Yumi’s Sushi Bar
217 Water St, Excelsior, MN, 55331
Yumi’s Sushi Bar Menu
-
Appetizers
-
Dinners
-
Noodles
-
Nigiri Sushi
-
Side Dishes
Healthy Meal suggestions for Yumi’s Sushi Bar
-
Appetizers
-
Dinners
-
Noodles
-
Nigiri Sushi
-
Side Dishes
Visit below restaurant in Excelsior for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Excelsior for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
217 Water St
Excelsior, MN, 55331 - Phone (952) 474-1720
- Website https://www.yumissushibar.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
D T.
The sushi was awesome, but the service was terribly slow. I went in for a quick bite at the sushi bar and it took me a half hour to get my order. The person beside me had to ask for chop sticks. I had to ask for a napkin and soy sauce. Awesome food, but they really need to kick the service up a notch. If you have plenty of time and don't mind looking at your food once you finally get it while you wait for chop sticks I highly recommend this place.
(3)Marc J.
Hands down best sushi in the Twin Cities. The cuts of fish are twice as thick as most other places. Great atmosphere. Excellent service.
(5)Daniel O.
Wow wow wow! I enjoyed my wonderful time at Yumi's, my last time there was with my gf for our anniversary and I gotta say it was extremely incredible! I had the Lollipop roll and it was so amazing, it almost knocked off Tiger sushi off my all-time Minneapolis favorite list (it may even have done it already!). Let's just say it was wonderful. The service was really good, our waiter was very attentive to our water and drinks and always stopped by to ask how everything was, they didn't charge for the miso which is always a plus, especially when it is oh so yummy! Food was great! I tried mah' lady's crunchy roll which was really good so I was overall impressed by it. I did go there a few months ago and last time I wasn't as impressed as I was this time so Bravo!
(5)Robert U.
Definitely the best food in Excelsior. Service was great. I enjoyed watching the sushi chefs work. The chefs definitely made it worthwhile. It was an awesome experience. Great value!
(5)Jacob B.
Yumi's is the best sushi I've had in the Twin Cities. Extremely friendly staff, great food and excellent sushi bar. Perfect location to get sushi right off the lake or for a formal dinner. Highly recommend!
(5)M S.
We ate here tonight. Is was 85% great. + Service + Atmosphere + Cleanliness + Off menu order of a hand roll. It was fantastic! I get bore of the standard maki/specialty rolls + The Mexican Roll was delightful -- The Dynamite roll was fishy --Not a total price quality balance. However, they are the only game in town and they do a good job. This is business. --The spice didn't really register with us even though we caught the flavor. So the ingredients were there, but very, very muted. We did not have nigiri or sashimi in the traditional sense. However, there were a couple pieces of sashimi of the fish that were in the Mexican roll.
(4)Karen H.
Pros: Pretty tasty sushi. Cons: HORRIBLE & unfair reservations system. Bad tasting edamame. Tables too close to each other. I was planning on meeting a friend for dinner on a Thursday night, so earlier in the day, I called the restaurant to make a reservation. The person who picked up the phone told me that I would easily be able to get a table. When I showed up at 6:30pm, the place was packed and I had to put my name down on a hand-written list. The guy at the check-in counter was fair and was seating parties in the order that they arrived, but the lady (who I assume is the restaurant owner) was going out of order and seating people who were giving her the most pressure. She sat two parties who arrived after me and then when I pointed this fact out to her, she claimed that I had just arrived. I arrived almost 30 minutes ago and I've been just waiting patiently to be seated!!! She put me at the sushi bar and I wanted a table, but she refused to seat me at a table for 4, since there were only 2 of us. What RUDE service. Because of that, I'm not ever planning on coming back. Service was slow. Sushi was decent, but the edamame was cold and unevenly heated. There are much better sushi places in town. SKIP THIS ONE!
(1)Jada M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in the western metro. They have amazing sushi, really fresh, great rolls, huge menu! We had great service as well! It's very busy though so either get there early or be prepared to wait even with the larger restaurant location. It's one of my favorite sushi places in mn!
(5)Kate L.
The sushi is awesome. I have heard about it and agree that it's the best in town. I will still go to my favorite sushi places but Yumi's really is good. The cuts and rolls are HUGE! If you normally eat two rolls you only need one. The nigiri are two bite pieces. My husband always orders the deluxe plate whenever we have sushi and this was the first time he has left feeling full. Really full. It's pricey but not unreasonable and wroth it from time to time. Nice staff. Hostess needs work (she might be the owner) and that is why it's hard to get seated as you may have read in past reviews. That's why there are 4 stars instead of 5. Be patient or go early. It's worth the wait.
(4)Lynn S.
Great Sushi....love the Honeymoon and Mexican rolls...little bit of sweet and spicy. My husband is not a big Sushi fan and even enjoyed it so that makes me extra happy. Great place to bring friends. Fun chefs and staff and great Sushi that is fresh and melt in your mouth. Love it!
(5)KC M.
Yumi has ruined me for all other sushi restaurants! We have eaten at Yumi too many times to count and have always had amazing sushi... Start with the edamame and seaweed salad. Nigiri is fabulous with thick slices of fresh fish. ALL rolls are fabulous but trying the Firecracker is a must. A little expensive, but worth every penny! Cons... They do not have a full bar. Beer and wine only. Not an issue for us but good to know going in. They are also busy all the time (sign of a good restaurant!) so put your name in and go have a beer at the Excelsior Brewery out the back door. Yumi herself (who is always there hostessing and running around) will call you when your table is ready.
(5)Ryan D.
FOOD: First off I DO NOT KNOW how in the world people give this place 4 or 5 stars!????? I am dumbfounded! I am not going to tote about ohh I have had Sushi all over the country or world like some people on here. I would however consider myself a quasi sushi enthusiast. The sushi at Yumi's is HORRIBLE! First off they use WAY too much rice in their rolls. Which makes no sense because after a few bites your full. Business wise this is a bad idea. Taste wise you feel like you filled your mouth with rice overwhelming anything else in the roll. How can that be good? Some guy wrote on here that they do not use imitation crab. Yes buddy they do, Also they do not use real wasabi. Which is understandable because real wasabi is expensive and most people wouldst know the difference. I ordered a philly roll and the most annoying thing happened....the rolls come with the nori on the outside. Yes the seaweed on the outside. For me this is strange because there are very few places I have found that do this to their Philly roll. The fish was definitely not fresh and of course too much rice made this a problem. It fell apart. That's just the tip of the iceberg with the food problems. Service.: Walked in at 7:30 it was semi busy with a few open tables. I requested the back table which seats 4 and the Japanese hostess/waitress said they are waiting for another rush so my party of two has to be seated at a table that was situated in the middle of the room too close to other tables for my comfort. Needless to say an hour passed and there was no rush. As a matter of fact more tables opened. I think this is a bad practice when you give preferential treatment to customers who have not arrived and may never arrive. This really made me mad!!!!! Conclusion :Server was decently trained and knowledgeable place is a bit cramped with ok decor. OVER-PRICED! maybe your paying for the rice if that makes people feel better but I must say the only thing authentic about this place is the Japanese lady who owns it. She must not try her own sushi. I do NOT recommend which is sad because I live so close and would like some quality sushi. I gave it a few chances but never again.
(1)Steve T.
Upscale sushi joint in an upscale little lake town. Besides Yumi and one waitress, I was the only Asian person in there which is weird for a sushi place. Even the chefs were Spanish. Felt like I was in a French restaurant as it is fancy here. Loved the Geisha roll with pieces of scallops that blended well with the avocado and fish. $160 for two but we enjoyed every bit of it and my customer took the leftovers home. Would give it 5 stars but kinda expensive compared to the Bay Area where I am from. I am going to bring my customers back here again and this time do some exploring in these cute shops along Water Street. The fish is fresh here but I am used to fresher Uni in California where it is caught.
(4)Jenae C.
We dined at Yumi's last night for the first time. We had a sitter for our daughter and were excited to have a nice dinner out. While the food was good, the service was terrible. For one, they cram way too many tables into one small space. We were eating on top of the people around us. Might as well be at one table. Yumi also decided to physically move our table while we were mid-bite without warning us first. Then towards the end if our meal, they stopped checking on us and kept coming over to talk about the 6 person table they were trying to seat. Very rude after we had just spent $120 to dine for less than an hour. We had heard similar feedback from others, but decided to give it a shot ourselves. We won't be back.
(1)Tim R.
Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in the Twin Cities. I've been to all the major local sushi places but when it's been a little while and I'm really craving some high quality fish I hop in the car and make the trek to Excelsior. If you have any doubts about whether it will be worth the drive let me promise you that it absolutely is. The cooked appetizers aren't anything special, but they often have a special app of hamachi sashimi with jalapeño that's absurdly good. All the rolls are great, but I'm a big fan of the Tonka roll and the Spicy Salmon. If I was rating Yumi's on food alone it would easily be five stars. The only things keeping the rating down are the service, which is adequate but sometimes a little subpar, and the tiny space which is tough to navigate for a fatass like myself. The small digs also make for some very busy dinner services that require a long wait. Luckily you can sneak off to the bar across the street for a drink and Yumi will call you when your table is ready. The great news is that Yumi's is moving to a new space next month and Billy the sushi chef told me it will be about double the space they have now.
(4)K E.
Beautiful place, all new decor, new location. Wait staff is awesome, Jenny and the owner Yumi are especially friendly and knowledgeable. The owner is always there. The sushi is amazing, very large assortment and varying prices. Reservations are usually necessary-wait time is common if you require a table. There is a small bar and sushi bar where seating is faster.
(5)Jen N.
Absolutely delicious. A bit expensive, but the product is high quality. The hamachi is amazing, and I love that there's such a large variety of rolls.
(4)NG B.
BEST. SUSHI EVER. Honestly, Yumi's sushi is as good, if not better, than the sushi on the West Coast. I go there every time I'm in town. Spicy hotate is a must; all the specialty rolls will knock or socks off :)
(5)Shannon D.
I've been to plenty sushi restaurants across the country (even hawaii) and nothing quite compares to Yumi's. If you are looking for amazingly fresh and true Japanese sushi then you've gotta try this place! Each and every roll is very unique and is something you can't get anywhere else in the US. Their seasonal rolls are also incredible! Plus the location and atmosphere are to die for
(5)K B.
Hands down Best sushi in MN. Probably the best sushi I've had in the U.S., and I've tried sushi in every big city. Always fresh, consistent, and quick. Also have great service and Yumi, the owner, is really sweet. The prices aren't cheap, but the rolls are definitely worth the price...large and filled with solid ingredients instead of cheap fillers like cucumbers or imitation crab.
(5)Mark C.
Best sushi in the Twin Cities, though definitely at a price. Very good rolls generally, but $19 a roll is a bit silly for all except perhaps the Tiger Roll -best on the planet! The lower priced rolls are better skipped as they're somewhat average and can be had elsewhere for 1/3 or 1/2 less. Billy is back behind the sushi bar and that's a great thing! One of the area's most talented artists with all things fish... :) It's intimate (tight), but usually fun, except when packed. Don't believe the wait time estimate and you'll be a bit happier. Be careful where you're seated or you'll be jostled throughout your meal. Service is average to below average, and goes wayyyyy down when its crowded. Come for the fish, and if you're lucky you'll hit an evening that's more on the mellow side and you can enjoy your $100+ meal a while, without having a check plopped in front of you while still eating... 4 1/2 for food 1 1/2 for service 4 for ambience (when not packed) 5 for memory of spending valentines day one year in the corner when Kevin Garnett and his wife "ducked in" and had dinner at the sushi bar.
(3)John M.
Yumi's is amazing. Yes, pricy, but it's sushi and you're in the nice town of Excelsior. Their Tonka roll is the most brilliant piece of sushi I've ever had in my life. I had their melon sake which tastes 100 times better than real sake (like the original sake). Yumi herself is so nice and loves her job and it shows as she tries to make every customer's experience 100 percent satisfactory. This might be one of the best sushi places in all of Minnesota. I'm so happy to have it in my hometown! :)
(5)Amber E.
This restaurant is about the size of a bento box, so it's not uncommon to have to wait to get a table. But, don't let that deter you. The sushi here is worth the wait. The staff doesn't just shoo you off to a corner to wait for your name to be called. You will be offered drinks, they will offer suggestions for what's especially good that day. When you are seated, you will be treated to some of the freshest sushi in the area. You will also have the added pleasure of waiting patrons gazing longingly at the succulent morsels that you're popping into your mouth with ravenous abandon. Food tastes even better when other people want what you're having.
(5)Anna E.
I took my niece here for her first real sushi experience and was pretty impressed. When I think good sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT "suburb of the Twin Cities". However, it was fast, fresh and delicious. We had the spicy tuna and philly rolls, which were standard. But the tiger roll was excellent...spicy tuna, salmon, eel and softshell crab with some veggies. I was very proud of my niece for trying the eel! It's pretty $$$ for how casual it is and I'm sure there's just as good elseware for much less. But, I think they can get away with it because there's not much completition out here. Regardless, not a bad place to go if you're in the area.
(4)Kari E.
First let me say that I honestly am not sure I would know "Good" sushi from "not good sushi" other than where it's purchased (grocery store vs. sushi place) and whether or not it smells like rotten fish! That said - I enjoyed my visit to Yumi's. We stopped in for a "snack" one night. We were seated pretty quickly at the bar, amazingly. I personally loved the small space - I felt like maybe I was in NYC for a minute! Definitely cozy, though I know not everyone loves that. We ordered 2 rolls (Spicy Tuna and Eel) I was pretty shocked by the prices. Though the rolls were pretty large and I guess if you know what you're ordering it's probably not horrible. I'd go back, but maybe not until I've been schooled a bit in the art of sushi!
(3)Dan F.
Yumi is simply the best place for Sushi in Minnesota. Yes, it is pricy for what you get and the tight seating, but all in all it's a fun place to go and Billy the sushi Chief is great. Like the other reviewers stated you will most likely have to wait for a place to sit.
(5)Christina P.
One of the best sushi spots I've been to in a LONG time. Incredibly fresh and incredibly tasty. Get there early - or be prepared to wait. It's a tiny little spot with a wonderful waitstaff. Can't wait to return
(5)Kass L.
The food superb. The service stinks and all are very very rude. We were seated and then we had to move spilling sake with no refill and no apology from that lady!!! Requested that our bill be split after spending some big bucks and were told "he is too busy"!!! Will not return. Bad food you can try a couple times as it may have been an off night. Bad service starting at the top will not change. Not good and it is too bad really.
(1)Mark S.
It really is that good. Very creative sushi and great service. Worth the trip.
(5)Rebecca Y.
Every month we have a group of people who try different restaurants. This month we picked Yumi's located in Excelsior. Thankfully, our usual group didn't show up as the restaurant is very small and close quartered. We had five tucked in very tightly around a table. We ordered four rolls and some negri. Quality of the fish was good. Fresh and melt in your mouth kind of sushi. While the rolls have a hefty price tag averaging around $19, we found those rolls to be enourmous and plenty for all of us. We had the chance to meet Yumi. She's a gem. I loved that she walked around clanging the gong and getting everyone to cheer the sushi chef and a patron in doing a sake bomb. What a lovely family oriented place. Good food and good times. Intimate for dates...for sure!
(4)Darren T.
I was staying in Minnetonka and was in the mood for sushi. Not being familiar with the area, I checked out what other Yelpers recommended. This was the place that had the highest rating, so it was the pick. It was tough to find because the sign is kind of hidden by a tree, and it was so crowded I had to wait 10 minutes, but it was worth it. This place lives up to it's lofty ratings. I had the nuclear roll and I wasn't disappointed. The sushi didn't have wasabi, but I thought it was spicy enough as it was so I didn't have to ask for any. I was so impressed with the first visit that I came back a second time and I had the Kobe style beef, which was great as well. When I'm in Minnesota again, I'll happily visit for some good food.
(4)Shannon H.
Reliably fantastic. Everything is good. Even our kids like it, from the Kobe-style beef, the potstickers and veggie tempura and the crunchy roll (cooked). I love the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and the Lollipop roll. I have never gotten anything there that I dislike. It can get very crowded so we usually go early with the family. If you're a regular, they'll often have a table waiting for you - just call ahead. Beautiful location near the lake; take a walk afterwards and get an ice cream at Tommy's Trolley. Perfect summer evening!
(5)Alex K.
Went here while on vacay because of the reviews here. Was not disappointed. Super fresh fish and a great staff made for a incredible meal. Had the baby yellowtail sashimi, mexican roll, crunchy roll along with the red dragon roll. HUGE rolls which were very well constructed and delicious. Cost our group of four $90 without drinks, but in my eyes...well worth it. You get what you pay for. Highly recommended.
(5)Liz H.
Yumi's is without a doubt, worth the wait. The sushi is fresh, and the staff is attentive. They are frequently adding new rolls, and updating the menu. New favorite roll is 'rated r'. If you want to beat the rush - get there at 6. Without a doubt - best sushi in the Western suburbs.
(5)Terri M.
Great sushi. Ask for recs from the wait staff. Never disappoints!
(4)Chad C.
Truely some of the best sushi I've had in a long time, but I hate not being able to make a reservation (reminds me of how PF changs USED to be, now they obviously take reservations for a reason...its what the people want!)
(3)Chris Y.
Gotta say for sorta the middle of no where this place is great. I stayed in Eden Prairie for business and made the drive out to give it a shot. Had the salmon skin rolls, miso, and a sapporo and only paid $22 with the tip. Atmosphere is so so and probably better for smaller groups due to the size of the place, but for taste and price it rivals most of our sushi bars back home, I highly recommend it!
(5)Michael G.
Was visiting for a family reunion, had the kobe beef, the 2-14 roll, the red dragon and the tonka roll... All excellent choices... if you enjoy sushi with a kick I definitely suggest the tonka.
(5)Leah F.
I have lived on the east coast & eaten many schools of raw fish, so believe me when I say Yumi's is the best sushi you're going to find in this landlocked state. Everything is delicious but my 2 personal favorites are the super white tuna sashimi (usually a special) & the nuclear roll. The tuna is smooth & light while the nuclear roll is a spicy mouth full. Also, don't skip the gyoza for an appetizer (best fried dumplings I've ever had) or the sake bomb for a drink. In this tiny restaurant a sake bomb is a group event. For the uninitiated, a beer topped with 2 chopsticks holding a small cup of sake is set before you. Then as your server starts banging on the gong, you repeatedly slam your hands on the table on either side of the glass to make the chopsticks split apart dropping the sake in the beer. That's when the chugging begins. Like other reviewers have said, Yumi's is very busy on Friday & Saturday nights. You can leave your cell phone number at the restaurant & they'll call you when your table is ready. Waiting is hardly a chore as the Irish pub Jake O'Connors is just up the street & is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage. The atmosphere is very jolly, but try not to come here with more than 6 people as it is a very small space. Dress is incredibly casual, and you're so packed in no one would notice your clothes anyway.
(5)Richard F.
I tried Yumi's for the first time about a year ago and since then I have eaten there 4 times. Not to toot my own horn, but I would say I have a pretty good sense for good sushi and you would be hard pressed to find sushi better than this in the Twin Cities. I have had the following rolls: California(was the best Cali roll I've had, they use real King Crab meat!), Spicy Tuna(above average), Tempura(above average), Crunch Roll(excellent), No. 9(waayyy good), Rainbow(above average) and a few of their special rolls that I can't recall the names, but they were FANTASTIC. The prices are a bit high, on average I have spent about $80 or so for two people, more if a few drinks are ordered. I went here with a few guy friends of mine and it was pricey, which is to be expected for 4 hungry mid 20's guys :-) As stated in prior reviews, the restaurant is small and you sit very close to the table next to you. The décor isn't anything special by any means, but you go here for the AMAZING sushi, not the décor ;-). They're located right next to an old movie theatre and a few ice creams shops, which makes for an excellent desert if it is summer and you have any room left in your stomach! LOL. They get VERY busy on Friday and Saturday nights so plan to wait for a bit. You can't call for reservations, but when you arrive you put your name down and they can take your cell phone number down and give you a call when your table is ready, which is very nice if you want to stroll the stores bordering Yumi's. I've also heard you can call in takeout and they will walk it down to the docks on Minnetonka, though I have not done or see this done before. I would HIGHLY recommend Yumi's and will continue to come here for many years!!!
(5)David C.
Hey, let's all remember that this is Minnesota. I lived in L.A. for four years and have been dying to find a good sushi restaurant in Minneapolis. Thank God I found Yumi's. Talk about good value. The size of the fish slices in the sushi are really generous. Yumi's rolls are huge, creative, and delicious. Arrive early because they don't take reservations and there will be a wait out the door, which means you'll be standing in the cold.
(5)Ryan D.
FOOD: First off I DO NOT KNOW how in the world people give this place 4 or 5 stars!????? I am dumbfounded! I am not going to tote about ohh I have had Sushi all over the country or world like some people on here. I would however consider myself a quasi sushi enthusiast. The sushi at Yumi's is HORRIBLE! First off they use WAY too much rice in their rolls. Which makes no sense because after a few bites your full. Business wise this is a bad idea. Taste wise you feel like you filled your mouth with rice overwhelming anything else in the roll. How can that be good? Some guy wrote on here that they do not use imitation crab. Yes buddy they do, Also they do not use real wasabi. Which is understandable because real wasabi is expensive and most people wouldst know the difference. I ordered a philly roll and the most annoying thing happened....the rolls come with the nori on the outside. Yes the seaweed on the outside. For me this is strange because there are very few places I have found that do this to their Philly roll. The fish was definitely not fresh and of course too much rice made this a problem. It fell apart. That's just the tip of the iceberg with the food problems. Service.: Walked in at 7:30 it was semi busy with a few open tables. I requested the back table which seats 4 and the Japanese hostess/waitress said they are waiting for another rush so my party of two has to be seated at a table that was situated in the middle of the room too close to other tables for my comfort. Needless to say an hour passed and there was no rush. As a matter of fact more tables opened. I think this is a bad practice when you give preferential treatment to customers who have not arrived and may never arrive. This really made me mad!!!!! Conclusion :Server was decently trained and knowledgeable place is a bit cramped with ok decor. OVER-PRICED! maybe your paying for the rice if that makes people feel better but I must say the only thing authentic about this place is the Japanese lady who owns it. She must not try her own sushi. I do NOT recommend which is sad because I live so close and would like some quality sushi. I gave it a few chances but never again.
(1)Steve T.
Upscale sushi joint in an upscale little lake town. Besides Yumi and one waitress, I was the only Asian person in there which is weird for a sushi place. Even the chefs were Spanish. Felt like I was in a French restaurant as it is fancy here. Loved the Geisha roll with pieces of scallops that blended well with the avocado and fish. $160 for two but we enjoyed every bit of it and my customer took the leftovers home. Would give it 5 stars but kinda expensive compared to the Bay Area where I am from. I am going to bring my customers back here again and this time do some exploring in these cute shops along Water Street. The fish is fresh here but I am used to fresher Uni in California where it is caught.
(4)Ryan D.
This is a fun little sushi bar near the waterfront in Excelsior. The prices are average, the decor is sparse..but the fish is delicious. The super white fish is the amazing it melts in your mouth. Don't worry about getting dressed up..Yumi's is a down home almost cafeteria style sushi bar. Order a Kirin Ichiban and a small warm sake, grab some sashimi and be prepared for "mouth explosian delicousness" as they say. $$$$- your not getting out of here for less than 30 bucks a head if you enjoy sushi. skip this place if your trying to impress a first date...it aint that fancy...just darn good sushi!
(4)Kandace G.
In my opinion, this is the best sushi place in MN. The atmosphere is not grandiose, but the sushi here is always fresh and always beautiful. The chefs graciously comply with a request for omakase and the waitstaff is very attentive. Besides the restrooms being in a creepy basement area, I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
(5)M C.
Crazy good. Excellent portions &value
(4)Kelly B.
Good sushi. Good take out. We sit at the bar usually and ask for recommendations that are always excellent.
(4)K B.
Hands down Best sushi in MN. Probably the best sushi I've had in the U.S., and I've tried sushi in every big city. Always fresh, consistent, and quick. Also have great service and Yumi, the owner, is really sweet. The prices aren't cheap, but the rolls are definitely worth the price...large and filled with solid ingredients instead of cheap fillers like cucumbers or imitation crab.
(5)Jenae C.
We dined at Yumi's last night for the first time. We had a sitter for our daughter and were excited to have a nice dinner out. While the food was good, the service was terrible. For one, they cram way too many tables into one small space. We were eating on top of the people around us. Might as well be at one table. Yumi also decided to physically move our table while we were mid-bite without warning us first. Then towards the end if our meal, they stopped checking on us and kept coming over to talk about the 6 person table they were trying to seat. Very rude after we had just spent $120 to dine for less than an hour. We had heard similar feedback from others, but decided to give it a shot ourselves. We won't be back.
(1)Tim R.
Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in the Twin Cities. I've been to all the major local sushi places but when it's been a little while and I'm really craving some high quality fish I hop in the car and make the trek to Excelsior. If you have any doubts about whether it will be worth the drive let me promise you that it absolutely is. The cooked appetizers aren't anything special, but they often have a special app of hamachi sashimi with jalapeño that's absurdly good. All the rolls are great, but I'm a big fan of the Tonka roll and the Spicy Salmon. If I was rating Yumi's on food alone it would easily be five stars. The only things keeping the rating down are the service, which is adequate but sometimes a little subpar, and the tiny space which is tough to navigate for a fatass like myself. The small digs also make for some very busy dinner services that require a long wait. Luckily you can sneak off to the bar across the street for a drink and Yumi will call you when your table is ready. The great news is that Yumi's is moving to a new space next month and Billy the sushi chef told me it will be about double the space they have now.
(4)K E.
Beautiful place, all new decor, new location. Wait staff is awesome, Jenny and the owner Yumi are especially friendly and knowledgeable. The owner is always there. The sushi is amazing, very large assortment and varying prices. Reservations are usually necessary-wait time is common if you require a table. There is a small bar and sushi bar where seating is faster.
(5)Jen N.
Absolutely delicious. A bit expensive, but the product is high quality. The hamachi is amazing, and I love that there's such a large variety of rolls.
(4)NG B.
BEST. SUSHI EVER. Honestly, Yumi's sushi is as good, if not better, than the sushi on the West Coast. I go there every time I'm in town. Spicy hotate is a must; all the specialty rolls will knock or socks off :)
(5)Shannon D.
I've been to plenty sushi restaurants across the country (even hawaii) and nothing quite compares to Yumi's. If you are looking for amazingly fresh and true Japanese sushi then you've gotta try this place! Each and every roll is very unique and is something you can't get anywhere else in the US. Their seasonal rolls are also incredible! Plus the location and atmosphere are to die for
(5)Mark C.
Best sushi in the Twin Cities, though definitely at a price. Very good rolls generally, but $19 a roll is a bit silly for all except perhaps the Tiger Roll -best on the planet! The lower priced rolls are better skipped as they're somewhat average and can be had elsewhere for 1/3 or 1/2 less. Billy is back behind the sushi bar and that's a great thing! One of the area's most talented artists with all things fish... :) It's intimate (tight), but usually fun, except when packed. Don't believe the wait time estimate and you'll be a bit happier. Be careful where you're seated or you'll be jostled throughout your meal. Service is average to below average, and goes wayyyyy down when its crowded. Come for the fish, and if you're lucky you'll hit an evening that's more on the mellow side and you can enjoy your $100+ meal a while, without having a check plopped in front of you while still eating... 4 1/2 for food 1 1/2 for service 4 for ambience (when not packed) 5 for memory of spending valentines day one year in the corner when Kevin Garnett and his wife "ducked in" and had dinner at the sushi bar.
(3)John M.
Yumi's is amazing. Yes, pricy, but it's sushi and you're in the nice town of Excelsior. Their Tonka roll is the most brilliant piece of sushi I've ever had in my life. I had their melon sake which tastes 100 times better than real sake (like the original sake). Yumi herself is so nice and loves her job and it shows as she tries to make every customer's experience 100 percent satisfactory. This might be one of the best sushi places in all of Minnesota. I'm so happy to have it in my hometown! :)
(5)Anna E.
I took my niece here for her first real sushi experience and was pretty impressed. When I think good sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT "suburb of the Twin Cities". However, it was fast, fresh and delicious. We had the spicy tuna and philly rolls, which were standard. But the tiger roll was excellent...spicy tuna, salmon, eel and softshell crab with some veggies. I was very proud of my niece for trying the eel! It's pretty $$$ for how casual it is and I'm sure there's just as good elseware for much less. But, I think they can get away with it because there's not much completition out here. Regardless, not a bad place to go if you're in the area.
(4)Rebecca Y.
Every month we have a group of people who try different restaurants. This month we picked Yumi's located in Excelsior. Thankfully, our usual group didn't show up as the restaurant is very small and close quartered. We had five tucked in very tightly around a table. We ordered four rolls and some negri. Quality of the fish was good. Fresh and melt in your mouth kind of sushi. While the rolls have a hefty price tag averaging around $19, we found those rolls to be enourmous and plenty for all of us. We had the chance to meet Yumi. She's a gem. I loved that she walked around clanging the gong and getting everyone to cheer the sushi chef and a patron in doing a sake bomb. What a lovely family oriented place. Good food and good times. Intimate for dates...for sure!
(4)Darren T.
I was staying in Minnetonka and was in the mood for sushi. Not being familiar with the area, I checked out what other Yelpers recommended. This was the place that had the highest rating, so it was the pick. It was tough to find because the sign is kind of hidden by a tree, and it was so crowded I had to wait 10 minutes, but it was worth it. This place lives up to it's lofty ratings. I had the nuclear roll and I wasn't disappointed. The sushi didn't have wasabi, but I thought it was spicy enough as it was so I didn't have to ask for any. I was so impressed with the first visit that I came back a second time and I had the Kobe style beef, which was great as well. When I'm in Minnesota again, I'll happily visit for some good food.
(4)Shannon H.
Reliably fantastic. Everything is good. Even our kids like it, from the Kobe-style beef, the potstickers and veggie tempura and the crunchy roll (cooked). I love the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and the Lollipop roll. I have never gotten anything there that I dislike. It can get very crowded so we usually go early with the family. If you're a regular, they'll often have a table waiting for you - just call ahead. Beautiful location near the lake; take a walk afterwards and get an ice cream at Tommy's Trolley. Perfect summer evening!
(5)Chris Y.
Gotta say for sorta the middle of no where this place is great. I stayed in Eden Prairie for business and made the drive out to give it a shot. Had the salmon skin rolls, miso, and a sapporo and only paid $22 with the tip. Atmosphere is so so and probably better for smaller groups due to the size of the place, but for taste and price it rivals most of our sushi bars back home, I highly recommend it!
(5)Michael G.
Was visiting for a family reunion, had the kobe beef, the 2-14 roll, the red dragon and the tonka roll... All excellent choices... if you enjoy sushi with a kick I definitely suggest the tonka.
(5)Leah F.
I have lived on the east coast & eaten many schools of raw fish, so believe me when I say Yumi's is the best sushi you're going to find in this landlocked state. Everything is delicious but my 2 personal favorites are the super white tuna sashimi (usually a special) & the nuclear roll. The tuna is smooth & light while the nuclear roll is a spicy mouth full. Also, don't skip the gyoza for an appetizer (best fried dumplings I've ever had) or the sake bomb for a drink. In this tiny restaurant a sake bomb is a group event. For the uninitiated, a beer topped with 2 chopsticks holding a small cup of sake is set before you. Then as your server starts banging on the gong, you repeatedly slam your hands on the table on either side of the glass to make the chopsticks split apart dropping the sake in the beer. That's when the chugging begins. Like other reviewers have said, Yumi's is very busy on Friday & Saturday nights. You can leave your cell phone number at the restaurant & they'll call you when your table is ready. Waiting is hardly a chore as the Irish pub Jake O'Connors is just up the street & is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage. The atmosphere is very jolly, but try not to come here with more than 6 people as it is a very small space. Dress is incredibly casual, and you're so packed in no one would notice your clothes anyway.
(5)Richard F.
I tried Yumi's for the first time about a year ago and since then I have eaten there 4 times. Not to toot my own horn, but I would say I have a pretty good sense for good sushi and you would be hard pressed to find sushi better than this in the Twin Cities. I have had the following rolls: California(was the best Cali roll I've had, they use real King Crab meat!), Spicy Tuna(above average), Tempura(above average), Crunch Roll(excellent), No. 9(waayyy good), Rainbow(above average) and a few of their special rolls that I can't recall the names, but they were FANTASTIC. The prices are a bit high, on average I have spent about $80 or so for two people, more if a few drinks are ordered. I went here with a few guy friends of mine and it was pricey, which is to be expected for 4 hungry mid 20's guys :-) As stated in prior reviews, the restaurant is small and you sit very close to the table next to you. The décor isn't anything special by any means, but you go here for the AMAZING sushi, not the décor ;-). They're located right next to an old movie theatre and a few ice creams shops, which makes for an excellent desert if it is summer and you have any room left in your stomach! LOL. They get VERY busy on Friday and Saturday nights so plan to wait for a bit. You can't call for reservations, but when you arrive you put your name down and they can take your cell phone number down and give you a call when your table is ready, which is very nice if you want to stroll the stores bordering Yumi's. I've also heard you can call in takeout and they will walk it down to the docks on Minnetonka, though I have not done or see this done before. I would HIGHLY recommend Yumi's and will continue to come here for many years!!!
(5)David C.
Hey, let's all remember that this is Minnesota. I lived in L.A. for four years and have been dying to find a good sushi restaurant in Minneapolis. Thank God I found Yumi's. Talk about good value. The size of the fish slices in the sushi are really generous. Yumi's rolls are huge, creative, and delicious. Arrive early because they don't take reservations and there will be a wait out the door, which means you'll be standing in the cold.
(5)Alex K.
Went here while on vacay because of the reviews here. Was not disappointed. Super fresh fish and a great staff made for a incredible meal. Had the baby yellowtail sashimi, mexican roll, crunchy roll along with the red dragon roll. HUGE rolls which were very well constructed and delicious. Cost our group of four $90 without drinks, but in my eyes...well worth it. You get what you pay for. Highly recommended.
(5)Liz H.
Yumi's is without a doubt, worth the wait. The sushi is fresh, and the staff is attentive. They are frequently adding new rolls, and updating the menu. New favorite roll is 'rated r'. If you want to beat the rush - get there at 6. Without a doubt - best sushi in the Western suburbs.
(5)Terri M.
Great sushi. Ask for recs from the wait staff. Never disappoints!
(4)Chad C.
Truely some of the best sushi I've had in a long time, but I hate not being able to make a reservation (reminds me of how PF changs USED to be, now they obviously take reservations for a reason...its what the people want!)
(3)Ryan D.
This is a fun little sushi bar near the waterfront in Excelsior. The prices are average, the decor is sparse..but the fish is delicious. The super white fish is the amazing it melts in your mouth. Don't worry about getting dressed up..Yumi's is a down home almost cafeteria style sushi bar. Order a Kirin Ichiban and a small warm sake, grab some sashimi and be prepared for "mouth explosian delicousness" as they say. $$$$- your not getting out of here for less than 30 bucks a head if you enjoy sushi. skip this place if your trying to impress a first date...it aint that fancy...just darn good sushi!
(4)Kandace G.
In my opinion, this is the best sushi place in MN. The atmosphere is not grandiose, but the sushi here is always fresh and always beautiful. The chefs graciously comply with a request for omakase and the waitstaff is very attentive. Besides the restrooms being in a creepy basement area, I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
(5)M C.
Crazy good. Excellent portions &value
(4)Kelly B.
Good sushi. Good take out. We sit at the bar usually and ask for recommendations that are always excellent.
(4)Justice K.
So I just got off the plane from Los Angeles and drove over to Yumi's for dinner. Every time you walk in you are greeted with a smile either by the staff or Yumi herself. The food is AMAZING. It's some of the best sushi I've ever had and I live in California. If you go you absolutely must get the spicy taco salad!! It's so amazing!! It's not very spicy so the name is deceiving. You definitely must go! It's amazing quality seafood and a great environment! Love this place!
(5)Nadia W.
We have had sushi all over the US, and in different countries, and by far Yumi's is on the top of our list! Starting with the quality of fish - Yumi's does a fantastic job with the freshness of fish served, the sizes of the portions are generous, and originality of their specialty rolls and plating are great. Their fried calamari is the best calamari as well, it is lightly battered and served with a light sauce. The service - the service here is superb! These guys really know how to cater to all of their guests, serve your dishes in a timely manner (no matter how busy), and always have a huge smile on their faces. This team really gets to know you, and your preferences, and will make great suggestions to compliment your dinner. We are lucky to live close by to Yumi's, but we would drive across the city to come here if necessary. If you are looking for great sushi, a good atmosphere, and awesome service, make the trip to Yumi's!
(5)Brendan M.
It was good but not close to what the reviews claim. If you've only lived in Minnetonka I can see how this place will "Wow" you but the rolls are priced twice of what they should be. The Kobe beef was over cooked, the udon soup bland, and edamame covered in kosher salt. Server was nice but average at best. I had to ask for the basics like refills and to pull empty plates. If you're going to charge 5 star prices you have to provide 5 star service and product. I was blown away to see rolls over $24!!! At some of the best sushi places in San Francisco and Seattle you won't pay half that for world class rolls and service. I'll go back if someone else is footing the bill. Nice decor and was staffed well to accommodate the busy Saturday night.
(2)Kass L.
The food superb. The service stinks and all are very very rude. We were seated and then we had to move spilling sake with no refill and no apology from that lady!!! Requested that our bill be split after spending some big bucks and were told "he is too busy"!!! Will not return. Bad food you can try a couple times as it may have been an off night. Bad service starting at the top will not change. Not good and it is too bad really.
(1)Mark S.
It really is that good. Very creative sushi and great service. Worth the trip.
(5)Nadia W.
We have had sushi all over the US, and in different countries, and by far Yumi's is on the top of our list! Starting with the quality of fish - Yumi's does a fantastic job with the freshness of fish served, the sizes of the portions are generous, and originality of their specialty rolls and plating are great. Their fried calamari is the best calamari as well, it is lightly battered and served with a light sauce. The service - the service here is superb! These guys really know how to cater to all of their guests, serve your dishes in a timely manner (no matter how busy), and always have a huge smile on their faces. This team really gets to know you, and your preferences, and will make great suggestions to compliment your dinner. We are lucky to live close by to Yumi's, but we would drive across the city to come here if necessary. If you are looking for great sushi, a good atmosphere, and awesome service, make the trip to Yumi's!
(5)Brendan M.
It was good but not close to what the reviews claim. If you've only lived in Minnetonka I can see how this place will "Wow" you but the rolls are priced twice of what they should be. The Kobe beef was over cooked, the udon soup bland, and edamame covered in kosher salt. Server was nice but average at best. I had to ask for the basics like refills and to pull empty plates. If you're going to charge 5 star prices you have to provide 5 star service and product. I was blown away to see rolls over $24!!! At some of the best sushi places in San Francisco and Seattle you won't pay half that for world class rolls and service. I'll go back if someone else is footing the bill. Nice decor and was staffed well to accommodate the busy Saturday night.
(2)Justice K.
So I just got off the plane from Los Angeles and drove over to Yumi's for dinner. Every time you walk in you are greeted with a smile either by the staff or Yumi herself. The food is AMAZING. It's some of the best sushi I've ever had and I live in California. If you go you absolutely must get the spicy taco salad!! It's so amazing!! It's not very spicy so the name is deceiving. You definitely must go! It's amazing quality seafood and a great environment! Love this place!
(5)Sandra H.
Be still my heart. Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in Minnesota. Giving you a little space to digest this. But for real, I'm originally from Chicago, lived a few years on the east coast, visit the west coast semi-frequently, and been to Asia a few times, so I've had good sushi. I've also had a lot of sushi in Minneapolis, since I live here and sometimes okay sushi is better than no sushi. I had come to the conclusion that Minnesota is a land locked state, and there shall be no expectations for fresh or delicious seafood, especially raw fish. I believed this for almost 3 years, then I stumbled onto Yumi's. Yumi's was on my place to try list for a few months before I finally made the trek out to Excelsior for a special occasion dinner with my partner. We started with some sake. BEST SAKE IVE EVER HAD. To be fair, I haven't had a ton of sake. If I had to guess, I've had sake about 20(ish) times, but this sake was incredibly smooth and clean tasting with a lightly floral/fruity (think apple) linger. We splurged on the omakase (with a budget of ~$200) and received some impressive dishes. We started with this mouth watering salad with huge chunks of extremely fresh sashmi sprinkled liberally with tempura crumbs. I think they used the salad dressing from the Yumi's Salad; it was very satiating, especially for a salad. Our next course was something I'll describe as salmonavocado-and-yellowtailjalapeno-mixed-tartar-Âbites, which was also wonderful with a fun presentation. Next up, we had hamachi kama, which is arguably my favorite and go-to order at any sushi restaurant. It's almost always delicious because it has all that fat to keep things nice and moist and tender and amazing. It was definitely up to standard here, as well as very generously portioned. Following that we had a sushi sampler that again showcased some extremely fresh fish with an amazing butter like texture. The was some nice creativity on the place too with two pieces placed on top of deep fried rice. And I loved the sashmi salad in the middle tossed generously with red pepper flakes. Finally, the last course was some tempura ice cream. The entire experience was amazing, I haven't shared much about the atmosphere or the service, but while both were impeccable, the food is clearly the star. The entire dining experience was amazing. So good. Go. Don't wait. Go Now.
(5)Kim P.
Super expensive for the level of sushi. It seems to be just another authentic lucky cat sushi joint but the prices will leave you dropping a hundy for two people. I think they can do this because they are constantly packed and the only sushi in excelsior. But it's good and service is super prompt... Which also makes me think they might pre-make rolls. I mean the restaurant is completely packed and we got our food within 5 or 10 minutes of ordering. Not necessarily complaining about that though.
(4)David D.
We recently moved to the area and this is the best sushi restaurant we have found in MN. The staff is friendly, their sushi rolls are large and don't skimp on the fish. Will be returning soon.
(5)M S.
We ate here tonight. Is was 85% great. + Service + Atmosphere + Cleanliness + Off menu order of a hand roll. It was fantastic! I get bore of the standard maki/specialty rolls + The Mexican Roll was delightful -- The Dynamite roll was fishy --Not a total price quality balance. However, they are the only game in town and they do a good job. This is business. --The spice didn't really register with us even though we caught the flavor. So the ingredients were there, but very, very muted. We did not have nigiri or sashimi in the traditional sense. However, there were a couple pieces of sashimi of the fish that were in the Mexican roll.
(4)Peter S.
Great philly roll, cold beer and crab stick roll made with real crab. I'm glad they moved locations from next to the dock to where they are now. Oh your stuffed?!? Mission complete!! ( our server jenny)
(5)Kristi a.
The best sushi place. I would take a picture of my sushi plate but it's gone by the time I remember to get my camera out.
(5)Andrew C.
Always delivers quality sushi. Be aware this is often an extremely busy and loud place, but that is because it is good quality. . As far a sushi goes, on the high end of prices, but what you expect for the south lake area.
(4)Jim G.
This place is great. If there is better sushi somewhere else, I have not had it. This is the standard as far as I am concerned. Smaller place (although larger than it used to be) and they don't do reservations so either get there early or late or be OK waiting for a while. As for menu recommendations, the Tonka roll is great. The Number 9 is also good. The nightly special is almost always worth giving a try. With downtown Excelsior being a great little destination, you can also go across the street to Jake O'Connors for a beer or to a movie a block away. Make a night of it.
(5)Lauren S.
Believe it or not this is the first time I have been to Yumi. We were seated right away at a table in the middle of two other tables. We were right on top of each other- they would be better off seating you community style. Service was good despite the crowd. We ordered two rolls which were awesome but looked the same and kind of tasted the same. The rolls are so complex you order what sounds good and what the waiter suggest. I kind of wish he had told us they were similiar in taste. But they were excellent and very filling which I like. Would definitely go back and try different specialty rolls.
(4)Takashi S.
The last time I was there was more than 3 years ago with other colleagues from Japan. The rice was completely out of quality and never went back since. Heard reputation and expansion so I went back. It was too busy to make a fair evaluation. Waited too long and the lady was too busy to give give a decent attendance. " More than 30 min. You wanna wait? ". Sushi quality was ok and server was very friendly and polite compared to the lady. I will have to go back on next opportunity to make a fair judgement.
(3)Peter S.
Great philly roll, cold beer and crab stick roll made with real crab. I'm glad they moved locations from next to the dock to where they are now. Oh your stuffed?!? Mission complete!! ( our server jenny)
(5)Kristi a.
The best sushi place. I would take a picture of my sushi plate but it's gone by the time I remember to get my camera out.
(5)Andrew C.
Always delivers quality sushi. Be aware this is often an extremely busy and loud place, but that is because it is good quality. . As far a sushi goes, on the high end of prices, but what you expect for the south lake area.
(4)Jim G.
This place is great. If there is better sushi somewhere else, I have not had it. This is the standard as far as I am concerned. Smaller place (although larger than it used to be) and they don't do reservations so either get there early or late or be OK waiting for a while. As for menu recommendations, the Tonka roll is great. The Number 9 is also good. The nightly special is almost always worth giving a try. With downtown Excelsior being a great little destination, you can also go across the street to Jake O'Connors for a beer or to a movie a block away. Make a night of it.
(5)Lauren S.
Believe it or not this is the first time I have been to Yumi. We were seated right away at a table in the middle of two other tables. We were right on top of each other- they would be better off seating you community style. Service was good despite the crowd. We ordered two rolls which were awesome but looked the same and kind of tasted the same. The rolls are so complex you order what sounds good and what the waiter suggest. I kind of wish he had told us they were similiar in taste. But they were excellent and very filling which I like. Would definitely go back and try different specialty rolls.
(4)Takashi S.
The last time I was there was more than 3 years ago with other colleagues from Japan. The rice was completely out of quality and never went back since. Heard reputation and expansion so I went back. It was too busy to make a fair evaluation. Waited too long and the lady was too busy to give give a decent attendance. " More than 30 min. You wanna wait? ". Sushi quality was ok and server was very friendly and polite compared to the lady. I will have to go back on next opportunity to make a fair judgement.
(3)Bradley A.
I have to say I've tried most or all the sushi places in Minnesota and this place has the best sushi in all of MInnesota! Such fresh and amazing quality food! Versu busy place on weekends so make sure you call ahead for a reservation.
(5)Keith F.
We had a craving for sushi last week and decided to give Yumi's another try, because they really do have great food. Again though, the service failed tremendously. After walking in, the host walked away without acknowledging us. We stood waiting for 3-4 minutes as staff would walk by from time to time, never once greeting us. Yumi eventually came up and asked if we wanted a sushi bar spot or a table, I asked for a table or booth, and she walked away. We waited a few minutes and she came back to the hostess stand and started digging for menus, then we watched her go behind the bar to do something else. Finally we just left. We stood around for a good 10 minutes and were barely acknowledged. It's over, we are finally giving up on this spot, despite it being our first date. Ended up driving in to Minneapolis and eating at Tiger Sushi. Worked out to be a fun night for us but still disappointed about Yumi's.
(2)Mark B.
Not perfect, but best I've had just about anywhere. I have been to Yumi's probably a couple dozen times and have never been disappointed with the sushi. If it were not so packed in I would be there 1 or 2 times a month instead of 2-3 times a year. That is really the only negative. Customer comfort is just not given any thought. A few people mention here that the owner is rude. She is definitely blind to what good customer service is, but not rude. In spite of the cramped space and average service, I am still giving this 5 stars as the sushi itself better than any I have tried in MN. Best sushi I have had anywhere is at Sushi Ran in San Francisco & Nobu in Vegas. I don't remember liking either of those places better, or much better than Yumi's. Guess that means I will have to go Vegas again soon and visit Yumi's right after to make sure I'n not crazy. Dang....guess I gotta go to Vegas. If anyone else wants to hit up Nobu in March and compare to Yumi's let me know.
(5)Mike M.
Excellent Sushi with fun atmosphere. It's fun to sit at the sushi bar and talk with the chefs.
(5)Chuck C.
The best sushi I've ever had in my life there Maki rolls are amazing and Fish quality seems to be consistently good. They are crazy busy all the time which is an annoyance by worth it. Prices are expensive but it's worth paying for it. Their staff is friendly but overworked. But once again the sushi is just absolutely amazing I can't get over it. This is my favorite restaurant I've decided! The Sushi chefs are very interesting personalities and characters if you want some interesting communication sit at the bar! Overall I like the atmosphere it can get a little noisy at times because it's become such a busy place. But with sushi that is that good I can't blame the place.
(5)Amy J.
Some of the best sushi our family has found in Minneapolis. Generally my dad prefers this place over sushi fix in Wayzata (also a popular one) but I'm neutral. There seems to be a bigger range in food at Yumi's (not just sushi) and the ambience is a lot better than sushi fix's (there's no loud inappropriate annoying pop music playing).
(4)Sandra H.
Be still my heart. Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in Minnesota. Giving you a little space to digest this. But for real, I'm originally from Chicago, lived a few years on the east coast, visit the west coast semi-frequently, and been to Asia a few times, so I've had good sushi. I've also had a lot of sushi in Minneapolis, since I live here and sometimes okay sushi is better than no sushi. I had come to the conclusion that Minnesota is a land locked state, and there shall be no expectations for fresh or delicious seafood, especially raw fish. I believed this for almost 3 years, then I stumbled onto Yumi's. Yumi's was on my place to try list for a few months before I finally made the trek out to Excelsior for a special occasion dinner with my partner. We started with some sake. BEST SAKE IVE EVER HAD. To be fair, I haven't had a ton of sake. If I had to guess, I've had sake about 20(ish) times, but this sake was incredibly smooth and clean tasting with a lightly floral/fruity (think apple) linger. We splurged on the omakase (with a budget of ~$200) and received some impressive dishes. We started with this mouth watering salad with huge chunks of extremely fresh sashmi sprinkled liberally with tempura crumbs. I think they used the salad dressing from the Yumi's Salad; it was very satiating, especially for a salad. Our next course was something I'll describe as salmonavocado-and-yellowtailjalapeno-mixed-tartar-Âbites, which was also wonderful with a fun presentation. Next up, we had hamachi kama, which is arguably my favorite and go-to order at any sushi restaurant. It's almost always delicious because it has all that fat to keep things nice and moist and tender and amazing. It was definitely up to standard here, as well as very generously portioned. Following that we had a sushi sampler that again showcased some extremely fresh fish with an amazing butter like texture. The was some nice creativity on the place too with two pieces placed on top of deep fried rice. And I loved the sashmi salad in the middle tossed generously with red pepper flakes. Finally, the last course was some tempura ice cream. The entire experience was amazing, I haven't shared much about the atmosphere or the service, but while both were impeccable, the food is clearly the star. The entire dining experience was amazing. So good. Go. Don't wait. Go Now.
(5)Kim P.
Super expensive for the level of sushi. It seems to be just another authentic lucky cat sushi joint but the prices will leave you dropping a hundy for two people. I think they can do this because they are constantly packed and the only sushi in excelsior. But it's good and service is super prompt... Which also makes me think they might pre-make rolls. I mean the restaurant is completely packed and we got our food within 5 or 10 minutes of ordering. Not necessarily complaining about that though.
(4)David D.
We recently moved to the area and this is the best sushi restaurant we have found in MN. The staff is friendly, their sushi rolls are large and don't skimp on the fish. Will be returning soon.
(5)Keith F.
We had a craving for sushi last week and decided to give Yumi's another try, because they really do have great food. Again though, the service failed tremendously. After walking in, the host walked away without acknowledging us. We stood waiting for 3-4 minutes as staff would walk by from time to time, never once greeting us. Yumi eventually came up and asked if we wanted a sushi bar spot or a table, I asked for a table or booth, and she walked away. We waited a few minutes and she came back to the hostess stand and started digging for menus, then we watched her go behind the bar to do something else. Finally we just left. We stood around for a good 10 minutes and were barely acknowledged. It's over, we are finally giving up on this spot, despite it being our first date. Ended up driving in to Minneapolis and eating at Tiger Sushi. Worked out to be a fun night for us but still disappointed about Yumi's.
(2)Mark B.
Not perfect, but best I've had just about anywhere. I have been to Yumi's probably a couple dozen times and have never been disappointed with the sushi. If it were not so packed in I would be there 1 or 2 times a month instead of 2-3 times a year. That is really the only negative. Customer comfort is just not given any thought. A few people mention here that the owner is rude. She is definitely blind to what good customer service is, but not rude. In spite of the cramped space and average service, I am still giving this 5 stars as the sushi itself better than any I have tried in MN. Best sushi I have had anywhere is at Sushi Ran in San Francisco & Nobu in Vegas. I don't remember liking either of those places better, or much better than Yumi's. Guess that means I will have to go Vegas again soon and visit Yumi's right after to make sure I'n not crazy. Dang....guess I gotta go to Vegas. If anyone else wants to hit up Nobu in March and compare to Yumi's let me know.
(5)Mike M.
Excellent Sushi with fun atmosphere. It's fun to sit at the sushi bar and talk with the chefs.
(5)Chuck C.
The best sushi I've ever had in my life there Maki rolls are amazing and Fish quality seems to be consistently good. They are crazy busy all the time which is an annoyance by worth it. Prices are expensive but it's worth paying for it. Their staff is friendly but overworked. But once again the sushi is just absolutely amazing I can't get over it. This is my favorite restaurant I've decided! The Sushi chefs are very interesting personalities and characters if you want some interesting communication sit at the bar! Overall I like the atmosphere it can get a little noisy at times because it's become such a busy place. But with sushi that is that good I can't blame the place.
(5)Amy J.
Some of the best sushi our family has found in Minneapolis. Generally my dad prefers this place over sushi fix in Wayzata (also a popular one) but I'm neutral. There seems to be a bigger range in food at Yumi's (not just sushi) and the ambience is a lot better than sushi fix's (there's no loud inappropriate annoying pop music playing).
(4)Daniel R.
Always great had the Titanic special and the Tonka Roll off the menu and a bottle of Saki. Our waiter Brian was very nice and Ms Yumi was here as always We had a great time then went across the street for a movie
(5)Aaron G.
Yumi's has consistently had the best sushi out of anywhere I have been in Minneapolis. It is well worth the drive to Excelsior. The Sashimi Platter has been by far the freshest I have tasted in MN. The Salmon always stands out as WOW! They also have a great variety of creative specialty rolls on their menu and the Edamame has always been perfect. Yumi's doesn't just do food perfectly, the atmosphere is very elegant and once seated the service is impeccable as well. Sometimes I have issues getting a seat on busy nights so I prefer to go on a weeknight...
(5)D T.
The sushi was awesome, but the service was terribly slow. I went in for a quick bite at the sushi bar and it took me a half hour to get my order. The person beside me had to ask for chop sticks. I had to ask for a napkin and soy sauce. Awesome food, but they really need to kick the service up a notch. If you have plenty of time and don't mind looking at your food once you finally get it while you wait for chop sticks I highly recommend this place.
(3)Marc J.
Hands down best sushi in the Twin Cities. The cuts of fish are twice as thick as most other places. Great atmosphere. Excellent service.
(5)Daniel O.
Wow wow wow! I enjoyed my wonderful time at Yumi's, my last time there was with my gf for our anniversary and I gotta say it was extremely incredible! I had the Lollipop roll and it was so amazing, it almost knocked off Tiger sushi off my all-time Minneapolis favorite list (it may even have done it already!). Let's just say it was wonderful. The service was really good, our waiter was very attentive to our water and drinks and always stopped by to ask how everything was, they didn't charge for the miso which is always a plus, especially when it is oh so yummy! Food was great! I tried mah' lady's crunchy roll which was really good so I was overall impressed by it. I did go there a few months ago and last time I wasn't as impressed as I was this time so Bravo!
(5)Robert U.
Definitely the best food in Excelsior. Service was great. I enjoyed watching the sushi chefs work. The chefs definitely made it worthwhile. It was an awesome experience. Great value!
(5)Jacob B.
Yumi's is the best sushi I've had in the Twin Cities. Extremely friendly staff, great food and excellent sushi bar. Perfect location to get sushi right off the lake or for a formal dinner. Highly recommend!
(5)Amber E.
This restaurant is about the size of a bento box, so it's not uncommon to have to wait to get a table. But, don't let that deter you. The sushi here is worth the wait. The staff doesn't just shoo you off to a corner to wait for your name to be called. You will be offered drinks, they will offer suggestions for what's especially good that day. When you are seated, you will be treated to some of the freshest sushi in the area. You will also have the added pleasure of waiting patrons gazing longingly at the succulent morsels that you're popping into your mouth with ravenous abandon. Food tastes even better when other people want what you're having.
(5)Kari E.
First let me say that I honestly am not sure I would know "Good" sushi from "not good sushi" other than where it's purchased (grocery store vs. sushi place) and whether or not it smells like rotten fish! That said - I enjoyed my visit to Yumi's. We stopped in for a "snack" one night. We were seated pretty quickly at the bar, amazingly. I personally loved the small space - I felt like maybe I was in NYC for a minute! Definitely cozy, though I know not everyone loves that. We ordered 2 rolls (Spicy Tuna and Eel) I was pretty shocked by the prices. Though the rolls were pretty large and I guess if you know what you're ordering it's probably not horrible. I'd go back, but maybe not until I've been schooled a bit in the art of sushi!
(3)Dan F.
Yumi is simply the best place for Sushi in Minnesota. Yes, it is pricy for what you get and the tight seating, but all in all it's a fun place to go and Billy the sushi Chief is great. Like the other reviewers stated you will most likely have to wait for a place to sit.
(5)Christina P.
One of the best sushi spots I've been to in a LONG time. Incredibly fresh and incredibly tasty. Get there early - or be prepared to wait. It's a tiny little spot with a wonderful waitstaff. Can't wait to return
(5)Karen H.
Pros: Pretty tasty sushi. Cons: HORRIBLE & unfair reservations system. Bad tasting edamame. Tables too close to each other. I was planning on meeting a friend for dinner on a Thursday night, so earlier in the day, I called the restaurant to make a reservation. The person who picked up the phone told me that I would easily be able to get a table. When I showed up at 6:30pm, the place was packed and I had to put my name down on a hand-written list. The guy at the check-in counter was fair and was seating parties in the order that they arrived, but the lady (who I assume is the restaurant owner) was going out of order and seating people who were giving her the most pressure. She sat two parties who arrived after me and then when I pointed this fact out to her, she claimed that I had just arrived. I arrived almost 30 minutes ago and I've been just waiting patiently to be seated!!! She put me at the sushi bar and I wanted a table, but she refused to seat me at a table for 4, since there were only 2 of us. What RUDE service. Because of that, I'm not ever planning on coming back. Service was slow. Sushi was decent, but the edamame was cold and unevenly heated. There are much better sushi places in town. SKIP THIS ONE!
(1)Jada M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in the western metro. They have amazing sushi, really fresh, great rolls, huge menu! We had great service as well! It's very busy though so either get there early or be prepared to wait even with the larger restaurant location. It's one of my favorite sushi places in mn!
(5)Kate L.
The sushi is awesome. I have heard about it and agree that it's the best in town. I will still go to my favorite sushi places but Yumi's really is good. The cuts and rolls are HUGE! If you normally eat two rolls you only need one. The nigiri are two bite pieces. My husband always orders the deluxe plate whenever we have sushi and this was the first time he has left feeling full. Really full. It's pricey but not unreasonable and wroth it from time to time. Nice staff. Hostess needs work (she might be the owner) and that is why it's hard to get seated as you may have read in past reviews. That's why there are 4 stars instead of 5. Be patient or go early. It's worth the wait.
(4)Lynn S.
Great Sushi....love the Honeymoon and Mexican rolls...little bit of sweet and spicy. My husband is not a big Sushi fan and even enjoyed it so that makes me extra happy. Great place to bring friends. Fun chefs and staff and great Sushi that is fresh and melt in your mouth. Love it!
(5)KC M.
Yumi has ruined me for all other sushi restaurants! We have eaten at Yumi too many times to count and have always had amazing sushi... Start with the edamame and seaweed salad. Nigiri is fabulous with thick slices of fresh fish. ALL rolls are fabulous but trying the Firecracker is a must. A little expensive, but worth every penny! Cons... They do not have a full bar. Beer and wine only. Not an issue for us but good to know going in. They are also busy all the time (sign of a good restaurant!) so put your name in and go have a beer at the Excelsior Brewery out the back door. Yumi herself (who is always there hostessing and running around) will call you when your table is ready.
(5)Daniel R.
Always great had the Titanic special and the Tonka Roll off the menu and a bottle of Saki. Our waiter Brian was very nice and Ms Yumi was here as always We had a great time then went across the street for a movie
(5)Bradley A.
I have to say I've tried most or all the sushi places in Minnesota and this place has the best sushi in all of MInnesota! Such fresh and amazing quality food! Versu busy place on weekends so make sure you call ahead for a reservation.
(5)Aaron G.
Yumi's has consistently had the best sushi out of anywhere I have been in Minneapolis. It is well worth the drive to Excelsior. The Sashimi Platter has been by far the freshest I have tasted in MN. The Salmon always stands out as WOW! They also have a great variety of creative specialty rolls on their menu and the Edamame has always been perfect. Yumi's doesn't just do food perfectly, the atmosphere is very elegant and once seated the service is impeccable as well. Sometimes I have issues getting a seat on busy nights so I prefer to go on a weeknight...
(5)Mark C.
Best sushi in the Twin Cities, though definitely at a price. Very good rolls generally, but $19 a roll is a bit silly for all except perhaps the Tiger Roll -best on the planet! The lower priced rolls are better skipped as they're somewhat average and can be had elsewhere for 1/3 or 1/2 less. Billy is back behind the sushi bar and that's a great thing! One of the area's most talented artists with all things fish... :) It's intimate (tight), but usually fun, except when packed. Don't believe the wait time estimate and you'll be a bit happier. Be careful where you're seated or you'll be jostled throughout your meal. Service is average to below average, and goes wayyyyy down when its crowded. Come for the fish, and if you're lucky you'll hit an evening that's more on the mellow side and you can enjoy your $100+ meal a while, without having a check plopped in front of you while still eating... 4 1/2 for food 1 1/2 for service 4 for ambience (when not packed) 5 for memory of spending valentines day one year in the corner when Kevin Garnett and his wife "ducked in" and had dinner at the sushi bar.
(3)John M.
Yumi's is amazing. Yes, pricy, but it's sushi and you're in the nice town of Excelsior. Their Tonka roll is the most brilliant piece of sushi I've ever had in my life. I had their melon sake which tastes 100 times better than real sake (like the original sake). Yumi herself is so nice and loves her job and it shows as she tries to make every customer's experience 100 percent satisfactory. This might be one of the best sushi places in all of Minnesota. I'm so happy to have it in my hometown! :)
(5)Nadia W.
We have had sushi all over the US, and in different countries, and by far Yumi's is on the top of our list! Starting with the quality of fish - Yumi's does a fantastic job with the freshness of fish served, the sizes of the portions are generous, and originality of their specialty rolls and plating are great. Their fried calamari is the best calamari as well, it is lightly battered and served with a light sauce. The service - the service here is superb! These guys really know how to cater to all of their guests, serve your dishes in a timely manner (no matter how busy), and always have a huge smile on their faces. This team really gets to know you, and your preferences, and will make great suggestions to compliment your dinner. We are lucky to live close by to Yumi's, but we would drive across the city to come here if necessary. If you are looking for great sushi, a good atmosphere, and awesome service, make the trip to Yumi's!
(5)David D.
We recently moved to the area and this is the best sushi restaurant we have found in MN. The staff is friendly, their sushi rolls are large and don't skimp on the fish. Will be returning soon.
(5)Brendan M.
It was good but not close to what the reviews claim. If you've only lived in Minnetonka I can see how this place will "Wow" you but the rolls are priced twice of what they should be. The Kobe beef was over cooked, the udon soup bland, and edamame covered in kosher salt. Server was nice but average at best. I had to ask for the basics like refills and to pull empty plates. If you're going to charge 5 star prices you have to provide 5 star service and product. I was blown away to see rolls over $24!!! At some of the best sushi places in San Francisco and Seattle you won't pay half that for world class rolls and service. I'll go back if someone else is footing the bill. Nice decor and was staffed well to accommodate the busy Saturday night.
(2)Sandra H.
Be still my heart. Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in Minnesota. Giving you a little space to digest this. But for real, I'm originally from Chicago, lived a few years on the east coast, visit the west coast semi-frequently, and been to Asia a few times, so I've had good sushi. I've also had a lot of sushi in Minneapolis, since I live here and sometimes okay sushi is better than no sushi. I had come to the conclusion that Minnesota is a land locked state, and there shall be no expectations for fresh or delicious seafood, especially raw fish. I believed this for almost 3 years, then I stumbled onto Yumi's. Yumi's was on my place to try list for a few months before I finally made the trek out to Excelsior for a special occasion dinner with my partner. We started with some sake. BEST SAKE IVE EVER HAD. To be fair, I haven't had a ton of sake. If I had to guess, I've had sake about 20(ish) times, but this sake was incredibly smooth and clean tasting with a lightly floral/fruity (think apple) linger. We splurged on the omakase (with a budget of ~$200) and received some impressive dishes. We started with this mouth watering salad with huge chunks of extremely fresh sashmi sprinkled liberally with tempura crumbs. I think they used the salad dressing from the Yumi's Salad; it was very satiating, especially for a salad. Our next course was something I'll describe as salmonavocado-and-yellowtailjalapeno-mixed-tartar-Âbites, which was also wonderful with a fun presentation. Next up, we had hamachi kama, which is arguably my favorite and go-to order at any sushi restaurant. It's almost always delicious because it has all that fat to keep things nice and moist and tender and amazing. It was definitely up to standard here, as well as very generously portioned. Following that we had a sushi sampler that again showcased some extremely fresh fish with an amazing butter like texture. The was some nice creativity on the place too with two pieces placed on top of deep fried rice. And I loved the sashmi salad in the middle tossed generously with red pepper flakes. Finally, the last course was some tempura ice cream. The entire experience was amazing, I haven't shared much about the atmosphere or the service, but while both were impeccable, the food is clearly the star. The entire dining experience was amazing. So good. Go. Don't wait. Go Now.
(5)Kim P.
Super expensive for the level of sushi. It seems to be just another authentic lucky cat sushi joint but the prices will leave you dropping a hundy for two people. I think they can do this because they are constantly packed and the only sushi in excelsior. But it's good and service is super prompt... Which also makes me think they might pre-make rolls. I mean the restaurant is completely packed and we got our food within 5 or 10 minutes of ordering. Not necessarily complaining about that though.
(4)Justice K.
So I just got off the plane from Los Angeles and drove over to Yumi's for dinner. Every time you walk in you are greeted with a smile either by the staff or Yumi herself. The food is AMAZING. It's some of the best sushi I've ever had and I live in California. If you go you absolutely must get the spicy taco salad!! It's so amazing!! It's not very spicy so the name is deceiving. You definitely must go! It's amazing quality seafood and a great environment! Love this place!
(5)Keith F.
We had a craving for sushi last week and decided to give Yumi's another try, because they really do have great food. Again though, the service failed tremendously. After walking in, the host walked away without acknowledging us. We stood waiting for 3-4 minutes as staff would walk by from time to time, never once greeting us. Yumi eventually came up and asked if we wanted a sushi bar spot or a table, I asked for a table or booth, and she walked away. We waited a few minutes and she came back to the hostess stand and started digging for menus, then we watched her go behind the bar to do something else. Finally we just left. We stood around for a good 10 minutes and were barely acknowledged. It's over, we are finally giving up on this spot, despite it being our first date. Ended up driving in to Minneapolis and eating at Tiger Sushi. Worked out to be a fun night for us but still disappointed about Yumi's.
(2)Mark B.
Not perfect, but best I've had just about anywhere. I have been to Yumi's probably a couple dozen times and have never been disappointed with the sushi. If it were not so packed in I would be there 1 or 2 times a month instead of 2-3 times a year. That is really the only negative. Customer comfort is just not given any thought. A few people mention here that the owner is rude. She is definitely blind to what good customer service is, but not rude. In spite of the cramped space and average service, I am still giving this 5 stars as the sushi itself better than any I have tried in MN. Best sushi I have had anywhere is at Sushi Ran in San Francisco & Nobu in Vegas. I don't remember liking either of those places better, or much better than Yumi's. Guess that means I will have to go Vegas again soon and visit Yumi's right after to make sure I'n not crazy. Dang....guess I gotta go to Vegas. If anyone else wants to hit up Nobu in March and compare to Yumi's let me know.
(5)Mike M.
Excellent Sushi with fun atmosphere. It's fun to sit at the sushi bar and talk with the chefs.
(5)Chuck C.
The best sushi I've ever had in my life there Maki rolls are amazing and Fish quality seems to be consistently good. They are crazy busy all the time which is an annoyance by worth it. Prices are expensive but it's worth paying for it. Their staff is friendly but overworked. But once again the sushi is just absolutely amazing I can't get over it. This is my favorite restaurant I've decided! The Sushi chefs are very interesting personalities and characters if you want some interesting communication sit at the bar! Overall I like the atmosphere it can get a little noisy at times because it's become such a busy place. But with sushi that is that good I can't blame the place.
(5)Amy J.
Some of the best sushi our family has found in Minneapolis. Generally my dad prefers this place over sushi fix in Wayzata (also a popular one) but I'm neutral. There seems to be a bigger range in food at Yumi's (not just sushi) and the ambience is a lot better than sushi fix's (there's no loud inappropriate annoying pop music playing).
(4)Daniel R.
Always great had the Titanic special and the Tonka Roll off the menu and a bottle of Saki. Our waiter Brian was very nice and Ms Yumi was here as always We had a great time then went across the street for a movie
(5)Bradley A.
I have to say I've tried most or all the sushi places in Minnesota and this place has the best sushi in all of MInnesota! Such fresh and amazing quality food! Versu busy place on weekends so make sure you call ahead for a reservation.
(5)Aaron G.
Yumi's has consistently had the best sushi out of anywhere I have been in Minneapolis. It is well worth the drive to Excelsior. The Sashimi Platter has been by far the freshest I have tasted in MN. The Salmon always stands out as WOW! They also have a great variety of creative specialty rolls on their menu and the Edamame has always been perfect. Yumi's doesn't just do food perfectly, the atmosphere is very elegant and once seated the service is impeccable as well. Sometimes I have issues getting a seat on busy nights so I prefer to go on a weeknight...
(5)D T.
The sushi was awesome, but the service was terribly slow. I went in for a quick bite at the sushi bar and it took me a half hour to get my order. The person beside me had to ask for chop sticks. I had to ask for a napkin and soy sauce. Awesome food, but they really need to kick the service up a notch. If you have plenty of time and don't mind looking at your food once you finally get it while you wait for chop sticks I highly recommend this place.
(3)Marc J.
Hands down best sushi in the Twin Cities. The cuts of fish are twice as thick as most other places. Great atmosphere. Excellent service.
(5)Daniel O.
Wow wow wow! I enjoyed my wonderful time at Yumi's, my last time there was with my gf for our anniversary and I gotta say it was extremely incredible! I had the Lollipop roll and it was so amazing, it almost knocked off Tiger sushi off my all-time Minneapolis favorite list (it may even have done it already!). Let's just say it was wonderful. The service was really good, our waiter was very attentive to our water and drinks and always stopped by to ask how everything was, they didn't charge for the miso which is always a plus, especially when it is oh so yummy! Food was great! I tried mah' lady's crunchy roll which was really good so I was overall impressed by it. I did go there a few months ago and last time I wasn't as impressed as I was this time so Bravo!
(5)Robert U.
Definitely the best food in Excelsior. Service was great. I enjoyed watching the sushi chefs work. The chefs definitely made it worthwhile. It was an awesome experience. Great value!
(5)Jacob B.
Yumi's is the best sushi I've had in the Twin Cities. Extremely friendly staff, great food and excellent sushi bar. Perfect location to get sushi right off the lake or for a formal dinner. Highly recommend!
(5)M S.
We ate here tonight. Is was 85% great. + Service + Atmosphere + Cleanliness + Off menu order of a hand roll. It was fantastic! I get bore of the standard maki/specialty rolls + The Mexican Roll was delightful -- The Dynamite roll was fishy --Not a total price quality balance. However, they are the only game in town and they do a good job. This is business. --The spice didn't really register with us even though we caught the flavor. So the ingredients were there, but very, very muted. We did not have nigiri or sashimi in the traditional sense. However, there were a couple pieces of sashimi of the fish that were in the Mexican roll.
(4)Peter S.
Great philly roll, cold beer and crab stick roll made with real crab. I'm glad they moved locations from next to the dock to where they are now. Oh your stuffed?!? Mission complete!! ( our server jenny)
(5)Kristi a.
The best sushi place. I would take a picture of my sushi plate but it's gone by the time I remember to get my camera out.
(5)Andrew C.
Always delivers quality sushi. Be aware this is often an extremely busy and loud place, but that is because it is good quality. . As far a sushi goes, on the high end of prices, but what you expect for the south lake area.
(4)Jim G.
This place is great. If there is better sushi somewhere else, I have not had it. This is the standard as far as I am concerned. Smaller place (although larger than it used to be) and they don't do reservations so either get there early or late or be OK waiting for a while. As for menu recommendations, the Tonka roll is great. The Number 9 is also good. The nightly special is almost always worth giving a try. With downtown Excelsior being a great little destination, you can also go across the street to Jake O'Connors for a beer or to a movie a block away. Make a night of it.
(5)Lauren S.
Believe it or not this is the first time I have been to Yumi. We were seated right away at a table in the middle of two other tables. We were right on top of each other- they would be better off seating you community style. Service was good despite the crowd. We ordered two rolls which were awesome but looked the same and kind of tasted the same. The rolls are so complex you order what sounds good and what the waiter suggest. I kind of wish he had told us they were similiar in taste. But they were excellent and very filling which I like. Would definitely go back and try different specialty rolls.
(4)Karen H.
Pros: Pretty tasty sushi. Cons: HORRIBLE & unfair reservations system. Bad tasting edamame. Tables too close to each other. I was planning on meeting a friend for dinner on a Thursday night, so earlier in the day, I called the restaurant to make a reservation. The person who picked up the phone told me that I would easily be able to get a table. When I showed up at 6:30pm, the place was packed and I had to put my name down on a hand-written list. The guy at the check-in counter was fair and was seating parties in the order that they arrived, but the lady (who I assume is the restaurant owner) was going out of order and seating people who were giving her the most pressure. She sat two parties who arrived after me and then when I pointed this fact out to her, she claimed that I had just arrived. I arrived almost 30 minutes ago and I've been just waiting patiently to be seated!!! She put me at the sushi bar and I wanted a table, but she refused to seat me at a table for 4, since there were only 2 of us. What RUDE service. Because of that, I'm not ever planning on coming back. Service was slow. Sushi was decent, but the edamame was cold and unevenly heated. There are much better sushi places in town. SKIP THIS ONE!
(1)Jada M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in the western metro. They have amazing sushi, really fresh, great rolls, huge menu! We had great service as well! It's very busy though so either get there early or be prepared to wait even with the larger restaurant location. It's one of my favorite sushi places in mn!
(5)Kate L.
The sushi is awesome. I have heard about it and agree that it's the best in town. I will still go to my favorite sushi places but Yumi's really is good. The cuts and rolls are HUGE! If you normally eat two rolls you only need one. The nigiri are two bite pieces. My husband always orders the deluxe plate whenever we have sushi and this was the first time he has left feeling full. Really full. It's pricey but not unreasonable and wroth it from time to time. Nice staff. Hostess needs work (she might be the owner) and that is why it's hard to get seated as you may have read in past reviews. That's why there are 4 stars instead of 5. Be patient or go early. It's worth the wait.
(4)Lynn S.
Great Sushi....love the Honeymoon and Mexican rolls...little bit of sweet and spicy. My husband is not a big Sushi fan and even enjoyed it so that makes me extra happy. Great place to bring friends. Fun chefs and staff and great Sushi that is fresh and melt in your mouth. Love it!
(5)Takashi S.
The last time I was there was more than 3 years ago with other colleagues from Japan. The rice was completely out of quality and never went back since. Heard reputation and expansion so I went back. It was too busy to make a fair evaluation. Waited too long and the lady was too busy to give give a decent attendance. " More than 30 min. You wanna wait? ". Sushi quality was ok and server was very friendly and polite compared to the lady. I will have to go back on next opportunity to make a fair judgement.
(3)Ryan D.
FOOD: First off I DO NOT KNOW how in the world people give this place 4 or 5 stars!????? I am dumbfounded! I am not going to tote about ohh I have had Sushi all over the country or world like some people on here. I would however consider myself a quasi sushi enthusiast. The sushi at Yumi's is HORRIBLE! First off they use WAY too much rice in their rolls. Which makes no sense because after a few bites your full. Business wise this is a bad idea. Taste wise you feel like you filled your mouth with rice overwhelming anything else in the roll. How can that be good? Some guy wrote on here that they do not use imitation crab. Yes buddy they do, Also they do not use real wasabi. Which is understandable because real wasabi is expensive and most people wouldst know the difference. I ordered a philly roll and the most annoying thing happened....the rolls come with the nori on the outside. Yes the seaweed on the outside. For me this is strange because there are very few places I have found that do this to their Philly roll. The fish was definitely not fresh and of course too much rice made this a problem. It fell apart. That's just the tip of the iceberg with the food problems. Service.: Walked in at 7:30 it was semi busy with a few open tables. I requested the back table which seats 4 and the Japanese hostess/waitress said they are waiting for another rush so my party of two has to be seated at a table that was situated in the middle of the room too close to other tables for my comfort. Needless to say an hour passed and there was no rush. As a matter of fact more tables opened. I think this is a bad practice when you give preferential treatment to customers who have not arrived and may never arrive. This really made me mad!!!!! Conclusion :Server was decently trained and knowledgeable place is a bit cramped with ok decor. OVER-PRICED! maybe your paying for the rice if that makes people feel better but I must say the only thing authentic about this place is the Japanese lady who owns it. She must not try her own sushi. I do NOT recommend which is sad because I live so close and would like some quality sushi. I gave it a few chances but never again.
(1)Steve T.
Upscale sushi joint in an upscale little lake town. Besides Yumi and one waitress, I was the only Asian person in there which is weird for a sushi place. Even the chefs were Spanish. Felt like I was in a French restaurant as it is fancy here. Loved the Geisha roll with pieces of scallops that blended well with the avocado and fish. $160 for two but we enjoyed every bit of it and my customer took the leftovers home. Would give it 5 stars but kinda expensive compared to the Bay Area where I am from. I am going to bring my customers back here again and this time do some exploring in these cute shops along Water Street. The fish is fresh here but I am used to fresher Uni in California where it is caught.
(4)Jenae C.
We dined at Yumi's last night for the first time. We had a sitter for our daughter and were excited to have a nice dinner out. While the food was good, the service was terrible. For one, they cram way too many tables into one small space. We were eating on top of the people around us. Might as well be at one table. Yumi also decided to physically move our table while we were mid-bite without warning us first. Then towards the end if our meal, they stopped checking on us and kept coming over to talk about the 6 person table they were trying to seat. Very rude after we had just spent $120 to dine for less than an hour. We had heard similar feedback from others, but decided to give it a shot ourselves. We won't be back.
(1)KC M.
Yumi has ruined me for all other sushi restaurants! We have eaten at Yumi too many times to count and have always had amazing sushi... Start with the edamame and seaweed salad. Nigiri is fabulous with thick slices of fresh fish. ALL rolls are fabulous but trying the Firecracker is a must. A little expensive, but worth every penny! Cons... They do not have a full bar. Beer and wine only. Not an issue for us but good to know going in. They are also busy all the time (sign of a good restaurant!) so put your name in and go have a beer at the Excelsior Brewery out the back door. Yumi herself (who is always there hostessing and running around) will call you when your table is ready.
(5)Tim R.
Yumi's is hands down the best sushi in the Twin Cities. I've been to all the major local sushi places but when it's been a little while and I'm really craving some high quality fish I hop in the car and make the trek to Excelsior. If you have any doubts about whether it will be worth the drive let me promise you that it absolutely is. The cooked appetizers aren't anything special, but they often have a special app of hamachi sashimi with jalapeño that's absurdly good. All the rolls are great, but I'm a big fan of the Tonka roll and the Spicy Salmon. If I was rating Yumi's on food alone it would easily be five stars. The only things keeping the rating down are the service, which is adequate but sometimes a little subpar, and the tiny space which is tough to navigate for a fatass like myself. The small digs also make for some very busy dinner services that require a long wait. Luckily you can sneak off to the bar across the street for a drink and Yumi will call you when your table is ready. The great news is that Yumi's is moving to a new space next month and Billy the sushi chef told me it will be about double the space they have now.
(4)K E.
Beautiful place, all new decor, new location. Wait staff is awesome, Jenny and the owner Yumi are especially friendly and knowledgeable. The owner is always there. The sushi is amazing, very large assortment and varying prices. Reservations are usually necessary-wait time is common if you require a table. There is a small bar and sushi bar where seating is faster.
(5)Jen N.
Absolutely delicious. A bit expensive, but the product is high quality. The hamachi is amazing, and I love that there's such a large variety of rolls.
(4)NG B.
BEST. SUSHI EVER. Honestly, Yumi's sushi is as good, if not better, than the sushi on the West Coast. I go there every time I'm in town. Spicy hotate is a must; all the specialty rolls will knock or socks off :)
(5)Shannon D.
I've been to plenty sushi restaurants across the country (even hawaii) and nothing quite compares to Yumi's. If you are looking for amazingly fresh and true Japanese sushi then you've gotta try this place! Each and every roll is very unique and is something you can't get anywhere else in the US. Their seasonal rolls are also incredible! Plus the location and atmosphere are to die for
(5)Dan F.
Yumi is simply the best place for Sushi in Minnesota. Yes, it is pricy for what you get and the tight seating, but all in all it's a fun place to go and Billy the sushi Chief is great. Like the other reviewers stated you will most likely have to wait for a place to sit.
(5)Christina P.
One of the best sushi spots I've been to in a LONG time. Incredibly fresh and incredibly tasty. Get there early - or be prepared to wait. It's a tiny little spot with a wonderful waitstaff. Can't wait to return
(5)Amber E.
This restaurant is about the size of a bento box, so it's not uncommon to have to wait to get a table. But, don't let that deter you. The sushi here is worth the wait. The staff doesn't just shoo you off to a corner to wait for your name to be called. You will be offered drinks, they will offer suggestions for what's especially good that day. When you are seated, you will be treated to some of the freshest sushi in the area. You will also have the added pleasure of waiting patrons gazing longingly at the succulent morsels that you're popping into your mouth with ravenous abandon. Food tastes even better when other people want what you're having.
(5)Anna E.
I took my niece here for her first real sushi experience and was pretty impressed. When I think good sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT "suburb of the Twin Cities". However, it was fast, fresh and delicious. We had the spicy tuna and philly rolls, which were standard. But the tiger roll was excellent...spicy tuna, salmon, eel and softshell crab with some veggies. I was very proud of my niece for trying the eel! It's pretty $$$ for how casual it is and I'm sure there's just as good elseware for much less. But, I think they can get away with it because there's not much completition out here. Regardless, not a bad place to go if you're in the area.
(4)Kari E.
First let me say that I honestly am not sure I would know "Good" sushi from "not good sushi" other than where it's purchased (grocery store vs. sushi place) and whether or not it smells like rotten fish! That said - I enjoyed my visit to Yumi's. We stopped in for a "snack" one night. We were seated pretty quickly at the bar, amazingly. I personally loved the small space - I felt like maybe I was in NYC for a minute! Definitely cozy, though I know not everyone loves that. We ordered 2 rolls (Spicy Tuna and Eel) I was pretty shocked by the prices. Though the rolls were pretty large and I guess if you know what you're ordering it's probably not horrible. I'd go back, but maybe not until I've been schooled a bit in the art of sushi!
(3)Kass L.
The food superb. The service stinks and all are very very rude. We were seated and then we had to move spilling sake with no refill and no apology from that lady!!! Requested that our bill be split after spending some big bucks and were told "he is too busy"!!! Will not return. Bad food you can try a couple times as it may have been an off night. Bad service starting at the top will not change. Not good and it is too bad really.
(1)Mark S.
It really is that good. Very creative sushi and great service. Worth the trip.
(5)Rebecca Y.
Every month we have a group of people who try different restaurants. This month we picked Yumi's located in Excelsior. Thankfully, our usual group didn't show up as the restaurant is very small and close quartered. We had five tucked in very tightly around a table. We ordered four rolls and some negri. Quality of the fish was good. Fresh and melt in your mouth kind of sushi. While the rolls have a hefty price tag averaging around $19, we found those rolls to be enourmous and plenty for all of us. We had the chance to meet Yumi. She's a gem. I loved that she walked around clanging the gong and getting everyone to cheer the sushi chef and a patron in doing a sake bomb. What a lovely family oriented place. Good food and good times. Intimate for dates...for sure!
(4)Darren T.
I was staying in Minnetonka and was in the mood for sushi. Not being familiar with the area, I checked out what other Yelpers recommended. This was the place that had the highest rating, so it was the pick. It was tough to find because the sign is kind of hidden by a tree, and it was so crowded I had to wait 10 minutes, but it was worth it. This place lives up to it's lofty ratings. I had the nuclear roll and I wasn't disappointed. The sushi didn't have wasabi, but I thought it was spicy enough as it was so I didn't have to ask for any. I was so impressed with the first visit that I came back a second time and I had the Kobe style beef, which was great as well. When I'm in Minnesota again, I'll happily visit for some good food.
(4)Shannon H.
Reliably fantastic. Everything is good. Even our kids like it, from the Kobe-style beef, the potstickers and veggie tempura and the crunchy roll (cooked). I love the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and the Lollipop roll. I have never gotten anything there that I dislike. It can get very crowded so we usually go early with the family. If you're a regular, they'll often have a table waiting for you - just call ahead. Beautiful location near the lake; take a walk afterwards and get an ice cream at Tommy's Trolley. Perfect summer evening!
(5)Chris Y.
Gotta say for sorta the middle of no where this place is great. I stayed in Eden Prairie for business and made the drive out to give it a shot. Had the salmon skin rolls, miso, and a sapporo and only paid $22 with the tip. Atmosphere is so so and probably better for smaller groups due to the size of the place, but for taste and price it rivals most of our sushi bars back home, I highly recommend it!
(5)Michael G.
Was visiting for a family reunion, had the kobe beef, the 2-14 roll, the red dragon and the tonka roll... All excellent choices... if you enjoy sushi with a kick I definitely suggest the tonka.
(5)Leah F.
I have lived on the east coast & eaten many schools of raw fish, so believe me when I say Yumi's is the best sushi you're going to find in this landlocked state. Everything is delicious but my 2 personal favorites are the super white tuna sashimi (usually a special) & the nuclear roll. The tuna is smooth & light while the nuclear roll is a spicy mouth full. Also, don't skip the gyoza for an appetizer (best fried dumplings I've ever had) or the sake bomb for a drink. In this tiny restaurant a sake bomb is a group event. For the uninitiated, a beer topped with 2 chopsticks holding a small cup of sake is set before you. Then as your server starts banging on the gong, you repeatedly slam your hands on the table on either side of the glass to make the chopsticks split apart dropping the sake in the beer. That's when the chugging begins. Like other reviewers have said, Yumi's is very busy on Friday & Saturday nights. You can leave your cell phone number at the restaurant & they'll call you when your table is ready. Waiting is hardly a chore as the Irish pub Jake O'Connors is just up the street & is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage. The atmosphere is very jolly, but try not to come here with more than 6 people as it is a very small space. Dress is incredibly casual, and you're so packed in no one would notice your clothes anyway.
(5)Richard F.
I tried Yumi's for the first time about a year ago and since then I have eaten there 4 times. Not to toot my own horn, but I would say I have a pretty good sense for good sushi and you would be hard pressed to find sushi better than this in the Twin Cities. I have had the following rolls: California(was the best Cali roll I've had, they use real King Crab meat!), Spicy Tuna(above average), Tempura(above average), Crunch Roll(excellent), No. 9(waayyy good), Rainbow(above average) and a few of their special rolls that I can't recall the names, but they were FANTASTIC. The prices are a bit high, on average I have spent about $80 or so for two people, more if a few drinks are ordered. I went here with a few guy friends of mine and it was pricey, which is to be expected for 4 hungry mid 20's guys :-) As stated in prior reviews, the restaurant is small and you sit very close to the table next to you. The décor isn't anything special by any means, but you go here for the AMAZING sushi, not the décor ;-). They're located right next to an old movie theatre and a few ice creams shops, which makes for an excellent desert if it is summer and you have any room left in your stomach! LOL. They get VERY busy on Friday and Saturday nights so plan to wait for a bit. You can't call for reservations, but when you arrive you put your name down and they can take your cell phone number down and give you a call when your table is ready, which is very nice if you want to stroll the stores bordering Yumi's. I've also heard you can call in takeout and they will walk it down to the docks on Minnetonka, though I have not done or see this done before. I would HIGHLY recommend Yumi's and will continue to come here for many years!!!
(5)David C.
Hey, let's all remember that this is Minnesota. I lived in L.A. for four years and have been dying to find a good sushi restaurant in Minneapolis. Thank God I found Yumi's. Talk about good value. The size of the fish slices in the sushi are really generous. Yumi's rolls are huge, creative, and delicious. Arrive early because they don't take reservations and there will be a wait out the door, which means you'll be standing in the cold.
(5)Alex K.
Went here while on vacay because of the reviews here. Was not disappointed. Super fresh fish and a great staff made for a incredible meal. Had the baby yellowtail sashimi, mexican roll, crunchy roll along with the red dragon roll. HUGE rolls which were very well constructed and delicious. Cost our group of four $90 without drinks, but in my eyes...well worth it. You get what you pay for. Highly recommended.
(5)Liz H.
Yumi's is without a doubt, worth the wait. The sushi is fresh, and the staff is attentive. They are frequently adding new rolls, and updating the menu. New favorite roll is 'rated r'. If you want to beat the rush - get there at 6. Without a doubt - best sushi in the Western suburbs.
(5)Terri M.
Great sushi. Ask for recs from the wait staff. Never disappoints!
(4)Chad C.
Truely some of the best sushi I've had in a long time, but I hate not being able to make a reservation (reminds me of how PF changs USED to be, now they obviously take reservations for a reason...its what the people want!)
(3)K B.
Hands down Best sushi in MN. Probably the best sushi I've had in the U.S., and I've tried sushi in every big city. Always fresh, consistent, and quick. Also have great service and Yumi, the owner, is really sweet. The prices aren't cheap, but the rolls are definitely worth the price...large and filled with solid ingredients instead of cheap fillers like cucumbers or imitation crab.
(5)Ryan D.
This is a fun little sushi bar near the waterfront in Excelsior. The prices are average, the decor is sparse..but the fish is delicious. The super white fish is the amazing it melts in your mouth. Don't worry about getting dressed up..Yumi's is a down home almost cafeteria style sushi bar. Order a Kirin Ichiban and a small warm sake, grab some sashimi and be prepared for "mouth explosian delicousness" as they say. $$$$- your not getting out of here for less than 30 bucks a head if you enjoy sushi. skip this place if your trying to impress a first date...it aint that fancy...just darn good sushi!
(4)Kandace G.
In my opinion, this is the best sushi place in MN. The atmosphere is not grandiose, but the sushi here is always fresh and always beautiful. The chefs graciously comply with a request for omakase and the waitstaff is very attentive. Besides the restrooms being in a creepy basement area, I have nothing negative to say about this restaurant.
(5)M C.
Crazy good. Excellent portions &value
(4)Kelly B.
Good sushi. Good take out. We sit at the bar usually and ask for recommendations that are always excellent.
(4)