Minato Japanese Restaurant
2697 Spring Rd, Smyrna, GA, 30080
Minato Japanese Restaurant Menu
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Address :
2697 Spring Rd
Smyrna, GA, 30080 - Phone (770) 432-6012
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Caroline K.
I heard about Minato from a friend as the best hidden gem for sushi, and it certainly did not disappoint! I came here for date night with my BF, reservations are recommended, but not required, and they had a great table for us in a very private booth. We started with Squid salad, it was lovely, and they move on to the sushi: eel roll, rainbow roll, dragon roll, and a few others, we were stuffed by the end. The service was fantastic and the sushi was amazing. We will for sure be back and I have to agree this is the best sushi I've had in ATL :)
(4)John E.
You can find Minato Japanese Restaurant near the intersection of Cumberland Blvd and Spring Rd, just Northwest of the Perimeter. This terrific restaurant is very under-the-radar, mostly due to its difficult-to-find location - it's in the basement of a short shopping center that holds Papa Johns Pizza, with access from the back (you drive around the side to see a bright red sign, the business extends to form an inviting entry. I was led to Minato via my friends and neighbors, Adrienne and Lin, who raved about this place. Honestly, I don't get to this area very often so the last cuisine I would be looking for in Smyrna is sushi - rather I would eat at Swapna or Sri Krisha Vilas for moderately good Indian. Lucky for me that they were persistent as I found some of the best sushi I've had in Atlanta in this tucked-away corner of the world. Minato takes itself seriously as a Japanese restaurant, outwardly by the Japanese entryway and inwardly through the use of stone as a natural material and the use of the grotto-like sunkin dining area, complete with fountain and plantings to provide a wabi sabi dinner setting. We of course sat at the sushi bar because that's what we were here for - it's all about the sushi. I could have forwent the flat panel TV above the bar, but understand why it's there - from one end it wasn't too obnoxious so we effectively ignored it to focus on the food. The menu is your typical list of available common catch and an accompanying stand-up with both sides covered by rolls - I didn't see anything too unusual there. First a bit about my philosophy when it comes to sushi - for me it's all about the quality of the rice and the freshness and portions of the fish. Yeah I know it's a modern trend to have all sorts of funky rolls, made with progressively maddening ingredients, but those types of flavor combinations are fleeting at best. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats extremely fresh fish when it comes to sushi, and Minato has that in spades. I rate the fish quality here as equivalent to my other two favorite sushi restaurants, Nakato and Sushi House Hayakawa. The fish here is just exceptional. That's not to say that all other sushi restaurants suck, it's just a "you get what you pay for" type thing. I'm perfectly happy at Nori Nori, for instance, as a buffet with cheap fish and rolls it can't be beat - however at Minato you get that rare combination of superior quality combined with moderate pricing. This same fish would be one-and-a-half to two times more expensive elsewhere. I won't evaluate everything we had when it comes to the sushi - take a look at my photos and you'll get all the answers you need - but will highlight a few things - we also ordered the himachi jaw/cheek - I've never understood why this great piece of fish is treated so poorly by Americans. Lucky for us that Minato saves some from the cat-food bins (which is what happens to most of it) to serve it up as a delicious grilled entree. Next, try the cowboy and cowgirl hats (the first is a fried scallop-over-crab-salad on a rice wafer, the second is a mix of spicy tuna and salmon on a rice wafer) - they aren't on the menu but worth giving a whirl. Whatever you do, save your meal for the fish - anything you get here will be way above average and delicious. The service was very good, as is typical of sitting at the sushi bar and I enjoyed the chef quite a bit. Add in a little beer and you're in for a fantastic time. Kanpai! (much longer review with photos on my food blog)
(5)Thomas L.
Sushi in Atlanta comes down to price for the quality you're getting. The sushi itself is not going to be the freshest, but I'm often looking to not break the bank for decent sushi. Minato's I think is one of those places that charges a good price for the quality they serve. The lunch menu is a pretty good deal, for $10-12 you can get sushi/sashimi/chirashi with soup/salad. The soup and salad are decent, they taste fairly like they're kind stock salad and soup you get at any Japanese place. The sushi definitely is a step above the frozen or fishy taste sushi you get with a lot of other places in Atlanta, although it still doesn't quite have that fatty sweet taste you look for really good sushi. WIth that being said its probably within the top 25% of Japanese restaurants in Atlanta, and for the price I think its a really good deal. Service has always been good when I go, its a family owned restaurant so the owners serve as servers. It can get kind of hectic when its busy but I think the owners do their best to try to be friendly and accommodating towards everyone. Overall one of the best bargains in Atlanta for sushi, you could pay x2 or x3 the price for the same quality sushi at other places.
(4)Jeremiah W.
I went as a member of a large group and that usually means poor service and food quality. Minato did a great job with both and the tuna was amazing. Highly recommend if you enjoy sashimi. It is somewhat difficult to find if you don't know where you're going.
(4)Kate G.
I absolutely LOVE this place. On my first visit, I could tell I was surrounded by regulars. On my second visit, they remembered my order. On my third visit, I felt like a regular myself. This is saying a lot since I live in Denver and my visits have many weeks in between. I swear next time I will branch out but I've been stuck on their tekkadon bowl overflowing with huge slices of fresh tuna. It comes with delicious miso soup and salad with a fresh ginger dressing that I just about lick out of the bowl. All three visits, I've sat at the sushi bar and have been brought little samples of seared albacore, spicy tuna tartare and something else I'm forgetting (because they know much I like tuna, ha ha). It's just a very comfortable, friendly place with affordable sushi that I look forward to on my work trips to Atlanta.
(5)Aisha T.
My husband and I decided to give this place a try after reading such great reviews. Owners were very nice which makes it difficult to say we were less than impressed; sushi was average and the chicken dish was not memorable. However I do plan to give this place another try due to its reviews and warm environment.
(2)Connie A.
Why does this place continue to have a good rating? I made a reservation at 8:30pm and we didn't get a table until 9pm which wouldn't be such a big deal but the waitress was extremely absent from our table. It took forever to order. I was expecting a bigger sushi menu as well. The rolls that we did order were bland in taste. I'm giving it a 2 star due to my sister's tempura udon bowl which was actually pretty decent. All in all, they definitely cater to their regular customers but you won't get any more regulars with your lack of service/quality.
(2)Bruce K.
When Yelpers post that "this is the best in the area," I usually take that with a grain of salt. I mean, could it really be that good? Well I have to tell you that Minato *is* that good. Once you get past the hard-to-find location, you'll be warmly greeted and brought to a table. After I placed my beer order, it was delivered with a cold glass and a hot towel to wash my hands. As I looked over the menu, the pickled octopus caught my eye so I ordered that. And something called Chirashizushi. IT WAS EXCELLENT! Firstly, the octopus was perfect. Nice big pieces, sashimi style, on top of pickled cucumbers in a zingy vinegar sauce and a small scattering of sesame seeds. Oy, was it tasty and it whet my appetite for more. A little later (yes, it took a few minutes but it was so worth it), my sushi arrived. Let me tell you that there is no way they're making a profit on this dish. There must have been at least 16 ounces of big pieces of fish in this bowl. Salmon, tuna (fresh and seared), white fish, crab salad, octopus salad and more, all on top of sticky white rice. I ate beyond the point where I was full because it was just so amazingly delicious. Seriously, look at the picture. That dish was $22.50. The manager (owner?) was the one who took care of my table and he was very friendly and very polite and very efficient. Simply great service. I really hope I can get back to this area of the world because when I'm thinking sushi, I'm thinking Minato.
(5)Frank A.
Disappointing. Just my humble opinion. I have tried it twice. I was surprised so many yelpers rated it so highly
(2)Bill M.
Wow, truly a hidden gem. Been here for 25 years and I just found it. Really enjoyed the Sashimi and the rolls. We were treated to an off menu item, Salmon Belly. Wow. We will be back.
(5)Timothy L.
Keep in mind, Atlanta is about 250 miles from the coast, so any seafood you get in Atlanta will have had to make some sort of lengthy trip from it's place of origin. That being said, the quality of fish at this restaurant is pretty good! I got the chirashi bowl, which is definitely worth the price. The salmon is delicious. The tuna is alright. I feel like they gave me more tuna than I would have liked. Overall, pretty good sushi. Fun ambiance.
(4)M N.
Excellent sushi place with the freshest and tastiest fish! We just found out about it about a week ago and have been back three times already. On top of having such excellent food, this place is also very kid friendly and they even call our 11-month old daughter by the name when we come in. Would definitely recommend it for both the great quality of food and excellent service!
(5)Stephanie C.
I'm 11 an I have been coming since I was 2 and this place really impressed me. First time I ever had sushi and loved it. If you have been going there for a long time they give you special treats. The service is great and Outstanding food!!! This is by far the best Japanese restaurant I have ever gone to! This place makes you feel special
(5)Carolina M.
I've been really curious to try Minato, but I'm wondering if my expectations were just too high based on other people's experiences who went for lunch. I came here for dinner and overall, the experience wasn't terrible. The waitress was friendly and quite outspoken. The decor was interesting with the split-level tables and room-like booths. I thought the food might've been better but now I'm wondering if lunch is more ideal. I ordered the Take-Sunomono which is the vinegar-marinated cucumbers with sliced octopus. The cucumber was ok but it doesn't really absorb as much vinegar as I thought it would - so the flavor wasn't so bold, but I get it: it's supposed to be delicate with the octopus. The octopus did taste fresh and there were only 3 slices. Seemed a teeny big over price. My boyfriend and I also shared the salmon skin roll. A bulk of it was cooked salmon inside. In fact, we had trouble deciding on which roll to order since they do have a limited choice. A lof of their rolls have fried fish in them like grouper or whitefish. This makes me question if they cook the fish because it's not suitable for raw consumption. I don't know, it just seemed unusual. The salmon skin roll was ok. We also shared a chirashi bowl since we didn't see anything else we liked on the menu. I like how most chirashi bowls are unique to every restaurant. Minato's spin on this is adding a few things that I haven't had before. There was a small "salad" mixed with mayonnaise, panko crumbs and imitation crabmeat. I wasn't the biggest fan of it. They also added another marinated thing which I couldn't tell what it was. It looked like abalone or conch, but it had a very good flavor. The rest of the cuts were pretty basic: tamago (egg which was a little sweeter than usual). tuna, whitefish, shrimp, salmon, etc. My only complaint was that some of the salmon chunks were unevenly cut, like it ended up being a blob that was falling apart. Service is great here, but I'm just not sure about the food. Maybe I just need to reset my expectations for Smyrna sushi places. There are many here, but not so awesome that I'd want to come back.
(3)Josh T.
Cozy and comfortable environment. Fantastic sushi and very friendly service. We told the server that we were full and they brought us both an orange to help with our full stomach.
(5)Jacqueline F.
My family discovered Minato years ago and we have been going ever since! I love the atmosphere and even more than that I love the sushi! It is hard to find fresh sushi in this area and when you do its Minato! I have never had tuna so fresh it looked purple!! I would recommend everything they have, especially the spicy tuna roll! This is a small family owned business and whenever you go in they welcome you like you are family as well.
(5)Andrew L.
I use yelp all the time. Hardly ever review. The yellow tail and salmon were 2, maybe 3 times the size of anything I've ever been served, ever. Unbelievable! Delicious too! Owner came by and explained they receive fish order daily. This is the real deal. Best value I've ever experienced.
(5)Jennifer C.
I honestly did not expect to find such a good sushi/Japanese restaurant in somewhere outside California (yes I'm biased). But this joint, which looks like a little hole-in-the-wall but it's actually quite spacious inside, had some of the best food and service I've ever experienced anywhere. Ever. Not only was the waitress super attentive, but talked to us, and even ended up giving us some house specials gratis courtesy of their chef (extra salmon and albacore!!) The owner himself came and checked on us several times, and we had a great time chatting and eating. They do have some great sushi and fish, but definitely try their other Japanese dishes as well--the oyakodon and unagi-don, and I was so surprised they had special items like baby octopus stuffed with sesame seeds (which were excellently cooked). Definitely a great gem in this area; would come back for sure next time I'm in town!
(5)Christine N.
What a great hidden gem! I had been here once before but forgot how quaint and reasonably priced this place is, and the food is very good!
(5)Haley N.
Limited roll menu but the nigiri is super fresh and nice thick cuts. Sat at the sushi bar and got to try a special spicy lemon albacore nigiri that was amazing. I tend to eat nigiri and shashimi rather than rolls so I really like this place.
(4)Skim S.
Good: ambiance Bad: miso soup was watery. Salad was drenched with uneventful-tasting dressing. Beef teriyaki seemed like lower grade meat. Sashimi was had just a tad not-so-fresh taste. Expensive for a lunch combo. Conclusion: probably won't go again.
(2)Angie Q.
Not a good as the reviews say. Maybe we got too excited and our expectations were too high but it was just like everywhere else. Staff was really nice though...pretty sure all Chinese, not authentic Japanese. Still in search of good sushi in Smyrna.
(3)Ron W.
Very good sushi and friendly staff. I personally feel they have the best salmon nigiri in town. We frequently eat here with clients and everyone remarks how great it is. I know people often say that "this is the best in town" but I am going to say it here. No fancy decor but a nice clean place with very flavorful food.
(5)Rachel L.
Tuna so fresh it's purple. One look at the freshness of the fish and I knew it would become our go to for sushi close to home. The gyoza (fav) is also great, feels like I haven't had gyoza that good since I was in Tokyo!! This place is really tucked away, which I love because the atmosphere is friendly and (so far) not too crowded.
(5)Amber L.
This is by far the best sushi restaurant in the Cumberland/Vinings area!! - The sashimi and sushi here are deliciously fresh - Friendly servers - Clean restaurant My favorite entrée is the chirashi bowl.
(5)Jang C.
I'm confused. The Yelp reviews say Minato is one of the best sushi restaurant in Atlanta. I disagree. I think this is one of the mediocre ones. This place is hidden. I felt like I was walking into some lair of an evil henchmen. I did like the underground feel though. They had a big wall decoration with dolphins and parrots. That seemed like a weird decor for a sushi restaurant. When I walked in, they looked like a family-owned restaurant because I saw their kids playing on the computer near the entrance. Ah, another Asian parent who force their kids to be at their business with them. Don't worry guys, I had to work at my parent's place too. And look how I turned out. I wished they stuck their kids in the back room somewhere though. They looked out of place. Then again, maybe they wanted to give off a warm, family environment. Like all Japanese restaurants, they brought out their standard miso soup and ginger salad to start. The miso soup tasted fine. The salad, however, tasted pre-made a week ago. The vegetables tasted stale and soggy. The dressing on top didn't taste fresh and looked disgusting when it came out. I couldn't finish my salad. How hard is it to make fresh salad with fresh dressing? The Chirashi and the Sashimi plates took forever to come out. Last time I had to wait this long for sushi was at Hayakawa's. So I didn't complain as long as it compared with Haya san's dishes. Well, did it? My Chirashi came with all sorts of goodies. I noticed these guys love to cut the slices thick. I mean, they looked like steaks. Instead of chopsticks, I felt like I needed a knife and fork. In the Chirashi, it had this weird shrimp and imitation crab salad. Whatever it was, I actually liked it. As for the fish, most looked similar to the ones in the sashimi plate. They sashimi tasted okay. I'm not sure how long they were in the fridge. And like I said, they cut the slices too thick. Also, they need to sharpen their knives. Some of the slices looked ripped apart. It didn't have a clean cut through them. Maybe they got one of their kids to cut them. For dessert, they gave us orange slices straight from the freezer. The orange was half frozen when they made it to the table. Maybe the sushi took long because they were thawing our desserts. I think the theme here is pre-made and frozen. It's not the freshest, best sushi-- neither are any of their other foods. The staff seemed friendly. They looked Chinese or Taiwanese because they were speaking Mandarin to each other. They did seem to have a lot of repeat customers because they recognized some people that came in. Too bad I won't be one of them. The price was okay. I mean, they do offer quantity not quality. I got quite full after my meal. But because the quality felt low, I didn't feel I got a good deal. So if you want average quality sushi with frozen, pre-made foods, come here. I give it 2.5 stars.
(2)Kristin B.
Had the super crunch roll which was one of the best rolls I've ever had. Spicy tuna was different than what I was used to with bigger chunks of tuna. Not as good as some other places in town. Also had the chicken teriyaki which comes with a salad and miso soup, which were all great. Location is a little hard to find but has a very cute exterior when you do find it. A little pricier than I would have imagined for what we got and when comparing to other places in the area. Give you a peeled Orange for dessert when you are done. Will definitely be back for that super crunch roll!
(4)Daniel B.
Thanks to Yelp, I found Minato. As much as I love Japanese food, I'm surprised I've never been here before (nor have I heard of it until recently). Judging from the reviews, it's been around since at least 2007. I gathered up some coworkers and we came here for a Friday lunch. Around 12:15pm, this place was packed. The scene was lively. We had a group of 4 and had to wait 5-10 minutes for a table to clear. Minato hidden behind the Papa John's on Spring Rd. There are signs that direct you to the restaurant in the back. The traditional Japanese storefront is unique and it looks like it was built out separately from the original building construct. I like walking inside and getting that feeling that you're talking into a restaurant on the ground floor or basement of a tall building in Tokyo. The restaurant has a sushi bar (with TVs), a depressed dining area with tables in the center, and semi-private booth seating on the side opposite the entrance. Traditional Japanese decor all-around along with stone/rock walls and a tiny bridge and aquarium. The lunch menu features combination lunches for $9.95, sushi lunches between $9.00 and $11.50, donburi (rice bowls) for $7.95 ($11.00 for eel), udon or soba noodles for $7.95 to $8.95, and other lunch entrees between $7.95 and $9.95. They also have a bento box for $10.95, which changes daily. On the day we went, I recall our server saying the bento box had a chicken cutlet and pork dumplings among other things. Appetizers cost between $4.50 and $8.50. Respectable selection. Examples of apps include tempura, negima (marinated beef rolled in teriyaki sauce and scallions), kara-age chicken (fried chicken cutlet), yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), dofu (deep-fried soy bean curd), ika sansai (squid salad), wakame salad (seaweed), ika shiogayaki (charbroiled squid), and more. I went with the $10.95 sushi lunch with features 3 pieces of a roll and 6 pieces of chef's choice sushi (nigiri). The roll turned out to be a California roll (imitation crab, cucumber, avocado) and the 6 pieces of nigiri were tuna, salmon, escolar ("super white" fish), sea bass, albacore tuna, and imitation crab salad. The dish was magnificent. Each piece of sushi was fresh and delicious. The California roll had a thin layer of rice, which I liked. The pieces of nigiri were huge. Each slice of fish was plump and thick. These were probably the biggest pieces of nigiri I've had yet. Fortunately, the fish-to-rice ratio stayed in-check, so there wasn't too much rice. I can't say I preferred one type of fish over the other, though the crab salad does rank last. They were all great. Most had soft, buttery, and appetizing textures. The albacore tuna had a bit of scallion on top. The ginger was deep pink. One of my coworkers ordered the tanin-don, one of the donburi rice bowls. It looked decent. Other coworkers ordered sashimi and rolls, both of which looked fantastic. Lunch orders come with miso soup and house salad with ginger dressing (both good). Service was fine. The restaurant was very busy, so it did take a bit before our orders were taken. Checks were separated at the register. We'll definitely be back for more.
(4)Alex L.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Atlanta. I come here at least twice a week. The staff feels like family to me now. Phillip is genuinely a nice guy. Always taking care of me. They don't skimp on portions. The sashimi platter I ordered was enough for 2 meals.
(5)Steven M.
We love Minato. I can really only attest to the Sashimi but it's REALLY good, especially for the price.
(5)Stephanie S.
This is my absolute favorite sushi restaurant! My office is down the street & my coworkers & I have been coming here for years (lunch/dinner & dine in/take out) - we don't even consider other sushi spots & always bring visitors that like sushi to Minato. It can be tricky to find at first - at the corner of Spring & Cumberland Blvd next to the golf store...you'll figure it out. The staff here is fantastic- very sweet & genuinely care about their customers. They have tons of regulars & for good reason. Pat, Tony & Phillip are on the floor and are all so great. I've never seen them be anything but incredibly friendly & positive. Kevin & Ming man the sushi bar & create some of the most delicious food. The fish is very fresh because Kevin is super particular about his vendors. To be honest, their menu might seem limited but please don't let that dissuade you - they can make anything you ask for, or can come up with something if you give them an idea of what you're in the mood for. I switch between the sushi pizza (amazing!! a cracker-like base topped with crab salad, tuna, salmon, roe & siracha), easter egg (avocado mixed with a variety of fish, roe, wasabi & put back into an avocado shell), no-name sushi (mix of yellowtail/tuna/salmon with scallions, siracha), and the sashimi plate. I know I'm missing a few ingredients in each of these I've listed, but I wanted to try to give at least an idea of what they are. :-) Prices are very reasonable and the decor/ambiance is nice & comfortable. If you are looking for a swanky, showy restaurant, this is not your place. But if you like amazing sushi & very friendly service, give it a try!
(5)David G.
Complete serendipity that I found this place. Had a flat tire and was next door getting it repaired on my lunch break. I love sushi so I figured I'd give this place a shot. I am glad I did. I had the chirashi sashimi bowl from the lunch menu. It was delicious. The fish was very fresh and flavorful. I don't live in the area but would make a special trip to come back.
(5)Elaina D.
Awesome place. I've been going here for years, and they never disappoint! The staff is wonderful and always keeps your water glass fulll! Most importantly, the sushi is phenomenal. Every dish is unique and delicious, and it's a great place to go with friends, as you can share rolls with everyone. Even the atmosphere is on point, with a little water fall where kids can toss pennies into!
(5)Dicknose M.
Hands down the best sushi and friendliest family owned Japanese restaurant in Atlanta. If you want a romantic, overpriced art deco sushi restaurant with club music and average fish, then go anywhere else. This consistency here is amazing, and it's because the same 2 chefs have been making the sushi forever, and they are very particular about their fish supplier and quality. Ask Kevin about it sometime. The slices are big and fresh, the price is right, and the staff will likely know your name after your second visit.
(5)Aja T.
This place is practically a secret due to its hidden entrance. Amazing quality. Ask for these items not on the menu: cowboy hat, Pat's sushi or just let the chef work his delicious magic.
(5)C O.
Fresh fish, delicious sushi, with decent prices to match - can't complain! The location is tucked away, a little hard to find, but worth searching out if you're in the area. The owners/employees were always very nice and welcoming. Whether you're dining in or taking out, the quality stays the same - delicious! Been there five times and haven't been disappointed. Definitely a good local sushi place!
(4)Jessica W.
Wish I could give no stars!!! This was hands down the WORST teriyaki chicken that I've EVER eaten. It was a processed chicken filet with teriyaki thrown on top of it!!! I ate one bite and left the rest behind!!!!
(1)Pa G.
wow, ive been eating sushi for awhile never had it so huge portioned, and fresh..very good....worth the wait...had t wait a little bit...prices were good t average, service nice folks
(4)Tina W.
If you're a sushi foodie, you will love this place. Always fresh, made to order. If you like sashimi, look no further. The best sashimi lunch in town; comes with a miso soup and salad. Ginger dressing is delicious . I have been a regular for many years. They know you by your first name! Family business and they work hard to please. Love eating at the sushi bar. Ming and kevin are a great team.
(5)Dave K.
I must be missing something.. maybe the lunch bento box is killer or they used to serve good sashimi. The 4 star rating is just uncalled for, I am sorry for myself and others who have been tricked into coming here due to the rating. First of all, I've gotten the standard miso soup and ginger dressing salad at even the cheapest sushi restaurants. We ordered about $70 worth of dishes between two of us, and we were told no soup or salad because we didn't order a dinner entree... Really?! Off to a bad start. The waitress also recommended the spicy tuna handroll to share because it's HUGE! The only other time I've actually said the words "This spicy tuna is terrible" was at a Panda Express Sushi kiosk in college. How do u mess up spicy tuna?! It was literally horrible, they put some kind of tomato based seasoning in there and it was awful! We also ordered a Tempura Udon to share. By the time they brought it out the tempura was already soggy and falling off the shrimp and veggies. Ended up w a soup with floating chunks of breading -_- Do yourselves a favor and go elsewhere nearby. Blu sushi is around the corner and it's pretty decent. Hoki sushi is close too and a bit more pricey, but very good. RUN AWAY
(1)Christopher C.
Minato is easily one of the absolute best sushi restaurants in Atlanta. This place used to be a staple for me as my job was right across the street, however a change of job and then a change of home address meant I visited a lot less often. Now that I live in Marietta again, I've come back to enjoy this place once again. The atmosphere is pleasant, the staff are all really nice, and the food is outstanding. I highly recommend the bento box and the spicy tuna roll. One thing to remember... If you get hooked on the bento box like I have, keep in mind that it's lunch only. You can't get it at dinner.
(5)Maria H.
Thank you Yelpers for wooing me to go here. Don't be skeptical. Try this place. It's amazing. Sit at the Sushi bar, eat their SUSHI, better then then the rolls but the grade fish at this place is excellent. My husband and I go every Thursday night. Say hi if you see us :) Family friendly, great staff, hometown feel. I love it. :)
(5)Dee P.
I love this place, but I will admit it isn't perfect. The food is consistently good and the staff is always wonderful. After a couple of visits, you're treated like friends, and frequent visitors (I am one) are treated like family. The sushi and sashimi are fresh and tasty, and the beer is cold. The only real negative is that sometimes the service is slow and you may go for a while without seeing your server. I've only had that happen when the restaurant was busy, but it still gets frustrating. Bottom line - I love this place and all the people I've taken to eat here have enjoyed it as well. Enough to ask to come back, in fact. The prices are good, as is the food.
(4)Angel B.
Have been 2 Minoto's for yeà rs w/my parents when I visit Atlanta. The sushi is alway fresh & wonderful. U can just go in & let them fix what is freshest & it is always WONDERFUL. Kevin usually is our sushi chef & we just tell him how much sashimi & how many sets of rolls & he makes up what is good. This last time had super crunch, avacodo/crab salad rolls & the seafood was super fresh & tasty. Had sashimi w/tuna, yellowtail, & albacore & it was excellent. Kevin finished our meal w/an crab salad, tempura, hand roll that was to die for! The owners are very attentive & service is quick & friendly. Don't know about prices b/c quite frankly I am lucky enough 2 have my patents pick up the tab when we go.
(5)Carrie B.
I forget about Minato from time-to-time, but sushi chef Kevin doesn't deserve to be forgotten. The sashimi dinner is one of the best in the city and the just over $20 is hard to beat! The cuts are large and the tuna is just perfect! They have great rolls and plenty of options for non-sushi fans.
(5)Lisa H.
Been here a few times for lunch. Services is always really good. Their seafood are fresh, and I love their chirashi bowl.
(4)Jenn K.
This hidden gem behind the Golf store has delectable sushi. I had salmon and a bagel roll. I think the prices are a bit high, but I'm willing to pay it for quality fish. Service was efficient and friendly and the ambiance was kitchsy and cute. There is a faux bridge inside the restaurant and a very nice wall made of stacked stone.
(5)Karina T.
The best sushi ever, it was really good. The service was fast, like 5 min to serve the food. You should try it definitely
(5)Mary M.
Let's start by saying that even the parking lot smells of deep fried something...and indeed that is going on inside Minato... nearly all their rolls are deep fried - so we did not order them. Instead we ordered a combo lunch plate of tempura and sashimi and a sushi lunch. Before both luncheon entree's there was a bowl of miso soup which was on the thin cool side. The salad followed the soup and the dressing was merely okay - definitely ginger and something like mayonnaise and something else to water it down. Now, for the luncheon plates. The tempura tasted greasy, plain and simple. The sashimi was good, fresh and generous. The sushi plate was also interesting. It was comprised of the same fish as the sashimi plate: tuna, toro, fresh water shrimp, salmon, hamachi, and an interesting little thing comprised of rice topped with crunchy something and then topped with a crab meat "salad" all wrapped in a piece of seaweed. The size of the fish slices was extraordinary - if I ever went back I'd cut the sushi fish in half so I have a sushi that fits in the mouth and a pile of "other halves" that could be a sashimi plate. The saki we ordered was thin in comparison to other sushi restaurants and not worth the price. Summary: overall, I prefer Umezono on Windy Hill to Minato. The fish is comparable at both establishments but the soup, salad, tempura and saki are better at Umezono. And then there is the issue of price, while you get a mouth sized sushi at Umezono instead of two mouths full at Minato there is a substantial investment at Minato compared to Umezono. Hence, I'd say you get more bang for the buck at Umezono.
(3)Mick D.
You know that "it's so good I just have to close my eyes and enjoy this sushi" moment? That's Minato. The sushi is so good, the fish so fresh, that there's an "eyes closed" moment no matter what you're into. For the traditionalist, you'll appreciate the nigiri--generously sized and artfully cut selections of fish atop real sushi-rice (not just steamed rice). And there is, of course, a very traditional offering of maki. There are a few innovative items on the menu for the not-so-traditional, too. Staff is always friendly and personable. And when you really get to know them, there are a few off-menu treats to discover here, as well. This place is a little tough to find (tucked behind a strip mall, next to a golf-pro shop), but it's well worth the visit. Holler if you want some company.
(5)Tristan A.
That Super Crunch roll is super banging.........so damn good that it made me try n use chop sticks so I wouldn't eat it so fast (my chop sticks game is sub-par). The waiter was really cool..the decor is dark. I like it. Now I want a Super Crunch!!!
(4)Teri P.
This place was a second choice for us, as we were trying to go to Umezono. Umezono was super rude and we left, and found Minato. I couldn't be more pleased with this place! They were super friendly, engaging, and the food was GREAT. Honestly the best Unagi Don anyone in our group had ever tasted. The sushi was excellently balanced. The ginger dressing (which I rarely like) was outstanding. The miso was delicious and not overly salty. I loved the decor, as well. My one complaint is that they have no booths, and most of their tables are set for four, and they had a hard time seating a group of five.
(5)Diane K.
This is my first time being fooled by a yelp review. We came here for dinner after seeing this place had 4 stars. Regulars here must not know what good sushi is supposed to taste like. We ordered some sushi rolls, and the tempura udon. When we didn't get any miso soup or salad like you would at any Japanese restaurant, we were told that they only serve those with dinner entrees. Seriously? How much does it cost to serve some pieces of iceberg and miso soup? Good grief, don't be stingy like that. We ordered the spicy tuna hand roll bc the waitress insisted that it was huge and delicious. She was right about it being huge. However, it tasted like they drenched the poor tuna in ketchup and hot sauce. I love sushi. I have had a lot of spicy tuna. This was the most disgusting spicy tuna I've ever tasted. I will not even go into details about the other rolls. Same story...we could barely taste the softshell crab in the spider roll. Tempura udon came out with STALE tempuras. Not surprised there. This had got to be the worst sushi place in Atlanta. Those of you who love this place, you clearly have not had good sushi. Shame on those stars...
(1)Nick R.
Best Sushi I've had in Atlanta. Period. Nice thick cuts of fish and very fresh. I don't want to eat sushi anywhere else from now on. It's that good. I tried the Tuna, Yellow Tail, Albacore, Tamago, Unagi, and few bites of various other rolls. All were excellent. My wife and I spent $35 each with Tip and we were stuffed afterwards. So it is not too expensive. I talked the couple we went with into heading here instead of our usual spot in Roswell. I was a little nervous about it because if had been bad, they wouldnt have ever trusted me again! Both were floored with how good the fish was here. Good Kirin.
(5)Binnie N.
I came here by myself one day for lunch after classes. The place has a nice ambiance. There was a nice sushi bar area, a lowered floor dinner seating area and to the left were individual cubbies with more tables. I thought the lighting was a bit too dim. It was kind of hard to read the menu. I got the pork katsu don that had the sliced fried pork with eggs, vegetables (sauteed carrots, onions, and zuchini?), rice and some sliced pickles. I felt like there was little pork and a ton of rice. It wasn't proportioned well. The meal came with a miso soup and a ginger dressed salad. I also ordered salmon nigiri which was the saving grace of the entire meal. The salmon was fresh, cold, and thickly sliced. Next time I will just come here for the sushi and not the hot meals.
(4)Taylor A.
This place certainly is tricky to find. On the backside of Papa John's you'll find this delightful little sushi place. They have good sushi/sashimi combos for a decent price, around $20. There didn't seem to be a ton of choices, especially if you're looking for really awesome rolls. For rolls I would check out Blue Fin on Peachtree. Truly huge and amazing rolls. The salmon nigiri I had here was the best I've ever had. Amazingly soft and buttery. The tuna roll that came with my combo was not special. The tuna roll at Nakato is better. Must be the rice or something. When the fish is more on it's own with nigiri or sashimi is where it really shines. Salmon, yellowtail, and some other whitefish were all superb! If you're looking for a quiet authentic experience I'd check this place. It's not worth the drive from midtown, as there are better options, but if you're in Smyrna or Marietta I'd check it out.
(3)Barry G.
I was very impressed with my visit to Minato. Maybe I'm a sucker for the crazy Japanese appeal of the place, but come on theres a little bridge in the front of the place. I also loved that it was tucked away behind a bunch of stores so that you have to know what you're looking for. The staff were great helping us to order and pay quickly when we were on our way to a show at the Energy center. The sushi we ordered came out in a good time and was delicious. Maybe I'm not a proper connoisseur, but I loved the food. On top of that the serve HUGE beers in there! Another place not exactly in my usual playground but next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely go back to Minato.
(4)Rodrick D.
This place is destroying my marriage, and going to get me fired.... I eat soo much sushi that my wife is attempting to put me on a sushi budget as is lecturing me about mercury poisoning. I wont listen to her the SUSHI and the service is too good. I take all new employees and business associates i can to this place ... so the folks at corporate who process my expense reports are concerned that I may be creating fake meetings just to go eat sushi... this will not stop me ...
(5)Christina W.
My favorite sushi restaurant. My favorite restaurant. Period. It is a family owned restaurant and they treat my like family anytime I go there. I love love love their super white tuna. Very thick and fresh. All their sushi is. There are a couple items that aren't on the menu that are spectacular like the Cowboy Hat, and Frank's roll just to mention a couple. I flat out refuse to eat sushi any where else. Please be patient with them when they are busy as it is only the five of them. It is very worth it. If you go during lunch, get the chirasi sushi. It is a hodge podge of sushi in a bowl of rice.
(5)Mike M.
Hard to find if you don't know where you are going, but it is totally worth the search. The service is excellent and comes with some comic relief. Our waiter was actually pretty funny and was on top of his game. My only issue stems from the sushi bar menu. If you are not very familiar with what each fish / roll / item is, you will have to ask since the descriptions are limited. On the other hand I got a chance to try some new stuff!
(5)Missy R.
I was not impressed! For one, in Greensboro we are used to hibachi style cuisine at most Japanese restaurant. We ordered the teryaki chicken meals and the food was tasty but the service was mediocre. We were greeted, seated, given hot towels and that was the most service we received. Our waiter was kind but he visited our table maybe twice the whole evening. He didn't even check up on us after our food was placed at our table. Sushi looked tasty but unfortunately we did not try any. Food=good, service= bad.
(2)Kelly S.
If you like waiting an hour and a half for your food and screaming children running hither and yon, then by all means, go here. The food was "ok", but not great. And the service was TERRIBLE. We sat at a table full of empty sake and water cups several times, desperately scanning the restaurant for our pink-shirted server who disappeared from sight for minutes at a time. And for those of you who don't know - when a group of current and former skydivers goes out for dinner, there'd better be booze readily available, or there are gonna be problems. There was also a curtained-off room behind our table, and it had about 6 billionty kids in it, watching TV and being generally child-like (read: loud). One of our friends went to politely ask our server if they could STFU, and he told her "They live here". Excellent. So we can be guaranteed the same noise level no matter when we come (as if we would go back anyway). I think most of it was overpriced for what you get. And just a thought: don't put wasabi in something if you don't say it's in there. Some people don't like it. And the last two bites of my "Dyanamite" (I don't know who Dyan is, but she must be hot) were ALL wasabi. Gross. Everyone was generally underwhelmed by their food, and the table had ordered various sushi (maki and nigiri), sukiyaki, and a teriyaki plate, so we had a few different items to sample. And when the FIRST person at your table gets their food about an hour and 15 minutes after we sit down (and the restaurant was NOT super busy for a Friday night - clue #1, right?), and the last person (me, in this case) gets theirs about 20 minutes later, that's pretty annoying. All I got was a simple maki roll. That was fucking ridiculous. It's hard to find - but since I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone, I won't bother telling you how to get there.
(1)Zan E.
We have been regulars at this wonderful restaurant since before we were married 20 years ago. Love the food and the warm atmosphere!! Minato is without a doubt, our favorite place for sushi.
(5)Sanket S.
Excellent! Fresh, tasty, and varied. Way better and fairly priced than some of its inner city rivals. The service is also friendly and thorough.
(5)MarkO P.
I have to say this is the best sushi in the Atl area...If you want 'atmosphere' go elsewhere..If you want the best/fresh sushi/sashimi, then look no further.. My personal favs are the 'super white' & the 'spicy maguro'..both top~notch, when the toro is 'in', it's 2nd to none... Compare this place to any in NYC or West Coast (SF rated over LA for cuisine, sorry Hollyweird..).. The staff is very friendly & quite helpful...It's mostly a quiet place, which I appreciate..The prices are about average, but the fish is stellar, so I would consider Minato a 5~star winner... Enjoy...
(5)Blair S.
Atlanta is full of sushi restaurants, most of which have style over substance. Not Minato. Minato has friendly, enthusiastic service, very fresh seafood (they'll even tell you what's freshest) and great variety. Best of all, the prices are lower than many Atlanta area Japanese restaurants. This combined with the quality of the food makes me order more every time. Like others suggest, many regulars come here which is a sign of quality and friendly service. Say hi to Tony for me when you visit!
(5)Courtney C.
For those of you who don't want to read all my fabulous details, here's the breakdown: 5 stars for the cowboy hats (fried scallop on a crispy rice "cracker" with crab salad) 3 stars for the crunchy shrimp roll 4 stars for the plain old nigri. Average: 4 stars After reading Kit F.'s review, I almost asked my friend to take me somewhere else. I mean, I only get sushi every so often, so when I go, I want to go big and tasty and fresh...regardless of the cost. Well, Minato was very unassuming from the outside, but upon entering it was quite theme-y...know what I mean? It had a waterfall with fake parrots nestled in the rocks. Needless to say, I was not impressed with the decor. My friend and I sat at the sushi bar, but too far away to watch the chefs work their knife magic. That was fine, we were there to catch up anyway. First we ordered the cowboy hats and a selection of sushi (yellow tail, salmon, albacore tuna, something else i can't remember). We were still hungry so went back for a crunchy roll with scallop and onion. The cowboy hat was the start (definitely not for those on a diet though!). The nigri selection was good. The pieces were cut large enough to not feel like you're getting ripped off. The ratio of rice to fish was also good... and their wasabi was quite good (better than Twist I thought). I was impressed with the Nigri, and the price was not too bad either. The scallop and onion roll was just okay. Maybe I wasn't really hungry anymore at this point, but it seemed a bit bland...it was the cheapest roll though. The service was just average. We made a reservation and the place was relatively empty, yet we still had to wait like 5 minutes for them to figure out where to seat us. The mints on the way out were quite tasty... I don't know if it's worth a trip out to Minato if you live in Decatur like I do. But when your friend is fighting the rush hour traffic AND footing the bill, you take your sushi where you can get it. I think if you live in smyrna or cobb county this would be a great addition to your sushi repertoire. Decent sushi, decent price. Get the cowboy hat even if it's not on the menu.
(4)Ken B.
This is cheap-o quality sushi, but the price isn't bad either. Ultimately I would recommend it if you are in the area and want some sushi. The owner always seems friendly, but if the place gets too busy they get way behind, it shows in the service. Definitely don't recommend on a Saturday night. But if you are in the area at lunch it could be a good option.
(3)Robert D.
This is my favorite place for Sushi. Well... that's not fully true. This is my favorite restaurant period! Not your ultra hip hop/trendy place, but a great place to sit back, relax and let the fantastic staff take care of you. How many places do you go where the staff notice you need a new beer/Saki before you do? :) A very family friendly place with the best sushi in town.
(5)Ian B.
In town on business, found this place through yelp, just down the street from the Hampton in Smyrna. From the outside, it's an unassuming little hole in the wall behind and below a strip mall anchored by a Papa John's. Walk in, and even a newcomer like me feels welcomed like a regular - it was Cheers, with fish. Sushi Chef Kevin took fantastic care of me after I asked him to surprise me with whatever fishy inspiration he had. Got to try some sashimi in Ponzu sauce, and finished it all off with a Suicide Roll at the recommendation of the regular sitting next to me at the sushi bar. Price was very reasonable, for the amount of food - I don't think Kevin is physically capable of skimping on the fish. Nigiri rolls are ample and the hand rolled Suicide Roll was practically dessert. If you're at the bar, don't order off the little paper menu, all the really good stuff is not on there.
(5)Heidi K.
Went back for dinner with a good friend. I'm assuming the manager was serving us, but he picked out a great sake for our meal and I did finally try sushi for the first time. I like it. I had some tuna roll. I'll have to go back again. I was worried that I would dislike it and react funny in front of my friend. He just laughed at me anyways. :D Great place, very friendly! I was teased mercilessly when I said I didn't know much about drinking sake but I cooked with it.
(5)Jeremy J.
I give Minato five stars without hesitation. This place is a hole in the wall, literally, the front door is in the back of a small shopping strip on Spring Road reminiscent of a hole. The inside is nothing short of that hole and I think the algae covered fish tanks are there to scare off the snobs. Do not be afraid though, this place serves up some of the freshest sushi I have eaten in Atlanta. Fortunately for me this place is very close to work so I can eat here often. Here's my recommendation: Sashimi/Tempura Lunch Special which consists of a plate of sashimi fish (one salmon, one tuna, three seared albacore tuna), a helping of tempura battered veggies (two broccoli, two shrimp, a sweet potato, and a zucchini), a side of white rice and a portion of surprisingly delicious caramelized onions. Also, a ginger dressing salad and miso soup which comes with any lunch. Sometimes I will order an extra salmon or yellowtail sushi (two pieces per order) for dessert. All that for $8.50 (add $4.00 per sushi order)!!! Besides that, any fish is very fresh and very tasty. Kevin and the other sushi chef are the owners and are very friendly and always there. The place feels like home and if you show up there several times, they start to remember your name and will occasionally send out a taste of this or that. I will say that the selection is not huge but it lends to the freshness which is something that Kevin mentioned to me one day. If they were to carry bounds of different fish, the product would suffer. Sounds good to me. I really love this place and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious sushi in Atlanta without the high prices and attitude.
(5)Nic K.
Hands down the best sushi in Atlanta. The fish is always fresh and the sushi has thick pieces seafood on it rather than the flimsy, thin pieces you find at some of the "upscale" Buckhead sushi restaurants. The staff here is wonderful and they make it a point to get to know their patrons. I've been coming here for four years and they've gotten to know both my husband and me. My husband just finished his doctoral program a few months ago and the owners had a gift wrapped bottle of sake as a gift waiting for him for his next visit. I am currently expecting and was one day craving a piece of shrimp sushi (one of the few pieces of sushi I can have). The sushi chefs were so great about making sure my meal of California rolls and shrimp sushi were not cross-contaminated by any pieces of raw fish. They cleaned their knives and put saran wrap over their working area. Their great service couldn't stop my craving for a delicious piece of white tuna but not much they can do about that!
(5)Kevin K.
Overall just OK. Pretty good fish quality but not sliced properly and not presented with any skill or finesse. A number of little issues like a bit of sand in my gomae (spinach), beer glass smelled of dishwashing detergent, raw fish consumption warning on the wall. Staff (owners?) are Chinese, not Japanese. I've only been to a few sushi places in Atlanta but this was not the best I've had here. And it does not hold a candle to world class sushi in NY, SF, LA or Japan.
(2)Jo Jo C.
Minato has won over my heart in a couple of visits. It is a high quality sushi restaraunt. The prices are moderate, the sushi is good, and the service is outstanding. You feel like a part of the family when you go here. Everything from their long standing reputation in the neighborhood, there simple decorations, and the family environment sets it apart. I will eat here often. Kevin at the bar is a great sushi chef. Ask for specials "cowboy hat" and "sushi pizza". Try some of those japanese beers. My favorite is Sapporo, my lady likes the asahi. Good eats, fun times, great service!
(4)Dave K.
I recently visited Minato on the recommendation of a colleague. I've been to several sushi joints in and around Atlanta but this one is better than most. I dropped in on a Monday eve and sat solo at the Sushi bar. This place felt a bit more authentic than some of the newer, trendier places I have been. The menu looked great, but I stuck with a couple different rolls and the sushi chef offered up a complimentary "cowboy hat". It was great....whatever it was. I had the Super Crunch and Tampa Roll, both excellent. The staff was very friendly and the service was solid. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the taste and quality of the sushi. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Wendy G.
Minato can be hard to find, being off Spring Road, but on the backside of the building that has Papa John's and a golf store, but definitely check it out. Great sushi, really fresh and very attentive service. The staff there are just truly nice people! Be sure to ask for the cowboy hat, it's not on the menu, but very delicious!
(4)Eric H.
The best sushi in town. And the whole staff is fantastic!!
(5)Michael T.
Minato is the kind of place that, once you find, you want to go back to. The service is personal, friendly and attentive, starting with the hot towel when you arrive. Of course, the physical location may detract people from giving Minato a try (the rear of a older strip mall off Spring Road), but once inside you completely forget about the exterior. Minato's nigiri is fresh with generous cuts of seafood. (I'd actually prefer a smaller cut of seafood on their nigiri, but I think that's likely just my personal preference.) Their maki, meanwhile, is well-prepared, although not very inventive or expansive in selection. My favorite is their soft shell crab roll, served warm, the way it should be. Everything at Minato is very well priced; you can have a great dinner for around $15-20. Overall, although Minato isn't the best sushi I've ever had (that honor is reserved for a restaurant in Southern California), it's some of the best in Atlanta. I'll certainly keep going back!
(4)Lauren H.
The sushi here is quite good and reasonably priced, though the service was a bit slow. As some other reviewers have pointed out, order the Cowboy Hat - it' not on the regular menu, but it's excellent. We also ordered a sashimi dinner and a few other rolls. The sashimi was good, but perhaps a bit skimpy in terms of quantity and variety given the price. Though the outside of the restaurant wasn't particularly inviting or easy to find (it's behind a strip mall), the inside is nicely decorated, with a traditional sushi bar, private booths, and a fish tank and water feature.
(4)Jon C.
Excellent place that you'd never find normaly. Looks sketchy from outside but great inside. Had the Sushi lunch and Sea Bass Roll which was great. Friendly people, good food at a great price.. $10 for Sushi lunch is good w/ soup + salad. Ask for the Wifi code and you're off and running.
(4)Tamara M.
I visited this restaurant twice while staying in the area on business. It does seem to have a following of regulars who are greeted warmly by the staff. I just didn't find anything really notable to mention. The sushi was good, but if that's the best in the ATL it's unfortunate. The tuna, salmon, and yellowtail were average. The sushi rice underneath was a little underdone. The octopus was better than average, while the surf clam, which is hard to get great quality consistently, was exceptional both times we tried it.
(3)Marina T.
The sushi here at this restaurant is great. It doesn't have the frozen cold or sliminess that is so prevalent in American sushi.. What I love about this place is the fact that it is not like every other sushi restaurant here. It doesn't try too hard to be trendy and the money you pay here is for the fish, not the decor. The staff is incredibly friendly (rare for Asian restaurants) and most of the patrons appear to be loyal to this restaurant and are familiar with the staff. If you come here during busy hours (Friday, Saturday nights) expect to wait for your food. It's well worth it! One note: The address above is incorrect. The restaurant is in Smyrna, not Atlanta and the zip code is 30080. Street address is correct. One more note: If you're not an authentic sushi eater, you may not like this place as much.
(5)Stephanie W.
I've been a regular at Minato for 16 years, so I think I've developed a pretty good perspective on this restaurant. You won't find "designer" sushi at Minato, but if you want consistently well-prepared staples like tuna rolls and super crunch, this is the place to go. You can see how beautiful the sushi is when you sit at the sushi bar. Every piece is so fresh, it looks as though it was just plucked from the sea. If you're not a fan of sushi, the teriyakis, tempuras, and soups are also delicious and everything is homemade. Yes, this is a family-friendly place so you will see children running around from time to time, but there are cozy little tables in the back where couples can escape. The owners and staff have become like family to me over the years--I can't say enough about their attentiveness. Sure they get busy--so does every restaurant. But they always treat their customers with the highest level of courtesy and care. I've gone to some of the trendiest, and most expensive sushi restaurants in Atlanta and other cities, and I always come back to Minato.
(5)jackie c.
I am not an expert in Japanese food... but I personally like the flavour of the variety of sushi rolls that the chef made.. the sashimi is fresh and service is generally good... There are 2 sushi chef the night I was there.. deco wise, nothing to shout about..and I didnt know what seems like the back door is actually the main/front entrance of the restaurant.
(3)Lili K.
The sushi was fresh and simple. It's very cheap for the price for the pocket. I just moved here from L.A. and I'm very skeptical about trying new sushi spots. It's in a nice friendly/family environment. Seemed like alot of locals came in and the owners knew their name! It's a great thing when everybody knows your name! I would recommend this place for some sake and good ole Saporro beer for some sake bombs and a quick bite!
(4)M C.
We've been going to Minato for more than five years and cannot find a better deal for Sushi in our area. The sushi is fresh and tasty and the crab salad may be the best around. But the best is the familiarity once you've gone a couple of times. Our family always leaves satisfied from the good food and the great and attentive service. We can go to some high end sushi restaurants like MF, but would never leave as satisfied.
(5)Sabrina S.
Minato is by far my favorite sushi spot in Atlanta. It's worth the drive from intown if you're looking for top-quality sushi at a very reasonable price. The interior is very comfortable -- not overdone, clean and nice. The food is stellar. And it's consistent -- it's *always* good. My faves are the squid salad starter, super crunch roll, and crab salad roll. The service is the only wild card at Minato. While friendly, sometimes it can be a bit slow, and for that it loses a star from an otherwise 5-star review.
(4)John H.
I've eaten here several times. The staff is friendly and the food is pretty good. I wish they had a bigger maki roll selection, but what I have had has been tasty. I did have a problem with them forgetting my order once, but they were happy to comp my soup and drink and apologized profusely (they offered to speed it through but I had to return to work). I'll probably be back here sometime, but it's not my favorite sushi bar in the area.
(3)Chad H.
Great lunch time sushi. These guys have a great Chirashi Bowl for only $10 and it comes with Miso Soup and a small ginger salad. Plenty of parking and small lunchtime crowds make this a nice little hidden gem for lunch.
(4)Kate B.
What I love about Minato is that it's not the same stuff you get everywhere else. However, you have to know what to order. The best stuff is off the menu. Overall, best sushi around!
(5)