Daigo

Hamachi shots were insane. The tofu was some of the best I’ve ever had, super soft and fried just a bit for the perfect thin, crispy texture. The sauce for the tofu was also so yum!!! Crab was pretty good, though both the crab and tofu got soggy quickly due to the sauce. The o toro nigiri was honestly the best thing from this dinner. SO. TENDER. Salmon toro and Ebodai (butter fish) were also tender, but the o toro was unmatched. Honestly could’ve passed on the yellowtail maki, it was very rice-y but still good. Yuzu cheesecake was a great way to end this magical meal. We are moved.

- Made a reservation by phone a few weeks in advance. They confirmed the reservation the night before by phone call - Reserved an outside seat but when we got there we were informed the seat may be hot on a summer evening and we were given the option to sit inside. We chose to sit inside and were glad we did! Enjoyed the atmosphere. There are a few seats at the bar and then ~6 small tables inside -We got the omakase- we were impressed with the variety of fish, the unique flavor, and how quickly the food came out. There was very little wait between the courses -Had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the food

A Cozy Spot with Seriously Good Food Went to Daigo with my cousin last week and had such a great time. The vibe is super cozy—perfect for catching up or just enjoying a chill night out. I went for the omakase, and honestly, it was totally worth it. The price felt fair, and the quality of the food was top-notch. They’ve got a nice sake selection too. I tried the one the staff recommended and it was delicious—smooth and easy to drink. Don’t leave without trying their house-made desserts! The ice cream, in particular, is amazing—really interesting flavors, not too sweet, and just the right way to wrap up the meal. Can’t wait to go back!

This is a hidden gem. Only a few seats indoors but there is an outdoor area with heating lamps in a tight space. Ordered the omakase and had a wonderful dining experience. Sushi is fresh and delicious! Every entree was perfect and left the restaurant fully satisfied.

I had high hopes for Daigo Sushi, but unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming. The food itself was just okay—not particularly memorable. The ambiance is cozy, which is a plus, but a couple of surprising service missteps left a negative impression. First, when I ordered omakase, the waitress discouraged me, saying it would take about an hour and that the rest of my party might get bored. It was unexpected and a bit off-putting. If a restaurant offers omakase, it should be something they’re proud to serve, not something they warn guests against ordering. Second, they served decaf tea to everyone without asking if that was acceptable. It’s a small thing, but it reflects a lack of attention to customer preference. Overall, it’s not a bad spot, but the service approach could definitely improve.

This spot was recently discovered as a hidden gem of a sushi place for me. The sushi was simply delicious and incredibly fresh! Each roll was a masterpiece, bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. Every bite was a delightful experience. The staff was lovely.

Hidden in an alley, this gem of an escape to Japan. Jazz infuses the cozy space as you enjoy fresh from Japan sashimi and nigiri. The firefly squid and hamachi shots were must not misses.

One of the best hidden spot in Palo Alto. Staffs are super friendly and attentive. They have a very good list of fish and we decided to order off the menu over their Omakase. The mushroom tempura is crispy on the outside and soft and juicy inside. The sushi are prepared fresh cut, toasted, flamed, sauced. Very tasty. Each piece are good size with small amount of rice at the bottom, that’s how we like it. There are many sakes to choose from and the prices are very reasonable.

Daigo is the best Japanese (specializing in sushi) restaurant that I've found in the Bay Area so far. Every dish I had was absolutely perfect- fresh, flavorful, melt in your mouth when it should be, and I did not miss the soy sauce or fresh wasabi at all. They offer caffeinated as well as decaf tea, and the enclosed outdoor seating kept me perfectly comfortable :) I never once felt cold. The service was wonderful, attentive but never intrusive, making the entire meal feel seamless. Excited to return. Thank you Daigo! Another huge bonus? The location! Tian loved the walk from our home, and it's so convenient that I know I'll be coming here much more often. If you're looking for incredible sushi, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service, Daigo is a must-visit!

首先我不会将其当作一家寿司店来吃 所以鱼生的马马虎虎并不影响心情 热食的选择少、分量小 好在调味相对自然 没有停车的顾虑 也不用担心排队等位 称之为深夜食堂显然更加合适 可惜只营业到晚9点 饱腹满足 扫除疲劳 不管怎样 有着所谓的"功效" 就是无可替代的好去处 至少在湾区，同类型餐厅，是的... 别提什么传统或正宗的味道 这里的茶碗蒸，搭配了极其浓烈的黑松露浇头 酒单可以扫一眼 不仅仅只有那些无聊的款式 但在天冷的时候 一壶温清酒的力量又岂能被替代 外场服务是值得赞许的 不催促 不评判 给予食客周到的照顾

Cozy space with indoor and outdoor seating with heaters. A bit tucked away from the main road so can be tricky to locate. Found street parking nearby. Services was professional, efficient and friendly. Food is expensive for very small portions. Maybe their rent is too expensive but I probably wouldn't eat here much because of the cost. Excellent quality and taste though if you are looking to splurge on a fancy dining experience. I love the special dish and plating for each food item. Would be a cute date spot or if you don't mind splurging on an evening out. I left hungry and a hole in my wallet though.

I came here for their omakase to celebrate a birthday. Inside is small (reminded me of Japan) but they have extra tables on the outside. Still, I would definitely recommend getting a reservation first. For $110, their omakase comes out with a good amount of food, and each dish tasted amazing. We ordered a couple more things off the menu and dessert. It was pricey but I would come back again for their quality.

We went here on a Saturday night as we were able to get last minute reservations at 8 pm. The table was available a little bit before 8 pm, and we were seated inside (very thankful for that as it was a cold night). We ordered the omakase for $110 a person - I thought it was a good value. If you are a nigiri person that emphasizes the sushi rice, I don't think this will be your place, but you are able to focus more on the fish, which is good. To be honest, the nigiri is not very memorable, but man, this is pretty Texas priced in Palo Alto! The best of the menu in my opinion was the chawanmushi (egg custard) and yuzu cheesecake dessert. I enjoyed it so much, I asked for the source. Unfortunately, straight from Japan :( Had a good night here - thank you!

The food is spectacular This was a super light dinner since we did pay a lot and was still hungry after, so just mind your wallet. The soft shell crab was really good, love the dashi vinegar and the veggies with it was a great balance. Shishamo was also really delightful with the numbing sansho salt. How do I get this salt ? It's so interesting and a fun surprise. Aburi saba was also really delish, and their ginger taste super fresh. The hand rolls themselves was ok, not as exciting as the rest of the meal. The service was quick and attentive. There's indoor and outdoor sitting that give a nice cozy environment.

Since working in the Peninsula I've been looking for good food to try. It's been tough to find a solid sushi spot but I think the search can end because Daigo was delish! Service was great and well informed us about the menu. Pretty sure you need a reservation but my friend and I walked in for early dinner and they let us have a table that we had to give up in 1.5 hours for a reservation which was fine! The fish is super fresh and they even ask if you prefer wasabi for the nigiri or not, most places don't ask this which I love because I am not a fan of wasabi. The nigiri is by the single piece and not for 2 pieces each order-which I also liked because then you can create your own omakase plate. Restaurant is nice and quaint with some outdoor seating but cute little spot to NOT bring a large party. Must try in Palo Alto!

This is a favorite of many of my friends who are sushi snobs. Their fish is extremely delicious! I enjoy eating at the bar when with girlfriends. The outdoor seating is nice and has heat lamps so great year round. I guess I don't come here often enough.

This place offers amazing food at an amazing price! If you are looking for excellent and quality sushi, this is the place. It is not too expensive, so you won't feel your wallet getting thinner. Service is amazing; the waiter is very helpful and kind. She explains the menu so well. The restaurant itself makes it feel like an authentic omakase Japanese restaurant. Would highly recommend.

Bad service. Server order us to order quick 2-3 times, when we are just looking at the menu. We arrived on time and not wasted any time. Next table did not get any pressure and the order less than us and stay longer. We order omakase. Sushi quality, presentation and selection are underwhelming. We are seated outside and there is no table inside. Seating area are not nice and it was super hot with no wind. Just look the picture with raw shrimp, it is not red like amaebi. It is grey. Look and tasted disgusting. I hope it is not from ranch 99 fridge. Big mistake to celebrate birthday there!

Absurdly expensive but it's Palo Alto so whatever. Everything is fresh and nice. I went here with my mom and it was 250 between us and I was still kinda hungry. Maybe I'm fat and maybe it's because we got sashimi and uni but whatever. Cute place but the guy on my right gave me a little show when he went to the bathroom since the tables were so close that night. I liked their saba (I think it was from Hokkaido that night so it was like 26 bucks for 3 pieces), and amaebi. Their salmon collar was honestly awful... I hope it was a rare kitchen error and not what they usually serve because it was pale, dry, and flavorless--something that is hard to do for a piece of fish that is more skin and fat than meat. I do recommend for a cute date though. Maybe just get the omakase.

I had high hope coming in but left disappointed. I personally don't think their quality of food aligned with their price point. I had better sushi locally with similar $$$. While I appreciated their "authenticity" to mimic sushi in Japan, but it lacked flavors and depth. Let me explain what I mean. Most of their nigiri already included wasabi and homemade sauce and no additional soy sauce or wasabi was needed. However, I couldn't taste the wasabi and the sauce was too mild to complement the sashimi. Also, they used the lower price point nigri on their omasake set (except chutoro and toro).

Fish quality is excellent and you can tell it's very fresh. It's pricey sushi; in this case I wouldn't call it a great value. The sake selection is fairly limited in my opinion and our server wasn't very knowledgeable. I wanted to try something new per a recommendation, but as she didn't have any, I just chose something tried and true. Opted to sit at the counter, but it didn't add to the experience. I wouldn't say you're missing out by sitting at a table here. While the nigiri is very good, it was not a very special meal and I was still quite hungry afterwards. Not for me, but I imagine it is for others!

We came right at opening and were able to get a seat. They had a last minute cancelation so they moved us to the bar/counter! We got the omakase! Surprisingly the price was $110, not bad especially for the area. Everything was sooooo good! Loved all the choices of fish and the side dishes! And things came out at a good pace. Service was great, tea was refilled often and our finished plates were whisked away quickly. Added on the matcha tiramisu and it was amazing! Will have to try to recreate it at home! Can't believe it took us so long to finally try it! But we will be back again soon!

Lowkey ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating. Food was fresh and presented nicely, the staff was very knowledgeable of every dish. Highly recommend!

A bit pricey but the service is good and the fish variety is not bad. Came for Father's Day dinner and got seated in the outdoor courtyard area of 7 tables. The inside is even smaller but the fish looks fresh on the chef station. The restroom is clean and in good size for a restaurant this small. We tried a whole bunch of items including the 4 specials from the kitchen. The omakase for 8 pieces are ok, the sushi is already flavored with soy sauce and wasabi, no need to do anything. The fish includes akami tuna, torotaku, and blue shrimp, and ocean trout, butter fish among others. I didn't find the fish cut particularly generous but sushi overall were ok. The rice felt loose on the shrimp nigiri. The monkfish liver with ponzu is fresh and buttery as usual, just too small in size for $6. The fried smelt fish is good and crispy, the aburi saba is nice with arugula at the bottom. The chawamushi came really really late and for $16, it's a small cup. I think it's debatable of the value. Ikura and tamago are ok, the negitoro maki is fresh. The Japanese fried chicken is surprisingly good that I could taste the chicken inside. We also added 2 sashimi, the golden eye snapper and nodoguro seaperch. The seaperch was fattening with a slight sear. It's our favorite of the night. Service was great and they don't assign waitress to the table so that we can flag down either of them. The bus boy was quick to take away dishes and refill water. It was a nice dinner out.

Daigo is a quaint restaurant tucked away in an alley of Palo Alto. I came here for a birthday dinner and holistically, the restaurant was great. Staff were accommodating, the space was minimal and cozy, and the food was top notch. We did the 8 piece omakase and got a few pieces of kanpachi and the tori karaage on the side. Omakase was delicious and the chef explained each dish to us before we ate them. Karaage was lightly battered and a good amount of crisp. We also shared the black sesame cheesecake as a birthday dessert, although I was a bit disappointed that they charged us when they told us on the phone there was a special included for birthday celebrations. There are a few parking lots nearby but they can fill up quickly. Definitely call to make a reservation before you go as the place doesn't have ample seating.

We came in on a Tuesday night with a reservation for two, and we got seated at the bar in front of the chef. The place is pretty small and cozy inside, and they also have outside seating. They offer a wide variety of fish from Japan and all over the world. The chawanmushi topped with truffle was sooo good, would definitely order that again. We also got the 12 piece nigiri, 1 hand roll, 1 wagyu omakase. The quality and taste of everything were on point.

One of my favorite sushi restaurants. Great options and such great service! The only downside I have for this restaurant is needing a reservation or having to come early to request a walk in because the restaurant is small and popular. Can't go wrong with any of the orders.

Awesome Japanese spot in Palo Alto :) excellent food service and ambiance. Manila clams for appetizer was delish and the salmon sashimi and hand roll were superb.

We went for a late dinner and sat in the back. We couldn't get the omakase since it was an hour before they closed but even with the a la carte, it was a great experience. Everything we ordered was delicious and the service was impeccable. The staff gave us several cups of sake tasting and even a black sesame cheesecake on the house. My favorite was the wagyu nigiri, hamachi shot, and the egg custard. Would love to come back to get the full omakase experience next time I'm in Palo Alto!

Came here without a reservation for 2 on a Tuesday night and was seated immediately. Here's the TLDR; the fish was good and fresh and tasty, but for the price point I wish we got a little more food cause it's definitely a little pricy for the amount of food you get. The sashimi platter was $48 for 8 pieces of (not super big) pieces of fish. And the fish were pretty standard ones, nothing fancy. If they portions were a little bigger I would have left a 5 star review

I thought everything was excellent here. We were seated promptly after arrival in their outdoor patio which is quite nice even on a cold evening (the torches help quite a bit). I loved all of the sashimi. Of course their Oto Toto was amazing. I liked both the fatty salmon and the regular salmon. The Korean halibut was my least favorite here but still very good. The roll was excellent as was the soft shelled crab. Oh, and the clams were pretty good as well. I just loved the soup broth that came with the clams -- they gave you a small soup cup to drink in --and it had a wine flavor to it -- just yum.

Walked in randomly on a week day. Cost me over 100 for three dishes - sashimi, chawan mushi with truffle, and black cod. Soso tastes. I would try nigiris and other hot dishes next time. Phoenix Hiro Sushi definitely has more reasonable prices for nigiri's, but Daigo is already not on the pricy end in the Bay Area

Some of the best omakase/sushi I've had in the Bay! Despite what Yelp previously said, they take (and basically require) reservations. I believe the rice of the nigiri is brown rice and the nigiri of the omakase comes pre-seasoned with soy sauce and wasabi. (I can't have wasabi but they were happy to accommodate!) The service here ranges from amazing to just friendly: one server spent the time to explain which of the nigiri on the table was on the menu but another didn't. A pretty solid place to come when you want a nice sushi dinner!

Thanks to all the awesome Yelp tips, we called and made a reservation on a Saturday evening. I asked for 6:45 pm but the person I spoke with asked us to come at 6:30. We found some street parking pretty close by and arrived promptly at 6:30. We were told we would have to wait 10 mins for a table. This was a little frustrating given that we saw them putting reserved signs on other tables and seating people who arrived after us, so it seems like the reservations of other parties were planned for, just not our reservation. Service was efficient and to the point, no asking how your food is, they just know it's good...and it is! We got some salmon nigiri, barbecue eel roll, spicy tuna hand roll, salmon avocado roll, cucumber avocado roll, and yellowtail. We finished it off with the black sesame and green tea cheesecake. We were definitely rushed through our meal while we noticed some of the tables around us were not. We weren't offered water while other tables were and when we'd ask for a tea refill, it wouldn't come. It seemed like for whatever reason, from the moment we arrived, they just didn't want to provide decent service. Overall, I think the sushi is delicious, but not the best value compared to other great spots in the South Bay, especially if you're going to be treated poorly.

Intricate japanese fare in a super tiny space. Everything I've had here is excellent quality. It's pricey but worth it and I can usually get a spot by calling an hour ahead on a weekday. At this point we have sampled the entire menu save for the rolls and the only item we wouldn't reorder is the ankimo (it was just fine).

Hamachi shot: Looks and smells intimidating but tastes so fresh and unique. You go on a flavor ride w this. We got the 10 pc omakase w uni handroll. Omakase First 5: all very subtle in flavor but clearly very fresh. The blue shrimp stood out the most flavor wise. They recommend you enjoy these as is. If I had these with soy sauce, I probably only would have tasted the soy sauce. Last 5: I enjoyed the last five more. Salmon was both of our favorites. I wish it didn't end. We ordered another salmon nigiri at the end. Handroll: they brought it out immediately so the nori was still crunchy which was nice. The filling was yummy. Uni: less stinky and more watery than any uni I've had before Shrimp head: nice little surprise. Extremely tasty. I could eat a bag of these. Salmon citrus roll: nice combination! Wasn't too excited for it but it was nice, bright, and flavorful. However, i wasn't excited to finish it. Nice experience and staff was very attentive and shared with us what each part of the omakase was. First round came out fast and the pacing was good. Came here for anniversary but didn't have a romantic, intimate, or high end experience as another restaurant might have had. Omakase was fun to experience. If I came again, the only parts of the omakase that I would bother ordering again are the salmon and the hand roll. Favorites: fried shrimp head, hand roll, salmon nigiri Bonus: 98 health inspection score. The highest I've seen!

Daigo? More like dai-no. Okay, lame jokes aside, I've had this place bookmarked for months and just never bothered to make the trek down south, esp when I'm surrounded by sushi restaurants galore just minutes from where I live. We finally decided to go recently on a warm day and requested outdoor dining so we could bring our pup. Definitely make a reservation as they were filled. We made one the same day by just calling a few hours in advanced. Menu is relatively standard. They offer a few specials of the day, but otherwise it's your typical omakase, nigiri, maki, or temaki options. There's also some appetizers you can order. We normally get the omakase, but decided to just pick and choose what we wanted instead. We started off with the agedashi tofu ($13) and the kinoko salad ($15). The tofu was basic, literally fried tofu in dashi. It didn't have the mochi-esque exterior that I was hoping for, which was a little disappointing. The kinoko salad was good though! Packed full of umami flavors and light enough that you still feel healthy. The nigiri and other sushi that we ordered came quickly. Fish was fresh, but the sushi rice didn't have the vinegar tang that you get at most quality Japanese restaurants. It's not terrible sushi rice by any means (we've had mushy vs cold vs just bland plain rice elsewhere), but it's also not one that I would eat bowls and bowls of. Cuts are on the smaller side, which I feel is typical nowadays. I would definitely skip the handroll though. They skimp on filling A LOT and it's not worth the price at all. Service was fine for the majority of the meal. The only thing that left me feeling a bit distasteful was when the servers checked on us at the end of the meal. We had ordered uni nigiri and a staff member told us they would check on it. Usually restaurants will just go ahead and make it (you end up with a bigger check and hopefully a bigger tip, right?), but instead, our original waitress came out and proceeded to explain that we had in fact, never ordered it, and then went ahead to read back our entire order as if that justified her rationale. Couldn't it be possible that maybe she just didn't hear us or forgot to enter it in? I didn't think that this disagreement was necessary and we decided to just get the check instead so we could bail. With so many other options in the bay that provide better quality food for your buck, we'll dine elsewhere.

I decided to try their omakase. It was so dang good. I don't think you can find better at that price. I loved it and highly recommend it! Heck, I thought it was so good that I brought my niece and sister two days later. In summary, I recommend their omakase. I loved it. I will be back. :)

Daigo is so good! I've been here a few times now and while I wasn't suuuuper impressed my first time, it just kept getting better. All of the fish I've had has been super fresh and they have a changing daily specials menu, but some things do sell out! We love ordering rounds of the hamachi shots, omakase set (i get the one with uni, but my friend loves the wagyu option), and the agedashi tofu is a great app to share with the table. The restaurant is tucked in an alley but there's plenty of free parking just a minute away, in walking distance. The inside is pretty small but they also have a decent sized patio perfect for a cool evening. The service is decent, nothing special, but the food speaks for itself and that doesn't deter me. This place is great for date night or a girls night out. However, I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups just because it's pretty small. You definitely need a reservation! While there are still tons of sushi restaurants in the Bay Area I've been dying to try, we'll for sure keep coming back here.

Small, tucked away sushi spot with excellent quality sushi, but very small portions for the money, so not good value. We tried a variety of sashimi and all the fish was melt in your mouth quality with a nice ocean taste (good thing). Service was good and they serve genmaicha tea! My only complaint is that we had to sit at a counter facing a wall. Not the best spot to sit for an expensive date night.

Note: Need to call for reservations. I searched high and low for booking options online and they don't exist. Call early. They open at 5:00pm but pick up the phone much earlier. You maaayyy be able to walk in, but it's very unlikely as there is limited seating. I love Daigo. Such a clean, minimalistic and well thought out establishment. The highest quality of fish and every bite has such perfect, complementing flavors. Anything on the menu is a good choice. Great sake options as well.

I came here for a celebratory dinner with two of my friends on a Thursday night. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall I am glad that I came here once. Pros: The food! All the sushi was so fresh and the rice sometimes had surprise seasonings. The agedashi tofu appetizer here is also the best agedashi tofu I've ever had. The deep fried oysters were also fire. Chawanmushi is pretty much always good no matter where you get it, Daigo was no exception. Cheesecakes at the end were also very yummy as well! Service was friendly and attentive. Cons: Getting a reservation here is such a pain. The only way to get one is to call, but they don't always pick up all the time. I think I had to call five separate times before someone actually picked up the phone. It is also quite pricey here, but to be fair everything is top notch so you get what you pay for. And this isn't even the most expensive omakase that exists. Still, this restaurant is probably a once in a while type of restaurant. Also three appetizers that we ordered along with the food that came with the omakase set (I think it's 10 piece nigiri with 2-3 additional items) did not make myself and my other two friends full, so we ordered more sushi at the end, but this was kind of a mistake because we were sooooo full at the end. It was roughly $200 per person after tax and tip. Overall, I would recommend that Bay Area sushi lovers try Daigo, it's definitely worth a visit. I will come back here to eat, maybe super soon, but eventually! :)

Daigo, nestled in the heart (an absolute hole in the wall in case you don't happen to have an intention of eating some amazing Sushi and are standing right outside to be seated) of Palo Alto is a culinary haven for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine. Parking can definitely be challenging in Palo Alto in general and this wasn't an exception with Daigo, though you can park a couple blocks down in a public parking lot and its a few minutes walk The restaurant's ambiance exudes elegance and tranquility. With its minimalist decor, traditional Japanese aesthetics, and soft lighting, Daigo provides a serene and intimate dining atmosphere. The service at Daigo is impeccable. The staff is not only attentive but also incredibly knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine and the menu offerings. They patiently guided us through the menu, explaining the ingredients and preparation techniques every time they served the Omakase menu. Coming to our food for the night, we order an Omakase UNI and as well WAGYU, wrapping that up with the Cheesecake and ice-cream. The Omakase menu is definitely crafted with fresh sources of seafood and served in a pristine fashion. Each course was filled with flavors and textures that we definitely would crave and expect from authentic Japanese cuisine and as well the presentation was super artful. Every dish was a testament to the chef's dedication to excellence. Daigo falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, but it's a place where you're paying for the quality and authenticity of the dining experience. Given the exceptional quality of the food and service, it's well worth the occasional splurge for a special occasion. A definite hidden gem that deserves recognition among the finest Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area and an absolute candidate for a Michelin *. From the serene ambiance to the exquisite culinary offerings, it's an establishment that caters to those seeking an authentic and memorable dining experience. We are definitely going to go back for more!!!

Ordered an arrange of dishes from 10 piece omakase to monkfish liver and all the dishes were presented well and had a complex set of flavors. The food was very fresh and left me feeling like I cleansed my body from all the other junk food prior to this meal. My favorite was the uni that was served alongside the omakase. Super fresh, super savory, the umami flavors melted in my mouth. All the pieces of nigiri were delicious as well, it's hard to go wrong with sushi if the fish is fresh. I will say the portions are quite small compared to other omakase options in the bay, so you will be left feeling a little hungry if you don't order a few more dishes to accompany the main dish. You really come here for both the food and the service/ ambiance. The staff here is super polite, attentive, and have calm energy. It's just a pleasant eating experience and you know what you are going to get when entering Daigo. The place is small and quaint in the heart of Palo Alto. This is a place I've come to a handful of times and I will be back again.

Fantastic sushi place in Palo Alto -- best sushi near Palo Alto and Stanford! The hamachi jalapeño is a little spicy but I like it -- beware those sensitive to spice! Rainbow Roll is solid -- great tasting and super fresh. Aburi Saba is the best roll in my opinion! Smoky due to the seared fish on top. Yummy Service is great and super fast. Will be coming back here!

Had this right after I delivered my baby and they did not disappoint! The chefs selection was on point and every piece was unique, fresh and flavorful. It's such a good find I'm going to have to return soon now that I'm no longer pregnant!

Had to come back for my mom's birthday dinner and as expected, everyone LOVED every single piece too Really liked how I got to try different pieces of nigiri from the first time I came. Never disappoints!

I've been here so many times and have done omakase several times, but never wrote a review..so here I am! This place is a hidden gem!! The quality is amazing and the omakase is such great value! My typical dining experience includes getting the hamachi shots and the 10 piece omakase with uni. SO GOOD!! And around $100!! I know that's not cheap, but compared to so many other omakase places, this is a great value! Also the staff is so kind and attentive. Recommend calling in at least a day before for reservations! It's a small restaurant and they fill up fast. I'll definitely be back...a lot!

Decently priced omakase for the Bay Area. It's been a while that I have paid less than $100 for a 10-course. Quality of fish was also really good. No fishy aftertaste, cuts of fish were smooth like butter. Suzuki Hirame Kanpachi Sawara Kamasu Shima Aji Umiwasu Akami Chutoro Aoebi Torotaku Uni Were the selections during our visit. Great service as well! I called same day for a reservation (tuesday) and luckily had no issue.

Over the years, I've been pretty disappointed by sushi restaurants in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Places like Tomi and Fuki are rated highly, but upon trying them they leave a lot to be desired. The number one thing I look for in trying a sushi restaurant is the temperature of the sashimi. Coming in at a close second would be the cut; the thickness, width and length. I've found that the few sushi establishments that seem to get it right are Japanese-owned and operated. At Izakaya, Chef Chiba-san always serves his sashimi, in particular the hamachi at a perfect temperature. His hamachi is almost as buttery as toro. Each cut of hamachi is the same thickness and size. After reading all the 5 star reviews, I had high hopes that Daigo might reverse the trend. I was feeling particularly hopeful when we walked past one of my favorite new restaurants, Protégé. Daigo is a cute little store front tucked away in an alley. It certainly had the look of a legitimate Japanese omakase restaurant from the outside. Upon entering, there are two bar counters. I was surprised to find that our counter would face an empty melamine wall rather than the sushi chefs. The kicker was when the waiter asked me to move my chair in. As I was about to get up to slide my chair, he had the audacity to push my chair in! I was in disbelief. It's unacceptable to shove the chair with somebody sitting in it. I tried to focus on the food, to give it a fair shake. First came out the hamachi shooter, which was full of roughly cut chunks of hamachi, quail egg yolk, ponzu sauce and tobiko. It was decent, but the thick hamachi cuts made it a bit unwieldy. The ankimo was soft and had some ponzu sauce like the hamachi shooter. But I've had a comparable grade of ankimo at Yakitori Kokko and Gaku with 2-3 times as much for around the same price. Then the sashimi was placed on the counter. Sashimi is a great benchmark for sushi restaurants because it is representative of the quality of the fish and how it is handled and prepared. No spice or ingredients to hide behind as you get with poke bowls or sushi rolls. Daigo's sashimi cuts were about twice as thick as one might expect. I suspected that those thick cuts would result in an uneven temperature. Upon my first bite into the tuna, I was right. It had the mouth feel of recently defrosted fish. Cold and metallic. The salmon was very average; a taste you could find at almost any other place. The uneven cuts to the hamachi made it difficult to enjoy. The best pieces were the scallop, which had little purple flowers on them. Tender to bite into, nice texture and flavor. The nigiri was considerably more enjoyable than the sashimi. The seared albacore had a nice torch seared flavor and texture. The aji (mackerel) and toro (fatty tuna) were both delicately sliced thin and tasted better than any of the sashimi. Temperature was not an issue presumably because the searing raised the temperature a few degrees. The food was a 3 for me, but the unrefined service from our waiter drops down my rating by a star. On top of the tactless push on the back of my chair, the same male waiter tried to upsell us continually as if I was still pondering what to order, after I had already placed a concise order for sashimi and nigiri. It felt like having to decline enhanced insurance on a car rental at Enterprise or Hertz. It's fine to mention a couple specials but he practically read half the menu out loud, never mind the fact that I hadn't asked him a single question about anything to express any interest. The waitresses, on the other hand, were polite and regularly refilled my hot tea. Ultimately, the Daigo experience wasn't what I had hoped. At a presumably upscale sushi establishment I expected a finer level of service. The service and food also didn't measure up to the glowing reviews and supposed value. My search for a quality authentic Japanese sushi establishment in Palo Alto continues.

Came for a Saturday night dinner and it was busy. Even when we left at around 8:30 there were still multiple parties waiting outside. Remember to call to reserve a table! My partner and I went with omakase since we wanted sushi and there weren't really any other cheaper sushi sets except for ordering piece by piece. Omakase was fine. They charged $110 for basically 15 courses - much cheaper than your usual omakase experience here. For the price they charged, and considering the location Daigo is in, the food met expectations. Both my partner and I agreed that the bonito sashimi and chu-toro sushi stood out the most. The rest of the omakase was nothing to write home about. I'd come back to Daigo next time but wouldn't order their omakase again.

Extremely pricey, high quality sushi can be had here. Go when you want to treat yourself. Tried many appetizers with our maki and sashimi including - Hamachi shots (favorite) - Wagyu Croquettes - Hamachi Kama - Softshell Crab - few others Sashimi sets are relatively small for $48. Delicious, good service. Omakase is nigiri only and very limited so we did not order. 4-stars.

By far, the most amazing sushi place I have ever been! This sushi place is the best sushi I ate in my life! And I love the place. The service was incredible, amazing vibes and so homey and cozy! felt like Japan!! I would definitely recommend the yuzo drink, I got 3 bottles lol It was incredible, one of the most amazing drinks that I got in my life! I would definitely come back again!!!!!

Today, I tried the omakase at Daigo Japanese restaurant. The ingredients were as fresh as always. My favorite dish today was the abalone paired with mushrooms and sauce--it went perfectly with the wine we ordered! With so many courses, it truly was a sumptuous dinner! I'm so happy that my friends also enjoyed it. Daigo is a Japanese restaurant that never disappoints me, and the staff are always friendly every time I visit. It's definitely worth trying for everyone!

Hole in the wall with a fantastic assortment of fresh fish. Every bite is transcendent.

Rude staff, even ruder owner, yelp deleted my original review but avoid this place if you can. Establishment harassed me. Seems I'm not the only one who's been subject to their behavior all of the 1-2 star reviews all have the same thing in common-- do better.

Visited Daigo to celebrate a special occasion. They do accept reservations but only by phone. The restaurant is nestled just off the main road but close enough to accessible parking. The ambiance was very intimate and bright. Especially being seated at the counters, it was enjoyable experience being able observe the chefs create the dishes we were to be eating. We ordered the miso cod as an appetizer and ghe omakase that included the uni. The cod miso was deliciously caramelized and filled with so much flavor. If i was not so full at the end of my meal, i would have ordered another order. For the omakase: Each nigiri piece was beautifully put together, having no need for any soy sauce. My favorite pieces were the (madai, otoro, sawara, aji, umimasu, tachiou, blue crab handroll). The blue crab handroll especially was my favorite with the seaweed being so crunchy! The pacing of our meal was also perfect. Especially as someone who considers herself a slower eater, I did not feel like I was being rushed nor was my partner waiting too long for the next piece. I loved my experience at Daigo and I look forward to my next visit!