New Zealand Cafe

The service was really accommodating and kind. They ended up letting me switch from the bar to a table once a table opened up since I went on a Friday night. It was a busy night, and the restaurant is a bit small, but the staff handled it well. There is outdoor seating too. The Boss roll (top) was my favorite and I loooved the uni with quail egg. I was super excited to see uni on the menu and was looking for places that would have it specifically. The Christmas roll (middle) was also really good, I just really liked the Boss roll! Price was reasonable and the quality of the sushi was better than I expected (: I would definitely come again. (Tuna tataki was okay, I've had better quality at other places.)

Only place in Charlotte to eat EXCELLENT Sushi. Been coming here for over 15 years and hopefully they will be here for the next 20 years! Had the Master Roll and Discover Roll which are two of my favorites. Great service, owner and staff make you feel right at home!

Have been here several times and always leave happy. This is one of our favorite sushi spots in the city when considering quality and price. Also absolutely love that if you order enough you get a sushi boat! They are usually pretty busy but personally haven’t had to wait more than 15 minute for a table.

From the pictures this place seems amazing. I had eaten to-go here a few times and I decided to take my partner on a date. My partner had the Spicy Dragon Roll. Unfortunately my partner is now hospitalized due to food poisoning. My partner spent the night in our bathroom floor throwing up for almost 12 hours. After all that we are sitting in the hospital all because I wanted to take my partner on a nice date. The warning signs are there please don't ignore it. The sanitation rate is disappointing. The place has a strange urine smell where we sat against the wall and we received dirty utensils. Against my better judgment we stayed and continued to eat. I called to inform the business the health concerns and they insisted everyone eats that roll without issue. My hospitalized partner begs to differ. Extremely disappointed and disgusted. Also I asked for our rolls to be on separate plates bc one is raw and the other cooked. That didn't happen. I was told I'll get a call back. I will return with a doctor's note. Im expecting a full refund of my entire dinner. I will update this review on what happens.

a true hole-in-the-wall sushi spot! small place, but the food was fresh and tasty. we got the alaskan roll, fried oyster roll, tuna roll, scallop and salmon nigiri, fried calamari, and steak hibachi. sushi was on point—especially the alaskan roll. calamari was good but needed a bit more salt. steak hibachi was flavorful, but the doneness was inconsistent. garlic noodles were solid but didn’t have much garlic flavor. overall, great food and a good time. they were understaffed, but our waiter did her best, so no complaints!

Heard about this Charlotte sushi gem for years! Finally checked it out and it actually lived up to the hype. This place has a HUGE variety of sushi - so something for everyone. &&& the prices are on point! Warning ‼️ this place has the potential to become very addicting.

Had a nice lunch date with my wife. It was busy. Was seated quickly but while eating a 15-20 min wait developed. My wife said the ginger dressing was great. My sushi was fresh and top tier.

Me and my bestfriend love coming here! The servers are very kind and so are the owners, our food is always super delicious and they have smiley fries which my kids love!!

The best in Charlotte! If anyone had a less than 5 star experience, they're probably lying.

Not only are they best sushi and service around, BUT 4 of the staff even helped jump our car off after it would not turn on. Forever thankful!

Favorite sushi spot! Service is quick too. Small interior but seats a lot. Ordered seaweed salad, miso soup, caterpillar roll, crab&asparagus roll, and super spicy roll. Would not order the miso soup or the super spicy roll again. The others however, AMAZING. Will be going back, especially for the caterpillar roll!!

New Zealand Cafe is hands down one of the best hidden gems for sushi lovers! I wasn't expecting such incredible quality from a small, unassuming spot, but they really blew me away. The sushi is fresh, generously portioned, and beautifully prepared -- and all at a great price. Their rolls are creative and packed with flavor. I especially loved the Salmon Lover Roll and the New Zealand Roll -- fresh, vibrant, and absolutely delicious. Their nigiri is also top-notch, with melt-in-your-mouth fish. Even the non-sushi options like tempura and teriyaki were perfectly cooked and flavorful. They also offered great options for veggie lovers. The service was quick, efficient, and friendly. Despite being a smaller space, they manage to create a warm, welcoming environment that makes you want to come back again and again. They don't take reservations, so be prepared for a 20-minute wait during lunch and dinner rush hours. If you're in the Charlotte area and craving quality sushi without breaking the bank, New Zealand Cafe is a must-visit.

After being gone for five years, I got to visit New Zealand Cafe for my birthday. As always, they did not disappoint. I love how small and personal the restaurant is. It's not loud at all and it always seems like a great place to relax and have amazing choices of sushi. I got my order to go but the wait staff was still pretty friendly. You can always expect to see a smile on their faces. Let me just say that the Crispy Begal Roll is ALWAYS my first go-to choice. There is just something about the crispy outer crust and the creme cheese that excites my taste buds. And I know that the ginger is supposed to be there to clear the mouth pallet, but it goes so well on the sushi as you dip it in the sauces. I also got the Crispy California Roll. Of course the California Roll is good in its regular form, but when it's fried it reaches a whole new level. My taste buds and my stomach were very satisfied. I definitely will be returning on my next trip.

Always the best sushi rolls. Tried an off the menu roll of salmon-avocado-tuna-unagi, it delivered.

My family dines here twice a week because of the delicious sushi (large variety) and good priced bento boxes. I must admit I go often and I am addicted to the chicken bento box. I just realized that my pictures of our bento boxes are missing from my photo albums but the food is delicious, it's pretty and the pricing is very good. I can eat here every day and save on groceries! Good customer service and ambience is great. No long wait time for your food to be served.

This place used to one of my go-to spots when I lived in Charlotte. I would religious get food there after checking out a matinee at the Cinemark Bistro across the street. It offered some of the best (quality, taste and value) in Charlotte. The bento boxes were first too! Service was always pleasant and some times there was wait - a worth while wait. Casual ambiance when I was last there.

This was the first time that I've had the chance to try the New Zealand Cafe and I was so excited after reading the reviews. My sister and I stopped by for dinner on a Friday night and only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table which was fantastic. The hostess and our server were both super friendly and helpful to make sure our experience went well. The inside of the restaurant is pretty small but can seat quite a bit of guests. We did not start with any appetizers but I wish we did! I ordered a side ginger salad, the red dragon roll, and the tuna roll. All of the three items were delicious and fresh. My sister ordered the hibachi chicken dinner and she said it was very good too! We had such a great experience and can't wait to add this to our list of usual spots!

I am a sushi girly a this is definitely a great spot i will have on rotation! The sushi was perfect ! Very flavor full of crispyness i just loved it. The bento box was chicken and shrimp it was good as-well but i did not enjoy the chicken in the bento box it felt like it was a Tyson frozen chicken and they just added sauces to it so i would recommend. Although i will be back to try some more rolls

My youngest turned 11 today and she love her some sushi so nothing but the best sushi for my girl. My wife hosted a lunch tea party for her and her friends and I took the other 2 kids to soccer and b-ball games in uptown so we stopped on the way home to pick up the NZ Cafe take out. All five of us eight from the spread, and we're quite content with plenty of leftovers. The two people I spoke to in the restaurant, very hospitable and accommodating as they prepared and provided my meal. Hands-down, the best sushi, in all the land!!! Well worth a longer drive, if necessary, to have the best sushi CLT.

Hidden gem. New Zealand is a small quaint restaurant with delicious sushi. It's a bit tight in the restaurant with limited seating, so get there early. I got a variety of rolls with each of them bringing a splash of flavor. The service was top notch and were easily accessible due to the size of the restaurant. I'll be flying out to New Zealand in the near future for these out of this world rolls!

Last week I tried New Zealand cafe for the first time. It's welcoming and charming, with a very casual and unpretentious atmosphere. When we arrived early, around 5pm on a weekday, we snagged some awesome seats at one of the few hightop tables. These tables offer more space and privacy, which is a bonus. If you don't score a hightop table, you'll still be sitting in face-mask appropriate proximity to other diners, but hey, we're all in this together so that might work for you. We ordered a sushi boat with three rolls of absolutely amazing sushi. Based on this experience, I'd say regardless of the rolls you select, you can't go wrong. The service was grade A. They're friendly, attentive. Overall, this place is a hidden gem for sushi lovers. The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is laid-back, the service is amaze, and the prices are so reasonable!

Super busy place. Great sushi experience. We came on a Sat night around 7:30 and waited about 30 mins to get seated at the sushi bar (only 4 seats). The place seems a little chaotic as there are people coming non-stop to either eat there or get carry out. Very small place. No local brews or IPA's....which is an opportunity....but not surprising for an authentic sushi place. We started with edamame....and it was the most disappointing part of our food experience as it was a little mushy. I went with the Cilantro Roll (on the special list) and it was fantastic! Also ordered an Albacore Tuna and Salmon Nigiri and the sushi quality was very good. My bride ordered the Hibachi Chicken and enjoyed it. Next time I want to order the Spicy Tuna Tar Tar as I saw a few of them get prepared and it looked excellent! Service was good....again a little chaotic as we weren't sure of our exact server (guess it may be a team approach). We will be back!

Lovely lunch at New Zealand Cafe with my friends. Our favorite role was the Super Tom but we all really enjoyed our food. Moist and delicious crab and chicken spring rolls served hot from the fryer and fast and friendly service throughout the meal. Great place to order in or get take out. Never been disappointed and always have a quality meal.

It's a hidden gem in charlotte for sushi. It's small inside so sometimes there's a wait, but it's worth it! Our favorite rolls are: Big boss, Spider, and all the dragon rolls (sweet, spicy, and red). Also they have a GREAT ginger salad.

Love love love this place! Have been eating there for YEARS! And they never fail! Service is amazing. Cute little quaint place to sit and enjoy food with your loved ones. Definitely recommend trying this place.

Tucked away off Sardis road in a little shopping center is the heart of New Zealand!!!! Top rated in the community for the freshest sushi around. The service is on point and you can even sit at the bar to watch everything being made. A small space but very good atmosphere and kitschy feel to this place. Would recommend to anyone who likes sushi.

This has quickly become our go to sushi spot for a casual, quick, and delicious date night. Sushi is ALWAYS fresh as can be. The big boss roll in particular is our new favorite special roll. The sushi pieces/nigiri are always spot on as well. Only peice of feedback is how expensive some of the special rolls are - can get pricey quick versus the standard regular rolls. The staff is always friendly and very speedy despite typically always having a line out the door. Kudos to them for running a well oiled machine - just wish it was a bigger space!

In the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, off the well-trodden path of Sardis Road, there exists a culinary enigma wrapped in nori - the illustrious New Zealand Café. As a local, having weathered the whispers and recommendations for over two years, I finally set sail to this mythical sushi haven. The opening act was none other than the Tuna Tataki, priced at a modest $8.50. Imagine, if you will, seven seared warriors of the sea, bathed in a tangy ponzu sauce, each piece dusted with a generous helping of sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions. This dish wasn't just served; it was presented with the flair of an opening number in a Broadway show. As for the main spectacle, I embarked on a duo of rolls that would make any sushi aficionado's heart flutter. First, the "Bigger Roll," a steal at $8.50, was an opulent feast of tuna, salmon, whitefish, masago, creamy avocado, and scallion, all wrapped in a delicate embrace. Each of the six pieces was a testament to the ocean's bounty, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that sang a siren song of the sea. Not to be outdone, the "Red Dragon" roll, priced at $11.95, made its fiery entrance. This masterpiece of spicy tuna, encased in more tuna and avocado, then sprinkled with masago, was a dance of subtle heat and richness. Its eight pieces were like a choreographed ballet of flavors, gracefully balancing the line between fiery and finesse. The presentation of these marine marvels was a sight to behold - a white plate stage, adorned with a banana leaf, the piquant duo of wasabi and ginger in attendance. A side of eel sauce, though thinner and saltier than its sweeter counterparts, could not dampen the spectacle. The rice-to-fish ratio of both rolls was a masterclass in balance, a symphony in every bite. A glance at my neighbor's table revealed a fried rice so alluring, it could easily claim the title of Charlotte's hidden gem. Despite the bustling scene, with a full house inside and hopeful diners queued outside, my sushi experience was swift, thanks to the efficient ballet of sushi chefs and kitchen staff. The ambiance was a unique blend of kitchen clatter, refrigerator hums, and the ambient chatter of my fellow diners, creating an oddly comforting background score for the evening. Seated at the sushi bar, I had a front-row seat to the culinary theatrics, captivated by the deft hands of the sushi chefs. Despite its compact size, the café hummed with a vibrant energy, the noise level surprisingly manageable amidst the packed space. Cindy, my server, was the epitome of efficiency wrapped in a smile, navigating the bustling room with ease. While our interactions were brief, her dedication to her craft was evident in every swift step. In conclusion, New Zealand Café is the unassuming hero of the Charlotte sushi scene. A place where the extraordinary meets the no-frills in a delightful culinary mash-up. It's the sort of establishment you'd revisit, not for the fanfare, but for the reliable, solid sushi experience at a fair price. Its local fame, punctuated by the numerous accolades adorning the walls, is well-deserved. So, if you're ever in the neighborhood and your sushi cravings ignite, remember the New Zealand Café. Just maybe bring a penchant for thinner eel sauce.

I finally got to try this place with my husband. We sat outside since the restaurant is pretty small so it would have been quite a wait. I wish we would have waited though based on the ambiance outside. It was still quite cold with the heaters and there were homeless people wandering around the tables. One actually sat at one of the tables. I also saw a homeless person put her hand all over the heater. The staff was aware of this and didn't do anything about it. Despite the ambiance, the food was pretty good (did expect little more though based off the reviews on Yelp) and friendly quick service was provided. I give this place a solid 3.5 but I am unable to give half stars so I gave them a 4. I wouldn't mind going back if someone invited me but I don't think I would go out of my way to drive 30 mins to an hour as there are closer sushi spots to me that are up to par with this place.

SO GOOD!! Came on a saturday so I completely expected a wait but it was totally worth it. Sushi was fresh and came out relatively quickly despite the packed restaurant. Restaurant is very small so it can feel a little tight if you're at the bar instead of a table. Got the sushi/sashimi combo and a "Bigger" roll, both were fantastic. Will absolutely come here again.

I've heard excellent things about this place and had to try it out for myself! The sushi was incredible. Highly recommend for anyone looking to try. I had the rainbow roll and hamachi sashimi and I would highly recommend.

I've been to New Zealand Cafe multiple times over the years. They consistently offer decent quality sushi for relatively inexpensive prices. The place is rather small (probably about 12 small tables and a 4-person sushi bar) and can fill quickly. Service can be a little on the slower end. My second plate for some reason came 5-10 minutes after I received my first plate. However all the staff were very friendly and quick to refill my water glass. Regardless I think for the price:quality ratio, New Zealand Cafe is tough to beat.

Best Sushi I've had so far in Charlotte. I love it, normally take it to go but the dining in experience is nice as well, good service and quality. Always looking foward to ordering from them every other week or so.

The BEST sushi place in all of CLT! The sushi is fresh and delicious. The people are kind and friendly with the best customer service! I keep meaning to take a picture of the beautiful platters they put together, but there's never any time. They disappear so fast!

First time eating here & WOW I can't believe how amazing this place is! The place is quite small but don't be fooled 'cause the quality of their sushi is one of the best I've had in NC, and I don't say that easily (lol). This place gets packed and we were lucky to grab a table before 7pm. Highlights of what I ordered: Salmon nigiri Salmon toro nigiri Tuna toro nigiri The salmon toro was recommended torched and it was a 10/10. Full of flavor and it was just yummy!

Consistently good sushi at a strip mall near Charlotte. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but has some seating along with a few spots at the sushi bar. We usually get take out from here but recently tried the sushi boat which is a fun mix up from what we always get. They have a lot of speciality rolls, but I prefer the classic more simple maki style ones. It gets pretty crowded and is really popular for takeout so expect a small wait.

I have to say I have been to this location multiple times with friends and honestly couldn't see what the hype was all about. Today, I can honestly say I found a roll that does live up to the hype. The Big Boss roll is not something I would typically order, but I am so glad I took a chance and tried it. It was some of the best sushi I have tasted in a long time. Will definitely be back for this roll.

Excellent hole in the wall sushi just as the other reviews described. Upon entering around late lunch time we were offered a low or high table. It was busy even at 3pm and we opted for a low. Oof poor choice. We were basically sitting with two other couples. Totally fine though. My points are: it's busy even at 3pm and this place is a cozy nook. Tons of sushi options for all people- from spicy to plain, simple to complex. The $1 sushi is not $1.95 (inflation am I right?) which is probably why the $1 sign in the window is no longer lit haha. This being said, pretty affordable prices still (for upscale sushi). We opted for 4 rolls and I should have written them down. We had one with cream cheese that was fried and one with eel eggs and one with crab that came recommended to us. Ok that wasn't helpful but please know that all were delicious. So I feel you can't really choose wrong. Oh and apparently the boat comes standard when you order 4 rolls. Fancy! Many other options like bento boxes and noodles. Saw a good amount of alcohol and drink options lie sake, wine, beer and sodas. Pretty fast service. Very kind servers.

Best sushi in the area. Everything is outstanding. Wish the music/ambiance was a little better - and a little more space. If it wasn't a 40 minute drive from my house it would absolutely be my go-to sushi place.

3* A OK It's solid in most areas but could be improved in some areas. Pros- sushi, sushi, and sushi Cons- anything fried, no specials, super tight on inside, staff is overworked so may not be the happiest.

We heard this place was good, and it did not disappoint. We came around 4pm so before the dinner rush. There is limited seating available so be prepared for a wait during peak lunch and dinner. We Started with Miso soups and ginger salads. Some of if not the best I have had. Next had the baked mussels. Also delicious and came out fast. They have so many specialty rolls to choose from it was hard to decide. We got the "Island roll" and the "Discover" roll. Both were amazing and came out looking beautiful. Can't wait to try more of their menu. This will be our go to sushi spot from now on. I can see why they received all of the awards that they have decorating their walls.

Sushi was amazing, my waiter is great i've been twice the past month, The wait is a bit long on weekends but it is worth it.

Food poisoning . Not going back. Restaurant should check the fish better. The crab didn't taste right

Small but perfect dining experience. We had sushi,fried dumplings,seafood platter and lobster. The food was amazing.

Ordered 8 rolls for takeout from here and the total came to $60 some dollars.. which is a steal! Most of the rolls were specialty rolls, so they are more than fairly priced. Food was ready in about 20 minutes and packaged very neat for the carry out experience. Among the rolls I ordered were the rainbow roll and spider roll. These are usually my go to rolls and the taste was up to par with any other Charlotte sushi restaurant. All in all, the sushi carry out experience was great! It's good sushi for a great price! I will try to dine in next time to get the sushi boat experience.

Lovely atmosphere, fresh and delicious food rolls fish and other meals, the service is a bit long compared to other places so I can't really come here for my lunch break but if it's for an outing or date or whatever it doesn't require you to be in an out within an hour you will be good and happy costumer. Prices are about $20 a person or more.

Best sushi in Charlotte, centrally located with great service. The menu has many options aside from sushi. They also have a separate list of specialty sushi rolls. Try some sake (hot or cold) with your meal or a Japanese beer! 4 or more rolls and your sushi comes out in the boat!

Came on a Thursday by myself. 45 min wait. Saw all the rave reviews and said let me give it a shot. I've eaten sushi domestically and internationally, and by all means I was not judging based upon Michelin stars, location, etc... simply taste, and this place was so disappointing. I don't know if they were having an off night, but man, for all the rave reviews, it was just nasty. The crab ravioli (crab Rangoon for others) were flat and oily. Usually, these puppies are plump and stuffed at any other place. They brought me a big ol boat, for 4 rolls...About to fire, so I thought...perception is not reality. The rolls were super loose, like fell apart upon eating. After the 3rd bite my stomach was turning and felt queasy. Let's hope I don't get food poisoning and pray for the bubbleguts. I legit ate 4 pieces, took the to go box and threw them out at the garbage can in front of the place. I'm from the upbringing that throwing food out is a sin, though I'd chance it with this one. No need to send them all back and have someone come back to see what was wrong. I just wanted to leave. Not the service staffs fault, so I didn't ask for money back or anything like that. I tipped them as normal but I will never go to this place again.

The food here was delicious! The service was very good. The tables are REALLY close together, but I noticed they do offer take our as well.

My favorite sushi restaurant in Charlotte! It's good dining in or getting it to go. Everything is good and the service is always so friendly! Be ready to wait for a table though, it's always packed!

They are named the best sushi in CLT for a reason! I get the California and shrimp tempura with a side of the cucumber salad and it's really good. The wait time can be a little long so call ahead and order because there is not enough space inside to really comfortably wait. My good to for great sushi!

Great food, fresh fish, attentive service. The ambiance is pretty standard, but authentic, only around 8-10 tables but they turnover quickly. Probably the best you can do by way of Sushi on the NE side of town circa Independence. Stop by

I've eaten at this restaurant since I was in high school and this place doesn't disappoint still till this day. It's one of the few sushi restaurants that have high quality ingredients and amazing sushi combinations. The toro and salmon toro are well quality, they just melt in your mouth. The bang bang shrimp is basically coconut shrimp and it was really good, crispy. Now the rolls, all I can say is give them a try and they won't disappoint. Avocado and salmon are fresh and good. The restaurant itself is a bit small but so worth the wait. The bento boxes are also good, too, if you'd like to give them a go. Lots of food for a good price.

We had lunch here today. Their rolls and sushi were very fresh and tasted great. I would definitely recommend this place.

When you're scrambling for a sushi restaurant on Saturday at 8:55pm, this place saved our hunger crisis. The food did not disappoint. My foodie relative and myself wanted fresh sushi and there wasn't a wait to enter the restaurant. Dine in is now available for those concerned about COVID restrictions. We ordered lots of specialized rolls as we didn't want just basic items: bombing roll, Christmas roll, firecracker roll, green tempura roll, and fried tempura roll. The combinations meshed and had a buttery soft texture you experience from that first bite. Pure soft fluffy heaven. My stomach was smiling and our waitress was a great sport at our particular sushi choices. A good alternative if you want to take a break from the southern comfort eats.

This place is always crazy busy and for good reasons! Their rolls are very unique and all very fresh and delicious. They are also very reasonably priced given the very high quality and really large sized rolls. I have to eat them with my hands rather than chopsticks!

This place is an absolute gem. Best sushi in Charlotte at a great price. Will be back!