Izakaya Raku

953 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433, USA

Address:	953 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433, USA
Phone:	+1 805-474-9962
Site:	izakayaraku.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM 11AM–2:15PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 41

Tiffany Sarkisian

Second time eating here. First time was good food with mediocre service; however, last nights experience was horrific. Even though we were seated prior to four other parties, the wait staff took the other tables orders prior to ours. In our party we had 5 adults and two children which unknowingly warranted a mandatory 18% gratuity. The main problem was that it took a full 60 minutes between the first person served until the last person at our table was served; this is not worthy of 18% gratuity. One person at our table did not receive her roll until everyone else had finished. Wait staff forgot the miso soup and rice. Miso soup came after two reminders at end of dinner (60 minutes later) and rice never came, yet we were charged for rice. If you are wanting good sushi with good service, there is so much more to choose from within a 10 mile radius.

Yvonne Au

I enjoyed this tiny casual restaurant for its reasonably-priced food and innovative touches to standard Japanese food seldom found elsewhere. Unlike too many Japanese restaurants, I like the way they season their food without being heavy-handed with the sugar. Their staff is knowledgeable, helpful, young and funky with a good sense of humor like their menu and digs. They had a big laugh when we told them that we prefer them over Kanpai Restaurant in Shell Beach. My favs included Agedashi Mochi, a wonderfully chewy inside with crunchy toasty outside served in a light savory dashi broth garnished with grated daikon on top. We also like their Octopus Balls (poor male octopi!

SuperSeed12

Food was good but the servers need some lessons in etiquette. Arrived around 8:40 p.m. We were immediately told that the kitchen was closing soon so we needed to hurry up and order. Our main server was friendly and took pretty good care of us. When the bill came, another girl came to our table and asked if we could please hurry up and sign the bill so they could close everything out. Apparently this place closes at 9 p.m. every night of the week. We werent even finished with our meal and they already had all the chairs on top of the tables. Make sure to get here well before 9 p.m. if you want a hassle free dining experience.

Alison Denise

Its been a few years since Ive eaten here. Our waitress was nice and the service was good. We ordered chicken teriyaki, California roll and cucumber roll. My son loved the chicken teriyaki, and he is picky. The sushi wasnt anything special and didnt have the freshest taste. My $5 cucumber roll is why this place isnt for me - $5 for 6 quarter width and height of a gum ball pieces. Ive never seen sushi that size lol. It made my California roll look like some mega giant king roll. I felt really jipped.

Stephy Miehle

Food was tasty. They have some oddball menu items ("Japanese lasagna", which is an absolutely insane baked roll) that are good if you want to try something unexpected; the standard fare sushi is yummy as well, though a bit pricey. I traditionally like more straightforward rolls and their experimental ones were of higher quality than their normal ones. Weve been in several times, though, and service has always been slow even if the restaurant wasnt crowded. Be prepared for a wait.

A Private User

This place is great. The people working are very friendly and the prices are perfect. The walls are decorated with empty picture frames, making an interesting atmosphere. The sushi is as fresh as can be. The staff is actually Japanese here, not Korean like most of the local places. Youre greeted in Japanese when you enter, and again when youre leaving. I would suggest ordering the Rainbow Roll with the Premium Sake Sampler. Cant go wrong.

A Private User

tired of mexican and korean inspired sushi, try Izakaya Raku....excellent food. i have been going there and wont even think of going to the other sushi restaurants locally...real japanese food and affordable. friendly staff, grandparents cooking behind the scenes - - great kids menu. You wont be dissapointed....

A Private User

Great food. Great atmosphere. Great owners. Fun small plates so you can try everything.. and you'll want to! For something new, try the appetizer sampler.. who knew steamed pumpkin was so good?!?

A Private User

Best sushi I have ever had! And I have had a lot of sushi! I love the owners and the cooked foods are out of this world. The short ribs are unreal and the fish is always so fresh and tasty!

zia warda

Atmosphere was nice....but when I came home within one hour I experienced symptoms of food poisoning for approximately 6 hours. This was my first visit. Explosive diarrhea.

KEN WEISS

Some of the best sushi ever. Service was fast friendly and delightful. Perfect atmosphere fresh ingredients . The tom yum was the best off the menu roll Ive ever had.

A Private User

Food was so fresh! Yum! Will go back again for sure. Staff was nice also. I had the albacore and salmon sashimi. My husband had buckweat noodles and salmon collar.

Darcy Swords

Amazing food! Fresh, good quality fish. Nice portion sizes. Great kids meal too. Better than many sushi restaurants in the area! Definitely worth trying!

A Private User

Best Japanese food in the South County, and up there with the very best anywhere else. The restaurant is small and funky, and the people are great fun.

Claire Abu-Assal

The fish was not terribly fresh and our midi soup was brought out well after we finished the meal. The small plates, however, are pretty good.

Daniel Bloodworth

Great food at fairly cheap prices and comfortable atmosphere. Sampled the ramen, curry, and sushi and enjoyed them all. Would come back again.

Daniella Michelle Lozano

The food is delicious and the atmosphere is amazing. I recommend coming when there isnt a lot of people if youre into nice, quiet meals.

Meadow Johnson

Raku has been my favorite sushi places on the central coast for 6 years. Always so nice, big rolls and consistant. Love you guys!

Lauren Pitman

Never had a bad meal here. Sushi is super fresh ans so ono! SLO roll is the bomb for poke lovers like myself.

Dimetris Jones

Never disappoints! Great place for sushi and staffed very friendly and professional.