About - Akaoni
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Amenities and More
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Wine
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Trendy
Top Reviews
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Chef has more talent and procures even higher quality ingredients than multiple Michelin star sushi restaurants in Japan. This place truly may be one of the best sushi restaurants in the country. It is an honor to be able to dine here. My friend and I have traveled japan multiple times and still we find unique local fish that chefs are happy to serve us as tourists that Chef Yamada has already served us in Carmel. If you see bad reviews it is because people either do not like actual sushi or are upset they could not eat here and are not real reviews.
Akaoni is one of my favorite restaurants and serves the best sushi that I've had in California. We personally make trips to Carmel-by-the-sea just to eat here, so if you are a sushi aficionado, I genuinely think you should try squeezing in a visit. One time, I ate here prior to a big interview, and my stress just melted away. Yes, you need a reservation to eat here because they have a limited amount of space and work to make the atmosphere peaceful and calming. I think that some folks misinterpret their directness as rudeness, but I personally feel that they are polite and provide excellent service. Our experiences here have been positive and memorable.
I spent around $300 here for one of the most romantic and memorable meals I’ve had in years. The value was absolutely fair — in fact, their prices are very reasonable for the quality they deliver. Every detail felt intentional: The fish was incredibly fresh, melt-in-your-mouth quality. The wasabi is real — not the dyed paste most places serve. The hot tea was savory and calming, and the hot sake arrived perfectly heated and smooth. The service was attentive, kind, and professional without being overbearing. This restaurant easily deserves to be in the 4.8–5.0 range, not the 4.1 it’s sitting at. Anything lower feels undeserved and misleading to future guests. If you appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality, this is the place.