Best Japanese Restaurants in Central Phoenix

★★★★★ Exceptional Date Night Experience My wife and I recently celebrated date night at Uchi in Scottsdale, and the experience was nothing short of perfection from start to finish. The moment you step into the restaurant, you're greeted by an atmosphere that masterfully balances modern sophistication with warm intimacy – exactly what you want for a special evening out. The culinary journey at Uchi is truly remarkable. Each dish that arrived at our table was a work of art, demonstrating the kitchen's commitment to both visual presentation and flavor complexity. The sushi here transcends the ordinary – the fish is impeccably fresh, perfectly seasoned and maintained at ideal body temperature, a detail that true sushi aficionados will appreciate. The service staff deserves special mention for their attentiveness and expertise. Our server displayed an impressive knowledge of the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations and explaining each dish with genuine enthusiasm. The pacing of our meal was expertly managed, allowing us to savor each course without feeling rushed or waiting too long between dishes. What truly sets Uchi apart is their attention to detail. From the carefully curated sake selection to the subtle ambient lighting that creates an intimate dining atmosphere, every element has been thoughtfully considered to enhance the overall experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy an extraordinary dining experience, Uchi Scottsdale delivers on all fronts. It's clear why this establishment has quickly become one of the Valley's premier dining destinations. While it's certainly an investment in your evening out, the exceptional quality of food, service, and atmosphere make it wholly worthwhile. Pro tip: Make reservations well in advance, especially for weekend dining. The popularity of this gem is well-deserved, and tables fill up quickly.

I've been wanting to try Pyro for awhile. From the photos and Reels, I've seen it looked beautiful inside and outside on the patio, and seeing it in person, it did not disappoint. I was worried about parking since they said street parking available, and usually that's limited but there's a parking garage diagonal from it which made it really easy. The service is on point. Never rushed. Always courteous. My friend called the restaurant beforehand to tell them it was my birthday two weeks ago and they still honored and celebrated it by offering a complimentary dessert, the Ube panna cotta. I recently developed an allergy to mango so instead of the mango lassi, they substituted one of their homemade ice creams that still complemented the dessert well! We sampled and shared several menu items. We started with the steak tartare served with little cuts of bread and the Hearth beets. One was a hearty appetizer while the other a light airy treat. Both were delicious! At the very beginning of the meal, the staff told us that anything off of the Hearth menu would take awhile so they wanted to put that order in from the start. From reading other reviews, people had complained of food taking too long, but if they tell you beforehand like they told us, I don't see the problem. It gave us more time to enjoy each other's company and drinks, hehe. The wait was worthwhile! The New York bone in strip was cooked to perfection. Loved the salty chunks and seasoning on top and the unique Asian twist of Bernaise sauce along with the "meat juices" served with the steak married a bunch of complimenting flavors. The whole Branzino wasn't as big as we expected, but it packed a lot of flavor in its white tender meat. We really enjoyed that but glad we ordered other food to add to the balance. The crab noodles surprisingly was one of my favorite dishes. I do love crab so much, but it was just the right amount of pasta mixed in, buttery, rich and tasty! The short rib fried rice was a treat!

Had edamame, cucumber salad, tuna tataki, 8 pc nigiri, 2 specialty rolls, crispy rice, 3 drinks, and a pot of tea. All delicious! Great location, menu, food, and presentation; but over-priced. Reflects Biltmore Fashion Mall location costs and affluent expectations. $250 for 3. Service politely detached. Ladies restroom faucet pressure too high, expect to get soaked. Parking: free, but crowded. Valet available. Will return.

Waitress and wait staff were wonderful. The hostesses could be a lot more welcoming. No smiles and never greeted. They seemed overwhelmed and avoided eye contact. Food was outstanding! It was truly a culinary experience and that made up for where the front end fell short.

Great outdoor vibe. Ate here during a nice, sunny, fairly warm day. It didnt seem overly crowded and while our server was great it did take him time to wait on us but he was friendly (perhaps he was the only server?) This was my second visit and will be back!