Creativity – Simplicity – Balance Japanese cuisine is an art in which aesthetics stem from product freshness and quality and where preparation is as critical as presentation. The dishes must be pleasing both to the eye and palate, making Japanese cuisine a truly sensual experience. Mikado modestly tries to master this art in skilfully preparing sushi and sashimi as well as teriyaki, tempura, soba and a vast assortment of other succulent dishes. Among the pioneers of Japanese cuisine in Montreal back in 1987, Mikado first opened with an 80-seat capacity and only two employees. But through the magic of word of mouth, Mikado expanded and can now welcome 130 guests in a pleasant, family-style and laid back environment conducive to appreciation of great food. Kimio Nguyen, the chef-owner, now has under his wing a wonderful team of over 40 loyal and attentive professionals whose culinary philosophy is based on Japanese tradition while taking into account the eclectic tastes of Montrealers. Three basic elements underpin Mikado's philosophy: creativity, simplicity and balance. Creativity to dazzle with original dishes; simplicity to allow for the experience of full unadulterated flavours; and balance to beautifully bring together tastes, textures, ingredients and colours. The attention to detail and aesthetics is reflected in the decor and even in the use of hand-made tableware. With all this in mind, Mikado tries to fulfil the needs and desires of its customers. And for those with a taste for the unknown and the wildly creative, the chefs at Mikado will gladly prepare special dishes to delight your whims and fancies on the spot!
Mikado is described across reviews as a stylish, upscale sushi spot with consistently fresh fish, beautifully presented plates, and a strong drink program that enhances the dining experience. Diners praise the quality and variety of sushi and sashimi, the standout rolls like lobster and paradise, and reliable appetizers and gyoza, with miso soup and dumplings receiving particular affection. The ambiance and service are frequently highlighted as refined and welcoming, the staff being noted for attentiveness and knowledge, and the setting described as cozy yet sophisticated. Some reviews mention prices being on the higher side and occasional inconsistencies in value, timing, or front of house service, including moments of slow pacing or instances where sushi arrived at the table at an undesirable temperature. Yet many readers call Mikado one of their top sushi destinations, citing thoughtful menu options, excellent cocktails, and a genuine sense of hospitality that makes it worth a return visit.
We came here on a Friday. The ambience was nice, but for the price & portions, the food didn't really meet our expectations. Although it looked visually amazing, the taste didn't quite match the presentation. Fresh fish on its own has a mild taste & traditional sushi is prepared with minimal sauce. However, we were expecting something that would stand out more in terms of depth/combination of flavours.
The only roll we truly enjoyed was the NDG one. We preferred the appetizers because they had more seasoning/sauces which added a good contrast of flavours to the tuna & scallops. If you enjoy sushi prepared in a very minimalistic or traditional way, you may appreciate it more than we did.
Impeccable (polite, warm, proactive) servers & sushi chefs, zen ambience & high quality delicious food. I give their dumplings a best in the world rating, veggie or shrimp or a mix of both. The agedashi tofu was perfect (& a nice alternative to takoyaki.) The sushi was fresh & tasty & the soya sauce has a nice flavour. They let you sit as long as you want & make sure you're enjoying yourself & have everything you need. I arrived tonight feeling really stressed & my head hurt & I was having heart pain but within 30 minutes of just being there, it was like I did 4 hours of meditation & almost all my symptoms resolved.. I think I need to come by more often for health reasons lol
Feb 19, 2026
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Checked out Mikado for their night menu & was really impressed. The food was fresh & well made, & the pricing was very fair. The place itself is cozy with great vibes, which made the whole experience even better. Special mention to our server who was attentive & took great care of us throughout the night. Would happily return.
★★★★★
Mikado has always been one of my absolute favorite sushi spots - & this visit reminded me exactly why.
We started with miso soup, soft?shell crab, & a fresh salad, followed by two beautifully presented sashimi platters & two nigiri ones. Every piece of fish was pristine & cut with care - delicate, clean, & perfectly balanced. The lobster roll & paradise roll were equally impressive, marrying flavor & texture in a way that only Mikado manages to pull off.
The sake selection is phenomenal, & the mixologists truly take their craft to the next level. Add to that a team that's endlessly knowledgeable, kind, & welcoming, & you've got an experience that feels both refined & personal.
It's the perfect example of sushi done right - thoughtful, consistent, & made with genuine passion. Highly recommended.
Mikado is a stylish, upscale spot with excellent sushi. We arrived in rain jackets since we were visiting, & the host initially asked if we were picking up - which made us feel a bit unwelcome despite having a reservation.
But the experience completely turned around thanks to our waitress. She was warm, friendly, & attentive, & really made us feel comfortable. The food was fresh & beautifully prepared.
A great meal overall, with service that truly made the difference.
I loved everything about this restaurant from start to finish.
The food was incredibly fresh, full of flavor, & beautifully presented. The drinks were just as impressive-creative, refreshing, & perfectly paired with the meal.
The atmosphere was warm & inviting, & every staff member we encountered was professional, attentive, & genuinely friendly. It's rare to find a place that gets everything right, but this one truly does.
I will absolutely be coming back & highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience.'
I've been a regular at this restaurant for a while because the food is always fresh, flavourful, & nicely prepared. The kitchen team deserves credit. Unfortunately, the front-of-house service continues to fall short, & my experience on Monday, June 9th, was especially disappointing.
I had called ahead to ask if Caesars could be made at lunch, since I know there's no bartender during the day. The woman who answered assured me they could. But when we arrived, not only were we left without water for over 15 minutes on a hot day, the server was dismissive & rude when my friend politely asked about it.
When she finally came to take our drink order, she told us they didn't have Clamato - despite having said yes on the phone. I offered to pick some up from the depanneur just down the street or asked if someone from staff could, but she refused without a trace of apology or effort. Even more frustrating, she declined to take responsibility for having confirmed something she hadn't checked.
In the end, I had to relocate my guests to another restaurant - not because of the mix-up, but because of how she spoke to us. The way we were treated made it clear that our presence wasn't welcome.
I hate to leave this kind of review, because the food truly is good, & I've had a few good service experiences in the past. But the inconsistency - & especially the tone of this last visit - is making it hard to justify coming back. I hope management steps in, because the kitchen deserves better front-of-house support.
First time experience here & it really impressed me! The fish was incredibly fresh & each sushi roll was full of flavour. Would definitely recommend. Service was also excellent!
May 27, 2025
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We came with high expectations but left disappointed. Despite arriving early, we waited 30 minutes past our reservation time to be seated at the sushi bar. Service was slow & our waiter barely acknowledged us. From our seats, we saw two chefs cough into their hands & continue preparing food, which was very concerning. While the sushi tasted fresh & delicious, I became very ill shortly after getting home-that was the last straw. On top of everything, the payment machine forced a minimum 18% tip, which isn't legal. Overall: great food, but poor service, questionable hygiene, & an unfortunate ending to the night.
Food: I would definitely recommend the sashimi assortment & toro, everything tasted so fresh & had a great texture. The sushi rolls are quite unique, twists on the classics, & it was very enjoyable to taste.
The desserts deserve their own highlight, the deconstructed apple pie was so refreshing & the cherry pie is absolutely irresistible. I loved the mix of flavours & textures, & they might be one of my favourite desserts in Montreal.
Service: Our waiter was amazing, he was incredibly nice & patient with our questions, also very friendly. He recommended that we try custom cocktails from the bartender, who can make a drink based on your preferences, & all of them were perfectly on point, & they were delicious.
Atmosphere: Really great vibes for a night out with friends or date night. I cannot recommend it enough.
Food is fresh & delicious. There is an array of options for everyone's tastes/preferences (raw fish, vegetarian, etc.) The service was excellent. The employees were professional & attentive. I highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar for a unique experience.
Pictured is the lobster crab cake roll.
Feb 9, 2025
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Mikado is such a great restaurant. Everything I tried was absolutely incredible & fresh. The drinks are also out of this world & the service was impeccable. I highly recommend it!
A nice family run establishment & they serve excellent food. Our waiter Basile was excellent & we felt very well taken care of. The tempura was delicious as was the sushi. The Miss Saigon roll was the favourite of the night. Fresh & well prepared. The raspberry sorbet tasted like you were biting into a ripe raspberry. Highly recommended.
I've been going to Mikado for a while. Always had a good experience & the food is very fresh. We went this weekend for my dad's bday (my first time since the renovations) & it was a little disappointing.. The waitress, Genevieve, didn't seem to match the vibe & service I would expect from a Sushi Restaurant with Mikado's Reputation (& prices)... We got appetizers, plates & sushi (bc not everyone was getting sushi as their main meal) & she didn't ask us in which order everything should come out. Some people ended up getting their main meal while others were getting their appetizers (which left them with nothing to eat later on). The first service was quite confusing as we got hot & cold appetizers at the same time Then they gave us an empty soy sauce container. Also, they forgot my dad's soup as well as our sashimi order. Usually, sashimi & nigiri are served first, before other strong flavours affect the palate. Then you eat the makis. Because she didn't enter our order correctly we ended up getting the sashimi in the middle of the evening. When I dine out & pay for marked up prices & food, it's not just for the quality of the food & the convenience of not having to cook it. It's also for the service (which my family & I always tip for generously as I've personally worked in the restauration industry myself) & ambiance. I did expect better from Mikado, or at least for them to uphold the standard they had previously set with me & the many meals I've already had there. Ps. I also asked for mocktails recommendations because I'm on medication right now & can't have alcohol. She recommended the Sawa something, saying it was fresh & herbaceous . It's not. It tastes like limonade & is quite sour. I wouldn't say it's thirst-quenching nor has any herb fragrance at all.
Delicious, & fresh sushi, amazing appetizers, high-end signature cocktails full of depth & complexity, beautiful & complete wine card, extensive sake selection, pair this with outstanding service, friendly, & knowledgeable waiters, in an enchanting, breezy, wabi-sabi decor. A must in the Montreal dining experience!
