Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKIKI, Oahu

Review summary

1. H

   Hannah

   Omaha

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   My daughter and I had a reservation for 7:45. We waited 20 minutes to be seated, and once we were seated we didn’t see a server for 30 minutes. We finally flagged someone who apologized and brought us water. We waited another half hour and no server ever appeared so we left, sitting and waiting a full hour to even place an order for drinks or food.
   

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2. C

   Cherylee

   Sydney

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   If I could give no stars I would. Do not waste your time or money going here. We made a reservation. Told we were 2nd in line, we ended up being 4th and sat at a make shift table outside. We specifically asked, “Are we going to be forgotten out here?” Told no but of course we were. 20 mins before getting seated. 1 hour wait for our first drink to arrive. 2 hours later 2 mains arrived, no sides. After we finished our meal the 3rd main arrived with still no sides. So many tables left dirty and uncleared. Staff really did not care at all, though the server did apologise as we were leaving. Never had a worse experience anywhere in the world. Do not go here.
   

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3. M

   Michael

   Indiana

   5 reviews

   1.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   I have been to Sansei many times over the past 30 years and have always enjoyed the food and service. Unfortunately, it appears there is a newer manager at the restaurant and he/she has failed so badly, that I would caution anyone from going to Sansei in Waikiki. There are far too many other great restaurants in Waikiki/Honolulu to deal with the poor service we experienced (party of 7). This family dinner had everyone exited and ordered appetizer sushi rolls, miso soup and a variety of entrees. After 15 minutes, the miso arrived, tepid. Then meals started to appear over the next 20-40 minutes... 2 guests first, another 2, 10 minutes later and the remainder 10 minutes after that... Then, after more than an hour, our appetizers arrived (AFTER dinner was served and finished). We were told throughout the dinner how "backed up" the kitchen was (while seating across from the sushi bar that never appeared to be overwhelmed. ) During dinner, when we asked to speak with the Manager, the waitress noted our request, but the manager never showed.. A half-dozen times over the last hour of our meal.. The Manager NEVER arrived. While an assistant manger came (after we paid the bill), the Manager NEVER DID, even though at 9pm the restaurant was 50% occupied. The Assistant Manager took my phone number and apologized for the Manager not showing up... 3+ days later, he/she has not called. I have no idea what the standards are anymore, at Sansei. Apparently the wheels have fallen off the bus with basic service execution and etiquette with respect to dealing with CUSTOMER issues. When you spend $100/person for your meal, you expect A LOT more than a food truck. You might decide to risk it, but if you have any party of 5 or 6 or more, I would advise you go elsewhere, until Sansei fixes there Management and Training problems.
   

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4. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The food was very good but we were a party of 4 and 3 of us got our entrees and 1 person had to wait over 20 minutes for part of her entree . We had to cancel the rest of the order because it still was not ready. The waitress was wonderful. Manager had excuses when there honestly is no excuse for everyone not eating their entrees at the same time. Disappointing.
   

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5. C

   Cloyce

   VIP

   Sacramento

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We’ve been traveling to Honolulu for many years and have dined at many of the restaurants in Waikiki, without question Sansei is our favorite. Great ambiance, outstanding service (Beigh has been our favorite server) and the food is always incredible!! The Cajun Seared Walu Sashimi is the best Sashimi that we’ve had anywhere in the world. Sensei will ALWAYS be on our itinerary whenever we’re in Honolulu.
   

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6. P

   Paul

   Cleveland

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food great view. Dry aged steak was excellent
   

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7. J

   Jordi

   Portland

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Food Was not as expected. Very expensive. Food just ok
   

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8. A

   Andy

   Philadelphia

   7 reviews

   4.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   this place is very busy but still be able to make reservations at the last minute, the service is slow… but food is decent!
   

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9. B

   Brock

   VIP

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 19 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   Amazing food but watch out for a lack of attention from certain servers as Bailey did nothing but take our order and essentially abondon the table in addition to not offering a printed bill but when reviewed on handheld had incorrect items charged. First time in years that I felt the need to lower the tip due to poor service. Hopefully management starts paying attention to customer satisfaction. All this is unfortunate as the menu and food is absolutely perfect!!
   

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10. M

    Matthew

    Portland

    10 reviews

    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 15 December 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1

    Anytime your glass is literally overflowing with ice, you know they're trying to cut corners...3 sips, and it was gone! Our server had no knowledge of what he was serving. It took 15 minutes to get a drink (restaurant was slow), food was slow, and not impressed with quality.glass door to outside was dirty and had tape all over it. The kitchen would not add items to dinner, such as an egg with noodles. Asked for a fork, and here we go again with a 10 minute wait, so went to the kitchen to get forks. The table wasn't set and had to borrow soy sauce from adjacent table. Ambiance was a 0. Overrated and will never return. Fire the bartender and tell the kitchen to get a clue.
    

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