Suzuki's Sushi Bar

Absolutely lovely and wonderful! The raw tuna ceviche appetizer with yuzu dressing was incredibly fresh and delightful. The nigiri with tekka roll special plate was perfect. The fish and seafood were absolutely fresh and tasty. I so much appreciated the nigiri with the lobster topping as I felt that this was a poetic addition to being on the coast of Maine (I’m from New York City, so this delighted me a lot). The atmosphere is well curated and feels very comfortable. The staff is super-friendly. Reservations are highly recommended. I had called ahead and left a voicemail and received a callback to confirm the time. Thank you so much for the delicious meal.

Suzuki is a quiet masterpiece of a sushi restaurant. Every ingredient is incredibly fresh and treated with such care that each dish feels both simple and deeply special. The flavors are clean, balanced, and respectful of the ingredients, nothing is overdone, everything is just right. The chef behind the counter is extraordinary. Her precision, calm presence, and intuitive touch elevate the entire experience. You can tell you’re in the hands of someone who truly honors the craft. This is sushi at its most honest and refined, an absolute gem.

Really nice place with excellent quality ingredients for the sushi. We went as a family and ordered some mixed sushi platters and a miso soup. Everything was delicious, the miso soup a bit bland, but that is how they are. I recommend getting the mixed plates when you like all kind of seafood, as they are put together based on the daily availability. It was highly recommended to us to get a reservation in advance and we tried getting one through the automated phone call service they have. We called from a Swiss phone number, as we are visiting from there. When we didn't receive a call back we went by (we stayed in the area) and they said they don't call back international numbers and there is no other way to reserve from far away. For us it worked out in the end and we enjoyed a very nice evening!

Lovely experience, no complaints whatsoever. A thoughtful ambiance, calm and enjoyable even with a busy restaurant. The fish itself was of incredible quality, and every bite exceptional. Truly look forward to returning, a 10/10 evening. Thank you!

Good, fresh fish. Lots of sake choices. Accomplished sushi chefs. Lovely presentation (edible flowers were great). Friendly wait staff. Kind of pricey (but also I may be living in the past and this is the new normal).

Pretty small diameter rolls with only 6 pieces each. Dumplings were very good and the soba noodles just had something a little off but still tasty. Service was good but took a long time. Didn't have a reservation but still seated. I'll probably be back. Very pricey $$$$

We showed up a mere 10 minutes early and were refused seating. It was 5 :05. Plenty of empty seats. A normal hostess would seat us and provide water and explain that our server would be with us at the time of our reservation. We were told to take a lap. I would recommend to suzuki to learn customer service. We will not be back. Check out Rustica cuccina instead

The food was amazing, but The unfortunate reason I gave them 4 stars is "people ordering take out." The staff is very small and they had a huge amount t of take-out orders coming in. I had to wait a long time to have service. Once I made my drink order I had to wait 15 min in before it came to the table. My food came at a reasonable time once the orders slowed down. I recommend this place but I suggest having reservations. The second time when I took my wife . Our experience was 10 times better. The service was quick and friendly. We got to the restaurant when it just opened so we had first dibs on seating. The food does not disappoint. Absolutely amazing!. I wish that they had a bit more help when they do get busy. I know at the time of us coming here, the middle of winter...I quess it's hard to find help and customers are kind of unpredictable.

Spectacular sushi! Amazingly fresh and on-par with any of the best sushi restaurants in NYC or LA. Reservations are a must during the summer season for this cozy Main Street restaurant. Absolutely recommend!

Absolutely the best in Maine or up there with Portland omakase but more accessible and chill. Japanese woman run sushi-ya with a beautiful omakase replete with fresh fish and crustaceans from Maine artfully arranged with exquisite edible flowers and a superbe selection of Japanese beverages. Service is friendly and attentive with a slight alternative air befitting the Maine ambiance. The setting is upscale casual with quite a few sophistes as well as locals in the know. Price point is reasonable especially for the quality, variety and presentation. Even the little things such as the ginger are top notch foodie level. Reservations required for prime times.

Best sushi in Maine. Absolutely delicious. Good service, nice ambience, but most of all extremely fresh fish and beautiful presentation. I highly recommend. Note: make a reservation. Walk-ins will usually be out of luck.

Amazing service, food, and ambience! The sushi was so fresh and flavorful, they had a great drink menu, and it was all very reasonable for what we got.

Pretty disappointing of the sushi rolls. For the price that they charge was definitely not worth it. Too bad because we liked the atmosphere and the staff. Sad we are going back to the pub across the street for some wings because the special and 2 rolls were too expensive and not filling. We will not be back.

Food is great Service is excellent The decor is simple but elegant Best sushi in Maine

We heard this was the best sushi in Maine. Honestly I haven't tried all the places but I would probably agree. Absolute Delicious. Service was friendly and helpful. We're from out of state and had someone tell us that they drove 40mins because this was the best. So happy we were just down the street from this place.

I thoroughly enjoy the food, ambiance, and service of Suzukis - keep visiting for special occasions several times a year. All of the sushi is fresh and locally caught which I appreciate. My favorite thing is the omakase for two where the chef creates a custom plate based on the fish that is fresh and in season. Drinks at Suzuki are also good as it has a wide array of saki and wine to choose from.

My husband Jeff and I arrived without a reservation but even though it is a small place they were able to seat us. We had wonderful authentic Japanese meal. We shared several sushi rolls including an exceptional one with a Japanese fruit in it. I had the scallop noodle bowl. The noodles had to have been homemade, they had the perfect texture. The broth was hearty and light. The scallops were fresh and plentiful. The atmosphere was intimate and the music was a light jazz mix. The portion size was such that we were able to have leftovers for lunch the next day. This will be our go to restaurant in Rockland

Delicious, super fresh, unique sushi. We would have eaten double the amount it was so good. Not many sushi places take enough advantage of the fresh seafood off the Maine coast, but this place certainly does.

We ate here about a week ago and were awed by the freshest and most creative sushi. Kudos to the chef. Treat yourself to omakaze platter you won't be sorry. We'll be back!

The best sushi in Maine! Chef Suzuki Keiko Steinberger works almost exclusively with super-fresh local seafood -- sweet crab, surf clams, shrimp, scallops, halibut, whelks, monkfish, lobster, uni, oysters, you name it. Her maki, urimaki, and temaki are creative and original, often gorgeously garnished with edible locally grown or foraged blossoms. I highly recommend the omakase plate -- a large selection of chef's-choice sushi. Steinberger has been nominated at least twice for the prestigious James Beard Foundation's Best Chef: Northeast award.

This place is fake and would not last one day without the tourist industry. Individually wrapped chopsticks like a cheap take out place. We had "reservations" The waitress sat us then made us feel like we were taking someone else's reservation. "What is your name again? "Should we leave? I responded. "No, it's Okay" she said. WTF. I'm about to drop a hundred bucks in this shit hole and "It's Okay" It's Okay if I sit at the table that you brought me to? If I can spare just one person the experience of dining at this stupid place. With that off my chest, the food was good.

Like others have pointed out, you need to make a reservation in order to eat here because it is always packed. My friend called a month ahead for reservations and for the next month, I was looking forward to eating some good sushi. My friend comes here often with her family when she visits Maine, but since it was my first time, I had high expectations (especially because it's expensive). We ordered the omakase for two to try out an assortment of different sushi and sashimis. Our waiter kindly told us what each sushi was. The sushi was fresh and I could tell the quality was good because it melted in my mouth and wasn't overly chewy. The portion was definitely a good size for two small asian girls, but I would recommend getting another roll or entree if you have a big appetite.

We were warned beforehand to make reservations for dinner and I'm super glad we did so. There was a sign when I entered for my 7:30 reservation stating no walk-ins for the night I went. There was a few that tried to finagle a spot for dinner but were turned away. Omakase for 2 includes 8 pieces of sushi total, 2 handrolls, 1 regular roll and assorted sashimi (I think it was anywhere from 4-6 slices of seafood of three different kinds). My omakase assortment included scallop, whelk, ebi, fluke, tuna, salmon, mackerel and hamachi. Everything was deliciously fresh and uniquely prepared. I especially the tuna and the scallop sashimi portion. Finally it's worth noting that the sushi chef at Suzuki is female. I'm not sure I've heard of or had sushi from a female sushi chef before then again I don't think it matters. If the food is good and of high quality,..... already looking forward to a future visit.

My family and me saw this restaurant here in Yelp. We were driving all the way down through the US1 and decided to stop at Rockland and eat here. When we arrived at the restaurant we were basically told to leave because to eat there you needed a reservation. So I suggest you to place a reservation before going there. Though, all around that street you can see many other restaurants and we found an Italian one down the street that was really good. In conclusion we could be treated way better, and maybe helped us in some manner. The restaurant seemed nice, and from the pictures the food looked great, but this situation was a huge negative for me.

I just have to say I am SO mad at myself for not taking pictures because everything that came to our table was beautiiifffuulll. However it was just so good it didn't last long enough for a picture! So we went all out for a celebratory dinner and gor the Omakase for two, the rockland roll and a tonnnn of sashimi. Everytbing was fresh, elegantly presented and tasted like ocean candy. Although the rolls are to die for (they use less rice than most places which I like) the nigiri, hand rolls and sashimi are the real stars of the show so save your appetite for those. Also some of the best miso soup and avocado salad I've had before. 10/10 would recommend!!!

Some of the best sushi I've ever had. As good as Michelin-awarded Sushi Ran in Sausalito CA, but way more down to earth. Tiny place, big value. Keiko is an artist and has trained her staff exceedingly well. Stunning presentation featuring fresh, edible flowers, absolutely the freshest fish. The omakase assortment was a bit of heaven on earth. In a funky storefront in Rockland Maine. Who'd a thunk it?

Wow! I'm struggling to find the words to describe how great this place is. We had a ceviche appetizer that was on special when we went that was incredible. Seemed like they used some foraged ingredients which was great. The atmosphere is cosy, open kitchen so you can watch them do their thing. Just all aces from this place.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Chef Keiko combines the best of Rockland, fresh seafood and artwork, to put out some of the best sushi that I've ever had anywhere in the world. Do not miss this if you are in Maine. We tried to get a second reservation. But, sadly they are closed Sun-Tues.

I've loved every dining experience at Suzukis. I also love that their menu caters toward everyone whether they like raw fish or not. They have noodle and rice options and they are all fantastic and delicious. All the food at Suzuki's is healthy so I can leave feeling great! The service is superb and the ambiance is pleasant and welcoming!

Fish fresh from the ocean that is close by, gorgeous interpretations of sushi and sashimi, and gracious service plus reasonable prices makes this one of the best sushi restaurants I have experienced. And I have been to the best in Tokyo, New York and London. On the most recent visit, the Chief Justice of the United States was dining there.

Best and freshest sushi I've ever had! My boyfriend and I frequent here for date night!

This was the best sushi I have ever had! Me and 3 friends travelled an hour and a half to get here and it was totally worth it. We each ordered the omakase, and they put everything on one board. It was so so beautiful! The service was sorta slow but it was because everything was cut and prepared perfectly. The price was totally reasonable for the high quality fish. Couldn't recommend more.

Loved the sushi, sashimi and nigiri! Service from Todd was definitely a highlight. He gave us the right suggestions and we enjoyed our meal. The hot sake and plum wine were great accompaniments.

I had dinner last night at Suzuki's in Rockland. My son and I sat at the sushi bar. The restaurant is tiny and inviting. Service is gracious and attentive. As to the food , it was largely disappointing. I have been eating sushi for 40 years and cut my teeth on great sushi in LA , NY and Houston. I admit that I lean towards sushi snobbery so when multiple people rave to me about a place I feel an obligation to give it a go. Such was the case with Suzuki. I ordered a normal sampling of nigiri which included eel, yellow tail , salmon , fatty tuna belly, and uni. First off , their presentation is stunning. There is no question but that this is where their artistry really shines through. My sons plate was garnished with a brilliant red maple leaf and mine had a beautiful miniature bouquet of what I suspect was a mustard green , with tiny yellow flowers. Forgive me, I really don't know what they were. Likewise , my son's salad was a delightful feast for the eyes and taste buds both offering up razor thin slices of fresh beets and cucumbers arranged in an artful mandala about a large white pasta bowl. The problem I had with Suzuki was two fold. First and foremost , their sushi, notably the quality and quantity of fish offered up was really lack luster. It was barely worth a shrug. The uni especially was not good at all. Uni must be outrageously fresh and of the highest quality or it is just a gooey sad mess. Regrettably, such was my experience at Suzuki, after eating the first piece I sat and contemplated wether or not to continue to the second for fear of food born illness. All of this could have been forgiven or at least tolerated had their prices not been outlandish. The total bill for my so and I was approaching $160.00 before the tip. This same meal by comparison in Waterville at Mirakua ( for my money the best sushi in Maine) would have been $80 and the food there is VASTLY superior. I should also interject that they seem to have an excessive amount of staff for such a tiny place. I didn't do a head count , but there must have been at least 6 people buzzing about preparing food and tending to the back of the house and at least 2-3 waiters. No doubt this is what drives their pricing schemes. Like so many other dining experiences I encounter in Maine , it wasn't that anything at Suzuki was so bad , but rather the sad realization that with a bit of care it could have been so much better.

RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Suzuki's knocks it out of the park. Keiko knows how to make some mouth watering, beautiful masterpieces with her food. If you are a sushi fan, you will not want to make the mistake of missing out on Suzuki's. Unless you're dining solo and plan on arriving right when they open, chances are you'll need to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. The summers can get crazy but in the off season it's way easier. I've been patroning Suzuki's since they opened over 10 years ago, and I lived in the Rockland area. Now I still make a point to come to Suzuki's at least once a year. My last trip included an Omakase (chef's choice) Sushi dish. I was happy as a clam! The salmon was buttery and soft, the eel delicious and savory, and the two crabmeat avocado hand rolls were the icing on the cake. For non-sushi lovers, their donburi bowls are absolutely delicious. My mom got the basic teriyaki chicken and even that is special in it's own way. I could go on, and I may revise this review at some point but my point is, GO TO HERE! If you love Japanese cuisine, you will not be disappointed.

Stopped by for dinner on a rainy Friday night. We didn't have a reservation and waited about 20 minutes for a table. The restaurant is pretty small and was bustling at the time. We were seated in the front dining room, which has a much different vibe than the red back room (make sure you check out both). We received friendly service and ordered a few of the vegetarian sushi items (there are a bunch to choose from, more than your average sushi place in my opinion). Everything came out quick and was OK - I could tell it was prepared to order by their busy sushi chef. Price was reasonable as well.

Our group of four has three adventurous sushi eaters and one who prefers cooked food (my mother, well forgive her). Reservations are a must, we saw people get turned away. We had Omakase for three, a selection of the salads, house, avocado, crab, as well as miso soup and special that night pork and scallops dumplings. Everything was excellent- I really enjoyed the dressing on the house salad it was clearly homemade and just tasted right. The fish was excellent. So fresh and so many different varieties and preparations- do yourself a favor and do the Omakase instead of going with what you know you like. My husbands bite of the night was Mackerel Nigiri mine was a tie between some of the fattiest and loveliest salmon I've had and the Northern shrimp (probably something I would have skipped ordered hence the rec for Omakase). One of the most interesting bites was razor clams with fresh grated ginger which I don't think I've ever seen in sushi before- lots of pickled ginger but the fresh ginger was a lovely new flavor. Only small hiccup was the Chicken Donburi which was a little drenched in homemade teriyaki sauce. Filling and yummy but the rice was swimming! No harm no foul- but potentially ask for it on the side?

I am so confused by the 5 star reviews here. Sushi is my absolute favorite meal and I've been just about everywhere in the state for it. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, this was honestly the worst sushi I've ever had. It did not smell good or taste fresh. Neither I nor my partner managed to finish our rolls, they were that unappetizing. We won't be returning. If you're looking for an alternative I suggest Tomi in Rockport.

Truly amazing!!!! Super fresh, outstanding and thoughtful service with a safe takeout option we adored!

Takeout only due to covid. Most of the food was good, however the presentation of the spicy tuna avocado roll was not too appealing. Just wondering if it always looks like this or is just sloppy because of a busy chef. Questionable dish is pictured.

Best. Sushi. I've ever had. Honestly, I have had sushi in many many places (Northeast, Pacific Northwest, California, Boston, New York, etc, etc) and Suzuki's is literally the best sushi I've ever had. Ever. The waitstaff are friendly and accommodating, not overly intrusive and knowledagable. The chef, Keiko, works diligently behind the bar. I ordered the nigiri set (17$, I think) and it came with 7 pieces of nigiri and a teka roll. Toro - the fatty tuna, was one of my pieces. It was melt in your mouth amazing. Fresh sea urchin - probably caught that day and shucked in house. It was my first time with it and it was buttery, sweet, and flavored like the sea. It was an interesting texture and tasted incredibly refreshing. I also had some tobiko - flying fish roe, totally sweet and crunchy. There were some other white fish and salmon that got lost in the shuffle, but still tasted incredibly. It was one of the most heavenly meals I've had in a long time and it was well worth every penny. If you are in Rockland, you have to stop by. You just have to. And yes - see my review of Miyake. It's better than Miyake. Yup. It is.

Suzuki's matches surprisingly authentic Japanese food with an incredibly friendly waitstaff, skilled at explaining to sushi-novice Maine tourists all the myriad options on the menu. The food ain't cheap, though; expect to be paying pretty near New York prices for what you're eating. The sushi is excellent. Nigiri and maki with local Maine crab are the highlights of the menu. The ama-ebi nigiri were very nice (even if technically completely out of season), but for me the big winners were the scallops; with their smooth and clean taste, the had me ordering them a second time around. The donburi, as often happens, have the too much rice and not enough food problem, and the rice was a bit overcooked. Be sure to take advantage of the specials menu. The homemade local shrimp shumai were excellent. Unfortunately, the most interesting dish on the specials menu -- a ramen with shrimp and prosciutto -- was sold out by the time we arrived. The wide sake selection varies in price from $10 to $80 carafes. The mid-range $25ish carafe we ordered was dry and smooth, and one of the better I've had in recent memory. Call ahead for reservations during the high season, as even on weekdays this place can draw a decent crowd. There are two rooms, front and back: the front is where most people end up, and can get a bit loud and full of older tourist types, and the back has a scenic view of the parking lot behind the building, and gets a bit warm from the kitchen, but was a completely private room for us. I'd ask for a table out front if possible if I find myself back here again.

Some of the best sushi i have ever had. Extremely fresh. Sake tasting was also a fun touch.

Small clean friendly....packed every table ....halibut ceviche incredible beautiful app....excellent sushi and saki menu....reservations a must!

Not had a chance to eat here yet and was turned away when we asked for a takeaway order. I was discouraged on the response, without even an offer of it may take 45 mins. Sorry not a great customer experience and may not stop by again, based on the interaction.

Awesome sushi place. Ordered the omakase for two. The freshness was at a level I never experienced before. Would recommend Suzuki and make reservations. Saw many people being turned away. I made reservations 2 weeks before.

We had 5 celebrations tonight between us, and enjoyed a great time and meal at Suzulki's. I generally only post reviews on places i think are well worth a visit, and this is one of them. We are lucky to have a place like this in Midcoast Maine! Thanks!

Exquisite. That's the only word for Suzuki Sushi. This restaurant served the best sushi I've had on the East coast. Hands down. And the prices...about 1/3 of what I would have paid in California. The real deal is the Special Omakase Assortment. For $32 single / $58 for two, you get a huge assortment of the freshest and most delectable fish you've ever had. But don't stop there. The other selections are just as good. The Gyoza are not fried, they are steamed to perfection. The Shumai (yes, Chinese) are made with local Maine shrimp. Again, a delight. The Maki and Nigiri choices are great, but the variety is limited to what's fresh and available...always good. The Omakase that I had was a bit tailored since I don't like Hamachi or any kind of onions. They were fine with my requests. On my plate: - FRESH UNI in the shell! YES! I have never had such fresh Uni...and it was SO good! - Fresh Toro (melt in your mouth!) sashimi - Crab, cucumber and Shiso leaf Temaki - Fresh Halibut sashimi - Hotate - Amaebi of Maine Shrimp - Unagi - Ebi (Maine Shrimp again) - Salmon and avocado maki All this for $38. A steal! A dream! Superb! They also have house-made ice cream for dessert. Unfortunately, they were out of the Black Sesame. We settled for (happily) Ginger. A bit pricey at $7.50 for a couple of small scoops, but a great topper to a delicious dinner. One thing to note...Suzuki only has around 10 tables and four seats at the sushi bar. And the tables ARE reserved and held for people, so if you want to go there, make a reservation. I've seen some of the complaints here on Yelp. Yes, the tables go unseated. But there's a reason. This a place where you dine at a leisurely pace, and they ensure that if you have a reservation, your table is available. Definitely make a reservation and give this place a try. The chef and owner is from Japan, and the flavors, presentation and attention to detail show in the food.

Absolutely amazing sushi restaurant! You must make recommendations, as the place is full nightly, but man, is it ever worth the effort. Food and sake are incredibly prepared and presented. The taste of everything we tried (and we tried a lot) was top notch if not the best we have ever had. Keiko is amazing at her craft, and this place has to be up there in the "best things I ever ate" category!

Place was delicious. only one knock though. had an 8pm reservation, which I know is pushing it in this town (everything seems to shutter at 9). we ordered a fair amount of Sushi, but was eager to add more of particular rolls so I was glad to hear the suggestion of the waitress that we "can always order more as you go." The order took a little while, but nothing too bad, we were the last ones seated for night so I understood. As soon as our shared platter of Sushi was set down, we started to dig in and enjoy. then the waitress came by and told us that they're taking last call on sushi in 5 minutes. I was only on my second bite. (so much for the order as we go plan). I ventured to guess which rolls I'd like more of and as I was placing that additional order, they tell us there's only enough sushi rice for "maybe 1 more roll" The food was great. I'll definitely go back if I'm in town, but I'll make sure I order enough the first time regardless of what I'm told.

Great sushi bar if you are looking for the basics. everything was well prepared and you can see the thought that went into the preparation. I would not venture out past the sushi. The udon I had was flavorless even with few generous hep of flavoring added with the exception of the few mushrooms in it. Like others said skip the noodles and get the sushi

Much pride in presentation. I only had two sushi rolls and they were fine. No offerings in the way of small combo plates.

I have been fortunate enough to have eaten sushi in Japan, Korea, California, New York, etc. I can say with all honesty that Suzuki's rivals any I've had anywhere! You should make a reservation unless you are alone and get there when they open due to the fact that it is a very popular spot. I ordered a "chefs choice" and Keiko did not disappoint! The urchin (uni) was perfectly fresh (they were processing it right then) if you think there's no way you like urchin you should try it here and you will be a convert. Other pieces on the plate were lobster ceviche (it is Maine) wonderful, pickled welks delicious, and one piece each of negiri scallop,tuna,and pickled (lightly) mackerel all perfect! Plus a maki of tuna and avocado and last but certainly not least was a temaki of a tuna tartare that I ate first so the nori would stay crisp. Also they have a fine selection sake including my fave "onikuroshi " (demon killer) This is all very long winded but I love this place!

Absolutely World Class Sushi! Omekase menu on Saturday night included whelk, halibut, sweet shrimp, scallop, lobster... and much more. Amazing herbs that politely infuse some of the servings adds to the amazing experience. A "Must!" When near Rockland,Me!

Suzuki Sushi Given the 'best sushi in Maine' blurbs that I had read, I was VERY surprised to learn that they have the most limited sushi or otherwise Japanese menu I've ever encountered in the U.S. We managed to still have a delicious dinner, but I ( the sushi eater) had to work at it. To explain: they were out of hamachi. out. Saturday night. out. they don't do yama kake or age dashi tofu Their menu has: no squid no escolar/'white' tuna no mackerel no gomae no tamago no ankimo no snapper no tempura or anything fried They heat their unagi by nuking it; no toaster oven I ended up having superb Pemmaquid oysters and a few excellent nigiri and maki. My Love had a WONderful broth filled with udon noodles, assorted seafood, generous shiitake and asparagus. We would happily go back for those items again. After checking to make sure they're not out of hamachi.

This was easily the best sushi my wife and I have ever had. Yes, EVER. We've eaten Iron Chef Morimoto's sushi and, while great, couldn't touch what Keiko serves. 99% of our meal was local and just pulled out of the water. It made for an excellent anniversary dinner.

FAN-FRICKEN-TASTIC. My boyfriend and I shared the pork dumplings appetizer. And for main entrees, we had the salmon ponzu and chicken teriyaki with soba noodles. Portions are HUGE. Waiter was amazing... Kind, very attentive, very very knowledgeable and genuinely seemed to love his job!! Green tea ice cream was excellent! I wish I lived around here, I would go back in a heart beat!