Sakura Japones - Lisboa

What an amazing place. Well organised and dedicated staff. read more What an amazing place. Well organised and dedicated staff.

Since 2018, my journey through Lisbon’s sushi scene has taken me to various Sakura establishments, each offering its unique take on this beloved Japanese cuisin... read more Since 2018, my journey through Lisbon’s sushi scene has taken me to various Sakura establishments, each offering its unique take on this beloved Japanese cuisine. However, my recent visit to Sakura at Parque das Nações left me with mixed feelings, prompting a detailed reflection on my experience. A Culinary Adventure with Mixed Results My familiarity with Sakura’s branches across Lisbon has allowed me to appreciate the subtle differences that make each location special. While I’ve always admired the precise cuts and attention to detail at Sakura Entrecampos, Sakura at Parque das Nações unfortunately falls short in this regard. The sashimi, usually a testament to the chef’s skill with the knife, was disappointingly coarse, lacking the finesse I’ve come to expect. An Architectural Preference When it comes to the setting, Sakura Picoas stands out with its architectural charm, offering a dining experience that complements the food. In contrast, the environment at Parque das Nações, despite its attempt to mirror a traditional Japanese aesthetic, couldn’t fully capture the essence of tranquility and minimalism that I find appealing. The Trials of Dining in a Group On the last Saturday, our group of eight ventured into Sakura Parque das Nações, only to be met with a lengthy wait of 40 to 50 minutes for a table. This experience underscored the necessity of making reservations, especially for larger parties, as the restaurant struggled to accommodate us promptly. Once seated, the disorganized manner in which the staff prepared our table was noticeable, further delaying our dining experience. A Glimmer of Excellence in Service Speed Despite these setbacks, it’s worth noting that once our order was finally taken, the service speed was commendable. Dishes arrived swiftly, within five to eight minutes, a stark contrast to the initial delay. This efficiency, particularly for the fried items, was a highlight of our evening. The Culinary Experience The cuisine itself was a mix of hits and misses. While the cuts of the sashimi did not meet my expectations, the overall quality of the food was commendable. The dishes were well-prepared, and nothing was amiss in terms of flavour or presentation. This aspect of our visit was a saving grace, demonstrating that Sakura Parque das Nações can deliver on quality, albeit inconsistently. Concluding Thoughts For those seeking an intimate sushi dining experience in Lisbon, I would recommend exploring other Sakura locations, such as Entrecampos or Picoas, where the attention to culinary detail and ambience tends to be more consistent. Our recent visit to Sakura at Parque das Nações, while enjoyable in parts, highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in service organization and the precision of sushi preparation. In essence, while Sakura continues to be a go-to option for sushi in Lisbon, the experience at Parque das Nações serves as a reminder that not all branches are created equal. I remain hopeful that future visits will show improvement, reflecting the high standards that Sakura is known for citywide.

I really like Sakura and the fact that they make the food as you place the order, so it's really fresh. They have an okay selection of sushi, could be a bit mor... read more I really like Sakura and the fact that they make the food as you place the order, so it's really fresh. They have an okay selection of sushi, could be a bit more varied. But the taste was good for the price. The waiters are also nice. I recommend either reserving or going early, by 20h on a Friday there was a line of people waiting to get in.

The place is really great! Fish is fresh and all is tasty. Menu diverse from lunch to dinner but always good!! read more The place is really great! Fish is fresh and all is tasty. Menu diverse from lunch to dinner but always good!!

The atmosphere of this restaurant is quite inviting it accommodates a lot of guests but still feels private! (the place is quite spacious) There are more than 5... read more The atmosphere of this restaurant is quite inviting it accommodates a lot of guests but still feels private! (the place is quite spacious) There are more than 50 different options and they are served very promptly they also taste good The service is made by robots that talk to the clients which is an experience out of the ordinary We did talk to two waiters and told them it was our friend's birthday so they brought us a cake and the robot sang happy birthday! The entrance is on the side, there's a restaurant just below it so be mindful of that when you go!