Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar in Portland - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Sushi was okay at best. Service was pretty good. I sat at the bar and the chefs had some pretty rude comments to say about patrons. I would not return and will go somewhere else for Sushi next time out. Place was pretty expensive for what I got.

From VA, and this is really good Japanese food. They have katsu don which is pretty hard to find at typical Japanese restaurants, but they had it here and it was SO good. Husband got the Hawaiian bomb maki roll and he liked his too! Staff is very nice as well. Would definitely come back here again!!

Fresh, generous, tasty, great variety, huge menu, wonderful service, clean, nice decor, full bar!!!! What more could you ask for? Walked here from our cruise ship, scared to try sushi onboard, because this was fabulous!!!

I don’t know which was worse. The service or the food. The waitress came to our table after 15 min she had sat us down. And only because we tried to get her attention. We ordered sushi dinner and it has a bad taste like it wasn’t fresh. Didn’t want to return or say anything because it looked like we were trying to get back at the waitress. Nothing from the sushi was good. Only the miso soup maybe. Big thumb down

The food/service/atmosphere was great! It's a little pricey, though.

The overall experience is just poor. I love sushi and believe it to be a beautiful craft - there is no commitment to craft at benkay. The waitstaff is rude and abrupt (minus one sweet older lady), the rice is mushy, the rolls have no structure. I expect this kind of sushi in the Midwest, no Portland Maine. If you’re reading this and considering sushi in Portland, go to yosaku.

Benkay is not only the best sushi around but also one of the best restaurants in Portland (which is saying something)! The food quality, atmosphere and staff are all top notch. We’ve been coming here for decades and it’s always been amazing. Do yourself a favor and eat here!

Great lunch and specials too. Top notch

Great food, friendly wait staff and a quite relaxing atmosphere. The sashimi was fresh and tasted excellent. The California roll was good, but not great. Neither was the roll my wife ordered. The nigiri was tasty and the rice was well made. My only real gripe was that the miso soup tasted like it was instant miso, not hand made. At this price point I thought that should have been better. Sadly, parking was terrible. Ended up paying $18 to park for an hour's lunch...thanks Portland!

Super fresh sushi! 🍣 will totally come back.

Very clean and modern space. Excellent tuna poke, miso soup, and sushi. Highly recommend!

We had an amazing lunch at Benkay during our first visit to Portland. We love sushi and have tried many sushi restaurants in destinations across the country. This is definitely one of our favorites so far! Delicious food, great service, relaxed vibes, and price wasn’t bad given the high quality. No pics of the sushi - it looked so yummy, we just had to dig in!

Sashimi fish was fresh, but sushi rice was not so tasty.

Go here all the time. Love the new location.

Each dish here is meticulously prepared with the freshest ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail that shines through in every bite. The sushi, in particular, was a standout - fresh, melt-in-your-mouth fish served with perfectly seasoned rice that elevated the dining experience to new heights. One of the highlights of my visit was sitting at the sushi bar and watching the skilled chefs work their magic. Their expertise and precision in crafting each piece of sushi was a sight to behold, and added an extra element of excitement to the meal. The service at Benkay was exemplary, with attentive staff members who were knowledgeable about the menu and always willing to offer recommendations. The warm hospitality and genuine passion for Japanese cuisine were apparent in every interaction, further enhancing the overall dining experience. In addition to the exceptional food and service, the ambiance at Benkay was sophisticated yet inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special night out. The subtle Japanese decor and tranquil atmosphere created a serene backdrop for a meal that was truly unforgettable. Overall, my dining experience at Benkay Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar was nothing short of spectacular. The combination of exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and elegant ambiance made it a dining destination that I can't wait to return to.

Really enjoyed our experience, food was delicious, staff was great. Will definitely eat there again

The food is really good! My date and I got two crunch spicy tuna rolls. First a regular spicy tuna roll showed up, after that was fixed we only one of the crunchy spicy tuna rolls, and needed to ask to get the second.

Meals are consistantly great. Our favorites are the Alaska rolls, veggie and chciken tempura and the kappa maki.

This is the most authentic sushi spot in Portland! They always have good specials and their hot food, like the katsu-don, is excellent as well.

Had yet another great lunch at Benkay last. Consistently providing a great dining experience every time. Atmosphere, service and food always top notch 👌

We were in Portland for a long Weekend. Benkay was just two blocks from our hotel, the reviews were good, So happy we tried this restaurant, everything was more than perfect! Impossible for me now to go to Portland without having dinner at Benkay! can't wait to return. I strongly recommend !!! WoW!

It's a great sushi place. I had the shrimp tempura, avocado, and cream cheese roll, which was good. The price was average, and the atmosphere was great. I sat at the bar, which allowed me to meet the itamaes or sushi chefs. They helped me familiarize myself with the menu.

The best freshest sushi sashi in the Portland ME. The service is supreme, the get to know their regular patrons, with friendly welcome. I recommend sitying at the sushi bar, but not the corner, thats our spot 💕

Friendly service and good sushi.

We were staying at a hotel nearby for the weekend. The previous night we walked by, and it was crowded so decided to swing in Saturday night. Sat at the sushi bar where 5 sushi chefs were working that night. Very impressed with service and quality of their fish. They had multiple specials and varieties of sushi and sashimi on the board. I asked Rafael (behind the sushi bar) for recommendations based on what my wife and I liked. Both he and Hiro outdid themselves. Some of the best I have had.

I highly recommend visiting at least once. The seafood is incredibly fresh, which makes it taste deliciously sweet. The flavor and service are top-notch. If you live nearby, it's the kind of taste you'd want to enjoy every day.

Amazing food amazing customer service! Extremely impressed

I've tried Benkay several times. The food is always amazing. The people are warm and inviting. Definitely a treat! And will be back!

This was my first time visiting Benkay since they moved to their Middle St location. Although I had some sticker shock at the lunch menu prices (~$30 for most dishes), the quality and freshness were excellent. I also liked the green tea with a hint of seaweed in the mix.

So yummy! Large variety of fresh sushi, and great service.

Sushi roll $24, huge, needed to break up with chopsticks. Not a whole lot of sushi and a whole lot of rice. Soup was 16 dollars and not worth it. Sake was 22 dollars. Will not be back here.

Delicious food and very fast. Everything was great.

Fish is fresh. Soft shell crab is very good. Friendly staff.

Some of the best and freshest sushi ever. An old favorite still just as good.

The sushi was disappointing. It's not cheap and far from being great.

Stellar quality and presentation! The sushi & the sashimi were perfectly sliced and incredibly fresh.

A bit pricy, but the food is very good. Service was 5 star!

Phenomenal service, delicious food, very kid friendly.

The staff feels like family! Exceptional food and service.

Always reliable, one of the best 🍣 sushi places in Portland. The modern airy dining room is comfortable. Not a bargain, but good value for what you will spend. I go back regularly and this continues to be one of the best sushi 🍣 places in town. Try the boiled scallop maki, you won't regret it! (Oct 2023)

Pas aussi bien que la 1ere fois , beaucoup moins bien servi et moins bien présenté ,juste posé à la va vite sur un support quelconque ! Les accompagnements ,riz et gingembre manquant sur le plateau ,à payer en supplément et moins d'amabilité des serveuses ! Professionelles mais pas très souriantes ! Dommage ,mais pour le prix élevé, la prochaine fois ,j'irais ailleurs !

Stopped in for lunch on our way to Bar Harbour and we’re blown away with how good this spot was. We shared a deluxe sushi plate and the quality and freshness is just what I would have expected for a seaside sushi place.

Amazing dinner! Recommend coming here. We ordered Pork belly, pork Dumpling soup, edamame, tuna poke, sweet potato roll (GET THIS!), salmon sashimi, Yellowtail scallion roll. Everything was so delicious and impressive that we ordered another Dumpling soup and 3 more rolls to go for 2nd dinner later tonight 😋

This place is fantastic when you want the most high quality seafood/sushi, at a reasonable price too. Went with family and the atmosphere and staff were awesome! Highly Recommend!

Excellent food. Excellent service. Just like always.

When I tried sushi for the first time (many years ago) it was at Ben Kay. Little did I realize that I was lucky enough to be at the best sushi place in Maine for my first time! I always visit when I'm back in Portland, and I'm never disappointed.

Fantastic sushi! My daughter’s favorite place when she visits Portland, Maine

Used to be better Pricing is way too expensive You would pay almost double for a mediocre sushi infused

Always stellar! Spicy scallop roll and soft shell crab roll two of my favorites here. The service is great, the cleanliness of the place amazing, the food can’t be beat. It’s off the beaten path a bit, but so worth it!! Family friendly, great design and layout, two bars. A wonderful day; get your nails done across the street at the best place in Portland and have dinner!

Waitress and cooks went above and beyond for us. Great recommendations as well as allowing me to customize my sushi roll. Amazing with mt 4 year old also. Food is Devine!

Two out of four of us got sick. We also had the most awkward dinner. Only one other table had another family and staff sat and stared at us through our meal. Not in an attentive manner. The food was mediocre and limited, super overpriced (one chef specialty roll $30-for no particular reason- wasn’t lobster or anything) and the menu was weirdly organized. But the worst is the sickness. One was throwing up all night and one is still moaning and groaning right now as we are traveling. Not the greatest way to role. We would really not recommend this place. We wish we had one of the experiences of the five-star reviews. We definitely did not.

Cozy atmosphere, good service. A little high in price for specialty rolls, but that’s pretty normal for sushi. I recommend the Primavera roll. My boyfriend got the teriyaki chicken, it was ok but lacked salt in my opinion. I’m from Louisiana though so my expectations of salt levels may be a higher than normal. We also got the avocado salad and it was really good. Didn’t like the hot tea. Try to park on the street because the parking garage adjacent to the restaurant is $8/hr.

Always good food, but man do you pay for it!

We went here based on reviews and proximity to our hotel. Service was attentive and overall very good. Reviews are based primarily on sushi. Can't speak to that as we both ordered shrimp tempura. We make this at home so we're biased, but based on what we've had before, which is lightly battered, very fresh shrimp, and vegetables, this was a beautifully presented big mound of heavily battered veggies and not fresh, but large, shrimp.

Best fish I've ever eaten each time I go (and I grew up in a family of fishermen). Their culinary expertise truly shines in the quality of their food. The wait staff is always very sweet and provides great service. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to hands down, which is why we always make a point to go every time we're in Portland.

LOVE THIS PLACE ❤️ 💙 💜 "When you have a lovely, friendly staff such as this place....you get 3 hearts of love, joy, and happiness from me! From the server to the sushi chefs great genuine vibes." The menu at Benkay features a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and noodles. The sushi is fresh and delicious, and the sashimi is expertly prepared. The restaurant also has a sushi bar, where you can watch the chefs prepare your sushi. Benkay also has a full bar, which offers a variety of Japanese beers, sakes, and cocktails. Benkay is a great place to enjoy a delicious Japanese meal. The food is fresh and delicious, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. I highly recommend Benkay to anyone looking for a great Japanese restaurant in Portland, Maine.

This is my go to spot for sushi. The waitstaff are super friendly and I love sitting at the bar.

Very wide variety of sushi, dinners, and beverages. All freshly made in front of you at the sushi bar, all with wonderful attentive service. Tastes amazing, bathrooms and eating areas clean and updated. Very close to many hotels in the area, easily walkable from Residence Inn Marriott, Cambria, and AC Marriott. Must visit for casual dining or a special occasion!

Rainbow roll was pretty good, spicy tuna and spider were amazing!! Alaska king salmon was super good too! Oh! Best miso soup ever!

The place is beautiful and very calming. The staff is very sweet! Portion sizes are perfect!

We heard amazing things about Benkay. And I do want to preface the service was exceptional. However, the food was not worth the price. The moment we sat down we knew we'd leave spending too much and hungry. The food, and cocktails, themselves were decent, just too expensive.

Excellent sushi restaurant. The volcano plate is incredible.

Great food, service and atmosphere

Chirashi Lunch for<$30 and Green Tea. The best sushi Chefs in the world will tell you you can judge a sushi restaurant based on their tamago if it is made in house. The tamago here was unreal and the chirashi variety was different with a bebe squid and mushrooms and amazing unagi. Quick service too. Easily one of the best sushi places I've ever eaten anywhere. Highly recommend.

Went on a Saturday and loved the build your own bento boxes. Between my daughter and I we had a nice assortment. Everything was presented well and tasted great. Vegetables and fish very fresh. Nice find and out of the touristy area. Initially a little pricey for lunch but we had leftovers (that we actually wanted to keep!) so the price balanced out.

The food was unbelievable and the atmosphere was great...

Absolutely delicious, best sushi in Portland.

Amazing food , loved that o could see the chefs making everything in front of us .

Benkay has exceptional Sushi and service. If they have a horse mackerel as a special, I highly recommend you try it or get it. The setting is a very modern downtown Cafe that you would anticipate seeing in New York or Philadelphia.

Expensive but great service, really fresh sushi (best I've had in Portland), was easy to get a seat and easy to park. No complaints!

A lovely, quiet, authentic Japanese cuisine! Locals suggested and it didn't disappoint. The miso and sushi was excellent! My husband even enjoyed the green tea 🍵😍

This place moved last time I was in Maine but the service/food remained the same! This place is amazing and great customer service!

Best Sushi around. Also, udon so good you'd joke about slapping your grandma for not making it like that.

A fabulous find in the area of Portland, ME. Casual dining fueled by a deep menu of Japanese delicacies. Everything was wonderful.

The waitress was super nice! The food was amazing! This place is worth it. Have the tamago sushi, is so yuuumyy.

I had memories of going here back when I believe it was in a different place, maybe 20 years ago. I was surprised to see how the prices had gone up (I know, 20 years is a long time, but still). I think they provide overly generous portions because of the high prices, but I'd rather have less food on my plate and a more reasonable price. The food was good, though. I had a vegetable roll and vegetable tempura, my husband had the tempura udon, and my son had the chicken katsu. Normally katsu comes with thinly sliced cabbage, which would be nice, instead of the lettuce it is served with here—would be more authentic. The vegetable tempura was in quite large pieces, too. Smaller portions of vegetables would be nicer.

Perhaps it was an off night but the service was subpar. We ordered appetizers that came last after our main meals. Weird. Happy that my wife loved her sushi but I was unimpressed.

Came here after spending 4 years away in another state. Food is still as good as I remember, and still the best miso soup I've ever had. Prices are not unreasonable, however you can expect to spend about $100 for 3 people at lunch.

Pictures on trip advisor don’t do the flavors and freshness justice. Salmon belly, toro (2 types), uni, hamachi, hotate — if you are used to indulging yourself, this is worthwhile. Yes, you’ll drop a bundle and it won’t be as fancy as the top places in Boston, but it was really good.

This food is visually appealing and fresh. My family likes it here--for anything Japanese & we have eaten in Japan; it's authentic and has different "hybrid" options. If you want to splurge on sushi--this is the place.

My wife and I had dinner at the Benkay Restaurant. Our server was very good and attentive. We started with the Pork Gyoza (pork dumplings). They were very good. My wife had a Tempera Shrimp roll and I had a Rainbow roll. The rolls were fresh and very nice.

Soft shell roll Had one tiny piece of crab was dry mostly rice & tasteless.. Salmon teriacki was overpriced but good.

The lunch specials are so reasonably priced you'll forget your at. Higher end sushi bar! I love the staff. Quick to give a great recommendation, the shrimp gyoza are to die for!

This is one of the top, if not the top Sushi bars in Maine. Presentation and cleanliness is second to none. Food was excellent!

Do yourself a favor and go with the specials, whatever they are. Everything is great and very fresh. The sake flights are also fun.

Our absolute favorite Japanese food in Portland, and one of our favorite restaurants. Food - from apps through entrees - and service is always outstanding.

The service was great, the food terrific and the location was perfect! Definitely try the Poke. It was delicious!

Always good. Great staff and service!

Definitely some of the best sushi I've had in a long time. Amazing presentation and flavor.

Absolutely delicious and wonderful friendly attentive service. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious, the sake flight was fun.

Decent quality but very expensive. 25% more than several other options in town, including places with better food.

my go to sushi spot in portland! if you are vegetarian the spicy avocado crunch roll and the sweet potato roll are a must 🤤

There's a reason why they are rated to have the best sushi...and I sampled it...ymmmm!

First visit. The Mai Tai was good and actually had fruit in it -- lately the Mai Tais I get elsewhere don't have any fruit (is that 'passe' now? Who knows). The lunch special bento box with a choice of sushi roll was plenty of food and very good -- miso soup, teriyaki chicken, veggie tempura, some shumai, and a spicy tuna roll. Nice atmosphere and service. A little pricey but it's in Old Port, so that's a given.

Took my friend here and he really enjoys it

Very nice space and top shelf food.

This place was within walking distance of our hotel so we gave it a try. Wonderful dinner. We loved it. They have a 4 course dinner where you can choose from lists of dishes. It was fun and delicious. Service was excellent and friendly. Highly recommend.

The service was great and the food was delicious. The spider roll was the best sushi I've ever had. I would highly recommend eating here.

So good ! Great service! Nice workers

Had a sushi and sashimi combo. Fish was very fresh and delicious.