Nobu San Diego

Reviews

• CC

  Char

  6 days ago
  5.0
  The atmosphere at Nobu was very welcoming, trendy, and set off by great music. It had an upbeat but still relaxed energy that made the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable. The space felt stylish without being stiff, which made it a great spot for a date night. They had plenty of options I could make vegan, and the staff was happy to swap tofu in place of fish. The chili charred veggie and the yellowtail dish with tofu were both excellent and full of flavor. The drink selection was strong and well curated too. Between the food, music, atmosphere, and service, this is definitely a place I would come back to.
• SL

  Sun Lee

  Dec 30, 2025
  2.0
  Came by for a quick bite. Their basic sushi were small and the dish didn’t taste like top grade sushi compared to other Nobu I’ve been to before. This rendition of the crispy tuna rice cake was uber bizarre Seems like it is only busy when there are conferences.
• BB

  Benny

  Dec 4, 2025
  3.0
  My wife and I recently dined at Nobu to celebrate her birthday, an experience I had eagerly anticipated and saved for over a long time, given the restaurant's global reputation. I finally had the chance to invest in a night that I hoped would be memorable and reflective of its "celebrity status." Unfortunately, the reality was a profound disappointment that left us feeling rushed and frankly, cheated out of a special evening. ​The quality of the food itself was undeniably good. The signature dishes were executed beautifully, and there are no complaints regarding the talent in the kitchen. ​However, the entire experience was completely overshadowed by what felt like an aggressively understaffed and chaotic front-of-house operation. From the moment we sat down, we felt like we were participating in a high-priced, high-speed turnover contest. Our server was nowhere to be found when we needed them, but appeared with alarming speed to clear plates or push the next course the moment we finished a bite. ​It was impossible to feel relaxed or enjoy the moment. For a special occasion, the service should enhance the meal; here, it actively ruined it. ​The final bill surpassed the $300 mark, and the overwhelming feeling was one of deception. The hype, the exclusivity, and the celebrity status of the name do not translate into a high-quality dining experience. It’s a machine designed for maximum throughput, not personalized service or luxury. ​I waited years to be able to afford this evening, and to have it tarnished by rushed, indifferent service is simply unacceptable. I would caution anyone against investing such a significant amount of money expecting a truly luxurious or memorable birthday celebration. The price tag is for the name, not the quality of the overall experience.
• MD

  Martin Daly

  Nov 30, 2025
  3.0
  I had been to Nobu several years ago and liked it very much. I was disappointed this time. We had a reservation and although the room was half empty - and got smaller until we were the last ones there at 9 pm - we were shown to a table under a speaker and next to the kitchen door. I asked to be moved and we were accommodated. There are speakers everywhere, however, and they were playing pop music, unbelievable in a fine-dining Japanese restaurant. Two birthday parties were under way, with singing. People were dressed as if for a football game; a guy in sweats at the adjacent table. So much for atmosphere, one of the things I had prized on my previous visit. The food was good - soup, tempura, fish, beef - not great. I expected it to be expensive and it was: about $360 for two, including two (good) cocktails and tip. It could have cost much more if the menus are anything to go by. There is an amazingly extensive drinks menu, including more Japanese choices than I have seen elsewhere. (I had arrived from Japan a few days before this meal.) Service was okay, again not great, and again inferior to the service last time. It was hard to get a waiter's attention; we had to ask for cutlery at one point, and for clean plates before another course; a request for an extra plate for sharing got a look of surprise from a waiter. I think I would probably have rated the experience higher if I had never been there before.
• FA

  Francesco Amato

  Nov 19, 2025
  3.0
  Food was delicious but servings were very small for such an expensive restaurant. The atmosphere and waiters reminded me of Chili’s and the service was just okay. Disappointed overall for spending over $300 as we expected a first class fine dining experience. Had to stop at McDonald’s on the way back to our hotel as we left hungry… not good! Better to spend your dining out money at someplace better.

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