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Benihana - San Diego, CA, San Diego, CA

Benihana - San Diego, CA

4.2
4.2
6439 Reviews
$30 and under
Japanese
Welcome to Benihana and a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail. Benihana’s famous showman chefs are legendary in San Diego. The restaurant is located near hotel row off the 8 Freeway, exit Mission Center Drive. Benihana is near Mission Bay, SeaWorld, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.

On-site valet parking is avaliable for $8.00 per vehicle.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 135 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Steakhouse
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 298-4666
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Neighborhood
    Mission Valley
  • Cross street
    8 FWY and 163 FWY
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

What 6,439 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Most Booked

  • San Diego

    Most Booked

6,439 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Chef and server were great. Food was the best I’ve had there, seasoned and cooked to perfection 👏🏻

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  2. DavidP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Izaac was a phenomenal chef. He kept the table engaged, and made spectacular food for us.

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  3. jeffj

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All of these years and still great and good service Kids have a great time

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  4. ErikS

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall1food4service1ambience2
    My reservation was for 815pm. We didn't get seated until 840pm. Server left us unattended serveral times without checking on us for long periods of time and didn't inform us when the chef would appear. Chef finally arrived 1020 and we started our meal at 1045. This was very unnacceptable. Chef did a great job with the food prep but the server innability to check on us in a consistent matter made the experience dissapointing.

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  5. LeahC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Little noisy for baby - but she eventually fell asleep. Had to ask for happy birthday song / even after they asked several times about a Bdsy. Food excellent. Cook was FAB. Thank you!!

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  6. William33

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Birthday experience was great . Chef was entertaining and food and drinks were tasty

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food1service5ambience5
    The food was not good. But I paid a lot for the food. I was disappointed in the food

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  8. Nashfoodie

    Nashville

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The show for the food preparation wasn’t as exciting as I’ve seen before at other locations. It was more or less a guy just cooking on a hibachi table.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food2service4ambience2
    Don't eat at the bar seating. Not the same as the grill. The show is worth the wait.

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  10. HowardJ

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    In the past the onion soup had a robust taste and onions. What was served was a very thin broth with little taste and no onions. Also the sauces seemed to be watered down, mustard sauce had no taste as did the special order yum yum sauce. My wife ordered the combination streak and shrimp and cook did not have her shrimp on cart and had to send for it after she had finished her steak. Table was full, one individual said she was allergic to seafood and all of the food was cooked and then shrimp was cooked last. I only had the shrimp so most people were through eating by time I received my food. In the past the food for the person with allergies had food cooked in the back, this should have been done. Cook was very good.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a good time at Benihana! It takes a bit to get the show going but once it starts dinner feels like a breeze

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    This was the worst experience I’ve ever had. We were seated 15 minutes after our reservation time and drinks weren’t delivered for another 30 minutes after. Food didn’t start until an hour after we sat down. The entire staff from start to finish was unenthusiastic and inattentive. 0/10 really would never come back.

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  13. CorbinN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really liked our chef Dane he was a super funny guy. Can't wait to go again!

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  14. CrystalH

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience4
    Our chef was boring, over peppered everything and I couldn't even hear him well. Drink service was sparce at best. I have been to your establishment many times and have to say this visit was very poor in comparison.

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  15. ShelbyO

    Phoenix

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful time celebrating after a wedding ceremony downtown san diego! Love going here for all our special occasions.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Upon arrival the hostess looked at us like we were lost and didn’t greet us. Which really upset me. However when we got to our table our server Jesse was amazing. He turned a bad situation around and made the evening worth the $300 I spent. The restaurant needs a make over to say the least. I tried to get the name of the lady that didn’t greet us but she wasn’t wearing a name tag. Over all it was great. The hostess should be fired. The real MVP was Jesse.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience3
    The food was not good! We got stomach problems after leaving me and my wife

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and service! We love the food and the service

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great time. Got here early and had the chef to ourselves.

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  20. MelanieL

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    Was not impressed with quality of food. Hibachi steak was tough even at medium rare.

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  21. ChrissyM

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience2
    We had the absolute worst waitress. It took forever for her to greet us. Then took forever for our drink order and then forever for our drinks. I had to ask twice to bring sweet in low for my iced tea. She was rude to another group of men at our table.

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  22. ROGERA

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Santi was a great chef and entertainer. Angela, our waitress was fantastic. Can’t wait to go again

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  23. AnthonyE

    San Diego

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    The service was exceptionally slow, but the food and atmosphere were both great. It’s a common problem. Minimum wage went up, so the restaurant is short staffed. They can’t afford to keep everyone. Things were slow. We waited 20 minutes for the check, but we still got fed.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    Horrible experience. We got there and there was an extra chair and we did not fit . We sat down super tight. We ordered our drinks and got them but the server never appeared again after food and beverage order . So no refills and no more beer. We proceeded to order and our Edamames Just never arrived. When we asked the server she said she would take them off the check but not even apologized. The teppanyaki started out and while he was serving we noticed our plain white rice was missing . We asked and we got it at the end of the meal . Our chicken breast and mushrooms were described as chicken breast and mushrooms and we did not receive mushrooms . So we asked and he said that because we did not ask for them he did not cook them . So he went to get more to the kitchen. We also had a coupon for our birthday and tried to apply it last time . Well , a manager , server or i honestly don’t know the titles of these people but he signed our paper saying that we could come and make it valid next time .and at the time of payment ,the server of course appeared to charge for the food and would not want to apply it. The manager came out (jose or Jesus ) and he made sure we knew that he did not care and that he would not validate the coupon or he did not care about all the inconveniences we had. After he verified all the information (15 minutes took him for his intvestigation ) he came out and gave us a check with a drink we did not order . He went back to remove the charge of the drink and came back out with a discount for the inconvenience. Of course no discount was even enough for the horrible service , all the mistakes and the horrific attitude they had . It was an absolute favorite for the family . We celebrated birthday and even Christmas Eve . Not any more !!! Save your time

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience5
    Benihana is a family favorite for us. We have been coming here for birthdays for decades. The food was good, you can count on that. We had a chef who was so soft spoken that we could not hear him. He was so slow that he cooked the rare tuna through, he was sloppy and dropping food on the grille in a messy fashion. This didn’t affect the flavor, but the precision you come to expect was lacking sorely. The waitress bringing food and drinks was so slow that we never did get the green tea after the meal. It was already two hours and we weren’t willing to wait any longer. It’s was too bad, usually we have a great time.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Food was good but be prepared to wait even if you have a reservation.

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an amazing time at Beni’s in San Diego Our Chef Alfredo and server Jose were fun, professional and on point. Thank you for a great Birthday Dinner. 🥰

    Is this helpful?

  28. Iceleen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The good was great, Chef did an amazing job. The service was great, our server was extremely attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  29. Angel

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    We have been there a few times, every time we make reservations. The first time the sat us down at the regular tables even though we had reservations. The following time we went, made reservations, but called to confirm that it was with the chef's, I was told all reservations are for the table s w chef's. This time around same made reservations and confirmed were we would sit. When we got there the greeter was going to place us at the regular tables, when we told her we made reservations she said it was not guaranteed that we were going ro have a spot. Then we advised we called and confirm and she seemed unhappy made us wait another 20 min. Did not offer kids hats or anything and when it was our turn she said go wait over there and they'll be with you. We saw the way she greeted other customers and it she seemed like another person witht hem, nice and courteous. Other than that the cheft and the food was great! Sometimes, feel discriminated!

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  30. ChristianN

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    In the last year or so, Benihana has raised their prices across the board. Most importantly, they no longer have lunch pricing on the weekends, which effectively doubles the lunch price from what it used to be. While I love this restaurant and have had approximately 40 birthdays there, I'm going to have to switch to mid-week because of costs.

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  31. DnitaA

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was great! Carlos was our chef. He did an excellent job of entertaining us and cooking at the same time. We celebrated 4 birthdays in our party, and they sang to us. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  32. TommieS

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience4
    The chef Dane was very funny but very unhappy he talked bad about his coworkers and also told us about the food being unhealthy. He told us that the show that they give while serving the food is dangerous and stupid. He put a chunk of garlic butter inside of my friends rice. He was being very rude and disrespectful to his coworkers saying that they were weird it’s only Dane’s 4th day on the job so I understand why it went the way it did.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server named Linda was very nice, she had great customer service & was very pleasant! I will return for my next 50th birthday. The food was delicious too

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  34. Joejoe

    San Diego

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service! The only problem is the parking. They made many of their parkings valet for $8 tsk tsk

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  35. LoveSteaks

    San Diego

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love celebrating birthdays here. Delicious food, fun atmosphere.

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  36. IvyM

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    It is pricey but the food always comes out great.

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  37. JenniferW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Louis was an our chef and he was outstanding. We celebrated a birthday and the food was great.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 5, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We had a reservation for 4 people at 6pm. By 7:30pm, they still hadn’t started our food. The server was very nice and kept telling us what was going on, but after an hour and a half, me and my friends got up and left. I’m sad and disappointed as I was very much looking forward to my bday dinner.

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  39. Raquel

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall1food5service3ambience5
    We had reservations at 4. They didn’t start to cook our food till 5:30ish. I understand they were short staffed but my husband has a strict diet and will not eat past 5pm 5:30 the latest and my 2 year old was over it after an hour so neither of them wanted to eat. Had they told me when we checked in I would have gone on another day. Other then that everything was great as always

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  40. LoriS

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    I went during lunch time and with the amount of money spent, the steak was very small. There was a total of 8 pieces on my plate. Then the cook, put my order of scallops on another guest plate and when he realized I ordered them, he took off their plate and put on mine, which I felt was poor service.

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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Benihana - San Diego, CA using the Order Online button. Benihana - San Diego, CA also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats.

Benihana - San Diego, CA is rated 4.2 stars by 6439 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 135 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Benihana - San Diego, CA

477 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108

Additional information

  • Cross street
    8 FWY and 163 FWY
  • Neighborhood
    Mission Valley
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Steakhouse
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine
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