1225Raw Sushi & Sake Lounge Reviews

Amazing sushi. Had bachelor party here. You've gotta check out the urinals in the Men's room! You'll see why!

My favorite sushi place in Philly. Delicious food, great service, amazing location. Nice to have many sushi options and selections for non-sushi diners. Highly recommend!

We had an excellent dinner at 1225 Raw. The sushi was very high quality, and the prices fair. Nice selection of saki as well. We started with uni that was very fresh and flavorful. A cut above most. The seaweed salad was average, but their rolls and spicy tuna tartar appetizer were great. The tartar was large enough to share as an appetizer. It could have used a bit more kick, but the tuna was terrific. We also shared a spider roll, a tuna with eel roll and a house special roll that had salmon, yellowtail, panko, and special sauces. All were well prepared and delicious. Service was average to poor. We had to remind our waitress for tea and drink refills and she just appeared to be uncaring. It wasn't that busy, so not sure of the problem. If there were half stars I would have given it 3.5 because of it.

Raw Sushi was a great discovery. I love sushi and thought that Raw produced some of the best sushi that I've ever had. The fish was fresh, the rolls were not only tasty, but they were plated nicely. Service was good, though a little slow on the drinks. Prices were reasonable and not over the top. Overall, I'd go back again.

I ate here the other night on a business trip. The sushi was pretty good, not great, but worth the going. The service was very good.

Spent one day in Philly and stumbled across this sushi bar and everything was good. Nick provided great service and made a great drink!

Went here while waiting for a table at El Vez Mexican to get a small appetizer. Got seated at bar on a busy Friday and service was great. Had roll, sashimi and kani salad. All were exceptional. Going back soon...very nice find.

Expensive but great sushi and a large selection of rolls.

A very good and extensive sushi menu. Prices are to be expected to be higher than average but the service is good and and the quality is top notch. As indicated, the Sake choices are diverse and they have many great choices.

Hip music, decor, great outdoor patio when possible...Happy hour M-f and Saturdays noon - 6PM (may be 6:30). My favorite is anything with jalapeno. It's a great place and centrally located.

Every time I visit my family in Philly we stop at the RAW for dinner. We love their Sushi. Last Saturday night we had a 9PM reservation for 6 but our table wasn't ready... The group sitting at our table had paid their bill but remained sitting (chatting, taking selfies and looking at their phones). We were getting quite impatient 20min later with no table! As soon as we sat down the owner/manager came to our table very apologetic with a complimentary bottle of champagne and a complimentary house roll. It totally diffused our frustration and hunger!! You really know how to make it up.... Thanks for a very enjoyable evening. We'll be back.

I am in Philly for a conference and wanted a place I could dine alone without feeling out of place. This was awesome. I sat outside in their courtyard which had an awesome atmosphere. I tried one of their specialty rolls and then the sushi regular and the fish was very fresh and the flavors were great. No issues recommending this place!

The special feature sushi rolls are amazing! Ambiance is nice, fairly quiet in the front, a little louder in the back.

We had dinner at Raw last night. The atmosphere is very good. Pleasant front of house staff. The restaurant is appointed nicely with quirky Japanese-themed artwork, interesting interior and low lighting. The sushi is well above average and the drinks are very good. Expect Center City prices. The waitress was attentive but she and the rest of the wait staff project a hurry-up attitude by rushing to remove plates and glasses. She removed our drink glasses before we were done and without asking. Also, we wanted a booth; the hostess then asked me if we had a reservation @ 60 seconds after I gave her my name for my reservation (Open Table). Strange.

Great sushi tucked away on a side street in Philly. The atmosphere was great. All seats were full so we ate at the bar. We ordered the restaurant week menu. Tons of food.

We had a wonderful susi dinner Last night. The nice people at RAW saved my Smart Phone which I left on the table… delicious, friendly and very appealing Location

We loved our meal at raw. The sushi was fresh and delicious, at a fair price. The specialty rolls were inventive. We had made a reservation on open table but the restaurant wasn't overly crowded when we arrived (it was 9 PM). Friendly service. We will come here again.

not on the same scale as Morimoto even though similar prices. The shrimp spring rolls are excellent.. good but Not the very best sushi... Overpriced.

We happened to go here, hoping for a place were you could eat good sushi and we believe that on that side we were satisfied. The prices, though, are a bit on the high side, considering that, probably because it is not a place for families, the server was not really caring a lot, at least for what it seemed to us. I would go again only for the food, in the end...

Had a craving for sushi while staying in City Center and this definitely hit the spot!! Great selection and the good was great quality for the price!!

This is a pretty good restaurant. We went there without a reservation around 8:30 PM on a Friday night and were seated right away. While the service was a little slow, the food came out quickly and most importantly was very good. It was also reasonably priced (spent about $100 for 4 people including drinks).

Bit cramped at peak times, but great outside area (in season), great vibe, amazing food, great value. The staff is a bit disinterested at times, but overall, a consistent pleaser for this long time Raw fan. I've been at least a dozen times over the last 3 years.

Went here twice during our visit to Philly and were not disappointed: the food is tasty and not so expensive. The tuna tartare was great, as was the veggie tempura. The bento box was very good and for 13 dollars, a great price. The staff are all very friendly and attentive without rushing you. Go here and have some delicious Japanese food!

My wife and I were here last Friday and what can I say...pretty good. The price point was right on for Philly and the presentations were nice. Rice and fish was good, especially the uni, and the quail eggs were plump and fresh. The atmosphere was comfortable and service was good. We'll be back again.

My daughter and I had no reservations for dinner on Wednesday, April 16th during spring break and a large volleyball tournament in Philadelphia, so we considered ourselves lucky when we were able to get a table at Raw for dinner. The sushi was very good and fresh. The atmosphere was dimly lit and very nice. The service was great with the wait staff being very attentive. My only issue was the springs in the booth seat we were in were at least 20 years past their expected life and I could feel every one of them. Perhaps it was just that one booth? I would go back.

Second best sushi in the city, but definately the best atmosphere- GORGEOUS restraunt, great drink selection. The owners should be very proud.

Had a lovely experience at the restaurant. It was a great atmosphere.

My nephew gave me a gift certificate to this restaurant and said he was told the sushi there was the best in the city. I can't vouch for that, but it WAS the best sushi I've had in Philadelphia. My wife and I each ordered a specialty roll. That and a huge Japanese dry beer was all we needed for a wonderful, quiet Sunday evening meal. The menu had many appealing options so we will be back, hopefully soon.

great atmosphere and modern sushi. very exp.

Their roles were great, very creative. Drinks were also good. I had the watermelon sake, excellent! Our server was very informative. My only but biggest disappointment was the slices of sashimi. There were an okay size, I have definitely had bigger(that's what she said). Sashimi is my fav, so definitely disappointed.

It was quiet, excellent service and with our sushi deluxe, just the right amount of food. The decor was nice and understated.

I visit Raw a couple of times a year when I am in Philly and it never disappoints. This place is simple but sophisticated and the food is good. It's a sure thing for a nice lunch or dinner.

We got the recommendation to eat at Raw from our hotel staff and arrived at about 6pm on a Friday evening without reservations and decided to sit at the bar instead of wait for a table. My friend/ business associate and I were there to eat sushi and have a drink. The ambiance was terrific and the seats at the bar were very comfortable. The cocktail menu was unique to Raw and I had a Gin-Campari-Grapefruit martini with my friend ordering a saki flight. Our waitress/bartender was very knowledgeable about the saki. The sushi was outstanding. We ordered the deluxe sushi/sashimi platter and it was more than enough for two, but also sampled the Uni and Giant Sweet Shrimp. The sushi was fresh and the portion size was substantial. Often when ordering Uni the portions are quite small - this was on the large size. We finished the meal sharing the trio of ice cream --- three large scoops of mango, green tea an red bean. I have had good ice cream and bad ice cream in Sushi restaurants but this was excellent. This was an excellent meal with a first rate presentation and wonderful service. The restaurant was packed -- but despite the noise level was comfortable.

I decided to dine here before meeting friends at the ballet. I enjoyed the attentiveness of the waitstaff. The location was not the most ideal menu was limited. I actually expected more. This is a a cool place to go if your more interested in ambiance as opposed true Japanese sushi and sashimi. This is a lounge that sells food.

Very good quality sushi but modest quantity at an average price. Easy to miss, with its black opaque widows and dark exterior. Highly contemporary decor, far more hip than traditional.

Eat at Raw earlier this week with some work friends. It was a great atmosphere. The sushi was pretty good too. I prefer a lot of the simpler tuna rolls, tuna sashimi, and tuna base nigiri sushi dishes. My coworkers had some pretty fancy rolls. Everyone loved it. The service was excellent. Its a good sushi place. I will go back.

I ate here at the bar with a friend during happy hour. The prices were much cheaper than the other menu items, so we mostly stuck to these. Same comment for the drinks. The atmosphere was upbeat and lively, even on a Wednesday. I would definitely recommend this as a happy hour spot.

I can't think of a time I've gone to Raw and didn't have a great meal!

let the waiter bring you his picks, everything is awesome

We have passed by 1225Raw for years, and were happy to finally make it in. We went with a group of 8, which was great for the ability to order from a large and diverse menu and try a little of everything. The table was full, with the first courses consisting of miso, edamame, shishito peppers, octopus, negimaki, sashimi and sumo buns. The meal continued with tacos (bulgogi beef, grilled fish and kimchi), robatayaki, udon noodles, ramen, donburi, and several maki rolls. Fun cocktails and sake made nice additions to the meal. Some highlights included the sumo buns, sashimi, robatayaki, and tacos. All the food was really delicious, well prepared, and filling. After a pleasant dining experience, everyone left satisfied and impressed with the meal.

The food is good but you can save more if you go there in at lunch or happy hour time. The transportation is convenient.

I came here for a 2nd date. The waitress was awesome and knew all the specials. I've had sushi at tons of places and while the taste was good, the portions were just too small. I am giving 3 stars for the waitress and the taste.

I enjoyed the sushi there, the service was great ( fast, polite, attentive ). The Sushi was very delicious and creative. Now the ( but), the four stars is mainly because the edamame had a stinky fishy taste .. Not good!! I never send food back so I just didn't eat it.

Upon arriving we were seated outside on a relatively warm night for December. The atmosphere was really good and the food was even better. I started with the spicy mixed sashimi salad which was very good. The beer selection was nice. I had the Hitachi Espresso beer which was very good although a little pricy at $10 a 12oz bottle. Overall the food and selection was very good and I would recommend this place. Try not to drink to much alcohol as your bill total will climb rapidly.

This is one of my go to sushi places in center city Philadelphia. I walk past 5 other sushi restaurants to get here. The Zushi Bento Box is creative and filling. I have never had a miss on their lunch time menu. They have a wonderful outside area for warm weather days

Specialty rolls are pretty good...but I am more loyal to Fugi Mountain :)

This is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Philadelphia . The food is always so fresh and it melts in your mouth. I have been many times and I will keep going. Best best best!!

Best Sushi Ever.. Love it.

Met my family here for an early dinner. I was very impressed by the diverse menu. A lot of different selections you wouldn't normally find in a Japanese restaurant in the US. Very authentic. Service was good. I found the decor dark & depressing. Cool bathroom!

My wife and I went there last night and split the Deluxe Sashimi platter which had mackeral, white fin tuna, squid, yellow fin tuna and a few others and by far the best tuna I have ever had. My wife agreed. We went without a reservation and were seated outside, but it was a very busy night in Philly and we were lucky to get a seat. Bar is first come first serve and it was full so we got a table outside, mostly because rain was threatening. I would recommend a reservation though. They also have a great sake selection. We will be regulars.

We were hopeful about this place based on positive reviews and our initial impression of the ambience. But the food was below underwhelming. Edamame were ok, but the pan-fried pork gyoza appetizer was greasy with a mushy filling. I had the shrimp tempura maki and my companion had assorted sushi. The key to good sushi is the rice. Cold, tasteless rice does not pair well with anything you put on our around it. Overall, the meal was very disappointing. This is not a place that I can recommend.

The White Tiger Roll is no longer on the menu, but in my opinion, it's one of their best. We enjoyed all that we ordered, but that was the standout, and we ordered a second (even at $20). The Volcano was also very good, made with real crab meat and not the imitation stuff. The ambience is upscale, clean and sleek. (Check out the cool sink in the restrooms.) Prices are higher than other sushi places around, but the food and the atmosphere make it a good celebration restaurant. It made for a fun evening meeting up with good friends.

The standard rolls are nothing to write home about, but you have to try the specialty rolls. They may be pricey but if you get 1 or 2, that should really fill you up. Cool atmosphere.

I ate some quite exiting sushi which were extremely good. It was the 'special' shushi plate of the day, cotst 22 dollars. Friendly staff, good atmosphere, next time I will pay this place again a visit for a quick sushi bite at the bar.

My Family and I went for dinner at 1225 RAW and the group had mixed feelings about the experience. The food was OK with some dishes shinning through what was an otherwise average japanese meal. The Udon soup was a good choice, very tasty and fresh. Most of the other dishes were fresh but not very unique.. The restaurant has a very broad menú, so maybe next time we Will try something else... Even though we didnt find the service very helpful in navigating the selection, it may be a good idea to push the waiter for some recomendations. The prices are qui

My family of four went there on a Monday night and they were crowded. They were very friendly and nice a desk and found a table for us. My kids are 6 and 8 and love sushi and the waiter could not have been better with them. We have a wonderful meal and great service. I would highly recommend.

One of the best sushi spots in Philadelphia. Great atmosphere with a creative collection of rolls.

We only and a couple rolls and a few sashimi, very fresh and authentic. Great service and cocktails.

The quality of product here is very good. The service and atmosphere makes you feel like returning many times over. You don't have to be on a date to go there it's just that the dining room feels very cozy and comforting.

Gimme some more of that edamame! Love this place and their sushi is delicious. You won't get tapeworm here

the best sushi in the world

Shrimp Shumai was delicious, as was the soft shell crab tempura that also comes with veggies. The seaweed salad was also lovely, as was the sashimi salad. Our party enjoyed the red dragon maki, but if you're looking for a hearty meal search elsewhere than the donburi. It arrived very hot and since it's served in its pot there's no way it was going to cool down soon. The rest of our party finished their meal while I was still waiting for my dish to cool down.

I ate there on a solo night during a business trip. The quality of the sushi was great, and they have very good sake as well as two different sake flights available. They also had a happy hour menu that included spicy tuna rolls and shrimp shu mai plus a couple of other things. I would go back.

YUM!!!

The title says it all. I was with a group and everyone was happen. The Japanese fried rice was very sweet but it was excellent.

They have a few craft Japanese canned beers, 5 drafts, sakes and full bar. Loud music, dark with TVs scattered around this trendy bar. Lots of sushi and roll choices but also proteins and some Korean flavored foods offered. I had the Bulgogi buns topped with hoisin, slaw and pickled dikon - AWESOME! Then I had the Chirashi Don with 20 pieces fish (salmon, tuna, red snapper, yellowtail, dear tuna, tomago, and Uni) over sushi rice with seaweed salad. Great place with friendly wait staff.

Quite disappointing sushi place where, in spite of good looking menu and nice overall impression, the food itself is executed quickly and without special focus - nothing is bad but then nothing is really exciting neither, especially with rolls rather full of rice instead of fish.

Really enjoyable meal, sake flight and the courtyard was a great place to relax.

Awsome Sushi in Philly, Great Variety, Nice selection of drinks. Make reservations, they are very busy!

We arrived just before 9pm without a reservation, asked about the wait for a table for 3 and were told it would be about 10 - 15 minutes. (This usually means a possible 20-30 minutes since it is impossible to tell how long someone may take to finish paying and vacate their table) Forty minutes later we disappointedly left without being seated. Everyone who came in after us and those already seated at the bar with reservations ranging from 9 to 9:30pm were all told by the young hostess that it would be "just a few more minutes til the next table cleared". Again, this went on for the entire 40 minutes that we sat waiting in the vestibule. Several patrons already at the bar came out to the lobby on multiple occasions to inquire about when their tables might be ready (a few more than once, getting angrier as time went by). Had we all been told honestly that the wait would be much longer, we would have had the option to leave sooner and go elsewhere or the restaurant could have enticed those with reservations to stay and have another beverage. The hostess re-confirmed with us about 20 minutes into our wait that we had checked in with her, but then we found that she had mistakenly put us in as a party of 6 (easy enough to make a typo, I guess, but she could have chosen any time to tell us that the wait would be much longer with so many others already waiting at the bar). Or at minimum offered an outdoor table - we left after telling her that her approach was unacceptable. Lying to keep a captive audience is quite simply unprofessional.

The fish is great and they have some creative maki. But don't bother trying to talk over the music and don't bother making a reservation. Both are exercises in futility.

The food was slightly above average. Service was slow for everything from taking our drink order to serving the food and getting us the bill. It was very hard to have a conversation as it very loud on the patio and the tables next to you are as close as a seperate table can be.

Our daughter recommended Raw for sushi. She has a few other favorites but heard this was good and we wanted to try it. The black and red Decore was not my cup of tea but very cool nevertheless. We had reservations came early but was greeted with a smile. We were seated immediately. The service was good and the sushi was really amazing. The Tigerlily roll was very special it was expensive but worth it. So very tasty. Tried a new sake. It was called crazy milk. I really love unfiltered sake's and this one was great. If given a chance we will return again.

I am not a huge Sushi guy but my rep who lives in Philly loves the place.. We went and he ate enough for the both of us. I stuck to the edame, cali rolls and saki.. The ambience is great and service was good.

Have to agree with other reviewers about good quality and freshness of food being served there. Because of that and that there is a big selection of seafood we haven't try yet, we'll be back. A little of a downside was the seating arrangement there. The place is narrow and long and our table was right on the passage so we felt like seating in a hallway. Surprisingly, it was not crowded this Saturday evening.

I was very surprised with the atmosphere. It isn't your typical sushi restaurant. It was a nice change. I went back a second time while I was in town. The quality of sushi is very good. I sat at the bar and was surprised with the lack of engagement with the bar servers.

As a large group, we ended up being seated in a hallway alcove on the way to the kitchen. So not ideal. Food and service were good though.

My daughter and I were walking in Philly and came upon 1225 Raw. We stopped for lunch at this lovely small restaurant and enjoyed every bite we had. I had what I believe is the best seaweed salad I have ever had and considering how simple the dish is, you wouldn't think there would be much of a difference but in the case there most assuredly was. They have a full list of rolls and everyone we tried was superb. Can't wait to get back for dinner with my wife. If you haven't been there, make it a point to try it.

We showed up thur. night at 7 with no reservations and got a seat right away. Food service and drinks were all great. A really good time.

Good location near hotels. Ate at the bar and the service was very attentive. The sushi was well sliced and very fresh. I had both tuna and eel and they were delicious. Had two rolls, a salmon special and a spicy tuna. The tuna was very good and flavorful, the salmon was good, not great, kind of mushy. I would say it was on the pricey side as well.

Went for a few drinks. Higher end crowd and reflective prices to match. Nice service but don't go if on a budget. Did not have food but it did look good and was busy.

GREAT PLACE FOR SUSHI AND A perfect fermented fruit sake!!!

This restaurant offers fresh sashimi and modern sushi creations plus quality sake. Service is friendly and attentive. The ambiente is simple and clean.

Staying in Philly for 2 days and the hotel recommended this place. AMAZING sushi and service! Add this to your list!!

Great sushi, all different types of sake, and possibly the funniest staff in Philly. What's not to like?

My husband and I went to Raw for our 1 year anniversary. You can eat inside or out, but it was too hot that night. We ate inside. The inside of the restaurant is on the darker side, but the ambiance is very nice. The host and waiter were both very friendly and accommodating. Surprisingly, the sushi was not super expensive, as I had figured it would be. On the a la cart menu they have traditional sushi rolls (california, tuna, etc) for around $8-$10. We opted for the speciality house rolls, which were more expensive $15-$20. However, the rolls were HUGE and were really worth the extra money. Each roll had about 3 different types of fish. Very delicious! We also decided to try sake. I recommend the "Sake Flight" which is a sampler thing - you get to try 4 different types of sake. Great for first timers. We will definitely be going back to Raw!

We have been to Raw several times and always come away very impressed. The sashimi was awesome, the staff is great and very knowledgable and the atmosphere is also very good. We would highly recommend and will be returning.

Sushi is good...but atmosphere is way cooler!! great music and cool outdoor patio :)

Had great sushi at Raw. Sushi was fresh and included miso soup. The wait staff were knowledgable and very courteous. The interior was very trendy with cool lighting, music in the background, and a great bar that was very crowded. Would definitely go back!!

A buddy and I had a craving for sushi while in Philly and we had walked by this place a couple of times and said what the heck, GREAT decision. Try not to be seated near the front, you get a huge blast of cold air every time the door opens. That said, the food and service were great. We got a sushi boat, or Sumo Platter might have been what they called it. In either case, the sushi tasted fresh and flavorful, the miso was juuuust right, and they had a good selection of cold beer. Oh, they also serve you cucumber water, not just plain water, so refreshing. The atmosphere is cool, a little dim, with some vibrant accent lighting, cool bar to have drinks at too.

I like the food here, but the restaurant feels a little bit stuffy or uninviting to me. I've been there twice, once for dinner during Restaurant Week and once for lunch. It's kind of one of those trendy Center City restaurants where you can't quite get comfortable. The food is great, though.

We had a group of four in our party and tons of two tops got sat before us. We had to wait 40+ minutes past our reservation time. They final held two small tables and put them together for us. Luckily we didn’t have a tight timeline. There was not enough room at the bar for us to grab a drink; we just had to stand piled on top of each other in the very crowed atrium. Once we got seated the service was fast and the food was fantastic! They had a special “Drunken Dragon” roll that was amazing!!! The “Channel” cocktail was really good too. The males were quite impressed with the men's room and loved the fountain/urinal wall. They actually took pictures to show us and posted on Facebook.

I'm here in Philadelphia on a business trip and didn't want to eat out by myself so I ordered out. The sushi set platter was fresh and tasty and I didn't have to wait long on a Saturday night. The restaurant was crowded, always a good sign.

Okay but not my favorite sushi restaurant in the city.

Our favorite sushi restaurant in Philly. Nice dark and relaxing atmosphere, good service, and large menu. The sushi, especially the spicy tuna, is always very fresh, great tasting, and good size. I love everything about Sushi & Sake and believe it's the best sushi in Philly.

Was visiting Philly the other day and got into town a little late. There were three of us and all the local places were packed with long waits so the biggest appeal of Raw to us was no line. Atmosphere was fun, lots of energy, but not too loud. We had some fantastically well prepared cocktails to start then ordered some sushi, seaweed salad and a teriyaki chicken bowl type thing. All the food was very good and the sushi better than I've had in quite awhile. Best thing about the place was the service. Our server, I wish I could remember her name, was great, helpful and very patient, even with our complicated cocktail orders. Good find that I would visit again.

Went there with two co-workers, sushi was extremely fresh and tasty. Prices were reasonable and the decor was quite unique. The only thing that kept me from a five start rating was that, though the food came out pretty quick, the sever seemed a little bored and un-energetic, like he would rather be somewhere else. Still a great place to go if Sushi is your thing.

This place consistently has a very fresh sushi menu w/ a wide selection. The inside is a bit cavelike and fishy smelling so I highly rec sitting outside if possible. The prices are very reasonable. Apps (incl $22 special) entrees and drinks for 2 were only $80. Service was excellent

From the moment you walk in the door, everyone was extremely nice and attentive. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. If you can, sit outside and enjoy a nice relaxing evening.

This place had quite a bit of people, but the food showed why there were so many! Im no sushi expert, but they really roll their sushi very neat and it taste better than any other place that i have been to in town. Very elegant atmosphere, easy on the eyes. Their house special rolls, were my favorite, and i will be ordering them for lunch at work some day soon. Craving them right now. Our server was very polite and helpful.

I found the spot at open table and am I delighted to have found such place! The restaurant offers a happy hour with extensive hours and the wines & spirits are surprisingly good! We ordered off the happy hour menu--the prices are low but it doesn't mean that the quality is below grade. The rolls were tasty and nicely sized. We had seaweed salad, the steam dumplings, sweet potato roll, salmon and avocado and the spicy tuna. We will definitely be returning here and bringing our friends and family. The patio area is spacious and very clean. The service was friendly and very professional. I highly recommend this location!

Tucked away but definitely worth seeking out. Excellent sushi/sashimi and very reasonably priced. The minor problem was the ambient lighting which led to most clients using their mobile phones or the little candles on the tables in order to read the menu. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here.

yum. try the dark horse. nice selection of beer

The food here is really good and the prices are very fair. The service was decent as well. I saw other reviews saying it was crowded, but we went on a rainy day and practically no one else was there! The atmosphere and decor make it so appealing and great for a date night.

Went here for lunch the other day and was very pleased. The lunch specials were all great choices for a reasonable price in the city. Our waiter was nice and let us sit there for awhile without rushing us at all. Food was very good. I'll be back.

A Special time at the most freshes eateries. I seen to large fresh fish walked behind me not sliced or cut. The service, food and decor was nice.

Whether you want to eat, drink or do both, either in-side or out-side, this is the place. Being summer we choose to do both outside in the private courtyard with umbrellas and fans. We had basic drinks and rolls, where the entire menu was availability. I highly recommend.

This is the place to go if you want really high quality sushi. A little pricey, but worth it.

This is one of the best happy hour deals in the city. Service was less than ideal, even sitting at the bar where there were only two other people.

We were not super hungry due to the heavy lunch and some jetlag, but in the mood for sushi so we tried this place. Sat at the bar and got quick and easy service. Very full menu of options, we ordered some rolls and sashimi, which was excellent in quality. There were some rolls that sounded like delicious new combinations, but you can't try them all! Reasonably priced for sushi, and plenty of drinking options too.

Tiny little spot but huge with flavors and produce, my tempura was made with New Zealand lobster, the result? Exquisite, you bet!

Average sushi, but then I'm comparing to Asia so may not be entirely fair. The fish was ok but the rice wasn't good enough to properly complement the seafood. Miso was entirely too salty in my book, made it hard to tease out the flavours. Also, the restaurant lighting needs to be rethought. I like to see what I'm eating, especially when it's something as delightful as sushi, seeing it in lit via reddish hues may have altered the taste for me somewhat. It's also rather difficult to see the menu. ..

Went with friends, sushi made to order - dragon california roll out of this world. I'd go back again and again.

I ordered a chirashi sushi at the Raw Sushi at downtown Philly and was totally underwhelmed. I always enjoy this delightful standard fare from different Japanese restaurants - an assortment of sashimi arranged artfully on top of a box of rice. Not at this place. While the small portion of tinny pieces of fish sashimi were not able to cover the 4" x 4" surface, the chef built up the volume by filling it up with rice and piling up with shredded radish. For $29 I think it was a total ripoff. I had chirashi in other restaurants for half that price and double the amount of sashimi. This would well be my only and last visit to this restaurant.

Stopped here on a recommendation. We were extremely satisfied. We sat at the bar and had a fabulous waitress. My friend and I did not know a whole lot about sushi and she was very informative and helpful. Food was excellent, fair priced, and beautifully displayed. Atmosphere was trendy and welcoming. Will definitely stop if back in Philadelphia.

expensive sake

Best Sushi in my opinion.

Best sushi i have tasted on philly. But a bit over pricey thought.

Fab sushi at a reasonnable price for this prime dowtown location, anyone loving japanese food will be delighted to discover this very inventive menu!! A must!

The sushi is good but there are things that are even better about this place. The appetizers are wonderful with emphasis on the almond encrusted shrimp. They have homemade fruit infused sake that differ daily. The wait staff is knowledgable and the atmosphere is fantastic, indoors and out.

We went to Raw Sushi & Sake before a show and It was hands down some of the best Sushi & Maki we ever had. We sat outside in the courtyard, which I highly recommend and our server Matt was nothing by exceptional. They have a wide array of Sushi and Maki combos as well as individual rolls. Each one was better than the last and the unique drinks were simply outstanding. I will go back! Drinks are a bit pricey, but the food is reasonable for downtown Philadelphia.

This was our second visit to this restaurant (in two month). The food is excellent, service is friendly and the ambience is welcoming. We've recommended this restaurant - and the

I ordered two specialty rolls - the Binny roll and the Deja Vu roll (which was that night's special). I was dining alone and couldn't finish them both. In fact, I had to ask for a fork, because I couldn't pick the pieces up with chopsticks. Yummy and very filling. I was there right after it opened on a Thursday night - no issue getting a table. I sat out on the patio, which was nice.

We sat outside in the outdoor area which is very cool. We sat at the bar because we were told they were fully booked. The bartender was great but overworked because it looked like he had probably 4 tables and the outside bar. The food was very good, I had the spicy tuna roll and the pork belly on steamed bun.My son had a poke bowl which was very good. The ambience was cool and the crowd was fairly young and hip. It's a place you can take a date or just hang out .

My husband and I stopped in here on a Tuesday night and decided to sit outside. They have a great little courtyard area to eat in. We were from out of town and decided to try a variety of sushi while we were there - it was all very fresh. We also decided to try their sake sampler - which includes four different sakes (all served cold). Each one came with a description about the sake as well as what it pairs well with. The atmosphere was definitely fun. The food was really good and the prices were pretty reasonable.

The outdoor courtyard seating is really nice at 1225. Their sushi is pretty decent, though most specialty rolls seemed to include either spicy tuna/ salmon, red hots or a spicy sauce. Sashimi was cut relatively thick, but all around the meal was fresh. The waiter was very nice, as was the woman delivering the food/ picking up plates.

Considering the good reviews we read before going, we had higher expectations for the restaurant but were dissapointed. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, that is the best thing about it. We were sat in one of the small booths, which are too small and uncomfortable for 2 people. We had to be carefull not to tip the plates over as everything was cramped. We had sushi entree and chicken teriaki entree, the sushi was good but the quantity you get for the price is not sufficient, we have had same quality sushi with larger quantity for that price, the chicken teriaki was not good, the chicken was tough and very chewy and had a weird taste like it wasn't cooked properly. Service was ok. Spending $80 on lunch for 2 (without any alcoholic drinks), we weren't expecting such poor quality.

On a recent business trip I used Trip Advisor to find the best sushi restaurant within a mile. The reviews didn't disappoint in the least. This place is located "where the action is" and the service was great. I really have no complaints as the service was good, quick and friendly.

This restaurant has a great variety to choose from. The food was excellent and the staff were very friendly. This is a great place to just relax and enjoy a meal. It is not stuffy at all. The location is great and the cost was decent.

Ate here on a Friday night, we had a reservation but we were late and they were still able to accomodate us. We sat inside, the decor is modern and cool. There is also an outside area with tables and couches even heaters but we felt it was too cold that night. The outside looked awesome though I'd sit there next time in warmer weather. Inside we sat at a table up a few steps, this area the tables were very close to each other so don't plan on having a private conversation cuz tables next to you are pretty much hearing it all. There are booths but all were full. We ordered 2 apps and sushi. They brought out one app and then the sushi came. We told them they forgot other app so they offered to bring it but we said to forget it since sushi was here already. They agreed and removed it from the bill. Food especially sushi was really good. Our server was really good too kept drinks coming and right on everything. Bathroom sinks are interesting too. Overall a nice experience we would dine here again.

My daughter dined here with her friend last week and during the meal, her phone was stolen, along with those of the restaurant employees from the hostess station from inside a drawer. The restaurant owner did share the suspect photo but did not report the crime. The photo of the suspect is shown. If you know this person or can share the photo, it would be appreciated. Our insurance didn't cover the replacement of the phone.

Best sushi in the city. What up Bin?

Raw is absolutely delicious. The spider roll is amazing. It doesn't have any raw fish if you're not into that. Martinis are good and the atmosphere is trendy and pretty.

The wasabli pork dumplings are amazing! And some kind of pink drink with champagne was awesome as well while my husband enjoyed the wasabi. Delicious sushi rolls, very beautiful presentation, fresh, quick to come out during our LUNCH time visits. Pricey but filling and well worth it!

Recommended by a local during our trip to Philadelphia, we were in the mood for sushi and gave it a try. Excellent! The service, food, recommendations, dining atmosphere could not have been better! We will definitely be back on our next trip to Philadelphia. A must!

Friendly staff. Good drinks. But this is a sushi bar, so let me go into that. I ordered the "Daylight" an assortment of 6 sashimi, 3 pieces of nigiri sushi, & a handroll. It came with miso soup & a salad. The soup was good, solid miso soup. The salad was better than average, nice fresh mixed greens, fresh house made dressing. The sushi? Meh. I order a chefs choice assortment hoping for something the chef enjoys. 6 pieces of sashimi came as 2 tuna (regular, not toro or anything great), 2 yellowtail, 2 salmon (clearly farmed). 3 nigiri? Something else, right? Nope, 1 tuna, 1 yellowtail, 1 salmon. The handroll was ok spicy tuna. I have nothing to say other than it was pedestrian. Too many other sushi spots to try to plan on going back anytime soon. Disappointed.

Excelent Sushi! I always wind up over-ordering because everything is so good!

best sushi in philly

The restaurant looks stark from the outside and the same is true for the minimalist and dark appearance when you walk in-but in the summer there is a small courtyard and you feel hidden away in your own private space. The sushi is very good but the lunch boxes are a great deal- a little of everything and reasonably priced. There is a variety of beers and cocktails and soft drinks. This is generally the place I go when I want sushi in Philadelphia. Parking can be a little tough but if you are here for dinner a number of parking lots on 12th Street have reduced rates.

Well I have hesitated to write this review since I do not want to offend. But it must be done. My business colleagues and I arrived in this past Monday 03 August for our 12 PM reservation. The greeter (who later turned out to be our server) was not all there in the head. He almost seemed annoyed. When he came over to take our orders he made no mention of the menu highlights. He was far from helpful not knowledgeable but he was polite enough. The food was DIVINE. For that alone I rate it a 5/5! However the service leaves something to be desired. No mention of drinks nor dessert. Seems he was either preoccupied or just not aware of how to properly take care of a business patron.

Great lounge for a friday/sat night. Its better for drinks and ambiance. the food is good but pricey.

A great restaurant with a good variety of sushi and sake 🍶. Very attentive and friendly staff to help with the menu etc. Tempura shrimp is to be tried. A great night.

Great food, fresh fish and innovative rolls. Only lacking a bit on the service, I never felt really well taken care off the two times I was there.

Raw must be a good restaurant as my colleague from Tokyo was impressed with the sushi and sake! He was particularly impressed with the combination of flavours on some of the more complex pieces that were recommended. We ordered quite a few different selections, plus set options for us individually giving us plenty of choice. He was also impressed with the variety of sake on the menu and said it was the most he'd seen outside Japan. I'm personally not a big fan of sake, but the bottle we had was excellent - really smooth and palatable. As for the rest of us, we really enjoyed the evening at Raw. We sat outside in the covered area receiving excellent service from the staff even though we were towards the back. All the drinks and food arrived quickly, well presented and within a great atmosphere. If you find my reviews of use, please let me know by giving me a helpful vote.

Came to this restaurant on a recommendation. I was with two of my colleagues and we were all very impressed. The rolls were outstanding, the sake bombs are a must have. Also, the Suzuki Carpaccio was the deal. If you like striped bass you must get this. Also, the Wasbi Lobster Roll you got a get it!!!!

Everything else around was packed so we decided to go here. Food was good, fair number of choices including several non-fish. They were accommodating in making "special" rolls upon request and were fair in pricing them. Nice quiet restaurant with good decor.

I have been here a few times. This time it struck me as super expensive. I had a salad and a few pieces of sashimi (3) and the bill came to $28 plus tip. (When I asked for sashimi the server asked: You mean without the rice? OMG). The fish was fresh and the salad was ample. My salad arrived in about 30 seconds, however it took 40 mins for my 3 pieces of sashimi to arrive even though I was probably one of the first people in the restaurant. Everything seemed a little off kilter there today.

This is a great place to eat sushi! I ordered sushi without rice and this restaurant didn't mind making it without the rice. The food was fresh and was really tasty! The only negative I have about the place is that it is too dark to read the menu. I had to use my flashlight on my phone to read! I will definitely return when I am in Philly!

Frequented with 7 coworkers, ordered rolls with and without rice due to allergies. Fish was fresh and delicious. Spoils ability for anything to compete...will definitely be back...

I went there twice with different colleagues. I tried the regular ($19) and de luxe ($25) sushi platters. Both were well made and came with miso soup. On both occasions we dined in the courtyard which was lovely and completely free of street noise. Cool but not cold like the airconditioned venues where we spent our days. I recommend this place.

I am going to repeat what others have said: very good sushi, very good location, reasonable prices, nice looking and trendy interior, nice bar area, great wait staff. We will definitely go here again.

Great food, great location - loved the outdoor seating. Yummy, yummy! looking forward to visiting the next time I am in town!

If you want good Sushi go somewhere else if you want excellent Sushi RAW is the only place to go in the area. We tried several platters as well as family style plates from rolls to eels. My favorite salmon rolls. The thai or Japanese beers are the best I have ever had in bottled Asian beers. If you like the busy and happening place go here and then walk the Walnut street upscale shopping or just eclectic shops or people

I was staying at the City Center Marriott, so this was a short walk. My colleagues were able to take advantage of happy hour which they said was a good deal. All of us enjoyed dinner and it is a very aesthetically magnetic place. The bathroom is especially well-appointed, but the whole place is like stepping in off the busy street and into a new world. My only complaint is that I wanted to pay for an appetizer my friend ordered, and the waitress charged us both for it. I was glad I asked my friend to check-definitely make sure you are charged correctly.