Amakara Japan image

Amakara Japan

Restaurant Japanese restaurant Sushi restaurant

One of the Top rated Japanese restaurants in St. Catharines


Address

19 Geneva St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 4M3, Canada

Website

www.amakarajapan.ca

Contact

+1 905-684-0612

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (439 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Friday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Saturday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 11:30 am to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: sushi (34) service (12) fresh (12) time (10) great (10) delicious (10) Japanese (9) Amakara (9) sashimi (8) recommend (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 VP 3 years ago on Google • 66 reviews
    Best sushi in Niagara with take out service at its best. On time and very pleasing to look at. As you can see with the presentation. Ordered two party platters for an evening with the girls and the sashimi & sushi was super fresh and tasty. Thank you for the variety of sushi rolls, entrees, appetizers & sashimi you still offer on your take out menu during this pandemic. Thanks for the complimentary drinks. Looking forward to dine in service soon. 😋
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jean Bedard (. 11 months ago on Google • 187 reviews
    You can't beat the quality of their amazing sushi. Chicken karaage and shrimp tempura are great entrees with huge portions. Intimate setting. No wheelchair accessible bathroom.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Manja O. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best sushi I ever had. Fantastic authentic Japanese food 👌
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan D. 1 year ago on Google
    Been going here for 25+ years, some ups and downs over that time however, they have been fairly consistent for the last 5-10 years. This is our favourite Japanese take-out, very fresh and highly recommend. Indoor dining is very small and I’m sure is a special experience for a date night. We prefer the takeout option as we can pair it with our favourite drinks and be in a casual environment. This is not fast food so be prepared to wait after placing your order, especially during peak times. I’ve tried other local Japanese options and this is my personal favourite still (especially for sashimi). Staff is friendly and don’t forget to pay in cash for some slight savings.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 OliOli Z. 1 year ago on Google • 112 reviews
    Price is very reasonable and fair; majority of the appetizers your looking at 8-12 bucks. Miso soup was pretty salty but flavourful. Chicken Karaage was served with any sauce only a slice of lemon; I think the dipping sauce is pretty important for this dish. Salmon teriyaki was great, it was a very generous portion for 8.95. The eel teriyaki had way too much sauce, I would probably recommend asking for the teriyaki sauce on the side. The sashimi tasted pretty fresh and for 30.95 you get 20 pieces. The sushi however was a turn off…the rice was very mushy and slimy. Most of the sushi places I’ve been to the rice is pretty firm.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fernando G. 4 months ago on Google • 172 reviews
    I came to this place because my wife was craving some sushi and I checked the reviews and they were good. They have lunch options which are really good. They had soup or salad, the soup was amazing (not sure who would choose the salad but I would give it a try the next time if it's half good as soup). Got the lunch B, C and D. The B had a lot of tempura, C had suchi and nigiri, and D had only sushi. The portions are great and the service as well. Prices are reasonable and the place is small but nice. I was not amazed by the flavor but it's good. Give it a try!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gorgeiano B. 2 years ago on Google
    10/10 probaly the freshest sushi in niagara region. If you are looking for beautifully crafted sushi & sushimi this is the place.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 T L. 1 year ago on Google • 21 reviews
    Our favourite Japanese take-out restaurant in St.Catharines. Always fresh and very delicious ! Love the sushi pizza with BBQ salmon! These pictures are from next day and food is still amazing!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Seb T. 6 months ago on Google • 81 reviews
    First time at Amakara, stopped for takeout to bring at my hotel nearby. Restaurant was full, very nice ambiance. Staff were very kind and proactive even tough they were clearly in a rush. Waited a fair 20 minutes since some maki were deep fried. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented and very tasteful. Will go back when in the area.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mike 6 years ago on Google
    Easily the best authentic Japanese food around. The sashimi is always fresh and their noodles are delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is great. I highly recommend this place!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kyle R. 2 years ago on Google
    I've been a few times for lunch and ordered off the lunch menu. Food has always been great and seem high quality. Staff are pleasant and prices are good. Small restaurant on the inside, but we have always just ordered take out. I highly recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Holly De B. 2 years ago on Google
    Amakara, Japanese restaurant never disappoints!! Food is always excellent!!! We’ve done large take out orders for two years now and always fresh and delicious. Love sushi, sashimi and tempura done authentically??? You must visit!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Savage D. 2 years ago on Google
    Good food, yummy yummy 64 peice sushi tray is the way to go
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Watts K. 2 years ago on Google
    I've been visiting Amakara since before it was call Amakara. They started on James St. as Iseya. We will never forget James the long time owner, now retired. We are quite pleased that with the change in ownership the food quality remained. Has always been the best in Niagara!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin W. 1 year ago on Google
    wow, I did not expect to be so impressed by sushi in the niagara region, but this place is really great. I ordered a chirashi bowl and a teriyaki beef dinner and they were both incredible! I drove from niagara falls cause i was not enjoying the food there, and it was 100% worth the drive. Their high rating is completely deserved. Being from out of province I was a little surprised by it's location, but don't let that deter you from ordering from here.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lara O. 2 years ago on Google
    BEST. SUSHI. EVER. I no longer live in St. Catharines, but always make the time to drive about an hour (from Mississauga) whenever I crave their sushi. It never disappoints!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ivy 9 months ago on Google
    By far the best sushi i’ve had in Niagara, if not southern Ontario. I’m incredibly impressed and will be back again. The dragon roll was unlike any i’ve had. Ditch WIND AYCE and come here instead. It’s well worth it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jackie C. 2 years ago on Google
    Reasonably priced sushi with lots of options. Sushi was fresh but not overly flavourful Was better the next day I feel !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cormier H. 2 years ago on Google
    During these unprecedented times of the pandemic, it was a joy to get a bounty of take out sushi to enjoy. The food was beautifully presented. It was fresh and tasted great. Since we don't live close by, we made our order big enough to enjoy over two days - and things were still wonderful on the second day.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sean-Eric W. 9 months ago on Google
    Best sushi in the city in my opinion. Spectacular quality, excellent and attentive service. Love the small and cozy atmosphere. Excellent place to eat in and take out from… worth the hunt for a nearby parking space!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 warren b. 2 years ago on Google
    The greatest Japanese food in town. The sushi pizza and salmon crispy rolls are consistently fresh and very tasty. The environment is warm and inviting, and the service is top-notch. This is a fantastic restaurant that I wholeheartedly suggest. If I could give it 6 stars I would!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gavin P. 10 months ago on Google • 62 reviews
    Done in or takeout, Amakara is the king of a Japanese food in Niagara. I have never been disappointed...ok...well maybe a little when I'm finished eating and don't have anymore delicious food left 🤤. I highly recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nathan B. 3 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    Easily the best sushi I’ve ever had, I highly recommend getting one of their combos. With the combo, you pretty much don’t stop eating as they bring out items at the perfect pace until the main dish arrives.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Slavic B. 3 months ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Been ordering out for about 15 years from here. Usually large orders. Rarely any mix ups. Odd time sometimes lose, sometimes gain. The only time I don't get to do an order, is when its too busy to get an order in. Mainly for waiting too late. Great service, portions and price otherwise. My go-to sushi place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jackson P. 1 year ago on Google
    Been coming here for years, wonderful dishes that range from fresh sashimi to delicious plant-based rolls. Kind service and great portion sizes, the yam tempura rolls and chicken katsu are my favorites. I absolutely recommend Amakara to all my friends and coworkers who are looking for a family run, authentic and wonderfully tasty sushi experience!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Celeste A. 1 year ago on Google
    Honestly I have probably driven past this place many times as it is a remodeled house. Park on St Paul's as parking is limited. Loved the interior. The service was great. The gal was attentive and happily answered questions. Food was delicious.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Sam I. 1 year ago on Google
    I love sushi and stopped here while passing through st Catharines. I had pretty high hopes for this place given tha ratings but wasn't impressed with the food at all. The presentation looked very nice but the food itself was just bland. The rice was so plain and the variety of Maki rolls I had were flavorless and absolutely needed to be drowned in soy sauce to be eaten. The quality was good but the flavor profiles were completely bland on everything from the salad to the rolls. I think this place got good ratings from people who haven't had good sushi before. Pretty food but boring taste.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexis M. 1 year ago on Google
    I wish I'd remembered to take photos, but we ate everything too quickly. This is the best sushi in town. I thought I'd been everywhere until now. Everything tasted perfect and the atmosphere couldn't have been better.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cammy S. 1 year ago on Google
    Used to went their for lunch or dinner when I travel to the niagara region. The food is authentic and delicious. I like the spicy scallop roll and also Amakara steak on the grill. I believe they used to own by Japanese owner but switched.a few years ago.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom W. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to eat! Not a lot of seats so it’s super intimate, great place to go for a date, I really enjoyed my dinner, definitely going back
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maya S. 10 months ago on Google
    Out of all the sushi places in St. Catharines, Amakara is definitely a top contender. The atmosphere is warm and hospitable with delightful service. The sushi is beyond delicious and reasonably priced. I would recommend getting the 50 piece sushi + sashimi boat for a group of 4 as it is well portioned. The parking lot beside the restaurant is usually full, so be prepared to park on the street.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachel F. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing service. Called on a random Tuesday night and my service was fast freah and delicious. I order the T3, miso soup, avo & yam rolls and it was delicious. More than I could eat in one sitting. They were very friendly and reasonably priced too. I hope to go again soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jen M. 1 year ago on Google
    Place was hard to locate since the sign just says 'Japanese Restaurant.' God bless Google maps 😄 Got takeout for lunch today - combo A, the beef teriyaki. Came with sticky rice, a piece of broccoli, piece of veg tempura, tofu and bean sprouts, 8 piece salmon sushi, salad and miso soup, all for only $22.50! Was my lunch and dinner! My first time trying tofu, lol not a fan. But everything else was amazing! Beef tender, sushi fresh, and the salad was chopped up like how I like it, with an awesome dressing! Lived here in st Cath all my life but never tried it. Will be back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krista I. 2 years ago on Google
    The best sushi in town. Fresh! Authentic! Great value!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Larissa P. 1 year ago on Google • 1 review
    Amakara Japan is probably the best sushi restaurant I've been to in a long time. The location is really small and cozy. I ordered the rainbow roll and it was presented really well. It was super tasty. I also loved the mochi ice cream. The staff was really friendly too. I'm definitely coming back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


Call +1 905-684-0612 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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