KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar in Cheltenham

I buy volcano sushi every fortnight and I've never regretted it.

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at KIBOU yesterday and it was amazing. The service was warm and friendly, and the food was incredible—fresh sushi, flavorful ramen, and tasty cocktails. The cozy atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a special night out. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great Japanese cuisine and a memorable dining experience!

Great food and atmosphere, nice cocktails! The staff are lovely :)

Visited after a trip to the cinema. The décor is well thought out and gives a lovely feel. The service was quick and friendly. The sushi was excellent and the puddings Miso ice cream, sesame tiramisu and apple gyoza were very different but a good one. Will definitely visit again.

Outstanding food and excellent service. Instead of ordering mains, we ordered lots of smaller plates and it was great! Loved the decor!

Wonderful location, great food, lovely people!

Wow. Before you've even eaten the decor is gorgeous. I would have liked the staff in matching tunics or something Japanese themed to match. But it's about the food and that there is no fault. Absolutely delicious. We had a lot of dishes between six of us and I recommend anything as it was all very tasty

Really enjoyed the food here and the cocktails. Treated ourselves to a 3 course meal the teriyaki steak was delicious. Have deducted stats as when we got seated no mention of a time limit. We had just finished our mains when we where told they needed the table back. On top of this added a 10% service charge i only noted after feeling rushed. Perfect cocktails, delicious food but maybe warn people about time limits as other have commented. This was Saturday at 5pm ish we ended up leaving just after 1 hour so not unreasonably slow eating.

Great food, great service and great atmosphere. I ordered the chashu ramen and a few other things and I must say the food was excellent and service was on point. Getting served very quickly and in a very friendly way.

This was perfect. Beats Waga’s by a mile.

Food is amazing proven by regular visits. Service could be improved, not in terms of their conduct, but their lack of availability when ordering, etc. Drinks are nice and well worth exploring their cocktails.

Booked a table for 7:15 on 19th October 2024; The restaurant is gorgeous, cherry blossom vines on the ceiling, even the ladies toilets were pretty. Service was spot on, workers all very polite and attentive. Food was lovely, had a chicken katsu curry and some prawn toast Drink of choice was a cucumber saleswoman and I really liked it Would recommend this restaurant 😊

Very high quality sushi prepared properly. No fridge cold fish here. Friendly service too.

Wow, what a lovely experience. We went to a matinee at the Everyman Theatre and stopped here for a bottle of wine and some sharing dishes. The staff were fantastic, it was a joy listening to the chefs laugh and totally enjoy their job. The food was outstanding and reasonably priced. There were only a few seated so the food came out quickly, but we didn’t mind as had to catch a train. If you want to slow it down you can. First time here but won’t be the last!

Decoration: beautiful traditional Japanese style, blossom trees indoors and wonderful relaxing lighting Server: Angelo, very polite, attentive, showed a very high attention to detail throughout our order and made the effort to repeat it back to us, made sure our drinks were always refilled and could not do enough to ensure us and other guests wanted for nothing during our visit, he is a credit to Kibou. Complementary wasabi peas. Variety of food: excellent, lots of sushi, bao buns and also offer seared Wagyu steak. good choice of drinks, they serve cocktails too. Chicken karaga- nice presentation, comes with a chipotle mayo, crispy succulent tender chicken with a mild heat, comes with a side of lemon to enhance the flavour. Pork gyoza- delicious little parcels full of flavour, comes with a side of sesame and soy for dipping purposes. Chicken and duck bao buns: beautiful flavour and perfectly fluffy bao buns, the filling of each was very generous and both were wonderful. Ribeye nigiri: this dish is raw, I had never tried this before but it did not disappoint! Seared Wagyu: my absolute favourite dish, lightly seared, and tastes wonderful! Extremely tender, it melts in your mouth, I would happily just eat this for the rest of my life. Chicken teriyaki bowl: flavoursome, filling, and fantastic, it is quite a large dish but it’s presentation and taste is exquisite. Wasabi: many restaurants use horseradish and green food colouring but kibou use authentic wasabi.

We had a lovely evening for my wife's birthday meal before the theatre. The the front of house manager greeted us pleasantly, wishing her a happy birthday before the barman made her a lovely cocktail. The food waiter was very attentive and helpful. We went for the premium sharing sushi dish with some bao buns and everything was very tasty. The suprise of the night was the little dessert she got with a sparkler. Overall couldn't fault the experience, a special evening.

We decided to order a variety of dishes to take away. It was a quiet weekday night so it didn’t take them too long to prepare. The food is excellent and we really enjoyed it. Taken a star off for the unfriendly service we received when the food was brought to us and they just seemed to be disinterested. I assume that takeaway is probably not a preferred option so will try eating in the restaurant in future.

Great food and service, can’t fault this place at all! 10/10

Great food and excellent service

Visited last Saturday with my mum and sister as a late birthday celebration for my mum. Everything about the experience was perfect. The food, the staff, the atmosphere, the decor. Absolutely amazing. It was also my first evening out after having my baby 7 months ago so thank you for giving us a wonderful evening!

The baobun was delicious and the apple gyoza. We tried the sushi as well and it was very good. More than 5 stars!

The location is good, the decor is beautiful, there are many tables and comfortable seats. The service is great and fast, as is the way the food and meals are prepared. However, the prices are somewhat expensive.

Lovely food but save up it's pricey

Wide range of amazing quality food, very friendly staff and great service.

Never had a bad experience here, the staff are so friendly and the food is delicious!

Expensive but worth every mouthful.

Great to see the place improve. KIBOU has been around chelt for a while. Once upon a time it was in the basement of a building not far from where it is now. It then moved to their current location admittedly it had a bit of a shakey start but now they've seemed to have found their feet again, serving great quality Japanese food will be happy if they can maintain their current standards. Favourites of mine are the dynamite roll and tuna poke bowl.

Well worth the trip. Absolutely amazing.

Amazing restaurant. Came here for my birthday. Good food. Sushi, ramen and everything in between

Best sushi in Gloucestershire. But service not always that fast)

The food was decent, atmosphere is lively and service was prompt.

Friendly and knowledgeable waiter looked after us very well. Delicious food. We will be going back again!

Rushed off of table while my pregnant wife was in the toilet. No mention at the time of walk in that the table had a time limit and was made to feel incredibly awkward and not appreciated for my custom. We were considering ordering more but being forced off of the table upset both of us. Ordered the Okonomiyaki special which was nothing like traditional okonomiyaki. The base was almost like a pizza crust. Overall our worst experience here. We liked coming here regularly but this left a really bad impression and will likely not come back.

The nigiri and sashimi were very fresh and the drinks were tasty.

We’ve been coming here on and off over the years and it is reliably good. Sushi is exceptional. A must try if you are in the area.

First time visiting and it was amazing. Service was fantastic from the get go and the food was impeccable. All dietary requirements were taken seriously and staff were very considerate. Can’t wait to eat here again 😋

Lovely place to go for something to eat or a cocktail. Food was delicious

I have been to Kibou many times, starting when it was the small restaurant in the basement! It has grown a lot since then, and I still love going to the restaurant. The inside is beautifully decorated, especially in the street food section with the Japanese booths. The staff are always very friendly and helpful. The food is DELICIOUS! Our favourite is always volcano roll, though the prices now make this very expensive! Though we also love the hosomaki and uramaki - so so fresh and tasty. The tempura prawns are wonderful (though we really miss the dynamite prawns that have gone from the menu) and the lovely cucumber salad. We always come here for special occasions!

Good atmosphere and prompt service, sushi not too pricey, and delish ramen, miso etc for those not so keen on sushi . Would Def go again.

Great food, best Japanese Restaurant ever.

Lovely anniversary meal; staff were great!

Kibou is probably the best sushi in Cheltenham and one of the best dining experiences. The restaurant is well decorated and it has lovely staff. Food is absolutely fantastic, lots of options for all dietary requirements and even some dishes suitable for fussy eaters too. Food does come out as it's made so don't expect it all to come at once.

Magnificent restaurant with superb decor. Served with friendly grace by Paolo! A great time in Cheltenham!

Overall the place is lovely to go and eat however, when we went we asked to sit outside because it was a lovely day but it seemed to be a problem to the lady who served us as she didn’t want other people asking to sit outside when they saw that we were? Her attitude was as if she couldn’t be asked to walk a couple extra feet just to serve us. Also When we were eating our food we saw the bartender get his tobacco out and started rolling a cigarette with a filter in his mouth while working behind the bar, thought this was really out of order. So overall food is very nice but service isn’t brilliant.

We visit Kibou often. Over the years its the only restaurant which consistently delivers high quality food.

I cannot thank Kibou Cheltenham enough for how amazing they made our night! I booked their private dining space for my Husbands 30th birthday but when we arrived it turned out I hadn't completed the booking and it hadn't gone through. The team there were so accommodating and sorted our party of ten out so efficiently and stress free. And thankfully the private dining space was still available that night, so we got to have what I originally planned for him. The service was efficient, speedy and entertaining. And the food, my god the food. Collectively we all ordered lots and it all came out in good time and together. Thank you so much for making the start of my Husband's 30th celebrations so great!

Servers here are fantastic- warm and very attentive- had an error with our order and they were very apologetic. Brought over children’s chopsticks for our baby too! Food was delicious- the volcano roll was fresh and great to share and the agedashi tofu was very well balanced in flavour. Have struggled to find good Japanese food in the UK and would be back if staying in Cheltenham longer.

We popped in to have lunch. Ended up having drinks only and left as the service was terribly slow. We are people who appreciate food and resturants but this just didn't represent good value as a result of the service. We didnt get to try the food!

Very good food, especially the pork ramen and prawn sandwich.

Booooooom. Super tasty Japanese food both traditional and fusion. A must visit in Cheltenham. I used to come here every time my wife used to have a scan before my daughter was born. Although my marriage hasn't aged well, like my daughter KIBOU is perfect.

Amazing place with fantastic staff, fast service, reasonably priced and gorgeous food. We end up coming here so often, and crave it when we go somewhere else. Great options for veggies too and the location is lovely. Would highly recommend.

Lovely food and charming, attentive service.

Incredible traditional food and beer. The service was amazing and quick but with plenty of time between courses. Cant recommend Kibou enough.

Awesome place to eat and relax!

Love this place. The food is amazing.

Me and my sisters went there and can only have halal food. Michelle, one of the employees was absolutely amazing. She found out every item off the menu that we could have and helped us through the way making sure certain items don’t have alcohol. Couldn’t have been more pleased with the service!

I've been to other Kibou and I love the consistency throughout each location. Food was delicious and well presented. The decor and atmosphere is great.

The staff are extremely pleasant and helpful. There is even a Japanese staff who speaks native Japanese with us. Food is amazing. My niece and I both love this restaurant. Will visit again.

Amazing food and experience for all my family. Staff is lovely 🌹

Our table was in a pit which was a bit awkward to get in and out of. Seats were like a bench so no back rest. Starters did not come out together and mains were served whilst 2 people had only just started their starters. Food was mainly very nice although teriyaki chicken was chargrilled which 1 of our party said tasted bitter and burnt in places. Poke chicken bowl was delicious and fresh. Food felt rushed.

Pricey, but great! The food was great for sure ! The interior is amazing! Took a while, though, for the lady to come and take the payment.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kibou Japanese Kitchen and Bar in Cheltenham, you can access it from the street or the mall. I think it was an exceptional experience in a beautiful space. The ambiance is a blend of modern and traditional Japanese aesthetics, and you can hit pause on your day and create a serene moment in an inviting atmosphere. We started our meal with the Miso Soup, which was wonderfully warm and comforting, it was a good quality Miso and set the tone for the dishes to follow. Next, we enjoyed the Duck Tacos. These were a delightful surprise, featuring succulent duck, rice and cucumber encased in crisp, fresh shells made from fried gyoza wrappers, they were simple and tasty. The small Tuna Sashimi Platter was another simply prepared and presented dish, and the quality of the tuna was good. The Soft Shell Crab Spider Roll I liked, and if like me you like soft shell crab, you will dig it. For drinks, we sampled some off their special cocktails, the whiskey-based “Winter Olympics in June,” which was nice, I didn’t think too much about the connection between the drink and the name, but it had a warming, well considered flavour profile. The “Miyanamori Hat Trick” was an alcohol-free option, it was sweet and almost cordial-like but I enjoyed it. The staff at Kibou were efficient and incredibly helpful, and enhanced our dining experience with their friendly and attentive service. I would highly recommend visiting Kibou Japanese Kitchen and Bar for a pleasant meal in a lovely environment and look forward to going back myself soon.

While I was a bit hesitant that this place was attached to the mall, I was very pleasantly surprised by its lovely atmosphere, polite and attentive staff, and of course it's delicious food. Thoroughly enjoyed the fresh sushi options they had. Good quality rice and fresh fish made both the rolls and nigiri very tasty. Definitely recommend visiting this place if you have the chance!

I am still sitting here, digesting the food ever so slowly. It was exquisite and the help, service from and courteousness of our waiter from the Phillipines was impeccable. If any of my kindred visit Cheltenham in the future, I will recommend Kibou without reservation.

Very nice restaurant, we sat outside and had a very delicious meal. Service was good en friendly.

We walked in without making a reservation and were lucky to be seated for dinner. The atmosphere was pleasant, the staff was polite, and the service was fast. The food was excellent, and as a matcha lover, the matcha creme brulee is a must-have dessert.

We were there for a sushi making class but there was unfortunately a mix up, but the staff were lovely and apologetic, and we had a meal instead, so it was a happy accident. It was delicious, decent sushi is so hard to come by and we were not disappointed. Would return happily whenever we fancy a Japanese meal.

Food is amazing, really high quality and fresh. Cocktails are nice. The restaurant is gorgeous and the staff are really nice. The music is a weird choice though, when I went it was a mix of 00s pop hits. Bit weird to eat wagyu sushi to Smash Mouth - All Star

I visited yesterday with my brother and sister in law as a surprise for my birthday. The experience was wonderful, the staff, the food was fantastic, the service was faultless , the cocktails were the best I have tasted in a very long time. A very special mention for Arlene who took care of us for the day and brought out a delicious cake with a sparkler for my birthday and took photos and was just an absolute delight. Thank you Arlene for making the surprise even more lovely!

This place is amazing! Excellent food, great service top vibes.

Really nice restaurant, decor is beautiful and the staff are polite and friendly. I had the salmon platter and nigiri 7. The food was excellent.

Amazing Japanese food, the sushi rice just melts in your mouth. Amazing, The service is fast and they are nice.

Lovely place. Great atmosphere, great food… when it came. Inattentive service. They forgot my order first try. I would have ordered more sushi courses but they didn’t bother to ask. Never mind.

My partner and I went for dinner here last night for our anniversary and we absolutely loved it! Paulo, who served us, was so lovely and welcoming and he answered any questions we may have. He was great! He even bought out a desert for our occasion which we did not expect! The food was impeccable and the restaurant itself was beautiful too. All the staff that we encountered were also very lovely and friendly which made the overall experience even better. Definitely would return again and not just because of the delicious food but also because of the great service that we received. Thank you!

Place is packed during dinner hours. Remember to book your table in advance. Restaurant is split into bar and dining. Food was great. Portion was reasonable. Sashimi was fresh and came with great selection. Service was good as well. Overall it was a good experience and nice little Friday night dinner. They even give out some wasabi peas for free to nibble while waiting for our food!

Walked past pretty exterior and Japanese like fine food so probably good food too

Great service, food was excellent

Kibou was a delight as always. The soft shell crab and eel nigiri was my stand outs, absolutely delicious and the tokujo moriawase platter was amazing. Staff and atmosphere lovely as always. 100% recommend.

It’s been already more than three times that my husband and I visit as we see there are loads of empty tables, but they don’t let us in because they say it’s ‘full’. It appears they only accept reservations even if they have space available? It’s very frustrating to have this situation in such a small town

Great food, lots of choice and staff are very helpful.

Went with the family for birthday celebration, food and service was amazing, throughly enjoyed our time and would recommend! Had some small plates, Ramen and desert - everything I had was delicious, including the cocktails. Arlene our server was a great host, friendly and went the extra mile - thank you Kibou Cheltenham

Went to the sushi making event and Nathan was brilliant, we had loads of fun and the food was great!

A great place to meet family and friends to celebrate a birthday. Very positive and helpful service. The waiter was happy to give advice on food. There is a two-story parking lot nearby. I recommend it to everyone interested in Japanese cuisine.

One of my favourite places to go out and eat. We brought so many friends and family there. Unfortunately till now. I have sent the email to book the table for 13 people friday morning for Sunday evening. No response. Called them Saturday evening and explained what i would like. The lady on the phone told me that friday she couldn't reply because it is their the busiest day. And she cant reply now (30 hours later) as they are in the middle of service. She will reply on Sunday morning. Well, it is 11.27 - no answer. Thank You for excellent customer service. I can see you do honestly care. If this would be an independent family business, the attitude would be definitely different.

Had an amazing meal here. The food was exceptional, the staff were on another level, and we were made to feel very welcome. Can't recommend the place enough and very much looking forward to coming back next year!

The food is as amazing as usual!! I always eat here when I'm near by! Love small mini Japan in the UK 🥰

We celebrated my boyfriend's birthday and they had a great detail with him. The food is exquisite, quality and price excellent and I recommend it for all occasions. they are wonderful

Consistently great in every way 🍣

Excellent! For some reason I was expecting portion size of Larger meals to be smaller, but I was pleasantly surprised!

The food and drinks were amazing - I got the aloe sake drink and it was so fresh and tasty, apart from the great food and beautiful ambiance Angelo’s service was superb and he was so friendly and attentive. Definitely sent our overall experience over the top

At 9:05PM the hostess would not seat me stating that “it is a little late, we close the kitchen at 9PM”. This was done in a dour and curt manner. I cannot rate the food since I wasn’t allowed to eat, despite the fact that the stated closing time of the restaurant is 11PM.

Food was excellent and very fresh, atmosphere was ok, would imagine it would have been better later in the evening, or not lunchtime on a Sunday.

We visit Kibou Cheltenham regularly, we absolutely love the food, and in our opinion the cocktails are the best in Cheltenham. Unfortunately on our last two visits the service has not been good from a couple of staff members. For example, on both of our last two visits we have had to search for members of staff to ask for menus, for additional drinks, for more water for the table (after a previous request was forgotten - both visits), small details, but they do matter at the price point of Kibou. Will it stop us visiting Kibou? No. The food and drinks are excellent, but we will refuse the service charge next time if the service doesn't return to the previously higher standards.

A nice place with friendly accommodating staff and fantastic sushi. Much bigger than the old place but the music wasn't right, all a bit random and didn't match the surroundings, could do with some karaoke there to liven it up! Thanks

Wonderful Service from Lara, great advice giver, so welcoming and attentive! Food was amazing we enjoyed everything we ate, would definitely recommend and we will gladly come again 🤍

Beautiful restaurant, friendly service and the food was delicious. Atmosphere and decor is excellent.

Magnificent from start to finish. Relaxing environment, well designed and finely decorated. The food was delicious and the sake cocktails really hit the spot! A must visit

Served my vegan sister a dish with bone in it last time she went

Beautiful restaurant great service and excellent food.

We visited kibou Monday evening to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. It was a really beautiful choice the atmosphere was so nice and we loved the décor, everyone looked after us brilliantly and we were even offered some free prosecco in the very cosy lounge area to help us celebrate after our meal. The food was presented beautifully and tasted as amazing as we expected, we didn't catch our server's name but a big thank you to her for making our night extra special. I highly recommend this place!