A contemporary izakaya, Dragonfly in Dr. Phillips, is a modern interpretation of the Japanese pub culture. Sushi, sashimi and robatayaki (an open-fire grill) are served tapas style, with a full sake bar in a relaxed, lounge environment at Dragonfly. A departure from your standard sushi spot, the restaurant serves up an authentic Japanese menu with fresh selections from land and sea. From sushi to decadent seafood, you're sure to experience fresh plates and find new favorites. Aside from modern Japanese fare, Dragonfly also serves up a seasonal Omakase menu. The menu, developed around the Japanese word for "trust," encourages guests to select a mood and an ingredient. Once chosen, you are asked to trust the chef and bartender to craft dishes and drinks based on your taste profiles. Before dining you're presented with a menu containing minimal clues about the dish and the fate of your meal is left in the hands of the chef. Of course, you're not left completely in the dark as each dish is thoroughly explained by your server before you take that first bite. After enjoying seven courses we left full, happy and huge fans of Dragonfly. Omakase dishes vary by season and dining preferences - here's what we enjoyed during our experience: Hokkadio Scallops: A tender, sweet and creamy scallop offered year round, but at the peak of flavor during springtime. Served over a bed of garlic-jalapeno sauce and a carrot and daikon salad. A luscious seafood dish and a must try even if you're not a "seafood person." Snake River Farms Wagyu: A buttery, complex beef resulting from cross breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle and Angus cattle. A true delicacy accompanied by shimeji mushrooms, radishes, real maraschino cherries, yuza truffle butter, crispy garlic and scallions. The richness of the meat was balanced out by the sweetness of the cherries and all together my palate was treated to an exceptional experience. Chilean Sea Bass: "This might be the best thing I've ever tasted," said my husband after taking a single bite. That's a pretty bold statement from a man that is food obsessed. The honey soy brought a nice sear and sweetness to the dish and the melty texture was simply divine! Composed Nigiri: Loch Duart salmon, Bigeye tuna and yellowtail. I'm not usually a raw fish person, but I would have been happy with three more plates of this nigiri! Cobra Kai Roll: Snow crab delight, red onion, tomato, tempura flakes and lemon slices. Topped with Loch Duart salmon and finished with a garlic-shiso pesto and aged balsamic. Different than any roll I've tasted lately and certainly one of my new favorites. The aged balsamic and lemon slices paired nicely with the salmon, creating an exceptional and unique roll. Chocolate Pot de Crème: Strawberry jam, lychee ice cream and walnut biscotti - the perfect ending to our chef-driven experience!
(4)
Stella M.
Loved their sushi rolls! Truly unique. The surf and turf was definitely our favorite! I've never had steak on a sushi roll before! Definitely well done. Our service could have been a bit better but the food was so good that I can't dock them much for it.
(4)
Liz R.
Simply AMAZING! It's been a while since I've had really good Japanese food in Florida and this place certainly hits the spot. This is kind of like a tapas place. The portions are quite filling for one person though. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it's totally worth the price! It's gorgeous inside & a soothing ambiance. Great upbeat music that does not drown out conversations. Definitely worth checking out :)
Saw this place in Yelp and verified with the hotel staff and decided to give it a shot. Place is very well decorated and the ambience is very nice. A classy place with good crowd. Dress well with your casuals. The service thus far is very good. Drinks served and order taken. Place has an open kitchen and outside seating. Outside seating is covered and the place is busy despite the thunderstorms in the area. It's away from the touristy International Drive. The food came out on time and was very tasty. Well presented and cooked. Follow up was quick and courteous. Crowd is polished and professional and I am surely impressed with the service and quality
(4)
Brian H.
Was impressed and will go again. Ordered many things and got them in decent times. Our server was attentative and informed. Had to send back the chefs choice scallops because they were raw. Recent cooked but couldn't merit the 23$ price for 3 small scallops. All the other stuff was pretty good. Loved their ramen. It's hard to find a good bowl of that college favorite. We tried multiple things that you can't order elsewhere and we liked it. 2 of us got outta there for just under 80. Not bad seeing as the overpriced scallops took up most of it. Will come again. Great date place
(4)
Justiss W.
We have had sushi in Hawaii, San Francisco, New York, London, and Tokyo and there is simply something about this restaurant the "Dragonfly Roll" that emanates brilliance. Insomuch, I chose to propose to my partner here. Allen, Michael, and all the staff made this the most magical moment of my life. We may have had the most excellent sushi for the fifteenth time, but the true treat was the exceptional value we were engaged with. Thank you all!!
(5)
Danielle Y.
One of my favorites for sure!!! Nice ambiance and pretty restaurant. This food is delicious, coming from NYC I was not disappointed. Highly recommended:)
(4)
Kwame O.
This place looks amazing. They put a lot of detail in every aspect from the lobby , bar and the bathrooms. The Ambiance very stylish. Mostly wood interior Lobby is not very comfortable. There is a a bar out door and indoor. Lobby is consisted of a large tree like wooden table.Parking is not a issue, and not open for lunch. What make up for the limited hours is there happy hour. It only available daily 5-7pm only in the bar, patio or lounge. Drinks 3.00 Sapporo, 6.00 selected mixed drinks. 4.00 house infused vodkas like 6.00 selected wine Sushi 4.00 Spicy Kobachi Handroll really good 4.00 Hosomaki or 6.00 Box Sushi- box sushi looked funny but it was alight. Menu outside there happy hour consist fresh seafood, steaks and sushi. Here are a few of my favorites. --sushi rolls-- -Kamacrazy roll: consist tuna, yellowtail, scallions, shrimp, spicy sauce - Surf n Turf roll: consist grilled shrimp, bacon, cucumber, snow crab delight, asparagus, cream cheese, scallions, rib eye tataki, avocado, sweet soy-apple cream sauce -Spicy roll: consist choice of loch duart salmon, conch, tuna, yellowtail, ono -- Sashimi-- -Yellowtail Pesto: consist ginger-scallion, shirasu, aged balsamic -Amber jack : consist jalapeno, red onion, green olive relish, italian soy dressing --soup and noodles-- -Pork Ramen : consist pork belly, bok choy, bean sprouts, poached egg, mayu, negi, beni shoga, menma, nori, tonkotsu broth, scallions -Miso Braised: consist Rib Ramen braised short ribs, bean sprouts, corn, cabbage, poached egg, mayu, menma, nori, miso pork broth, scallions --meats/ grilled foods-- -Braised short ribs : consist soy dashi jus, shiitake, tamago, pickled carrots, cucumber -Miso Black Cod: consist daikon oroshi, hajikami Keep in mind there are many seasonal sushi selections may or many not be available from time to time . Like Wa-gyu Beef, and fatty tuna like Chu-Toro and O-Toro. Over all great atmosphere and flawless service . Make this one of the top sushi/Asian fusion restaurant in Orlando.
(5)
Mama K.
Amazing food! Pork ramen was delicious, noodles were're more on the firm side which I enjoy. Fried pork ear was surprisingly good! A little salty but if you pair it with some plumb wine your good to go! Sushi roll was perfect! I am a big sushi fan and spoiled from living in Cali. But this place knows what their doing! I would definitely come back if I travel this way again.
I have been dying to go here and my BF finally took me for Vday this Saturday. The place is really nice and I really loved my sushi. Service was really good as well, everyone is nice. This is one of the best sushi places I have been to in Orlando, Urban Hibachi is pretty good also but less expensive.
(5)
Mia P.
Enjoyed a fun happy hour here and sat out on the patio. It's a really beautiful restaurant the decor is very modern and elegant. My friends and I came for happy hour and there were some excellent drink specials and a nice small happy hour food menu. The drink specials included craft cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass. The Japanese beef burger sliders were really good! The hosomaki (create your own) sushi was a bit chewy for my liking. I think the seaweed and sticky rice might've been too thick. The sushi "crunch roll" from the happy hour menu was good. It's happy hour sushi, so I can't really complain, but just very limited and quite average. Our server was kind of 'hit or miss', he just seemed distracted but a nice enough fellow. I do have to give our server some props-he did make an excellent recommendation for dessert when we asked what was available. We had a deep-fried pound cake tempura ice cream and it was fantastic! Apparently deep-fried poundcake is magic! We shared it with three people and we all kind of wanted a little more when it was gone. Next time I would probably sit inside their beautiful dining room and order off the regular sushi menu as I hear it's fantastic. Happy hour sushi just missed the mark a little bit for me, but maybe it's more about drinks and less about food. I would definitely try this place again.
(3)
Kanghwan W.
Food here is high class, very tasty. We came for a friends bachelor party, and all the servers showed a good amount of love. The dishes we tried seemed a pinch too salty. I noticed that everything was cooked to perfection though! I thought that the sushi rolls were pretty good as well. We just went with the ones that the servers recommended! Overall this restaurant nailed it in their fusion-esque concept.
(4)
Kalvin K.
Having gone to UF, I have been spoiled with the knowledge of Dragonfly. I just recently had the chance to stop by the location in Orlando and it was definitely worth the trip. The decor is simply amazing inside -- very zen like and romantic. The food is top notch as always. We also had a nice sake selection provided to us. It was a great time, as always with a quality high caliber restaurant like Dragonfly.
Food was absolutely delicious, but we unfortunately ate here on the "Real Housewives of Orlando" night. If you wear slutty dresses, high heels, lots of makeup this is your place to be seen! Make sure you wear lots of perfume too! Oh and be really really loud.
(3)
Chance M.
Amazing, just amazing! The place has an awesome atmosphere, great styling. Very friendly and respectful staff, they were very helpful and always checked in on us but not annoyingly. The chefs have great ability with detail and care with their food, being chef myself I love this aspect of the culinary world so when I see other chefs put effort into it I get very excited haha. Now for the quality of food, again I was blown away by how fresh their ingredients are. The tuna was superb and melted in my mouth! They have an amazing deal where you get a 4 course meal and it's all chosen by the Chef that day and I was extremely happy with everything I had! We also ordered some Uni shooters that I recommend everyone to try at least once because that was one of the most amazing and unique things I have ever eaten and I have devoured a lot of different things in my life. It's Uni on top of a carved out lemon with a quail egg topping it off and all the flavors mash perfectly together! All in all, I was very pleased from start to finish with my experience here and I can't wait for the next opportunity I have to come to Orlando and enjoy this awesome restaurant. Hats off to the owner and the amazing staff you poses.
(5)
Lara B.
A friend and I dined here to have some quality girl time, catch up on life, and celebrate her birthday. We are SO glad we chose Dragonfly! We arrived for our 6:45 reservation, were seated promptly, and were greeted promptly by our amazing server Santiago "but please call me Santi." Santi was charming and attentive throughout our entire meal, without interrupting. Several times I noticed as he passed by that he glanced to make sure we didn't need drinks or need any dishes cleared. As we were enjoying spirited conversation and catching up, it was wonderful to have a server who was always available, yet not overly intrusive. Happy hour is until 7pm and we ordered a sampling of several dishes off the happy hour menu to share. Everything we had was wonderful, and the prices were great too! Santi even checked back at 6:59 to see if we wanted him to put in another drink order or other items while he could still ring it for happy hour! Toward the end of our meal we had three different members of the management team stop by and wish my friend a happy birthday (as she was enjoying her complimentary dessert!), and ask us how our meal and service was. It's so rare to find great service these days, and we were more than happy to tell each of them how wonderful our meal was and how great Santi had been. Dragonfly would be a great date night, or a great place to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Peter F.
This DragonFly is better than the one in Gainesville! I have been going to the one in Gainesville for years and it is pretty good, but the one in Orlando was absolutely perfect..... I mean food, quality, freshness, service, ambiance, everything!!!! The manager, Ron, made himself personally accountable for a very minor blunder by approaching us, explaining the situation, and correcting it on the spot. I just dont see service like that anymore these days.... will definitely return every chance I get.
(5)
Dave G.
Always like going to this restaurant great sushi great atmosphere definitely one of the better restaurants in Orlando
(4)
David L.
This place surprised me in many ways. Although I had been reading lots of good reviewed, I was skeptical about any kind of Asian fusion cuisine. Because almost every single time it ends with a disappointment. But this Dragonfly has its creativity while keeping the authenticity echoing the origin of the foods it represent. Growing up in an Asian family, I can tell where some of the culinary techniques from. And Dragonfly manipulates them very well. I had various of sashimi which is fresh. Several different kinds of yakitori. The grilled whole squid stands out from the group. Especially the citrus salt and Japanese mayo with 7 spice really made the tentacle tempura unforgettable. The ramen was something that I didn't expect. Because the bak choi and the marinate for the pork is more Chinese than Japanese. But don't get me wrong. It was still a very tasty authentic Asian dish. At last, I found lychee flavored ice cream in Orlando! Thank you chef. You truly understand the importance of incorporating the distinct Asian flavors into the dishes. I hope it won't take too long for me to visit Orlando again. I will definitely put this place in the must go list.
(4)
Cece C.
A yelp search for nearby Japanese food led us this place. It helped that a friend in Tampa had reviewed it already and given them five stars (hey Kelleigh!) so we decided to try it out. First off the ambiance is really cool and the service was great. The food was interesting with lots of great robata and sushi options. We ordered a bowl of ramen and a roll each. My miso ramen was filling for sure - and spicy. My "Krispy Krunch" roll was a new experience as it was warm, breaded and fried and I'm used to more traditional sushi. In the future I would probably not get this again. I tried the Black Dragon roll though (spicy sauce yum!) and that was delicious! I would come here again for a drink and sushi. They had good beer options and a full bar. The prices for food are on the expensive side but the nice environment makes up for it.
(4)
Gina C.
We always go to the Dragonfly in Gainesville. So we can to this one to compare. Service is excellent. Food is very similar Gainesville. Wasn't impressed with the prawns, Gainesville gives you a serving of rice with the miso cod (which I prefer). Portion of the cod was bigger in Orlando. The fried ice cream had Carmel instead of drizzles fruit juices and whip topping. Both are excellent. Overall, excellent food and will go again!
(5)
Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Our food took a little long, Buy it was a busy Saturday night when we went. Our server was really nice. The food was really good. The menu is a bit on the pricier side, but it is soooooo worth it. I think it's a perfect date-night spot to try. It's a really nice place. Pretty much all the sushi I tried was delicious, and I'm not even a sushi fan. My boyfriend is, but the food was delicious.
(4)
Melinda M.
This review is strictly for the sushi not the actual service or ambiance of the restaurant since we did take out. Now, please tell me how did this place get 4 stars?! Maybe it's for the other food like the robata grill stuff because the sushi was horrible. I think their location in Dr. Phillips really helps them because anywhere else, people would not pay such exorbitant prices for mediocre sushi. I was so disappointed because I've been looking forward to trying this place for a very long time. I ordered three spicy rolls-tuna, yellowtail and ono. The rolls themselves were not spicy because they don't make their's tartare style. They were just plain rolls with the chunk of fish inside and we were given a spicy mayo like sauce to pour over the rolls. No! How can you charge $9-10 for that?!! The rest of the sushi weren't that good either so we didn't even bother finishing it. What a letdown. If you can't even make a simple spicy tuna roll the correct way then that says a lot about the rest of the sushi.
(2)
Ariel D.
This is by far my favorite sushi spot in Orlando. First off, the place is very nice and elegant. Sitting outside is also a good option. The sushi is phenomenal, I definitely recommend the dragon roll or the mango tango, and of course some fresh Unagi. Best spot hands down.
(5)
Melissa M.
One of the best sushi restaurants I have eaten at. The servers are helpful in helping you choose a sushi roll if you are indecisive. You can sit outside during the nice weather is good or sit in the dining room. Happy hr is a def must! It's an upscale place kind of trendy as it is in dr phillips
(4)
Alexa C.
In the land of Mickey Mouse and Rollercoasters, it's hard to find something to dine in without a Disney Character coming out of somewhere. I yelped for a place with substance in the area during my stay and all signs pointed to this. I really liked the decor and I might be the first to say this but, the bathroom was beautiful. I loved the menu and as I browsed and browsed, I decided on the euro trance roll and the bacon wrapped asparagus. I swallowed everything down with a Magic Hat which for $5.00 you just couldn't beat it. My boyfriend ordered the bacon wrapped chicken along with a California Roll. I liked the ambience and the fact that I made reservations online within the hour and when I walked in early and the wait list was huge, I was seated. If ever in the area again, I would surely come back here.
(4)
Trung N.
I am not a big fan of Asian fusion but I always end up at one and it usually pays off nicely for my tummy. Dragonfly has some really AWESOME creations. I absolutely love the Dragonfly Roll, the Surf&Turf Roll, and the Uni Shooters. Oh I can't forget their braised pork belly. It's a really nice and upscale atmosphere to impress your guests or date. The service is also top notch! Check it out and have fun trying something new.
(5)
Doug H.
Not only was the sushi as good as I've had anywhere, but the service was outstanding as well. I would strongly recommend Dragonfly to any sushi aficionado.
(5)
Carson K.
Had a great experience here. Good weather on the patio, great saki options, wonderful service. Recommend "the Bomb" roll, Dragonfly, and Karmacrazy
(5)
Derek G.
Amazing tapas, creative, intuitive, and savory sushi. Try the bomb roll and the dragonfly roll. Tempura ice cream is like ice cream covered in pound cake then deep fried wow amazing and enough for 3 people. I've also never seen so many choices of the finest Sake.
(5)
Matt P.
I love Sushi, and Dragonfly never disappoints. The Ramon Noodles and Crab Fried rice are also favorites. Great place to go for quality sushi and Asian food.
(4)
David D.
We are sushi mongers and search the world for the best sushi. Behold sushi lovers here is Mecca. Dragonfly elevates sushi to a new art form with incredible flavor. The Cobra Kai is an impossibly complex fusion of crab, salmon, red onion, lemon, pesto (yes pesto) and balsamic vinegar. You would be fine to order 5 of these and walk out happy. The yellow tail sashimi with a drizzle of ginger scallion pesto was fantastic. The Slammin Salmon and Lava rolls are excellent as well. The Robata grill is worth trying. We had the scallops and Eringi mushrooms. Incredible Flavor and the dipping sauces are outrageously good. Oddly enough, we found their signature maki, the Dragonfly roll, which is cooked tuna and grouper with a spicy eel sauce, to be only so-so. But when the bar is set this high, even so-so is so good.
(5)
Kaycee D.
Amazing! Best sushi in Orlando.
(5)
Annette R.
The edamame was good, the sushi rolls not so much, and the clam soup was salty. Nothing to rave about, but the interior was modern and amazing. Coming from Los Angeles where Sushi really is freaking Amazing, I should of just ordered chicken
(3)
Julia C.
Once again, a great meal, decent service & this time we tried the green tea creme brulee. It was light and sweet and very good!
(5)
Mike F.
A friend recommended Dragonfly to our group of ravenous golfers. Dragonfly hooked us up with their delicious house specialties including The Bomb and Dragonfly rolls. The presentation was excellent - outstanding considering we ordered it all to go. Dave the GM was very helpful and accommodating of our requests. If you're golfing in Orlando- get off the steak and potatoes and get over to Dragonfly.
(5)
Jenn D.
Dragonfly is one of my favorite place to visit in the Sandlake area. My friends in Gainesville have always raved about the one up there so I was really excited for this one to open. I've been here on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed by the food or service! The food here is awesome! The miso yaki black cod is amazing, I really don't know how to describe it except it's warm, buttery, and just melts in your mouth. The Shari Risotto is a must try, and it's even better that it's on their happy hour everyday from 5-7PM ;) Every time someone mentions Dragonfly, I immediately recommend the risotto. I would come back just for it. Yes, I think it's that good. As for their sushi, you can't go wrong with the Dragonfly roll (their signature) or Crunch roll. The service here is always on point. The servers are super friendly and attentive, I never felt rushed and they always made sure everything was going well. The atmosphere is great, super chic and modern from the lounge/waiting area to the outdoor patio seating. They also have this awesome fountain right outside the restaurant which makes it a perfect photo op while waiting to get seated or after dinner. This is the perfect place to go on a date or even with a group of friends. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Gianna O.
Oh my god. This place is AMAZING! My bf and I ordered sooo many things, and each things was spectacular. I highly recommend the dragonfly roll and the risotto (I know that's a strange thing to order in a sushi restaurant, but it was sooo unique with asian flavors).
(5)
ellen e.
What a disaster: we went here for "happy hour" and the place was dead empty. Ok, we thought, they are new here and maybe not many people know about this. After sitting down and asking about the happy hour specials we were told "2 dollars off regular drink prices." Umm - ok... But when asking about food specials the answer was "we are new to Orlando and our happy hour doesn't offer any food specials". What?? Needless to say, we hightailed out of there and went to Moonfish two blocks down the road. Dragonfly is our favorite restaurant in Gainesville - its original location - where we were regulars while at UF. Why on earth management would decide not to offer a happy hour in Orlando, a city with 100 times the number of restaurants and hence competition, is beyond me. What a shame.
(1)
Doug G.
Yum. We have been wanting to try Dragonfly as we loved the one in Gainesville. It definitely delivered. The dragonfly roll is so good. The lychee leung is delicious. Happy hour specials are great. I would recommend to anyone looking for anyone looking for great sushi at a nice atmosphere.
(5)
Peter C.
Nice place but they seem to allow cigar smoking on the patio, cigars and sushi is not a food combo. Wish the manager had asked him to put it out, they open the rain curtain instead, not enough.
(3)
TK T.
I've been to Dragonfly about 3 times and now I feel compelled to write a review. Definitely not the best quality sushi in area. Amura right across the street blows it away. Food quality is reasonable, nor great, and the quantity is well below average for the price. What really turned me off about Dragonfly is their false advertising! On 2 separate occasions they have sent emails outlining special events and BOTH times, they turned out to be flat wrong. The first time, we went to the restaurant and the food and beverage served ended up not being what was advertised. They said they we sorry, but that there was some miscommunication on the event details and did or honor the "special". Last week for New Year's Eve we received numerous emails touting their big NYE party, which looked great! Since I am a believer in the old "Fool me once..." adage, I called to confirm the details. As it turned out, they were NOT serving Moët and Chandon (as advertised), but rather a much cheaper version of bubbly. There were also some other significant discrepancies. The manage I spoke to told me that it was a "misprint". Doing our telephone conversation, I got the distinct impression that these folks were purposely trying to pull a fast one. Either this place has a whole lot of misprints and miscommunications, or they are just plain dishonest. Either way, there much better places to go for sushi without the hassle.
(1)
lars h.
Great quality food and innovative sushi. Above average prices, but the fish is worth the extra price. The bad - very dark in the dining room and lacking in the extra touch. We celebrated a birthday, and they knew it and did nothing, Most restaurants of this caliber gives a small treat. The hostess was inattentive and all over the place. We waited 5 minutes before being seated in an empty restaurant, because she was busy running around and doing nothing. l'd probably give it 3 1/2 for these lacks in attention. Foodwise it is a big four, so we are kind today and gives it a 4*
(4)
Rohit C.
The place is expensive and the food was not impressive.
(2)
Anne S.
Visited Dragonfly while on vacation . Saw a recommendation on Yelp and it was right on!! Dragonfly is fantastic! Especially loved the Shiso wrapped spicy tuna, the Hot Haraguchi Bloody Mary and the Green Tea Creme Bulee, for dessert. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Brian D.
My wife and I ate at Dragonfly last night for the 1st time. Great atmosphere, awesome happy hour. The spicy yellowtail, spicy salmon and risotto (yes I said risotto) was a nice twist. Will be back soon.
(5)
Roger A.
COCKROACH, SLOW SERVICE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE...Came in last Sunday with a group of friends from out of the country and I have no doubts they left extremely disappointed: First of all, a COCKROACH was climbing the curtain behind us, when manager was called didn't even bother to apologize, seemed like an every day event. Not only that, food took forever to come and even after that it took them a long time to bring Soy Sauce to the table! First time ever we have to "beg" for Soy sauce at a Japanese restaurant!
(1)
C R.
1 star for the nice decor - loved the cherry blossoms inside 1 star for the patient waiter who tried his best to answer our questions about the menu.... ...other than that this place sucked! I feel sorry for the Orlando yelpers who haven't tasted REAL Izakaya cuisine. You're all missing out big time if you think this place is great. The restaurant advertises "Modern Izakaya" cuisine, it's more of a bastardized Japanese food to satiate the American palate. The best Izakaya other than in Japan is in California (city: Sunnyvale, in a little restaurant called Tanto). I ordered (2): 1) Ramen Noodle - sucked! the broth was flavorless, meat too salty, I've had better ramen noodles, serving portion was a tad small for the price. 2) Onigiri - sucked, it fell apart too easily, there was no crunch (unlike REAL yaki onigiri) flavorless, lacked the golden brown grill color, underwhelming. The ambience was romantic, but the food was subpar to REAL Izakaya restaurants. Tip: If you're thinking about eating at an "Izakaya" establishment, check out the clientel inside the restaurant, if the customers are mostly Japanese, that's a sure bet the food there is good. This restaurant however caters mostly to young, wanna-be-hip Americans who don't know any better.
(2)
Jeff B.
Great service. Very good food. The risotto is very good, but very rich - share it with a couple other people.
(4)
David G.
the sushi wasn't all that!! there are way better sushi places around dr.phillips to be paying that much and eating just "ok" sushi!!!! service was alright nothing to special!!! overall everything was just ok...nothing to be excited about
(3)
Van Victor S.
Great restaurant, very classy and the food are just delicious. I've been to this place 2 to 3 times and I have always had a great experience. Highly recommendable place.
(5)
Rebecca G.
This place has a lovely decor,good service and delicious food. The sushi rolls are very large so, only order one for a meal or a couple to share. The robata grill items are excellent,particularly the salmon. The ginger,red bean and green tea ice creams are a wonderful dessert. You can't go wrong here.
(4)
Colleen C.
My husband and I have been here twice. Love the tapas size plates! The crab stir fry rice is wonderful! It's a foodie place fo sure! Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Kers J.
One of the best creation rolls I've ever tasted comes from this place...The Kobra Kai and Mango Roll are the best non-traditional rolls I've ever had. This place is a gem in my book for sushi. Wish it was closer to DC.
(4)
Rebecca B.
This place is absolutely delicious! My husband and I went there on our recent trip to Orlando. The crispy tofu was so good I had to order it twice. My husband said it was the best seafood he ever had. The service was perfect and loved the atmosphere as well. Can't wait to go back!
i went here for a special occasion, i really wanted to impress so i reached beyond my comfort zone. i read all the sushi rest reviews on Yelp and this place won. the sushi, gosh i don't even remember the sushi, that speaks volumes. what did stand out was the Robito grill, some fancy form of grilling that makes 2 prawns cost 8$. tasted good though. the cucumber cocktail seemed like the best thing, my date enjoyed the taste going down and coming up. the thing i will always mention when remembering this place verbally is the bill. hmmm , what's the word... o yeah, whopping. over a hundred bucks before tip for an average meal. oh, the most important detail, i almost forgot- the edamame with garlic that the waitress suggested and said was awesome SUCKED. i mean f'in repulsive tasting and she still said how awesome they were again when we returned them after eating only 1 peice each. and they tried to charge us for them. bad form. the resteraunt and food are average but the overall experiance sucked because i was so disappointed - i def. expected more.
(3)
Tommy ..
very good sushi with a nice selection of other dishes! ambiance is great, service is great but a tad pricey. best roll in my opinion is "the bomb" and you have to try the wagoo rib eye as an appetizer! also, the miso soup has baby clams in it, tastes awesome!
(5)
Angie T.
Most enjoyable dinner with a group of friends. We were in town on a business trip. My black Cod with wild mushrooms in Miso sauce was excellent.
(5)
Jessica B.
Just finished dinner at Dragonfly's new location in Orlando. Even better then Gainesville. The sushi is awesome, as expected. My favorite rolls are the Dragonfly, the Bomb, the Spider, and the Lava. Really loved the new grilled items, the scallops and rib eye were very good. Service was great. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. The ambiance was nice, modern and elegant at the same time. So excited to have my favorite sushi bar close to home!
(5)
Bob G.
Pricey but once in a while it is a treat. Try the baby yellowtail, it will blow you away!
(4)
Ihoneybadger L.
I must say, Dragonfly is definitely one happenin' place on Sandlake. I think i'll be coming back here more often for celebrations and such. So let the review begin. Atmosphere: Atmosphere is a big majority as to why I dine at places. I love this place, it's the perfect blend of chic and modern without seeming overly pretentious. Although it seems very upscale, I think the sushi there is affordable and comparable to most other Sushi places of the same calibre (Amura, Shin, Seito...). We went on the night where they were doing Naked Sushi (Naked girl with sushi on her body). Although, I don't think anyone was eating it? It was a fun experience. They definitely beat out alot of other sushi places in that aspect, bringing something new to the table in orlando. Price: To me, sushi in general is like korean food, most of the good places tend to be a little more pricey. I would say appetizers range from 4-12 bucks? And entrees were anywhere from 10-17 bucks from what I recall (don't quote me! = )). Service: I thought was extremely friendly and very accommodating. However, there were two incidences I encountered with the server. One, I ordered a drink, didn't like it after two sips, so I returned, but she never took it off the check. I didn't say anything when I received the check though because I'm a server, and I know what a pain in the a** it is to have to void crap off a check, so I didn't give her too much trouble about it and paid for it anyway. The second thing that happened though, was that after I paid and tipped, I saw two days later on my bank account statement, that i was actually charged for more than what the check + tip together. Now i'm not sure if that was also a mistake also, but if it wasn't then i'd be thoroughly disappointed with the dishonesty and lack of attention to detail. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being, until I investigate more on the issue. Food: I had the snow crab hot pot. It was actually really good, and the sushi was delightful, but I wouldn't say exquisite. I gotta give it to them though, they've really mixed up the sushi alot and made plenty of new innovative rolls. But like I said I'm not blown away. Perhaps I'll give the restaurant a second try another time, and order a few new rolls next time I go there. I don't want to judge to quick on the quality of the food before thoroughly trying it's vast variety. Overall, I will return to this restaurant, 1 time, is not enough to truly establish an impression on this place. I do think though, that it is a great place to go to for parties, saturday night outings, and such. Very hip and chic place to be with innovative concepts for Orlando.
(3)
Carmen L.
I work on Wallace at a doctors office (chiropractor so if your in a car accident let me know) & the doctor I work for brought me a menu Because I love sushi. OMG this place is AMAZING!!!! The rolls they have their are so delish!!! We started off with the Bacon Enoki which is mushroom covered in bacon grilled. I am not a mushroom lover but this was amazing. We has the Sashimi Special. The fish was so fresh it melts in your mouth!! Now for the rolls: you have to try their Dragonfly Roll its the house specialty really good but FYI it has a kick to it. Now I've saved the best for last: Cobra Kai Roll. It is a Snow Crab, Red Onion, & Tempura Flakes (Something else but I can't remember ) topped with Salmon, Balsamic Vinegar, & Pesto!!!!! This sounds weird but the way it comes together in your mouth is phenomenal!!!!! Definitely best roll I've ever had. Will be hitting up this place again. Mike was our server Great Job!!!! Ask for Mike he helps you with the menu and is very nice.
(5)
Becky H.
Best place in Otown for sushi! Food is amazing and the service is awesome. Atmosphere is intimate and elegant. The fun music in the background makes it a fantastic place for a date night or dinner with friends. The one in Gainesville is great, but this is even better. Well priced and high quality, the signature rolls are a must- love me some yummy Dragonfly!!
(5)
Megan C.
I have always liked Dragonfly. I have been to their Gainesville location a few times, and tonight was my second time at the Orlando location. The first visit was great, probably 4 stars, and tonight's started off great, but didn't end that way. I sat at the bar since I was solo on business, and had to sit outside in the heat since the inside bar was packed, but no worries to me, I can handle the heat! I met the female bartender/server and she explained the different kinds of sake to me, and I ordered one along with the spinach/mushroom salad that I crave! All was good and then... all the sudden a different server asked me if I needed anything. I said not now, and that I was finishing my salad and trying to decide on something else. He NEVER CAME BACK! I was trying to be loyal to my original server, but then realized she left, without mentioning it to me, and then he started trying to take care of me, but never mentioned that he was my new server! I was playing on my phone to entertain myself, so maybe he thought I was busy, but still, he never checked back. I was going to order more food, but I thought by the time I got his attention I would probably have to wait another hour for food, and him to come back, again. SO... rather then another sake or glass of wine, and a roll, he left with me only spending $30. If someone would have just told me of the changing of servers, and paid some sort of attention to me, I would have given this 4 stars, but I am a stickler on service! I feel that you can have mediocre food and if the service is spot on, you win!
(3)
Cyd X.
Very nice staff and nice food. We came here about 9:30 and left after the close time but staffs here are very nice and patient. Food is also wonderful, I recommend the garlic crab fried.
(5)
John N.
Excellent service from start to finish. Ashely, our server, helped us through the unique menu. Everything was excellent. Our favorites were the classic roll and baby bok choy. Parking is not always convenient, but the food is worth the effort.
(5)
Jay C.
The interior and atmosphere are really nice but you might want to bring a Down Jacket because it's freezing in that place. I was expecting the Ice Princess to make an appearance any moment. The best part about the place is the edamame. Highly suggest it. The sushi rolls were less than memorable. One of the rolls we ordered was the Black and Blue which had steak and blue cheese which was interesting. Not the best combo with rice. Service was pretty good. Overall it was a so so rather chilly experience. Brrr
(3)
Karla V.
Dragonfly has been consistently good since I was living in Gainseville for college about 8 years ago. While visiting Orlando tbis past weekend, we decided to eat here and experience a little nostalgia of my college sushi days. This location has expanded their menu and offers Robata, skewer type small bites. I tried the duck and it was drizzled with a plum sauce, cooked perfectly, and very tasty. The crab wontons were served to us even though they were not on the menu and truly took me back. They are so rich and creamy and full of flavor sitting on a sweet marmalde. The specialty sushi rolls are mainly cooked rolls and are very different than anything else i have had. They are fresh and have complex flavors and are very filling. My favorite is the Fire Me Up Wasabi. The service here is always on point. The restaurant can accommodate big parties and is a fun night out stocked with a full bar offering specialty cocktails. It had been a while since I had the Dragonfly experience, i was not disappointed abd so pleased it lived up to my expectations.
(4)
J T.
Use to be one of my favorite sushi places but the last time I was there, I felt that the sushi seemed 'meh' - kinda bland. Their signature DragonFly roll was not up to par and it is a pricey one. Love the atmosphere of the place and service is usually good. Perhaps a bad day? I'd return in hopes that one day out of several doesn't mean a no-go. Oh, and FYI, the bar is very small! Don't expect to be able to sit there unless you arrive super early.
(3)
Xin W.
Their food is excellent! We were traveling in Orlando and had been always enjoying our dinner in dragonfly during our stay! They noodles, both ramen and soba, are so well made that you feel like in Japan! They also provide delicious grills; although in appetizer size, the grills taste very good with the special sauces! Their rolls are worth trying too! The taste is far beyond the price!
(5)
Michelle B.
Really good fresh fish, well flavored dishes. Try a little of everything sashimi, rolls, menu items from the Robata grill. Even the salad I had was sooo good - warm spinach & shitake mushroom...It can get pricey though so if you want to try their menu on a budget first, they have happy hour mon-fri 4pm until 6:30 or 7. Nice decor too. Will go back.
(4)
Achal A.
I'm an Orlando local and love to eat out in this city. My friend recommended to eat here and I was super excited, but the entire experience was incredibly poor. I ordered strictly off the robata grill (coal fired grill) and the food actually smelled wrong. My friend's beef tongue was cooked incorrectly and not even prepared appropriately. Out of the 3 dishes I ordered, 2 smelled like they were already rotten and tasted worse. However, the kicker was that the service was terrible. We had to keep calling the waiter for everything we wanted (even water). There are much better, cheaper places available within the vicinity of the restaurant.
(2)
Katie B.
I could easily have all of my meals at Dragonfly. Their take on sushi is unlike anything else in the area. I recommend starting with the edamame, it's the best I've ever had and it has quite a kick to it! For the rolls you can't go wrong with the surf n turf or black dragon. Really any of the rolls will leave you more than satisfied. If you crave something sweet the Mango Tango is for you. It has the perfect combination of savory and sweet and can double as dinner and dessert. The prices aren't ideal but they aren't unheard of given the restaurant's location and quality. This restaurant gets 5 starts from me, the atmosphere, quality, and service is unparalleled. Their only real rival is Sushi Pop in Oviedo. Reservations are a must, enjoy your sushi!
(5)
Eddie C.
Great service nice ambient. Sushi was great but some of the contemporary dishes and just ok. Great place for business dinner.
(4)
Sofya M.
Came here for a dinner with colleagues while at a conference in Orlando. Great atmosphere, extensive menu, delicious sushi and try the mushroom risotto (it's not what you think) and terrific waitstaff. Thanks Tung for the service , made our night.
(5)
Kelleigh M.
Being in Orlando for work has its benefits. I get to try some restaurants that I've had bookmarked for a while. Since I was here alone, I decided to sit by the sushi counter so I could take in the excitement going on in the kitchen and see all the great dishes as they left for their tables. Tonight I decided to try Dragonfly sushi. The atmosphere is modern and hip, and definitely where the cool kids hang out. I was pleasantly surprised to see they featured Cigar City beers in their menu and I went with my favorite the Florida Cracker. After recommendations from my server, I went with the miso yaki black cod appetizer. This dish was absolutely amazing (and not an appetizer portion at all!). He touted it as good as Noubu's sea bass. I for one have not been to Noubu but I know the reputation that place has. If this black cod is anything like Noubu's sign me up now. This dish was on a bed of various mushrooms and the fish had almost a butter taste to it, just like sea bass. For $17 this was a steal. For my 2 rolls I decided upon the Bomb and the Cobra Kai. Wow! I don't know what to say or how to describe these rolls. FRESH, unique, freshly made. The rolls are moderately priced at $13-$14. It's a little steep, but the quality is there. Would I return? Oh my, yes. Would I order the same thing? Absolutely. I'm still wondering how they can make black cod taste oh so good.
(5)
Laura S.
Horrible service! Took over twenty minutes to get a beer and chicken skewers. Some of my party who ordered after me got their drinks and food and were finished by the time I received mine. The server could haven cared less. Will not be going back
(1)
Joseph W.
I really like the happy hour bar menu. The prices are good and service is good. We get sushi rolls and sometimes the sliders or sticky buns. Nice to get there early and enjoy before they get busy.
(4)
Mandy C.
We finally found our go-to sushi place! It's been 9 months living here and we had not found a sushi restaurant that warranted returning much less becoming a favorite...until we walked into Dragonfly ! OMFG is the best way to summarize this place . From atmosphere to service to unique selections this place excels. But the quality of the sushi is amazing! It was better than some of favorite Vegas sushi spots. We started with the special Wa-gyu Beef served carpaccio style. I tried the muddled blueberry vodka cocktail. And we shared 3 rolls to which we requested brown rice for all! The lobster roll, Godzilla and mango tango. All three rolls were amazing but the Lobster Rolll was extra amazing...however it came with a $$$($18 for the roll). Our tab was worth every penny! I cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Kevin B.
Long wait- but worth it! Beautiful view outside and the food was absolutely amazing. Miso Ramen was so flavorful and savory. Sushi was excellent- fresh and delicious!
(4)
Sherry P.
Our favorite Happy Hour for Wednesday evening. The sushi is always fresh and our favorite drink Ginger Ninja is always refreshing. Service is over the top. Thank you Arianna! Sherry P
(5)
Greg B.
We turned the responsibility of ordering food and saki over to our server Kameron and we were very impressed. Excellent service and selections. This will be a destination dining spot I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in Orlando.
(5)
Audrey P.
I wish I had more hands so I could give Dragonfly more thumbs up! I chose Dragonfly to celebrate a friends special event. There were quite a few in our group; all foodies. Dragonfly hit the nail on the head. All of the menu options were delicious. The drink menu was creative and extensive. Tapas-style sushi and Japanese food? Genius! The ambiance and decor was perfect. Trendy but not pretentious. Our server (Ariana? Adriana? sorry :-!) and bartenders were attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely happy to make suggestions and pairings. Braised short ribs, risotto, blue cheese roll, wagyu beef carpaccio.....everything we ordered were all amazing. The spicy habañero orange cocktail and cucumber martini were unbelievably delicious. Come here for a special occasion or just to enjoy incredible food and drinks that will knock your socks off!
(5)
Belinda B.
Been there twice. They give you a lot of good. Trendy, always busy, better get a reservation. If you're not happy, they treat you well next time. I liked the food, the place and the service. Give it a try.. Oh, better valet, parking is impossible. Complimentary valet
(5)
Amber H.
Great sushi. LOVE the robata grill... it gives such a unique flavor to the dishes. I have only been here once for the regular menu (admittedly) because the Happy Hour specials are too good to pass up when you are on a budget. I love the view. Indoor or outdoor seating. I love everything on the happy hour menu, even since it has changed over the years. The drinks are top notch as well.
(4)
Kristen P.
I had a great birthday dinner here. A big group of us met up to celebrate. We hit a bit of traffic and were a little late but our table wasn't quite ready for us. So we copped a squat at the bar. The drinks were great. I loved the food. I think pretty much all of us got Dragonfly Roll. I also got the crispy crunch. It was okay, but I much preferred the dragonfly roll. The Edamame was a great too! All the food was superb. I had a great time. I would love to go back for a special occasion. It's a bit pricey for everyday sushi :)
(4)
Elisa M.
Great restaurant, beautiful and inviting. For starters we had the rib appetizer. It was wonderful, the ribs were tender and full of flavor. For our main course we had the black and blue roll and the dragonfly roll. The rolls where extremely fresh and delicious. Best sushi we have had in a long time. We ended our experience with the fried ice cream. My husband and I were fighting for the last bite. The only reason I fail to give it a 5 star is because of the fact that happy hour is only at the bar or on the outside patio. Not a big deal but it would have made this experience for us into a 5 star for sure. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Darth C.
In spite of us arriving a mere 10 minutes before closing (unwittingly), we were NOT made to feel as though we'd overstayed our welcome, and the chef certainly didn't hold anything back. The food was incredible. I had the absolute best ramen I'd ever eaten outside of Japan, an amazingly delectable lobster roll (against which all future lobster rolls will be measured), the Garlic Crab Fried Rice, and a slew of other items that I can't even remember the names of. EVERYTHING was amazing! Come for the food. Stay for the ambiance. Come back because of the staff.
(5)
Helen C.
I recommend the wagyu beef
(5)
Janet B.
The dragonfly sushi roll is a must. What a great restaurant at a great location and excellent staff. Our waitress looked like a blonde Barbie and was so attentive and sweet. She was a big part of our very positive experience at this place. She explained the entire menu with detail and all the plates she recommended were excellent. Will definitely be back. There is a happy hour menu and section in the restaurant where they serve the discounted menu and it looked totally happening. The ambiance was enjoyable.
(5)
Julia G.
Very fresh and delicious sushi! We ordered four rolls and were super stuffed. Also tried the fried pig ears, which were unusually tasty, salty, light and crispy. Great place!!!
(5)
Katherine M.
Really, this would be 4.5, but I'm rounding up. The atmosphere here is beautiful - I love the interior - but the chairs at the high-top tables might be the most uncomfortable stools out there. Modern looking, but not number one in comfort. Not bad for a short meal. The food is delicious, and although maybe a bit pricey in comparison to Orlando on a whole, it's probably correct in pricing for this area in particular (Sand Land/I-Drive, all the restaurants and people). We enjoyed the crispy tofu to start which is up there in terms of delicious tofu dishes, and we try them just about every where we go. The red miso sauce was perfect. The steak and prawns on the robata grill were amazing - perfectly cooked and seasoned. My bacon wrapped cherry tomatoes were a little under done and the bacon wasn't really adding much - I'd suggest just doing the normal veggies here as the corn (a speciality during the time we went) was much, much better. Cocktails are nothing to write home about - one we got was pretty decent, the other was fairly awful (vanilla and lychee - weird). If you are looking to drink, try the sake, although, the normal cheap sake (Sho Chiku Bai) was a bit pricier than the normal for me. Overall, a really good experience, and I'd give it 5 stars because I would come back when visiting Orlando over many other places, and considering all the options, that means a lot.
(5)
Daisy O.
The main reason this restaurant is getting a 5 is by far because of its SERVICE. I found this place on Yelp and my bf and I came here twice while we were in the Orlando area earlier this month. Well, the first night we went we were impressed by the decor, how full it was and how entertaining it was sitting at the sushi bar (we were right across the Robata grillmaster that night). Anyways, we ordered chicken from the grill which was AMAZE-BALLS! The best grilled meet I've ever had (I had the bacon-wrapped asparagus which was also great). The drinks were good but a bit overpriced (typical). The rolls I chose were good but barely distinguishable, they tasted very similar to each other but very high quality. My bf's rolls were delish, he couldn't get enough. The fried ice cream was a big serving and definitely the best I've tasted in a long time. Our waitress, Jen, was attentive and chatted us up and made us feel welcome. She was really sweet. We came back later that week and were sat at a table, even though it was looking like we would get the bar again, so that was a treat. We had a different waitress, Melanie, who was equally amazing as Jen and super nice. Our first waitress, Jen, saw us and she recognized us! She checked in on us and was excited to see us again. Why I rated this a five? Well, we ordered the fried ice cream again and our waitress told us Jen paid for it!!! We were really blown away by her kindness and just couldn't believe it. I mean, this is why people come back. It is important to have great food--yes, but how you're welcomed and treated really ensures returning customers. Therefore, whenever we're back in the Orlando area (I've been coming yearly for the last ten years to visit my family) we will definitely make sure to come back and recommend other people to go as well. THANK YOU!
(5)
J W.
First of all, Ashley is one of the best waitresses I've ever had. This happy hour is incredible. Delicious small plates $4-6, delicious Japanese tap beer $3 and quality chilled liquors for $3. Awesome experience, I wish Dragonfly would move to Jacksonville Beach
(5)
Steven B.
This place was pretty good. Very creative Rolls. The Lobster Roll had high quality lobster with a good cream sauce. The Surf & Turf Roll didn't have that much taste, even with bacon, beef, and shrimp. Wouldn't mind trying some of their other crazy creations.
(3)
Jc J.
Black dragon roll, the surf and turf roll, crab fried rice, Duck pork belly Raman, red bean ice cream and doughnuts are excellent. But the braised beef was uuuh! Def want to come back for the GODZILLA
(5)
Yuka K.
nice atmosphere, nice staff, not impressed with the sushi, it tries too hard to be a fusion with american and for me personally that just does not work with sushi...bleu cheese in a sushi roll? bacon? not my thing.
(3)
Bowie S.
Came here with my sorority sisters and some friends. There was a large group of us and they were very accomodating. We went during happy hour and enjoyed their happy hour appetizers. We sat on the porch but I did see the inside, it was nice, upscale and definitely a nice place for a date night. They had a nice bar area, so you can relax and be casual or dress up and dine inside. Their menu has a lot of different dishes and rolls. Someone at the table got the garlic fried rice and I normally wouldn't order that but it was actually pretty good. The server was nice and did a great job w/ the large party, she split the checks and never gave us any attitude, I was surprised at how well she was handling the large party, very nice.
We just ate here tonight, loved the atmosphere. The food was excellent and our server Melanie, was great! She took the time to go through the menu with us to find what we would like. We will certainly be back, especially for the Tempura Cheesecake :)
(5)
Nora M.
I first tried this place by getting "to go sushi". None of my family members enjoyed it, it wasn't good at all and I kinda was ok with it. They custom ordered some of their sushi and when it was made, it was tasteless. However, I wanted to give it another shot by eating there with different family members, the food was really good, I advised my cousin to stick to their sushi signature menu to avoid a horrible experience and we did and we absolutely loved it. Their plates from the grill side of the menu is extremely tiny, like I got literally two grilled prawns for $10 lol.. It was good but not at all filling. And on the dessert side, their red bean and ginger ice cream is amazing, their fried cheesecake is one of the best I've ever tried. Their Japanese doughnuts weren't good to me and full of sugar. Bottom line I liked the place and would go again but I advise that u stick to their signature sushi's, never build ur own lol.
(4)
Katelyn T.
So we weren't ready for how this place would be... Figured it's probably a small Japanese restaurant. All I wanted was a roll... Until we came here. We came to find out it's an Asian tapas and oh my god it was the best Asian food. We ordered crispy tofu, Garlic crab fried rice, duck and beef tongue skewers and a Godzilla roll. They even have the biggest Japanese beer menu I've ever seen.. (there was about 10 but that's still alot since most times you only see about 3 or 4) I would recommend this place, but dress nicely and expect to have an awesome meal.
(5)
Sergio F.
Call ahead or make reservations. Average wait for a party of 4 is 20-30 minutes. I spent about $60-70 between my wife and I, and we left a little hungry. The portions are pretty small for the big price. The explained to us that their theme was tapas style, so everyone should order a whole bunch of small plates and share. If you're going for drinks and small plates to munch on go for it, but you will spend more than you would if you were to go to another bar or lounge. Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious and the drinks were perfect; its just the portion sizes and the price point was a little off. Either way I recommend this place if you're looking for a posh place to get some great drinks and pricey, but delicious, tapas this is the place for you.
(4)
Monica H.
I'm glad I tried this place!!! The staff was friendly and greeted us with a smile (yes, i find this very very important)... The waitress explained the menu to us very thoroughly which was wonderful... It's two skewers a plate for the Robata Grill.. The entrees were delicious, except for the bok choy.. The flavor just wasn't sinking in., whether it was too much vinegar or too much salt.. The fried rice was so good, we ordered two... Sushi was fresh. Everything was wonderful. It's definitely a fun experience in Florida...
(4)
Dave C.
One of my favorite happy hour spots. Nice outdoor patio and nicely decorated interior. Staff is very friendly.
(4)
Todd B.
This was a great meal, and what a wonderful concept - bringing tapa style restaurants into the Asian restaurant market. If you're like me, and you want to order multiple appetizers and entrees when you go for thai or chinese (who here hasn't ordered BBQ spareribs, won ton soup, multiple egg rolls, fried rice and lo mein, all just for themselves? Am I right?). So as a concept, Asian tapas, this was a wonderful concept. Delivery was excellent. Atmosphere was terrific. Pricing - eh, a bit too expensive for what you got. If I was limiting this review to just tapas style restaurants, I might go the fifth star, since tapas in general are pricey. You always spend more money. But I can't bring myself to give the 5th star here. Okay, the good - our server was terrific. If you didn't know what you were getting when you walked in, then the menu could be really confusing. It doesn't really explain what you're ordering or how some of the dishes are prepared, but he walked us through it and was patient and very knowledgeable. The food - while the portions were small (I know...call me captain obvious), the food was fantastic. Everything was cooked perfectly and couldn't have been more delicious. My girlfriend and I each got one thing on our own (she got prawns cooked on the Robata Grill and I got short ribs). I didn't think much of the robata grill when the server described it - special coals from Japan that get up to 1000 degrees. Great - it's a hot grill. Woooooooo (said with a lot of sarcasm). However, ye bald man of little faith - the prawns definitely had a distinct flavor from the robata grill. They gave her 2 decently sized Prawns...for $10 I think. My short ribs were incredible. So flavorful at a cost of $10 or $12. We also split a bowl of crab fried rice - not as good as you'd expect when you see crab fried rice, but worth trying. It was tasty. Finally, we split 2 sushi rolls - the Kamacrazy Roll and The Bomb. These were what you would expect from a specialty roll. Maybe a bit on the high end at $12 and $13, which are prices usually reserved to lobster sushi rolls, but still within reason. We both liked the Bomb better than the kamacrazy, but both were fantastic. A lot of fish in both, not too heavy on the rice. Brown rice is an option for an additional $1 - but we forgot to request it. Back to the prices, this is what I am talking about when I say the price is an issue. How much would you spend at a normal asian restaurant? $20, maybe? $25? Well, that would be 2.5 plates of the prawns or short ribs at this place. You wouldn't be full. You'd think you only ate the appetizer. So, the prices were a bit out there. Its a really nice restaurant, high quality delicious food. But it shouldn't be that expensive. All in all, I would come back and wouldn't mind a Tampa location. We found that as long as you leave the area of Disney and Universal, you can find some good restaurants in Orlando - it isn't all Fridays and Fuddruckers and Pizzeria Uno. You have to look a bit, but they are out there. Dragonfly is one of them and worth your time.
(4)
Amoli P.
I was torn with this review of Dragonfly. I've been eating at the Gainesville location Dragonfly for years, ever since they opened. And as much as I've talked up Dragonfly, I was so excited to have my husband experience the deliciousness when we were in Orlando last week. But somehow, there is something about this Orlando location that just doesn't live up to the original one in Gville. The menu is about 70% the same, and 30% different. The vibe and atmosphere is more relaxed and quiet sophisticated rather than the more fun and loungey vibe of the Gville location. Nothing wrong with that, just different. The cocktails were pretty delicious. The Smokey Old Fashioned was excellent and the Fig infused bourbon drink was also fantastic. The cocktail menu was intriguing and we were very pleased with both of our choices. I know some yelpers have complained about the $10 cocktails, but that's pretty standard where we come from (Chicago), and these cocktails were high quality and worth it. We started with the edamame sauteed in butter with togarashi. Very tasty and I highly recommend it, but I've had better edamame renditions. Next, we ordered an item not on the Orlando menu but from the Gville menu that they said they could recreate - the crab wontons with the apricot sauce. Except that they didn't really recreate this item like the Gainesville version and it was a letdown. The stuffing was way too creamy with not enough crab. The flavor was a little bland. And the apricot sauce was lacking and not enough. For our rolls we ordered the standard Dragonfly roll (a must) and the Kamacrazy roll. Both were excellent and identical to the Gainesville amazingness that I remember. The Dragonfly sauce was still drinkable and the Kamacrazy was fresh and tasty. We finished with the ono sashimi dish, a special. In hindsight, we probably should have gone with the big toro or salmon sashimi items, or even the hirame. The ono was seared and a little bland and boring. Not the best item we've had, but we should have ordered better. Overall, I was a little disappointed that this Dragonfly didn't leave us with the wow factor I remember getting in Gainesville, but all in all it was still a great meal.
(3)
Danielle B.
I recommend making reservations in advance, we called a day before and they didn't have a lot of availability (it was a Wednesday) and even with reservations we had to wait for about 10 minutes. They have a stylish decor/ nice ambiance and the service is very attentive. We followed our server's recommendation and all the rolls we ordered were tasty, it was hard to pick a favorite. If we weren't from out of state this would be my go to place for sushi.
(5)
Andrea R.
This place is a favorite of ours when in Orlando. We went twice this week. You simply can't get a better deal than their happy hour. Food: So many delicious selections. Our favorites are the steamed buns (beef or pork), the bacon-wrapped asparagus, or the crunch roll. We also tried the tempura shrimp which had pleasantly light and tasty batter. Service: Not the best waitstaff ever, but the folks behind the sushi bar are friendly. One overheard us mention some dietary restrictions and checked all our food before it came out. Check it out if you haven't already, it's a must stop. If only they were closer to WI...
(4)
TJ M.
Great sushi rolls - I can't remember all the names we ordered but one that stood out was the volcano roll. The yellowtail collar from the robata grill was great as well. This place has an interesting menu and can't wait to go back to try more items. Only thing that was lacking was it was not kid friendly..... at all - even though on a Sunday night at 5:00pm the place was loaded with kids. There is no kids menu, which is fine because my kids like Asian food. I ordered them a Godzilla roll and asked for a bowl of ramen noodles with just the broth. They forgot to mention that the broth was spicy and I think the actually added extra pepper flakes on top! Good thing my kids like spicy food but a warning would have been nice.
(4)
Leticia P.
Sat and watched as three other people walked in behind me and no one ever came to my table to even ask me if I wanted a cup of water but the other people were getting served , so i got up and walked out, i'm sure the food would've been good had I had the opportunity to actually try it, sigh what a shame, terrible guest service.
(1)
Jacob H.
I am a sushi connoisseur. In terms of good sushi, this place hits the nail on the head. Variety of flavors, craftsmanship into each roll and a fun atmosphere make this place well worth trying out. While I did not try any tapas items on the menu, the excellent sushi and very well made cocktails will have my wife and I returning again and again.
(5)
Matt B.
Visiting Orlando with sons. Dragon Fly was mentioned to us by our chauffeur. Went on a Saturday night. Place was busy but not overcrowded. Very cozy atmosphere and overall very chic. Kameron was our server and very attentive and knowledgable. Made some recommendations when asked. Noticed a man in restaurant that appeared to be the manager. After dinner he stopped by our table and asked if everything went well. I liked that level of care and service. Hope to go back if and when I'm in Orlando again
(4)
Benjamin H.
This place is "run-don't-walk, why aren't you ALREADY there eating!?" good. My girlfriend and I went on a whim and had a fantastic meal, topped off with the tempura fried cheesecake (on the house!). Sake? More than I know what to do with. Cold or hot. Wait staff? Knowledgable. They've obviously been allowed to taste everything, and they learned what things are, what goes well together, and know the menu frontward and back. The food? Sublime. Brought my parents here, and we're all planning on being regulars! The tempura fried cheesecake? So wrong, so very wrong. And yet so, so right.
(5)
Jan M.
The black and bleu roll is awesome. Steak and bleu cheese. Could of been better without the jalapeño.
(4)
Sara B.
We were told that this would be the best sushi of our lives! The server knew ALOT about Sake and sushi and was very friendly. Sake selection is pretty amazing. The sashimi was butter smooth and fresh. The rolls were good and although I didn't really care for one I think it was mostly because it just wasn't something that I would have ordered...Suggestion from the waiter. Overall it was tasty, not the most amazing I have ever had.
(4)
Megan O.
On vacation from Michigan and decided to try a local restaurant. My husband and I tried the ramen noodles, as well as some sushi rolls! Was not the best we've had, but the service and sushi were great! Forgot the waitress' name (an Asian girl), but she said she was just training! Came about a week ago.. Would definitely come back to try different items on the menu, as the service made up for the lack of flavor in the soup!
(3)
Michael K.
The atmosphere is nice and the food is very high quality although it didn't blow us away. We really liked the miso ramen, but the scallop skewers underwhelmed us. We also had a tempura tofu, vegetables, and cheesecake we were craving, all were perfectly done.
(4)
Sonny W.
Was in Orlando for a conference and wanted to eat away form the chains and found this place w a friend. It's local, has a cool upscale feel to it set in a new modern shopping area. The decor is modern, the service was good, the sushi was fresh. Try the lychee martini, rib eye skewers, and the Cobra Kai roll- original and very tasty! I highly recommend and will go back again if I'm back in Orlando.
(4)
Desi W.
The atmosphere is very modern and sexy. The food portions are very small but delicious! We were still hungry when we left. The spicy tuna with rice crackers is THE BEST I have ever had. Meal for 2 was around 200.00 with alcoholic drinks. Like I said we were still hungry afterwards.
(3)
Annette H.
For sure one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando! The food is "umami" delicious. The grilled foods are simply amazing. And I agree with the other reviews that state this is The BEST HAPPY HOUR On Sand Lake RD. They just updated the happy hour menu so check it out, lots of wonderful options for $6. The sushi is super fresh but the grill makes this restaurant something special. The service is very attentive. The management does a really good job with the staff. Jeff deserves employee of the year for his attention to detail and for always remembering his customers by name.
(5)
Michelle W.
I came here upon finding a review on yelp and loved this place. So thank you fellow yelpers for your candid feedback. I thought their sushi were quite fresh for Orlando standard. We also ordered some of their ramen noodles which were pretty delicious. The price of the meal wasn't that bad either for Japanese. If I head back down to Orlando and craving some sushi, I will be back!
(5)
Ally A.
My boyfriend and I went for the first time and it was absolutely amazing. He had their signature Old Fashioned and I had their cucumber vodka martini. Both cocktails were phenomenal. We got the asparagus, pork cheek, and duck from the robata grill along with 2 sushi rolls and some sashimi. We devoured everything! It was such high quality food, we were definitely impressed. Our server Kameron was an expert on the menu and a real delight to have as a server. He really provided some of the best service I've had in a long time. We'll definitely be coming back!
(5)
Chris P.
Good food. Noise level is high. Service could've been nicer but the food came out fast.
(4)
Acelyn B.
Dragonfly is one of a kind. My friend and I came here for sushi, but I wish we had an appetite for more! They have quite an extensive menu. While our server was pointing out the favorites from each section, I wanted to say "yes, I want to try it all!" If you and your friends had the appetite to, you really could try them all because everything is served as appetizers or tapas. That means small portions meant to share and try a little of everything. What I think is so great about it is that they have several choices for everything. I was there for sushi, and their sushi menu was a decent size. I ended up ordering the Mango Tango, and we shared a Crunch roll (which was off of the happy hour menu, perfect!). The Crunch roll was great! However, I think I made a bad choice with the Mango Tango, not because it wasn't good, but because of my own personal taste. I wanted mango, but this was just too sweet for me. The apricot peach reduction on top reminded me of baby food because of the smell. Regardless, though, I would come back to not only try other menu items but also to give their specialty sushi rolls another shot.
(4)
Elana K.
Disappointing if you've been to the dragonfly in Gainesville. Portions are chinsy and quality is fair. Same good variety of flavors. Wait staff is not much for "the customer is always right" motto.
(3)
Natasha D.
Holy crap. So good. Came here with a large group while we were in town for a conference. I'm not one for sushi and was relieved to see several cooked items on the menu as well, and not just tempura. I had the miso glazed black cod and THE BEST FREAKING RISOTTO EVER. It was ridiculously good. My coworkers went crazy over the sushi. There was a semi private table in an alcove which was the perfect place for the group to sit and have some privacy. Only complaint is that it is hard to find in the shopping plaza. They could really improve the signage. It was raining and there were no covered walkways.
(4)
Mengjiao L.
It was a excellent place!!!! the tuna kobachi and hamachi Kama are very tasty and this is the best dish that I ever had before. The only problem is the size is too small. We have 2 people and we ordered 2 tuna bobachi for dinner.
(5)
Alison W.
This place was fantastic! The decor and ambiance was modern and hip. We sat outside on the patio. Our server, Eric, was wonderful and made great recommendations. We had a little of everything, except the sushi rolls. Loved the robata - duck, lamb, hamachi kama, and kalbi. The miso black cod and crispy kurobuta were both delicious. From the Signature Sashimi menu, we had the wahoo and tuna kobachi - probably both my favorites of the night. I tried my kids' miso ramen and it was so-so. But they loved the other stuff so much they wanted to go back the next day! All in all, a surprisingly great meal.
(5)
Paul P.
Nothing like Happy Hours, especially at Dragonfly. You can eat and drink plenty very inexpensively. The service was great, waitress was hysterical and made our night. We had made reservations at Nagoya, went to there and they said they had no reservations. We should them the phone number, the place was just about empty and they still wouldn't seat us so we went to Dragonfly and enjoyed a perfect night of food, entertainment and cocktails. Eat outside, it's beautiful on the deck
(4)
Lothar H.
The crispy black pork belly was literally some of the best food I have ever eaten! I cannot recommend the food here strongly enough. Everything I tried from the grill (prawns, bacon-wrapped mushrooms, and asparagus) was fantastic. I was especially pleased with the asparagus (which came with 3 tasty dipping sauces); it was so good I ordered a second. The sushi was good (sake and maguro nigiri), but not awesome. And I tried the smoked old fashion cocktail, but was underwhelmed and did not taste any smokiness. I would probably have gone with four stars had it not been for the pork belly...seriously it is that good. Go here, get the pork belly, and see if you can find someone else to pick up the tab, because it is not cheap. still, you should go.
(5)
Danielle A.
Perfect date night! Tapas and sushi!? My two faves in one. Service was excellent, yummy drink choices (seriously they have everything you could ever want), and mouth watering creations. Don't pass up the pork ramen, as basic as that sounds it was the most flavorful. Surf N Turf roll was ALOT- great flavor, just big bites and very filling. The Robata grill items are interesting and unique- my only qualm was that the Gyu (ribeye) was too basic and overdone. The heirloom cherry tomato salad had pickled lotus root in it, which I had never had or heard of before and was amazingggg! Overall a great dinner and date night.
(5)
Gabriel C.
The ambiance here rocks. The place is absolutely beautiful. I sampled a couple appetizers, main dishes and rolls, and the food was mostly just OK. The braised beef short ribs ironically stole the show. Service was also just OK. If you are looking for a hip happy hour on restaurant row, this is probably as good a place as any.
(3)
Ronald N.
This was our second visit. We love that we can share and all get a little taste of every plate. We keep coming back for the ramen, it is heavenly. The sushi is very good and the edamame with bonito flakes tops off the meal. Better than the meal is the staff. They are intuitive to your mood and are extremely engaging. We joined the frequent diners program because of the service.
(5)
Taylor H.
My husband and I were very impressed by this restaurant. The prices are a tad higher than our favorite sushi place back home is, but it was well worth it. The restaurant has a very nice back patio & we enjoyed sitting out there. We tried the Dragonfly roll and The Bomb roll. Both were awesome! Personally, I liked The Bomb the best. The Dragonfly roll was very impressive though, with a lot going on. I hope to go one more time during our stay. Definitely would come back if we visit Orlando again!
(5)
Morris G.
This place was fantastic. The Black Cod was excellent!!!!! The Sushi was fresh!
(5)
Mike S.
I will begin by saying I am not a sushi fanatic. I enjoy it. I love fish. I love seafood. But I hate the hunger I feel one hour after eating sushi. I'm NEVER really satisfied.... Enter the Dragon(fly)..... This place has some of the most unique, and equally special sushi rolls I have had the pleasure of eating in my time. I actually got excited about each roll as I tried them! The special dragonfly roll, BEST roll I can recall ever eating. The sauce, the fish, the fish wrapping around other fish, it was sublime. Also tried "The Bomb". It was just that. Explosion of flavor in my mouth. And for the non-sushi lovers out there, they have ROBATA GRILLS. Or as I could only remember as the ROBOTRON GRILL when I explained it to friends later. A high heat grill that heats special coals to 1 billion degrees(yea, 1 billion). This made the food flash sear, locking in flavor, and keeping out evil demon spirits! Try the grilled kalbi ribs.Try the rib eye. Last and certainly not least is the classic braised short ribs. THIS IS A MUST! Do you like tender? Do you like short ribs? Welcome. Your meal awaits. Check this place out or I might just Robotron grill your face!
(5)
David N.
After a long day at Midyear convention, I was trying to find a place to eat and came upon this sushi restaurant. Since I was there for happy hour, they had a great deal on sushi and appetizers. They have a good atmosphere. The interior was dark with candles in the backdrop to make the atmosphere more romantic. Since I was with a bunch of dudes, I wasn't having any of that. We sat outside in the patio instead Sushi was good. They offered the typical roll that you normally see at a sushi restaurant such as spicy yellow tail roll, salmon skin roll, rainbow rolls, and etc. I did really enjoy their steak burger sampler, it was cooked perfectly. When you bite into it, the juice would ooze out, it was delicious. Overall, it is a nice restaurant, but not anything I have not seen before.
(3)
Laurie P.
Love the decor.. Service was excellent. Food was tasty ... Everything we tried was amazing! If you love Asian food this is a great place!!!!!
(4)
Dave L.
Our server pitched Dragonfly's theme as Japanese tapas - which to me sounds like almost all Sushi focused restaurants, no? In any case, food was very good, and the place has a nice casual vibe - laid back and cool with no pretension, but definitely a happening spot. Good flow between bar, lounge and restaurant, and a refreshing absence of sweat pants and Hawaiian shirts. We tried the "Bomb", their most popular roll, and it did not disappoint, especially if you like some spice and crunch in your rolls. The "Fire Me Up Wasabi" was also quite good, if not great. What gives the menu some extra oomf is the Robata grill selections - the Gyu beef skewers were nicely done and tasty, and you can't go wrong with any of the bacon wrapped veggie skewers. Nice change of pace - would definitely go back. Looked like a nice place for pre-dinner drinks too. While I'm not a dessert person, I'd also highly recommend the fried cheesecake.... why? because it's fried cheesecake, come'on, live a little!
(4)
Valentina M.
One been here once during Happy Hour and loved it! Will definitely be going back! Went for sashimi, but ended up trying a few other items as well.
(5)
Preston N.
Wonderful experience! Four of us were on a business trip/industry conference and looking for something different. Dragonfly provided a unique dining experience. The Robota grill is certainly a must try. The cooking process lends itself in allowing a person to taste the purity of the meat and vegetables. We had the Pork Cheek, Beef Tongue, Chicken and bacon wrapped mushrooms. We also had the Dragonfly and "The Bomb" sushi rolls. Very flavorful rolls and great quality. Staff was exceptional and very knowledgeable of the menu. Overall a great experience!!
(5)
Alondra P.
The service was good but the food left an unsettling feeling in my stomach. This place isn't what it is cracked up to be:/
(2)
Thomas Z.
Well, now, certainly was not expecting this when we decided to go out for Sushi. What we usually get (Netherlands) is the standard stuff, not bad mind you but certainly not very creative! Quite the different experience here, from the Edamame to the Dragonfly role and all the way to the Japanese Doughnut, it was a blast. Highly creative rolls with amazing taste! Go, is my only advice to you, just go. My only complaint is that you gave us McDonalds, but you keep this for yourselves! One small thing, the service is highly professional, but in our case could have been a bit more toned down. Having said that, I would go here for the food any time!
(4)
Sara P.
This place is delicious!! The Robato grill items are to die for. We had lamb, prawns and mushrooms and for sushi we had the bomb, big boss, a wasabi one and the mango tango. Such great service as well! Denny was our server and he was excellent. I always like for the staff to offer suggestions and he did just that. We will def be going back!
(5)
Kate B.
I was just in Orlando for work. I hated pretty much everything about Orlando. We were staying at a Disney resort and that stuff just isn't for me, so we escaped one night to take some clients to a nice dinner. I saw Dragonfly was highly reviewed on Yelp and had reservations available that evening, so away we went. It's in a very strange halfway under construction (as everything seems to be in Orlando) development with an equally strange parking lot where people were inventing their own spots, and there's one little sign for it up on the second story of a building, pointing you through an alley to the entrance. The front desk staff were very young and seemed to be a little in the weeds. Once we were seated, maybe ten minutes after arriving, we were informed that our server Sean was running a little behind, but that we could order drinks right away. I asked for a recommendation on a moderately priced cold unfiltered sake and "Not Sean" (I didn't catch his name) made a fantastic selection. Once Sean arrived, we were completely at ease and had absolutely the most pleasant experience imaginable. The menu is extremely varied and we had five people there, so we were a little clueless about what to do in terms of apps, kitchen dishes, and sushi. So, I asked Sean if they had an omakase option, and he said absolutely, and that we could even tailor it to feature more sushi or more kitchen dishes. Everyone at the table remarked that everything they sent out was delicious (especially the miso cod). It wasn't quite traditional omakase from my experience, as the sushi course was regular nigiri without any special preparation, but it was much cheaper than a traditional omakase might have been (under $40 per person) and there were many different dishes, so we were very happy. Plus of course the little fact I've been leaving out thus far, which is that on top of being an attentive, knowledgeable, and personable server, Sean looks exactly like Ryan Gosling and it made my heart go pitter-patter the entire night. If you happen to find yourself in Orlando during dinner hours, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to go to Dragonfly (and of course request to be seated in Sean's section).
(5)
Claire Rachel H.
Great food and great service. Definitely one of the best sushi places around!
(5)
Jennifer B.
Ok two important things to know: 1. Food is absolutely delicious (make sure to try their unique bacon edemami 2. BUT portions are so incredibly small i was left disappointed at portion and hungry Hopefully portions will get a little bigger without quality in the near future
(4)
Mark S.
I have enjoyed Sushi at many restaurants and this Dragonfly is right up there with Nobu in Atlantis and The Blue Ribbon at the Cosmo in Vegas. I will have Sushi at Dragonfly Robata every time I'm in Orlando!!
(5)
Hannah O.
I really wish I could give this place ten stars. I read through some of the reviews and I was shocked that some people didn't enjoy this place! I ate here with my dad last year while we went on a trip, and we haven't stopped talking about it since then. If you tried the sushi and didn't like it, you must not have eaten very much sushi in your life (or you really don't know what you're talking about, lol no offence) because this is some of the greatest sushi I've ever had! Well, the Dragonfly roll specifically. The other two we got were delicious as well, but the Dragonfly absolutely blew my mind. It was probably the best thing I've ever tasted (not exaggerating) and that's saying something coming from me because I am a HUGE foodie. The edamame was the best I've ever had and I would go back just for that. It was unique and absolutely delicious. It was even kind of entertaining to eat because the little fish flakes appeared to be moving because of the heat coming from the beans. It honestly breaks my heart seeing a bad review for this place, because I had a wonderful experience here from the food, service, and ambience of the place. I will definitely be returning on my trip to Orlando this summer :) If you're reading this and haven't been there yet, GET THE DRAGONFLY ROLL. No questions asked. Just get it and thank me later :)
(5)
Loren A.
I first heard about Dragonfly from a friend that said the owners were originally from Gainesville, FL. So, I was excited to find out that they have opened up here in Orlando. Overall, it was one of the better Sushi restaurants here in Orlando. Our server, Arianna, was a most gracious and attentive host. No glass was ever empty and no empty dish was left on the table. The prices were reasonable based upon the Dr. Philips are, and the quality of food was great. I recommend this place to many friends and I would definitely go again.
(4)
Nishant G.
I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, but after my experience, I just can't. The sushi was mediocre at best. I've tasted better from Publix. And while the server was super friendly, he just wasn't on top of his game. Ginger, wasabi, soy sauce, spicy mayo didn't come out till 3/5ths through the meal. We were given green tea when we didn't order any, and then it was taken from us. For the price, I expected better. 3 stars for great decor, friendly staff, and an overall positive experience. I'd be weary before I come back here again.
(3)
Alisa M.
Very very good. I've had my fair share of izakaya food. Atmosphere seemed like the typical upscalish sushi restaurant. Drinks are great! Nicolet was my fav. Definitely get the miso soup with clam in it. You must get this: Edamame is not your typical with sea salt or togarshi sprinkles. Its grilled with huge flakes of bincho grilled bonito flakes on top. So rediculous and flavorful. Sushi was great very fresh. Had japan and dragon rolls. Chirashi is always good too. Very fresh fish. Enjoy!
(4)
Stephen B.
It was ok. I am willing to give it a second chance but was turned off immediately by the host and didn't give it a chance after that. food took a while to get there. drinks took a while. the check seemed to take the longest. I may have been tired...so I will give it another go.
(3)
Ricky L.
Dragonfly Modern Izayaka is a very swanky, posh Japanese restaurant on Sand Lake Road (also known as Orlando's Restaurant Row), and is the second location for the Gainesville-based restaurant group. Helmed by Chef Ray Hideaki Leung, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, the menu features some unique and sophisticated dishes like Risotto with Loch Duart Salmon mixed with shemiji mushrooms & cilantro and Robata fired grill that uses the finest grade binch?-tan charcoals that are heated up to an incredible 1,000º degrees. By grilling fresh produce and proteins this quickly, they hope to capture the essence of the food, which "enables you to experience pure & natural flavors". I am also a fan of their ramen noodles (though I wish it came with more noodles) - made with Kurabuta Pork Belly, Braised Short Ribs, Soft Poached Egg, bok choy, scallions, bean sprouts, togarashi & nori. Their happy menu is a bit of a well kept secret with dishes like chicken and veggie skewers, steamed pork / short rib buns with pickled veggies and Japanese slider burgers for a really good price. Downside, things are a bit on the pricey side.
(4)
Abi M.
The volcano roll is my standard that I order everywhere and judge all sushi restaurants by their execution of my fave...Dragonfly's version is AMAZING! The fish melted in my mouth, the spiciness enhanced without being overbearing. The signature Dragonfly roll is also very good. I saw rave reviews for the big boss, and it was also recommended by my server...it was okay, but pales in comparison to the other two. Mojitos were well mixed, using real mint and not just mint syrup with a few sprigs for the look. The interior is nicely decorated, but a bit too loud on a Saturday night if you want a romantic date environment. Maybe a special request can get a more secluded table? Outside is quieter, but the black shade hanging down detracts from the ambience. Prices were reasonable for the quality and ambience..$13 for the volcano roll, $8 for a mojito. I'm already planning another visit
(5)
Traveler F.
What is that wafting in the air on Restaurant Row at Sand Lake Rd? Is that some kind of grilling? Given all the restaurants around here one would expect this smell. But this is not your common grilling, there is something unique about this olfactoral beckoning. My fading memory of a bygone time living in Japan, where the very fulfillment of hunger depended on how well the olfactory nerve worked, sparked to attention. Not being able to speak nor read Japanese, it was challenging to find good food without guidance. The simplest way was to always have an escort. Or the most adventurous was to determine by smell what lies behind each mystery doorway. Depending on the sweetness, smokiness, fishiness or lack thereof was a good measure of the dining experience. I was always drawn to soy sauce on burning wood. Or saltiness rather than fishiness. It also helped if the sake was free flowing. For more on food, read travelerfoodie blog.
(4)
Roger T.
The sushi here is some of the best we have ever had. Amazing cucumber martini and their OJ mojito. What a wonderful place and beautiful outside patio.
(4)
Mark C.
During their Happy Hours dragonflyorlando.com/hap… we tried their Crunch roll. This was yummy, tasty good - but lacked the crunch. Bacon wrapped Asparagus was a delight. Love the enhanced smokey flavor. I believe their Robata grill is responsible hence = fantastic! Now if you are one of those who prefers their bacon like totally and absolutely crispy, you might have issue with a piece or two. Gotta go back and try their pork bellies entree! The Black Dragon roll was good. FYI-Not on the Happy Hour menu and is a cooked fish roll. None of the above needed the dipping sauces laid out in front of us IMO. I tried the Sake Blossom (guess I'm not into sake) and traded with my dining companion for her spicy Sumo Smash. Interesting and okay but actually a beer would have been the better choice for me. Our bar servers, Nicole and (oops!? sorry! ) were delightfully friendly and attentive.
(4)
Chris P.
A delightful experience: my wife and I were so glad to have found this place to satisfy our craving for some Japanese cuisine. The decor is modern and inviting and the service is friendly (one of the owners even refilled our water and answered some questions about the menu). A wide variety of food was available, but it was not so wide as to be unfocused. (As an example of the variety, my wife and I had nigiri, sashimi, duck skewers, kalbi, agedashi tofu, and crispy pig ears---one of my personal favorites.) The execution was spot on: the food was perfectly seasoned, the heat levels were appropriate, and the tapas-sized portions were perfect for sharing and not overly filling. We also enjoyed the omakase drinks we ordered: the drinks delightfully spotlighted the themed choices on the menu, and they were never overpowering or cloyingly sweet (even the sweet-themed drink was balanced and nuanced, using a cantaloupe-sweetened ice that gradually melted to provide the drink its sweetness). And the prices were reasonable, especially given the quality of the experience. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Serena You W.
It was my first time here. I'm so surprised for its decoration. So fancy and Americanized. The food is nice and I wanna go there again and try their volcano roll.
(4)
Astryd R.
Iv been here more times than I can count...I'v gone with a party of 20 and I'v gone with just one friend....in all occasions I have had amazing food and had a memorable time....this is my go to place for a nice relaxing and super yummy dinner.
(5)
Holly C.
you know what, that's right. I AM giving this place in a totally random strip mall down the street from Sea World 4 stars. You know why? Great drinks, really good food and pretty stellar staff. That's why! So good in fact I went there twice while in the area for a work trip. It didn't hurt that the concierge at our hotel gave us coupons for two free rolls. I love me a coupon! Definitely get the rolls, be adventurous because it's worth it. Also get the Braised short ribs and the miso cod. I made the table try the crispy pigs ears and while I liked the flavor, I did find them pretty salty, so take note. Worth a gamble, but be prepared for a little pucker!
(4)
Jonathan T.
Dragonfly is great! I love the Robata Grill offerings, like the enoki mushroom, and chicken skewers. The sushi here is also very fresh and tasty. My only negative would be service as it can be slow at times. The Atmosphere is wonderful with a open kitchen so you can watch the chefs prepare your meal. Watching them work with the Robata Grill is fun! The location of this establishment is off of Sand Lake Road (restaurant row). This is definitely be a good date night spot. Enjoy!
(4)
Wayde W.
Really great food and the atmosphere is very calming.. I definitely recommend to my friends and plan on returning again.
(4)
Alex N.
Dragonfly was exactly what we were looking for! Very contemporary atmosphere, with amazing food. The tapas servings were perfect, but added up after we kept ordering plates because it was all so delicious. The crab fries rice was to die for and the sushi was on point. Our waitress, I believe Ashley, offered some of the best service I have received. She knew each plate inside and out and offered great tips. We will definitely be back when we are in town!
(5)
David W.
Very good service, the happy hour menu options provide a nice selection at a good value. This is our third time dining here and enjoy the food, service and ambiance. Highly recommend if you're in Orlando looking for sushi!
(4)
Scott P.
My husband and I went to Dragonfly Friday night about 8pm. We were greeted with smiles and positive energy and although we didn't have a reservation we were seated within minutes at the Sushi Bar. Our first and second impressions were great, nice people and a splendid atmosphere. Melanie our Server was there as we sat down, she was a wealth of information and we ordered most of her favorites which are now are now our favorites. As we were sipping Sake we were given a Sashimi sampler from the Chef Shane. WOW! Then the food started coming, we had bacon wrapped mushrooms.... yummy, then Edamame which we couldn't stop eating and I wish we would have ordered one of those to go...Big Boss rolls, fabulous then Big Eye Tuna which is a must...then Salmon on their special grill....very good. During all of this we were highly entertained by the Chef's team and their skills. The owner Hiro came and checked on us several time and even delivered our food to us, how refreshing is that! It was such an experience and a fun night!!! Next time we are going to try the Beef on the Robata Grill. We highly Recommend Dragonfly Orlando!! Scott & Wendy Orlando Florida
(5)
Qi G.
Authentic Japanese. Food was good, but I can barely see what I was eating then... by a tiny small candle cup. Absolutely perfect place for couples!
(4)
Esther K.
The place is decorated beautifully with a modern, earthy feel. There are wooden architectural touches throughout, including huge slabs of amber-stained wood serving as table tops. There are some very expensive items on the menu (ie. Kobe beef), but there are more affordable options as well. We sat at the sushi bar, which overlooks the entire kitchen filled with an impressively large staff. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, maybe even borderline fussy, but she was a true professional. The food came out in a timely manner. We ordered the ginger salad, chicken thighs, braised short rib, spicy tuna roll, and Slammin' Salmon roll. (Minor deduction of points for cheesy roll names.) The food was all fresh and tasty. The chicken was well-fried. The salad was fresh and gingery. The short rib was spoon-tender and full of umami-goodness. The absolute stand-out was the spicy tuna roll which was simple but so delicious and fresh that we ordered a second despite being mostly stuffed. Unlike other sushi places that make their spicy tuna rolls with chopped up bits of lesser quality tuna that is mixed with spicy mayo to mask the fish, this place serves big, meaty chunks of high-quality tuna in their version of the roll, then tops the whole thing with their spicy sauce. It's perfection! The other roll was good too, but I will come back just for the spicy rolls, which can be filled with your choice of fish. Yum! Note: Happy hour everyday 5-7 pm.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night. The setting of the restaurant was really romantic and cozy. Our server really knew what he was talking about and make really good recommendations. Here is what we ordered from favorite to least favorite of the specialty rolls. Specialty roll: Cobra Kai, Euro Trance, Black 'n Bleu, and Paper The pesto on the cobra kai was unique and interesting. The flavors of the roll was overwhelming but in a good way. The euro trance was good and refreshing due to the cucumber. I usually don't like cooked meat or beef on my sushi but the black n bleu was an exception. The last one, paper, was also good but it didn't stand out to me. Sashimi: Yellow tail, Salmon, and Tuna All the fish just melted in your mouth. Thats how you know that the quality of the fish is good and fresh. Drinks: Orange Mojito soooooooo good! You can barely taste the alcohol but it hits you hard (:
(5)
Robert K.
Surprisingly great sushi in Orlando. Prices seem lower than similar restaurants in other major metros for a restaurant at this level. Dragonfly roll was a favorite of all at the table, and I was a big fan of the Cobra Kai as well. Some of the other rolls - the Lobster, Big Boss, Bomb - were more typical American-ized fusion and fairly heavy without offering much unique from a taste profile. Robata grill is excellent, albeit pricey for the quantity. Miso Yaki Black Cod was exceptionally good. The server was average, though personable. A highlight was the manager and her knowledge and recommendations on scotch and bourbons. A nice surprise. She took the time to sit down with us and explain everything, and it was instantly apparent she cared very much about offering a great experience at the restaurant. Overall, everything was at the very least 4 star quality with a few 5 star items. If anything, this is a 4.5 star review. Highly recommended if in the area and looking for Japanese/sushi.
(4)
Kyle P.
I ended up here on a recent trip to orlando thanks to all the amazing reviews and they were right on the money about this place. Absolutely wonderful experience, food was incredible, service was exquisite (Kai was our server). Will definitely recommend and come back
(5)
Jamie G.
This place is amazing! The happy hour menu is delish. Don't think twice about ordering the veggie kabobs, just do it! The mushroom are the best. The Bomb roll, the boss, and Spicy tuna were great. If I lived in Orlando, I would go all the time!
(5)
Colleen B.
Cucumber housemade vodka FTW! Seriously, you have to try this, just mix it with a touch of water and it tastes like refreshing cucumber water. Just please make sure you have a DD cause it def goes down like water. See a pattern? AMAZING! We hit this place up Saturday night for their kick off event of Ladies Night and it was PACKED! I was excited for the naked sushi but it literally was in a small room to the right so you just got to look, I was thinking more of an ambiance thing but it was more set up like an art show. It was cool but I guess I was just expecting a bit more? Since it was opening night of great deals and awesome ambiance, it was a little rough to order food so I didn't get to try any of the sushi, can't wait to go back and feast! The DJ outside was killer, exactly the kind of music I love (house and electronic) and it went well with the setting. The outside areas are lovely. It would make for a very romantic date night! Overall, great time, great mingling and amazing cucumber vodka!!!
(4)
Jennifer B.
I was travelling from NYC and was skeptical of Japanese/sushi in Orlando, considering the lack of diverse restaurants in the neighborhood. My group of 5 decided to try it anyway and were surprised. Dragonfly has a robust menu - sushi, small plates, noodles, skewers, etc. We ordered a variety of plates to share (garlic crab fried rice, ono passion, kalbi, miso black cod, ramen, everything other than the sushi rolls since you can get that anywhere) and forced down every last bite because it was that good. Since going to Dragonfly, I've been searching for Izakaya in NYC to match. I would definitely go back if ever near the Orlando area.
(5)
Ann M.
I believe in giving places two chances before you decide for sure and this place certainly needs a second chance. Our service was TERRIBLE, if not the worst I've ever had. Food was spilled on us and once we did get our food... I wasn't even impressed!! The cocktails were nothing to brag about either, especially for the price. Disappointed in a place I looked forward to going to for a while.
(1)
Kevin E.
Really enjoyed our first visit. Sought the restaurant out to escape madness on international row. Our server Sara was great in explaining menu, her favorites and most popular dishes. My friend had nightly special Salmon that was "phenomenal". I stole a bite and it had a buttery grilled flavor that was great. For an app, I had grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. Small almost like tapas in two bamboo skewers was just perfect. All grilled items come with three really good dipping sauces. I had the bomb sushi roll and the Cobra Kon roll. Both were incredibly fresh and the tempura was just flavorful, not overdone. So glad we came here. We'll be back.
(5)
Beth R.
we had a great date night at Dragonfly! A few suggestions: 1. ask to be seated in Vanda's section - the best server! 2. order the mango roll 3. save room for fried cheesecake. The next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back!
(5)
Kanitta S.
This was my favorite place to dine but I was very disappointed by my service. We constantly had to ask for refills but for alcohol she was sure on top of that because 18% gratuity was included. We asked for soy sauce and it took her 10 mins to bring it and we were almost done with our sushi. Very disappointed!!! Pork belly didn't melt in my mouth like last time. Needed to be cooked a little longer. Ramen pork was very good and tasty. Black cod was perfectly cooked. I also ordered salmon but it didn't look like it was grilled because it didn't have the color or taste of the grill. She also forgot my brother's pork belly he ordered and it came when everybody was done eating. Again I can't believed this because it was for my brother's birthday. This was our favorite place. The whole experience was horrible and you know our check wasn't little. The server was that bad that we didn't tip on top of her $58. I wanted to leave her nothing!!! My rule is if my drinks are not refilled you do not deserved 20% tip. I was more disappointed with my service because I didn't have a good time!!!
(1)
Dawn O.
I celebrated my 22nd birthday dinner here on Saturday, February 1st and everything was flawless. I had a reservation for eight and my party got seated in this wonderful nook. ALL of the food was incredible. I made sure to keep a menu at the table and thankfully so because all my friends and I continued to order more food. The restaurant's atmosphere and decor was beautiful as well. I highly recommend Alyssa as a waitress. Thanks so much for being so funny and making us feel welcome!
(5)
Toby L.
My wife and I have gone for happy hour several times. The grilled bacon wrapped asparagus, the sushi and the drinks are all wonderful.
(5)
C Y.
We tried all four kinds of noodle and they are all excellent. The grills are also impressive on their special sauces. We went for the bacon wrapped asparagus and mushroom. Compared with other restaurants in Orlando, this place is very reasonable in terms of prices. We ordered takeouts on the first night and went there for dinner for the rest of our stay.
(5)
Lydia C.
I stopped by for happy hour recently and had a fun time. I sat at the bar and the service was great. I ordered off the happy hour menu and my food came out pretty quickly. I got a ginger martini and loved it. I am a big fan of ginger! I tried the happy hour sushi and that was quite tasty. Also tried the steamed buns and the mini burgers which were both good. The atmosphere is upscale and trendy. There is lots of seating at the bar, the sushi bar and the restaurant. It was not very busy when I went on a Monday for happy hour but I am sure it gets a lot busier on weekends. I look forward to going back and trying more delicious drinks and food!
(4)
Scott R.
I really liked this place a lot. Great atmosphere and service. Everything was amazing. Cooked perfect or prepared perfect. One thing I will say about this place if you are new to this restaurant, ordering can be a bit intimidating. There really are no pictures of anything to look at. I eat with my eyes like many people do. Just take a few moments to look around what others are getting and ask lots of questions. I'll def be back soon!! Good job dragonfly!!
I've only been in for Happy Hour, though I've been in multiple times. If Nichole or Jessica are on the bar, sit with them for a great time. They are easily two of my favorite bartenders in Orlando. I don't think I've ever ordered a drink. I trust Nichole enough to make one on the fly for me. I am enamored with their Happy Hour steamed buns. Pork or short rib, you can't go wrong with either.
(4)
Allison M.
I used to go to the Dragonfly in Gainesville when I lived up there, so I was really excited to visit their Orlando location. The place is definitely a classy joint. The atmosphere is nice, and though it was raining when I visited, it looked like they had lots of outdoor seating, which would be nice in better weather. I had some of the best Unagi here that I've had in Florida. It was good quality, grilled on their special grill, and although you usually don't want bones in your fish, I see the fine Unagi bones as a sign of a good, fatty cut. The Unagi sauce was more flavourful than most other places I've had it at as well. We had a couple rolls, which were good, but nothing to scream about. I actually found there was too much cream cheese in one of them, but it's a matter of taste. The ramen was exceptional, and the pork in it was delicious, and soft enough to be pulled apart with chopsticks. My only complaint about the ramen was that it was too small. I'm used to ramen being huge bowls of noodly comfort food, and this just wasn't enough to sate my ramen lust. C'est la Vie. Even though I was getting full, we ended dinner with a green tea creme brulee, and I'm so glad we did. The sugar on top had that beautiful, warm, just-caramelized texture, and the green tea flavour was well suited for a creme brulee. Beautiful food, classy atmosphere - I only wish it were closer!
(4)
Michael W.
WOW!!! Not many places knock my socks off but this place did. In fact, I couldn't even find my socks after dinner and had to walk out barefoot! It was fresh, creative, subtle and bold; all at once.
(5)
Paulene K.
Good food. Ok pricing, it's restaurant row - Dr. Phillips so it's expected. The staff have been friendly both times that I've been there and really helpful in picking the right items from their extensive menu. One big issue here is that it's so dark that you can't see your food. But if you're ok with the really dark - a bit too lounge club atmosphere to have dinner in...
(3)
David W.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sushi was different but enjoyable. Wouldn't be a the go to place for sushi, but it was fun and I will go back
(4)
Alyssa W.
I haven't had sushi this good in a LONG time. Inventive, unique, awesome quality, great ambiance, great staff. A+ in my book. Again, our amazing concierge at our hotel directed us here. Didnt disappoint. Our waiter was great, after explaining how the restaurant runs, instead of ordering apps, then entress, you ordered everything you want at one time. The food comes out as it is ready, since somethings can be made faster than others. Dishes come one at a time, perfectly timed, table never gets cluttered. All the sushi we ordered was great, sadly I can't remember the names of each one. I ordered a ramen bowl, authentic and presented well. The one dish that shocked us all, salmon risotto, yep risotto at a japanese restaurant, weird right? we were told to get this, it was literally the BEST risotto I have ever had and i've tried a lot of risotto. creamy, flavorful, not too heavy. mmm this restaurant specialized in robata, food on skewers cooked over wood. We got wagyu kobe, came with a variety of sauces, delicious. I would recommend anyone to try this place if they are in the area.
(5)
Sarah W.
Seriously delicious food! We loved everything so much and our server was fantastic! Try the Lychee Leung, it's such a good drink. This would be a regular visit for us if only we actually lived in Florida.
(5)
Allyson B.
I've had my share of sushi and Dragonfly is by far the best place to get your sushi fix in Orlando. The ambiance is trendy but well put together. The service is excellent. And the food is absolutely incredible. We started off with the Crispy Tofu and Shiso Pretty from the Fried Selections. The Crispy Tofu is garnished with a red miso glaze that makes the whole dish perfect. I highly recommend ordering it--- it's absolutely fantastic!!!!!! Since my date hadn't had a lot of sushi before we didn't go crazy ordering off the sushi menu. We ordered the hamachi, sake, and smoked salmon sashimi which were all delicious. From the Specialty Rolls menu we ordered The Dragonfly and the Lava rolls. I really liked the Lava roll. It's filled with smoked salmon, smoked eel, and snow crab, then on the outside there are layers of avocado over the rice. It's topped with bits of seared scallops. It's not exactly unique but it was delicious!
(4)
Jennifer B.
Absolutely to die for. Amazing service and spectacular food. Be prepared for it to take a couple hours but it is so worth it.
(5)
Naomi W.
A great experience. Inviting and comfortable with amazing food and drinks. I had a cucumber martini and it was really great tasting. My sushi was also very good. The Black 'n Bleu roll is a must. Will absolutely be back .
(5)
Amy L.
AMAZING! I really wish Dragonfly could expand their business to NYC, because their sushi was delicious! We had tried their signature sushi dish which was the dragonfly, which is tuna & albacore wrapped with grouper & baked with spicy sauce. It is topped with scallions & finished with eel sauce. So delicious! I also had the mango tango, which is sushi with smoked salmon, cream cheese, mango, avocado rolled in tempura flakes. It is topped with sweet potato curls and draped with peach-apricot reduction. Between the two sushi dishes, the dragonfly was so much better. For dessert, we got the fried ice cream with vanilla ice cream and fried donut. Both desserts was the best way to end the evening. I can't wait to come back whenever I visit Orlando, Florida again.
(5)
Joshua B.
Japanese tapas. That is the best way to describe this restaurant. They have the usual sushi/sashimi menu. What makes them different is Ragata style food. It's basically small portions to share. The noodles are amazing. It was really good but you're hungry be prepared to shell out some cash.
(5)
Kerri B.
Best sushi place in Orlando! I came here on a hot date with my boyfriend :) Ki (not sure how to spell his name) was our server and he was very entertaining. He suggested the Sianara Seduction as a drink, which I enjoyed 2x. My boyfriend had the beer he suggested as well, which I even liked and I am not a fan of beer. We had wontons as an appetizer and 4 rolls: Mango Tango, Black Dragon, Big Boss, and The Dragonfly Signature Roll. Appetizer: I don't recall the wontons being on the menu, but I ordered them knowing they had them at the Gainesville location. One or two of them tasted a little cold on the inside, but the kitchen was super busy this night. They still tasted good, so I really didn't want to complain. The mango sauce they come in is delightful. Rolls: First, the Mango Tango and Big Boss rolls came out. We share all of our rolls, so I got to try all of them. These two had amazing flavor. The mango tango had ribbons of fried sweet potatoes sprinkled atop, which added a nice compliment to the mango. The big boss roll was one of my favorites, because the wrap was on the outside of the roll, with the rice inside. I like the presentation of that style. This roll had avocado, which I love, and a nice blend of fish. Next we got the Dragonfly Signature and Black n Bleu (whoops! wrong roll), which had to be sent back for our Black Dragon. We enjoyed the mess out of the dragonfly signature roll while waiting on our last one. It was filled with fish and crab, then wrapped up in it. This was by far the best roll. SO good! Finally, our Black Dragon came out. I was underwhelmed by this one after the first 3. I don't know if I was just overstuffed from the drinks and appetizers before the rolls, or if it was truly lacking, but I did not think it was up to par with the other rolls. It was good compared to what you'd find at another restaurant, but it ended our night with a fizzle. I wouldn't order it again, since I know they have much better. This place is beautiful on the inside, and the kitchen is behind glass, so you can see everything being prepared. The staff was very helpful and though one of our orders got mixed up, I was not disappointed with the service. I would recommend this as a nice date night, for those dates that fall on payday :)
(5)
Manoj N.
Great staff at the restaurant. We were staying at Disney Ft Wilderness resort and thought we will try this place though its about 9 miles away. When we arrived we got parking in the strip mall lot. We were told there is a 1.5 hour wait for a table so we opted for the bar seating. I got 2 of the blossom sake drink which was awesome. 3 of us ordered a different variety of appetizers from the happy hour menu and they were all good. The waitress was nice and explained everything in detail. They lose one star for pricing which I think was on the higher side.
(4)
Alicia M.
I am giving this restaurant two stars bc the sushi was below average but the ambiance was very nice. The food was mostly fresh but the grade of sushi was not very good. They seem to enjoy making everything very spicy ( which usually I enjoy) but I think it's to hide the fact there was little flavor. I don't mind paying a lot for excellent quality food but this def was not worth the money. The service was just okay as well. Prob a really fun place to meet friends for a drink but not if you are looking for really good tasting food. On the positive side of things the $14 bottle of beer wasn't bad ( hard to find elsewhere ) and the house cabinet was excellent.
(2)
Moo B.
One of my favorite sushi restaurant in Orlando. Very fusion and modern. Price is much higher than the other Dragonfly in Gainesvile, FL, but the quality is also much better. Portion is very small but delicious. We paid $16 for grilled eel. It came with 4 small pieces of eel. Tasted very good, but I could eat 5 those plates alone. Rolls are all good. The hamachi kama we ordered didn't taste as fresh as we had it somewhere else. My husband always orders it. Maybe the fish wasn't fresh? The fried ice cream was disappointing. Nothing like the one in Gainesville. It didn't come with fresh berries garnish and was much smaller.
(4)
Frank L.
Love it! This is my kind of place. We came here for the grand opening event, and it was excellent. it did get a bit packed, but the food was fantastic. We had an assortment of most of the rolls that they sell..Yummo! The decor is gorgeous, and has a very fun atmosphere. They have a huge open kitchen, where you can watch them prepare the meals. They even have an outdoor bar and seating. i can see myself coming here on Friday/Saturday nights.
(5)
Crysandra S.
I must start with the sushi wow if you love sushi you will this place. Excellent, fabulous not enough words to describe how delicious this place was. I had my Christmas holiday 2013 party here and was great. My staff and I had the pleasure of an hour engaging and enjoying drinks and talk taking photos and the staff respected the time we spent together. They explained the menu well enough for us to understand and we're promptly there for every need. If your needing to plan a private event I would recommend dragon fly as a respectful place to go!
(5)
Ron C.
By far one of my favorite restaurants in the World! I have travelled all over, and to have the manager and co- owner come to help fold a napkin and see how each course was, is noteworthy. The rolls and sushi were fresh and tasty, the Dragonfly Roll is great but get a Salmonfly, it's to die for. The Bomb, crunchy, Volcano, spider is a good start. The servers are super. And the bathroom is funny, you can hear the rooms talking cuz of the gap on top, oh and it looks high class. If in town just go! You will love it. Oh and if in Gainesville, go to that one also.
(5)
Dean P.
The best sushi I have had in America. Perfect presentation, art on a plate. Unique combinations, and they have FRESH wakame salad! Classy, a wonderful place to take a date. I have never been disappointed eating here. You must try the ono (wahoo), it is one of the best dishes.
(5)
Jorgen M.
What a surprise... We were traveling on business in Orlando, the land of big bad chain restaurants and we stumbled on this place. The sushi & sashimi was very fresh and well prepared. We also had a variety of grill items and also delicious. The service was also surprisingly great too. It's worth the drive off the touristy area of Orlando
(4)
Jen B.
I went here twice in one week mid April; the first time was for dinner with a party of six. The second time was a catered event thrown by my company. Things I liked about the experience: - Group setting: we were lucky enough to get our private area in one of the curtained corners of the restaurant. Seems like a great place for groups. - Waitress was very accommodating and put up with our group: she was definitely patient with us - some of us who were blunt and less then tactful at times. - Good selection of food and wine: we ordered sushi rolls, sushi, maki rolls, miso soup.. As well as Veuve and Cakebread wine. Things that could have been improved: - Waitress didn't seem to know too much about wine and was pushing the bottle instead of glass: she wasn't able to recommend a good white wine by the glass which wasn't super sweet, which was kind of annoying. - Too many choices: though this may be a more personal preference of mine, I think that holding back - fewer voices and a more focused selection - helps in guiding guests to a better culinary experience. The catered event was outside of the norm, and consisted of 5 tasting stations: 1 - mushroom risotto (very rich but good) 2 - short ribs (I didn't try them but they looked deliciously saucy) 3 - sushi roll selection (I wasn't impressed) 4 - steamed pork buns (too dry for my taste; anyway, this is more Chinese, isn't it?) 5 - butterfish (very nicely done) The event was good; probably around 150 person capacity. Since the interior of the restaurant is pretty chic, ambiance was pretty swanky, and pleased the crowd. Recommended if you're in town for a conference as it's good for groups - and, even if you're not into raw fish, their extensive menu would let you find something you'll like!
(4)
Nathan H.
Probably the best sushi place in Orlando, though not without its faults. As far as I know, this is the second location for Dragonfly, the original being in Gainesville. In Gainesville, it is the place to be--indisputably the best sushi there I think. The competition in Orlando is somewhat stiffer, but I think it still succeeds. Very good selection of fresh fish in a unique selection of rolls. I highly recommend trying one of their special rolls even if it looks intimidating, they are quite good. The restaurant itself is large and beautiful. The sushi bar is one of the largest I've seen, with a great view of the entire kitchen including the "robata grill." There are a few negatives to this place IMO. The prices are quite high, and the robata grill is unimpressive. It is really just basic grilled meat with some decent sauces. Not bad, but definitely not worth the price. Go with the sushi.
(4)
Travis Y.
This was my first experience with sushi. Besides a very knowledgable staff and friendly made it painless. There happy hour is such a value from drinks to apps to crunch rolls and box sushi. I love going there mainly for the ambience. A very nice establishment. Will recommend hands down. Might even catch me at the bar ordering a Unibroue beer.
(5)
Seann G.
My wife and I have been eating here often over the last year or so and I felt it's about time I wrote a review. I'm always on the hunt for great, unique sushi rolls delivered in an exquisite atmosphere and Dragonfly delivers on every front. When you first walk into the restaurant you get the sense of an über cool, yet not pretentious dining experience awaits you. Sitting inside or out works well as there really is not a bad seat in the house. Once greeted with the menu you'll find a lovely selection of sushi staples along with some house specialties. They have plenty of cooked options too if your mate is not a sushi fan. If you're looking for a salad you cannot go wrong with the heirloom tomato salad. It's super fresh, delicious and light on the stomach leaving plenty of room for sushi. As far as sushi goes I personally have to recommend the Kobra Kai roll. It is absolutely delicious and the small slice of lemon gives it a freshness that just has to be tasted. The house specialty Dragonfly roll is also a good choice as well. Because we've been such long time patrons and fans of the restaurant we decided to hold my 40th birthday party here. We had about 35 guests on the patio. My wife, myself and every one of our guests were blown away by the incredible food, drinks and most importantly service that Allen and his team bestowed upon us. Whether your dining for 2 or bringing in a crowd this place rocks. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. If you love Sushi in a sleek Miami style atmosphere there is only one choice and that is Dragonfly Sushi.
(5)
Tracey M.
Okay, I really like this place so I am giving it 3 stars because I just so excited about it and after eating there it was a bit over hyped. i do go to the one in Gainesville quite a bit and I don't think it's a expensive. I got a California roll and the Surf and Turf roll. It was good but not my favorite. We shared a saki sampler, very interesting that I enjoyed the cheapest sake the best. I also got a cucumber vodka martini and that was 5 stars. My hubby had this ramen noodle dish with chunks of yummy pork in it and OMG that was rocking and that alone was 5 stars. The atmophere is 5 stars and I will be back to this overpriced place b/c it has a great bar atmopshere. When I come back then I will do a new review based on that experience alone. For now it's a 3, b/c when I want sushi I am thinking of something else instead, like Nagoya down the street.
(3)
Penny B.
I agree with the review below. It's one of the best sushi places in Orlando. The sushi is fresh and plated well. The ambiance is more like an upscale restaurant: modern-chic decorations. Waitstaff was prompt and friendly. We ate: Appetizer- Butter sauteed edamame (with togarashi, sea salt and bonito flakes) which was good with a little kick to it. Entrees- Spicy King crab hot pot (which was excellent- you'll love this if you like kimchee) and the Big Boss roll (fresh and flavorful!) Dessert- didn't get it this time...but the green tea creme brulee sounds tempting. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Steve A.
Good sushi in a trendy upscale environment that seems more like LA than Orlando. I've had better robata in Tokyo, but the sauces served with it here are fantastic. We like to sit in the bar, which is a bit more intimate than the bustling restaurant, and still offers the full menu.
(4)
OrlandoGirl F.
as usual the food was wonderful, but what happened when we first arrived really annoyed me. We had a reservation for 7:00. The gentleman at the front desk told us it would be just a minute as they were cleaning the table and asked us to step to the side. The place was only about 25% full. A table of 4 came in, they were seated. A table of 2 came in, they were seated. Once we had stood there for 15 minutes, I asked him if they had forgotten about us. He said no, they were cleaning the table and would be with us in a minute. I responded that the place was mostly empty so I didn't understand why he couldn't seat us in one of the tables in the middle of the restaurant. He said those were saved for other parties. Um, I have a reservation and have been standing there for about 20 minutes. Shouldn't one of them be saved for me? Finally we were taken to a table. The high top tables had no back support to them. I asked for a different table because i needed back support and was told there were no other tables! Seriously?? I counted at least 6 tables that were empty! I thought you tried to make the customer happy? Apparently not here.
(3)
Evelyn F.
My friends and I go out on birthdays to a restaurant of their choice. The Via Dellagio Way has a host of fine restaurants, and we had eaten at Flemings, a wonderful restaurant, a few months prior. This time a friend suggested Dragonfly for her birthday choice. I was impressed with the atmosphere. The menu is extensive and has a huge sushi selection. We never had sushi and the waitress tried to persuade us to try it but we chose the regular selection. I selected the spinach salad which was very good and the rib entree was excellent. I also tried the asparagus wrapped in bacon, which I highly recommend. The only "fly in the ointment"...our server kept after us to try a sushi so I asked her if she could offer a "sample" (which we thought was a small taste without charge)...she said she would bring us a "mystery" dish and would not tell us what it is until we finished. Out came two small round slices of something and bowl of rice. We took a small bite and it tasted "slimy" but not wanting to seem impolite, we slowly masticated it. When she returned, she told us it as "EEL", yaach! We were presented with a bill for it for $10...while not high but for something so distasteful, it was! Therefore the 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Scott L.
Great Sushi and excellent service. I visited recently with my wife. She is not a big sushi fan, but she loved everything that we tried. Dragonfly serves everything tapas style (there really are no entrees except perhaps a ribeye plate). I had the Bahama Mama roll, the Spicy Tuna Roll, and the Surf and Turf Roll. All of them were very fresh and flavorful. Our server was excellent, and the rest of the staff was pleasant and helpful. The atmosphere was casual but classy. It was a little dark, and difficult to read the menu, but my server stepped up with some excellent suggestions. We has a bottle of Sake that was a nice compliment to the food. I had a few Sapporo's which also went down pretty easy. I didn't see the bill, but the menu prices did not seem outrageous (and I have seen outrageous at sushi bars). If you like sushi, I cannot imagine you will be disappointed here. If you are not a sushi fan, you may be pleasantly surprised by this place.
(5)
Thomas B.
Best sushi in or around Orlando. I'm still thinking about the Wagyu beef.
(5)
Ela O.
The skewers off the grill were amazing. As was the spicy edamame; really made it unique from the typical edamame appetizer. We also had the tuna tataki which was simple but fresh. Also the drinks were amazing. I had the mo o-Jo mojito which I want to now replicate and make at home as one of my new favorite drinks. The sushi was good but not the best part of he meal. I love sushi and I've been to many places. I would still recommend this place for just sushi if that's what you want but their specialities off the grill and apps were so good that I feel like you would be missing out if you didn't try them. The only thing we didn't really like were the scallops in the skewers. They serve them with the tentacles, apparently more Japanese authentic. They were ok but a little weird and not the usual delicious flavor. Overall though, we loved the food, atmosphere and service. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Tasha D.
I enjoyed the various meats and veggies that I ordered, which were BBQ'd at a super hot temperature and then brought out. Those were really good. The wine list was ok. I thought everything veered towards extremely overpriced. The green tea creme brulee was absolutely out of this world amazing. I was blow away by it. Nom nom nom.
(3)
Veronica D.
My hubby and I first tried Dragonfly in Gainsville, I was excited to here that they had expanded to Orlando area. The restaurant is a beautiful, trendy, upscale, sushi lounge located in the Dellagio Town Center in the Sandlake Road area. A great alternative to the cheesy tourist traps in Orlando. We arrived a couple minutes late, our table was ready immediately. Our waitress was great, quick and on point. The food was YUM! Hands down the best Sushi rolls I have ever had. We ordered the spicy edamame, dragonfly roll ( the best!), crispy crunch roll ,short ribs, black and bleu roll, the surf and turf roll, 2 bottles of Saki and the tempura crunch cheesecake. The food & saki was AMAZING!!!!! Definitely coming back next time we are in the Orlando area. I loved it!
(5)
Yalin L.
Pretty good restaurant I really like the non alcohol beer and the spicy tuna sashimi and the cherry lychee cobbler dessert.
(5)
Sam C.
This is a pretty darn good establishment. The price is variable as some asian tapas are very generous and inexpensive ($8 crab fried rice) while some are high end ($18 black cod). The food is always good, views are great on the veranda, and the servers are friendly. The happy hour drinks and food specials reduce the cost. All-in-all delicious and fun. I think the reasonable food items are a way to get one in the door and then if you are like me you can't resist a pro-made $10 Smokey Old Fashioned, but I am weak for bourbon.
(4)
Dianna C.
My amazing boyfriend decided to take me to Dragonfly a few weeks ago. I had heard about it before, but never tried it. I avoid going to that plaza in general because I detest the layout and the nonsensical parking garage! Moving on, since I had zero expectations about what this place would be like, I was blown away by the trendy, hip, modern decor. I hadn't even looked at the menu and I was already a happy camper. After we waited in a cozy seating area across from the bar for about 15 minutes, we were escorted to our table, which happened to be right in front of the sushi bar/open kitchen area. I liked the spot. It was cozy and a little private too, since there was a wall to the right of our table separating our area from the rest of the dining room. When our waiter arrived I just couldn't understand a word he said. His words went inside his mouth instead of coming out, it's hard to explain, but let's just say all this guy heard from me all night was "huh?" and "I'm sorry?". We had a hard time deciding what we wanted because aside from the sushi and the rolls, they don't really have entrees, only small dishes to be shared tapas style. We ended up going for the crunch roll, the something else roll (that's not really the name, I just can't remember it right now, but if you go through my pictures you'll see it on the caption of the photo), the salmon risotto and the smoked eel. Oh yeah, we also ordered two Banzai Saketinis (made plum sake). When our drinks arrived I was SOOO pleasantly surprised by the taste of it! I was expecting the harsh strong taste of sake , and instead my mouth was invaded by this crisp sweet delicious liquid that danced around my mouth and traveled down my throat ever so smoothly! I was a happy camper x 2! Let me wrap this up by judging each of our dishes: Smoked eel: Very good, but overpriced! You're paying $12 for these 2 little things of eel with whatever else on the bottom of it. I had a bite and I let my boyfriend enjoy the rest. Crunch roll: Awesome, crispy, fresh, tasty. I want some right now. Ah, remembered the name of the other roll, it's called Lava Roll: also very delicious. My boyfriend preferred the Crunch Roll, but I though they were equally delicious. Salmon Risotto: AMAZING. My mouth is watering as I write this and remember how amazing that first bite was. Such a surprise. I would go back just to have that again! Towards the end of the meal we received a quick tip from Colleen after she saw our check in and we ordered one more drink, the Cucumber Vodka Martini. It was pretty delicious, almost like drinking a salad, a delicious salad. My boyfriend did not enjoy when the slice of cucumber hit his lips, but that's just him being fussy (Sorry love :-D ). In short, I want to go back! I loved the whole experience and more importantly, my amazing company!!!
(5)
Billy O.
I really like this place during happy hour. The food and drinks are cheap and they have a pretty good selection for the happy hour menu. And tasty!! This is the only location in town or in Florida that I know of that actually serves robatayaki and open bao buns. You don't understand, I've never had these things but in NY or CA in the states. So great job guys!! for offering something different in Orlando when it comes to Asian food. Maybe you guys can start offering a noodle bar like momofuku? I do love me some ramen. And I will be a very loyal customer. lol
(4)
David K.
'Ferrow' Yelpers, This past weekend I decided to take my wonderful Girlfriend to Dragonfly. I had been at this place before but the previous company comes up very short to the current company (see the beauty in my photos). Enough "white-knighting" though and onto the review... After parking in the most ridiculous garage in Orlando we made our way to this restaurant which up until recently only had one location in Gainesville (I think). Upon entering we were told there was a 20-25 minute wait for a table for two. This was more than okay because there is an awesome lounge area for patrons to socialize while they wait (or make out like we did, high school style). There was quite an interesting mix of people that night at this location, frat-boy galore and an entire manicure salon amongst other stand-outs. We were sat in a cozy two seater right next to the sushi bar (see my photos). We were welcomed by a waiter who did not enunciate very well which meant I had to utilize my amazing lip reading skills, which clearly lack in the area of reading actual moving lips. My love and I ordered some Saketinis (see my photos) to start off the night. That is a Martini consisting of Sake for those who are, well, idiots. We ordered the Bonzai Saketini and the Cucumber Compulsion Martini. Both drinks were very refreshing and tasted really good. The Bonzai had a prune dropped at the very bottom of the drink adding a distinct taste and the Cucumber Compulsion had well, a slice of cucumber in some vodka which made the drink very refreshing (Thanks Colleen for the recommendation to my girlfriend!). Unfortunately when the cucumber hit my mouth I was disgusted (No offense Colleen). The ambiance here was very nice and I even told my girlfriend that some of the decor would look good in a bedroom. Yes, it was a sexy decor, and yes, I am very sexy. We then ordered the Risotto, the Crunch Roll, the Lava Roll and the Smoked Eel (see my photos). The Risotto was probably one of the best I have ever had aside from the Risotto I ate at a five star hotel in Berlin last year. My girlfriend L-O-V-E-D the risotto and said she'd come back just for that. The Crunch roll was extremely good, and just as the name implies...prepare for the obvious...captain obvious...it was crunchy. I also recommend the Lava Roll which comes topped off with Scallops. These were all very well put together and very good. Finally, the Smoked Eel decided to show up late to the party. It was like that self-important snob who wants to make an entrance and falls short of impressing others. It tasted good but when I saw its price, it immediately tasted like caca, poop, dookie or a variation thereof. All pomp, zero circumstance. Overall, I was very satisfied with this dinner. Nay, extremely satisfied and probably will return here often. It was a great meal, everything tasted great (yes, even the Eel, I was just being cheap). Go here and have a wonderful evening!! Ladies Night on Saturdays!! Dewa mata!!
(5)
christian C.
Um, 4 stars - really? The sushi was just average at best (had Hamachi, Unagi and spicy tuna). The "heirloom tomato" salad was a bunch of halved cherry tomatoes with some cucumber slices. That wasn't too special. The waiter really struggled, especially odd for a Tuesday night that wasn't very busy. He messed up drink orders, salad orders, needed to be told which type of fish the unagi is, you name it. No one was offended or upset, but also certainly not impressed with the experience in anyway. Now that I write out this recollection, I'm wondering if 2 stars is too generous...
(2)
Antony C.
I would have liked to given 4 stars, but felt it was overpriced. A pair of nigiri ran $5. I thought the quality was very good but not excellent, so not commanding the price premium. I split the Tonbo special platter with a friend. It was a nice assortment of sushi, sashimi, rolls and maki. Just not a lot of food their for the price. I think you were paying more for the atmosphere and service. The ambiance and design was awesome. It had this contemporary Asian fusion flare. Service was outstanding. Drinks were always filled. Server checked back in a timely manner. I'd probably go back for happy hour and to hang out.
(3)
Stink C.
The favoring of the signature sashimi dish is non traditional. They are exceptional. The seasoning enhances the favor of the fresh fish.
(5)
Nofe K.
I loved this place. The sushi was great. I recommend the "Crunch" maki. The shrimps was delicious too. The waiter was so friendly as well as the rest of the staff.
(5)
James T.
Super good martinis - especially the sumo smash. Great rolls - Slammin Salmon and Florida Roll are my favorites. Miso also great. A must try are the wagu sliders for happy hour. Wonderful service also!
(5)
Rick D.
One of the best sushi restaurants in Orlando. The only other location that comes close is Shari Sushi. I have been to the Gainesville location numerous times and enjoyed every visit. Their Orlando location is just as good. I would recommend anything on the menu. It all taste great.
I am a huge foodie and I love to find new restaurants so we tried Dragonfly for the first time this Christmas week. Let's just say that I was blown away in all aspects. The decor of the place is quite chic; the service was very attentive; and the food was fresh and very inventive. We had 5 fabulous sushi rolls - Big Boss; Cobra Cai; Fire Me Up Wasabi; Spicy Tuna; and for the life of me I cannot remember the last roll. Not because it wasn't spectacular but rather the name eludes me. Everything was outstanding. My parents took advantage of the Happy Hour menu - select items (food and drink) for $6. My mother had the salmon risotto and it was outstanding!!! A huge bowl of perfectly cooked risotto with moist wild salmon on the top. It was unbelievable! It was so good that I would contemplate passing on the sushi to have this risotto. Anyway, this is definitely a place to go while in the Dr. Phillips area if you want good sushi in a nice atmosphere.
(5)
Tiffany I.
Not the best sushi we have had, not the worst either. It was ok. They had interesting combinations of rolls. The conch roll was good. Black and bleu was also good, very different combination with ribeye instead of fish; although I didnt like the seaweed it was wrapped in. Had a samurai drink that was good. Service was less than mediocre. Won't be going back.
(2)
Aurora N.
Holy shit Dragonfly....we were impressed! That doesn't happen too often, especially when sushi is concerned. My still absolute favourite (worth flying on a plane to go there) sushi restaurant is Tri Express in Montreal, but Dragonfly you've got it going on. After a long day at Islands of Adventure we were ready for some good eating. There were six of us and we ended up ordering family style. Although a few of the flavour combinations were a little too bizarre even for me, we devoured almost everything. My boyfriend started off with a ginger salad and the Wagyu Ribeye iff the robata grill. I had the Yellowtail with Ginger-Scallion (not my favourite but the rolls more than made up for it). For the rolls: The Bomb (amazing) Lobster Roll (Very decadent...but little too rich for my taste) Lava (Yum!) Japan Roll (You can really taste the smokiness from the torched togarashi butter) We had about 4 or 5 more rolls but at this point I was in a sushi coma.
(5)
Alex E.
We had good service at the bar during happy hour today. The cocktails were tasty and well-priced. All the happy hour food specials are well-priced and they have a great variety. We ordered steamed buns with short rib and braised pork that were tasty and well-executed. We also ordered a couple handrolls. The wife got a spicy salmon handroll and was very happy that it wasn't spicy mayo overpowering everything, rather it's a light spicy dressing. I ordered a soft shell crab handroll and was happy to taste that the crab had been (I think) grilled and had a nice char taste to it. Unique and pleasant. The highlight was the ramen. It was simply outstanding. Do yourself a favor and try it.
(4)
Keelan P.
Bacon wrapped asparagus. Cobra Kai. So many favors. Miso Yaki black cod. Seared butterfish sashimi. Yellowtail w ginger scallion. AMAZING.
(5)
J G.
Awesome food, very nice modern/relaxed indoor and outdoor ambiance. The menu is organized into small plates so get about 3 per person for dinner and share everything. The food here is really good but the happy hour is killer. $6 drinks and plates for this quality is kind of incredible. Recommend happy hour: box sushi, chicken skewers, sliders. Recommended menu: pork belly, mushroom risotto.
(5)
Tara K.
This place is great! They have a wonderful selection of sushi. I am allergic to shellfish and they are very accommodating and substituted crab and shrimp in a couple rolls we wanted. The service was great too. I will definitely go back!
(4)
Richard B.
Another great place on Restaurant Row I've been here 3 times now and have had the same great experience each time. Very good sushi and sashimi. We also have tried the bacon wrapped vegitables from the grill. Yes "Bacon Wrapped", enough said. They were fantastic! Also love the special edamame. Nice romantic style atmosphere. Very good service.
(5)
James A.
Absolutely excellent! Everything was delicious! Best sushi in Orlando and great ambiance!
(5)
Angel J.
ahhhhhhh... as good as it gets. This is a must stop when I return to Orlando. Can't there be one in Los Angeles? PLEASE!
(5)
Michael W.
WOW! Dragonfly is a beautiful Japanese gem located in the Dr. Phillips area. The food is excellent here! I had the Shari Risotto, Krispy Krunch Roll, Black Dragon Roll and the Dragonfly Roll. The Dragonfly Roll is encased with cooked Grouper! Delicious! The Black Dragon Roll, which is soft shell crab with snow crab and eel, was amazing as well. The Krispy Krunch Roll and Shari Risotto are part of their daily happy hour which runs from 5-7 p.m. You can check out the rest of their menu and happy hour specials here: dragonflyorlando.com/hap… Dragonfly's atmosphere is very chic and posh! Love it! Definitely not your typical Japanese restaurant. The service was flawless. Van took care of us and he explained the menu and their Robata Grill which is a 1000 degree grill, pretty neat! The whole time he ensured we were comfortable and not once did I feel pressured to order something or felt like I was being upsold. Excellent service!
(5)
Jason W.
It was a good experience with superb service, but the food made my stomach upset. It was also rather expensive. The hamachi kama was normal, the U-10 tiger shrimp was decent but certainly not the best thing on the menu as the waiter suggested. The Tuna Kobachi actually tasted decent but I believe this dish made me sick later that night. I've recently become sensitive to smashed up tuna left overs like this dish. The Dragonfly roll was decent but sauced a little too much.
Really good sushi. Probably one of the best I've had in Florida. Try the bomb roll it is pretty out of this world. The big boss and kobra Kai were great. The best IMO though was the European trance roll. It was melt in your mouth goodness.
(5)
Nathan A.
Elegant atmosphere and sushi with the quality of restaurants twice as expensive. Drink mixology is great as well. I had a gin martini with ginger that was great. Only miss was the king crab hot pot. This was really good but all it was was oriental ramen noodles with king crab whose flavor was muted by the spicy soup.
(5)
Ayaz A.
I was in Orlando last weekend and yelped the neighborhood to see if there was a good sushi place nearby. Dargonfly more than lived up to the recommendations. I'm definitely going back next time I am in the area.
(5)
Jay C.
Pretty good sushi although not comparable to sushi yasuda in manhattan. Location is weird (-1 star) A bit off the main road so getting a cab took a while. Probably the best bloody Mary drink in town!
(3)
Jacqueline E.
It was my significant other's 50th birthday. He had been telling me about a restaurant at Florida Mall which had small dishes that you paid for pretty much by the honor system of colored plates. His only reservation about the place was its openness to the rest of the mall, how people might skip out without paying. I did my research, kept coming up with Dragonfly, which should be no surprise as they are my familars, wherever I go during the day, dragonflys will hover & zoom around me. My current Kia is named Sapphire Dragonfly. We went to FL mall first on his insistance that he had seen his restaurant with food sent out on a belt chain system, that he had seen it open, even though I couldn't find a working phone. All the way into the left center of the mall, & for a recent leg grafted disabled Vet, that was a LOT of walking, until we got to the location & found it. Abandoned. Cables pulled out of power, lonely, empty, still. We looked at each other as it was now 8:30pm & I said: "We still have Dragonfly!" I have sent him the link so many times; that it is resident in my phone, especially the graphic full menu. So back to the hot parking lot from the sub freezing mall, on the phone to a most gracious hostess who kept trying to boost our party to 4, but alas only the 2 of us for 9:15pm. However I hadn't counted on the steps from the parking garage or the labyrinth once we got to the top. I would very much ask that you lay in a couple of maps at the parking garage entrances to stairs or elevator, so that people parking, can do so in an advantageous way. It would have been much easier to have a map by the elevator which we never found, or once past the stairs(!) Which once I made it to the top of them, we, of course, walked a long way, the wrong way first. My birthday is in December, however, I can't wait that long! Round 2 will be in September with on or more friends...I'm already slathering at the idea of crispy pig ears, fish collar & the brussels sprouts to name a few. ***++***++**+++***++***++ Excellent restaurant for a grown up celebration. Main dining rooms are a bit too loud if crowded. A few more soft ceiling panels & seat backs could buffer. Both my 1st star & the birthday guy's 1st star dish was the same. Crispy Pig ears sliced & flash wokk'd were the stars of our meal, drink with an ice cold selection of beer or a sparkling equivalent.They were like lightly salted, crispy, porky potato chips. Aim for the dark completely almost burnt ones. The less done ones were chewier but not as "crunchelicious" to borrow a term. Addictive! He had them with the Lychii/sake cocktail. First time he's ordered two drinks in one meal in a long time. They helped to completely clean his palate between each of the flavor explosions that came his way. I used a combination of stealing his pickled ginger, & requesting even more, plus the excellent matcha green tea to do the same for me. Each plate except for the soup & most of the sushi, otherwise came as 2 skewers with intensly flavored morsels on them, enough to be shared, maybe with a dipping sauce plus an accompanying vegetable. Eat it all, & only 4 dishes - some split, some not, will fill you up. His 2nd star goes to miso broth with clams. The highly flavored broth was intense without being salty. As we were both from Long Island, NY, Little Neck.Clams made the soup not only briney & more flavorful, it made it personal. I was lucky to get a slurp. My significant's 3rd star went to the Robata Ika whole Squid 2 ways. My 2nd star was for the fried tenticles with the spicy mayonnaise & mixed dried condiment & he so loved the robata grilled sliced ring body with vegetable that after one taste, he would no longer share! My 3rd star was for male & female robata scallops, with butter braised mushrooms. Two totally different tastes with multiple textures. That was hard to give away half of. But our combined 4th star in a meal of 8 plates definitely went to the bacon wrapped asparagus tips. He wasn't expecting the contextural & taste contrasts of fresh green with smoked bacon crunchiness, with the mouth feel of meat/vegetable. I'm glad that we were able to split those. I also shared my crispy pork cheeks, & he waved the Angus beef in my direction. Somehow I missed ordering the flash fried brussels sprouts & the robata fish collar... We both wanted some kind of vaguely cake like finish (birthday cake) but with menu offerings, it was not to be. Was hoping for a Robata grilled banana/ pineapple/mango offering, perhaps then brought to table, sliced & flambe'ed with a dessert or plum wine & ladeled over a trio of green tea, ginger & red bean ice creams served on a diamond of banana leaf. It could have been served over thick slices of Japanese Milk bread or even sweet white sticky rice & would have been awesome. Don't take the kids. Its only open from 5 to 10 weekdays & 5 to 11 on weekends. Its an adult thing. Beautiful, edgy, excellent, a little loud. Go.
(5)
Regina K.
Happy hour here is definitely a win. This place is a little pricey compared to the other sushi spots on Sand Lake road (Amura, Seito, and Nagoya) so it kind of gets overlooked. Happy hour here though is one of the best in Dr. Phillips. Wines and cocktails run about $6 and so do most of the bites which are just has great as they are during dinner. My must tries: Pork belly buns Crunch roll Shiitake spinach salad DIY sushi roll
(4)
Christina G.
This was a good 40 minutes away from our hotel, but close to the Universal parks. I wanted to eat here so badly I totally went to the nearby outlets and bought an outfit, so I could change out of the sloppy, rumpled shorts and tee I'd been sporting around the park all day. Glad I did! The ambiance is very chi-chi. I was craving sushi; but had not experienced robata grill before. So we got the bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms from the grill as well as 4 rolls of sushi. Oh man -- that grill. It's magical! I could still taste the delicious grilled charcoal flavor long after I ate those mushrooms. I'm not even much of a grilled-food gal (we're like the only Americans who don't own a grill in the backyard); but this was a game-changer for me. If i were to do it again, I probably wouldn't pick the mushrooms... they didn't stay wrapped in the bacon well, so it was tough to get all the goodness, with stringy mushrooms falling out all over the place. The accompanying dipping sauces were also revelational. Of the sushi rolls, my husband enjoyed the trademark Dragonfly the most. My favorite was the Mango Tango -- very unusual from any roll I've had. It almost tasted like cheesecake at first. But the taste grew on me, the more I had. Both of those rolls are fairly un-sushi like... baked and/or wrapped or covered in lots of non-traditional elements. We also did two of the simpler maki -- the Tri-Me and KamaCrazy. Both fresh. When paying, Phil commented that he thought the total was "a steal" for the amount of food we got. We do hail from a place with lots of Buy One, Get One sushi joints, that admittedly come out far cheaper. But for the quality of fish, quantity of food, and intimate date-night atmosphere, the price tag here is definitely reasonable.
(4)
Ting W.
If you want an upscale place to take a person out on a date, this is the place! The ambiance and decor is modern and chic with a twist of Japanese pub culture. I had a party of 8people and we were sectioned off in a VIP room. The decor and setting makes it a cozy place to enjoy a get together for sharing tapas style dishes and enjoy your drink on a night out. Although, it was packed there are still some lounge room area that you can sit as well as a gorgeous patio area. They serve a variety of tapas styled robatayaki dishes, sashimi, sushi rolls, and nigiri options. It's a bit pricy on the side, but I definitely don't mind going back. I ordered the chicken breast fro the Robata Grill section which was served skewer style. It came with three seasoned sauces and the chicken was tender and not dry. You could definitely taste the charcoal fired flavors that enhances the meat. I also ordered the Risotto with Loch Duart Salmon mixed with shemiji mushrooms & cilantro, made with white miso, shallots, garlic, mascarpone & finished with scallions. It was so good. Enough to fill me up! Creamy risotto with a hint of sesame oil and the salmon was in small pieces. I want to go back to try their happy hour menu!
(4)
Ron B.
This is my favorite Japanese Restaurant in the Orlando Area. I have had Japanese food in NYC, LA, and Las Vegas and this is still one of my favorites! The food, service, and ambience are fantastic! Here are some of my favorite dishes: Dragonfly Roll, Yellowtail Collar, Kalbi Beef, Tuna Kobachi, and Lava Roll. I recommend eating at 8:30PM: the service is better than 7:00 because the restaurant is less crowded.
(5)
Tatiana B.
Cucumber Martini + Salmon risotto = WIN! The cucumber martini from this place got me hooked! Now, everywhere I go if there is a cocktail with cucumber, I have to get it. I really like this place. The decor and ambiance is kind of upscale but still very cool. The salmon risotto is TO DIE FOR! So much better than the rolls. The risotto has numerous pieces of cooked salmon, mushrooms, cilantro, shallots, garlic and everything is mixed in with mascarpone cheese which gives you a whole lot of creamy deliciousness. The fish here is always very fresh so yellowtail and salmon sashimis are always a must for us. As far as the rolls, the Big Boss, the Bomb, and Mango Tango. My BF favorites are the Cobra Kai and the Slammin Salmon. These are all really good and really big rolls so plan to share.
(4)
Missy C.
Good quality fish, ample serving sizes. They just changed menu. New menu has less sushi options. Miso soup delicious and fresh. Service good. Drinks, meh.
(3)
Lanhy N.
Dragonfly sushi is probably my all time favorite sushi restaurants- I have been to many cities and tried LOTS of sushi restaurants and Dragonfly continues to be my favorite. The atmosphere here is perfect for dates, girls' nights, casual or business dinners, ANY event. It is a place that you want to dress up to go to. Their happy hours (5-7 M-F) are good for wines but the food menu is lacking- not enough food options and the current options are not very good. Some must tries: Buttered Edamami Dragnofly roll Cobra Kai roll The Bomb Mango Tango Deserts: Fried ice cream Green Tea Creme Brulee
(5)
Vince S.
Me and my girlfriend went to this restaurant before a show. I made reservation for 7pm. Upon arrival, there was a slight delay for us to be seated. The host was not very friendly. The lighting is a bit dark for my liking but it does provide a more romantic and intimate environment. We ordered 3 rolls: Dragonfly (their signature roll) recommend, Tri-Me (tuna, izumedai & salmon) taste better with sriracha sauce Mango Tango (salmon with mango and peach apricot) average Dessert: Green tea tiramisu & green tea creme burlee Both were disappointment Service was prompt Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience but there are room for improvement.
(3)
John P.
Went back again last night and it was even better than the first time. Got to try all new items and they were all outstanding. Chef made us a special "spicy" roll and spicy it was. Had the asparagus wrapped in bacon again along with the grilled shrimp and scallops. Service was excellent and our waiter, David, was great. Make this a stop when you're in Orlando!
(4)
Cassie F.
I won't take up your time reading a repeat of other reviews ........ but I would like to add for all of those "old time" foodies who grew up w/ their parents or at least their grandparents having a coffee can of bacon fat sitting on the back of the stove so that you could dip into it and add a little heaven to anything that you were cooking - well those people will melt at the knees when they see on the menu " Crispy Black Pork Belly" on the menu. How could you not?!? Well let me tell you - it does not disappoint - for those of us who have cooked pork butt - or picnic - in the oven all day and then turned the oven on high for the last 20 minutes to make the pork fat crispy. And then - you don't let anyone in the kitchen while you are carving lest they see you consume all of that crispy fat goodness. Well then - this app is for you! And it's only three small pieces - so totally forgivable! OK - I realize I just lost quite a few readers - but those of you who told everyone you were viewing this with "OMG - that is disgusting" but secretly you were salivating - this is the real fat deal! Try it! If something like that is on the menu - you have to! And everything else we ordered - fell in line w/ all of the other reviews - a little pricey - so maybe not the "go to" place to eat - but on paydays - well worth the small up charge. Will def be back!
(5)
Michelle R.
I'm having a holiday party here in a couple weeks, so I went to check out the space and the menu - and I have to say, the service was great and the food was delicious, if not a bit on the pricey side (minus one star) for the portions of food you receive. admittedly, they preempt your ordering by saying the menu is 'tapas' style. overall, good experience, and really delicious!
(4)
J W.
Definitely not the greatest sushi, but not horrible either.
(3)
Arvee C.
Dragonfly, endearment and the bomb are all good.
(5)
Alley H.
Such a good choice! Needed a last minute restaurant reservation for 7 girls, they took us right away. Food was great. Salads are kind of small and pricey but the sushi was wonderful. I recommend the roll with the strawberries on top. Great service. If you're willing to dish out a little for dinner, you won't regret this classy place.
(5)
Tatiana S.
Excellent food and great ambiance!
(5)
Stephanie G.
Great place!! Awesome atmosphere and food. Highly recommend the spinach mushroom salad. Sushi is wonderful and great happy hour. We come here a lot with my 4 year old son- who today was sound asleep- the GM Dave hooked us up at the quiet end of the sushi bar, setup 2 chairs as a little bed for my sleeping son and hen went to the lounge took a small pillow and even covered it with a fresh linen napkin!! I mean really!! This was better service than we've had at the Ritz! I work in the restaurant industry and this is above anything I've experienced in a long while. Kudos to who ever hired Dave!!!
(4)
Grace W.
Hmmm...I don't know what the big fuss is about this place. DON'T let the nice classy neighborhood and decor fool you. It is a super classy restaurant, but the food should also be phenomenal to match that. My bf and I came here based on all these wonderful yelp reviews, but ended up extremely disappointed with unsatisfied appetites. We had the spicy roll with yellowtail, godzilla roll, and black n bleu. They were SO frickin' bland, the godzilla had too much cream cheese...and there was just nothing that stood out about them. The black n bleu was my least favorite. None of them captivated my attention or my taste buds. It felt like I was eating plain white rice with nothing else. We will not be back. But, the service was good, and there's a nice fountain outside of the restaurant.
(2)
Jamie C.
Great food. Horrible hostess. Ended up eating at the bar after waiting 2 hours. Was Told it would be 30 minutes.
(3)
Rachel S.
Decent sushi Great happy hour Really relaxed decor Open kitchen You can go casual or a little dressier and still be dressed appropriately. Nice little outdoor area.
(4)
Bettina T.
Menu items you have to try: Drink: Mo "J' Oj it's the best drink there! Appetizer: Butter Sauteed Edamame (pretty unhealthy but oh so delicious) Dinner: Shari Risotto & Crispy Black Pork Belly Sushi: The Dragonfly roll (It's their signature roll!) Trust me, I would never steer you wrong on these menu items, they are absolutely the best!
(5)
Mohammed O.
Food is excellent. The meat is tender and juicy. Sushi is fresh. Very nice ambience. Excellent service. Definitely will go back.
(5)
Desiree W.
The food is good and the atmosphere is, given the restaurant is in Dr. Phillips, but I feel the price is too expensive for the quality of sushi. Fuji sushi on Lee Rd and Arigato Sushi on Semoran blvd are WAY better for reasonable prices. Also, they have more selection! But, if you like ambiance, Dragonfly is ok.
(3)
A M.
I wish we tried more sushis and rolls here. A lot of people on Yelp spoke highly of Edamame. For that reason we decided to try it but we were not super excited about them. Seafood salad and Signature Dragonfly sushi was really unbelievable - they both are must to try and reorder again and again!
(5)
Aaron B.
Very impressive happy hour menu, 1st time i have been since i moved back to Dr. Phillips area. Had some little asian slider burgers and some yellowfin sushi, and of course saki but really a good place and looks like they are very busy which is a good sign.
(4)
Juliet D.
Nice atmosphere. Love the Dragon Fly roll.
(4)
Rees B.
Went here on a date last night and it was superb! The atmosphere reminds me very much of the standard "LA style" sushi restaurants so prevalent on the West Coast; very sleek, modern, elegant and understated without being too cold, stuffy or pretentious. The waitress was adorable and when she learned it was my first time here, she gave me the whole rundown of teh restaurant. As it says, it is Izakaya style which basically means it's a Spanish Tapas-esque (appetizer style meant to be shared) style. The showpiece of the menu is the Kobata grill (fueled by some special wood that burns without a flame at a ridiculously high heat), which sears the food but does not lend any of the smoky wood flavor common with other grilling styles. We shared the bacon wrapped asparagus, Shari risotto, Krispy Roll, Spicy Roll, the fatty tuna (I can never remember the Japanese name for it) nagiri, and the Kobata beef skewers. EVERYTHING was delicious and impeccably presented. The flavors from the grill were so clean and each ingredient was able to shine through. The three dipping sauces included added just enough flavor to take each of the dishes to a totally different direction depending on your mood. The waitress was very attentive (my glass never got empty, and i drink like a horse) and she was very knowledgable of the menu and techniques used in the preparation and cooking. We split a green tea creme brulee and let em tell you, it was excellent. The portion was larger 9again, intended for sharing), but we both agreed that we could easily polish one off on our own. This will certainly be a regular date night locale for us in the future.
(5)
Mike C.
Ill Keep this review short and sweet. The ambiance is nice. I was the first one in, when the doors opened at 5pm for happy hour. Took a seat at the bar. I looked around and saw modern dark colors with red drapes and flat screen tvs. The place is nice and spacious. My server was Micheline and she was quite attentive. I asked her if her or the other bartender were familiar with the Gainesville location and she said she hadn't been there personally, but that some of the staff that works in the kitchen here, moved down from Gainesville to open this place. I had the California Sawbuck Malbec wine with the Krispy Krunch roll and the Spicy Tuna. The red wine was nice and smooth and exceptionally good in my opinion. The sushi rolls were pretty good as well. I've had better sushi before, but this sushi was definitely up to par. Service was good, as I was addressed by my name toward the end of my dining experience which shows she cares about her job enough to remember names. I can't imagine how packed this place must be on Friday and Saturday nights. A girl at the bar on her computer on a skype date leads me to believe that there is wi-fi there. But don't take my word for it. Go yourself, and enjoy that sweet $6 happy hour special with select rolls, wines, and cocktails. Happy eating my fellow yelpers!.........So much for short and sweet...haha
(4)
Aldo F.
Arrived here about 7:00 o'clock on a friday night with no reservation and we surprisingly got a table immediately. Nice trendy contemporary decor and spacious, tables not crammed together it's always a plus. Our waitress was very nice and friendly but seemed kinda slow at times. To the food; as most sushi fanatics i ventured to this place with high expectations with all the hype it gets from here. Well, the sushi was mediocre, and i think anyone whos had good sushi will concur with that statement. their menu had maybe 4 specialty rolls that caught my attention, other than that i didn't see anything special that you wouldn't find at other local sushi spots. Def nothing to write home about, their taste was blend and for the most part nothing really tasted fresh imo. I will def not comeback here for the sushi. Now the ROBATA grill, that is another story! That was definitely the highlight of the night, it was absolutely delicious and made up for the crappy sushi. Flavors were intense and smoky. My wife thought some of the Robata dishes were a bit salty for her taste for but i had no complaints. It was right on my alley. I would def be back here to try more Robata grill dishes. Another fact worth mentioning is that the dishes in this place are TAPA style, so, expect small portions. I would have gave this place 4 stars but i agree with some of the fellow yelpers that prices are a on the steep side. That, plus my nice waitress forgot to bring the side sauces for the robata in our first round of dishes (Which I didn't even notice the were missing until the brought them with the second round of dishes) but then the waitress tried to cover up her mistake by lying and telling us that the first round of dishes already have the sauces "on them" so they didn't need them hahahha, we knew this was a lie. She could have been honest and tell the truth but then again it wasn't a big deal and she was pretty nice so we let it slide.
(3)
Phan T.
There's so much I can say about this restaurant that I do not know where to begin. I recently recommended this place to my cousin who came to visit and she said it was the best sushi she ever had! The price is high but you can expect that by the location and decor at this place. Very classy and a wonderful place to take a date. I went to UF in Gainesville so I know all about the original location there and the menu. Chef Ray is as good as it gets to a world class in the Kitchen. You have to try the Dragonfly roll and if you're a sashimi fan as am I, you have to go with the Baby Yellowtail Carpaccio. Enjoy and thank me later.
(5)
N T.
Service was good, didn't like my heirloom tomatoes salad, too sour. Dragonfly rolls were decent. Green tea creme brulee was excellent.
(3)
Melissa H.
Amazing! I had the dragonfly roll (house specialty) and its served warm....so good. The best cold roll was the bomb, seriously it was da bomb! The crab fried rice is the best fried rice ever invented. The black and blue roll was not my favorite (I prefer my beef well cooked) but hubby liked it. I tried the cucumber martini based on yelpers reviews and they were right, delish! The icing on the cake was the tempura fried cheesecake. It's was a perfect date night. Service was prompt, ambiance is hip and casual. A must try on restaurant row.
(5)
David M.
Dragonfly is a terrific addition to restaurant row and one that will last for years to come. I visited for the first time this evening and was pleasantly impressed by the dark wood meets modern look of the interior. My companion and I were quickly seated and chose to eat at the bar instead of a table. Service was quick, friendly efficient. Points to our server for asking us if we would prefer the house soy sauce or a lower sodium version and for offering several other sauces as well. I ordered yellowtail sashima ($6 for two large pieces) and the spicy tuna sashima ($6 for three large pieces). Both were fresh, tender and flavorful. The spicy tuna was my clear favorite as it packed a lot of flavor and had just the right amount of heat to compliment the fresh tuna. A definite winner. Having finished my protein, I ordered an avocado hosomaki (avocado rolled in rice and seawood). It was flavorful and an excellent way to cleanse my palate. My companion ordered a wild salmon hosomaki and a tuna hosomaki. He reported that both were excellent and closed off his meal with an equally well received octopus hosomaki. Having discovered Dragonfly, I will no longer visit Amura or Seito Sushi. Dragonfly is a winner.
(4)
Ahna K.
Visiting my family for the holidays, and went with my parents & brother. Being spoiled with really good Japanese options in the NYC area, I don't usually expect much from Japanese restaurants in other cities. Dragonfly is a good Japanese fusion restaurant. This is my 2nd time here and the restaurant is packed both times I visited. Their strength is definitely with the cooked items on the menu. Sushi is mediocre, and won't recommend. Portions are served tapas style and best enjoyed when shared. Must-tries: Braised Short Ribs Miso Yaki Black Cod Crispy Black Pork Belly (served with medium soft bolied egg) Agedashi Tofu Service was good. Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Lauren B.
I have to say I am not a huge fan of the Orlando DF location. Having gone to school in Gainesville, I was always a HUGE fan of the Dragon Fly there. So I figured I'd like to Orlando one as well, but having been there twice now I am really unimpressed. I will say, it might be worth the trip just to try the Buttered Edamame which is probably the most amazing edamame I've ever had. I've also tried several items off the Robato Grill which gives the food an interesting flavor but it's nothing special really. I've tried a few of the rolls which are solid of course, but I feel that it's pretty overpriced for what you get. If you have a chance, try the location in Gainesville but this one is ok if you are looking for a swanky place to eat expensive sushi and fancy cocktails.
(3)
Basil A.
I try to like this place, but I just can't. The service has always been good, but it's the sushi I can't get myself to like. I mean it's good, but for the price it can be better. I can think of several places in Orlando I would rather go to.
(2)
Tedd S.
I attended last nights Ladies Night event 11P-3A...As I walked into a very cool vibe, I looked to my right and there on a bed of faux ice was a nekked Asian girl with a nice selection of sashimi on her stomach (or was it a nice stomach and sushi ;o)...she had strategically placed lotus blossoms for her "Naked Sushi" display. This is an awesome concept...in my mind it set's the pace for greater things. Everyone was having a blast - LOVE the house music. At the corner of the bar was the brightest candle in the room. I had the cucumber-infused vodka and flipped! Dragonfly is an inner-stellar example of the Orlando dining scene where the beautiful people go to play...I met Stephen, he was most helpful and the epitome of professionalism and restaurant knowledge. Mark DragonFly on your calendar - and then get your ass over there!
(4)
Rebecca L.
My husband and I were in Orlando for the Disney 1/2 Marathon on 1/7/12 and I had a hankering for sushi after the race. We did some digging around for something rated well and figured we would try Dragonfly. We're glad we did! We made a reservation via Opentable for 9pm - unfortunately the table wasn't ready for us despite the place not being terribly crowded. No big deal. We hung out at the bar and enjoyed some Soporro and Kirin on tap (heck yeah). Once we were seated, service was pretty good. The waitress explained the menu and we ended up order the following: Buttered Sauteed Edamame - DELICIOUS! The flavor was different and the bonito flakes greatly enhanced the presentation and taste. Robata Asparagus and Bacon - We decided that we would eat this all day everyday. Portion was good considering the price. Maguro Shashimi - melt in your mouth tuna. Kamacrazy Roll - we both enjoyed this roll. Nothing really stood out about it, just tasted better than the Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai Roll - meh. The salmon was fresh and the hit of lemon was nice, but overall the roll was kind of boring. If we ever find ourselves in Orlando again, we'd definitely visit.
(4)
Dina N.
Great place. Very trendy decor and yummy food. They have a lot to choose from. The portions are tapas style and perfect for sharing. I would suggest trying something off the Robata Grill, a special grill flown in from Japan. The chicken thigh was delish. The Orange Yuzu sauce was my favorite. The sashimi is also very fresh. Good service as well. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Audrey N.
I came here based on the reviews. Hrm, California sushi way better than Florida sushi, that's for sure. We ordered the Miso Soup with Clams and the Ramen Noodles for appetizers. The ramen was much better tasting than the miso. I was quite disappointed with the miso. The texture and taste was all wrong! For our rolls, we ordered the Surf n Turf, Black Dragon and one other. I thought the Surf n Turf was alright. The roll was a little too full/big? It made me not want to finish it? I also ordered myself a salmon nigiri. The salmon was definitely lacking, it was THINLY sliced. It didn't taste fresh either. The other rolls from what my friends say, were tasty. But due to my rather not so good rolls, I didn't feel like trying theirs. Maybe before I leave, I'll give sushi another try.
(3)
Martin B.
Trendy sushi restaurant with a great atmosphere in the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake area. Located in the Dellagio Town Center. Fairly good service. The staff and bartenders are knowledgeable in their wine and cocktails. Do a few sake bombs to stir up the place. Try their Robata Grill items or their Seafood and Meats (my favorite items if you decide not to get any of their rolls). I would recommend their dragonfly roll for a hearty and flavorful change from your ordinary rolls. They are a bit pricey but the quality and service is better than most other restaurants ou there. Large groups are welcome...better for small parties however. Request sitting outside if the weather is comfortable. Overall one of Orlando's top sushi restaurants in my opinion.
(4)
Bobby P.
Might be the best sushi in town. Definitely the one with the coolest atmosphere.
(5)
Scott J.
When I heard that a popular Gainesville sushi restaurant was opening an outpost on Restaurant Row, I had an immediate picture of what it would be. I had not been to the original Dragonfly, but I supposed it would be your basic compact-sized Japanese restaurant with counter seating and a few booths. Decorations would be the standard paper lanterns and banners with Japanese characters on them; maybe a couple of shoji screens. The menu, of course, would be the standard list of maki rolls and nigirizushi, served, naturally, with a bowl of miso soup. Boy, did I get it wrong. The Orlando Dragonfly not only offers an extensive sushi selection, it also has a full menu of dishes featuring meat, including wagyu beef, seafood and chicken, prepared in myriad levels of creativity, and served in a vast space that is modern and stylish. The food is also first-rate. You can read the complete review at my website.
(4)
Mary Jo P.
Sat at the outdoor bar for happy hour. Received a sticky, stained menu and we waited far too long to cash out. Everything in-between was pretty good. The Sumo Smash martini was excellent and the crunch roll awesome.
(4)
Betty V.
Came here on a recommendation from my cousin while visiting Orlando with some friends. Dragonfly is definitely one of those trendy, modern sushi restaurants. It seems on par to RA Sushi or Geisha House, with the pretty decorations and cool ambiance. After 10 pm, it closes its kitchen and becomes a lounge. Unfortunately, we were there on a Monday evening so it was pretty dead for a lounge. But the rolls were very unique and creative. We ordered all of these cool rolls like Mango Tango, Big Boss, Kamakrazy, Lava something something... All were delicious and flavorful. Our server was really laidback, helpful with recommendations, and made our dinner very pleasant. Would have loved to come back on a busier night, but it was a great dining experience overall!
(4)
Jen N.
A group of us came here last Friday for a surprise birthday dinner and it turned out to be a success! It was my first time visiting this Dragonfly location, as I've previously been to the original one while I attended UF in Gainesville. This Dragonfly is located in the beautiful Dellagio Town Center. The decor of the restaurant is stunning. Dark wood furniture and even lounge seating throughout, and outside of, the restaurant. I started dinner off with the Lychee Leung drink. There were pieces of lychee in the martini glass as well as basil seeds mixed in, making the drink a cloudy white color. It was tasty but a bit too strong for my liking. Three of us shared a couple of sushi rolls - Bahama Mama, The Dragonfly, Lava, and Union Street Station. All deeelicious, I might add!
(4)
Justin H.
Dragonfly is a great restaurant. Very hip decor and great food. A bit dark inside and the music is fairly loud, but it is beautiful overall inside. The food is great! The sushi here is really unique. The surf and Turf sushi is one of my favorite sushi rolls of all time. If you are looking for a different kind of sushi experience, this is the place to go. As well, the tempura is great and so is their 1000 degree grill. The scallops we got off it were ok, but the chicken was awesome. Would recommend it to anyone looking for new sushi experience.
(4)
Katrina P.
Favorite sushi in all Orlando. Its far for me and I'm lazy so the fact that I bypass all the rest of the restaurants to go here should say something. Great service, great sushi and great atmosphere! There's not much more I could ask for. A lot of specialty rolls that don't disappoint. I have been dying for some good quality sushi after coming back from Hawaii and was surprised when my boyfriend brought me here and I didn't leave craving sushi from miles away.
(5)
Erica S.
This spot is a little hard to find but that doesn't stop a crowd from forming and I totally get why--the food is good, the drinks are good, and it's a low-lit and sexy atmosphere. From the garlic edamame to the blackened pork belly with an egg and broth (best idea ever), to the Korean beef and the salmon roll, everything was good. We had to wait a little longer than expected for our table, but were able to find spots at the bar. The one thing I would have liked to have tried was sold out so I will have to come back to try the green tea creme brulee.
(4)
Kimberly N.
I came to Orlando on vacation for a couple of nights with my boyfriend and we were looking for a really good sushi place to eat at.. Omg did we find it ! Dragonfly is trendy and has amazing food. Everything was so delicious and full of flavors. We are from Miami and we eat sushi pretty often. Dragonfly is comparable to places we have been on south beach. Our server was courteous and very knowledge. We had the dragonfly roll (burst of flavors in your mouth), shari risotto (creamy deliciousness), godzilla roll (great presentation), and tender chicken skewers (cooked over charcoal). Wish they had one in Miami...
(5)
Todd G.
All flash no substance. Somewhere, somehow, someone became convinced that high prices will make people forget that your food is just so-so. There is a much better sushi restaurant just a few miles away right next to Sea World on Central Florida Parkway (Oishii) and several better ones downtown. This place looks trendy and is in Dr. Phillips (cue angels singing), but it's really just like any other mediocre sushi restaurant to which you've ever been. Almost every roll is $10+. . . which is fine, if the sushi was good. Cheapest red wine= $10. Small tuna appetizer which was barely enough for one +$14. This review comes from someone who does not mind paying a lot of money for good food -- but it must actually be good.
(2)
Laura R.
Best sushi and martini I've ever had!!! Thought I would find a place even better in Chicago when I moved last year. No place even compares to Dragonfly! Glad to be back home for a few days..hope to swing by. :)
(5)
Adam H.
Decent wines at an ok cost. Pork belly was ok, and the Robato grill was not bad. Try the black cod if you like buttery soft fish marinated in miso. Other redeeming qualities are the ambience and the sushi, which comes with three dipping sauces that are all good. Needs better dessert options and espresso.... C'mon really?
(3)
Dave G.
Great happy hour food. Fast becoming a weekend nightspot.
(5)
Keshar N.
Spicy. Raw. Fish. Those three words in any sentence would make whatever you were talking about sound delicious... but Dragonfly takes it to another level. Bob and I flew in to visit one of his oldest friends, and we were all bonded by a love of delicious food, and more importantly, seafood. Now, there are sushi places that are for the sushi elite, no muss no fuss and basically sashimi style sushi. Then there are those other sushi eaters that want all sorts of crazy ingredients in their roll and are cool with that. I am definitely the crazy roll type. I love sashimi style sushi, but I love it when chefs get creative with rolls and you end up eating (oh yes, this is at Dragonfly) a black and blue roll that has medium rare prime rib, horseradish and blue cheese in it... among other things. It sounds gross and weird, but it's like a tiny steakhouse in your mouth. All in all, between the 5 diners, we probably crushed 9 rolls of sushi. It was like armageddon at the table. Every single thing was eaten... with gusto. The entire meal was wonderful. Drinks, service, atmosphere, you name it. The place was awesome! Also, they had a sweet samurai sword on the wall that I was ogling, much to the waiter's content. If you find yourself in the Orlando area and want to eat something that does not have Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter or Jurassic Park next to the description of the meal, eat at Dragonfly, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Uyen D.
yummy sushi! I wouldn't consider it "real" Japanese sushi but their creative rolls are yummy. I love the godzilla roll and the shari risotto!!
(4)
Zulma G.
Loved it.
(5)
lore f.
Decor was trendy and nice without being pretentious. After a whole day out at the theme parks my bf and I wanted to enjoy a nice meal. Being from New York; I was a bit skeptical at how the sushi and asian cuisine would be in Orlando but I was thoroughly impressed. - Kimchi King Crab stew: good flavor if you enjoy kimchi stews, but a bit difficult getting the meat out of the shell - Skewers: loved the asparagus and steak. also ordered the scallops which were huge; but would prob order wagyu next time - Sushi / Sashimi: ordered dragon fly roll and uni nigiri. Next time I will definitely opt to order more sashimi + sushi. Great prices! - Dessert: green tea cremebrulee (its a bit wider dish, so you get more of the caramelized crust than the green tea pudding) - Pot of green tea for beverages as we were tired out; but the drinks look delicious! All this came out to bit under $100; and we were stuffed :o) Hope to visit again on my next trip to Orlando
(4)
Dale E.
I come to Orlando on business every few months and found this place on Yelp! Great sushi! Great soups! I had the ramen noodles tonight, a spicy tuna roll, and a smoked eel roll. The ramen noodles were great and the portion was huge. The spicy tuna roll was great. There was more tuna than rice!! Everyone was so nice.
(4)
G C.
One of our favorites for sushi...and not like they stop there. Fun atmosphere as well. The pork belly is excellent, I would go back for that before the sushi, even though the sushi was excellent. Service was sub-par, which is why it's getting a 3.
(3)
Pam S.
Delicious! Fresh and unique. Lovely atmospere.
(4)
Gary P.
Dragonfly is my new/current favorite restaurant in the Orlando area. It probably isn't for everyone, but if you like Japanese pub food (yakitori, sushi, rabata grilled meats and veggies) then you will love this place. The miso cod is the best thing on the menu. The mushrooms in foil are also excellent. Several good sushi rolls, especially the Dragonfly roll. Highly recommended.
(5)
L M.
Loved the food,sevice and the venue. Amura had finally got a run for its money. Try the green tea tiramisu!!
(5)
David L.
Great food. The sushi was fresh and the skewers were wonderful. Not inexpensive, especially if you are very hungry. More like $$$ not two.
(4)
Greg C.
Excellent service! Food quality is superb! The Toro melts in your mouth-Fresh!
(5)
Candace W.
Very nice ambiance. Its a trendy place, great for conversation not necessarily the food. The sushi was decent but pricey for the small portions. I was not impressed by this world famous robatta grill. Highlight of the night: the fried ice cream was very good!
(3)
Rania G.
This restaurant is the "sister" to Dragonfly Sushi in Gainesville, so I figured it had to be good. First of all, this restaurant is on Open Table, which I love because reservations are easy. When we walked in, the restaurant looked nice inside and the hostess greeted us promptly. Our waiter was excellent and went over the menu and his recommendations thoroughly but was not long winded. My friend and I came here specifically for sushi, but I had no idea there would be so many delicious-looking small plate, appetizer, and dinner options. I got "the bomb" sushi roll and a small ginger salad and miso soup. Everything tasted great. My friend got two sushi rolls and a noodle salad from one of the featured menus of the night, which was fantastic. This place is Asian inspired dishes for foodies - I loved the uniqueness of so many of the dishes and rolls, and there are so many things I still want to try now that I know they are more than just a sushi place. The only downfall of the night was the tough seaweed in the sushi. I'm not sure if this has happened to anyone else, but I had TWO I-almost-died-choking-on-seaweed-and-had-a-five-Âsecond-panic-in-silence-while-my-friend-kept-Âtalking-and-had-no-idea-I-wasn't-listening-Âbecause-I-was-dying moments. Definitely not enough to keep me away from coming back here again.
(4)
Lois L.
Delicious food Good Ambience Excellent service We did this thing where they bring out different dishes until we ask them to stop. Our waiter Shawn (don't know if that's spelled right) was really knowledgable about the dishes as well as drinks that go well with them. All the salads were fresh and the food came at a good pace. The rolls were good but not the best I've had. Overall I loved this restaurant including where it is located. We had some trouble finding it though.
(5)
Carol C.
Simply put - DELICIOUS! Everything was awesome. We ordered to go and my husband said this place was so busy he had to valet to grab my to go order. We moved further away but when in the area I will definitely be returning to this sushi spot.
(5)
Angelo R.
I found this decently rated sushi restaurant thru Yelp. Glad that I paid a visit even though it was not close to I-drive. It seemed that most Asian joints nearby the hotel were poorly rated so this was worth the drive. This was located in a nice shopping plaza called Dellagio. Arrived during happy hour so just sat at the bar. The bartender was very polite and enthusiastic. He really took the time explaining the dishes they serve. The restaurant was modern, plenty of tables w/ a large open kitchen. Started w/ their house cocktail called Sumo Smash. It's actually a Martini made w/ miller's gin, ginger, lime & mint. Quite refreshing but potent. For grub, I ordered 4 items from the happy hour bar menu. The Steam Buns were soft filled w/ nicely marinated juicy pork belly. Crunchy Roll had nice crunch and wasn't drowning in eel sauce. My favorite were the 2 Robata grilled skewers....bacon wrapped asparagus & bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms. Well, bacon makes everything better :) but these skewers were nicely grilled...not burnt. Really enjoyed the experience here. The service was great, food was prepped well and bill was less than $40 bucks for 2 drinks & 4 bar items (happy hour). I may have to come back to check out their full dining menu when I go back to Orlando :)
I was amazed at how this restaurant does so many dishes so right! The best dish I had was the Pork Ramen. Dragonfly outdoes most restaurants devoted to making ramen. Their broth was a perfect blend of salt, fat, meatiness, and spice. Bamboo, bok choy, seaweed, and pork added further flavors and textures that enhanced the deliciousness! Dragonfly's izakaya skewers are also masterfully done. The beef tongue was great quality and had an amazing char flavor. The squid was melt in your mouth tender, and the accompaniments of citrus salt and mayo allowed you to mix up flavors! The corn was amazingly sweet and savory, and the shishito peppers were fiery! The freshness of their sushi is not to be understated either. Their hamachi carpaccio really shows the chef's mastery of flavors and how to mix them. The Bomb sushi roll was nothing innovative, but it was still a good roll. Side dishes like the Brussel sprouts and Lump Crab Fried Rice were so delicious! The Brussel sprouts were crisp and covered in a delicous vinagrette, and the rice was buttery and flavorful. Sadly, the meal could not end perfectly... The matcha cake with blueberry sake preserves sounded delicious off the menu, but upon tasting it, the "sponge" cake was so dry that it felt like green tea powder in my mouth. Even my tears could not moisten this cake :(. The tempura ice cream, however, was crispy, and the cake surrounding the ice cream was perfectly sweet! All in all, every dish (except one) was so delicious because they melded flavors so well. It really is an accomplishment how every dish at Dragonfly is done so well!
We trekked down from the Omni Resort half an hour away, and it was worth it. Incredibly fresh sushi, with some innovative takes on traditional rolls, along with Pan-Asian staples - from Ramen to Korean BBQ. We paid $110 roundtrip to get there, and no regrets! Try the bacon wrapped asparagus - I am still dreaming of it! Also my companion raved about the U-10 Shrimp. I had the crunch roll and traditional nigiri - portions are generous and come out pretty quickly, given how big the restaurant is. Also, staff very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this place if you want something healthy and fresh afer all the crap chains in Orlando have worn thin...
(5)
Paul S.
The area the Dragonfly looks more upscale, almost an up and coming part of Doctor Phillips. Once you walk in, the theming is modern asian. The host was a bit absent minded, taking her time, not showing too much skill in talking to the general public. Originally, I had come to meet a friend for happy hour, which the host sat me in the one area of the restaurant which did not serve it. However, our server, Jason was fantastic. He was able to work some magic and get my friend and I in for happy hour. Jason also had a great grasp of the menu. I always like to try new beers when I'm out. He had a few suggestions, which were just perfect. The sushi was ok. The Sashimi was light and delicate, which was the hight of the meal. While, the Crunch roll was very crunchy, but not so tasteful. I would come back to try it again.
(3)
Nancy N.
I would give this place a 3.5 if I could. Great service and they have a nice covered outdoor patio with heaters for the winter. However, I come here for the sushi, and I would day of 6 different rolls that I ordered, they were not as flavorful as I would've wished. A little pricy for the lack of flavor in my option. I also got the fried pork ears since the waiter was raving about it- i would give it a 3 out of 5, I guess it's something nice to munch on, but I was not impressed. Overall, the rolls almost all taste the same. Except the roll with peach, which you will taste the peach.
(3)
Pam H.
I was excited to join some friends for happy hour at Dragonfly, and was looking forward to their sushi offerings. Their happy hour menu boasts a nice selection of food and drink items at a decent price. I even ate a light lunch in anticipation of what was to come. First off, this is a really pretty restaurant. Very modern, dimly lit, kinda like a lounge. We opted to take advantage of the nice weather and sit on the patio. Our server came out, and it kinda felt like once he noticed we were only looking at the happy hour menu he didn't really seem interested in waiting on us. Service was definitely not bad, but there was no enthusiasm. I ordered a Ginger Ninja to drink, which was just ok. It had too much lemon flavor for my liking. Off the happy hour menu, our group ordered the crunch roll, the spicy kobachi hand roll, and the hosomaki roll. These were all again just ok. The rolls were really chewy and the flavor was pretty bland. While the sushi was a bummer, the cooked items were pretty tasty. The steamed buns with pork belly and the Japanese sliders were my favorites. Both had great flavor. The chicken thigh karaage was really good, the pieces of chicken were really juicy and tender. The grilled chicken skewers could've been good had they come with some kind of sauce. They didn't really have any flavor other than plain grilled chicken breast. Because ordering most of the menu wasn't enough, we decided on the fried ice cream for dessert. The server suggested this (he perked up when offering dessert), and we were thrilled with it. Vanilla ice cream wrapped in poundcake that is then fried... so good! Every time I thought I was done I had to dive back in for another bite! Overall, this wasn't a bad experience, and I would be willing to give their regular menu a try. Maybe I will avoid the sushi, but there are plenty of other items that sound good. This would be a good spot for a large group, as they have plenty of room to accommodate.
(3)
Halston M.
Fucking. Yes. Dad and I are here chillin/ vacay. Tired, been traveling, and simply craving some well done, clean sushi. Came here by recommendation by our concierge at the Hilton- Orlando. Come on a Friday. They get fish fresh Fridays and Wednesdays. Sashimi was OFF THAA CHARTS. Yellowtail (belly), tuna. Sushi rolls: Cobra Kai & Fire Me Up Wasabi. Jordan, your male server tonight in the back room, absolutely phenomenal. Full of authentic and genuine recommendations that did not fall short. In addition, our table remained clean, water and wine glasses filled, and simple things like chopstick. wrappers picked up. Attention to detail and over-all execution. They done did it. And did it well.
(5)
Terri D.
So far this is the very best sushi place we have found in Orlando! YUMMY. It is a little price but a very nice place for an intimate dinner for two or meeting friends. Top notch cocktails and all of the sushi we tried was top notch. If going on the weekend consider making a reservation and dressing up a bit like date night casual. Love!
(5)
Mary K.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Orlando. I've been with friends, on dates with my husband and at happy hour with my family. Every time, the food is excellent, the service is great and the atmosphere is fun but not too loud. The place is beautifully decorated and everything is just right. Love the sushi and appetizers. They truly know what they are doing at Dragonfly! Highly recommend!
(5)
Cecille R.
What a great little spot for Happy Hour for the ladies! And even better that Happy Hour is until 7pm! So that gives those who work Downtown the ample time to fight I4 traffic to get there to take advantage of those specials! This was my first visit to this restaurant. It's located in the sprawling Via Dellagio plaza housing many businesses and big name restaurants. Some have since abandoned ship and the area seemed a little desolate. Not as busy as it probably once was. And we noticed standing water towards the back that were fountains at some point. The restaurant is beautiful and very stunning when you walk inside. When we asked about Happy Hour, we were pleased to find out we had several choices of where to sit to take advantage of the deals. We opted for the patio. The view of the sunset is stunning if you get a chance to witness it. All of us dove in and ordered a ton of items off the Happy Hour menu. I was happy with all of my choices. The Mo "J" Oj was delicious--citrusy with a hint of mint and very fizzy. I also ordered the spicy kobachi handroll, crunch roll and the chicken thigh karaage. All very good but the chicken thigh karaage stole the show for me. I compare it to hearty pieces of popcorn chicken. And it came it with a nice side of spinach with dressing. I was just about full but then my friend ordered a dessert for all of us to share that was recommended by our server. Whatever you do save room for the ice cream wrapped in pound cake then dunked in tempura batter and fried! My stomach instantly made room. I had such a good time here and would easily come back. I would recommend pacing yourself with the menu items. They add up rather quickly but , in my case, totally worth the $$!
(4)
Neena M.
It is a very nice restaurant. Dragonfly is good for people of ages with its wide menu selection. It does not have a kids menu but there are plenty of kid friendly items. The restaurant itself is very classy. You are able to see the kitchen from your table and I have to say that the kitchen is very tidy. They have very prompt and attentive service. I had ordered the pork ramen and I have to say that it had a very exquisite taste. The pork belly was thoroughly cooked, the noodles were tender and the broth was very tasty. Overall it was a nice, kid friendly, place for people of all tastes.
(4)
Christine M.
Wow. This was so good, we went twice in our six day trip. Our server Jordan was so helpful and knowledgeable. You can see why they brought him over from an established location. I chose the (hope I'm getting this right) "omakase" menu (meaning "trust the chef") and I'm so glad I did. Chilled ramen with snow crab and picked shishito peppers was amazingly flavorful. The branzino was crispy, tender, fresh.... excellent. I love a good roll, and this was literally my favorite ever. In addition to crab and tempura shrimp, the unexpected tang of goat cheese and the fresh bruschetta-like salsa gave it an amazing pop of flavor. The sake service was unique and felt very authentic. And the robata -- we had shishitos, pork cheek, wagyu, and bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes -- was excellent. The manager, Ron, stopped by on our first visit and was so gracious, we had to come back with more people -- and he sent us a lovely amuse bouche on our repeat visit. Very classy. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a little adventure.
(5)
Monique P.
Still great service and food. They changed up the menu a bit and the items, when visiting last year from New York, were more tasty than this year. Great servers and a large variety of sake. Will go back
(4)
Nancy S.
Great spot to grab a drink and tapas style dining. Their menu consist of mostly tapas dishes which is great for those who like a variety of food to pick on while having a drink or two. Their sushi is my fave, really fresh and rolled perfectly. We ordered 2 rolls; "The bomb" and "The volcano" both were delish. We also ordered their Garlic crab fried rice, korean short ribs and house squid. All were ok. Short ribs was a little salty and rice was meh. Wasn't horrible but also wasn't anything worth raving about. I sure will return, the atmosphere is awesome and waiters/waitress are friendly. If you're looking to grab a drink and small bites, perfect spot. Wouldn't recommend if you're looking for a full meal.
(4)
Brenda L.
Time for a review after visiting dragonfly a month ago in July. Everything was poor here from service to food. I selected this restaurant based on the highly rated yelp reviews and that was the biggest mistake on this family trip! 1) I made reservations (group of 5) on open table. When we arrived, we were shafted to the worst seats in the house! Not to mention, they squeezed us into a 4 people table! What's the point of making reservations if you are not going to get at least descent seats in the restaurant. 2) Service = extremely not attentive. Server took forever to take our order. Barely checked up on us. And we also had to ask multiple times to get our water refilled. 3) Food. Do not expect much from the food here. Sushi rolls, we ordered 5 rolls based on the server's recommendations.. The worst was the "fire me up wasabi" probably the worst roll I have ever eaten. The wonton skin just does not add to the taste. The only items that were somewhat decent on the menu were the robata grilled items. If you are going to eat anything on this menu, try that. And do not order the agedashi tofu.. Seriously $8 for two pieces of tofu.. Are you kidding me? I honestly expected so much more from this restaurant but was so highly disappointed....
(1)
Luciano A.
Great food with special sushi and sashimi on the menu. We also tried the brussel sprouts, they are simply delicious!! We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Lucy W.
If you're looking for a great Happy Hour spot on Sand Lake, Dragonfly is hard to beat. Excellent bang for the buck, with delicious cocktails and good wines on the Happy Hour list. And the HH food menu features both rolls and hot dishes. There's even a great pork bun dish for my friend who is allergic to seafood! Ambiance here is modern with Eastern influences. The dim lighting makes it a perfect place for a date night. I always recommend this spot for dates and parties. Aside from Happy Hour, the menu features classic and inventive dishes, so there's something for nearly everyone. My only slightly negative experience here was an overly attentive server, but it's better than having slow or neglectful service, so I really shouldn't complain. Otherwise, the service has always been well-timed.
(5)
Steven A.
I'm impressed. Amazing meal. Bacon on a sushi roll? Mango pico del gallo on a sushi roll? Delicious food. Great service. Definitely would eat here. Reservations recommended.
(5)
Tommy D.
I had very low expectations for this seemingly fusion Japanese place but I as pleasantly surprised! My intrigue was raised with I stole a piece of chicken karaage from my friend sitting at the bar...though, pretty legit! Out group of 20 plus had a wonderful meeting room off to the side and we ordered 'omakase" All the dishes were very good with pretty authentic flavors...very subtle and very Japanese (including tempura, raw scallop, seared ahi, chicken karaage, chicken yakitori and a crazy beef thing with butter ponzu.) The dessert was amazing too...we got a sample platter, but I was most blown away by the tempura cheese cake. BTW, the best dango outside of a carnival you will ever have! (I think only my J-friends will get this...) The only dish that was mew was the last one...a tempura roll and salmon roll combo. Some herb in the roll just didn't taste right....nothing I've ever had before. Service was attentive and friendly! Another great find in Orlando (neat the convention center area/Sandlake)!
(4)
Tracey F.
We went for food during their happy hour. I assumed they'd have a few items and we would end up on the regular menu. This was so not the case . The hh menu was diverse and interesting. We ordered one of everything , they had to bring us another little round table to hold all our food ! We started with mushrooms wrapped in bacon, amazing and not what you'd think. We had seaweed salad and spinach salad that was to die for, full of mushrooms and macadamia nuts. We had yummy Asian sliders . We had both pork belly and beef in steamed buns that were out of this world. And last but not least, we had sushi. You can build your own pretty basic hosomaki rolls, tuna yellowtail or salmon with some add ins like cream cheese , avocado, tempura and spicy mayo. Very nice! I ordered the togarashii edamame with hanskatsu( fish flakes), my hubby couldn't stand the smell, it's strong , but best edamame ever! What made the whole thing really great was the service. We had a pretty blonde , who wore her red sash like a pirate sash. who was really helpful and thorough. This is great because often at a busy place like this , it can go all bad. She kept our wine full and the food coming. It's a beautiful restaurant and I highly recommend it.
(5)
Jim H.
I went with a group of seven. We had a reservation on a Wednesday night and were seated without delay. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. One member of our group ordered all of the food at the beginning, and the servers just kept bringing one thing after another until we'd eaten everything. At the end, they brought us a special dessert plate with a variety of goodies. A really nice time. I highly recommend!
(5)
Jonathan G.
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.* Robata...Dragonfly. You get the picture. This place rules. Aesthetically pleasing and hip, Dragonfly Robata leads you into a place you won't want to leave anytime soon. And that's before you get to the food, which is outstanding. With variety for days, this place has something for everyone.** From hot and cold appetizers that are far from run of the mill Japanese fare to sushi and sashimi a la carte to Robata grill items, it would be hard to go wrong here.*** From the Robata grill, the Hotate (scallop) was excellent - perfectly cooked and packed with scallop flavor coupled with the skill of the grill. The corn was interesting - cooked like a cob and then cut, I actually ate the first piece whole until I realized you were supposed to eat each slice like an ear of corn. You kind of look dumb doing this, like Tom Hanks in Big eating the baby corn, but the flavor is worth it. The Crispy Kurobuta (black pork belly) with braised daikon & carrot, tentsuyu and a soft poached egg was fairly life-changing - exploding with flavor, dipped in a scrumptious sauce with the egg in between. Seriously, one of the best dishes of food I have ever had. Actually, I got married to Kurobuta right in the restaurant. We are doing pretty well so far, but it's only been a day. For gifts, send gift certificates to Dragonfly Robata - thanks. The sushi was also excellent. The futomaki was pretty much as expected, but the Cobra Kai (red onion, tomato, snow crab delight, tempura flakes, lemon slices, loch duart salmon, garlic-shiso pesto, aged balsamic) will make even your cousin Curtis an excited dinner companion. The differentiation of flavors inside of this one roll were phenomenal. I would come here once a week if I lived in Orlando. I don't think it's that pricey at all and it's worth every penny. Our server was outstanding, the service was excellent all around and the food...well, see above marriage during dinner. You can't go wrong here, unless you bring your cousin Curtis. _________________ * Lyrics courtesy of Styx. Look it up. ** Even your picky cousin Curtis. Really, if he doesn't like it, just tell him to wait in the car. *** Unless it's your cousin Curtis. Like I said, send him to the car.
(5)
Krystal D.
My bday dinner was held here. We ended up doing the happy hour which was fantastic. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The menu is a little on the pricey side, so i would just doing the happy hour specials.
(5)
Margie H.
Excellent choice of Japanese restaurant tapas style. Every sushi roll we had was exquisite. Pricy, but delicious. Very cozy and modern ambiance. Highly recommended!
(5)
Amber M.
This place was...interesting. Now, I don't eat sushi (or seafood at all) so my review is biased. I'm reviewing solely the Robata Grill. I had the chicken, tomatoes, and bacon wrapped mushrooms. They were all fantastic, though really, I couldn't tell the difference in the taste of Robata or Hibachi. The real highlight of our trip was our server, he was fantastic.
(4)
Mercy G.
This was not my 1st trip to Dragonfly, having lived in Gainesville all 4 years of college, but this was my 1st time at the Orlando location! Such a shock to discover there's more than one! This location is very aesthetically pleasing and the service is just spectacular! The polite and attentive service significantly contributes to the overall experience at this place. I don't eat seafood and was never excited about vegetarian sushi in college so in the past I usually ordered Short Rib Skewers with a large ginger salad or the Pork Ramen! SO DELICIOUS! I'd highly recommend the Pork Ramen, especially on a cold day when you want some comfort food. On this visit, my 1st in Orlando and my 1st time at Dragonfly in over 3 years I started with a small ginger salad and then had the 2 vegetarian sushi rolls on the menu: Fresh Garden and Princess rolls, both with brown rice. Not the best vegetarian rolls I've had but, everything was very fresh and they were very generous with the avocado (my favorite)! I'll probably stick to my old orders in the future but this is definitely a very high quality dining experience with very reasonably priced menu items.
(4)
Colleen D.
Go get the Chef's special. You may have to move here if you are visiting. 40 years of sushiing, this is my new #1. Sorry Los Angeles.
(5)
Deborah G.
Our favorite Japanese restaurant! Everything they do is outstanding! Food, hand crafted cocktails, and service are the best!
(5)
Blake N.
Dined here last night. Was great getting to sit down 30 min before our actual reservation time! Had the surf and turf sushi. It was amazing. Friends had the chicken and steak skewers and they loved them as well. Always enjoy the ambiance. Very cool restaurant. With nice seating areas, bar, and outdoor area!
(4)
Jennifer K.
Heard about the new vegan menu and had to check it out. It's so awesome to see people actually mark their menus and know what the word is so I don't have to pretend to have a bunch of obscure allergies and worry I'm still getting the wrong food. So that's worth five stars right there. Atmosphere is modern-upscale. Service is great and they have real Moscow mules (my favorite)! I was pretty impressed with the menu. A decent amount of options and really creative rolls. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the udon soup. It had kind of an odd taste. Everything else was awesome
(5)
Brianna G.
My colleague and I were in town for work and came to Dragonfly on a recommendation and were so glad we did! "Cheffery" or Chef Jeffery was amazing and everything we had was exquisite! We had the following and would recommend them all: Sumo Smash cocktail House salad Tontoro Chef made slider stuffed with jalapeno, blue cheese and bacon Spare Ribs Euro Trance Roll The Bomb Roll Special Scallop Dish Green Tea Ice Cream Thanks Dragonfly for the food, the great service, and the overall great time! Be sure we'll be back next time we're in town! Audrey and Brie
(5)
Melissa Z.
This is a sushi snob's paradise! Orlando, you better kiss the guy/gal who graced you with establishing this place here because this has to be one of the best non-chains you can find in Orlando. (Okay, it has 2nd location in Gainesville, but you know what's I'm talking about.) The menu had a brilliant concept: Asian tapas with high quality sushi and a Robata grill which features specially imported charcoals. What's does all that crap mean? It means there is a ton of variety on this menu and if you or your friend/date is not a sushi fan, there is plenty on the menu to make multiple people happy. The food is pricey but you are paying for quality and this place delivers. I tried the prawns on the Robata grill - I had to check out if these 'special' coals lived up to the hype. There is definitely a difference from American grills so I recommend them but $10 for two pawns is pricey, so beware. My boyfriend and I shared a couple of sushi rolls. One roll was called The bomb and it was...( I won't do that to you) delicious and packed with protein and flavor. The interior and exterior could not be better for either a date or a group of friends about to head out to City Walk. The decor is refined and moderately upscale but in typical Florida fashion it bends towards the casual. They have an exquisite outdoor dining option. The patio is curtained with flowing off-white linens and overlooks a little lake. Aaah!
(5)
Desiree R.
Came here with my girlfriend and fiance on Wednesday, 12/10/14. Ambiance very nice. Outdoor seating. Tapas style. Tried three different rolls Surf n Turf, Kamacrazy, and Dragonfly. All equally delicious. Also, tried the Tiger Shrimp, Shrimp Tempura, and Steak, which come out two each. Very good. I would definitely come back again. Customer service from walking into the restaurant to our server. Server was amazing and on point.
(4)
Joe K.
I wanna give "Zero" star, if possible. Service is bad. I got small plastic in the roll and they said that is a part of lobster!!#/^&*?×÷%. They better say "Sorry" instead of making a story.
(1)
Flora F.
On our last visit to Orlando we decided to take a small break from the parks and eat our way thru dr Phillips. We didn't get far, but stopped by this local establishment. The decor is very nice, the parking is super easy, the service is stellar but the food could use a bit of tweak. We ordered some apps that sounded amazing on the menu but didn't translate to the plate. The rolls were ok, with my roll being very interesting but not rolled tightly and my husbands roll was very soggy. The waiter saw that I didn't finish the second roll and took it off the bill without us even asking for it. Additionally the manager gave us a dessert to try and even offered to buy us a round -the drinks were declined and the dessert should have stayed in the kitchen. But again our waiter was amazing and everyone was super attentive!
(3)
Grace L.
As always Tung and his team made our night amazing. We took one of the artists here after he preformed at EDC because he had it last time he was in town and wanted more of it! Dragonfly always provides excellent food, as well as a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Thanks DFLY TEAM! :)
(5)
Jaime M.
Here for the first time and have never experienced anything so good. The food, service and ambience is perfect. Edwin is one of the best servers I have ever encountered!
(5)
Lindsley A.
My favorite sushi place ever! This place has a wonderful ambiance to it, perfect for a date night or birthday party. A very classy, trendy well put layout. The staff are very accommodating and the service is excellent. There's just something about this restaurant that makes me feel like I'm in a whole different world. Located in Dr. Phillips or also known as restaurant road, this place is quite a drive, but definitely worth it. If you're coming out here on a limb, expect to wait a while, it can get pretty busy and packed, so if I were you make a reservation just to be safe! -You MUST, MUST order the Edamame with Bonito flakes. You'll never want a plain edamame after having this, it's the BEST edamame in the world! -The Robata grill chicken thigh is so good! Order 2, trust me you'll love it. It's served with 3 different types of sauces, and they pair so well with the chicken. -Miso Ramen was really good, something about the broth was divine, and the braised short ribs were super tender. Delicious! -Honestly, get all their specialty rolls, you can't go wrong with any of them. I haven't tried all of them, but they all look great. Now go enjoy yourself and come check this place out, it's awesome!
(5)
Angela W.
Service was fast and wonderful, the sushi was done before I knew it. Love the outdoor seating.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lauren Y.
A contemporary izakaya, Dragonfly in Dr. Phillips, is a modern interpretation of the Japanese pub culture. Sushi, sashimi and robatayaki (an open-fire grill) are served tapas style, with a full sake bar in a relaxed, lounge environment at Dragonfly. A departure from your standard sushi spot, the restaurant serves up an authentic Japanese menu with fresh selections from land and sea. From sushi to decadent seafood, you're sure to experience fresh plates and find new favorites. Aside from modern Japanese fare, Dragonfly also serves up a seasonal Omakase menu. The menu, developed around the Japanese word for "trust," encourages guests to select a mood and an ingredient. Once chosen, you are asked to trust the chef and bartender to craft dishes and drinks based on your taste profiles. Before dining you're presented with a menu containing minimal clues about the dish and the fate of your meal is left in the hands of the chef. Of course, you're not left completely in the dark as each dish is thoroughly explained by your server before you take that first bite. After enjoying seven courses we left full, happy and huge fans of Dragonfly. Omakase dishes vary by season and dining preferences - here's what we enjoyed during our experience: Hokkadio Scallops: A tender, sweet and creamy scallop offered year round, but at the peak of flavor during springtime. Served over a bed of garlic-jalapeno sauce and a carrot and daikon salad. A luscious seafood dish and a must try even if you're not a "seafood person." Snake River Farms Wagyu: A buttery, complex beef resulting from cross breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle and Angus cattle. A true delicacy accompanied by shimeji mushrooms, radishes, real maraschino cherries, yuza truffle butter, crispy garlic and scallions. The richness of the meat was balanced out by the sweetness of the cherries and all together my palate was treated to an exceptional experience. Chilean Sea Bass: "This might be the best thing I've ever tasted," said my husband after taking a single bite. That's a pretty bold statement from a man that is food obsessed. The honey soy brought a nice sear and sweetness to the dish and the melty texture was simply divine! Composed Nigiri: Loch Duart salmon, Bigeye tuna and yellowtail. I'm not usually a raw fish person, but I would have been happy with three more plates of this nigiri! Cobra Kai Roll: Snow crab delight, red onion, tomato, tempura flakes and lemon slices. Topped with Loch Duart salmon and finished with a garlic-shiso pesto and aged balsamic. Different than any roll I've tasted lately and certainly one of my new favorites. The aged balsamic and lemon slices paired nicely with the salmon, creating an exceptional and unique roll. Chocolate Pot de Crème: Strawberry jam, lychee ice cream and walnut biscotti - the perfect ending to our chef-driven experience!
(4)Stella M.
Loved their sushi rolls! Truly unique. The surf and turf was definitely our favorite! I've never had steak on a sushi roll before! Definitely well done. Our service could have been a bit better but the food was so good that I can't dock them much for it.
(4)Liz R.
Simply AMAZING! It's been a while since I've had really good Japanese food in Florida and this place certainly hits the spot. This is kind of like a tapas place. The portions are quite filling for one person though. It is a bit on the pricey side, but it's totally worth the price! It's gorgeous inside & a soothing ambiance. Great upbeat music that does not drown out conversations. Definitely worth checking out :)
(5)Erwin M.
If sushi is your thing, you definitely have to try Dragonfly Robata. It is a bit pricey, but the excellent service and the delicious dishes are definitely worth it! Located at the Dellagio Town Center, a very beautiful spot in Orlando, this restaurant cooks up very savory and appetizing dishes, accompanied by a vast menu of drinks. The decoration and spacial distribution makes it feel very cozy and welcoming. Parking is not a problem at all, neither for bikes nor cars. In our case, we had a couple of Wagyu Tenderloin skewers as entrée, followed by a Crunch roll and a Big Boss roll as main course. It was all delicious. I must admit that the Wagyu skewers were surprisingly small for their price tag, but they were good. For dessert, which for some reason are not available on their online menu, we had some kind of chocolate mousse with a bit of strawberry jelly under it, accompanied by a scoop of ice cream and a british-type biscuit. All said and done, would we return? Definitely! There are a couple more dishes on the menu that we still want to try!
(4)Biz T.
Saw this place in Yelp and verified with the hotel staff and decided to give it a shot. Place is very well decorated and the ambience is very nice. A classy place with good crowd. Dress well with your casuals. The service thus far is very good. Drinks served and order taken. Place has an open kitchen and outside seating. Outside seating is covered and the place is busy despite the thunderstorms in the area. It's away from the touristy International Drive. The food came out on time and was very tasty. Well presented and cooked. Follow up was quick and courteous. Crowd is polished and professional and I am surely impressed with the service and quality
(4)Brian H.
Was impressed and will go again. Ordered many things and got them in decent times. Our server was attentative and informed. Had to send back the chefs choice scallops because they were raw. Recent cooked but couldn't merit the 23$ price for 3 small scallops. All the other stuff was pretty good. Loved their ramen. It's hard to find a good bowl of that college favorite. We tried multiple things that you can't order elsewhere and we liked it. 2 of us got outta there for just under 80. Not bad seeing as the overpriced scallops took up most of it. Will come again. Great date place
(4)Justiss W.
We have had sushi in Hawaii, San Francisco, New York, London, and Tokyo and there is simply something about this restaurant the "Dragonfly Roll" that emanates brilliance. Insomuch, I chose to propose to my partner here. Allen, Michael, and all the staff made this the most magical moment of my life. We may have had the most excellent sushi for the fifteenth time, but the true treat was the exceptional value we were engaged with. Thank you all!!
(5)Danielle Y.
One of my favorites for sure!!! Nice ambiance and pretty restaurant. This food is delicious, coming from NYC I was not disappointed. Highly recommended:)
(4)Kwame O.
This place looks amazing. They put a lot of detail in every aspect from the lobby , bar and the bathrooms. The Ambiance very stylish. Mostly wood interior Lobby is not very comfortable. There is a a bar out door and indoor. Lobby is consisted of a large tree like wooden table.Parking is not a issue, and not open for lunch. What make up for the limited hours is there happy hour. It only available daily 5-7pm only in the bar, patio or lounge. Drinks 3.00 Sapporo, 6.00 selected mixed drinks. 4.00 house infused vodkas like 6.00 selected wine Sushi 4.00 Spicy Kobachi Handroll really good 4.00 Hosomaki or 6.00 Box Sushi- box sushi looked funny but it was alight. Menu outside there happy hour consist fresh seafood, steaks and sushi. Here are a few of my favorites. --sushi rolls-- -Kamacrazy roll: consist tuna, yellowtail, scallions, shrimp, spicy sauce - Surf n Turf roll: consist grilled shrimp, bacon, cucumber, snow crab delight, asparagus, cream cheese, scallions, rib eye tataki, avocado, sweet soy-apple cream sauce -Spicy roll: consist choice of loch duart salmon, conch, tuna, yellowtail, ono -- Sashimi-- -Yellowtail Pesto: consist ginger-scallion, shirasu, aged balsamic -Amber jack : consist jalapeno, red onion, green olive relish, italian soy dressing --soup and noodles-- -Pork Ramen : consist pork belly, bok choy, bean sprouts, poached egg, mayu, negi, beni shoga, menma, nori, tonkotsu broth, scallions -Miso Braised: consist Rib Ramen braised short ribs, bean sprouts, corn, cabbage, poached egg, mayu, menma, nori, miso pork broth, scallions --meats/ grilled foods-- -Braised short ribs : consist soy dashi jus, shiitake, tamago, pickled carrots, cucumber -Miso Black Cod: consist daikon oroshi, hajikami Keep in mind there are many seasonal sushi selections may or many not be available from time to time . Like Wa-gyu Beef, and fatty tuna like Chu-Toro and O-Toro. Over all great atmosphere and flawless service . Make this one of the top sushi/Asian fusion restaurant in Orlando.
(5)Mama K.
Amazing food! Pork ramen was delicious, noodles were're more on the firm side which I enjoy. Fried pork ear was surprisingly good! A little salty but if you pair it with some plumb wine your good to go! Sushi roll was perfect! I am a big sushi fan and spoiled from living in Cali. But this place knows what their doing! I would definitely come back if I travel this way again.
(5)Yarimar C.
Awesome!! Really good food and chic atmosphere! I've been here so many times. It is quite pricey but worth every penny! Their sautéed butter edamame is a really good choice for appetizer. Also their Wagyu skewers! Normally when I go I mix sushi with Ryobata or Wagyu tenderloin steak and Wagyu Beef. From their sushi selection I've tried the Crispy crunch roll, Bomb roll, Volcano, Kamacrazy, Lava roll..... All are too die for! Their martini drinks are really good! Lychee Leung and Saké Blossom are my favorite!
(5)Carolina M.
I have been dying to go here and my BF finally took me for Vday this Saturday. The place is really nice and I really loved my sushi. Service was really good as well, everyone is nice. This is one of the best sushi places I have been to in Orlando, Urban Hibachi is pretty good also but less expensive.
(5)Mia P.
Enjoyed a fun happy hour here and sat out on the patio. It's a really beautiful restaurant the decor is very modern and elegant. My friends and I came for happy hour and there were some excellent drink specials and a nice small happy hour food menu. The drink specials included craft cocktails, beer, and wine by the glass. The Japanese beef burger sliders were really good! The hosomaki (create your own) sushi was a bit chewy for my liking. I think the seaweed and sticky rice might've been too thick. The sushi "crunch roll" from the happy hour menu was good. It's happy hour sushi, so I can't really complain, but just very limited and quite average. Our server was kind of 'hit or miss', he just seemed distracted but a nice enough fellow. I do have to give our server some props-he did make an excellent recommendation for dessert when we asked what was available. We had a deep-fried pound cake tempura ice cream and it was fantastic! Apparently deep-fried poundcake is magic! We shared it with three people and we all kind of wanted a little more when it was gone. Next time I would probably sit inside their beautiful dining room and order off the regular sushi menu as I hear it's fantastic. Happy hour sushi just missed the mark a little bit for me, but maybe it's more about drinks and less about food. I would definitely try this place again.
(3)Kanghwan W.
Food here is high class, very tasty. We came for a friends bachelor party, and all the servers showed a good amount of love. The dishes we tried seemed a pinch too salty. I noticed that everything was cooked to perfection though! I thought that the sushi rolls were pretty good as well. We just went with the ones that the servers recommended! Overall this restaurant nailed it in their fusion-esque concept.
(4)Kalvin K.
Having gone to UF, I have been spoiled with the knowledge of Dragonfly. I just recently had the chance to stop by the location in Orlando and it was definitely worth the trip. The decor is simply amazing inside -- very zen like and romantic. The food is top notch as always. We also had a nice sake selection provided to us. It was a great time, as always with a quality high caliber restaurant like Dragonfly.
(5)Mable G.
It's okay. The appetizer was better than entrée and dessert. For sushi, I would go elsewhere.
(3)Sarah P.
Food was absolutely delicious, but we unfortunately ate here on the "Real Housewives of Orlando" night. If you wear slutty dresses, high heels, lots of makeup this is your place to be seen! Make sure you wear lots of perfume too! Oh and be really really loud.
(3)Chance M.
Amazing, just amazing! The place has an awesome atmosphere, great styling. Very friendly and respectful staff, they were very helpful and always checked in on us but not annoyingly. The chefs have great ability with detail and care with their food, being chef myself I love this aspect of the culinary world so when I see other chefs put effort into it I get very excited haha. Now for the quality of food, again I was blown away by how fresh their ingredients are. The tuna was superb and melted in my mouth! They have an amazing deal where you get a 4 course meal and it's all chosen by the Chef that day and I was extremely happy with everything I had! We also ordered some Uni shooters that I recommend everyone to try at least once because that was one of the most amazing and unique things I have ever eaten and I have devoured a lot of different things in my life. It's Uni on top of a carved out lemon with a quail egg topping it off and all the flavors mash perfectly together! All in all, I was very pleased from start to finish with my experience here and I can't wait for the next opportunity I have to come to Orlando and enjoy this awesome restaurant. Hats off to the owner and the amazing staff you poses.
(5)Lara B.
A friend and I dined here to have some quality girl time, catch up on life, and celebrate her birthday. We are SO glad we chose Dragonfly! We arrived for our 6:45 reservation, were seated promptly, and were greeted promptly by our amazing server Santiago "but please call me Santi." Santi was charming and attentive throughout our entire meal, without interrupting. Several times I noticed as he passed by that he glanced to make sure we didn't need drinks or need any dishes cleared. As we were enjoying spirited conversation and catching up, it was wonderful to have a server who was always available, yet not overly intrusive. Happy hour is until 7pm and we ordered a sampling of several dishes off the happy hour menu to share. Everything we had was wonderful, and the prices were great too! Santi even checked back at 6:59 to see if we wanted him to put in another drink order or other items while he could still ring it for happy hour! Toward the end of our meal we had three different members of the management team stop by and wish my friend a happy birthday (as she was enjoying her complimentary dessert!), and ask us how our meal and service was. It's so rare to find great service these days, and we were more than happy to tell each of them how wonderful our meal was and how great Santi had been. Dragonfly would be a great date night, or a great place to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends. We will definitely be back!
(5)Peter F.
This DragonFly is better than the one in Gainesville! I have been going to the one in Gainesville for years and it is pretty good, but the one in Orlando was absolutely perfect..... I mean food, quality, freshness, service, ambiance, everything!!!! The manager, Ron, made himself personally accountable for a very minor blunder by approaching us, explaining the situation, and correcting it on the spot. I just dont see service like that anymore these days.... will definitely return every chance I get.
(5)Dave G.
Always like going to this restaurant great sushi great atmosphere definitely one of the better restaurants in Orlando
(4)David L.
This place surprised me in many ways. Although I had been reading lots of good reviewed, I was skeptical about any kind of Asian fusion cuisine. Because almost every single time it ends with a disappointment. But this Dragonfly has its creativity while keeping the authenticity echoing the origin of the foods it represent. Growing up in an Asian family, I can tell where some of the culinary techniques from. And Dragonfly manipulates them very well. I had various of sashimi which is fresh. Several different kinds of yakitori. The grilled whole squid stands out from the group. Especially the citrus salt and Japanese mayo with 7 spice really made the tentacle tempura unforgettable. The ramen was something that I didn't expect. Because the bak choi and the marinate for the pork is more Chinese than Japanese. But don't get me wrong. It was still a very tasty authentic Asian dish. At last, I found lychee flavored ice cream in Orlando! Thank you chef. You truly understand the importance of incorporating the distinct Asian flavors into the dishes. I hope it won't take too long for me to visit Orlando again. I will definitely put this place in the must go list.
(4)Cece C.
A yelp search for nearby Japanese food led us this place. It helped that a friend in Tampa had reviewed it already and given them five stars (hey Kelleigh!) so we decided to try it out. First off the ambiance is really cool and the service was great. The food was interesting with lots of great robata and sushi options. We ordered a bowl of ramen and a roll each. My miso ramen was filling for sure - and spicy. My "Krispy Krunch" roll was a new experience as it was warm, breaded and fried and I'm used to more traditional sushi. In the future I would probably not get this again. I tried the Black Dragon roll though (spicy sauce yum!) and that was delicious! I would come here again for a drink and sushi. They had good beer options and a full bar. The prices for food are on the expensive side but the nice environment makes up for it.
(4)Gina C.
We always go to the Dragonfly in Gainesville. So we can to this one to compare. Service is excellent. Food is very similar Gainesville. Wasn't impressed with the prawns, Gainesville gives you a serving of rice with the miso cod (which I prefer). Portion of the cod was bigger in Orlando. The fried ice cream had Carmel instead of drizzles fruit juices and whip topping. Both are excellent. Overall, excellent food and will go again!
(5)Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Our food took a little long, Buy it was a busy Saturday night when we went. Our server was really nice. The food was really good. The menu is a bit on the pricier side, but it is soooooo worth it. I think it's a perfect date-night spot to try. It's a really nice place. Pretty much all the sushi I tried was delicious, and I'm not even a sushi fan. My boyfriend is, but the food was delicious.
(4)Melinda M.
This review is strictly for the sushi not the actual service or ambiance of the restaurant since we did take out. Now, please tell me how did this place get 4 stars?! Maybe it's for the other food like the robata grill stuff because the sushi was horrible. I think their location in Dr. Phillips really helps them because anywhere else, people would not pay such exorbitant prices for mediocre sushi. I was so disappointed because I've been looking forward to trying this place for a very long time. I ordered three spicy rolls-tuna, yellowtail and ono. The rolls themselves were not spicy because they don't make their's tartare style. They were just plain rolls with the chunk of fish inside and we were given a spicy mayo like sauce to pour over the rolls. No! How can you charge $9-10 for that?!! The rest of the sushi weren't that good either so we didn't even bother finishing it. What a letdown. If you can't even make a simple spicy tuna roll the correct way then that says a lot about the rest of the sushi.
(2)Ariel D.
This is by far my favorite sushi spot in Orlando. First off, the place is very nice and elegant. Sitting outside is also a good option. The sushi is phenomenal, I definitely recommend the dragon roll or the mango tango, and of course some fresh Unagi. Best spot hands down.
(5)Melissa M.
One of the best sushi restaurants I have eaten at. The servers are helpful in helping you choose a sushi roll if you are indecisive. You can sit outside during the nice weather is good or sit in the dining room. Happy hr is a def must! It's an upscale place kind of trendy as it is in dr phillips
(4)Alexa C.
In the land of Mickey Mouse and Rollercoasters, it's hard to find something to dine in without a Disney Character coming out of somewhere. I yelped for a place with substance in the area during my stay and all signs pointed to this. I really liked the decor and I might be the first to say this but, the bathroom was beautiful. I loved the menu and as I browsed and browsed, I decided on the euro trance roll and the bacon wrapped asparagus. I swallowed everything down with a Magic Hat which for $5.00 you just couldn't beat it. My boyfriend ordered the bacon wrapped chicken along with a California Roll. I liked the ambience and the fact that I made reservations online within the hour and when I walked in early and the wait list was huge, I was seated. If ever in the area again, I would surely come back here.
(4)Trung N.
I am not a big fan of Asian fusion but I always end up at one and it usually pays off nicely for my tummy. Dragonfly has some really AWESOME creations. I absolutely love the Dragonfly Roll, the Surf&Turf Roll, and the Uni Shooters. Oh I can't forget their braised pork belly. It's a really nice and upscale atmosphere to impress your guests or date. The service is also top notch! Check it out and have fun trying something new.
(5)Doug H.
Not only was the sushi as good as I've had anywhere, but the service was outstanding as well. I would strongly recommend Dragonfly to any sushi aficionado.
(5)Carson K.
Had a great experience here. Good weather on the patio, great saki options, wonderful service. Recommend "the Bomb" roll, Dragonfly, and Karmacrazy
(5)Derek G.
Amazing tapas, creative, intuitive, and savory sushi. Try the bomb roll and the dragonfly roll. Tempura ice cream is like ice cream covered in pound cake then deep fried wow amazing and enough for 3 people. I've also never seen so many choices of the finest Sake.
(5)Matt P.
I love Sushi, and Dragonfly never disappoints. The Ramon Noodles and Crab Fried rice are also favorites. Great place to go for quality sushi and Asian food.
(4)David D.
We are sushi mongers and search the world for the best sushi. Behold sushi lovers here is Mecca. Dragonfly elevates sushi to a new art form with incredible flavor. The Cobra Kai is an impossibly complex fusion of crab, salmon, red onion, lemon, pesto (yes pesto) and balsamic vinegar. You would be fine to order 5 of these and walk out happy. The yellow tail sashimi with a drizzle of ginger scallion pesto was fantastic. The Slammin Salmon and Lava rolls are excellent as well. The Robata grill is worth trying. We had the scallops and Eringi mushrooms. Incredible Flavor and the dipping sauces are outrageously good. Oddly enough, we found their signature maki, the Dragonfly roll, which is cooked tuna and grouper with a spicy eel sauce, to be only so-so. But when the bar is set this high, even so-so is so good.
(5)Kaycee D.
Amazing! Best sushi in Orlando.
(5)Annette R.
The edamame was good, the sushi rolls not so much, and the clam soup was salty. Nothing to rave about, but the interior was modern and amazing. Coming from Los Angeles where Sushi really is freaking Amazing, I should of just ordered chicken
(3)Julia C.
Once again, a great meal, decent service & this time we tried the green tea creme brulee. It was light and sweet and very good!
(5)Mike F.
A friend recommended Dragonfly to our group of ravenous golfers. Dragonfly hooked us up with their delicious house specialties including The Bomb and Dragonfly rolls. The presentation was excellent - outstanding considering we ordered it all to go. Dave the GM was very helpful and accommodating of our requests. If you're golfing in Orlando- get off the steak and potatoes and get over to Dragonfly.
(5)Jenn D.
Dragonfly is one of my favorite place to visit in the Sandlake area. My friends in Gainesville have always raved about the one up there so I was really excited for this one to open. I've been here on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed by the food or service! The food here is awesome! The miso yaki black cod is amazing, I really don't know how to describe it except it's warm, buttery, and just melts in your mouth. The Shari Risotto is a must try, and it's even better that it's on their happy hour everyday from 5-7PM ;) Every time someone mentions Dragonfly, I immediately recommend the risotto. I would come back just for it. Yes, I think it's that good. As for their sushi, you can't go wrong with the Dragonfly roll (their signature) or Crunch roll. The service here is always on point. The servers are super friendly and attentive, I never felt rushed and they always made sure everything was going well. The atmosphere is great, super chic and modern from the lounge/waiting area to the outdoor patio seating. They also have this awesome fountain right outside the restaurant which makes it a perfect photo op while waiting to get seated or after dinner. This is the perfect place to go on a date or even with a group of friends. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Gianna O.
Oh my god. This place is AMAZING! My bf and I ordered sooo many things, and each things was spectacular. I highly recommend the dragonfly roll and the risotto (I know that's a strange thing to order in a sushi restaurant, but it was sooo unique with asian flavors).
(5)ellen e.
What a disaster: we went here for "happy hour" and the place was dead empty. Ok, we thought, they are new here and maybe not many people know about this. After sitting down and asking about the happy hour specials we were told "2 dollars off regular drink prices." Umm - ok... But when asking about food specials the answer was "we are new to Orlando and our happy hour doesn't offer any food specials". What?? Needless to say, we hightailed out of there and went to Moonfish two blocks down the road. Dragonfly is our favorite restaurant in Gainesville - its original location - where we were regulars while at UF. Why on earth management would decide not to offer a happy hour in Orlando, a city with 100 times the number of restaurants and hence competition, is beyond me. What a shame.
(1)Doug G.
Yum. We have been wanting to try Dragonfly as we loved the one in Gainesville. It definitely delivered. The dragonfly roll is so good. The lychee leung is delicious. Happy hour specials are great. I would recommend to anyone looking for anyone looking for great sushi at a nice atmosphere.
(5)Peter C.
Nice place but they seem to allow cigar smoking on the patio, cigars and sushi is not a food combo. Wish the manager had asked him to put it out, they open the rain curtain instead, not enough.
(3)TK T.
I've been to Dragonfly about 3 times and now I feel compelled to write a review. Definitely not the best quality sushi in area. Amura right across the street blows it away. Food quality is reasonable, nor great, and the quantity is well below average for the price. What really turned me off about Dragonfly is their false advertising! On 2 separate occasions they have sent emails outlining special events and BOTH times, they turned out to be flat wrong. The first time, we went to the restaurant and the food and beverage served ended up not being what was advertised. They said they we sorry, but that there was some miscommunication on the event details and did or honor the "special". Last week for New Year's Eve we received numerous emails touting their big NYE party, which looked great! Since I am a believer in the old "Fool me once..." adage, I called to confirm the details. As it turned out, they were NOT serving Moët and Chandon (as advertised), but rather a much cheaper version of bubbly. There were also some other significant discrepancies. The manage I spoke to told me that it was a "misprint". Doing our telephone conversation, I got the distinct impression that these folks were purposely trying to pull a fast one. Either this place has a whole lot of misprints and miscommunications, or they are just plain dishonest. Either way, there much better places to go for sushi without the hassle.
(1)lars h.
Great quality food and innovative sushi. Above average prices, but the fish is worth the extra price. The bad - very dark in the dining room and lacking in the extra touch. We celebrated a birthday, and they knew it and did nothing, Most restaurants of this caliber gives a small treat. The hostess was inattentive and all over the place. We waited 5 minutes before being seated in an empty restaurant, because she was busy running around and doing nothing. l'd probably give it 3 1/2 for these lacks in attention. Foodwise it is a big four, so we are kind today and gives it a 4*
(4)Rohit C.
The place is expensive and the food was not impressive.
(2)Anne S.
Visited Dragonfly while on vacation . Saw a recommendation on Yelp and it was right on!! Dragonfly is fantastic! Especially loved the Shiso wrapped spicy tuna, the Hot Haraguchi Bloody Mary and the Green Tea Creme Bulee, for dessert. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Brian D.
My wife and I ate at Dragonfly last night for the 1st time. Great atmosphere, awesome happy hour. The spicy yellowtail, spicy salmon and risotto (yes I said risotto) was a nice twist. Will be back soon.
(5)Roger A.
COCKROACH, SLOW SERVICE, HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE...Came in last Sunday with a group of friends from out of the country and I have no doubts they left extremely disappointed: First of all, a COCKROACH was climbing the curtain behind us, when manager was called didn't even bother to apologize, seemed like an every day event. Not only that, food took forever to come and even after that it took them a long time to bring Soy Sauce to the table! First time ever we have to "beg" for Soy sauce at a Japanese restaurant!
(1)C R.
1 star for the nice decor - loved the cherry blossoms inside 1 star for the patient waiter who tried his best to answer our questions about the menu.... ...other than that this place sucked! I feel sorry for the Orlando yelpers who haven't tasted REAL Izakaya cuisine. You're all missing out big time if you think this place is great. The restaurant advertises "Modern Izakaya" cuisine, it's more of a bastardized Japanese food to satiate the American palate. The best Izakaya other than in Japan is in California (city: Sunnyvale, in a little restaurant called Tanto). I ordered (2): 1) Ramen Noodle - sucked! the broth was flavorless, meat too salty, I've had better ramen noodles, serving portion was a tad small for the price. 2) Onigiri - sucked, it fell apart too easily, there was no crunch (unlike REAL yaki onigiri) flavorless, lacked the golden brown grill color, underwhelming. The ambience was romantic, but the food was subpar to REAL Izakaya restaurants. Tip: If you're thinking about eating at an "Izakaya" establishment, check out the clientel inside the restaurant, if the customers are mostly Japanese, that's a sure bet the food there is good. This restaurant however caters mostly to young, wanna-be-hip Americans who don't know any better.
(2)Jeff B.
Great service. Very good food. The risotto is very good, but very rich - share it with a couple other people.
(4)David G.
the sushi wasn't all that!! there are way better sushi places around dr.phillips to be paying that much and eating just "ok" sushi!!!! service was alright nothing to special!!! overall everything was just ok...nothing to be excited about
(3)Van Victor S.
Great restaurant, very classy and the food are just delicious. I've been to this place 2 to 3 times and I have always had a great experience. Highly recommendable place.
(5)Rebecca G.
This place has a lovely decor,good service and delicious food. The sushi rolls are very large so, only order one for a meal or a couple to share. The robata grill items are excellent,particularly the salmon. The ginger,red bean and green tea ice creams are a wonderful dessert. You can't go wrong here.
(4)Colleen C.
My husband and I have been here twice. Love the tapas size plates! The crab stir fry rice is wonderful! It's a foodie place fo sure! Can't wait to go back.
(4)Kers J.
One of the best creation rolls I've ever tasted comes from this place...The Kobra Kai and Mango Roll are the best non-traditional rolls I've ever had. This place is a gem in my book for sushi. Wish it was closer to DC.
(4)Rebecca B.
This place is absolutely delicious! My husband and I went there on our recent trip to Orlando. The crispy tofu was so good I had to order it twice. My husband said it was the best seafood he ever had. The service was perfect and loved the atmosphere as well. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Bob G.
We were in Orlando for a few days of golf and wanted to find a good Japanese restaurant that was not part of the theme park scene. A local banker recommended Dragonfly as one of the best in the area. He was right. We started with Robata grilled unagi - BBQ eel - 1000 degree heat! Excellent texture and flavor. Our server, Luis, who by the way was excellent and engaging, guided us through the diverse premium sake menu and made a great recommendation - Hatsumago. Also excellent. The Dragonfly concept is akin to tapas style dining. One can continue to order Robata grilled items, sashimi or sushi until you've had enough. We particularly enjoyed the Spanish Mackerel, yellow tail and toro. Green Tea creme brûlée finished off an excellent.
(5)Steve G.
i went here for a special occasion, i really wanted to impress so i reached beyond my comfort zone. i read all the sushi rest reviews on Yelp and this place won. the sushi, gosh i don't even remember the sushi, that speaks volumes. what did stand out was the Robito grill, some fancy form of grilling that makes 2 prawns cost 8$. tasted good though. the cucumber cocktail seemed like the best thing, my date enjoyed the taste going down and coming up. the thing i will always mention when remembering this place verbally is the bill. hmmm , what's the word... o yeah, whopping. over a hundred bucks before tip for an average meal. oh, the most important detail, i almost forgot- the edamame with garlic that the waitress suggested and said was awesome SUCKED. i mean f'in repulsive tasting and she still said how awesome they were again when we returned them after eating only 1 peice each. and they tried to charge us for them. bad form. the resteraunt and food are average but the overall experiance sucked because i was so disappointed - i def. expected more.
(3)Tommy ..
very good sushi with a nice selection of other dishes! ambiance is great, service is great but a tad pricey. best roll in my opinion is "the bomb" and you have to try the wagoo rib eye as an appetizer! also, the miso soup has baby clams in it, tastes awesome!
(5)Angie T.
Most enjoyable dinner with a group of friends. We were in town on a business trip. My black Cod with wild mushrooms in Miso sauce was excellent.
(5)Jessica B.
Just finished dinner at Dragonfly's new location in Orlando. Even better then Gainesville. The sushi is awesome, as expected. My favorite rolls are the Dragonfly, the Bomb, the Spider, and the Lava. Really loved the new grilled items, the scallops and rib eye were very good. Service was great. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. The ambiance was nice, modern and elegant at the same time. So excited to have my favorite sushi bar close to home!
(5)Bob G.
Pricey but once in a while it is a treat. Try the baby yellowtail, it will blow you away!
(4)Ihoneybadger L.
I must say, Dragonfly is definitely one happenin' place on Sandlake. I think i'll be coming back here more often for celebrations and such. So let the review begin. Atmosphere: Atmosphere is a big majority as to why I dine at places. I love this place, it's the perfect blend of chic and modern without seeming overly pretentious. Although it seems very upscale, I think the sushi there is affordable and comparable to most other Sushi places of the same calibre (Amura, Shin, Seito...). We went on the night where they were doing Naked Sushi (Naked girl with sushi on her body). Although, I don't think anyone was eating it? It was a fun experience. They definitely beat out alot of other sushi places in that aspect, bringing something new to the table in orlando. Price: To me, sushi in general is like korean food, most of the good places tend to be a little more pricey. I would say appetizers range from 4-12 bucks? And entrees were anywhere from 10-17 bucks from what I recall (don't quote me! = )). Service: I thought was extremely friendly and very accommodating. However, there were two incidences I encountered with the server. One, I ordered a drink, didn't like it after two sips, so I returned, but she never took it off the check. I didn't say anything when I received the check though because I'm a server, and I know what a pain in the a** it is to have to void crap off a check, so I didn't give her too much trouble about it and paid for it anyway. The second thing that happened though, was that after I paid and tipped, I saw two days later on my bank account statement, that i was actually charged for more than what the check + tip together. Now i'm not sure if that was also a mistake also, but if it wasn't then i'd be thoroughly disappointed with the dishonesty and lack of attention to detail. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being, until I investigate more on the issue. Food: I had the snow crab hot pot. It was actually really good, and the sushi was delightful, but I wouldn't say exquisite. I gotta give it to them though, they've really mixed up the sushi alot and made plenty of new innovative rolls. But like I said I'm not blown away. Perhaps I'll give the restaurant a second try another time, and order a few new rolls next time I go there. I don't want to judge to quick on the quality of the food before thoroughly trying it's vast variety. Overall, I will return to this restaurant, 1 time, is not enough to truly establish an impression on this place. I do think though, that it is a great place to go to for parties, saturday night outings, and such. Very hip and chic place to be with innovative concepts for Orlando.
(3)Carmen L.
I work on Wallace at a doctors office (chiropractor so if your in a car accident let me know) & the doctor I work for brought me a menu Because I love sushi. OMG this place is AMAZING!!!! The rolls they have their are so delish!!! We started off with the Bacon Enoki which is mushroom covered in bacon grilled. I am not a mushroom lover but this was amazing. We has the Sashimi Special. The fish was so fresh it melts in your mouth!! Now for the rolls: you have to try their Dragonfly Roll its the house specialty really good but FYI it has a kick to it. Now I've saved the best for last: Cobra Kai Roll. It is a Snow Crab, Red Onion, & Tempura Flakes (Something else but I can't remember ) topped with Salmon, Balsamic Vinegar, & Pesto!!!!! This sounds weird but the way it comes together in your mouth is phenomenal!!!!! Definitely best roll I've ever had. Will be hitting up this place again. Mike was our server Great Job!!!! Ask for Mike he helps you with the menu and is very nice.
(5)Becky H.
Best place in Otown for sushi! Food is amazing and the service is awesome. Atmosphere is intimate and elegant. The fun music in the background makes it a fantastic place for a date night or dinner with friends. The one in Gainesville is great, but this is even better. Well priced and high quality, the signature rolls are a must- love me some yummy Dragonfly!!
(5)Megan C.
I have always liked Dragonfly. I have been to their Gainesville location a few times, and tonight was my second time at the Orlando location. The first visit was great, probably 4 stars, and tonight's started off great, but didn't end that way. I sat at the bar since I was solo on business, and had to sit outside in the heat since the inside bar was packed, but no worries to me, I can handle the heat! I met the female bartender/server and she explained the different kinds of sake to me, and I ordered one along with the spinach/mushroom salad that I crave! All was good and then... all the sudden a different server asked me if I needed anything. I said not now, and that I was finishing my salad and trying to decide on something else. He NEVER CAME BACK! I was trying to be loyal to my original server, but then realized she left, without mentioning it to me, and then he started trying to take care of me, but never mentioned that he was my new server! I was playing on my phone to entertain myself, so maybe he thought I was busy, but still, he never checked back. I was going to order more food, but I thought by the time I got his attention I would probably have to wait another hour for food, and him to come back, again. SO... rather then another sake or glass of wine, and a roll, he left with me only spending $30. If someone would have just told me of the changing of servers, and paid some sort of attention to me, I would have given this 4 stars, but I am a stickler on service! I feel that you can have mediocre food and if the service is spot on, you win!
(3)Cyd X.
Very nice staff and nice food. We came here about 9:30 and left after the close time but staffs here are very nice and patient. Food is also wonderful, I recommend the garlic crab fried.
(5)John N.
Excellent service from start to finish. Ashely, our server, helped us through the unique menu. Everything was excellent. Our favorites were the classic roll and baby bok choy. Parking is not always convenient, but the food is worth the effort.
(5)Jay C.
The interior and atmosphere are really nice but you might want to bring a Down Jacket because it's freezing in that place. I was expecting the Ice Princess to make an appearance any moment. The best part about the place is the edamame. Highly suggest it. The sushi rolls were less than memorable. One of the rolls we ordered was the Black and Blue which had steak and blue cheese which was interesting. Not the best combo with rice. Service was pretty good. Overall it was a so so rather chilly experience. Brrr
(3)Karla V.
Dragonfly has been consistently good since I was living in Gainseville for college about 8 years ago. While visiting Orlando tbis past weekend, we decided to eat here and experience a little nostalgia of my college sushi days. This location has expanded their menu and offers Robata, skewer type small bites. I tried the duck and it was drizzled with a plum sauce, cooked perfectly, and very tasty. The crab wontons were served to us even though they were not on the menu and truly took me back. They are so rich and creamy and full of flavor sitting on a sweet marmalde. The specialty sushi rolls are mainly cooked rolls and are very different than anything else i have had. They are fresh and have complex flavors and are very filling. My favorite is the Fire Me Up Wasabi. The service here is always on point. The restaurant can accommodate big parties and is a fun night out stocked with a full bar offering specialty cocktails. It had been a while since I had the Dragonfly experience, i was not disappointed abd so pleased it lived up to my expectations.
(4)J T.
Use to be one of my favorite sushi places but the last time I was there, I felt that the sushi seemed 'meh' - kinda bland. Their signature DragonFly roll was not up to par and it is a pricey one. Love the atmosphere of the place and service is usually good. Perhaps a bad day? I'd return in hopes that one day out of several doesn't mean a no-go. Oh, and FYI, the bar is very small! Don't expect to be able to sit there unless you arrive super early.
(3)Xin W.
Their food is excellent! We were traveling in Orlando and had been always enjoying our dinner in dragonfly during our stay! They noodles, both ramen and soba, are so well made that you feel like in Japan! They also provide delicious grills; although in appetizer size, the grills taste very good with the special sauces! Their rolls are worth trying too! The taste is far beyond the price!
(5)Michelle B.
Really good fresh fish, well flavored dishes. Try a little of everything sashimi, rolls, menu items from the Robata grill. Even the salad I had was sooo good - warm spinach & shitake mushroom...It can get pricey though so if you want to try their menu on a budget first, they have happy hour mon-fri 4pm until 6:30 or 7. Nice decor too. Will go back.
(4)Achal A.
I'm an Orlando local and love to eat out in this city. My friend recommended to eat here and I was super excited, but the entire experience was incredibly poor. I ordered strictly off the robata grill (coal fired grill) and the food actually smelled wrong. My friend's beef tongue was cooked incorrectly and not even prepared appropriately. Out of the 3 dishes I ordered, 2 smelled like they were already rotten and tasted worse. However, the kicker was that the service was terrible. We had to keep calling the waiter for everything we wanted (even water). There are much better, cheaper places available within the vicinity of the restaurant.
(2)Katie B.
I could easily have all of my meals at Dragonfly. Their take on sushi is unlike anything else in the area. I recommend starting with the edamame, it's the best I've ever had and it has quite a kick to it! For the rolls you can't go wrong with the surf n turf or black dragon. Really any of the rolls will leave you more than satisfied. If you crave something sweet the Mango Tango is for you. It has the perfect combination of savory and sweet and can double as dinner and dessert. The prices aren't ideal but they aren't unheard of given the restaurant's location and quality. This restaurant gets 5 starts from me, the atmosphere, quality, and service is unparalleled. Their only real rival is Sushi Pop in Oviedo. Reservations are a must, enjoy your sushi!
(5)Eddie C.
Great service nice ambient. Sushi was great but some of the contemporary dishes and just ok. Great place for business dinner.
(4)Sofya M.
Came here for a dinner with colleagues while at a conference in Orlando. Great atmosphere, extensive menu, delicious sushi and try the mushroom risotto (it's not what you think) and terrific waitstaff. Thanks Tung for the service , made our night.
(5)Kelleigh M.
Being in Orlando for work has its benefits. I get to try some restaurants that I've had bookmarked for a while. Since I was here alone, I decided to sit by the sushi counter so I could take in the excitement going on in the kitchen and see all the great dishes as they left for their tables. Tonight I decided to try Dragonfly sushi. The atmosphere is modern and hip, and definitely where the cool kids hang out. I was pleasantly surprised to see they featured Cigar City beers in their menu and I went with my favorite the Florida Cracker. After recommendations from my server, I went with the miso yaki black cod appetizer. This dish was absolutely amazing (and not an appetizer portion at all!). He touted it as good as Noubu's sea bass. I for one have not been to Noubu but I know the reputation that place has. If this black cod is anything like Noubu's sign me up now. This dish was on a bed of various mushrooms and the fish had almost a butter taste to it, just like sea bass. For $17 this was a steal. For my 2 rolls I decided upon the Bomb and the Cobra Kai. Wow! I don't know what to say or how to describe these rolls. FRESH, unique, freshly made. The rolls are moderately priced at $13-$14. It's a little steep, but the quality is there. Would I return? Oh my, yes. Would I order the same thing? Absolutely. I'm still wondering how they can make black cod taste oh so good.
(5)Laura S.
Horrible service! Took over twenty minutes to get a beer and chicken skewers. Some of my party who ordered after me got their drinks and food and were finished by the time I received mine. The server could haven cared less. Will not be going back
(1)Joseph W.
I really like the happy hour bar menu. The prices are good and service is good. We get sushi rolls and sometimes the sliders or sticky buns. Nice to get there early and enjoy before they get busy.
(4)Mandy C.
We finally found our go-to sushi place! It's been 9 months living here and we had not found a sushi restaurant that warranted returning much less becoming a favorite...until we walked into Dragonfly ! OMFG is the best way to summarize this place . From atmosphere to service to unique selections this place excels. But the quality of the sushi is amazing! It was better than some of favorite Vegas sushi spots. We started with the special Wa-gyu Beef served carpaccio style. I tried the muddled blueberry vodka cocktail. And we shared 3 rolls to which we requested brown rice for all! The lobster roll, Godzilla and mango tango. All three rolls were amazing but the Lobster Rolll was extra amazing...however it came with a $$$($18 for the roll). Our tab was worth every penny! I cannot wait to go back.
(5)Kevin B.
Long wait- but worth it! Beautiful view outside and the food was absolutely amazing. Miso Ramen was so flavorful and savory. Sushi was excellent- fresh and delicious!
(4)Sherry P.
Our favorite Happy Hour for Wednesday evening. The sushi is always fresh and our favorite drink Ginger Ninja is always refreshing. Service is over the top. Thank you Arianna! Sherry P
(5)Greg B.
We turned the responsibility of ordering food and saki over to our server Kameron and we were very impressed. Excellent service and selections. This will be a destination dining spot I look forward to visiting whenever I'm in Orlando.
(5)Audrey P.
I wish I had more hands so I could give Dragonfly more thumbs up! I chose Dragonfly to celebrate a friends special event. There were quite a few in our group; all foodies. Dragonfly hit the nail on the head. All of the menu options were delicious. The drink menu was creative and extensive. Tapas-style sushi and Japanese food? Genius! The ambiance and decor was perfect. Trendy but not pretentious. Our server (Ariana? Adriana? sorry :-!) and bartenders were attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely happy to make suggestions and pairings. Braised short ribs, risotto, blue cheese roll, wagyu beef carpaccio.....everything we ordered were all amazing. The spicy habañero orange cocktail and cucumber martini were unbelievably delicious. Come here for a special occasion or just to enjoy incredible food and drinks that will knock your socks off!
(5)Belinda B.
Been there twice. They give you a lot of good. Trendy, always busy, better get a reservation. If you're not happy, they treat you well next time. I liked the food, the place and the service. Give it a try.. Oh, better valet, parking is impossible. Complimentary valet
(5)Amber H.
Great sushi. LOVE the robata grill... it gives such a unique flavor to the dishes. I have only been here once for the regular menu (admittedly) because the Happy Hour specials are too good to pass up when you are on a budget. I love the view. Indoor or outdoor seating. I love everything on the happy hour menu, even since it has changed over the years. The drinks are top notch as well.
(4)Kristen P.
I had a great birthday dinner here. A big group of us met up to celebrate. We hit a bit of traffic and were a little late but our table wasn't quite ready for us. So we copped a squat at the bar. The drinks were great. I loved the food. I think pretty much all of us got Dragonfly Roll. I also got the crispy crunch. It was okay, but I much preferred the dragonfly roll. The Edamame was a great too! All the food was superb. I had a great time. I would love to go back for a special occasion. It's a bit pricey for everyday sushi :)
(4)Elisa M.
Great restaurant, beautiful and inviting. For starters we had the rib appetizer. It was wonderful, the ribs were tender and full of flavor. For our main course we had the black and blue roll and the dragonfly roll. The rolls where extremely fresh and delicious. Best sushi we have had in a long time. We ended our experience with the fried ice cream. My husband and I were fighting for the last bite. The only reason I fail to give it a 5 star is because of the fact that happy hour is only at the bar or on the outside patio. Not a big deal but it would have made this experience for us into a 5 star for sure. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Darth C.
In spite of us arriving a mere 10 minutes before closing (unwittingly), we were NOT made to feel as though we'd overstayed our welcome, and the chef certainly didn't hold anything back. The food was incredible. I had the absolute best ramen I'd ever eaten outside of Japan, an amazingly delectable lobster roll (against which all future lobster rolls will be measured), the Garlic Crab Fried Rice, and a slew of other items that I can't even remember the names of. EVERYTHING was amazing! Come for the food. Stay for the ambiance. Come back because of the staff.
(5)Helen C.
I recommend the wagyu beef
(5)Janet B.
The dragonfly sushi roll is a must. What a great restaurant at a great location and excellent staff. Our waitress looked like a blonde Barbie and was so attentive and sweet. She was a big part of our very positive experience at this place. She explained the entire menu with detail and all the plates she recommended were excellent. Will definitely be back. There is a happy hour menu and section in the restaurant where they serve the discounted menu and it looked totally happening. The ambiance was enjoyable.
(5)Julia G.
Very fresh and delicious sushi! We ordered four rolls and were super stuffed. Also tried the fried pig ears, which were unusually tasty, salty, light and crispy. Great place!!!
(5)Katherine M.
Really, this would be 4.5, but I'm rounding up. The atmosphere here is beautiful - I love the interior - but the chairs at the high-top tables might be the most uncomfortable stools out there. Modern looking, but not number one in comfort. Not bad for a short meal. The food is delicious, and although maybe a bit pricey in comparison to Orlando on a whole, it's probably correct in pricing for this area in particular (Sand Land/I-Drive, all the restaurants and people). We enjoyed the crispy tofu to start which is up there in terms of delicious tofu dishes, and we try them just about every where we go. The red miso sauce was perfect. The steak and prawns on the robata grill were amazing - perfectly cooked and seasoned. My bacon wrapped cherry tomatoes were a little under done and the bacon wasn't really adding much - I'd suggest just doing the normal veggies here as the corn (a speciality during the time we went) was much, much better. Cocktails are nothing to write home about - one we got was pretty decent, the other was fairly awful (vanilla and lychee - weird). If you are looking to drink, try the sake, although, the normal cheap sake (Sho Chiku Bai) was a bit pricier than the normal for me. Overall, a really good experience, and I'd give it 5 stars because I would come back when visiting Orlando over many other places, and considering all the options, that means a lot.
(5)Daisy O.
The main reason this restaurant is getting a 5 is by far because of its SERVICE. I found this place on Yelp and my bf and I came here twice while we were in the Orlando area earlier this month. Well, the first night we went we were impressed by the decor, how full it was and how entertaining it was sitting at the sushi bar (we were right across the Robata grillmaster that night). Anyways, we ordered chicken from the grill which was AMAZE-BALLS! The best grilled meet I've ever had (I had the bacon-wrapped asparagus which was also great). The drinks were good but a bit overpriced (typical). The rolls I chose were good but barely distinguishable, they tasted very similar to each other but very high quality. My bf's rolls were delish, he couldn't get enough. The fried ice cream was a big serving and definitely the best I've tasted in a long time. Our waitress, Jen, was attentive and chatted us up and made us feel welcome. She was really sweet. We came back later that week and were sat at a table, even though it was looking like we would get the bar again, so that was a treat. We had a different waitress, Melanie, who was equally amazing as Jen and super nice. Our first waitress, Jen, saw us and she recognized us! She checked in on us and was excited to see us again. Why I rated this a five? Well, we ordered the fried ice cream again and our waitress told us Jen paid for it!!! We were really blown away by her kindness and just couldn't believe it. I mean, this is why people come back. It is important to have great food--yes, but how you're welcomed and treated really ensures returning customers. Therefore, whenever we're back in the Orlando area (I've been coming yearly for the last ten years to visit my family) we will definitely make sure to come back and recommend other people to go as well. THANK YOU!
(5)J W.
First of all, Ashley is one of the best waitresses I've ever had. This happy hour is incredible. Delicious small plates $4-6, delicious Japanese tap beer $3 and quality chilled liquors for $3. Awesome experience, I wish Dragonfly would move to Jacksonville Beach
(5)Steven B.
This place was pretty good. Very creative Rolls. The Lobster Roll had high quality lobster with a good cream sauce. The Surf & Turf Roll didn't have that much taste, even with bacon, beef, and shrimp. Wouldn't mind trying some of their other crazy creations.
(3)Jc J.
Black dragon roll, the surf and turf roll, crab fried rice, Duck pork belly Raman, red bean ice cream and doughnuts are excellent. But the braised beef was uuuh! Def want to come back for the GODZILLA
(5)Yuka K.
nice atmosphere, nice staff, not impressed with the sushi, it tries too hard to be a fusion with american and for me personally that just does not work with sushi...bleu cheese in a sushi roll? bacon? not my thing.
(3)Bowie S.
Came here with my sorority sisters and some friends. There was a large group of us and they were very accomodating. We went during happy hour and enjoyed their happy hour appetizers. We sat on the porch but I did see the inside, it was nice, upscale and definitely a nice place for a date night. They had a nice bar area, so you can relax and be casual or dress up and dine inside. Their menu has a lot of different dishes and rolls. Someone at the table got the garlic fried rice and I normally wouldn't order that but it was actually pretty good. The server was nice and did a great job w/ the large party, she split the checks and never gave us any attitude, I was surprised at how well she was handling the large party, very nice.
(4)Cynthia L.
My fiancé and I love the original dragonfly in Gainesville so we had to check this one out when we came to Orlando. The food, besides the pork ramen, is better in the Gainesville location. This one boasts about their famous Robata grill which from I tried was good but not great. They have a large sushi and sashimi selection; everything was very fresh. And our waiter was very attentive and helped us choose all our dishes. They have mystery sake cocktails which I thought was a cute idea and they all tasted great (there's 3 to choose from). It's a really good restaurant, I just think Gainesville is a little better. But if you have never been to the Gainesville one you won't be disappointed.
(4)Gail W.
We just ate here tonight, loved the atmosphere. The food was excellent and our server Melanie, was great! She took the time to go through the menu with us to find what we would like. We will certainly be back, especially for the Tempura Cheesecake :)
(5)Nora M.
I first tried this place by getting "to go sushi". None of my family members enjoyed it, it wasn't good at all and I kinda was ok with it. They custom ordered some of their sushi and when it was made, it was tasteless. However, I wanted to give it another shot by eating there with different family members, the food was really good, I advised my cousin to stick to their sushi signature menu to avoid a horrible experience and we did and we absolutely loved it. Their plates from the grill side of the menu is extremely tiny, like I got literally two grilled prawns for $10 lol.. It was good but not at all filling. And on the dessert side, their red bean and ginger ice cream is amazing, their fried cheesecake is one of the best I've ever tried. Their Japanese doughnuts weren't good to me and full of sugar. Bottom line I liked the place and would go again but I advise that u stick to their signature sushi's, never build ur own lol.
(4)Katelyn T.
So we weren't ready for how this place would be... Figured it's probably a small Japanese restaurant. All I wanted was a roll... Until we came here. We came to find out it's an Asian tapas and oh my god it was the best Asian food. We ordered crispy tofu, Garlic crab fried rice, duck and beef tongue skewers and a Godzilla roll. They even have the biggest Japanese beer menu I've ever seen.. (there was about 10 but that's still alot since most times you only see about 3 or 4) I would recommend this place, but dress nicely and expect to have an awesome meal.
(5)Sergio F.
Call ahead or make reservations. Average wait for a party of 4 is 20-30 minutes. I spent about $60-70 between my wife and I, and we left a little hungry. The portions are pretty small for the big price. The explained to us that their theme was tapas style, so everyone should order a whole bunch of small plates and share. If you're going for drinks and small plates to munch on go for it, but you will spend more than you would if you were to go to another bar or lounge. Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious and the drinks were perfect; its just the portion sizes and the price point was a little off. Either way I recommend this place if you're looking for a posh place to get some great drinks and pricey, but delicious, tapas this is the place for you.
(4)Monica H.
I'm glad I tried this place!!! The staff was friendly and greeted us with a smile (yes, i find this very very important)... The waitress explained the menu to us very thoroughly which was wonderful... It's two skewers a plate for the Robata Grill.. The entrees were delicious, except for the bok choy.. The flavor just wasn't sinking in., whether it was too much vinegar or too much salt.. The fried rice was so good, we ordered two... Sushi was fresh. Everything was wonderful. It's definitely a fun experience in Florida...
(4)Dave C.
One of my favorite happy hour spots. Nice outdoor patio and nicely decorated interior. Staff is very friendly.
(4)Todd B.
This was a great meal, and what a wonderful concept - bringing tapa style restaurants into the Asian restaurant market. If you're like me, and you want to order multiple appetizers and entrees when you go for thai or chinese (who here hasn't ordered BBQ spareribs, won ton soup, multiple egg rolls, fried rice and lo mein, all just for themselves? Am I right?). So as a concept, Asian tapas, this was a wonderful concept. Delivery was excellent. Atmosphere was terrific. Pricing - eh, a bit too expensive for what you got. If I was limiting this review to just tapas style restaurants, I might go the fifth star, since tapas in general are pricey. You always spend more money. But I can't bring myself to give the 5th star here. Okay, the good - our server was terrific. If you didn't know what you were getting when you walked in, then the menu could be really confusing. It doesn't really explain what you're ordering or how some of the dishes are prepared, but he walked us through it and was patient and very knowledgeable. The food - while the portions were small (I know...call me captain obvious), the food was fantastic. Everything was cooked perfectly and couldn't have been more delicious. My girlfriend and I each got one thing on our own (she got prawns cooked on the Robata Grill and I got short ribs). I didn't think much of the robata grill when the server described it - special coals from Japan that get up to 1000 degrees. Great - it's a hot grill. Woooooooo (said with a lot of sarcasm). However, ye bald man of little faith - the prawns definitely had a distinct flavor from the robata grill. They gave her 2 decently sized Prawns...for $10 I think. My short ribs were incredible. So flavorful at a cost of $10 or $12. We also split a bowl of crab fried rice - not as good as you'd expect when you see crab fried rice, but worth trying. It was tasty. Finally, we split 2 sushi rolls - the Kamacrazy Roll and The Bomb. These were what you would expect from a specialty roll. Maybe a bit on the high end at $12 and $13, which are prices usually reserved to lobster sushi rolls, but still within reason. We both liked the Bomb better than the kamacrazy, but both were fantastic. A lot of fish in both, not too heavy on the rice. Brown rice is an option for an additional $1 - but we forgot to request it. Back to the prices, this is what I am talking about when I say the price is an issue. How much would you spend at a normal asian restaurant? $20, maybe? $25? Well, that would be 2.5 plates of the prawns or short ribs at this place. You wouldn't be full. You'd think you only ate the appetizer. So, the prices were a bit out there. Its a really nice restaurant, high quality delicious food. But it shouldn't be that expensive. All in all, I would come back and wouldn't mind a Tampa location. We found that as long as you leave the area of Disney and Universal, you can find some good restaurants in Orlando - it isn't all Fridays and Fuddruckers and Pizzeria Uno. You have to look a bit, but they are out there. Dragonfly is one of them and worth your time.
(4)Amoli P.
I was torn with this review of Dragonfly. I've been eating at the Gainesville location Dragonfly for years, ever since they opened. And as much as I've talked up Dragonfly, I was so excited to have my husband experience the deliciousness when we were in Orlando last week. But somehow, there is something about this Orlando location that just doesn't live up to the original one in Gville. The menu is about 70% the same, and 30% different. The vibe and atmosphere is more relaxed and quiet sophisticated rather than the more fun and loungey vibe of the Gville location. Nothing wrong with that, just different. The cocktails were pretty delicious. The Smokey Old Fashioned was excellent and the Fig infused bourbon drink was also fantastic. The cocktail menu was intriguing and we were very pleased with both of our choices. I know some yelpers have complained about the $10 cocktails, but that's pretty standard where we come from (Chicago), and these cocktails were high quality and worth it. We started with the edamame sauteed in butter with togarashi. Very tasty and I highly recommend it, but I've had better edamame renditions. Next, we ordered an item not on the Orlando menu but from the Gville menu that they said they could recreate - the crab wontons with the apricot sauce. Except that they didn't really recreate this item like the Gainesville version and it was a letdown. The stuffing was way too creamy with not enough crab. The flavor was a little bland. And the apricot sauce was lacking and not enough. For our rolls we ordered the standard Dragonfly roll (a must) and the Kamacrazy roll. Both were excellent and identical to the Gainesville amazingness that I remember. The Dragonfly sauce was still drinkable and the Kamacrazy was fresh and tasty. We finished with the ono sashimi dish, a special. In hindsight, we probably should have gone with the big toro or salmon sashimi items, or even the hirame. The ono was seared and a little bland and boring. Not the best item we've had, but we should have ordered better. Overall, I was a little disappointed that this Dragonfly didn't leave us with the wow factor I remember getting in Gainesville, but all in all it was still a great meal.
(3)Danielle B.
I recommend making reservations in advance, we called a day before and they didn't have a lot of availability (it was a Wednesday) and even with reservations we had to wait for about 10 minutes. They have a stylish decor/ nice ambiance and the service is very attentive. We followed our server's recommendation and all the rolls we ordered were tasty, it was hard to pick a favorite. If we weren't from out of state this would be my go to place for sushi.
(5)Andrea R.
This place is a favorite of ours when in Orlando. We went twice this week. You simply can't get a better deal than their happy hour. Food: So many delicious selections. Our favorites are the steamed buns (beef or pork), the bacon-wrapped asparagus, or the crunch roll. We also tried the tempura shrimp which had pleasantly light and tasty batter. Service: Not the best waitstaff ever, but the folks behind the sushi bar are friendly. One overheard us mention some dietary restrictions and checked all our food before it came out. Check it out if you haven't already, it's a must stop. If only they were closer to WI...
(4)TJ M.
Great sushi rolls - I can't remember all the names we ordered but one that stood out was the volcano roll. The yellowtail collar from the robata grill was great as well. This place has an interesting menu and can't wait to go back to try more items. Only thing that was lacking was it was not kid friendly..... at all - even though on a Sunday night at 5:00pm the place was loaded with kids. There is no kids menu, which is fine because my kids like Asian food. I ordered them a Godzilla roll and asked for a bowl of ramen noodles with just the broth. They forgot to mention that the broth was spicy and I think the actually added extra pepper flakes on top! Good thing my kids like spicy food but a warning would have been nice.
(4)Leticia P.
Sat and watched as three other people walked in behind me and no one ever came to my table to even ask me if I wanted a cup of water but the other people were getting served , so i got up and walked out, i'm sure the food would've been good had I had the opportunity to actually try it, sigh what a shame, terrible guest service.
(1)Jacob H.
I am a sushi connoisseur. In terms of good sushi, this place hits the nail on the head. Variety of flavors, craftsmanship into each roll and a fun atmosphere make this place well worth trying out. While I did not try any tapas items on the menu, the excellent sushi and very well made cocktails will have my wife and I returning again and again.
(5)Matt B.
Visiting Orlando with sons. Dragon Fly was mentioned to us by our chauffeur. Went on a Saturday night. Place was busy but not overcrowded. Very cozy atmosphere and overall very chic. Kameron was our server and very attentive and knowledgable. Made some recommendations when asked. Noticed a man in restaurant that appeared to be the manager. After dinner he stopped by our table and asked if everything went well. I liked that level of care and service. Hope to go back if and when I'm in Orlando again
(4)Benjamin H.
This place is "run-don't-walk, why aren't you ALREADY there eating!?" good. My girlfriend and I went on a whim and had a fantastic meal, topped off with the tempura fried cheesecake (on the house!). Sake? More than I know what to do with. Cold or hot. Wait staff? Knowledgable. They've obviously been allowed to taste everything, and they learned what things are, what goes well together, and know the menu frontward and back. The food? Sublime. Brought my parents here, and we're all planning on being regulars! The tempura fried cheesecake? So wrong, so very wrong. And yet so, so right.
(5)Jan M.
The black and bleu roll is awesome. Steak and bleu cheese. Could of been better without the jalapeño.
(4)Sara B.
We were told that this would be the best sushi of our lives! The server knew ALOT about Sake and sushi and was very friendly. Sake selection is pretty amazing. The sashimi was butter smooth and fresh. The rolls were good and although I didn't really care for one I think it was mostly because it just wasn't something that I would have ordered...Suggestion from the waiter. Overall it was tasty, not the most amazing I have ever had.
(4)Megan O.
On vacation from Michigan and decided to try a local restaurant. My husband and I tried the ramen noodles, as well as some sushi rolls! Was not the best we've had, but the service and sushi were great! Forgot the waitress' name (an Asian girl), but she said she was just training! Came about a week ago.. Would definitely come back to try different items on the menu, as the service made up for the lack of flavor in the soup!
(3)Michael K.
The atmosphere is nice and the food is very high quality although it didn't blow us away. We really liked the miso ramen, but the scallop skewers underwhelmed us. We also had a tempura tofu, vegetables, and cheesecake we were craving, all were perfectly done.
(4)Sonny W.
Was in Orlando for a conference and wanted to eat away form the chains and found this place w a friend. It's local, has a cool upscale feel to it set in a new modern shopping area. The decor is modern, the service was good, the sushi was fresh. Try the lychee martini, rib eye skewers, and the Cobra Kai roll- original and very tasty! I highly recommend and will go back again if I'm back in Orlando.
(4)Desi W.
The atmosphere is very modern and sexy. The food portions are very small but delicious! We were still hungry when we left. The spicy tuna with rice crackers is THE BEST I have ever had. Meal for 2 was around 200.00 with alcoholic drinks. Like I said we were still hungry afterwards.
(3)Annette H.
For sure one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando! The food is "umami" delicious. The grilled foods are simply amazing. And I agree with the other reviews that state this is The BEST HAPPY HOUR On Sand Lake RD. They just updated the happy hour menu so check it out, lots of wonderful options for $6. The sushi is super fresh but the grill makes this restaurant something special. The service is very attentive. The management does a really good job with the staff. Jeff deserves employee of the year for his attention to detail and for always remembering his customers by name.
(5)Michelle W.
I came here upon finding a review on yelp and loved this place. So thank you fellow yelpers for your candid feedback. I thought their sushi were quite fresh for Orlando standard. We also ordered some of their ramen noodles which were pretty delicious. The price of the meal wasn't that bad either for Japanese. If I head back down to Orlando and craving some sushi, I will be back!
(5)Ally A.
My boyfriend and I went for the first time and it was absolutely amazing. He had their signature Old Fashioned and I had their cucumber vodka martini. Both cocktails were phenomenal. We got the asparagus, pork cheek, and duck from the robata grill along with 2 sushi rolls and some sashimi. We devoured everything! It was such high quality food, we were definitely impressed. Our server Kameron was an expert on the menu and a real delight to have as a server. He really provided some of the best service I've had in a long time. We'll definitely be coming back!
(5)Chris P.
Good food. Noise level is high. Service could've been nicer but the food came out fast.
(4)Acelyn B.
Dragonfly is one of a kind. My friend and I came here for sushi, but I wish we had an appetite for more! They have quite an extensive menu. While our server was pointing out the favorites from each section, I wanted to say "yes, I want to try it all!" If you and your friends had the appetite to, you really could try them all because everything is served as appetizers or tapas. That means small portions meant to share and try a little of everything. What I think is so great about it is that they have several choices for everything. I was there for sushi, and their sushi menu was a decent size. I ended up ordering the Mango Tango, and we shared a Crunch roll (which was off of the happy hour menu, perfect!). The Crunch roll was great! However, I think I made a bad choice with the Mango Tango, not because it wasn't good, but because of my own personal taste. I wanted mango, but this was just too sweet for me. The apricot peach reduction on top reminded me of baby food because of the smell. Regardless, though, I would come back to not only try other menu items but also to give their specialty sushi rolls another shot.
(4)Elana K.
Disappointing if you've been to the dragonfly in Gainesville. Portions are chinsy and quality is fair. Same good variety of flavors. Wait staff is not much for "the customer is always right" motto.
(3)Natasha D.
Holy crap. So good. Came here with a large group while we were in town for a conference. I'm not one for sushi and was relieved to see several cooked items on the menu as well, and not just tempura. I had the miso glazed black cod and THE BEST FREAKING RISOTTO EVER. It was ridiculously good. My coworkers went crazy over the sushi. There was a semi private table in an alcove which was the perfect place for the group to sit and have some privacy. Only complaint is that it is hard to find in the shopping plaza. They could really improve the signage. It was raining and there were no covered walkways.
(4)Mengjiao L.
It was a excellent place!!!! the tuna kobachi and hamachi Kama are very tasty and this is the best dish that I ever had before. The only problem is the size is too small. We have 2 people and we ordered 2 tuna bobachi for dinner.
(5)Alison W.
This place was fantastic! The decor and ambiance was modern and hip. We sat outside on the patio. Our server, Eric, was wonderful and made great recommendations. We had a little of everything, except the sushi rolls. Loved the robata - duck, lamb, hamachi kama, and kalbi. The miso black cod and crispy kurobuta were both delicious. From the Signature Sashimi menu, we had the wahoo and tuna kobachi - probably both my favorites of the night. I tried my kids' miso ramen and it was so-so. But they loved the other stuff so much they wanted to go back the next day! All in all, a surprisingly great meal.
(5)Paul P.
Nothing like Happy Hours, especially at Dragonfly. You can eat and drink plenty very inexpensively. The service was great, waitress was hysterical and made our night. We had made reservations at Nagoya, went to there and they said they had no reservations. We should them the phone number, the place was just about empty and they still wouldn't seat us so we went to Dragonfly and enjoyed a perfect night of food, entertainment and cocktails. Eat outside, it's beautiful on the deck
(4)Lothar H.
The crispy black pork belly was literally some of the best food I have ever eaten! I cannot recommend the food here strongly enough. Everything I tried from the grill (prawns, bacon-wrapped mushrooms, and asparagus) was fantastic. I was especially pleased with the asparagus (which came with 3 tasty dipping sauces); it was so good I ordered a second. The sushi was good (sake and maguro nigiri), but not awesome. And I tried the smoked old fashion cocktail, but was underwhelmed and did not taste any smokiness. I would probably have gone with four stars had it not been for the pork belly...seriously it is that good. Go here, get the pork belly, and see if you can find someone else to pick up the tab, because it is not cheap. still, you should go.
(5)Danielle A.
Perfect date night! Tapas and sushi!? My two faves in one. Service was excellent, yummy drink choices (seriously they have everything you could ever want), and mouth watering creations. Don't pass up the pork ramen, as basic as that sounds it was the most flavorful. Surf N Turf roll was ALOT- great flavor, just big bites and very filling. The Robata grill items are interesting and unique- my only qualm was that the Gyu (ribeye) was too basic and overdone. The heirloom cherry tomato salad had pickled lotus root in it, which I had never had or heard of before and was amazingggg! Overall a great dinner and date night.
(5)Gabriel C.
The ambiance here rocks. The place is absolutely beautiful. I sampled a couple appetizers, main dishes and rolls, and the food was mostly just OK. The braised beef short ribs ironically stole the show. Service was also just OK. If you are looking for a hip happy hour on restaurant row, this is probably as good a place as any.
(3)Ronald N.
This was our second visit. We love that we can share and all get a little taste of every plate. We keep coming back for the ramen, it is heavenly. The sushi is very good and the edamame with bonito flakes tops off the meal. Better than the meal is the staff. They are intuitive to your mood and are extremely engaging. We joined the frequent diners program because of the service.
(5)Taylor H.
My husband and I were very impressed by this restaurant. The prices are a tad higher than our favorite sushi place back home is, but it was well worth it. The restaurant has a very nice back patio & we enjoyed sitting out there. We tried the Dragonfly roll and The Bomb roll. Both were awesome! Personally, I liked The Bomb the best. The Dragonfly roll was very impressive though, with a lot going on. I hope to go one more time during our stay. Definitely would come back if we visit Orlando again!
(5)Morris G.
This place was fantastic. The Black Cod was excellent!!!!! The Sushi was fresh!
(5)Mike S.
I will begin by saying I am not a sushi fanatic. I enjoy it. I love fish. I love seafood. But I hate the hunger I feel one hour after eating sushi. I'm NEVER really satisfied.... Enter the Dragon(fly)..... This place has some of the most unique, and equally special sushi rolls I have had the pleasure of eating in my time. I actually got excited about each roll as I tried them! The special dragonfly roll, BEST roll I can recall ever eating. The sauce, the fish, the fish wrapping around other fish, it was sublime. Also tried "The Bomb". It was just that. Explosion of flavor in my mouth. And for the non-sushi lovers out there, they have ROBATA GRILLS. Or as I could only remember as the ROBOTRON GRILL when I explained it to friends later. A high heat grill that heats special coals to 1 billion degrees(yea, 1 billion). This made the food flash sear, locking in flavor, and keeping out evil demon spirits! Try the grilled kalbi ribs.Try the rib eye. Last and certainly not least is the classic braised short ribs. THIS IS A MUST! Do you like tender? Do you like short ribs? Welcome. Your meal awaits. Check this place out or I might just Robotron grill your face!
(5)David N.
After a long day at Midyear convention, I was trying to find a place to eat and came upon this sushi restaurant. Since I was there for happy hour, they had a great deal on sushi and appetizers. They have a good atmosphere. The interior was dark with candles in the backdrop to make the atmosphere more romantic. Since I was with a bunch of dudes, I wasn't having any of that. We sat outside in the patio instead Sushi was good. They offered the typical roll that you normally see at a sushi restaurant such as spicy yellow tail roll, salmon skin roll, rainbow rolls, and etc. I did really enjoy their steak burger sampler, it was cooked perfectly. When you bite into it, the juice would ooze out, it was delicious. Overall, it is a nice restaurant, but not anything I have not seen before.
(3)Laurie P.
Love the decor.. Service was excellent. Food was tasty ... Everything we tried was amazing! If you love Asian food this is a great place!!!!!
(4)Dave L.
Our server pitched Dragonfly's theme as Japanese tapas - which to me sounds like almost all Sushi focused restaurants, no? In any case, food was very good, and the place has a nice casual vibe - laid back and cool with no pretension, but definitely a happening spot. Good flow between bar, lounge and restaurant, and a refreshing absence of sweat pants and Hawaiian shirts. We tried the "Bomb", their most popular roll, and it did not disappoint, especially if you like some spice and crunch in your rolls. The "Fire Me Up Wasabi" was also quite good, if not great. What gives the menu some extra oomf is the Robata grill selections - the Gyu beef skewers were nicely done and tasty, and you can't go wrong with any of the bacon wrapped veggie skewers. Nice change of pace - would definitely go back. Looked like a nice place for pre-dinner drinks too. While I'm not a dessert person, I'd also highly recommend the fried cheesecake.... why? because it's fried cheesecake, come'on, live a little!
(4)Valentina M.
One been here once during Happy Hour and loved it! Will definitely be going back! Went for sashimi, but ended up trying a few other items as well.
(5)Preston N.
Wonderful experience! Four of us were on a business trip/industry conference and looking for something different. Dragonfly provided a unique dining experience. The Robota grill is certainly a must try. The cooking process lends itself in allowing a person to taste the purity of the meat and vegetables. We had the Pork Cheek, Beef Tongue, Chicken and bacon wrapped mushrooms. We also had the Dragonfly and "The Bomb" sushi rolls. Very flavorful rolls and great quality. Staff was exceptional and very knowledgeable of the menu. Overall a great experience!!
(5)Alondra P.
The service was good but the food left an unsettling feeling in my stomach. This place isn't what it is cracked up to be:/
(2)Thomas Z.
Well, now, certainly was not expecting this when we decided to go out for Sushi. What we usually get (Netherlands) is the standard stuff, not bad mind you but certainly not very creative! Quite the different experience here, from the Edamame to the Dragonfly role and all the way to the Japanese Doughnut, it was a blast. Highly creative rolls with amazing taste! Go, is my only advice to you, just go. My only complaint is that you gave us McDonalds, but you keep this for yourselves! One small thing, the service is highly professional, but in our case could have been a bit more toned down. Having said that, I would go here for the food any time!
(4)Sara P.
This place is delicious!! The Robato grill items are to die for. We had lamb, prawns and mushrooms and for sushi we had the bomb, big boss, a wasabi one and the mango tango. Such great service as well! Denny was our server and he was excellent. I always like for the staff to offer suggestions and he did just that. We will def be going back!
(5)Kate B.
I was just in Orlando for work. I hated pretty much everything about Orlando. We were staying at a Disney resort and that stuff just isn't for me, so we escaped one night to take some clients to a nice dinner. I saw Dragonfly was highly reviewed on Yelp and had reservations available that evening, so away we went. It's in a very strange halfway under construction (as everything seems to be in Orlando) development with an equally strange parking lot where people were inventing their own spots, and there's one little sign for it up on the second story of a building, pointing you through an alley to the entrance. The front desk staff were very young and seemed to be a little in the weeds. Once we were seated, maybe ten minutes after arriving, we were informed that our server Sean was running a little behind, but that we could order drinks right away. I asked for a recommendation on a moderately priced cold unfiltered sake and "Not Sean" (I didn't catch his name) made a fantastic selection. Once Sean arrived, we were completely at ease and had absolutely the most pleasant experience imaginable. The menu is extremely varied and we had five people there, so we were a little clueless about what to do in terms of apps, kitchen dishes, and sushi. So, I asked Sean if they had an omakase option, and he said absolutely, and that we could even tailor it to feature more sushi or more kitchen dishes. Everyone at the table remarked that everything they sent out was delicious (especially the miso cod). It wasn't quite traditional omakase from my experience, as the sushi course was regular nigiri without any special preparation, but it was much cheaper than a traditional omakase might have been (under $40 per person) and there were many different dishes, so we were very happy. Plus of course the little fact I've been leaving out thus far, which is that on top of being an attentive, knowledgeable, and personable server, Sean looks exactly like Ryan Gosling and it made my heart go pitter-patter the entire night. If you happen to find yourself in Orlando during dinner hours, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to go to Dragonfly (and of course request to be seated in Sean's section).
(5)Claire Rachel H.
Great food and great service. Definitely one of the best sushi places around!
(5)Jennifer B.
Ok two important things to know: 1. Food is absolutely delicious (make sure to try their unique bacon edemami 2. BUT portions are so incredibly small i was left disappointed at portion and hungry Hopefully portions will get a little bigger without quality in the near future
(4)Mark S.
I have enjoyed Sushi at many restaurants and this Dragonfly is right up there with Nobu in Atlantis and The Blue Ribbon at the Cosmo in Vegas. I will have Sushi at Dragonfly Robata every time I'm in Orlando!!
(5)Hannah O.
I really wish I could give this place ten stars. I read through some of the reviews and I was shocked that some people didn't enjoy this place! I ate here with my dad last year while we went on a trip, and we haven't stopped talking about it since then. If you tried the sushi and didn't like it, you must not have eaten very much sushi in your life (or you really don't know what you're talking about, lol no offence) because this is some of the greatest sushi I've ever had! Well, the Dragonfly roll specifically. The other two we got were delicious as well, but the Dragonfly absolutely blew my mind. It was probably the best thing I've ever tasted (not exaggerating) and that's saying something coming from me because I am a HUGE foodie. The edamame was the best I've ever had and I would go back just for that. It was unique and absolutely delicious. It was even kind of entertaining to eat because the little fish flakes appeared to be moving because of the heat coming from the beans. It honestly breaks my heart seeing a bad review for this place, because I had a wonderful experience here from the food, service, and ambience of the place. I will definitely be returning on my trip to Orlando this summer :) If you're reading this and haven't been there yet, GET THE DRAGONFLY ROLL. No questions asked. Just get it and thank me later :)
(5)Loren A.
I first heard about Dragonfly from a friend that said the owners were originally from Gainesville, FL. So, I was excited to find out that they have opened up here in Orlando. Overall, it was one of the better Sushi restaurants here in Orlando. Our server, Arianna, was a most gracious and attentive host. No glass was ever empty and no empty dish was left on the table. The prices were reasonable based upon the Dr. Philips are, and the quality of food was great. I recommend this place to many friends and I would definitely go again.
(4)Nishant G.
I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, but after my experience, I just can't. The sushi was mediocre at best. I've tasted better from Publix. And while the server was super friendly, he just wasn't on top of his game. Ginger, wasabi, soy sauce, spicy mayo didn't come out till 3/5ths through the meal. We were given green tea when we didn't order any, and then it was taken from us. For the price, I expected better. 3 stars for great decor, friendly staff, and an overall positive experience. I'd be weary before I come back here again.
(3)Alisa M.
Very very good. I've had my fair share of izakaya food. Atmosphere seemed like the typical upscalish sushi restaurant. Drinks are great! Nicolet was my fav. Definitely get the miso soup with clam in it. You must get this: Edamame is not your typical with sea salt or togarshi sprinkles. Its grilled with huge flakes of bincho grilled bonito flakes on top. So rediculous and flavorful. Sushi was great very fresh. Had japan and dragon rolls. Chirashi is always good too. Very fresh fish. Enjoy!
(4)Stephen B.
It was ok. I am willing to give it a second chance but was turned off immediately by the host and didn't give it a chance after that. food took a while to get there. drinks took a while. the check seemed to take the longest. I may have been tired...so I will give it another go.
(3)Ricky L.
Dragonfly Modern Izayaka is a very swanky, posh Japanese restaurant on Sand Lake Road (also known as Orlando's Restaurant Row), and is the second location for the Gainesville-based restaurant group. Helmed by Chef Ray Hideaki Leung, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, the menu features some unique and sophisticated dishes like Risotto with Loch Duart Salmon mixed with shemiji mushrooms & cilantro and Robata fired grill that uses the finest grade binch?-tan charcoals that are heated up to an incredible 1,000º degrees. By grilling fresh produce and proteins this quickly, they hope to capture the essence of the food, which "enables you to experience pure & natural flavors". I am also a fan of their ramen noodles (though I wish it came with more noodles) - made with Kurabuta Pork Belly, Braised Short Ribs, Soft Poached Egg, bok choy, scallions, bean sprouts, togarashi & nori. Their happy menu is a bit of a well kept secret with dishes like chicken and veggie skewers, steamed pork / short rib buns with pickled veggies and Japanese slider burgers for a really good price. Downside, things are a bit on the pricey side.
(4)Abi M.
The volcano roll is my standard that I order everywhere and judge all sushi restaurants by their execution of my fave...Dragonfly's version is AMAZING! The fish melted in my mouth, the spiciness enhanced without being overbearing. The signature Dragonfly roll is also very good. I saw rave reviews for the big boss, and it was also recommended by my server...it was okay, but pales in comparison to the other two. Mojitos were well mixed, using real mint and not just mint syrup with a few sprigs for the look. The interior is nicely decorated, but a bit too loud on a Saturday night if you want a romantic date environment. Maybe a special request can get a more secluded table? Outside is quieter, but the black shade hanging down detracts from the ambience. Prices were reasonable for the quality and ambience..$13 for the volcano roll, $8 for a mojito. I'm already planning another visit
(5)Traveler F.
What is that wafting in the air on Restaurant Row at Sand Lake Rd? Is that some kind of grilling? Given all the restaurants around here one would expect this smell. But this is not your common grilling, there is something unique about this olfactoral beckoning. My fading memory of a bygone time living in Japan, where the very fulfillment of hunger depended on how well the olfactory nerve worked, sparked to attention. Not being able to speak nor read Japanese, it was challenging to find good food without guidance. The simplest way was to always have an escort. Or the most adventurous was to determine by smell what lies behind each mystery doorway. Depending on the sweetness, smokiness, fishiness or lack thereof was a good measure of the dining experience. I was always drawn to soy sauce on burning wood. Or saltiness rather than fishiness. It also helped if the sake was free flowing. For more on food, read travelerfoodie blog.
(4)Roger T.
The sushi here is some of the best we have ever had. Amazing cucumber martini and their OJ mojito. What a wonderful place and beautiful outside patio.
(4)Mark C.
During their Happy Hours dragonflyorlando.com/hap… we tried their Crunch roll. This was yummy, tasty good - but lacked the crunch. Bacon wrapped Asparagus was a delight. Love the enhanced smokey flavor. I believe their Robata grill is responsible hence = fantastic! Now if you are one of those who prefers their bacon like totally and absolutely crispy, you might have issue with a piece or two. Gotta go back and try their pork bellies entree! The Black Dragon roll was good. FYI-Not on the Happy Hour menu and is a cooked fish roll. None of the above needed the dipping sauces laid out in front of us IMO. I tried the Sake Blossom (guess I'm not into sake) and traded with my dining companion for her spicy Sumo Smash. Interesting and okay but actually a beer would have been the better choice for me. Our bar servers, Nicole and (oops!? sorry! ) were delightfully friendly and attentive.
(4)Chris P.
A delightful experience: my wife and I were so glad to have found this place to satisfy our craving for some Japanese cuisine. The decor is modern and inviting and the service is friendly (one of the owners even refilled our water and answered some questions about the menu). A wide variety of food was available, but it was not so wide as to be unfocused. (As an example of the variety, my wife and I had nigiri, sashimi, duck skewers, kalbi, agedashi tofu, and crispy pig ears---one of my personal favorites.) The execution was spot on: the food was perfectly seasoned, the heat levels were appropriate, and the tapas-sized portions were perfect for sharing and not overly filling. We also enjoyed the omakase drinks we ordered: the drinks delightfully spotlighted the themed choices on the menu, and they were never overpowering or cloyingly sweet (even the sweet-themed drink was balanced and nuanced, using a cantaloupe-sweetened ice that gradually melted to provide the drink its sweetness). And the prices were reasonable, especially given the quality of the experience. Would highly recommend.
(5)Serena You W.
It was my first time here. I'm so surprised for its decoration. So fancy and Americanized. The food is nice and I wanna go there again and try their volcano roll.
(4)Astryd R.
Iv been here more times than I can count...I'v gone with a party of 20 and I'v gone with just one friend....in all occasions I have had amazing food and had a memorable time....this is my go to place for a nice relaxing and super yummy dinner.
(5)Holly C.
you know what, that's right. I AM giving this place in a totally random strip mall down the street from Sea World 4 stars. You know why? Great drinks, really good food and pretty stellar staff. That's why! So good in fact I went there twice while in the area for a work trip. It didn't hurt that the concierge at our hotel gave us coupons for two free rolls. I love me a coupon! Definitely get the rolls, be adventurous because it's worth it. Also get the Braised short ribs and the miso cod. I made the table try the crispy pigs ears and while I liked the flavor, I did find them pretty salty, so take note. Worth a gamble, but be prepared for a little pucker!
(4)Jonathan T.
Dragonfly is great! I love the Robata Grill offerings, like the enoki mushroom, and chicken skewers. The sushi here is also very fresh and tasty. My only negative would be service as it can be slow at times. The Atmosphere is wonderful with a open kitchen so you can watch the chefs prepare your meal. Watching them work with the Robata Grill is fun! The location of this establishment is off of Sand Lake Road (restaurant row). This is definitely be a good date night spot. Enjoy!
(4)Wayde W.
Really great food and the atmosphere is very calming.. I definitely recommend to my friends and plan on returning again.
(4)Alex N.
Dragonfly was exactly what we were looking for! Very contemporary atmosphere, with amazing food. The tapas servings were perfect, but added up after we kept ordering plates because it was all so delicious. The crab fries rice was to die for and the sushi was on point. Our waitress, I believe Ashley, offered some of the best service I have received. She knew each plate inside and out and offered great tips. We will definitely be back when we are in town!
(5)David W.
Very good service, the happy hour menu options provide a nice selection at a good value. This is our third time dining here and enjoy the food, service and ambiance. Highly recommend if you're in Orlando looking for sushi!
(4)Scott P.
My husband and I went to Dragonfly Friday night about 8pm. We were greeted with smiles and positive energy and although we didn't have a reservation we were seated within minutes at the Sushi Bar. Our first and second impressions were great, nice people and a splendid atmosphere. Melanie our Server was there as we sat down, she was a wealth of information and we ordered most of her favorites which are now are now our favorites. As we were sipping Sake we were given a Sashimi sampler from the Chef Shane. WOW! Then the food started coming, we had bacon wrapped mushrooms.... yummy, then Edamame which we couldn't stop eating and I wish we would have ordered one of those to go...Big Boss rolls, fabulous then Big Eye Tuna which is a must...then Salmon on their special grill....very good. During all of this we were highly entertained by the Chef's team and their skills. The owner Hiro came and checked on us several time and even delivered our food to us, how refreshing is that! It was such an experience and a fun night!!! Next time we are going to try the Beef on the Robata Grill. We highly Recommend Dragonfly Orlando!! Scott & Wendy Orlando Florida
(5)Qi G.
Authentic Japanese. Food was good, but I can barely see what I was eating then... by a tiny small candle cup. Absolutely perfect place for couples!
(4)Esther K.
The place is decorated beautifully with a modern, earthy feel. There are wooden architectural touches throughout, including huge slabs of amber-stained wood serving as table tops. There are some very expensive items on the menu (ie. Kobe beef), but there are more affordable options as well. We sat at the sushi bar, which overlooks the entire kitchen filled with an impressively large staff. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, maybe even borderline fussy, but she was a true professional. The food came out in a timely manner. We ordered the ginger salad, chicken thighs, braised short rib, spicy tuna roll, and Slammin' Salmon roll. (Minor deduction of points for cheesy roll names.) The food was all fresh and tasty. The chicken was well-fried. The salad was fresh and gingery. The short rib was spoon-tender and full of umami-goodness. The absolute stand-out was the spicy tuna roll which was simple but so delicious and fresh that we ordered a second despite being mostly stuffed. Unlike other sushi places that make their spicy tuna rolls with chopped up bits of lesser quality tuna that is mixed with spicy mayo to mask the fish, this place serves big, meaty chunks of high-quality tuna in their version of the roll, then tops the whole thing with their spicy sauce. It's perfection! The other roll was good too, but I will come back just for the spicy rolls, which can be filled with your choice of fish. Yum! Note: Happy hour everyday 5-7 pm.
(4)Jennifer B.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night. The setting of the restaurant was really romantic and cozy. Our server really knew what he was talking about and make really good recommendations. Here is what we ordered from favorite to least favorite of the specialty rolls. Specialty roll: Cobra Kai, Euro Trance, Black 'n Bleu, and Paper The pesto on the cobra kai was unique and interesting. The flavors of the roll was overwhelming but in a good way. The euro trance was good and refreshing due to the cucumber. I usually don't like cooked meat or beef on my sushi but the black n bleu was an exception. The last one, paper, was also good but it didn't stand out to me. Sashimi: Yellow tail, Salmon, and Tuna All the fish just melted in your mouth. Thats how you know that the quality of the fish is good and fresh. Drinks: Orange Mojito soooooooo good! You can barely taste the alcohol but it hits you hard (:
(5)Robert K.
Surprisingly great sushi in Orlando. Prices seem lower than similar restaurants in other major metros for a restaurant at this level. Dragonfly roll was a favorite of all at the table, and I was a big fan of the Cobra Kai as well. Some of the other rolls - the Lobster, Big Boss, Bomb - were more typical American-ized fusion and fairly heavy without offering much unique from a taste profile. Robata grill is excellent, albeit pricey for the quantity. Miso Yaki Black Cod was exceptionally good. The server was average, though personable. A highlight was the manager and her knowledge and recommendations on scotch and bourbons. A nice surprise. She took the time to sit down with us and explain everything, and it was instantly apparent she cared very much about offering a great experience at the restaurant. Overall, everything was at the very least 4 star quality with a few 5 star items. If anything, this is a 4.5 star review. Highly recommended if in the area and looking for Japanese/sushi.
(4)Kyle P.
I ended up here on a recent trip to orlando thanks to all the amazing reviews and they were right on the money about this place. Absolutely wonderful experience, food was incredible, service was exquisite (Kai was our server). Will definitely recommend and come back
(5)Jamie G.
This place is amazing! The happy hour menu is delish. Don't think twice about ordering the veggie kabobs, just do it! The mushroom are the best. The Bomb roll, the boss, and Spicy tuna were great. If I lived in Orlando, I would go all the time!
(5)Colleen B.
Cucumber housemade vodka FTW! Seriously, you have to try this, just mix it with a touch of water and it tastes like refreshing cucumber water. Just please make sure you have a DD cause it def goes down like water. See a pattern? AMAZING! We hit this place up Saturday night for their kick off event of Ladies Night and it was PACKED! I was excited for the naked sushi but it literally was in a small room to the right so you just got to look, I was thinking more of an ambiance thing but it was more set up like an art show. It was cool but I guess I was just expecting a bit more? Since it was opening night of great deals and awesome ambiance, it was a little rough to order food so I didn't get to try any of the sushi, can't wait to go back and feast! The DJ outside was killer, exactly the kind of music I love (house and electronic) and it went well with the setting. The outside areas are lovely. It would make for a very romantic date night! Overall, great time, great mingling and amazing cucumber vodka!!!
(4)Jennifer B.
I was travelling from NYC and was skeptical of Japanese/sushi in Orlando, considering the lack of diverse restaurants in the neighborhood. My group of 5 decided to try it anyway and were surprised. Dragonfly has a robust menu - sushi, small plates, noodles, skewers, etc. We ordered a variety of plates to share (garlic crab fried rice, ono passion, kalbi, miso black cod, ramen, everything other than the sushi rolls since you can get that anywhere) and forced down every last bite because it was that good. Since going to Dragonfly, I've been searching for Izakaya in NYC to match. I would definitely go back if ever near the Orlando area.
(5)Ann M.
I believe in giving places two chances before you decide for sure and this place certainly needs a second chance. Our service was TERRIBLE, if not the worst I've ever had. Food was spilled on us and once we did get our food... I wasn't even impressed!! The cocktails were nothing to brag about either, especially for the price. Disappointed in a place I looked forward to going to for a while.
(1)Kevin E.
Really enjoyed our first visit. Sought the restaurant out to escape madness on international row. Our server Sara was great in explaining menu, her favorites and most popular dishes. My friend had nightly special Salmon that was "phenomenal". I stole a bite and it had a buttery grilled flavor that was great. For an app, I had grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. Small almost like tapas in two bamboo skewers was just perfect. All grilled items come with three really good dipping sauces. I had the bomb sushi roll and the Cobra Kon roll. Both were incredibly fresh and the tempura was just flavorful, not overdone. So glad we came here. We'll be back.
(5)Beth R.
we had a great date night at Dragonfly! A few suggestions: 1. ask to be seated in Vanda's section - the best server! 2. order the mango roll 3. save room for fried cheesecake. The next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back!
(5)Kanitta S.
This was my favorite place to dine but I was very disappointed by my service. We constantly had to ask for refills but for alcohol she was sure on top of that because 18% gratuity was included. We asked for soy sauce and it took her 10 mins to bring it and we were almost done with our sushi. Very disappointed!!! Pork belly didn't melt in my mouth like last time. Needed to be cooked a little longer. Ramen pork was very good and tasty. Black cod was perfectly cooked. I also ordered salmon but it didn't look like it was grilled because it didn't have the color or taste of the grill. She also forgot my brother's pork belly he ordered and it came when everybody was done eating. Again I can't believed this because it was for my brother's birthday. This was our favorite place. The whole experience was horrible and you know our check wasn't little. The server was that bad that we didn't tip on top of her $58. I wanted to leave her nothing!!! My rule is if my drinks are not refilled you do not deserved 20% tip. I was more disappointed with my service because I didn't have a good time!!!
(1)Dawn O.
I celebrated my 22nd birthday dinner here on Saturday, February 1st and everything was flawless. I had a reservation for eight and my party got seated in this wonderful nook. ALL of the food was incredible. I made sure to keep a menu at the table and thankfully so because all my friends and I continued to order more food. The restaurant's atmosphere and decor was beautiful as well. I highly recommend Alyssa as a waitress. Thanks so much for being so funny and making us feel welcome!
(5)Toby L.
My wife and I have gone for happy hour several times. The grilled bacon wrapped asparagus, the sushi and the drinks are all wonderful.
(5)C Y.
We tried all four kinds of noodle and they are all excellent. The grills are also impressive on their special sauces. We went for the bacon wrapped asparagus and mushroom. Compared with other restaurants in Orlando, this place is very reasonable in terms of prices. We ordered takeouts on the first night and went there for dinner for the rest of our stay.
(5)Lydia C.
I stopped by for happy hour recently and had a fun time. I sat at the bar and the service was great. I ordered off the happy hour menu and my food came out pretty quickly. I got a ginger martini and loved it. I am a big fan of ginger! I tried the happy hour sushi and that was quite tasty. Also tried the steamed buns and the mini burgers which were both good. The atmosphere is upscale and trendy. There is lots of seating at the bar, the sushi bar and the restaurant. It was not very busy when I went on a Monday for happy hour but I am sure it gets a lot busier on weekends. I look forward to going back and trying more delicious drinks and food!
(4)Scott R.
I really liked this place a lot. Great atmosphere and service. Everything was amazing. Cooked perfect or prepared perfect. One thing I will say about this place if you are new to this restaurant, ordering can be a bit intimidating. There really are no pictures of anything to look at. I eat with my eyes like many people do. Just take a few moments to look around what others are getting and ask lots of questions. I'll def be back soon!! Good job dragonfly!!
(5)Jacqueline W.
First impression when I walked in was, "Oh, this is too chichi for me" and was looking for an excuse to get up and leave, especially after out server said their sushi was "appetizer portions." WTH does that mean, am I eating real sushi or not? Anyway, I'm glad I stayed put. This is what we ordered: Dragonfly Roll (signature roll), California Roll, Big Boss Roll, Surf and Turf, Volcano Roll, Japanese Donuts and Green Tea Creme Brûlée for dessert. (Don't judge, we were hungry!) Our favorite rolls were the Dragonfly and the Volcano rolls. Both are served warm with a nice kick from the Volcano roll. The donut dessert was quite good, round and crispy, like a sweet hush puppy with a soft center to soak up the melted ice cream. The green tea creme brûlée was a disappointment though. Couldn't taste the green tea flavor, and the caramelized top was too thick compared to the shallow creme that was below it. The price is a bit high here, averaging $13 per roll. Ii would suggest this place as a date night restaurant, not a super casual place where you order your sushi off a 4.25" x 11" sheet of paper.
(4)Jorge C.
I've only been in for Happy Hour, though I've been in multiple times. If Nichole or Jessica are on the bar, sit with them for a great time. They are easily two of my favorite bartenders in Orlando. I don't think I've ever ordered a drink. I trust Nichole enough to make one on the fly for me. I am enamored with their Happy Hour steamed buns. Pork or short rib, you can't go wrong with either.
(4)Allison M.
I used to go to the Dragonfly in Gainesville when I lived up there, so I was really excited to visit their Orlando location. The place is definitely a classy joint. The atmosphere is nice, and though it was raining when I visited, it looked like they had lots of outdoor seating, which would be nice in better weather. I had some of the best Unagi here that I've had in Florida. It was good quality, grilled on their special grill, and although you usually don't want bones in your fish, I see the fine Unagi bones as a sign of a good, fatty cut. The Unagi sauce was more flavourful than most other places I've had it at as well. We had a couple rolls, which were good, but nothing to scream about. I actually found there was too much cream cheese in one of them, but it's a matter of taste. The ramen was exceptional, and the pork in it was delicious, and soft enough to be pulled apart with chopsticks. My only complaint about the ramen was that it was too small. I'm used to ramen being huge bowls of noodly comfort food, and this just wasn't enough to sate my ramen lust. C'est la Vie. Even though I was getting full, we ended dinner with a green tea creme brulee, and I'm so glad we did. The sugar on top had that beautiful, warm, just-caramelized texture, and the green tea flavour was well suited for a creme brulee. Beautiful food, classy atmosphere - I only wish it were closer!
(4)Michael W.
WOW!!! Not many places knock my socks off but this place did. In fact, I couldn't even find my socks after dinner and had to walk out barefoot! It was fresh, creative, subtle and bold; all at once.
(5)Paulene K.
Good food. Ok pricing, it's restaurant row - Dr. Phillips so it's expected. The staff have been friendly both times that I've been there and really helpful in picking the right items from their extensive menu. One big issue here is that it's so dark that you can't see your food. But if you're ok with the really dark - a bit too lounge club atmosphere to have dinner in...
(3)David W.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sushi was different but enjoyable. Wouldn't be a the go to place for sushi, but it was fun and I will go back
(4)Alyssa W.
I haven't had sushi this good in a LONG time. Inventive, unique, awesome quality, great ambiance, great staff. A+ in my book. Again, our amazing concierge at our hotel directed us here. Didnt disappoint. Our waiter was great, after explaining how the restaurant runs, instead of ordering apps, then entress, you ordered everything you want at one time. The food comes out as it is ready, since somethings can be made faster than others. Dishes come one at a time, perfectly timed, table never gets cluttered. All the sushi we ordered was great, sadly I can't remember the names of each one. I ordered a ramen bowl, authentic and presented well. The one dish that shocked us all, salmon risotto, yep risotto at a japanese restaurant, weird right? we were told to get this, it was literally the BEST risotto I have ever had and i've tried a lot of risotto. creamy, flavorful, not too heavy. mmm this restaurant specialized in robata, food on skewers cooked over wood. We got wagyu kobe, came with a variety of sauces, delicious. I would recommend anyone to try this place if they are in the area.
(5)Sarah W.
Seriously delicious food! We loved everything so much and our server was fantastic! Try the Lychee Leung, it's such a good drink. This would be a regular visit for us if only we actually lived in Florida.
(5)Allyson B.
I've had my share of sushi and Dragonfly is by far the best place to get your sushi fix in Orlando. The ambiance is trendy but well put together. The service is excellent. And the food is absolutely incredible. We started off with the Crispy Tofu and Shiso Pretty from the Fried Selections. The Crispy Tofu is garnished with a red miso glaze that makes the whole dish perfect. I highly recommend ordering it--- it's absolutely fantastic!!!!!! Since my date hadn't had a lot of sushi before we didn't go crazy ordering off the sushi menu. We ordered the hamachi, sake, and smoked salmon sashimi which were all delicious. From the Specialty Rolls menu we ordered The Dragonfly and the Lava rolls. I really liked the Lava roll. It's filled with smoked salmon, smoked eel, and snow crab, then on the outside there are layers of avocado over the rice. It's topped with bits of seared scallops. It's not exactly unique but it was delicious!
(4)Jennifer B.
Absolutely to die for. Amazing service and spectacular food. Be prepared for it to take a couple hours but it is so worth it.
(5)Naomi W.
A great experience. Inviting and comfortable with amazing food and drinks. I had a cucumber martini and it was really great tasting. My sushi was also very good. The Black 'n Bleu roll is a must. Will absolutely be back .
(5)Amy L.
AMAZING! I really wish Dragonfly could expand their business to NYC, because their sushi was delicious! We had tried their signature sushi dish which was the dragonfly, which is tuna & albacore wrapped with grouper & baked with spicy sauce. It is topped with scallions & finished with eel sauce. So delicious! I also had the mango tango, which is sushi with smoked salmon, cream cheese, mango, avocado rolled in tempura flakes. It is topped with sweet potato curls and draped with peach-apricot reduction. Between the two sushi dishes, the dragonfly was so much better. For dessert, we got the fried ice cream with vanilla ice cream and fried donut. Both desserts was the best way to end the evening. I can't wait to come back whenever I visit Orlando, Florida again.
(5)Joshua B.
Japanese tapas. That is the best way to describe this restaurant. They have the usual sushi/sashimi menu. What makes them different is Ragata style food. It's basically small portions to share. The noodles are amazing. It was really good but you're hungry be prepared to shell out some cash.
(5)Kerri B.
Best sushi place in Orlando! I came here on a hot date with my boyfriend :) Ki (not sure how to spell his name) was our server and he was very entertaining. He suggested the Sianara Seduction as a drink, which I enjoyed 2x. My boyfriend had the beer he suggested as well, which I even liked and I am not a fan of beer. We had wontons as an appetizer and 4 rolls: Mango Tango, Black Dragon, Big Boss, and The Dragonfly Signature Roll. Appetizer: I don't recall the wontons being on the menu, but I ordered them knowing they had them at the Gainesville location. One or two of them tasted a little cold on the inside, but the kitchen was super busy this night. They still tasted good, so I really didn't want to complain. The mango sauce they come in is delightful. Rolls: First, the Mango Tango and Big Boss rolls came out. We share all of our rolls, so I got to try all of them. These two had amazing flavor. The mango tango had ribbons of fried sweet potatoes sprinkled atop, which added a nice compliment to the mango. The big boss roll was one of my favorites, because the wrap was on the outside of the roll, with the rice inside. I like the presentation of that style. This roll had avocado, which I love, and a nice blend of fish. Next we got the Dragonfly Signature and Black n Bleu (whoops! wrong roll), which had to be sent back for our Black Dragon. We enjoyed the mess out of the dragonfly signature roll while waiting on our last one. It was filled with fish and crab, then wrapped up in it. This was by far the best roll. SO good! Finally, our Black Dragon came out. I was underwhelmed by this one after the first 3. I don't know if I was just overstuffed from the drinks and appetizers before the rolls, or if it was truly lacking, but I did not think it was up to par with the other rolls. It was good compared to what you'd find at another restaurant, but it ended our night with a fizzle. I wouldn't order it again, since I know they have much better. This place is beautiful on the inside, and the kitchen is behind glass, so you can see everything being prepared. The staff was very helpful and though one of our orders got mixed up, I was not disappointed with the service. I would recommend this as a nice date night, for those dates that fall on payday :)
(5)Manoj N.
Great staff at the restaurant. We were staying at Disney Ft Wilderness resort and thought we will try this place though its about 9 miles away. When we arrived we got parking in the strip mall lot. We were told there is a 1.5 hour wait for a table so we opted for the bar seating. I got 2 of the blossom sake drink which was awesome. 3 of us ordered a different variety of appetizers from the happy hour menu and they were all good. The waitress was nice and explained everything in detail. They lose one star for pricing which I think was on the higher side.
(4)Alicia M.
I am giving this restaurant two stars bc the sushi was below average but the ambiance was very nice. The food was mostly fresh but the grade of sushi was not very good. They seem to enjoy making everything very spicy ( which usually I enjoy) but I think it's to hide the fact there was little flavor. I don't mind paying a lot for excellent quality food but this def was not worth the money. The service was just okay as well. Prob a really fun place to meet friends for a drink but not if you are looking for really good tasting food. On the positive side of things the $14 bottle of beer wasn't bad ( hard to find elsewhere ) and the house cabinet was excellent.
(2)Moo B.
One of my favorite sushi restaurant in Orlando. Very fusion and modern. Price is much higher than the other Dragonfly in Gainesvile, FL, but the quality is also much better. Portion is very small but delicious. We paid $16 for grilled eel. It came with 4 small pieces of eel. Tasted very good, but I could eat 5 those plates alone. Rolls are all good. The hamachi kama we ordered didn't taste as fresh as we had it somewhere else. My husband always orders it. Maybe the fish wasn't fresh? The fried ice cream was disappointing. Nothing like the one in Gainesville. It didn't come with fresh berries garnish and was much smaller.
(4)Frank L.
Love it! This is my kind of place. We came here for the grand opening event, and it was excellent. it did get a bit packed, but the food was fantastic. We had an assortment of most of the rolls that they sell..Yummo! The decor is gorgeous, and has a very fun atmosphere. They have a huge open kitchen, where you can watch them prepare the meals. They even have an outdoor bar and seating. i can see myself coming here on Friday/Saturday nights.
(5)Crysandra S.
I must start with the sushi wow if you love sushi you will this place. Excellent, fabulous not enough words to describe how delicious this place was. I had my Christmas holiday 2013 party here and was great. My staff and I had the pleasure of an hour engaging and enjoying drinks and talk taking photos and the staff respected the time we spent together. They explained the menu well enough for us to understand and we're promptly there for every need. If your needing to plan a private event I would recommend dragon fly as a respectful place to go!
(5)Ron C.
By far one of my favorite restaurants in the World! I have travelled all over, and to have the manager and co- owner come to help fold a napkin and see how each course was, is noteworthy. The rolls and sushi were fresh and tasty, the Dragonfly Roll is great but get a Salmonfly, it's to die for. The Bomb, crunchy, Volcano, spider is a good start. The servers are super. And the bathroom is funny, you can hear the rooms talking cuz of the gap on top, oh and it looks high class. If in town just go! You will love it. Oh and if in Gainesville, go to that one also.
(5)Dean P.
The best sushi I have had in America. Perfect presentation, art on a plate. Unique combinations, and they have FRESH wakame salad! Classy, a wonderful place to take a date. I have never been disappointed eating here. You must try the ono (wahoo), it is one of the best dishes.
(5)Jorgen M.
What a surprise... We were traveling on business in Orlando, the land of big bad chain restaurants and we stumbled on this place. The sushi & sashimi was very fresh and well prepared. We also had a variety of grill items and also delicious. The service was also surprisingly great too. It's worth the drive off the touristy area of Orlando
(4)Jen B.
I went here twice in one week mid April; the first time was for dinner with a party of six. The second time was a catered event thrown by my company. Things I liked about the experience: - Group setting: we were lucky enough to get our private area in one of the curtained corners of the restaurant. Seems like a great place for groups. - Waitress was very accommodating and put up with our group: she was definitely patient with us - some of us who were blunt and less then tactful at times. - Good selection of food and wine: we ordered sushi rolls, sushi, maki rolls, miso soup.. As well as Veuve and Cakebread wine. Things that could have been improved: - Waitress didn't seem to know too much about wine and was pushing the bottle instead of glass: she wasn't able to recommend a good white wine by the glass which wasn't super sweet, which was kind of annoying. - Too many choices: though this may be a more personal preference of mine, I think that holding back - fewer voices and a more focused selection - helps in guiding guests to a better culinary experience. The catered event was outside of the norm, and consisted of 5 tasting stations: 1 - mushroom risotto (very rich but good) 2 - short ribs (I didn't try them but they looked deliciously saucy) 3 - sushi roll selection (I wasn't impressed) 4 - steamed pork buns (too dry for my taste; anyway, this is more Chinese, isn't it?) 5 - butterfish (very nicely done) The event was good; probably around 150 person capacity. Since the interior of the restaurant is pretty chic, ambiance was pretty swanky, and pleased the crowd. Recommended if you're in town for a conference as it's good for groups - and, even if you're not into raw fish, their extensive menu would let you find something you'll like!
(4)Nathan H.
Probably the best sushi place in Orlando, though not without its faults. As far as I know, this is the second location for Dragonfly, the original being in Gainesville. In Gainesville, it is the place to be--indisputably the best sushi there I think. The competition in Orlando is somewhat stiffer, but I think it still succeeds. Very good selection of fresh fish in a unique selection of rolls. I highly recommend trying one of their special rolls even if it looks intimidating, they are quite good. The restaurant itself is large and beautiful. The sushi bar is one of the largest I've seen, with a great view of the entire kitchen including the "robata grill." There are a few negatives to this place IMO. The prices are quite high, and the robata grill is unimpressive. It is really just basic grilled meat with some decent sauces. Not bad, but definitely not worth the price. Go with the sushi.
(4)Travis Y.
This was my first experience with sushi. Besides a very knowledgable staff and friendly made it painless. There happy hour is such a value from drinks to apps to crunch rolls and box sushi. I love going there mainly for the ambience. A very nice establishment. Will recommend hands down. Might even catch me at the bar ordering a Unibroue beer.
(5)Seann G.
My wife and I have been eating here often over the last year or so and I felt it's about time I wrote a review. I'm always on the hunt for great, unique sushi rolls delivered in an exquisite atmosphere and Dragonfly delivers on every front. When you first walk into the restaurant you get the sense of an über cool, yet not pretentious dining experience awaits you. Sitting inside or out works well as there really is not a bad seat in the house. Once greeted with the menu you'll find a lovely selection of sushi staples along with some house specialties. They have plenty of cooked options too if your mate is not a sushi fan. If you're looking for a salad you cannot go wrong with the heirloom tomato salad. It's super fresh, delicious and light on the stomach leaving plenty of room for sushi. As far as sushi goes I personally have to recommend the Kobra Kai roll. It is absolutely delicious and the small slice of lemon gives it a freshness that just has to be tasted. The house specialty Dragonfly roll is also a good choice as well. Because we've been such long time patrons and fans of the restaurant we decided to hold my 40th birthday party here. We had about 35 guests on the patio. My wife, myself and every one of our guests were blown away by the incredible food, drinks and most importantly service that Allen and his team bestowed upon us. Whether your dining for 2 or bringing in a crowd this place rocks. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. If you love Sushi in a sleek Miami style atmosphere there is only one choice and that is Dragonfly Sushi.
(5)Tracey M.
Okay, I really like this place so I am giving it 3 stars because I just so excited about it and after eating there it was a bit over hyped. i do go to the one in Gainesville quite a bit and I don't think it's a expensive. I got a California roll and the Surf and Turf roll. It was good but not my favorite. We shared a saki sampler, very interesting that I enjoyed the cheapest sake the best. I also got a cucumber vodka martini and that was 5 stars. My hubby had this ramen noodle dish with chunks of yummy pork in it and OMG that was rocking and that alone was 5 stars. The atmophere is 5 stars and I will be back to this overpriced place b/c it has a great bar atmopshere. When I come back then I will do a new review based on that experience alone. For now it's a 3, b/c when I want sushi I am thinking of something else instead, like Nagoya down the street.
(3)Penny B.
I agree with the review below. It's one of the best sushi places in Orlando. The sushi is fresh and plated well. The ambiance is more like an upscale restaurant: modern-chic decorations. Waitstaff was prompt and friendly. We ate: Appetizer- Butter sauteed edamame (with togarashi, sea salt and bonito flakes) which was good with a little kick to it. Entrees- Spicy King crab hot pot (which was excellent- you'll love this if you like kimchee) and the Big Boss roll (fresh and flavorful!) Dessert- didn't get it this time...but the green tea creme brulee sounds tempting. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Steve A.
Good sushi in a trendy upscale environment that seems more like LA than Orlando. I've had better robata in Tokyo, but the sauces served with it here are fantastic. We like to sit in the bar, which is a bit more intimate than the bustling restaurant, and still offers the full menu.
(4)OrlandoGirl F.
as usual the food was wonderful, but what happened when we first arrived really annoyed me. We had a reservation for 7:00. The gentleman at the front desk told us it would be just a minute as they were cleaning the table and asked us to step to the side. The place was only about 25% full. A table of 4 came in, they were seated. A table of 2 came in, they were seated. Once we had stood there for 15 minutes, I asked him if they had forgotten about us. He said no, they were cleaning the table and would be with us in a minute. I responded that the place was mostly empty so I didn't understand why he couldn't seat us in one of the tables in the middle of the restaurant. He said those were saved for other parties. Um, I have a reservation and have been standing there for about 20 minutes. Shouldn't one of them be saved for me? Finally we were taken to a table. The high top tables had no back support to them. I asked for a different table because i needed back support and was told there were no other tables! Seriously?? I counted at least 6 tables that were empty! I thought you tried to make the customer happy? Apparently not here.
(3)Evelyn F.
My friends and I go out on birthdays to a restaurant of their choice. The Via Dellagio Way has a host of fine restaurants, and we had eaten at Flemings, a wonderful restaurant, a few months prior. This time a friend suggested Dragonfly for her birthday choice. I was impressed with the atmosphere. The menu is extensive and has a huge sushi selection. We never had sushi and the waitress tried to persuade us to try it but we chose the regular selection. I selected the spinach salad which was very good and the rib entree was excellent. I also tried the asparagus wrapped in bacon, which I highly recommend. The only "fly in the ointment"...our server kept after us to try a sushi so I asked her if she could offer a "sample" (which we thought was a small taste without charge)...she said she would bring us a "mystery" dish and would not tell us what it is until we finished. Out came two small round slices of something and bowl of rice. We took a small bite and it tasted "slimy" but not wanting to seem impolite, we slowly masticated it. When she returned, she told us it as "EEL", yaach! We were presented with a bill for it for $10...while not high but for something so distasteful, it was! Therefore the 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)Scott L.
Great Sushi and excellent service. I visited recently with my wife. She is not a big sushi fan, but she loved everything that we tried. Dragonfly serves everything tapas style (there really are no entrees except perhaps a ribeye plate). I had the Bahama Mama roll, the Spicy Tuna Roll, and the Surf and Turf Roll. All of them were very fresh and flavorful. Our server was excellent, and the rest of the staff was pleasant and helpful. The atmosphere was casual but classy. It was a little dark, and difficult to read the menu, but my server stepped up with some excellent suggestions. We has a bottle of Sake that was a nice compliment to the food. I had a few Sapporo's which also went down pretty easy. I didn't see the bill, but the menu prices did not seem outrageous (and I have seen outrageous at sushi bars). If you like sushi, I cannot imagine you will be disappointed here. If you are not a sushi fan, you may be pleasantly surprised by this place.
(5)Thomas B.
Best sushi in or around Orlando. I'm still thinking about the Wagyu beef.
(5)Ela O.
The skewers off the grill were amazing. As was the spicy edamame; really made it unique from the typical edamame appetizer. We also had the tuna tataki which was simple but fresh. Also the drinks were amazing. I had the mo o-Jo mojito which I want to now replicate and make at home as one of my new favorite drinks. The sushi was good but not the best part of he meal. I love sushi and I've been to many places. I would still recommend this place for just sushi if that's what you want but their specialities off the grill and apps were so good that I feel like you would be missing out if you didn't try them. The only thing we didn't really like were the scallops in the skewers. They serve them with the tentacles, apparently more Japanese authentic. They were ok but a little weird and not the usual delicious flavor. Overall though, we loved the food, atmosphere and service. Highly recommend it.
(5)Tasha D.
I enjoyed the various meats and veggies that I ordered, which were BBQ'd at a super hot temperature and then brought out. Those were really good. The wine list was ok. I thought everything veered towards extremely overpriced. The green tea creme brulee was absolutely out of this world amazing. I was blow away by it. Nom nom nom.
(3)Veronica D.
My hubby and I first tried Dragonfly in Gainsville, I was excited to here that they had expanded to Orlando area. The restaurant is a beautiful, trendy, upscale, sushi lounge located in the Dellagio Town Center in the Sandlake Road area. A great alternative to the cheesy tourist traps in Orlando. We arrived a couple minutes late, our table was ready immediately. Our waitress was great, quick and on point. The food was YUM! Hands down the best Sushi rolls I have ever had. We ordered the spicy edamame, dragonfly roll ( the best!), crispy crunch roll ,short ribs, black and bleu roll, the surf and turf roll, 2 bottles of Saki and the tempura crunch cheesecake. The food & saki was AMAZING!!!!! Definitely coming back next time we are in the Orlando area. I loved it!
(5)Yalin L.
Pretty good restaurant I really like the non alcohol beer and the spicy tuna sashimi and the cherry lychee cobbler dessert.
(5)Sam C.
This is a pretty darn good establishment. The price is variable as some asian tapas are very generous and inexpensive ($8 crab fried rice) while some are high end ($18 black cod). The food is always good, views are great on the veranda, and the servers are friendly. The happy hour drinks and food specials reduce the cost. All-in-all delicious and fun. I think the reasonable food items are a way to get one in the door and then if you are like me you can't resist a pro-made $10 Smokey Old Fashioned, but I am weak for bourbon.
(4)Dianna C.
My amazing boyfriend decided to take me to Dragonfly a few weeks ago. I had heard about it before, but never tried it. I avoid going to that plaza in general because I detest the layout and the nonsensical parking garage! Moving on, since I had zero expectations about what this place would be like, I was blown away by the trendy, hip, modern decor. I hadn't even looked at the menu and I was already a happy camper. After we waited in a cozy seating area across from the bar for about 15 minutes, we were escorted to our table, which happened to be right in front of the sushi bar/open kitchen area. I liked the spot. It was cozy and a little private too, since there was a wall to the right of our table separating our area from the rest of the dining room. When our waiter arrived I just couldn't understand a word he said. His words went inside his mouth instead of coming out, it's hard to explain, but let's just say all this guy heard from me all night was "huh?" and "I'm sorry?". We had a hard time deciding what we wanted because aside from the sushi and the rolls, they don't really have entrees, only small dishes to be shared tapas style. We ended up going for the crunch roll, the something else roll (that's not really the name, I just can't remember it right now, but if you go through my pictures you'll see it on the caption of the photo), the salmon risotto and the smoked eel. Oh yeah, we also ordered two Banzai Saketinis (made plum sake). When our drinks arrived I was SOOO pleasantly surprised by the taste of it! I was expecting the harsh strong taste of sake , and instead my mouth was invaded by this crisp sweet delicious liquid that danced around my mouth and traveled down my throat ever so smoothly! I was a happy camper x 2! Let me wrap this up by judging each of our dishes: Smoked eel: Very good, but overpriced! You're paying $12 for these 2 little things of eel with whatever else on the bottom of it. I had a bite and I let my boyfriend enjoy the rest. Crunch roll: Awesome, crispy, fresh, tasty. I want some right now. Ah, remembered the name of the other roll, it's called Lava Roll: also very delicious. My boyfriend preferred the Crunch Roll, but I though they were equally delicious. Salmon Risotto: AMAZING. My mouth is watering as I write this and remember how amazing that first bite was. Such a surprise. I would go back just to have that again! Towards the end of the meal we received a quick tip from Colleen after she saw our check in and we ordered one more drink, the Cucumber Vodka Martini. It was pretty delicious, almost like drinking a salad, a delicious salad. My boyfriend did not enjoy when the slice of cucumber hit his lips, but that's just him being fussy (Sorry love :-D ). In short, I want to go back! I loved the whole experience and more importantly, my amazing company!!!
(5)Billy O.
I really like this place during happy hour. The food and drinks are cheap and they have a pretty good selection for the happy hour menu. And tasty!! This is the only location in town or in Florida that I know of that actually serves robatayaki and open bao buns. You don't understand, I've never had these things but in NY or CA in the states. So great job guys!! for offering something different in Orlando when it comes to Asian food. Maybe you guys can start offering a noodle bar like momofuku? I do love me some ramen. And I will be a very loyal customer. lol
(4)David K.
'Ferrow' Yelpers, This past weekend I decided to take my wonderful Girlfriend to Dragonfly. I had been at this place before but the previous company comes up very short to the current company (see the beauty in my photos). Enough "white-knighting" though and onto the review... After parking in the most ridiculous garage in Orlando we made our way to this restaurant which up until recently only had one location in Gainesville (I think). Upon entering we were told there was a 20-25 minute wait for a table for two. This was more than okay because there is an awesome lounge area for patrons to socialize while they wait (or make out like we did, high school style). There was quite an interesting mix of people that night at this location, frat-boy galore and an entire manicure salon amongst other stand-outs. We were sat in a cozy two seater right next to the sushi bar (see my photos). We were welcomed by a waiter who did not enunciate very well which meant I had to utilize my amazing lip reading skills, which clearly lack in the area of reading actual moving lips. My love and I ordered some Saketinis (see my photos) to start off the night. That is a Martini consisting of Sake for those who are, well, idiots. We ordered the Bonzai Saketini and the Cucumber Compulsion Martini. Both drinks were very refreshing and tasted really good. The Bonzai had a prune dropped at the very bottom of the drink adding a distinct taste and the Cucumber Compulsion had well, a slice of cucumber in some vodka which made the drink very refreshing (Thanks Colleen for the recommendation to my girlfriend!). Unfortunately when the cucumber hit my mouth I was disgusted (No offense Colleen). The ambiance here was very nice and I even told my girlfriend that some of the decor would look good in a bedroom. Yes, it was a sexy decor, and yes, I am very sexy. We then ordered the Risotto, the Crunch Roll, the Lava Roll and the Smoked Eel (see my photos). The Risotto was probably one of the best I have ever had aside from the Risotto I ate at a five star hotel in Berlin last year. My girlfriend L-O-V-E-D the risotto and said she'd come back just for that. The Crunch roll was extremely good, and just as the name implies...prepare for the obvious...captain obvious...it was crunchy. I also recommend the Lava Roll which comes topped off with Scallops. These were all very well put together and very good. Finally, the Smoked Eel decided to show up late to the party. It was like that self-important snob who wants to make an entrance and falls short of impressing others. It tasted good but when I saw its price, it immediately tasted like caca, poop, dookie or a variation thereof. All pomp, zero circumstance. Overall, I was very satisfied with this dinner. Nay, extremely satisfied and probably will return here often. It was a great meal, everything tasted great (yes, even the Eel, I was just being cheap). Go here and have a wonderful evening!! Ladies Night on Saturdays!! Dewa mata!!
(5)christian C.
Um, 4 stars - really? The sushi was just average at best (had Hamachi, Unagi and spicy tuna). The "heirloom tomato" salad was a bunch of halved cherry tomatoes with some cucumber slices. That wasn't too special. The waiter really struggled, especially odd for a Tuesday night that wasn't very busy. He messed up drink orders, salad orders, needed to be told which type of fish the unagi is, you name it. No one was offended or upset, but also certainly not impressed with the experience in anyway. Now that I write out this recollection, I'm wondering if 2 stars is too generous...
(2)Antony C.
I would have liked to given 4 stars, but felt it was overpriced. A pair of nigiri ran $5. I thought the quality was very good but not excellent, so not commanding the price premium. I split the Tonbo special platter with a friend. It was a nice assortment of sushi, sashimi, rolls and maki. Just not a lot of food their for the price. I think you were paying more for the atmosphere and service. The ambiance and design was awesome. It had this contemporary Asian fusion flare. Service was outstanding. Drinks were always filled. Server checked back in a timely manner. I'd probably go back for happy hour and to hang out.
(3)Stink C.
The favoring of the signature sashimi dish is non traditional. They are exceptional. The seasoning enhances the favor of the fresh fish.
(5)Nofe K.
I loved this place. The sushi was great. I recommend the "Crunch" maki. The shrimps was delicious too. The waiter was so friendly as well as the rest of the staff.
(5)James T.
Super good martinis - especially the sumo smash. Great rolls - Slammin Salmon and Florida Roll are my favorites. Miso also great. A must try are the wagu sliders for happy hour. Wonderful service also!
(5)Rick D.
One of the best sushi restaurants in Orlando. The only other location that comes close is Shari Sushi. I have been to the Gainesville location numerous times and enjoyed every visit. Their Orlando location is just as good. I would recommend anything on the menu. It all taste great.
(5)Viviana F.
We ate here last night, a Saturday around 7 p.m. There were 14 of us for a birthday celebration. The staff was very friendly including our smart-ass waiter. He was sarcasm personified but a lot of fun. My water glass was always full and they didn't laugh at me (at least not to my face) when I asked for a knife and fork to eat my sushi (my Chinese ancestors are rolling in their graves). I ordered a couple of specialty rolls: Karage Chicken - Fried marinated chicken thigh, cream cheese, avocado, cucumber & scallions. Finished with eel sauce. Black 'n Bleu - Rib Eye, spinach, sautéed red onion, bleu cheese & jalapenos. 13 Finished with honey wasabi mayo. Seaweed on outside. Both were delicious and the knife and fork were needed for the Black 'n Bleu roll because it was too big to put the whole slice in my mouth...next time though, I'm getting the Black 'n Bleu roll without the jalapenos. A friend ordered the Wakame Salad and I tried a bite and I'm definitely ordering this next time! Shredded Wakame Seaweed with sesame oil and white and black sesames. Another friend ordered the Miso Soup which they enjoyed and I'm going to order next time as well. All in all a fun time, good food and really nice atmosphere. After 10pm a DJ was spinning music in the Geisha Lounge. I will be back!
(4)Cristina G.
I am a huge foodie and I love to find new restaurants so we tried Dragonfly for the first time this Christmas week. Let's just say that I was blown away in all aspects. The decor of the place is quite chic; the service was very attentive; and the food was fresh and very inventive. We had 5 fabulous sushi rolls - Big Boss; Cobra Cai; Fire Me Up Wasabi; Spicy Tuna; and for the life of me I cannot remember the last roll. Not because it wasn't spectacular but rather the name eludes me. Everything was outstanding. My parents took advantage of the Happy Hour menu - select items (food and drink) for $6. My mother had the salmon risotto and it was outstanding!!! A huge bowl of perfectly cooked risotto with moist wild salmon on the top. It was unbelievable! It was so good that I would contemplate passing on the sushi to have this risotto. Anyway, this is definitely a place to go while in the Dr. Phillips area if you want good sushi in a nice atmosphere.
(5)Tiffany I.
Not the best sushi we have had, not the worst either. It was ok. They had interesting combinations of rolls. The conch roll was good. Black and bleu was also good, very different combination with ribeye instead of fish; although I didnt like the seaweed it was wrapped in. Had a samurai drink that was good. Service was less than mediocre. Won't be going back.
(2)Aurora N.
Holy shit Dragonfly....we were impressed! That doesn't happen too often, especially when sushi is concerned. My still absolute favourite (worth flying on a plane to go there) sushi restaurant is Tri Express in Montreal, but Dragonfly you've got it going on. After a long day at Islands of Adventure we were ready for some good eating. There were six of us and we ended up ordering family style. Although a few of the flavour combinations were a little too bizarre even for me, we devoured almost everything. My boyfriend started off with a ginger salad and the Wagyu Ribeye iff the robata grill. I had the Yellowtail with Ginger-Scallion (not my favourite but the rolls more than made up for it). For the rolls: The Bomb (amazing) Lobster Roll (Very decadent...but little too rich for my taste) Lava (Yum!) Japan Roll (You can really taste the smokiness from the torched togarashi butter) We had about 4 or 5 more rolls but at this point I was in a sushi coma.
(5)Alex E.
We had good service at the bar during happy hour today. The cocktails were tasty and well-priced. All the happy hour food specials are well-priced and they have a great variety. We ordered steamed buns with short rib and braised pork that were tasty and well-executed. We also ordered a couple handrolls. The wife got a spicy salmon handroll and was very happy that it wasn't spicy mayo overpowering everything, rather it's a light spicy dressing. I ordered a soft shell crab handroll and was happy to taste that the crab had been (I think) grilled and had a nice char taste to it. Unique and pleasant. The highlight was the ramen. It was simply outstanding. Do yourself a favor and try it.
(4)Keelan P.
Bacon wrapped asparagus. Cobra Kai. So many favors. Miso Yaki black cod. Seared butterfish sashimi. Yellowtail w ginger scallion. AMAZING.
(5)J G.
Awesome food, very nice modern/relaxed indoor and outdoor ambiance. The menu is organized into small plates so get about 3 per person for dinner and share everything. The food here is really good but the happy hour is killer. $6 drinks and plates for this quality is kind of incredible. Recommend happy hour: box sushi, chicken skewers, sliders. Recommended menu: pork belly, mushroom risotto.
(5)Tara K.
This place is great! They have a wonderful selection of sushi. I am allergic to shellfish and they are very accommodating and substituted crab and shrimp in a couple rolls we wanted. The service was great too. I will definitely go back!
(4)Richard B.
Another great place on Restaurant Row I've been here 3 times now and have had the same great experience each time. Very good sushi and sashimi. We also have tried the bacon wrapped vegitables from the grill. Yes "Bacon Wrapped", enough said. They were fantastic! Also love the special edamame. Nice romantic style atmosphere. Very good service.
(5)James A.
Absolutely excellent! Everything was delicious! Best sushi in Orlando and great ambiance!
(5)Angel J.
ahhhhhhh... as good as it gets. This is a must stop when I return to Orlando. Can't there be one in Los Angeles? PLEASE!
(5)Michael W.
WOW! Dragonfly is a beautiful Japanese gem located in the Dr. Phillips area. The food is excellent here! I had the Shari Risotto, Krispy Krunch Roll, Black Dragon Roll and the Dragonfly Roll. The Dragonfly Roll is encased with cooked Grouper! Delicious! The Black Dragon Roll, which is soft shell crab with snow crab and eel, was amazing as well. The Krispy Krunch Roll and Shari Risotto are part of their daily happy hour which runs from 5-7 p.m. You can check out the rest of their menu and happy hour specials here: dragonflyorlando.com/hap… Dragonfly's atmosphere is very chic and posh! Love it! Definitely not your typical Japanese restaurant. The service was flawless. Van took care of us and he explained the menu and their Robata Grill which is a 1000 degree grill, pretty neat! The whole time he ensured we were comfortable and not once did I feel pressured to order something or felt like I was being upsold. Excellent service!
(5)Jason W.
It was a good experience with superb service, but the food made my stomach upset. It was also rather expensive. The hamachi kama was normal, the U-10 tiger shrimp was decent but certainly not the best thing on the menu as the waiter suggested. The Tuna Kobachi actually tasted decent but I believe this dish made me sick later that night. I've recently become sensitive to smashed up tuna left overs like this dish. The Dragonfly roll was decent but sauced a little too much.
(3)Moira S.
One of Orlando's best dining experiences Dragonfly serves sushi, sashimi and Japanese style small servings to be shared - all creatively prepared and very worth the visit. Dishes cost between $6 and $20 and you will want more than one each. Excellent value. We are good amateur cooks and prefer to dine on food we could not make at home. The dragonfly is all over it. They have a fancy grill that cooks at very high heat and retains flavor. The chef serves one of the best black cod ever - hard to get, impossible to get better. The garlic crab fried rice was subtly seasoned and delicious and I am usually "ho hum" about fried rice. Warm spinach, mushroom, cashew salad and "the bomb" roll ... I could keep on going...oh, yeah, green tea tiramisu or creme brûlée and fried cheesecake with berries a la mode...just to name a few excellent choices. Our waiter was attentive, very-well trained and guided us based on our preferences: one spicy and raw, the other subtle blended seasoning(married=opposites). The restaurant is beautifully decorated to give a calm upscale feel. People in Orlando recognize the Restaurant Row location. We visit Orlando regularly and recognize the location as where the Dragonfly is. We have been regulars when in town for years and will continue into the future.
(5)Adit B.
Really good sushi. Probably one of the best I've had in Florida. Try the bomb roll it is pretty out of this world. The big boss and kobra Kai were great. The best IMO though was the European trance roll. It was melt in your mouth goodness.
(5)Nathan A.
Elegant atmosphere and sushi with the quality of restaurants twice as expensive. Drink mixology is great as well. I had a gin martini with ginger that was great. Only miss was the king crab hot pot. This was really good but all it was was oriental ramen noodles with king crab whose flavor was muted by the spicy soup.
(5)Ayaz A.
I was in Orlando last weekend and yelped the neighborhood to see if there was a good sushi place nearby. Dargonfly more than lived up to the recommendations. I'm definitely going back next time I am in the area.
(5)Jay C.
Pretty good sushi although not comparable to sushi yasuda in manhattan. Location is weird (-1 star) A bit off the main road so getting a cab took a while. Probably the best bloody Mary drink in town!
(3)Jacqueline E.
It was my significant other's 50th birthday. He had been telling me about a restaurant at Florida Mall which had small dishes that you paid for pretty much by the honor system of colored plates. His only reservation about the place was its openness to the rest of the mall, how people might skip out without paying. I did my research, kept coming up with Dragonfly, which should be no surprise as they are my familars, wherever I go during the day, dragonflys will hover & zoom around me. My current Kia is named Sapphire Dragonfly. We went to FL mall first on his insistance that he had seen his restaurant with food sent out on a belt chain system, that he had seen it open, even though I couldn't find a working phone. All the way into the left center of the mall, & for a recent leg grafted disabled Vet, that was a LOT of walking, until we got to the location & found it. Abandoned. Cables pulled out of power, lonely, empty, still. We looked at each other as it was now 8:30pm & I said: "We still have Dragonfly!" I have sent him the link so many times; that it is resident in my phone, especially the graphic full menu. So back to the hot parking lot from the sub freezing mall, on the phone to a most gracious hostess who kept trying to boost our party to 4, but alas only the 2 of us for 9:15pm. However I hadn't counted on the steps from the parking garage or the labyrinth once we got to the top. I would very much ask that you lay in a couple of maps at the parking garage entrances to stairs or elevator, so that people parking, can do so in an advantageous way. It would have been much easier to have a map by the elevator which we never found, or once past the stairs(!) Which once I made it to the top of them, we, of course, walked a long way, the wrong way first. My birthday is in December, however, I can't wait that long! Round 2 will be in September with on or more friends...I'm already slathering at the idea of crispy pig ears, fish collar & the brussels sprouts to name a few. ***++***++**+++***++***++ Excellent restaurant for a grown up celebration. Main dining rooms are a bit too loud if crowded. A few more soft ceiling panels & seat backs could buffer. Both my 1st star & the birthday guy's 1st star dish was the same. Crispy Pig ears sliced & flash wokk'd were the stars of our meal, drink with an ice cold selection of beer or a sparkling equivalent.They were like lightly salted, crispy, porky potato chips. Aim for the dark completely almost burnt ones. The less done ones were chewier but not as "crunchelicious" to borrow a term. Addictive! He had them with the Lychii/sake cocktail. First time he's ordered two drinks in one meal in a long time. They helped to completely clean his palate between each of the flavor explosions that came his way. I used a combination of stealing his pickled ginger, & requesting even more, plus the excellent matcha green tea to do the same for me. Each plate except for the soup & most of the sushi, otherwise came as 2 skewers with intensly flavored morsels on them, enough to be shared, maybe with a dipping sauce plus an accompanying vegetable. Eat it all, & only 4 dishes - some split, some not, will fill you up. His 2nd star goes to miso broth with clams. The highly flavored broth was intense without being salty. As we were both from Long Island, NY, Little Neck.Clams made the soup not only briney & more flavorful, it made it personal. I was lucky to get a slurp. My significant's 3rd star went to the Robata Ika whole Squid 2 ways. My 2nd star was for the fried tenticles with the spicy mayonnaise & mixed dried condiment & he so loved the robata grilled sliced ring body with vegetable that after one taste, he would no longer share! My 3rd star was for male & female robata scallops, with butter braised mushrooms. Two totally different tastes with multiple textures. That was hard to give away half of. But our combined 4th star in a meal of 8 plates definitely went to the bacon wrapped asparagus tips. He wasn't expecting the contextural & taste contrasts of fresh green with smoked bacon crunchiness, with the mouth feel of meat/vegetable. I'm glad that we were able to split those. I also shared my crispy pork cheeks, & he waved the Angus beef in my direction. Somehow I missed ordering the flash fried brussels sprouts & the robata fish collar... We both wanted some kind of vaguely cake like finish (birthday cake) but with menu offerings, it was not to be. Was hoping for a Robata grilled banana/ pineapple/mango offering, perhaps then brought to table, sliced & flambe'ed with a dessert or plum wine & ladeled over a trio of green tea, ginger & red bean ice creams served on a diamond of banana leaf. It could have been served over thick slices of Japanese Milk bread or even sweet white sticky rice & would have been awesome. Don't take the kids. Its only open from 5 to 10 weekdays & 5 to 11 on weekends. Its an adult thing. Beautiful, edgy, excellent, a little loud. Go.
(5)Regina K.
Happy hour here is definitely a win. This place is a little pricey compared to the other sushi spots on Sand Lake road (Amura, Seito, and Nagoya) so it kind of gets overlooked. Happy hour here though is one of the best in Dr. Phillips. Wines and cocktails run about $6 and so do most of the bites which are just has great as they are during dinner. My must tries: Pork belly buns Crunch roll Shiitake spinach salad DIY sushi roll
(4)Christina G.
This was a good 40 minutes away from our hotel, but close to the Universal parks. I wanted to eat here so badly I totally went to the nearby outlets and bought an outfit, so I could change out of the sloppy, rumpled shorts and tee I'd been sporting around the park all day. Glad I did! The ambiance is very chi-chi. I was craving sushi; but had not experienced robata grill before. So we got the bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms from the grill as well as 4 rolls of sushi. Oh man -- that grill. It's magical! I could still taste the delicious grilled charcoal flavor long after I ate those mushrooms. I'm not even much of a grilled-food gal (we're like the only Americans who don't own a grill in the backyard); but this was a game-changer for me. If i were to do it again, I probably wouldn't pick the mushrooms... they didn't stay wrapped in the bacon well, so it was tough to get all the goodness, with stringy mushrooms falling out all over the place. The accompanying dipping sauces were also revelational. Of the sushi rolls, my husband enjoyed the trademark Dragonfly the most. My favorite was the Mango Tango -- very unusual from any roll I've had. It almost tasted like cheesecake at first. But the taste grew on me, the more I had. Both of those rolls are fairly un-sushi like... baked and/or wrapped or covered in lots of non-traditional elements. We also did two of the simpler maki -- the Tri-Me and KamaCrazy. Both fresh. When paying, Phil commented that he thought the total was "a steal" for the amount of food we got. We do hail from a place with lots of Buy One, Get One sushi joints, that admittedly come out far cheaper. But for the quality of fish, quantity of food, and intimate date-night atmosphere, the price tag here is definitely reasonable.
(4)Ting W.
If you want an upscale place to take a person out on a date, this is the place! The ambiance and decor is modern and chic with a twist of Japanese pub culture. I had a party of 8people and we were sectioned off in a VIP room. The decor and setting makes it a cozy place to enjoy a get together for sharing tapas style dishes and enjoy your drink on a night out. Although, it was packed there are still some lounge room area that you can sit as well as a gorgeous patio area. They serve a variety of tapas styled robatayaki dishes, sashimi, sushi rolls, and nigiri options. It's a bit pricy on the side, but I definitely don't mind going back. I ordered the chicken breast fro the Robata Grill section which was served skewer style. It came with three seasoned sauces and the chicken was tender and not dry. You could definitely taste the charcoal fired flavors that enhances the meat. I also ordered the Risotto with Loch Duart Salmon mixed with shemiji mushrooms & cilantro, made with white miso, shallots, garlic, mascarpone & finished with scallions. It was so good. Enough to fill me up! Creamy risotto with a hint of sesame oil and the salmon was in small pieces. I want to go back to try their happy hour menu!
(4)Ron B.
This is my favorite Japanese Restaurant in the Orlando Area. I have had Japanese food in NYC, LA, and Las Vegas and this is still one of my favorites! The food, service, and ambience are fantastic! Here are some of my favorite dishes: Dragonfly Roll, Yellowtail Collar, Kalbi Beef, Tuna Kobachi, and Lava Roll. I recommend eating at 8:30PM: the service is better than 7:00 because the restaurant is less crowded.
(5)Tatiana B.
Cucumber Martini + Salmon risotto = WIN! The cucumber martini from this place got me hooked! Now, everywhere I go if there is a cocktail with cucumber, I have to get it. I really like this place. The decor and ambiance is kind of upscale but still very cool. The salmon risotto is TO DIE FOR! So much better than the rolls. The risotto has numerous pieces of cooked salmon, mushrooms, cilantro, shallots, garlic and everything is mixed in with mascarpone cheese which gives you a whole lot of creamy deliciousness. The fish here is always very fresh so yellowtail and salmon sashimis are always a must for us. As far as the rolls, the Big Boss, the Bomb, and Mango Tango. My BF favorites are the Cobra Kai and the Slammin Salmon. These are all really good and really big rolls so plan to share.
(4)Missy C.
Good quality fish, ample serving sizes. They just changed menu. New menu has less sushi options. Miso soup delicious and fresh. Service good. Drinks, meh.
(3)Lanhy N.
Dragonfly sushi is probably my all time favorite sushi restaurants- I have been to many cities and tried LOTS of sushi restaurants and Dragonfly continues to be my favorite. The atmosphere here is perfect for dates, girls' nights, casual or business dinners, ANY event. It is a place that you want to dress up to go to. Their happy hours (5-7 M-F) are good for wines but the food menu is lacking- not enough food options and the current options are not very good. Some must tries: Buttered Edamami Dragnofly roll Cobra Kai roll The Bomb Mango Tango Deserts: Fried ice cream Green Tea Creme Brulee
(5)Vince S.
Me and my girlfriend went to this restaurant before a show. I made reservation for 7pm. Upon arrival, there was a slight delay for us to be seated. The host was not very friendly. The lighting is a bit dark for my liking but it does provide a more romantic and intimate environment. We ordered 3 rolls: Dragonfly (their signature roll) recommend, Tri-Me (tuna, izumedai & salmon) taste better with sriracha sauce Mango Tango (salmon with mango and peach apricot) average Dessert: Green tea tiramisu & green tea creme burlee Both were disappointment Service was prompt Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience but there are room for improvement.
(3)John P.
Went back again last night and it was even better than the first time. Got to try all new items and they were all outstanding. Chef made us a special "spicy" roll and spicy it was. Had the asparagus wrapped in bacon again along with the grilled shrimp and scallops. Service was excellent and our waiter, David, was great. Make this a stop when you're in Orlando!
(4)Cassie F.
I won't take up your time reading a repeat of other reviews ........ but I would like to add for all of those "old time" foodies who grew up w/ their parents or at least their grandparents having a coffee can of bacon fat sitting on the back of the stove so that you could dip into it and add a little heaven to anything that you were cooking - well those people will melt at the knees when they see on the menu " Crispy Black Pork Belly" on the menu. How could you not?!? Well let me tell you - it does not disappoint - for those of us who have cooked pork butt - or picnic - in the oven all day and then turned the oven on high for the last 20 minutes to make the pork fat crispy. And then - you don't let anyone in the kitchen while you are carving lest they see you consume all of that crispy fat goodness. Well then - this app is for you! And it's only three small pieces - so totally forgivable! OK - I realize I just lost quite a few readers - but those of you who told everyone you were viewing this with "OMG - that is disgusting" but secretly you were salivating - this is the real fat deal! Try it! If something like that is on the menu - you have to! And everything else we ordered - fell in line w/ all of the other reviews - a little pricey - so maybe not the "go to" place to eat - but on paydays - well worth the small up charge. Will def be back!
(5)Michelle R.
I'm having a holiday party here in a couple weeks, so I went to check out the space and the menu - and I have to say, the service was great and the food was delicious, if not a bit on the pricey side (minus one star) for the portions of food you receive. admittedly, they preempt your ordering by saying the menu is 'tapas' style. overall, good experience, and really delicious!
(4)J W.
Definitely not the greatest sushi, but not horrible either.
(3)Arvee C.
Dragonfly, endearment and the bomb are all good.
(5)Alley H.
Such a good choice! Needed a last minute restaurant reservation for 7 girls, they took us right away. Food was great. Salads are kind of small and pricey but the sushi was wonderful. I recommend the roll with the strawberries on top. Great service. If you're willing to dish out a little for dinner, you won't regret this classy place.
(5)Tatiana S.
Excellent food and great ambiance!
(5)Stephanie G.
Great place!! Awesome atmosphere and food. Highly recommend the spinach mushroom salad. Sushi is wonderful and great happy hour. We come here a lot with my 4 year old son- who today was sound asleep- the GM Dave hooked us up at the quiet end of the sushi bar, setup 2 chairs as a little bed for my sleeping son and hen went to the lounge took a small pillow and even covered it with a fresh linen napkin!! I mean really!! This was better service than we've had at the Ritz! I work in the restaurant industry and this is above anything I've experienced in a long while. Kudos to who ever hired Dave!!!
(4)Grace W.
Hmmm...I don't know what the big fuss is about this place. DON'T let the nice classy neighborhood and decor fool you. It is a super classy restaurant, but the food should also be phenomenal to match that. My bf and I came here based on all these wonderful yelp reviews, but ended up extremely disappointed with unsatisfied appetites. We had the spicy roll with yellowtail, godzilla roll, and black n bleu. They were SO frickin' bland, the godzilla had too much cream cheese...and there was just nothing that stood out about them. The black n bleu was my least favorite. None of them captivated my attention or my taste buds. It felt like I was eating plain white rice with nothing else. We will not be back. But, the service was good, and there's a nice fountain outside of the restaurant.
(2)Jamie C.
Great food. Horrible hostess. Ended up eating at the bar after waiting 2 hours. Was Told it would be 30 minutes.
(3)Rachel S.
Decent sushi Great happy hour Really relaxed decor Open kitchen You can go casual or a little dressier and still be dressed appropriately. Nice little outdoor area.
(4)Bettina T.
Menu items you have to try: Drink: Mo "J' Oj it's the best drink there! Appetizer: Butter Sauteed Edamame (pretty unhealthy but oh so delicious) Dinner: Shari Risotto & Crispy Black Pork Belly Sushi: The Dragonfly roll (It's their signature roll!) Trust me, I would never steer you wrong on these menu items, they are absolutely the best!
(5)Mohammed O.
Food is excellent. The meat is tender and juicy. Sushi is fresh. Very nice ambience. Excellent service. Definitely will go back.
(5)Desiree W.
The food is good and the atmosphere is, given the restaurant is in Dr. Phillips, but I feel the price is too expensive for the quality of sushi. Fuji sushi on Lee Rd and Arigato Sushi on Semoran blvd are WAY better for reasonable prices. Also, they have more selection! But, if you like ambiance, Dragonfly is ok.
(3)A M.
I wish we tried more sushis and rolls here. A lot of people on Yelp spoke highly of Edamame. For that reason we decided to try it but we were not super excited about them. Seafood salad and Signature Dragonfly sushi was really unbelievable - they both are must to try and reorder again and again!
(5)Aaron B.
Very impressive happy hour menu, 1st time i have been since i moved back to Dr. Phillips area. Had some little asian slider burgers and some yellowfin sushi, and of course saki but really a good place and looks like they are very busy which is a good sign.
(4)Juliet D.
Nice atmosphere. Love the Dragon Fly roll.
(4)Rees B.
Went here on a date last night and it was superb! The atmosphere reminds me very much of the standard "LA style" sushi restaurants so prevalent on the West Coast; very sleek, modern, elegant and understated without being too cold, stuffy or pretentious. The waitress was adorable and when she learned it was my first time here, she gave me the whole rundown of teh restaurant. As it says, it is Izakaya style which basically means it's a Spanish Tapas-esque (appetizer style meant to be shared) style. The showpiece of the menu is the Kobata grill (fueled by some special wood that burns without a flame at a ridiculously high heat), which sears the food but does not lend any of the smoky wood flavor common with other grilling styles. We shared the bacon wrapped asparagus, Shari risotto, Krispy Roll, Spicy Roll, the fatty tuna (I can never remember the Japanese name for it) nagiri, and the Kobata beef skewers. EVERYTHING was delicious and impeccably presented. The flavors from the grill were so clean and each ingredient was able to shine through. The three dipping sauces included added just enough flavor to take each of the dishes to a totally different direction depending on your mood. The waitress was very attentive (my glass never got empty, and i drink like a horse) and she was very knowledgable of the menu and techniques used in the preparation and cooking. We split a green tea creme brulee and let em tell you, it was excellent. The portion was larger 9again, intended for sharing), but we both agreed that we could easily polish one off on our own. This will certainly be a regular date night locale for us in the future.
(5)Mike C.
Ill Keep this review short and sweet. The ambiance is nice. I was the first one in, when the doors opened at 5pm for happy hour. Took a seat at the bar. I looked around and saw modern dark colors with red drapes and flat screen tvs. The place is nice and spacious. My server was Micheline and she was quite attentive. I asked her if her or the other bartender were familiar with the Gainesville location and she said she hadn't been there personally, but that some of the staff that works in the kitchen here, moved down from Gainesville to open this place. I had the California Sawbuck Malbec wine with the Krispy Krunch roll and the Spicy Tuna. The red wine was nice and smooth and exceptionally good in my opinion. The sushi rolls were pretty good as well. I've had better sushi before, but this sushi was definitely up to par. Service was good, as I was addressed by my name toward the end of my dining experience which shows she cares about her job enough to remember names. I can't imagine how packed this place must be on Friday and Saturday nights. A girl at the bar on her computer on a skype date leads me to believe that there is wi-fi there. But don't take my word for it. Go yourself, and enjoy that sweet $6 happy hour special with select rolls, wines, and cocktails. Happy eating my fellow yelpers!.........So much for short and sweet...haha
(4)Aldo F.
Arrived here about 7:00 o'clock on a friday night with no reservation and we surprisingly got a table immediately. Nice trendy contemporary decor and spacious, tables not crammed together it's always a plus. Our waitress was very nice and friendly but seemed kinda slow at times. To the food; as most sushi fanatics i ventured to this place with high expectations with all the hype it gets from here. Well, the sushi was mediocre, and i think anyone whos had good sushi will concur with that statement. their menu had maybe 4 specialty rolls that caught my attention, other than that i didn't see anything special that you wouldn't find at other local sushi spots. Def nothing to write home about, their taste was blend and for the most part nothing really tasted fresh imo. I will def not comeback here for the sushi. Now the ROBATA grill, that is another story! That was definitely the highlight of the night, it was absolutely delicious and made up for the crappy sushi. Flavors were intense and smoky. My wife thought some of the Robata dishes were a bit salty for her taste for but i had no complaints. It was right on my alley. I would def be back here to try more Robata grill dishes. Another fact worth mentioning is that the dishes in this place are TAPA style, so, expect small portions. I would have gave this place 4 stars but i agree with some of the fellow yelpers that prices are a on the steep side. That, plus my nice waitress forgot to bring the side sauces for the robata in our first round of dishes (Which I didn't even notice the were missing until the brought them with the second round of dishes) but then the waitress tried to cover up her mistake by lying and telling us that the first round of dishes already have the sauces "on them" so they didn't need them hahahha, we knew this was a lie. She could have been honest and tell the truth but then again it wasn't a big deal and she was pretty nice so we let it slide.
(3)Phan T.
There's so much I can say about this restaurant that I do not know where to begin. I recently recommended this place to my cousin who came to visit and she said it was the best sushi she ever had! The price is high but you can expect that by the location and decor at this place. Very classy and a wonderful place to take a date. I went to UF in Gainesville so I know all about the original location there and the menu. Chef Ray is as good as it gets to a world class in the Kitchen. You have to try the Dragonfly roll and if you're a sashimi fan as am I, you have to go with the Baby Yellowtail Carpaccio. Enjoy and thank me later.
(5)N T.
Service was good, didn't like my heirloom tomatoes salad, too sour. Dragonfly rolls were decent. Green tea creme brulee was excellent.
(3)Melissa H.
Amazing! I had the dragonfly roll (house specialty) and its served warm....so good. The best cold roll was the bomb, seriously it was da bomb! The crab fried rice is the best fried rice ever invented. The black and blue roll was not my favorite (I prefer my beef well cooked) but hubby liked it. I tried the cucumber martini based on yelpers reviews and they were right, delish! The icing on the cake was the tempura fried cheesecake. It's was a perfect date night. Service was prompt, ambiance is hip and casual. A must try on restaurant row.
(5)David M.
Dragonfly is a terrific addition to restaurant row and one that will last for years to come. I visited for the first time this evening and was pleasantly impressed by the dark wood meets modern look of the interior. My companion and I were quickly seated and chose to eat at the bar instead of a table. Service was quick, friendly efficient. Points to our server for asking us if we would prefer the house soy sauce or a lower sodium version and for offering several other sauces as well. I ordered yellowtail sashima ($6 for two large pieces) and the spicy tuna sashima ($6 for three large pieces). Both were fresh, tender and flavorful. The spicy tuna was my clear favorite as it packed a lot of flavor and had just the right amount of heat to compliment the fresh tuna. A definite winner. Having finished my protein, I ordered an avocado hosomaki (avocado rolled in rice and seawood). It was flavorful and an excellent way to cleanse my palate. My companion ordered a wild salmon hosomaki and a tuna hosomaki. He reported that both were excellent and closed off his meal with an equally well received octopus hosomaki. Having discovered Dragonfly, I will no longer visit Amura or Seito Sushi. Dragonfly is a winner.
(4)Ahna K.
Visiting my family for the holidays, and went with my parents & brother. Being spoiled with really good Japanese options in the NYC area, I don't usually expect much from Japanese restaurants in other cities. Dragonfly is a good Japanese fusion restaurant. This is my 2nd time here and the restaurant is packed both times I visited. Their strength is definitely with the cooked items on the menu. Sushi is mediocre, and won't recommend. Portions are served tapas style and best enjoyed when shared. Must-tries: Braised Short Ribs Miso Yaki Black Cod Crispy Black Pork Belly (served with medium soft bolied egg) Agedashi Tofu Service was good. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Lauren B.
I have to say I am not a huge fan of the Orlando DF location. Having gone to school in Gainesville, I was always a HUGE fan of the Dragon Fly there. So I figured I'd like to Orlando one as well, but having been there twice now I am really unimpressed. I will say, it might be worth the trip just to try the Buttered Edamame which is probably the most amazing edamame I've ever had. I've also tried several items off the Robato Grill which gives the food an interesting flavor but it's nothing special really. I've tried a few of the rolls which are solid of course, but I feel that it's pretty overpriced for what you get. If you have a chance, try the location in Gainesville but this one is ok if you are looking for a swanky place to eat expensive sushi and fancy cocktails.
(3)Basil A.
I try to like this place, but I just can't. The service has always been good, but it's the sushi I can't get myself to like. I mean it's good, but for the price it can be better. I can think of several places in Orlando I would rather go to.
(2)Tedd S.
I attended last nights Ladies Night event 11P-3A...As I walked into a very cool vibe, I looked to my right and there on a bed of faux ice was a nekked Asian girl with a nice selection of sashimi on her stomach (or was it a nice stomach and sushi ;o)...she had strategically placed lotus blossoms for her "Naked Sushi" display. This is an awesome concept...in my mind it set's the pace for greater things. Everyone was having a blast - LOVE the house music. At the corner of the bar was the brightest candle in the room. I had the cucumber-infused vodka and flipped! Dragonfly is an inner-stellar example of the Orlando dining scene where the beautiful people go to play...I met Stephen, he was most helpful and the epitome of professionalism and restaurant knowledge. Mark DragonFly on your calendar - and then get your ass over there!
(4)Rebecca L.
My husband and I were in Orlando for the Disney 1/2 Marathon on 1/7/12 and I had a hankering for sushi after the race. We did some digging around for something rated well and figured we would try Dragonfly. We're glad we did! We made a reservation via Opentable for 9pm - unfortunately the table wasn't ready for us despite the place not being terribly crowded. No big deal. We hung out at the bar and enjoyed some Soporro and Kirin on tap (heck yeah). Once we were seated, service was pretty good. The waitress explained the menu and we ended up order the following: Buttered Sauteed Edamame - DELICIOUS! The flavor was different and the bonito flakes greatly enhanced the presentation and taste. Robata Asparagus and Bacon - We decided that we would eat this all day everyday. Portion was good considering the price. Maguro Shashimi - melt in your mouth tuna. Kamacrazy Roll - we both enjoyed this roll. Nothing really stood out about it, just tasted better than the Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai Roll - meh. The salmon was fresh and the hit of lemon was nice, but overall the roll was kind of boring. If we ever find ourselves in Orlando again, we'd definitely visit.
(4)Dina N.
Great place. Very trendy decor and yummy food. They have a lot to choose from. The portions are tapas style and perfect for sharing. I would suggest trying something off the Robata Grill, a special grill flown in from Japan. The chicken thigh was delish. The Orange Yuzu sauce was my favorite. The sashimi is also very fresh. Good service as well. I will definitely go back.
(4)Audrey N.
I came here based on the reviews. Hrm, California sushi way better than Florida sushi, that's for sure. We ordered the Miso Soup with Clams and the Ramen Noodles for appetizers. The ramen was much better tasting than the miso. I was quite disappointed with the miso. The texture and taste was all wrong! For our rolls, we ordered the Surf n Turf, Black Dragon and one other. I thought the Surf n Turf was alright. The roll was a little too full/big? It made me not want to finish it? I also ordered myself a salmon nigiri. The salmon was definitely lacking, it was THINLY sliced. It didn't taste fresh either. The other rolls from what my friends say, were tasty. But due to my rather not so good rolls, I didn't feel like trying theirs. Maybe before I leave, I'll give sushi another try.
(3)Martin B.
Trendy sushi restaurant with a great atmosphere in the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake area. Located in the Dellagio Town Center. Fairly good service. The staff and bartenders are knowledgeable in their wine and cocktails. Do a few sake bombs to stir up the place. Try their Robata Grill items or their Seafood and Meats (my favorite items if you decide not to get any of their rolls). I would recommend their dragonfly roll for a hearty and flavorful change from your ordinary rolls. They are a bit pricey but the quality and service is better than most other restaurants ou there. Large groups are welcome...better for small parties however. Request sitting outside if the weather is comfortable. Overall one of Orlando's top sushi restaurants in my opinion.
(4)Bobby P.
Might be the best sushi in town. Definitely the one with the coolest atmosphere.
(5)Scott J.
When I heard that a popular Gainesville sushi restaurant was opening an outpost on Restaurant Row, I had an immediate picture of what it would be. I had not been to the original Dragonfly, but I supposed it would be your basic compact-sized Japanese restaurant with counter seating and a few booths. Decorations would be the standard paper lanterns and banners with Japanese characters on them; maybe a couple of shoji screens. The menu, of course, would be the standard list of maki rolls and nigirizushi, served, naturally, with a bowl of miso soup. Boy, did I get it wrong. The Orlando Dragonfly not only offers an extensive sushi selection, it also has a full menu of dishes featuring meat, including wagyu beef, seafood and chicken, prepared in myriad levels of creativity, and served in a vast space that is modern and stylish. The food is also first-rate. You can read the complete review at my website.
(4)Mary Jo P.
Sat at the outdoor bar for happy hour. Received a sticky, stained menu and we waited far too long to cash out. Everything in-between was pretty good. The Sumo Smash martini was excellent and the crunch roll awesome.
(4)Betty V.
Came here on a recommendation from my cousin while visiting Orlando with some friends. Dragonfly is definitely one of those trendy, modern sushi restaurants. It seems on par to RA Sushi or Geisha House, with the pretty decorations and cool ambiance. After 10 pm, it closes its kitchen and becomes a lounge. Unfortunately, we were there on a Monday evening so it was pretty dead for a lounge. But the rolls were very unique and creative. We ordered all of these cool rolls like Mango Tango, Big Boss, Kamakrazy, Lava something something... All were delicious and flavorful. Our server was really laidback, helpful with recommendations, and made our dinner very pleasant. Would have loved to come back on a busier night, but it was a great dining experience overall!
(4)Jen N.
A group of us came here last Friday for a surprise birthday dinner and it turned out to be a success! It was my first time visiting this Dragonfly location, as I've previously been to the original one while I attended UF in Gainesville. This Dragonfly is located in the beautiful Dellagio Town Center. The decor of the restaurant is stunning. Dark wood furniture and even lounge seating throughout, and outside of, the restaurant. I started dinner off with the Lychee Leung drink. There were pieces of lychee in the martini glass as well as basil seeds mixed in, making the drink a cloudy white color. It was tasty but a bit too strong for my liking. Three of us shared a couple of sushi rolls - Bahama Mama, The Dragonfly, Lava, and Union Street Station. All deeelicious, I might add!
(4)Justin H.
Dragonfly is a great restaurant. Very hip decor and great food. A bit dark inside and the music is fairly loud, but it is beautiful overall inside. The food is great! The sushi here is really unique. The surf and Turf sushi is one of my favorite sushi rolls of all time. If you are looking for a different kind of sushi experience, this is the place to go. As well, the tempura is great and so is their 1000 degree grill. The scallops we got off it were ok, but the chicken was awesome. Would recommend it to anyone looking for new sushi experience.
(4)Katrina P.
Favorite sushi in all Orlando. Its far for me and I'm lazy so the fact that I bypass all the rest of the restaurants to go here should say something. Great service, great sushi and great atmosphere! There's not much more I could ask for. A lot of specialty rolls that don't disappoint. I have been dying for some good quality sushi after coming back from Hawaii and was surprised when my boyfriend brought me here and I didn't leave craving sushi from miles away.
(5)Erica S.
This spot is a little hard to find but that doesn't stop a crowd from forming and I totally get why--the food is good, the drinks are good, and it's a low-lit and sexy atmosphere. From the garlic edamame to the blackened pork belly with an egg and broth (best idea ever), to the Korean beef and the salmon roll, everything was good. We had to wait a little longer than expected for our table, but were able to find spots at the bar. The one thing I would have liked to have tried was sold out so I will have to come back to try the green tea creme brulee.
(4)Kimberly N.
I came to Orlando on vacation for a couple of nights with my boyfriend and we were looking for a really good sushi place to eat at.. Omg did we find it ! Dragonfly is trendy and has amazing food. Everything was so delicious and full of flavors. We are from Miami and we eat sushi pretty often. Dragonfly is comparable to places we have been on south beach. Our server was courteous and very knowledge. We had the dragonfly roll (burst of flavors in your mouth), shari risotto (creamy deliciousness), godzilla roll (great presentation), and tender chicken skewers (cooked over charcoal). Wish they had one in Miami...
(5)Todd G.
All flash no substance. Somewhere, somehow, someone became convinced that high prices will make people forget that your food is just so-so. There is a much better sushi restaurant just a few miles away right next to Sea World on Central Florida Parkway (Oishii) and several better ones downtown. This place looks trendy and is in Dr. Phillips (cue angels singing), but it's really just like any other mediocre sushi restaurant to which you've ever been. Almost every roll is $10+. . . which is fine, if the sushi was good. Cheapest red wine= $10. Small tuna appetizer which was barely enough for one +$14. This review comes from someone who does not mind paying a lot of money for good food -- but it must actually be good.
(2)Laura R.
Best sushi and martini I've ever had!!! Thought I would find a place even better in Chicago when I moved last year. No place even compares to Dragonfly! Glad to be back home for a few days..hope to swing by. :)
(5)Adam H.
Decent wines at an ok cost. Pork belly was ok, and the Robato grill was not bad. Try the black cod if you like buttery soft fish marinated in miso. Other redeeming qualities are the ambience and the sushi, which comes with three dipping sauces that are all good. Needs better dessert options and espresso.... C'mon really?
(3)Dave G.
Great happy hour food. Fast becoming a weekend nightspot.
(5)Keshar N.
Spicy. Raw. Fish. Those three words in any sentence would make whatever you were talking about sound delicious... but Dragonfly takes it to another level. Bob and I flew in to visit one of his oldest friends, and we were all bonded by a love of delicious food, and more importantly, seafood. Now, there are sushi places that are for the sushi elite, no muss no fuss and basically sashimi style sushi. Then there are those other sushi eaters that want all sorts of crazy ingredients in their roll and are cool with that. I am definitely the crazy roll type. I love sashimi style sushi, but I love it when chefs get creative with rolls and you end up eating (oh yes, this is at Dragonfly) a black and blue roll that has medium rare prime rib, horseradish and blue cheese in it... among other things. It sounds gross and weird, but it's like a tiny steakhouse in your mouth. All in all, between the 5 diners, we probably crushed 9 rolls of sushi. It was like armageddon at the table. Every single thing was eaten... with gusto. The entire meal was wonderful. Drinks, service, atmosphere, you name it. The place was awesome! Also, they had a sweet samurai sword on the wall that I was ogling, much to the waiter's content. If you find yourself in the Orlando area and want to eat something that does not have Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter or Jurassic Park next to the description of the meal, eat at Dragonfly, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Uyen D.
yummy sushi! I wouldn't consider it "real" Japanese sushi but their creative rolls are yummy. I love the godzilla roll and the shari risotto!!
(4)Zulma G.
Loved it.
(5)lore f.
Decor was trendy and nice without being pretentious. After a whole day out at the theme parks my bf and I wanted to enjoy a nice meal. Being from New York; I was a bit skeptical at how the sushi and asian cuisine would be in Orlando but I was thoroughly impressed. - Kimchi King Crab stew: good flavor if you enjoy kimchi stews, but a bit difficult getting the meat out of the shell - Skewers: loved the asparagus and steak. also ordered the scallops which were huge; but would prob order wagyu next time - Sushi / Sashimi: ordered dragon fly roll and uni nigiri. Next time I will definitely opt to order more sashimi + sushi. Great prices! - Dessert: green tea cremebrulee (its a bit wider dish, so you get more of the caramelized crust than the green tea pudding) - Pot of green tea for beverages as we were tired out; but the drinks look delicious! All this came out to bit under $100; and we were stuffed :o) Hope to visit again on my next trip to Orlando
(4)Dale E.
I come to Orlando on business every few months and found this place on Yelp! Great sushi! Great soups! I had the ramen noodles tonight, a spicy tuna roll, and a smoked eel roll. The ramen noodles were great and the portion was huge. The spicy tuna roll was great. There was more tuna than rice!! Everyone was so nice.
(4)G C.
One of our favorites for sushi...and not like they stop there. Fun atmosphere as well. The pork belly is excellent, I would go back for that before the sushi, even though the sushi was excellent. Service was sub-par, which is why it's getting a 3.
(3)Pam S.
Delicious! Fresh and unique. Lovely atmospere.
(4)Gary P.
Dragonfly is my new/current favorite restaurant in the Orlando area. It probably isn't for everyone, but if you like Japanese pub food (yakitori, sushi, rabata grilled meats and veggies) then you will love this place. The miso cod is the best thing on the menu. The mushrooms in foil are also excellent. Several good sushi rolls, especially the Dragonfly roll. Highly recommended.
(5)L M.
Loved the food,sevice and the venue. Amura had finally got a run for its money. Try the green tea tiramisu!!
(5)David L.
Great food. The sushi was fresh and the skewers were wonderful. Not inexpensive, especially if you are very hungry. More like $$$ not two.
(4)Greg C.
Excellent service! Food quality is superb! The Toro melts in your mouth-Fresh!
(5)Candace W.
Very nice ambiance. Its a trendy place, great for conversation not necessarily the food. The sushi was decent but pricey for the small portions. I was not impressed by this world famous robatta grill. Highlight of the night: the fried ice cream was very good!
(3)Rania G.
This restaurant is the "sister" to Dragonfly Sushi in Gainesville, so I figured it had to be good. First of all, this restaurant is on Open Table, which I love because reservations are easy. When we walked in, the restaurant looked nice inside and the hostess greeted us promptly. Our waiter was excellent and went over the menu and his recommendations thoroughly but was not long winded. My friend and I came here specifically for sushi, but I had no idea there would be so many delicious-looking small plate, appetizer, and dinner options. I got "the bomb" sushi roll and a small ginger salad and miso soup. Everything tasted great. My friend got two sushi rolls and a noodle salad from one of the featured menus of the night, which was fantastic. This place is Asian inspired dishes for foodies - I loved the uniqueness of so many of the dishes and rolls, and there are so many things I still want to try now that I know they are more than just a sushi place. The only downfall of the night was the tough seaweed in the sushi. I'm not sure if this has happened to anyone else, but I had TWO I-almost-died-choking-on-seaweed-and-had-a-five-Âsecond-panic-in-silence-while-my-friend-kept-Âtalking-and-had-no-idea-I-wasn't-listening-Âbecause-I-was-dying moments. Definitely not enough to keep me away from coming back here again.
(4)Lois L.
Delicious food Good Ambience Excellent service We did this thing where they bring out different dishes until we ask them to stop. Our waiter Shawn (don't know if that's spelled right) was really knowledgable about the dishes as well as drinks that go well with them. All the salads were fresh and the food came at a good pace. The rolls were good but not the best I've had. Overall I loved this restaurant including where it is located. We had some trouble finding it though.
(5)Carol C.
Simply put - DELICIOUS! Everything was awesome. We ordered to go and my husband said this place was so busy he had to valet to grab my to go order. We moved further away but when in the area I will definitely be returning to this sushi spot.
(5)Angelo R.
I found this decently rated sushi restaurant thru Yelp. Glad that I paid a visit even though it was not close to I-drive. It seemed that most Asian joints nearby the hotel were poorly rated so this was worth the drive. This was located in a nice shopping plaza called Dellagio. Arrived during happy hour so just sat at the bar. The bartender was very polite and enthusiastic. He really took the time explaining the dishes they serve. The restaurant was modern, plenty of tables w/ a large open kitchen. Started w/ their house cocktail called Sumo Smash. It's actually a Martini made w/ miller's gin, ginger, lime & mint. Quite refreshing but potent. For grub, I ordered 4 items from the happy hour bar menu. The Steam Buns were soft filled w/ nicely marinated juicy pork belly. Crunchy Roll had nice crunch and wasn't drowning in eel sauce. My favorite were the 2 Robata grilled skewers....bacon wrapped asparagus & bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms. Well, bacon makes everything better :) but these skewers were nicely grilled...not burnt. Really enjoyed the experience here. The service was great, food was prepped well and bill was less than $40 bucks for 2 drinks & 4 bar items (happy hour). I may have to come back to check out their full dining menu when I go back to Orlando :)
(5)Farrah S.
You know how there are a few meals that you just never forget? Like that one time I went to Hagi in NYC or tried a food truck for the first time. Well, this was one of those moments. My boyfriend and I went to college in Gainesville, so we are used to the Gainesville, FL location. We found ourselves in Orlando, hungry, and desperate to avoid tourist traps. We entered the Orlando location of Dragonfly and were quickly greeted by friendly staff & welcoming decor. I made reservations just 30 minutes before, and they seated is immediately. Our server Santi was very sweet, and kept calling me "ma'am". I felt like a queen LOL. Our waters were never empty, and our plates were constantly refreshed. We started off with two cocktails, only one of which was memorable- the cucumber compulsion. It's a must try! We ordered wontons, the tuna kobachi, a Godzilla roll, volcano roll, crispy shrimp, miso yaki black cod, and tempura cheesecake (excessive, so what?). Of the dishes we ordered, the only two we agreed that we wouldn't order again were the miso yaki black cod & the wontons. The wontons lacked flavor inside although the purée was great, and the miso black cod fell flap in comparison to others we had. The food aside from the was phenomenal and comes highly recommended by me. I also need to mention that the wontons were not on the menu, and our server made a special request for us. I am sure they prepared them quickly and didn't have everything fully prepped, but they have been life changing at the other location. Don't knock them off the menu completely! It was very kind of them to accommodate our request. Overall, the server, manager, cleanliness, food, and affordability were all on point! Thanks for the consistently good experiences Dragonfly!
(5)Chris T.
I was amazed at how this restaurant does so many dishes so right! The best dish I had was the Pork Ramen. Dragonfly outdoes most restaurants devoted to making ramen. Their broth was a perfect blend of salt, fat, meatiness, and spice. Bamboo, bok choy, seaweed, and pork added further flavors and textures that enhanced the deliciousness! Dragonfly's izakaya skewers are also masterfully done. The beef tongue was great quality and had an amazing char flavor. The squid was melt in your mouth tender, and the accompaniments of citrus salt and mayo allowed you to mix up flavors! The corn was amazingly sweet and savory, and the shishito peppers were fiery! The freshness of their sushi is not to be understated either. Their hamachi carpaccio really shows the chef's mastery of flavors and how to mix them. The Bomb sushi roll was nothing innovative, but it was still a good roll. Side dishes like the Brussel sprouts and Lump Crab Fried Rice were so delicious! The Brussel sprouts were crisp and covered in a delicous vinagrette, and the rice was buttery and flavorful. Sadly, the meal could not end perfectly... The matcha cake with blueberry sake preserves sounded delicious off the menu, but upon tasting it, the "sponge" cake was so dry that it felt like green tea powder in my mouth. Even my tears could not moisten this cake :(. The tempura ice cream, however, was crispy, and the cake surrounding the ice cream was perfectly sweet! All in all, every dish (except one) was so delicious because they melded flavors so well. It really is an accomplishment how every dish at Dragonfly is done so well!
(5)Maryam I.
I've been to Dragonfly a number of times. It's always guaranteed to be good food in a fun/lively atmosphere. It's a chic and elegant dining space. I give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. I invited some first timers. Dragonfly can be pricey, but we came in for the Bite30 event (30 Orlando area restaurants have a special prix fixed menu for $30 during the month of June). I felt it was a safe, cost effective way to introduce them to Dragonfly. Between the 5 of us, we tried all 3 appetizers on the Bite30 menu. I've always loved their warm spinach and mushroom salad, and I'm glad they have that as a choice. For entrées, most of us chose the 2 sushi rolls per person, we were able to try a number of rolls. I was most disappointed with the dessert options. Option one was seasonal ice cream or sorbet, but the waiter wouldn't tell us what flavors. He said either chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla... whatever the chef feels like giving to you. Really?? What if I hate strawberry ice cream? I ordered the other dessert offering, the Yuzu Tart, only because I felt comfortable knowing what I was ordering and that I wouldn't be getting somehing based in the chef's whim. The Yuzu Tart turned out to be a key lime pie cake bar of sorts. Two of us ordered that and neither ate more then 2 or 3 bites. Overall a great deal if you order the 2 rolls as your main course. Avoid the Yuzu Tart!
(3)Alicia N.
We trekked down from the Omni Resort half an hour away, and it was worth it. Incredibly fresh sushi, with some innovative takes on traditional rolls, along with Pan-Asian staples - from Ramen to Korean BBQ. We paid $110 roundtrip to get there, and no regrets! Try the bacon wrapped asparagus - I am still dreaming of it! Also my companion raved about the U-10 Shrimp. I had the crunch roll and traditional nigiri - portions are generous and come out pretty quickly, given how big the restaurant is. Also, staff very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this place if you want something healthy and fresh afer all the crap chains in Orlando have worn thin...
(5)Paul S.
The area the Dragonfly looks more upscale, almost an up and coming part of Doctor Phillips. Once you walk in, the theming is modern asian. The host was a bit absent minded, taking her time, not showing too much skill in talking to the general public. Originally, I had come to meet a friend for happy hour, which the host sat me in the one area of the restaurant which did not serve it. However, our server, Jason was fantastic. He was able to work some magic and get my friend and I in for happy hour. Jason also had a great grasp of the menu. I always like to try new beers when I'm out. He had a few suggestions, which were just perfect. The sushi was ok. The Sashimi was light and delicate, which was the hight of the meal. While, the Crunch roll was very crunchy, but not so tasteful. I would come back to try it again.
(3)Nancy N.
I would give this place a 3.5 if I could. Great service and they have a nice covered outdoor patio with heaters for the winter. However, I come here for the sushi, and I would day of 6 different rolls that I ordered, they were not as flavorful as I would've wished. A little pricy for the lack of flavor in my option. I also got the fried pork ears since the waiter was raving about it- i would give it a 3 out of 5, I guess it's something nice to munch on, but I was not impressed. Overall, the rolls almost all taste the same. Except the roll with peach, which you will taste the peach.
(3)Pam H.
I was excited to join some friends for happy hour at Dragonfly, and was looking forward to their sushi offerings. Their happy hour menu boasts a nice selection of food and drink items at a decent price. I even ate a light lunch in anticipation of what was to come. First off, this is a really pretty restaurant. Very modern, dimly lit, kinda like a lounge. We opted to take advantage of the nice weather and sit on the patio. Our server came out, and it kinda felt like once he noticed we were only looking at the happy hour menu he didn't really seem interested in waiting on us. Service was definitely not bad, but there was no enthusiasm. I ordered a Ginger Ninja to drink, which was just ok. It had too much lemon flavor for my liking. Off the happy hour menu, our group ordered the crunch roll, the spicy kobachi hand roll, and the hosomaki roll. These were all again just ok. The rolls were really chewy and the flavor was pretty bland. While the sushi was a bummer, the cooked items were pretty tasty. The steamed buns with pork belly and the Japanese sliders were my favorites. Both had great flavor. The chicken thigh karaage was really good, the pieces of chicken were really juicy and tender. The grilled chicken skewers could've been good had they come with some kind of sauce. They didn't really have any flavor other than plain grilled chicken breast. Because ordering most of the menu wasn't enough, we decided on the fried ice cream for dessert. The server suggested this (he perked up when offering dessert), and we were thrilled with it. Vanilla ice cream wrapped in poundcake that is then fried... so good! Every time I thought I was done I had to dive back in for another bite! Overall, this wasn't a bad experience, and I would be willing to give their regular menu a try. Maybe I will avoid the sushi, but there are plenty of other items that sound good. This would be a good spot for a large group, as they have plenty of room to accommodate.
(3)Halston M.
Fucking. Yes. Dad and I are here chillin/ vacay. Tired, been traveling, and simply craving some well done, clean sushi. Came here by recommendation by our concierge at the Hilton- Orlando. Come on a Friday. They get fish fresh Fridays and Wednesdays. Sashimi was OFF THAA CHARTS. Yellowtail (belly), tuna. Sushi rolls: Cobra Kai & Fire Me Up Wasabi. Jordan, your male server tonight in the back room, absolutely phenomenal. Full of authentic and genuine recommendations that did not fall short. In addition, our table remained clean, water and wine glasses filled, and simple things like chopstick. wrappers picked up. Attention to detail and over-all execution. They done did it. And did it well.
(5)Terri D.
So far this is the very best sushi place we have found in Orlando! YUMMY. It is a little price but a very nice place for an intimate dinner for two or meeting friends. Top notch cocktails and all of the sushi we tried was top notch. If going on the weekend consider making a reservation and dressing up a bit like date night casual. Love!
(5)Mary K.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Orlando. I've been with friends, on dates with my husband and at happy hour with my family. Every time, the food is excellent, the service is great and the atmosphere is fun but not too loud. The place is beautifully decorated and everything is just right. Love the sushi and appetizers. They truly know what they are doing at Dragonfly! Highly recommend!
(5)Cecille R.
What a great little spot for Happy Hour for the ladies! And even better that Happy Hour is until 7pm! So that gives those who work Downtown the ample time to fight I4 traffic to get there to take advantage of those specials! This was my first visit to this restaurant. It's located in the sprawling Via Dellagio plaza housing many businesses and big name restaurants. Some have since abandoned ship and the area seemed a little desolate. Not as busy as it probably once was. And we noticed standing water towards the back that were fountains at some point. The restaurant is beautiful and very stunning when you walk inside. When we asked about Happy Hour, we were pleased to find out we had several choices of where to sit to take advantage of the deals. We opted for the patio. The view of the sunset is stunning if you get a chance to witness it. All of us dove in and ordered a ton of items off the Happy Hour menu. I was happy with all of my choices. The Mo "J" Oj was delicious--citrusy with a hint of mint and very fizzy. I also ordered the spicy kobachi handroll, crunch roll and the chicken thigh karaage. All very good but the chicken thigh karaage stole the show for me. I compare it to hearty pieces of popcorn chicken. And it came it with a nice side of spinach with dressing. I was just about full but then my friend ordered a dessert for all of us to share that was recommended by our server. Whatever you do save room for the ice cream wrapped in pound cake then dunked in tempura batter and fried! My stomach instantly made room. I had such a good time here and would easily come back. I would recommend pacing yourself with the menu items. They add up rather quickly but , in my case, totally worth the $$!
(4)Neena M.
It is a very nice restaurant. Dragonfly is good for people of ages with its wide menu selection. It does not have a kids menu but there are plenty of kid friendly items. The restaurant itself is very classy. You are able to see the kitchen from your table and I have to say that the kitchen is very tidy. They have very prompt and attentive service. I had ordered the pork ramen and I have to say that it had a very exquisite taste. The pork belly was thoroughly cooked, the noodles were tender and the broth was very tasty. Overall it was a nice, kid friendly, place for people of all tastes.
(4)Christine M.
Wow. This was so good, we went twice in our six day trip. Our server Jordan was so helpful and knowledgeable. You can see why they brought him over from an established location. I chose the (hope I'm getting this right) "omakase" menu (meaning "trust the chef") and I'm so glad I did. Chilled ramen with snow crab and picked shishito peppers was amazingly flavorful. The branzino was crispy, tender, fresh.... excellent. I love a good roll, and this was literally my favorite ever. In addition to crab and tempura shrimp, the unexpected tang of goat cheese and the fresh bruschetta-like salsa gave it an amazing pop of flavor. The sake service was unique and felt very authentic. And the robata -- we had shishitos, pork cheek, wagyu, and bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes -- was excellent. The manager, Ron, stopped by on our first visit and was so gracious, we had to come back with more people -- and he sent us a lovely amuse bouche on our repeat visit. Very classy. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a little adventure.
(5)Monique P.
Still great service and food. They changed up the menu a bit and the items, when visiting last year from New York, were more tasty than this year. Great servers and a large variety of sake. Will go back
(4)Nancy S.
Great spot to grab a drink and tapas style dining. Their menu consist of mostly tapas dishes which is great for those who like a variety of food to pick on while having a drink or two. Their sushi is my fave, really fresh and rolled perfectly. We ordered 2 rolls; "The bomb" and "The volcano" both were delish. We also ordered their Garlic crab fried rice, korean short ribs and house squid. All were ok. Short ribs was a little salty and rice was meh. Wasn't horrible but also wasn't anything worth raving about. I sure will return, the atmosphere is awesome and waiters/waitress are friendly. If you're looking to grab a drink and small bites, perfect spot. Wouldn't recommend if you're looking for a full meal.
(4)Brenda L.
Time for a review after visiting dragonfly a month ago in July. Everything was poor here from service to food. I selected this restaurant based on the highly rated yelp reviews and that was the biggest mistake on this family trip! 1) I made reservations (group of 5) on open table. When we arrived, we were shafted to the worst seats in the house! Not to mention, they squeezed us into a 4 people table! What's the point of making reservations if you are not going to get at least descent seats in the restaurant. 2) Service = extremely not attentive. Server took forever to take our order. Barely checked up on us. And we also had to ask multiple times to get our water refilled. 3) Food. Do not expect much from the food here. Sushi rolls, we ordered 5 rolls based on the server's recommendations.. The worst was the "fire me up wasabi" probably the worst roll I have ever eaten. The wonton skin just does not add to the taste. The only items that were somewhat decent on the menu were the robata grilled items. If you are going to eat anything on this menu, try that. And do not order the agedashi tofu.. Seriously $8 for two pieces of tofu.. Are you kidding me? I honestly expected so much more from this restaurant but was so highly disappointed....
(1)Luciano A.
Great food with special sushi and sashimi on the menu. We also tried the brussel sprouts, they are simply delicious!! We will definitely be going back.
(5)Lucy W.
If you're looking for a great Happy Hour spot on Sand Lake, Dragonfly is hard to beat. Excellent bang for the buck, with delicious cocktails and good wines on the Happy Hour list. And the HH food menu features both rolls and hot dishes. There's even a great pork bun dish for my friend who is allergic to seafood! Ambiance here is modern with Eastern influences. The dim lighting makes it a perfect place for a date night. I always recommend this spot for dates and parties. Aside from Happy Hour, the menu features classic and inventive dishes, so there's something for nearly everyone. My only slightly negative experience here was an overly attentive server, but it's better than having slow or neglectful service, so I really shouldn't complain. Otherwise, the service has always been well-timed.
(5)Steven A.
I'm impressed. Amazing meal. Bacon on a sushi roll? Mango pico del gallo on a sushi roll? Delicious food. Great service. Definitely would eat here. Reservations recommended.
(5)Tommy D.
I had very low expectations for this seemingly fusion Japanese place but I as pleasantly surprised! My intrigue was raised with I stole a piece of chicken karaage from my friend sitting at the bar...though, pretty legit! Out group of 20 plus had a wonderful meeting room off to the side and we ordered 'omakase" All the dishes were very good with pretty authentic flavors...very subtle and very Japanese (including tempura, raw scallop, seared ahi, chicken karaage, chicken yakitori and a crazy beef thing with butter ponzu.) The dessert was amazing too...we got a sample platter, but I was most blown away by the tempura cheese cake. BTW, the best dango outside of a carnival you will ever have! (I think only my J-friends will get this...) The only dish that was mew was the last one...a tempura roll and salmon roll combo. Some herb in the roll just didn't taste right....nothing I've ever had before. Service was attentive and friendly! Another great find in Orlando (neat the convention center area/Sandlake)!
(4)Tracey F.
We went for food during their happy hour. I assumed they'd have a few items and we would end up on the regular menu. This was so not the case . The hh menu was diverse and interesting. We ordered one of everything , they had to bring us another little round table to hold all our food ! We started with mushrooms wrapped in bacon, amazing and not what you'd think. We had seaweed salad and spinach salad that was to die for, full of mushrooms and macadamia nuts. We had yummy Asian sliders . We had both pork belly and beef in steamed buns that were out of this world. And last but not least, we had sushi. You can build your own pretty basic hosomaki rolls, tuna yellowtail or salmon with some add ins like cream cheese , avocado, tempura and spicy mayo. Very nice! I ordered the togarashii edamame with hanskatsu( fish flakes), my hubby couldn't stand the smell, it's strong , but best edamame ever! What made the whole thing really great was the service. We had a pretty blonde , who wore her red sash like a pirate sash. who was really helpful and thorough. This is great because often at a busy place like this , it can go all bad. She kept our wine full and the food coming. It's a beautiful restaurant and I highly recommend it.
(5)Jim H.
I went with a group of seven. We had a reservation on a Wednesday night and were seated without delay. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. One member of our group ordered all of the food at the beginning, and the servers just kept bringing one thing after another until we'd eaten everything. At the end, they brought us a special dessert plate with a variety of goodies. A really nice time. I highly recommend!
(5)Jonathan G.
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.* Robata...Dragonfly. You get the picture. This place rules. Aesthetically pleasing and hip, Dragonfly Robata leads you into a place you won't want to leave anytime soon. And that's before you get to the food, which is outstanding. With variety for days, this place has something for everyone.** From hot and cold appetizers that are far from run of the mill Japanese fare to sushi and sashimi a la carte to Robata grill items, it would be hard to go wrong here.*** From the Robata grill, the Hotate (scallop) was excellent - perfectly cooked and packed with scallop flavor coupled with the skill of the grill. The corn was interesting - cooked like a cob and then cut, I actually ate the first piece whole until I realized you were supposed to eat each slice like an ear of corn. You kind of look dumb doing this, like Tom Hanks in Big eating the baby corn, but the flavor is worth it. The Crispy Kurobuta (black pork belly) with braised daikon & carrot, tentsuyu and a soft poached egg was fairly life-changing - exploding with flavor, dipped in a scrumptious sauce with the egg in between. Seriously, one of the best dishes of food I have ever had. Actually, I got married to Kurobuta right in the restaurant. We are doing pretty well so far, but it's only been a day. For gifts, send gift certificates to Dragonfly Robata - thanks. The sushi was also excellent. The futomaki was pretty much as expected, but the Cobra Kai (red onion, tomato, snow crab delight, tempura flakes, lemon slices, loch duart salmon, garlic-shiso pesto, aged balsamic) will make even your cousin Curtis an excited dinner companion. The differentiation of flavors inside of this one roll were phenomenal. I would come here once a week if I lived in Orlando. I don't think it's that pricey at all and it's worth every penny. Our server was outstanding, the service was excellent all around and the food...well, see above marriage during dinner. You can't go wrong here, unless you bring your cousin Curtis. _________________ * Lyrics courtesy of Styx. Look it up. ** Even your picky cousin Curtis. Really, if he doesn't like it, just tell him to wait in the car. *** Unless it's your cousin Curtis. Like I said, send him to the car.
(5)Krystal D.
My bday dinner was held here. We ended up doing the happy hour which was fantastic. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The menu is a little on the pricey side, so i would just doing the happy hour specials.
(5)Margie H.
Excellent choice of Japanese restaurant tapas style. Every sushi roll we had was exquisite. Pricy, but delicious. Very cozy and modern ambiance. Highly recommended!
(5)Amber M.
This place was...interesting. Now, I don't eat sushi (or seafood at all) so my review is biased. I'm reviewing solely the Robata Grill. I had the chicken, tomatoes, and bacon wrapped mushrooms. They were all fantastic, though really, I couldn't tell the difference in the taste of Robata or Hibachi. The real highlight of our trip was our server, he was fantastic.
(4)Mercy G.
This was not my 1st trip to Dragonfly, having lived in Gainesville all 4 years of college, but this was my 1st time at the Orlando location! Such a shock to discover there's more than one! This location is very aesthetically pleasing and the service is just spectacular! The polite and attentive service significantly contributes to the overall experience at this place. I don't eat seafood and was never excited about vegetarian sushi in college so in the past I usually ordered Short Rib Skewers with a large ginger salad or the Pork Ramen! SO DELICIOUS! I'd highly recommend the Pork Ramen, especially on a cold day when you want some comfort food. On this visit, my 1st in Orlando and my 1st time at Dragonfly in over 3 years I started with a small ginger salad and then had the 2 vegetarian sushi rolls on the menu: Fresh Garden and Princess rolls, both with brown rice. Not the best vegetarian rolls I've had but, everything was very fresh and they were very generous with the avocado (my favorite)! I'll probably stick to my old orders in the future but this is definitely a very high quality dining experience with very reasonably priced menu items.
(4)Colleen D.
Go get the Chef's special. You may have to move here if you are visiting. 40 years of sushiing, this is my new #1. Sorry Los Angeles.
(5)Deborah G.
Our favorite Japanese restaurant! Everything they do is outstanding! Food, hand crafted cocktails, and service are the best!
(5)Blake N.
Dined here last night. Was great getting to sit down 30 min before our actual reservation time! Had the surf and turf sushi. It was amazing. Friends had the chicken and steak skewers and they loved them as well. Always enjoy the ambiance. Very cool restaurant. With nice seating areas, bar, and outdoor area!
(4)Jennifer K.
Heard about the new vegan menu and had to check it out. It's so awesome to see people actually mark their menus and know what the word is so I don't have to pretend to have a bunch of obscure allergies and worry I'm still getting the wrong food. So that's worth five stars right there. Atmosphere is modern-upscale. Service is great and they have real Moscow mules (my favorite)! I was pretty impressed with the menu. A decent amount of options and really creative rolls. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the udon soup. It had kind of an odd taste. Everything else was awesome
(5)Brianna G.
My colleague and I were in town for work and came to Dragonfly on a recommendation and were so glad we did! "Cheffery" or Chef Jeffery was amazing and everything we had was exquisite! We had the following and would recommend them all: Sumo Smash cocktail House salad Tontoro Chef made slider stuffed with jalapeno, blue cheese and bacon Spare Ribs Euro Trance Roll The Bomb Roll Special Scallop Dish Green Tea Ice Cream Thanks Dragonfly for the food, the great service, and the overall great time! Be sure we'll be back next time we're in town! Audrey and Brie
(5)Melissa Z.
This is a sushi snob's paradise! Orlando, you better kiss the guy/gal who graced you with establishing this place here because this has to be one of the best non-chains you can find in Orlando. (Okay, it has 2nd location in Gainesville, but you know what's I'm talking about.) The menu had a brilliant concept: Asian tapas with high quality sushi and a Robata grill which features specially imported charcoals. What's does all that crap mean? It means there is a ton of variety on this menu and if you or your friend/date is not a sushi fan, there is plenty on the menu to make multiple people happy. The food is pricey but you are paying for quality and this place delivers. I tried the prawns on the Robata grill - I had to check out if these 'special' coals lived up to the hype. There is definitely a difference from American grills so I recommend them but $10 for two pawns is pricey, so beware. My boyfriend and I shared a couple of sushi rolls. One roll was called The bomb and it was...( I won't do that to you) delicious and packed with protein and flavor. The interior and exterior could not be better for either a date or a group of friends about to head out to City Walk. The decor is refined and moderately upscale but in typical Florida fashion it bends towards the casual. They have an exquisite outdoor dining option. The patio is curtained with flowing off-white linens and overlooks a little lake. Aaah!
(5)Desiree R.
Came here with my girlfriend and fiance on Wednesday, 12/10/14. Ambiance very nice. Outdoor seating. Tapas style. Tried three different rolls Surf n Turf, Kamacrazy, and Dragonfly. All equally delicious. Also, tried the Tiger Shrimp, Shrimp Tempura, and Steak, which come out two each. Very good. I would definitely come back again. Customer service from walking into the restaurant to our server. Server was amazing and on point.
(4)Joe K.
I wanna give "Zero" star, if possible. Service is bad. I got small plastic in the roll and they said that is a part of lobster!!#/^&*?×÷%. They better say "Sorry" instead of making a story.
(1)Flora F.
On our last visit to Orlando we decided to take a small break from the parks and eat our way thru dr Phillips. We didn't get far, but stopped by this local establishment. The decor is very nice, the parking is super easy, the service is stellar but the food could use a bit of tweak. We ordered some apps that sounded amazing on the menu but didn't translate to the plate. The rolls were ok, with my roll being very interesting but not rolled tightly and my husbands roll was very soggy. The waiter saw that I didn't finish the second roll and took it off the bill without us even asking for it. Additionally the manager gave us a dessert to try and even offered to buy us a round -the drinks were declined and the dessert should have stayed in the kitchen. But again our waiter was amazing and everyone was super attentive!
(3)Grace L.
As always Tung and his team made our night amazing. We took one of the artists here after he preformed at EDC because he had it last time he was in town and wanted more of it! Dragonfly always provides excellent food, as well as a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Thanks DFLY TEAM! :)
(5)Jaime M.
Here for the first time and have never experienced anything so good. The food, service and ambience is perfect. Edwin is one of the best servers I have ever encountered!
(5)Lindsley A.
My favorite sushi place ever! This place has a wonderful ambiance to it, perfect for a date night or birthday party. A very classy, trendy well put layout. The staff are very accommodating and the service is excellent. There's just something about this restaurant that makes me feel like I'm in a whole different world. Located in Dr. Phillips or also known as restaurant road, this place is quite a drive, but definitely worth it. If you're coming out here on a limb, expect to wait a while, it can get pretty busy and packed, so if I were you make a reservation just to be safe! -You MUST, MUST order the Edamame with Bonito flakes. You'll never want a plain edamame after having this, it's the BEST edamame in the world! -The Robata grill chicken thigh is so good! Order 2, trust me you'll love it. It's served with 3 different types of sauces, and they pair so well with the chicken. -Miso Ramen was really good, something about the broth was divine, and the braised short ribs were super tender. Delicious! -Honestly, get all their specialty rolls, you can't go wrong with any of them. I haven't tried all of them, but they all look great. Now go enjoy yourself and come check this place out, it's awesome!
(5)Angela W.
Service was fast and wonderful, the sushi was done before I knew it. Love the outdoor seating.
(5)