Reviews - Akemi

#7 - Order Seafood Berkeley, Vegetarian, Asiatic

Reviews summary

Akemi is a charming neighborhood restaurant that offers a variety of delicious Japanese dishes. While some reviewers were disappointed with the portion sizes and the quality of certain dishes, others praised the freshness of the sushi and the attentive service. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and accommodating nature towards dietary restrictions make Akemi a great spot for a special night out or a casual meal with friends. With a diverse menu including sushi, sashimi, salads, and dinner entrees, Akemi is a must-visit for those looking for well-crafted food at a local BYOB restaurant. While some dishes may leave guests wanting more, the overall experience at Akemi is bound to satisfy foodies looking for an interesting and beautifully plated meal.

Overall Total Score
4.4 out of 5
Impressive | 6175 reviews

Was martina merkel at Akemi a mag?

Truly excellent and sometimes unusual Japanese food, especially the cucumber salad and the delightfully light and crisp shrimp tempura. Service was quick and non-obtrusive. The noise from conversations around us made it hard to hear my dinner partner. I recommend highly! View all feedback.

What Joanne Ludowyk dislikes about Akemi:

We've been here a few times and this time was the best. Our group ordered a variety of things and all of them were good. They have an extensive sushi/roll menu but also enough other things for those in our group who didn't eat sushi. View all feedback.

Images uploaded by reviewers

Reviews from various users

Restaurantsdb

Last update : 31.07.2025

4.9 ★ from 1070 reviews
cee-rose-squirrel7
31.07.2025

This place was fantastic. The service was 100%. The restaurant ambiance was five star. I really liked this restaurant, but I didn't think that cost was accurate for the taste. I thought the food was good but everything else was incredible. I love how they do their sake set up too! Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

april-firefighter96
31.07.2025

So yummy!! Me and my boyfriend ate 3 sushi plates nagiri. I was pretty full afterwards. They had so many options. I really loved...ALL OF THEM !!! The servers are so sweet This sushi might be the best in town. It is in a cute little location.

Opentable

Last update : 17.10.2024

4.5 ★ from 477 reviews
antonella
17.10.2024

Great food and service! Glad to have Akemi in the neighborhood!

mary
17.10.2024

I was there with my 18-year old grandson and two of his friends. They are heartily and enjoyed everything. I had a lovely meal. It was perfect for the day.

joanne
17.10.2024

We've been here a few times and this time was the best. Our group ordered a variety of things and all of them were good. They have an extensive sushi/roll menu but also enough other things for those in our group who didn't eat sushi.

bettinag
17.10.2024

1st time visit for a birthday dinner. Shared a sampler of sake. Really enjoyed the Cucumber salad; haven't had anything like it before. Sashimi for him, tempura for me; perfect portions and all good!

martina
17.10.2024

Truly excellent and sometimes unusual Japanese food, especially the cucumber salad and the delightfully light and crisp shrimp tempura. Service was quick and non-obtrusive. The noise from conversations around us made it hard to hear my dinner partner. I recommend highly!

Gastroranking-it

Last update : 14.08.2024

4.4 ★ from 45 reviews
nancy
14.08.2024

One of our all time favorite Japanese restaurants. Highest quality of ingredients, delicious and unique menu offerings from sake list to dessert. I took my wife there for her birthday and am always impressed by how much we enjoy coming here. It’s romantic, beautiful flower arrangements and so grateful for music that adds to the ambience. We’ll be back.

evan
14.08.2024

Food was excellent. The tofu and brussel sprouts appetizers were to die for. The akemi role is my favorite, fresh and crunchy

lingling
14.08.2024

Had a mixed experience here. The sweet shrimp quality is excellent. The okinawayaki is excessively oily and salty, exacerbated by the sauce. The black cod is alright, but the overdose of okinawayaki makes it a bit overwhelming. The karaage is good, but the overall discomfort caused by the excessive oil and salt, particularly in the okinawayaki, impacts the overall experience.

anony
14.08.2024

Nice quiet lunch. Food and service were good. Try it

deniseg
14.08.2024

We enjoyed a lovely meal at Akemi on Super Bowl Sunday the restaurant was quiet, only a few tables occupied which made for an exceptional experience with food, service and ambiance all excellent. We were able to park right out front which was also nice. We'll be back highly recommend!

Doordash

Last update : 26.01.2024

4.8 ★ from 900 reviews
karen-v-ivy28
26.01.2024

I had a great experience at Kamikaze! The Mixed Tempura was fantastic and I absolutely loved everything about it.

brandie-g-3
26.01.2024

Although the food at this restaurant is generally good, I would recommend avoiding the Wagyu steak. Priced at $36, you only get about 3oz of steak, making it not worth the cost. The portion size is extremely small, with one pocket of the takeout container filled with rice, another with slaw, and tiny strips of steak on top. The large pocket of the container is completely empty, leaving you feeling ripped off. Overall, I was disappointed with the meal and felt it was not worth the price. It is rare for me to feel this way, but in this case, I am genuinely upset about what I received.

a-s-rabbit963
26.01.2024

The sushi rolls were delicious, but there was hardly any tobiko in them this time.

carol-t-squirrel1
26.01.2024

Excellent very fresh sushi perfectly prepared

a-s-pilot82
26.01.2024

Fresh, real crab, good Lion King

Menu

Last update : 23.04.2023

3.6 ★ from 43 reviews
rogahn-dale
23.04.2023

The food was just like that. Limited menu is missing some of my usual favorites.

welch-sadie
23.04.2023

Terrible food. Absolutely zero flavor. Service sucked

ewilliamson
23.04.2023

I had the most amazing time to celebrate my cousin's birthday in Akemi! The sushi was incredibly fresh and delicious, and the presentation was beautiful. We tried a variety of roles and sashimi, and everyone was better than the last. The service was exceptional to make great recommendations with our server and make sure that we had everything we needed to have an unforgettable evening. The restaurant itself is cozy and welcoming, with a beautiful atmosphere that made us feel at home. Overall, I cannot recommend Akemi enough, it is the perfect place for a special occasion or just a night with friends. We can't wait to come back!

kraig28
23.04.2023

The best sushi. Love the bento also. My daughter's favorite restaurant.....

lavon-8
15.04.2023

Delicious food. Great for a casual dinner. So many options of sushi and also vegan/vegetarian options too like sushi and ramen. Not just your boring avocado and cucumber rolls. They had other more exciting choices. I loved the grilled steak combo meal and the spinach gomae was delicious. I’m so glad I found this place on Opentable. I highly recommend it.

Google
4.3 ★ from 460 reviews
Int Restaurants
4.2 ★ from 1949 reviews
Restaurantji
4.1 ★ from 340 reviews
Gastroranking-us
4.5 ★ from 888 reviews

FAQ

From Berkeley, these Images of Akemi were provided by the members of Menu. They display the dining hall at Akemi, the interiors, the location and naturally, superb Photos of delicious food from Akemi.

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