AKI - Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Restaurant · Valletta ·

AKI - Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Restaurant · Valletta ·

Stylish basement lounge with Japanese snacks, sushi & cocktails

Information

175 Strait St Corner of St. Street and Santa Lucia St Valletta, VLT 1455, Malta Get directions

€50+

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

"Look for the entrance to this sleek, stylish basement restaurant next to the Embassy Hotel, and once inside, grab a cocktail from the bar running along one side of the room. Every table has a view of the open kitchen; watch the chefs as they carefully prepare Asian-inspired – mostly Japanese – dishes. Salmon tiradito and scallop roll are the favourite choices from our inspectors." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/malta-south-eastern-region/valletta/restaurant/aki

AKI

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

A Short Break in Valletta, Malta: Where to Stay and Where to Eat

"Admire the gold sculpture at the entrance by local artist Austin Camilleri before choosing a cocktail from the bespoke menu. The vibe is stylish and every table has a view of the chefs in action in the open kitchen, so settle in and enjoy carefully prepared, Asian-inspired dishes like beef tataki, miso cod, soft shell crab futomaki or a nigiri platter to share." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/travel/a-short-break-in-valletta-malta-where-to-stay-and-where-to-eat

AKI

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

New Restaurants added to The MICHELIN Guide Malta 2022

"The entrance to this sleek and stylish basement restaurant is located in the heart of Valletta. Linger awhile at the bar to try one of their unique cocktails, before moving through to the restaurant, where every table has a full view of the kitchen in action. The focus of the menu is Japanese cuisine, with a comprehensive selection of sushi and small plates alongside some tacos and crudo; dishes like miso cauliflower or glazed pork belly cooked over the robata grill; and signature dishes like beef short rib rendang or miso black cod: all carefully prepared and with strong flavours. Desserts have more of a western edge but are well worth saving room for, there’s an extensive wine list to accompany your food, and service comes with a smile. Those in a hurry or on a budget should take advantage of the weekday set lunch menu which comes in at less than €20." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/dining-out/new-restaurants-added-to-the-michelin-guide-malta-2022

AKI

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

The MICHELIN Guide Malta 2022 is Launched Today!

"A stylish basement restaurant with an Asian-influenced menu." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/the-michelin-guide-malta-2022-is-launched-today

AKI

Juan D.

Google

AKI did not live up to our expectations unfortunately. To start off with the good points, the food was good but perhaps a tad expensive for the quality and volume. Sushi (especially the Tuna one) was delicious and definitely a level above other sushi places on the island, it really melts in your mouth and feels refined. The seabream tiradito was a lovely find and the local Maltese prawn tacos where very fresh but felt bland (needed more sauce). Grilled octopus was a bit chewy but the tempura was the best I’ve ever had and the scallops were good. Not a big fan of the dessert but all in all, food is good and cocktails were well balanced. The main problem was the atmosphere with dining tables very close to the bar area. Live music was on with a DJ and a group of people (seemed like an event) and I couldn’t hear my partner speaking at all. In fact, others were also trying to move tables as it felt like a night club, so most people with the intention of dining ended up at the far end corner where tables were very close to each other. Also, it’s quite dark which pushes the night club narrative but it is unique in its style. Service was educated but felt rushed, however, grateful for moving us. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was so off-putting that I wouldn’t recommend this place.

França

Google

The food is amazing and the fish tastes super fresh. The service is incredible and the atmosphere is very elegant. Prices are reasonable and totally worth it. The New Style Salmon was fantastic! The only downside was the crispy rice, which unfortunately wasn’t crunchy. Other than that, everything was excellent – definitely recommended!

K C

Google

Hands down 5 star for service from the moment we arrived - without reservation. Every member of staff was on point and well coordinated, our waiter Ashanka was outstanding. The food was good, but thanks to Ashanka's recommendations and attentive service, the overall experience was subliminal. So smooth! For the high class restaurant, atmospheric, service, presentation, incredible cocktails and food food - restaurant is extremely well price. I would even say, it's on the cheaper side when compared to good average restaurants that do not offer 1/4 of what Aki does. 7x dishes + 1 dessert + 5 cocktails = €167 for 2 people.

Carmine

Google

Great dinner at AKI! I went with my colleagues for a company dinner, and the sushi was very good , made with really fresh ingredients. Personally, I’d have preferred lighter sauces (or fewer of them) to better appreciate the taste of the fish. They have a solid wine list and good cocktail options too. It’s a great spot for both dates and business dinners.

Cristi C.

Google

This place has firmly earned its place as one of our all-time favourite sushi spots anywhere in the world. We first came here last year and couldn’t resist returning this year again and honestly, it was even better than we remembered. This time, our waiter Ashanka guided us toward two of his personal favourite dishes, and he absolutely nailed it. The standout of the night was the fried rice with wagyu tartare and truffle. Perfectly balanced, one of those dishes you keep thinking about. Between the quality of the food, the warm service, and the overall atmosphere, Aki continues to be a must-visit for us. Already looking forward to the next time we’re back in Malta.

SOFIA M.

Google

Fantastic New Year’s Eve experience at Aki Japanese Restaurant. The aesthetics are very chic and stylish. As it’s a restaurant bar, it was a bit noisy, but that was expected and actually added to the lively atmosphere leading up to midnight. The food was outstanding — luxurious, beautifully presented, and perfectly portioned. The service was great throughout the evening, and the violinist moving around the tables added a really special and festive touch. A wonderful place to celebrate New Year’s Eve — highly recommended.

Chahat J.

Google

Must visit if you like Japanese food. The food was fresh and tasty specially the raw prawn taco and sushi. The improvement could be chiken taco as I believe it was little over salty. The vibes of the place was truly amazing with friendly staff.

Travelling D.

Google

We were really looking forward to dining at Aki, but unfortunately the experience didn’t live up to expectations. Ambience: The setting felt more like a nightclub than a restaurant — loud music, dim lighting, and an atmosphere that made conversation almost impossible. We could barely hear each other to order, let alone enjoy a relaxed meal. The first table offered was uncomfortably close to a wall; we asked to move, and later noticed several other couples declined that same spot as well. Drinks: • Sushi Cocktail – Visually interesting but only average in taste. The garnish of seaweed dots looked artistic but didn’t add much flavor. The creamy top was too thick, and the liquid base too thin and bland, making the overall balance off. Starters: • Bluefin Tuna Tartare (€14.90) – Nicely presented with kimchi pearls and nori wafers, but the flavors didn’t quite come together as the lea shoots overpowered the taste of the tuna which was unfortunate! Pleasant but forgettable. • Sakura Blossom Noboshi Prawn Tempura (€11.90) – Beautifully plated and vibrant red prawns with daikon and ginger oroshi. The prawns were large and well-cooked, but the dish was more “good” than “great.” Sushi: • Volcano Sushi (€13.90) – The prawn tempura filling was tasty, but the presentation was odd. The rolls were cut and stacked sideways with sauce drizzled over, which caused some pieces to stick together. Again, decent but not remarkable. • Flamed Wagyu (€14.90) – Disappointing. The wagyu flavor was barely noticeable, and the dish lacked the richness we expected from the description. Main: • Prawn Gohan (€15.50) – The highlight of the meal. The rice was flavorful with just the right amount of spice, and the prawns were juicy and well-cooked. Service: Service was polite but inconsistent — staff were friendly when available, but it was sometimes difficult to get their attention. Overall: While a few dishes showed promise, the overpowering music and nightclub-style atmosphere made it a poor choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a relaxed dinner and conversation. Aki might work as a trendy spot for drinks or a quick bite, but it’s not ideal for a comfortable dining experience.