Hanami Restaurant — Restaurant in Budapest

Very beautiful interior, modern but still with a lot of traditional Japanese elements. Nice selection of food and drinks (although i was surprised to see that the tea variations were all basic brands and not something Japanese). The look and taste of the food were good - expected something more tasty, more unique after reading the menu but it was not bad at all. We were very surprised to receive the food within 4-5 minutes which suggests that it was not freshly made but it was still ok. The staff however left some more to be desired. From the first second we stepped in the ladies felt a little sassy but nothing worse than general "I hate being here so I hate you" behaviour in most places in Hungary these days. They were even nice a few times in the beginning. However, after we finished eating something happened, they stopped avoiding us, seemingly intentionally. After they've taken the empty plates we were trying to make eye contact for about 15 minutes to order desserts but they specifically looked the other way when walking by or skipped our section next to the kitchen (where they set us down only, nobody else). It was weird how they sent us to the back and how nobody cared to check up on us anyways but even worse how they turned their heads when they came that way to pick up food or something or to sit other people down. When we decided to skip dessert because of this and just get the bill it took another 5 minutes and us literally shouting at one of the ladies walking by 3 times because that was the only option they'd notice us. Mind you, I was also turned completely outside and trying to make direct eye contact for 10-ish minutes. It started our really nice but turned the whole dinner into a bittersweet event. I'm not sure what was happening but I hope they'll treat the other guests better because i shouldn't be paying a service fee for the lack of service.

PS: for some reason they thought playing generic pop music was the way to go. Very confusing choice for such a pretty...

I cannot believe some of the mediocre and even bad reviews of this place. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course so I do not debate that their perception of the experience wasn't as good as the place actually is for whatever reason. All I can say that I've come here more than I can remember and NOT ONCE I was treated badly or was the food less than excellent. I am only talking about their sushi menu, which is what I have on a regular basis here. In terms of fast Sushi I guarantee you will not find anything better in the whole of Budapest even for a higher price. The service is impeccable every time no matter which old or new waiter is on the rota. The sushi is very high quality and their daily menu is very affordable and a really good portion that includes free miso soup. I have a feeling that those leaving one-star reviews were either not conforming to basic policies or something else must have been going on with them but this place and its Japanese chefs and the owner all deserve the praise. Please keep up this amazing service, and thank you for adding a pleasure to my life every time I eat here. EDIT: Just to add to those who are so easily giving bad reviews, if you find your food to be not to your liking, please SPEAK UP and let the waiter know and I am 100% sure the will immediately correct whatever...

Hanami is the best affordable sushi restaurant in town. I'm a regular there and the sushi never ever disappointed me. I'm so glad they managed to arrange to stay open past the Europeum shopping mall opening hours (as they are located within the building and used to have to close when the mall closed). They also have impeccable staff, every one of the waiters are extremely professional and caring not to mention the Japanese owner who is incredibly generous and speaks the most sophisticated Hungarian I've ever heard a foreigner speak in this country. No surprise the place is becoming more and more full every time I visit. Good service and food pays off eventually so please keep up the fantastic work dear Hanami!!

While everyone is entitled to their reviews, I must say I'm extremely critical especially of good food and service and I simply cannot imagine ever receiving a 1* service at this restaurant. I visited so many times and met several waiters some of whom are no longer working there and all of them without exception were very good at their jobs. I have no affiliation with this restaurant but wanted to speak up as some tourists may have been very easy handed with their 1* reviews. Go check out the place and find out yourself, I guarantee you will not be disappointed in their sushi menu...