Sakura — Restaurant in Lisbon

Since 2018, my journey through Lisbon’s sushi scene has taken me to various Sakura establishments, each offering its unique take on this beloved Japanese cuisine. However, my recent visit to Sakura at Parque das Nações left me with mixed feelings, prompting a detailed reflection on my experience.

A Culinary Adventure with Mixed Results

My familiarity with Sakura’s branches across Lisbon has allowed me to appreciate the subtle differences that make each location special. While I’ve always admired the precise cuts and attention to detail at Sakura Entrecampos, Sakura at Parque das Nações unfortunately falls short in this regard. The sashimi, usually a testament to the chef’s skill with the knife, was disappointingly coarse, lacking the finesse I’ve come to expect.

An Architectural Preference

When it comes to the setting, Sakura Picoas stands out with its architectural charm, offering a dining experience that complements the food. In contrast, the environment at Parque das Nações, despite its attempt to mirror a traditional Japanese aesthetic, couldn’t fully capture the essence of tranquility and minimalism that I find appealing.

The Trials of Dining in a Group

On the last Saturday, our group of eight ventured into Sakura Parque das Nações, only to be met with a lengthy wait of 40 to 50 minutes for a table. This experience underscored the necessity of making reservations, especially for larger parties, as the restaurant struggled to accommodate us promptly. Once seated, the disorganized manner in which the staff prepared our table was noticeable, further delaying our dining experience.

A Glimmer of Excellence in Service Speed

Despite these setbacks, it’s worth noting that once our order was finally taken, the service speed was commendable. Dishes arrived swiftly, within five to eight minutes, a stark contrast to the initial delay. This efficiency, particularly for the fried items, was a highlight of our evening.

The Culinary Experience

The cuisine itself was a mix of hits and misses. While the cuts of the sashimi did not meet my expectations, the overall quality of the food was commendable. The dishes were well-prepared, and nothing was amiss in terms of flavour or presentation. This aspect of our visit was a saving grace, demonstrating that Sakura Parque das Nações can deliver on quality, albeit inconsistently.

Concluding Thoughts

For those seeking an intimate sushi dining experience in Lisbon, I would recommend exploring other Sakura locations, such as Entrecampos or Picoas, where the attention to culinary detail and ambience tends to be more consistent. Our recent visit to Sakura at Parque das Nações, while enjoyable in parts, highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in service organization and the precision of sushi preparation.

In essence, while Sakura continues to be a go-to option for sushi in Lisbon, the experience at Parque das Nações serves as a reminder that not all branches are created equal. I remain hopeful that future visits will show improvement, reflecting the high standards that Sakura is known...

Yesterday was my son‘s birthday and he requested to return to Sakura. He had been wanting to go back to this restaurant because of the robots that serve you your food. We visited the Vasco de Gama location about a year or so ago and my son never stopped talking about it. At the time it was €20 per person. So we paid €40 and drinks were included. We had to leave early so we were not able to get our full €20 worth and we never had a chance to return to use the rest as the clerk had told us we could. At that time I would say the experience was well worth the €20.

Yesterday, however, we experienced a cutting depreciation in service and an increase in the price. The robot experience that we came for we did not get. We went in at around 7 PM and I guess because it was a Tuesday, it wasn’t that crowded, it was comfortable. Yet the robot came to our table once. The rest of our food was brought to us by waiters.

Meanwhile, my son had to watch the robot serve this other table repeatedly, but it never came back to our table. So that was extremely disappointing. When I went to pay my bill, I mentioned this to, I guess, the manager, and he did explain that the reason for this was because they only had two robots, and the other one was broken. So they only had one that one robot and it was unable to return to our table. Again, my son had to watch this one robot return repeatedly to this other larger party.

As if that was not bad enough, the prices had gone up. Now I asked him when we sat down if it was still €20 per person and he said, “Yes”, but when I got my bill it was actually €22.90/person and the drinks were not included. So my bill came to €57.10. €17 more for a lesser quality of service.

I would think, if you know one of your robots is broken, and you cannot offer the same quality of service…….and I’m assuming, the experience of having your food served to you by a robot, is a part of the price. I’m thinking the justification for charging €20 per person is for the robot experience. I’m thinking that’s what people are paying for. I could be wrong, but I’m thinking, especially for children, that the robots are the main attraction, and that’s what people are coming there for.

If you cannot provide this experience, then you should modify your prices accordingly. You should at a minimum, offer the same price as before, if not less, but certainly not more for broken robots. Extremely...

Sakura Buffet in Parque das Nações offers a dining experience that seamlessly blends innovation with tradition. With an extensive array of dishes ranging from fresh sushi to classic Asian hot dishes, this buffet provides an exceptional variety that caters to every taste. The quality of the food is consistently impressive, with fresh ingredients and well-prepared dishes that bring out the authentic flavors of Asian cuisine.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Sakura is its unique approach to service. The restaurant features robot servers that deliver food directly to your table, a high-tech, engaging twist that adds a layer of excitement to the dining experience. This modern touch not only makes dining here memorable but also showcases the restaurant’s commitment to offering something truly different in Lisbon.

In terms of value, Sakura is hard to beat. The pricing is reasonable for the high-quality selection on offer, making it an excellent choice for those seeking both variety and value. The staff, meanwhile, is friendly and attentive, always ready to assist and ensure guests have a pleasant experience from start to finish.

For anyone visiting Lisbon and looking for a unique, enjoyable, and affordable dining experience, Sakura Buffet in Parque das Nações is a fantastic option. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a diverse selection of Asian flavors with the added bonus of...