Benihana

619-298-4666

477 Camino Del Rio So. San Diego, CA 92108

www.benihana.com

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Categories:

Lounges, Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants

Details:

$$, Business Dining, Carry Out, Family Style Dining, Group Dining

Insiders:

Lauren M. Emily C. Melissa S. Patricia W. Brian G.
Cf
D6
8419289p1
6203692
Kid Friendly: yes 0 no 0
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Message from Benihana

Merchant_icon

Looking for something to break up the monotony of the dining experience? At BENIHANA, your personal teppanyaki chef will prepare an amazing traditional Japanese dinner right before your eyes. Quality ingredients like USDA Choice beef and made-from-scratch sauces combine with an atmosphere of unparalleled showmanship to bring you a truly unique dining experience. Come and celebrate a birthday, an anniversary or just the fact that you had the idea to go to BENIHANA in the first place. Whatever the occasion, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Editorial by Citysearch

In Short
Benihana started out as a tiny four-table restaurant in New York City's theater district before becoming an international chain. Diners sit around large tables where chefs ostentatiously chop, slice, stir-fry and grill. Entree options are simple--shrimp, chicken, steak and scallops--and preparation is uniform. Every entree comes with a similar stock of sides: rice, onion soup, shrimp appetizer, iceberg lettuce drizzled with dressing, sauteed vegetables and green tea.

Key Points

  • Personal Teppanyaki Chef
  • Made-from-Scratch Sauces

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

Reviews for Benihana

Ratings_icons It's OK but it used to be better

Lauren M. | top100 Top100 | Rank: 99

I used to think Benihana's was really fun when the servers were allowed to really be creative and juggle food (and knives)

But I think a customer complained when something was dropped and now the "show" is toned down and not as entertaining.

We never went to Benihanas for the food (which is pretty average)
but for the party. It's still fun, but it used to be better.

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Ratings_icons Expensive

Emily C. | insider Insider | Rank: 14,754

It is expensive but everybody should experience this cooking show at least once. I love how the chef handle the egg with his spatula. Foods are not that great for the money. Not kid friendly restaurant.

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Ratings_icons Dinner and a Show

Melissa S. | insider Insider | Rank: 13,446

Its just so much fun and the food is delicious. They have imported Japanese beers and of course SAKE!!!. I lived in Japan 3 years and this definitely brings me back.

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Ratings_icons Patricia

Patricia W. | insider Insider | Rank: 21,863

Whenever we have a special occasion we head to Benihana's. Not only great Japanese food but excellent entertainment in watching the chef's prepare your meal before your eyes. Their knife work is unbelievable!

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Ratings_icons A Dining Experience

Brian G. | insider Insider | Rank: 17,086

Benihana is definately an "Experience" rather than just a dinner. If your party is small you will be seated with other guests, but It's really not bad at all.. just make some new friends :-D. I went there for lunch so it wasn't too busy, the cook was quite amazing and I had a blast. Make sure you tell them it's your birthday for a free picture of the experience.

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Ratings_icons Benihana

Tina P.

Benihana is a teppanyaki style restaurant located in Hotel Circle. This is a great restaurant if you are looking for something different. The food is amazing, and although the portions may seem small, there are so many courses and a few minutes in between courses that you will probably be full before your last course. I would recommend paying the extra few dollars to get fried rice instead of steamed rice. However, I would not recommend this restaurant if you are looking for an intimate setting or want a quiet relaxing dinner. The restaurant is noisy and smaller groups will usually be seated with other smaller parties (the teppanyaki tables seat 6-8 people.)

PROS: Great food, unique experience
CONS: Parking lot fills up quickly, after that valet only

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Ratings_icons Awesome place

Gary K. | insider Insider | Rank: 17,638

Benihana's is awesome, hands down. The group seating is nice, especially for a large group of friends. The show that the chef puts on is very entertaining, especially for the first time. The valet service as well as waiters/waitresses are all very top notch. Prices kind of high, but it pays for the atmosphere.

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Ratings_icons Great

Charles Y. | insider Insider | Rank: 15,751

Great service, great waiters, great chefs. Awesome food as well. An excellent place to go to with your friends, family, and kids. You will not be bored.

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Ratings_icons Absolutely Amazing...

Paula C. | insider Insider | Rank: 18,572

'Teppanyaki' is the name of a Traditional Japanese-style hibachi steakhouse. That is the premise behind Benihana. At Benihana they prepare and serve your meal by a Chef who performs for you and your guests, right at your table.

The performance, the sights, the smells...this restaurant is wonderful. They also have a Sushi Bar, which is also to die for. Everything is fresh and everyone is so helpful and nice. I would recommend this to any of my friends.

PROS: The Experience is magnificent.
CONS: The prices are a little high.

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Ratings_icons great

Allison B. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 3,649

Some people might be put off by the group seatings (often more than one party to a table) but in the end, Benihana has great food and is a great way to meet new people. The waiters preform the classic antics and throw in some new ones to entertain the kids. There is, however, often a long wait so reservations are definately recommended. Be prepared for a long commitment, but a brilliant night out.

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

Ratings_icons Great place to eat

TheSexxxyOne

I just recently eat here for the first time a few days ago. The service was great and the food was outstanding. I liked the atmosphere and the food so much I ate lunch at the one in Carlsbad a few days later. I will recommend this restaurant to all my friends.

Ratings_icons dinner and a show

chelseafeilen

The sushi bar is kind of small, but good food. The drinks are a little expensive. If you're a party of less than 8 then you'll probably be sharing the table with strangers. It's a fun show if you've never been. The chefs are nice and they entertain you with their cooking. The food is good. I'd recommend getting the fried rice with your meal because it's fun to watch them prepare it for you. The chef balances an egg on his spatula and then tosses it into his hat, and they make a volcano out of stacked onion slices. Fun times. I'd say come here for a special occasion. Warning- This is a restaurant that sings to you for your birthday :)

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