Izanami Restaurant

Repeat customers because it’s sooo good. There’s a lot of great food in Santa Fe but Izanami should be on your list. I love sitting at the bar. The bartenders are helpful despite how busy they stay. They always have great recommendations! Such a great vibe, amazing food, and wonderful cocktails.

A unique dining experience at Izanami. They have floor style seating as well as a dog-friendly patio. The service was amazing, Ariana was so sweet and really great. We went for restaurant week, and ordered the designated menus for that. We felt like the small plates were a little lacking in flavor, but the bibimbap was really great! Loved the chili oil. The desserts were also different and interesting. We even received a yuzu popsicle for celebrating there! Overall, a unique experience but I expected more from the hype and reviews I had seen. I will say that the cocktails were strong and very delicious!

We had a great experience here. Beautiful window seats and food was also delicious. We love the sashimi there, sweet and fresh. As well as the miso eggplant and the beef. For the desert, I would definitely recommend the coconut, it surprises us with the multilayer flavors.

I absolutely enjoyed this restaurant. I popped over after having spent time at the spa. I didn’t make a reservation a head of time and was sat at the back bar which was fine for me. Kamille was the bartender and took good care of me. I started with the Gobo 45 cocktail and the crispy spicy tuna. I loved the tuna dish, so good! Great contrast with the warm crispy rice and the cold tuna. The cocktail was amazing. As a whiskey lover this was right up my alley. The sage Liquor and lemons juice made for a refreshing yet tasty cocktail. I ordered the steak bento box for my entree. Also very good. Steak was grilled to perfection. The sesame noodles and grilled veggies were my favorite behind the steak. There was also a sauce that came with the dish that was delicious. Throughly enjoyed my experience. Will be back next time I’m in town.

Stopped here with my sisters on our way out of Santa Fe. I followed the restaurant on Instagram a few years back and haven't been able to stop thinking about it since! So glad to have finally made my way here from WV. Neo (our server) was a delight, and he really sets the standard for excellent service. They have a decent selection of fun mocktails. Also, there was not a bad bite on any of our plates!

Perhaps the only place in the region where you can taste fresh wasabi roots and 5A wagyu. Ume (as in sushi rolls) is also authentic. Being a frequent visitor to Japan and getting frustrated by so many "fake" Americanized Japanese restaurants, I was surprisingly impressed by the authenticity of the food at Izanami prepared by non-Japanese chefs. Japanese courtesy from all waiters and waitress too.

We had three perfect meals here while staying at Ten Thousand Waves. Two dinners and a lunch. The dinner menu is big enough so you could have a few meals without getting the same things. The lunch menu has some overlap but also a few different dishes. The sake selection is incredible and they are happy to help you find something that fits your tastes. Great service and atmosphere. Recommend the wagyu steak cooked on a hot stone, the short ribs, spicy crispy tuna dish (got it twice it was so good), sake flights, and the pear cocktail. Everything was delicious though and you can't go wrong.

While my overall experience wasn't perfect, there were definitely some highlights. The two raw dishes I tried were exceptionally fresh and flavorful. However, the other dishes I tried were very acidic, which detracted from the overall taste. Actually, the cucumber salad could have used more acid. I didn't finish my Kiko rita. The restrooms could also use a little TLC, especially for the upscale aesthetic they were trying to present.

My friend and I had birthday lunch today at Izanami... We are long time residents of Santa Fe and already love this restaurant for its style and reliable commitment to excellence.... We had to let you know that today we had THE BEST celebratory meal ever! My friend says it was "better than sex" and we will be back again soon... The food was fresh, delicious and superbly prepared... and the service was personal and impeccable. We particularly want to mention Neo, who was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Izanami served an exquisite yuzu birthday treat that neither of us had ever had before ... and Neo's sweetness and sense of humor made this an even more wonderful day! We are so grateful that we have this amazing place in Santa Fe and that it still reigns as one of the best, year after year. Can't wait to return!!

***I would give them a 3.5 if possible. Went to this adorable restaurant for dinner with a friend after exploring Old Towne. We sat outside in their heated patio and were very comfortable. They even offered blankets! Our server was pleasant and helpful. We tried the 4 course dinner ($65/person) which included two appetizers, main entree and dessert. We also got nigiri (Wagyu and tuna)! Our favorite was the yellow tail sashimi (the sauce is to die for). Here's where my reduction of stars came from: If you have a pine/tree nut allergy (like I do), the 2nd course doesn't have an option that is nut free OR free of cross contamination. So, I asked to switch for something else and was told no. I politely mentioned this to the manager and informed them that it was frustrating. They did not offer to comp me or another item, they simply told me that they "sometimes" make exceptions (not in my case). Given the food prices and level of service, I am disappointed in their lack of ability to accommodate food allergies. However- my waiter was very knowledgeable and informed me of what to eat/stay away from. Overall- we enjoyed the fun ambiance, flavor of the dishes and experience but I would not order the 4 course meal again as someone with a nut allergy.

After having many delicious meals in the past, we decided to celebrate my husband's birthday here. The first half of our experience was excellent; the cocktails, sesame noodle salad, hamachi sashimi (although not generous), and the wagyu beef were all delicious. The not so good part was everything we received after those items. The mushrooms, which in the past have had a beautiful umami, had so much yuzu we could not taste anything else. The brussel sprouts also had too much acid (lemon?) and overshadowed all the other flavors. We mentioned this to our server, he said he would bring it up with the manager. The manager never came over. We wanted to order more items, but waited another 15 mins or so before we saw our server again. During that time we begrudgingly picked at the veggies because we were still quite hungry. Eventually we were able to order the chicken karaage and negi hamachi. The chicken breast was bone dry, and the batter was chalky with no seasoning. The negi hamachi was not worth it, you get so little fish you might as well just order the sashimi. At this point, we didn't tell our server these items weren't great either. It was clear it wouldn't matter, as the veggies were never addressed. As we had reached full disappointment with our meal, we didn't have dessert. It's a shame to have paid $250 for a mediocre experience for such an important day.

Update: Duke you just showed why your service is always complained about. First, I'm from Texas so we like our drinks strong. The strong was the lime juice not the tequila. I suggested some soda to help as your bartender looked at me like a crazy person in lieu of doing anything to help. We drink tequila straight up here so give it a rest. Second, your waitress was very nice and we did discuss the menu items we ordered in length as most were her recommendations based off what we wanted (by you know using words of what we liked - salty vs sweet, I didn't see once where you advised your staff actually tried to make our experience better and I shouldn't have expected that after reviewing your comments. Maybe YOU should take responsibility for the multiple people who complain about your service instead of making excuses...you know the whole point of customer service!

We were underwhelmed by our meal. The chicken was overcooked, the salmon sashimi paper thin, the roasted vegetables were good but our server didn't inform us that our dishes already included the vegetables, crunchy spicy tuna rolls were fine but lacked spice.... It just wasn't worth the price and we would rather have eaten something delicious in Santa Fe. I love the spa here and if you do eat would recommend the unfiltered unpasteurized sake for something unique!

Is Izanami heaven? Yes. It is. We reserved a traditional washitsu (floor table seating, must remove shoes). The ambiance is beautiful. The staff could be heard laughing together, great teamwork & were outstanding with both service & recommendations. We had sake flights which were amazing, when we ordered a full glass we were got sosogi-koboshi (traditional overpour for celebration) and grilled our own meat on the Ishiyaki (Grilling Stone) which were fun! Everything pictured was amazing but I could eat the black sesame noodles every day & crispy spicy tuna is the most perfect single bite. The wagyu is the finest quality.

The food, service, and atmosphere are excellent. I went for lunch and had sushi and wine. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and enjoyed the drive there from Santa Fe was beautiful as well. Highly recommend!!!!

A friend and I had an amazing experience here. We sat at the bar and our server could not have been more helpful (I wish I remembered his name). My friend kept asking about the sake and he was very accommodating. He helped us select drinks based on our taste. We also really enjoyed our food and decor. I will definitely come back!

I came here with some friends after we spent the morning at Ten Thousand Waves, and boy am I glad we did! Not only was the backdrop beautiful, but service was super and the food was excellent. You start with bottles of both flat and sparkling water. Nice touch. Drink service was slow, but I think the bar was inundated with orders when we were there. No problem, we were eating in the meantime. I have a hard and fast rule against eating fish in landlocked states, but I make an exception when they tell me they fly it in daily from the largest fish market in Tokyo. The yellowtail practically melted in my mouth and the tuna and salmon were similarly excellent. The shrimp with mango sauce was divine. The crispy rice with spicy tuna was top notch. The salads were super (kale and beet was a personal favorite, but they were all great). I'm not sure we had a single item we didn't love. And with 9 foodies, that's high praise! I would recommend, and I would return if I find myself in Santa Fe again.

As close to perfection as I have ever experienced. Wonderful Service. Amazing food. Wonderful setting. LOVED IT

Well we had great expectations and a good start. The food was excellent. The service initially great. Not sure where things went sideways. We ordered the tasting menu and sake. They know sake. The dishes were good and well paced. We ordered a second round our sake which never arrived, ran out of water, that was never refilled and had to choke down our main courses with a napkin chaser. And then the wait staff turned rather bougie and I can honestly say that for $250 I should have gotten a. My second sake and b. A glass of water. Doubt we return. Shame because it's a gorgeous place.

After a delightful spa experience at Ten Thousand Waves, we worked up an appetite and thankfully Izanami was right there to welcome us. From the gorgeous wildflower landscape to the high-ceiling interior (with some surprising artwork), Izanami thrilled the senses. There were a few vegan options including the shichimi dusted fries and Agedashi tofu. But the stellar item was an appetizer noodle dish that was unctuously rich and ethereally light on the palate. I could've eaten the entire bowl by myself! But, alas, I had to share with my dining companion. Our waiter was exceptionally knowledgeable and presented each dish with flair. The busboy, however, kept trying to take our dishes before we ate every last bite. Lol. All in all, a wonderful dining experience in Santa Fe and one I would love to repeat!

We had a treatment with the Ten Thousand Waves spa that shares the space with this restaurant. We decided to try this place out after our treatments. This restaurant is done in a modern Japanese style and has an upper class feel. My daughter joked that the restaurant looked like the movie "The Menu". This place is definitely not as deadly! Haha The service was exemplary. We had a knowledgeable server who assisted us with ordering our food and a servers assistant who attended to our needs like clearing plates and refilling our drinks. We were waited on during our entire time and didn't need to wait for service. We tried several different dishes. The food is served as shareable for 1-2 people. The dishes are mostly budget friendly, however there are some plates that are very pricey. Our food was phenomenal. Everything is served to order and fresh. We had both traditional Japanese plates and fusion plates that were Mexican Japanese. You have to reserve well in advance! They are extremely popular and don't do walk ins.

Izanami is not just a restaurant; it's a captivating journey through the heart of Japanese culinary artistry. As we stepped through the door, we were enveloped in an ambiance that transported us to a realm of tranquility and elegance. The tatami room, where we were graciously seated, added an authentic touch to the experience, inviting us to unwind and savor each moment. Removing our shoes and settling onto the floor, we knew we were in for something special. And special it was indeed. The food that graced our table was nothing short of extraordinary - each dish a masterpiece crafted with precision and passion. Every bite was a symphony of flavors that danced on our palates, delighting our senses with every taste. But what truly set Izanami apart was the impeccable service we received. Our waitress was a beacon of hospitality, guiding us through the menu with expertise and warmth. Despite the bustling evening, her attention to detail and care never wavered. While we did miss out on a few of the entrees we had ordered, the vibrant energy of the night only added to the allure of the experience. It was a testament to Izanami's popularity and the demand for their exceptional cuisine. In the end, as we reflected on the evening, we knew one thing for certain - we would eagerly return to Izanami in a heartbeat. The whole experience was not just a meal; it was a harmonious blend of exquisite food, inviting ambiance, and unparalleled service. Izanami had cast its spell on us, and we were more than willing to succumb to its enchantment time and time again.

Can't get to Japan with that busy schedule? Stop and go to Izanami. This is a complete secluded gem tucked into Santa Fe. I'm more upset with myself that we didn't come sooner. The grounds are spectacular and beautiful. The restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating. The ambiance and environment is really great and details really make it a great experience. We had wonderful service from start to finish. I wish I had taken more photos of our dishes to share. The menu is diverse and small plates are so nice to share. The saki menu is the best I've seen in the US. The wine and mixed drink menus deliver as well. This could be a cozy and relaxed lunch or a special celebratory dinner. We saw all walks of life dining and enjoying - some straight from soaking next door and some glammed out to the max. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it. This is a place to indulge and really enjoy your meal. We look forward to coming back so we can try more items on the menu.

Underwhelming experience. Poor cleanliness. Pretentious. Avoid. Was so looking forward but rudeness and lack of care for food and service destroyed any chance of returning. Food lacked flavor, atmosphere loud. Snobby staff.

Had a bite to eat after my bf and I had a private spa room at Ten Thousand Waves and a facial which was an amazing experience! We were incredibly hungry so we just tried the poke plate for a nibble. It was great!

Had such a great dining experience here. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable about all the food items. The drinks were great and the pairings he recommended with sake were delectable.

Our server Mari was wonderful, knew the menu and was able to help us understand many of the ingredients we were unfamiliar with. We ordered five dishes and they arrived one at a time, perfectly spaced apart and all were fresh, tender and amazing. They take reservations, have ample parking, clean and very modern bathrooms and seating options inside and out. Every bite of every dish was perfect and reminded me what a restaurant aims for and this one achieves. The views were also very nice at sunset. We did order dessert and they were as wonderful as every other dish. I cannot think of any thing to say but WOW

This is a special day and this is a special Yelp review. Not only because I am marinating in my delightful memories of having dined not once but twice at Izanami over this past weekend, but this is my 1000th review I have written on Yelp. Happy to be marking this Yelp milestone for myself with a restaurant my husband and I find most special. We discovered Izanami during our first visit to stay at the Ten Thousand Waves Health Spa about two years ago. Izanami is located in a separate building from the main spa area, but is on the same property and owned by the same person. who owns to resort/spa. In our two visits to enjoy long weekends at Ten Thousand Waves, we have had the privilege of dining at Izanami four times. In each of those times, including last night with John as our server and Amara as his support, we feel so welcomed, appreciated and valued as customers. Servers are thoughtful, detailed, educated in their food and drink options, make eye contact when talking with you and simply put, are decent. They reflect the vibe of the people of Sante Fe in their down to earth kindness. And did I mention Kaz, who I believe is the manager, what a great ambassador of the Izanami brand with his welcoming spirit, interest in our happiness and appreciation of our repeat customer status. Izanami is open for lunch and dinner, but we have only had dinner in the four times dining here. They have tables for groups, they have booths, they have bar seating, they have outdoor seating with heaters (even in December when the temps are in the 30-40's!), they have traditional Japanese floor seating options as well. The ambiance is easy, uncomplicated, warm. They have items like sake glasses, tea cups and Japanese cook books for sale as well. They take cash, credit card and also Apple Pay as well (which we discovered to our delight when after arriving last night from the spa in kimonos all juicy and relaxed from an afternoon of tub soaking and massages with no form of payment other than our cell phones...maybe one day we will have the option of charging to our room, a perk to repeat guests like us?). The entire experience is delightful. Delightful in a way that we expect for a Japanese restaurant attempting to be spot on and authentic. Delightful in the superior quality of fish flown in almost daily or close to that. Delightful in the extensive sake menu that I believe would rival one of the most extensive you would find anywhere in the United States. Delightful in that we personally find the price points to be actually inexpensive to what we have in Las Vegas, NV (we had two massive meals including sake and desert and before tip it was $220-$250). And delightful in that the staff has been trained in such a way that would mimic the warm attentive care we feel when dining in Japan itself (we love it there and never miss a chance to go). The quality of the fish and meat is impeccable. Highlights from last night and also two nights prior include Kaki Fry (fried oysters...quality oyster, delicious batter, delivered hot to the table with great accompaniments of sauce, mayo like dip and salt), Tako Plate (grilled octopus "leg" served whole with a delicious side of fingerling potatoes and onion in gochujang aioli and olive oil) and Wagyu Beef Ishiyaki (thinly sliced wagyu beef -A5 and also Nebraska- to cook at our table on the 500 degree stone they provide...a great presentation with delicious results, according to my red meat eating husband). The roasted Japanese mushrooms deserve a shout out as well, in addition to the sashimi we ordered (scallops and salmon were our favorites this trip). Some random tips: Portions are not large and restaurant concept is Japanese tapas, so things are designed to be shared. This place is always busy when we are here, so reservations are absolutely recommended. Know that anyone in a blue canvas kimono like ourselves is a hotel guest staying the night on property. If you do not finish your sake, they will seal up your bottle in a plastic bag to be taken home. There is a courtesy property shuttle that circles around and can drive you to the upper lot where the restaurant is located if you find yourself at the lower lot to park or simply know the hoof up and down the hills are going to be too much for you (just call them). We have always been seated at a booth although we did not state a preference. But know before you go in the event sitting on the floor or outside is going to be a problem for you. I am certain they will be happy to accommodate when they can, based on their business levels that day. For the land locked area in which Izanami is located, we continue to be impressed by the quality fish product offered. This spot is truly a gem located on a spa property that we adore...lucky us. We already look forward to returning and will plan on doing so again soon.

Great place with a high-end east coast vibe and quality. We had the famous ribs along with the sea bass, mushrooms, sake and chocolate dessert. The ribs melt in your mouth, bass was served in a beautiful bowl on a bed of bok choy on a bed of bok choy in a delicate miso sauce. Considering we had 2 mains, sides, drinks and dessert I was surprised the bill was only $100. I accidentally booked the wrong night but the staff graciously seated us right away anyways, the service was great all night. We'll be back

We ordered a Brussel sprouts vegetarian, among other dishes. We were given a dish with bacon which we didn't realize until we ate some Brussel sprouts (obviously cooked together). Absolutely unacceptable. Initially staff just said sorry and seemed dismissive. We decided to leave as clearly the kitchen is not to be trusted. Never again. So if you have any dietary restrictions, stay far far away from this place.

Great food, prepared with care. Service was very personable and seemed to work brigade style so we felt well attended to. Our server was well-versed in sake and recommended one based on our taste preferences. Ambience was great, with four different seating areas, some overlooking the surrounding mountains. We tried ... -the avocado and cucumber salad (good) -miso sea bass (very good) -pea and shizo croquettes (good) -pork ribs (amazing!) -yuzu dessert (amazing and fairly light)

*********************** Exceptional lunch experience ~ Looking for a getaway break for someone studying intensely for her Medical Board exams. This was a perfect choice. Food, Service, environment were just perfect ... Synergy !! Suggest the Miso Sea Bass, the fried Lotus root and the Chirashizushi.

The food was outstanding for the most part Grilled avocado a delightful surprise cold unfiltered sake deceptively delicious fried chicken was tough ribs and pork belly tasty Mexican corn fabulous Ambiance good but w w forgot to check out the sunset Service was good

We had an early Christmas Eve dinner at Izanami, and Chef Kiko and his team hit it out of the park! Truly! The service was attentive, without being intrusive. Our server, Sarah, helped us navigate the extensive list of sakes, and drinks, as well as the holiday menu and the regular dinner menu. My husband got a bottle of hot junmai sake, while I sipped on a delicious Negroni that dismissed my "inner angry, bitter, Italian old man" and instead I was charmed by the light citrus flavors, with only a hint of bitter. Yum! I wasn't sure what to expect from Japanese-Spanish-Veracruz fusion but this izakaya meal was excellent! The grilled avocado with tamari and furikake was simple yet delicious. I can't wait to try this at home. We also ordered the Kaki fry, and learned that Kaki is the word for persimmon as well as oyster! They are written differently though in Japanese script. (I don't know enough to say whether it's hiragana or katakana.) But, again, delicious! Without realizing it, we ordered a second fried dish: lotus root with chicken, also very tasty. We rounded off our dinner with the ahi tuna tostadas that came on black sesame corn tostadas. The miso mole aioli was interesting and the pickled red cabbage so good! It had avocado on top so it was a good thing that we had ordered just half of the grilled avocado. A yuzu cheesecake from the special holiday menu was the perfect way to round off the meal. The passion fruit meringues were the best baked egg-whites and sugar that I've had to date! The strawberry sake sorbet and the cheesecake were really good, too! The restaurant packed our sake bottle for us to take with us. What a wonderful experience! My first izakaya meal, and something I will look forward to doing again at Izanami, and not just on Christmas Eve!

The sake collection here is the best in the USA. The servers are all very well versed in pairing options. Evidently the owner is the only sake sommelier in the states. Amazing. I stayed for a few days at Ten Thousand Waves so I had the opportunity to try many of the offerings. The sushi is impeccable but I would stand down for the smoked pork ribs. I had this twice as they have a smaller 3 piece portion at lunch that is perfect. I absolutely loved the black sesame noodles. Deep sesame flavor with very comforting noodles. The mole gyoza was interesting. Not my favorite but nonetheless a well executed dish . The fired oysters were large, juicy and perfectly fried. I really enjoyed the lotus root and chicken dish. It was playful and flavorful. The server described this as an adult chicken nugget . I will come here every time I'm in Santa Fe.

Food was excellent!! Would absolutely recommend the bibimbap, chicken bento box, very green salad, miso sticky toffee for dessert. Food comes out whatever is made first, not necessarily salad or apps first. Servers are kind. Beautiful views. Highly recommend.

Happy hour was great! I heard they just started this recently. I would go here again for HH, but would only go to the restaurant for special occasions. We ordered the wagyu beef ishiyaki of the regular menu, and it was so cool! I had never had traditional Japanese Wagyu, so it was a very cool experience. Expensive, but we still enjoyed it as our first time. The zucchini was perfectly crisp and delicious. The Karaage was good. I thought it was going to be crispier, but I would still order this again. The fries were good, but nothing special. The black sesame noodles are actually creamy. I was expecting them to be "lighter" with a predominantly sesame oil sauce. However the sauce was a creamy mayo(?) based sauce? I think others may like it, but it just wasn't for me.

I'm going to break this review down into three parts: food, service, and ambiance. Food: We were STARVING when we got here so everything tasted extra delicious. We ordered the burrata salad, sesame noodles, tofu age, grilled avocado, and the tart. I know it sounds like a lot but its small plates which makes a great excuse to order more. The burrata blew me away and I already want to chow down on it again. The noodles were also quite good and refreshing. The tofu was fine but I would advise skipping the avocado unless you literally want to eat a warm avocado. Service: We sat at the bar and our server (Ava perhaps?) was SUPER nice and friendly. She gave us great food and drink recommendations and was just fun to chat with in general. She was also very attentive and asked for my opinion on the drink she made me and even went to extra mile to help fix it when I found it too boozy. Ambience: Good vibes all around. I love the octopus chandelier fixture!! Overall, this was a great time and I would a thousand percent recommend it to other vegetarians!

The food was very good. I appreciated the fusion style especially of the mole gyoza and the hojicha panacotta. The sushi was solid as were the cocktails. I took a star off because the lead waiter was really off his game. I was dining by myself and he would forget that I was there for long stretches everyone else got much better service. If you're going to drop $75-100 on a meal you should not have to ask for everything you need.

Santa Fe, New Mexico-located Japanese Izakaya & small plates eatery on the beautifully set grounds of a Japanese spa and guest lodging, Ten Thousand Waves. The serene and gorgeous rock wall waterfall was a nice introduction to Izanami. Host and wait staff was kind, efficient and helpful. We ordered and shared family-style: EBI TEMPURA STARTER - shrimp tempura w/dipping sauce of sake & sweet chili sauce. Really good and would order again. ROASTED JAPANESE MUSHROOMS - roasted w/bean sprouts, tamari, butter, Yazu, shoyu-pickled garlic. Love mushrooms, wished we did a double order! BRUSSELS SPROUTS - roasted w/beck & bulow crispy pork belly, jalapeños, Parmesan & candied pecans. Very tasty and would order again. ONIGIRI - rice balls, one each filled with crab, one with shiso, goma + shio, nori. Have never had this onigiri and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the fillings. CHIRASHIZUSHI - rice bowl topped w/daily selection of raw fish, cucumbers, Wakame, freshly grated wasabi and a sprinkling of furikake. Fish was fresh and accompaniments were great! Especially appreciated the freshly grated wasabi whenever it's offered! Izanami's menu offers an array of organic and sustainably produce and Wagyu beef, pork, chicken from local farmers and ranchers. We did not imbibe on this visit but they have an extensive list of premium Japanese sakes and whiskeys. Next time! Would definitely love a return visit to this beautifully calm and serene Izakaya, as well as enjoy the splendors of the Ten Thousand Waves spa and/or as an overnight guest.

We ate here 3 times during our 2 night stay at the hotel. Despite it being the only restaurant nearby without us having to Uber downtown, they actually were delicious meals each of the 3 times, and we were not disappointed. It was restaurant week during our stay, which meant they had great lunch and dinner menus specifically for the occasion. $75 for a 4 course meal for dinner, or $35 for a 3 course for lunch. What a steal. Between the 4 of us, we pretty much sampled most of the menu during our stay. Standouts include the miso sea bass and the house made hojicha tea ice cream. Service was really good once seated, but they are understaffed just like anywhere else. Wednesday night dinner had quick service (got sat at the table right at our reservation time) but Thursday night dinner, we waited about 15-20 mins past our reservation. Clearly they were scrambling around trying to make things work, but the issue came from patrons taking their time with the meal (like over 2 hours) and the restaurant had to figure out how to move them along. How did I know this? We were waiting right near the stand and could hear the communication between the staff lol. The delay could have been because of restaurant week, but I can imagine being at the spa, patrons are looking for a relaxed place to dine and unwind. Which we totally did (when it wasn't during the dinner rush). Highly recommend making a reservation any time during the week. Try the tatami room for a different dining experience!

One of the best vacation meals I've had in my life. 5 of us went to Izanami during a girls trip to Santa Fe and had such a fantastic dinner. My favorite dishes were the kabocha udon, tuna tostada, very green salad, chicken meatballs, and the crispy spicy tuna but honestly everything we tried here was delicious and unique. The space was beautiful and the service was 10/10 too. A must try!

Welp. As far as experiences go, this one is high up on the list. What more could I say about the area. Insanely beautiful. Parking is always difficult there. I was surprised about the food. I expected out of this world phenomenal food and just didn't get that experience. We tried several different items and the best one was an unexpected surprise. It shouldn't have been the best thing we ate. It was a great experience but I would skip on the restaurant and strictly go for the spas.

I had heard about izanami a long while ago and honestly avoided dining there in the past because I just thought...hey..it's New Mexico, a land without ocean and in a classy, rich Santa Fe, what else could it be other than pricey, glorified Japanese food? Well, I was glad I finally visited Ten Thousand Waves again around holidays time..and out of whim wanted to check out for lunch. We were very lucky to get a seat there. We showed up for lunch without reservations a lil bit before the restaurant opened, and they were able to find a table for us. We were happy to see a variety of different item on the menu, including the special holidays menu (lunch and dinner menu were the same) and ordered a few dishes to share. Honestly, the flavors of the dishes there were so tasty and that I kindda regretted never eaten there before. Price wise, ok, it may be expensive for NM, but compared to big metro cities that I lived in (Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles), the prices were generally still reasonable (and even below the prices warranted in those big cities, given the ambiance/setting of this restaurant). The only thing I thought was a bit expensive was the Cod Croquette on the menu. For the sizes, yes, they were expensive...but I guess they put in expensive ingredients like Cod, cavier and gold flakes...they kindda warranted a bit higher price point (even though I think I could probably go with laymen's croquettes that would be just as tasty anyways!). Overall, I liked all the dishes. I think two of us ordered a bit too much so we got a small portion for leftover to go (and finished it all later that day). I would love to come back to izanami again when the next opportunity arises for sure. Such a lovely restaurant and dining environment!

Our party of 4 was seated promptly in a spacious, comfortable booth. Two of us had been there many times before, so we opted to let them order lots of dishes to share. Yum! Probably the tenderest, most delicious pork ribs ever, dishes of crab, shrimp, beef on a hot rock, noodles, sashimi, brussels sprouts; too many dishes to count, but every one wonderful. Each server, employee was polite, friendly and observant, seemingly pleased to be there. A winning establishment for sure!

Great cocktails. Had a margarita which I asked for up vs on the rocks. Waiter had to ask bartender, but got it done. They did miss the salt on rim after they had asked if I wanted, and I had replied in the affirmative. I let that slide as it was really a nice hand made margarita vs the pre mix abomination at Coyote Cantina. Food was decent at first. We had the gyoza which were fine. Also had spicy tuna hand rolls which were pretty decent as well. We ordered the chanterelle mushrooms which had an odd texture and there was an oddly strong fermented flavor to the broth of this dish, but maybe it was just not to our liking. We ordered fried chicken which had a very bland breading and the chicken was quite rubbery so really a miss there. We also ordered fries which came out cold. We sent them back and received another plate of equally cold fries. We just left them and they were taken away without a mention or ask if they were satisfactory. Overall, quite a bill for a less than stellar experience. Hope our next days in SF improve on the food score.

Seems like things have taken a downturn, at least when we went the other night. The flavors were fairly mundane, and one of my favorite dishes--the wood fired mushrooms--were soggy, bland, and felt more boiled than wood-fired. Sashimi and hand rolls were no more notable than other sushi restaurants in town, and the chicken karaage--though well-seasoned--was dry and tough. Highlight was a watermelon and tomato salad. That said: the service was slow--and when our server was present, he (young caucasian male) presented with an affectatious Japanese accent, complete with formal bows customary in Japanese culture. Coming from a young white guy--it made for an uncomfortable experience that further diminished the mediocre meal. It's too bad, because izanami used to be one of my favorite Santa Fe spots--not so much, now.

What a wonderful experience!!! Our server Sterling was awesome!! He was so attentive and made excellent recommendations!! We tried the assorted sashimi, tuna tostada, shrimp tempura & grilled octopus. Can't wait to return!!

Izanami is by far the best and most authentic Japanese restaurant I've been to in New Mexico. It's right next to the spa, Ten Thousand Waves, and I got to enjoy dinner here right after my massage. The staff are all very knowledgeable and the views are amazing. I've dined here a couple times and have tried a variety of items that have all been very good. The menu specials vary as well as the fish options for sashimi and nigiri but it's always fun to try new things. The sake options are very extensive but my favorites are the indigo sky and the mt chokai. For food, my favorite hot item is the gyoza. You can tell that these are house made and I love that these have the perfect amount of crisp to them. For grilled items, I recently had the lamb chops and nami burger which were all cooked and seasoned perfectly. For fried, I love the shichimi fries, zucchini and the karaage chicken. The oysters were way too large and briny for my taste and the croquettes were a bit plain in my opinion. I always enjoy the salmon sashimi and spicy tuna when these are available as well as unagi! In the winter, they have a shoyu style hot pot or shabu shabu which is really good if you enjoy a soy based broth. For dessert, my favorite is the chocolate raspberry dome. It's the perfect medley of flavors with cake and mousse!

We had a great lunch here on a recent Wednesday afternoon. We had reservations. Food was delicious! Service was good but a bit slow to be seated & be served. Once we were able to order food came quickly and was delicious. We split a butter lettuce salad ( Yum!). Then had appetizer size portion of Waygu beef cooked on 500 degree stone at the table . You cook it yourself. It was very good. Then we split a bento box which was all delicious, everything was very good-cucumber & avocado salad, broccolini, noodle salad & steak with a great miso sauce. Great experience. Wonderful views!

We usually eat at Izanami once or twice a year. It's been one of our very favorite places ever since it opened. It has been a reliably relaxing and enjoyable environment, especially following a 90-minute soak in a hot tub. But our most recent visit was very disappointing. I expect to wait 10 minutes or so to be taken to our table, even with a reservation. That's normal. What's not normal or acceptable is once one has been seated to wait thirty minutes for a waiter to show up to take our orders. From the time we sat down until we were first served, 40 minutes had passed. What's more, the food arrived before the drinks did. The food was fine, but it would have been better had we been served all of the dishes we had ordered. Waiting for our second courses, a member of the wait staff asked if she could clear the table. We pointed out we were still waiting on two dishes. One of these arrived. As we were finishing up this sea bass, which was good but could have been warmer, we asked a server when our last dish would turn up. He told us it already had. When we then spoke to our waiter about this, he offered no apology. He said, "we're busy tonight," and abruptly turned on his heels. He then delivered the bill curtly. We will think twice before returning.

The food was excellent. I had the tofu bento box and it was so delicious and filling. The flavors were incredible. The tofu was lightly fried and silky. The cucumber salad with avocado sauce was wonderfully prepared. The broccolini in garlic broth was to die for and the cold sesame noodles were everything I had hoped for. The servers were attentive but the kitchen and bar were a bit slammed so things came out a bit haphazardly. That said I can't wait to go back. P.S. the massage at Ten Thousand Waves was wonderful.

Always a great experience. Love the specials menu. Also - shout out to Jose, the server assistant who took such great care of us.

After hearing raves about Izanami, to say I was disappointed is an understatement. With dinner reservations at 6:15, we were seated in the outdoor tent, which had very few other diners at that time. Our waitress came right over and took our order. Nonetheless, it was an hour before we were served. There is nothing worse than to see the tent fill up with other diners and watch them getting served before us. The food was ok, but I was flabbergasted and so disappointed with the service. We had gone to Santa Fe to celebrate my 75th birthday, with our Spa Day and dinner capping off our long weekend. I called the restaurant after my return home to express my feelings about the service. I never heard a word back from the manager and I will not go back to Isanami again.

The service sucked so bad here... By the time we finished we just wanted to get the hell outta there. Look, first what you need to understand is that we eat out just about everyday, and sometimes multiple times a day- rarely repeating restaurants. What can I say- we love to experience other people's food (even though we're quite proficient in the kitchen ourselves)... But to do this you can't sit at restaurants for hours at a time- there's just not enough time in the day. So we're in and out of most (non-fine dining) restaurants in 1 hour or less... we don't talk while we eat, we don't dawdle. In my opinion what separates a restaurant with excellent service vs. one that doesn't care is the ability to recognize who they're dealing with. And in our case that amounts to at least attempting to keep the pace... But not these guys... we probably spent 3.5 hours here- 30 minutes eating, and another 3 hours waiting or having the waiter explain the food to us (and this isn't food that we're not already familiar with). We were so ready to leave we wanted to cancel the rest of our food, but that would be rude so... The food itself was actually quite delicious- those pea fritters were a revelation. But service sucked so bad we forgot to take pics of most of our food and 100% we would never return- cuz ain't nobody got time for that!!!

A wonderful experience! We dined in the pavilion on a pleasantly cool evening. Beautiful ambiance. Heaters were on and wraps were provided. Dress is nicely casual to casual. The staff is knowledgeable about the sake menu and the food. Attentive without being intrusive. The food is very flavorful. The spicy cucumber/avocado salad was light and a nice way to start the meal. We shared gyozas, smoked ribs, esquites. I have had the grilled avocado in the past and it is crave-worthy!!! Matcha chocolate tart for dessert was a great choice.

My friend and I recently dined at Izanami, the restaurant at Ten Thousand Waves. The gardens were beautiful, waterfall sounds were relaxing, service was attentive but not too much, and the food and sale pairings were perfect! We both chose the special omakase pairing menu; 5 dishes with 5 sake. First was an excellent tomatillo, watermelon gazpacho with crispy jamon, and it was refreshing and delicious. Second was an ahi tartare with avocado, shoyu and aioli on a black sesame tostada. I love how Izanami mixes excellent Japanese and New Mexican cuisine together! Third was Wagyu short rib croquettes, followed by sea bass in a savory, mushroom fish broth. Dessert was special: it looked like an orange and tasted citrusy, but inside was a fruit essence and it was accompanied by a granita. It was served with a mist flowing around it, probably dry ice. Every dish was fine start presentation and taste! All of the sake pairings were delicious too. This was a special position dinner, but everything I've had at Izanami has been excellent, both lunch and dinner. I eat at Izanami whenever I can, and I'm never disappointed. Ambiance is always perfectly relaxing and service is perfect.