Benihana - Cupertino, CA

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1. EL

   ElizabethL

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined today

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We had so much fun celebrating my birthday at Benihana’s!!! The chef was very entertaining, funny, talented, artistic and helpful, he encouraged me to recommend to my adult daughter to get a job working there as they are short on chefs! She works as a server at PF Chang’s and is super artistic and has great eye hand co-ordination and is very athletic and agile (top martial artist) and is very funny and fun loving! The chef was top notch in his presentation and the food was excellent! I took dozens of videos and pics and shared them with my friends. It was so much fun and a real pick me upper, plus the family we sat with was very friendly and we had a lot in common.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Made online reservations and hardly any wait time when I arrived. Lunch was great, chef was entertaining! Food was tasty
   

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3. CB

   CaptainBen

   San Francisco

   11 reviews

   2.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall2food5service1ambience2

   Food and chef was great. The main issue with this restaurant, which used to be a favorite of mine is the time it takes to take care of serving their customers. Our reservation was for 9:15 PM but we were finally getting our main course meals at midnight. They served tables that arrived after us first and the wait was way too long. Never experienced such a delay in service in all my restaurants experience. They did not have a waiter assigned to our table, they were missing a general manager and employees are a bit lost of what to do. They need to fix the problem otherwise they will continue to loose faithful customers like me and my family.
   

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4. F

   Francisco

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food1service1ambience2

   Our reservation was at 8pm, we left at 9:45 because the cook had yet to arrive. If I was simply informed that it was going to take this long to have dinner at the start, I would’ve left immediately. So many people were upset and yelling.
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food3service2ambience1

   Too much waiting time, we were waiting for a chef for 2 hours. There was another family at our table and they ended up leaving due to the waiting time.
   

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6. NF

   NathanF

   San Francisco

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall1food5service1ambience3

   Seated at 6:30. Initial ordering of drinks and appetizers was quick. Drinks and appetizers came in a resizable time. However ordering of main meal took awhile. An the the real waiting began. It was not until least 8:20 that a chef finally came to our table to start cooking. So we waited for food to start cooking around 1 and a half hours. It was clear they were understaffed with chefs. All tables where waiting a long time. The wait staff was nice but there was little to no communication on how long things would take. A few people at our table got up and left and said this was the second time in a row this has happened to them and they’d probably never come back. In the end the food was delicious once it was cooked. Will say the chef didn’t have the usual flair they have, and I can’t blame them as I bet they are rushing table to table. It was still fun to watch. Luckily for me my 7 year old( her birthday ) did not have a melt down while waiting. With a small child I would not go back even though we have been many times and love it.
   

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7. R

   Rasheeda

   San Francisco

   22 reviews

   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fun table and excellent chef. The food was delicious!
   

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8. FE

   FayeE

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food5service4ambience5

   Love lunch at Benihana. The server was new and had some issues so it wasn’t the best service but still overall an okay experience. I try to give all new servers a chance, this is the only reason not 5 stars
   

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9. KA

   KALA

   San Francisco

   22 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall2food3service1ambience2

   We hadn't been to Benihana since Covid, but my daughter wanted to go there for her birthday. We were disappointed. Front desk staff seemed disorganized, and like others have noted, you have to wait a long time for a table even with a reservation. We waited in the bar, which was messy. My drink was not good - no garnish, wrong glass and warm. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed and not friendly. We also felt rushed, which was odd as we had to wait for the chef. The restaurant was out of milk, lemonade and some other items. Food was tasty and the chef tried hard. I thought ice cream was included with the meal, but that was not offered. Food tasted good, but not enough to get us back.
   

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10. SF

    SantosF

    Tahoe

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food5service2ambience1

    Ivan our Chef was amazing and very personable. He loves his job and it shows tremendously. He was awesome! Now, for your staff at the front desk, they are just awful, very rude, and made this visit unpleasant from the minute we walked in. They are the reason I would never come back. They all hate their job and have no customer service skills, not one of them
    

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11. J

    John

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    very poor service and incredibly long wait times even with a reservation, do not plan to come back in the future
    

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12. f

    fein

    New York Area

    36 reviews

    2.0

    36 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food1service1ambience2

    They left us waiting at the table for over an hour before cook showed up. Service was mediocre, food was over salted, what they call a "garlic butter" tasted like margarine, restaurant was out of several soft drinks, table was greasy. We have been customers of 24 years and now rethinking our next visit to Benihana. Do not recommend👎
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    took over 2.5 hours for dinner. very slow service. sat at table for over 1 hour before cook showed up
    

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14. m

    murfo

    San Francisco

    44 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    44 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food3service1ambience2

    Very disappointing experience, won’t be back any time soon. Arrived at 6pm for 6pm reservation, but had to wait 25 mins to be seated. Waiter took another 10 mins to take our order. I got a dirty glass with my water and sent it back only to get another different dirty glass the second time which I also sent back. I ordered a glass of red wine, and the glass also dirty!!!! At least the second wine glass was clean! Then we had to wait for over an hour for our chef to arrive at our table. He wasn’t very sociable or exciting and hardly interacted with us. He didn’t do many of the “standard” Benihana chef tricks like flicking the shrimp tails to his head or shirt, or spinning the rice bowl on the chef paddle. At the end the waiter asked us if we were celebrating any special occasion so we mentioned it was a birthday for one of our party but nobody came by to sing happy birthday. He took dessert orders but then they were out of green tea ice cream … that’s like their signature ice cream!!! Sad to see service levels have fallen so badly at a once great restaurant. Thankfully the saving grace was good food, but it’s still overpriced for what it is.
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Chef Michael was great again. Service was better than others. Food was fantastic as always.
    

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16. L

    Laura

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Friday night and many graduation dinners happening. Perhaps that is why even with a reservation we had to wait a while to get seated and then waited 30+ minutes before our chef was able to cook for us. I realized the table behind us got seated at 10:30pm and their chef didn't arrive until 11:07pm. Manager gave them free tempura for their wait though. Still, my advice here is to not expect to eat right away. You'll get seated and eventually be given soup and salad, but it'll be awhile before the main course is started. Disappointed that corporate doesn't allow birthday dinners to be comped Fri/Sat/Sun, so be aware about that too. Now for the good stuff: Food was great as usual. We loved our chef Luis who said he has been working there for 20 years. He matched the vibe of our energetic party very well and really helped make our family get-together memorable.
    

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17. s

    sarah

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food5service1ambience3

    My problem we we got seated 30 min after out reservation and then sat at that table for 2 hours before we had to go an complain and then they finally sent a chef out who was pretty good still new but did excellent.
    

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18. DK

    DianeK

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Two of my friends and I like to celebrate each others birthday at Benihana. We really had a great time, the food was outstanding and everyone was so nice.
    

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 31, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Chef unapologetically came 1+hour late. Drinks order was messed up. While the experience should be relaxed and enjoyable and I wasn’t in a hurry; but the dinner took 3 unplanned hours!
    

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20. DP

    DinerP59

    San Francisco

    37 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience2

    My experience this time here was very disappointing as almost everything but making reservations when down hill fast. After being seated it took about an hour before the chef arrived. The wait was unbearable as everyone at the table is hungry. After the chef left almost everyone was over hungry and took there food to go. This place needs more chefs and help on the weekends.
    

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21. SY

    SophiaY

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Chef was new as my medwell steak got forgotten and became very well. Also, most of my mushrooms went to couple at end of table. Chef not send to equal portions. Other than that, good food and ambiance.
    

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22. KH

    KarinaH

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    We got a reservation at 7:45 pm and they make us wait about 20 minutes to get seated because there were people in line before us . So what is the purpose to make a reservation if you won’t respect that. Then we wait again for one hour for the chef . So after that long wait we ate the taste of the food was pretty salty . We didn’t enjoy it and was the longest dinner I’ve had . Way to go on my birthday it supposed to be a great night but didn’t have the experience I would like to have.
    

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23. MP

    MariquitaP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    For the price you pay, the food is just mediocre. The best part of the meal is the chef cooking in front of you and that's about it.
    

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24. FS

    FlavorSearching

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience2

    Waitress Natalie did not get my bill correct & took a long time to bring back the bill with the adjustments. Then she took out more money from my gift cards than I wanted to give. She also had a disdaining attitude & did not seem to serve with joy. Every time I go there, I am disappointed in the slow service and how they do not treat me with respect and honor. The cook kept looking at the order as if he wasn't sure of what he was supposed to do. Also, I asked for low sodium on my food & still had too much saltiness.
    

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25. g

    gimojo

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great food and Chef Michael did an amazing job entertaining us with his skills of cooking and creativity. All of us were engaged and let me tell you we do go to Benihana's several times a year and this was one of the best experiences.
    

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26. TH

    TiewenH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Food and service were good but the wait is long. We reserved a table at 7:15pm but waited till 7:50pm to get the table and actual meal started around 8:10pm.
    

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What I expected very nice night out. The wife and kids had fun.
    

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28. AL

    AshleyL

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Terrible service. Orders were wrong despite them confirming twice. appetizers never brought but we’re charged on bill. System was down so couldn’t pay or leave till it was up and running. when it was finally working, my card was charged although the waiter ran me down when I was almost out of the door yelling that payment didn’t go through. I pulled up my bank and said it had and showed him where it charged Benihana‘s. Waiter made a scene and it was very embarrassing. Such a sad service and this was a special birthday dinner so it was just all-around a terrible experience.
    

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29. K

    Kelvin

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    I would like to experience this again when it’s not so busy. They seemed very short staffed.
    

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience3

    Our server were no where to be found most of the night and other servers didn’t know where he was either.
    

    Benihana - Cupertino, CAResponded on May 26, 2023Dear Guest, thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear about your experience and that our staff didn’t meet the level of service we strive for. We want every guest's experience to be the best possible, and we work hard to make sure that happens. Please feel free to reach out with further feedback or any questions via our Contact Us page on our website.
    

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31. S

    Soorya

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience4

    Well our server and cook could have been significantly better.
    

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32. BL

    BreeLee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Food here is so good it's usually worth the outrageous prices. It's hit or miss on service. We had a very nice and friendly chef who had a few tricks up his sleeve, but seemed new because he wasn't as quick and flawless as other chef's we've had that have worked there for a while. His cart was not stocked properly, he had to ask multiple times for extra stuff that was listed on our order ticket but not on his cart. Overall, we will continue to eat at Benihana, this particular visit just wasn't as good as it could have been.
    

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33. EE

    EfiE

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    Benihana is a great place for special occasions and if you have guests you would like to have a good time with. However, the waiting time in the Cupertino location is long. If you have a reservation for 7:15 you should feel lucky if you will get a table at 7:45. They are not fully synchronized with open table reservation. My husband wanted to leave but finally we got a table. In addition, the place is not clean. I guess the pressure to place visitors to the tables do not leave time for cleaning the carpet and the table area and it doesn’t look good. Beside that we had a great chef (Alex) and a great waitress before him.
    

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34. SK

    SmileyK

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience2

    Had to wait over 40 minutes for chef to come to our table. Server never came back to check on us. Had to find someone just to get more water
    

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35. PW

    PaulW

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Place was extremely busy for Mothers Day evening. We did not get seated until 45 minutes past our reservation time. After that, the experience was great. Our hibachi chef cooked the food perfectly, gave a fun show, and it was amazing to get our meal piping hot straight from the grill, well seasoned, tender meat, savory vegetables, and tasty fried rice. Topped off the meal with smooth ice cream. Pricey, yes, but I think everyone should come to this place once in a while.
    

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36. C

    Citygirl

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3

    We missed seeing the usual table show. It is part of why we go....
    

    Benihana - Cupertino, CAResponded on May 17, 2023Dear Citygirl, we apologize for your recent visit and we thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. If you wish to contact us with further details regarding this experience, you may reach us by visiting our "Contact Us" page on our website.
    

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Chef Michael was a amazing. The service was incredible. We come here 2-3 a month and this was the best service. Server Alana was on point.
    

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38. K

    Kris

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Overall a very good experience. However, even with reservations, and an on-time arrival, we ended up having to wait about 25 minutes to be seated. Service was slow,(likely due to volume) but the waitress made a solid effort. At one point, the manager took over for her. The food was delicious as always--this part has remained consistent throughout the years. Our Chef Marvin put on a great show! Overall a positive experience.
    

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39. KB

    KellyB

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    I went to dinner by myself and was seated with a family of 4. I felt completely ignored by the waiter the whole meal. I went home and immediately called for the manager to complain about the terrible service, and the manager couldn't be bothered calling me back when I was given message he would. Don't waste your money here
    

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40. A

    Antonio

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3

    Server was great, and so was Chef, but after the bill and amount of food you get it's a little underwhelming. Definitely would only come once a year and with a birthday coupon only. Not worth going out of your way for. Overpriced for the experience. This location seems to struggle with staffing Chefs. Table next to me was sat down for at least35 minutes before their chef arrived.
    

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