Sakura in Portsmouth

The decoration and the way the restaurant is organised works wonderfully. We were put in a two person booth-ish area, but it was very cute and nice. We had a range of nigiri and maki, and the “spider maki” (soft shell crab maki) was my favourite. We also got the tempura prawns, chilli and chicken stir fry udon and the tempura ice cream. Also, the waiters were very kind and helpful. My partner wanted to try some sake, and the one the waitress recommended was beautiful. So so good, will come again!

such an incredible place, food was so delicious and the service was lovely, made the night so special, can’t recommend enough

Had a lovely anniversary meal, the atmosphere was great, there is privacy without being secluded from the atmosphere, food was really quick and very tasty, we were surprised with icecream and candles, would definitely return! Photos of: 1. Sakura roll 2. Volcano roll 3. Seafood Yaki Soba

Favourite Japanese in Southsea. Great meal every time 😋

Ordered delivery from here for the first time this evening and will definitely order again and recommend. The salmon Don Buri was delicious. The salmon itself was incredibly fresh and tasty, the rice was good, the miso soup was good, and the spicy edemame was also really good. Thank you for a delicious meal!

Delicious food. Generous portions. Lots of menu options. Service efficient & courteous.

The highlight was cosy seating. Delicious food served in ample portions along with tasty sauces. A variety of beverages available and a plentiful menu to choose from. When paying the bill our server crunched the digits on a calculator which added to the experience.

I really enjoy going to this place, The food is so good and the staff are very friendly, my go to food is the spicy ramen 🍜 I could do with being spicier but you can always add more chilies and the portions are very good. Can't wait for my next trip to Portsmouth

Really impressed with Sakura, the prices gave gone up a bit from my last visit; but more importantly, the food was superb. The sashimi just melted in my mouth, perfect. A table of 8 all enjoyed the food Worth a visit if you want good Asian food

Have visited Sakura many times and the food is always great and so is the service and atmosphere

Food was absolutely amazing, authentic and fresh, the atmosphere was super cosy and the staff were really attentive and lovely, I can’t fault it and I’m excited for my next visit:)

This place is cracking. The little booths everyone’s goes in is such a fun touch. I had Beef Ramen, would recommend! Mrs got a bunch of little bits and sushi which was super tasty. Defo recommend a bunch of small plates to share. The veggie Gyoza and Edamame were a total highlight. 8/10

Great private booths and really nice food.

Incredible food. Very authentic. Fair priced with large portion sizes. Great service too.

This is, by far, my favorite place to go. It's a delightful atmosphere, the food is SPECTACULAR.

Highly recommend for Japanese food.

Amazing food as always but let down by some mismanagement at the beginning. We called ahead about an hour and a half earlier to ask if we could have a table for 3 instead of the original 2 and we were told this was fine. However, when we arrived it was clear they had forgotten to alter our booking and had no room for us. They then left us standing at the front of the very small restaurant for 10 minutes before moving us to what we thought was our table. We then began to order our food and were told ‘your table is this way’ as we were apparently taking up another groups table. There was no clear communication and they could do with being more on top of this as it does ruin the experience somewhat. We were on the verge of leaving we felt it was that bad, glad we stayed as we loved the food but it is clear they sometimes clearly overbook themselves as there were several people waiting in the cramped restaurant. I they need to either restructure the booking system or ensure diners are done for when the next cover arrives, not 25 minutes after.

Food was absolutely delicious. We took prawn gyoza ramen, miso ramen, California maki and tempura rolls. Environment was super nice, very cozy. I loved that they have curtains between tables. Staff very friendly and food ready quickly! I was very full so decided to take the rest of ramen home. Definitely will be back!

Amazing food and even more amazing customer service, especially Rachel ❤️ the interior was also really beautiful! I would definitely recommend to go eat here

Really lovely intimate sushi restaurant with a good selection. Particularly liked the decor with the table partition curtains and lights. The service was brilliant; every waitress was so polite, friendly and helpful. The food itself was good but not excellent though very reasonably priced so I would return.

Food was great, atmosphere was fantastic. Staff were nice but were rushing us a little bit but thats because of the time we got there but other than that, no complaints!

Rachel & crew have always been welcoming & extremely attentive. Dont mistake staff as trying to rush you by quickly looking around the corner to check on your table; making sure table is happy & satisfied. They honestly want to please and make your experience as lovely as possible. Be kind & kindness returns :)

Did enjoy the food but not the staff or atmosphere because as soon as we sat down they wanted us eat and leave asap. Never let us breathe or enjoy the food as a family. I do not plan to go or recommend this place.

The food here is amazing, it’s a shame the staff are so short like they are in such a rush or don’t care to be cheery. I’ve been here twice now and, though I am quite familiar with japanese food, the lack of descriptions on the menu makes it hard to bring people who are unfamiliar with it, particularly older people. I will keep coming back for the food, especially the ramen, but the service and ambience need a lot of work as they kind of ruin the experience.

Food was fantastic, freshly prepared with love and passion. The people were fantastic and made the evening a brilliant night out, they even served a ice cream with a candle and sang Happy birthday for my wife which topped off the evening!

best Japanese Restaurant in the area.

Perhaps enough just to say "Excellent ', ""Worth a visit". But worth adding, that the service was quick & the food was good, not "Michelin ⭐", but as good as anywhere in UK, A great choice of Sushi and Sashimi. Crispy Ebi Prawn Tempura, great Gyoza and my favourite "Unagi Kabayaki" - Grilled freshwater eel in teriyaki sauce 😋. I would eat her every day, if I had 💰💰💰. A lovely, private atmosphere, with small booths. Very child friendly (if your children eat Japanese food) - gifted lots of sweets on departure! Thank you 🙏🏻

The food was beautifully presented and plentiful. The feedback for the restaurant is that there would be a wider choice for vegetarians and vegans if the non meat and non fish options were cooked in vegetable stock not chicken stock and if they came without fish flakes on the top. I’d go more frequently if there were more veggie choices.

Terrible Service. This is the worst Japanese restaurant in Portsmouth. The food is not authentic. The space in the restaurant is very tight.

Sakura has a very extensive menu and reasonably priced food and drinks. The service is prompt but, I felt like I was rushed in and rushed out. No sooner had I finished my drink (soft drink), out came the bill and I was rushed out the door for the next diners to come in and take the table, despite other tables being available. It felt like a conveyer belt and I really don’t like being rushed, whether that is to order food or pay the bill and leave - it’s not a nice experience to be almost eating your last mouthful of food and put the door you go. Despite this, the food is nice and the interior is good.

Wauw! Didn't expect such an amazing japanese restaurant in Portsmouth. Amazing food and ambiance.

Excellent experience. Staff were friendly, service was quick and the food was amazing. Would happily go again.

Best bar on alby road at the mo. Im playing tj Here again Friday!

Great sushi in Southsea area! Modest prices, good food quality.

Not great at all. The sushi was bland, the Ramen had a very dirty after taste and the service was rushed and impersonal. It was very over priced too.

Really disappointing dining experience…. Our food was ok but nothing special , service poor and overall experience was under whelming…. In my opinion there are far better sushi restaurants at similar prices. Will not return.

Gorgeous sushi! Beautiful ramen! Loved the decor! Always coming back to this place! The staff were lovely and soo attentive!

They served delicious and fresh sushi. Very polite and friendly waitress. Highly recommend.

I've been to Japan twice, and I always complain about how the food here in the UK is different from the food in Japan. I came to Sakura at the suggestion of one of my friends, and I can say that this place has the most authentic Japanese taste you can find in the UK (well, at least around Portsmouth). The atmosphere is fantastic, and the service is very good. I will definitely visit again.

We feel like we are in Japan. So beautifully decorated in Japanese style. The food was great. Good quality. Recommended!

Good food but POOR hospitality… Me and two friends went came for dinner last Saturday and had a pleasant time throughout the meal. Unfortunately towards the end of our meal we started experience some cold treatment. Not even fully done with our meal the waitress very swiftly tried to clear up our plates even with small portions of food in it and we had to annoying explain that we’re not done eating. It was clear that they were in a rush to close. Secondly, one of my friends was spoken quite rudely from one of the elderly Malaysian Chinese lady. My friend who is Malaysian asked politely which part of Malaysia but he got shrugged off with a harsh reply saying “Penang” (one of these areas of Malaysia). Me and my friends felt quite bad about the whole experience especially coughing up over £100 on the bill. Good food but poor hospitality.

Food was great for the price you pay, but we were rushed as soon as we got in there. Asked if we were ready to order food 5 times in 2 minutes, they've moved us to a different table with no explanation after we were already settled with drinks, they cleared my friends plate while others were still eating, overall felt very rushed. Nice place to sit in but they need to work on table side etiquette big time. Won't be eating in here again unfortunately, a very irritating meal out

Nice food but save yourself the confusion and awkwardness if you have food allergy. Menu was inconsistent (despite having symbols for what allergies it included). Shame as lovely setting.

Absolutely lovely. I live 30 miles away and this is my 5th time over two years for Sakura. Seafood Fried Rice (Gomuki Chahan) and Lava Roll were so rich and flavourful. Each bite was oozing with joy. Their Unagi has the right amount (perfect) of umami and texture. Just divine. Highly recommended!

Lovely food, I love Japanese food. Not cheap but very nice.

Tasty food, good portions, not too badly priced either. Probably would go again!

Fantastic food and service Would definitely eat here again

Always amazing. A must stop for us before a trip to France. Incredible value,wonderful tempura,,I had a scallop !!..recommend to book..

Great Sushi 🍣 and a selection of Japanese dishes, one of the best places to go in Portsmouth for this sort of food.

Excellent Japanese sushi and sashimi, reasonable pricing, we eat there every time we travel through Portsmouth, which is unfortunately just once a year. Still excellenz after 3 years :) It is usually packed so bring some time or make a reservation. We were always walk ins around 9pm never waited more than 10 min.,

Another lovely meal from Sakura, thank you - your food tastes great!

If you are in a hurry to next appointment. It's a good place, just like a fast food shop. They can make you finish a dinner in 30mins....Then they can let another group of customers to come...

Amazing food, attentive and friendly staff and brilliant place to eat! We will definitely come back!

An absolute delight for japanese fans - had a couple of visits now without a hint of a misstep. It's intimate little hanging lined spaces, the warm buzz and the beautifully presented food have been a pleasure. Excellent sake selection too, worth a call in advance for it to be chilled when appropriate

Cute little place amd very authentic restaurant. Nice little cubicle type private spaces

Haven't been since before COVID, went back tonight and it was just as amazing as I remembered. Great food, friendly staff. I had the Southsea Maki and the Kastsu Curry both great

Had the quick meal of katsu curry and rice. That sauce .... Yummm ! Amazing. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff ... Delivery driver Danna .. amazing member of staff in the team !

Best Japanese in Portsmouth in my humble opinion!

The food and service is fantastic!!!! A bit crowded and loud talkers but other than that it was amazing. Best sushi in the UK !!!

Small restaurant but the food here is incredible. It's my youngest's favourite place to eat so this was a birthday celebration for us.

Good food and nice vibes inside, very Japanese interior decor. Friendly staff and the food was lovely.

The sushi here is beyond amazing...Best I've had...would come back over n over...defo recommend if u r a sushi lover

Great date night choice, cozy and friendly environment with great food at a reasonable price.

Seems they’re bored or annoyed by customers coming-in. So don’t expect friendliness; especially from the south Asian staff member. Foods are somewhat ok.

Amazing, fresh sushi. We've been going there for years and, even though we now live outside of Portsmouth, if we fancy sushi, this is where we go, still. Both for dining in and takeaway

Sakura is always a nice experience when visiting. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and is always busy. The service is attentive. And the food is always pleasant. A good option for a meal out in Portsmouth.

Excellent. Will definitely be returning. Everything we ordered was just right and the staff were very helpful and attentive.

Good friendly service🙂the best sushi

It’s always good here, however there is some serious shrinkflation going on, the portion sizes of the sushi have 100% gotten smaller

Perfect place for sushi, food delicious and staff are friendly and attentive. Our favourite was the volcano roll.

Been here once a week every week for about a year now, consistently great food. Tried multiple options...all so so good!

Best Japanese food I’ve had, service is unmatched.

Delicious food and lovely service in a cute environment!

First time eating here — the food is a solid 10/10! So good!! We arrived at peak hours but got a seat within 2minutes

Amazing food, can never complain about the food but the service is a bit too much, with the staff constantly checking in and asking the same questions. We felt pestered and rushed to leave. We had a friend show up 20 mins late and we were asked every 3 minutes where she was, and the response was always the same. We were eating despite our friend not being there, so unsure what the problem was. It’s not a relaxed atmosphere at all which was such a shame, as I love the food. There is no organisation amongst staff as to who is going to ask certain questions. We probably had four different staff members constantly making the rounds and asking the same questions. Very irritating.

Outstanding Japanese cousin, asian pearl on the British islands. Sakura returned the faith to me into a great food experience in UK. Their ramen is one of the best I've ever tried. Even if you haven't booked a table the staff always tries to find a spare one for last minute customers.

Came here for a birthday dinner date, some of the best sushi I've had in a while, really wholesome vibes, was a bit of a squeeze but its really cosy, nice atmosphere! Definitely recommend!

Beautiful restaurant with a very intimate atmosphere, the partitions make each table feel cozy but not cramped. The best japanese food in the area; everything is delicious, and the service is wonderful. Also thought it was very sweet that they have options on the website to book for different occassions, eg. Anniversary, birthday, etc. which made it feel very personalised.

Best sushi we've had for years and staff super welcoming. What a gem!

I’m late posting this review as we came back in ‘Oct 23, but had to take the time to highly recommend Sakura. We booked whilst on a stay locally and it was one of the highlights of our trip. My boy is 10 and hugely into his Ramen. Being Autistic he can be very unadventurous but he tried and loved everything! It’s really opened him up to trying new things which is so wonderful. The way the restaurant is set out he really felt comfortable & relaxed into the evening too. The food came quickly (which again is great with kids!), was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious!! We felt very reasonably priced also. Great atmosphere and perfect service. Definitely try and book in advance as it’s not a huge space and very popular (there was a queue when we left). Can’t wait to visit again when we are in the area.

A cosy and inexpensive restaurant, with a fun but family friendly atmosphere. Perfect for birthdays or get togethers with old friends. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the food is always great quality for the price. It's open till late and the atmosphere becomes more jovial as the evening progresses.

We are absolutely in love with sushi and rolls, and Japanese cuisine in general 🙏 And Sakura is wonderful, and super tasty place for us. Easy to reach, clean and cozy. The service is amazing! Wine and bear - TOP 🫶

Very pleasant experience, the food was really lovely, went here with my sisters, had some ramen and sushi.

The food is sooooo good , we love this place so much. If i live around this area i will order it every weekend 100%

Delicious food, full of flavour. Noodles, sushi & sashimi, even the stir fried veg all comes perfectly prepared. We always go here with friends and share numerous plates and the bill always seems reasonable. Their house Pinot Grigio by the glass is also perfectly acceptable. My only gripe is that we tend not to come as a couple anymore as we always get put in the tiny side by side in the window. It’s not a couples seat, maybe a friend’s seat. It’s functional but the worst seat in the house, right next to the door and zero ambiance. You also frequently get forgotten about. For now we will just enjoy with friends, as I never want to be shoved into such a small space when paying to eat out with my husband.

After eating cold Sushi from Tesco I thought that there must be something else. I honestly couldn’t think of a better place to go. Excellent food, excellent service, tasty white wine. This place has opened my eyes up to Japanese food. Absolute perfection. The ramen is unmatched.

I’d like to say I have always really liked Sakura, and have come here regularly over the last few years and really enjoyed the food and experience. I’ve always recommended it to others. The last two visits this month though have been highly disappointing. Food quality has dipped slightly which is understandable, but worst of all the staff constantly chase you to order, then to clear the plates while some are still eating, then to rush you again to order dessert. Instead of being a relaxed Japanese restaurant, it’s taken on the feel of a fast food joint. When I say that you are rushed to order, I’m not exaggerating. Within 5 mins of sitting down we had two separate staff members asking us what we wanted to eat, and coming repeatedly till we had decided. We had ordered food and drinks within 15 mins of being in the restaurant and the staff had come over approximately 5 times! Same story with dessert. While we were eating, twice a server came to take plates from different members of our party. We were in and out within about an hour of our booking. Not what you expect when you book a restaurant! The whole experience was rushed

Great atmosphere, good menu selection of cold dishes (sushi) and hot plates (noodles and curry), fast and friendly service, love the seating areas.

Warning, you will be addicted to the food. Let me set the scene. It was a completely average evening and couldn’t decide what to eat and found Sakura on just eat. I sat and scrolled and decided to order a variety of food from miso, sushi, teriyaki beef and more. I ate here yesterday and it was delicious, so I thought let’s go again, every moment of the meal felt like a dream. I was longing for my meal again throughout the day. So here I am today, my second order arrived and as I went back to the hotel room, I nearly cried knowing I was with my meal from Sakura again. Sadly I’m relocating back up north tomorrow and won’t be back down in Portsmouth for a while. I may suffer from withdrawal symptoms as I cannot be without Sakura for a while. Please be careful as you may all be wanting more.

This is a highly rated restaurant , its food is good for Portsmouth , so in its marketplace, it deserves 5 stars for food, although not exhaustive as we only touched a few dishes . we suffered from terrible seating , even though asking for a quiet table, the seating was less than 18 inches between parties , so i managed to hear all the adventures of the local students ...although entertaining somewhat off putting , whilst trying to have a quiet evening meal . to sum up a wildly successful restaurant on rainy saturday night , food good, service as well as could be in packed restaurant , price steady. Seating terrible recommended with decent seats ,

Fantastic ramen. Excellent service. Highly recommended:

I’ve just had a terrible experience with one of the waitresses, who was moody and grumpy the whole evening- she never smiled and it all culminated when she told me off for not understanding what was written in the menu regarding mochi icecream, which was written in broken English anyway and so was not obvious- very rude.

Very great experience, verr good plum wine 🍷

Amazing restaurant. Food always delicious and quick. Our go-to for sushi, although the teriyaki and tempura veggies are just as amazing! Each booth/table feels nice and private without being a separate room. Service was excellent. Offered to move us to a warmer table in case we were cold, and gave dad free ice cream with a candle for his birthday! Dimmed the lights and sang for him and everything. Adorable, and good value for money, around £20 per head for a massive amount of food. Definitely recommend.

We felt very rushed to get in and rushed to get out , hadn't seen the menu before they were pestering us to order and just kept coming over to see if we'd finished. Waitress spilt oil/soy sauce over boyfriends jeans food was ok staff friendly but over the top ...was like a conveyer belt with people , that's all they seemed interested in, getting more people in!

It was very delicious and the atmosphere was very nice, but the staff was too nervous towards the customers, regarding to my opinion so bussy but might be fine

Love this place!! We've been multiple times now and it is always amazing!! It has a real wide range of good quality and reasonably priced options. Authentically decorated and always a great atmosphere. The staff are very efficient and friendly.

Dropped our daughter back to uni and popped In here for lunch. OMG AMAZING. Absolutely delicious, fantastic customer service and reasonable. Can’t wait to visit my daughter at uni

Lovely independent restaurant, the food is always delicious and the service is always amazing!

My favourite restaurant in Portsmouth. Cute atmosphere, great food and inviting staff. My go to Birthday restaurant location and accommodating to allergens. Also great value for money.