Located in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Gi-jin serves a non-traditional, Japanese inspired, raw-focused menu along with a extensive selection of gin, sake and Japanese whiskey.
We ate at Gi Jin on January 2, 2025. My wife had the salad which she said was excellent and I had the Miso soup with a mildly salty flavor. We shared a platter which was anrtistically arranged and tasty with a large variation of culinary experiences. We both got the California Hand Rolls (crab, avocado, cucumber, radish, and Furikake). I will say that I could not taste any crab within the hand roll. The service people were excellent. The service people were knowledgeable and accommodating for any dietary modification and attentive.
Visited 4 months ago
This must be my favorite place in Pittsburgh, something about the way the chef takes his spin on Japanese cuisine is just so exquisite that makes you want to try everything on the menu. The waitress did a fabulous job helping us understand how much to order for just two so we could try different things without getting too full. My favorite was the beef tataki with mushrooms - delicious! Also don’t be afraid to have the sashimi even though you’re far away from the ocean: everything tasted very fresh and was presented beautifully. Will definitely keep on going back.
Only point of feedback is the table setting and the restriction to four people max - would love to be able to with a larger group as well.
Visited 8 months ago
Top quality sushi right in the heart of Pittsburgh!
Let's be honest, I was initially super skeptical when I heard about this place. The menu seemed like it might be over priced, and having been to more than a couple Japanese restaurants here, I was beginning to think we'd never find too-quality sushi in this city. But, this restaurant proved me wrong!
We ordered a couple of gin cocktails, the onigiri appetizer, the sashimi platter, the tuna pizza, and 4 hand rolls to all split between the two of us.
The atmosphere is great, and the restaurant has a few subtle details that made us feel like we were back in Japan again. The wait staff very attentive. Dishes came out one after another immediately after we finished. The cocktails even came with ice cubes with the restaurant name and logo imprinted on the top... talk about attention to detail!
On to the food... The Onigiri appetizer was amusingly large, and also tasty. I was skeptical of the tuna pizza, since it sounded like an overly-americanized dish, but I was pleasantly surprised. The hand rolls were great, and the sashimi quality is top notch and easily the best quality you can get in Pittsburgh.
Overall, the combination of great atmosphere, top quality friendly service, and top quality sushi makes this an excellent place to spend a night out for a special occasion!
My only complaint: I really wish they had an omakase option available. We spent quite a while looking through the menu to be sure to order a good balance of food.
Visited 6 months ago
Small Intimate venue for high end sushi, nigiri and small plates. Cocktail menu revolves around saki and gin. Highly recommend, mouth watering and the Toro torched nigiri and salmon belly were my absolute favorites. Highly recommend. Walking distance from pirates stadium across the bridge and one block from the Renaissance hotel. Reservations recommended as it is a smaller location.
Visited 6 months ago
What a beautiful restaurant! My family of four visited while in Pittsburgh on vacation. The staff have perfectly crafted every detail of your dining experience. It warms my heart to see so much effort and artistry go into a restaurant. Thank you to the staff and owners for sharing their creations with us.
Visited a year ago
This was my second time at gi-jin and let me tell you it is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. The service is top notch and the atmosphere is next level. The photos speak for themselves, and yes it is as good as it looks!! Highly recommended visiting gi-jin!
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
You aren’t gonna find better sushi anywhere around here. Best toilet in PA maybe east coast.
Visited 4 months ago
We ate at Gi Jin on January 2, 2025. My wife had the salad which she said was excellent and I had the Miso soup with a mildly salty flavor. We shared a platter which was anrtistically arranged and tasty with a large variation of culinary experiences. We both got the California Hand Rolls (crab, avocado, cucumber, radish, and Furikake). I will say that I could not taste any crab within the hand roll. The service people were excellent. The service people were knowledgeable and accommodating for any dietary modification and attentive.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
We loved everything about our dinner and delicious cocktails. Some of our favorites were the golden roll, spicy tuna cakes, salmon nigiri, and potstickers. We will definitely be back. I would put this is my top 5 for Pittsburgh!
Visited 5 months ago
Food is fresh and tasty.
Place is tiny and not a great atmosphere for the price you pay. Bartenders are great(smiley face and made very good drinks, and also brought to our table) ,but waitress need more training.
Visited 5 months ago
Phenomenal sushi/seafood is hard to come by in a landlocked city, but Gi-Jin does it wonderfully! This was my first sushi meal coming back from a trip to Japan and it definitely eased my transition back to state-side sushi well. The hamachi sashimi and crudo were particular all-stars. The beef tataki and cocktails we had were also delicious!! Would highly recommend and look forward to my next visit!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Delicious, high quality, great presentation for food. Excellent and knowledgeable service. Great vibes.
Visited 5 months ago
Amazing sushi, definitely the best I’ve had in Pittsburgh, very thoughtful and well prepared. Top quality, comparable to some of the best sushi restaurants in the US. Drinks are awesome too. Thoughtful to taste and complexity.
Visited 5 months ago
Top quality sushi right in the heart of Pittsburgh!
Let's be honest, I was initially super skeptical when I heard about this place. The menu seemed like it might be over priced, and having been to more than a couple Japanese restaurants here, I was beginning to think we'd never find too-quality sushi in this city. But, this restaurant proved me wrong!
We ordered a couple of gin cocktails, the onigiri appetizer, the sashimi platter, the tuna pizza, and 4 hand rolls to all split between the two of us.
The atmosphere is great, and the restaurant has a few subtle details that made us feel like we were back in Japan again. The wait staff very attentive. Dishes came out one after another immediately after we finished. The cocktails even came with ice cubes with the restaurant name and logo imprinted on the top... talk about attention to detail!
On to the food... The Onigiri appetizer was amusingly large, and also tasty. I was skeptical of the tuna pizza, since it sounded like an overly-americanized dish, but I was pleasantly surprised. The hand rolls were great, and the sashimi quality is top notch and easily the best quality you can get in Pittsburgh.
Overall, the combination of great atmosphere, top quality friendly service, and top quality sushi makes this an excellent place to spend a night out for a special occasion!
My only complaint: I really wish they had an omakase option available. We spent quite a while looking through the menu to be sure to order a good balance of food.
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
overall not bad honestly. pretty good service. food was good. it's just a bit overpriced that's all. the portions are pretty small and i'm just not sure you get what you pay for, even though the food itself isn't bad. also the restaurant was freezing when we went, not sure why it was so cold inside.
Visited 6 months ago
First visit to this restaurant, and it was very good. We went on a Tuesday night, were seated immediately without a reservation, and our waiter was very attentive. We both had the sashimi plate, and it was delicious! Alittle on the pricey side, but you are in downtown Pittsburgh, and it would be as much or more in any other major city. We will be back!
Visited 6 months ago
Excellent experience. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. I highly recommend.
Visited 6 months ago
You know how sometimes what it seems from the outside does not aligns with the inside? This is the experience of dining at gi-jin. The outside makes it seems so elegant and your sure you are going to get the best sushi ever, but it's all a show and nothing to provide. we waited an hour and a half to get a table only to discover that I had nothing to eat as a vegan but a salad and 1 piece of sushi the size of my thumb. I have been a vegan for 18 years now. I am a world traveler and a foodie. it's a disgrace that in 2024 a restaurant does not offer any vegan options that are actually filling and satisfying. I have eaten in many "fancy" (again only by the cover...) sushi places before and always had a variety of veggie options. I literally left the place hungry after spending so much money. In a city that has the best vegan restaurants in the US and any restaurant I've been in had a vegan menu - shame on you. The staff didn't even try to be creative and offer me options. In addition, my mom had the Nigiri plate and said it was nothing special. Again, were both culinary travellers so we know good food when we see it. the atmosphere was dull and I had NOTHING to eat. Plus, we both ordered Saki and nevev got it.
There are far better options out there. Do not be fooled by the looks. I hope this restaurant will evolve to 2024 cause soon enough they won't have a choice as we are running out of fish in the sea due to over fishing and climate change. Yikes
Visited 6 months ago
Small Intimate venue for high end sushi, nigiri and small plates. Cocktail menu revolves around saki and gin. Highly recommend, mouth watering and the Toro torched nigiri and salmon belly were my absolute favorites. Highly recommend. Walking distance from pirates stadium across the bridge and one block from the Renaissance hotel. Reservations recommended as it is a smaller location.
Visited 6 months ago
We had a fabulous visit. The thoughtful atmosphere makes for a peaceful dining experience. Our server was kind and funny. The food was incredible (miso soup, edamame, hand rolls, nigiri, and matcha misu). I tried sake for the first time and it paired well with the food. We will definitely be back.
Visited 7 months ago
Go here for high quality, amazing, tasty sushi. I come here every time I come to Pittsburgh. My only complaint was several groups of rowdy customers that may have been a little intoxicated. Which in no way, shape, or form takes away from the quality of food and service
Visited 7 months ago
We recently ate at Gi-Jin, and while the food was good and the staff was polite, we were disappointed by an issue with our meal. There was a piece of what seemed to be plastic in one of our hand rolls, which was concerning, especially for an upscale restaurant. It could have been a potentially safety hazard, and we expected better.
The staff did give us two extra pieces of sushi, but the roll wasn’t taken off the bill, which was surprising given the situation. Overall, we enjoyed the food, but for a high-end sushi bar, we expected higher standards and a far better response.
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
This whole review is gonna sound very hyperbolic, but it's not. Gi-Jin is the best restaurant in Pittsburgh, taking the city from sushi wasteland to sushi Mecca. If I had a friend visiting and could take them out for one dinner, this would be it. I'm a sushi *snob* and this is the best I've ever had- Pittsburgh or otherwise. Patrick makes the most delicious and creative cocktails, the servers and staff are wonderful, decor is stunning, and the food is impeccable and extremely fresh- I could live off the aburi salmon belly nigiri alone. If you want deep fried americanized rolls with a bunch of fake crab swimming in spicy mayo and all that nonsense, then this isn't your spot. But if you want the fish to be the main event, and enjoy sushi as it's meant to be eaten (perfect because there's nowhere to hide), then run don't walk. My one and only complaint is that they got rid of the "mighty mount tam", my personal all-time favorite cocktail, but I will recover from this tragic loss... someday...
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Botanivore: one of the best Gin cocktails I've ever had!
Visited 8 months ago
This must be my favorite place in Pittsburgh, something about the way the chef takes his spin on Japanese cuisine is just so exquisite that makes you want to try everything on the menu. The waitress did a fabulous job helping us understand how much to order for just two so we could try different things without getting too full. My favorite was the beef tataki with mushrooms - delicious! Also don’t be afraid to have the sashimi even though you’re far away from the ocean: everything tasted very fresh and was presented beautifully. Will definitely keep on going back.
Only point of feedback is the table setting and the restriction to four people max - would love to be able to with a larger group as well.
Visited 8 months ago
They were playing MF DOOM
Visited 9 months ago
BEWARE This restaurant charges $50 per person for no show. No one answers their phones, so have to leave a message. Did not receive a call back. Only communication has been by email.
Visited 9 months ago
Great trendy atmosphere. Miso warm, not hot. Sharables at $40+ only worth it if you're a hamster.
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
This was my second time at gi-jin and let me tell you it is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. The service is top notch and the atmosphere is next level. The photos speak for themselves, and yes it is as good as it looks!! Highly recommended visiting gi-jin!
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
With a nearly empty dining room, the staff looked me up and down and told me I could only sit outside. Apparently the casual furry t-shirt I was wearing wasn't good enough for them. Made me sit next to a passed out hobo in the summer heat, and had me take up a 4-person table for just myself. Really good sushi, but it took a very long time to receive only a few pieces, and the ambiance was terrible. Nothing about the quality could match the egregious prices, either. The server was nice, but extremely slow, and none of the positives made up for the negatives. This restaurant properly deserved to have me walk off without paying, but despite that, I did pay with a nice tip. Undeserved.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
I highly recommend gi-jin. Excellent all around. Cocktails were great. Food was out of this world. Service was attentive, informative, and fast. And, the vibe was relaxed and inviting. Five stars for sure.
Visited 10 months ago
One of best sushi places I’ve been too and my absolute favorite to visit. It reminds me of a more professional, less noisy nobu. The staff is always operating at 100% and never miss a beat. The chefs prepare the most elegant plates from the sashimi to desert, they are flawless. The fish is imported and never disappoints. If you love sushi, don’t wait on trying gi-jin.
Visited 10 months ago
This restaurant is exquisite. I will definitely be back! I sat by myself at the sushi bar and I ordered the midnight moon bottle of saki for $60. I had the Shashi plate for about $21 I believe and I had the salmon with goat cheese and truffle hand roll. I also ordered the, scallop sashimi. They give you fresh wasabi, pickled ginger + and tiny bit of some of the best kimchi I’ve ever had! Everything was incredible and came out in a timely manner. The seating was comfortable the lighting was cool and romantic. Every aspect of the restaurant was carefully curated and thought out the bathrooms were extremely clean! I will definitely be coming back!
Visited 10 months ago
What a beautiful restaurant! My family of four visited while in Pittsburgh on vacation. The staff have perfectly crafted every detail of your dining experience. It warms my heart to see so much effort and artistry go into a restaurant. Thank you to the staff and owners for sharing their creations with us.
Visited a year ago
This is me and my wife's favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. The staff are incredible, the food nocks it out of the park every time and there is always something new for us to try. Its always a joy to come to gi-jin and it just keeps getting better. Cant wait until next time!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Experience, service, and food were all incredible. The toro was so good, but the soy sauce was just special. Can’t wait to return again.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I discovered Gi-Jin after watching several TikTok videos celebrating the authenticity of this place.
I found my experience sub-par for our $300+ dinner.
Food:
Miso Soup: The miso ratio was higher than expected, causing a higher salt ratio. It was good, but the best thing on the food menu that I tried.
Nigiri Tokubetsu: Uni was sour, not buttery. All the other items were overly seasoned, covering the authentic quality and taste of the fish.
I ordered 2 or 3 hand rolls. When the hand rolls were served, I noticed the seaweed was soggy, not crispy. Similar to the sushi, the hand rolls were also overly seasoned. I never leave sushi on my plate, but these were so lackluster I couldn’t take another bite.
Drinks:
The sake tasting is not paired with the sushi. They give you an assortment of sake but do not inform you which goes best for each bite. I found it peculiar that one of the sakes they served was fruity, as fruity sake doesn’t pair well with sushi.
My mistake for listening to TikTok and still opting to dine here, knowing they didn’t have an omakase option.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for a traditional sushi experience.
Visited a year ago
Food and service were great. Freshest sushi we’ve had in Pittsburgh. Pricey
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Phenomenonal!! Service, food and drinks were all perfect. The price is well worth it, no question about it.
Visited a year ago
I’ve been to Nobu several times in several different cities. I’m not exaggerating when I say this place puts Nobu to shame. It’s inventive, super high quality, surprising, and utterly delicious. And the service was absolutely phenomenal. Who would’ve thought my favorite sushi restaurant would be in Pittsburgh of all places. Can’t recommend this place enough.
Visited a year ago
Magnificent sushi flown in daily from Nirvana, apparently.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Great food and great staff
Visited a year ago
Regan was a fantastic server! She knew the menu inside and out and led us through a delicious night of small plates & cocktails.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Gi-jin was AMAZING - the Onigiri (stuffed rice balls) were phenomenal.🍙
If you're looking for an authentic Japanese cuisine & sushi experience, this is the place to go. Make sure to make reservations, though! Part of the charm here is you can see everything being made fresh in the front of house right on the bar.🍣🦪🍥🍸🍶 Seating is very limited.
The chopstick holders were my favorite.🥹🐈 I asked our waiter if every table has different ones - they do! The table behind mine had bunny ones. He did, however sadly note that they get stolen a lot... ): If you can afford to eat here, you can DEFINITELY afford your own chopstick holders! (Don't ruin a good thing and place by stealing!😒)
They have a gorgeous black and white mural of a traditional dragon on the wall that I didn't get a photo of, also.🐉🐲
Visited a year ago
Another mystery date night with the wife and some friends this time! For those who don’t know I book a restaurant each week and only tell my wife when to be ready and how to dress not where we are going.
This week we went with some friends to Gi-Jin.
I am *very very* much not a fish person, but I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and I’m so glad that I did.
We tried the dynamite crab, the tuna pizza, I had Uni, crab, squid, sea bass, and knife jaw nigiri alongside the Southern California hand roll. The yoichi peated Japanese whiskey was superb as well.
I absolutely am so glad I went out of my comfort zone and got to have an amazing experience with my wife and friends trying new food. They took a video of me eating the squid because people who know me would never believe I would try something like this.
Our server Reagan was absolutely amazing. Service was superb and everything was great. 100% can’t wait to go back.
Until next week!
Visited a year ago
Great good, great staff, and wonderful vibe! Gi-jin is my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh and I always have a great experience there. You can tell the staff are passionate about the quality of the food, even with the drinks! I always recommend this place to people visiting pgh
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Service by Nimrah was amazing! I believe how amazing everything here is! The chirashi bowl, the cocktails, the milk lunch, the toro hand roll and the matcha tiramisu dessert.
Visited a year ago
Simply the best sushi pittsburgh has to offer. Oh and a great (gin) bar to boot.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I reallyyyy didn't want to be a hater. I've frequented most of the restaurants owned by the Richard Deshantz restaurant group, and I'm no stranger to spending $300-$400 on a dinner date with the wife. The food was excellent, the drinks were amazing, all of our servers and staff were friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I really can't say anything bad about it. Maybe it is the fact that we've been to so many fine dining restaurants, and I've never complained about this before, but I really do feel like it was overpriced for what you get. I started with the nigiri and the sashimi platters, thinking we could share the offering prior to getting into the à la carte menu. The nigiri platter was 5 different individual pieces, which was a bit disappointing since the experience couldn't be shared. The following orders were each relatively slow to come out, and I found myself thinking that if they weren't, I would've ordered more. Strange, but with a bill of a little over $300, I still left a little hungry.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
It is not real traditional Japanese food and Not a decent restaurant. It is just a decent bar. Food prices are absolutely not worth what they are. This is American Japanese food as the same as American Asian food.
I went to the Gi Jin myself and spent 300 dollars including tax and tips. The bar tender(might be Mr. Patrick) served me and refilled a sake which I did not order, and he said the glass by mistake would be on the house; however, he finally still charged me for the glass sake I didn’t order.
You can spend 50 dollars pre person for the same quality sushi or service at other Japanese restaurant. Or u can spend $ 100+ dollars booking a real omakase.
It is good to have a couple drinks at this place. Never go there for food especially if u want to have real Japanese food. Hope this can help you.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Experience was amazing here. A must reserve spot when visiting Pittsburgh.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Great place for marvelous cocktails and fresh sushi with friends. Very nice subtleties in flavors between dishes, so try several. We each tried 2-3 of gin drinks, including a basic gin and tonic.
Staff are extremely attentive and friendly. It's ok if you are new to sushi. They will discreetly assist with selection and descriptions.
The bathroom was very clean. The high-end bidet was a hoot.
These are all small bites. It isn't a pound of potato pierogies in butter! Be prepared to enjoy a slow meal from a thoughtfully prepared menu with crisp beverage supplements.
Visited a year ago
This is world-class dining (minus the pretentious vibe that usually accompanies it elsewhere). Chef Michael Taylor creates Michelin worthy plates with an artist’s touch. Each piece in his ever evolving menu is thoughtfully prepared with creative ingredients and textures that set him apart from the rest. We now travel from out of state just to experience it.
Visited a year ago
Embarrassing behavior regarding their customer service. No one answers the phone. Despite claiming you can cancel a reservation within 24-48 hours, they will not honor that policy. Don’t give them a credit card. They will charge you upward of $200 for absolutely nothing. Hospitality is not your strong suit. Guess that’s how they’re staying in business these days.
Visited a year ago
Treats customers piss poor and doesn’t like negative reviews. I would avoid RD restaurants like the plague. I have always loved them but the management group needs to go to Disney or Hilton and learn how to treat people with respect.
Visited a year ago
It’s really sad the way this restaurant and the managing group handles their customers. I had a reservation here Thursday night, I called at 630 after the couple I was going with called and informed me they had been traveling for the past 3 days in and out of businesses across Indiana and Ohio and both had splitting headaches- on the verge if a migraine. I called Gi-Jin and left a VM because you can’t a live person, I informed them I wouldn’t be able to make it because the couple I was coming with was sick. Friday morning Richard Deshabtz group charged my card $200 dollars for a now show. I called and left a message about it asking for a call back. I was called back shortly after and informed that I would not be getting a refund and the policy is there for a reason.
The couple that was coming to dinner with me, called me on Saturday and informed me they both had Covid. I have posted about this on yelp and on Instagram on Gi-Jin’s pages. They have removed my comments and asked yelp to remove my review. I was a huge fan of this restaurant group, I however will no make sure I never go to one of the restaurants again and inform as many people as possible about the way they handle customers, illness, as well negative reviews.
Visited a year ago
Gi-Jin is a welcome addition to Pittsburgh’s sushi scene. The freshly ground wasabi and horseradish combination is a must-have for your dishes!
We ordered a plethora of little things to share and snack on, including some dessert options that were super tasty.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited 2 years ago
Just the facts here. Service: hostess did not stand up to greet us, bad move. Just sat at the bar with her ipad, lazy. Denny's does a better job. Service, not anything memorable. Food overpriced and inauthentic. Atmosphere, simply an overpriced sushi place with drunks blasting off nonsensical conversations at full volume. Walls are not sound-proofed so everything echoes. Destroys the meal. Need to do a better job of setting a tone for the place.
Visited 2 years ago
If you like sushi because it is fun, flavorful finger food, you might love this place.
The staff genuinely cared about our experience. Our waiter confirmed our water preference and allergies and sushi knowledge in a really welcoming way, I didn't even notice her doing it. Even the 5 second interaction I had being handed my sashimi by the chef felt welcoming.
The front door is 11" thick and the ceiling has wooden fins that keep the environment hushed but comfortable for conversation without being overheard. Honestly one of the smartest uses of dining space downtown.
Can't say whether it's a lack of quality ingredients or that the fusion concept gets in the way of the sushi execution; We can only say we enjoyed our cocktails and the miso soup. I've never not enjoyed a meal, but for 75$ a person, for whatever reason, I feel entitled to my first negative review. God Bless America.
Visited 2 years ago
One of the best meals I’ve had in a very long time and honestly probably top 3 restaurant in Pittsburgh. Service and ambiance were amazing. I have a nut and shellfish allergy and they accommodated me every step of the way. Each dish was perfectly balanced, the drinks were clearly curated and made to perfection, and the dessert (apple spice cake) was the perfect way to end a great night. Worth the wait. Worth the price. 10/10. Highly recommend.
Visited 2 years ago
My favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Ever. If you like sushi, you won’t find sushi better or more fresh than this anywhere I’ve eaten. I’ve had sushi in tons of restaurants & this is the freshest and most unique sushi restaurant I’ve tried. I wanted to try everything on the menu (except for the mushrooms). I’d never had fried onions on a sushi roll before - or hand rolls that were more like mini tacos than cones.
Even the edamame had better seasoning than normal. Everything was super fresh and delicious. I especially recommend the scallops, but everything I had was out of this world.
I loved the table settings & the entire atmosphere. They even had purse hooks! What a great idea for a restaurant.
The service was amazing and friendly. Even the reef room was a cut above the rest. I wish I’d taken my phone in to take a picture. There were more options & controls for the toilet than I’d ever seen. The kid was automatic. The seat was even heated.
Was it expensive? Yes. Was it well worth it? Also yes. It’s not the kind of game lags I can afford to frequent, but I can’t wait to return. I think I’ve found a new favorite Pittsburgh restaurant. I can’t recommend it enough. If you love sushi, visit Gi-Jin ASAP. I even liked the gin drink, which I didn’t expect.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I loved everything about this place. It can be a bit pricy as you add on the rolls, but do yourself a favor and treat yourself. Definately the best sushi I have ever had. As for the staff, they are top notch. So welcoming, helpful and made sure to explain things. GO EAT!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Phenomenal experience at Gi Jin, excellent sushi, amazing service from the whole team, and great recommendations from our pro server made for a memorable night. It’s worth the wait to make a reservation.
Visited 2 years ago
Impeccable is the best word to describe the experience tonight. From a martini curated for the person ordering to the most beautiful, flavorful sushi I have ever eaten, cannot recommend Gi-Jin enough. Service was absolutely perfect, our server was so attentive and personable.
Visited 2 years ago
Hands down, best sushi place in Pittsburgh. Get the toro, get the wagyu, get whatever sounds good, it'll be worth it. Also get a reservation, else you won't get in. The gin drinks are delicious, the table staff are knowledgeable and fun, and they won't steer you wrong.
We got two sashimi plates, with toro added, an onigiri to share, two drinks, and two A5 wagyu nigiri. We also took three silk chocolate tortes to go. Everything was top notch, so adding on some "kitchen love" to the bill was called for.
Thank god we had a sizeable gift card from a friend to help fund this anniversary dinner!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Ok experience. Overpriced for it offers.. food, service, atmosphere, etc.
Visited 2 years ago
Haven’t even finished eating and I’m writing this. Food is wonderful. A5 Sandro may be the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The staff treat everyone so nicely and restaurant vibes/decor is great.
Visited 2 years ago
gi-Jin is definitely one of the better sushi restaurants I’ve been too. The creativity in the food is worth the trip alone! It wasn’t the best atmosphere or night though. Usually I do great eating alone, traveling for work, but the atmosphere here was tough from the beginning. Couldn’t sit at the sushi bar, tiny restaurant so book ahead, but not a single person came in after me for another hour so I’m surprised they held the six open seats they had at the bar. And the service wasn’t great that night either, maybe because I was on the makeshift patio and they didn’t check on us much. While the food was excellent, I’d really expect a better experience for the prices. Probably won’t come back unfortunately.
Visited 2 years ago
It was a good restaurant. I would definitely go again. The meat was high quality and despite the dishes being served in an irregular fashion, they were quite pleasant to eat. Someone put a lot of effort into this place and I do think it shows. I would say 99% of anyone who goes will not be disappointed. My only real nitpick is that I think some of the things they sold and the way it was presented was just a bit self indulgent. That is my personal take though, I still think it is worth going to.
Visited 2 years ago
Best spot in Pittsburgh to get quality sushi; hands down. It’s Americanized with an elevated twist. Hints of your typical traditional sushi spot intertwined with creativity, presentation, execution and quality. Definitely a repeater!! Patrick. Remember the name. Book a seat at the bar on a night he’s behind the stick and let the experience begin. You’ll thank me in the afterlife. Cheers!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I've been waiting to try this place, and it did not disappoint. The presentation was art worthy, and everything tasted as great as it looked. The staff was attentive and accommodating. Crazy but noteworthy tip, Check out the bathrooms! I recommend the Uni, Toro, and Spicy tuna handrolls.
Visited 2 years ago
Great spot and atmosphere. Their sushi rolls are something to get used to, know it's not your traditional sushi rolls, otherwise great
Visited 2 years ago
This place is great. Not traditional sushi space but super fresh and very tasty food. Mixologist behind bar was great!
Visited 2 years ago
Phenomenal
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Upscale Japanese restaurant. Usually very busy, so a reservation is recommended. I was solo, had to wait about 1 hour and 30 minutes for a spot in the counter. It totally worth it. The service is very attentive.
Visited 2 years ago
Excellent spot for high-quality sushi. Having visited Japan, I'd say the quality is on par with what I ate there (although unfortunately much more expensive here in the States, but that is to be expected). The wagyu sashimi was also delicious, and the cocktails well balanced.
Visited 2 years ago
Absolutely fantastic! Focus on the nigiri here. The fish is very high quality and melts in your mouth like butter. Service was great.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
いただきます
FINALLY found a legit Japanese food.
We lived in Japan it was tough to find authentic Japanese food in PA. Tough to compare BUT Gi-Jin…🙌🏽⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My hubby and I ordered A5 Miyazaki Wagyu nigiri, wow, wow,wow! Melts in your mouth. Just had to give highlight on their A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. It’s a must. $27 a pop that you will never regret. I could have ordered 4 more for myself but I didn’t want my hubby to pass out. LOL😆
What else we ordered:
Salad- was yummy. Good balance of the ginger dressing with the salad. Crunchy onions was done perfect.
Toro nigiri- i can still remember how it melts in your mouth. You don’t even need shoyu for that.
Spicy tuna hand roll -yum yum
Sashimi platter- you can’t go wrong, all of them melts in your mouth. I was a bit concerned about the sea brim but I had my doubts bc I was concerned it was gonna be rubbery, or making it a red snapper (🤢)It was delicious. Best sea-brim.
Toro hand roll was 👊🏽 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had to slow down and took my time eating this. So good!
My hubby ordered spicy scallop handroll. He loved it. I’m not a big fan of raw scallop (it’s a texture thing for me..lol)
Wasabi microgreens and shiso leaf! Omg…brought back memories of living in Japan.
Can I say the wasabi was authentic? They did add daikon but I get it. Real wasabi is pricey. So good! Best wasabi I must say.
Balance of that punch was just right.
Tsukemono and pickled ginger were delish! I could have had a bigger bowl for that. Lol!
I will never go anywhere else except Gi-Jin for real sushi/sashimi experience.
Service was amazing! We got lucky that there was avail seating. We didn’t know we had to make reservations. It was meant to be. Now we me now! Thank you for the experience.
We sat outside and love the ambience of the outdoor seating. Weather was nice so we were happy to be seat outside. Especially for not having reservation. We will take it.
ごちそうさまでした (Gochisōsamadeshita)
Thank you for the meal!
Visited 2 years ago
I was very excited to try this place but I left feeling underwhelmed. Drinks were good and the fish was fresh but I felt the dishes were rather mediocre especially for the price.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
My husband and I have been waiting to come to Gi-Jin for years and it did not disappoint! From the moment we entered, we felt very welcomed and comfortable. The atmosphere is awesome. The server was helpful and quickly picked up on our tastes and made bomb suggestions. The food was so unique some of the best I’ve had in the city. They made our special occasion so memorable and we will be raving about this meal for a long time to come! Thank you Gi Jin!! (Photos by my husband, @GeoBob_Photography on Instagram)
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Amazing drinks!
Visited 2 years ago
Reservation required :(
Visited 2 years ago
Such a wonderful restaurant and experience. Our group had both sushi novices and experienced eaters. Everyone really enjoyed it. The service is first rate. Our server was very attentive, provided great explanations and suggestions. Finally, the atmosphere is very calming with alot of natural materials and a nice vibe.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Worth the wait!! Had to make a reservation a few months in advance and glad we did. The menu is a little overwhelming but the server was very helpful with explaining it all.
Loved the corner table we had - best seat in the house if I can be honest. The gin cocktails are so good, I had the cat in pajamas and Roku 75. Really enjoyed our meal. We split a plate, each had four pieces and split an appetizer. It was enough for me but I think my husband would have liked a little more.
Visited 2 years ago
High quality fish on the sashimi plate, very good. The matcha tiramisu was also incredibly good. Highly recommended
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Went here with my buddy for a sushi and gin outing and I can’t say enough good things about this place! Every dish was on point, the drinks were crazy delicious and we made great friends with the waiting and bar staff! Will come back again next time I’m in Pittsburgh!
Visited 2 years ago
We did enjoy the food and in general, it was a nice restaurant experience. A good interior vibe, music, and decor. But, our waiter was absolutely rude and disrespectful. He started with a condescending attitude and kept it all night until his other customers were out and his manager started to help around on the table. Every box for a bad service was checked and he did not leave room for a second doubt. It was my birthday and I didn’t even bother to ask for a birthday service. If I decide to return, I’ll call and make sure this gentleman is not serving my table.
Update: The manager reached out and asked for feedback and she did apologize for how we were treated. That is great customer service and I do appreciate the effort.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
We had sashimi places, nigiri tokubetsu, fuji san nigiri, beef tartare hand rolls, uni hand rolls, and hamachi hand rolls, and all of them are all excellent. Cocktails are also good. They use real wasabi and sweet style soy sauce here❤️. Most importantly, their services are very good.
Visited 2 years ago
What great service and amazing food would recommend!
Visited 2 years ago
Experience was amazing quality was outstanding
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Second time coming to Gi-Jin and we make reservations as soon as we leave to come back again. Chef Michael, the bartenders, and the servers make this a one of a kind spot for special occasions. We will continue coming for as long as your doors are open. The freshest and most incredible options available in the Pittsburgh area. The bartender also makes some of the best cocktails I've had. If there were more stars to give, I'd give em.
Visited 2 years ago
I’ve been waiting to go here for a while and it did not disappoint! Some delicious dishes. I just got back from Japan and was missing everything about it, especially the Japanese toiletries! 😂 this restaurant is expensive, but high quality fish and great service.
I really loved the onigiri, which I ate a lot of in Japan. The beef wasn’t my favorite but it was definitely good. The salmon was delicious. Really really great drinks.
Visited 2 years ago
Love this place. They have a great take on sushi🍣.
Visited 2 years ago
One of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city. Everything is always so good- I love trying new things every time I go.
Visited 2 years ago
Gi-Jin is an exceptional sushi restaurant located in downtown Pittsburgh, and part of the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group (which includes popular spots like Meat and Potatoes). The decor is upscale and elegant with a modern and minimalist design. The dining area is small and intimate, with limited seating available, so reservations can be hard to come by. The decor features warm wood tones and sleek black accents, giving it a sophisticated and contemporary look. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with a refined ambiance that's perfect for a special occasion or date night.
The menu at Gi-Jin features high-quality sushi rolls and Japanese-inspired dishes. The sushi rolls are creatively prepared with high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. The quality of the fish is impressive, and they frequently fly in fresh, high-quality cuts. Even if you're not a huge fan of fish, you're sure to be impressed by the quality and preparation of the sushi at Gi-Jin.
The waitstaff is knowledgeable and happy to provide guidance when ordering. They can help guide you through the menu, making recommendations based on your preferences and the daily specials. The waitstaff is attentive and professional, ensuring that you have a fantastic dining experience.
While Gi-Jin is on the pricier side, the exceptional food and service make it worth the splurge. It's the perfect spot for a special occasion or a night out with friends. Just be sure to plan ahead and make reservations well in advance, as it can be difficult to secure a table at this popular spot. Overall, Gi-Jin is an exceptional dining experience that you won't want to miss when you're in downtown Pittsburgh.
Visited 2 years ago
Interesting atmosphere, quite dark inside but clean and hip. Service was attentive and great. Sashimi and sushi rolls were excellent in quality, but very expensive given the portions. The matcha tiramisu is fantastic.
Visited 2 years ago
Exceptional atmosphere and vibe. Food is awesome and the service was top notch. If you haven’t tried this place, you need to get there. Reservations are slim but that’s for a reason. 5 out 5 every time!
Visited 2 years ago
First time here and wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Truly enjoyed. Good cocktails and loved the tapas style to try different items. Deserts were tasty finish. Staff was friendly
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Such an amazing meal! Seriously my best meal of the year. The drinks were marvelous, I really appreciated the gamera. Every bite that we had was delicious, but the eel roll and chocolate dessert were my favorite. Super experience overall, we'll be back soon🤍
Visited 2 years ago
We had a good time. Great quality sushi for a premium price. Service was a bit slow but they made it up to us with some extra food.
Visited 2 years ago
Delicious food and great ambience. The chocolate torte dessert was amazing. The restaurant is quite small so I would recommend making reservations. I typically do not enjoy gin based drinks but I tried two (cat’s pajamas and martini kihon) and would recommend both.
Visited 2 years ago
Delishous High-end Sushi / Sashimi. Drinks were very good. Nice atmosphere.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
No doubt, this is the best sushi in Pittsburgh. Prepare to pay a bit, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s authentic yet at the same time it has its own flair to it, such as their tuna pizza! it’s one of my favorite dishes on the menu. You have to get it if you end up going. You’re certainly gonna need a reservation as it’s always booked, I wouldn’t expect a walk in. Their fish is grade A quality, and the way they present the dishes are truly a work of art. Last time I was there I got the A5 wagyu nigiri and, lemme tell ya, WOW. One of the most amazing things i’ve ever tasted. Can’t forget about the drinks as well! They were great, and they paired well with the meal. Richard DeShantz does a fine job on owning and running this spot, as well as his other locations. This is one of my top 10 favorite places in the city, and his others are amongst some of my favorites as well. Make a reservation, you won’t regret it.
Visited 2 years ago
So I've had sushi in a number of settings ranging from gas station to Michelin starred.... Gi-jin is the best in Pittsburgh, hands down. The menu is accessible for newcomers and the staff are all kind an knowledgeable. The sushi is top shelf quality, extremely fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The price point and scarcity of tables makes this the type of dinner you plan for well in advance on special occasions, however for what you're getting though the price point is fair. Keep doing what you're doing I'll be repeat business for sure.
Visited 2 years ago
Some of the best sushi I've had outside of Japan. Pricey, but worth the splurge.
Visited 2 years ago
After waiting for a reservation to open up and thinking we'd have to wait another two months to get in, we finally got very lucky to find two spots at the sushi bar only two days in advance (must have been a cancellation because usually there's no chance of getting in without waiting months!). The service, ambiance and food were all amazing. Even though we showed up a little early for our reservation and just before opening, we were warmly welcomed by the staff.
We started with the hamachi crudo, which had melt
in your mouth fresh hamachi, and some interesting sweet and citrusy flavors in the whole presentation, all of which paired well with the extremely rich fish.
We moved on to the nigiri, which we ordered a la cart strategically so that we could try the toro, hamachi, and hotate (scallop). Every piece was delectable and so fresh. I literally had to pause after every bite just to savor it.
After that we shared 4 hand rolls: mushroom, beef tartare, hamachi, and eel. All were delicious but we were totally blown away by the mushroom hand roll, which had deep umami flavor. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of that one before it had disappeared into our mouths.
We finished with the beef tataki, which was probably the heaviest and most umami-heavy dish. The beef was so tender and the mushrooms again had the most wonderful flavor.
All the drinks we had were also wonderful but I would have to say my favorites were the Roku 75 and the Martini Kihon. The Roku 75 is a sparkling wine cocktail that's light and refreshing and pairs well with all the flavors in the dishes we tried. The Martini Kihon is a delicious martini with a slice of cucumber in it. I also enjoyed the Gin Tonic but thought it wasn't quite as exciting as the other cocktails. The Grand Lotus Aviation was also great but I thought it was heavy on the lemon, especially on its own, but it did pair well with the sushi.
Overall this was a memorable dining experience and definitely worth the price point for a special night out.
Visited 2 years ago
Best Sushi I have had in a while. Some of the freshest fish and that's where it all starts. Will definetly be coming back
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Gi-jin has been on my list for long time. Finally got the reservation!!! Phew 🙂! Gi-jin was up to the mark and then some more. Drinks were fantastic. Food was great and so was the service. In my opinion one can skip the tuna pizza. Eel handroll was awesome so was the salmon belly.
We went all out and still didn't try everything we wanted. I guess we will be back ;).
Visited 2 years ago
Best sushi in Pittsburgh by far. Always incredibly fresh and consistent. The matcha tiramisu is absolutely amazing!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Service was only surprised by the food. Provided a great beginning to the evening.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Best traditional Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh!!!
Visited 3 years ago
A very unique and exclusive sushi bar. It's worth the long reservation dwell if you are into a very personal sushi experience. It's also very expensive, but check it out if you want to experience something special.
Visited 3 years ago
First of all, I am a big fan of most of Richard DeShantz restaurants. They have really raised the bar for cuisine in Pittsburgh.
Regarding Gi-Jin:
The Good:
The atmosphere was really good. It is a beautiful space with a good vibe, but even when it was full, it was not so loud that we couldn't hear each other at the table.
The service was top notch. Our server was very responsive, and other servers would check on us as needed.
The Bad:
At best, the fish was just so-so. Several of the cuts were not presented in the way I have had them previously (I've eaten a fair amount of different sushi in NYC, California, and Florida). The cuts were too large and tough. The salmon we had was extremely fatty and it was over powering. I realize I'm complaining about the quality of sushi several hundred miles from the ocean - but for the price it should have all been perfect.
Visited 3 years ago
Had an amazing experience here! Great sushi, great service, great cocktail, great everything
Visited 3 years ago
Now we’re getting into the premium level restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. First off, this place was booked up for weeks in advance. That’s a good sign.
When we finally were able to reserve a table, and ate there for the fist time, we went all out and got the full selection of items on the menu. Here is what we experienced:
First tip: We ended up parking a couple of blocks down the road and had to pay $7. But it turns out you can park in the same building as the restaurant for free.
When we got inside, the ambiance was just delightful. Cozy, charming, we’ll do rayed with nice dim lighting. There just have been 7 people working behind the bar making drinks and sushi.
Once we sat down, we ordered a mix of cocktails, which were all ver tasty!
Then we had the miso soup and salad. I have to say the miso soup was my least favorite thing there. It was too salty and too sour.
But then the fish and main plates came out. We got the sashimi plate with the addition of the toro, scallops, and uni—I said we went all out. Those additions were well worth it. I’d say the toro was my favorite, but I was also surprised at how tasty the mackerel was that came with the standard sashimi plate.
We also got a number of other things, all of which were great, including the beef and mushroom. And then finished it off with having all three of their deserts, which again were all surprisingly good, each in their own way. If have to say that the chocolate and matcha ones were top for me.
All in all: a wonderful meal, superb service, great ambiance, and some very nice. I’d certainly recommend this place and I hope to go back again soon.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
I have never had a better dining experience
Visited 3 years ago
Amazing service, Heather and Liz took great care of us. Food and drinks were top notch, don’t skip the delicious chocolate dessert!
Visited 3 years ago
Miso soup was different and better than i ever had. Beef plate with mushrooms was amazing. Still mineral water is one of the best in the world and i could tell. Sushi was fresh and superb. Great job six stars. Raspberry dessert made my daughters eyes roll.
Visited 3 years ago
My favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. Great sushi, always fresh, and a very knowledgeable staff. Their drink menu is also superb!
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Make sure to bring your raincoats….
Booked back in January. Finally able to get a spot at the bar in April. Ate our first meal, the nigiri plate. Then half way through eating, the cup rinser at the bar broke and sprayed my girlfriend and I. The bartender and waitress apologized immediately and gave us a free cocktail. Accidents happen so no big deal. We then ordered some more food and continued eating. They then begin trying to fix the cup washer. Instead of just waiting for us to leave they needed to fix this now. We then got sprayed again, and began holding up our napkins to stay dry. One of the bar tenders even noted that they should stop as we were shielding ourselves with our dinner napkins… Someone then came and they proceeded to try and fix it again. We got sprayed one final time before dessert, before they finally decided to shut off the water. It was a really bad experience for something we were looking forward to for so long. The waitress was very apologetic and gave us free deserts. But no amount of free food makes you feel good about getting spray with bar water. Food was mediocre at best, and the experience was abysmal. Go to Umi instead better sushi and at least you won’t get wet.
Update: Contacted Lance Fields from guest services and he was mortified this occurred at the restaurant. He informed me that the owner would be calling me back to make things right. The owner never reached out, so I am guessing in their mind, it is ok for your patrons to pay hundreds of dollars and to spray them with bar water….
Another update: Still no one has reached out to me regarding this. Done want this review to get bogged down so I will update it every month until someone contacts me from this company. Please don’t waste your money at a place where they obviously don’t care about customer service.
Final update: We decided to give gi-Jin another go. To our surprise, the rain jackets were not needed. The crew at gi-Jin took care of us and made the experience 100x better then our first visit. They provided us with some nice apps, (on the house) and a complementary desert. I am happy that they recognized the error in the ways, from the first experience. I would gladly consider going back after this experience.
Visited 3 years ago
Sushi quality is good but it is overpriced. There are plenty of better sushi joints in Pittsburgh. If you are looking for quality and a fair price Mola is the sushi place for you.
Visited 3 years ago
The fish was good quality but otherwise very average dishes. Way overpriced for what you're getting. Beef tataki was tough and chewy -- 5 bites of beef for $27. One piece of nigiri for $10? Also I made a reservation via opentable, and arrived on time. But for some reason, I got an email from opentable that Gi-Jin claims I no-showed. So I was charged $100 for no-showing (two guests x $50). I disputed this, and we'll see what happens. What a clown restaurant... however, I will say the service and waitresses were excellent.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Just an amazing experience. Food was delicate, rich, and fresh. Ben, our server had the right mix of being attentive, yet not hovering. There was a small mix-up with a part of my order, and he knew something was missing and got things fixed quickly before we had to say something. Would definitely return.
Visited 3 years ago
- 13 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.6 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 412-332-6939
- Menu Website: https://gi-jin.com/
- Sushi Address: 208 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States
- Sushi Map: 40.4424546, -80.0021805
- Sushi restaurant
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5–10 PM
- Wednesday: 5–10 PM
- Thursday: 5–10 PM
- Friday: 5–10 PM
- Saturday: 5–10 PM
- Outdoor seating: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Delivery: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Comfort food: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Wine: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Transgender safe space: Available
- Reservations required: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Usually a wait: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Paid multi-storey car park: Available
- Paid street parking: Available
- Parking: Available