Morimoto Napa

Japanese restaurant · Napa

Morimoto Napa

Japanese restaurant · Napa

610 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA

Highlights

Step into Morimoto Napa for an upscale Japanese dining experience with sleek vibes and inventive dishes, all while enjoying beautiful river views.

610 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA Get directions

morimotonapa.com

@morimotorestaurants

$$$$ · Menu

@infatuation

"Morimoto is a long-standing restaurant that scratches any itch for high-quality Japanese food, with an over-the-top Vegas-style presentation that includes tuna sashimi made to look like rosebuds served on a bed of crushed ice. The vast dining room feels like Napa’s version of TAO and gets just as loud as the nightclub when packed. You can easily rack up a sky-high dinner tab with rounds of lychee martinis and the omakase on a night out with friends, or keep it more subtle (and affordable) by heading in for lunch. The rock shrimp tempura and hamachi tacos are practically mandatory, but there are plenty of non-seafood options sprinkled in as well, like wagyu and duck confit fried rice. " - christina julian, jasmine alexandra

The 18 Best Restaurants In Napa 2024

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@infatuation

Morimoto Review - Downtown - Napa - The Infatuation

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@goop

"Masaharu Morimoto is best known as the original Iron Chef, though his restaurants are actually even better than the TV hype. The vibe here is more urban than you'd find at other restaurants in the valley since it's right downtown in Napa. Meanwhile, the Asian food is also a nice way to break up the local California cuisine."

The Napa Valley Guide

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@eater

"How do you make a burger better? Fry it. Morimoto’s Menchi Katsu Burger has long been a BottleRock staple that can’t be missed year after year. Topped with a combination Asian slaw, tarter, and barbecue sauces (plus a side of housemade kimchee), there’s a literal world of flavor in every bite." - Jess Lander

The 10 Best Bites at Napa’s BottleRock Festival - Eater SF

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@kevin

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michele c

Google

Excited to try this place and we are glad we did! The shrimp appetizer was so good. The Sake flight and drinks were great. Sushi was amazing. The short rib and fried lobster was the best! Definitely will visit again. Easy reservations online. Great service. Friendly staff. Great atmosphere.

Helena

Google

If you're in Napa, Morimoto Napa is an absolute must-visit. The Japanese cuisine here is phenomenal, showcasing a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Each dish is beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, making for an unforgettable dining experience. Our server, Marie-Anne, was exceptional. She offered perfect wine pairing recommendations that elevated our meal to new heights. Her knowledge and enthusiasm truly enhanced our visit. Manager Naten also made a great impression, checking on our table multiple times and sharing insights about the restaurant's history and offerings. He recommended the bar for after-dinner drinks, which turned out to be a fantastic suggestion. Overall, Morimoto Napa combines outstanding food, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to add this gem to your itinerary!

Yongjin Cho

Google

Contemporary Japanese with vibrant atmosphere. Considering the price range, it was like 5 stars but overall good in general. It is not traditional Japanese with loud environments, so if you are looking for something calm, might not be a good option.

I M

Google

Having lived in Tokyo, finding good Japanese food in America can be a challenge, BUT thank God for Morimoto! I’ve been a fan since iron chef and I’m thrilled that my first time visiting far exceeded my expectations. Everything was fresh, cooked well & delicious! We had the gyozas, ribs, shishitos, katsudon, burger + desserts. While I wouldn’t personally order a burger at a Japanese restaurant, my friends burger was pretty average. The gyozas could’ve been cooked a tad longer. The ribs were tender & juicy and reheat well. The shishitos had great seasoning. But the star of the show was the katsudon! Delicious, great cook on the pork so that the breading is still crisp while sitting on rice with sauce & the depth of flavor was unbelievable! The dessert was also really great. I’m not huge on sweets so the gelato was the perfect finish.

M. Knoll

Google

Beautiful atmosphere indoor/outdoor.It’s located by the Napa River, providing a nice outdoor view. Packed on a Friday night, reservations a must. Full of stylish, trendy crowd. Good food and wine.

Noel 'Hank' Williams

Google

Did not disappoint! Our table have several appetizers including Rock Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup, BBQ Oysters and Edamame, Spicy Tuna Roll and Tuna Tacos. All excellent.

Nicholas McNamara

Google

Hadn’t been to Morimoto’s in Napa for a while, so we decided to have dinner there on a recent trip to the Napa Valley. Great experience overall. The restaurant is sandwiched between a jail and the Napa River, but you only notice the river views from inside. Great outdoor patio that is dog friendly - a must for us. We had many of his classic dishes, which were all good. Nothing served missed a note. Would definitely return.

Carolyn Ludwig

Google

We did the Omakase last night and let me tell you … IT WAS DIVINE! Dionicio was our server and he was absolutely outstanding! I would dine here every evening if I could. Everything was spectacularly plated and delicious. 10/10!

michele c

Google

Helena

Google

Yongjin Cho

Google

I M

Google

M. Knoll

Google

Beautiful atmosphere indoor/outdoor.It’s located by the Napa River, providing a nice outdoor view. Packed on a Friday night, reservations a must. Full of stylish, trendy crowd. Good food and wine.

Noel 'Hank' Williams

Google

Did not disappoint! Our table have several appetizers including Rock Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup, BBQ Oysters and Edamame, Spicy Tuna Roll and Tuna Tacos. All excellent.

Nicholas McNamara

Google

Carolyn Ludwig

Google

Imelda R.

Yelp

Excellent food preparation and presentation. It's a new menu so that always nice to try wonderful additions. Sukiyaki ( hot appetizer ) came with Waugh beef. That alone is a treat by itself. Unagi bowl was enjoyable; with some added sushi wrappers you can easily it it like its own roll. Dessert was fun with the mango sorbet, rice pudding layers and hint of crackle as you eat through it. Adrian was an excellent and always very good at explaining the food as it came out. Staff was always on it as they brought the meals to the table. The restaurant is lively and even though busy the staff are very efficient and all seem to work real well with each other.

Matt T.

Yelp

Childhood Hero Destroyed Chef Masaharu Morimoto was my childhood hero. When my family first got Food Network on local cable, Iron Chef was one of the first shows I got to watch and inspired my love for cooking today. Tonight however fell so far short that I'm almost less mad at Bobby Flay for standing on his cutting board. (Almost). My wife and I both got the Omakase meaning to "entrust" (makaseru). What they did well: Ōtoro was phenomenal. Better than local Ōtoro but not as good as it is in Japan. Wagyu tartare excellent quality, texture and taste. What didn't go well: A5 Wagyu cooked to well done. Japan would sentence you for death for doing this. Fish steamed in sake until it was so firm I couldn't break it by pressing it with my hashi. Overall for over $300 I should've just ordered ridiculous amounts of Ōtoro. Deeply saddened that Iron Chef Japan's name is no longer what it once meant to me.

John T.

Yelp

3.5 stars for me. Food is pricey for what you get. Service was excellent. Location is cool downtown Napa on the river. Outdoor seating available. Will give them another try.

Faith S.

Yelp

THE BEST JAPANESE FINE DINING EXPERIENCE! With meticulous attention to detail in the dishes, decor, and dining rooms, Morimoto Napa is serving an immersive experience! Located on the riverfront in downtown Napa. Indoor dining & riverfront patio seating both yield gorgeous views all around. The architecture pays homage to traditional Japanese natural elements. The dishes are a work of art, each elaborately plated to highlight the color, texture, & flavor of the fresh high-quality ingredients. Sushi, Steak, Sake, and SUPERB service! WE LOVE THAT MORIMOTO NAPA HAS IT ALL! It might take you a few trips to eat the whole menu, but you can do it! My favorite appetizers: Toro Tartare , Wagyu Beef Carpaccio , & Crab & Cheese Croquette's Entrees: Braised Black Cod and Surf & Turf Sushi: uni nigiri & the chef's beautiful sushi / sashimi combination Steak: Ribeye & Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Sides: Duck Confit Fried Rice Dessert: Dark Chocolate Sphere -HIGHLY RECOMMEND, very tasty and very cool! They flambé the sphere table-side allowing the chocolate to melt over the ice cream! A great finisher after a phenomenal experience! I appreciate the staffs knowledge and pride in their craft & service! Thank you Morimoto Napa for always taking care of us!

Sophia N.

Yelp

The Iron Chef has let me down. I was originally really excited to order the omikase set menu for my husband's birthday. I really wanted to like it, but the duck and wagyu were overcooked. It was a crying shame. The beef tartare was good, but I couldn't even tell how the quality of seafood was in some cases because it was drowning in sauces. The service was nice, but wasn't as attentive as one would hope for such an expensive menu. We didn't get a very thorough explanation for our sake flight either. Although everything was beautifully plated, I am sad to say that it was just that: beautifully plated mediocre food.

Jesse V.

Yelp

Morimoto Napa is an upscaled and popular Japanese restaurant that creates cuisines and drinks of the highest quality. They are located in a high traffic area so it is difficult to find street parking, but there is a parking garage 1.5 blocks away. The stunning traditional and modern Japanese decor embodies the whole restaurant. Morimoto is a very popular spot, especially in the evenings, so reservations are recommended. The hosts and servers were very nice, but the annoying part was waiting 20 mins to get seated even though I had reservations. Servers were so busy that it took a 30+ mins for my food and drinks to come out. But thats the price you pay, for going to a very popular restaurant. In terms of food, the duck confit fried rice was very rich and flavorful 9/10, the duck fat French fries was good and cooked to perfection, but didn't taste special 8/10, the angry chicken was nice and flavorful but a lil overcooked on the white meat of the chicken 8/10, the spicy tuna roll and tempera roll came with 6 pieces and was good, but nothing special compared to other sushi places. 7/10 My favorite part was tasting the higher grade of sushi (uni and chu-toro) which came as 1 piece of sushi each, but the flavors were so delicious and great 10/10. Lastly, I got the dark chocolate sphere which was aesthetically pleasing and delicious 10/10, and sorbet trio was refreshing and good 9/10. I highly recommend you checking this place out.

Karen C.

Yelp

I really wanted to like Morimoto Napa as I enjoyed eating at their Wailea, Maui location but I was a bit disappointed. I sat at the bar since I was by myself. The bartender that was there when I arrived was very busy and was not very attentive to me. I did finally order and he was not really helpful in helping me decide what to order. I did have a nice local Sauvignon Blanc to drink. I started with the rock shrimp tempura: spicy gochujang sauce, wasabi aioli. This was very good and filling. A very large portion that would be good for sharing. I was so full from this, I barely at any of my entree. For my entree, I had the tonkatsu: panko crusted pork loin, cabbage, katsu sauce. This was the disappointing part. The pork was boring and really had no strong flavor. Also it was big and thick and very hard to eat with chopsticks. Since the pieces were big, it was hard to dip them in the sauce with the chopsticks. My appetizer plates were never taken away after my entree arrived until a 2nd bartender showed up and was more attentive to me. The bar helped did get me a to-go box. But no one asked if I wanted dessert or another glass of wine. Just not the best experience at what is supposed to be a great restaurant.

Jared D.

Yelp

Amazing experience here. Beautiful inside with high ceilings and a vibrant energy. Service was prompt and helpful. More classy inside. The outside (where we sat), was beautiful and along the water. The food was all amazing. I started with the clam/muscle miso soup that was amazing. Clams and muscles were plump and juicy, the broth had a great seafood flavor. Our main courses were well done, but I think the best was the Kobe sashimi and clam/muscle miso soup. That being said the main course of ginger scallion halibut and Kobe was great. The Uni nigiri was fresh. The tuna handroll was good but I think overshadowed by the other items ordered. We ended the night with oat milk sherbet with syrup drizzle given for our anniversary. Can't wait to come back whenever I come to Napa.

Gazelle G.

Yelp

First time here and ordered surf and turn! Really good. My bf loves his salmon. The dessert was pretty but very sweets. And we were going to take a video because it look so cool but the guy perform it so quick. We missed it when he just about to light a fire to the chocolate lol oh well. Overall, service was great. Ambience is good.

Hani G.

Yelp

A big restaurant with an outdoor patio. We booked our table ahead. Our waitress was super nice and helpful. We tried the omakase. The tartare dishes were absolutely delicious. The Entree dish was kind of disappointing.

Christina B.

Yelp

We came here for a birthday dinner, and it was a wonderful experience! This was located downtown with a charming view of the Napa river. This is a very large restaurant with stunning ambiance and sleek modern decors. Our waiter was wonderful and attentive, helping us through the large menu. For appetizers, we ordered some steak slices in a sweet vinaigrette, quite delicious! We also ordered a large platter of nigiri and the duck fat fries. The nigiris were just okay, a little bit more on the fishy side. I've had tried them at their other locations and this one doesn't seem as fresh. Dessert was a must, of course the flaming chocolate ball was on our list. The dessert was simply a very fun experience that helped close our night!

Jade J.

Yelp

This is a big restaurant, so it does get really busy and loud but it has a nice, modern ambiance so it's great to come for many different occasions. I think we would give this restaurant a better rating if the service wasn't as bad because honestly, the food was pretty good. In general, my boyfriend and I really had a hard time getting a hold of and/or even locating our server lol. On top of this, the order in which our food and drinks came out was so odd as we got a couple of plates before our cocktails and then there were just awkward pauses in between dishes. Nonetheless, every dish we got was very tasty and the sushi quality was solid. Personal Recs: * Dry Aged Salmon! We had never heard of this type of cooking style for salmon before and it was so worth trying because the fish literally melted in our mouths. * Chef's Combo ($55) - we ordered the smallest chef's combo option to share and I think any of the chef's combo is totally worth ordering if you want to try an array of sushi and rolls. Our other plates included: Negitoro Maki, Tuna Tacos, Cauliflower Trio, and Duck Confit Fried Rice Bonus - as it was my birthday dinner, they gave a cute little maple sorbet dessert on the house.

Teresa B.

Yelp

We loved our first visit to Morimoto Napa! -Tofu miso soup: It's a generous portion that's enough to share. It's delicious and the creamy tofu at the bottom reminds me of the Filipino dessert, taho. -You MUST order the toro tartare. It's a raw tuna cake topped with little crispies and caviar. It comes with wasabi, sour cream and nori paste for sauce and a tiny piece of fruit that tastes like the pink Starburst as a palate cleanser. Honestly, this appetizer alone makes it worth a trip. -I tried the premium sake flight, which was tasty and enough to share. My favorite was the milky snow maiden. -My husband got the turf set, which comes with seven pieces of different meat and two pieces of corn on the cob. Very delicious. -I got the soft shell crab sushi roll, spicy yellowtail sushi roll and the tobiko nigiri. I liked them all, but the yellowtail was my favorite. Tip: Sit at the sushi counter if you can. It's fun to see the chefs at work.

Tracy B.

Yelp

Excellent food, service and location!! Went here for lunch during a trip to the area. I met a friend who loves this place but it was my first time. Definitely one of the best meals I've ever had in my life!! It's pricey but incredible. Hamachi taco app is delicious as well as hot app eel aburi with rice. All sushi was the freshest I've ever had.

Maria S.

Yelp

I haven't been to Morimoto Napa for years, maybe over a decade. So imagine my surprise when I see the Iron Chef himself walking around the dining room. He was in town to revamp the menu and I was lucky enough to be there for its premiere. I will admit, it was taking a long time for dishes to come to the table that night, but knowing that they had so many new items I was fine with the wait. It was so busy and loud in the dining room that we did have to almost yell across the table so I appreciated seeing the place start to clear out and get a little quieter. We enjoyed the aburi 4 nigiri which was torched table side. The tonkatsu reminded me of one I had in Honolulu which was amazing. I loved how they grinded the sesame seeds for the tonkatsu sauce for us as well. We were already full after having that and their braised black cod, and almost cancelled the unagi clay pot rice when our server asked if we were ready for it, but he convinced us that we would regret it if we didn't try it because of how amazing it is, and he was right. They served the clay pot rice two ways, and it was absolutely perfect. The ochasake was the best part as I love the addition of tea to the rice. So much umami in one bite. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to try the new menu with Morimoto present. I hope to try some of his other dishes next time we visit Napa.

Tanya M.

Yelp

Came here for Mother's Day with my daughter is also a mom. It was our first time here and we all enjoyed the experience and food. The server we had she was so awesome and had good recommendations along with tending to our table. Seating area was so beautiful and open. We were close to the outdoor patio so it was nice being able to look out. This is what we had ordered Drink: Casual encounter (so yummy that I had to have 2 glasses) Appetizers: duck confit fried rice Waygu gyoza and rock shrimp tempura Entrees Surf & Turf, Braised cod with a side of brussel sprouts, chef choice rolls shrimp tempura roll and duck fat fries. We all shared our food family style and we all liked everything that came to the table. I am so glad to have gotten the opportunity to try this place out and look forward to coming in the future to try out more of the menu and drinks.

Jennifer C.

Yelp

Overall, I'd say our experience was slightly disappointing. Ambiance was okay - it was definitely louder in the place than expected and it was hard to have conversations with the person sitting across the table from me, but servers were attentive. Food wise I was also a bit disappointed but this might be because I had high expectations going in. I had morimoto's sticky ribs at Disney Spring in Orlando and it was LIFE. CHANGING. As in...I dreamed about having them again for years. The ribs here were more sour and less fried so biting into the rib was less satisfying. If I'd never had the Orlando ones I might have loved these but because we were comparing them to what we had before it just didn't hit the mark. Seafood tobanyaki and braised black cod were both solid options with great flavor that I'd feel comfortable recommending. Ishiyaki buri bop came strongly recommended by our waiter but I think they put too much of the sauce when they cooked it table side and it was salty and unbalanced. Overall, it was fine but not worth a trip back for me.

Hai L.

Yelp

Came here on a weekday evening. The restaurant was not too packed, although there is a lot of dining space. The food was good, but the service here was ridiculously slow. It took over 15 minutes just to be acknowledged by a server. ***updated review 2/24/24 Visited here with my guest on a Saturday evening and had a reservation made. Came about 10 minutes early and had a table ready before our 6PM reservation time. The restaurant was pretty busy during our arrival and throughout the rest of the evening. For a busy evening, the staff were pretty attentive and were constantly assisting customers. Got to try some different options compared to my last visit including their sticky ribs, duck confit fried rice, chashu pork ramen, and whitefish carpaccio. Everything here was delicious although the broth in the ramen was a little too salty. Overall, I would come back again because I still want to try their sushi next time.

Cassandra C.

Yelp

Beautiful restaurant! We made a reservation for a party of 2 and were seated outside. It was a cool April day but sunny. Gorgeous views! Service was great and sushi was fresh and delicious. Would recommend.

Mika C.

Yelp

WOW WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Everything was absolutely delicious and I felt that the dishes were unique and intricately crafted. The Rock Shrimp Tempura and Toro Tartare were great appetizers. For nigiri, the sake/salmon and uni/sea urchin were beyond amazing!!!! Melted in my mouth. The salmon really had me tearing up in the club. Service was phenomenal. For a Saturday night, it was pretty busy but was still intimate enough to have quality experience.

Ivory M.

Yelp

Having lived in Tokyo, finding good Japanese food in America can be a challenge, BUT thank God for Morimoto! I've been a fan since iron chef and I'm thrilled that my first time visiting far exceeded my expectations. Everything was fresh, cooked well & delicious! We had the gyozas, ribs, shishitos, katsudon, burger + desserts. While I wouldn't personally order a burger at a Japanese restaurant, my friends burger was pretty average. The gyozas could've been cooked a tad longer. The ribs were tender & juicy and reheat well. The shishitos had great seasoning. But the star of the show was the katsudon! Delicious, great cook on the pork so that the breading is still crisp while sitting on rice with sauce & the depth of flavor was unbelievable! The dessert was also really great. I'm not huge on sweets so the gelato was the perfect finish.

Elisa G.

Yelp

We enjoyed our waiter who was very nice but the food is extremely disappointing and more like a strip mall sushi place. Hot oil sashimi was OK. Nothing to write home about I would not recommend. The Hokkaido scallops tasted like bay scallops. Definitely the most disappointing experience of our Napa trip :(

Delilah L.

Yelp

Appropriate price for the size of the gyudon and the brussel sprouts. Taste just mediocre. Our waitress was so sweet, but almost never around. I enjoy the indoor ambiance better than outside. The gyudon $38. Coke $6.5. That's very pricy for a small non refilable soda bottle.

Tatiana J.

Yelp

Great ambiance, great service and AMAZING fish. I couldn't believe how beautiful the presentation was also. I also liked their popcorn shrimp as an appetizer

Michelle F.

Yelp

I really enjoyed my meal here. I loved the strip loin. It was definitely a different flavor steak but oh so good. I also ordered the garlic mushrooms as a side. Very, very fresh and delicious, but you definitely have to love garlic AND mushrooms. Both offer intense flavor. They had a nice wine menu but I was not drinking that day. I had eaten sushi here a different day and it was very fresh. But I did not find the sushi very creative The dessert was probably the best I have had anywhere. I mean, really amazing. Not overly sweet. They did a little show with the outer chocolate. The chocolate is very high quality. This restaurant is a must do in Napa whether you are an Asian food fan or not. It is just a memorable experience and there are many other choices. I love Asian food and steak and pretty much everything else on their menu.

Kassandra P.

Yelp

We have heard so many things about this place and we're excited to try it. It definitely did not live up to the hype. I felt like it was overrated. We had reservations for 7:00pm on a Friday so of course it was busy but the place was big enough to allow you to feel comfortable. It was a little noisy but hey what can you expect on a Friday night in downtown Napa. The vibes were good, the staff was awesome, especially our server (can't remember her name) but the food was just decent. The sushi was way overpriced and did not taste special. Everything else was decent but I'd rather pay high prices elsewhere for more flavorful food.

Luis C.

Yelp

Fiancée and I came in for our 5 year anniversary tonight as this place caught our eye through the pictures and reviews we saw here on yelp. We entered and immediately the restaurant looked spectacular. Seems like it's one of the bigger and nicer restaurants in DT Napa. We started with the sticky ribs (the best part of our dinner) and then proceeded with sushi rolls of our own (great sushi but no more than 5 pcs per roll) and the buri bop entree which consisted of yellowtail tuna with rice, egg yolk and a nice soy/herb sauce poured over. They cook the tuna table side, searing it on one side while leaving the other side raw which leaves you with two textures in one bite (definitely recommend). Only complaint I had was that I had mentioned our anniversary on the phone when I made the reservation and our server never acknowledged or said anything. Made it feel like a regular dinner night. We also never got our servers name which enhances the experience when they introduce themselves. I wouldn't knock a whole star off for this as stuff like this happens and it was a really busy night but it def made our night feel not as special. Other wise service by all staff collectively was fantastic and ambiance was great. Food was absolutely incredible. The menu offers many other items such as steaks/ salads/ and countless sushi/sashimi choices.

Lisa C.

Yelp

From the moment we stumbled in after going to the OTHER morimoto (not recommended ) the hostess was warm and inviting to our final goodbyes to the two awesome bartenders, Cameron and Juan, an overall great experience with delicious food and invigorating atmosphere was had by my husband and I..... Highly recommend

Phillip H.

Yelp

It's always good here. They do everything well. I like outside better unless it's cold.

Mark F.

Yelp

My family and I had an amazing time and dinner here. The food is sublime, the ambience is lively and fun. We tried two sake flights so we could taste 8 different sakes then landed on a consensus bottle to buy. The sticky ribs are to die for. Top 10 meals ever. We will definitely be going back.

Amber A.

Yelp

The best meal and restaurant experience I've had in a long time! I had a reservation on a Thursday night, but I think I would've been okay without one. Not sure about how it is on the weekends, so definitely plan ahead. I wanted to point out the great service from all the staff here. They made sure I had everything I needed to enjoy my meal without any breaks. Surprisingly, everything was filling and I was really satisfied at the end of my meal. All the fish and ingredients that came along with it were fresh. The dessert was a very interesting combination of flavors but I really enjoyed it. The pop rocks in one of the layers caught me off guard a little, but it wasn't a big deal for me. All the flavors complemented each other really nicely and I would choose to get it again next time.

Kalila W.

Yelp

Had a very good dining experience here, from service to food. I was relieved because I'm a fan of chef Morimoto from the original Iron Chef days - sometimes the celeb chef places arent worth the hype. This one was worth its weight. Our waiter was very engaging, entertaining. I really appreciate when service goes above the basics and he really did without being 'too much'. I never had shrimp tempura with wasabi sauce and now I'm a huge fan. The ishiyaki A5 miyazaki wagyu was really good- the best wagyu steak i have had because it wasn't TOO fatty. This was a cook-it-yourself deal which i always find fun. My friends enjoyed the short rib and oxtail as main plates and were very happy with the dishes. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Morimoto as a must stop Asian restaurant in the area.

Teri J.

Yelp

Definitely was a bucket list place to visit and I'm quite disappointed with the experience. Firstly, the ambiance is inviting and reels you in for sure. The service, mainly regarding Jonathan and serving wine, was outstanding. He was probably the best part of our experience. Now to the food, which I had a high expectation of, but unfortunately was subpar, at best. The sushi options were very basic and didn't have any depth of flavor and honestly felt like our local sushi spot was much better. There was also zero specialty rolls of any sort. The "duck fat" fries tasted like regular fries with some salt; nothing special or memorable. The edamame was what you expect from a frozen pack, heated in the microwave with salt; like the fries, meh and unremarkable in any way. For this being an iron chef owned restaurant, I expected a lot more in regard to options, flavor, and overall experience. We apologized to the others that accompanied us for dinner because we had hyped this place up so much and couldn't accept the price we paid for the mediocre food we were served. If this is on your must visit list, rethink it.

Liz M.

Yelp

One of the best meals and some of the best sushi I've had. Everything was fresh and delicious, and very filling. Service was great and they were able to accommodate our request to sit outside, even though it was busy and there was no guarantee of it when I originally reserved a table. The dining terrace overlooks the river, which made the experience even more wonderful. The best part was the ishiyaki buri bop, where they cook either yellowtail (which is what I chose) or pork tableside in a hot clay pot with rice, pickled vegetables, and finished with an egg yolk. The server originally said they were out of the yellowtail, and as I am not a big fan of pork, I was pretty disappointed and was not going to get it. He went back to the kitchen and after a while came back and said they could do the yellowtail. I'm not sure how or why that happened, but it genuinely made my night. Amazing experience overall all.

April S.

Yelp

First impressions was very nice with interior Food plating wasn't different than any other sushi place Food was too expensive compare to price they charge. I didn't understand why this restaurant was Michelin star guide restaurant

Victor W.

Yelp

Rock shrimp tempura (4/5) - excellent texture. They could do sauce on side so it wasn't soggy Aburi sushi (4/5) - tasty with the blow torch finish Kushiyaki (3/5) - interesting but wouldn't get it again Bbq oysters (2/5) too much breading relative to oyster Ishiyaki buri bop (4.5/5) - very tasty and excellent presentation Morimoto delivered overall here with some unique dishes in a beautiful ambiance Tonkatsu (4/5) - juicy and thick cut with perfect crunch

Michelle M.

Yelp

Finally can check this one off the list! We visited end of March 2024 for my friend's birthday lunch, adults only (leave the kids at home! But I will say we did see a few kids dining here with their families). It was a rainy cold Saturday and it was eerily kind of slow for a weekend in Napa. Parking is easy, either in the garage across the street or street parking. Decor and ambiance inside is definitely upscale. Our server was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The only thing I wish he did was recommend more hot dishes for our party of 6. We ordered 2 hot appetizers: sticky ribs and the oysters, both which were sooo good! And for our main course we ordered 2 large sushi platters. The quality of the fish was good but honestly I have felt like I've had better sushi elsewhere. The nigiris were heavy on rice too, so we were stuffed as we chipped away at the platters. They say a good sushi spot is actually distinguished by the quality of its sushi rice, and perhaps this is what made it not as special? We had the audacity to order dessert, which was artistically presented. But with all the nearby pastry spots (ahem! Bouchon!), I think next time I would skip dessert and just opt for that instead. I had the white lily cocktail which was sweet and refreshing, but it's hard for me to justify almost $20 a cocktail nowadays. Overall, a good meal it was but I wished we tried more hot dishes.

Ana V.

Yelp

Excellent service, wonderful ambiance, and delicious, trusted dishes from Masahara Morimoto. We came in on Thursday night and decided to make it special. I recommend the hot oil beef carpaccio - delicious. My iced coffee and the sushi we ordered really hit the spot. If you're feeling special, go here and enjoy a wonderful time.

Drea U.

Yelp

QUALITY. This place is all about quality and service. I made a reservation and it was super easy to do online. We waited in an elegant waiting room area. Every appetizer and entree had a great mix of flavors & you can tell the quality of the food is great. The sushi combination had a good mix of everything and it was very reasonable price for feeding 2 people. We sat outside and it was a great vibe by the waterfront. The staff is very friendly and quick. The inside and outside is very clean with lots of beautiful decor. I highly recommend this place!

Sheri H.

Yelp

My best friend and I were looking forward to starting off our girls weekend with a delicious meal and left feeling "just okay." The decor is absolutely beautiful and we both loved the open space with huge windows overlooking the river. We chose to sit in the bar area, which was just as lively and loud as the main dining area. This is a very loud and social place, but not overcrowded. We both decided on the omakase, which I would say is reasonably priced considering the amount of food. The tastings start out very light, delicious and delicate. We both enjoyed all the sushi however, the cod was way too salty for my taste and the filet made me appreciate my husband's filet even more. The dessert...meh. So, overall I'd say the food was "okay" but the ambiance, decor, service and drinks would make me come back for another fun meal!

Evonne C.

Yelp

[Food] - Toro Tartare ($31): This dish was really good, but I wish there was more for the price :( - Tempura Calamari Salad ($18): I really wish I could like this, but it was a bit hard to finish. The salad and dressing were fine, but there were maybe a bit too many calamari. Calamari were good the first two bites, but then the oil and greasiness started to set in. It would've helped if they had lemon or tartare sauce for it. - Kakuni ($17): This wasn't as tender and savory as I'd like, but the flavors were there. I enjoyed that they paired this with congee as this felt nostalgic but still elevated. - Braised Black Cod ($36): Fatty and tender. This was good, but just a bit sweet for me. I think what this dish needs is rice or something to help balance out the flavors because as you continue to eat, it does get heavy after a while. [Service] - Fast, attentive, friendly, helpful [Ambiance] - Very upscale looking that my friend and I felt a bit underdressed until we saw that other costumers also dressed very casual, besides the ones that are clearly there for business [Overall] - Fun to try out - I feel like the dishes would've tasted a lot better had they kept more of the authentic Asian flavors instead of catering to Americans and making everything overly sweet.

Jose M.

Yelp

Morimoto is a staple Napa restaurant. I try to come here at least once a year. I have been here around three times and will always get the same thing: Toro Tartare- delicate toro with variety of condiments (yummy sturgeon caviar), always fresh Black Cod- definitely a Nobu/Roys competitor, so sweet and savory Chefs Combo- this allows you to get a wide variety of fresh sushi at different price points Duck Fried Rice- love a good fatty rice Duck Fat French Fries- self explanatory, crispy and salty Service here is pretty impeccable. The hosts, servers and waiters are all very attentive and cater to your every need. I will say at my last visit, I found a sticker on my food and a fish scale. I am not entirely sure on if it represents the current standards and quality of Morimoto compared to what I have experienced in the past, but they immediately apologized and comp-ed my meal. This didn't bug me as much because I have never had a bad experience here. This is also a reason to why I will still give them 5 stars, because I know I will be returning and hopefully they can prove once again to be 5/5 stars.

Christina L.

Yelp

It seems like the quality of the food went down from what I remember couple years ago. The dishes were mediocre and was not as fresh. The only enjoyable dish was the white fish carpaccio. The toro tartare was bland and was disappointing compared to the presentation. The sake nigiri was not as fresh. The shrimp tempera was small and oily and nothing stood out. The staff and service were good but we will not be coming back for the food. Lively ambience with large open areas, good for group dining. Outdoor areas are available as well.

Kurt P.

Yelp

Back again for my nigiri-fix. Usually once or twice a month I get a jones for excellent fish and I haven't found (outside of San Francisco or Japan) better nigiri/sashimi than Morimoto. Generous slices of the best sea produce served by expertly trained hands, superb and attentive staff in a bright, open space facing the river, what more could one ask? Oyakodon today was incredible. Moist chicken chunks and stewed onions and gooey egg over rice in a rich, deeply flavored stock. Greens and crispy veggie tempura are accompaniments. Super yummy. Weekends can get a bit loud n crowded in the dining room, the sound reflected by so many hard surfaces, so consider their outside dining weather permitting. Enjoy their full bar with a wide selection of Wines, crafted cocktails and sake. The Morimoto brand sakes are actually quite good. My fave is the daiginjo but when they have taru (cedar stored ) sake on the list don't miss it. Ichinokura and Choryo Yoshinosugi are producers I've had but the list changes. No promises. Many say nigiri and sake don't pair well ( rice on rice) I say GTFO. Taste is subjective. U do u. Go. Eat fish and the other good stuff. Joe Bob says we couldn't ask for more-I-moto.

Beth O.

Yelp

Wow what an amazing place to eat ! Our waitress Brooke gave us great service and explained all the dishes and we loved all her recommendations ! Had surf and turf and yellowtail dish they prepared right at the table ! Great Ambiance also !

Joanne L.

Yelp

Come prepared knowing that it will cost an arm and a leg for a very small portion of food. We came here around 4pm for some light food and drinks and we walked out with a bill that was over $200 for two. To be fair, I did order raw fish only and note that the pricing on their a-la-carte sushi menu comes with one nigiri only. We started off with two classic cocktails and standard pricing. We followed with some light food including their signature toro tartare, Morimoto sashimi, two orders of the chutoro sushi, and two orders of the otoro sushi. I was surprised by the presentation of both the toro tartare and the Morimoto sashimi because it certainly looked different from what I saw on Yelp. They no longer serve the negitoro in a box but instead it was served like beef tartare in a packed circular pile drenched in soy sauce. The Morimoto sashimi is no longer served in alternating fish layers but instead just served as a square block of sashimi. Although I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate and the fish quality was certainly premium grade, I just couldn't justify the price for the amount of food I got. The service wasn't stellar either as the staff couldn't tell the difference between otoro and chutoro when they served it all in one plate for me. I can now check it off my list knowing that I've tried it but I don't think I will revisit again.

Carmen D.

Yelp

Food, service, location all wonderful! Miso clam soup and snow crab roll were tasty and presented beautifully. I also tried one of the signature saki cocktails. Sat outside on the water.

Jacqueline L.

Yelp

A must have after a girl's day at Napa wine tasting! We ordered usual: - Toro tartare (More for presentation and pictures 6/10) - Duck confit fried rice (9/10 - SO good!) - Rock shrimp tempura (10/10 - MUST GET) - Whitefish carpaccio's (8/10) - who says no to truffle?!) + some nigiri's and rolls As expected from Morimoto's, service is always top notch and every encounter I've had so far was pleasant!

DeLano M.

Yelp

Very spacious restaurant. Our waitress was really nice and helpful. We bot had the Ishiyaki Buri Bop (good) and I had the tuna taco's(Very good) My wife had Spicy Tuna rolls and the White Lily(delish) A nice spot for sure. if we are ever back in Napa we'll be sure to stop in!

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michele c

Google

Helena

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Yongjin Cho

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I M

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M. Knoll

Google

Beautiful atmosphere indoor/outdoor.It’s located by the Napa River, providing a nice outdoor view. Packed on a Friday night, reservations a must. Full of stylish, trendy crowd. Good food and wine.

Noel 'Hank' Williams

Google

Did not disappoint! Our table have several appetizers including Rock Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup, BBQ Oysters and Edamame, Spicy Tuna Roll and Tuna Tacos. All excellent.

Nicholas McNamara

Google

Carolyn Ludwig

Google

michele c

Google

Helena

Google

Yongjin Cho

Google

I M

Google

M. Knoll

Google

Beautiful atmosphere indoor/outdoor.It’s located by the Napa River, providing a nice outdoor view. Packed on a Friday night, reservations a must. Full of stylish, trendy crowd. Good food and wine.

Noel 'Hank' Williams

Google

Did not disappoint! Our table have several appetizers including Rock Shrimp Tempura, Miso Soup, BBQ Oysters and Edamame, Spicy Tuna Roll and Tuna Tacos. All excellent.

Nicholas McNamara

Google

Carolyn Ludwig

Google

Imelda R.

Yelp

Matt T.

Yelp

John T.

Yelp

3.5 stars for me. Food is pricey for what you get. Service was excellent. Location is cool downtown Napa on the river. Outdoor seating available. Will give them another try.

Faith S.

Yelp

Sophia N.

Yelp

Jesse V.

Yelp

Karen C.

Yelp

Jared D.

Yelp

Gazelle G.

Yelp

Hani G.

Yelp

Christina B.

Yelp

Jade J.

Yelp

Teresa B.

Yelp

Tracy B.

Yelp

Maria S.

Yelp

Tanya M.

Yelp

Jennifer C.

Yelp

Hai L.

Yelp

Cassandra C.

Yelp

Mika C.

Yelp

Ivory M.

Yelp

Elisa G.

Yelp

Delilah L.

Yelp

Tatiana J.

Yelp

Great ambiance, great service and AMAZING fish. I couldn't believe how beautiful the presentation was also. I also liked their popcorn shrimp as an appetizer

Michelle F.

Yelp

Kassandra P.

Yelp

Luis C.

Yelp

Lisa C.

Yelp

Phillip H.

Yelp

It's always good here. They do everything well. I like outside better unless it's cold.

Mark F.

Yelp

Amber A.

Yelp

Kalila W.

Yelp

Teri J.

Yelp

Liz M.

Yelp

April S.

Yelp

Victor W.

Yelp

Michelle M.

Yelp

Ana V.

Yelp

Drea U.

Yelp

Sheri H.

Yelp

Evonne C.

Yelp

Jose M.

Yelp

Christina L.

Yelp

Kurt P.

Yelp

Beth O.

Yelp

Joanne L.

Yelp

Carmen D.

Yelp

Food, service, location all wonderful! Miso clam soup and snow crab roll were tasty and presented beautifully. I also tried one of the signature saki cocktails. Sat outside on the water.

Jacqueline L.

Yelp

DeLano M.

Yelp

Morimoto Napa

Morimoto Napa

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