Miyako Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Capitola

This place had come with high reviews, But when I saw the stripmall environment I was not excited, just really hungry. So we went to see if it could transcend the sad middle america aura. Oddly we could not tell if it was opened until my partner actually got out of the car and went to the door to see if there was a sign with hours posted, or if the door was locked. He reached for the door & lo & behold it was OPENED ! Since there was no sign, or lights that you could see while driving by, it was amazing to us that there was anyone in there. But there were a number of other seemingly happy and satisfied customers...

The vibe inside was a little awkward, and we looked at each other with a shrug saying "Let's just push onward".

Ordering was an alright experience, even if the staff was a little distant. So if the food had been great we could have chalk'd it up to Miyako being a little si-fi & twilight-zony... But the food was as awkward & dim as the environs. The miso soup was weak & the tempura soggy. The sushi rice was so gummy & the fish in the rolls all sort tasted the same....

Perhaps it was just a bad day for the Chefs... But the depressing location was something that won't change even if the staff has a good day... However YOU may find it emo & charming. Don't let our thoughts stop you from...

A pearl hidden away.. The place Is surrounded in darkness from the outside but once you're inside the light engulfs the place and brings a cozy atmosphere to the room. The room itself has simple decor that gives it a nice feel.

The waiter and waitress were patient and thoughtfull when presented with questions regarding the sushi. Shortly after I anticipated a long wait but to my dismay it was brought swiftly. It was presented beautifully on a gaint planter. Throughout the meal we were checked up multiple times.

The food itself was heavenly, I got the Dragon roll and the shrimp tempura (deep fried). The presentation was neat and the taste was a whirlwind of flavors and textures. The shrimp tempura had a nice crunch to it and mouth full of flavor coexisting with one another. I only wish they would have drizzled more sauce upon the rolls as some needed more than others. Overall, I expect myself to come here again as my first time was a...

This really is one of the best sushi places in the Santa Cruz area, sticking to a more traditional approach, without diverging into new-age 'fusion' nonsense too much. You can easily personalize your order of course, if you like. We've been coming here for 15+ years, it's very kid-friendly, and the owners are super nice. One small ding might be turnover rate in serving staff, yet staff is always on top of things and very courteous, so are hired/trained well. So, after all these years, in our household, 'sushi' is still synonymous...