Sake Maru — Restaurant in Indianapolis

Title: Beautiful Space, Terrible Service – Sake Maru Needs a Reality Check

We recently dined at Sake Mare and were left deeply disappointed by what turned out to be one of the worst service experiences we've ever had.

To begin with, our server couldn't remember what we had ordered even after having it noted down. While our appetizer eventually arrived, our sushi rolls were completely forgotten. It wasn't until we reminded the server — at the end of our meal — that they even realized the rolls hadn’t been made yet. At that point, they offered to pack them up “to-go” and just said sorry once for the negligence. We had to be firm and let them know we weren’t paying for anything beyond the appetizer due to the clear oversight.

Unfortunately, this wasn't just our table. We saw other guests having to remind servers about basic drink orders — and only after the reminders were their drinks made and brought out. There was zero sense of flow or attentiveness from the staff.

It’s a shame because the space itself is beautifully designed. The ambiance and decor suggest a high-end experience, but the customer service is nowhere near the standard you’d expect, especially for a restaurant located in a prime area of North Indianapolis.

Restaurants in this location should be setting the bar for service — not dropping it. Until Sake Maru makes serious improvements in their staff training and customer care, we won’t be returning, and we can’t recommend it to...

What a pleasant surprise in the Castleton area! On the outside, Sake Maru easily blends in with the other storefronts in the tiny little shopping strip. BUT do not let that deter you from stopping in and having a fantastic Japanese meal here. Sake Maru is definitely a hidden gem! I hate to admit that I felt severely undressed; however, don’t be discouraged because the staff and restaurant were more than welcoming. It felt ultra fancy but also felt like you could enjoy a good meal there. Speaking of the food, simply outstanding. This is a bold statement but definitely some of the best and fresh seafood in Indianapolis. We ordered a few appetizers that were reasonably priced - chicken kaarage, calamari tempura, and deep fried oysters. Sorry, not photos because it was just so good. We opted for the Sushi Box for $29 which was the chef’s choice of 9 items. I would say this item is for those who want to entrust their meal choice to someone else. However, I don’t think they would steer you wrong at this place. It was fantastic. For those who want to pick their sushi and sashimi, Sake Maru had many options to choose from. I can confidently say that we will be back to try the rest of their Japanese menu from the ramen/noodle dishes to the...

So incredibly delicious! My friends and I came in here not knowing what to expect, and this place exceeded all expectations.

The staff was very attentive, friendly, and incredibly patient and helpful when we were ordering. Our waitress suggested a few things (like a larger container of hot sake to share) and we did not regret any of the decisions we made!

We ordered several sushi rolls, some sashimi (delicious), a couple of oysters (so good), and the wagyu sushi and wagyu tataki (I may have spelled that wrong, so sorry!). Basically, thinly sliced Wagyu beef that just melted in your mouth when you ate it. Do yourself a favor and try it, you won't be disappointed. It was probably the best thing I ate! There was an option to order a 5oz Wagyu steak, which we did not do, but it's definitely a possibility for next time.

My friend also ordered one of the udon bowls which he said was delicious and finished the whole thing...Along with our gyoza and shrimp tempura appetizers, and in between bites of different sushis.

We ended the meal with strawberry and vanilla mochis. Incredibly good!

I only grabbed a couple of pictures, I was busy enjoying the delicious food. Overall, we had a fantastic meal and will...