When you want to dine on all the best seafood flavors while chilling in a swanky setting, jet on over to Sakura Sushi. At this popular Kailua-Kona eatery, they only use the freshest fish and other ingredients to create each dish to order. Then, they go big on the artistic presentations and serve each item up with a smile. So, you can always count on enjoying a truly impressive dining experience, whether you drop by for lunch or come through during the dinner hour.
For that reason, it’s best to dine in-house, although you’re welcome to take your selections to go as well. If you decide to stay onsite, you may have a bit of a wait ahead before you can get a table. They’re happy to take reservations for groups of three or more. But if you’re just dining as a twosome – or didn’t bother to book a table ahead of time – you’ll need to sign in up front and wait it out. Thankfully, their waitlist goes pretty quickly. So, you will have barely enough time to admire all the modern décor before they call your name.
All across their swanky restaurant, they have a variety of seating options for your consideration. You can sit up at the bar, get a small booth, or grab a long table designed to seat a dozen or more. Once you get settled into your seat of choice, you’ll want to take your time browsing the menu. It’s filled with pages upon pages of pure decadence, after all, including all the traditional sushi offerings you could ever want.
Start with an appetizer plus drinks to buy yourself more time. Then, start ordering your sushi as you eat. It’s best to order each plate right before you’re done with the last. That way, you can keep the deliciousness coming your way all throughout your meal. Your server will check back often, while managing to never interrupt the flow of conversation. Just let them know what you’re ready to enjoy when they swing by, and then kick back for the meal of a lifetime.
Top-notch items on the menu include:
Kona Boat
When you want to enjoy their most extravagant sushi masterpiece, get the Kona Boat. This amazing dish features 15 pieces of sushi and 15 pieces of sashimi artfully arranged across the decks of a wooden ship. Then, they add one dragon roll and a rainbow roll for good measure, perfectly completing the display.
Dinner Bento
If you cannot decide what to order, set your sights on the Dinner Bento. Depending on which one you select, this dish comes with a hot entrée, sushi, and more. On top of that, the bento comes with rice, soup, and salad to take your meal to the next level.
Unagi Don
When you want something a little different, go with the Unagi Don, for sure. This simple yet flavorful dish features a thick eel filet marinated in a rich sauce. Then, they broil it to perfection before placing it over a bed of rice. Pair your dish with gyoza, fried shrimp dumplings, or any other appetizers that catch your eye to elevate its flavors even more.
With so many excellent items on the menu, it’s definitely easy to overdo it. But it’s well worth the effort in saving room for dessert if you can. Their Tempura Fried Ice Cream is out of this world delicious. Plus, they also have Fried Cheesecake and Fried Banana Tempura. If you just want a lowkey sweet treat to finish off your meal, go with their Ice Cream for frozen deliciousness in every bite.
Insider Tips:
-For special discounts on their most popular items, come by between 4:30pm and 6pm for happy hour.
-They close for 1.5 hours after lunch, so they can get ready for dinner service.