Highlights
- Great wine list
- Great tea selection
oChef » Nishino – Seattle
Nishino - Seattle
Photo from Nishino
Nishino at a glance
Seattle Washington Park
- š£ Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $81ā$90
mentioned by 57 of the guests
#516 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#27 Japanese Restaurant out of 47 in Seattle
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
430
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality sushi
- Great service
- Nice ambiance
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Service issues
- Dish inconsistency
The restaurant Nishino, a premier Japanese restaurant in Seattle’s charming Washington Park neighborhood, invites you to an exceptional dining experience. You’ll discover an upscale, romantic, and cozy atmosphere perfect for any occasion.
Known for its great wine list, Nishino also offers a diverse selection of healthy options, small plates, and vegetarian choices, ensuring there’s something delightful for every palate. Whether you’re planning a special dinner or a relaxed lunch, you’ll find the perfect setting here.
Overview: Introducting Nishino
Nishino offers a refined dining experience, often praised for its meticulously crafted dishes. Guests frequently highlight the fresh fish and high quality of the sushi, making it a destination for those seeking a thoughtful meal.
However, some visitors find the overall price to be a significant consideration, noting that while the food can be exceptional, the value proposition isn’t always clear. Occasional reports of waiting time also suggest service can sometimes falter.
Good
7.2
out of 10
430
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
102
negative
36
neutral
292
positive
Nishino earns a respectable overall score of 7.2, indicating a generally good experience for many diners. However, customer satisfaction sits at 67.9%, suggesting a mixed reception for some, which is a point to consider.
This assessment is drawn from 430 customer opinions, with 292 positive and 102 negative remarks. Looking closer, Service stands out with a strong (8.1) score, often described as attentive and pleasant.
The Ambience (7.5) also contributes positively, creating a serene setting. While Food (7.4) is generally well-regarded for its quality, the Value (4.1) score is notably lower, indicating that many find the pricing to be a significant drawback.
What people like
- High-quality sushi
- Attentive service
- Pleasant ambiance
What people don't like
- Premium pricing
- Occasional service lapses
- Dish inconsistency
If you prioritize exceptional sushi and a refined dining atmosphere with attentive service, Nishino is likely to deliver. The quality of the ingredients and the overall experience often justify the cost for those seeking a special occasion.
However, be prepared for a higher price point, as the value aspect is a common concern. While service is generally strong, some guests have experienced delays.
With a recommendation score of 7.5, it’s a solid choice if these factors align with your expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Nishino
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction of 70.1%. Based on 185 positive remarks out of 264 total opinions, diners frequently rave about the incredibly fresh fish, praising the delicious Japanese food and unique sushi creations. Many also highlight the excellent Omakase experience.
However, not all experiences are perfect, with 59 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement. Some guests have noted concerns about the small portion size and a perceived American~ized feel to certain dishes. There are also occasional mentions of frozen fish and a general lack of variety, especially with daily specials.
Food
264
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
59
negative
20
neutral
185
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh fish quality
- Delicious Japanese food
- Excellent Omakase
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Americanized dishes
- Frozen fish noted
Often praised
- foodI've not experienced anything like it before. It was completely evident that every piece of food had been carefully thought out so that it was perfectly balanced and incredibly delicious. It's expensive, and we'll worth it!
- sushiI was absolutely blown away by Nishino! Tucked away, it's a perfect little oasis for dining on delicious, fresh sushi. Our waiter was so pleasant and delightful, possessing a great attitude, sense of humor, and kindness.
- fishMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive, with very good staff and very fresh fish. While I didn't opt for the omakase, the other offerings were what you'd expect from a quality sushi restaurant.
- food qualitythe quality of the ingredients and flavor- it is def worth it
- FoodAmazing sushi. One of the best places
- fish qualityHowever, I do not recommend the daily specials like their nabe, as Iāve consistently had bad experiences with those items being low quality. Sushi-wise, they always have good fish quality, but Iām always disappointed at the lack of variety given the incredibly high price. I assume itās due to the location and catering to a Western palate.
- nigirinigiri and sashimi were of very high quality
- omakaseordered omakase. Everything was outstanding
- sashiminigiri and sashimi were of very high quality
- tempurasome tempura for a wonderful meal
Frequently criticized
- qualityNot impressed with the quality for the very high prices.
- fishThe fish overall didnāt seem fresh
- foodIt felt like the food might be intended for a different "class" of customers, or perhaps people are primarily here for drinks. While the food was mediocre and not a good value, the service was a definite strong point. They were overstaffed with very good service and super friendly staff.
- salmon skin rollsalmon skin roll... was one of the worse ive tried
- sushiTheir sushi is on par with pre-made sushi
- American~izedvery American~ized
- Brussels sproutspathetic Brussels.
- Madison ParkThis place has winning points but overall, the value is not there. There was only one dish that we really enjoyed - Arboretum; we should have just ordered 2 of these instead of the Madison Park which is just filled with rice. Their sashimi is top quality but be ready to pay big money for very thin small slices.
- cilantrotons of cilantro, something that tastes like soap to me
- consistency issuemight be a consistency issue
If you're seeking fresh, delicious Japanese cuisine with unique sushi options and a great Omakase, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might feel a bit Americanized or have smaller portions, and the daily specials might not always impress.
Service (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at 81.2%, its clear most diners have a good experience. Many rave about the "attentive staff, " "friendly server, " and "impeccable service, " often noting "great recommendations.
" Out of 85 remarks, a whopping 69 were positive, highlighting a truly dedicated team. However, its not always perfect. A few of the 12 negative remarks mention frustrating waiting times, feeling unacknowledged, or even encountering rude and unprofessional behavior, especially when waiting for the bill.
While these instances are fewer, they point to areas where consistency could be improved.
Service
85
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
12
negative
4
neutral
69
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Impeccable service
- Friendly servers
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Unacknowledged guests
- Unprofessional behavior
Often praised
- serviceThe overall quality of the fish did not seem fresh, which was a significant disappointment for a sushi restaurant. On a positive note, the drinks were enjoyable, and the service was good. However, given the high price point and the lackluster food quality, I cannot recommend Nishino.
- serverEven with a slight delay due to unforeseen circumstances, they remained super sweet. Our server was very friendly and attentive. To top it off, they remembered we mentioned our anniversary and brought out a small serving of Mochi with a candle.
- staffMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive, with very good staff and very fresh fish. While I didn't opt for the omakase, the other offerings were what you'd expect from a quality sushi restaurant.
- ServiceService:5
- wait staffMy experience at Nishino was truly the BEST meal of my life, offering a special dining experience. The kind wait staff and expert chefs contributed to a perfect evening. I found it to be the best sushi in Seattle.
- FoodFood came out pretty fast
- MarlenaMarlena is top notch! ĆBER PLEASANT!
- Mori-SanWe have never been disappointed; on the contrary, we love going there. If anything, we miss Mori-San, who had wonderful impromptu ideas depending on what was in on a particular day, but has since relocated to Takai by Kashiba in Bellevue. Btw, we (my wife and I) did visit Takai and were quite disappointed.
- Nishino familyThe Nishino family takes pride and care
- StaffStaff is on it
Frequently criticized
- servicevery disappointed with the service
- waiting timeWe were very disappointed with the service. We waited about 20 minutes for someone to take our order, and during that time at least three servers walked by without acknowledging us. No one asked if we needed anything or even greeted us.
- acknowledging usWe were very disappointed with the service. We waited about 20 minutes for someone to take our order, and during that time at least three servers walked by without acknowledging us. No one asked if we needed anything or even greeted us.
- birthday celebrationforgot to add the candle to the dessert
- nobody attended usAfter waiting with no attention at all, we decided to leave. Unfortunately, we didnāt get to try the food because nobody attended us.
- rude and unprofessionalfelt rude and unprofessional
- shrimp and veggie tempurait didnāt come until midway through our main courses
- waiting for the billsoaked waiting for the bill
- waitressWaitress never explained or apologized
Overall, the service here is a definite highlight for most, making for a very pleasant dining experience. While there are occasional hiccups with wait times or attentiveness, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests you're likely to be well taken care of. If great service is high on your list, this spot is worth a try!
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
Overall, the ambiance here earns a solid 7.5, with customer satisfaction hitting a great 81%. Based on 42 pieces of feedback, with 34 positive remarks, guests consistently praise the upscale, serene atmosphere, making it perfect for a special occasion or date night. Many loved the engaging sushi counter and the interesting art on the walls, contributing to a brilliant dining experience.
However, not all 6 negative opinions were entirely glowing. Some found the decor a bit shabby, and parking can be a hassle. If you're looking for patio seating, be aware that it can get cold without heaters, and the indoor setting might get noisy later in the evening.
Ambience
42
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Upscale dining experience
- Serene, calm atmosphere
- Engaging sushi counter
What people don't like
- Challenging parking
- Shabby decor noted
- Cold patio seating
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere, the service, and food gave me the greatest date night of my life.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiancethe ambiance was serene
- dining experienceMy experience at Nishino was truly the BEST meal of my life, offering a special dining experience. The kind wait staff and expert chefs contributed to a perfect evening.
- placeThe salmon skin roll, which is a classic roll that you can get in almost all sushi places, was one of the worse I've tried. The place is very cute and the service very good. If you have a lot of money to spend, you might be ok with this place.
- settingthe setting is unpretentious and relaxed
- OshiboriI liked that they had Oshibori
- Seattle stapleThe restaurant is a Seattle staple
- art on the wallsreally interesting art on the walls
- date nightThe Omakase was also a great deal. It's a perfect spot for a special occasion or a date night.
Frequently criticized
- decorThe decor feels a bit shabby
- heatersThere were no heaters outside!
- locationIt is not a premium location
- noisyit get noisy later in the evening
- parkingexcept for parking, which is a common hassle
- patio seatingthe patio was the only seating and it was COLD
If you're seeking an upscale, serene spot for a special evening, this place delivers a great atmosphere. Just be mindful of potential parking challenges and consider indoor seating if you prefer a quieter experience, especially later in the night.
Value (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners found bright spots, noting that despite the cost, the quality of ingredients and delicious, perfectly balanced food made it worth it. Some even surprisingly called it affordable. While the overall customer satisfaction is a poor 10.3% and the score sits at an average 4.1, these 4 positive remarks out of 39 total opinions highlight that some experiences do justify the price.
However, the majority of the 25 negative comments strongly suggest that the value just isnt there for many. Diners frequently felt the price point was too high, describing items as overpriced and expensive, and ultimately "not worth it. " If youre seeking great value, be prepared for potential disappointment, as many found the cost simply didn't align with the experience.
Value
39
Reviews
10%
Satisfaction
25
negative
10
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quality ingredients
- Delicious food
- Perfectly balanced
What people don't like
- Value not there
- Way overpriced
- Very high prices
Often praised
- affordableActually affordable!
- expensiveIt was completely evident that every piece of food had been carefully thought out so that it was perfectly balanced and incredibly delicious. It's expensive, and we'll worth it!
- priceit can be expensive but the quality of the ingredients and flavor- it is def worth it
- worth itIt was completely evident that every piece of food had been carefully thought out so that it was perfectly balanced and incredibly delicious. It's expensive, and we'll worth it!
Frequently criticized
- priceHowever, I do not recommend the daily specials like their nabe, as Iāve consistently had bad experiences with those items being low quality. Sushi-wise, they always have good fish quality, but Iām always disappointed at the lack of variety given the incredibly high price. I assume itās due to the location and catering to a Western palate.
- expensiveall good sushi restaurants are expensive
- overpriceda bit overpriced
- valueIt felt like the food might be intended for a different "class" of customers, or perhaps people are primarily here for drinks. While the food was mediocre and not a good value, the service was a definite strong point. They were overstaffed with very good service and super friendly staff.
- $180 for two peopleDont feel like itās super worth $180 for two people
- Omakase priceserver gave me very vague answer
- fish pricea lot more expensive than I otherwise expected
- foodfoods are way over priced
- great valuelooking for great value then this is not the place for you
- over pricedsuper over priced
If you prioritize exceptional ingredient quality and dont mind a hefty bill, you might find some dishes here worth it. However, for most, the high prices mean the overall value simply isnt there. Be prepared for a potentially expensive experience that many found overpriced for what you get.
How are the prices at Nishino?
Youāre looking at roughly 85 per person ā reported by 57 diners. That puts it in the $81ā$90 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, itās comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 85, it’s interesting to see that a good number of diners actually spend quite a bit more, with a significant portion going over 101 $. This suggests a mix of experiences, from a solid mid-range meal to a more premium indulgence.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 57 most recent reviews.
Heres how this Japanese restaurants value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant, especially considering many guests opt for a more premium experience. It seems like a place where you can choose your adventure, from a solid mid-range meal to something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Nishino
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
1
Disappointing Service, Didn't Try Food
We were very disappointed with the service. We waited about 20 minutes for someone to take our order, and during that time at least three servers walked by without acknowledging us. No one asked if we needed anything or even greeted us.
It felt rude and unprofessional. After waiting with no attention at all, we decided to leave. Unfortunately, we didnāt get to try the food because nobody attended us.
- service1
- waiting time1
- acknowledging us1
Price per Person
- $100+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Overpriced but Good Fish
My experience at this restaurant offered a nice atmosphere, and it was convenient that I could use my Amex Plat Resy credit here. However, I found it to be rather overpriced for what it is. The fish was generally of good quality, but it was a lot more expensive than I had expected.
- atmosphere8
- fish7
- price3
- fish price3
Price per Person
- $71ā$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Amazing Black Cod and Omakase Experience
This was my first time at this restaurant, despite living in Seattle for over 10 years, and I regret not visiting sooner! It's a great option if you have an Amex Platinum, as you can use your quarterly Resy credit by booking through Resy. Our server was amazing, and we followed his recommendations for three dishes: the hamachi, salmon crispy rice, and the black cod marinated with miso, which was the absolute STAR of the show ā we ended up ordering a second one!
We also thoroughly enjoyed the chefās omakase and the tempura. I can't wait to return!
- black cod marinated with miso10
- server10
- omakase9
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
3
Disappointing Experience for a Special Occasion
We arrived a little early, but even though our table was available, they made us wait until after the reservation time. The menu only listed dish names without explanations, requiring us to ask about every item. The food was decent, but I definitely expected more.
The serving was very unusual; one of us received miso soup before the main dish, while another got it with the main. Some received parts of their main dish while others were still finishing appetizers. Worryingly, some serving dishes, including the miso soup bowl, were made of plastic, raising concerns about consuming plastic particles with hot soup ā not what I'd expect from a high-end restaurant.
Despite informing them at the beginning that it was a birthday celebration, they forgot to add a candle to the dessert, even though we saw other desserts with candles. I would not recommend this place for a special occasion.
- food quality5
- waiting time2
- menu explanations2
- food serving3
Price per Person
- $61ā$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Overpriced and Overcooked Sushi
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The sushi was overpriced for the quality received, and frankly, it wasn't even that good, regardless of the cost. The rice felt overcooked and gummy, which significantly detracted from the overall dish.
- sushi3
- price2
- rice2
What Nishino offers
Planning
- Reservations required
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need reservations to dine at Nishino?
Yes, reservations are required to dine at Nishino. It’s recommended that you make dinner reservations in advance to secure your table and ensure a smooth dining experience at this popular Japanese restaurant.
What accessibility features and parking options are available at Nishino?
Nishino offers excellent accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. For your convenience, you’ll find both free street parking and a free parking lot available when you visit.
How does Nishino rate overall?
Nishino holds a good overall score of 7.2, with customer satisfaction at 67.9%. Its Service (8.1), Ambience (7.5), and Food (7.4) are well-regarded, though Value (4.1) is a weaker point.
What do customers appreciate most about Nishino?
Diners frequently praise Nishino for its fresh, high-quality sushi and fish, often describing the dishes as meticulously crafted and delicious. The attentive and pleasant service also receives consistent positive feedback.
What are some common concerns at Nishino?
The most frequent concern revolves around the pricing, with many finding it expensive or overpriced for the portion sizes. Some customers have also reported occasional service delays or specific disappointments with certain menu items.