CoCoLo Sushi — Restaurant in Bethany Beach

Absolutely amazing! We are not from the area and wanted to try sushi from here especially if it featured fresh crab (a rarity in our native New England). Wait staff was incredibly nice and welcoming. Our server was attentive and walked us through the menu and specials. He was personable and offered his opinions on the dishes but never pushed anything on us.

We started with shrimp shumai and the poke. The server offered us the wonton chips since we were debating on other apps that had it but the poke did not. A nice little gesture. The fish in the poke was incredibly fresh with great flavor. The shumai tasted homemade and had a nice oil based dip alongside.

For our meal we went with some of their signature rolls and a couple of nigiri pieces. Our server was able to accommodate a special request and get jalapenos on exactly half of one of the rolls. Another nice gesture that shows that this place puts customers first.

As for the rolls themselves, we shared a few special rolls as well as their popular dynamite roll with fresh crab on top. Needless to say we were very satisfied with all of the rolls we chose. I don't recall the names but I really enjoyed the one that featured eel on top and shrimp tempura in the center. The dynamite roll was also a favorite of ours. So much so that we had to order another one before we left.

All in all I wish we lived closer just to have this all of the time. This is honestly some of the best sushi I've had in a casual setting. Many reviews I've noticed complained about the size of the sushi pieces. Our nigiri pieces were appropriate sizes (as well as delicious). I will say the rolls themselves are a bit on the small side but that allows you to try different rolls and dishes and to also truly taste the quality of the fish and other ingredients. When sushi restaurants offer large rolls they are usually packed with cheaper fish and surrounding by lots of low quality rice. As someone who has eaten a lot of sushi, both affordable and high end, I'll just say that this is a really special place. The chefs (and staff) clearly care about their products and...

It’s very strange to understand how to book or not…at CoCoLo. On the phone there was a recording, no matter what time you called: “ We are completely booked from tonight to Saturday but we keep the bar open for seating”. One lucky time a woman answered the phone and told me they take no reservations. Ok, strange they don’t take reservations but are “completely booked” for several days at time….. 5 days ago around 7:00 we went there, they are in walking distance from my house, and only 2 people were at the bar so we got seated there right away. Great sushi! Last night at around 7:30 we went again. 4 people were outside with drinks, waiting. Inside there was 1 empty table already set, 1 booth being cleaned (obviously for the party outside) and only 2 people sitting at the bar, where are 8 seats. But no way she would let us have Sushi! She said the bar is not first come first serve anymore, now 5 days later, is to be like a “table”: So, help me out here: if this place takes no reservations and only a party of 4 is waiting, why not sitting the 2 of us??? The woman at reception acts like she is doing you a great favor to let you eat there. I swear this is so weird and even if it is very good sushi my husband said he will not go back. We are not stupid and frankly we were sort of offended by her cold ways and no logical explanation when I pointed out that there were seats available (IF is true that she takes no reservations). Very frustrating and disappointing because we like to walk to Off the Hook or De Febo or CocoLo and we are here off season! But we are done with...

Small plates were presented nicely and tasted great. Service from our waitress, Logan, was very attentive and the restaurant's decor had a very pleasant vibe. The owner/manager, however was very rigid and a bit condescending. She almost negates the other positive attributes. For example, she hesitated to even seat us even though the restaurant was only partially full. She stated the sushi bar staff was "overwhelmed". We had called prior and asked if we needed to make reservations and she said we didn't need to because it wasn't busy. Then, she wouldn't allow the sushi bar to customize even one order. We wanted one roll made into a hand roll instead of cut into the regular 6 piece cut roll but even after both the server said it was likely possible and the sushi chef agreed to make it, she negated them and said "not able to accommodate...so sorry". I'm sorry but bowing and apologizing for something quite doable is not good customer service. Also, they don't offer a military discount.

This isn't the first time we have tried to have a fully positive experience at CoCoLo but the owner/manager always seems to get in the way of good customer service. With all the other options available we will stop trying to make this place a 'go to' option and will consider other places like Misaki, Cultured Pearl and Blue Fish. ...