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Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA

Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego

4.4
4.4
197 Reviews
$30 and under
Japanese
Spending time with Friends and Family is what Gyu-Kaku is all about. Gyu-Kaku offers the fun of "Shared Plates" through Japanese barbeque dining experience called Yakiniku. We want our food dining experience to inspire laughter, conversation, and amazing times! You can't help it - with a personal grill installed at every table, everyone instantly becomes an expert cook. Our friendly staff aspires to lead guests through the dining experience with helpful suggestions. The sounds around you are of parties and laughter - the PERFECT choice for first dates, families, and catching up with friends.

For more info, please check https://www.gyu-kaku.com/downtownsandiego .

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 27 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Japanese, Barbecue

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 11:30 am–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 11:30 am–6:30 pm Daily 8:30 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (619) 310-5782

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown / Gaslamp

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Now through Father’s Day, Enjoy Premium BBQ...

    $55.00 per person

    May 28 - Jun 19, 2023
    This limited time course for 2 or more includes appetizers, signature Gyu-Kaku BBQ items, your choice of BBQ Booster (dipping sauces), and the perfect dessert to enjoy with the whole party! (Bonus Points applicable for Gyu-Kaku App users) About Gyu-Kaku: Our authentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming smokeless grill, while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu, and frosty cold beers. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends, family, and co-workers alike!
  • Exclusive Offer on these Premium Meats!

    $45.00 per person

    May 28 - Jun 19, 2023
    (à la carte price estimate) For limited time enjoy premium meats such as this limited-time A5 Wagyu Chuck Set, Sukiyaki Bone-in Kalbi, and New York Steak with this exclusive Bonus Point offer! (Bonus Points applicable for Gyu-Kaku App users) About Gyu-Kaku: Our authentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming smokeless grill, while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu, and frosty cold beers. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends, family, and co-workers alike!

What 197 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Didn’t have all the meats we wanted. Taste and quality was sub par.

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was amazing!! Food was great!! In all great experience!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Excellent

    Richmond

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time - great food and great service, will be back in the next trip to San Diego! Our server Mike was excellent, attentive and helped ensure we understood the multiple selections in the all you can eat dinner. Thank you to all and especially Mike!

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  4. KOKISHI71

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Some premium items were missing due to their fire alarm issues which can be avoided by having ample or sufficient exhaust systems

    Is this helpful?

  5. Cindy

    Orange County

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food is excellent and the service was great. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food for a fair price. Service was fast and the staff helpful

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  7. SteveD

    San Diego

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience1
    It was different to cook your own food but as far as going back, I wont' Not my kind of enjoyable dinner, cooking food over a hot fire place that separates my guest from me.

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  8. TonyC

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and food quality.

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  9. CrazyDoogan

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Outstanding food and service. I was actually pleasantly surprised of the quality of the food.

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  10. FarrahJ

    Las Vegas

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent experience! So many options for the price point. Was disappointed that they were not serving some meats due to fire alarm potential.

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  11. EmilyH

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server was amazing! Hussein was his name, truly gave us a great experience. the food was amazing as always but i do feel like they’ve shrunk the portion sizes a bit. overall a good experience and i will be returning :)

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place was so good! The small plates and all the meats were to die for! I just love being able to cook the food yourself and they tell you just how long each meat should be cooked. We got the sirloin, garlic chicken, spicy shrimp, and so much more. The ambiance inside is so nice and makes you really enjoy your meal there. Since it was my birthday, they sang happy birthday to me at the end of my meal and they brought my a s'more with ice cream, 10/10! The whole entire meal was so good, i didn't even take pictures and just dug right in. I'd highly recommend this place for a dinner for 2 or 4! Our server was amazing too, really liked him!

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    SUPER FUN AND GREAT FOOD! Service was amazing and really enjoyed our experience!

    Is this helpful?

  14. RaenalynL

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amaaaaazing!!! Everything was soooo good! Nothing disappointing at all!

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience3
    We love the food! Everything was delicious and our server was so nice and helpful. Unfortunately, this location is SEVERELY understaffed, so the food, being seated, checking out…all of that took way too long.

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  16. alohadjc

    Atlanta Metro

    14 reviews

    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Meat dishes are ok but I would stay away from other items. Garlic fried rice and egg drop soup was below average. Our waitress Kristen was great.

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  17. Tara

    Los Angeles

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Came for restaurant week and it was such a great deal! It was super busy but the servers were so thoughtful and we could see they were working hard. They were still so friendly despite the stress too :)

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  18. DineAllTheTime

    San Diego

    31 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience2
    We tried a new place for Restaurant Week but didn’t even end up doing that because the options were similar in price. Vast menu, slow service (they were majorly understaffed) in a half empty restaurant where the host had to turn people away. Food was decent but nothing to write home about. It was not great but not bad either.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 29, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    It was great! The server, Madison is super helpful and very considerate!

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  20. GuyW

    Phoenix

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good and our server Oracio was fabulous. Would eat here again.

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall2food5service1ambience2
    The service was extremely slow, food took 15 min to arrive and the waiter wasn’t very attentive. We waited 6 min more for our grill even though we already had the food on our table. The waiter didn’t ask us how the food was and handed us the bill right away without asking if we wanted to order more. The food was alright and the ambiance was ok. Overall wouldn’t come back.

    1 person found this helpful

  22. suey

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was excellent & amazing meat. Draft beer is very fresh same as in Japan.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall2food4service3ambience1
    Unfortunately the first thing we thought of when we stepped inside was the stinkiest smell ever, like sewer water. It didn't go away even when we sat down. Our only hope was when we cooked the food it would go away. I also had a piece of cooked meat on my "new" plate when I sat down and lifted the napkin off the plate. That was disgusting. Asked the server for a new one and it was fine. The food was delicious as always, the wait to get the meats were a bit slow, we finished all our appetizers before we got any meats. Overall food was good but everything else was rough.

    1 person found this helpful

  24. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great. Service was on point.

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  25. corinat

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wow! This place is a must to try. Food was amazing! I can’t wait to go back!

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  26. KazL

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Foods were great. Our server is also nice but they’re understaffed so it would take a while for things to be served. Make sure you have enough time before you dine in.

    Is this helpful?

  27. Beachbooks

    Salt Lake City

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great and service was attentive. The seasonings on the meat and sides is incredible!

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time being here in a while and the service was amazing. All staff were attentive to us and I love that they explain how to cook each meat. The matcha tiramisu was amazing. Also love that they were on top of grill changes. Must visit if you’re a local or tourist.

    Is this helpful?

  29. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is delicious and everyone is very friendly. Will keep coming back

    Is this helpful?

  30. Markus

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food at decent value. The staff is very attentive.

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  31. TonyP

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very good but ran out of several items. Reservations ahead is a must.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience1
    Food was good. My wife says okay. The place was just dirty. Needed a good sweep. Unbussed tables. Jessica, our waitress, did a great job. I think the place suffers from poor management. Sadly will not be coming back though I’ve had good meals there.

    1 person found this helpful

  33. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Only issue we had was that we had reservations for certain time, came in earlier (15minutes prior) and then had to wait even more over our time for our reservation (36 minutes after reservation time) What’s the point of reservations.

    1 person found this helpful

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Puerto Vallarta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Execellent Costumer service and food was amazing.🖤🫶🇲🇽🎄🕊️🫀

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The place was not clean. The service was rushed and the my friends main course arrived cold. Would never go again.

    1 person found this helpful

  36. FoodieCY

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great and our server, Dylan was amazing! Great experience.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Javidick

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dylan was such an amazing server! I went to celebrate my birthday with my daughter and this place never disappoints. The service was prompt and I love participating in their rewards system.

    1 person found this helpful

  38. OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall3food5service5ambience1
    I loooove the food here and we eat here all the time! But it’s always cluttered (empty tables in back filled with random things) lots of clutter and floors aren’t mopped. I do wish they would de-clutter and clean better as it really does impact our experience. Buuuut the food is awesome and service is wonderful!

    Is this helpful?

  39. xanderbear

    San Diego

    59 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    We were craving Korean BBQ but didn't want to drive all the way to Convoy. Looking locally I found Gyu-kaku on Yelp! At first glance there seems to be similarity between Japanese and Korean BBQ. Raw meats, side dishes, AYCE and only blocks from our home. Sold! First off I gotta say, it was pretty messy upon arrival. It looked like they have been super busy all day, floor was dirty, unbussed tables, etc. We almost bailed to the Tacos El Gordo across the street, but we stuck it out and I'm glad we did. Service was excellent and all the dishes we tried everything was a hit. Side note: me being me I asked our server why it was so messy in there. Apparently there were a lot of large parties that day and they had a hard time catching up. By the time our plates started to arrive most of the mess had been cleaned up. For AYCE all diners at your table must agree on one menu you'd like to have (there are three). We opted for the Supreme AYCE menu since there were items on all three menus we wanted to try. You can order items à la carte but I'm not sure what's the better value. We ordered seconds on a number of dishes since they were so good, karage, kimchi, chili and yuzu roast beef, cheese corn and spicy tuna volcano. So for us it was totally worth it. In addition to the dishes mentioned above their meats were excellent. Prime kalbi, duck breast, filet mignon, and Japanese sausage all hit the spot. There were three sauces on the table, sweet soy, spicy and yuzu for dipping. The combination of sweet soy and yuzu was so good with all smoky perfectly cooked meats (my hubby did the cooking since he's chefly like that). Here's a nice touch, when meats are dropped off they give you suggested cooking times, so helpful. I definitely have a lot of love for Gyu-kaku! "I'll be back." - Terminator

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had another wonderful experience at this Guy Kaku. That's why we always return.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego is rated 4.4 stars by 197 OpenTable diners.

Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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 27 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Gyu-Kaku - Downtown San Diego

801 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Downtown / Gaslamp

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 11:30 am–10:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 11:30 am–6:30 pm Daily 8:30 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Japanese, Barbecue

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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