Highlights
- Fireplace
oChef » Downtown Sushi – San Diego
Downtown Sushi - San Diego
Photo from Downtown Sushi
Downtown Sushi at a glance
San Diego Banker’s Hill
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 80 of the guests
#44 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Japanese Restaurant out of 36 in San Diego
Excellent
8.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
365
Reviews
91.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Attentive service
- Fresh sushi
- Relaxing ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Dry chicken
- Peeling paint
The restaurant Downtown Sushi, a Japanese restaurant in San Diego’s Banker’s Hill neighborhood, invites you to discover its unique charm. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal by the cozy fireplace.
This spot is known for its diverse offerings, from happy hour drinks to late-night food, ensuring there’s always something delicious waiting for you. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full dining experience, this San Diego gem has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Downtown Sushi
Downtown Sushi offers a delightful experience, often praised for its attentive service from individuals like Molly and Marta. Diners frequently commend the fresh sushi, with specific rolls like the Fire roll receiving high marks for flavor.
The overall atmosphere is often described as calm and relaxing, enhanced by unique touches like Renaissance art. However, some visits to Downtown Sushi have been marred by inconsistencies.
Occasional slow service for refills or ordering drinks can be frustrating. The ambiance, while generally positive, sometimes suffers from issues like peeling sticky paint at the counter.
Food quality can also vary, with some finding the chicken teriyaki dry or nigiri lacking.
Excellent
8.9
out of 10
365
Reviews
91.8%
Satisfaction
24
negative
6
neutral
335
positive
Downtown Sushi generally earns high marks, reflected in its strong Restaurant Score of 8.9. This excellent rating is supported by an equally impressive Customer Satisfaction of 91.8%, indicating that most patrons leave pleased.
With 335 positive opinions against just 24 negative ones out of 365 total customer remarks, the feedback leans overwhelmingly positive, suggesting a consistently good experience for many. Diving deeper, the Service (9.2) stands out as a particular strength, frequently highlighted by guests.
The Food (8.8) also receives excellent reviews, with many appreciating its quality. While the Ambience (8.3) is good, it’s slightly lower than other areas, and Value (8.0) is considered good, especially for those who take advantage of happy hour deals.
What people like
- Attentive, friendly service
- Fresh, delicious sushi
- Relaxing atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service speed
- Dry chicken dishes
- Peeling counter paint
Downtown Sushi comes with a strong Recommendation Score of 9.1, suggesting it’s a place many would happily revisit. If you appreciate attentive service and well-prepared sushi in a pleasant setting, this spot is certainly worth considering for your next meal out.
While the overall experience is largely positive, be mindful of potential service lags or occasional inconsistencies with cooked dishes. However, for a generally satisfying sushi experience with good value, especially during happy hour, it remains a solid choice.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Downtown Sushi
Food (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're in for a treat! With an impressive score of 8.8 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 91.5%, diners are consistently raving. Based on 150 positive remarks out of 164 total, the fresh and flavorful sashimi and sushi, along with amazing rolls and beautiful presentation, truly stand out.
However, a few of the 11 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some found the chicken teriyaki entree to be dry, while others mentioned bland yaki udon, overly sweet rice, and bland wasabi. It seems certain dishes might not always hit the mark.
Food
164
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
150
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful fish
- Creative sushi rolls
- Beautiful food presentation
What people don't like
- Dry chicken dishes
- Bland side dishes
- Overly sweet rice
Often praised
- foodThe food at Downtown Sushi was delicious
- sushiThe ambiance was beautiful, and the service was excellent. Mari provided amazing recommendations, and I enjoyed the best sushi I’ve ever tasted! I highly recommend you don’t miss this place!
- fishThe fish was very fresh and delicious
- presentationThe presentation of the restaurant was wonderful and pristine
- FoodSushi is my favorite food, and I'm quite picky. This place was so good! The hamachi carpaccio was stellar, and my husband enjoyed the chicken teriyaki, noting the chicken was very tender.
- Fire rollgot the Fire roll it was amazing!
- Love rollthe rollo Love riquisimos!
- drinksThe food and drinks were delicious.
- fire rollI was delighted by the result. It was like a party in my mouth!
- great rollsI definitely recommend this place! There were lots of great rolls to choose from. I ordered the Moon & Love roll and am looking forward to going back.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food took ~30 minutes to arrive
- chicken breasttired of people not knowing how to cook a chicken breast properly
- chicken teriyaki entreeThe chicken wasn't. It was dry
- glazeThere wasn't enough glaze either
- nigiriThe nigiri was not of high quality
- riceThey couldn't even provide information about the ingredients in the veggie hand roll. The food took about 30 minutes to arrive, and when it did, the nigiri was not of high quality, and the rice was overly sweet. The wasabi was bland.
- tofu in the miso souptofu in the miso soup tasted like soap
- veggie hand rollServer couldn't tell us what was in the veggie hand roll
- wasabiThe food took about 30 minutes to arrive, and when it did, the nigiri was not of high quality, and the rice was overly sweet. The wasabi was bland. When we tried to order more items, we had to wait another 10 minutes for a menu.
- yaki udonYaki udon was bland but overly-sugared
If you're a sushi lover, the fresh fish and creative rolls here are definitely worth trying. While some non-sushi items might be a hit or miss, the overall food experience is overwhelmingly positive and highly recommended.
Service (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.2 and a stellar customer satisfaction rate of 94.2%, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 139 comments, a whopping 131 were glowing, highlighting the attentive staff, knowledgeable recommendations, and quick, personalized experience.
However, its not entirely flawless. A small handful of 8 negative remarks mentioned occasional slow order taking for drinks or additional items, ignored requests for refills, and rare instances of a rude server. While these are minor blips, they're worth noting for a truly exceptional experience.
Service
139
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
131
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Staff is attentive
- Servers give recommendations
- Service is quick
What people don't like
- Slow order taking
- Refills often ignored
- Server can be rude
Often praised
- serviceThe food was a perfect 10/10, and the atmosphere was excellent. I highly recommend coming here for a great dining experience with very good service.
- MollyWe ordered Moon sushi and balboa sushi. Molly, the kind lady who helped us, was instrumental in making the balboa sushi vegetarian. The food was great, and Molly was incredibly kind and sweet.
- serverWe were celebrating our friend’s bachelor party and had an absolute blast! Our server, Hope, was so funny and made our celebration extra special. The food and drinks were delicious.
- MartaWhat an amazing experience, especially with Marta taking such good care of us. The Red California Hand Roll was the bomb, packed full of fresh snowy fluffy crab.
- ServiceOur Server Martha took great care of us
- recommendationsShe was well-informed about the menu, providing thorough explanations and answering all our questions. Molly was also very helpful with recommendations when we were undecided. Her presence made our dining experience enjoyable and fun.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially regarding the food and staff. The sushi was really good, and the staff was great! However, the atmosphere was let down by the peeling, sticky paint at the counter, which needs to be redone.
- server MollyOur server was Molly is she exceeded expectations!
- sushi chefThe sushi chef, Andy, was also helpful
- waitressMartha as a waitress really elevated the experience
Frequently criticized
- serverOur server was always off doing something else
- RefillsThe yaki udon was bland and overly sugared. Refills were never offered, and my request for more tea was ignored. We left feeling very dissatisfied and will never visit again.
- more teaI asked for more tea, it never arrived
- order drinkstook 15 minutes for us to be able to order any drinks
- order more itemsWe wanted to order more items and asked for a menu. We waited about 10 minutes
- serviceService was awful
If youre looking for a dining experience where the staff goes above and beyond, youre in for a treat. While there might be a rare hiccup with drink refills, the overwhelmingly positive feedback on attentive, knowledgeable, and quick service makes this place well worth a visit.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place really shines! With a good score of 8.3 and a good customer satisfaction of 88.9%, guests consistently praise the amazing atmosphere. Many loved the unique outdoor seating with firepit tables, the beautiful Renaissance art, and the overall excellent ambiance, making it a perfect spot for celebrations.
This positive sentiment is echoed in 48 glowing remarks. However, it's not entirely without its quirks, as 5 comments pointed out. A few guests noticed minor issues like peeling sticky paint at the counter.
Some also felt the atmosphere was slightly let down by the tone-setting music, and parking can be a bit of a pain, which is definitely something to consider.
Ambience
54
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique firepit tables
- Stunning Renaissance art
- Perfect for celebrations
What people don't like
- Peeling sticky paint
- Challenging parking
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was very calm and relaxing
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceOur server, Chadwick, was awesome. The ambiance was incredible, making it a perfect spot for a celebration or a girls' night out.
- locationPerfect location for dinner before a show
- outdoor seatingoutdoor seating has unique firepit tables
- placeMy experience at this restaurant exceeded all expectations ✨. It's a very nice place, and above all, the food was delicious. I'll definitely be back 👌🏻.
- spotperfect spot for a celebration or a girls night
- NightWe came here to celebrate my son’s last night out before shipping off to Boot Camp, and this place did not disappoint. Our server, Martha, took great care of us and made the night extra memorable. 10/10!
- Renaissance artMy experience at this restaurant was quite positive. The Renaissance art on the ceiling was a beautiful sight, and the people here were nice. I also enjoyed the good food.
- ambiencethe ambience was excellent
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was let down
- few peoplehow few people were in the restaurant
- parkingParking is a pain. The only downside.
- peeling sticky paintpeeling sticky paint at the counter was sticky
- tone-setting musicif they played more tone-setting music
If youre looking for a restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere, especially for a special occasion or a cozy evening by the fire, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potentially tricky parking and dont let a bit of peeling paint at the counter dampen your spirits.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 10% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! Customers are consistently happy with the prices and rave about the happy hour and happy hour drink deals. With a solid score of 8, indicating a good performance, and a customer satisfaction of 75%, also considered good, its clear people feel theyre getting a good deal.
Based on 6 positive comments out of 8 total, guests found prices affordable and the happy hour truly great, even on a Saturday. Interestingly, there are no negative comments or opinions regarding the value here. It seems guests are universally pleased with what they pay for, with zero negative mentions out of 8 total.
This suggests a strong consensus on the fairness of the pricing and the overall positive experience related to cost.
Value
8
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
0
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great happy hour
- Excellent drink deals
What people don't like
Often praised
- happy hourWe enjoyed some great rolls, and the nigiri was exceptionally fresh and tasty. The wait staff was very friendly, and they offer a righteous happy hour.
- pricesCan’t beat the prices
- happy hour drink dealshappy hour drink deals are some of the best
- pricerelatively reasonably priced
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes further, especially during happy hour, this spot is definitely worth checking out. You can expect affordable prices and excellent drink deals, making it a solid choice for value-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Downtown Sushi?
On average, you’ll spend around $47 per person – based on 80 guests. That puts this Japanese spot in the $41–$50 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range, maybe a touch above.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a good mix. While many diners opt for options in the $20-$40 range, there are also quite a few who enjoy a more premium experience, which helps pull the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 80 reviews.
How this restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for this type of restaurant. It seems to offer a good balance for diners, whether they’re looking for a quick bite or a more elaborate meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Downtown Sushi
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Excellent Birthday Dinner Experience!
I made a reservation for my boyfriend's birthday, and this place did not disappoint in the slightest! We started off with oysters and a bunch of nigiri. The fish was excellent in quality and flavour.
Alex, our sushi chef, was great to us.
- oysters9
- nigiri9
- fish10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Awful Service, Mediocre Food
My experience at this restaurant was terrible. It was immediately clear that the place might be buying its reviews due to the lack of customers. We encountered awful service throughout our visit.
It took 15 minutes just to order drinks, and our server was consistently inattentive, often seen chatting with colleagues. They couldn't even provide information about the ingredients in the veggie hand roll. The food took about 30 minutes to arrive, and when it did, the nigiri was not of high quality, and the rice was overly sweet.
The wasabi was bland. When we tried to order more items, we had to wait another 10 minutes for a menu. Our server was rude when we inquired, stating she was coming soon, but the menu never arrived.
We ended up placing a blind order and immediately asked for the bill. The yaki udon was bland and overly sugared. Refills were never offered, and my request for more tea was ignored.
We left feeling very dissatisfied and will never visit again.
- service1
- food2
- few people2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Molly's Service and Poke Perfection!
My experience at the restaurant was excellent, largely thanks to Molly's wonderful service. She expertly guided us in deciding what to order, and the st poke and sparkling sake were a perfect match for our cravings. I would definitely recommend this place and suggest asking for Molly’s amazing advice!
- Molly's service10
- st poke9
- sparkling sake9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Fun Service, Delicious Poke Bowl!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The poke bowl was absolutely delicious, and our server, Molly, was a lot of fun. She provided great recommendations and was very knowledgeable about the menu.
The plating was gorgeous, and the service was definitely 5-star. It's a cool little location with a lot to offer.
- poke bowl9
- server Molly10
- great recommendations9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Sushi Experience
My experience at this restaurant was hands-down one of the best sushi spots in San Diego. The quality of the fish was next-level fresh, and every plate that came out felt like it was made with intention, not rushed. The staff is friendly without hovering, and they actually seem to enjoy helping you pick things based on what you like.
- quality of the fish10
- staff9
- plate9
What Downtown Sushi offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
FAQs
What dining options and special offerings can you find at Downtown Sushi?
At Downtown Sushi, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including lunch, dinner, brunch, and dessert, with available seating and counter service. They also offer catering. For special occasions or a casual evening, you’ll find late-night food, happy hour drinks, wine, beer, and small plates.
Does Downtown Sushi provide accessibility features and various service options?
Yes, Downtown Sushi is committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. For your convenience, you can choose from outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Parking is available with paid parking lots and paid street parking options.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Downtown Sushi?
Downtown Sushi enjoys an excellent overall **Restaurant Score** of **8.9** and a **Customer Satisfaction** of **91.8%**. Guests particularly praise the **Service** (9.2) and **Food** (8.8), with **Ambience** (8.3) and **Value** (8.0) also rated well.
What do customers enjoy most about Downtown Sushi's food?
Customers frequently highlight the fresh and delicious sushi, with specific mentions of the “Fire roll” and “Love roll” being particularly satisfying. Many appreciate the quality of the fish and the overall presentation.
Are there any common complaints about Downtown Sushi?
Some customers have noted occasional issues with slow service, particularly regarding drink refills or ordering additional items. There are also mentions of minor ambiance concerns, like peeling paint, and sometimes dry chicken in cooked dishes.