This is one of my favorite places to eat in Haarlem. I usually do not like "all you can eat" places because the quality is not ever really that great. No so with Sumo! Everything is made to order and is delivered to your table relatively quickly. This place has some of the best service out of any restaurant around. They have many different kinds of sushi as well as other warm dishes that are also not too bad. I bring every person that comes to visit me to this place and everyone always ends up really full and happy (even the people that don't like sushi and think they will not like the place.) They recently opened another location on the other side of the church so they now have have two locations within a 30 second walk from each other. They have the same menu and I was not able to notice a quality difference between these two locations (that being said the location in Amsterdam is nowhere neat as good as these two in Haarlem...I think they can get away with it because there are so many tourists in Leidseplein) You do not have to have a reservation but I would highly recommend making one. This place is very crowded and sometimes it is not even possible to reserve a table a few days in advance, especially on the weekends. In short, try this place (even if you don't like sushi) it is amazing! read more

Sumo Haarlem - Japanese Near Me - Haarlem, New Hampshire

Sumo is easily one of my favorite places and I always leave full and happy. It's a great deal for unlimited small plates and some of them are truly, truly delicious. Highlights are: Lamb chops, duck, beef teriyaki, salmon nigiri, rainbow roll, eggplant, black pepper chicken, and I really could go on... The service is quick as well, it's not like you're worried about not being able to really maximize your 2 hours. But you need to order your ice cream with the staff - for whatever reason you can't order ice cream off the menu! read more

Read this review closely now, you'll thank me later! (with a 'helpful' vote?) This fairly large restaurant is situated in an ideal location just behind the St Bavo (the one on the Grote Markt, not the other St Bavo). The dining area is huge yet feels surprisingly intimate thanks to the warm, dark decor and dividers. Foodwise, well, the quality of the sushi is decent though it didn't blow me away. They offer a huge variety of stuff though, including little noodle dishes (tapas size) and god knows what. Here's the complicated part. This place is "All You Can Eat". Right? Or is it... What we have here is the finest example of American concepts done the Dutch way. In principle it's a good system, but in practice it's overly elaborate and complicated. You can eat whatever you want, but with the following bizarrely extensive stipulations: - You must order and pay for at least one drink per customer (fair enough) - You may order up to five dishes at a time (two pieces of sushi, a tiny noodle bowl, etc) - You can order again once you've received your first one (but don't expect anyone to actually TAKE your order) - You may only get 6 or 7 rounds, or at least, there's no more space on your paper than that. and here are the weirder ones: - You have only a two hour period (lunch, 2.5 for dinner) during which you may order. - You must PAY (!) for every piece you don't eat. Now let's go back to my own experience, and let me explain why this is a TERRIBLE concept: 1. It's exceedingly difficult to flag down a waiter, so there's really only about 4 rounds you can successfully order within your '2 hour period'. This annoyed me out of principle, though I was full at the end of the dinner. 2. Four times five dishes is a LOT of food, most people won't eat that much, so these policies just hassle customers for no good reason. 3. Some of their sushi is not good. At all. Salmon with Gouda cheese? We got four pieces and we gagged repeatedly eating them, it was revolting. However, we were too stubborn to pay FOUR EUROS ($6) on top of the 26.50 we were paying for dinner already, just because they served us disgusting food! (if only I'd had a purse with me to dispose of them...putting them in my pocket seemed like a bad idea) In short, the system is ridiculous. Simply ridiculous. Why put these bizarrely complicated limits on your food when people can't actually eat that much anyway? To protect yourself from the single greedy slob or competitive eater? NOT. WORTH. THE. HASSLE, Sumo! Their strict policies are somewhat insulting too, especially when you feel forced to eat something gross because you'll be held hostage for extra money otherwise. TL:DR - Read the rules on their website before you go out, because you'll lose a LOT of your two hour 'unlimited' (*cough*) ordering time slot just figuring out how the system works. read more

First the positives. The location is wonderful--central Haarlem next to the beautiful church at Grote Markt. The interior is large, but has a nice cozy feel. The sushi is good, and they offer an "all you can eat" option, but I opted for a la carte as I prefer to choose my sushi/maki (more on that in a moment). First, I sit down and a waiter helps me promptly asking what I would like to drink. I respond that I'll have "tap" water. He asks if I prefer mineral or plain water so I clarify that I do not want bottled water, but simple tap water from the faucet. He brought out what looked like tap water in an old water bottle so I thought I was good to go. I ordered a beer to go with my sushi when it arrived. Beer came early. No problem. I'm disciplined. I'll wait and drink my warm tap water. Food came shortly after. I ordered a "sushi/maki" platter plus a supplemental "cucumber sushi maki". The platter came with one maki, but I was told the indivicual items had to remain a mystery as to what sushi and maki were included--chef's choice. OK. No problem. But please, just don't bring me the same maki that I"m already ordering as a supplement. Make sense? Order arrives. Two orders of cucumber maki. OK. Great. No problem I guess--I like it anyway. Let's eat. Wait. No wasabi or ginger. Hmm OK. Maybe they do it differently here. I wait and try to get someone's attention to ask. Sushi/maki untouched. Beer untouched and warming. Finally I'm able to get the attention of the waiter and ask for some wasabi & ginger. The food is pleasant enough, but I finish quickly and ask for the check. Bill arrives and includes just under 3.00 EUR charge was for bottled water. When asked why they charged me for tap water, I was told I got bottled water, not tap water. Yes, but I specifically asked for TAP water, NOT bottled water correct? The reply? Yes, but it's the "house policy" that customers are not allowed to order tap water unless they order wine. ("Yes, but it's the "customer's policy" not to pay for things he didn't order". OK, well, I didn't think to say that, but I guess it was implied. In summary, I'm always amazed at how sometimes it seems places seem so adept at turning what could have been a positive dining experience (the food was good; the atmosphere was great) into a lousy experience. WIth almost no effort, this could have been a great experience with a 4/5 start rating. With that said, I completely understand the higher ratings given by other reviewers. My experience maybe was unique for what I ordered, and I do get upset over little things like not offering free tap water. Also, waiters have bad days--no problem. I understand. read more

Yuuuup, the biggie! 5 stars. Sooo worth it. Worth the $$, worth your time, worth the trip from Amsterdam, no doubt! Came here twice in one week! The first time was before a big dinner so we shared a roll and had 2 beers. The second time we came for the all you can eat. But it's not quite all you can eat. But it is. Confusing, I know! They have 5 "rounds". Order as much as you want in each round. As with most AYCE places, you must finish everything or they charge you. We tried sooooo much. Sadly, we were full after the 2nd round. We tried on the 3rd, but we punked out. Could barely finish what we ordered. The food is well prepared. The rolls are delicious and beautiful. Service was good. The place has a nice elegant feel to it as well. I would absolutely come back next time I'm out this way. Enjoy! read more

I am interested to meet someone who can make it to the last round at sumo. I think they call this place sumo because eating here will prepare for a new career as a japanese sumo wrestler once you're done with your meal. In case I didn't stress this already, the quantities of food you get is inhuman, and considering, it's pretty good. The sushi isn't the best quality I've ever had, but it's pretty good, and all of the other dishes, re: lamb chops (why are they at a Japanese restaurant?) dumplings and edamame were great. This place is especially great for big groups, as everyone can select 4 (or is it 5?) dishes per round. There are 5 rounds. That means each one of you is going to have a taste of at least 20 dishes. Win! This place is great value for money, especially here in Holland where eating out aint cheap. read more

Had lunch here two days ago. This is sort of all you can eat place (pre fixe anyway), so a fairly good deal for you hungry folk. Also, on the plus side, the location and ambience is quite good, the latter being subdued and slightly high end ish for Dutch standards. Unfortunately, the sushi is fairly mediocre. Perhaps I am jaded from my years of New York sushi, especially Midtown lunch, but the Missus and I tried several wraps, nigiri, rolls and the miso, and it was just...meh. Nothing was particularly fresh or interesting, although nothing was actually bad. Probably a good place for a group (although expensive by local standards) or party, perhaps a date with someone not accustomed to good sushi. read more

There are multiple of these all-you-can-eat places in Haarlem. You have two owned by Sumo (very close by eachother, both at the market) and one by Shabu Shabu. The food we had here was very good, but have to say that the choice for non-fish looked a bit bigger at Shabu Shabu to me. However, according to my wife the quality of the fish-dishes was a lot better here at Sumo. So which place is best for you might depend on whether you are in the mood for just fish, or non-fish :) read more

Imagine you've been walking around all day and you just really want to sit down enjoy some decent sushi. This is the place to go. It's a faux AYCE (you have a limited amount of times you can reorder) and you need to buy drinks with your food, but honestly, we filled up way before we hit the limit. The sushi isn't amazing, but for a AYCE, it was definitely worth the price point. Make sure you save room for dessert! :) read more

The original all you can eat sushi in Haarlem. The prices aren't crazy expensive but it's hard for me to judge since I'm a bit of a sushi snob after living in Vancouver. Quality is generally good and they have a pretty wide selection to choose from. It's a nice place to come with friends for a big meal, but considering the price I leave it for special occasions. However, business is booming as they've opened a 2nd location on the other side of the Grote Kerk. read more

Different all you can eat concept. It cost you extra if you waste food that you order. Chicken meatballs was very good. Sushi was à little bit better than average. Not directly blowing you away. read more

This restaurant is definitely worth a visit, even if you don't like sushi. The food is very good and you will find yourself coming back for more. The location is very nice. For all-you-can eat, you have to sit indoors, which is a small minus. During lunch hours, the service is very slow and the staff is often unavailable. They randomly forget to bring your order, they forget the ginger/wasabi and they don't look whether customers need help. They seem way too relaxed, even though there are barely any customers. However, during dinner hours, everything is on time and the staff always comes to check in on your table. They also never forget to bring an order. It seems that they're more alert when it's busier, which doesn't make sense, but I guess that's how their brains work. The atmosphere is great. It has a red and black theme throughout with Japanese flowers everywhere. There is soft music in the background and the lighting is dimmed. It's very romantic. read more

For an all you can eat the quality is good. Seating is cramp, but you get what you pay for. Great for larger groups on a budget lets say with co-workers or something. speed and quality was A-okay. read more

Overall, very positive. Good sushi, especially considering the leviathan quantities for 'all you can eat'. Very rapid service too. And free wifi (provided you like their Fb page) so handy for travellers, provided you're willing to share your dining habits with Zuckerberg and the world. Almost only drawback #1 was that as a Scot of modest means, I asked for tap water and was refused. Seemingly one can ask for water in villages in the third world, but not here, despite stumping up 25 EUR for food. Almost only drawback #2 was that (after asking for the bill), I was informed that at least one drink was obligatory and I could expect to be charged for an imaginary one. In response to my look of shock, I was given a stay of execution 'this time'. Thanks team. Good sushi all the same. Well done. read more

Let me just say it is ok. They pretend to be Japanese but they are not at all. You have only certain time to put all the food in your mouth and than you will be asked to pay and leave. Not cosy at all. I will never go back. The area is full of restaurants that are worth eating. This place is next door to Ambassador City Centre Hotel. If you want to eat real Japanese just walk 2 minutes to the Spaarne. Here you find Nagoya Japanes restaurant. read more

Ordered sushi today, the delivery was here in no time.. It took barely 15 minutes, also the sushi tastes absolutely delicious. The delivery boy was polite as always. This will always be my place to order food. read more

Just had the most disgusting/appalling restaurant experience ever (it's a bit long, but definitely worth reading): Eating sushi calmly when a rat walks right near our feet and then walks across the dining room to another corner of the room. After complaining to the staff this was their response: "Sorry that's how it is in these old buildings. The older the building, the more mice they have. In fact I'm surprised they came out this early in the day. They usually come out later at night when there are not any people here. But it's the first time I've seen them out in the dining room this early." All of this from the floor manager (who has apparently worked there at this store for the last 4 years, and said in a completely calm, apathetic tone of voice. Then she charged us for the FULL PRICE FOR THE FUCKING DINNER, with only a 6 Euro rebate! Usually if you see 1, that means there are many. And if he's that comfortable walking around in the daytime with a restaurant full of people, that's never a good sign for what's happening in the kitchen. If you're looking for a a good night out eating sushi, DEFINITELY not the spot. This experience was disgusting and irritating. The sad thing is I'm still hungry because I only ate less than half my meal before being totally grossed out and stopping. read more

Ok, the sushis are wonderfull!!! fresh and perfect, cant say nothing about that.. the place looks nice and clean but it does remind me of a foodbarn... too many people.. its inn and out for my feeling.. like a wok... but alright... what i think is on one side a good thing on the other side not is... when you order the sushis, what you dont eat you have to pay extra for.. so if you have 6 sushis and you eat only 4, the other 2 your must pay for seperately... and the food is not super cheat, 28 euros (about 33 dollars) a person + drinks seperate is hanging onto the pricy side... so to pay seperate for what you dont eat.. because ok, this is it... they have so many different sushis, i personally wanted to try different things.. but what if there are sushis with it you dont like... i didnt want to pay extra for the pieces i didnt eat, so i forced myself to eat some sushi i really disliked... i understand there are people that are ridicilous and order way to much and dont eat half of it... but i think they should change their policy... that if you dont like something you dont feel uncomfertable and forced to eat it... because i would get angry if i left 3 pieces i didnt like and on top get charged extra for it.. that would make me pissed off, so i want to avoid this situation... so maybe its an idea to change that in a better way.. you have 5 rounds and in those 5 rounds you can order i believe 8 sushis or something?? i cant recall exactly.. but what they could do, give them more rounds and less sushi... so that way they dont over order.. or for example, if people are full in there 3th round let them take the sushi home in a doggybag (dont let them have another round but this way you dont have to trow anything out) when i go back to holland i will go there again i think... read more