I really like this restaurant and come here often, usually around four times a month. The prices are very reasonable, and the quality of the food is excellent for what you pay. We had never had any problems here until our most recent visit, when our server, Mauro M., took care of our table. We placed our order, and after our regular rolls were brought out, I asked whether he remembered that we had also ordered a specialty roll. He said yes, but later came back and told us that it was no longer available and that they no longer make it. That itself was not a big deal -- we could have simply ordered something else. What bothered me was that he did not tell us until I specifically asked about it. If I had forgotten, we might have just kept waiting for something that was never coming. When we received the check, the total was also higher than it should have been because the specialty roll that we never received was still included. He eventually brought us a corrected check. Because of the poor service and difficult communication, I left a smaller tip than I normally would. However, when I checked my bank account today, I noticed that the final amount charged to my card was higher than what I had authorized on the receipt. The difference was not large, and I disputed it through my bank, but for me this is about the principle. A server should never change the amount of a tip or charge a customer more than what the customer authorized. Because the experience had already been problematic from the beginning, I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I took photos of both receipts. First, we were charged for an item we never received, and then the final charge to my card was higher than the amount I actually authorized. We will still come back because we genuinely like this restaurant and have had many good experiences here. However, if Mauro M. is our server again, I will ask to be seated with someone else. Updated: The manager reached out to me, apologized, and assured me that they would take care of the issue, so I'm changing my rating to 5 stars. Bad situations can happen anywhere. What matters most is how a business responds, and I really appreciate that they listened to my concerns, took them seriously, and showed that they genuinely care about their customers. read more

Here's the deal : Nicely situated sushi restaurant in the south end of Charlotte. They have indoor and outdoor seating and have some tasty specialty rolls. Definitely a go to spot in the area read more

Sadly I was let down today. Usually when I go to yamazaru, I have no issues and thoroughly enjoy their sushi. Today I decided to go with simple rolls for take out. The shrimp in the shrimp tempura looked very undercooked (grey and translucent), which made me uncomfortable enough to throw it away. I tried to contact them through their phone number 4 times but was not able to get a hold of them. This could be due to rush hour, but it felt like there was no way to contact them to address the concern. I am not sure if I will get a shrimp tempura roll or anything shrimp tempura related in the future because of this. I hope this is a one time occurrence, as every other experience I've had has been positive. The other roll I had was tasty. read more

Yamazaru - Tempura Philly - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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My order has been pretty much the same for the past three years. Unfortunately I have seen the quality of my beloved chirashi bowl decline to the point where I will no longer be returning. It started off as the cuts of fish getting smaller last year. Now, my favorite cuts of fish are no longer in the bowl (scallop, fatty tuna, smoked salmon). On top of that, the tuna in my bowl today was grey and had a horrible fishy odor. It was not edible. I've had Yamazaru's chirashi bowl probably over 40 times now. The quality has seriously declined over the past years and it's disappointing, considering it was one of my favorite things to eat in all of Charlotte. I would not recommend the Chirashi bowl anymore but I hope management considers quality checking the ingredients more often and maintaining the serving size that originally made the chirashi so great. read more

Yamazaru - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

One of my favorite sushi places in charlotte. The quality is very good for how reasonable it is. It is a smaller restaurant but they do have a little bit of outdoor seating. Expect a wait if going during busy hours. read more

Yamazaru - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Great dinner spot with friends that doesn't break the bank! The deals, service and rolls were great! Will be back. read more

Yamazaru - Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yamazaru is really a top contender for sushi in Charlotte for me. I enjoy my food every time I order and it's always been through Door Dash so I feel like that is saying something. This time I got the tuna bomb, the cream cheese chip and negi toro maki. Everything was delicious and fresh, just like before. I really can't wait to go to the actual restaurant soon!! read more

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Nice Japanese restaurant located at South End. Place is crowded. Looks like many regular customers. Lots of dining places in the area but mostly paid parking including street side. Watch out for parking enforcement. They works at night too. Saw the "meter lady" gave out lots of tickets during Tuesday night 8-9pm. Yamazaru do validate the paid parking in the parking lot. Enter the discount code in the app and it's free till next morning. Food was excellent. Ordered Chirashi and sushi was fresh. Include a piece of Ootoro. Nice. Seating at the bar and service was excellent. Kept checking on me. read more

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Couldn't be more obsessed with Yama! Went 4 times last week hahaha. The sushi is SO fresh and the staff is awesome. read more

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Looked for a quick bite the other day and had a great time. Service was quick and attentive. A lot of variety on the menu, with some good options. Offers free parking to customers, definitely a place you should visit. read more

Yamazaru - The Green Dragon Yamazaru roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Sushi quality to price is a strong as it gets in the area. On food alone it's a 5/5; however, I am rating a 4/5 because the hostess seated us to an outdoor chair without a back to one of the chairs. When we asked for another chair she kind of awkwardly laughed us and said sorry? Waitress was great so just a hostess problem. read more

Yamazaru - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We had a great experience here as always. Friendly staff, food comes out quick, prices are reasonable. Can't beat it in Charlotte if you are looking for great Japanese food. We had Jackie as our server, she was terrific. read more

Yamazuru I LOVE you. Been here a couple of times and I'm always excited to go back. The prices are good compared to most ramen/sushi places in charlotte, the plates are pretty and fit the aesthetic so well, the food is BOMB- lots of fun sushi rolls and tasty bits- they have my favorite tonkotsu ramen in the city and the spicy mule is to DIE for. Service has always been wonderful, I've been on dates, with friends for a party, and by myself here and had a great meal everytime. They validate parking for their lot too which is nice :) only thing (this is so personal and nitpicky lol- the spicy edamame just has a spicy salt on top, not a sauce or chili oil like I thought it would be- so if you're a spicy edamame person that's just some info to inform what you order lol- it's hard to choose!) Xoxo love u Yamazaru be back soon read more

Yamazaru - Cutie menu and spicy mule!!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

One of the BEST sushi restaurants in Charlotte! I love love love that they have a small veggie selection aside from the basic avocado rolls (smh). My fave is the Sweet Potato Caterpillar roll. I've been here hundreds of times & they definitely get busy towards the weekends, but it's still amazing & worth the wait! read more

Yamazaru - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Yamazaru has consistently been good. I've been many times over the years now - and I'm never disappointed. The sushi menu is really great. The cocktails are all well made. It's intimate and cozy inside. I've never had an issue with service either. Their edamame is cooked to perfection. And mannnnn can they make a great poke bowl. I forget the exact name of the bowl on the menu but I've never had a bad meal here. Parking can sometimes be a little tricky but Yamazuru definitely has a fan in me. Well done! read more

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Take out was great! Got the sushi and Brussel sprouts. Very good and would order from here again.

One of my favorite laid back local sushi spots. The food and service is always great, I can always expect consistent, good food. This is one of the local area spots that stays packed because it's soooo good, I recommend it ANY TIME you want sushi. read more

Yamazaru - Shrimp Tempura Roll, California Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Great restaurant. Just moved to charlotte and already visited twice. You will be seated fast and the environment it is casual yet nice. Great for a date, meet up with friends, or family. The sushi is great and I loved the Hawaiian martini. The tuna was fresh and the tempura was light yet crunchy. Will definitely be returning again in the future. Everything has been great and the service is fast. Great spot for your next sushi night. read more

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Amazing service, fast. And great food. We always love coming here. The sushi is fantastic!

Wonderful ambiance, food was delicious, and service for the most part was timely. We went for a girl's night and it did not disappoint. Would recommend to anyone in the Charlotte area, but you definitely make a reservation ahead. read more

Yamazaru - Salmon madness roll, tuna maki, Yamazaru roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place never disappoints. The sushi is amazing!! The atmosphere is nice too. Feels welcoming

My favorite sushi place in the city!! Fish is always so fresh and I can confidently say that every time I get it im satisfied with the quality!! Would rec to anyone looking for good quality sushi that doesn't break the bank!! read more

I went from being an elite yelper to "absent" since Covid. I realized this evening that it was because outside of the "Table d'Emeraude" in Ajaccio, I didn't get enchanted by what I was served. Until this evening. I strictly order sashimi in japanese restaurant, excluding escolar. sometimes with a side order of rice. Every piece I was served this evening melted in my mouth, each full its own flavor. A delight. John's Service was excellent. 5 * all around! read more

Yamazaru is by far my favorite takeout sushi in Charlotte. They do not miss. And super good prices for how good of quality!! read more

Yamazaru - Scorpion Roll Philly Roll Grinch Roll Spicy Tuna Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yamazaru was a great spot and i'll definitely give them another try despite my review. Ambiance/Vibe - 5/5 Staff/Service - 5/5 Rolls - 4/5 Nigir - 1.5/5 this place is definitely a vibe and a great spot for either lunch or dinner. great date spot as it has plenty of small booths that make the space feel intimate. the decor is dope and the music selection was great. the wait staff was amazing and the food especially appetizers came out quickly. the rolls that came with my order were solid but the nigiri was subpar to say the least. all of the pieces were tough and rubbery. either it wasn't fresh or not stored properly as the textures were totally off. i would come here again but i would stay away from the nigiri. read more

Yamazaru - E. 10 Nigiri, Tuna Avocado Roll and Kiss of Fire Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Best bang for your buck!!! The sushi is great quality! Never had a bad experience here, even when they're busy! read more

Yamazaru - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Food is awesome! Been there three times and never a disappointment. Since they don't take reservations be prepared to wait but it's worth it. read more

My first visit to Yamazaru was enough to ensure my return. I met a friend for dinner on a Friday evening. Parking wasn't too difficult, and there were a few close spaces available. Prepare to use the Park Mobile app if you dine here. The server gave us a code to use for a credit. The ambiance was that of a fun, lively restaurant on a Friday night. All of the food was fresh and tasty. I have a preference for my calamari to be fried harder. I typically don't enjoy it at much when it's prepared like what I have pictured, but it was good. The dumplings, sushi, and drinks were a hit. Our server was also a lot of fun. My friend is pretty particular about what she eats and drinks, and he made a few ingredient adjustments for her without any hassle. We had a great time and will return. read more

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Vibey, dimly lit and low key dinner spot in the South End - Charlotte where the food is delicious and the drinks are cold (or hot if that's your thing)! Came here on a work trip for a quick Monday night sushi roll and a cocktail - this place blew me out of the water. Reasonably priced for what I got with outstanding service. $55 for 2 speciality rolls and a middle class bourbon pour. Entrees: The Snazzy (pictured) Red Dragon Roll Will definitely be back to try more of this place. Hoping to bring my fiancée so I can introduce more people to this great restaurant! read more

Yamazaru - The Snazzy - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

With limited sushi places that can serve them in a more traditional way, I think Yamazaru is one of the few places in Charlotte that does this. It has become our go-to for take out sushi. Service was good and the inside was nicely decorated. It would be a good option for a date night. read more

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I love going to Yamazaru for their Chirashi! Always tasty and filling. Service is always busy but if you go with a group of friends time flies by. Be prepared to wait anywhere from 30-an hour + if you go during prime dinner time. read more

Yamazaru - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Absolutely disgusting hospitality. I placed an order at 5:59 and called them at 6:03 to let them know I'm allergic to eel sauce since the door dash app wasn't making it easy. The woman who answered rudely told me it was "too late" to make any changes. I could hear her complaining to someone else in the background, giving attitude about my order. When I asked for her name, the front desk girl refused, saying, "I don't feel comfortable giving you our names." Excuse me? You're in the hospitality business--if you can't handle basic customer service, maybe find a new job. Avoid this place if you expect even the slightest bit of professionalism or courtesy. Thumbs down on this low class business See pictures for order time VS my call read more

Yamazaru - Photos of time I called VS time of when I put my order in. They made three rolls in 2.5 mins? - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This is our go to sushi spot. The service is always great, they are quick, and have a great menu. We started with a miso soup and a jalapeño hamachi, both very good. We split the red monkey roll, gladiator roll, goodness roll, and the kiss of fire. Would recommend the goodness roll and the red monkey roll. Only giving it 4 stars this time rather than 5 because we didn't love all of the rolls we got. read more

Yamazaru - From left to right (the Red Monkey Roll, Gladiator Roll, Goodness Roll, and Kiss of Fire) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I recently dined here and had an OK experience. One thing I appreciated about this restaurant is that they offer one hour of free parking, which is quite convenient in a bustling city like Charlotte. I had the seafood yakisoba. This dish had flavorful stir-fry of wheat noodles and included a variety of seafood and a mix of vegetables. The combination of these fresh seafood ingredients with the savory yakisoba sauce created a rich taste. I also had a specialty roll and unfortunately I do not remember the name but I have included a photo! It was super good. read more

Yamazaru - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I moved to FL from Charlotte and this is the restaurant I constantly miss the most. I would order every Friday night for takeout I loved it so much. I would order the Grinch roll, salmon belly nigiri, and Ikura nigiri (with quail egg). Still one of the top sushi restaurants I've ever been to (throughout the US). The team was always incredibly efficient. I also loved going into the restaurant, as it had such a cozy vibe. I also enjoyed their sake selection. I miss it so much here! Whenever I am in town, I make sure to hit it here!! read more

The Aesthetic: Modern, classy sushi and ramen spot with a variety of Japanese favorites. The Price: For the location, the rolls and dishes are pretty affordable, and they are generous with the portion sizes. The Parking: The restaurant is in a shopping plaza, so there is a massive amount of parking. However, the parking is all paid so you have to take a picture of your license for them to validate your parking! My Order: I've had a few rolls I thoroughly enjoyed here. The Saru Hand Roll and Red Monkey stood out to me recently for the generous, fresh portions of fish. I've also had the curry rice ball appetizer, and it was surprisingly filling and tasted like a warming Japanese curry. I love iced green tea with my rolls, and they make me my own pot of tea with ice on the side since they don't serve iced tea. The servers are super kind! The Conclusion: If I'm in the neighborhood, this is one my go to sushi spots, I highly recommend trying it! read more

Yamazaru - Saru Hand Roll and Red Monkey Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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My recent visit to Yamazaru was a delightful culinary experience! We started with the crab dip wontons, which were a perfect blend of creamy and crispy--absolutely delicious. Next, we tried the Red Monkey Sushi Roll and the Spicy Tiger Roll. The Spicy Tiger Roll was a standout, featuring a delightful crunch and an unexpected twist with mango. It was our first time having mango in sushi, and it was a bomb! The combination of flavors was both refreshing and exciting. The Red Monkey Sushi Roll didn't disappoint either, delivering a savory and satisfying taste that complemented the Spicy Tiger Roll perfectly. While the food was incredible, it's worth noting that the ambiance was quite noisy. Yamazaru is clearly a popular spot, and the close proximity of customers added to the lively atmosphere. If you're looking for a vibrant dining experience, this place is definitely worth a visit. Also DO NOT for get to get a picture of your license plate and take it in for validation. This was a costly mistake resulting in a 40.00 fine. read more

Everything was incredibly fresh. The sashimi melts in your mouth and has great flavor. The fried rice is very balanced with flavor and texture. The waiter was attentive and efficient. Outdoor seating is comfortable, but the large tables outside are just those metal park picnic tables, which really takes away from the ambiance. The two-people tables outside are nicer, and the tables inside are also nice. read more

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Great food, and staff is all wonderful. Expensive if you're looking for more than a snack, handful of apps, plates, a roll and a couple of drinks each for two people was +$200 quick. But again, great food read more

Loved this restaurant! Visited around 8:30 on a Saturday evening, and had about a 20-minute wait, but well worth it. Great ambiance inside. We started with the spicy edamame, and for my entree I ordered the Mango De Tango and the Volcano rolls. Both were delicious. My partner ordered the Cali Sunset and Salmon Madness. All the sushi was delicious and prices were great! Would definitely return when I am in Charlotte. read more

Yamazaru - Volcano, Mango De Tango - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina