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Akaoni

3.9 (452 reviews)
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AKAONI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Dogs allowed

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Chirashi
Megan U.

Yum! Everything was fresh and delicious. I had the clam miso soup and the chirashi, and enjoyed both. Dining here felt like being in Japan again.

Sashimi platter with all of the fish from Japan
Jamie S.

We were craving sushi and found an amazingly good little restaurant in downtown Carmel called run by a husband and wife team. He was the sushi chef and she was the hostess and server. The fish was incredibly fresh and his cuts were perfection. All of the sashimi on our platter was from Japan. The fish literally melted in our mouths. You def don't need soy sauce here. I read other reviews where people mentioned that the service was very unfriendly. That wasn't our experience at all. Kindness and respect go a long ways. It's a really small and intimate place. We had two orders of their softshell crab dish which I will be dreaming about.

edamame
Mia W.

Akaoni is my favorite Japanese restaurant in California. The food & quality reminds me of being in Japan. It is a cozy little restaurant in the heart of Carmel, run by Chef Shinichi Yamada and his wife who works as the waitress. I love that he makes all the sushi. It is made with such intensity, care & passion. He is laser focused on every sushi he makes. They use the best quality seafood. All seafood comes from local waters or Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo Central Wholesale Market) daily. The sushi here is real sushi. Appetizer: 5/5 * complimentary edamame * Shrimp tempura, so delicious and melt in your mouth crispness. The size of the single shrimp is twice the size of usual shrimp tempuras. Sushi: 5/5 * 10 piece chef's choice: I put my trust in Chef Yamada. And i'm glad I did. The 10 piece he masterfully made was perfect. Every piece of fish was so fresh. Perfect rice to fish ratio. He makes sushi the way they make it in Japan. The seafood shines not the rice or sauce. The yellowtail was rich in flavor & tender. The toro simply melted in my mouth. The hamachi is so buttery and good. I loved the saba (mackarel). I saved my favorite for last, Uni (sea urchin) from Hokkaido. White board specials from Japan: 5/5 * Uni from Hokkaido * Scallop * Spanish mackarel from Chiba * Shima aji (skip jack) from Kagoshima tips: * The sushi is made with perfect precision & passion. Try eating it without soy sauce to enjoy the true flavors. The chef has already taken care of the flavor. * Order from the white board specials. The seafood offerings are super fresh. I love ordering the Japan specials. Drink: 5/5 * Asahi: Super cold beer with a frosted glass. Nice touch... Ambiance: 5/ 5 * Restaurant has very limited bar seating and tables. I think there are only 5 or 6 tables. It is very intimate. I prefer this. It just allows the chef to completely focus on the orders. The orders are not rushed. I love that. Service: 5/5 Chef Yamada's wife is the waitress. She was nice and the service was simple and just right. Overall: * This is my favorite sushi place in California. This intimate restaurant holds a Michelin star. But they are humble in their achievment. I feel peace in this restaurant. Chef Shinichi Yamada and his wife are quiet, hardworking and the food they offer is of superior quality. Looking forward to coming back again...

Kyle M.

This is a small restaurant run by a husband and wife. The husband is the sushi chef and the wife is the server. They are both very good at what they do and super welcoming. It is difficult to reserve ahead of time and if they are busy they probably will have trouble answering the phone. This place probably needs to be booked beforehand. My wife and I ordered one of everything on the menu from Japan. The experience is more like omakase than just normal sushi. A lot of the fish comes from Japan and the quality is high. When we got our bill at the end it felt like robbery so we left a large tip. If I am ever in Carmel again this will be one of the first places we visit, just a really awesome restaurant.

Edison H.

Best sushi in this part of California! It's a legit Japanese restaurant run by a Japanese couple (hope I'm not just assuming). We started off with edamame on the house. This is almost unheard of nowadays cuz everyone's always charging. They did have a 0.25% assessment added on so I guess this covered it? We both opted for the omakase and was happy to see uni included. These other guests changed their order after seeing ours. Would definitely come here again!

Asahi Beer $10 Large
Eric S.

Gatekeep-Worthy Sushi of Carmel Even the standard sashimi sets felt like I was being treated to an omakase experience. I wanted to keep this place to myself so bad, but it's too good to not share with you all! Typically, reservations are recommended and VERY difficult to get as they don't answer the phone (it's an older Japanese man and woman, please don't spam them lol) I walked in at 5:30 pm on a Friday, and it was fairly quiet, no reservation needed :) Jyo Sashimi Platter 9/10: Wow, I think this was the $50 platter, but it felt very fair and premium. Delicious cuts of salmon, yellowtail, and a few fish that I didn't recognize. The salmon tartare style side was also DELICIOUS. I've never enjoyed sushi so much while having zero idea what I was eating. Uni Nigiri and Toro 9/10: Uni was a little bitter, not sure where it was sourced from, but it didn't taste like Santa Barbara's for sure! However, i got 1 piece of Toro and it was sooo rich and absolutely melted. Beer was also nice. See pics for all their menu :) Quaint interior with nice traditional-looking decor.

10pc chef's choice. As soft and fresh as the picture looks!
Juliette N.

A weekday walk in scenario! Otoro was super good with its chilly temperature in both nigiri and handroll format. Real wasabi was so good with the 10 pc chef's choice. The chawan mushi was also cooked so perfectly that it was super silky with the shitake's fragrance really tantalizing in that dish! Watching the egg's jiggliness was my overall joy for the evening. Uni (Hokkaido?) was sweet and had a polite amount of creaminess. I love negi toro handrolls when pickled daikon are added. Right amount of tiny pickled taste throughout to make it addicting and not too rich to enjoy! Definitely the highlight. Overall very fresh and delightful for a Tuesday night.

Scallop, toro, tamago, and uni sushi. Ordered these in addition to our chirashi and chef's special sushi platter.
Uziel L.

We love this place! If you want a traditional style Japanese sushi meal, this place is it. My wife and I ordered a chirashi bowl, chef's sushi choice platter, and extra sushi pieces. The fish is fresh, the rice is seasoned, and the plating is thoughtful and just like I remember it in Japan. I was not expecting it at all, but the chef's choice had TWO pieces of toro and a piece of uni. My wife and I love traditional sushi and have had a few omakase experiences. Even though this wasn't it, it's not far off, minus the catered service and multiple course experience an omakase experience brings. If you're not into traditional sushi experiences, don't come expecting fancy rolls covered in sauces. That's not the vibe at this place. It's intimate and meant for "old school" sushi vibes. The couple are definitely from Japan and have a very stoic vibe to them, but I'm used to it. You may even have to get their attention (Just like in Japan! I freakin love it lol). They turn people down at the door if you don't have a reservation to keep the restaurant's intimate atmosphere, but if you're lucky someone might have cancelled and they may have an opening. Take it for what you will, but we love this place and will definitely be back! Just bummed we didn't start coming earlier!

Homemade tofu
Allyson U.

I brought my partner here as a part of their birthday weekend and we both really enjoyed the meal. We arrived right at opening and were seated immediately. The place is nicely decorated and has a casual feel. The space is relatively small and the bathroom was even smaller. Staff were really responsive and kind. The food was so fresh and delicious. To tofu was a unique experience and was so silky. Yum! Man, the texture of the fish was so good and definitely worth the trip--an incredible value. I hope to one day bring my family here!

Salmon sashimi (right), shrimp tempura roll (left front), Dungeness crab roll (left back), spicy tuna roll (far left)
Megan S.

My 2nd favorite sushi spot in all of Monterey County. Atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Japan & eating the exact same quality. Waitress & sushi chef make you feel right at home as well. Ordered the salmon sashimi, shrimp tempura roll, Dungeness crab roll, and the spicy tuna roll. Everything was delicious but my favorite from that plate was the Dungeness crab roll crunchy a bit spicy and perfect sized. The toro sashimi was perfect quality, cut and size. Will be back time and time again. Good job Akaoni!

Yasmeen A.

Amazing experience! We came here for a birthday dinner and it was absolutely magical. We had the broiled fish and the 10 piece sushi. Fish was fresh and magnificent. Service was kind of prompt and the restaurant itself is very quaint and clean. Loved dining here and already cannot wait to return!

Alwang D.

A solid choice for sushi. The fish tasted fresh, and the rolls were well-prepared. Service was a bit slow. Still, a good place for sushi lovers.

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8 months ago

Absolute perfection. Our favorite sushi restaurant in California. Just a phenomenal experience.

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7 months ago

This place is the best! Great food and authentic ambiance. The best Japanese food in Carmel by the Sea

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Ask the Community - Akaoni

Is this place dog friendly?

No, it is not.

Any fresh oysters? I don't see it on the menu.

You are better off calling the restaurant for the date you will be visiting and ask, and you must have a reservation to dine there. If they do have fresh / raw oysters it might be listed on the white board specials, which is usually written up… Read more

Do they have outdoor dining or only take out?

Outdoor & indoor dining now! Limited capacity inside.

I'm not familiar with omakase but I see it mentioned here, is that the best way to experience this restaurant? I called and made a reservation but I didn't know to ask for that specifically.

Omakase is the "chef's table;" which means you leave your food ordering to the chef. He will make the dishes for you until you tell him that you're full. At Akaoni, you cannot make a reservation for omakase unless you've eaten there once. You should… Read more

How do you get a reservation at this place? Trying to go for my Japanese grandmothers 90th bday but it sounds like the phone is disconnected, called 6 times.

Call during open hours.

View All 6 Questions

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Toro - Tuna, albacore, halibut sashimi and Carmel roll

Toro

(540 reviews)

$$

Service was prompt and very personable, menu offerings were very well portioned, my Hawaiian Poke…read morebowl was the perfect amount with fresh ingredients and the right touch of heat, and there were plenty of gluten-free offerings for my wife. Our main server and man who brought out our dessert were very friendly. Would 100% come back on a sunny day to sit in the outside patio. Toro is a great place for either a family dinner or a romantic date

Toro is an absolute gem in Carmel. The moment you walk in, you're met with a warm, welcoming…read moreatmosphere and a stylish, modern vibe that immediately sets the tone for a great meal. It's intimate without feeling crowded and has that perfect Carmel charm. The food is outstanding--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Whether you're ordering sushi, small plates, or one of their signature dishes, everything feels thoughtfully prepared and balanced. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients, and the menu offers just the right mix of creativity and comfort. The service is another highlight. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive in all the right ways. They're happy to offer recommendations and make you feel genuinely taken care of throughout your meal. Overall, Toro delivers a memorable dining experience from start to finish. It's the perfect spot for a relaxed dinner, a date night, or a special evening out. Highly recommended if you're in Carmel and want something delicious and elevated without being pretentious.

Sushi Heaven - Chef's Choice Nigiri: Sake, maguro, hamachi (part of Heaven Lunch Bento Combo #2 for $21.95)

Sushi Heaven

(496 reviews)

$$

8.8/10 Ordered…read moresashimi and a Tekka Maki roll. Starting with the sashimi, it was extremely fresh and high quality. Every piece tasted clean and well-prepared, and the portion size was generous without feeling overdone. The presentation was also nicely done, which added to the overall experience. Definitely something I'd order again. The Tekka Maki was solid and reliable. The tuna was fresh and flavorful, exactly what you'd expect from a classic roll. My only critique is that the roll could have been assembled a bit tighter for a cleaner bite. Service is where things fell short. The timing was off, my dishes came out later than the rest of my party's, and I ended up waiting about 20 minutes before I could start eating. Watching everyone else get their food first definitely made the wait feel longer. Improving plate timing and coordination would make a big difference. That said, the ambiance was great, clean, lively, and clearly a popular spot. Overall, a strong food experience with room for improvement on service.

Sushi Heaven in Carmel delivered on both service and food. Everyone was friendly from the moment we…read morewalked in, and our server stood out. Attentive, upbeat, and fast without rushing us. They checked in at the right times, explained options clearly, and kept everything moving smoothly. The sushi was the highlight. Fresh fish, clean flavors, and well-balanced rolls. Pieces were consistent, rice was cooked well, and the presentation looked sharp. Everything we ordered tasted fresh and carefully made. If you want great sushi with genuinely kind service, Sushi Heaven is worth the stop.

Crystal Fish

Crystal Fish

(1.5k reviews)

$$

Wow! Best sushi on the Monterey Peninsula - hands down…read more My daughter, nephew, and I sat down on a Saturday night at this place. I was worried because there always seems to be a line waiting outside the door to get in. We arrived about 7:30p and were seated right away. The store was nearly full with just a few tables open. Our server immediately greeted us and took our drink order. When she returned we ordered the teriyaki chicken, gyoza (appetizer), 2 rolls and six pieces of nigiri. The gyoza was wonderful. Pan fried - with a little crunch on the outside and a soft on the inside. Delicious. The rolls that we ordered we perfectly put together. The fish was tremendous. Very tender, soft, and tasty. The nigiri - the best! Beautifully crafted and topped with fresh fish that melted in my moUth. We liked the food so much that we ordered 2 more rolls and that were just as tasty as the first 2 that we ordered. It is a bit pricy, but definitely worth it. I'll be back for sure..

IN THIS ECONOMY DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY…read more Every single roll tastes the same. The udon soups are bland. The teriyaki sauce is too sweet. The beef ribs and beef and chicken teriyaki came out cold. Makes you wonder if all they do is try to reheat it gross! The appetizers were also bland and full of soy sauce. You're better off going somewhere else to spend your money. The service was subpar. No one acknowledges you when you walk in the door. They make you stand there and wait to eventually get unflavored food and terrible service. This review is written in February 2026. There's better places in the area just go there. At the end after over a $350 bill they refused to give us a plastic bag to go home. I offered to pay for it, but they had an attitude about it. They don't even know how to make spicy edamame. It's just soy sauce and grilled onions. The only waitress that was actually helping people was the Hispanic lady. Everyone else just stands and stares at you like they are a statue. You're better off going to Kokoro in Salinas. At least they give you better service and some flavor.

Hanami Sushi - 2 Spicy tuna roll and 2 salmon skin roll

Hanami Sushi

(446 reviews)

$$

The food is really good and fresh. We have been coming her since we moved to MH a year ago and we…read moreabsolutely love it! Great service, but it can get a little slow when the place is packed, which is understandable. The staff is really friendly. The ambience is casual and relaxed. Always clean. Totally worth it!

This sushi spot has been one of our go to sushi restaurants in town when we first moved here. It's…read morebeen awhile since the last time we dropped by since new ownership. We finally arrived at Hanami Sushi for a Saturday dinner recently. The sushi restaurant is located in a nice plaza in Morgan Hill. Parking is easy and accessible in the large parking lot. The restaurant has a nice simple, modern decor. There is a sushi boat bar as soon as you walk in. Plenty of tables and booths are available for dine in. The vibe is family friendly. We ordered a 2 item bento box with teriyaki beef and tonkatsu, salmon nigiri, lion king roll, dragon roll, unagi nigiri, and Chardonnay wine. The food was delicious and tasty as usual. The teriyaki beef in my bento box was tender and juicy. Both the lion king roll and dragon roll was fresh and high quality. We enjoyed all the food. Overall our experience at Hanami Sushi was ok that night. The food was good and traditional. Price point of the rolls, nigiri, and wine was reasonably fair. Unfortunately the service was bleh. Our female server never really checked with us at all until she dropped the check at the end. No refill of waters, no greeting in the beginning, no checking in if everything was ok? We probably won't be coming for a while once again.

Roy's at Pebble Beach - FIRE-GRILLED HONEY MUSTARD BEEF SHORT RIBS

Roy's at Pebble Beach

(795 reviews)

$$$

One of the best bang for your buck dining experiences. Everything about Roy's is incredibly…read morepleasant, from the minute you walk into the upscale lobby to the sweet dessert at the end. The drinks were strong and tasty. I especially loved the bloody Mary, which was on the spicier side. Service was attentive. The octopus starter absolutely blew our minds. Portions are generous and everything is delicious. Ask to be seated outside under the heatlamp/fire pitts and enjoy the dinner overlooking spectacular beach views. Self parking is free and the lot is ample. There is also valet parking. If you're not staying at the hotel, simply inform the security staff of your reservation and you won't need to pay the entrance fee. Take a stroll around the golf course and beach boardwalk afterwards.

Located in Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach, the views are incredible. You're looking out over the golf…read morecourse with the ocean just beyond, and it feels upscale and peaceful. If you time it right, you can even catch the bagpiper at 5:30pm. I've been to other Roy's locations and always order the miso butterfish. This time, it was still good, but slightly off compared to what I'm used to. It had a faint fishiness that usually isn't there, so while I still enjoyed it, it didn't quite hit that usual top tier standard. We also ordered pasta for my son, which he devoured, and a steak that was solid and well prepared. Overall, the food was good, but not necessarily the highlight. The real standout was dessert. The chocolate lava cake was an absolute slam dunk. Just a heads up, it takes about 20 minutes to prepare, so ordering it midway through your meal is the move. Totally worth it. Service was excellent. Our waiter was polite and thoughtful, especially recommending we order the lava cake early, which saved us a long wait at the end. Parking is easy with plenty of self parking available, and after your meal you can walk around or head into 17 Mile Drive, which makes the whole outing feel like more than just dinner. One tip: try to get a reservation on the earlier side and request a window seat if possible. A lot of people come just to see the bagpiper, so being able to enjoy that from inside the restaurant is a nice bonus. Overall, you're coming here for the experience. The views, the atmosphere, and the setting make it hard to beat, especially around sunset.

Akaoni - sushi - Updated May 2026

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