Every review we hold for the Portsmouth office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleWe had a fantastic time dining here in Southsea. Everything was prepared beautifully and tasted incredibly fresh.
The sushi presentation on the wooden board was a particular highlight. You can really tell the quality of the ingredients in every bite. We also loved the gyoza, which were perfectly crispy and served with a delicious dipping sauce.
It is rare to find such consistent quality in the area. We will definitely be back for another meal very soon.
Lottie · 12 August 2026
★★★★★ 2/5
GoogleThe elder female waitress is very rude and aggressive. Can’t take criticism when I told them their Chicken Katsu Don tastes flavourless and doesn’t resemble a traditional Chicken Katsu Don at all. The chicken fillet is tasteless, they just mixed onion and mushroom and egg together. You can tell their chief has zero Japanese cooking knowledge, as you can’t taste any dashi broth was used in the cooking process. When I politely told the female waitress “This is not a real Chicken Katsu Don”, she became extremely defensive and said “This is our Sakura style’s Chicken Katsu Don”. And made no effort to address the problem like redoing or recooking it whatsoever. She left me with “YOU ORDER IT SO PAID UP AND BE GONE” attitude.
I would give the service I received today 0 star if I can. I wouldn’t recommend anyone who looks for Japanese food comes here.
On the other hand, if rude service and “Sakura-style food”are your cup of tea, then you’ll probably enjoy it :)
Venustino · 9 July 2026
★★★★★ 4/5
GoogleWent there for a birthday celebration and found the food to be amazing, the ramen was delicious and so was the curry. There was a wide selection of food with great pricing (sushi was a bit pricy but that was expected). The only downside was the staff being hard to get a hold of if we needed anything, as they only came to tables who had ordered something so we had to flag one down who was rushing to the back. Besides that we had a wonderful evening with great food and the atmosphere with the booths and curtains was amazing.
Joanna · 3 July 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI’ve been here a couple times when I’ve been in the area and have always been pleased.
Huge portions, and I think the prices are very reasonable!
Wish I lived near here so I could try more of the menu. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
Always advise booking and looking through the menu first because there is a lot of choice.
Seraphina · 31 August 2026
★★★★★ 3/5
GoogleThis is one of my favourite restaurants and I have been coming here for years but, having but been for a while, I visited last night with a friend and, despite the food being fabulous (as always) we did feel incredibly rushed from the moment we sat down and then the menu's.
I appreciate that this is a popular restaurant which gets very busy, especially at weekends, but the pressure and constant asking if we were ready to order and or wanted anything else, made us feel unwelcome and rushed.
Food is incredible though!
Rach · 26 February 2026
★★★★★ 3/5
GoogleWent for date with my boyfriend as we really love Japanese cuisine. Place looks very authentic this includes small seating spaces. Unfortunately food wasn’t that great. Rice was plain (no sugar/salt/vinegar), set menu served different side dish (without notification), fried mackerel was cold & soggy. Pickles were not the freshest. Side salad was like from kebab shop with garlic mayo sauce. Good presentation but not very authentic taste. Bit disappointing. Relatively cheap.
Vivian · 21 April 2026
★★★★★ 4/5
GoogleSakura is a family favourite. We love it here. We all order different hand rolls, someone orders a sashimi set, someone else the spicy udon noodles or a ramen. We love the tempura and seedweed salad. The service is friendly and efficient and the authentic booths make for a real point of difference. Can't recommend highly enough.
Natasha · 13 June 2026
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleI came on a solo date to eat and enjoy myself. However, this turned out to be the most horrible dining experience I’ve ever had. When I arrived, I didn’t see anyone at the reception. I stood there waiting, and since it was my first time, I didn’t know what to do, so I sat down at an empty table. Instead of kindly explaining the process, the staff came and complained in a very rude way, which already made me feel uncomfortable. When my order arrived, they only brought the first dish. Then one staff member rushed me in an incredibly disrespectful tone, saying things like “You have to eat now, we have many people coming, hurry up.” She even raised her voice. And the worst part is the restaurant was almost empty. There were only three or four tables filled, and many empty seats all around. No one came in after me, so there was absolutely no reason to rush me like that. It didn’t stop there. The staff kept walking back and forth, watching me, checking if I was eating or if I had finished. I couldn’t even finish my last bite, I was still chewing when one of them came and asked if I wanted something else or the bill. At that point, I just gave up and asked for the bill. There was only one nice girl. She was the one who brought me the bill, and I asked for her name because I don’t want to say everyone there was horrible. Her name was Aisha? This experience completely ruined my evening. I would not recommend this restaurant if you care about being treated with basic respect.
Toura · 26 October 2025
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI had the pleasure of dining at Sakura, a delightful Japanese restaurant in Portsmouth last night, and I couldn’t wait to share my experience. From start to finish, every dish was a culinary delight, showcasing both quality ingredients and expert preparation.
I kicked off the meal with Edamame Beans, a simple yet satisfying dish. The beans were perfectly steamed, tender, and lightly salted - a lovely balance of freshness and flavor that set the tone for the rest of the meal.
The Prawn Gyozas were a standout for me - absolutely divine. The dumplings had a beautifully crisped golden-brown exterior, and when I bit into them, the prawn filling was succulent and rich with flavor. The dipping sauce that accompanied them was the perfect tangy complement, making each bite more indulgent than the last.
The Southsea Maki lovely. A vibrant, colorful sushi roll that perfectly blended chicken with the right amount of seasoning. Each bite was bursting with flavor, and the presentation was pristine.
The Vegetable Tempura was another highlight. The batter was light and crisp, enveloping the vegetables in a delicate crunch that didn’t overpower their natural flavors. The assortment of vegetables, from sweet potato to zucchini, was thoughtfully selected and cooked to perfection, leaving me craving more.
For the main course, I indulged in the Beef Stir Fry. The beef was tender and cooked to just the right level of doneness. The stir fry sauce was rich and savory, with a subtle sweetness that paired beautifully with the beef.
I also opted for the Curry Yaki Udon, and it was absolutely comforting. The udon noodles were thick and chewy, absorbing the creamy, spiced curry sauce perfectly. The dish was hearty, yet not overly heavy, with a warm, aromatic kick that kept me going back for more.
And for desert, I couldn’t resist trying the Mango and Vanilla Mochi. These little treats were an absolute delight - smooth, chewy, and bursting with fresh, fruity sweetness from the mango, while the vanilla mochi added a luxurious creaminess that rounded off the meal beautifully.
Every dish at Sakura was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and authenticity. The flavors were fresh, vibrant, and balanced, and the service was impeccable. I can’t wait to return to this hidden gem in Portsmouth for another unforgettable dining experience.
Connor · 26 September 2025
★★★★★ 2/5
GoogleWhat’s the point of making a reservation if we’re just seated at a corner table by the door, facing people constantly coming in and out? There were empty tables available. On top of that, we felt rushed to order, and the food was only average compared to how it used to be. It’s also odd that they ask for tips when there wasn’t even the usual check-in to see how our meal was or if we needed anything.
Sapana · 26 September 2025
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleApparently, there’s a 1 hour dining limit, which was casually mentioned when we arrived. Impressively, not a single person in our group realised we’d just been informed of such an important rule, but apparently, we had been told.
I discovered how seriously the clock was taken when I was politely shown the door while still finishing my drink.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have dinner while competing on MasterChef, this could be the place for you. Eat quickly, drink efficiently, and keep one eye on the clock.
Certainly one of the more thrilling dining experiences I’ve had. 😂
As for arguably the most important part of any restaurant - the food, keep your expectations comfortably low and you’re unlikely to leave disappointed.
Mia · 16 August 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleSakura is the best Japanese restaurant in the UK! Rachel is the friendliest and best waitress in the world. We love it here and try to come at least once a month. Definitely recommend.
Elliot · 26 July 2026
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleAwful experience with kings for the two years we were tenants- bad communication where by we were constantly chasing up answers, the finance department constantly not knowing where/if our money had been sent in. The majority of staff are rude- when I dropped the keys off I had young girls rolling there eyes at me and laughing under their breaths as I didn’t know out of the 15 or so keys what belonged to which door despite them having photographs etc. we have been chasing our deposit since leaving the end of July- every time I personally have called, the person in charge of our property is never in the office. It seems they all go on annual leave without any communication of what is happening and next steps, or who will be looking after those properties whilst they are away. The communication in house at kings is awful and unless you want a constant headache I do not recommend at all. We also had multiple incidents of people turning up to our property without any communication they would be there- one time it was a man who walked in our house around 10 in the morning. You can only imagine my fright and fear as I saw them. Fortunately I didn’t call the police as they explained they were sent from kings and given a key to just walk in! Unacceptable and frightening. To further this, we had carbon monoxide alarms going off- there is no one to contact when the office is closed. Which is often. We would have to go straight to our landlady. As a landlord- I would recommend using other businesses as kings certainly took the piss with our dear landlady- and as a tenant I highly recommend you use other companies. I could list many more reasons however I will leave it at that for today. Unsatisfied and disappointed.
Eloise · 19 March 2025
★★★★★ 3/5
GoogleAmazing food as always but let down by some mismanagement at the beginning. We called ahead about an hour and a half earlier to ask if we could have a table for 3 instead of the original 2 and we were told this was fine. However, when we arrived it was clear they had forgotten to alter our booking and had no room for us. They then left us standing at the front of the very small restaurant for 10 minutes before moving us to what we thought was our table. We then began to order our food and were told ‘your table is this way’ as we were apparently taking up another groups table. There was no clear communication and they could do with being more on top of this as it does ruin the experience somewhat. We were on the verge of leaving we felt it was that bad, glad we stayed as we loved the food but it is clear they sometimes clearly overbook themselves as there were several people waiting in the cramped restaurant. I they need to either restructure the booking system or ensure diners are done for when the next cover arrives, not 25 minutes after.
Emily · 19 March 2025
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI would like to thank specifically Kevin for all his efforts in getting my father's property sold. What started at what seemed like a simple property sale with seemingly no chain turned out to be somewhat more of a challenge. Kevin worked hard with both sides of the transaction including solicitors keeping everyone informed on progress (good or bad). Kevin was not fazed by some of the challenges even with me on the phone getting frustrated with progress. The sale got over the line and I do believe that wouldn’t have happened without Kevin’s professionalism and tenacity to get it done.
None of the challenges were of Kevin’s doing but he stayed focused and I thank him personally for all the work above and beyond he put in to complete.
I would have no problems in recommending Kings Estates and Kevin.
Mike · 19 March 2025
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleI ordered food delivery from this restaurant, and the food was delivered by the restaurant’s staff. It arrived later than expected, I had to wait for one hour.
The food quality is not worth the price at all and was very disappointing. The soft shell crab arrived already cold, and when I ate it, it was completely soft and soggy, not crispy at all. The salmon nigiri did not taste fresh enough. Overall, the food quality is not worth the price.
St · 21 May 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI came in here earlier this week with a very good friend of mine after they had recommended it as one of their favourites in the city, and boy was he right to pick it as a favourite. Every aspect from start to finish was absolutely perfect! Ideally we should've booked as it was fairly busy however there was a table for two free at the time so we were lucky, we also were lucky with parking as the side street round the corner was free after a certain time. Once we had sat down and ordered drinks they were brought out to the table reasonably quick. I found it somewhat difficult to choose what to eat as everything on the menu looked so good, but in the end I'd opted for the Beef Suki Maki to start with, and the Ebi Katsu Don with Yari Ika Tempura as the side. Every morsel of food tasted out of this world, hands down blows the commercial Japanese style restaurants out the water! The atmosphere gives this small traditional Japanese sushi restaurant vibe with little booths and drape cloths to add the sense of privacy, and every member of staff was extremely professional and friendly. I'm not from the area but plan on visiting again and I will 100% be making a special visit back here. I cannot rate this place highly enough, my dining experience was flawless!
Daniel · 21 April 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleThey managed to fit us in before a show at the local theatre with no reservation, and survive was quick and friendly. Food came in great time and was tasty.
Atmosphere was great, and loved the décor
Katie · 4 March 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleOrdered delivery from here for the first time this evening and will definitely order again and recommend. The salmon Don Buri was delicious. The salmon itself was incredibly fresh and tasty, the rice was good, the miso soup was good, and the spicy edemame was also really good.
Thank you for a delicious meal!
Acissej · 26 September 2025
★★★★★ 3/5
GoogleFood was great for the price you pay, but we were rushed as soon as we got in there. Asked if we were ready to order food 5 times in 2 minutes, they've moved us to a different table with no explanation after we were already settled with drinks, they cleared my friends plate while others were still eating, overall felt very rushed. Nice place to sit in but they need to work on table side etiquette big time. Won't be eating in here again unfortunately, a very irritating meal out
Kyle · 26 September 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleA truly professional service in the successful selling of my house in Southsea. They came recommended by a friend who has used them as lettings agents for a few years.
Kev and the rest of the sales team helped me from day one and took away the hassle by organising viewings and communicating with potential buyers.
They did all this in a very unstable property market and eventually got me over the line. Good, honest communication from the start and Kev was very positive throughout in his attitude and energy.
Claire · 26 September 2024
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleGreat, authentic, Japanese food! Sorry...no photos of the food as literally forgot as couldn't wait to eat it!!! Southsea Maki & Sakura Maki particularly delicious (ordered seconds!) but all of the dishes we had were amazing and great value too. Nice booths to sit in and the staff were all very friendly, attentive and helpful. Definitely worth a visit...
Darren · 9 August 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleWould 1000% recommend Sakura to anyone who’s looking for fantastic Japanese food! Myself and my sister attended this afternoon for a birthday lunch and the food, service, and atmosphere was fantastic! Rachel our server was very lovely friendly and attentive and ensured we had amazing service during our visit! 10/10 food 10/10 service would recommend to all!
Dan · 7 July 2025
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleManager tried to deduct waitress’s wages to cover their mistakes
We came here for a birthday meal and had booked a table for 8. When we arrived, the restaurant was full, so we were left standing in the doorway for around 10 minutes and then told to wait elsewhere. Our table wasn’t ready until 8:30.
We ordered food, but at 9:30, with nothing having arrived, the manager came over to ask if we wanted the bill. That’s when they realised our order had never been sent through. We were understanding, as all of us either work or have worked in hospitality. Our order was retaken and we were told something would be done on the bill to make up for the wait.
Food finally came out after 10pm. Some dishes were incorrect and one was forgotten altogether. We didn’t leave until around 11pm.
When the bill arrived, the manager told us that instead of a discount, they would be taking the waitress’s wages off the bill and that she would not be paid for her shift. We immediately refused and said we would rather pay in full, but after paying the full bill the manager said she would take her wages anyways as a punishment.
To make this even WORSE the manager had then called the waitress and tried to make her apologise to us over the phone, saying she “needed to learn” and had ruined our meal. The phone was handed to me, which was completely inappropriate. I hung up, and left.
The food was actually decent when it finally arrived, but the customer service and management behaviour were shocking. No restaurant should treat staff this way, and no customer should be put in that position. We would never support a venue and management that behaves like this. Avoid.
Paige · 26 February 2026
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.