The family behind Shimogamo moved to Arizona in 1994 from Japan, and they immediately noticed that their neighborhood lacked authentic Japanese food options. In 2003, Sanae and Yoshio Otomo finally decided to open a restaurant in Chandler to serve their native food, with as much respect as possible to the authenticity and quality of the culinary culture of their home country. Now the management has been passed onto their daughter Mika and her husband Daisuke, who are professionally trained as a sommelier and fine dining kitchen chef in Tokyo. With their knowledge, technique and vision, the restaurant continues to deliver the real flavor of Japanese cuisine.
So happy we stumbled upon this place during AZ restaurant week!! Definitely recommend making reservations its easy and you can do it online. The service is great. You get detailed explanations of the food and they will give you recommendations based off of what you have liked so far. The presentation of the food is phenomenal and everything was so delicious! Definitely will be making this a regular go to place!
Visited 5 months ago
I love Japanese food. As a traveler all over the world, this Japanese restaurant tops them all: quality delicious food to pleasant welcoming service. Our waiter, Juan, was great from describing each dish and his attentiveness. We will be making this restaurant as our regular spot from now on whenever I'm in town.
Visited 3 months ago
Shimogamo offers an interesting mix of Japanese flavors, but my experience left me with mixed impressions. Let’s start with the details: the location, tucked into a corner, could benefit from clearer signage—perhaps a sleek silver logo on the door for added visibility. Arriving just before opening, I noticed the black welcome mat outside wasn’t clean, which felt like an avoidable oversight.
Inside, the service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable, articulate, and attentive—a definite highlight. The restaurant fills up quickly, so reservations might be a good idea. The atmosphere is pleasant, but certain elements detract from their fine-dining claim: the casual table setup (no white tablecloths), standard chairs, and the overly relaxed dress code for patrons.
Food-wise, the Chirashi Bowl stood out with its fresh flavors, though my request to swap out the ebi couldn’t be accommodated. The Kisu Tempura, however, was a letdown—bland and lacking in flavor, and way too short on the truffle salt. I wish I’d opted for the Salmon Cornet instead. My wife’s California Roll and Udon Carbonara were both enjoyable, rounding out the meal with satisfying options.
Overall, while Shimogamo shines in some areas, it feels like it could refine its details to live up to its fine-dining aspirations. With a few tweaks, it has the potential to deliver an exceptional dining experience. Saluti
Visited 2 months ago
Shimogamo is one of my go-to sushi places in the Valley. I prefer sitting at the cocktail bar to the sushi bar, which is somewhat unlike me, but the cocktail bar feels more roomy. They have a wonderful selection of seafood that is more unusual than the standard sushi varieties--check out the board on the wall to see what they have. The premium assortment of nigiri or sashimi is from the wall, whereas the regular assortments are from the standard list. It's worth the extra money to go with the premium and try something new. Everything is beautifully presented and well prepared, so you can't go wrong with most of the menu. I appreciate that I don't feel neglected as a one-top even when they are a little busy. Looking forward to my next visit!
Visited 6 months ago
The omakase is an experience that sets itself apart from other restaurants in the metro. The two standout dishes for me were the "Shimogamo shooter" and the sesame cone. Everything was truly excellent, but these two beat every expectation I had. They had layers of intricate flavor, all balanced precisely.
While the star of the show was the incredible sushi, what will stand out in my memory was the incredible service we experienced. Peter went above and beyond in his presentation and selection for our omakase. We were interested in learning more about our dishes and so he not only described them, but when appropriate taught us the history behind certain elements, the sourcing, and pointed out the chefs who designed such fantastic creations.
He also helped select a sake that perfectly matched our taste! He and his brother Paul do a truly phenomenal job of making guests feel welcome and engaged in the dishes served.
Visited 4 months ago
Shimogamo is not your average "sushi joint". This is a craft Japanese restaurant specializing in an authentic and perfectly cultivated experience for their guests.
Hubby found the recommendation on Reddit and it absolutely did not disappoint. We splurged and went for the omakase and we were delighted with each and every course. Each course was a master class, finely nuanced, well-balanced and delicious.
Huge shout out to Peter. He was a phenomenal guide through the meal and wowed us with his perfect pairing of saki. He was also incredibly thoughtful and attentive and actually listened to any feedback - no matter how small - and then adjusted the next course in time. We could have stayed and eaten all night! (Oh wait, we did!!)
Well done Shimogamo! We will be back!!
Visited 4 months ago
After a few months, we revisited Shimagamo during the Phoenix Restaurant Week. Shimagamo has never disappointed us with new food (main course or dessert). My wife loves sushi and I love cooked food. Every food that we have tried has been perfect in Shimagamo. This time, we started with a cone egg, smoked salmon, and some caviar on top. Then, moved to Nigri sushi (Salmon, Tuna, etc.). I chose Wagyu steak for my main course and my wife tried scallops. We wrapped up the meal with an interesting Tiramisu covered with Matcha. Photos should depict the taste well.
Visited 5 months ago
Excellent service and food.
I would recommend making a reservation. We ate at the bar and still enjoyed excellent service
Visited a month ago
We decided to do the Omakase experience here for my wife’s birthday. We both had really only eaten sushi rolls so we were excited to try a more complete Japanese cuisine. Holy smokes our minds were blown! The food was out of this world good and our server was extremely knowledgeable and guided us through every dish. It was our first time eating here and we will be back! The A5 wagyu was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever had. Each dish was artistic, made from scratch and had delicious sauces and garnishes. They even make several types of wasabi in house. We are so glad we took a gamble on Shimogamo. Would highly recommend!
Visited a month ago
When you want the Japanese sushi experience but live in AZ! This place is amazing. Food and service is the best I've had in AZ. I have a regular sushi spot, but when I want the best of the best, I come here.
Visited a month ago
Hands down the best sushi in the valley. The freshness of all the ingredients and how perfectly everything goes together is perfect. We love coming here for special occasions or when we're really missing authentic Japanese food.
Visited 2 months ago
We went there last night for new years eve...we loved the sushi and the great service...thank you shimogamo
Visited 2 months ago
Best sushi I have ever had better than Nobu! Definitely try it and order their shaved ice!
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
The service was slow to nonexistent so only ordered sushi which was exceptional and lives up to the authentic Japanese claim but will never return. My time is too valuable.
Visited 2 months ago
Best sushi you can find in Phoenix, the service is amazing and the drinks are delicious. Small, intimate, and delicious!
Visited 2 months ago
My reservation was moved up by 30 minutes without my permission and I was turned away
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Shimogamo offers an interesting mix of Japanese flavors, but my experience left me with mixed impressions. Let’s start with the details: the location, tucked into a corner, could benefit from clearer signage—perhaps a sleek silver logo on the door for added visibility. Arriving just before opening, I noticed the black welcome mat outside wasn’t clean, which felt like an avoidable oversight.
Inside, the service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable, articulate, and attentive—a definite highlight. The restaurant fills up quickly, so reservations might be a good idea. The atmosphere is pleasant, but certain elements detract from their fine-dining claim: the casual table setup (no white tablecloths), standard chairs, and the overly relaxed dress code for patrons.
Food-wise, the Chirashi Bowl stood out with its fresh flavors, though my request to swap out the ebi couldn’t be accommodated. The Kisu Tempura, however, was a letdown—bland and lacking in flavor, and way too short on the truffle salt. I wish I’d opted for the Salmon Cornet instead. My wife’s California Roll and Udon Carbonara were both enjoyable, rounding out the meal with satisfying options.
Overall, while Shimogamo shines in some areas, it feels like it could refine its details to live up to its fine-dining aspirations. With a few tweaks, it has the potential to deliver an exceptional dining experience. Saluti
Visited 2 months ago
Great spot:) Customer service was amazing. I learned so much about sushi. Nice chill atmosphere, the portions aren’t huge but good food. Fun date night spot :)
Visited 3 months ago
This is the best place in all of Arizona for sushi!
Visited 3 months ago
My husband and I have been to Shimogamo several times, but will not be returning after the experience we had on the last two visits.
The first time was a walk in and we were able to sit at the bar (not sushi bar) and had a great time. Staff was friendly and food came out quick and delicious. We loved the toro and other sushi options. We definitely wanted this to be our new sushi spot.
The second time was a completely different experience. I booked a reservation and we were seated quickly. Our server came by quick to take fill water and explain the menu but then took 15 minutes before coming by our table again. We made a request to remove one of the garnishes on the sashimi and he rolled his eyes. But whatever, I understand changes can be annoying. Throughout the rest of our visit he gave us the cold shoulder until it was time for the check. Then he became very friendly and appreciative for our visit, which was very off putting given how he’d been most of the time.
Our third time, we were sat in the same section with the rude server. We went as a double date and my friend and I got there before our husbands so we decided to order ahead. She had never been and asked questions, which again he seemed annoyed to answer. Then when we put in our order he looked at the ticket and made a rude comment about how much we ordered. Once our husbands arrived he continued to be rude, judgy, and unpleasant. Once the meal was over, he once again tried to be friendly as he brought the bill.
Overall the food is good and we don’t mind paying more for quality food and a quality experience. However I find the service severely lacking.
Visited 3 months ago
I love Japanese food. As a traveler all over the world, this Japanese restaurant tops them all: quality delicious food to pleasant welcoming service. Our waiter, Juan, was great from describing each dish and his attentiveness. We will be making this restaurant as our regular spot from now on whenever I'm in town.
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
おまかせを頼みました。
昔のShimogamoの時からはシェフな総代わりしていて、日本人の方はいなかったのかな??
昔はもっと日本人向けの料理がメインで出されていましたが、今のターゲットは現地人になり、私の口には合いませんでした。
特にお寿司は、シャリがパサパサで最悪。
コハダは生臭いし、酢締めがちゃんと施されていないのか、魚自体が古いのか、、、
とりあえず昔に比べて、値段はかなり上がっていましたが、クオリティはかなり下がっていました。楽しみにしていただけにかなり残念、、、
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
If you go, absolutely avoid seating at the counter closest to the door as it is a death sentence in terms of service. We did not get water until 15 minutes after being seated. Did not get our two beers until we flagged down our water and asked where they were 15 minutes after putting in the order. Didn't receive our food until 40 minutes after we put in our order, and they forgot to put in the appetizers we ordered. All the food we had was delicious and the vibe of the location is awesome. But the service we received was non-existent. They did comp the portion they forgot to serve, but after that first impression, I'm reluctant to go back.
Visited 4 months ago
The omakase is the best dining experience I've ever had, in or out of the valley. Truly something special and well worth the investment for the experience. Cannot recommend more!
Visited 4 months ago
Food and drinks were slightly above average. Great presentation and service. Decent vibe. Overpriced. Wouldn't go back.
Visited 4 months ago
While visiting from out of town I needed to find a solid spot for sushi and Shimogamo delivered a great offering. I highly recommend getting the Premium sushi offering (8pcs). It had amazing flavor and assortment of fish.
Couldn't have picked a better sushi spot.
Visited 4 months ago
TL;DR very good food, excellent service, and solid value for this level of cuisine.
My entire family loves Japanese food and so, for my daughter's birthday, we took her, her husband, and my son to Shimagamo, her favorite restaurant.
This is a little gauche but I thought I'd talk about price first because it's an important component of what makes this restaurant compelling. Five adults were thoroughly well fed, had a few drinks, and received an almost private room level experience for roughly $700 including a 25% tip. Try doing that at Roka Akor (a Japanese restaurant of comparable quality). I'm in no way suggesting that this is an inexpensive restaurant but you do get value for your money.
Now for the fun part...the food. We started out with the typical edamame. It's edamame so...fine. We then had the Hamachi Chili Lime Crudo. This seems to be a trend at sushi joints and it was divine. The fish was super fresh, the ponzu was had just the right citrus, and the slice of jalapeno added a spicy kick. Next came the oysters on the half shell. I am an oyster purist so they put the sauces on the side. I'm glad they did. The oysters were perfectly shucked and from Washington State (I prefer west coast oysters). Others at the table said the sauces were very good but I don't like anything that messes with the salty liqueur.
Onto the sushi. We ordered the ocean trout (Steelhead), albacore, salmon, tobiko, and a bunch of other sashimi and nigiri. While I didn't care for the steelhead (texture issue), everyone else loved it and we all agreed that the sushi was simply excellent. Fresh, expertly cut, and beautifully presented.
We also ordered a few hot dishes. The sirloin steak was rare, heavily marbled, and simply prepared. It was delicious and served with a side of rendered beef tallow for dipping. Lovely. The shrimp tempura was also excellent. Crispy batter, shrimp that popped in your mouth, ponzu dipping sauce. Yum.
Lastly, and my only real quibble, was the miso black cod. I've spent years learning how to make this dish and the key is to marinate it in the miso/sugar/kirin/sake for no less than two days (three is better). Sear it on a cast iron skillet and then finish in the broiler or with a torch. My guess is that they didn't marinate it long enough and they didn't finish it long enough in the broiler. The result was fairly bland with little sear on the white fish. This truly is a quibble because it wasn't bad, just not up to my standards which are stupid high.
Finally the service. Our waitress Mika was the absolute bomb. Super attentive, engaging, knowledgeable. She added so much fun to the evening. The bartender was also great. I'm a scotch drinker and they only carry Japanese whiskey. He walked me through what they had and then matched a Japanese whiskey to my taste. Nailed it.
Bottom line is that this is a lovely restaurant and one to which I will return a few times a year. Worth every penny.
Visited 4 months ago
Grace was our server, and all of her recommendations were delicious. Great server, great service, great dinner, will definitely be back.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
The omakase is an experience that sets itself apart from other restaurants in the metro. The two standout dishes for me were the "Shimogamo shooter" and the sesame cone. Everything was truly excellent, but these two beat every expectation I had. They had layers of intricate flavor, all balanced precisely.
While the star of the show was the incredible sushi, what will stand out in my memory was the incredible service we experienced. Peter went above and beyond in his presentation and selection for our omakase. We were interested in learning more about our dishes and so he not only described them, but when appropriate taught us the history behind certain elements, the sourcing, and pointed out the chefs who designed such fantastic creations.
He also helped select a sake that perfectly matched our taste! He and his brother Paul do a truly phenomenal job of making guests feel welcome and engaged in the dishes served.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Shimogamo is not your average "sushi joint". This is a craft Japanese restaurant specializing in an authentic and perfectly cultivated experience for their guests.
Hubby found the recommendation on Reddit and it absolutely did not disappoint. We splurged and went for the omakase and we were delighted with each and every course. Each course was a master class, finely nuanced, well-balanced and delicious.
Huge shout out to Peter. He was a phenomenal guide through the meal and wowed us with his perfect pairing of saki. He was also incredibly thoughtful and attentive and actually listened to any feedback - no matter how small - and then adjusted the next course in time. We could have stayed and eaten all night! (Oh wait, we did!!)
Well done Shimogamo! We will be back!!
Visited 4 months ago
Excellent food, both sushi and kitchen dishes are outstanding. Highly recommend for a special occasion or just a great meal. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. Definitely get a reservation.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
The sushi here is top notch and unbeatable in the valley but the kicker for these ratings was the service from our bar service with Jonah and Peter. The customer service is unheard of from them both, and took great care of us during our dinner and made excellent recommendations!
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Unwelcoming environment and bad energy. Not suitable for an expensive restaurant. Bad first impression walking in.
Visited 4 months ago
Arrived one minute after the grace period and was told we couldn’t be seated anymore and would have to wait 30 minutes. Asked if our spot was given away and no answer was given. Nobody was waiting and multiple seats were available. Don’t need to spend 300 bucks for a dinner and get that kind of attitude walking in.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Simply just WOW. The food here is incredible. The quality and authenticity is top notch. My favorites were the miso cod and the several different crudos we tried. And even better is the service! Grace was our server and she recommended so many amazing dishes to us. She also is just simply adorable and the sweetest. I’m so glad we found this spot. We will definitely be back.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Fantastic! All of the food was excellent, service was great, and the cocktails were phenomenal. Highly recommend.
Visited 5 months ago
So happy we stumbled upon this place during AZ restaurant week!! Definitely recommend making reservations its easy and you can do it online. The service is great. You get detailed explanations of the food and they will give you recommendations based off of what you have liked so far. The presentation of the food is phenomenal and everything was so delicious! Definitely will be making this a regular go to place!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
After a few months, we revisited Shimagamo during the Phoenix Restaurant Week. Shimagamo has never disappointed us with new food (main course or dessert). My wife loves sushi and I love cooked food. Every food that we have tried has been perfect in Shimagamo. This time, we started with a cone egg, smoked salmon, and some caviar on top. Then, moved to Nigri sushi (Salmon, Tuna, etc.). I chose Wagyu steak for my main course and my wife tried scallops. We wrapped up the meal with an interesting Tiramisu covered with Matcha. Photos should depict the taste well.
Visited 5 months ago
Food is really good. But for the price, we expected more on the service and atmosphere. We’ve been treated to many good sushi places and for the same price you can dine at Uchi with better service and atmosphere. Overall good but will be tough to go back unless value changes.
Visited 5 months ago
Food:
Dishes Tried: Salmon Cornet, Nigiri Presentation, Scallops, Wagyu Tri-tip
Taste and Presentation:
The Salmon Cornet was a visual and culinary delight, beautifully presented. The soft, delicate salmon flavors paired beautifully with the creamy egg and the contrasting crunch of the sesame cone.
The Nigiri Presentation showcased Shimogamo's exceptional sushi. The presentation was simple and beautiful, and the quality of the fish was fantastic. All types were extremely fresh tasting and had a wonderful texture.
The Scallops were plated very beautifully with an assortment of delicate colors. They were cooked to perfection, and the flavors were spot on.
The Wagyu Tri-tip, while flavorful, was a major disappointment and deeply saddened me. It was sliced thicker than it should have been for how well it was coked and presented in a simple format, but again, the meat was overcooked and impossible to separate without a knife, which was not available on the table. Overcooked meat, let alone Wagyu, is a cardinal sin.
Standout Dishes: The Salmon Cornet, scallops and the Nigiri Presentation were the stars of the meal.
Service:
Friendliness and Attentiveness: Our waitress was adequate, performing all the expected duties, but we ultimately felt quite rushed out of the restaurant. The bill was promptly presented before our desserts were even close to being done, which killed the mood. We didn't spend an extended amount of time eating and we were at the sushi bar, so we weren't holding up a table.
Wait Time: The food arrived in a timely manner, but the rushed service detracted from the experience.
Additional Notes: Inconsistencies in service were noted. The woman sitting next to me had the same Wagyu ordered and received a more elaborate explanation of the sauce and seasonings, while my food was simply set down without comment. The lack of attention to detail, especially at this price point, felt tacky and gave the lasting impression that we weren't truly welcomed.
Ambiance:
Atmosphere and Decor: We were seated at the very end of the sushi bar, which felt like the least desirable spot in the house. The chairs were slightly uncomfortable, and the overhang from the sushi bar made it feel cramped. The restaurant was clean and simple, but our seating area lacked visual appeal. From what we could see, the west end of the location had a much better vibe.
Cleanliness: The restaurant was clean and well-maintained.
Additional Notes: Overhearing a staff member express displeasure with AZ Restaurant Week, which she mentioned was a major inconvenience to her( she hated it !) an event we were there for, created a negative impression and further detracted from the overall mood.
Value:
Price vs. Quality: The food quality was generally high, but the rushed service, less-than-ideal ambiance, and feeling of being unwelcome made the price point feel unjustified, especially during a special event like AZ Restaurant Week.
Conclusion:
Recommendation: Shimogamo offers exceptional sushi and some standout dishes, but the service and ambiance issues significantly impacted our experience. If you're seeking top-notch Japanese cuisine(aside from the ruined Wagyu),possibly consider Shimogamo, but be prepared for potential service inconsistencies and prioritize seating away from the sushi bar. The feeling of being rushed and unwelcome, especially during a special event, left a lasting negative impression.
Visited 5 months ago
The food was phenomenal! Yes, the prices are a little steep compared to the portions but the flavors are so worth it - I will pay any amount for good food! The cod was the best fish I've had in a long time. The rib cap was very tender and flavorful and the onion soy sauce served with it was amazing. The yuzu ramen was one item with a very generous portion and was delicious like everything else. They also have very good drinks. Honestly, the only thing that's not ideal is the seating and atmosphere is a bit uncomfortable but that's not going to stop me from going for the top notch food.
Visited 5 months ago
Went for dinner last night to celebrate my man's birthday and we had the best time! Eric at the sushi bar took excellent care of us. This restaurant has so many fresh sushi specials that it's hard to choose if you're unfamiliar so he walked us through some of his favorites and ended up creating a personal "omakase" to suit our tastes. Dude, you hit it right on the nail. Everything was so delicious. Our server was really great too. Everyone was! We had an amazing time overall and we just want to thank the entire staff for absolutely crushing it. Our experience was 1000/10 😁
Visited 5 months ago
Amazing food. Great service. Beautiful vibes. Love this place
Visited 5 months ago
Great food great service. My only complaint was the 20% service charge for our party of 6 which consisted of 4 adults and 2 small children. I was not notified verbally of this charge beforehand although it might have been printed somewhere. That service charge seemed excessive. Our final bill was very high but you get what you pay for and the food was excellent.
Visited 5 months ago
Best
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Great sushi
Visited 5 months ago
Shimogamo is one of my go-to sushi places in the Valley. I prefer sitting at the cocktail bar to the sushi bar, which is somewhat unlike me, but the cocktail bar feels more roomy. They have a wonderful selection of seafood that is more unusual than the standard sushi varieties--check out the board on the wall to see what they have. The premium assortment of nigiri or sashimi is from the wall, whereas the regular assortments are from the standard list. It's worth the extra money to go with the premium and try something new. Everything is beautifully presented and well prepared, so you can't go wrong with most of the menu. I appreciate that I don't feel neglected as a one-top even when they are a little busy. Looking forward to my next visit!
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
This is a bit pricey but they offer amazing food and great service.
Visited 6 months ago
What a horrible place to dine in.
I normally don’t leave reviews but this place truly had me in shock. Even one star is too much for a place like this. To start off, it’s ridiculously overpriced for a tiny portion of food that’s cheap frozen fish. They also charged $50 for a small 350mL sake which was made in Arizona! Waiters are rude and the atmosphere and quality of food is laughable for this price point. Save yourself 5 trips here and you can probably get a round trip flight to Japan.
Just go to any other sushi restaurant besides here.
Visited 6 months ago
Came to Shimogamo as a recommendation, and it was incredible. There was a special uni oxtail toast appetizer that was unlike anything I’ve ever eaten, and so so so tasty. The sushi was amazing, the agedashi tofu was amazing, and the Wagyu tri tip was absolutely incredible. There are a handful of excellent Japanese restaurants in the Valley, and this is right up there with the best of the best. A wonderful hidden gem that I will now start recommending to everyone.
Visited 6 months ago
Great food and service! You can't go wrong here and almost all of the fish is flown in fresh daily from Japan. Would recommend the Uni Oxtail Toast, any of the rolls or sashimi and for any lovers of tofu, the agadashi tofu was amazing! Also had some great cocktails and all of our server's recommendations were on point.
Visited 6 months ago
Absolutely AMAZING food and service. My girlfriend and I went for the Omakase, which was curated by Peter, and it was hands down the best food we have had in Phoenix. Each course was an absolutely exquisite combination of flavour and texture. The Nirigi was lovely and the Waygu was out of this world. On top of all this amazing food, the service was stellar. Peter and Justin were very helpful with the menu and made us feel like we were at home. We CANNOT WAIT to come back!
Visited 6 months ago
Favorite for fresh, well executed sushi and sashimi. Udon tempura shrimp was da bomb. Save for a special occasion and let chef lead with an omakase dinner!!
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
A local favorite for my family and friends! The secret has definitely gotten out the last couple years, if you haven’t been yet then you are missing out. Reserve in advance.
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
Okay this is one of if not the best sushi spots in Arizona and I am a big ol sushi lover and snob but this review is really more for our server Micah. WHAT A RAY OF SUNSHINE! The second she greeted us I even had to comment on what a delight she was because of the genuine and infectious joy she brought immediately! She gave incredible recommendations, never rushed us, and just overall elevated our experience. We were so lucky to have her and even luckier to be at the sushi bar in front of Sean who was also so positive, kind, and skilled. The energy you bring into a room matters and makes people’s days and experiences and we really appreciated these two for making our experience even better. We will absolutely be back if not become regulars.
Visited 7 months ago
Amazing authentic Japanese place. Sushi is the best I've ever tasted, and last time we tried the Norwegian trout and it was so delicious! Server was also very friendly and funny :)
Visited 7 months ago
Great food, maybe the best sushi experience I have ever had. And I have had many. A tad pricey, but great quality and good cuts. I'm a sashimi lover, so fresh is important. Great selection, including grated wasabi root, which is hard to find. Solid whiskey selections too.
Visited 7 months ago
The best sushi in the valley. Amazing drinks and the sushi is phenomenal. One of my favorite restaurants.
Visited 7 months ago
Lovely, unique food, delicious cocktails, attentive service, great experience. We had several dishes, each were freshly prepared, super clean and flavorful, and portions were spot on. The udon was a highlight, with such rich broth, but the seasoning was a phenomenal mix of savory, sweet, spicy, wig each flavor standing on its own without overpowering the others. I had the best cocktail I've ever enjoyed: Harvest in Uji, which was uji matcha infused gin, shiso infused vodka and yuzu honey syrup with a super tangy seaweed lemon foam.
Service was really well informed on everything and attentive without being invasive.
Great meal and experience - we'll be back!
Visited 7 months ago
Celebrated my son’s 24th birthday after he has returned from a trip to Japan. Our server was darling, friendly, very knowledgeable and helped steer us to making outstanding decisions from the menu. We tried all sorts of new and adventurous dishes including a beautiful assortment of sashimi from fish we’d never heard of. A very special evening we will not soon forget!
Visited 7 months ago
What can I say? Shimogamo is hands down one of the best sushi restaurants I’ve been to outside of a James Beard award omakase experience. Surprisingly pretty reasonably priced for such high quality seafood. Everything tastes as if it was made with the utmost attention and care with the highest quality available.
Highly highly recommend if you like nigiri go for the sagoshi (young Spanish mackerel)
Service and atmosphere are amongst the best around!
Visited 7 months ago
The food is super delicious here. Been coming here over 20 years.
Visited 7 months ago
Don't let the surrounding desert scenery fool you; despite its seemingly simple exterior, this place offers a great vibe and an outstanding experience.
Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the stark outside environment.
The ambiance is meticulously curated to provide a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
However, it's important to note that this place comes with a hefty price tag. The quality of the amenities and services justifies the cost, but it might not fit everyone's budget.
Additionally, booking in advance is essential due to high demand. Planning ahead ensures you secure a spot at this unique destination, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its charm and tranquility.
Overall, if you're looking for a memorable experience and are willing to spend a bit more, this location is well worth it. Just remember to plan and book ahead to avoid disappointment
Visited 7 months ago
Muy limpio y elegante lugar, sushi japonés delicioso
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Best sushi I’ve ever had!
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
If you are looking for an intimate dinner with stellar service and food, this is the place! We've been to the fancy spots in Scottsdale, but nothing holds a candle to this!
They have the best sushi here; the fish they serve is always the best cut and melts in your mouth.
My husband and I love coming here for date nights and we bring out out of town friends here.
We cannot recommend this place enough!
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Such a great place! Super fresh and made really well. We had the omakase and they brought us out several incredibly delicious courses.
Visited 8 months ago
The real deal. Omakase the way it's meant to be done, but with an incredibly knowledgeable server named Paul who elevated the experience out of the park.
The best A5 preparation I've had, some fantastic nigiri flown in from Japan, and a selection of surprises and brilliantly done dishes.
Omakase is a splurge, but this is the place to do it, and these guys are crushing it at all levels.
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Amazing addition to the SanTan area!! First time, and we are so impressed.
Visited 8 months ago
Everything was awesome.
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
The best sushi and cocktails I have ever had- the best in AZ in the very least. Blossom in Gyoen and the Harvest in Uji are my favorite cocktails- unique, inspired and craveable. If you like an Old Fashioned, the Nishiki Market Light is a must try! Get the citrus roll and ask for thinly sliced lemon on top. Incredible!
Staff are fantastic too! Justin and Matthew- fun bartenders- make you want to stay a little longer!
Visited 9 months ago
The service was really good and we got our food pretty quickly .The food was really delicious.
Visited 9 months ago
Truly the best food and the best service I have ever had. Food is absolutely exceptional , all servers are knowledgeable about the food, where it came from, how it's prepared, what it's paired with,etc. Drinks are also exquisite. A very special place to go that I recommend to everyone!
Visited 9 months ago
Living 10 years in the Az and this is the Best Sushi place we have ever been to so far
Visited 9 months ago
Matthew is the manager and was also our waiter. He took such great care of us and explained every dish we ordered with zeal and attention. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s family-run and the quality shows just how passionate they are about their project. The exterior of the location is very uninviting, but once you step inside and try the food, you won’t stop asking yourself why this isn’t in a better location. Great hidden gem
Visited 9 months ago
Undoubtedly, this gem stands as the pinnacle of dining experiences in the East Valley. As someone who has traversed the globe, indulging in culinary delights far and wide, I assert with confidence that this establishment offers sushi that rivals the finest in the world. It's not just about the exquisite flavors or the artistry of presentation; it's the palpable passion and dedication of the family behind it that elevates this experience to new heights. They don't just serve food; they curate moments of joy and connection. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey of taste. Bon appétit!
Visited 10 months ago
Very good place very expensive
Visited 10 months ago
Most amazing sushi in town! Freshest fish you can get. Personable staff. Excellent service. Most enjoyable meal and experience!
Visited 10 months ago
This place was our Go-To spot for dinner out for many years. Food was outstanding and service always great. My wife loves sushi and I like the variety of cooked dishes often offered at Japanese fine dining.
Recently the management of the restaurant was handed over to a family member and after 3 visits under new management I am sad to report not only have things taken a turn for the worse, it gets worse each time I go back. 1st visit we found a menu overhaul, which, OK change happens and looked forward to some new experiences but what used to be balanced menu with not a ton of items, at least had a nice balance of non-sushi choices. Now a strange mix of Japanese, Italian, and not-sure-what replaced the nice mix of really great choices. Next visit we noticed the portion sizes were cut significantly and prices increased. What used to be a $65 decent sized wague style steak now approached $100, came out half the size as 2 small overcooked medalians with some strange foam on it. It was the first time I ordered an entree there in 10 years and left hungry and paid a premium for terrible food and so-so service. At that point we agreed new management had no idea what they were doing and we would start looking for a new go-to. I didn't leave a review out of respect and love for all the great meals we had had there over the years.
3rd visit was thanks to relative who wanted to take my wife out for her birthday and had heard it was our favorite restaurant. They made the reservation and were excited to take us out and we didn't want to say anything and instead were appreciative of the kind gesture. This time it was interesting to see what other people ordered, I was curious what the portion sizes would look like for their entrees, and for mine, I ordered a wague steak again and made sure to order the largest portion available. I was not surprised to see the scallop entree come out with 4 tiny scallops on a bed of rice. Certainly not a typical meal portion and small even for tapas in my opinion.
Now for my steak, and keep in mind I came to the dinner with my expectations set extremely low so as to not be disappointed again. I never recieved my steak...after watching rounds of food hit the table for 45 plus minutes....my steak never arrived. At the point where everyone had eaten and we were ready for the check I tracked down someone to let them know now that everyone else was ready to conclude our dinner I was not interested in having them all wait and watch me eat my meal, to please cancel it if it was still coming. A manager did come out and said there was a mix up in the kitchen and apologized. Followed by the waitress who came out to chastise me for not understanding how a sushi restaurant works and gave me the "I told you, food comes out when it's ready." Mind you this was the same waitress who we had to ask to please take our drinks order after we had already ordered our food.
After so many years of amazing meals and service I am truly sad to write this. I wish the new management great success and hope they figure out how deliver better food quality and customer experience.
For the rest of us, my suggestion is show up with a fat wallet and low expectations or don't even bother :(
Visited 10 months ago
I have been to this place 4 times now and every single time is one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The wait staff are incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable, the food is some of the best fish you will find anywhere, and if you’re willing to splurge the Waygu can’t be beat. Kudos to the team at Shimogamo, looking forward to the next chance I have to come again!
Visited 10 months ago
They say third times a charm; however, with Shimogamo, it’s every time is a charm! This is only my second time at Shimogamo and it was even more fabulous! We had the scallop nigiri, mackerel nigiri, shimogamo roll and more! The shimogamo roll was delightful. It’s made with panko fried shrimp!!! The scallops melt in your mouth like butter! Everything we had was stellar. Absolutely superb! We sat at the bar this time, which nice. The bartenders were great. Bartender Jona was very helpful and knowledgeable. If it’s possible, he elevated the experience. Reservations highly recommended!
Visited 10 months ago
Incredible food and service. Everyone was so nice!
Visited 10 months ago
We came here for a date night and tried a tasting menu. Every course was excellent - we added the Wagyu beef as a centerpiece which was perfectly prepared. The Japanese shaved ice for dessert is a must-have! We’ll be back!
Visited 10 months ago
Exquisite Food! Exquisite Service! Exquisite Ambiance! I really enjoy this restaurant.
Visited 10 months ago
You'd NEVER realize the great dining experience you're missing on the inside if you look only on the outside storefront. Totally authentic Japanese food, the service was amazing, the staff incredible, even though we only got a seat at the bar. The place was packed on a Thursday night, make a reservation! The seafood was flown in fresh from Japan, the shrimp tempura and the sushi was incredible. I'm a local realtor and love to celebrate my clients with a fabulous meal following closing - I'm going back!
Visited 10 months ago
Absolutely phenomenal sushi. Really great quality fish. Good pairings.
Had the citrus roll (wow), the Shimogamo roll (wonderful), the fried bean curd (not for me — texture thing), and the caterpillar (always amazing).
Note that the menu here and at the Gilbert location are different.
Visited 10 months ago
Food was okay wasn't worth the $120+ tbh. The sushi was normal but nothing to make it stand out we had a Philly, shrimp temp roll and one of the specialty rolls the citrus. The udon carbonara was creamy but didn't have much flavor. We had the chicken confit that was really good and tendor and the sauce was yummy and lastly the tori ten not sure if the tempura was meant to be soft but don't expect crunchy it looks crunchy from the menu picture but it's soft at least ours was. Over all it was just normal the presentation was nice but the food was just normal I don't know how else to describe it it was just fine not amazing not bad maybe we picked the safe things we will give it another try and explore the menu more the next time
Visited 10 months ago
The food was amazing. Kyle had an incredible recommendation for a sake to pair with our rolls.
Visited a year ago
Honestly I have tried to many places since moving to Arizona and I always see such good reviews and then try the sushi spot and it’s not good, but this place, 10/10. My new favorite spot!!!! Everything was so fresh. Spencer was our sushi chef and he was amazing! I am very picky when it comes to sushi but I would try anything here. Definitely will be coming back! I got the citrus roll and the zen roll this time and was so yummy. Can’t wait to try more!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Definitely 5 stars!! this place is phenomenal , our server Tina at the Gilbert location was AMAZING!! and so sweet. there food was so so good and Peter the manager was sooo helpful. we will definitely be coming back.
Visited a year ago
Friggin Delicious, sever was the best I'd ever seem. Made me happy to spend money on things I'd never tasted, had excellent recommendations, best sushi I'd ever had. It is now my favorite restaurant
Visited a year ago
Went here for their Omakase (chefs choice) and it was incredible from start to finish. Our server was very attentive and did a great job describing all of the dishes. Also an amazing cocktail selection. If you’re looking for a fun experience definitely go with the Omakase. We had 8 different courses and they were all delicious. Highly recommend.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I recently dined at Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant in Chandler, AZ, and was truly impressed by the quality of their sushi, particularly their specialty rolls which I would rank among the best in Phoenix. The flavors, presentation, and variety were outstanding, offering a memorable dining experience.
However, my experience did come with a surprise regarding their Uni (sea urchin) serving. Expecting a single portion like most places, I was served 8 pieces, which totaled $72. This was a bit excessive for me, both in quantity and price, especially without a clear indication of the serving size or cost beforehand.
Despite this, the overall quality of the food and the ambiance of Shimogamo makes it a great place to dine, especially for sushi enthusiasts looking for top-notch specialty rolls. Just a word of caution to inquire about portion sizes and prices for items like Uni to avoid any unexpected surprises on your bill.
Visited a year ago
Wonderful sushi.
Visited a year ago
Best sushi ever! Love the Chirashi bowl and all the rolls. Made fresh and the service is always good. It’s small inside so there is usually a line but it’s worth the wait!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. Not just in Phoenix but anywhere.
Visited a year ago
I don’t have anything bad to say about this restaurant. Not a single thing. Our waiter Jonah was such a genuine soul and he made sure our dinner was absolutely lovely. We also had other servers stopping by to make sure we didn’t need anything, and that was a nice touch. The food was impeccable and each dish had its own complex flavors that blended together magnificently. I really appreciated the variety of food on the menu as well. Don’t you dare go here and miss out on the Truffle Amberjack- I could eat that for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to go back and try the shaved ice next time! Thank you again for such a wonderful experience!
Visited a year ago
Having enjoyed exceptional sushi globally, our expectations were high, but unfortunately, our experience at Shimogamo didn’t meet them.
Our initial impression was marred when our waiter accidentally inserted his finger into our ginger and failed to acknowledge or rectify the mistake. A simple apology and replacement would have sufficed to rebuild trust, yet the oversight went unaddressed.
Additionally, the service staff seemed underprepared to offer insights on the wine list, a surprising gap given the restaurant’s premium pricing. Proper training in wine selection and pairing would enhance the dining experience significantly.
We had also mentioned that we were celebrating my wife’s birthday in hopes of receiving a touch of special attention, perhaps a quieter table or a small celebratory gesture, but this was overlooked. Such details can transform a dining experience from good to unforgettable.
The ambiance was less than ideal, with the proximity to a noisy sushi bar where coarse language was used by the staff, detracting from the fine dining atmosphere we anticipated.
As for the food, the sushi was underwhelming, especially when compared to local alternatives that offer superior quality at a fraction of the cost. This was surprising and led us to conclude that better options are available within Arizona.
The digital menu, accessed via QR code, was cumbersome to navigate and lacked images for many items, which felt incongruent with the fine dining experience we expected. A more intuitive and visually appealing menu would significantly improve the initial engagement with the restaurant’s offerings.
Regrettably, based on our experience, we do not plan to return to Shimogamo. We hope this feedback is received as an opportunity for improvement, aligning the dining experience more closely with the high standards one would anticipate from such an establishment.
Visited a year ago
This place was awesome. The food was superb, and the drinks were amazing.
Visited a year ago
SOOOOO!!! FREAKING AMAZING!!!PERIOD!!!
Visited a year ago
Didn’t get starters/drinks despite we arrived on time for reservation. We sat there and waited for 30 minutes and had to ask the servers ourselves why we got nothing. There was no reason for being ultra slow with food as yesterday all customers had the same Valentine day menu. Even no one served us the complimentary drinks. It’s so confusing how this restaurant runs as the couple sat next to us got their drinks and starters very soon after they sat down. Also, they arrived at the same time with us. Oh let me guess, is it because they ordered cocktails but we didn’t?? Or is it because we are Asians?Terrible experience and starters were super salty. Very disappointed since the service/food declined so much from 2022. If you want to feel ignored by severs, the come 😀
Visited a year ago
Great food. Amazing liquor pairing. Knowledgeable staff and impeccable service. The price matches the experience. Definitely a place that impressed across the board.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Awesome gem if you like sushi, it’s expensive but if you want good sushi in the desert you should probably expect to pay for it.
Visited a year ago
Best sushi I've ever had. Even better than stuff I've had in Ginza.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Food: Immaculate. The dishes are tasty, interesting, and include a rotating selection of fresh fish.
Drinks: craft cocktails invented by the bartending staff and rotated every week or so. These drinks were unique but never sacrificed quality & taste. My favorite was a wagyu steak washed vodka drink.
Service: A+ service at all three visits. The bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly; servers were excellent; and the 1 on 1 omakaze experience was attentively catered to our preferences and dietary needs.
Atmosphere: the restaurant is simple, calm, and upscale but understated. The space is small, but didn't feel claustrophobic.
Value: Here the price matches the quality: high. I never felt like the menu was overpriced for what was being offered, and sometimes was pleasantly surprised. With that said, this is a "special occasions" restaurant for me on account of the price tag.
Overall, Shimogamo is a new favorite of mine and my partner. We can't believe we've lived nearby for so long and never heard of Shimogamo until recently.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Sitting at the sushi counter was the right decision! Our sushi chef was fabulous and quick to make our food. The water service left a lot to be desired and it took at least 10 minutes to get our check. This wouldn't be a big deal but we could clearly see the servers were just walking around and talking to the other patrons seemingly aimlessly. However, the food was good and we enjoyed our visit. I'm not sure we'll be back but it was a fun place to check out.
Visited a year ago
Found this place on Google and decided to give it a try based on pictures. BEST. DECISION. EVER!!!
When I said everything was top notch, I meant it. From drinks to nigiri to sashimi to hot dishes. Everything was beyond expectations. The fish were not only fresh but packed with flavors. Wish we could order the entire menu, lol. Was so full we couldn't even try any desert.
Hirame usuzukuri: must!
Oysters: half a dozen, come in 3 flavors/sauce "chef kiss*
Shimigamo shooter: yes!!!
Truffles amberjack: hell yes!!!
We also order pork belly abd chicken confit - they were both good but we thought we should've ordered more fish instead
Visited a year ago
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 . . . Nothing else is required
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
This was one of the best omakase experiences I've ever had. Paul guided us through our meal and provided great detail and insight for each course. He asked us about preferences and allergies at the beginning so they could tailor our experience accordingly.
I can't even describe how amazing every bite was. We walked out completely satisfied and are already making plans on coming back.
The restaurant was fairly busy the entire time we were there, but we never waited long for anything. There was a great energy from the staff and chefs, and it was cool to just sit and watch everyone do their thing.
We drove down from Phoenix for dinner on a Friday evening. Well worth the drive.
Visited a year ago
Outstanding staff and food. We booked an Omakase as a special date night but ended up running a little late. The staff was incredibly understanding and accommodating. We ended up sitting at the bar and had a great time chatting with the staff. Each dish was better than the last and the cocktails were delicious. We will absolutely be frequent flyers here even if it’s just a quick stop for a dish or two.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Fantastic quality sushi. Highly recommended.
Visited a year ago
First time going last night. Was excited based on the reviews however we left disappointed. We sat at sushi counter and our sushi chef was constantly coughing as well as using same towel to wipe hands knife and board. Used bare and wet hands to make the sushi which produced a very sub par product especially considering the price.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My girlfriend took me here for a special birthday dinner. Cocktail list looked great but we just ended ordering sake, which they had a decent selection to choose from. The food was absolutely astounding. No easy way to say it, but that changed my mind in what sushi can actually be. The atmosphere was nice and it was great to see several people walk in the door and for the staff to know them, I love a place that gets all sorts or regulars. My only gripe was our server who was really dismissive and almost rude. Luckily one of the other servers came up to us and explained all the food really well, made suggestions and explained how to properly eat each course. Thank you for him because if we only dealt with our server, that would have made our experience a little bit of a downer. But thank you for an amazing meal and we will be back!
Visited a year ago
So good!
Visited a year ago
Busy place. Very high quality sushi with great presentation.
Visited a year ago
Well we finally tried this place and were so disappointed. 1st portions are soooo small especially for the price. 2nd we were sat in a back room that just seemed to get forgotten. We asked for a knife and ended up having to go and retrieve it ourselves after waiting several minutes while the dish sat uneaten. Drinks were slow or not refilled unless we asked. Definitely better sushi places at better prices with better atmosphere.
Visited a year ago
My 2nd time there, food was good. Server (blonde lady) was probably the worst server I had in Arizona so far. She doesn't even let you finish your order, and she walks away. No recommendations, she looks away, no emotions. There are so many things that i wont even mention. She is really not interested to be there. Restaurant is obviously understaffed, people wait in line for a while even with the reservations. 2 servers trying to run all tables and touch them up, but it takes away from badic service. The gentleman(another server), was a delight, he would explain the dishes, and he make up little for the other server mistakes. We ordered miso lamb, she said they were sold out so we ordered other dishes instead. Then she brought it out and said here you are, we were able to accommodate... well , there was a reason we ordered other things instead. Thanks for getting but should have asked if we still want it. So now we have so many items, for 2 people. Ordered bottle of wine, they poured it and said its a different wine as they are changing the wine list. Well, let me guess how much is this wine... Spent over $300 and to be honest, even though food was good , I would not return. Great place, but the lady working there definitely a bad representation.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Absolutely the best sushi in Phoenix! Always great service and great food. Our new favorite restaurant!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My son, wife and I enjoyed an excellent sushi dinner, last night. Shimogamo Restaurant is a modern Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar big enough for four chefs. It also has a drink bar and tables for sit-down dining.
When you sit at the sushi bar, you have a server for drinks and dishes from the kitchen, and you order sushi directly from the chef. We started off with a new, to us, junmai sake that was recommended by our server. We all really enjoyed it and, of course, we shared it with the chefs.
I was surprised that there's a Japanese restaurant in the desert with more than the usual selection of pink, red, orange and white fish. Although Shimogamo Restaurant offers omekase, which must be pre-ordered with a reservation, we opted to order a la carte at the sushi bar, because it had a waaaay better than normal selection of fish, much of which is imported from Japan.
We started with a hot appetizer of agedashi tofu, which was very good because of the excellent dashi (broth). But then, the nigiri sushi (fish on rice) started coming over the sushi bar. The chef said that the selection wasn't as extensive as usual, but it was still impressive. We had hotate (sea scallop), shima aji (striped jack), madai (sea bream), kurodai (black sea bream), saba (mackerel), chutoro (medium fatty bluefin tuna), ama ebi (sweet shrimp) with the heads deep fried, umi masu (ocean trout) and sumi ika (cuttlefish). All of the fish was appropriately dressed with nikiri (sauce) and condiments (e.g., umeboshi, torched nikiri, yuzu kosho, green onion, ikura [salmon roe]). The chefs at Shimogamo Restaurant really know what they're doing!
The only disappointments were 1) no uni; 2) no toro; and 3) no aged fish (you know, like a steak). However, I'm confident that they'll all appear on the specials board at some point in the future.
From now on, every trip I take to the Phoenix area will include at least one visit to Shimogamo Restaurant. I'm already looking forward to my next one!
Visited a year ago
Came here for an anniversary, and we were very impressed with the staff's knowledge and professionalism. We usually pick a new sushi restaurant every year to try for our anniversary, and this might be the best so far. We will definitely be returning in the near future!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Overly rude from the moment we walked in. It was 3 hours before they close on a weekend and 60% of the tables were empty and refused to sit us and said at the very least over an hour wait with no explanation.
Visited a year ago
Second time eating here, I liked it even better. This is the only place where I feel the sushi tastes like how I am familiar with. They are good with their fish, either raw or cooked. I rarely like eel nigiri or just eel in general (like unagi don) unless it’s cooked alright but tonight it was my favorite. It was absolutely delicious so was everything else. By far the best Japanese restaurant I’ve been to in AZ. Will def go back😋
Visited a year ago
The most friendly servers. AMAZING food and very fun atmosphere.
Visited a year ago
Favorite sushi place in the valley, one of the best, if not the best, sushi in Arizona, compares to the best in SoCal. Premium sushi/sashimi plates will have their freshest and specialty fish. The shrimp tempura are amazing, might be the only cooked item I get.
Visited a year ago
Extremely rude at visit no waiting line. Was asked if we had reservations, NOT required online. The host made personal decision. He would have availability at 8:30 pm. we arrived at 5:00 pm. Four generations 74, 48, 28 & 2 celebrating two birthdays, way to ruin a special day.
Visited a year ago
Wow!! I loved this restaurant. We are very picky when it comes to sushi. This was our second time visiting Arizona and have been disappointed with the food/restaurants we’ve tried so far, but this was a whole new experience. The fish was fresh and so yummy! Top notch quality and creative menu items. We will definitely be back.
Visited a year ago
Best sushi in the state by far.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Best authentic sushi in the area
Visited a year ago
The most incredible experience of sushi I’ve had. The food was to die for, bartenders were very attentive and friendly. 10/10 would come again.
Visited a year ago
I want to preface this with saying, prior to today, I have never and would have never wanted to write a negative review on restaurant.
With that in mind, this rating and review is based on my experience as the customer (I’m sure the food is as good as 4.8 stars Shimogamo has and I’m sure you should probably still try it).
Last night (the night before), I made an “Experience” reservation for 5pm. My plan: Take my wife out for an incredible omakase experience to enjoy (babysitter secured!) We make enough decisions all day and all I wanted to do was have delicious food sent out bite after bite.
After notifying our waiter (the Manager) that we were ready to order our $160+ pp omakase, he said that wasn’t available to us. This was after we were just settling into our order of a delicious bottle of sake. He offered to help us pick a few things on the menu for a “shortened” experience (they have a 1.5 hour seating and by now it was 5:15). I told him I saw the “experience” vs normal reservation on the website and had booked the “experience” expecting that it was the signal for an omakase experience at the sushi bar. I asked if there was anything he could do. After running around for 5 minutes between checking the computer and passing to-go receipts to the sushi bar, he came back and explained again he could help us pick a few things, but we wouldn’t be able to do omakase as planned.
After telling him we’d take the check, he simply said okay. After 10 mins (it’s now 5:30p, 30 mins into our reservation), he simply came back with the check. His explanation? Not that I didn’t indeed book an “experience”. He was attempting to explain it’s because we booked the night before and they need time to prepare. I’m sorry, but that’s no where clear on OpenTable or the website and just a terrible excuse. We paid the full amount for the sake after only drinking half and walked out the door.
Omakase is a special thing. It’s an amazing experience and one that typically comes but once a year for special occasions. It’s expensive and awe-inspiring. A normal night of having a waiter help you order hundreds of dollars of sushi, isn’t and shouldn’t be an acceptable replacement.
We were already there. We had driven 35 minutes in traffic racing to be on time and there was only one other diner at 15 person sushi bar. Could he have let us go another half hour over to enjoy the omakase? Could he have apologized, discounted the sake and offered us another reservation, a later reservation, anything?? I don’t know, but this was a terrible experience. I’m writing because this needs to be handled better next time and honestly, there’s no clear way to contact management that isn’t the person we talked to. I hope you have a better experience than this and I hope something is learned by this restaurant because of my bad experience tonight.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Incredible, I’m definitely coming back and bringing more Angelinos to support your amazing business.
Visited a year ago
As a sushi lover, I was disappointed based on the reviews. The sushi rice was over cooked and the fish had a weird smell and taste.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Food was very good but be prepared to spend a mortgage payment on the meal. Waiter was not very attentive at all. Nice bathrooms but no soap in ladies room and husband said they had a bottle of soap that was open and you had to pour it out of the bottle because the top didn't work. You would think that with the price that they charge they would be able to take care of the little things.
Visited a year ago
Excellent! Wonderful food and drinks 😋 Peter was so helpful and enjoyable-really enjoyed our evening and we will be back 👍
Visited a year ago
Food and service was great, but the hostess was a little odd. We had a reservation, first she said the table was getting set up, then she sat us at a table that was open right behind us, by the door, when we asked about the other table she said it would be 5 minutes, which we were okay with to start. Just odd to not give us the option and just sit us at a different table.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Hidden gem. My favorite sushi place in Arizona.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
What a delightful experience! I had the mushroom salad and the tempura udon soup. Others at the table had eel roll, clams and a few other rolls. They raved about them. My soup was very good and the mushroom salad was incredible. Everything was extremely fresh and precisely prepared. The server was very impressive. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and obviously passionate about the food. His presentations were thoughtful and descriptive without any condescension. Will definitely be returning.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
- 12 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.6 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 480-899-7191
- Menu Website: https://shimogamoaz.com/
- Sushi Address: 2051 W Warner Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224, United States
- Sushi Map: 33.333858, -111.877772
- Authentic Japanese restaurant
- Japanese restaurant
- Japanese steakhouse
- Takeout restaurant
- Ramen restaurant
- Restaurant
- Seafood restaurant
- Sushi restaurant
- Udon noodle restaurant
- Sunday: 5–8:15 PM
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5–8:15 PM
- Wednesday: 5–8:15 PM
- Thursday: 5–8:15 PM
- Friday: 5–9 PM
- Saturday: 5–9 PM
- Identifies as Asian-owned: Available
- Identifies as women-owned: Available
- Kerbside pickup: Available
- No-contact delivery: Available
- Delivery: Available
- On-site services: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Great tea selection: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Private dining room: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Wine: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Counter service: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Bar on site: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Casual: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- Family friendly: Available
- Groups: Available
- LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Transgender safe space: Available
- Lunch reservations recommended: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Usually a wait: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Good for kids: Available
- Has changing table(s): Available
- High chairs: Available
- Free of charge street parking: Available
- Free parking lot: Available
- Parking: Available