Atlanta | Sushi Bar Hayakawa Review 🌟

Visited Hayakawa during my trip to Atlanta to explore the city’s Japanese dining scene. Right from the start, I noticed Atlantans and restaurants here take punctuality seriously—I had a 6 PM reservation and received a call at 5:55 PM asking if I was still coming. It felt refreshing compared to the more relaxed attitude toward lateness in some other cities ⏰. The food was decent overall, aligning with what you might expect from a one-star Michelin-level experience 🍣. The menu offered a variety of classic omakase selections, though a few personal moments stood out. I’ve never been a fan of salmon roe, so I asked if it could be substituted. The chef politely declined, encouraging me to try it—assuring me I’d like it. Later, when a salmon roe rice dish was served, I gave it a taste but still couldn’t enjoy it. Instead of offering an alternative, the chef simply said, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it,” and took it away 🥢. While I understand it wasn’t an allergy, in many high-end omakase settings, chefs often accommodate preferences when possible. Another interesting moment was when the chef asked if anyone wanted extra uni (sea urchin) without mentioning the price upfront. Seeing other guests say yes, I followed suit—only to later find a $75 charge on the bill 💸. It was delicious, but the price felt unexpectedly steep. The chef was clearly passionate about promoting his restaurant—he actively added guests on Instagram and shared stories of celebrity visits 🎥. While it was cool to hear about famous diners, when I tried to take a photo of a celebrity picture on his phone, he quickly stopped me, calling it “private.” A bit ironic, given how openly he discussed those visits earlier. Overall, Hayakawa offers solid sushi in a formal setting, though the experience felt slightly transactional at times. If you go, maybe ask about extra charges upfront and be prepared for a no-substitutions policy 😊. #Hayakawa #AtlantaSushi #Omakase #MichelinDining #JapaneseCuisine #FoodReview #AtlantaEats #FineDining #SushiLovers #DiningExperience