Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, Phoenix

I enjoyed my overall experience at Sandfish! I did think service was a bit slow/awkward to start and drinks/food did take a while to come out at times, but that every dish was enjoyable.

Started off with one of their mezcal cocktails which was fantastic and came in a very appealing glass!

We decided to order off the happy hour menu, however I’m not sure if it saved any money. We ordered 3 crudos for $8-10 each however each crudo was only 3 pieces of fish in total. So 9 pieces of fish was $30 which I think was overpriced, so I would not necessarily gravitate to the happy hour menu again! The crisp fish and sauce however was my favorite thing we ordered and absolutely delicious. The blue crab zhushi was really good! Great texture and flavor to it.

We also ordered the octopus, which was good flavor but very small amount for the price in my opinion, but the flavor was good and I thought it was cooked perfectly. So it had nice texture and not chewy!

We ordered the venue sushi roll and another one titled umi-something and I would say both were very solid sushi rolls but nothing crazy from a flavor perspective. I would say it’s predictable and typical sushi flavors!

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and great for small pairs! For larger groups I can imagine a reservation would be ideal as it’s on the smaller side. There are very few parking spots outside so something to consider as far as getting there.

I would definitely go back and try more items on the menu!

Visited 3 months ago

This place was so amazing! First the food: every dish we ordered had such remarkable flavors and the attention to detail was unreal. We ordered the chicken gyoza (the chili garlic sauce is out of this world). We also ordered the shishito peppers and they were so good and had a great teriyaki drizzle on them. The Umami (albacore) signature roll was the best roll we have ever had (aguachile was a punch of taste). The short rib entree was such a great interactive experience at dinner and THE FLAVORS WERE AMAZINGGGGGG!!! The broccolini was such an unexpected RICH great dish and I would order it over and over again. We also ordered the Sandfish Nigiri Plate and the taste of each one with the detailed herb/spice was undescribable. The food is one thing but the atmosphere and service was top notch. The bar manager Josh was great and showed such great hospitality and took his time explaining the dishes to us. Chef Eddy was the best chef I have ever met, the attention to detail, the care in the food, and the interaction with the guests were truly so special, as if we were the most important guests in the restaurant. To say I will be back is an understatement, I can't wait to experience all of this again! Thank you!!

Visited 4 months ago

I wanted to stop at this place for a while now. I’m happy I got a chance to slip in and try it out.

The beef gyoza was amazing. So packed with flavor and the crunch on it still rings.

The duck bao buns were very nice, the duck was prepared perfectly. I just wish it one more layer of flavor that shot me to the moon and back.

I got the 72 hour short rib nigiri. For the price for just one. Not worth it, in my opinion. I would say around $9-$10 for one piece. Nah. Get some tuna or salmon instead.

And at last a basic Cali roll. It was excellent. Prepared fresh and you can taste it. Wouldn’t mind getting that again.

All in all, I think I spent around $80 just for myself on these 4 dishes and one cocktail. Worth it?…
No. It was a nice experience and the food was really good however I’d rather spend that money somewhere else.

Visited 5 months ago

We celebrated my girlfriend’s 31st birthday here and I am so thankful we did. We were surprised to find out that Wednesdays are all day happy hour. We got a few things from that menu and more from the full menu. My mezcal cocktail was perfect. Every dish was delicious. We could not believe how tasty every single thing we ordered was! The restaurant itself is very small and intimate. I don’t think we could pick a favorite dish. Everything was so good. The mussels in the miso broth might have been the star of the show though. And you can’t go wrong with the crudos! You’re not allowed to leave the restaurant until you’ve ended your meal with their ube oil cake.

Visited 3 months ago

I don't leave reviews but this restaurant deserves the recognition. The Hubs and I have eaten here multiple times, and Sandfish Sushi is by far one of our favorite restaurants. The sushi is high grade and melts in our mouths. The dishes are unique and delicious. I believe we've tasted everything on the menu. The service is personable and welcoming.

Visited 4 months ago

We appreciated their hospitality in fitting us in without a reservation Saturday night. The restaurant is gorgeous. In general food was excellent, some dishes outstanding including the duck bun and albacore makimono.

Visited 8 months ago

They add a special touch of class with the way they present their drinks to their signature dishes. Even though they have caviar on their menu, their prices are perfect for the quality of their service and menu. Thanks for a special anniversary dinner.

Visited a year ago

Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. The chef introduced himself to us and explained some of the menu.

Every single dish we tried (8) was delicious. The fish was fresh and prepared perfectly. I don’t ever write reviews but my dinner here was so outstanding I felt compelled to.

Try this place out you will not be disappointed!

Visited 5 months ago

We have been here so many times and have always loved the food, but it is SO incredibly slow. We have sent so many friends to this spot and always raved about the food but cautioned people it is slowwww. Tonight will be our last night coming here. we came for my birthday dinner tonight and it took over 40 minutes to get cocktails and edamame appetizer. We never even got to put in our dinner order. When I finally got my cocktail the server spilled HALF of it on the table and said nothing and left the mess and half filled cocktail for me to drink. So unfortunate as the food is great but the service will ruin this place. Don’t have so many covers if you cannot accommodate them in a reasonable ticket time.

Visited 3 months ago

Totes Amaze

Visited 3 months ago

Went to dinner here last night. Here just some basic thoughts:
Unfortunately it was a mixed bag.
The pacing was bad. Hot food came out first instead of sushi and nigiri.
The server was HIGH as ****. She was getting worse and weirder as the night went on.
The sushi rolls were delicious.
The nigiri was just ok and expensive.
The bok choy & broccolini absolutely is amazing.
The hot stone was bad! Tough and weird tasting.
Salads, meh
Cocktails🔥🔥

I really want to like this place because I bought a house literally on the same block. I'd go back for the sushi rolls, the broccolini and the cocktails. Hopefully things work out better the next time.

Visited 3 months ago

We celebrated my girlfriend’s 31st birthday here and I am so thankful we did. We were surprised to find out that Wednesdays are all day happy hour. We got a few things from that menu and more from the full menu. My mezcal cocktail was perfect. Every dish was delicious. We could not believe how tasty every single thing we ordered was! The restaurant itself is very small and intimate. I don’t think we could pick a favorite dish. Everything was so good. The mussels in the miso broth might have been the star of the show though. And you can’t go wrong with the crudos! You’re not allowed to leave the restaurant until you’ve ended your meal with their ube oil cake.

Visited 3 months ago

I enjoyed my overall experience at Sandfish! I did think service was a bit slow/awkward to start and drinks/food did take a while to come out at times, but that every dish was enjoyable.

Started off with one of their mezcal cocktails which was fantastic and came in a very appealing glass!

We decided to order off the happy hour menu, however I’m not sure if it saved any money. We ordered 3 crudos for $8-10 each however each crudo was only 3 pieces of fish in total. So 9 pieces of fish was $30 which I think was overpriced, so I would not necessarily gravitate to the happy hour menu again! The crisp fish and sauce however was my favorite thing we ordered and absolutely delicious. The blue crab zhushi was really good! Great texture and flavor to it.

We also ordered the octopus, which was good flavor but very small amount for the price in my opinion, but the flavor was good and I thought it was cooked perfectly. So it had nice texture and not chewy!

We ordered the venue sushi roll and another one titled umi-something and I would say both were very solid sushi rolls but nothing crazy from a flavor perspective. I would say it’s predictable and typical sushi flavors!

The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and great for small pairs! For larger groups I can imagine a reservation would be ideal as it’s on the smaller side. There are very few parking spots outside so something to consider as far as getting there.

I would definitely go back and try more items on the menu!

Visited 3 months ago

I don't leave reviews but this restaurant deserves the recognition. The Hubs and I have eaten here multiple times, and Sandfish Sushi is by far one of our favorite restaurants. The sushi is high grade and melts in our mouths. The dishes are unique and delicious. I believe we've tasted everything on the menu. The service is personable and welcoming.

Visited 4 months ago

Drinks and service is awesome. Fish is high quality but expensive. The new menu is a big miss.

Visited 4 months ago

Visited 4 months ago

Best sushi in the Valley by a long shot! You’re missing out if you don’t come here!

Visited 4 months ago

We loved sitting on the patio, the food was delicious, and the service was fantastic! We got the Experiment, Umami Bin’naga, and broccolini and baby bok choy. All were excellent!

Visited 4 months ago

Absolutely wonderful evening. That patio vibe!

Visited 4 months ago

The executive chef came out and made sure we were taken care of. You can tell the passion he has in the craft and the food was amazing. Great service, great atmosphere, great people, highly recommend and will be a repeat customer!

Visited 4 months ago

This place was so amazing! First the food: every dish we ordered had such remarkable flavors and the attention to detail was unreal. We ordered the chicken gyoza (the chili garlic sauce is out of this world). We also ordered the shishito peppers and they were so good and had a great teriyaki drizzle on them. The Umami (albacore) signature roll was the best roll we have ever had (aguachile was a punch of taste). The short rib entree was such a great interactive experience at dinner and THE FLAVORS WERE AMAZINGGGGGG!!! The broccolini was such an unexpected RICH great dish and I would order it over and over again. We also ordered the Sandfish Nigiri Plate and the taste of each one with the detailed herb/spice was undescribable. The food is one thing but the atmosphere and service was top notch. The bar manager Josh was great and showed such great hospitality and took his time explaining the dishes to us. Chef Eddy was the best chef I have ever met, the attention to detail, the care in the food, and the interaction with the guests were truly so special, as if we were the most important guests in the restaurant. To say I will be back is an understatement, I can't wait to experience all of this again! Thank you!!

Visited 4 months ago

The food is just spectacular! Tastes as good as it looks! Our go-to sushi place when in Pheonix! Not your average sushi place! Excited to enjoy the food again ... tomorrow!

Visited 5 months ago

Visited 5 months ago

The new head chef has revamped the menu and it’s the best sushi I’ve had all year in Phoenix. Really cute patio tucked in back for a great date spot. Amazing cocktails and food.

Visited 5 months ago

Great service, great food & drinks, and back patio was the perfect atmosphere with the fire. Our new sushi spot. Definitely coming back.

Visited 5 months ago

Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. The chef introduced himself to us and explained some of the menu.

Every single dish we tried (8) was delicious. The fish was fresh and prepared perfectly. I don’t ever write reviews but my dinner here was so outstanding I felt compelled to.

Try this place out you will not be disappointed!

Visited 5 months ago

Such a crafted gem! We were thrilled when world renowned sushi Chef Onural made the decision to open another location in our Melrose neighborhood. His attention to detail in both ambiance and cuisine has not disappointed! What’s special about Sandfish in Phoenix is the casual yet upscale atmosphere. The outdoor patio with ceiling heaters and beautiful fireplace is THE SPOT to dine. I could eat the spicy tuna tostadas daily. I can only eat gluten free and the service staff here will ensure to provide you with extensive options for any specific elimination including vegetarian and vegan. There’s even plenty for the non seafood eaters. Make sure you order the Freya vodka cocktail with edible flower. Overall always a consistently awesome experience.

Visited 5 months ago

I wanted to stop at this place for a while now. I’m happy I got a chance to slip in and try it out.

The beef gyoza was amazing. So packed with flavor and the crunch on it still rings.

The duck bao buns were very nice, the duck was prepared perfectly. I just wish it one more layer of flavor that shot me to the moon and back.

I got the 72 hour short rib nigiri. For the price for just one. Not worth it, in my opinion. I would say around $9-$10 for one piece. Nah. Get some tuna or salmon instead.

And at last a basic Cali roll. It was excellent. Prepared fresh and you can taste it. Wouldn’t mind getting that again.

All in all, I think I spent around $80 just for myself on these 4 dishes and one cocktail. Worth it?…
No. It was a nice experience and the food was really good however I’d rather spend that money somewhere else.

Visited 5 months ago

Visited 5 months ago

Amazing food and Katy was an amazing server!

Visited 6 months ago

Great sushi place - food was fantastic and fully took advantage of their "happy hour" and got a little bit of the best things which allowed for a great variety in one visit

Visited 6 months ago

The food was not worth the price. Sushi was dry but I'm not one to send food back. I was also on a first date, already nervous enough, yet they sat another party right next to us with little to no room to get up. Now I know they take reservations, but when I say this place was empty it was just us and two more parties the entire time we were there. Felt like if someone took the seat next to you in an empty bus lol. Odd and inconsiderate seating choice by the restaurant.

Visited 7 months ago

Amazing food, atmosphere and service!

Visited 7 months ago

Wonderful dining experience with stellar service. Well designed dining room so you could actually hear someone talk (no echoes or loud sounds) completed a great experience.

A shout out for the octopus and Wagyu sushi as well as the duck bao buns. We plan to order those again next time!

Visited 8 months ago

We appreciated their hospitality in fitting us in without a reservation Saturday night. The restaurant is gorgeous. In general food was excellent, some dishes outstanding including the duck bun and albacore makimono.

Visited 8 months ago

Everything was absolutely delightful.

Visited 8 months ago

The tuna tostada is one of the best things I’ve eaten.

Visited 9 months ago

I was really looking forward to visiting Sandfish for probably a year now, finally made a reservation. Straight to the point - they use Kanikama (fish bits which is made to appear like crab, artificial crab) in a majority of their rolls. So this told me from the get-go that their sushi wasn't going to be about quality. And right off the bat, our sashimi was warm...not appetizing at all, tasteless. Then we had their Blue Crab roll, again tasteless, and one other that was unrememberable, drenched in sauce. The sushi chef is clearly not skilled in tight rolls, and everything melted into our dipping sauce. We left soon thereafter, especially when a lady lighting candles told my husband that he HAD to have the candle lit, so management is also sub-par (he's asthmatic). In summary, this is clearly not a quality sushi establishment and is no where in line of the price thats charged. Ambience is lackluster and nothing to speak of either

Visited 9 months ago

This is by far, bar none THE BEST sushi in the entire Phoenix Metropolitan area. Blue crab and wagyu are a few of the rolls we got and they were amazing, as was the yellowtail appetizer and signature dish. Their whiskey menu is solid and the service and atmosphere are amazing. We had the best experience and when we voiced how good it was to them, they gave us free appetizers cards so we can come back and try the ahi tartar and the of the menu that we didn't get to try.

Visited 9 months ago

We were visiting from Ohio and this is hands down the best sushi we have ever had. The presentation is great, and the fish was fresh. Hostess and server were very friendly. It’s pricey, but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend.

Visited 10 months ago

Visited 10 months ago

Bestes Sushi

Visited 10 months ago

I’ve always had an amazing experience here, food & drinks are exceptional.

Visited 10 months ago

Primera vez en ese lugar, buen sushi, aperitivos y exelente servicio

Visited a year ago

Great little spot, great sushi

Visited a year ago

Excellent experience and fantastic waitress.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

In a weird spot with not a lot of parking but very delicious.

Visited a year ago

Excellent, creative food. Great staff.

Visited a year ago

Great atmosphere, great cocktails and delicious sushi.

Visited a year ago

We absolutely loved this restaurant for a birthday dinner! The food was delicious, unique, and came in perfect portions to try a variety. This sort of dining experience is most fulfilling when you take your time and try a lot of different dishes, it was a perfect treat for a wonderful night out!

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Fantastic service (Matty sp?).
Beautiful menu that tastes even better than it sounds. Subtle yet beautiful room/ambiance. Portions are larger than expected. Will be back again and again. My friend travels to Japan about 6x/yr and is a serious sushi snob and loved it just as much as I did.
With more food and drinks than we could finish it was only $100 each plus tip.

Visited a year ago

Great vibe and cool decor. The food was excellent. They have your standard sushi, sashimi, and rolls. But they really shine with their signature rolls. Very unique ingredients and each one tasted so good!! They also have a great cocktail list. I would highly recommend!

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Awesome place with awesome food and service. Love the wine pairings with the meal

Visited a year ago

Nice clean and quaint. Service was outstanding, the manhattan is a must. The Virgin Garden mocktail was a hit as well. Great selection of rolls that weren’t ordinary. We will be back.

Visited a year ago

This place has phenomenal drinks and a great happy hour menu. All of the food we had was fantastic. We really enjoyed the jalapeño poppers and the Wagyu Roll. I would give 5 stars but the service is lacking for the price you pay.

Visited a year ago

This was the best sushi experience I’ve had in arizona. Josh was our bartender and made me a great dealers choice when I wasnt sure what cocktail to order. He recommended 2 rolls off their signature rolls menu and we were pleasantly surprised with how all the flavors came together and how fresh all the ingredients were. Definitely will be coming here again !

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Nestled in the vibrant Melrose neighborhood at 7th Avenue and Indian School Road, Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey beckons with an enticing array of dishes starting at just $6, alongside daily happy hour delights from 4:30 to 6:30. Our journey commenced with an exploration of their Old Fashioned offerings, featuring the classic, the house original, and the Nagano—all expertly balanced and impeccably presented. For sustenance, we indulged in the Makimono Salmon and Albacore, Salmon Tartare, culminating in the show-stopping Venue Roll. Comprising spicy tuna, salmon, and tobiko, this masterpiece—featuring spicy tuna, cucumber, gobo, topped with seared salmon, spicy aioli, teriyaki sauce, microgreens, and tobiko—unveiled flavors that harmonized like a symphony. While the wait for the Venue Roll took awhile, its arrival underscored the adage that good things come to those who wait—a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates Sandfish's commitment to delivering an exceptional sushi and whiskey experience. Without a doubt, Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey stands as a solid choice for aficionados seeking a memorable culinary excursion.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

The bartender made are experience amazing. The atmosphere was wonderful. Sushi was delicious!

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Haters gonna hate, but this is the best place for a date.

Phenomenal food. Got it to go for corn hole across the street. I’ll be back to enjoy the experience.

Best sushi around

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

I'm sad to leave this review! We went to Sandfish in December 2023 and loved it. This time, we went back for the omakase experience (chefs menu) and when we were seated we were told that wasn't an option because they were too busy (7:00 PM reservation on a Saturday night). They were also out of seaweed salad. The service was okay - the food came out slowly. The food was also okay - we've had much better sushi at other restaurants in the area :-/. The couple sitting next to us decided to leave and not finish their meal because it was taking too long... They seemed very short-staffed and we weren't as impressed as we were the first time. They did give us a free coupon for an appetizer for if we came back (but I don't think we will :-(). The sushi rolls have ten ingredients but none of the flavors really came through. We had high hopes in returning to Sandfish but weren't impressed this time.

Visited a year ago

1) came in before dinner rush restaurant was not busy.
2) first roll took exactly 38 minutes to be brought to table with little interaction during that time.
3) had THE WORST what I imagine to be food poisoning about 12 hours after dinner.

There are many sushi options here and this is one I would avoid . Won’t be back and won’t be eating sushi for a very long time .

Visited a year ago

We came here completely spur of the moment and were blown away. The bartender allowed us to do a ‘tasting’ of 4 different whiskeys. The sushi was spectacular, unexpected combinations of ingredients and all delicious. We will definitely come here next time we visit Phoenix!!

Visited a year ago

Hands down one of the best sushi spots in Phoenix. Fresh ingredients great service. Highly recommended!

Visited a year ago

Stumbled in last night. First timer, had sake, beer, tea and conversation with a sweet bartender. I’ll be back to try your lovely fish selection.
Ciao!

Visited a year ago

Place was real vibey. From the low lights to the music playlist. It was our first time but Katy was very welcoming and helped us navigate. Great happy hour menu. Overall great place for any occasion.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

We were visiting Phoenix from the PNW and looking for sushi for a date night while we were in town. After about 30 minutes of Google searching, I came across this place and glad I did! We got there just in time for happy hour and got a couple of drinks and appetizers. We got edamame, brussels sprouts, and a couple drinks each.
For the rolls, we had the Koko, Sandfish, and Rainbow. All of our food was excellent and what we would compare to good sushi back home. The atmosphere in the back patio was perfect for a date night with the fireplace going and little lights on the table. With prices a little high here compared to what I'm used to in the PNW for sushi, I still would highly recommend this place and go to Sandfish again.

Visited a year ago

Great sushi .. everything is very fresh .. I definitely recommend it ..

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Great selection of whiskey and cocktails. The Omakase was great and IMO for a great price. Staff was friendly, informative and helpful. Came here on a whim while visiting from.out of town. Will definitely be back!

Visited a year ago

my favorite restaurant! I recommend this place to everyone! The food and drinks are consistently delicious every time. I’m shocked there could even one bad review of this restaurant. Those people must be miserable or have lost some tastebuds from covid or something if they don’t like the food. The staff is incredible and the bartenders are very knowledgeable. I love that I can ask for something depending on what I’m feeling that day and the bartenders always craft beautiful, tasteful cocktails. The cost is more than other sushi restaurants, however the quality and craftsmanship of the food and drinks justify the higher cost. I’ve traveled a lot and tried many sushi restaurants and this one surpasses all of them. I can’t say enough great things about this place! Just writing this review and thinking of the food is making my mouth water!

Visited a year ago

Great experience, Alexandria was a great server and provided awesome suggestions without being pushy. Other than not having the matcha creme puffs, everything was perfect. We will definitely be back.

Visited a year ago

They add a special touch of class with the way they present their drinks to their signature dishes. Even though they have caviar on their menu, their prices are perfect for the quality of their service and menu. Thanks for a special anniversary dinner.

Visited a year ago

Lovely place, if you love sushi then must go

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

For a celebration night, this place hidden gem. I recommend the Scandinavian and the Venue Roll...both were excellent. The Pork Belly Bao Buns are...well it's pork belly...so obviously it's delicious. The scallops were paired with walnuts which seemed to overpower the delicate taste of scallops. The Lollipop roll was our final dish and the coolness in temperature made it almost feel like a welcome desert.

Try a signature drink, order only 2 dishes at a time in order to pace yourself, and lastly, don't be in a hurry.

It's a great place. We'll be back.

Visited 2 years ago

Overall really good food, unique dishes and good atmosphere.

The place is relatively small so you’ll be sitting somewhat close to others.

We had the following:

- Beef gyoza
- Yellowtail sashimi
- Koko Signature Rill
- Waygu Signature Roll
- Salmon Avocado Maki Roll
- Freya House Original Cocktail
- Nagano Old Fashioned Original Cocktail

Everything was delicious, our favorite was the Gyoza because the sauce was incredible.

That said, bill came out to around $200 for two (after tip), just not sure it’s a place worth that much, if I’m going to spend min $100/person I’m going to Nobu, but other than that, everything was great & service was really friendly & attentive!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

We had the best time, best food and best service! We are definitely going back!

Visited 2 years ago

The food was amazing

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi and service was great, just a little on the pricier side. Good for a special date or birthday.

Visited 2 years ago

Great ambiance! Fresh fish! KILLER caviar appetizer😃! Incredible mocktails!! Stephanie knows how to make your night amazing!! Quaint, delish and fresh!!

Visited 2 years ago

Man do I like this restaurant. Food was outstanding. Great variety, great beer selection. Service was on point. Definitely need reservations, this place is not very large. Also, considering we tried over half the menu, the pricing wasn't too bad.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Good restaurant to grab a quick bite, the atmosphere was great, a little bit overprice for the sushi rolls, but in the good site have a good selection of whiskey

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Great sushi and very cool vibe. The drinks were also very good. Great to see another great restaurant on 7th Ave.

Visited 2 years ago

Great sushi and drinks.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

We are obsessed with Sandfish! We visited its original location in Palm Springs and couldn't wait to come to the Phoenix location. It did not disappoint.
The service was friendly, and the timing of everything was great.
We got a Mocktail, the Nordic breeze, and a cocktail, City of temples. Both were delicious.
We started with the spicy tuna tostadas. This is incredible! Everybody should start their meal with these tostadas. The flavor of this dish is incredible. A little bit of sweet, little bit spicy, a little bit of savory, it's amazing.
We always get the Koko roll because it's our favorite. This time we tried the Scandinavian roll and the Sandfish roll. All of them are so different and so delicious. You can't go wrong.
It was hot so we ate inside. I think next time we will wait until it will be cooler so we can enjoy the back patio. Inside is really crowded. We were sandwiched between two other tables, and it felt like we were all together at the same table. I could hear their conversations as clearly as our own. It won't stop us from going back though!

Visited 2 years ago

Best sushi in Phoenix

Visited 2 years ago

Great date night restaurant. Menu is all over the place so it can be tough to decide what to order, but everything we ended up selecting was superb.

Visited 2 years ago

This place is amazing! I travel the country and for a living I work with restaurants so I have had my fair share of dining experiences and there's a reason I decided to spend my Birthday this year here.

Everything from the atmosphere, to the amazing service, the menus, an inspirational quote on a happy birthday letter, and the sensational food, this please is a knock out.

The Scandinavian vibes here are so unique and perfectly executed. It's impossible not to love.

Not to mention the sushi is the best sushi by far in town and the drinks are to die for.

We couldn't be happier we came across this gem in the dessert and we plan on coming back regularly for years to come.

Visited 2 years ago

Every new restaurant goes through growing pains especially now trying to hire and retain the right staff. This place is awesome and the food is great, the staff they have now is awesome. Logan and Britt the GM are super attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. The foods legit as well and house original cocktails are great.

Visited 2 years ago

Bad value at the price point.

Unlike beef at a steak joint, fish has to be a certain level of quality to serve as sushi. So, creativity and presentation matter a lot and that's sorely lacking. Bad value for what you get. You can find more creative sushi for similar price points or cheaper at Umami or Hiro in N Scottsdale.
Cocktails are creative but I'd say Clever Koi gets you a similarly creative cocktail at a more competitive price point (a vieux caré for $8 on HH!)
Maybe I'm just projecting but I assumed that a place serving sushi with "Whiskey" in its name would have Japanese whiskey on the menu. I could have missed it, but I saw mostly standard fare KY bourbons like Woodford, Blanton's, Willett, etc. No Japanese whiskey in sight.
My issues are all price driven. If they knocked menu prices down by 15-30% and changed nothing else, Sandfish would represent better value. Either that or elevate the presentation to something more aligned to the price. Right now, Sandfish is trying to have it both ways.

Bottom line: can't recommend, won't be back.

Visited 2 years ago

incredibly disappointing .. phoenix seems focused on "vibe" above anything else and excels at anything approaching mediocre quality especially when aiming its "high end" harpoon gun at simpletons .. those who wouldn't know good sushi from bait so long as the whiskey is overpriced and the establishment is pumping out substandard music on a substandard sound system .. trendy Phoenix revels in high price tags for marginal, minuscule portions of mediocrity .. places like this excel at giving the art of sushi a black eye to those who's first "experience" is overpriced and so underwhelming as to turn them forever towards a caterpillar roll or worse yet a frozen pizza ..

Visited 2 years ago

Great sushi spot in the Melrose with fantastic cocktails and an extensive whiskey selection. We shared a few apps, plates and rolls and were satisfied. We did the venue roll, pork belly bao buns, and the Kabocha tempura which is squash.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Disappointing on so so many levels. I’d been looking forward to this spot opening since they started the renovations years ago. My partner and I invited another couple to try it out with us and I’m honestly embarrassed I subjected them to this dining experience. Ordered a variety of large and small plates including a couple rolls and assorted sashimi totaling out to over 300$ for 4 people that left us hungry (all of us got takeout from a different restaurant on the way home). My partner found a pinbone in his sashimi which I have never experienced before in any other sushi restaurant. The hamachi collar was deep fried beyond recognition and resembled a McDonald’s fish filet with no balance in the dressing or accompaniments. The rolls were the only decent thing we had and still they were nothing to write home about. Sad that this restaurant found its way into the melrose district! Oh well. No issues with the service but again not spectacular for the price.

Try sushi friend, harumi, or hana before wasting your time and money here.

Visited 2 years ago

Best sushi joint in town! Couldn't recommend this restaurant more. The food was delicious, and the service was spectacular.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi was fresh and tasted good but not great, service was friendly, but this place is overpriced for what you’re getting.

$70 for a maki roll, a hand roll, 3 orders of nigiri and a water.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

The flavors of the food are off the charts, especially the Japanese pork belly bao buns.

Visited 2 years ago

Cool vibe,service is really good, food is just okay. Definitely not worth the price you pay. Many of the options are lacking flavor & aren't up to quality for the price you pay. I wouldn't recommend the miso soup for a starter, it's extremely bland & depressing. I think this place needs to rethink their prices or step up their game in regards to quality/flavor. If they can improve on this, it'd be a really great place!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

I was there for work but stayed to eat and was glad that I did. I had The Experiment....

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Was ready to be mindblown but was average to me at best. Good luck to you guys.

Visited 2 years ago

Really enjoyed our date night here. Good sushi (quality fish) and excellent cocktails. (Odins gift was my fav). The ambience is very cool outback, it’s scandanvian meets rustic? Felt cozy and warm - especially bc this place is essentially in a little strip mall, they did a great job with the decor. The service was good, not excellent, but good enough. I know we will go back bc it’s some of the best sushi we’ve found in Phoenix.

Visited 2 years ago

Beautiful back patio. Amazing food and courteous staff. The Experiment Roll was probably our favorite. We'll definitely be going back because there were so many intriguing items on the menu that we didn't get to try.

Visited 2 years ago

5 stars is an understatement! My girlfriend and I drool over this place just thinking about it, by far best and freshest fish in AZ, beautiful establishment, every food item is delightful and is layered with flavors!! Thank you Brittney for your hospitality and all your recommendations!! Will be back as much as we can!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

The service I would actually give a 4 (they forgot to put in my entree). The soup was cold and tasteless. The food was subpar. The sashimi however, was delicious. I didn’t realize this place was more like a “hole in the wall” kind of place. It’s really tiny, no parking. But I think that the people who works there makes a huge difference. They are very nice and attentive. The drinks are really good!

Visited 2 years ago

Made a reservation on a random night looking for a new place to go. Place is small and cozy and parking lot is even smaller. I like the vibe and it's not too crowded but if it is be prepared to eat right next to another table. Outside has a nice fire place which is where I would suggest eating and making a reservation for. Food service was okay. We had Spicy tuna tostada, Braised & grilled Spanish octopus, waygu sushi and JAPANESE PORK BELLY BAO BUNS! All amazing if you're a basic sushi eater I wouldn't come here due to price. Come here if you want to eat specialty chef inspired food and drinks.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Ventured out to try something new - sushi!! Having never eaten at a sushi place before, I didn’t know what to expect. WOW!! Was I blown away! I can’t wait to go back. Just thinking about the food we had is making my mouth water. I tried my first sushi roll and absolutely loved it! The chicken and beef Gyozas, with the chili onion crunch on top was soo good. The pork belly and cauliflower bao buns were a treat as well. Give Sandfish a shot - you’ll be happy you did. You can tell they care about the quality of food and service they provide, both are top notch. Shout out to Steph who took great care of us! See you soon Sandfish :)

Visited 2 years ago

We had a really nice dinner at the bar. We were very happy with the service. Cocktails were really good. Food was very tasty. We will return.

Visited 2 years ago

Very lovely place.

Visited 2 years ago

pricey

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Food was bland and tasteless. Fish was fresh but the quality was bad. There was no taste to the fish. Most all the rolls tasted the same. Blossoms were over fried and battered. We spent 600 for 4 people and left unsatisfied. Cocktails were great.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Best sushi in Arizona! Excellent service and a relaxing atmosphere on the backyard patio. My partner and I have been searching for a good sushi restaurant in Arizona for a long time and we're really glad to have found Sandfish! They're not just good, they're excellent. It's reservation only, so make sure to book at least a week in advance for a reasonable dinner time, if you want that. They're also a bit pricey but it's great for a once in a while date night! Highly recommended!

Visited 2 years ago

Service was good food was spendy

Visited 2 years ago

Venue was pleasant. Front staff less than pleasant. Sushi awful and over priced. Avoid the scallops at all costs. Adult beverages pricey.

Visited 2 years ago

The service was pretty terrible. For a place where you are likely to spend $150 a person easily, the service should be spectacular and there was no excuse. The place is tiny, the servers weren't too busy, yet for whatever reason they just barely come around, or are even in sight for you to flag them down. Idk if they were just sitting around in the backroom or what. It took 15 min to get a bottle of Sake, when all they had to do was walk to the bar, grab it, and put it on our table. I'm generally pretty lenient when it comes to service and waiting, but it was honestly just bad and there wasn't a reason for it.

The food was good, and the portion size for the rolls was better than I expected. Regardless, it was just a little overpriced and when combined with drink prices, ultimately just not worth it. It was a fun one time experience, but nothing I would go back for. There's as good or better places for less.

I will say that the bartender killed it on the whiskey recommendation. They were out of the one we wanted and the alternative they suggested really hit the mark for us. We had 4 different speciality rolls, all the interesting sounding ones, and of them the Wagyu rolls were the best. As far as nigiri goes, the eel nigiri was pretty awesome as well, definitely recommend if you've never had.

Visited 2 years ago

Date of Service: 1/5/2023: I was so looking forward to this place opening. Experience was not good. Venue - excellent and well done. A significant investment. Menu was ok - do not understand why 50+ whiskey's are on menu but print is so small you cannot read any of them? We had: a sushi roll, yellowtail sashimi, kabocha tempura, Pork Belly in Steamed Bun, A glass of red wine and 2 cocktails. $190 dollars. Fish was fresh and compares well to alternatives at this price point. Would have expected better wasabi versus the cheap powder + water mix given price point. Pork belly came out cold and buns also cold, Two of buns served split and broken (Big Fail to willingly send that out). This was probably because they were cold and not heated to help with their flexibility. Pork was bland, cold and no sauce. Cocktails were excellent (my wife had them - drinks overall better than the food). Sitting at the bar was insightful. Sushi prep space so small, I suspect that will be challenging if they are full. When we attended it was @ approximately 30% +/- of capacity.

My wife lived in japan for over a year. Value and execution overall poor and lacking, did not order more food given the results and price. So unfortunate given that we live local as well. Sadly we will favor alternatives and will unlikely return.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Good sushi and a great cocktail. A little more expensive than I expected but if you’re looking for a higher-end sushi spot, this is a great spot.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

We had an amazing tour of new cocktails made by the rockstar bartender, Mick. Order the OMAKASE and trust his mixology skills!

Visited 2 years ago

This place is fantastic. The pork belly is the best I’ve ever had and the sushi is top notch. They have plenty of fantastic options for their drinks too. Staff is very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend!

Visited 2 years ago

Made a reservation for 9, days in advance. They informed us that only outdoor seating was available, but it was heated. When we arrived for our 730PM reservation they sat us down outdoors, but not on the heated patio. They did not have enough heaters to make us comfortable. The staff offered us blankets, but they only had three. An hour and a half later they finally moved us to the heated patio. Unfortunately the food is mediocre at best, and way overpriced. Whiskey spot that doesn’t carry Crown Royal is a bit off. Only one Japanese beer and priced higher than what I pay for a beer at the Cardinals Stadium. Canned sodas only, so no refills. Our waitress was really nice and did her best under the circumstances. Sadly, we will not return. There are much better sushi options in the area.

Visited 2 years ago

I can forgive new restaurants for a lot but I pretty much only leave bad restaurant reviews because of rude front of house staff. My husband and I live in the neighborhood and eat out a lot at high end restaurants in the area every week and we were excited to have a new restaurant we could ride our bike to. My husband got out of the car first to check if they had availability, and the first gal said yep we totally can take you in but then I got out of our car and this man comes out and said nope we’re booked for the next two hours. We were confused and said but why would she say she could take us now? He very rudely said well in that case I guess she’ll figure it out and awkwardly stepped 5 steps away from us and just stared at us. You could tell the gal didn’t know what to do at that point and we all just stood there, so we left after feeling so unwelcomed. I think this restaurant will quickly realize they do not have the same clientele/tourism as Palm Springs and cannot alienate neighborhood walk ins like this. Certainly will never come here to spend $200 and will take my money to Restaurant Progress or Valentine who appreciate their neighborhood clientele.

Visited 2 years ago

Had the absolutely best time here with my boyfriend and our neighborhood pals. The food was exceptional, drinks perfectly curated, and staff friendly and knowledgable! We had the Experiment and The Venue Roll, as well as some spicy Edamame and Gyoza. Highly recommend for date nights or special occasion. I will be back very soon! Ps. The vibes inside and on the back patio are cozy and classy!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Had an incredible dinner sitting at the bar. Delicious craft cocktails by Nick. First time having uni, what an experience, thank you Jay. Loved the design inside too! Will be back to sit on the outdoor patio with the cool fire.

Visited 2 years ago

Sorry, wanted to love it. Just didn’t. It was very good, not great. Several sushi places that top it for 1/2 the price. Value is just not there. I would find it difficult to be satisfied appetite wise and have a couple drinks for less than $150 per guest. Sorry it’s not in that class. Once they realize that and the shiny newness wears off maybe I’ll be back.

Visited 2 years ago

This place is a great date night restaurant. It's a little pricey if you bring your appetite but the rolls that we tried were some of the best out there and my personal favorite of course was the Wagyu Steak Signature Roll.

Visited 2 years ago

Fresh fish, very tasty with unique options. Friendly staff and clean bathrooms.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

I've been waiting for months for this place! My husband and I were driving by, saw it open, and dashed in to check it out.

We started with an old fashioned and svalbard sling. Both were really good, but the old fashioned is top notch! So good, my husband ordered another! The svalbard sling reminded me of an elevated wisconsin old fashioned. My second drink was odin's gift - a gin drink that's light and refreshing, while being booze forward.

For dinner, we ordered two rolls and the waygu beef carpaccio. The truffle zest really sets it apart frok others we have tried. We opted for the Baby Langoustine and The Experiement. They had enough bite for my husband, but weren't so spicy that I couldn't taste the beautiful flavors. (My husband likes things spicy, but I have a delicate palate when it comes to heat!)

The staff is great, you can tell they are excited about the menu and happy to share their favorites with you and make recommendations.

We can't wait to go back!

Visited 2 years ago

sandfishsushiwhiskeyphx, by Chef Engin Onural will have its grand opening on November 30, 2022, in the Melrose District.

Chef Enguin’s story is especially unique, considering he has earned a sushi certification from the Japanese government, is one of the top 30 sushi chefs in the world, and has been added to the ‘Best Chefs of America Index.’

Chef knew he wanted to be in hospitality since he was a boy, and began his professional life at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Management. Soon after graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to train at Andy Matsuda’s Sushi Chef Institute. Chef Matsuda’s philosophy of appreciation and gratitude for nature, people and family is very palpable at Engin’s sushi concepts. His sushi restaurants in Palm Springs have received numerous accolades such as “Best Sushi in Palm Springs.”

Ambiance:
Modern Japanese-Scandinavian design. Wood paneled floors and ceilings, subdued earth tones and lighting, vintage photographs of Japanese fisherman,

The cuisine and concept::
Gorgeously executed sushi rolls such as the Baby Langoustine roll with crab meat/avocado/tempura-style baby langoustine/spicy aioli/teriyaki sauce/microgreens and The Experiment with snow crab/mango/yuzu aioli.

Chef recommends the spicy tuna tostadas of crispy thin tostadas piled with spicy tuna, spicy mayo, mixed greens and feta.

Must try’s:
scallops served in a shell with walnuts/yuzu/sea beans
albacore tataki/fennel/house-made lime koshu from Norway/taro chips/seaweed salt.
Japanese Pork Belly bao buns/Gojuchang Honey Glaze/Cucumber Black Radish Sunomono/Sesame Seeds
Cocktails such as the Freydis w/pau maui vokda/lychee puree/passion fruit liquer/joto yuzu sake or Ragnar’s Revenge with Laphroaig/green chartreuse/lime/mint/simple syrup

Visited 2 years ago

James Beard quality sushi & excellent Japanese whiskey in the heart of Melrose! Highly recommend!

Visited 2 years ago

I was fortunate enough to attend a soft-open event at Sandfish and I could not have been more pleased with the experience. The food, drinks, service, and ambience were all top notch. This is a special place that I will definitely be visiting again for a special occasion!

Visited 2 years ago

Some of the best sushi I have had in AZ!

Visited 2 years ago

Sandfish Sushi was amazing. Fresh fish, great service, craft cocktails. I love the ambiance of the restaurant. Perfect for a date night. I will definitely be coming back! Zucchini blossoms and hamachi collar were the highlights for me.

Visited 2 years ago

What a wonderful experience. The evening ambiance was amazing. In 60° temperatures, we sat outside where they have ceiling heaters. The warmth of the heaters added to the overall evening flow. The servers are very knowledgeable about the menu items. Thank you Eric and Christina. The sushi plated food tastes as wonderful as it looks. A beautiful array of colors and deliciousness. I will definitely come again. Thank you for a warm relaxing evening.

Visited 2 years ago