Makai Sushi

We had such an incredible meal at Makai Sushi! They absolutely have some of the best fish in San Diego, flown in direct from Hawaiʻi, Chef Matt’s place of origin and source of culinary inspiration. As huge sushi & Omakase lovers, we were stunned at the precision used in the preparation of the torched Nigiri - truly one of Chef Matt’s specialties. The poke bowl was absolutely divine, and my mouth waters at the thought of it. If you like true, authentic Poke: don’t sleep on this spot. Chef Matt, the owner of the establishment made us feel right at home and was incredibly friendly and one of the most passionate sushi chefs I’ve met. We can’t wait to come back!

This place is AMAZING! I am a sushi lover and really like poke too and wow. This place is definitely the freshest I’ve ever tasted in San Diego and I’ve been around a lot of places. Recently went to Japan and this nigiri is by far the closest to Japan sushi in San Diego. 1000/10

Went here for the first time on Sunday with my friends after Comic-Con ended. We arrived around the last hour, but Matthew was very kind to take on our orders nonetheless. I ordered the Godzilla poke bowl (ahi tuna, salmon, and blue crab) and it was delicious! One of my friends ordered a sushi burrito and that looked yummy too. Matthew was the only worker that day in the restaurant, but I was impressed by his friendliness and how quickly he worked. Not only did he take our orders, but he prepared all of our dishes and served them to us. I definitely will come back here the next time I’m in San Diego!

Really solid sushi spot. The menu’s small but classy. I got the Hapa Roll and a Salmon Burrito—both were super fresh and seriously tasty. The Hapa Roll was big, filling, and the wasabi? Surprisingly awesome. Felt like it was just made. The Salmon Burrito was the star though—salmon, avocado, cucumber—all came together perfectly. Just one of those bites where you’re like “yo, this is good.” It’s a bit on the pricier side (about $40 for both), but the quality’s there. Definitely coming back to try more. Almost forgot, top notch service and felt very welcoming, cool owners.

I first had an amazing plate back in September of 2019, in Kauai. I have been following Mathew’s business since then and I finally took another visit! It was great seeing his business up and running in Hillcrest! You can see and taste the hard work he’s placed on Makai Sushi - the plates themselves are beautiful and vibrant! Must try! You won’t be disappointed! If it’s your first time - I highly recommend the Ahi Bowl!!!!

This is a must-visit sushi restaurant for anyone who enjoys quality fish. It was absolutely what I was looking for and it lived up to their perfect rating, I cannot recommend Makai strongly enough, whether you’re a local or just visiting San Diego. I sincerely hope one day they also open a spot in Los Angeles. You can taste the quality with every bite, and I was excited to learn they use fresh crab instead of imitation, and every ingredient they use is fresh. Their menu is broken up into 4 sections: Poke Bowls, Sushi Rolls, Sushi Burritos, and Specials. The sushi rolls are on the larger side, and roll prices range from $14-$19. Some of their signature bowls are the Gorilla Poke Bowl (ahi tuna & salmon, $21) and the Godzilla Poke Bowl (ahi tuna, salmon, fresh blue crab, $23), both seem an amazing value. Poke Bowls are served on a bed of sushi rice & mixed greens, topped with avocado, cucumber, wasabi aioli, unagi sauce, sweet & green onion, roasted sesame seeds & tobiko. Since I’ve never had a Sushi Burrito but I’ve seen them on social media and was intrigued, that ended up earning my order. It’s rolled in soy paper instead of seaweed so it’s less chewy and it’s a perfect texture experience while you’re eating - and it’s also absolutely delicious. I went with the Hapa Sushi Burrito with ahi tuna and fresh crab, which also had rice, perfect avocado, and refreshing and crisp cucumber. Each bite was perfect, and it was served with a side of ginger, wasabi, and gluten free soy sauce. Not on the menu, but they also have a fresh fish of the day sashimi style, and today it was blue fin tuna for $20. He even gave us complimentary water bottles & banana pudding since we said it was our first time There’s plenty of metered street parking on Fifth Ave, and the meters are free on Sundays so we lucked out! He moved from Hawaii 2 years ago to start this business, and hospitality is everything to Matthew (chef & owner) and he really lives that. Incredibly nice and relatable, he went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a private dining room, with casual laid-back tropical vibes and very good energy. If I lived in San Diego, I know this would be a weekly spot for me, great for lunch or dinner! I let him know that I’m gluten free, and he said that could easily accommodate, and even had gluten free soy sauce for me! I love when restaurants make you feel welcome even with dietary restrictions and allergies, and I felt fantastic after I finished my food. Top notch service & top notch sushi!

What is a real five star dining experience? Now that the power of giving out stars is in the hands of the masses, I’ve seen a lot of very loose five star ratings given out like candy to the undeserving. With all due respect to those reviewers, I don’t know what their foundation of experience is, so what for me may be a two or three star experience may indeed feel like a five star experience for them. Frankly, if I set out to find a five star experience, I’m expecting it to be top-notch in every respect. As a result, I find many reviews and rankings to be somewhat misleading. That’s a long way of saying, that I have been very spoiled by the dining experiences in my life, and I maintain very high expectations! So back to my original question…. What is a real 5 star dining experience? Makai Sushi without question is a 5 star establishment. It’s a small space so prioritize getting in there before the rest of Southern California! They do have a small event space adjacent for overflow seating, which is convenient. When we went, there was a very small but amazing staff. Front of house was held down by Gracie, who was gracious, accommodating, and very passionate about the menu. We instantly felt welcomed to what seemed like a family dining room. The owner Matthew is also the head chef. This guy has James Beard or Michelin on his future roadmap if he stays the course. He managed to come out front occasionally to greet or thank people while at the same time turning out the most artistically creative and flavorful seafood dishes I have ever had. Typically, I am reluctant to give out a five star review until I have been to an establishment multiple times. In this case, I can wholeheartedly endorse Makai Sushi. It’s worth whatever kind of driving conditions California throws at you to make your way to this incredibly creative restaurant before they absolutely go viral!

Excellent is an understatement for this place. One of the best sushi I have ever had. Amazingly fresh. Incredible flavorful. Wow!! This place is owner operated. Exceptional guy, what a wonderful person he is. Very kind and knowledgeable. He makes wonderful Hawaiian sushi here. Very clean and well maintained place. Good portion size for the price. A must have. Definitely visit if you are in San Diego. This place is truly a 5 star experience overall.

place blew me away, was not expecting this high of a quality standard of sushi, and tastiness for the price and quality of service, totally underrated and next level ... enjoy, but keep spot on the downlow ... I like that it's not too over crowded and prefectly priced (low cost but amazing quality food and service)

Was craving for some poke and found this place online as a suggestion. A hidden gem tucked in hillcrest and close to the hospital. Was lucky to find street parking but its metered. I believe there's public parking nearby that you would have to pay as well I think? Upon entering it's a cute little spot with some Hawaiian decor. You are greeted by Chef Matthew. He came all the way from Kauai to San Diego to bring some delicious eats. Known for his poke bowls and sushi burritos and tapas. I went for the Godzilla poke bowl. And got the spicy bluefin tuna hand roll (that came all the way from Spain!) And the San Pelligrino Blood Orange as a drink. The Godzilla bowl was vibrant and I love the orchid as a touch to the presentation. It was pretty to eat but you know I devoured the heck out of it. No I didn't eat the flower but I sure do feel special seeing that. The Godzilla Bowl has Ahi Tuna, Salmon, and Blue Crab served on a bed of sushi rice and mixed greens, topped with avocado, cucumber, wasabi aioli, unagi sauce, green onion, roasted sesame seeds, and tobiko. The fish is super fresh and not fishy. Tasted buttery and soft. With all the fixings mixed together you get a flavor blast of everything. Hints of sweet, savory, roasty, freshness, and brightness in the poke bowl. Don't get me started on the hand roll it felt like it melted in my mouth. The fish was the special of the day and if it comes around again.. GET IT! Get it as a sashimi and you will be in heaven. I really dig the vibes and the Chef was super kind and love what he does. I felt the Mahalo throughout my whole experience. Thank you for sharing your delicious eats! Will be back again when I'm in the area.

We had such an incredible meal at Makai Sushi! They absolutely have some of the best fish in San Diego, flown in direct from Hawaiʻi, Chef Matt's place of origin and source of culinary inspiration. As huge sushi & Omakase lovers, we were stunned at the precision used in the preparation of the torched Nigiri - truly one of Chef Matt's specialties. The poke bowl was absolutely divine, and my mouth waters at the thought of it. If you like true, authentic Poke: don't sleep on this spot. Chef Matt, the owner of the establishment made us feel right at home and was incredibly friendly and one of the most passionate sushi chefs I've met. We can't wait to come back!

This is not your typical sushi place. Don't come here, Karen. This restaurant is equipped with an open kitchen, the outdoor patio shields you from the wind, the areas are clean and rapport with chef Matt is super rad!! Matt, the chef is from Hawaii. He is a ray of sunshine and so mahalo. This place is not your typical huge roles with 8 to 10 slices... the fried tortilla also referred to as a tostada was used as a vessel to serve fish. His fish is so fresh, colorful and lovely. We did the California Roll with Tempura shrimp and the Gorilla bowl Poke. Also we had Sapporo beer by can and ate the shit out of our food, truly blessed to have walked here from our home to see the new restaurant in our neighborhood.

This is the blue fin tuna and OMG it's to die for. 1000/10. Reminds me of sushi I had in Japan. I'm picky with raw sushi and this places is a must try. 10/10 service too

Excellent food. Great ambiance with indoor/outdoor seating. There's street parking. Will come back!

Finally made it to this trendy spot in the heart of Hillcrest. Location is cutesy. Great for a first date or quick bite to eat. Has both indoor and outside dining options. Owner was super cool. Has that Hawaiian touch and taste. Inside is perfect air conditioned too for hot summer days and the location is close to other bars and stores. Tried to Godzilla Bowl and could taste the ocean literally! Lots of flavors and great music vibes. Will be coming back for sure.

This is a must-visit sushi restaurant for anyone who enjoys quality fish. It was absolutely what I was looking for and it lived up to their perfect rating, I cannot recommend Makai strongly enough, whether you're a local or just visiting San Diego. I sincerely hope one day they also open a spot in Los Angeles. You can taste the quality with every bite, and I was excited to learn they use fresh crab instead of imitation, and every ingredient they use is fresh. Their menu is broken up into 4 sections: Poke Bowls, Sushi Rolls, Sushi Burritos, and Specials. The sushi rolls are on the larger side, and roll prices range from $14-$19. Some of their signature bowls are the Gorilla Poke Bowl (ahi tuna & salmon, $21) and the Godzilla Poke Bowl (ahi tuna, salmon, fresh blue crab, $23), both seem an amazing value. Poke Bowls are served on a bed of sushi rice & mixed greens, topped with avocado, cucumber, wasabi aioli, unagi sauce, sweet & green onion, roasted sesame seeds & tobiko. Since I've never had a Sushi Burrito but I've seen them on social media and was intrigued, that ended up earning my order. It's rolled in soy paper instead of seaweed so it's less chewy and it's a perfect texture experience while you're eating - and it's also absolutely delicious. I went with the Hapa Sushi Burrito with ahi tuna and fresh crab, which also had rice, perfect avocado, and refreshing and crisp cucumber. Each bite was perfect, and it was served with a side of ginger, wasabi, and gluten free soy sauce. Not on the menu, but they also have a fresh fish of the day sashimi style, and today it was blue fin tuna for $20. He even gave us complimentary water bottles & banana pudding since we said it was our first time There's plenty of metered street parking on Fifth Ave, and the meters are free on Sundays so we lucked out! He moved from Hawaii 2 years ago to start this business, and hospitality is everything to Matthew (chef & owner) and he really lives that. Incredibly nice and relatable, he went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a private dining room, with casual laid-back tropical vibes and very good energy. If I lived in San Diego, I know this would be a weekly spot for me, great for lunch or dinner! I let him know that I'm gluten free, and he said that could easily accommodate, and even had gluten free soy sauce for me! I love when restaurants make you feel welcome even with dietary restrictions and allergies, and I felt fantastic after I finished my food. Top notch service & top notch sushi!

What is a real five star dining experience? Now that the power of giving out stars is in the hands of the masses, I've seen a lot of very loose five star ratings given out like candy to the undeserving. With all due respect to those reviewers, I don't know what their foundation of experience is, so what for me may be a two or three star experience may indeed feel like a five star experience for them. Frankly, if I set out to find a five star experience, I'm expecting it to be top-notch in every respect. As a result, I find many reviews and rankings to be somewhat misleading. That's a long way of saying, that I have been very spoiled by the dining experiences in my life, and I maintain very high expectations! So back to my original question.... What is a real 5 star dining experience? Makai Sushi without question is a 5 star establishment. It's a small space so prioritize getting in there before the rest of Southern California! They do have a small event space adjacent for overflow seating, which is convenient. When we went, there was a very small but amazing staff. Front of house was held down by Gracie, who was gracious, accommodating, and very passionate about the menu. We instantly felt welcomed to what seemed like a family dining room. The owner Matthew is also the head chef. This guy has James Beard or Michelin on his future roadmap if he stays the course. He managed to come out front occasionally to greet or thank people while at the same time turning out the most artistically creative and flavorful seafood dishes I have ever had. Typically, I am reluctant to give out a five star review until I have been to an establishment multiple times. In this case, I can wholeheartedly endorse Makai Sushi. It's worth whatever kind of driving conditions California throws at you to make your way to this incredibly creative restaurant before they absolutely go viral!

Best poke in the Uptown area! There was no line! I go the Godzilla bowl (blue crab, ahi tuna, salmon) and it was tasty. The options are limited, but solid. Tiny little poke place in Hillcrest, they also have sushi and sushi and sushi burritos. I love how this place uses local seafood. My favorite poke place in SD has been It's Raw Poke in OB but the line is brutal and it's a little far for a quick poke spot. The service here is amazing, staff is welcoming and there is seating inside and out on the patio. Parking is tough, street parking and a parking structure across the street. I want to try the tostada next.

My husband and I came here for dinner after I was craving sushi and googled "Sushi near me", and saw their 5 star rating, which is deserved! We got the Godzilla bowl (tuna, salmon, and blue crab on rice, with spinach and a special sauce) and salmon burrito (salmon, cucumber, avocado in soy paper roll). The service is great - Mika was a friendly server and chef Matthew came over, introduced himself and told us about his move from Hawaii to San Diego. They've been at this location for over a year now and we loved our meal. The ambiance could be better. Still, the location is good, on 5th next to India Palace and Los Panchos.

Fantastic rolls, fresh ingredients, loved every bite! Can't wait to come back and try more things! What a great find!

My husband and I eat here 2-3 times a month at the least. Chef Mathew never fails us. Fish is always top notch. Whether it is a poke bowl, sushi roll or anything else on the menu you will not be disappointed. Always ask for the special too!!

They're known for their poke bowls. I ordered the Godzilla poke bowl because it also had blue crab. The fish tasted fresh and the flavors worked well. The quality was there but I felt like the portions were okay for $22. It's located in Hillcrest so parking usually sucks but I came during the middle of the week and got lucky with parking. Service was great. The staff were friendly and quick with making the order.

First time here today . Greeted by Matthew the chef and owner . Major aloha spirit and we loved it . Very , very nice man . We loved our sushi and burrito roll . Incredibly fresh . So fresh I'd think that had a fish market in the back . Cute , simple ambiance. Will definitely be back or DoorDash .

To say Makai Sushi is incredible is an understatement! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this gem after a weekend farmers market, and it's been love at first bite. The ambiance is delightful, with cute outdoor seating perfect for soaking up sun and indoor seating that's just as inviting. Matthew greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel right at home. The Hawaiian-style sushi is out of this world--every topping perfectly complements the fresh fish. Simple and perfect. Excellently paired with sake! The sushi burrito was outstanding, and the Godzilla bowl? Beyond tasty! We couldn't stop exchanging "wow" and "so good" with every bite. We're so grateful to have found this place and now order off UberEats at least two times a week. The ahi tuna roll is our current obsession. Thank you, Matthew, for your warm hospitality and next-level sushi! You'd be a fool not to try Makai Sushi, but be warned--it'll quickly become one of your top go-to restaurants!

Such a cute and yummy spot. The quality of the fish and ingredients are top tier 10/10 and would revisit! The customer service was spectacular and such a nice and fun owner. We got there at opening and was able to talk to the owner as he was preparing our meal and how the business came to be! The fish was fresh with great quality and taste, and the the presentation was beautiful!

Sushi is the freshest I have possibly ever had in my entire life! ... words cannot describe how much I love this place ...the only complaint I have in this post is ... if too many people find out about this spot and it gets overcrowded, then I'll have to take down post :) ... service is always with a smile and nothing but great vibes always ... highly recommend

Found this place looking for new sushi spots--poke bowls are still a thing, and I have never really found them all that appetizing. However, McKenzie and Matthew recommended the Godzilla bowl, and it did not disappoint. It's a mix of fresh tuna, salmon, and blue crab over rice and spinach, with unagi and aioli. A bunch of crazy, simple stuff that just worked together. I was surprised to learn they close at 7 PM on a Saturday, but it is a pretty small operation, so it makes sense. They neighborhoods in San Diego aren't what they used to be with streams of people walking the streets at night anymore, and I'm not sure if it's a cultural shift or something else. Every time I go back to town and need a poke bowl, this is the spot I'll go to.

Makai is hands down my favorite spot for poke and sushi in the area! The fish is always fresh, and you can really taste the quality in every bite. The owner is so welcoming and you will often find him in the back preparing everything himself, which makes the whole experience feel that much more personal. From the friendliness to the little details in plating, everything is done with care. Honestly, I think about these meals at least once a week...that memorable. You know it is a good spot when you show up an hour before closing and they already ran out of fish by 6pm! Truly a gem. 10/10

Food - OMG! We never knew poke bowls can be that good. The blue crab in the Godzilla Bowl (gluten free style) was insanely yummy. If they had nori sheets to make tiny rolls I would love that too. Service - So friendly and enthusiastic about the food! Such good vibes. Ambiance - The vibes were modern and island chill. We sat outside and their patio allowed us to enjoy the weather. 10/10 perfect vibes, will be back again

The outside is super quaint. The service was top notch. As of now, they're offering free drinks with your meal. I loved how small it is. Looks like they sell shirts too. The menu was super simple and basically a different combo of either tuna, salmon, and blue crab. No high chairs. Chairs are metal. Food was good but not extraordinary or nothing to blow your mind. Felt just like simple poke and I liked that I didn't have to think much with a simple menu. Plating was nice but overall I would say the service at the counter and the free drink was the highlight.

I decided to check them out because they were on a top 100 list. They did not disappoint. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner Mat and we chatted for a bit. Really upbeat dude with a great attitude. I got the Godzilla bowl and that thang was different. There were many ingredients incorporated in this bowl and was super refreshing. The bowl was almost too esthetically pleasing to eat.The sushi burrito was also good and wish I ordered more. Definitely will be back again!!!

Chef Matthew was great. Made sure that we were taken care of. The food was delicious and portions were generous.

The owners were nice and gave a brief rundown of their menu. Service is friendly, food is good. When I ordered a sushi burrito, I was expecting something bigger than a spring roll. However, with rising costs of SD living, for what we got, it was quite tasty. Would recommend for a light lunch or dinner.

Great little place my friend recommended in Hillcrest. Directly across the street from the movie theater. We ordered 3 rolls and a sushi burrito. Very friendly staff and owner who made all our food. Yum!

Yum! Simple menu with BOMB food. Walked in and was instantly greeted by the owner, Matthew. He definitely brings the aloha spirit to the mainland and I love supporting a local boy bringing a taste of home to SD. I ordered the Godzilla bowl. The portion was large! Sushi rice topped with ahi and salmon poke and real crab. You can tell A LOT about a poke place based on the rice and this sushi was rice was cooked perfectly. The bowl was topped with all sorts of sauces that made it so flavorful and delicious. And the presentation was spot on! I wouldn't consider this poke to be traditional. It was more like a sushi rice, but it was so good and absolutely creating a craving that I need to fulfill again! Can't wait to go back soon!

Five star service by a local-owned company! The owner brought his business from Hawaii and is truly passionate about poke. The poke and the sushi burritos are incredible! The taste is so fresh, and the presentation is so on point with the orchids! 10/10 would recommend.

The location and service were great. The sushi was very good, the menu was unique and creative. Not the best sushi I've ever had, but also no complaints.

I hardly ever write reviews but I just had to for this hidden gem. If you're looking for legit poke in San Diego, run to Makai Sushi. The owner has great energy - very kind, friendly & welcoming and he clearly knows what he's doing!! (he's from Hawaii, so you already know it's legit). The fish is insanely fresh, the portions are generous, price is reasonable and the flavor combinations are on point. Honestly, it's the closest thing I've had to poke in Hawaii outside of the islands. You can taste the care that goes into every bowl and I would literally come here every week if I lived in SD. Highly recommend this spot!

First, Chef Matthew is such a lovely person. Completely embodies the aloha spirit. He was so nice and friendly to us when we first walked in and ordered. Cute little shop with good amount of seating. Smelled amazing when I walked in. I got a godzilla bowl and it was so freaking delicious. I had it to go, and it was about 30 mins before I got to eat, and it was still amazing. Everything is super fresh and just amazing flavors. There are daily specials so definitely ask about those! Transporting me back to Hawaii! Hillcrest so it is limited parking. Completely worth my drive from Poway. Will definitely be back!!!!! Highly recommend to anyone for good Hawaiian food!!! For the food and chef Matthew's vibes!!!!!! (PS he gave me a free soft shell crab to try since I just wanted to try that. So sweet of him!!!!!!!)

Phenomenal. Must try! The onions automatically reminded me of Hawaii, and the woman told me the chef is Hawaiian, and food represents Hawaii. I love the Godzilla bowl.

Okaaaaaayyyyyy....... This place!!!! As I was waiting for my husband to join me for lunch I was talking to the owner and found out he ran our favorite poke place in Kauai when we visited there in 2019! My friend sent me the article that the Kauai location closed down and we were so sad!!! But lo and behold..... the guy that owned the place on Kauai opened this location in San Diego! How lucky are we to have his amazing talent and flavors here in San Diego! We ordered the California roll, fresh crab btw, and it was delicious. We also ordered tgw tostada and the ahi tuna bowl- the tuna was SO FRESH! This may seem weird too, but the flower on top was such a surprise of fresh flavor added to the bowl as well! Highly recommend this place, not long until the line starts wrapping around the corner from this gem!

The meat was so clean and fresh. There was no fishy smell and the sauce/taste wasn't overbearing. Some other places we've been to overload on sauce to cover the old fish taste. We got the chef's daily special which was bluefin tuna from spain, godzilla bowl, and seafood tostada McKinley helped us with our order and chef Matthew was so welcoming. A now must-go-to spot for us. Love the vibes in SD

Yummy poke bowl!! Sauce was so good. Locally sourced fish was a plus too. We got gorilla bowls. Clean inside and outside seating. Thanks chef Matthew :)

We grabbed a quick lunch from Makai Sushi and took it over to Balboa to enjoy picnic style. We both ended up trying the Godzilla bowl and it did not disappoint. The rice was delicious; the bowl wasn't overflowing with "filler toppings"; instead, it had generous portions of fresh fish and light sauce/toppings to accent the flavors of the fish without overpowering. I have a feeling it's going to be hard for me to try other things this restaurant offers, because I'm just going to want to get the Godzilla bowl again.

My husband and I both had the Godzilla bowl here and enjoyed it a lot! At the moment of writing, it is $22 for this bowl with ahi tuna, salmon, and real crab. The portion isn't super big (just enough), but there is actually a good amount of fish & crab. The quality is much better here compared to "build your own" style poke places. The sauces & rice are also done well and not just an afterthought or filler. The presentation is great with the flower on top. Service is friendly and there is patio seating available outside.

We got the gorilla bowl and the California Roll! Both amazing, staff was very friendly!

Greeted with a great smile and all the info I needed to know to make my decision on what to eat.... and the Godzilla bowl was the best choice Also some hot green tea,Perfect combination. No wonder they have a 5 review. Simply incredible food. Ambience is super nice with an island vibe makes me want to be in Kauaii real soon.

Wish I liked this place better because service was great, servers were so nice! However, overall unimpressed by the food. I could barely taste the fish (and very few pieces of it) in comparison to the crab. Insane amount of rice. Sauce was overpowering. I would only come back if nearby in the neighborhood, otherwise would not seek this place out.

The owner took our order and was so kind and awesome answering our questions. The food was super fresh and tasted delicious. Would definitely recommend this sushi restaurant if you are in San Diego in the Hillcrest area.

Food was delicious and the owner just seems to be a really cool sweet guy. Fair warning they might sell out of things but that's bc everything is fresh. Just a fun and yummy place to come get your poke bowl fix Always have to support local small businesses

Makai Sushi is a newer poke spot in San Diego featuring delicious Hawaiian-style poke and friendly service. Best poke spot in San Diego, this restaurant is a MUST TRY!!! Nestled in a small little corner of Hillcrest is Makai Sushi. It's a smaller shop with some outdoor seating, indoor seats, and bar seating. The atmosphere is intimate and friendly. The owner, Matthew, was very gracious and welcoming as soon as we walked in. He ran us through the menu and gave us a little run down of what brought him here to San Diego. Makai Sushi was originally in Hawaii and he mentions how it was listed as a Top 100 restaurant for Yelp in either 2017 or 2018 but had to shut down and now made its way to San Diego. The menu features the usual poke bowls, sushi rolls, sashimi, and an infamous sushi burrito/sushirito. I am more of a poke person and went with the fully loaded Godzilla bowl. He offered us free complimentary drinks and brought the food straight to our seats. He was a great host checking in on us often and making sure we were doing well. The poke itself has to be some of the best poke I've had in a while. There are multiple aspects that I enjoyed about the dish but the first I want to talk about was the amazing sushi rice. It was perfect. Great texture, firmness, stickiness, sweet, and tartness. It was top-notch sushi rice and as the base for poke this is an essential feature that I feel gets missed out on often. The fish was fresh and well-marinated, not too salty or sweet. I enjoyed the flavor of the sauce and topping on top. It was the perfect mix of veggies and rice and fish giving a refreshing taste to the poke and allowing me to not feel heavy after. This is going to be my new go-to poke place and I still have a lot to try on the menu. Thanks to Matthew for bringing this to San Diego will be back soon to try everything on the menu.

This is the best freshest poke I have found in San Diego. I love this place so much. You can tell how much thought and love goes into this place 10/10 Reccomend.

Went in early on a Friday. The owner was immediately very welcoming and explained the menu. It is a smaller menu currently, but still plenty to choose from. They have poke bowls, sushi burritos, rolls, and sashimi. It's mostly tuna, but also salmon, whitefish, and crab. He moved from Hawaii and got his business going in SD through various markets. We ordered a hapa bowl and a hapa burrito, which had tuna and crab. He even brought us some complimentary sashimi to start. Everything was fresh and delicious. While there was some sauce on the dishes, it was not overwhelming and still let the seafood shine. They are a newly opened spot, and the owner explained he is slowly working to offer more items. He hopes to have a beer/wine license soon, and is working on getting nicer serving dishes for customers who chose to eat in. It's just a counter order, and you can also order ahead. Go support this new, delicious spot and help the super nice owner in growing his business. We look forward to returning!

Found this place about a month ago, when I ran out of fish from my freezer. I would highly recommend this place for their poke bowl and sashimi specials. My girl loves their tools and you can find us adding this spot into our restaurant rotation. I have recommended this spot to a dozen friends and they all have nothing but great things to say as well. It's a great chill laid back spot with great food.

Delicious and fresh fish, friendly service and an unusual and private dining space (little converted garage next to the main restaurant space) that kept us sheltered from the sun, wind and road noise. If I lived in San Diego I would go all the time.

Service and quality of the food here was on point! Mathew the owner was so sweet and shared his story of how he started up this shop in San Diego and I'm only rooting for him and wish him the best with his business! He just opened this place after closing his shop in Kauai in hopes of a better opportunity! Reason I give it a 4/5 was because for the large portion of the poke bowls that my friend and I got, it was a lot more rice than anything else. I was really full off this bowl, but for the price I wish there was a little less rice and more fish. The bowls come beautifully plated and I appreciate the art of plating, especially since Matt mentioned his experience in fine dining! However, when it comes to poke bowls I come for the fish. While the bowls tasted fresh, I just didn't think that the ratio was the best. Regardless, I would come back to try the other options on the menu! I'm eyeing those rolls for sure! The shop is pretty small but has a few tables where you can eat real quick during lunch or early dinner! 2 inside tables for 2 and 1-2 tables outside for 2 as well. Parking can be tough in this area. I parked in the plaza across the street where the theater and 24hr fitness is and just paid a few dollars for parking, especially since street parking is metered and can be a hit or miss...

Food was so tasty and so fresh The service was great and the owner was so accommodating with our large party! They gave us a warm welcome and will definitely be coming back! 10/10 highly recommend. The ambiance is very laid back and chill vibes :)