Akaoni

Chef has more talent and procures even higher quality ingredients than multiple Michelin star sushi restaurants in Japan. This place truly may be one of the best sushi restaurants in the country. It is an honor to be able to dine here. My friend and I have traveled japan multiple times and still we find unique local fish that chefs are happy to serve us as tourists that Chef Yamada has already served us in Carmel. If you see bad reviews it is because people either do not like actual sushi or are upset they could not eat here and are not real reviews.

If you love sushi, this is a must visit. The sushi was fresh and delicious. You can tell the Sushi Chef took great care in preparing the fish. Price was reasonable, considering the portion of the fish. We ordered the tempura and fish — wasn’t too crazy for the tempura. The breading was thick. Make sure you make reservations. They don’t take walk in.

This tiny hole-in-the-wall sushi place closely reminded me of an in-Japan food experience. The elderly couple owners (the man at the sushi bar and woman as the front of house) showed great teamwork in running the sushiya. The miso eggplant was so delicious. And the sushi we tried were all great quality. The fish was well-maintained for the meal.

Amazing food, fresh, delicious, good presentation - everything was great. The place itself looks very basic and unassuming, but the food surely exceeded our expectations. Service was good, but I can see how some reviewers could describe it as “stoic” or “authentic Japanese”, anyway to me it was a part of the charm of this place. Highly recommended overall.

Reservation is required. The eggplant is a must. We like homemade tofu also. All sushi is good. Just $360 for 4 ppl

Akaoni is one of my favorite restaurants and serves the best sushi that I've had in California. We personally make trips to Carmel-by-the-sea just to eat here, so if you are a sushi aficionado, I genuinely think you should try squeezing in a visit. One time, I ate here prior to a big interview, and my stress just melted away. Yes, you need a reservation to eat here because they have a limited amount of space and work to make the atmosphere peaceful and calming. I think that some folks misinterpret their directness as rudeness, but I personally feel that they are polite and provide excellent service. Our experiences here have been positive and memorable.

I spent around $300 here for one of the most romantic and memorable meals I’ve had in years. The value was absolutely fair — in fact, their prices are very reasonable for the quality they deliver. Every detail felt intentional: The fish was incredibly fresh, melt-in-your-mouth quality. The wasabi is real — not the dyed paste most places serve. The hot tea was savory and calming, and the hot sake arrived perfectly heated and smooth. The service was attentive, kind, and professional without being overbearing. This restaurant easily deserves to be in the 4.8–5.0 range, not the 4.1 it’s sitting at. Anything lower feels undeserved and misleading to future guests. If you appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality, this is the place.

Super authentic Japanese restaurant! The best Japanese food I had in awhile. Call in advance for a reservation. This place is popular and it doesn’t even have a name on the door.

Gatekeep-Worthy Sushi of Carmel Even the standard sashimi sets felt like I was being treated to an omakase experience. I wanted to keep this place to myself so bad, but it's too good to not share with you all! Typically, reservations are recommended and VERY difficult to get as they don't answer the phone (it's an older Japanese man and woman, please don't spam them lol) I walked in at 5:30 pm on a Friday, and it was fairly quiet, no reservation needed :) Jyo Sashimi Platter 9/10: Wow, I think this was the $50 platter, but it felt very fair and premium. Delicious cuts of salmon, yellowtail, and a few fish that I didn't recognize. The salmon tartare style side was also DELICIOUS. I've never enjoyed sushi so much while having zero idea what I was eating. Uni Nigiri and Toro 9/10: Uni was a little bitter, not sure where it was sourced from, but it didn't taste like Santa Barbara's for sure! However, i got 1 piece of Toro and it was sooo rich and absolutely melted. Beer was also nice. See pics for all their menu :) Quaint interior with nice traditional-looking decor.

We came here to see if their polarizing reviews are accurate but we didn't really see any of it. We made a reservation ahead of time and were seated promptly. The wife was polite to everyone in the restaurant. I like their overall decor because it's true to their name. I was pleasantly surprised they give out edamame - thought nobody does that anymore. We ordered omakase for two. It came with our favorite item uni. Would definitely come back! Side note: they do have a $30 min spend per person and a 0.25% assessment. Not crazy considering we're used to the "SF health mandate" but still surprising to see.

My 2nd favorite sushi spot in all of Monterey County. Atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Japan & eating the exact same quality. Waitress & sushi chef make you feel right at home as well. Ordered the salmon sashimi, shrimp tempura roll, Dungeness crab roll, and the spicy tuna roll. Everything was delicious but my favorite from that plate was the Dungeness crab roll crunchy a bit spicy and perfect sized. The toro sashimi was perfect quality, cut and size. Will be back time and time again. Good job Akaoni!

I brought my partner here as a part of their birthday weekend and we both really enjoyed the meal. We arrived right at opening and were seated immediately. The place is nicely decorated and has a casual feel. The space is relatively small and the bathroom was even smaller. Staff were really responsive and kind. The food was so fresh and delicious. To tofu was a unique experience and was so silky. Yum! Man, the texture of the fish was so good and definitely worth the trip--an incredible value. I hope to one day bring my family here!

Very cute cozy place with lots of windows and natural lighting. It's very easy to miss as there is no obvious sign. My husband was craving sushi so we decided to try this place out as it was very well reviewed and the photos looked good. The reviews and photos didn't capture how amazing the food was here. Note this is mainly a sashimi, nigiri place without the typical bento boxes and rice sushi rolls. If you are into bento boxes or traditional California/dragon rolls, this is not the place for you. This place has high quality cuts of fish that are perfectly seasoned and plated for you. We ordered the homemade tofu along with a variety of negiri pieces. The homemade tofu was a creamy, melt in your mouth delight. The sauce it comes with is magical. Initially I thought it would be too salty, but it's a perfect balance of flavor that elevates this dish. I would come back just to eat this tofu. We ordered a few of the special negiri from Japan, my favorite is the salmon, toro, and shipjack. Each bite was so good, I wanted more. Def would come back here when in the areA. It's a cute mom and pop shop, so if you want to be in and out, this may not be the place for you. They also have omakaze, but you need a 3 day reservation so they can prep all the right ingredients Pro fact: they have a minimum of $30/person and all guests have a 0.25% assessment for the Carmel restaurant improvement district.

Amazing 10 piece sushi! Really large juicy pieces of seafood. The grilled eggplant was delicious too! 100% would come back next time we're in carmel.

Came here wanting to get sushi spontaneously, and I have to say I found a hidden gem. My boyfriend and I got the omakase/chef's choice, which was $70 for 10 pc. There were two toros, scallop, Hokkaido uni, salmon, red snapper, shima aji, kanpachi, spanish mackerel, and yellowtail. The fish tasted so fresh and high quality. They were all super thick cut and fatty. It was all so so good. Btw, it seems like all the bad reviews complained about the service, but my experience here was pretty good. The waiter and the chef were both friendly to us. We didn't make a reservation, but we went right when the restaurant opened so we were able to get a seat. A couple who came later got turned away because the restaurant was full. I definitely recommend making a reservation since there aren't that many tables inside!

I think this place rates high because there aren't too many Japanese restaurants in the area. Service, is okay, but they definitely aren't bubbling over with joy to serve you. The first thing they say when you walk in, is not hello, but do you have a reservation. We did, so it was fine and we were seated. The sashimi is fresh and that's probably the only reason to come here. We also ordered the dungeness crab roll. It was okay but not super special. The fried tofu, I thought would be more like agedashi tofu but it's cubes of fried tofu with a mushroom/onion gravy that just wasn't spectacular. The tofu was so hard it didn't absorb much of the gravy, so came off bland. We also got the sukiyaki which for the price, is meh. It's like every other sukiyaki just super overpriced. Would I come back...probably not, save my sushi cravings for a bigger city and better option.

A night of stars pt1: Akaoni If you've been reading my reviews you'd know you're about 3 months in with babygirl. You take pride in the fact that date night above all else is time to eat. And eat well. The reviews are all true, they won't answer the phone, forget about an open table link to schedule a reservation. It's just not that kind of place. Call, keep calling, be respectful of course and if by silver linings chance someone picks up, you're in for treat. We ordered, as you should, two of each of everything on the white board. Refined sushi at this level is not supposed to be "fresh" as it ages depth, texture and complexity evolve, from once a piece of prized amberjack flown straight from Chiba, to now a complex work of art. There is something to be revered here. Pay not attention to the well deserved star that is Michelin, but the artistry of a man at his craft.

Quick take: unique experience If you are looking for a unique experience, then this is it. Trying to make a reservation was a task. Reading other Yelper reviews we already knew to keep trying until our attempts were answered. Once we reached a live person we were able to make a dinner reservation for a Tuesday night. Once we made the reservation the person on the other end just hangs up and ends the call. Also, knew this from reading other Yelp reviews. The restaurant is located inside a very unassuming building. No signage, name, or anything on the windows. Once inside we waited to be seated. Service was nice and efficient. A lot of regulars dine here. Seems like the owners closer the restaurant during the holidays and recently returned to work. The tempura was really good. We ordered the chirashi and it had a good variety of sashimi. We ordered a roll and saba. Very full from what we ordered. Fish was very fresh. Quality is pretty good.

Akaoni is the best sushi you will find. The family is the most professional, gracious artists practicing their craft of authentic food preparation and hospitality. That said, if you're looking for sushi rolls made with mayonnaise and a bunch of rice, and a rambunctious server who makes you feel as if they are your bar buddy, this is not your place. This place serves the highest quality food with the elegance of Japanese hospitality. They perfectly time each plate, allowing you to savor each bite. They are not crowding the place or turning tables. Make sure you have a reservation and plan ahead. My husband and I loved the dumplings, yellowtail gill, and the ten piece plate. We were full, but it was so good my husband ordered the yellowtail roll. Nothing was typical and everything delightful. An experienced to be cherished.

So thankful we got to dine here on our trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea! I was looking up sushi restaurants while we were in town and this came up as a local gem. After reading reviews I knew reservations were hard to come by so I wasn't sure if we would get one but I'm so glad I tried. I called every hour until they picked up and was able to get a reservation for that upcoming weekend! When we got to the restaurant there were people who tried to do a walk-in but they were turned away because they were fully booked that night. The restaurant is cozy and located in the heart of town. We ordered the miso eggplant appetizer and omakase. Both were so delicious I highly recommend and would order again! I'm not usually a fan of omakase as I typically like to order the nigiri I want but given their fish is brought in from Japan I knew we were in good hands. Every piece of sushi was carefully prepared and so fresh!

Likely the best sushi in town, service could be better though Tofu and sashimi are must order

Always a fantastic meal. Great service and pace. We love to come here around 5 with our kids. They love the food and decor! Tried their homemade tofu for the first time, it was delicious. Thanks again for a great meal!

Very quaint place with fresh seafood. Experienced chef that focuses on the quality of food. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations since the place is quite small

My wife and I reserved a table and came in for dinner on last Thursday. This is our second time coming here for dinner. We ordered homemade tofu, soft shell crab, 10 pcs sushi and chirashi. We loved the food here especially the 10 pcs chef's choice sushi -- fresh and nicely done by Chef Jyo's finese. We will definitely come back for more.

I strongly believe being nice to people is one of the basic quality for restaurants. You may have best dishes, but still, should treat people like humans. When your customer ask you questions and talking to you politely, saying "I don't care" is rude. I guess that's your strategy, right? Rude services make customers feel the dishes more delicious?

Sushi by the Sea Carmel and Carmel-by-the-Sea are gorgeous coastal cities but what they've lacked is a Japanese sushi ya to match the scenic views Akaoni changes that and the intimate, reservations-only restaurant offers sushi bar and limited indoor table seatings for sushi lovers in the know We enjoyed the delicious clam dishes, fresh nigiri, and beautiful sashimi platter for what is easily the best sushi in this lovely area Tokujyo Sashimi $80 / 10 Piece Selected Nigiri $60 / Marina Clams Miso Soup $12 / Clams with Garlic Butter Sauce / Steamed Egg with Mushroom & Shrimp $12 / Tuna Maki $10 / Hamachi Maki $10 / Kubota Sake $35 Akaoni (Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA) Akaoni accepts credit cards and is indoor seating only. Reservations required on many days and by phone only.

I heard about Akaoni from a YouTube video, and I had it in my list of places to try while I was in the area for my birthday a couple months back. Since our travel plans were fluid, I called in the morning of to make a reservation for dinner, and we were lucky that they could accommodate us. Upon arrival, there are no signs on the building, so look out for the white building with large windows. If dining there, you'll often see people peering into the windows to see if they're in the right place or just to look at your food! It's a tiny restaurant with an even smaller staff, but it seemed like many patrons were regulars. We also saw a lot of people get turned down to be seated as walk ins, so I highly recommend calling in advance for a reservation or you can make a reservation in person. I opted to get the 10pc nigiri, while my partner got the chirashi. We also got a Dungeness crab and avocado roll, and my partner opted for some nigiri a la carte. Presentation was lovely, and the food tasted even better. The fish tasted fresh and delicious. The Dungeness crab roll was also so good - highly recommend if they have it as a special when it's in season. The specials board has plenty of seasonal goodies. Service was quick, and though it's just a two person team, we got our food quickly and waters refilled constantly. Would definitely come back if I'm in the area again!

Love the food here, truly authentic! Can be hard at times to get through to make a reservation, but your persistence will pay off. Their yuzu glazed cod is among the best Nipponshoku I've ever had--and that includes Japan! Definitely on our regular places to go list whenever we're in town.

Not for amateur sushi aficionados. No rolls. Don't go if you are expecting typical American sushi. In fact, don't go

For every angry yelper out there let me spell this out for you...Reservations only and only if you eat above $50... Been here a while ago but I feel like I need to spell this out for certain angry reviewers. This restaurant let's gourmands of a certain IQ, income and googling ability in. Hence the angry comments about rudeness. Yes the lady doesn't say goodbye and just hangs up and she doesn't care to answer but once you're in your treated like a respected guest who did the research. And that's the ticket. I don't believe Japanese culture does exactly this for every restaurant of course but there are plenty of quirky restaurants in Japan where you need to research before you eat there or you'll get looks like you are a moron. Anyways once you set foot in akaoni it indeed feels like a different dimension. I usually give a lot of what to get suggestions but frankly anything here is delicious. White board especially. This is the best, most authentic to Japan sushi in the central Coast. You do not need any soy, wasabi or what not. The fish stands on its own. Though there are plenty of other best American sushi spots in Monterey county Akaoni has the best sashimi. Also the service is impeccable if you care to do your research. If you don't you get no sympathy for getting thrown out into the street from those who called to reserve. You can complain it's pretentious but we waited in line. They do have a Michelin rating after all. Anyways Easiest 5 star rating ever for the fish quality and service.

Sushi rice tasted authentic (which is hard to find) and the fish was properly sliced. The fish was diverse on the chirashi. We called ahead and made a reservation just in case.

The sushi here is way overhyped. It was average at best. I think they suffer from having not enough real competition. Having eaten at some of the best sushi restaurants in the world, this place is just average. I'm shocked that it is Michelin starred.

Quiet and unassuming, you really have to look to find this place. We came in early on a weekday, around at 5:20pm, and there were already a few patrons seated. I got the impression that they prefer reservations, but they were able to seat us. We tried the 10 piece selected sushi (pretty much the omakase), and some fresh yellowtail sashimi. All the fish was delicious, fresh, and well-prepared. The yellowtail was thick-cut and plentiful. Don't expect any frills, but service was good and pleasant; you could tell this place was usually filled with regulars.

We had an excellent experience at Akaoni. Thanks to Yelp reviews, we appeared in-person on Thursday night to make a Saturday reservation. We were not sure what exactly to expect but the pictures I saw of the fish looked good. When we sat down for dinner and looked over our menus we were happy to see that one of their specials was doubin mushi. Matsutake mushrooms are a seasonal item and it's not common to see it offered. Akaoni's doubin-mushi had generous servings of whole matsutake slices and chunks. From there our night got even better. I ordered the 10 piece assorted sushi and thank myself that I did. The Japanese scallops are the best we've had, so tender, delicate, and flavorful. There was a piece of uni which I find to taste like seawater at most places. Akaoni's uni was wonderfully rich with zero taste of salty seawater. It is in the top three for uni I've tried in the USA. (one of the other three being Urasawa) The yellowtail was rich in flavor, tender, and not chewy at all. The toro was also amazing. I could not chew it at all because it simply melted away in my mouth. I've never experience a piece of toro that completely melted in your mouth without leaving at least a tiny bit of sinew. Most of all, the slices of fish for each piece of sushi was very generous, especially for the quality of fish being served. We would not hesitate to visit again.

This was a nice authentic Japanese sushi experience. The quality of the fish was good, and the prices were a little higher than the average sushi restaurant. The restaurant is super small so everyone keeps their voices down, and there is a $30 minimum requirement per person when eating here.

Great Sushi and Japanese food for a reasonable prices. Chef Special Nigiri

I honestly don't even know how to begin writing a review for them. I am blown away by the quality, service, and I am absolutely returning to Akaoni when I have the chance! I booked the omakase course for our 6 year anniversary dinner since we were staying around the area but then it turned to an engagement dinner! My fiancé had some initial doubts about coming since it seemed like such a hole in the wall and when we walked by it- it doesn't appear like much. However, that was all changed when we went in and sat down. The chef was super nice and meticulously prepared every dish with thought and concentration. When he placed each piece on our plate, he would explain what it was, where it's from, and the best way to eat it. The ingredients were imported from Japan and you can really taste a difference especially with the uni he brought out! I tried to keep count of all the pieces we were eating but ended up losing count towards the middle. Since it was our first omakase experience, it was a different dining experience from what we were used to but we really enjoyed it and we can't wait to come back here!

A nice gem in Carmel. Make sure you call them for reservations. We booked 2 weeks ahead of time and snagged a Friday night 7pm. Sat at the bar, ordered a la carte... everything was excellent! Edamame to start (on the house) and green tea, got the tofu with mushroom sauce (that mushroom sauce is delish) , and some rolls and nigiri. They have the specials on the board... so of course uni and toro, and the bite was worth it! Will definitely come back!

Akaoni is the best sushi in Monterey County, period. I've been coming here for years and what I appreciate most is the consistency. They only serve what is available and fresh. If you're looking of a place with a bunch of different rolls, this isn't it. It's a family business that's been in Carmel for over 20 years and they take great pride in their craft. I highly recommend, if it's available, the dungeons crab salad. While the price may scare some, the amount of crab you get, is well worth it.

Such a hidden gem, so hidden, there is no signage for this restaurant. My friend and I had just finished the 17 mile drive and wanted to catch an early dinner. I saw on Yelp they opened at 5:00. This quaint little Japanese restaurant seats only a handful of people at a time with the Master Sushi Chef and 1 server. Service was excellent. The place is very clean. I noticed all tables fill shortly after opening, regulars in the neighborhood who knew the Chef well. Upon sitting we ordered Sake and Beer and were given complimentary Edamame. We ordered the Jumbo Soft Shell Crab with Ponzu, Snapper, Salmon, Yellowtail and Toro Nigiri. We also ordered the Yellow Tail Green Onion Roll along with a Salmon Skin Roll. The quality of the fish was excellent along with the preparation. I would definitely go back when visiting the area again. Funny thing, the next day we went back to Carmel and went to the Farmers Market where I saw the women who was serving us the night before buying produce and she recognized me and came over to say hello. Now I know why this place is a favorite with the locals. Atmosphere: small, quaint, and very clean. Service: excellent. Food: excellent

This was a hole in the wall sushi place I happened to see on Yelp when I was searching for new foods to try in Carmel. I was reading reviews on how service was bad and the hosts were means. That could not be further from the truth. I called on a Monday night and no one picked up the phone. I called again on Tuesday night and I was able to get a reservation for Thursday night. My boyfriend and I arrived early and they were able to accommodate us even though we were early. The service was impeccable, hosts kept checking in on us and filling our water. We could hear our neighbors saying that the sushi is comparable to Japan. We got the homemade tofu, Jyo sashimi and chirashi bowl. Homemade tofu was super soft, just melts into your mouth. The home made soy sauce went perfectly with the tofu as it is not too salty. I have never had tofu this silky in my life. Jyo sashimi and chirashi bowl were amazing as well. The quality of the fish is so fresh. Every single fish we tried melted into our mouths. My favorite was the Tuna and hamachi! The rice was perfectly cooked in the chirashi bowl. Usually I don't eat the rice at sushi restaurants but I found myself eating all the rice in the chirashi bowl. Overall, this was a wonderful experience. My boyfriend and I will be coming back. I would recommend calling to get a reservation before coming as the restaurant is small and most parties have a reservation.

SUPER MEAN but food is awesome. They get mad at me if they are booked and hang up the phone. Very clean and nice inside but a little small.

I can't even express how disappointed I am. We flew from NJ and came to Carmel by the seas. I heard good reviews of this restaurant. We walked in, and both husband and wife said we can't service you. There were more than 5 seats at the bar and a few tables of 4 available. They said they can only take 3 so we can't not be seated. Thank you, we take our business elsewhere. - If I could put no star I would.

We were really nervous going here after reading reviews. We knew the food would be amazing but we're super nervous about service, especially since we were bringing our 3 year old. Making the reservation - We called a little after 5:30pm and it rang unanswered. Tried again the next day around the same time, no answer. Called again an hour later, no answer, immediately called back and they picked up and I gave them a couple of days that we were open to and they gave us a 5pm reservation. We made our reservation about 2 weeks prior to when we would be in the area. Getting there - if you follow waze you will not find it. Parking in the nearest lot (on mission st) was kind of expensive. We ended up finding a spot on the street right outside. There are ample 2 hour free street parking spots everywhere but you just have to find a free spot. We got there an hour early because we were done with our prior activity and knew it would take some time to find the restaurant because it is unmarked and to give time to find parking. Since we had so much time to spare, we parked and then walked to the park on Mission and 6th. They had clean restrooms and a pond my son threw pennies into. The restaurant is located on Mission just past 6th street. It is a white building that is just passed a driveway. Service - I read a few reviews of people having bad experiences bringing kids so we were prepared for possibly getting turned away. In hindsight the reviews said things like their kid was playing with the soy sauce, which is a small breakable piece that could easily be broken and the person then out their child's shoes on the table. That's just bad mannered. We had a completely different experience. The hostess and the server went out of their way to be accommodating to our son. They always warned re: hot bowls, wasabi in the sushi, brought him a fork. And overall treated him so kindly and said how cute he was. The customer service was so pleasant. We felt so welcomed. They were not at all racist, we are mixed race and I have dark complexion. Food - everything was exceptional. The fried chicken was tender and crispy. It was light and flavorful. There were ample clams in the delicious miso soup. The sashimi was so fresh and melted in your mouth and even the aftertaste was amazing. We were getting pretty full after the sashimi so we didn't eat much of the 10 pc sushi. We ate the uni and once you put it in your mouth the uni melts over the rice which is also amazing. The grains of rice are like tiny little balls. That was our first time having uni and we will always get it. It's my favorite. We ate here and tried the uni because of YouTuber FeedMeimei. The salmon roe was so fresh and burst in your mouth. We ate the toro and it melted in the mouth. We were so full at that point we ended up taking the rest home. We enjoyed the rest of the sushi a couple hour later and it was still delicious. I am obsessed with the rice and wished I could get a bowl. We cannot wait to go back but we will probably get less food. Definitely trying the tofu next time. Kid-our kid is very well behaved because he is an observant shy kid so I think that helped a lot. He is pretty adventurous and tried a bite of all the sashimi. He ate the fried chicken which was super tender, and had the miso clam soup. We didn't give him the sushi because of the wasabi but honestly the wasabi was very light and when we ate the sushi at home I didn't even taste it.

Best sushi around, some stellar sake, and great ambiance. To all the haters, plan ahead and get reservations. Its not that hard. We did and were seated immediately. Our food and service was really good, so as long as you don't act like the typical LA snob expecting to walk-in without a reservation and be catered to, get over yourself.

Wow. What an incredible dinner after a 3 hr drive from SF to Carmel by the Sea. Made the drive totally worth it. Hostess remembered we came from out of town and asked us about our drive, which was incredibly thoughtful. Table near us seems to be regulars and they made a reservation for 2 weeks out at the end of their meal, a good sign and also made me wish I lived nearby, because I'd also stop by multiples times a month. What we ordered: Monterey Abalone sashimi House made tofu Dungeness crab and avocado roll Skip jack, amberjack, scallop, o-toro nigiri and tamago Tuna roll House special sake Fried Monterey squid (calamari) Everything was so good but definitely recommend the tofu, all the nigiri (fish imported from Japan), and their house recommended sake.

This place was a little hard to find, mostly because it just looks a little inconspicuous on the street so we almost missed it. For the most part, dinner will require a reservation or the staff (which appears to consist of the chef and his wife will give you a polite but short "no" (both are Japanese so there is a slight language gap but they were quite mannerly). With that said, calling within a day should be enough. As for the food, it was truly top notch. We got the assortment plate. The fish was freshly and expertly prepared, with excellent sushi rice and high quality tea. Presentation was elegant and classy, and service was prompt. Ambience was like that of some of the small sushi restaurants I have experienced in Japan and was something I was glad to find in the Monterey/Carmel area.

Super fresh sushi! The cut of fish is nice thick and juicy. Japanese steam egg is very good. I recommended this sushi chef. He work with a passion, very traditional.

Eating at Akaoni is a privilege. This is the best sushi I have ever had in my life. It is so good here that it will ruin mainstream sushi restaurants for you-as it should because honestly, sushi is not worth paying for unless expertly executed-this is what you receive at Akaoni-perfectly executed sushi by a master. I have been eating here for many years and have never once been disappointed. This a small, unassuming restaurant that is run by a husband and wife team-They do not take parties larger than four and reservations are needed. Always excellent. I see reviews for rude service and as a local this has never been my experience. It is difficult to get a reservation here, communication can seem short or crisp to the uninitiated. I feel that some people are entitled and just expect to be overly cajoled, coddled when they dine out-If this is you, please go elsewhere.

Such good Japanese restaurant!! My husband and I went to another sushi place in Carmel the day before and could notice how authentic and fresh the sashimi was at Akaoni. We loved the small business feel but the location was more discrete. No restaurant sign, we had to come early to secure a spot. The restaurant looked clean but is really simple focusing on just great Japanese food. We would def want to come back to try other things from them.

Some people have complained about the difficulty in making reservations. Most of the time they are full and are not taking further reservations. If they don't answer the phone or they do and you are hung up on, don't take it personally. It means that you can't get in. The restaurant is very small, and is in high demand. Getting in can be a challenge, but it is definitely worth it. The difficulty in getting a reservation is an attribute, not a negative. Oh, and another thing. This is real sushi, not "sushi for beginners". Hard-core. Chef may be a bit on the brusk side, but you will not find butter fish or preparation elsewhere. He is dedicated to his craft and being friendly isn't as important.

Incredible omakase experience. I love that this place feels like a hole in the wall, but the quality is incredible. Call ahead for reservations for omakase, it's a splurge but easily at least 10 courses (some of which were bigger, (like a whole sashimi plate, fish collar soup, tempura, toro don with uni, and homemade tofu) in addition to individual pieces of nigiri. Very special experience.

Best sushi I've ever eaten in my life. The their sushi will Melt in your mouth. Make a reservation and make it happen. You will thank me. Amazing!!!!

I'm glad that I could be back for my birthday omakase here this year. The Master and everyone in the restaurant are wearing face masks all the time. You can be reassure of your safety from Japanese people about wearing face masks to keep other people in the society safe. Wearing face masks for Japanese is their norm to keep other people safe when they have cold. Therefore, wearing face masks at all times during the COVID19 pandemic is not the problem for Japanese. We had not only a fabulous authentic Japanese sushi & sashimi meal again, but also good conversation throughout our dinner with the Master. It's as if we were in Japan for a typical omakase dinner. Thank you, Master, for making delicious foods for us! We definitely be back again and again!

Excellent sushi, excellent soft shell crab appetizer, teriyaki salmon, edamame. Yoko always follows up after orders complete, all OK. Sushi Chef, owner, Shin, always there for customers--questions, friendly conversation. Have been a customer 28 years. A couple of months ago, I accidentally knocked over my water glass, spilled water on table and floor. Shin immediately came over and wiped up my mess.

I would not recommend this place. We had a group of six 2 adults and 4 kids and she would not serve us. Not sure what's her reasoning but it was quite rude.

Had a super good din din Lastnight . Thank you Akaoni for the great service!!!! The price is reasonable!!!! The toro here are cheaper than most places . We order a hamachi Kama and some toro which I forgot to take a picture of. Overall the food and service is amazing !