Yamato Japanese Restaurant

526 NW 60th St, Gainesville - 32607
213 reviews
Japanese Teppanyaki
(352) 332-4466

Went to dinner here tonight hoping for a special birthday dinner and first time hibachi show for my daughter. However, we didn't stay long enough to know. We were sat (3 of us) alone in a table towards the back. Why? I'm not sure when there was another table with 4 that we could have easily joined since they hadn't even received their drink orders yet. We were sat in the back and no one ever came over to greet us or even take our drink orders. After waiting about 15 minutes and seeing a new table of 7 get sat and get their drinks, we decided to leave. The entire time we watched 3-4 waiters walk past us every time, look at us and just keep walking. We will never be back to this dump. I guess it's true what everyone keeps saying about how crappy this place has become over the past 2 years.

The worst experience ever! 40 minute wait which is fine. The problem comes when we have to wait an hour for the chef after sitting. Took us an hour and 43 minutes after sitting before we got food!!! We didn't even get to eat we just boxed it up! We sat for all that time and it drinks were filled once! To top it all off when I get my check there is an 18% auto-grat added!!! Apparently it's STANDARD for birthday dinners, which I didn't even ask for, so IF you do expect to go there and get a free birthday dinner DON'T!!! 2 hours 23 minutes, didn't get the sushi I wanted, they don't do sushi any more, worst service ever, and charged extra!! I will never go back, and we'll make sure that no one I know ever goes either!!!! Negative 5 stars!!!! False Advertisement!

Disappointed with our visit - we went to Yamato to celebrate our son's birthday. First we had to wait with a 90 year old and a two year old for over 90 minutes before we were seated (we had a party of 9). We arrived at 6:30, so a little wait was to be expected, but watched the hostess sit several parties of 20 year olds while she kept us waiting with an elderly person and a toddler. The chef was great, and the food tasted great, but we brought a birthday cake for our son and our waitress said she lost it and couldnt find it anywhere! She finally found it and it was not put in the fridge, she gave it to us to take home, because she was ready to leave. She didn't even offer to serve it, more tables were still being served....so no Happy Birthday song either, guess she was really ready to go. Not going back again!

We did take out. Not recommended for take out. They give you your food in styrofoam boxes and wrapped tightly in a plastic bag. Makes it very inconvenient to confirm your order.Surprisingly small proportion of veggies despite that we ordered extra veggies instead of rice. They forgot to put the pasta in the box.The shrimp and veggies actually tasted really good, but the proportions and missed sides really got me dissatisfied.

Horrible experience. Sat at a regular table instead of hibachi table because we were told the wait would be shorter. Waited thirty minutes to be seated, and nearly another whole hour for the food to come out, and it came out cold. Went to ask for the manager who rolled her eyes that she was being asked to speak with a customer. Manager said they were backed up with to go orders but would try to fix it and would give us a discount. Plate was just microwaved and no discount was on the receipt. Food was mediocre. Would not recommend this place to anyone.

My two friends and I had a blast! The 2 other families we were seated with were equally as awesome and we all had a great night. The food is totemo yoi! The server was prompt and attentive....I was really hungry when I went so I might have been bias at the speed of service..lol but I can't wait to go back?

Worst service I have ever experienced. We showed up at 730. Sat for 30 minutes and got a salad and sodas. After being there 90minutes. Still had not received the appetizers that we ordered. They literally served people that sat 45 minutes after we sat and we still haven't been served. After being here for another 10 minutes we get told they don't have any appetizers. So now no appetizers, no soup, and no rice, yet the table that sat after us got all three..... ?. Absolutely the very worst place I have ever eaten at. It was 9:15 before the chef came out to start cooking. At 920 some how they magically had rice and soup... so after 2 hours we finally get to start eating...Management offered a discount and said the apologize multiple times... Had it not been for the 7 people I came with I would of just left. Will never come back to this place.Well atleast the food turned out decent.

Jose is the reason we always come back! he’s the best chef we’ve ever had and always takes care of us. his extremely funny and makes the best food. super sad to see him go but so excited for his next endeavor as a food truck owner!

Waited 1 1/2 hours at table. 1 1/2 in we're told It's only three chefs. I just feel it would have been fair to inform my party of that in the waiting area.

The chef was very enthusiastic and entertaining. The good was good with the exception of the chicken, did not like the sauce it was cooked in.Need to focus on the bathrooms and where I was seated can see the ugly curtain to the kitchen. Need to clean them or replace them.