Sakana Sushi Wayzata Review: Quick, Affordable, Decent Sushi by the Lake

The short version: Sakana is the sushi spot in downtown Wayzata, right across Lake Street from Lake Minnetonka, and I’ve been going for years. The sushi is decent, not incredible, but it’s quick, friendly and relatively affordable: about $64 a person with tip, and the $36 sushi set gets you nine pieces of nigiri plus a roll. If you’re staying at Hotel Landing, it’s an easy walk.

I had dinner at Sakana on October 19, 2026. I’ve been going for many years; it’s one of my classic spots, and most of my memories of it are taking visitors there, or little family lunches. Lake Street in Wayzata is usually a happy-feeling place, especially in summer, and Sakana is part of that. I paid for it myself, and nothing was comped.

Pros

• Quick: a server within about 5 minutes, food within about 20
• Friendly, efficient service. They never seem to mess up an order
• Good value: nine pieces of nigiri and a six-piece roll for $36
• A patio across the street from the lake, and the boardwalk to walk after
• An easy walk from Hotel Landing

Cons

• The sushi is decent, not incredible. Don’t expect what you’d get in Asia or New York
• The salmon sometimes has a slightly less-fresh feel
• The tuna roll is too much fish, not enough rice
• A $2 upcharge to swap the spicy tuna roll for a regular one
• No sushi bar, and the set doesn’t come with miso soup or a salad
• The décor leans Chinese, down to the lucky cat, for a Japanese restaurant

Getting there

Sakana is on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata, right across the road from the lake. If you’re staying at Hotel Landing, you can definitely walk over.

Parking can sometimes be a little difficult. I’ve always been able to get a spot, though my parents haven’t always when we go together. Even then, there’s plenty of parking nearby, and it’s at most about a five-minute walk.

The setting: 7 out of 10

It’s a medium-sized restaurant, with booths along the windows, a bar at the back, and a patio out front under umbrellas. In all the times I’ve been, I’ve never really had to wait. It’s a good size, so they can usually seat you outside, by the windows, or in the middle of the room.

One thing it doesn’t have is a sushi bar, where you sit and watch the chefs. That would be an easy improvement, and it would help it compete with Sushi Fix.

They’ll usually seat you by the windows so you get the lake view. To be clear, it isn’t an amazing view, since the road runs between the restaurant and the water, but it’s better than sitting inside. The sun can be a bit strong through those windows. Just ask them to lower the shades, and they always happily will, about halfway.

The patio looks like a nice spot when the weather is good. Honestly, I’ve never sat out there in summer, because Minnesota can get surprisingly hot. Either way, afterward you can walk the boardwalk along the lake and up Lake Street.

One thing I’d change: sometimes they play Chinese music, and there are Chinese ornaments around, like the lucky cat at the bar. It’s an easy fix. For a Japanese restaurant, it should feel a bit more Japanese.

The food: 6.5 out of 10

I usually get the edamame and the Sakana Sushi set: nine pieces of chef’s nigiri plus a spicy tuna roll. I swap the spicy tuna roll for a regular tuna roll.

The sushi is overall pretty good. The cuts are moderately thick, and the tuna is my favorite. The salmon sometimes has a slightly less-fresh feel to it. The tuna roll I don’t like that much: it’s too much fish and not enough rice.

The edamame is fine. They use a lot of salt, which I personally like, but some people might not. It can also be slightly chewy, and it doesn’t taste as good as some other edamame I’ve had. I don’t really mind, because I love edamame.

The standout is the toro, the fatty tuna, which I’d give an 8 out of 10. It’s $18 for two pieces, though, which is kind of expensive, and a bit overpriced.

One more thing the set is missing: at a lot of Japanese restaurants, a sushi set comes with miso soup or a salad. Here it doesn’t. That would be another easy improvement.

Honestly, the food isn’t that incredible, especially if you’re from Asia and have been to a lot of sushi restaurants. But it’s quick, it’s relatively affordable, and it’s decent.

Service: 8 out of 10

The service is pretty good: friendly, efficient and speedy. A server comes over within about five minutes, and all the food came out within about 20 minutes. In all the years I’ve been going, they never seem to mess up an order. The host sometimes isn’t as friendly as the servers, but the servers are good. And we know them at this point.

What it cost

About $64 a person, including tax and a 20% tip. The Sakana Sushi set is $36, and edamame is $8.

One thing that’s a bit annoying: they charge $2 extra to make the tuna roll non-spicy instead of spicy. I don’t really understand that. The rolls aren’t pre-made, so it shouldn’t cost more. If anything, it should cost less, since they skip the spicy part.

Value: 8 out of 10

For $36, you get nine pieces of nigiri and six pieces of a roll, and the service is always fast. That’s a good value, and it’s why I keep going back.

Vs. Sushi Fix

Wayzata’s other sushi option is Sushi Fix, right across the street from Hotel Landing. Sushi Fix has better fish and more Japanese touches in the room, but Sakana’s technique is better, and overall I’d say Sakana’s sushi is slightly better. Sakana is also the better value. There aren’t a lot of sushi restaurants in Minneapolis I’d truly recommend, and Sakana is near the top of that list.

Who it’s for

Families, and I see a lot of them there. Solo diners too; there are usually a few at the bar. If you’re on your own and want a quick, relatively affordable, decent sushi lunch, this is it. It’s also a nice spot with friends or family. Just don’t expect the authenticity you’d get in Asia, or even in New York.

Tips if you go

• Ask for a window seat for the lake view, and ask them to lower the shades if the sun is strong.
• Try the patio on a mild day. In the middle of summer it can get surprisingly hot.
• Get the Sakana Sushi set. It’s the best value on the menu.
• The tuna is the best of the nigiri, and the toro is the standout if you want to splurge.
• If parking on Lake Street is full, there’s plenty nearby. It’s at most a five-minute walk.
• Walk the boardwalk afterward.

Verdict: 7 out of 10

Sakana is a decent place, and it’s one of my classic Wayzata spots. The sushi won’t blow you away, but it’s quick, friendly, fairly priced, and across the street from the lake. For a casual sushi dinner in Wayzata, especially if you’re staying at Hotel Landing, it’s an easy recommendation.

FAQ

Where is Sakana Sushi?

On Lake Street in downtown Wayzata, Minnesota, across the road from Lake Minnetonka. It’s a short walk from Hotel Landing.

How much does Sakana Sushi cost?

About $64 a person, including tax and a 20% tip. The Sakana Sushi set, nine pieces of nigiri plus a roll, is $36.

What should I order at Sakana?

The Sakana Sushi set, and the tuna is the best of the nigiri. The toro is the standout, at $18. I’d skip the tuna roll.

Does Sakana have outdoor seating?

Yes, a patio out front facing Lake Street and the lake, for mild days. Minnesota summers can get surprisingly hot.

Sakana or Sushi Fix?

Sakana, slightly. Sushi Fix has better fish, but Sakana’s technique is better, and it’s the better value.

Is Sakana good for families?

Yes. I see a lot of families there, and it’s quick, which helps.