Rio of Japan

4.3
319 reviews

About

Japanese Restaurant

Location

Rio of Japan
257 Central Ave, Metuchen, NJ
08840, United States

Hours

Reviews

4.3
319 reviews
5 stars
216
4 stars
46
3 stars
20
2 stars
16
1 star
21

What are people saying?

AI-generated from recent customer reviews

Food Quality

Customers had mixed experiences with the food, with some praising the freshness and creativity of the sushi, while others reported bland or subpar dishes.

Service Issues

Several reviews highlighted slow service and long wait times for food, with some customers expressing frustration over disorganization.

Atmosphere

The restaurant is described as cozy and charming, with a pleasant ambiance, although some noted that it can feel empty during peak hours.

Staff Attentiveness

Many customers appreciated the friendly and attentive service from staff, particularly mentioning individual servers by name.

Value for Money

Some diners felt that the prices were high relative to the quality of food and service received, leading to mixed feelings about overall value.
  • CB
    Cute baby Boog
    Nov 4, 2025
    1.0
    Closed when stated 10pm
  • SC
    S C
    Oct 28, 2025
    5.0
    OUTSTANDING 😊 The food here is so delicious, Infusion of sushi, and Italian and absolutely delicious. A must try, you have to come and see and eat to believe.
  • MA
    Michele Armetta
    Oct 28, 2025
    5.0
    Charming little place on Central. They just added Italian, yes, Italian dishes to their menu. Creative idea for a sushi joint. Cozy atmosphere, warm, welcoming staff, with something on the menu for everyone! BYOB and come visit this cool restaurant!
  • JM
    John Marmolejos
    Oct 4, 2025
    2.0
    Unacceptable Service and Subpar Food: An Empty Friday Night Tells the Story!! I absolutely hate leaving bad reviews, but I have a solemn duty to warn the public: AVOID THIS PLACE! We had the misfortune of visiting this small, deceptively "elegant" restaurant, hoping for a culinary experience after being blown away by the rice at an authentic Japanese place out of state. Instead, we found a confused, overpriced disaster. Trying to take a chance off the beaten path was a colossal mistake. Our server, bless their heart, let slip that this place is some kind of ridiculous fusion of cuisines—Japanese influence with Spanish roots. A warning sign we should have heeded! We foolishly made reservations, assuming a small Metuchen spot would be packed at 6:30 PM on a Friday. Were we met with a lively, celebratory crowd? No! We were greeted by an EMPTY dining room—a ghost town! The server was friendly enough, answering all our questions while my wife and I waited for our daughters, savoring the only good thing that touched our table: a decent aperitif. But then, the absolute collapse of service began! They didn't just drop the ball; they spiked it into the dirt and walked away. We waited a torturous 45 minutes for our food, only for it to arrive staggered like a pathetic parade! A full 15-minute gap between the first and last plate—an entire hour to get our mediocre meal! And the food itself? Subpar is generous! The so-called Japanese rice was utterly bland—a tasteless insult! We had to drown it in soy sauce just to introduce the faintest hint of flavor! Then came the final, infuriating blow: the check. A party of four at this forgettable, empty, and poorly run establishment cost us almost $300! Three hundred dollars for a meal that tasted like despair and took an eternity to serve! The fact that only five tables were occupied the whole night speaks volumes. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! This bland, disorganized, and ridiculously overpriced restaurant should be avoided at all costs. Go to Hatch 44 instead! They actually know how to run a kitchen!
  • YK
    Yelena Korkmazsky
    Oct 1, 2025
    1.0
    Just horrible place for sushi , horrible

Frequently Asked Questions About Rio of Japan

What are the general opening hours of Rio of Japan?

Rio of Japan is open daily from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, except on Saturdays when it closes at 10:00 PM.

When does Rio of Japan offer delivery services?

Delivery is available every day from 11:30 AM to 8:20 PM.