Masa Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Shangani

I don’t really understand the high rating for this place at all! Perhaps it has recently changed owner/management. We came here on a Wednesday night at 8pm and were the only customers, apart from one other table, until leaving at 10.15. The service was generally good, a little slow considering there were more staff than customers but friendly. The food however was not good. We had smashed cucumber, which usually comes with garlic and chilli and some sort of dipping vinegar. This was just chopped cucumber with some sesame seeds. we also had fried octopus which was really terrible - we queried whether it was old and reheated but we were told it was frozen and then cooked to order. I don’t think this was true as it was a soggy texture like it had been cooked much earlier in the day and then reheated. The main courses of grilled fish and veg noodles were okay but not great - nothing tasted of fresh ingredients. The drinks were fine and reasonably priced. We didn’t expect standout Japanese cuisine in Stone town but we did expect fresh seafood and other...

Every bite I had at Masa was delicious - from the sushi to the miso chicken to the vegetable tempura. The tempura and chicken came out first (and almost in tandem), followed a bit later by the sushi. We started our meal with a pair of Famous Grouse whiskeys, and enjoyed the sound of the guitar being played next door at Taperia.

The service was also very good, which was a bit of a surprise considering the lunch I'd had earlier that day. Our waitress was attentive and helpful. I do wish they hadn't run out of their Suntory whiskey (priced well below market value).

With our three menu items and our two drinks, total for the bill came out to 55,000 shillings (~$24). Even with the 3% they add for paying with a credit card, as well as the 10% tip, the final bill was beyond reasonable.

Certainly recommend Masa for anyone looking for either a change of pace in Stone Town, or simply a...

Great place with refined service and pleasant breezes. Of course the sushi is fresh and typical accoutrements. Nice place to sip a beer and look out on the street.

The biggest issue is finding this place. When you face the Shanghai Post Office, which is quite well preserved with many businesses, there appears to be no way up. You go around the building on the left side as you face the Post Office.

After passing a few shops in the pedestrian alley, you will see a small open space and a small sign for Masa on the right. Go up the stairs, turn left and the entrance is there.

I passed an hour relaxing and ordering sushi and a cold Kilimanjaro beer. There are some other items but the sushi is the star (about $1/pc). The salmon is from South Africa rivers and the tuna is local from the...