Karma Wellesley

The atmosphere at Karma is really special, with a well thought out theme that makes the place feel like one of their more premium locations. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, but the portions are on the smaller side, so definitely plan on ordering a lot if you want to try different things. I’m excited to come back and try even more dishes!

I walked in hoping to get a seat during prime time on a busy night. The host was very friendly and seemed to be managing well with his computer. He gave me about a 30 minute wait time for the sushi bar or the regular bar. I was sat in less than 20 at the sushi bar. The decor and ambiance was beautiful. Appropriate relaxed lighting with colors of black, gold and red, very welcoming. My waitress was great and could easily answer my menu questions. Over the summer I spent a week eating at different Michelin Star restaurants in Miami Beach and Miami and this gave off that vibe. I was picky what I ordered. I really wanted to see how they stacked up. They also had dishes with ingredients that you don't usually find. Let's get to the good stuff. I started with Lobster Egg Rolls. These were extremely fresh, the outer shell was light and full of tender lobster meat. These were a delicious way to start. Next I had the Foie Gras Club. A healthy serving of foie gras, eal and a cherry, on top of Japanese Milk Toast. This dish was absolutely delicious! Perfectly created. My next dish was the Dragon Pearl Crab Fried Rice. Visually stunning. A very healthy amount of Canadian dungeness crab and snow crab on top of perfectly seasoned fried rice with waves of egg and a subtle hint of heat. A must for any crab lover. The star of the night was the Japanese A5 Wagyu Ishiyaki. This dish in general is a favorite of mine. I've had the pleasure of eating it in some extremely notable restaurants. I can tell you that this is one of the best that I've had. Six pieces of lightly seared, perfect thickness, melt in your mouth steak. The flavor was delicious. It was so tender, you wouldn't need teeth to eat this.The price point is extremely reasonable for what you are getting. Food was a little out of order with my Hot and Sour Soup coming next. This is a dish I judge and also cook. It was perfect. The perfect amount of thickness, the proper fillers and a rich flavor with a great balance. Left a little kick, but no need for tissues. Loved it! Lastly, another dish I really enjoy getting at authentic Chinese restaurants was the Xiao Long Bao, aka Soup Dumplings. The dough on the outside was exactly how I would want it. It was not to thick, but held up when you picked it up by the top not ripping it open. The inside had a pork filling with a truffle flavored soup to make these divine. Three separate textures and three different amazing flavors all in one bite. These were some of the best I have ever had! When it comes to the food I ordered there wasn't anything that wasn't Michelin Star worthy. The presentation, freshness and most importantly flavor was second to none. Make reservations, be adventurous, bring your wallet and enjoy a fantastic meal!

We celebrated my brother’s birthday here and everything from start to finish was absolutely perfect. The atmosphere is beautiful and spacious, and the service was outstanding. My absolute favorite was the Foie Gras Club—it had eel, foie gras, and a cherry on a piece of toast. It was just soooo good. I’m still thinking about it! The Salmon on Fire and the Lobster with Stir-fried Japanese Udon were also so delicious. A huge shoutout to the chef, who generously gifted us Otori Nigiri with caviar and Yellowtail Basil in a Spoon—both were incredibly delicious and such a thoughtful surprise! This place is a gem for Asian fusion cuisine, and we’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Overall it was a very good experience. The food was very high quality; you could especially discern that the fish was very fresh. I recommend trying the Crazy Maki and the Crispy rice with Spicy Tuna. The waiter was also very nice. My only critique of the restaurant were that the food took a little too long to come out, however this is probably just a “growing pain” they’re experiencing since the opened very recently. While I highly recommend this place if you like sushi (and other Asian cuisine), just be prepared to spend a lot of money as the dishes as quite expensive.

Had an amazing anniversary lunch at Karma Wellesley! Our waiter Giovanni was fantastic—he even brought our daughter her drink as “princess juice” which made her day. The maki rolls and duck were outstanding, and the vibe was perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining. We’ll definitely be back!

Karma is an exceptional restaurant, with friendly, competent staff, a sultry very metropolitan atmosphere, and just stellar food. My wife and i are both vegan, and we ate there twice this week with no -vegan friends. There were delicious options for all of us! We especially recommend the idaho sweet potato maki and the General Tsao’s tofu!

One of a kind restaurant in the metrowest area of Boston. The design is beautiful and the food + drinks are outstanding. Highly recommended.

We sat at the sushi bar. Every bite was more flavorful than the next. The yellowtail Thai basil spoon with was insanely good. The clay pot black cod with rice was perfection. Other sushi and cocktails were off the hook!! Huge selection of impressive Japanese whiskeys.

Phenomenal, I will be back! Plenty of parking, it's part of a shopping center so you'll find something. Servers are friendly, attentive, and do no forget about you! You can book ahead for a reservation, and if you're lucky and want to get in sooner you might be able to walk in on a busy night. They have an excellent menu of sushi and this was my first time trying it fresh! I've always heard of people talking about the freshness of sushi, and I didn't understand the importance & difference it can make! I tried their garlic & spicy edamame, a few lobster rolls. The pricing is flexible depending on how fancy you feel you, the higher you go the higher the quality. The restaurant has soft yellow lights, is awesome as a date spot, and usually I'm not a fan of sitting at the bar, but I definitely was a fan at this restaurant. You can see the chef putting together your plates right before the serve it to you. The only thing I ask to change is for bigger cups for water, or having the option of having a water pitcher in reach; the cups are small so you'll go through your beverage pretty quick. Beside that this spot is a home run

Overpriced and just mediocre ! Upscale because Wellesley and priced to fit the location The food is worse than average Japanese 1 star for presentation and ambience otherwise no stars

Here is a polished, natural, and five-star-style version you can post: Not sure why this gem doesn't have all 5-star reviews! The ambience is beautiful--stylish, cozy, and intimate. The service was wonderful, and the foie gras with unagi was absolutely to die for. Their iconic seared salmon, uni with quail egg, and sushi rolls were all incredible as well. The Peking duck wasn't anything to write home about, but still solid and enjoyable. Overall, a fantastic dining experience and definitely a spot I'd come back to!

The first few seconds of walking in the front door transmitted you into another land.. Every nook & space of the restaurant was an experience in itself. The ambiance was decadent. The lighting set to rich and romantic and the pace of the place was buzzing with people coming and going... We arrived before our reservations and decided to sit at the bar. I ordered a bottle of Voss water to start, along with a Sapporo light for my partner and a glass of sparkling wine for myself. We ordered the pan fried pot-stickers, spicy tuna maki & hibachi black pepper wok with the rib eye beef. The courses were served swiftly by professional & friendly staff., and Every bite was fresh with melt in your mouth ingredients! A+ for a perfect evening and shout out to Taylor who made our first night at Karma enjoyable! Highly recommend, and we'll be returning for sure!

Karma Wellesley = WOW From the moment you walk in, the vibe hits you -- chic, artistic, and as beautiful as the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Service: Spot on! Shoutout to Alondra, the amazing GM. So warm, attentive, and professional. Food: Absolute showstoppers. Personal faves: Wagyu beef with foie gras sushi Salmon on fire Oyster with uni Yellowtail black truffle sushi Every bite is a delight. Already planning my next visit! Karma Wellesley is a must-try -- world-class dining without leaving Massachusetts.

Super well decorated place, definitely an upscale restaurant (and the prices reflect that). Plating and sushi fish quality were both great. Lots of different types of asian food. Favorites were the salmon on fire and the seared hamachi and caviar. All dishes came out beautifully and were yummy!

I was really impressed by this restaurant. Everything we got was good! I especially loved the alligator roll and duck bao bun. There is something for everyone here even if you don't like sushi. Many other options. The restaurant is big and beautiful. Service was great. Our server was very friendly and helpful.

We had dinner there. Disappointing. Highlights: The decor is beautiful, It doesn't feel like Wellesley. Our service was spotty. Drink order taken, then it took forever to get. We felt rushed, and when the meal is expensive, people shouldn't be pushed out in less than an hour. When we ordered our entrees, they came out in minutes. Despite the quick turn around, the batter on our chicken was not crispy, and the beans were not either. The food was average, except for the hot and sour soup, which was outstanding.

In brief, five stars for the food and the design, two stars for service. The place is gorgeous (with prices to match). But long before the food arrived, not so good. Ordered a couple of glasses of wine from the drinks menu, and several minutes later we were told they didn't have that one. So, knowing the alternative on the menu was a good one, ordered that. Well, they didn't have that one either. Soon after ordering, the appetizer arrived with one entree. Many, many minutes later the wine appeared. Then finally the other entrees. Luckily, the food was exceptional. The menu is extensive fusion Asian. Shishito peppers were done perfectly. Pad Thai was very good. The lemon basil salmon "special " maki was excellent. And the classic salmon avocado maki just as good. I'd probably stick with the classics in the future, since I don't need all the special gunk (I don't mean that in a bad way), since it takes away from the fish. So, I'll return, and I expect the service will even out.

We went to Karma to celebrate my in-laws' birthday, and I went in expecting a really fancy dinner. Some of it definitely lived up to that and some didn't. The sushi was fantastic - fresh, beautifully presented, and definitely the highlight of the night. The Salmon on Fire was super fancy and fun to watch, and the ginger lobster was excellent and worth the market price. My kids loved the scallion pancakes, and the pineapple fried rice was pretty good too. A few dishes were just okay like the General Tso's chicken and mapo tofu. They tasted fine, but honestly about the same as what you'd get at a regular Chinese restaurant, just at three times the cost. There were also some funny moments - almost every dish went to the wrong table. The table next to us hadn't even ordered yet, and at one point one of our dishes got handed to them while they were still giving their order. It happened so many times we just started laughing about it. Our table was way too small for how much food we ordered - I actually had to hold a plate in my hand at one point because there wasn't any space left. I had also noted on the reservation that it was a birthday, but there was no acknowledgment. No "happy birthday," no dessert mention, nothing. We also were never offered a dessert menu, which felt like a miss. The restaurant itself looks great with a very upscale vibe. Probably not the best place to bring kids, even though I brought mine. It also didn't seem like the kind of spot where people come to get full. Most of the other tables just had a couple of small dishes and drinks - it's more of a "dress up and sip cocktails" kind of place than a "family dinner" place. Service was fine overall, though our server seemed a bit impatient. All in all, Karma has some excellent dishes and a great atmosphere, but a few little things kept it from being perfect. I'd come back for the sushi and lobster, but next time I'd probably leave the kids at home and just enjoy the fancy side of it.

I'm giving 3 stars for food because of the high price. If you going to come into Wellesley and charge a high price for food, I expect the food to be better than Chinatown. I can go to Chinatown for the same stuff at half the price. Their sushi doesn't look fresh. It's a dark brown tuna and the staff told me it's just the darkness of the place that's made the tuna looks darker than normal. I'm giving 1 star for service. I'm having the same problems with others that posted their reviews. Rude and attitude before they give a solution. I have to give 5 stars for the layout of the place. It does look nice and clean compared to other high end restaurants in Wellesley. Overall you going to a 5 stars Restaurant for 2 stars service. I personally won't come back.

Place has just been open barely over a week so will provide a detailed review. Went there for a late night dinner - needed a reservation as it was packed. The decor and ambiance are beautiful with a themed, classy vibe. We were a tad early and got seated right away. Our server was very helpful and attentive throughout the evening. Decided to forgo the sushi and Japanese dishes this time. We had an array of appetizers: hot and sour soup (solid but didn't need the cheap fried noodles on top), scallion pancakes (just a tad too greasy but flavor was good), duck buns (very tasty and the folks in our party who haven't had much duck liked them...I thought just a tad too much hoisin but still tasty), and the XLB which tasted fine (certainly not DTF quality but serviceable). For entrees we shared the Mango chicken, Singapore Mei fun rice noodles, and the Yuen yang spicy beef. You can ask them to modify the spice level. The presentation of the dishes was well done. I was surprised that the entrees do NOT come with any rice given the price points. One friend loved her mai tai and it was consistent in both rounds. Another friend ordered the pandan colada - first one was very strong, second one tasted like it had zero alcohol. Given they're so new, this didn't take away from the overall experience which was very positive. We were actually surprised there weren't more issues. We wanted to order desserts but they said that had no desserts yet - ha! Will be back!

I celebrated my birthday at Karma on November 15th. Every aspect blew me away. That decor, the food, and especially the service! Our server Sage was so kind and attentive, he made it feel like a truly special celebration. Can't recommend this restaurant enough!

This restaurant is about as good as it gets: Food, decor, and service. The Asian dishes are the best in the greater Boston area, and that is saying a lot given the many Asian restaurants available. Service is friendly and attentive. The ambience is upscale and inviting. Better book in advance. This is a very popular place now, and for good reason.

We went for the first time on a Saturday night. It was packed, so the noise was already loud. The music was so loud (even our server commented in this). Our server was friendly but seemed to be spread thin and was inattentive as a result. We sat around waiting for him multiples times during our meal as we saw him running around managing other tables. Then there are the bathrooms. They are SO dark - could barely see the signs indicating Men vs Women. Inside was no better. The food was good but I don't see the need to go back for many reasons.

Our party was thrilled to dine at Karma for the first time and had an unpleasant experience with the manager. We we're celebrating our friend's birthday and asked permission if we could bring in a homemade apple pie to celebrate (at the end of our delicious meal). The staff double checked with whoever was in charge (not the manager) and told us this would be fine--even offering to warm up the pie and bring it to our table later. After our beautiful meal and beautiful interactions with the servers, the manager came to our table and chided us as if we were wayward children who had sneaked in a pie. He was very condescending and killed all the joy of our festive gathering. Given the elegant vibe of Karma and the priciness of the menu (worth it), I would not recommend dining there when that particular manager is in the house. He could have handled things so much better.

Very dark the smug man behind the counter told me they don't do takeout. Really after they took three years to open. They don't do takeout yet. Does takeout come after you've been open for five or 10 years. Won't be back soon, and I can tell you that!

Had the same experience as others have mentioned here: 5 stars for food but 2 stars for service. Not sure what the issue is maybe the bar is really understaffed but took 30 mins after sitting down to get a drink. There seems to be a lot of staff there but definitely doesn't feel like a well oiled machine yet. Place has a cool upscale vibe to it. I really want to like this place and will definitely come back but maybe not for a little while so they can figure out their service issues.

Everything went really well. The physical restaurant is beautiful. Service was immediate to greet us and bring water and take beverage order. But it was the food that really sets Karma apart from other Restaurants. Full of flavor and totally fresh. It was an excellent visit that we will repeat often.

Food was a 10/10. Service was atrocious. Never got my water refilled and we bought a bottle and had to keep pouring our own bottle.

We dined with another couple on a Tuesday night. The place was packed! The menu is comprehensive and the food is terrific. The service was not very attentive and the noise level made it impossible for the four of us to have a conversation. All in all, good food but not a great dining experience.

Gorgeous interior. Food good to very good. Drinks taste good but a very small pour for $17. The server and bartender thought they were working at Bemelmans at The Carlyle .

This place is an enigma. Maybe I'll be back? First off, the other reviews are absolutely true - food is good, it's very expensive, small drinks/pours, the service is questionable across the board, the decor is very nice. The issue is completely the staff, I can even get past the prices. Seems like the manager(s) are very inexperienced and don't know how to manage a restaurant tbh. I called them around noon and asked for a reservation for an early dinner (there was nothing available online). She told me they were packed but could squeeze me into the sushi bar at 3:45 as the only option for the entire night. I said that was a bit early for us, but maybe i would try my luck at the bar. We (2 of us) showed up around 4:30 - the bar was half full, the dining room was almost empty, and the sushi bar was completely empty. The entire time I was there (a bit over an hour) the dining room remained pretty much empty with only a few tables of people. Normally, I would assume when this happens that the restaurant must be super understaffed and thats why they can't allow reservations for the other tables, but thats why it was so weird, the opposite was true. 3 people at the host station, 3 behind the bar for 6 customers (and another 3-4 behind the bar just chatting). I counted 8 behind the sushi bar. There were 2 other areas where groups of 3-4 employees were just congregating and chatting, and maybe another 3-4 waiting on tables. They were so overstaffed it was nuts. Not sure why they wouldn't give out reservations. As for the bad service mentioned in other posts, even with so many people i saw the same. The issue is that (at the bar for me by example) there were 3 people working the bar, another 3-4 standing behind the bar in the corner chatting, but of all of them only 1 was actually working. She was running around like crazy trying to do her best, but the service was super slow because nobody else was helping. - makes for a tough decision from the customer, do you tip well because she was working hard? Or do you tip based on the crappy overall service and knowing they are most likely pooling tips anyway?

Food- really really good. We each had maki rolls and they were delicious. Crab Rangoon, dumplings and Happy Family all delicious. Service- our server was attentive without hovering or being annoying. Ambiance- loud, hopping, hip. Kind of a mild Swellesley feel but not obnoxious. Great spot for a celebration. This is not a romantic dinner vibe. Overall great experience. This place will do well.

Had a reservation for 2 and was sat at a table for 4 pretty much in a hallway. Awful table location...Waited 20 minutes for somebody to take our drink order. Food came out at the same time as our first drink. Waiter was great but obviously understaffed..

We went later in the evening and sat at the bar. Great maki and good cocktail! Enjoyed thoroughly. Service was great and bartender was friendly.

Definitely getting their sea legs. 4 days after opening there are a few kinks. Servers still new and learning the ropes. Order of food brought out made no sense. Apps came after mains. Very slow service. Sushi was good, but extremely expensive. Not sure it's worth it. Dining room has some nice seating but multiple floating tables in the middle that lack coziness. Loud thumping music did not help.