I think this is the best sushi in Pensacola. The nigiri is expensive but good quality. The roll with the jalapeño, Fort Pickens is by far the best roll I've ever had. The omakase was a huge miss. Service is hit or miss depending on who you get. The only point I took away was for service and omakase. This place is super small, so I'd make a reservation. It's attached to the Hilton on the second floor. Perfect spot for a date night or dinner with friends. I've even seen people eat solo here too! read more

See all

Absolutely incredible fine dining experience!!! Elegant, refined and unique flavor combinations with FRESH fish and FRESHLY grated wasabi. We had the most amazing time and enjoyed every bite. Don't miss this place. They also have a full bar, beautiful wine list and craft cocktails. We will be back!!!! Portions are big as well! Next time we'll do the omasake with the caviar pairing! read more

Bonsai - Crispy tuna with avocado and morel - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

See all

I enjoyed Bonsai very much. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is located on the second floor of the Hilton which was a bit strange. I had trouble finding it since I expected it to be on the first floor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is a bit odd since it's on the second floor but I love the very very cozy seating![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Most restaurants get cheap uncomfortable chairs. I could definitely sit here for hours.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] All the rolls were delicious. I'm not sure if they warrant the price point though, or perhaps they do, since there is freshly grated wasabi available which is a rarity. I've been to many Sushi restaurants and never have seen that before. Service was ten stars and staff was amazing. I look forward to coming back! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great intimate setting![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Norway salmon excellent! Server knowledgeable! Creative delicious rolls, ice cold beer unfortunately none Japanese. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Bonsai! It was our first time dinning and we were greeted by the hostess promptly, and Bailee was our waitress for the evening. They had a handwritten card on the table for our honeymoon, and congratulated us verbally as well. The food and drinks were incredibly fresh and well worth the price! My personnel favorite from the evening was the Nijiiro Maki. read more

See all

Called to place an order 3 times and was hung up on every single time. I did not speak with anyone. Just waiting on hold.

Made reservations through Open Table for a Wednesday at 6:30pm for 2. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of Hilton Beach property. The restaurant has only 10 tables inside which made a very intimate setting. Our server Bailee was amazing. We had Wagyu & Pork Belly for appetizers. Our main entrees was Smoke Salmon & Lobster Ramen. Unfortunately the Lobster Ramen had no flavor. Restaurant is a little pricey but overall I would recommend. read more

See all

Treat yourself! This place is a hidden gem tucked away in the Hilton hotel. It's tiny and romantic and super expensive, but the flavors are out of this world. Our order: Japanese A5 Wagyu roll: Hands down the clear winner of the evening. The tender, rich flavor of the wagyu was more than I imagined it could be. Florida Citrus roll: Not overly citrusy, but with a hint of lemon that complimented the snapper perfectly. Smoked Tuna roll: Fantastic presentation. Comes out under a glass dome filled with hickory smoked which permeated the tuna providing a rich, smoky flavor. Faroe Island Salmon Brule roll: A simple and understated smoked salmon flavor. Was very easy on the palate and left me wanting more. Lots of parking to include two Class 2 Tesla chargers. They don't offer a military discount, which would've been nice given the incredibly expensive price tag on each of these sushi rolls. That said, this is a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway. Highly recommend. read more

See all

The fish was fresh and artfully presented and definitely a five star. The from our waiter did a wonderful job, however did not explain the items on the menu explicitly. The ticket or tab was set up in such a way what you ordered and prices twice and . My complaint is that the menu not thoroughly describe what you were ordering. You think you're ordering one thing and get another or if you're not specific, the waiter will put down his choice of a higher priced item. My bill was $32 above what I actually ordered. It feels as though so many at restaurants are confusing enough that made in favor of the restaurant by in confusing entrées. Or puts the waiter in a position to overcharge when a customer is confused about what he is ordering. I personally think it's a scam taking advantage of people that don't understand, question charge, but prefer not to make a scene or will merely leave knowing something was overcharged and just not go back. If you go, pay attention to your bill. read more

Very expensive, but food was delicious and service was impeccable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Hard to find inside the Hilton, but worth it for a special occasion.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

So here is the deal-this place was fine. Waitress (Shelby) was fantastic! The portions are legit tiny. The lobster was more like a large prawn and it was $65. The sea bass was $50. Tasted fine but nothing like wow. Drinks are around $22-26. Wine list wasn't robust. Somewhat of a weird set up-it is in the second floor of the hotel in between rooms. Decorated nicely. Would not go back but then again I would not visit Pensacola Beach again... read more

This place is amazing!!! The food is great quality and such an experience, beautiful vie and the cream brûlée... I'm still dreaming about!! 10 out 10 recommend:) read more

This place was PHENOMENAL. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Pensacola. We had a wonderful four-course Omakase meal. I also really loved the matcha drink, had to ask the server for the brand of matcha they used. She was very sweet and was very knowledgeable of the menu. Will definitely be back to Pensacola just to visit this restaurant! read more

See all

If I could give this a 10 star I would. This is a hidden gem. If you are in Pensacola FL this is a must. What a big surprise. Thank you Alyssa for the great service. read more

A5 Wagu Nice! For those with an exotic pallet. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A taste outside the box is how I would characterize the atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Alyssa marries the exotic culinary style with prolific language to complete an excellent dining experience. Thank you Alyssa for flowering the table with herbaceous service like no other! Dining with you is a journey. Endure well. read more

It was good. Crab ravioli was my favorite. My boyfriend's favorite was the Florida citrus. We also got the smoked tuna and the rising sun. Presentation was AMAZING. Drinks were yummy. No lie the crème brûlée was the best I've ever had. The only thing we did not like was that it was freezing. So we were ready to get out of the place from the moment we sat down. Definitely bring a jacket. Other than that it was great. read more

Bonsai - Crab ravioli - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

Came in to celebrate my birthday and it did not disappoint! Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. The presentation of the dishes is quite impressive. The location is inside of the hotel which doesn't bother me at all but I was not aware upon arrival. Sunset was gorgeous, we visited on a Wednesday (my actual birthday) and felt like we had the place to ourselves! (There were 2-3 other tables throughout our experience) The Smoked Tuna is the most impressive dish The wine by the glass (as well as champagne) seems to be priced in such a way that you're better off ordering everything by the glass. This is always disappointing. I would love to visit again :0) read more

Don't let the small menu scare you. The freshness and quality of the food is amazing. Everything was outstanding. FYI the restaurant is in the hotel. Just ask you will be pointed the way. read more

Awesome food. Terrific service. We had the tasting menu so good The wine was great. Slightly price but well worth it. 5/5.

Came to Bonsai to celebrate my 25th birthday. It did not disappoint! The food and service was amazing! Rob is a great server and will inform you of the ins and outs of their dishes. If you're a first timer when it comes to Sake like I was I would recommend the "Perfect Snow"! I would recommend the A5 Wagyu for the starter and the Hickory Smoked Tuna & Florida Citrus did not disappoint! read more

Bonsai - A5 Wagyu Starter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

See all

Really amazing atmosphere. Top notch service. The food was incredible. The restaurant almost felt like it was a local secret. Would definitely come back! read more

See all

Positive: the atmosphere was lovely and our waitress worked so very hard, the food was plated beautifully Negative: they were very under staffed so the service was very, very slow. For a glass of wine and 3 sushi rolls, we were there an hour and a half. We ordered sushi, and it was very expensive but downright bland. read more

Overpriced. Scallop ramen turned out to be a hard pass. 2 scallops that were not fully cooked for over $35 was a ripoff as the broth was too spicy to enjoy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Also the restaurant was very intimate which can be good or bad. Bad for us - so much so that we heard the chefs complaining that the kitchen smelled like farts (seriously)[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. The one good point was the pork belly. The desserts were small and flavorless. Sashimi was nothing outstanding. I am local and don't plan on returning -I might but only for the pork belly. read more

We had sashimi for appetizer, which was very good with a provided low sodium soy sauce; for entrees we both had pork Raman - the broth was good but a little too much oil in it, and the noodles were not special, as we have expected, a little too soggy; and the green onions were chopped in distinct fashion - a little sloppy for such an upscale restaurant. The complimentary dessert was a sorbet with a side drop of mango sauce - very nice presentation and well balanced (not too sweet). The music (better for a beach open environment) was not matching the upscale environment, and the price was on the high side considering the overall value. read more

Bonsai - Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

See all

During our trip to Pensacola Beach we found this wonderful place. Both the food and drinks are outstanding. Everything was fresh and had great flavors. The presentation of both drinks and food were outstanding. The thing that really put the experience over the top was the outstanding customer service we received from Morgan. She has amazing knowledge of the menu and the descriptions she provides show how much she knows and loves the product she sells. She did a great job helping all of us in making the best menu choices based upon what we told her. We have been twice largely because Morgan's ability to help us choose the perfect food and drinks. We will definitely return on our next visit to Pensacola Beach. read more

OMG I love this place!! This is definitely a hidden gem! But be prepared to pay $$$. But that goes without saying with the quality of food and service. If you are a sushi lover then definitely give this place a try!! It's very small and cozy so make sure you make a reservation! Every dish was beautifully prepared and tasted even better! read more

Long Winded Reiteration Redemption Review Time: Bonsai (Pensacola Beach) It has been a little while since we have been to this small but elegant restaurant. Thank Godness I decided to pick this day, because the weather and the sunset was beyond amazing. Last time we were here, I was not blown away by the depth and collaboration of flavors of the food. So is today redemption day for this extravagant luxury ocean-side speciality sushi/ramen bar? Our server, Rob, was absolutely amazing! This was above and beyond five star service. He knew every ounce and detail of the menu. I love when a server has this passion for the establishment he/she is serving for. He had an amazing sense of humor, but also a distinct gentleman ambience about him. Hats off to this restaurant for having Rob as part of their team. Bonsai is truly lucky to have him. From what I remember, this restaurant has the absolute best high end Grade 1 tuna; and today was no different. What a way to start our palates going with some sashimi tuna, but don't hold back with just the tuna. Bonsai has "FRESH WASABI" root. I never eat wasabi, but I was beyond delighted when Rob came over with fresh root and ground the wasabi table side. But let's take it up another notch; and let the restaurant provide you with a top notch Shoyu for your sashimi and sushi dipping pleasure. I had to try the Korobuta Pork Belly, which was absolutely wonderful. The pork was absolutely tender with a sweet maple glaze, which was accompanied by this phenomenal pack a punch of garlic root. I have never had garlic root before, but this was extraordinary if you are a garlic lover. Next, we tried the scallop sushi roll. I truly believe this is probably the absolute best cohension of flavors I have ever had in a sushi roll. Every level of the seafood blended so well; from the fresh king crab and the succulent scallops, and then hit it with some bright notes of lemon zest, the saltiness of the caviar, and a small bite from the radish just set my palate on over drive! I love ramen and only one place has my vote around here for ramen, except now Bonsai has came in running. Tonight, I tried the Tako Lobster and my other half had the Kurobuta Pork. Tonight, these ramens did not lack a salt grain in flavoring and seasoning, nor did it lack in plentiful topping. The super fresh in-house made noodles are phenomenal, which my squid ink noodles were a dream come true. To wrap up the night, Bonsai finishes on a light palate cleanse with this heavenly matcha ice cream with perfectly rip fresh fruit. What an amazing experience tonight!!! From exceptional service to shock your senses fresh food combinations; this restaurant has exemplary brought home a platinum experience tonight. If you think the pictures look good, you are in for a treat, on the next level, for your sushi experience here. Overall review: 210% worth every penny we spent this evening and every bite was perfection with 5 star service!!! Book your reservations and enjoy this view and experience!!! Sorry I was not able to tag the location, but Bonsai is located in the Hilton on Pensacola Beach on the second floor... read more

Bonsai - Sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

So incredibly good! I ordered the chefs pairing with sake and was not disappointed. Every dish was well prepared and presented. The tuna was my favorite, though the hand made noodles were also fantastic. Marcus was consistently attentive and everyone was friendly and welcoming. It was interesting walking down a hotel hallway to find an unassuming door, however once you are there you forget about the hotel. read more

See all

Luxurious delicacies from the sea are on beautiful display at Bonsai Pensacola Beach! Located in the Hilton Pensacola Beach, we were treated to their amazing Omakase experience with wine and sake pairings. This waiter guided 6-course experience was top notch and you could go at your own pace. The best part is the food is just as delicious as it is looks! Get ready for the Omakase Experience. Kicking-off our Omakase Experience was with course 1, the A5 Wagyu Striploin paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the best piece of meat I (Liz) have ever had with an almost buttery like feel on the tongue that literally melts in your mouth. It is the right amount of meat and fat then the addition of the salt from the Himalayan salt block underneath adds an element of saltiness that elevates the flavor. Would NOT change one thing about this bite. Moving on to course 2, the Nama paired with Asahi Shuzo Kubota Sparkling Dew. This was my (Liz's) personal favorite sake with the perfect body and finish for a fish pairing. Plus, course 3 was the Nigiri and Sashimi paired with, Kikusui Shuzo Perfect Snow, an unfiltered sake. All being the same mix of fish, one being without rice and the other with, the fish they provided was all very VERY fresh and tender. We got a sampling including Steelhead trout, tuna, salmon, and Hamachi to name a few. Of the fish a few highlights included the salmon that was actually creamy, while the Hamachi is lighter and paired with the caviar added the right amount of salt. The favorite was the Steelhouse trout, it literally melted in your mouth and had an amazing flavor. Once you pair all of them with a little bit of real wasabi root and rice, you've got an amazing bite. On to Course 4 that was the Pork Ramen perfectly paired with Chardonnay. A ramen lover, this one didn't disappoint with a flavorful pork broth and tender pork belly. The noodles had the right tenderness, while the tang of the green onion and savory of the egg comes in at the end for a great bite. One of the best courses was course 5 with the Hickory Smoked Tuna and Florida Citrus roll paired with Kikusui Shuzo Chrysanthemum Water. This was the best experience of the entire dinner as they smoke the salmon and bring it in a dome of hickory smoke. Once at the table, they open the dome and the smoke billows out, while leaving a slight smokiness on the tuna itself. As for taste of the roll, the tuna is light and pairs well with the creamy avocado and savory rice, then on the back you get the smoked flavor. Divine. The Florida Citrus roll is also very light but has tons of fresh fish flavors mixed with lemon. Lemon is really the best pairing with fish! To end the night, course 6 is the Anmitzu dessert with Optimia Port Wine. The Anmitzu is a hodgepodge of ingredients like ice cream, passion fruit, matcha, gelatin, and other fruits. Each element brings a different flavor and all together is an amazing bite. Paired with the port wine, that is brown sugar forward, yet boozy, you're in for a treat. Beyond the meal, some of the authentic touches make this meal one-of-a-kind. One of these is the wasabi. They literally grind the wasabi root at your table and it's so mild and doesn't give you that nose feeling that typical wasabi would give you. Did you know that what you get at most restaurants is horseradish? Another of these was the soy sauce in both whiskey barrel aged and mushroom. They were less salty and more earthy than a typical soy sauce. Preferred the whiskey barrel aged as it was even more savory and a little bit boozy on the end. I'd take that home with me and use it on everything. The final touch was the white glove, server guided experience that gave the whole night an intimate feeling. If you're on the beach in Pensacola, we'd highly recommend getting to Bonsai for the Omakase Experience. What course speaks to you? read more

See all

Fabulous. Food made with love and made with pride. If you're into quality Japanese cuisine this is the restaurant for you. No complaints at all it was a perfect dinner experience. I'll share some of the photos and there is nothing else left to be said! read more

Bonsai - Freshly grated wasabi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

See all

Another level. I finally got to eat here and it blew all of my expectations out of the water. From the moment I entered the space I was treated amazing. This may be the best dining experience I've had in the entire state of Florida. Absolutely exquisite. I feel my words cannot do it justice. The food, the cocktails, the presentation, the attentive staff (and also very kind, as I had my young daughter with me and they made me feel welcome) lent itself to a truly wonderful evening I'm happy I experienced. read more

See all

We enjoyed the starter appetizer, two rolls, the halibut, and a glass of wine, all beautifully prepared and presented. The fresh horseradish was the best we have ever had. Grateful to be sat beside the window for the evening in order to see the beautiful view of the gulf. Lovely birthday dessert at the end of our evening made our gathering even more memorable. Nice to try for a special occasion. read more

Food and service were excellent. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for... Server offered good suggestions and it was a good experience. read more

Bonsai - Smoked tuna - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

See all

This was a hidden gem! Very small, romantic environment. Excellent service.The food was delicious. We did the 5 course chef experience with wine/saki. Highly recommend the wagyu beef and ramen. Everything was great. Will definitely be back. read more

The food and service was great. There attention to detail was awesome. The food was flavorful and the presentation was great.

Went for my birthday dinner and had a blast. Had the chef's tasting menu. Enjoyed most of the savory dishes. Did not care for the dessert but that isn't really why I went. Solid sushi on the beach. Finally. read more

See all

World-class sushi. Expensive, but I'm reviewing the food not the prices. A tight menu of unique sushi created with fresh and unique ingredients. Strongly recommend the cherrywood smoked tuna roll if available. Intimate setting for a date, just make sure your wallet is ready to rumble. read more

Bonsai - A vegetable roll (don't recall the name) featuring flowers and unusual vegetables. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

Morgen G. Was an outstanding server, very attentive without hovering too much. Very knowledgeable about the menu and the ingredients. Made great suggestions base my Preferences. Very personable, and professional. Her service made the whole experience top notch The meal was a beautiful culinary experience. My husband enjoyed the Omakase although is selection from the menu the chef chooses which ones. His selection included A5 wagyu beef on Himalayan salt. Which was a fabulous fatty experience. The maki selection different then you run of the mill sushi. Which was exactly the experience we were looking for. As a matter fact someone came in and asked for a California roll, no such thing exists at this restaurant. Top of the line quality fish in nigiri and sashimi read more

Perfect for an anniversary! My hubby and I recently moved here from NY, and were looking for somewhere special to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. Bonsai did not disappoint! It was secluded and very intimate (2nd floor hidden at the Hilton with an amazing view of the gulf). My hubby let them know that it was our anniversary, and we arrived to a table covered in rose petals with a view of the sunset. Our waiter, Marcus (who was very attentive the entire night), immediately came to our table and offered a glass of champagne to celebrate. He also offered for us to either make our own selections, or have the chef pairing. We went off on a limb and took the wine and sake pairing, which was the best idea ever! Our absolute faves were the Wagyu appetizer (melted in your mouth and we wish we had 2 orders), the ramen with pork, smoked tuna roll (the smoking presentation was out of this world) and a sushi sampler (so fresh). The wine/sake was paired perfectly. We sent our compliments to the chef and he came over to wish us a happy anniversary and ask how our dinner was. We rarely get out without the kids and Bonsai made sure our night was one to remember. Thank you Bonsai! We will be back. read more

Bonsai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pensacola Beach, Florida

The sashimi melts in your mouth (I loved the salmon and trout the most) and the wine list is immaculate. What made this dinner one of the best was the service. Our server Morgan answered all of our questions and paired wine with each course of mine perfectly! read more