Benihana - Carlsbad, CA

Benihana - Carlsbad, CA reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. K

   Kathy

   San Diego4 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   We had a very long wait at the table before a chef could serve us. They did bring a couple complimentary items to fill the gap but the kitchen is not organized at all. The chef was very nice. The food was good. The restaurant definitely needs an update. Just paint touch ups would do wonders so it doesn’t look so run down.
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 2 days ago

   Hi Kathy, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the food and found our service to be friendly. We apologize for the wait you experienced, and we're working on improving our organization to ensure a more seamless dining experience for our guests. Your feedback on our décor is also noted and we'll definitely consider it for future improvements. We hope to welcome you back soon for a better experience. Best regards, The Management Team
   

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2. M

   Michelle VIP

   San Diego1 review

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We waited seated over 1 hr past our reservation time for a chef to come to our table. We had 3 kids with us and it took 3 1/2 hrs to finish cooking our meal and leaving the restaurant. Very disappointing!
   

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3. S

   Sheila VIP

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Had 7pm reservation Was told we would be seated in 15 minutes or short time after. Was not seated til 8 And seems like they are short staffed as the table Next to us that seated after us received a chef immediately and we waited another hour before our chef arrived Ordered filet for most of our group and some shrimp. Neither were good quality and didn’t match the value Would not return to this location
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 2 days ago

   Thanks for visiting us, Sheila. We're truly sorry to hear about your experience at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. It's disappointing to know that you waited for an extended period of time despite your reservation, and that your meal and service didn't meet your expectations. We strive to provide our guests with prompt service and quality meals, and we apologize for falling short during your visit. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we will certainly address these issues with our team. We hope you'll give us another chance to provide you with the dining experience you deserve. Best regards, Benihana - Carlsbad, CA Management Team
   

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4. B

   Brooke

   E. Tennessee1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We celebrated my mother’s birthday at Benihana recently, and I can say with complete sincerity that it was one of the most memorable, joyful, and heartwarming dining experiences we’ve ever had—and that is entirely thanks to our chef, Zain. From the moment he walked up to the hibachi, Zain radiated warmth, charisma, and an infectious energy that immediately put a smile on all of our faces. You could tell from the start that this wasn’t just a job for him—he genuinely loves what he does, and it shows in every flip of the spatula, every sizzling burst of steam, and every perfectly timed joke. He didn’t just cook our food—he performed it, and we were lucky enough to be his audience. Zain went above and beyond to make my mom feel celebrated and special. He asked questions, listened intently, made her laugh, and treated her birthday like it was the most important day in the world. It felt like a private party—and he was both the chef and the star entertainer. On top of the entertainment, the food was absolutely delicious. Everything was cooked to perfection—the steak tender, the shrimp bursting with flavor, and the vegetables seasoned just right. But it’s not just the taste we’ll remember—it’s the experience Zain crafted around that meal that left a lasting impression on every one of us. It’s rare to find someone who can turn a dinner into a cherished memory. Zain did that for our family, and we are so deeply grateful. If you're ever dining at Benihana and Zain is your chef, consider yourself incredibly lucky—you’re in for an unforgettable time. Benihana, please recognize and celebrate Zain for his incredible talent, hospitality, and genuine care. He’s a gem, and because of him, we’ll be talking about this night for years to come. Thank you, Zain, for making my mom’s birthday so very special.
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 2 days ago

   Thanks for visiting us, Brooke. We're overjoyed to hear that your celebration at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA was one of the most memorable, joyful, and heartwarming dining experiences you've ever had. It's wonderful to know that you found our chef, Zain, to be warm, charismatic, and infectious. We're also thrilled that you enjoyed our food and found it cooked to perfection. We strive to make every visit special and your kind words are a testament to our team's efforts. We hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable experience.
   

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5. E

   Evelyn

   Los Angeles10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, good ambience, friendly staff and our chef was incredible.
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 6 days ago

   Thanks for the review, Evelyn! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your dining experience at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. Our team takes great pride in providing excellent service and it's wonderful to know that our chef made your visit memorable. We're also glad you appreciated our ambiance and food. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
   

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6. L

   Leigh Anne

   San Diego2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and super fun way to celebrate a birthday. We had three birthdays at our table!
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 6 days ago

   Thanks for visiting us, Leigh Anne! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your birthday celebration at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. It's wonderful to know that our food and the fun atmosphere contributed to making your celebration memorable. We look forward to serving you again soon. Best, The Management Team
   

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7. K

   Krissy VIP

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Chef Trevor was an absolute gem! We were celebrating my daughter’s 6th birthday and it was her first time at Benihana. He was amazing with her and she was absolutely enamored with his showmanship. Food was great and our delicious leftovers were perfect for our beach picnic the next day! This location was great - so much less crowded and chaotic than in Los Angeles! Was perfect for her birthday weekend getaway!
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 2 days ago

   Dear Krissy! Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear Chef Trevor made your daughter’s birthday so special—what a memorable first Benihana experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the food and that your leftovers added to your beach picnic fun. We appreciate you choosing us for such a meaningful celebration and hope to see you all again soon! 🎉🍣🎈
   

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8. M

   Milena

   Orlando2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on April 12, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   It has been better. But only declining every year unfortunately
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 3 days ago

   Thanks for the review, Milena. We're truly sorry to hear that your latest visit to Benihana - Carlsbad, CA didn't live up to the standards we strive for. We understand that our food and service fell short, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Your feedback is crucial for us to improve and we assure you that we will take your comments into consideration. We hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future. Best regards, The Management Team
   

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9. J

   Jamie

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 10, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a great time. Chef Zane was awesome! This places has really improved over the last few months.
   

   Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded 2 days ago

   Thanks for the feedback, Jamie! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. It's wonderful to know that our team has improved over the past few months and that you found our service to be excellent. We strive to provide our guests with the best dining experience possible and your kind words affirm that we're on the right track. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
   

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10. B

    Behnaz VIP

    San Diego14 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1

    We had a confirmed reservation at 7 pm to celebrate my elderly mom The chef did not start our food til 9 pm !!!! We waited for 2 hours for our food !!! The level of noise also was unbearable we could not even hear any of our guests Food was ok Really a bad experience Such a long wait is totally not acceptable
    

    Benihana - Carlsbad, CAResponded on April 11, 2025

    Thanks for the review, Behnaz. We're truly sorry to hear about your experience at Benihana - Carlsbad, CA. It's never our intention to keep guests waiting, and we apologize for the delay you experienced. We're also sorry to hear that the noise level affected your dining experience. We take your feedback seriously and will address these issues with our team to ensure a better experience for all our guests in the future. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide a more enjoyable dining experience.
    

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