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Sensei Asian Bistro, Gainesville, FL

Sensei Asian Bistro

4.7
4.7
139 Reviews
$31 to $50
Asian
Sensei Asian Bistro unites classic along with modern Asian elements in a sophisticated, contemporary setting.

Right across street from Regal Cinemas in Celebration Pointe!
Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Give us any details you’re comfortable with for your special occasion! (Names, # of yrs for anniversary, etc.) We love to make it personal and memorable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 3 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    Asian, Afternoon Tea, Bistro

  • Hours of operation

    Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (352) 214-1239

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Xiaoqian Hu

  • Neighborhood

    Gainesville

  • Cross street

    Across Street of Regal Cinema at Celebration Pointe

  • Parking details

    Free Parking Lot

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 139 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Best Overall

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Best Food

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Best Service

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Best Ambiance

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Good for business meals

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Innovative

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Healthy

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Romantic

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Good for special occasions

  • Ocala / Gainesville

    Lively

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Filters

  1. AnneM

    Jacksonville

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent Great service friendly staff. Helped with menu selection
  2. HienB

    Tampa

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Then food and drinks were amazing! We can’t wait to go back soon.
  3. BionicBack

    Charlotte

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent food and attentive but not overbearing service.
  4. MiguelF

    Tampa

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Food was delicious and service very attentive and pleasant. Convenient location with easy parking and nearby stores. Will certainly return.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always amazing vibes and the flavors are unbeatable. Extremely friendly staff, one of my favorite restaurants in Gainesville.
  6. NatalieD

    Orlando

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and wonderful service!!
  7. AlyW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really good food, good cocktails, and great service for an overall fine dining experience. We sat on the patio on a Friday night and really enjoyed people watching and faintly hearing the band playing in the courtyard. I will definitely recommend this place to friends!
  8. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All around great place, food is amazing and the staff matches.
  9. JenniferT

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a reservation for our wedding anniversary and the overall dining experience was incredible. The food was delicious, the drinks were refreshing and the ambiance was perfect for a special celebration dinner. I ordered the Kalbi and my husband ordered the sea bass and the wagyu friend rice as well. We shared a few appetizers that were also prepared very well. The chef clearly makes a great effort for your meal and we will definitely be dining here again! They made our anniversary very special and the service was top notch.
  10. AliciaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was my daughters Birthday we had a wonderful time they really made her feel special on this day excellent service , food was awesome a great experience for anyone to try
  11. OpenTable Diner

    Key West

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience4
    Food and service were very good. We just missed more basic options in the menu, like regular sushis and rolls. But price was TOO high for the dinner, we were really surprised, specially for Gainesville.
  12. ChristineY

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I took my husband out for his birthday to Sensai and must say, it was great! My husband is a connoisseur of Japanese food and he thought it was wonderful. We will definitely go there again for dinner!
  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall2food5service2ambience2
    The food is very good. Good quality ingredients, great presentation. But the service feels rush and not welcoming even though the place was empty. The food is great but for the price that you pay for it, the service should match that.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time there and it was for my birthday. The food was delicious and the service was great. Highly Recommend!
  15. Catopaty

    Jacksonville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sensei Asian Bistro is classy enough to enjoy an inmate dinner, whether for a birthday, anniversary, or girl’s night out. The food is exceptional, seasoned to perfection! The Lobster Soup, spicy but stock with seafood goodness, but well worth it. The main entrees; beef ribs, fresh vegetables and fried rice were delicious and plentiful. Our attendant was friendly, attentive, and made sure the meals were served in a timely manner. Thank you Kiki. Highly Recommend!
  16. PBCfoodlover

    West Palm Beach

    130 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    130 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Small spot in celebration pointe. Relatively small menu but great offerings. This is food I wouldn’t expect to see in gainesville…excellent presentations, creative, flavorful and fresh. We ordered almost 1/2 the menu and sampled. Portions are relatively small for the price point but everything but the duck dumplings was very good. Recommendation would be to order one more plate than you think you need…Highlights: duck and egg, wok ribs, lobster fried rice, otoro roll, wagyu (stone cooked on table). My biggest negative comments would be on the lighting and music. It’s too bright and music was soft and sleepy. Would love the overheads dimmer and better placed spots on tables w/ a more upbeat music choice. Lastly, chairs are odd and uncomfortable which would also be better if swapped for more reasonable seating. Overall this place is a real gem for this town and the best Asian offering we’ve tried. The food could stand up in most major metro environments to discerning Asian enthusiasts. We’ll be back!
  17. Cindi

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing 😞 Food and Service.My family and I were very happy
  18. Foodie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a nice small intimate place to get away to. We ate inside but outside would have been better if not so cold, although they did have heaters. Both service and food was amazing and quick to cook. My beverages never got to empty which is one of my biggest pet peeves in a sit down establishment. Would definitely recommend!!
  19. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    A bit pricy for what it was but the wagyu was great. No house sake sadly.
  20. KathleenA

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Meal was very good and presented artistically. The service was fine. Atmosphere was decent for Gainesville and the noise level was very pleasant. We enjoyed our meal. Only drawback was when we attempted to use a MasterCard gift card that we had received, the restaurant had some trouble running it. The prices are high but, having a meal in Gainesville that is good, with good service, it was worth it to us. We do not go out to eat very often.
  21. OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Good ambience, warm and classy yet unpretentious space and service. The menu is just the right size yet has plenty of variety. Creative entrees and deserts,high quality fish. Perfect place for a foodie.
  22. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Presentation and quality I did not expect from such a small place. Dont let the fake plants outside in the cold fool you. This place is solid!
  23. JacksonS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff and food are superb…this is the best restaurant in Gainesville!
  24. Rnteacher

    Atlanta Metro

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This was a great foodie experience. We sampled numerous items from the appetizer list and one entrée. our server, Kiki, was very patient and was very knowledgeable about the menu. It is not strictly a sushi and sashimi menu.
  25. Lola2003

    Washington DC

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always, from start to finish, our dining experience was superb. Love the new additions to the menu! The staff is so welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service2ambience5
    The service seemed a bit slow,understaffed? Those big white chairs are awful! Not comfortable!
  27. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    By far the best Asian food in Gainesville
  28. Jacksgrammy

    Naples

    102 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    102 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The food was great—snow crab roll, lobster fried rice and smoked Kalbi short ribs. As interesting as this menu is, it’s pricey.
  29. Milomia

    Washington DC

    87 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    87 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall1food1service5ambience3
    What a disappointment. We had a reservation. The host said she was checking that table was ready. Then, manager came and said we had to sit outside bc that’s what we asked for. Nope, didn’t ask. She lied. The food took 45 minutes. Why? They said they were busy. It’s a small restaurant. The food was very overpriced. They were more expensive than Miami. The only worthy dish was the hot dish. The only bright star was our server who was new. There’s gotta be a better place to go.

    Sensei Asian BistroResponded on November 12, 2022Hi Milomia, we sincerely apologize for the experience you had. We were fully booked for indoor seatings 2 weeks ahead. When you made the reservation this Tuesday Nov 8 on Open Table, outdoor patio was the only open availability you can get in. We’re more than happy to assist you to reserve a table in advance for next visit. As our courtesy for the wait time, all your drinks and dessert had been taken care. Please do not hesitate to contact us back, if there anything else we could do even better.

  30. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    My friends and I got together for my birthday. Food was good but the menu changed quite a bit. Far fewer sushi options
  31. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wife and I read reviews before a trip to Gainesville for medical treatments. This was a ‘we might as well treat dinner like a date’ if we can get a reservation at this hilghly-rated eatery only a couple of days out. It turned out to be a really slow Sunday night across Gainesville (?), but Sensei Asian Bistro, in the new, nearby Celebration Pointe, did not disappoint. We ate at an outdoor table, which we recommend if weather is cooperating. Inside, cozy tables in a well-lit, contemporary dining room was distinguished by tall, cream-colored captain chairs. Service was fantastic: prompt, well informed, friendly, and her recommendations on the menu were all great, as were our drinks and wine. Pricing was reasonable for chef-prepared, unique dining. We shared 3 ‘bites’ and one entree’, all unusual and delicious. My Mongolian Angus Tips was so fantastic I dreamed about how to duplicate at home-HA! If interested, check out their fantastic, though modest menu online. When you have a selection of very tasty and unusual dishes to offer, you don’t need the 8 page menu of boring dim sum and egg rolls. Give it a try. We now travel 4 hrs from Bonita Springs to Shans and will keep Sensei at the top of our local restaurants well-above the plethora of national chain drive-throughs. This is real dining, Asian fusion.
  32. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place never disappoints.
  33. ElenaD

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The taste of the food overall was good but the entree portions were small. The pictures were deceiving. I think the sea bass was probably a 3-3.5 ounce portion, way too small for the price. Delicious taste but not sure worth going back, left feeling hungry.
  34. sand

    Charleston

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Great food in this unassuming location. Will definitely go back again. The sashimi was very fresh and well prepared.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious as usual. Nice presentation of food.
  36. staceyj

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and served very quickly. The restaurant was beautiful, simple, modern, and wonderfully quiet even as it started to get busy.
  37. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really delicious vegan options and desserts!
  38. RichardW

    Atlanta Metro

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2022

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    The food was very good, and our service was attentive. But there was some sort of issue with the kitchen staffing. Our experience from first sitting down to paying our check and leaving was two and a half hours!
  39. RDes

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Overall, the food was really good and the service was fine, not exceptional. It would help to have a bit of cleaning of the table between entrees and dessert. Dealing with soy sauce is never easy. Being served dessert on a dirty table is not too appetizing. Otherwise, the ambiance is very good.
  40. PatriciaM

    West Palm Beach

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great choice of apps and entrees. Server was well versed with the dishes and accurately answered all of our questions. Lobster wontons were awesome!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks

FAQs

Sensei Asian Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (352) 214-1239.

Sensei Asian Bistro is rated 4.7 stars by 139 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 3 times today
Google Map for Sensei Asian Bistro

4860 Steve Spurrier Way, Ste. 10, Gainesville, FL 32608

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Across Street of Regal Cinema at Celebration Pointe

  • Neighborhood

    Gainesville

  • Hours of operation

    Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Asian, Afternoon Tea, Bistro

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Free Parking Lot

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Xiaoqian Hu

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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