Akido Restaurant — Restaurant in Gauteng

Akido... A Seductive Japanese Affair in Sandton Some meals feed you. Others seduce you. Akido is the latter. This is not just dinne, it’s an experience. An intoxicating blend of elegance, precision, and indulgence that pulls you in from the very first bite and lingers long after the last sip of your cocktail.

A Night of Culinary Temptation We started with Edamame Beans, so simple, yet so perfect. Lightly dusted with salt flakes and kissed with a squeeze of lime, they were fresh, vibrant, and the perfect tease for what was to come. Then, the Creamy, Spicy Rock Shrimp Tempura arrived. A seductive balance of crunch and silkiness, wrapped in an aioli dressing that left my taste buds utterly weak in the knees. And just when I thought it couldn't get better, New Style Salmon Sashimi. Buttery smooth, each piece melted on my tongue, delivering an impeccable depth of flavor. It was clean, refined, and simply breathtaking. Then came the Saku in Salmon, glazed in Teriyaki Sauce, and this is where my senses lost all control. The caramelized glaze, the rich salmon, the perfect balance of umami, this dish was a masterpiece.

Next, the 5 Piece Nigiri Plate. This was where things got dangerous. Suzuki sea bass, sake salmon, taco octopus, and, oh, hello Wagyu Australian beef. At this point, I should have been done, but my mouth just wanted more. Each bite delivered a different story of texture, depth, and absolute satisfaction. And then, the grand finale. Mochi Ice Cream, delicate and sweet, wrapped in that perfect chewy layer that makes you close your eyes and savor the moment, I chose to pair with a Kir Royal Champagne Cocktail, fresh with blueberry syrup, it was a luxurious, sweet, and slightly sinful way to end the night.

Akido is an affair, not just a meal. It’s the kind of place you bring someone special, a place that leaves you a little breathless and craving more. The service is flawless, the cocktails dangerously good, and the food? An unforgettable Japanese love letter to your taste buds.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 /5) – Because Perfection Exists Here

Service: Flawless. The staff at Akido know exactly how to make you feel like royalty, attentive, intuitive, and ready to elevate your night. Whether you're a sushi lover or diving into Japanese cuisine for the first time, they guide you through an experience, not just a meal.

Food: Fresh, Bold, Irresistible. From delicate sashimi to perfectly balanced umami-rich dishes, Akido serves art on a plate. The flavors are clean yet deeply satisfying, with every bite hitting the perfect note.

Atmosphere: Intimate, Stylish, and a Little Mysterious. Whether you're on a date or making it a night out with close friends, the mood is effortlessly chic. The only downside? We’d love just a little more space to sink into the experience even deeper.

Cocktails & Drinks: Pure Indulgence. From Japanese inspired cocktails to rare sake and an impressive wine selection, the drinks here are an experience of their own. Think smooth, balanced, and dangerously drinkable.

Location: Perfectly Placed. Right in the heart of Sandton, Akido is the kind of place you’ll find yourself returning to, whether it’s for a special occasion or just a reason to escape into something extraordinary.

Value for Money: Luxury That’s Worth Every Cent. Yes, it’s pricey. But let’s be real, quality like this doesn’t come cheap. Every bite, every sip, and every moment spent here is crafted to...

A friend highly recommended this place, so I took guests from Cape Town expecting good things. The restaurant doesn’t have signage outside first of all, but inside looks upmarket and trendy.

Not sure if the waitress was new but they didn’t know anything about the menu, we had a vegetarian with us which asked what sushi they can do for her. They came back offering us to select the chefs package which was R1600, we asked what does that consist of, and they couldn’t tell us. So we asked them to make a tamago nigiri (egg), and they still insisted that they can’t do that and we must go for the chefs package.

They also did not have salmon on the day, which made limited the options that we had.

The chicken skewers were mediocre at best, the size was ridiculous for something that’s nearly R200 I think. A black label beer was R100 or so, which just makes me wonder what is justifying these high prices? Just because it’s at the Leonardo?

3 people ordered sushi, and they put all the food on one plate. So we had to redish the sushi ourselves… the waitress couldn’t even remember who ordered what, so they served the wrong things to different people. When a restaurant is charging these ridiculous prices and the service isn’t even up to scratch baffles me. We felt totally ripped off, I suggest going to Japa rather, better food, bigger portions, better service and doesn’t feel like you spent R2000 and have to go eat Mc Donald’s after.

This is also the first Japanese place I have seen that offers spaghetti bolognese and hamburgers on the menu that costs over R300. I don’t think a proper Italian restaurant charges that for a bolognese…..

Really would not recommend this place. Higher pricing does not always...

I have been meaning to write this review since Tuesday—when I experienced the 14-course tasting menu (Omakase Experience) hosted by Chef Akido—but I needed time to process what I had experienced.

Let me preface this with a simple statement: Akido is not for everyone. It is not the quantity-based sushi experience that we, as South Africans, typically associate with Japanese cuisine. This is very clearly a "quality over quantity" dining experience. However, the quality is, without a doubt, the best sushi I have tasted in South Africa—and, to be honest, possibly the best sushi I have ever eaten.

I have been fortunate enough to travel to Japan and try some of the most magnificent yet simple dishes, which not only honour the ingredients but also respect the entire dining experience. Akido doesn’t just match that standard—it elevates it. Knowing that something of this calibre exists in South Africa genuinely makes me so happy.

It’s not often that a meal (all fourteen courses of it) makes you want to work harder in life just so you can experience it again... The traditional Japanese and deeply personal approach to the Omakase experience enhances everything. Understanding why Chef Akido does what he does—and the passion that drives him—I won't share it here, as he does a much better job of explaining it himself. There is alot of praise in this review, but rightly deserved in my opinion.

To Chef Akido and his whole team = Arigato gozaimasu!

P.S. There’s a chance I’m biased, as I found out that Chef Akido is a gamer—but regardless, I’ll be returning in a few weeks when the menu changes with new seasonal ingredients!

P.S.S I stopped taking pics once we got to the Nigiri so I could just...