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    Sushi Damu

    4.3 (7.3k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Waitlist - Sushi Damu

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    SUSHI DAMU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Damu

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    Reviews With Photos

    Poke nacho
    Lea P.

    Came here after debating between Sushi Damu and Sake 2 Me Newport - ended up choosing Damu because we heard parking was easier. Ironically, we got there around 6 PM and still had to circle for about 10 minutes before finding parking since the plaza was packed (possibly because of the animal hospital in the same center). Pro tip: even if you join the waitlist online, you still need to check in inside when you arrive. We missed that step, so parties who arrived after us got seated before us. We ordered the AYCE Premium (without the grilled options), and honestly it was more than enough food. Service was friendly and efficient, and dishes came out at a good pace. Favorites: * Nigiri: Unagi, Scallop * Rolls: Craw Me Daddy, Dynamite, Spider Roll * Appetizer: Baked Mussels, Poke Nacho Music was decent volume where it was still easy to have a conversation. It helped that we were in a booth. We only made it through 2 of the 3 rounds and still felt like we got our money's worth. We're not usually big on AYCE, but if the craving hits again, Sushi Damu would definitely be on our list.

    Sonic and Bella
    Johhny C.

    Perfect Dining experience at Sushi Damu once again. Manager DJ is the kindest man with a warm gentle heart. The sashimi is Omakase Quality. So fresh always ... All the servers and Chefs are so nice and nurturing. I highly recommend Sushi Damu. With appreciation, John Choi

    lavender and rose flower ball!
    Lisa C.

    sushi damu has always been amazing! :) we came here on a saturday night for 2 people and got seated pretty quickly (20-30mins). we did the premium ayce option and it was so worth it! the ordering is super easy with a flippable sign that lets your waiter/waitress know when you're ready for your next round of ayce or when you are still eating. we got a variety of nigiri, rolls, and even got free drinks as part of their ayce promo for april. :) you really get your money's worth with how tender the fish is (and non-fishy tasting)! service is amazing as always and the workers were so kind. we will be back again! :)

    Monkey Ball
    Millena P.

    It's been a while since I've been here. I've visited once before. I brought my family along with me during this visit to celebrate my mom's birthday. Parking: There's a medium sized parking lot. Finding a spot can be difficult. Since all the spots close to the restaurant were already taken, I parked further in the back. Ambiance/Environment: We visited on a Sunday for an early dinner around 4pm. It was already packed with every table and booth filled. We waited about 18 min to get seated. The tables were somewhat close together. Everything was kept clean. If you're a millennial, you'll appreciate the type of music. Service: We thought the service can improve. 3/5 at most. The host was really nice when he greeted & seated us. If you need assistance, you'd flip the sign to get their attention. It takes a while to grab their attention. The servers weren't as efficient. They forgot some of our dishes and didn't bring a bottle opener for the beers. Throughput was a bit slow bc it took a while to receive our orders. Sushi & cocktails: They offer two options, and we decided to go with the Premium AYCE. They have a QR code for the menu then you'd fill out the sheet for each round. The taste of each fish was good, especially the seasoned ones. Presentation can improve. Some of the cuts were messy. My favorite appetizers is the Monkey Ball. The alcoholic beverages were sweet. Can't expect much when it's $10, so I didn't expect them to be strong. - Monkey Ball - Garlic Edamame - Lychee Martini - Soju Sunrise - Salmon, Tuna, Blue Fin nigiri - Sushi Damu - Protein rolls Pricing: Their AYCE options are more on the higher end. We enjoyed the majority of the appetizers and sushi. Presentation can be cleaner. Drinks were okay, and service can improve.

    Jen Jen
    Joebear V.

    OMG I just can't stop eating. Delicious sushi and esp the Jen Jen..had 2 and almost ordered another. No Space. Great staff . Liz is exceptional. Super friendly and accomodating.

    Hailey F.

    This place is great. We arrived on Saturday evening, and there was a bit of a wait -- no surprise. The Google waitlist said there was no wait, but that was not true, so don't rely on that. Instead, try getting on the Yelp waitlist. In spite of being packed, the hostess was very friendly and personable, as well as our waitstaff. Their interior is a bit awkward because all the booths have low backs, so there isn't much privacy. It's a rather small place, so you will be stared at by the people waiting for a table. We did premium AYCE and were happy with everything we tried. Their lychee martini was good, as well as the Izakaya menu -- I only wish they had onigiri. Their presentation of the dishes was nice, too. We were celebrating my husband's birthday, so they were kind enough to bring us a dessert. I am so glad I found this place and am looking forward to going back.

    Chicken Karaage
    Paul K.

    We went here on a Friday night around 6pm. We joined the waitlist and we were 1st up but for some reason the hostess skipped us and let 3 parties go ahead of us. That is the minus one star. The place is clean but the music is just way too loud (maybe because I'm old now) and the service is good but slow . Our server Amy was cool and nice though. The food is good here. We ordered fish taco, beef skewers, jalapeño bomb, sushi salad from the appetizers and all 10/10. We ordered nigiri's, sashimi's, rolls, and much more all 10/10. We also had some soju frose and soju with beer to make somaek. Lots of variety of options to chose from but since the orders take long to make order a lot in round one. We got to round two and was told our time was getting close to the end even though there was a table that started before us.

    Dinghy F.

    I will never come to this place ever again this place is very slow -Hardly any variety that they want you out as soon as you come

    This girl is the worst waitress I ever meet in my life

    Worst customer service ever, will not come here ever again , they will talk shit about you after they gave u bad service by raising their voice and argue with you. The girl with pink hair rolled her eyes because we asked her questions and she was literally stand near by judging us with the white girl i can see her attitude. We were here at night time and they only let us order one round because their kitchen close at 9:15, we didn't know after we sit down and ordered our drinks no one explained to us, and after we wrote down our numbers of order they didn't come back to get the paper for a long time there were miscommunication but the girl was giving us the worst attitude ever if we know we weren't able to order why we come here and eat they didn't even give us soy sauce there was nothing on our table we had to ask for them to prepare , everything sucks , worst experience ever.

    Roseanna G.

    Hands down the best sashimi I've ever had. It was so fresh and the cuts they give you are amazing and large portions. Not only does it taste amazing but the presentation is absolutely beautiful.

    Aneesa E.

    had such an amazing experience at Sushi Damu! Everything from start to finish was on point. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor every bite tasted high quality and thoughtfully made. You can really tell they care about their ingredients. The service was just as impressive friendly, attentive, and fast without ever feeling rushed. The staff made the whole experience feel welcoming and comfortable. The ambiance is clean, modern, and perfect whether you're going for a casual meal or a cute night out. I also loved how nicely everything was plated it made the whole dining experience feel elevated. Definitely one of my favorite sushi spots now. I'll 100% be coming back and recommending it to everyone!

    Soju cocktails
    Maybo L.

    Before coming here, I read the great reviews and thought "how great can AYCE sushi be" and I was proven wrong. This is the best AYCE sushi I've ever had and I've had a lot. The quality of the fish here beats out a lot of regular sushi restaurants (non AYCE). All the fish used here are fresh and melty. I was so surprised at the quality that I even told a couple friends to make sure they try it when they visit SoCal. Service is also exceptional here and food came quickly. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in SoCal.

    Andrew N.

    I used to go here a lot when I lived in OC. I loved the fish to rice ratio and the large selection of nigiri. It's been a couple of years, but it's charged a bit. There's more rice now and it got pricier. However the fish was still good, but I think other places are more worth now.

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    20 hours ago

    Always the best! Great service (Mai was awesome on our most recent visit!), love the ambiance and music. It's our go to sushi spot.

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    Page 1 of 184

    Sushi Damu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sushi Damu

    Would love to have the premium AYCE, but have a friend who is strictly vegetarian- can they sit with me and order their own meal alacart?

    My wife is one who only eats cooked fish and we wanted to do the same as you (for slightly different reasons). Their policy, which they strictly enforce, is all members of the party must choose the same option, no exceptions.… Read more

    Does everyone at the table have to do the AYCE if at least one person orders it?

    Our policy is that everyone at the table must participate in AYCE. Thank you for your inquiry.… Read more

    How many rounds?

    It's AYCE (all you can eat) within their time limit so as much as you can eat. You'll get charge if you over order and can't finish it.

    Do they still offer AYCE lunch prices?

    Yes they do. Regular AYCE and sashimi AYCE for a little bit more.

    How much do they charge for a child under 3 for all the AYCE options?

    Free

    When is your last call on Fridays?

    We close at midnight on Fri, last call is 30 min prior to closing so it would be 11:30pm on Fridays. Please note that last seating is at 12:00 pm

    Is there a max number of people you can do for reservations?

    Hi, it’s usually 6 people max, we turn it off occasionally based on business requirements. We have waitlist though to put your name on it in case there’s a wait when you get here

    How much is the AYCE dinner during the weekday?

    Thank you for the inquiry. It's 44.95 everyday, all day.

    How much per person?

    35.95 for lunch and 39.95 for dinner!

    Do you have a separate menu for someone who does not want to do AYCE and have bento like menus or noodles for someone who does not eat raw fish?

    We are currently making our progress on a la carte menu. This individual menu is only available from 90min prior to closing. Please visit sushidamu.com for specific hours of operation.… Read more

    Are you open today (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)? I've tried calling the phone number listed on this Yelp page and on the website multiple times to speak with someone to confirm if today's hours are the same as usual, but no answer.

    Hi, we are open during the normal hours.

    Is this restaurant open on the 2nd of January?

    Yes they are open.

    Are you guys open Christmas Eve?

    Yes we are

    Will you bring back the poke bowls? They had been the best I've ever had

    Is there AYCE sashimi?

    They will charge you an extra $15 per person on top of the AYCE price.

    Make a reservation?

    They don't take reservations but you have the option of joining the waitlist

    Do you serve all you can eat all day?

    Yes. Lunch pricing and dinner pricing

    What gluten free options do you have?

    Rice is GLUTEN-FREE, however most soy sauce is not. Some places do offer a gluten free version.

    Do you take reservations?

    Hi, not at this. Please use the waitlist.

    How many items per person can be ordered each round? Moreover, is it 3 rounds limit?

    Just went today for lunch, unlimited rounds for 2 hours - 5 items per person per round.

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    46 A Speakeasy - featured cocktails

    46 A Speakeasy

    4.7(20 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    We really enjoyed our experience at 46 A Speakeasy. It felt like a real speakeasy from the password…read moreto the coziness nestled in a secret spot behind Rockwells. After arriving to 46, we were able to sample 4 different specialty drinks and choose one of them. And seated at our table. If you're a party less than 4. You will be joined with another party. Initially, it may feel awkward however after the icebreaker. It works! They have a nice food menus. The dates and burger were delicious! Besides the speciality drinks they also have a full bar so I opted for a regular old fashioned and it was delish! Since the speakeasy can hold a max of 16 ppl, service was superb and attentive. Pricing was reasonable for what it is. Note: service charge (tip) is included. I wish they would have told me. It was dark and I didn't have my glasses. Also after 2 drinks.... I added another 20% on top of that. I didn't even notice until I got home. But what is done is done. Would I return? yes! We enjoyed it so much. We have already recommended so many people and they have gone and enjoyed it as well!!

    46 A speakeasy is located in Rockwell Bakery. Check in is within the bakery and reservations are…read morerequired. When making reservations a $25 deposit is required per person but will be applied to your bill day of visit. The hostess was very kind upon check in and took us to the back where the 46 door is. She provided us a code and explained the time limit along with house rules. We were then told to knock on the door and proceed with the experience. Kudos to the owner as this is the only speakeasy in the OC that has a true speakeasy feel entrance. They had a gentleman open the peephole and ask for the entry code. Once we said the code we entered a really cool mine shaft area. The attention to detail was on point and I was impressed! We were then taken upstairs to a private bar where there are four tables of four so a max of 16. This makes sense as to why reservations are hard to come by. The only ding about seating is you are sat with strangers it is not a private table. Luckily we had a fun older couple at our table so it made the conversation more lively. Otherwise don't go here with an expectation of an intimate/ private date night. They also offer a limited food menu but looked very promising. However, we were here for a night cap so just dabbled in drinks. The bartender had a seasonal menu of 4 cocktails he created. He explained the drinks and then had us try each one with a straw. We then placed our order based on what we liked. He did say if we were not a fan he could create us our own personal cocktail as well. The old fashion he created was phenomenal! Overall, a cool little spot in the OC. Do wish they were open later as they do close at 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    Photos
    46 A Speakeasy - Decor

    Decor

    46 A Speakeasy - 46 burger

    46 burger

    46 A Speakeasy - Inside

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    Inside

    Club 616 - Piña Colada cocktail

    Club 616

    4.6(185 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    When I said "Bar" and "Santa Ana" in the Yelp search - of course it said "Club 616" in the first…read morespot - OF COURSE IT SAID 616!!! I was lucky enough to stumble across this gem of the center of OC when they first opened - and I am proud to be a regular here. I don't know how to go somewhere else - because I feel like the staff are giant gems in this jewel of a spot. Winters is a curator of boozy information that has helped me learn about "gin" and "root beer whiskey" so I can sound like an adult-ish purveyor, when really I know close to nothing except being a willing student to his creations. Dan the Man and Jacob always see me raise my hand in the corner of the bar, like the student I am, and have been willing to fill in the blanks for me when I know I am of thirst, but do not have the words for what to order. Every person working in the well has treated me with kindness - they have taken the time to get to know me, and I will be forever appreciative of how they have taken care of me over the years. But the real joy has been the transformation that this spot has for building a community of people in Santa Ana for real recognizing real. I have been bringing my Dad with me to play pool for the past few years. Sometimes people ask me if he plays professionally, I am terrible, and my skill incline is slow, he is patient and plays with the same level craftiness that the staff offer the cocktails. My Dad is always stoked when we have time to go have a few hours of games at 616 - especially now that there are regulars on 4th street that are excited to see that he is there playing - and they rush to write their names on the chalkboard to challenge him - or beat him in a game they really earned the W. On lazy Sundays, I watch couples sit with their drink, listening to Jazz, and watching my Dad whoop my ass while making amazing shots. I am forever grateful to Memo who sometimes takes a break from his shift behind the bar to give my dad an actual challenge - which allows me the chance to watch my Dad enjoy fellowship around the table. Knowing the table was a relic of the bars former self, and knowing the history that this spot has in Santa Ana is a reminder that so much around us can change - but it is those moments of the crack of the rack, the cheer of getting the combo shot, and the shake of hands when it's over that shows that it's not just about the pool table - but about the energy of a place that is welcoming and curated by people who care about what they do - and care about who comes through their doors. Thank you Jason and Mike B to bringing this to 4th St and supporting the community that was already here - and for building a community for the future. Thank you to Christina and Brandon for always having amazing pictures, decor, and fun events at 616 that help introduce new folks into this great spot. Time is short. Learn about Root Beer Whiskey. Write your name on the Chalk Board. No one lives forever.

    I love the vibe here. It's about the energy and atmosphere for sure. Reminiscent of the bars /…read moreclubs in Baja California or Mexico in general, it's lively with a back patio area and even like a taquero there, at least on weekends. The drat beer selection is solid and the cocktails are well crafted. Highly recommend this spot. One of my favorite it's Downtown Stabba Ana

    Photos
    Club 616 - Shaken Not Shy cocktail

    Shaken Not Shy cocktail

    Club 616 - Innocence Lost cocktail

    Innocence Lost cocktail

    Club 616 - Garden State Of Mind Cocktail

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    Garden State Of Mind Cocktail

    Sonder - CHICKEN OYSTERS: Buttermilk brined thighs, tare sauce | $8ea

    Sonder

    4.3(175 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Came to Sonder for my birthday. Had an amazing experience. From Matt who helped us. To Lamson the…read moreowner who checked up on us. Food was excellent especially the mains. Loved short rib. So much meat. So tender. Flavorful. Pork over fish sauce was also great. Sauce was on point. Not salty or sweet. Drinks were really good. Had the clarified cocktail and another chef special drink. Both so good. Music was so good also. Fun older jams great vibes. Fun spot in downtown Santa Ana to hang out.

    My daughter recommended this restaurant for a pre-Mother's Day dinner because she had been here for…read moredrinks at the bar when they first opened and really liked the ambiance. We came with reservations on Saturday night before Mother's Day. The first thing I thought when I walked in was that there was a live band playing with bad speakers because the music was so loud. But when I saw there was no band, I thought maybe their speakers were broken because the music had that scratchiness to it. Then I realized it was a DJ spinning vinyls with foreign music from the 1950's with that scratchy vintage sound on full blast (think shrill trumpets and shrill voices.) Now don't get me wrong, the music was wonderful and very unique ( again, a lot of foreign songs) with a few I even knew...my husband and I loved most of the songs that were played. HOWEVER not when it's so loud that we can't even hear our own thoughts! I felt annoyed within the first 5 minutes of being seated when my family and I had to keep repeating ourselves, and my husband even went to check the rest of the place to see if it was any quieter anywhere else, but it was blaring music everywhere. I ended up ordering for my whole table of 8 people because we couldn't even hear each other over the music to make suggestions on what to order. My adult kids (all in their 20's) kept apologizing for recommending this place for my mother's day dinner. But oh my, the food was delicious---practically everything I ordered was amazing! OMG the hangar steak skewers, pork belly skewers, iberico pork secreto steak, little gem salad, and their bread with goatmilk -butter were my faves! We also had the short ribs and the pork fried rice with prawns but they were mid...nothing to write home about. This would've been a great place to come have a drink at the bar for happy hour or even late at night on a weekend since they open until 1am on thursday, friday, saturday... but don't come for dinner unless you bring earplugs and learn sign language or know how to read lips because there will be no conversations over dinner unless it's just to the person sitting next to you. Even so, I noticed the young couple next to us looking very annoyed-- they got up and left after quickly finishing up their one cocktail while the speakers blared out an instrumental piece of a girl moaning the whole time until she climaxed. Heck---I'll have whatever SHE'S having lol So plz keep the music down several notches until after 10pm, and let the rest of us enjoy our dinner so that we can sing praises on how delicious everything was. Until you do, I think I'll cross this place off my list for now and revisit again sometime in the FAR future.

    Photos
    Sonder - Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers

    Sophisticated bar and classy chandeliers

    Sonder - Hanger steak

    Hanger steak

    Sonder - Whisper in the Wind and Carter & Lee

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    Whisper in the Wind and Carter & Lee

    Strong Water Anaheim - Loco Moco Burger

    Strong Water Anaheim

    4.6(982 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    We attended a special Chartreuse tasting event at Strong Water which was being held in honor of…read moreChartreuse week and Chartreuse Day 1605 (May 16), the annual celebration of Chartreuse's origins and history. The tasting featured a great lineup of green and yellow Chartreuse paired with small bites. It concluded with a complementary Chartreuse-based cocktail from one of five recipes. Brand ambassador Taylor guided the event and began by telling us about the unique history of Chartreuse. The tasting started out with a small spoonful of Vegetal Elixir Chartreuse to warm up the palate. This is the base spirit of both green and yellow Chartreuse and clocks in at 138 proof. It was surprisingly not harsh, but immediately kicked my salivary glands into overdrive. I didn't even know that vintages of Chartreuse was a thing, but Taylor walked us through tasting three different vintages of both yellow and green Chartreuse, and it was surprising how different they were. The lineup concluded with more rare varietals of the green elixir 1605 and yellow cuvee. Great job, thanks Taylor! Chef Kling presented each small bite which included a crispy Icelandic cod, a roasted beet crostino, and a lamb slider. All of them had a five star list of ingredients and were delicious. Strong Water is known for their excellent cocktails, but their food is also great. For my cocktail at the end of the event, I had the Bar Flower (Green Chartreuse, Crème de Cacao, Pineapple, Lime). This was so good, with the herbal and chocolate flavors perfectly balanced. It was served with a flaming lime half. This was such a great event! Chartreuse retails for around $100 a bottle, and the higher-end varieties cost even more. At just $45 per person, this event was an amazing bargain. Strong Water frequently hosts great events, so keep an eye on their social media for upcoming dates. I really love Chartreuse, so I went back a few days later on the last day of Chartreuse week to try a few of the other limited time cocktails. I started out with their twist on a Grasshopper (Chartreuse, Crème de Menthe, Chili Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, Cream, Cane, $22). This was a great classic Grasshopper, but the Chartreuse added a herbal complexity, and there is a dash of heat on the finish from the chili liqueur. Next I had the Flare Gun (Yellow Chartreuse, Overproof Rum, Italian Bitter, Lime, Cane, $20). The yellow Chartreuse definitely comes through, but it's softer and has a light sweetness, unlike the green variety. Even though it contains overproof rum, it is perfectly balanced and not boozy at all. I usually don't like bitter drinks, but the bitterness was at a perfect light level. I finished off with the Tales from the Black Lagoon which is my favorite drink here, and it's also a favorite of many of the bartenders. All three cocktails were a home run. Chartreuse is an expensive spirit, so those drinks cost a little more than average. Shout out to Karen, Joey, Edgar, Jordan, and Ying for excellent hospitality, as always. Strong Water is our favorite place. We can't wait to go back!

    Amazing spot! Great spot to go check out if you are new to Cali! It is small but worth it! Drinks…read moreca be pricey but it's worth it. Some drinks will have souvenirs!amazinnnggg ambience! 1000/10 would come again!

    Photos
    Strong Water Anaheim - 3 Dots & A Dash and Tales from the Black Lagoon

    3 Dots & A Dash and Tales from the Black Lagoon

    Strong Water Anaheim - Captain's Quarters

    Captain's Quarters

    Strong Water Anaheim - Tempura King Oyster Mushrooms & Shishito Peppers

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    Tempura King Oyster Mushrooms & Shishito Peppers

    Sushi Damu - sushi - Updated May 2026

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