We has such a great night out here last night. I made the reservation on a whim a couple months ago and we have been looking forward to it since then. We were in the bar seating and it was amazing to watch the chefs prepare for the evening. I loved trying the sake and my husband tried a couple gin drinks and really enjoyed them. Each bite was better than the one before. Everything was super fresh and beautifully presented. I don't think I could pick a favorite dish and we honestly considered making another reservation while we were driving home. The space was beautiful too, which is a bonus. The chocolate torte was an incredible end to the evening. Also, our server suggested using the shiso leaved from the sashimi plate to make little mini rolls with the fist and some of the pickled veg and that was A+. Those little leaves were so flavorful! read more

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Glad to grab a reservation for this new, hot restaurant in the Cultural District downtown. Intimate, small space with a sushi bar on one side of the room. Great menu choices for food as well as beverages. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food items, which I think is always a plus. The hand crafted food is excellent, and at relatively reasonable prices too! They have the first public restroom I've ever seen which includes a Toto smart toilet! read more

Incredible food and such a fun atmosphere. As a gin fanatic, the huge selection of gins from all over the globe was exciting and impressive. Service was very nice. read more

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I went in on a Friday after work, I thought there would be a Happy Hour....but this place was different than I expected.The server was very knowledgeable and guided me to a great experience. read more

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Bucket list type of dining experience. Drinks are as good as the food. Know your limit to save room for the deserts (worth it). If you want to impress urbanites from major cities this place will have your back-nothing to be ashamed of here. Sushi is memorable and as adventurous as you want to be. Ask questions, take chances, and enjoy the moment. read more

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Amazing service from the minute we walked in. The cocktails we had we delicious and the nigiri and sashimi was just seemed to melt in your mouth. Cannot express to how good it all was but will definitely be back for special occasions read more

Made a reservation 3! Months in advance to get here but we made it! Overall as expected everything was amazing! Great food and great service! I think my favorite thing of the whole night was the onigiri, it was just perfect. The tuna pizza was a close second although it reminded me more of an Italian dish. Overall the fish was very fresh but there was a flakey sea salt added to some of the sashimi which I wasn't used to. I didn't love the hand rolls, there was a lot going on with each one and I tend to be more of a sashimi person so that is just personal preference. We ordered a bunch and I would say the best ones were the eel and the steak tartare ones. Is it the authentic izakaya experience? No, we're in Pittsburgh lol, but is the food awesome and the place really cool? Absolutely!!! read more

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This is a place we haven't been to in quite awhile and with an impromptu date night and a no show reservation after the Pirates win!!! We tried out all the Starters the miso soup was awesome Edamame is spicy but definitely an spice you can work through The onigiri is a ball of goodness definitely a must try The salad is an awesom shareable as well The overall service was great with a staff with great knowledge of the menu. read more

Good sushi for pittsburgh. Small portions. Very cool restaurant and vibe. We tried seven or eight things, tartare prob our favorite

Another 10/10 experience at Gi-Jin! The food, drinks, service & ambiance were incredible. Our server, Patrick, was awesome - super friendly, very helpful with the menu and suggestions and overall helped make the evening even better. Can't recommend enough! read more

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As always, had a wonderful experience last night at Gi Jin. By far my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh, arguably the best sushi within a 500 mile radius... or further tbh. Ambiance is unmatched as well. Our service is always great, but yday our server (who's name I'm forgetting but is a blonde lady, always kills it) really went the extra mile for us and was so patient and kind when we were the last to leave. 100000/10 per usual. Thanks guys!! read more

Gi-Jin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In town for business and Gi-Jin is absolutely the BEST Japanese restaurant that I've been to and I've traveled to many cities in the US and Canada. Tried the sashimi plate and every fish tasted fresh and melt in your mouth! I thought only otoro gives you that sensation! Every piece of the fish and every bite of the hand roll makes you temporarily forget where you are; because every taste buds of yours are just busy thinking they are tasting something from heaven! Love our server, Erin! Friendly and great sense of humor! BTW, you'd want to make a reservation ahead of the time; I was told 2 months ahead of reservation is recommended. But we did get lucky since we walk-in at 5pm when they first opened for the night and were allowed to go in!!! Any rating less than 5 is disservice to what you'd experience at this establishment. read more

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Ate the Gi-Jin experience last night, hamachi hand roll, sashimi plate, wild caught striped bass crudo, melt-in-your-mouth uni, and black sesame crème brûlée. Chef's kiss so good! We sat at the counter and enjoyed bantering with the bartender. Also an honorable mention for the Japanese toilet in the bathroom, THAT was a luxe experience, I want one! read more

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My toxic trait is I grab a reservation here every time I see one available. Food is to die for. Service is great. Consistency every time. Get the dynamite crab, beef tataki, ginger salad, salmon belly w/goat cheese roll, Mushroom roll, California roll, (really whatever you get is phenomenal). No takeout or walk in seating. Worth the wait for a res! read more

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Gi-Jin is my new favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. Hands down the best sushi I've eaten in this city, with great service and beautiful decor. We sat at the bar (there are only a small handful of 4-top tables), where it was fun to watch the chefs prepare the intricate dishes all evening. However, the restaurant is small and can be a bit loud, and so sitting at the bar made it difficult to have a conversation with my partner. Although the music wasn't loud, the customers voices tended to fill the space pretty quickly. If you like loud and lively you'll like it. If you like quiet and serene, well, you can't find that here. The menu was seasonal, so the dishes below reflect the spring selections available when we were there. The salmon tataki was our favorite dish of the night, with yummy ramps below the fish, a creamy coconut sauce, and lots of tart citrus notes. Our second favorite dish was the white asparagus, served with a soubise, XO sauce, and nori powder. Umami bomb! The nigiri and hand rolls we had were excellent as well, and the black sesame creme brûlée we had for dessert was out of this world (pickled grapes on top? what??). The only dud of the night was the tuna pizza, which was served on a supposed scallion pancake. But the scallion pancake bore no resemblance to the kind we were expecting that you might get from your neighborhood Chinese restaurant. It was very thin and chewy-crispy, and didn't taste like scallions. They should revamp this dish or take it off the menu, as our meal was otherwise very stellar. It's also worth mentioning the soy sauce that they service with the sushi. It has bonito flakes, brown sugar, and mirin. The soy sauce was so delicious that I had to sneak a few sips of it as if it were a beverage. The cocktails were amazing as well, with the English Garden standing out as a highlight. It tasted like springtime in a cocktail, with a base of pea juice and a tang of lemongrass. If you like peas, make sure to order this drink. Our waiter was excellent. Very attentive (but not overly so) and informative. One of the best service experiences I've had in Pittsburgh. All in all it was a fantastic meal. One of the nice things about the menu is that the dishes are small and you can order as you go, so you end up ordering exactly the amount you want. The downside of this is that it can take longer to complete your meal (some of the sushi items took quite a long time to arrive), but if you're in the mood for a food experience that beautifully unfolds over a couple of hours, this place is for you. read more

First meal at Pittsburgh and it is absolutely amazing! The fish is super fresh and melt in my mouth. Highly recommended!! read more

Gi-Jin - Nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The hostesses power trip on their "exclusive secret" restaurant. This restaurant only takes calls for reservations between 9am-4pm and it's corporate that takes the calls during M-F business hours. You read that right. I was told they don't have a phone at the restaurant because "we like to keep this a quiet restaurant." And they don't allow for carry out. They also have no sign outside or on their door; you guess it's the restaurant based on what your GPS tells you. When I went in to wait for a seat for myself on a Thursday (so only 1 person) they said it will just be 30mins (7pm). I gave them my name and number. I came back at the time she said and then the hostess said oh it's going to be 8pm (another hour later). Don't treat people like that. Be honest and don't screw them over with making them wait for your fun. Never coming back here. read more

Hands down best restaurant in Pittsburgh and best sushi in PA. Fish is extremely fresh and the staff is attentive and kind. Really hard to get a reservation, but totally worth it!! read more

Gi-jin is by far the best sushi experience in Pittsburgh. Must reserve weeks in advance because space is limited, which is wonderful for the dining experience because it isn't crowded. The sashimi is buttery soft and the best I've had to date. The dynamite crab plate is a fun take on a deconstructed sushi roll and is perfect with every bite. Edamame was spicy, but truly delicious because I'm a spice lover. Parking is garage based since it is downtown. Food is pricy but the uniqueness of it is worth every incredibly delicious bite. read more

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Don't be fooled by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is world-class dining (minus the pretension that usually accompanies it). Chef Michael Taylor creates Michelin worthy plates with an artist's touch. Each piece in his ever evolving menu is thoughtfully prepared with creative ingredients and textures that set him apart from the rest. We now travel from out of state just to experience it. read more

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After waiting for a reservation to open up and thinking we'd have to wait another two months to get in, we finally got very lucky to find two spots at the sushi bar only two days in advance (must have been a cancellation because usually there's no chance of getting in without waiting months!). The service, ambiance and food were all amazing. Even though we showed up a little early for our reservation and just before opening, we were warmly welcomed by the staff. We started with the hamachi crudo, which had melt in your mouth fresh hamachi, and some interesting sweet and citrusy flavors in the whole presentation, all of which paired well with the extremely rich fish. We moved on to the nigiri, which we ordered a la cart strategically so that we could try the toro, hamachi, and hotate (scallop). Every piece was delectable and so fresh. I literally had to pause after every bite just to savor it. After that we shared 4 hand rolls: mushroom, beef tartare, hamachi, and eel. All were delicious but we were totally blown away by the mushroom hand roll, which had deep umami flavor. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of that one before it had disappeared into our mouths. We finished with the beef tataki, which was probably the heaviest and most umami-heavy dish. The beef was so tender and the mushrooms again had the most wonderful flavor. All the drinks we had were also wonderful but I would have to say my favorites were the Roku 75 and the Martini Kihon. The Roku 75 is a sparkling wine cocktail that's light and refreshing and pairs well with all the flavors in the dishes we tried. The Martini Kihon is a delicious martini with a slice of cucumber in it. I also enjoyed the Gin Tonic but thought it wasn't quite as exciting as the other cocktails. The Grand Lotus Aviation was also great but I thought it was heavy on the lemon, especially on its own, but it did pair well with the sushi. Overall this was a memorable dining experience and definitely worth the price point for a special night out. read more

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This was my second time visiting and I honestly cannot say enough good things about this place. Maybe the only negative thing I would say is it super hard to get a reservation but that's because the space is very intimate and the food is incredible. Richard DeShantz and Michael Taylor are bringing such high-quality Japanese food to Pittsburgh. The flavor combinations are unique and delicious. I would have never thought to order a tuna pizza but boy am I glad that I did! Make your reservation now because you will not be disappointed! read more

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As an avid sushi lover, I could not wait to try Gi Jin. We had to make a reservation 4 months in advance - there are day of reservations occasionally but I wasn't taking the chance. When we arrived, it was a very unassuming location and we actually walked past it a couple times. We finally realized the entrance door was behind a curtain and went it. The first thing you notice is the atmosphere - it feels like you've been transported into a swanky New York Restaurant. Very cool and chill vibes. Once we sat down, our waitress came to take our order. She was very knowledgeable about everything on the food and bar menu. We decided on the Grand lotus aviation and the Gamera cocktails. They were both handcrafted and delicious. We then perused the food menu. Everything you order is a la carte so we ordered quite a few things to sample the menu. We started with the ginger salad and miso soup. The miso soup is made from fish remains and I was not a fan of the flavor but the ginger salad was amazing. Next up was some salmon and toro nigiri. They both melted in your mouth and were my favorite part of the meal by far. We also ordered the sushi pizza and the spicy tuna rice cake as appetizers and they were very unique and delicious. For our entrees, we ordered a couple of hand rolls and there was not one that we didn't like! For desert, I got the matcha miso and my boyfriend got the silk chocolate torte and they were a delicious way to end a delicious meal. If you love sushi, I would highly recommend Gi Jin! read more

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Came here for dinner recently. Hard to get reservations as there are only 4 tables and counter top seating. Luckily the counter seating was comfortable and was fine. Love the cute different animal themed chopstick holders. We had the dynamite crab, tuna pizza, and hamachi crudo to start. My favorite was definitely the tuna pizza! The hint of truffle and parmesan complemented the tuna and scallion pancake perfectly. The dynamite crab was tasty - really enjoyed the crunch. The fish quality of the hamachi crudo was excellent. We then had the spicy tuna, salmon belly, and miso torched salmon hand roll. All the hand rolls were delicious. I think my favorite was the salmon belly with goat cheese and crispy onions. Would definitely come again! A welcome addition to the sushi scene in Pittsburgh. Prices are on higher side for smaller portions. read more

I can't say enough good things! We've had amazing sushi all over the country and I was sooooo impressed! Delicious sushi and drinks, friendly waiters, love that they put a time limit on the meal and tell you up front bc I could see that being an issue for this limited seating Restaurant. As with any downtown spot, parking is a pain but worth it! Make reservations well in advance and get ready to have high quality sushi! read more

Gi-Jin - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Pretty small so def make a reservation! The drinks are so good if you like gin! Nice and light! Went for a late light dinner and got a few apps to split and then a few hand rolls! I would say you need about 3 hand rolls at least for a meal. The miso soup and edamame are good options to add for a little more substance! The beef tartare hand roll was the best bite of food I might of ever had. Staff could not be nicer, and the atmosphere is chic and fun! read more

Waited 3 months for a reservation and it was truly worth it! The sushi was so fresh and the ambiance was very relaxing. My boyfriend and I shared 5 items on the menu and that felt like the perfect amount. Every item is tapas style and served when it is ready. I recommend the dynamite crab. Delicious! Also, the panda bear chopstick holders were so cute! read more

Gi-Jin - Panda bear chop stick holder. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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OMG - if you like sushi make a reservation ASAP but don't be surprised it's 2 mos from now for prime seating time. The restaurant can't accommodate many guests - I tried to count and it was about 20 when we were there. I had the Lotus Aviation Gin cocktail which was so good. My friend went before so I helped her guide me in ordering. We had the crab and pizza to start and the I had the most amazing toro sashimi I felt I was back in Tokyo market. The open roll is different but a unique taste. We ended with sharing the chocolate tort. So yes hurry up and make a reservation! read more

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Very fun and unique take on traditional sushi dishes. I was very happy with the quality of the fish. Do not expect traditional Japanese sushi of course. Everything has a unique and modern twist and has been created very artfully. Definitely a good place for a special night out. read more

Gi-Jin - Nigiri Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Another lovely experience drinks are always great to try & menu & presentation is ever changing so it's always something new to try & experience read more

Sushi is my love language. So when I saw a post one of my friends made on Facebook about this place, I had to go. Even though the first available reservation was 2 1/2 months away. Even though it's almost a 2 hour drive for us one way. Even though we got over 5" of snow the night before and current temperatures were in the teens. Happy to say that Gi-Jin was well worth all of those hurdles. Matthew greeted us at the door and took us to our seats. We noticed that Matthew was a Jack-of-all-trades, hosting, delivering food, taking empty dishes away. So sweet & kind. The entire staff was very attentive. The room had a unique, earthy, cozy atmosphere. Patrick was our server. Very attentive and knowledgeable, explaining the menu, answering questions and guiding us in our selections. We ordered: - mirugai (geoduck, a saltwater clam) special appetizer - very flavorful & tasty. - miso soup (not your run of the mill miso soup!) - roasted shishito peppers in a tannish brown sauce topped with garlic panko - oh my word! I could eat this every day! I'm not joking. - Nigiri plate: assorted sushi plus I opted to add all of the extras offered: toro, uni and scallop. Nothing here is run of the mill sushi nigiri either. The cuts are generous and just-off-the-boat fresh. And every single piece has its own specific garnish!! This takes the flavors and textures up a notch. The toro, salmon and tuna melt in your mouth. The uni was silky and delicious. I was in heaven with every bite. - sashimi plate: this was my husband's entree. He also opted to add the toro, uni and scallop. He was very happy with the quality and freshness of each piece. We are sushi lovers. We've eaten at Morimoto's both in NYC and in Maui. We've eaten sushi on the coast of Spain, in Puerto Rico, in the midwest, in Alaska & several places in Hawaii. (One place lists the name of the boat and captain of each daily catch on the menu!). We've had chef's Moriawase platters at high end sushi restaurants. We've crossed state lines just to get uni. (WV sushi places rarely have it) We take our sushi very seriously. And this is seriously some of the best sushi we've had in our lives!!! It's fun watching the chefs create with their tweezers and blow torch. The place has such a nice feel. Great sake and cocktails. I had a Mr Pink (basically a spicy margarita w/grapefruit juice). We had the Matcha Misu for dessert. Creamy and refreshing. We can't wait to go back. But we'll have to since they are already booked a few months out. Kudos to the entire staff & management of this shining star in Pittsburgh!! Thank you for a perfect evening. read more

Best meal and service I've had in Pittsburgh. I have endless good things to say about this establishment. Our server guided us through the experience with recommendations based on our preferences. The sushi was tender and melted in your mouth and flavors were phenomenal. The quality of the fish was apparent. Drinks were wonderful. I would suggest the matcha dessert! Atmosphere was very comfortable. I strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone in pgh area. Make your reservation in advance! read more

Gi-Jin - Nigiri plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I scored a reservation for opening week. My friend and I sat at the sushi bar socially distanced from other diners. The entire staff was so attentive and followed co-vid protocols. The atmosphere was spot on for a high end sushi joint with locally made dishwear and a local artist mural on the wall. Excellent selection of Japanese whiskey, sake, beer. It was the Yuzu 75 made by Ciana with gin that stole the drink show for me. My friend got the Asahi super dry beer which he hasn't had since living in Japan. I have been to Japan also and it's weird to mention in a review but a visit to the bathroom is also worth the experience. Back to the food, it was the Matcha Tiramisu that we ordered for dessert that was by far the best dessert/food I have eaten in a long time (ask anyone who knows me I am very particular about dessert as I was raised in the baking industry community). My favorite dish was the tuna pizza. 2 drinks + 2 starters + 4 small plates + 1 dessert = $100. Gi-Jin is my favorite in the DeShantz 6th Street restaurant row. read more

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Service is great. Drinks are on point. Is this authentic Japanese cuisine? No. Is it fun and clean fish? Yes. The portions of fish are large compared to high end, authentic Japanese sushi, but, considering the quality, it's pretty good!! They have some more American style dishes like tuna 'pizza'. I cannot attest to those but the sushi and sashimi has not disappointed! The service and management is spectacular here. They make you feel as though you're the only patrons in the bar. Check the super cute chop stick holders, everyone has unique ones. Super fun! It is a very intimate atmosphere. You cannot get in without a reservation, which are hard to get without planning in advance. Get a reservation, have an open mind, and you'll enjoy another great Richard DeShantz restaurant! read more

Service was great, cool atmosphere & food was delish. Had an issue with the bill (overcharged) but it was quickly corrected.

Great food, superb service! Everyone was helpful until the moment we went home. Friendly atmosphere read more

Gi-Jin - We have to order 2 cuz it's that good! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Took my best friend here for her birthday. The food was amazing - I have only wonderful things to say about it. We got the dynamite crab to start. Followed with the eel sashimi and toro sashimi. The eel had an eel sauce on it and it was torched and very rich with great flavors. The toro tuna had fresh flavors with a dab of wasabi on top and soy sauce. We finished with 3 handrolls: spicy tuna, beef tartare, and miso-torched salmon. They were all really different flavors and amazing. Wine selection was nice - I got a Pinot Blanc and Albariño. Both went with our meal really well. My friend got a lager and was happy with it. The service was good and we enjoyed sitting at the counter. The only reason that I removed a star was that it's pretty difficult to get in contact with the restaurant. They don't pick up real time - you have to leave a voicemail. I called to change our reservation from 2 to 4 and requested that they call me back and let me know if this was possible. They did change it for us, but they didn't call me back to tell me that they did. An email came through from open table, but it went into my "updates" folder I don't get notified (which is why I asked for them to call). So we were really disappointed that our other significant others couldn't join us, and then upset that they could have and were expected! Would just like to see this process improve. Overall, had a wonderful night and look forward to our next visit! read more

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If you want ultimate service, delicious drinks and fresh innovative food I highly recommend this place. I think our favorite dish was the tuna pizza, it was large enough to share and had phenomenal flavor. Service was quick and efficient. Can't wait to go back. Perfect spot for date night or after work drinks and light fare with friends. Try now! Worth the hype! read more

Gi-Jin - Inside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If your a mermaid from the sea like me, you will love this phenomenon of handroll, sushi/sashimi, creative chefs pescatarian kitchen. If I could eat at one place 3xs a week, it would be at Gi Jin. From the creators of Meat & Potatoes, Tako, abutcher in the Rye and so many other amazing restaurants... The DeShantz Group nailed it on this one. And if your not a pescatarian, it's ok. Your just missing out! See ya at the sushi bar! read more

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