Niku Japanese BBQ — Restaurant in Niagara Falls

Today, we went to Niku to celebrate the 14th birthday of my beloved grandson. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm and friendly smiles from the staff. They made us feel right at home and were very accommodating, especially since we had a large party.

As we sat down and perused the menu, we were amazed at the variety of options available. There were so many different cuts of meat to choose from, and everything looked so fresh and delicious. After some deliberation, we decided to order a selection of meats including pork belly, chicken wings, and of course, the beef rib, etc.

When the food arrived at our table, we were in awe of the presentation. Each dish looked like a work of art, and the aroma was heavenly. We couldn't wait to dig in, and as we took our first bites, we knew we had made the right choice by coming to Niku. The meat was tender, juicy, and bursting with flavour, and the sides were equally as delicious. MUST try their sweet potato.

The food was simply amazing, and we couldn't get enough of it! The service we received was fantastic, and we absolutely adore this place. We were thrilled to find a local Japanese BBQ restaurant, especially since we previously had to travel to Hamilton/Spring Garden or Mississauga/Gyubee whenever we craved BBQ food.

I must say, the food we had was exceptionally fresh, whether it was pork, beef, or chicken. I highly recommend the beef rib, which was my personal favourite.

Throughout our meal, the staff really went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. They kept checking on us to see if we needed anything else, and we never once felt rushed or neglected. They really made us feel like valued guests, and it was a wonderful experience.

Unfortunately, we were so full after the meal that we couldn't even find room for our own birthday cake. We had to take it back home with us! :(:(:(:(

Overall, our experience at Niku was exceptional, and we can't wait to go back. We're grateful to have such a wonderful Japanese BBQ restaurant right in our local area, and we'll definitely be recommending it to our friends and family.

Oh, by the way, I came across some really negative ONE-star reviews of this restaurant. Most of the complaints centered around their policy of adding a 15% gratuity charge for tables of four or more. I can understand why they do that, especially since it's common practice for tourist areas like Niagara Falls.

I'm confused as to why The Keg or Skylon Tower can get away with adding a 15% gratuity charge for larger parties, while this restaurant can't. It seems like a common practice in tourist areas like Niagara Falls.

If you're a local and you don't want to pay the extra charge, it might be worth asking the restaurant if they can waive it for you. It never hurts to ask, and they might be willing to accommodate your request.

As for the speed of service, personally, I haven't experienced any major delays in the past four visits. Maybe I just got lucky, I don't...

EDIT: the friend mentioned in this is the last review left before mine. Once again we are super impressed with you guys.

Last Tuesday, the 12th of November, I had the pleasure of traveling from Windsor to try Niku for the first time, as this concept does not exist in my area.

To detail this experience from the moment we walked in, with a frequent customer, we were immediately greeted with some of the most personable customer service from the wait staff before we even took our seats. The waiter already had our friend's favorite order started before we sat down, and within three minutes of taking our seats, the raw food was in front of us and ready for the grill.

Normally, when you eat at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, there's an expectation of either rushed service or lower-quality offerings, but Niku completely shattered those assumptions. Every dish brought to the table was beautifully prepared, fresh, and brimming with flavor. The variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables provided an exciting mix for grilling, and the quality was evident in every bite.

The standout for me was the marinated beef—it was tender, perfectly seasoned, and grilled to absolute perfection. The dipping sauces added another layer of depth, catering to different flavor profiles from tangy and spicy to rich and umami-packed.

What truly elevated this experience, though, was the impeccable service. I found myself saying out loud to the table at least six times how impressed I was. From the warm welcome at the door to the way the waiter anticipated our needs and served us with such care, it was clear that the staff takes immense pride in ensuring every customer has a top-tier experience. Their attentiveness struck the perfect balance—not hovering, but always there when you needed something.

Adding to the charm of the evening were two individuals who made our visit even more memorable. I regret not remembering their names, but I hope this description helps: one was a Mexican gentleman whose warm personality and enthusiasm set the tone for the evening, and the other was a preschool teacher who radiated kindness and a welcoming vibe. Together, they added a unique and personal touch to the experience.

What truly blew me away was something the owner said. "It's all you can eat, so eat until you're full." You don't expect to hear that level of generosity, especially when you know why a business is in business, but it reflected the genuine care they have for their guests’ experience. It wasn’t about limiting portions or rushing people through the meal—it was about making sure you left completely satisfied.

By the end of the night, I left Niku not just satisfied but genuinely blown away. The combination of outstanding service, exceptional food, and a fun, interactive dining setup makes this spot a must-visit. It was absolutely worth the trip from Windsor, and I can’t wait to return. Highly,...

Our first visit to this highly-rated Japanese grill-your-own restaurant had us buzzing with excitement. We decided to go for dinner on a Sunday evening during a long weekend, and unsurprisingly, the place was packed. They kindly asked us to wait for 30 minutes, giving us the option to roam around while they collected our contact information. They also issued a friendly warning that they’d hold our table for just 5 minutes. (Wait, we’re waiting 30 minutes, but they only hold the table for 5? Hmm, okay!)

Not wanting to lose our spot, we opted to stay and admire their cool paintings for a few minutes and peruse the menu. After that, we found ourselves with nothing to do but sit and wait for their call!

After 30 minutes, we hadn’t received a call. The place was still bustling, with people coming and going. I thought, “Let’s give it another 5 minutes.” (Even Japanese bullet train punctuality can take a hit, right?)

At the 45-minute mark, my wife began to regret suggesting this place. I decided to check in, only to be told I was second in line and would be called ASAP. (Wait, no definite timeline now!)

My wife was ready to leave, but I protested, “We’ve already wasted 45 minutes of our holiday evening!” It felt like they had us in a time trap.

We weren’t alone in our wait; many others were in the same boat. Surely, the experience would be worth it if we just held on a little longer.

After an hour, we finally got called in. The ordering and delivery process was quick, but here’s the catch: the delivery consisted of raw meat that we had to grill ourselves. It was a unique experience, to say the least—a restaurant where we become the chefs!

Since we’re not big fans of beef and pork, we opted for chicken, lamb, seafood, and veggies. To our disappointment, aside from the seafood (precisely Garlic butter fillet), nothing was particularly satisfying. The dessert options were sweet yogurt and cheesecakes—fine, but why limit us to just yogurt?

Maybe we’re just not grill masters, or perhaps the hour-long wait and the 55 CAD per head (before tax and gratuity) set our expectations too high!

At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll be returning or recommending this place to friends and acquaintances. Addressing the wait time issue would certainly be...