Japanese chain destination known for sushi & tableside grilling in a stylish space.
R J
Fantastic hibachi establishment. One of the best that we have had in quite some time. The food and drinks were terrific, as well as the atmosphere and the service. It was so good that we went back the following day! Lastly, Christopher was an Outstanding chef who helped make the outing very memorable! A+
… moreJill Bingham
I went here two weeks ago while visiting family in Sarasota. I had the fried rice with chicken and veggies and it was excellent! I also loved the decor. The bartender, Jason, went above and beyond to ensure that the kitchen was aware of (and accommodated) my shellfish allergy.
… moreJ S
We’ve lived in Sarasota a long time and Daruma has been our favorite sushi stop since it opened. We always eat at the bar because the folks there are just so darned nice and convivial. Best martini in SRQ (kid you not) and Mike is a sushi wizard, not to mention friendly and very expert and generous with his creations. And for all of this, a rare value when the check arrives. So, see you again this week!
… moreKayla Clark
Jason is an absolutely sensational bar manager at DaRuMa. He is one of the hardest-working people I’ve met in the service industry and consistently goes above and beyond for every guest. His drinks are always perfectly made, and he works with impressive speed and efficiency even during the busiest hours. What really sets him apart is his ability to problem-solve on the spot while still keeping a calm, professional demeanor. Jason has built genuine, long-standing relationships with customers who come back year after year specifically to see him. His professionalism, skill, and dedication truly elevate the entire experience at the bar. Highly recommend stopping by when he’s working — you won’t be disappointed.
… moreAlyona Safonova
Daruma’s a big name for hibachi in our area, so we had high hopes for this dinner. We opted for sushi this time, and it was a total letdown.
Service: 0 stars. Had to ask for everything 2-3 times. No soy sauce with sushi (had to ask twice), no tiny soy sauce dishes (had to ask again). No ginger, no tea… just a lot of waiting. Restaurant was only 30-35% full with plenty of staff around.
Food:
1. Snails – 5 stars. Loved ’em! Fresh and delicious.
2. Sushi ($15-$18 each) – 1 star. Fish was super skimpy like a budget sushi spot, not a “most authentic Japanese cuisine” place.
3. Other dishes… didn’t wow us.
We paid $200+ for 3 people + tip. Not worth it given the experience.
Will I come back? Not in the next 3-4 years.
… moreCarl Ziegler
This place is one you’d really enjoy if you like the atmosphere of having your food cooked in front of you. They excellent cooks with a great sense of humor. A definite crowd pleaser. Food was really good. I’ve eaten here at least a dozen times over the years. Probably more. You definitely want to make a reservation as they are usually very busy. They can fill certain tables with about 12 persons. Definitely a highly recommended place.
… morePaula Ramsay
I can’t say enough about this place I’ve been searching for good Japanese and Sushi for years The eel one of my favorites was the best and the biggest I have ever seen delicious The Scallop sushi melted in my mouth like butter steak cooked perfect delightful veggies all the food perfect service perfect
Decor was very pretty behind the bar Early bird specials at the Teppan tables too
… moreJonathan Hernandez
Did a day trip to Tampa from Fort Myers, and decided to stop by for dinner at Daruma on the way back. Immediately walking in I was greeted with great hospitality by the hosts, Chris was very welcoming. Came in with a party of 3 at 6:00 on a Sunday and was immediately seated to our Hibachi table, talk about quick service! Coming from the Fort Myers location, I love the light up tables. Really enjoyed the ambience/vibe of the restaurant! Food was delicious as always. Our server Jessica was awesome. Sweet, quick, and really attentive to her tables. She told us that she was fairly new to Daruma, and my jaw dropped (that’s how good of a server she was). Our hibachi chef, unfortunately couldn’t remember his name, was sooooooo good! Loved all the tricks he did! Made me laugh so much I almost choked. Will be coming bac next time i’m in Sarasota! 🙂
… moreG Rod McCloskey
Went there with a group of friends from my community Bird Bay Village in Venice, Florida, and it was very good. The food was great. The chef did an excellent job entertaining us. I would definitely recommend this place all the people.
… moreCABBAGELOVER
The food was okay, nothing special. The atmosphere was nice, but the service should be improved. The server seemed rushed and not very attentive, and he even took my salad before I was finished without asking.
… more