I have dined at yamato since it opened. I usually take novice Japanese food diners there as I know the quality is always high. Top food, top service and friendly. their Karaage is the best I’ve eaten in NZ and Asia

Absolutely love the food here, great menu with nice variety. My partner had steak on rice and steak was cooked to perfection. Couldn’t get better service either. Lovely atmosphere.

Having read a somewhat negative review of yamato the same evening before going there, I was sceptical as to how good the food would be. I can now say that yamato has some of the best japanese food I’ve ever had. The sashimi was fresh and flavoursome, and the service was both friendly and timely. I would definitely recommend yamato to anyone looking for an authentic japanese meal.

After reading all the brilliant reviews about Yamato we decided to try it out for ourselves.
We eat Japanese 2-3 times a Month and were really looking forward to this experience.
Sorry to say it was a big disappointment.
Service was very friendly, no problem there, but food was not very good.
Tataki was far to thickly sliced, therefore hard to digest, and still partly frozen.
Sashimi de luxe was very fresh but over prized.
Tempura soggy and not crisp at all, presented flat on a plate on top of each other did not help to keep it crisp.
After I complained about it it was put back in the fryer, that made it even soggier and fatty.
Sorry that I can’t be more positive, but I had expected better.

Love coming here. Friendly welcome, can sit at the sushi bar or in the restaurant. The food is always great even as take away. Its been my education on Japanese food.
Can not recommend it enough.

Delicious fresh food. My family come here often. Very good friendly service and a highly skilled chef. Meals are priced affordable. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, put Yamoto on your list of must go cafes. The beer is nice too.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!! This is an amazing Japanese Restaurant. Love it. Love it. Love it. We always take friends and family to Yamato’s when a dinner out is on our plan. It is FANTASTIC!

I have dined at the Yamato Restaurant for a number of years, I just love the food and the service is excellent. I enjoy the California Sushi. Just the best.

My partner and I travel to Rotorua about four times a year just to go to this restaurant. The menu is authentic and service is excellent – quite clearly one of the best Japanese restaurants in New Zealand.

would have to be the best japanese restraunt in the country, ive been to many and been to japan. Service is excellent and is the best value for money

I have been to many Japanese restaurants and this by far in the Bay of Plenty is the best! I have visited Japan regularly and this is as close as you will get to sampling the many traditional foods. The service is authentic and the food is devine! I throughly enjoy dinning at Yamato and recommend it to all who enjoy satisfying food.

Excellent food and service, I can’t recommend Yamato highly enough. Even if you are not into Japanese food there’s plenty on the menu, like katsudon, that isn’t too challenging. Try it once and I’m sure you’ll be back.

Great food at great prices. I often eat here for lunch or dinner. Always busy.