
As the day winds down in one of the world’s busiest hubs, AJI Bar and Robata lights up with the chic energy of an inner-city bar combined with the laid-back, California cool dining vibes that make every visit an occasion. Placed at the absolute center of the action, in a dining experience like no other in San Jose, AJI Bar and Robata brings a vivid edge to any night out.
Hours
| Friday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Sunday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Monday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Tuesday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Wednesday | 4 PM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 4 PM–12 AM |
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
AJI Bar & Robata Restaurant in Downtown San Jose – Hilton
AJI Bar & Robata – San Jose, CA on OpenTable
AJI Bar and Robata (@AJIbarandrobata) – Facebook
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Reviews
The food hits the spot, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a perfect place to bring someone for a casual date or a quick, tasty meal. I’ll definitely be coming back!
Separately, the beer pricing was frustrating. The menu listed it at $12, but I was charged $13 because they said the menu hadn’t been updated. After tax, that’s about $14 before tip — for one beer. On top of that, the pour looked short, closer to 12 oz in a 16 oz glass. At that price point, I expect accurate pricing and a full pour. With tip, you’re basically at a $15 beer, and you’re not getting any extra value at all. It’s honestly hard to justify, and I’d probably recommend checking out other nearby spots instead.
Overall, decent food — but the value and pricing transparency are hard to overlook. I ended up questioning staying there for the rest of the night and realized I could easily walk a block for cheaper food and drinks, which is what I ended up doing.
Included:
-Potstickers with a ginger citrus miso sauce: Light spice, nice thin wrapper and good texture. I missed the slight sweetness of potsticker sauce.
-Dynamite California roll: Very simple roll but well done.
-Tiger prawn roll: I loved the delicately sliced tuna on top, everything melded together well and the tempura was still crisp.
-Bao bun with gochujang bbq fried chicken and pickled veggies: Delicious sauce, a perfect snack that I would eat every day if I could. Might be too sweet for some, but I loved it with the refreshing veggies. The breading on the chicken still had a good crunch too.
On top of that, I got a pomegranate margarita, tasty and a good strength. They also had nice non-alcoholic drinks–my friend liked the strawberry soda.
For dessert, we tried the matcha cheesecake and yuzu flan. The matcha was super thick and smooth, excellent matcha taste, not too sweet, and it was a perfect sized square to share or eat by yourself if you have a sweet tooth like me. The flan was very mild/light but refreshing, paired well with the fruits, although a bit small for the price–our server recommended the other two desserts if you want to share.
We liked the server a lot, very attentive and friendly, and forthcoming with recommendations which was helpful.
It looked like the folks by the bar were having a good time too, but we chose some cushy corner seating. It was pretty empty tonight and the seating was open so there were all kinds of settings and types of chairs available, which was nice. The music was a good low volume for easy comfortable chatting, and the ambience suited the time of day. I wouldn’t normally go to a hotel bar to eat, but I’m glad I tried this out. Overall, very happy with the experience, just more of a pricey treat.
AJI Bar & Robata is known for its authentic Japanese robata-style grilling and a vibrant bar atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of skewers, sushi, and creative small plates, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The ambiance is cozy yet energetic, making it a great spot for casual dining or drinks with friends. Service is generally attentive, and the cocktail selection complements the food well. Perfect for those who enjoy Japanese cuisine with a modern twist.
The menu leaned towards finger foods and sushi rolls, so we sought our server’s recommendations, a tradition for us when trying new restaurants. Following his advice, we indulged in potstickers, a sashimi bowl, sliders, and salmon skewers. To complement our meal, we ordered cocktails, a well-executed dirty martini and an old fashioned. The bartender’s skill was evident, and we’ll gladly return for more cocktails in the future.
The food, in general, was rich in flavor and portion size. And the prices were quite reasonable for the quality. Our standout favorite was the potstickers, paired with a unique savory sauce that negated the need for soy sauce. Although we initially hoped for fresh sushi, we found ourselves enjoying the cooked options.
AJ1 is a nice choice for a date night, a gathering with friends, or even convention attendees staying at the hotel. For those seeking authentic sushi and an extensive seafood menu, other options may be more suitable. However, AJ1’s vibe remains a lovely choice to share with family, friends and colleagues.
The service was great, coming by frequently to check on how our group was doing, insisting there was no rush, and assuring us their kitchen would be open until 10 pm. For drinks, we tried the pink spritz, negroni rosita, and pomegranate gimlet. They were all tasty, though my favorite turned out to be the pomegranate gimlet! For food, we ordered the crispy salmon tartare, potstickers, hamachi, chicken wings, pork belly, and wagyu sliders. I honestly think we were all blown away with how delicious and high-end every bite tasted. The best ones for me were without a doubt the pork belly and wagyu sliders. We split most of what we were eating four ways, which worked well given the amount of pieces per plate were even-numbered.
The vibe of this place was super chill the whole time we were there (from about 6 to 9 pm) with music to match. It was a great time and I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good drinks and live music without the crowds of a club. Plus, the food is amazing!
My first time eating at AJI Bar and Robata happened to be after touring the newly remodeled lounge @ Signia by Hilton San Jose (which is where this restaurant is located). The ambiance of the lounge absolutely adds to this dining experience… which you really do have to see for yourself!
Now let’s get to the exciting part — the food. Two words: 1) high-quality and 2) delicious. The potstickers are THE BEST I have ever had (mind you, potstickers were a staple in my childhood so I know my potstickers!) The ginger citrus miso sauce on them is LITERALLY the secret sauce. You also can’t go wrong with the Lamb Chops, Sweet Potato Fries, and Shishito Peppers. I’ve been going back ever since (3+ dining experiences) because I can’t get enough.
Like I said in the beginning, this place is truly a gem in San Jose. AJI just opened along with the remodeled hotel, so I highly recommend you to try it for yourself ASAP because I have a feeling this place is going to be a go-to for San Jose.
Other Info:
– Gluten Free options
– Halal options
– Great service