BAKU

We really enjoyed all our food, the pork belly, yuzu key lime pie, duck, crab roll, and fried calamari were my faves, but everything was fresh and yummy. We also had the salmon tasting, dessert platter(yuzu key lime pie, molten lava cake, matcha cheesecake, beignets, so of ice cream and a few slices of fruit), chef's choice sushi/sashimi for 2, truffled toro and kochujan akami rolls, and miso soup. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Aesthetic is dimly lit and moody, which is fine but could use some updates. Somewhat overpriced for the serving sizes which is typical of the area.

This is hands down the best sushi in all of Charlotte. Alex was our server and was fantastic - heard our massive sushi order and suggested a couple off menu rolls which were INCREDIBLE. The rolls all have such amazing flavor, you can’t go wrong with any of them, but the kappa roll will always be a favorite.

Went for Wife's Birthday and was thrilled with the service and quality of sushi. Charles was fantastic with recommendations, even some off-menu items. Tarot root chips were a highlight, and finishing off with the key lime pie is a must. Pricey, but worth it for special occasions.

Amazing sushi in an upscale, moody interior. They did let us know that the dishes would come out not necessarily together, and it was definitely the case as we waited a while for everyone's food to come out. Overall, it didn't take too much away from the experience though. The tuna tasting was phenomenal and fresh.

Great atmosphere and super yummy food and drinks. Tried a couple of rolls and they were great. Had an old fashion with Angels Envy bourbon and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The star of the meal was the key lime pie. Highly recommend!

This place was amazing to say the least. First off, the ambiance was awesome and decorations were so good. The food my wife and I ordered were a treat too. Our waitress, Jordan, was probably one of the best servers I've had in a long time. She was really knowledgeable and even recommended some of the Chef's specials they had going for the evening. She was very attentive and thorough with us and we even tried one of her favorites that she personally loved to eat. The sushi was absolutely delicious. And to top things off, the cinnamon beignets at the end of the night were definitely a winner. Thank you so much for making my wife and I's 2nd year wedding anniversary so special. We will certainly be back! Cheers!

My wife and I went for our anniversary dinner before a concert and there were highs as well as lows. Let me start by saying that our server was absolutely phenomenal. He was personable, knowledgeable and attentive without being a nuisance. I can't remember his name but from observing the diners around us, his level of service seemed to be the standard. You couldn't ask for better service from the server. The atmosphere is outstanding as well. They really went to great lengths to create a dining room that pays homage to Japanese design while obtaining a level of sophistication expected in the Southpark area. It's well suited to dinner with clients while also being romantic enough for an anniversary dinner such as ours. Their wine list is extensive with options ranging from $30 - $2000+ and they have a full bar upstairs in case you want a cocktail. Their non-alcoholic beverage selection left something to be desired (No iced tea of any kind) with Coke products being served in small cocktail glasses that empty in no-time. The food was VERY good in my opinion. Everything is served either tapas or family style so everyone can share which is a refreshing change every once-in-a-while. We started with the soft-shell crab roll which was excellent, after which we had their signature dumplings that were also very well done. While we waited for the duck breast we ordered their BB Noodles which left something to be desired in our opinion. After waiting for almost 45 minutes for the duck breast we finally had to ask for it to-go because we were going to be late to our concert. Our server was very professional about the wait, as was the manager and we were surprised when the check came and they had comped it. The table next to us (which was already enjoying an appetizer when we were seated) had just received their duck when our to-go bag arrived so we weren't the only ones who waited for it. Something like that is never as good at home so I can't really give an honest opinion about the dish as a whole but the breast itself was cooked to medium-rare (before microwaving, of course) and had a decent flavor. I'm sure when enjoyed there it's outstanding. Overall, we enjoyed the meal despite the setbacks. The prices are reasonable for the level of service they provide, the atmosphere and where they are located. Would I drive an hour and a half to eat there again? Probably not. However, if I was already in the Southpark area I would certainly try them again in hopes the wrinkles would be ironed out. If you like sushi, I would absolutely give BAKU a shot.

Our party of six had the best time last night. We enjoyed toro toast, pork belly, calamari, sashimi, sushi rolls, a tomahawk, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and the duck breast. Everything was absolutely stellar and we paired it all with 3 different bottles of sake that were all different and deliciously unique in their own ways. Service from Nicole was the cherry on top of a beautiful experience. Love the vibes upstairs too, so different for Charlotte, the decor actually has soul.

Great sushi in an upscale, moody interior. They did let us know that the dishes would come out not necessarily together, and it was definitely the case as we waited a while for everyone's food to come out and most came out and different times. Our server was very helpful though. The tuna tasting was phenomenal and fresh.

A sushi spot alert. Walking into Baku feels like stepping into a moody hideaway, but the vibe is just the beginning. Their sushi game is strong, and I was thrilled they offered soy paper, which I subbed in for all my rolls. The lobster roll stole the show, easily my favorite. The fried rice deserves a shoutout too. It was super fresh and very light. Whether you're a sushi pro or just in the mood for a cool spot with great food, Baku nails it.

BAKU is my absolute go-to spot in the neighborhood for meeting friends for a drink and some sushi. While I've never really dined downstairs in the restaurant, the upstairs bar is such a vibe that we always end up there instead. The space is super cute, whether you're grabbing a spot at the bar or lounging in the seating area. On busier nights, especially if you're with a group of four or more, I'd recommend making a reservation--it can fill up quickly! Yes, it's on the pricier side, but I usually come here for the cocktails and the ambiance, and it never disappoints. If you're looking for a chic spot to enjoy great drinks, light bites, and an elevated atmosphere, BAKU is the place to be. Highly recommend!

Ee drove to Charlotte specifically to have date night at this restaurant. And what we enjoyed most was the ambiance. It was a very inviting, romantic atmosphere, our waitress was attentive and kind, but it was so dark that we had to use the flashlights from our phones to read the menu. There was a female employee at the bar (upstairs, a few feet from our table) talking very loudly, complaining to another employee, and she went on and on- to the point that it ruined much of our dining experience. I actually mentioned it to our waitress, but I don't think she said anything because the complaining employee kept running her mouth. Anyways, the calamari came out first- and we immediately sent it back. It wasn't crispy, lacked seasoning, and I think it was previously frozen because the texture was off. We ordered 2 sushi rolls, unagi nigiri, hamachi sashimi, chicken (karaage) and a salad. The salad was REALLY good, but everything else fell a little short of our expectations. The rolls are definitely pricey here, one was $22 and the other was $27, for that price we expect the sushi rolls that are superior to any others. The presentation was beautiful, but the flavor was just okay.

I read the reviews and Baku did not disappoint. I had the Toro toast, salmon belly and the waygu and everything was delicious. I sat the bar upstairs and Nicole the bartender was very knowledgeable and offered amazing suggestions which I loved. The decor is beautiful and dark. My only recommendation would be for them to have little pop lights so that you could see the menu better. They are pricy but the food and service speaks for the price. They are a tapas style Japanese tea house...without the tea kinda vibe.

Visited Baku on Valentine's Day. The food was very good. It was flavorful and enjoyable. We loved the tapas menu. Alexis was the manager that evening and Giavanna was our waitress. They were both fantastic! Alexis ensured that we got a seat to dine-in and our host, though three months on the job, was knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. They both were extremely pleasant. The atmosphere is amazing! The restaurant looks small from the outside but spacious inside and is trendy.

Let me just start out by saying, the quality of this sushi is impeccable! I'm relatively new to the Charlotte sushi scene but Baku delivered, honey! We had reservations pretty far in advance for date night and I'm glad we did. We started with the crispy rice appetizer topped with spicy hamachi and it was, I'm telling you, SO good. That was my first time trying something like that. The texture of the crispy rice under the delicate spicy fish finished with the crunch of the jalapeño, created the perfect bite. Moving on to the sushi - we ordered sushi for two and every single bite was better than the last. The tuna and different types of salmon just melted in our mouths, it was truly incredible. If sushi isn't your thing, don't worry because the menu is full of small plate/tapas as well. I would definitely go back to Baku.

We literally just found this spot because the wait at Cheesecake was 40 minutes...haha but it was such a fine! I loved the dim ambience and the Japanese decor inside. It was relaxing and calm. Our server was wonderful and really made sure we knew about the drinks and menu. Their food is tapas style and we ordered different items including their soft shell crab roll, brussell sprouts, shrimp roll and shrimp siomai. It was amazing! This was a great stumble to fall upon...haha. Thank goodness Cheesecake had a 40 minute wait...this was a much better choice!! Their sushi was fresh and one of the bests I've had in awhile!

Disclaimer I'm not a fan of sushi or raw fish in general but on this particular Friday night I decided to expand my horizons. Baku exceeded my expectations. Our server, Nicole, was amazing! Not only did she offer great recommendations, especially when it came to the sauces which paired well together with raw fish. It made the taste more palatable. She's also very knowledgeable and educated us as we ventured through this sushi journey. I took pics of a few of the plates and I don't recall a single name lol. Expect the fried Brussel sprouts, we kept that one coming! After dinner we made our way upstairs to their lounge area for a night cap. It was quaint yet very sophisticated. Moral of the story, whether you're a sushi lover or just trying it for the first time, come to Baku. You won't be disappointed.

Came w/a larger party. Drinks came out quickly and than the wait. Glad it was great company because the food in all but a couple cases took a solid 60+ mins for rolls to start arriving at the table. Had the Doragon and the Soft Shell Crab. The soft shell crab is a larger in width roll and is not dainty to shove a piece in one's mouth. I wasn't very impressed with either roll. I was expecting so much more as this was a go to hang out spot for so long and I had been dying to come here for years and was left sorely disappointed. Service did what they could not their fault food prep was so long.

We had dinner here on our wedding anniversary, and it was the perfect way to celebrate! The interior is two stories and makes you feel like you're in a chic Japanese home. We were seated upstairs, and on this Tuesday evening there were people but did not feel crowded at all. It was very comfortable, and the noise level was low enough to have a conversation without being too quiet that you feel like people may eavesdrop. The drink menu has an impressive sake list. We originally ordered the sparkling and lychee sakes but were informed that they were out of stock, so our server recommended a bottle of Fat Frog sake, which is on the sweeter end with notes of honeydew. We took her recommendation and were very glad we did because we really enjoyed it. The bottle came in a bowl with crushed ice, which kept it cold throughout the meal, and whenever our glasses were low, our server would come over and top us off. Nice service! To eat, we ordered the sushi and sashimi combo for two, which comes with chef's choice mix of sashimi, nigiri, and maki. The fish tasted very fresh, and we could tell it was good quality. I really enjoyed the nigiri as well as the inventive rolls. It was a good amount of food for the two of us, and we enjoyed taking our time and savoring each bite. At the end of the meal, we were surprised when our server brought over an anniversary dessert with a candle in it! These were warm, fried dough balls covered in cinnamon sugar with a cream on the bottom. Yummm. A sweet ending to a memorable night!

Baku is the best Asian fusion restaurant in the south east. It has consistently amazing food and the service is outstanding. I highly recommend trying the chef specials which always deliver.

A few weeks ago my husband and I and made reservations to celebrate my birthday. We were absolutely blown away by the quality of food and exceptional service. When the hostess initially sat us, she selected a table in the center in the floor when an open booth was available a few feet away. However, I understand some restaurants seat people based on the amount of tables each server already has. We asked move and they obliged without any hassle. We were moved to a corner booth. Everything was 5-STAR. Our waiter, Tallah, is what made our dining experience an unforgettable one. This young gentleman was the best waiter we've ever had at any restaurant, and we dine out frequently. He surpassed all expectations from start to finish. His level of professionalism, natural charisma, attention to detail, and undeniable effort to exceed expectations was just outstanding. I told my husband that his parents clearly did a great job raising him. lol We checked out the menu online in advance, so we were aware of the tapas-style servings and had no issues with that. The drinks and appetizers were fantastic. The main course was nothing short of top tier. I've been eating sushi forever but it feels like I've just experienced real, authentic sushi. This has got to be how it is in Tokyo. To end our meal, we indulged ourselves with birthday beignets. If you haven't dined here yet, you're missing out.

Truly loved the experience that we had at Baku. From the ambiance to the extremely attentive service this is a great place for date night as it's intimate without feeling stuffy. 5/5 Food. My husband and I came with another couple so we ordered a bunch of items to share tapas style and I don't believe that is a single bad item on the menu. 5/5 Service. Our server was really attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. She even rushed in our order when we asked for a special because she knew they only had two left in stock for the night. She also made really great sake suggestions when she found out they were out of the two options we were interested in. 3/5 Parking. This was honestly the only downside and it's just a Southpark issue in general. There is very limited parking in front of the restaurant so you have to look at the parking behind the business or nearby which isn't the best experience when coming at nighttime. Overall, I definitely recommend Baku to all palettes. I was excited for the sushi, but my husband is anti sushi and he still found a lot of amazing plate options for us that we could both agree upon.

The restaurant itself is very outdated and belongs in the early 2000s. The food was excellent though and everything tastes fresh. We got the spicy edamame and it was mushy and overcooked. I would skip this dish. Then we got the sushi/sashimi for two and it was delicious. I will absolutely be back when I'm in the mood for good sushi!

I came here for dinner and it was AMAZING. The food looked stunning, and tasted even better. My personal favorite dish was the pork belly which melted in my mouth. It was so juicy and tender which made me go back for more. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, I would definitely recommend.

Located in South Park, Baku specializes in robata (a Japanese cooking technique - slow grilling), sushi, and more. There are two levels inside the restaurant for dining along with an outside dining area. Inside, the bottom level has more traditional seating while the upper level has a lounge vibe. My server was very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and patient. This was my first visit so it took me longer to order than normal. The following is what I had: TOKYO FASHION ($20) - Toki Japanese whiskey, citrus infused bitters, cane sugar, candied orange - strong whiskey taste, perfect for those who love cocktails that are not on the sweet side - RECOMMENDED for those who prefer sweeter cocktails, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who prefer the bitter. NIGIRI - MADAI ($12 - 2 pcs.) - Japanese red snapper - Fresh and excellent taste. Loved the hint of lime on the fish. Note: This was a special on the day of my visit - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. HAIENDO LOBSTER MAKI ROLL ($27) - Tempura lobster tail, asparagus, topped poached lobster & avocado, yuzu creme, black tobiko - Fresh tasting with the right accent flavors - MUST TRY. SOFT SHELL CRAB MAKI ROLL ($16) - tempura fried whole soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, masago, micro chives. Topped with spicy aioli and sweet soy sauce drizzle - Loved the crispiness of the crab pieces and the salt flavor - MUST TRY. KUROBUTA PORK BELLY YAKITORI ($16) - Saikyo miso glaze - Perfectly tender with a dynamic glaze makes this a KNOCKOUT - MUST TRY. NISHIKI FRIED RICE ($10) - Nishiki rice, carrot, onion, eggs - An excellent bowl of flavor with all the right components - MUST TRY.

This is my second time at Baku and it did not disappoint. It was easy to make a reservation last minute, it wasn't really crowded but there was an obnoxious party right behind us that were being extremely loud so it was a little difficult to hear our waitress. Other than, atmosphere is beautiful as it was the first time. We ordered a lot of dishes to eat and share. The calamari was crunchy, good flavor and seasoned well. The jalapeño paired perfect with the calamari. The tiger shrimp tempura had great texture and the shrimp was cooked perfectly but there was no flavor and the sauce is what made it. The pork belly yakitori was my absolute favorite. It was tender and juicy and the sauce was perfectly spicy. The chicken yakitori was also good, the grill marks tasted a smidge burnt but the chicken itself was so tender and juicy. I think out of the two, I preferred the pork belly. We also had the salmon tasting and seared duck. Salmon was so good, it melted in my mouth. The duck was also cooked perfectly and has a nice flavor to it. It was sweet yet salty. There are entrees you can order, but it definitely has a more tapas vibe to it. Definitely try it if you're in the area

Best overall sushi in Charlotte. Hands down! It's just the right combination of price, quality, creativity, ambiance (sit upstairs if you can), and friendly & knowledgeable service. The Salmon Belly Nigiri is the best sushi dish in CLT. The management is amazing. Only suggestion would be to not cater to loud white dudes in suits getting drunk and loud at the bar. When that happens, it kills the mood for the whole upstairs. It's not often... but a simple, "keep it down" should be expected.

Really really loved Baku. I sat at the bar upstairs and the vibe was perfect. Relaxed, sports on the TV and a friendly atmosphere. The bartender, did not get her name, but she was so helpful in helping me decide what to get as I am a sushi lover, but haven't explored many nigiri options such as uni. I got the Salmon and Amberjack nigiri to start(not pictured). Two pieces per order. All were amazing. I then went with the Tsurai Yellowtail Roll. It's their spiciest and it lived up to the hype. Large pieces bursting with flavor. I finished it all with a tuna nigiri tasting. One piece of Hon-Maguro, Chu-toro and O-toro. I prefer the O-toro and Hon-Maguro over the Chu-toro. Wish I'd gotten a picture, but ate it too fast.

If you are looking for authentic japanese cuisine. Im talking wagyu, treated with respect, and actual uni. This place right here is not for the cheap. It comes with a price, and if you're prepared to undertake it. You will have a dining experience beyond anything charolette has to offer. I think my servers name was kevin. idk. He was awesome, though. Super knowledgeable about menu items.

Made a wrong turn leaving UpTown and ended up going to Baku. Best wrong turn I ever made. This by far the best fried rice we have ever eaten. The sushi was delicious. Looking forward to exploring more of the menu in the future.

My first time visiting this restaurant was earlier this year and we've since visited again and sat at the bar. The reason for my less than favorable service rating is pretty straightforward. The first time we attended, I had reservations for two, and upon arriving at the hostess stand, we were asked to take a seat, and they would check the reservations to confirm that they could seat us. However, you could clearly see that the dining room was virtually empty. So I brought that to the hostesses attention, and after she embarrassingly acknowledged, there wasn't much to check on, she went ahead and sat us. Just a word of advice to the hostesses out there. Don't use the "we'll need you to wait" line if there's really no reason for people to wait. It's super irritating to your customers. That being said, this is a place that I would definitely rate high on the quality of food scale, especially as it relates to the sushi. Definitely on the pricey side as sushi restaurants in Charlotte go, but this is a bit of an ambience play as well so you have to factor that into the cost. Overall, I would say if you are in the SouthPark area looking for sushi, put them on your list.

This was our second visit to Baku with the first being a few years ago. We liked it then and they delivered this time as well. It's a really extensive menu of mostly Japanese dishes and it's best to think of it like a tapas place. You order what you want and the dishes come out as they are ready. Want more, keep ordering and the food will keep coming. My wife and I went with our oldest and his girlfriend and did we ever sample the menu between the four of us! I'll call out just a few things but whether mentioned in this review or not, everything was just delicious. The Chu Toro was a medium fat tuna that I got as sashimi. Three thick but oh so delicate slices of very fresh fish that was just sublime and I immediately ordered another helping. Some of the other items ordered included the Hamachi Rice Crispy Treat, Tiger Shrimp Yakitori, Shujin Salmon and Tsurai Yellowtail. They've got A-5 Wagyu beef on the menu as a market priced 4 oz. hot entrée as well as an item on the sushi menu, again, market priced. Throw in some Sake and other cocktails and the bill can add up quickly so if you're coming hungry, be prepared. Can't wait for the next visit!

So disappointed with their wagyu- spent a $150 on that steak alone and it was such an ultimate let down! The steak was overcooked and even let the server know we weren't happy but nothing was done to at least compensate this experience. It was also our anniversary and I put that for reservation, nothing. So different from when we first went here. Dont think we'll be coming back.

Great food, loved the drinks, service was awesome ,ambience was very nice. I definitely recommend this restaurant

Came here for a birthday dinner. Cute spot with delicious food and great service. We definitely enjoyed it

Baku is my go to Japanese restaurant in Charlotte! Absolutely everything I have tried is delicious. You can really taste the quality and freshness in all of the ingredients they use. My two favorites are the pork belly yakitori ( Crispy and Spicy) and the Live Scallop sashimi. The service never disappoints. This place is worth every penny!

Last night I had the privilege of going to this restaurant as a treat for my birthday. Someone else selected the restaurant, and it was off the charts. Amazing. If you like sushi, then you must go and try this place. They had the freshest, most creative selections for your palate. In addition to their regular menu, they also had a large selection of daily catches for you to choose from. We even tried barracuda for the first time! It was succulent. The food, the ambience, and the service were outstanding. Be sure to ask for our server, Bree. She was fantastic! She did her best to make sure that we understood everything that we were ordering from the menu, she had recommendations which she had personally tried and described thoroughly, letting us know how it would resonate with each of us. I was very, very pleased. To top it all off, she brought out a complementary dessert for my birthday, and it was enough for us to share and very tasty. It was the Beignets and having been to New Orleans, I would say that Baku must have had a chef/baker in the kitchen who hails from the Big Easy. Do your best to go, the location is easy to find, and there is ample parking. It will be in the upper range of your budget, but remember that you get what you pay for!

Disappointed having to write this review, however I have to make sure this story is heard. While dining at Baku on a Saturday evening, I was swapping out my barstool For another due to it being broken. Unfortunately, the barstool knocked over this woman's purse, and she began yelling that her purse was a Louis Vuitton. I felt horrible and instantly picked her purse up and placed it back onto her barstool. I sincerely apologized, but told her " I have a Louis Vuitton as well, but I am very sorry and did not intentionally mean to knock her purse off of the barstool" She then walked over and confidently picked up my purse, threw it on the floor and yelled... "You and your fake ass fucking Louis Vuitton." Thank goodness, this woman behind me, yelled back at this woman as she was walking down the stairs, leaving the restaurant how inappropriate that was for her to do. People in the bar were appalled, and I was reassured that this was caught on video by the staff. Brandon, one of the bartenders was kind enough to comp a glass of wine due to the incident. Thank you, Brandon. Then, however, my food took a half an hour to receive. I should have left after the incident. I was informed that evening that this same woman is a regular and that she probably just had too much to drink. I called and spoke to a manager two days later that was apologetic. After thinking about this incident and speaking with a few friends and neighbors, several people recommended that I should reach out to the owner. I have left three messages for you Birdie Yang and 2 weeks later.. NO returned call. I have also thought about pressing charges against this woman. ..she was one step away from assaulting me personally. I explained this to the manager that she is a liability for this restaurant. I have supported Baku from the day they opened years ago. I will no longer, ever step foot into this establishment. And I will make sure to continue telling the story to as many people that will listen. There are too many restaurants in Charlotte that are competing for this same business and clientele. I ask that you think twice before stepping into the establishment and giving your business elsewhere that is truly appreciated.

Service was good but sushi was not favorable. Uni spoon - could use more flavor Razor clam - over cooked Salmon belly - ok Sushi - thinly sliced Overall over priced compared to the quality Revisit? Hmm

The food is outstanding, the service is casual yet exceptional, and the ambiance is perfect for either an intimate date night or a raucous family gathering. For seclusion try the downstairs dining room. For mixing and meeting go upstairs and eat at the bar.

Best sushi I have had in the states. Had a variety you don't often see. Was melt in your mouth and service and ambience great.

Another amazing dining experience at Baku! Our server, Alyssa was extremely attentive and delivered one of the best wait staff experiences. I've had recently in Charlotte. I love the ambience in the restaurant and especially the relaxing music, it's a great distraction from all of the new restaurants that seem to want to be a techno club. Our little steak was amazing. The sushi was very well prepared.

Spot's been on my list for like 10 yrs after working in the area and driving by it all the time. Sushi was good (I guess-it all tastes the same to me), calamari was solid, and the short ribs were tasty but a bit fatty. Didn't order some of the pricier things we wanted to try (steak for example) because they all said "minimum 45 minute prep time." Drinks were solid but started at like 16 and went to 22- for that price I'm expecting extraordinary. I loved the ambiance and artwork-definitely a nice moody vibe. Our server was great and attentive. We'll be back though for those other dishes now that I know about that wait for some of them.

Went a couple weekends ago with a group of girls for my friends birthday. First off, the interior is unique and beautiful- loved the decor a lot especially for pictures! The service, food and cocktails were all just ok- we each had a handful of different cocktails and we all agreed that for the price, we felt as though they weren't strong at all. If we order a signature cocktail for $15, we want it to be worth it but these just weren't unfortunately. Next time I'll stick with wine. The food came out as it was ready which I like - the gyoza and edamame with truffle oil were amazing! Highly recommend. Overall, the food was just a little pricey for what you got. We all left and spent about $100 each on a few cocktails and shared plates / sushi.

So you're looking for bomb sushi in the Queen City make sure you pop in here at Baku. I was in the mood for some bougie sushi and word on the streets was Baku was the place to be. They nailed it with bamboo on the outside of the restaurant and the oriental vibes all through the restaurant. We were looking for a bar area and we were advised it's located upstairs. The downstairs and upstairs area is like night and day. Downstairs was more bright,quiet and laid back . Upstairs was a dark setting and a little more noisier which didn't bother me at all . Sara and Nick who were very helpful behind the bar took the time out to explain the different types of sushi they offered. I'm a bit of a blue fin snob when it comes to sushi so was a little excited about that and the toro . We trusted Sara's judgement so much we just let her pick everything for us off the menu and she didn't fail us as we knew she wouldn't . So if you are searching for great sushi in a great environment and vibes they are definitely serving it all here .

Fish was great, service excellent, ambiance memorable. BUT, $260 (with tip) is ridiculous for 2 people, one didn't drink the other had two drinks. I am a healthy eater, and don't require a big meal, but even I was hungry before I got home! Compare that spend to Capital Grille, or something and it is super overpriced. The same bill for $150 would have been reasonable. Sorry Baku, I wont be back. Price and value are mis aligned.

Such a wonderful experience dining at Baku! We had several sushi rolls. We took the recommendations of our server, Tala (sp?), and they were all outstanding! Tala kept us informed throughout the evening so we were aware of lead-time expectations for ordering our next roll. A thousand times YES, I would definitely dine here again. Well worth it. It was more than a meal. It was an experience, a wonderful experience!!

So I tried Baku due to many of my friends recommending this place for date night. This will be our date night out spot, added to our rotation of restaurants in the South Park area. It is so romantic inside, with fun music, and the restaurant looks like a Japanese house. It's so beautiful. Everytime I dine here I get the spicy king kani roll with tempura shrimp, it's warm, spicy, with avocado and it's perfect every time - even when I get it to go. I love spicy food so the server recommended spicy hamachi crispy treats. This was one of the best dishes I've ever had! Our server was very friendly and made excellent recommendations and I loved all of them.

Food was great, and server was very friendly, although he forgot one of our entrees. The atmosphere was nice, pretty quiet for a Friday night. I would definitely go back.

We went last night for our anniversary and had a wonderful experience. Our waitress, Monica, was exceptional and could not have been better! She set the tone for a great experience and the food/drinks were phenomenal!! We enjoyed the Japanese A-5 wagyu for the first time and it was amazing. Worth every penny and cannot wait to go back!!

Love coming here for a date night or a girls night out! Can't go wrong with their house made dumplings and Tuna Butsu. Our server May was a delight, highly recommend this place if you're looking for a trendy spot with great food and service!

My first time at Baku was excellent!!!! I am very hesitant to try new items, especially when it comes to seafood or raw fish. I tried LIVE scallop sashimi for the first time, I was blown away with the quality and freshness! My husband also had the black cod miso, it was all cooked to perfection and melted. So buttery Overall, service, ambiance, and attention to detail was amazing and we will be back!

Impressed, even if a little dated... I wrestled between 4-5 stars, but bumped to the 5. The food was all very tasty and prepared perfectly. We were actually surprised by this, as the service and just vibe didn't portend that it would be so good. Our socks weren't knocked off, but the food was all 5-star for sure. The mushroom pot was something we'd never tried in a Japanese place, and it was a nice add on (especially for our dinner partner who - yes, knew where we were going - doesn't like raw fish). The box chow as a side was a win, and the nigiri plate (while not cheap) was a real winner

I will start by saying the place and service is really nice, I gave the restaurant and chance to respond to a direct email but they have chosen to ignore me. The food is sub par, especially for how much $$$$ I spent. Shocked that the sushi had no taste to it what so ever since the Yama's are some of my fav to grab sushi from but the big issue was the Lamp chops!! These were 50$ for 3 lamb chops, 2 of them came not even cut apart. I asked the waiter if they could fix it since it was being shared. A minute later came back to the table cut apart, but not seared back up and not seasoned just plain bare lamb. This is pretty un excusable in my opinion especially if you are going to charge me that much. never to return !!

The service is always great here. Their truffle roll is beyond delicious. Their hamachi, nigiri, sashimi is some of the best in Charlotte. They make a true sushi roll with not too much rice like most places around here make. The only dish I did not like was the truffle noodles but go for everything else here.

We visited Baku during the July 2019 Restaurant Week and loved the menu options and food. We had an early dinner reservation so it wasn't too crowded, which was nice, but service was a little slow and scattered. However, the food lived up to everything I had heard. We enjoyed the Calamari, Brussels Sprouts and Gyoza for our starters, all amazing! The Calamari was a huge portion, cooked to perfection and came with a dipping sauce with a kick, sweet. The Brussels actually paired very well with the calamari, as they had a charred crispy exterior but soft interior. The spicy tuna roll was exactly that, spicy, but so good. I loved it! We ended the meal with the NY Strip with Asparagus. As for the strip, it was good, but my least favor, a little chewy and fatty in my mind. Overall a great dining experience for Restaurant Week, but I do wish service was a little more on point.

My first time at Baku service was excellent . The waiter new menu inside and out and very attentive .The Hamachi is on menus is kinda like secret as they may not have daily but if you can please try deliciousness!!