I was content just to see it in front of me. Salmon Kama ($5) followed, let me tell you, I decimated that thing! I started picking the moist flakiness off with my chopsticks but halfway through I got in there with my hands until the only thing left were bones and the lemon wedge that decorated the plate. I wish I could've hugged that salmon as a thank you for being so delicious before I ate his face. Needless to say, I was totally satisfied as were the rest of my table. Go to Matsuri if you haven't yet, maybe next time after a few more beers, I can stare at the bamboo wallpaper and imagine I really am back in Japan.
(5)
Franky A.

I've always liked this place but after they revamped it, I know love it! Great sushi and atmosphere to hang out. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Scott D.

I lived nine years of my life in Japan, speak and read Japanese well, and was married to a Japanese girl for six years. One thing and one thing alone led me to live this life: my love of sushi. hands down, this is the best sushi in Miami, bar none. those Thai and Chinese places that happen to have a sushi bar don't even come close. those places aren't even farm league. (not even special olympics.) this place is major league sushi. There is a good reason that Japanese make up a large portion of the clientele in any particular night, whereas any other sushi joint in town is mostly roundeyes. only this place lives up to the standard of those who truly know sushi. you won't find a lot of the gimmicky crap they make in the states and call sushi. (funny rolls with silly sauces - stuff one would never see in Japan.) that may be why some on here call the place "ordinary." I have spoken, and thus it is so.
(5)
Felix L.

Definitely good - however, I thought the portions could have been a bit more filling. Definitely try the BUSH 3PM! - the pretzel is a great tough.
(4)
Chef Leo P.

I love the sushi bar layout, the apps are good, fresh fish! good sashimi and sushi, rolls are ok.... i think they should open for lunch on saturday? is quiet spensive but u should try out at least once....
(4)
Rob C.

they have a version of the menu written in japanese --i had the blue fin oh-toro (4 pieces $16 = good deal) -- nice color, taste, texture ok (soft but didn't melt) --chu toro zuke --okonomiyaki (better than the ones elsewhere at least) --nabeyaki udon (disappointed that there was no fish cake and that they used imitation crab) many people ordering the chirashi or mori awase -- generous sashimi slices i'll be back to try more of their izakaya/fusion stuff -- yuzu on the menu had the chawamushi -- good (not on the menu, min. order is 2) -- good but too expensive at $14 also had a couple of the izakaya toro yukke was good but the salmon and asparagus was not they have all the standards -- mackerel, hamachi, ama ebi, more oh toro, americal idol and hip hop --will satisfy the typical american palate the japanese menu has a few unique donburis and ramen soups (not on the english menu) had the shoyu ramen -- good, nice broth and flavor overall also had the toro, uni, ikura over rice ($28) from the other menu -- the good stuff but kinda expensive had the hotate yaki -- garlic flavor, age tofu, all ok sashimi ap - sliced as large chunks unfortunately, looks like they won't be getting ankimo anymore. 9 piece mori awase sushi with negitoro still a good deal at $20 I think the sushi is better at Sushi Deli (i.e. better bigger toro pieces) also nice at NAOE
(5)
Dan B.

I finally got to try the newly remodeled Matsuri. I honestly preferred the dark dive-like atmosphere that Matsuri used to be as opposed to this attempt at acquiescing with new-age and trendy motifs. It's too bright in there. Tables are too close together. It feels like madness at times. The sushi, however, is either just as good as it used to be or better. In an attempt to build off their newly adopted postmodern image, they've added a section to the menu called New World Delights or something to that effect. I tried the very first one under that section which is a conglomeration of tuna, toro, scallions, and spicy sauce. It was fantastic. I think even Anthony Bourdain would have jizzed himself. I also tried a sushi platter that comes with 12 pieces of random sushi and 6 tekka maki. The yellow fin tuna and the toro are probably some of the best fish you can have in Miami. The owner flies in these fish fresh from Japan every day so you're tasting authentic sushi tastes here. You can tell visually even that the sushi is great quality because the tuna is very red, the salmon is marbleized, and the toro melts in your mouth like butter. They also have awesome salads and miso soup. If this isn't the best sushi restaurant in Miami, then it has to be pretty close to the top. I certainly can't think of any that competes with it. For these prices, this is about the best sushi you can eat. Two of us ate for only $61 in total (before tip). Sure you can get even better sushi in New York but you would have to pay around $240 for two people if you wanted better sushi. This place is almost the perfect balance between price and quality.
(5)
Joseluis A.

i finally went to matsuri today. i love it. i think this is my new favorite japanese restaurant in miami. will definitely go back for the fresh fish.
(5)
Phoebe L.

The Ramen here is amazing. I've had both Kimchi flavored and Pork already. My bf and I come here early, once the day of classes is over (5:30-6) and we get good service, in fact, the waitresses are starting to recognize us. The Masa special for 2 is probably the best deal, switch the California Roll to American Idol roll and you won't regret it.
(5)
J K.

WOW! I had just about given up on finding a really great, reasonably priced sushi restaurant -- and then I found Matsuri. The decor is lovely and zen, the staff is excellent and the food was ridiculously good for the price. I went there for lunch during the week and sat at the sushi bar. I ordered the sashimi/gyoza combo bento box. It came with a ton of food (including 6 slices of sashimi, 3 delish pork dumplings, salad, 6-peice California roll, miso soup and an orange slice) and was $8. Yup. $8. The a la carte menu look very good. It included real japanese options like Age Tofu This place is my new favorite lunch joint. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Steven S.

I love Sushi, love it, and go to Matsuri every time I am in Miami. It is in my opinion, as good as Nobu, which if you think about it, is amazing as Nobu is at least 4 times more expensive. I have read the reviews on Yelp, and frankly i am a bit shocked. I mean all the negative reviews are kind of like George complaining about the soup from the Soup Nazi. Yes, it is in a strip mall, yes the space is so-so, yes the staff is a bit brusk (you get the you should be privileged to be here attitude), and yes the menu is the size of a the Singapore Phone book, but please, just sit down order (anything) and enjoy. I ate there just last Thursday with a good friend of mine from Miami, who has good access to the best chef's in town. He had just been to a small Japanese deli, that a local celebrity chef said was the best sushi in town, so had the ability to test it mono a mono with Matsuri. We started with my favorite, the tuna tartar with a quail egg. This is one of my top 10 dishes in the world, fresh, flavorful, rich yet not overwhelming, it is tuna perfection, and you should never leave this restaurant without it. It compares favorably to the Nobu tuna tartar with caviar--another spectacular dish. We then just ordered a sushi plate for 2, with a shrimp tempura roll (as my companion wanted to test that against he prior restaurant). I am not a fan of fried sushi, yet the roll overwhelmed. The tempura was mild, not overwhelming the shrimp, and the spices were meant to enhance, not cover up. The rest of the sushi was fairly standard sushi, with tuna, yellow tail, squid, all of which was perfect, I mean perfect. All garnished with real, fresh ginger and wasabe, which is unique. Now, to make the dinner perfect was the bill, which came in at a total of $52.00, yes I am not kidding. Now, in fairness neither of us were drinking (I don't drink the first 6 weeks of the year, and my friend doesn't drink at all), but come on, that is barely more expensive then grocery store Sushi. I almost feel guilty paying at Matsuri, as it just doesn't seem fair. In sum, if you are in Miami, this is a must, a must, must, must!!!!
(5)
Bruno G.

Matsuri is the only and the best japanese restaurant in florida . I have been eating in there for over 6 years. Anyone that have any complains should forget about eating japanese food for there life because this place is the best best . I thank you Massa (the Chef) for the all fantastic food that I and my family and friends has the oportunity of eat for all these years. Bruno G- Boca Raton -Florida
(5)
Carmen P.

I'm originally from Miami and on my recent trip there I was visiting family and of course opened my yelp app so that I could find a restaurant near to where I was, and this came up. I had been to the one across the street when they were smaller, and decided to give this a try again cause i was pleased with my first experience. I took my grandmother with me and we ordered the Yuke which was really good not the best Ive had but up there. I ordered just a sushi and sashimi plate. The pieces weren't what I'm really used to they were a bit on the small side but they were good quality. The dumplings were really yummy. The service was sooooo hideous!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to walk out but couldnt find my waitress. The waitress disappeared after taking our order and only reappeared at the end. I had to ask for her at the end. The bus boy was pretty much the one that was helping us out if i needed water or something SOOOOO disappointed!!! Only reason they get 2 stars is because the sushi was fresh and the atmosphere was nice very Miami. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! There are so many better places than this!!!!!!!
(2)
Tom K.

4.5 rating. Pleasant surprise. I expected another over-priced/wannabe NY restaurant down here in Miami. And while I've had some great sushi in NY (Yasuda, Gari, Hatsuhana) I'm surprised to say that you can't find this in NYC. The sushi was fresh like top NY spots but much less expensive (e.g., 1 Toro sushi was $2.50 vs. $8-12 in NY). The Toro Sashimi (5 pieces) melted in my mouth and everything else was great (tofu, "Mr. Bush", honey-dipped doughnuts). ~20 min. drive from South Beach.
(4)
Jason Z.

My best friend from Japan insists on dinner at Matsuri when he comes to visit. And the restaurant attracts many Japanese diners (they have a separate Japanese menu--with some tasty additions only for those in the know). Suffice it to say that I've tried a bunch of sushi restaurants in the Miami area and while there are a few good ones around, I keep coming back to Matsuri for the closest you can get to authentic in the area.
(5)
Christopher C.

This place is the bomb! I moved here from San Francisco, and I'm telling you, this place makes it just as good as the japanese folks on the west coast. I was really shocked at how good it is. And the Toro is delicious and well priced. I eat here about twice a week for lunch and it always suprizes me when I see 20 customers there speaking japanese and bowing to each other. That says a lot - i didn't know there were that many japanese people in Miami.
(5)
Sara G.

I tried to eat here the other night - it is closed for renovations!
(1)
Geovanni R.

It's not Sushi Yasuda in NYC but it's damn good sushi......no cream cheese here and the fish quality was excellent......In NYC I never contributed but down here it's more of a hunt....just wanted to throw in my two cents to help the people down here who are helping me find my culinary way.....This place is delicious sushi, which not to sound like an A-Hole there's nothing like this in Palm Beach County after tryinga few of their Sushi Jo's and Sushi Lounges.....I knew Florida had to have good sushi....Matsuri hit the spot
(5)
Kushbaby s.

I must say, coming from the WestCoast where you can find GREAT sushi on almost every block, Matsuri is definitely one of the best sushi joints in South Florida. One of the most important points about this place is that it isJAPANESE owned. Most of the sushi restaurants in South Florida and in many other cities are owned and operated by either Chinese, Thai or another ASIAN country. How many times have you seen store fronts stating they have CHINESE FOOD and SUSHI or THAI and SUSHI? Whats up with that? I don't know about all you "YELPERS" but if I want sushi, I only want sushi and only the best because thats what its all about, FRESH FISH...only the best. Although the renovations have made this restaurant more stylish and clean, the food hasnt changed one bit, except the many additions to their menu. Two things that I really dislike about this place is the fact that they completely covered the sushi bar!!! isnt that the whole point of sitting at the bar? To see what the guys are doing? BIG MISTAKE! and the annoying busboy's that watch you like a hawk! The clean your table almost TOO quick, that can get pretty annoying. Other than those two points, MATSURI is definitely the best sushi restaurant in South Florida. Why else do local Japanese and tourists from Japan come here to eat? Also note, if you want good sushi in Fort Lauderdale, go to Tokyo Sushi or Shizen ( same owners).
(5)
Bum Soo K.

You could tell that this is a great restaurant because a lot of Japanese people eat here - and the service is great. Since I'm Asian but not Japanese, when I enter the restaurant, they often ask me if I want an English or Japanese Menu. In opinion, the interior is great, and the price is quite reasonable. There are fusion dishes, but I always ordered a bowl of steamed rice and nato when I went there alone. Their blue-fin toro is quite good too. I haven't had bad services yet with this restaurant. Though my visit was sporadic, I took my friends to this restaurant, and went here with my dad. A great place!
(5)
Brian B.

They have the freshest fish in Miami (amongst sushi places). I was recommended this place by my Japanese teacher 14 years ago, and have been going ever since. Recently remodeled, the place looks a LOT better than before. Don't stick to only the sushi, their japanese menu has a lot of delicious things. Make sure you ask for sushi rice on the side of your entree instead of white rice, makes it that much tastier.
(5)
Phil L.

Nice atmosphere, dining is decent. The fish is fresh the the waiters are average. Way to many kids for my taste in the restaurant the night I went. I would dine again.
(3)
Yuji T.

Like many have stated, it is located in a unassuming location. The strip mall is a bit of negative, but once inside, you will be pleasantly surprised. The menu is rather extensive - not exactly izakaya or sushi bar. A restaurant in the true sense and the food is solid all around. Im not a reg so I dont know the off-menu items, but the engawa (sea salt), saute scallops and saba shio yaki were my highlights. The sushi was good, not great. Also, the servers, while efficient, had a bit of a cafeteria attitude. Slowing the mood or conversation is not a plus. Solid 3 stars
(3)
Mike S.

The best place to get your Japanese fix in Miami. I usually get the sushi/sashimi combo and share some katsu don or tempura. There are 2 Japanese sushi chefs so this is the real deal, where else will you find that in Miami? I love fried soft shell crab but they have desecrated the fond memories of my childhood, avoid! However their tempura and katsu don were perfectly cooked. There are secret items in the Japanese menu so work on your kanji! Sorry gaijins...
(4)
Liana S.

Matsuri gets five stars every time. Here's a sushi bar that is yet to dissapoint. Pretty sure I learned to eat uni there and now I can't have less than three pieces when I go. Sit at the bar to see the sushi chefs make rolls, slice sashimi and create incredible items you can only order off the Japanese menu. If you are just getting into sushi, Matsuri may offer things you may not yet appreciate, but hang in there, because you will! Word to the wiese: Stick to the sashimi and rolls, no need to venture into frufu Western-style aps or dishes. Good sake, but on the pricey side, so you are better off ordering by the bottle or get the complementary green tea. BTW - if you are not Japanese you will be in the minority - and I think that a very good thing at a sushi bar.
(5)
Alina P.

Best Sushi in Miami! Fish is so fresh it melts in your mouth. Sushi chef/owner Masa is exceptional at his art. Can't wait to go back again. Been coming here for years and gets better every-time!
(5)
Daniel F.

Suuuuushhhiiii!
(4)
Tare P.

Matsuri is fantastic and the best sushi in Miami (other than Nobu on SoBe, but you'll pay an arm and leg for that). They have a Japanese and English menu. The quality of sushi is consistent, and I'm not talking about just the maki rolls. If you want ama ebi, uni, hamachi, toro, and blue fin, or appetizers like soft shell crab, seaweed salad, and sunomono then Matsuri has the freshest boat of fish in South Florida. It can get pricey though, but it's worth it. True the strip mall is not appealing, but whatever. Make a reservation, it can get packed. Service has been fine every time I went. If you want regular rolls (you know, the ones that are fried and loaded with Mayo) then head over to Shibui on Sunset.
(4)
Liliana E.

The place has a very modern and clean looking interior, you would never be able to tell from outside. The food however was a big disappointment. I was excited to try this place since I have heard good things, but I won't be back. The flavor is just not good.
(2)
Hal Z.

Matsuri is a very nice restaurant with tasteful decor, friendly staff and very tasteful food. Everything is a la carte so it can add up a bit. Don't get the spicy tuna though. It has a garlicky spicy sauce that over powers the fish. We couldn't finish it. Other than that the rest of the food was very good. I recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Rachel P.

Good sushi in an unlikely location, and it was a little pricey. A South Miami strip mall isn't exactly a hot spot. The fish was fresh and the portions were substantial (for sushi portions). The waitress was abrupt and we felt a little rushed. If you are in the neighborhood, it's definitely where you should go for sushi, but it's not worth the special trip.
(3)
Monica R.

Regardless of how good the food is, what really makes or breaks a restaurant for me is the experience! I came here for a late lunch (2:15pm'ish), was seated quickly and had 2 people try to take my order. During my entire meal (which was delicious) I was asked by different servers if that was all I was going to have. No one bothered to refill my water glass and I kept getting looks that asked "how long are you planning to be here"! I was not the only person dining...there were about 15 or so others there as well. They bring my check right away and I pay with my credit card but choose not to sign until I finished my meal. At least 3 different servers tried to take it without signature! I felt almost intimidated, I could not enjoy my meal! Will not be returning for a while but when I do decide to give this place a second chance I'll definitely get there earlier!
(2)
Phil C.

Good ramen, above average sashimi. Inside decor is nice, and staff was attentive. Price was decent for quality of food. Would go again, but not on high priority list.
(4)
Lu R.

Just wanted to add my stars to the list. This place is one of the best sushi places I've found on the east coast. Lived in Miami for five years and am a sushi (and pizza) fiend, which meant Miami was my Mecca for options (even though much of the places are some of the worst joints I've ever eaten at and the owners should be ashamed of themselves) since there seem to be thousands of both all around. Well, I can't say I tried them all but I got pretty close to it and this is the place I visit when I'm back in town. The place does get crowded but I've never waited long to be seated and the food is well worth the wait. One thing that was not on the menu but rather a special order was their Miso Soup with baby/stone clams. Try it --- I promise you'll love it.
(5)
Claudia P.

There's a rumor that Madonna helped put this place on the radar. Don't know if that's true, but what I can tell you is that after 20+ years of coming here I think it is still the BEST SUSHI in Miami, PERIOD. By the looks of it so do all of the many Japanese people you'll see eating there on a daily basis. Don't judge a book by it's cover, the strip mall location is no indication as to the quality of the food and after a much needed renovation two years ago this place is a winner on all accounts. The food is always FRESH!! One word of caution: make a reservation, especially fri-sun dinner or else be prepared to wait.
(5)
cindy w.

Matsuri is a delicious safe harbor of savory Japanese cuisine where I can eat/gorge/snarf in good company. Have no shame here and indulge in their awesome Japanese noodle bowl dishes, particularly the nabeyaki udon! When it arrived, my tablemates ooh'd and aah'd, casting jealous looks at my meal. The broth was savory and the noodles just right, chewy but not overdone. Appearance wise, it's still unassuming and easy to overlook in the plaza but inside is a warmly lit, modern, and posh place --- the best part is that the prices are still reasonable and the service is decent. This place was packed and also had a high Asian diners quotient, another good sign of approval in my book.
(5)
Victoria B.

I'm very picky with my sushi. I want the freshest fish, the most skilled cuts, the perfect sushi rice, excellent use of wasabi by the chef, and artful presentation. I must say that Matsuri consistently delivers on all fronts. It is absolutely excellent. The Japanese and Japanese-fusion cuisine is also to die for. The dishes are very creative and you can taste the passion the chef has for his food. Every time I come here I think of the food, I build an almost too-good-to-be-true image of what my meal will be like. I am apprehensive as I take that first bite, thinking that I've set my hopes too high, but Matsuri always rises to the challenge and exceeds my expectations. I've decided to try everything on the menu, I don't think I can be disappointed. This place is constantly packed for good reason. A reservation is almost a necessity for parties of any size. The service, consequently can be slow and a bit inattentive but food is always prepared with the same expert care and quality is never sacrificed. The only drawbacks (not for me) are the small, almost cramped space inside and perhaps the location inside a strip mall. Plenty of parking though! If you've never been here, do yourself, your friends, and family a favor and visit Matsuri. You will return again and again!
(5)
Ryan H.

Actually this place the sushi is dank and the food comes fast. Service is good except for the host at the front taking down reservations and names. He's a complete arrogant dickhead. Really rude and really off standing. He had arm tattoos and he's short. Mean as fuck and racist. But the sushi is pretty aight.
(3)
Jake E.

It was a Wednesday night, and for some reason, I had an overwhelming desire to get some Udon soup... A series of very fortunate events led me to Matsuri on that happy evening. This place is 100% authentic Japanese food. No thai side of the menu and No Chinese side of the Menu like so many Miami Sushi places seem to have. Sushi, sashimi, noodles, gyoza, and Japanese business men from out of town at the table next to you enjoying the flavor and quality just like you. More than satisfying my Udon craving, the nabeyaki Udon came with shrimp tempura, crab, chicken, an egg, and an assortment of fresh veggies. The bowl was massive, and I devoured every last bit. We also tried the crunchy hip hop roll, which upon tasting, I am fairly certain Tupac and Biggie's ghosts started to perform a live concert for me right on the sushi bar.... Oh wait a minute, that didnt happen. But it was delicious and fresh! Highly recommended. Dont let the drive to Red Road deter you! I havent had better quality Japanese food anywhere in Miami than Matsuri.
(5)
Yuyan C.

I just want to to say everything is perfect...definitely the best Japanese restaurant in Miami in this price range.Food is just as good as what we had in Japan. Highly recommended.
(5)
Chris F.

Good sushi, but the front host does a terrible job taking, honoring reservations. So, always count on a long, long, long wait, in a tight, loud space. The sushi chefs are consistently good. The wait staff is pretty good. The one problem is the front host, ruins the experience every time:-(. Indifferent experience at best.
(2)
Bridget O.

This place is a must try! The location is genius for traffic in a well to do neighbor hood and the decor is a warm but clean and modern. I came in the middle of dinner rush with a friend and we decided to have a quick seat at the sushi bar which features the same full menu as the dining tables. I thought with my bad hearing that the place being busy would make it hard but boy was I wrong! The noise is actually well maintained especially for a super popular place. The presentation is very clean and they had a fair amount of ginger and wasabi(much better then their competitors). They also had amazingly fresh fish!The miso soup was also a nice broth. The only down side was that a busy restaurant means the wait staff are busier, but that was 100%understandable. If you enjoy Japanese food and crave fresh sashimi&sushi please check this place out! Please note that many others know how good and popular it is so be mindful it may be busy.
(5)
Chlo L.

Talk about a Japanese food baby! First time here and tried all my favorites to compare with the other places around Miami and my taste buds were blown away. I might have been bias with the drinks prior but I don't think so. Best price for the quality. My new favorite neighborhood place for my weekly sushi fix.
(5)
Persefoni V.

You know you're getting good sushi when 75% of the customers are Japanese. The service is great and there is something on the menu for everyone. I love their 1163 Roll. Whenever they have uni it's always good and fresh.
(5)
Todd R.

Matsuri is reminiscent of a stylish sushi bar in New York. I've dined in some of the best restaurants in Japan and have an extremely refined palate when it comes to Japanese cuisine. I tend to like very traditional Japanese cuisine with subtle contemporary twists. I'm not a fan of the fusion wave that has so many people hooked. With that being said, Matsuri is a solid Japanese restaurant. I always sit towards the back and ask for the Japanese menu and the Japanese waitresses (it gives me a chance to practice my nearly fluent Japanese) I usually always order omakase and have the chef choose something special for me. If you sit at the sushi bar, you get a real treat when the master is their working his magic. If you like traditional Japanese food and contemporary Tokyo style Japanese cuisine then I definitely think you should give Matsuri a try. They have a great sake list and the food and ambiance are excellent.
(4)
Charlie S.

This is now my second favorite sushi in Miami (I give the edge here to Zuma) - the fish at Matsuri is extremely fresh and really great quality. The uni stood out especially. I'll look forward to returning. There were some downsides, however. It turns out that a reservation is absolutely essential on a Saturday night. The restaurant was packed. The small waiting area was overflowing. Matsuri was uncomfortably hot as a result. Our estimated wait time was 25 minutes. It ended up being over 45 (for two people, first available table). We wanted to dine omekase (chef's choice), and told our server this. Our server directed us to the Go-To-Ren special - an unspecified variety of sashimi and sushi. This was "name your price" $60 and up (total, for two). We were willing to splurge a bit, and asked our server for guidance about how much was a good amount to spend to get something non-standard. She couldn't give us a meaningful answer here, and we landed on $80 total. For sure, the platter that got brought out was delicious. But none of the selections were unusual, different, or otherwise non-standard. All things which, while tasty, we had eaten countless times before. Nothing was more of a "reach" than uni. We would have been far better served by picking individual items from the menu. So not a perfect visit. But the food was excellent, and I'll look forward to making some better choices when I return in the future (both with respect to making a reservation and in how I order).
(4)
Michelle T.

My family has been coming here since I was a little girl. This is our favorite sushi spot hands down. It seemed to have gotten a bit more main stream after they remodeled. The environment is always pleasant and the staff always courteous. Favorite meals come down to the Masa Specials, Mr. Bush's 3pm and the Chicken Liver. I also always love how they always have a new beautiful arrangement of flowers by the sushi bar each week.
(5)
Fabiola F.

My family told me about this place and I decided to go. This was really good like... Real Japanese food. The only things is that the waitress was very rude and in a rush but the food was great! Sushi very fresh and tasty. Also ordered udon noodles and was good. I love the food. Totally would come back here.
(5)
Elisa M.

After eating japanese food in Japan, it`s not easy to find a good japanese restaurant around the world, especially in Miami where the asian restaurants are quite few and generally bad quality, but Matsuri was a great experience! The restaurant itself is quite big but it becomes full very soon, when I went there on saturday night at 7:45 almost all tables were already taken so I recommend you to make a reservation. Atmosphere is lively, waiters are busy and sometimes they don`t attend you fast but it`s understandable since there is a lot of people. They have a lot of options in the menu (a lot, I mean it), most of them are "real" japanese dishes. In the sushi side, they have also several choice for rolls, normally I am not a big fan of them but it`s worth to try at least one or two from the list. The rice is tasty and well cooked and the combination of ingredients is also very good! Be careful when you choose rolls because many of them are very similar in taste and ingredients. Fish is very fresh, amounts are good and price is nor expensive at all, considering the quality and type of food. The best of the night was "hamachi kama", a must for grilled fish lovers! Check my photos for more reviews about food :). I will come back for sure!!
(5)
E J.

Been here twice and really enjoy the Japanese style tapas! Food is great, service was good the first time but second time we had a waitress named Gladys; real nice lady but service was poor (perhaps she is new). She forgot to put in an order, messed up the bill twice, and never checked in once during our meal. We were there on a weeknight, wait was about 20 minutes. Recommend the Hamachi kama, salmon kama, and mushroom risotto.
(4)
Jennifer S.

They said wait was 30, we waited an hour. Service was above average, but not excellent because they were so busy, which is understandable. The sushi is always fresh. I've been there a few times. The other reason I don't give 5 stars is because I wish they had more than the 8-10 specialty sushi rolls to choose from. I had the house salad, which was good. The crunchy rock n roll was great, and the scallop sushi was excellent (has a hint of wasabi between the scallop and the rice for a kick).
(4)
Julio B.

I've been to this restaurant in Barcelona. Since it was utterly amazing I decided to go and try the bird road location in Miami. While the service is great, the sushi is not! In all fair value I ordered "pick up" therefore the presentation was extremely poor! No excuse but I guess it's something to point out. The sushi was not fresh and it had a very unpleasant taste and smell! The matsuri in this location is no good! Bad sushi.
(2)
Olga P.

Good service. Good Food. Very busy starting at 7 pm. Some tables are REALLY close, so don't expect to cuddle and be romantic!!! Soporo Beer is the best authentic Japanese beer.
(4)
Claudia A.

Well after waiting 2 hours to be seated (usually the wait may take 45 to an hour) I finally got to get my Matsuri fix! I had the xroll, ginger salad and salmon sashimi (shared), my husband had hand rolls and our friends had conch salad, crunchy hip hop roll and some soft crab roll and well AS ALWAYS Matsuri did not fail us! The food is fresh and affordable makes the wait not be soooo bad (well today it was absurd!) but on a regular day, just make a reservation and you'll be golden:)
(5)
Alejandro P.

I've been here twice. The first time was a 3 star experience, food being great, but service was poor. I do have to confess it was a busy Friday night and our server was taking care of a large party simultaneously. Nevertheless, she could have been a little more attentive. Her very first words were: are you ready to order, instead of welcome to Matsuri. The second visit was great. The place was super clean, simple modern decor, the owner standing in front of the bar making sure everything was in order. I apprecaite this, it says a lot of a succesful restaurant. We ordered sashimi appetizer, spicy seafood soup, gyozas, salmon carpachio, and a whole bunch of other items. Absolutely, everything was delicious. Our server was good, much better than our last time. Maybe, this is only me but I feel the quality of food is so good that servers shouldn't be merely order takers, but adventure into make suggestions, have them direct our experience, instead of having us scan the 150 (approximately) item menu. Overall, I think I can resume this restaurant in one word: Quality.
(4)
Marcos K.

Great food for a cheap price! The obento lunch is delicious and coat you under 15 bucks. I really recommend!
(5)
The Kid Y.

This place has excellent service and I was seated immediately. To start off the we got edamame and miso soup. The edamame was fantastic and so was the soup. Then I had the hot shrimp, which is spicy shrimp. It was delicious After we had a variety of sashimi and it was nice and fresh. This Japanese place is one of the best places I know. This place is the bomb!
(4)
Patty K.

Don't know why anyone would give this place less than five stars except that the staff can be a little distant and brisk. The food here is darn near perfect. Japanese friends and colleagues from Japan, Peru and Hawaii have all thanked me when I brought them here. Short of Nobu, seems great Japanese cuisine is lacking in Miami. Btw, I bristle when people call this place a "hole in the wall." It's actually quite nice, ambiance-wise, though it can get a little loud at times.
(5)
Nelson A.

Great place for Sushi everything is clean and Fresh. The rolls are balanced and very good. The service is very good and everyone hustles. The Miso soup was nice and hot. I will be back though it's a good drive from the Beach.
(5)
Alex K.

I went here with my wife Ashley we loved it! We had space problem but it's ok. I loved the vegetables noodles and the crunch hip pop roll and the beef nag maki and the best dessert fried bananas. I loved it! It was a great way to spend our honeymoon. Definitely recommend it and will come back for our next honeymoon or night out!
(5)
Kathy C.

I have to admit that when I saw Matsuri from the outside I didn't think it was going to be as nice as it was. The decor and ambience really impressed me, not to mention the lights were perfectly dimmed allowing me to have a perfect dinner date with my boyfriend :). We walked in and were seated by an Asian couple loudly slurping their soup (I don't know if they were Japanese but I know in Japan slurping your soup is a sign of appreciation and approval of the cooking). That's when I knew (Kevin Hart voice) it was about to go down. We ordered a cold Wakame salad(my personal crack) and a seafood soup to begin with. The seafood soup was served nice and hot and tasted amazing! The seafood and vegetables were perfectly infused into the broth unlike other restaurants that try to sell you seafood soups yet taste nothing like seafood. It's big enough to share so if you want to try different things on the menu order this as an appetizer. Love this place, definitely going back. It's a great place to go out for an intimate sushi date (our waitress was a sweetheart too!).
(5)
Mario R.

Hadn't been here in close to ten years, so I decided to give it a shot today since my favorite sushi spot has been disappointing lately. The quality hasn't dropped one bit and the food comes out lightning fast thanks to a whopping 4 sushi chefs working the bar! That being said, I'd like to share a story for those of you dining alone... Dining alone tonight, I made the mistake of not speaking with the chefs before ordering and told the waitress that I would like "omakase". For those that don't know, that's essentially the chef's choice of their best items. The waitress looked confused, so I said that I wanted otoro, uni, and a few other items. She pointed to a $60 sampler on the menu that I noticed said "for 2-3 people", so I asked if I could have that for one person, to which she replied that it would still be $60. I was okay with that and she put it in for me. Unfortunately, I received a monster dish that Joey Chestnut couldn't finish, so I was a little upset since what I couldn't eat would end up in the garbage(I'm not saving raw fish for tomorrow). I probably could've saved money and precious food if only I had consulted with the chef first. Regardless, it's just a lesson for those like me and not a knock on the restaurant since it is indeed top quality and the service is great.
(5)
Enrique C.

As a high fanatic of sushi and asian cuisine, my experience at matsuri was not the next. My family and I came here for my birthday, and we even had reservations booked so we wouldn't have to wait in line. That was checked. We ordered the agedashi tofu - this was great. The sushi sashimi platter which came next and the Yaki tori chicken were not as impressive. Let's start with the sashimi - fish was very fresh. This was a plus. The nigiri pieces were on the other side a bit smaller than conventional japanese restaurants. In fact pieces of fish on the nigiris were thinly sliced to the point of disappointment. Perhaps it was that particular day but every day every sushi chef counts to the reputation of the restaurant. In addition to appetizers and sushi sashimi platter, I ordered the nabeyaki udon as my main entree. This noodle came in its classic ceramic pot but the flavor and presentation did not seem to amaze me. I would rate it a 3 out of 5 from all the other nabeyaki udons I've had. If you come here, the overrated reviews plus the lines might be deceiving to the actual quality of the food.
(3)
David D.

Yelp you talked up a big game, but Matsuri did not deliver. Don't get me wrong, the service is very pleasant here and the sushi is reasonably fresh if you stick to the basics, which would be tuna, yellowtail, and salmon. Don't even bother with the Japanese names, this place isn't like that. One other positive is that the rice is very good with a nice bite of vinegar to it, and they use real sushi rice barrels or whatever you call them! But let's dispense with the positives and put on our sushi snob hats shall we? First off, there was maybe one Japanese guy working here. Not the best sign, but the other sushi chefs seemed reasonably capable judging by the roll preparation. I couldn't judge the fish cuts, since I had a strong feeling everything was pre-sliced. People say this joint is frequented by Japanese people, but they were wrong tonight. Strike two is that you can't see the fish. The sushi bar does not display the fish and is an opaque wood wall. Ugh...not very promising. Strike three is fake wasabi. Strike four is low quality, fake ginger. I'll stop with the strikes because it's annoying even me. So, I made a reservation and asked to be seated at the bar. When I arrived it wasn't that busy and they pointed me to a seat in between two sushi chefs so I could be assured of not being engaged by either. I asked for omakase, which the waiter found confusing at first, but then headed over to the Japanese sushi chef who worked up the chef's choice. In the meantime, I ordered a seaweed salad since the waiter dissuaded me from the bigger vegetable salad. The seaweed salad was bog-standard, over-sauced seaweed that you'd get at your local supermarket. Disappointing. My omakase platter was laughable...at first. It was probably the most standard sushi I could possible imagine, maguro, hamachi, sake, ebi, and I think that's about it. There may have been two types of hamachi, but don't count on it. There was a sashimi portion of all the above (sans ebi) and then the sushi portion, and finally a tuna maki roll. Everything was surprisingly fresh and tasty. The rice, as I said was good. Feeling bored, I wanted to liven things up so I ordered a vegetable maki roll and some ikura. The ikura (salmon roe) was obviously frozen first and was terrible. I couldn't finish the second bite. The vegetable roll was tasty and benefited 90% from the sticky rice. I saw the chefs preparing some funky looking uni, and realized that the chef's choice really was the best of the best. I also had edamame that was obviously frozen and then steamed. So...if you really like sticky sushi rice and cheerful staff, this place will probably be fun. Just stick to the basics, don't branch out, and don't dare look over the counter.
(3)
Ute L.

I have to lower my rating after my second visit, not due to of the quality of the food, but because you basically pay entree prices for small appetizers. The food, albeit seemingly authentic, is definitely good, but it is not that much different from any other Japanese restaurant. Bottom line, you can get the same dishes elsewhere at double the portion sizes or half the price, whichever way you turn it.
(3)
Doug B.

Phenomenal, ridiculously delicious. Amazing chirashi and assorted nigiri. What tops it off is the perfect rice, cold beer, service AND atmosphere. Music is great too.
(5)
Kerry O.

Great food, great service. The service was very fast and the waitress was very friendly. The prices were good as well. We ordered miso soup as appetizers which was $2 each and I have to say it was great. I never really taste a difference between places miso soup but I thought this one was very good. We also got the fried pork dumplings which were great too. They only came with 3 small dumplings though, but this is fair for the price of $3.50. I would suggest getting two orders if you are sharing. The sashimi ap came with 6 pieces of fish for $10 the fish was very fresh and tasty. The "sushi pizza" called What is the next door? Was the best thing we got. It does not resemble a pizza at all but It was so flavorful and was just delicious, I highly recommend it! The X roll was pretty good but nothing out of this world, I have had more interesting rolls. The fried ice cream was also delicious! It was a little small though. All in all I think matsuri was a great place. I think their rolls were the least best thing they have to offer because they don't have much variety in what they put in side. The rolls are what I usually look for when looking for a good sushi place but they make up for it in all other areas.
(5)
Francisco S.

This is the best sushi place I have been to. By far Miami's best representation of a Japanese restaurant. The lunch is amazingly quick and inexpensive. There is nothing on the menu I would not recommend. Get brave and order something you would not usually order! I have been going here for 25 years and have gone through the entire menu. Everything is always fresh. From newer items like the hip hot crunch, to more authentic items like the fish fluke or salmon cheek, you cannot go wrong! Rice is so good, you can order just a bowl of that! They used to have amazing crab cream croquettes, but their Japanese distributor stopped carrying them. I even ask for the Japanese menu to be translated so I can order off that! Here is my translation of the Japanese lunch- Level I NEGITORO - Tuna TORO - Tuna (Belly) MAGURO NATTO - Tuna & Natto (bean) UNAGI - Fresh Water Eel IKURA - Salmon Roe UNI - Sea URCHIN ------------------------------------- Level II Ebi Temp - Shrimp tempura TEKKA - Tuna roll SAKE - Salmon KAKIAGE - Tempura Veg Cake --------------------------------------- Level III TORORO - Jap-Yam paste PORK GINGER SATUMAAGE - Yam Cake GYU - Beef BBQ KIMPIRA - Braised root *You can mix and match up to 3, but if you get 3 from level I its $15, if you get 3 from Level III its $12 and then combos are within that range.
(5)
Chris S.

Disappointing, service was ok, presentation sucks, salmon roll came with very little salmon and huge cucumber to fill. Don't waste your time.
(1)
Mike I.

Terrific sushi. Among the best that I've had in Miami. The Toro and tuna was fantastic, freshest I've had in Miami as well. The miso soup was just as good and reasonably priced. Definitely worth the trip.
(5)
Juan D.

A big sushi fan - 2nd time I visit Matsuri and the experience/quality has been the same. Don't treat this as a regular American sushi place and try new things. Order Sushi - Sashimi (Toro, Anago, Mackarel, squid, shrimp)- hand rolls - fried shrimp head... You get the point, it's the best real sushi I've had in town.
(5)
Charity Z.

Wow. What can I say..... I finally decided to try this place after my friend kept telling me about it. I can't say enough good things. From the minute I walked in I imagined I would like it. It was packed. Which says a lot. Oh Mr. President I am a fan. To start we had the edamame which I've never had before, and actually liked it. The Mr Bush appetizer was incredible. The texture of the tuna with the fresh avocado was perfect. The White House roll was amazing! The flavors were exploding in my mouth. The rolls were so rich,creamy and smooth. I had never tried Saki before, but my friend insisted that I try the Ozeki. It is definitely an acquired taste. One of which I acquired very well. It was perfect for this hot day. Served cold in a bottle at your table to enjoy at your pleasure. For desert we had the fried donuts with green tea ice cream. A perfect end to a perfect meal. I have to say that the sushi is comparable to my favorite spot if not better. I will for sure make this my new lunch spot.
(5)
Joe O.

Best damn sushi in Miami. Toro toro toro. I don't have to sell my car to eat at NAOE anymore, I can get food, sushi, sake for reasonable prices. The line is out the door ALWAYS so it's not a hidden gem anymore.
(5)
Jennifer G.

Went with friends to try this place out since it was zagat rated and somewhat good reviews, but it was an overall fail. It was nicely decorated and thats all i can say. The server took forever to take our order...the food came out all at once (even the appetizers). The sushi was poorly made and everything fell out of the roll as soon as you picked it up with chopsticks. Only good thing I ate was the miso soup. I don't recommend this place.
(2)
Carlos F.

Ambiance/decor: 4.5 Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Great place for sushi and new stuff your traditional sushi place. Ask for specials not included in the menu; like shabu-shabu, poached egg, tonkatsu ramen, among others. Only down side I noticed is that their sushis rolls are quite small, as some if their portions, other than that food is very good.
(5)
Liliana R.

I have been going to this place for 8 years during lunch time. Fish quality is excellent although pork/beef is very fatty (for ginger/teriyaki dishes). Unfortunatelly they are missing the great service from japanese staff, since they have some chinese girls that usually are very rude to customer. I have seen many people complaining about this. Too sad...
(4)
Pearl A.

I went for dinner on a Friday evening because I heard the food was great and authentic. What a disappointment. I can't think of a worse place to go with a date. The restaurant was incredibly crowded and the noise level was unacceptable; indeed, we could not hear each other from across the table. The lighting was soft but very, very bright. The soft shell crab was soggy and greasy and the salmon skin rolls tasted old. As for the food itself, there are other Japanese places nearby of better quality. The price is too high for the amount you get and parking is also a problem. I'll eat here again and see if it was just a crappy day.
(2)
Melseying Y.

my japanese professor told me this japanese restaurant, the plum wine is the best! love it so much! Also the eel with tofu, really delicious. Remain is not good as those in the japanese restaurant near Coral Way. The miso remain is too salty for me, but still good. The only thing I was not satisfied is the service. The waitress left our food on the edge of the table---not put in the the middle of the table. And another waitress was playing her cellphone all the time.
(4)
Alejandro D.

I live nearby and have only ordered take out but have never been disappointed. Everything is made well and is consistently good. I don't eat sushi and was skeptical at first (the gf is the sushi-eater) but they have other dishes that work for meat-and-potatoes palettes like mine. A little pricey but it's worth it.
(5)
Nelson D.

I work at a high end Japanese restaurant in downtown Miami and Matsuri has the same great quality of food for less than half the price. I definitely had a great experience and will return soon. The quality of their O-toro was exquisite and it practically melts in your mouth. You would never imagine such a great place in such a location. I will recommend to my friends and family
(5)
Armando L.

I continue to be a frequent patron at Matsuri and as I stated in my previous review the sushi is excellent. The Bento box is a great value and I've yet to have a bad meal in all of the visits. The reason I'm taking a star off is because of bad service. The last few times I've been here for lunch, the service has been outright unacceptable. No refills on water, late food, wrong items, you name it. I can live with the cramped seating at lunch and the less-than-optimal charging process, but bad service just isn't acceptable. I will likely continue to dine here in spite of the bad service, just because the food really is that good.
(4)
Claudia J.

This is the only place where I get my Tonkotsu Ramen fix!!! It never fails, the soup has a perfect flavor, noodles are soft, egg and meat are yummy!!! You can't find it anywhere else in town but here!! Tonkotsu is not equal to Tonkatsu....
(5)
J l.

Where should I start. I tried this restaurant because my friend told me this is one of the best Japanese restaurant in Miami area. I sat at the sushi bar, but what is the point?! I still had to order sushi through servers. I started out with house salad which they did not even bother to drain water. All white fishes were dry and rice was over cooked or added too much water when they cooked. Many people do not realize, however rice is the most important part when it comes to preparing sushi. Just like aged beef, certain sushi do not have to be fresh. Bottom line, their price is way over priced. I can get same quality of sushi from Japanese market in LA at fraction of the price.
(1)
Tajira M.

Looking for another uni adventure, my bestie and I decided to try Matsuri based on some great reviews. Walking in, we thought we would have a significant wait, but we were immediately greeted and seated at a two-top bench-style table. The dining room is bench-style on both sides, leading to the sushi bar toward the back. We ordered the Nama uni sashimi Japanese style (they had an American style option also), negitoro, top choice chirashi, and the White House specialty roll. The uni was perfect-- sweet, melt on your tongue, with nothin tinny or muddled about it. Worth savoring. Melted quicker than butter. Negitoro with its beautiful quail egg was rich, decadent, and fresh all at the same time. Perfect seasoning, and a nice portion size. The chirashi was a big portion of fresh cuts. Good variety, a piece of American style uni included, and plenty of sticky rice underneath. I wish they would give a little nori for texture, but there was no need to add anything more. I will say that our eating experience was awesome, and we want to go back, but we had really strange people sitting all around us, some of them obviously regulars. Maybe it was the new moon, but we found ourselves feeling a little too in the middle of everyone else's conversations and circumstances. Booths may not be practical in the small space, but it might be worth looking into so that folks that would like a little more privacy can enjoy that. Even feeling weirded out by the patrons, I look forward to going back. If nothing else, we'll be sure to have a great dinner and possibly some unintentional entertainment.
(4)
David G.

I'm not a fan of one star reviews made by people that haven't actually had the food but let me tell you why this isn't the "I waited too long to get in" or "they don't deliver to my house" one star review. I came here for lunch to meet a friend. He was a few minutes behind me so I got a table and went to the rest room. The first thing I noticed was how neglected and dirty the bathroom was. As I walked back to my table the smell of the place enveloped me and I noticed that the restaurant just wasn't that clean in general. I promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn't eat at a sushi place that smelled and that's just what I didn't do. I can imagine what the sushi would have been like. Even if they had brought out 5-star sushi (which I doubt), the smell would have tainted the flavor of the meal. This isn't so much a review as a message to the people running the restaurant: your restaurant stinks and suffers from neglect. The staff wasn't exactly on point either as the waitress slouched over, dropped the plastic lined menus and asked if I would like something to drink. On the other hand, maybe she wanted to see if I would like the dirty plate she was holding? My guess would be absentee or uncaring owners and the trickle down effect of indifference. It looks like it was once nice but it doesn't seem to have been nice for a while judging from the look of things. I've seen cleaner truck stops and I would not have considered eating sushi at the truck stop, much less your restaurant.
(1)
Daniela G.

I have been going to Matsuri for about a decade and it never disappoints! Located in between Milam's and Mario the Baker at the intersection of Red and Bird, Matsuri is a not-so-hidden-anymore gem in South Miami. The atmosphere is casual, but there is a modern, fresh feel to the restaurant despite the fact that it's located in a strip mall. The word on the street has spread about Matsuri so it now attracts sushi lovers near and far. (I have friends who drive down from North Miami Beach because they love the ginger dressing so much!) Matsuri is busy every night of the week so be prepared to wait, but not too long because turnover is usually pretty quick. Don't forget it's closed on Monday night! The menu is extensive and overwhelming, featuring everything from your basic sushi rolls to authentic Japanese dishes offered only on the Japanese menu. The soups and noodle bowls are meal size with lots of yummy ingredient options. I've yet to have a roll I didn't like and the ginger dressing is probably one of my favorites in town. Overall, Matsuri is top on my list of South Florida sushi spots offering the best sushi for the price.
(4)
Desiree Y.

Best, most authentic Japanese restaurant in Miami! Fresh sushi, knowledgeable staff. Always packed so reservations help.
(5)
Milena P.

Great sushi spot in the middle of a random shopping plaza. Way cheaper and better than all the Brickell spots. Came with hubby and had two miso soups to start. We shared the tuna tataki, very fresh! And two amazingly fresh rolls: the american idol and the my size. This is my second time here and will definitely come back!
(4)
E J.

This place was great. Food was fresh, staff was attentive, and everything tasted amazing. Great place to come in a group and share, everything is tapas style. Definitely coming again!
(5)
Wendy L.

Really the best I have ever had in Miami. After couple trips to here for past few years I always thought yelp reviews in Miami isn't reliable because the 4 stars always taste like 2 stars to me, ESP for Asian places. This place is a legit 4 star Japanese sushi place, fish is fresh, sushi rice well made and most hot food taste good. My only complaint is that the server we had really doesn't know what she's doing, very unprofessional and doesn't know the menu. I ordered the hotate yaki she suggested, turns out to be really really oily, like soiled in extra oil. She also didn't refill tea regularly and is clumsy in serving. Not sure if she was new or not but def not a good waitress. Thumbs up for Masa San preparing special sashimi for us, but the slices do run quite small for my standard.
(4)
Jessica W.

I came here for a weekday lunch and was surprised by this local gem in a random shopping plaza. The decor is really nice and the atmosphere is very relaxing inside. I absolutely loved the seafood salad I ordered; it was a good portion size and loaded with different seafood. I am a huge eel fan and although the eel roll was super fresh, it was slightly disappointing considering it was more simple than I am used to. The service was good and I would stop by again if I am in the area.
(4)
Antonio G.

Excellent very fresh sushi. Melt in your mouth Toro. Same for the tempura. I believe the chefs are real Japanese so they expertly know how to make good sushi. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Chantelle M.

In a seemingly normal and quiet shopping center next to Milam's Market there is an enchanting door titled Masturi. Upon entering, its all hustle and bustle. There's TONS of "authentic" Japs here (I feel like I'm about to offend somebody by accident) and this place seems to be packed consistently. So thats always a good sign, right?! If there's any place that you want to dine at for AUTHENTIC Japanese food, this is it! Look no further. I had the most adorable and fun quick dinner date night here and my beloved picked out everything to eat for me! It was the cutest thing ever. I just had the easy job of sitting tight and looking pretty. ;D Its definitely cool that I can speak and read and write in Japanese. Its definitely cooler that Matsuri has a JAPANESE ONLY MENU. Its definitely NOT cool that I haven't had to use my Japanese skillz in forever therefore, my reading and comprehension has definitely suffered. So thanks Matsuri for making me get back on that! I definitely recommend getting the Seafood Salad they have here for your starters. It was so succulent and the perfect way to start off your palate for all the upcoming wonderful dishes. We also got Yellowtail Fish Cheek (Kama) which was AMAZING! GET IT! Order it! Eel Bowl, which was also super good. Asari Miso Soup, which was decent to me. I usually don't enjoy Miso at all.. too salty for me. But here it was pretty good. Ume Onigiri, which was HUGE to me. Maybe I've been tainted by the "americanized" asian food here, but Onigiri is so tiny whenever I have eaten it in the past in the States! Kimchi Ramen, which was one of my favorites! Boy, I haven't had legit ramen like this in yeaaaaaaaaaaars! Since I was last in Asia pretty much. Now I'm thankful to have a place to go to when I'm in need of a superb japanese fix. We didn't get to try any of the sushi, but I'm sure its just as good and worthwhile! If you don't know what to order, try any of the dishes I mentioned and I'm sure you'll find something to your appeal!
(4)
Brandi M.

Want real authentic Japanese sushi? Come here. Its amazing! And this isnt the kind of place you go for "sushi rolls" They have some but none are "out of this world" This stop is for Sashimi and Nigiri lovers. The freshest Uni in town and one of the only places ive found with not only "toro tuna" but "otoro tuna"! (if you dont know those are THE BEST cuts of tuna) The uni,toro and otoro ARE the most pricy, but they are worth every melt in your mouth bite. Like I said dont come here for rolls. If you love RAW fish look no further. you MUST eat here.
(5)
Eli S.

Far from the center of Miami, but it's worth the occasional drive for those who don't live in the area. Menus are both in English and Japanese for those who enjoy occasional Nihongo. Lots of authentic dishes that are not readily available in most places. If you like Yakko-san in Aventura, you will like this place as well!
(5)
Frank A.

Very good Japanese Restaurant very unique and creative menu. The food and service is excellent.
(4)
Vicky T.

I've been here for like 3times and it won't stop amazed me by how good the sushi here! Anything they serve are the best! If u like to have a ramen they have ramen which taste si good! I would definitely go back here with friends!
(5)
Ethan Y.

This is so far my favorite Japanese restaurant in South Florida. Their bento box is pretty good and cheap! The decor is very nice so I really like it!
(5)
Yessy M.

I don't feel like leaving any stars...this place has gone down in service. There is no eye contact what so ever...yes service is fast...but the waitresses face is on her phone placing orders, I actually didn't event see her face at all. Then it's 10pm and they are rushing people it due to closing. Usually, a restaurant will wait until a person is done eating but not here. The waitress actually rushed the table next to us to finish their drink and to pay because it was closing time. The Matsuri Madonna days are long gone!
(1)
Jessi L.

One of the best sushi places in the area. Been coming here for dinner for 7 years or so. Food is consistently good and fresh. I'm a huge sushi fan and I LOVE Uni! One of the few places that has uni every time I go :)
(4)
Tina V.

Its not really LA or authentic sushi but it will do (Miami more of heavy rice and mayo sushi). The sashimi was fresh but not great. Seems every table had lots of order of salmon which actually surprised me because the salmon was the less memorable sashimi i had. it was not that fresh. The UNI was pretty good, i had the Japanese and California Uni. service was good, overall i would return, its actually not bad for Miami,
(3)
Sida L.

We went for the sushi bar and ordered a Chirashi bowl along with unagi and uni on the side. The fish is fresh; uni and fat tuna were excellent. However the sushi chef were not very refined in the cuts and display of the materials. Fish in the Chirashi bowl looked like they were thrown in randomly. They put order sheets on top of the sashimi, which seems inappropriate in sushi bars. Basically, they have fresh fish, but the chefs are not as qualified as the raw materials.
(3)
Daniella S.

This place is pretty fantastic considering the location is completely unremarkable. You'll park and still be questioning whether this place actually exists. But once you walk up and notice the grand doors you're already second guessing yourself for not having a password to enter. So now you're thinking this place is pretty fancy. Exclusive? Not at all. My favorite kind of establishment. Classy on the outside with down to earth prices and service. The fish is extremely fresh and the setting is spacious. Great for a group or a couple. Definitely a place worth coming back again and again.
(4)
Hikari G.

Best Japanese restaurant in S.Florida! Make a reservation to secure your spot for dinner because this place is pop'n! Ive taken my native Japanese mother to a couple of "Japanese restaurants" in Miami and this is the only one she truly enjoys so far. Every time I go there is at least one Japanese family there, another good sign that Matsuri is Ichiban ( meaning number one in Japanese). They have authentic dishes as well as some newer fusion type dishes as well. Seating can be a bit tight quarters that's my only complaint, other than that lots of parking and fantastic all around!
(5)
CherryIcee S.

Sea urchin nigiri was not good at all. Had a weird taste in my second order, was it fresh? It was melted and broken, mushy urchin. Not in one piece. Not worth $4 per order from the quality I got. Spicy seaweed, cucumber and octopus salad was TINY! $8 for this tiny thing, I could get more for my money elsewhere. Plum wine wasn't bad. Hamachi and salmon were fresh. But I was still very disappointed with this place..... My waitress was nice though. My previous visit (been here only twice the past 12 mo) the waiters/waitresses were not good last time. They're young kids, what do u expect?
(1)
Leslie S.

The best sushi in Miami. Not only is this place affordable--4 pieces of Toro, a Nigiri Special (9 sushi and one roll), and an 1163 roll for $60. Enough to feed two very hungry people. The Toro is so tender and so delicious, with every bite, you feel the delicious piece melting in your mouth. WOW! Give this place a try and trust me, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Juan S.

Excellent Japanese restaurant/sushi place. A lot of Japanese customers means you know you're at a good and authentic Japanese restaurant. Very good quality, excellent value and upscale atmosphere ( it does kind of feel like New York here as Alissa W. says although you're in a suburban strip mall) A real treat is watching the owner/chef hand prepare the food from the counter. Seats also right in front of him so very good to see all the action taking place. Would definitely return.
(4)
Phil O.

We eat here all the time. Sadly on our last visit, I found a dead fly in my salad. A quick I'm sorry, but I still had to pay for the salad. Protein anyone?
(4)
Renier C.

This place is easy. Japanese Menu all the way. Great traditional dishes. I can just laugh at several reviews on this "strip mall sushi spot" To those that expected the best sushi in the world for $40 lunch? Pfft! Just take it for what it is.: A better alternative to the other crap we have out here. Sigh, it is located in a strip Mall after all.
(4)
Kimal B.

By far the worst sushi experience that I have had in life. The quality of the fish was extremely disappointing. My order consisted of the sushi/sashimi combination for three people. The tuna was discolored due to freezer burn and all of the fish held a mealy consistency. It was clear that the rolls on the platter were pre-made as the rice was hardened and extremely cold. The size of the cuts of sashimi were smaller than the average sushi restaurant in addition to the rolls, this platter clearly did not serve three for the price. All in all, I have had better sushi in terms of quality at a shopping mall food court.
(1)
Jonathan S.

It was my wife's birthday weekend and I was trying to find a cool restaurant to go to with some friends for dinner. Perfect time to use my Yelp app! I looked through my bookmarks and saw Matsuri. I took a quick look at the reviews and decided that this was the place, since four of my Yelp friends have given it 4 and 5-star ratings. I made a call for a reservation on a Saturday night and had no problems with being seated at all. The restaurant is beautiful and much larger than I thought it would be upon arriving. It is extremely busy and has a very energetic atmosphere. As we were taken to our table in the back of the restaurant, the scores of Japanese patrons that were seated all around could only mean that this was a special place. Matsuri is offering some seriously delicious Japanese food! I decided to place all of my faith on what I read in the reviews and decided that there were three items that I had to have. I started off with the onigiri, as recommended by Chantelle M. I chose the onigiri that came with a (pickled?) plum filling. It tasted great and it was quite filling. I mean, I eat rice all day everyday but I had to pace myself for what I had coming next.... The pork (tonkotsu) ramen, as recommended by Claudia J, and the miso ramen. Tonkotsu ramen served in broth with veggies, pork, and egg, the miso was the same but with beef and much saltier (not a bad thing lol.) The bowls are huge and very hearty. Loved slurping up those noodles! The last item was the hamachi kama, which was also recommended by Chantelle M! She's right on the money! This was my favorite item of the night. It is a broiled yellowtail collar and it is beautifully prepared and presented. The meat is tender underneath the crispy exterior, with a little eel sauce drizzled on top to sweeten the deal. It was my first time eating this and I'm glad I did. I will order this every time I am in Matsuri! All props on recommendations go to Claudia and Chantelle, and serious respect for the waitress who had to deal with me choosing items not on the regular menu. I don't speak Japanese, so she had to decipher what I was asking for. I do have to mention that some of the other items ordered at the table seemed a bit lacking on the portion size to price ratio. I didn't personally experience this but it should be mentioned that, although great tasting, not everything here comes in giant portions. Even then, I can't wait for round two!
(4)
Steven C.

Dialed up my Yelpers for a little uni excursion during a short stay. Great reviews, but drumroll... Meh. Opened with the Octopus Yaki. This was the star of the night. Nicely sliced peppers and onions sautÃ©ed in a light soy with yummy thin slices of tako. Next up, sashimi of tuna, salmon and hamachi. Meh. Not well cut and some chewy connective tissue in the salmon. On to the Uni. Nice but a bit watery. Service was subpar and left wondering what my peeps were thinking.
(3)
Al N.

Superb!!! Very fresh, beautifully prepared sushi. Salads, soups, dumplings and desserts were all top notch. Elegant dining area and plenty of parking. Prices are great for the high quality.
(5)
Ana N.

Best. Best sushi place. Kanisu salad, house salad and oshinko maki tamago nigiri green tea ice cream the best. You can taste how fresh the food is. All the plates I have tried are great. We have been coming to this place since 90s. The place is small and is always full but it is always great.
(5)
Marcio D.

After many disappointing sushi experiences in Florida, we are very happy to have found a great place. Matsuri is the one place that rivals some of the great sushi we enjoyed in NY/Philly area. The rice was perfect and the fish extremely fresh. The Chirashi was outstanding.
(5)
Katie A.

Pros. Fresh fish. Very good oh toro. Do sashimi over rolls. Cons. Do not get the soft shell crab roll for $17. There is no crab. At all. It's all avocado, cucumber, and lettuce, and lots of rice. I have never gotten a roll that had so little substance. I even tried it from different ends to see if maybe the crab accidentally got moved to another piece or something. All it was was tempura with a hair of shell. No crab meat. Such a ripoff for a roll, let alone a special roll, that is the most expensive roll on the menu. After complaining about it, they offered to take half off the price, which was still unacceptable. We asked to speak to the manager but apparently he was "too busy". It is really unfortunate that it is not important for him to find out why the customers are unhappy. Eventually the full price of the roll was taken off the menu, but after more effort than was needed. We love sushi and have been to some great places, but wouldn't come here again.
(2)
Alejandro T.

2nd time here and still very very pleased. Best sushi in Miami for the best price. Wanted to order everything. Got the tuna tataki and two rolls the american idol and the my size. Will def come back and recommend.
(5)
Jessie M.

The food is great and it's very authentic but the service wasn't that great. They were a little pushy and rushing us to order. Got very packed right at 5 when they opened up its very nice inside. Nice date spot. Menu is a little overwhelming but all in all good sushi spot
(3)
Larry B.

This restaurant has such an extensive menu which is great for groups of people who are all craving different things. No matter what you're in the mood for (within the scope of Japanese food,) Matsuri seems to have it or something like it. I enjoyed everything that hit the table and felt that the service was quite good. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, as was the sushi chef nearest us. I would recommend this place to friends but would want to try it a few more times before suggesting specific rolls.
(4)
Herbet P.

Good Sushi, excellent service and not expensive.
(4)
Juan L.

Grate Japanese restaurant. All Sushi restaurants should have pictured menus.
(5)
R. A.

I used to come here a lot when I was in school, recently move back to the area and start to get some takeouts from here, its always packed at night and the service gets slow if you sit down. For takeouts it's a good place, it's close to me, they packed the food well, the price is good, and the food is decent, it's not bad but not amazingly good. I don't really like the way they put a lot of sushi vinegar in the rice but it's just my taste, I'm sure some people like it. Honestly, It's not the kind of restaurant that I would drive miles just to try their food, but more of a lazy night don't know what to eat so I'll go somewhere close kind of place.
(3)
D M.

Found this place on miami newtimes. Didn't disappoint. Small place, delicious food and presentation. Will come again.
(5)
Margot B.

One of the best Japanese restaurants in South Florida. Good and affordable Bento Box lunch for $9, although they should include a Sushi and Sashimi combo. For dinner, it can get a bit pricey depending upon what you order. This is the restaurants that all of my clients from Canon Latin America used to go to for lunch so you know it has to be good!
(5)
Michelle L.

So apparently I'm so 2000 and late in discovering this restaurant. I thought it was new given the wait time to be seated and the full house. All I can say is wow! And our bill was not bad at all considering the flavors that each dish brought. We started with iced green tea and the tuna tartar which had a funny name on the menu, something about Bob or what not. Then we had the sticky rice rissoto and our favorite the invitation to the White House. Basically it's four rolls with either tuna, white fish, salmon and I forget the other. But I do remember it had quite the flavor. Finally finished with green tea ice cream and tempura doughnuts in honey sauce. Our bill came to around $50. Im so surprised I just came to find this little gem but I will be returning to try their other items. Ambiance is tightly packed and very bright. I think their lights could be dimmed a bit for less of a cafeteria style feeling.
(5)
B G.

Perfection. The best sushi in Miami. The quality of the fish is stellar. Not much more to say about this place. Go and enjoy there Toro belly tuna. Its ridiculous.
(5)
Alex P.

Was looking forward to trying this place out. But unfortunately I waited for half an hour and saw people who got there way after me get seated first. I asked the teenager working the front when I was next and he told me the next table for two I would get it. And then they called some couple that just showed up. I will never come back here until they get some one who is capable of doing an easy task of calling out people in the order try arrived, especially on a Saturday night. Management should be embarrassed.
(1)
Titania T.

I go to Matsuri every now and then, and here's my opinion of it: -It's way too cramped. -The prices are normal, and even quite good during lunch specials. -The portion sizes are small. I say this as a thin woman with a tiny stomach. I have never had a bento box combo here that filled me. If you are more than 10 years old, you will need to order 2 bentos to get satisfied. There goes the value of the lunchbox specials. -Their chopsticks are splintery, so watch out (or bring your own). I've gotten splinters embedded in my lip twice here. -Their food quality and menu range are exactly average. -Service can take a long time or can be normal depending on the time of day.
(3)
Carlos B.

It is in a not so pretty shopping center and dim sign to find...However, it is very classy and pretty inside like a whole new world inside..Food is very healthy and delicious depending on what you order..A + for ambiance and waiters ...super attentive and nice!
(4)
Ashley B.

SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE ... I am not a fan of them using phones to take your order our server came to our table and didn't even look at us she just looked at her phone we thought it was very rude... On top of that a few days later I realized someone there copied my card and stole my account info! If you do go please use cash to pay so this doesn't happen to anyone else!!!
(1)
Reggie A.

The food (lunch) gets 4 stars! but the service was not so great when i visited. We went for lunch and ordered our food. It was lunch time so the place was fairly busy, but not out of control. When i got my soup, the servers finger was in the soup as she handed me the bowl. After we got our food, the server didn't come back for a while. We asked the host to bring us a fork, and he said ok. He walked by again, and we asked again, and he said "That's not my job...i have to help these other people." Our server finally showed up after about 10 mins with the fork. I would go back for the food, but if the service is the same then that will be my last trip.
(3)
Haruyo M.

Came here because I was in the area and wanted Japanese food. I'm easy to please but unfortunately the sashimi salad I ordered came with black rotting greens and the daikon radish was brown. I was so bummed and only ate the few pieces of sashimi. Was surprised they had hokki clam and squid on top, which were good. Gyoza was good. Tempura had nice light crunchy batter, which I liked but didn't care for the american idol roll we ordered. The rice was mushy and it didn't come with much negitoro inside. I guess its a popular spot and perhaps the other items are better than what we tried. O well. Server was nice and the restaurant and bathroom were clean.
(3)
Dave L.

Toro is amazing, who would have known a place like this existed in Miami in a strip mall. I've had sushi everywhere and this is def my top 3 places.
(5)
Michael C.

I've been going to Matsuri since I was a kid. My father went to college on the west coast, so he was introduced to sushi before it blew up. At one point there was a sushi restaurant on every block of US-1 in Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay, and while there are great little spots like Sakura and Akashi, Matsuri still remains the best. Fortunately the 80s pastel decor is gone, replaced with a trendier new interior. The waiting area is still cramped and they now take reservations, so please do so. If not, you're usually looking at a 30 minute wait, with no end of people coming in. While the 80s style is gone, the menu - one of the best fish menus in Miami - has remained the same, with some added bonuses, like the Matsuri's New World section. Speaking of the menu - it's huge. Definitely take some time to go over each section because while you usually come for sushi, the rest of the menu is superb as well. For example, my mom is a huge fan of the Pork Ginger from the appetizer meat section. Cooked perfectly, with that refreshing hit of ginger. She also got this great, lightly fried chicken appetizer. But the reason I come: the sushi ala carte menu. This is one of the few places in Miami where you can get a wide variety of scallops (hokki-gai, tsubu-gai, hotate-gai) as well as the best pieces of tuna (Big Eye Toro, Blue Fin Toro and O-Toro). If I want to spoil myself, I get the Sushi Mori Awase, which comes with 9 pieces of top quality sushi. I'm talking pieces of fish that are buttery delicious and will make you never order a tuna roll again. Just some notes: -Unless you sit at the bar, and even then, there is going to be a wait to sit. Plan ahead. -During winter dress warm. There is a chance you could get seated right by the entrance, and the door is constantly open. -The place is always packed, so take your time on the menu. -While the prices are low, the portions aren't huge. Keep a menu on hand, especially if you prefer going ala carte. -While you can get out on the cheap, my father usually drops $50 on himself (the man loves his raw scallops). Be aware of what you're getting.
(5)
Jeremy S.

Solid sushi place in Red Bird plaza. Ambiance is a bit snazzy, so expect to wait a bit for a table on weekends. Enjoyable place to take the lady. It's my 2nd favorite sushi joint in Miami, behind Maido in Doral. Heads-up... Matsuri is closed Mondays!
(4)
Alex B.

heard from my friends about this place, so i went and try. the food is very good. but some of the food items is over price. so far went back 3 times in the past month. and make sure to call for reservation, they are always busy.
(4)
T L.

I'm a big fan, and I come here all the time! I think Matsuri is definitely the best sushi place in Miami, plus they have a few traditional Japanese dishes that you can't find elsewhere around here. Be warned, though, that dinner can easily get expensive (~$60/two people) because portion sizes are very small.
(4)
Rafael L.

I'm updating my review to nock one star off, not because of the food, which continues to amaze me, but because of the service, which has declined a bit. Our waitress forgot about us from the time she brought the sushi until we viewer every much ready for the check 45 min later. Oh and another amazing sashimi- sweet shrimp omg!
(4)
Alex D.

Oh yeah! This is our go-to sushi place whenever we visit Miami. While I am sure that there was once a time when this was just another quiet little sushi place, the cat is out of the bag, and it's hard to get in! There's a reason for that - it's awesome! My personal favorite roll is the 1163 roll, but given their well stocked fish case, we usually go for nigiri sushi and sashimi... We really liked the decor of the place, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It can take a while for the order to come out, but that's not really the restaurant's fault in my opinion here - we Americans tend to make huge sushi orders rather than ordering 2-3 items and re-ordering, which is the way it worked when I was visiting Japan. Too bad they don't limit the number of items that are ordered from the sushi bar at one time! The only problem with them having such great sushi is that I've never ordered their traditional, non-sushi Japanese fare! Will definitely be back... Updates to come!
(5)
Momo B.

EVEN BETTER THE "JAPANESE BENTO BOX" FOR $ 8.00 I decided to veer away from my standard bento box and order ala la carte. I wanted pork katsu and some agedashi tofu. I was pleasantly surprised when our server told me that these two choices are part of a standard bento box option on the "Japanese " lunch menu. I had forgotten there are two menus, one written in English offering American style Japanese fare and the other written in Japanese offering more authentic Japanese fare. I plan on exploring the other selection options on the Japanese menu with my next few lunch visits. My lunch box today MÅshibun nai ("hit the spot")!!
(5)
Sandra N.

I came here for dinner with my boyfriend on a recommendation from a coworker. This place is hard to spot at night, I guess the sign isn't lit up enough. It's located in the Red Bird plaza, for reference. This place is really nicely decorated inside, very modern. However, if you're looking for a quiet place for dinner this is not your restaurant. The tables are pretty close to each other and if it's busy, this place is loud. We came on a Tuesday night, so I'm assuming this place is pretty popular by the amount of people there were there that night. The food is tasty but nothing out of this world. I only had sushi that night so maybe their other choices are better. The food presentation is very nice though! I do recommend that you check this place out for yourself. It was a nice experience.
(3)
Cristina V.

Good presentation and nice environment. Super fast service. Did not like the doughnut dessert. Everything else was very good
(3)
Kristy K.

After moving to the 'burbs from downtown I was hoping to find a place that I could eat good sushi. I really enjoyed Matsuri, minus the wait for a table since it is rather small and the fact that they only have one cold sake. My friend and I got the eggplant miso, a clam dish, a roll and a few other things. All were of good size and quality. While I miss doraku in Mary Brickell and their happy hours this is a good replacement.
(4)
Maria S.

I am so dissapointed, because I have the restaurant so near and the food is very good, but the service es very bad!!! They rush you to order so rude and then they do not clean the table even if I asked to as a favor. Horrible service!!!!
(1)
Vanessa M.

This is a Miami staple. Matsuri has been here for many years, a lovely Japanese restaurant tucked into the Red-Bird Shopping Area. The food is prepared with care and the decor is stunning. This is not a fast-food sushi joint- Matsuri is high class, great for a date night or dinner with friends.
(4)
Monica T.

Legit authentic sushi. One of the best Japanese places I've been to in south fl. The place is a bit small, but worth the wait. I've never had a bad meal here. Try the onigiri, they have different kinds. Want to try something unique and different? Ask for the Japanese menu.
(5)
Adriana D.

This is one of my top choices for sushi although there have been times where the service is inconsistent and disappointing - the food, however, has never been. For lunch they offer an excellent deal with their bento boxes (under $10). I personally prefer the sashimi & tempura selection, which is served with miso soup, house salad (excellent ginger dressing), california roll & orange wedge. Dinner, of course, depends on your taste. I usually start with the wakame salad which has always been fresh and tasty. I have never had anything that left me disappointed, so nearly everything seems like a safe bet. Some of my favorites are: all sashimi has always been the freshest, the tuna tataki is great, the damiako (sp?) roll is one of my top 3 favorites and is prepared really well here. If you're with a group though, I highly suggest a boat which has a nice variety of sashimi, sushi, and rolls and is usually more than enough to go around. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)
Ana Laura M.

My sister and I were dying to try this place hearing all the great reviews. The interior surprise me because it was really nice and very trendy..nothing to do with the little mall that its in. My sister and I ordered 2 rolls each and ice tea. The sushi was good and so was the presentation. What I didn't like was that we were still hungry when we left (we're both 5'8 130Ibs) and ended up stopping by Taco bell on our way home.
(3)
Remy H.

The food is good and it's always a good sign to see Japanese patrons at a Japanese restaurant.
(4)
Tina K.

I was really wishing to give Matsuri 4 stars after all I've heard about it but I was slightly dissapointed... We ordered a ton of food - variety Sushi's, Hamachi Kama, Chicken wings, Chicken Karaage, Eel with Yuzu salt... First of all the Sapporo was not cold! *gasp* not a good way to start off a meal. Here's what I thought the food, the best thing we got was the Hamachi Kama (yellow tail collar) the area around the jaw has the most tender meat, it was nicely charred and well flavored. The sushi was OK but not very fresh. The Uni was a no no, smallest pulps of Uni I've ever seen. The Eel was not bad with the yuzu salt but kinda small. Overall - Great variety and selection of traditional Japanese izakaya type food but sushi was just OK and food was either a hit or a miss, prices slightly above average with smaller than average portions.
(3)

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Address : 5759 Bird Rd
Coral Terrace, FL, 33155
Phone (305) 663-1615
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Matsuri

5759 Bird Rd, Coral Terrace, FL, 33155

Matsuri Menu

Soups

Salads

Vegetables

Completed Dinner Specials

Sushi Or Sashimi

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Matsuri

Soups

Salads

Vegetables

Completed Dinner Specials

Sushi Or Sashimi

Desserts

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