Yamato

The best meal I've had in about 2 years. I knew I had to be in the right place when I had to wait in line. The bluefin tuna was to die for. The squid salad was Smokey and Rich. I haven't had my plumb wine since my mom. The sake was a little tart. Both the staff and customer clientele were kind. The place was wonderful and cozy and had a wholesome feeling. This is the kind of place I'll think about in 10 years from now.

By far the best sushi place I have ever been to and I’ve been to every single sushi place in Houston and have had sushi in Japan. Their fish is super fresh. I highly recommend the shaggy dog and the spicy salmon roll. I’ve never had fresher salmon. They definitely set the standard for outstanding sushi.

Been here since 2014, very nice experience , a lot of free parking space , reservations for regular tables or hibachi it’s a must because place is packed every single time ( that’s a sign of good business) Menu is extraordinary,lots and lots of options for everyone category of food Family friendly and more than welcome Prices not exaggerating Mat and Anna were our hosts for the night, very professional

Sat at the bar and enjoyed some great sushi. Staff was friendly. Food was great.

Still the best restaurant on the island. Their sushi is world class. Better than Vegas and other high end locations in Houston. They always have fatty tuna and uni.

This place was outstanding! Maggie our server was crazy awesome, we just asked for her to serve us what she would think we liked to eat and it did not disappoint! The chefs were also on point. I can’t recommend this place enough for atmosphere friendly staff and super delicious fresh sushi.

Well the people entering at the restaurant right after me was were very rude people... I know that is not the restaurants control but it seemed like everybody was certainly in a hurry on a Saturday night.. the food was not very tasty the dipping sauce for my shrimp to pora was brown gravy from a package is what it tasted like.. but the rice and the salad was fabulous for a $55 meal..😞😞 not tasty at all. 🤔

Absolutely outstanding! The sushi here is incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and bursting with flavor. Every bite feels like it was made with true care and passion. The presentation is stunning, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service is just as exceptional as the food. Easily one of the best sushi experiences I’ve ever had—highly recommend!

Go to sushi and hibachi in Galveston. Most of the time I'm getting a sushi order, but on some occasions we will do the hibachi. Went recently with a big group for a birthday. Ordered apps, sushi, and hibachi. They were very accommodating and made sure we had what we needed. The poppin roll has been a favorite since they put it on the menu. Other classics we shared: spider roll (not the special), Texas Roll, California roll Love the veggies the hibachi comes with and always a fan of the fried rice. Can't go wrong with your protein of choice. Depends what you're in the mood for.

Not as impressed as I used to be. Years ago, we lived in Galveston and this used to be where we went to get sushi or hibachi to go. But I ate there with a friend inside the restaurant last weekend and it just wasn't impressed To start there is hardly any parking. It shares a parking lot with the shopping center that has a vet clinic in it. So when I pulled up, there was no parking spaces and people were even parked in the grass by 61st St. which is a major road. I made the block and came back twice waiting for somebody to leave. There's really nowhere else to park because there are businesses on either side of their parking lot. I guess coming from other hibachi experiences now, this one is very small. The experience wasn't great. We didn't see as many tricks as I'm used to. They only have beer and sake, which was kind of upsetting because I don't drink either I ended up getting the veggie because the chicken hibachi didn't come with any vegetables other than onions. And I was really hoping for more vegetables. I got a rock 'n' roll, and it was warm when it came to me like maybe the plate was fresh out of the dishwasher and then they put the cold sushi on there, which is a no go for me. The one good thing is, I didn't walk out of there smelling really bad like hibachi normally does. But it's not somewhere I would go out of my way to eat and honestly if I was down there again, I would probably choose a different restaurant.

We love Yamato! Everyone is so nice and the food is always fast and fresh and plentiful. Took my two year old for a hibachi show and they were so accommodating. A true island gem this place and everything is always high quality.

I had order envy over the hibachi - my husband got the chicken, steak and shrimp with the fried rice and I got an assortment of sushi. The fried rice was amazing as were the proteins and veg. The sushi on the other hand was ok and I, personally, felt that the rolls were light on fish. The sashimi was also very very thinly cut and falling apart, which is a deviation of what I'm used to at my local joint. The taste was still good, but if I were to return it would be for the hibachi. Staff was super friendly, hibachi grill masters were full of personality, and the ambiance is a nice blend of family style and hole in the wall. Overall we had a great time!

Fabulous! Totally fabulous sushi. Arrived when the restaurant opened without a reservation and were seated right away. The seaweed salad, tempura and several sushi and sashimi were so fresh and tasty. This has the highest quality fish and ingredients of any sushi restaurant we have visited. Can't rave about it enough! Service was excellent as well.

Came here on a weeknight and it was extremely crowded. The restaurant interior is very outdated, it felt like I was in the 80s when I came here. I had asked the waitress about what was in the sushi (wanted to know if there was mirin in there) and we went back and forth for a while before she finally understood what I was asking and confirmed there was no mirin in the sushi. The food itself was just okay, but it was extremely overpriced. Not worth it for the price you pay.

The nostalgia is real here. We've been coming to Yamato for going on 30 years. It has expanded and the wait is still long if you don't make a reservation for the hibachi tables. The food is okay, this time the filet without the teriyaki sauce was actually delicious although a bit overcooked. The show is what you come for and is always entertaining. Service is great despite their dealing with beach guests who perhaps drank a little too long before out to eat. While, I can't rave about the food, it's well worth making this part of your family's tradition when heading to Galveston.

Got a spicy scallop hand roll which was really good, vegetable tempura which was also delicious, and crab puffs which was way too heavy for my liking. I would love to try more of their sushi because the fish quality is great.

When you see a parking lot full of cars, I consider that a good sign. It usually very busy on the weekends. I've only been a customer a few times. I'm not a "frequent flier" so to speak. The food was fine. The restaurant is a little dated but a very popular place to eat for crowds. Make sure to make a reservation for the grill!

Always fresh, always delicious. We are greeted with a smile and good service, whether it be at the bar, the dining room or hibachi!

By the minute service. Amazing hibachi! Mouth watering sushi. Dinner for two included steak, chicken, shrimp, brocolli, onion, and vegetables. Overall great for all ages!

Love the food and the way the chef interacts with its guests/audience. It's such a family friendly atmosphere. The staff is very helpful and welcoming. I love how much everyone enjoys themselves every-time we visit. 100% coming back and 1000% recommend to go if you have not. When it come to large large groups they have a party room that you can call and use. The hibachi tables in general are large but shared with other guests. The price is well worth the portions and the quality. Thank you for all the wonderful memories made and the best food.

Wow. Just wow. Blown away. And this is just for their cold appetizers. Started the night with the jalapeño pesto snapper off their seasonal menu. Wow. Such a complex mix of flavors with every bite. The snapper was fresh and delicious. Whoever came up with combination of flavors, kudos to you! Next came the spicy tuna tartare. This actually had a little hint of spice to it, which was great. The bed of rice it was on had a smoky flavor to it. Lastly, the yuzu salmon. Oof. What a beauty of an app! The salmon was just velvety creamy. Citrusy spicy yummy. I was more than happy with my appetizers paired with the lychee sake! Others had the hibachi dinner so I caught the show too - flames, rice ball catching, fried rice making, grilling the various veggies, seafood, and meat. The show is great but the resulting food is just mediocre - as in, very subtle simple stir fry flavors. But the show makes it worth it. Overall, would not hesitate to be back!

Wow - this place was just a wonderful local place to eat sushi. Very unassuming building but once you walk in, it totally changes into teppanyaki chefs spinning utensils in the air or regular tables with folks ordering sushi. Went for a small birthday get together and all of us enjoyed our meals!!

The service was good. That's really all I can say positively, I've been to other hibachi restaurants that cook with butter in the grill. It looked like they used a lard type substance snd the fried rice was really greasy and tasteless. Our chef had fun with us and especially paid attention to the 8 year old boy with us and he had a blast!

Incredible food with great service! The sushi is fresh and the hibachi is always a great show. Yamato is our favorite restaurant on the island by far!

If you want sushi in Galveston, this is where you go. Great variety and quality of food, good service, convenient location right on 61st Street. My husband is a bigger sushi fan than me, but I can always find something here. It's very fresh and tasty.

My friend decided to try this restaurant when he came down to visit. We got the Yakiudon with steak, Shaggy Roll, and I got a Spicy Salmon Handroll. The Yakiudon was alright, the steak was well cooked but the udon itself could use more flavor. The Shaggy Roll was very good, just wish the portions and the roll itself were larger. The hand roll was definitelyyy the standout for me. The flavor was so good and the novelty on it somehow added extra flavor. Overall, the service was really good, we got out our food very quickly and the waitress was attentive even though it was a busy Sunday evening. As a college student, it was slightly expensive for the portion sizes and the quality. Definitely worth a try though!

So how's this for Ripley's Believe It or Not or even Unsolved Mysteries: I'm a native Galvestonian who's never been to Yamato until this evening. I kid you not. I'm a first-time diner here. The positive things I've heard about my hometown's one and only Japanese eatery all these years were true as I finally had the chance to experience the hype myself. A big reason why Yamato has the staying power it does is its hibachi. You want to talk about a dinner and a show? Well, you can get both here. The chef who operated the grill my family and I sat at is a culinary Samurai who does eye-popping wonders with his utensils. He started off with a simple yet cool onion volcano before transitioning to an unforgettable theater of fire. Lots of effort went into the meat, rice, and vegetables he diced, sliced, and cooked since the results were *blows chef's kiss*. I was over the moon for the hibachi chicken dinner. The salad and the miso soup were a nice introduction to one of the best meals I ever had. My patience and appetite were then rewarded with a superb medley of fresh vegetables; nicely cut, tender, teriyaki and sake-laced chicken; and fried rice so flavorful it could've been a meal on its own. Ergo, the dish made the grade in terms of taste, presentation, and portions. Aside from an applause-worthy dinner, the staff here deserves a lot of kudos for their friendliness and attentiveness. My glass of iced tea didn't stay empty for long as our waiter Alex kept the drinks flowing. Rest assured, I can see myself coming back. Unbelievable how it took me about 40 years to set foot here. I'm so glad I did. I want to dedicate this review to the memory of my late aunt. Earlier in the day, we laid her to rest and my uncle was so kind to treat us here though he didn't have to.

I got takeout as I was in Galveston for a conference. I ordered about $50 worth of sushi which was more than enough for 1 person - not quite enough for 2. The sushi was great! The standout item I ordered was the spicy tuna hand roll. I'd go back again and again just to order that. Actually pretty spicy and a generous helping of tuna. Takeout service was friendly and efficient. It looked like a busy spot! They have hibachi here too.

If you want sushi on Galveston island your choices are very limited. I searched on Yelp and could only find this place. It was extremely busy on a Saturday night and parking out front was by luck as it was tight. Once inside we waited a short bit to get seated. Note they also have hibachi but we only had the sushi. Sorry they couldn't separate the two for seating as we could have gotten in and out a lot quicker. As you know hibachi is a long drawn out evening. Me and my colleague kept ordering until we were full. The turn around time was quick and the sushi was fresh. Definitely would come here again the next visit to Galveston Island maybe even try the hibachi was well.

Excellent food, service and ambiance! Always very satisfied. Would recommend to all!!

Sushi was great! Sushi chefs were very professional. The food was delicious and the tea fresh. Near the end of our dining experience our server was no where to be seen so no tea refills. Again the food was excellent!!

It was my least favorite hibachi restaurant to eat at. We have eaten at over a dozen. The rice had a lot of onions in it. The filet wasn't that flavorful. The chef was blah with his presentation & the hibachi table was sticky & outdated.

I came for lunch three years ago pre-pandemic and thought it was very good. I went again on a Saturday night and was surprised to see how packed it was. I didn't realize they did hibachi too and those people sounded like they were having the time of their lives. Best to have a reservation. We did not and fortunately we were able to be seated within a few minutes but at the sushi bar. I had the Surf and Turf Roll and the Crawfish handroll. I thought the former was smaller that most rolls I've had at other restaurants but still delicious. Service was polite and friendly considering how busy they were. I plan to come back next time I'm in town.

There is nothing on the menu for autistic children. Do not bring your hard to feed kids. We were asked to leave when we brought a fast food chicken dinner in for our autistic daughter. Certainly not family friendly. Will not be visiting again. I will be sharing this review with my friends in the Washington Metropolitan are...

This place was so good! The food was amazing! Our hibachi chef was so funny and entertaining. I would definitely come here again. It was super busy when my friends and I went, I would recommend getting a reservation. The only down side was our server wasn't very attentive but that could be due to the restaurant being so busy

Excellent sushi, hibachi, and a variety sake, beer and wines. Great Sushi chefs, waitstaff and owner-family always in house making it all festive yet professional. My new favorite off the board - Sake Toro nigiri. Buttery and dressed just right!

Horrible !!!! They make so much money and can't even get a bigger location ! Can't even walk around and seems like locals have the upper hand when I comes to getting seated. If you don't know some one good luck ! I waited 45 min with just being told oh almost ! Dosent matter how good the food may be customer service is always priority and apparently they choose and pick who they provide good customer service to.

It's great! If you're visiting here this will stack up to your local sushi joint just fine. The rice was perfect, miso soup was wonderful, and the fried ice cream was outta control. They also had hibachi which looked wild and fun... we'll definitely check that out next time. Cheers! (Don't forget to tip the sushi chef!!!!!)

This place was on a list of top "eat like a local". We don't come to the island without going here. The sushi chefs are amazing! Sit at the sushi bar and chat with them. Get the tuna tartare appetizer!

This place has a special place in my heart. It was where my husband and I had our first date fifteen years ago and it was a regular dinner out when we lived in Galveston. After moving away, the hurricanes, and COVID-19 we were so happy to be back for dinner with our kids and my parents. We saw some familiar family faces and a lot of new ones. The service remains friendly, attentive, and warm. The sushi rolls remain our favorite of all time and are just as good as they ever were. The hibachi was a hit with our children and everyone cleaned their plates. Thank you for the memories, old and new, Yamato

Good food, excellent and punctual service! Tried the sushi on a friend's recommendation and wanted to pass the info along!

Had a great time and really good food Will certainly be back when in Galveston The soft shell crab was delicious and the hibachi meal was wonderful

Food was DIVINE. Very flavorful and fresh. All the fish was very tender and fresh. The staff were very polite and on top of things, very busy. Inside the restaurant it is a little bit cramped, and always busy. You may have to wait for a table.

Don't have pictures, could not believe i forgot. But wow certainly a hole in the wall sushi spot that very unassuming on the outside. You think that what you see is what you're going to get but Yamato delivers so much more. Forget your typical AYCE places, though the pricing here is on the more expensive side, the quality and type of fish is miles better than what you'll get when you eat elsewhere. What I truly enjoyed the most was the seasonal menu items that they have. Very unique and different & not just a roll filled with cream cheese. Expect meaningful pairings in these rolls and not the typical American combo of imitation crab, cream cheese, and spicy mayo. From a college student standpoint; this place is expensive. But so worth if it's a special occasion & you're looking to try those special cuts of fish. We had the sumo roll which is a roll with bluefin toro tuna: 20/10 absolutely delicious. Regular tuna is a lot tougher bc it's a fish that swims a lot so I prefer salmon as the fatty ness and the softness is always a go to. But bluefin tuna captures that fatty ness and just brings it to another level. Can't wait til I finish school, make more money, so I can come back and try everything else.

So we ate exactly 1 year ago in March 2023. Tons of food and so tasty. Went again today and my kids got the combo plates. My son got 3 scallops and around 3 ounces of steak with combo that cost $30. My daughter received 3 ounces of steak and 1 chicken tenderloin of meat with the steak and chicken combo for $30. Chicken was inedible. Paid extra for fried rice and they only made one portion and had to grab more from the kitchen. Don't waste your money here!

Still my favorite sushi in the US and the #1 restaurant on Galveston Island! I'm so happy to see this unassuming family restaurant thrive in its own right, on genuine appreciation and passion for serving up its community (and infinite visitors!) quality love and food. The ever-expanding Lo Family and staff are true gems and have always made me feel like I'm coming home when I visit. They'll always make the short list on quick visits down south and be a part of all my and my friends' life celebrations!

This was a great restaurant when it was run by Mr. Lo & Lisa. Recently they turned over to day to day management to their son and began a steady decline. Service is unfriendly, at times borders on hostile. Food not what it was. Hard pass. Rude service is never acceptable.

Yamato's is wonderful! You may choose the hibachi with superb meats and seafood prepared by knife wielding chef's who will make your dining experience fun and tasty. The sushi is by far the best within 100 miles. It is superior to any in Houston! It's always crowded so beware before going. They discontinued their lunch service during Covid but we true Yamato lover's are praying for its return!

Loved this place, food was amazing. Service was amazing as well. We will be back easy breezy & fast service :)

At a small table for two, this place delivered some of the best sushi I've ever eaten. Christopher was pleasant and kind. He was great.

Very tasty fresh sushi. Locally recommended by 4 people we asked, casual and no frills but very good lively atmosphere. Good value for the money!

We had a great time here! The service was super fast which really impressed us. The sushi was pretty good too. We'd be happy to come here again, maybe to try the hibachi.

Yamato has the most amazing sushi and hibachi. It's is a must whenever you are in Galveston. The food quality and service are the best!

Thouroughly enjoyed our Dinner here Food was good Entertainment was great too I'd come back with a group Or family You should try Filet and shrimp was outstanding

Heading to Yamato after work should be there for the doors to open up. That's just how good they are

I left here, wishing it was on my Galveston must eat spots, every time. Some of the best sushi we have ever eaten...and I am a sushi snob. Tuna tatake (peppered tuna) and bluefin belly were just out of this world. And in Galveston?

Hands down one of my top five sushi experiences in my life. The building doesn't look like much from the street. You step into a dark Japanese oasis. Multiple rooms of tables, a long sushi bar, and a massive back room with ten habachi/tepanyani tables. I'm not sure the current situation, but pre covid we sat right at the sushi bar, and glad we did. We met "Slevin" as he calls himself. The most personable and funny sushi chef ever. He let us know what was the freshest, the off menu cuts, and even made two new experimental rolls he'd been working on. Sushi test subject??, sign my ass up!!!!! We had so many cuts of sashimi, nigiri, and rolls till we had so be rolled out like sumo wrestlers. Not to mention the sake and Sapporo was flowing down my gullet. So we came back the next night, sat right in front of "slevin" and did it all over again. Yes, gluttony at its core. Found even more tasty new creations. The owners whom are very involved took notice we were back, I gushed on how amazing they are and he went in the kitchen and personally prepared us baked miso black cod. So good and kind of him. He oversees the food coming out of the kitchen and the three sushi chefs. His wife is the hostess and helps with drinks at the sushi bar. So at this point you think I'm done right? Heck no, I come back the next day with my brother, his wife and three kids and they bring my son that they'd been babysitting for a few days. We all pig out together, I ordered for everyone all our favorites from the last previous two nights. sadly not at the sushi bar since there was eight of us and no beers or sake since it was lunch and we had the kids. The owner brought us miso black cod again and spent a lot of time visiting with us. Such a nice guy and awesome that they take the time to get in multiple orders a week if fresh seasonal correct fish from Japan on top of all the other common fish you find at every other sushi joint. I actually hope to retire in Galveston one day and I hope they are still around then. Highly recommended. My pictures did not tag with the review. But they are there, and they will make you hungry if you know much about sushi.