PABU Izakaya Boston

Sushi restaurant · Downtown

PABU Izakaya Boston

Sushi restaurant · Downtown

3 Franklin St, Boston, MA 02110

Highlights

Chefs Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga offer high-end, inventive Japanese & sushi in a sexy space.

3 Franklin St, Boston, MA 02110 Get directions

@pabuboston

$$$ · Menu

@infatuation

"With a location on the second floor of a brand new skyscraper, wide windows that overlook the sleek new plaza in Downtown Crossing, and an interior that somehow makes giant cement columns and floating lanterns a match made in heaven, Pabu could advertise itself as the restaurant of the future. We don’t know exactly how it’s going to stack up against the other restaurants of the future (probably pretty well, seeing as how there will only be about 20 left after Boston floods), but in the present, it’s a pretty good spot if you don’t mind paying $21 for a rainbow roll. The food here isn’t so good that you’ll be planning your next trip as you’re walking out the door, but it’s good for drinks and a couple of bites. We recommend the hand rolls." - Dan Secatore

Pabu Boston - Review - Downtown - Boston - The Infatuation

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@eater

"Pabu’s Spirited Away cocktails. No, that’s not a bowl of ramen: It’s a new cocktail from Kaitlin Ryan’s menu at downtown sushi restaurant and izakaya PABU. Many of the drinks are inspired by the Japanese animator and director Miyazaki, like a Spirited Away cocktail with botanist gin, shiso vermouth, fino sherry, apricot, salt. But the most striking might be the Tasteful Noodz, a whiskey sour variation (Iwai Blended Whiskey, Lemon, Cynar 70, and Mirin) served in a ramen bowl." - Caleb Pershan

Super Duper Telegraph Avenue Finally Opening June 18 - Eater SF

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Wendy Li

Google

WHAT TO TRY?? The omakase experience!! For $99 USD, you can try out some of their best fishes and nigiri. We came on a weekday to this restaurant that’s located on the second floor. The restaurant has a nice modern decor but it’s not a restaurant you need to dress up for, which is nice. The server who served us was really nice and sat us right by the window where we can see the bustling streets below. The omakase selection was nice. Started us off with some soft poached egg dish which was amazing before we got into Nigiris and ended us off with some mochi dessert. We were so happy with the fish selection, we ordered additional fish on top of the omakase. All the fish were really fresh and felt like they literally melted in my mouth. I liked the uniqueness of the mochi flavor too. Unlike the typical cherry blossom or matcha flvored, this mochi was caramel flavoured. LAST TIP?! You don’t have to come try out the omakase, you can equally have a great experience ordering the fish separately. They have booths seating or even sushi bar seats if you want to have a closer look at the fresh fish served at this restaurant. Don’t leave this restaurant without trying the omakase at least once!

Andrew W

Google

We had a great experience at Pabu, ordering the Sunday Omakase. The service and atmosphere were amazing, and I guess it's not super busy on Sunday because we practically had the place to ourselves. The food was great, but not amazing. The Happy Oyster (might be wrong) and the tofu with strawberries were really interesting courses, and I enjoyed them a lot! The Chicken skewers and spicy tuna roll, while delicious, were nothing too surprising. From the other reviews, their omakase changes frequently, so I would definitely come back at some point.

D J

Google

Interior is a fusion of modern and traditional. Seems like a good trendy place for happy hour or for a date. Service was pretty good and sushi was very good, soft, tender, and flavorful. We had the omakase. It was pricey and I wished there a little more quantity, but it was pretty good quality. The karage (fried chicken) was a ok, but could have been more juicy/tender.

david we

Google

You get what you pay for. Beyond exceptional service and very creative dishes that all taste fantastic. Just be ready for the bill at the end of the night. Great place to celebrate an anniversary or special occasion

Mandy Liao

Google

Food and cocktails were amazing! All the servers and bartenders were extremely friendly and caring. I've come here a couple times for happy hour too! ($6 wine!!) Thank you, Pabu, for offering curry bowls to those affected by the shutdown!

Xin Zhang

Google

Came here to finish the last Boston sushi place on my bucket list. Kind of difficult to find. It is on the second floor with a hard-to-notice entrance. Loved the ambiance. It was such a romantic and nice place to have dinner. The manager and waiters were very friendly and attentive. The nigiri was pretty decent, better than the ones in Oishii, but the seasoning seems a bit off. I ordered chef’s 10 pieces nigiri and added sake toro, octopus and egg omelette nigiri. Sake toro was the best, soft and fatty like cream. The maki was not bad. We tried Michael’s negitori, spider, spicy roll and anakyu. I liked the spider the most. Also, we ordered Tokyo fried chicken and chicken hearts. Tokyo fried chicken was so amazing that we ordered one more.

Y C

Google

I ordered off of the happy hour menu and the main dining menu. I’d recommend staying away from the cooked items off of the happy hour menu as they were completely underwhelming. The sushi was melt in your mouth and delicious. I’ve been here for lunch, dinner, and happy hour and recommend sticking with the regular menu! You won’t regret it. Wait staff is gracious and efficient. Wish I could say the same for the hostess

Matt Schafer

Google

You pay for what you get. But wow. The food is phenomenal. The seared foie gras on the crispy rice cake was stupid good (photo 5). Ambiance was elegant with the numerous rectangular lanterns continuing as a motif on the walls. Service was gracious, expedient, and unobtrusive. I appreciate that they take the time to describe the dishes they deliver. Definitely plan on coming back. Oh yeah, the karage chicken is a must. No photo because it was consumed too quickly. Sorry, not sorry.