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Hours
Sun
16:00 - 21:00
Tue
17:00 - 21:00
Wed
17:00 - 21:00
Thu
17:00 - 21:00
Fri
16:00 - 22:00
Sat
16:00 - 22:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
£8.00 – £20.00
CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant offer takeaway or food to go?
Details
About
Since opening in November 2007, Etsu has become a welcome addition to Liverpool’s eating out scene and has won numerous awards including Restaurant of the Year in 2009 and being crowned ‘The UK’s Greatest Japanese Restaurant’ by Eat Japan in 2010. With the help of three highly trained Japanese national chefs, who between them have over 60 years experience, Etsu offers diners fresh authentic Japanese cuisine served in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.Its menu comprises of a wide range of Japanese dishes to suit all tastes, from traditional sushi and sashimi to speciality meat and fish dishes. Etsu also has experienced Japanese waiting on staff who will be able to answer most queries regarding all Japan related enquires from the food to the culture. This popular little restaurant is one of Liverpool’s best restaurant gems receiving numerous rave reviews and has been consistently in Trip Advisors top 3 out of a Liverpool’s 229 restaurants for the last 2 years. Be sure to book to ensure you don’t miss out!
PRICE RANGE
£8.00 – £20.00
CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
1,062 reviews
Excellent
751
Very good
206
Average
60
Poor
27
Terrible
18
DoctorBakar
Kuala Lumpur285 contributions
Mar 2020 • couples
Run by a Japanese couple, the cuisine served is genuine Northern Japanese. Ingredients are fresh and service quite prompt, although the popularity and large seating area does stretch the staff a bit. Not a place to have a quick one.
While the sashimi is fresh, they are not premium cuts as one would expect in a specialist restaurant but they will satisfy anyone who likes Japanese.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate Allanson
Liverpool125 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
My fiancé and I visited for my birthday, I had been wanting to visit for a while and honestly wish I would have sooner! The food was just incredible l, we ordered Yakitori and Karaage to start, the karaage was so juicy it was amazing. Then we had a selection of nigiri, maki and rolls which were so so great, I had to order a second helping of tuna mayo maki it was so good. We couldn’t decide what dessert to have, they all sounded great, so we had 3 which were all so good. The staff were so lovely, especially our waitress, we didn’t catch her name but she was very polite, never very far if we needed anything and really happy and smiley. The atmosphere was great and honestly I couldn’t recommend this place anymore. One of the best in Liverpool and best sushi I’ve had, better than any I’ve even had in Japan!
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom R
Manchester133 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We came here after some good Japanese food, given we have extended family who are Japanese and have cooked us some wonderful dishes down the years.
The food was really excellent, I started with the soup which was delicious, we then shared some sushi before both having variations of donburi. Everything was fresh, beautifully cooked and presented and despite it being a busy Friday night, came nicely staggered, not too long a wait but not feeling rushed.
The portions were big though, maybe I got a bit greedy but with my appetite, it's a fair compliment when I say I leave absolutely stuffed! Really well done, a very nice evening and we'll be back.
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate
4 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
Went with a group of couples, didn't have the best reception, had to find our own way to the table. Waited around 20 minutes for a drink (non alcoholic) Food was OK (I had curry, which was just standard. I believe the susshi is good)
There was a mix up with our order to which the waiter wasn't very courtseyious which meant certain people in our group settling for food we hadn't ordered.
The waiter approached us near the end of our meal to tell us to not be so loud? We were a group of couples having a chat and a good time not in the slightest loud or roudy? I have never been to a restaurant and have been told to be quiet? It was a Saturday evening, quite standard to be enjoying each others company at the table.
Wouldn't go back as felt quite offended by one imparticular member of staff.
First time and last time unfortunately.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Black_Cat2011
Liverpool146 contributions
Dec 2022 • family
We finally got round to visiting Etsu in the build-up to Christmas having wanted to try it for so long and after hearing so many positive reviews from previous diners.
Sadly our experience wasn't a special one and we were left feeling underwhelmed. The disappointment began with a very pushy waitress who persisted in asking us what we wanted to order despite us asking for more time to peruse the menu on more than one occasion. In the end her persistence paid off and we ended up placing our order in a rush.
Things continued to spiral when the food arrived. For starters we were served a very bland and unseasoned prawn tempura dish along with a good quality, albeit overly priced, mixed sushi/sashimi set that contained the smallest serving of wasabi paste imaginable.
The lowest point of the visit was to come with the next dish, Chicken Katsu Curry, which two members of our party opted for. It consisted of overcooked chicken in overcooked panko breadcrumbs with the piece de resistance being Mayflower curry (the type your favourite fish and chip shop serves in a carton or that's available in a box from B&M Bargains at a knockdown price) slopped all over it. A truly awful dish that any restaurant of a decent standard would have been embarrassed to serve.
It's interesting to see reviews from people who have been regular visitors to Etsu now saying there has been a noticeable drop in standards. Heed their words along with what has been said in this review and take your custom somewhere else. Pushy service, poor food and unfair pricing are not what anyone needs when dining out.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah K
28 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Honestly phenomenal - a consistently brilliant standard from a multi award-winning restaurant. Every dish is prepared and served with exquisite care and the flavours are just to die for. There's something for every palate and price range, but we always save up a bit of money before we come because we just want EVERYTHING. :) Precisely the same standard of food, drink, presentation and hospitality as you would get in Japan, too, which obviously is a tall order! Huge credit to the hardworking staff for making every experience memorable. ありがとうございます!
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie K
Liverpool2 contributions
Jul 2021 • friends
We came for my friends 30th birthday which was meant to be a special night with her close friends and family, when we got our starter of a selection of different things to share, I was very disappointed and shocked to see that the chicken was raw once I had bit into it and swallowed the chicken, mortified to say the least.
This completely put us off our main course so we cancelled the mains and left the restaurant ruining our night as everywhere was fully booked so unable to get a table to eat anywhere. Very upsetting.
Written 3 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin Robinson
Liverpool143 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
Cute aesthetics and lovely atmosphere. Staff was friendly and food arrived without waiting too much.
Overall quality of the food is great, though prices to portion ratio might be a little less than you think. This is for certain dishes as mine was pretty big!
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline B
Wirral2 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
I have been coming here for years on and off introducing new people. Came last year with my niece for her first time and she raved about it. The food was fabulous. She said it was the best steak she had ever had. Brought a friend yesterday and was embarrassed because of all the fuss I had made. The menu has changed and not for the better. Main meals are no longer accompanied by rice/salad - they are now extras. My fav teriyaki steak was presented on its own with small grey chunks of meat. The sushi now costs a bomb, though still fresh & tasty - if you want a variety, you will now pay a fortune. Sadly, I shall never return which is a great shame as the staff are still wonderful.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Lincoln92 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
Lovely restaurant, good food. Good service. But massively overpriced for what you get. I had the Unagi. Eel with rice. Small portion, that left me still hungry. £20 for a bottle of wine that's £5 in Tesco. The bill had extra items we had not ordered added to it, and a service charge I had them remove. I always tip but not for this. Bill for 2 was over £100. I go to Japan twice a year. This same bill in Japan would have been less than £40.
If you never had proper Japanese food, then try here as rlthe food is good, but be prepared to be paying a high price, and sma portions for the price.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alana r
6 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
I have been going etsu for years now as we are limited in Liverpool for Japanese cuisine. Always found etsu to have the best sushi and sashimi. Unfortunately on our most recent visit we noticed a few portion changes - sushi roll portions from 6 to 4 and sashimi slices smaller. As well as this we also noticed there's been a price increase on dishes.
The taste is still great (apart from spicy tuna rolls less tuna taste as tuna : cucumber ratios decreased).
I can only assume these changes are to make up for covid money loss and maybe current inflation.
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
freeheel_47
Liverpool53 contributions
Jan 2022 • friends
I’ve been several times with my family. Last night with friends including one who just might be Etsy’s best customer. So he ordered. Lots. Hot eel was fantastic especially as he asked for various off menu items. Whole soft shell crab a must. We were treated to a couple of complementary dishes. Hot octopus balls with bonito flakes - which waved in the heat - amazing. Also some delicious crab rolls with a few drops of lobster sauce on top. A good time was had by all and the service was friendly attentive and fast. Thanks!
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick N
Mitcham5 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
The restaurant itself is very nice. But the portions are tiny. We ordered the Sashimi , chef special for £12. You get 8 bits of selected meat for £12. 4 of which were tiny prawns, and I don't mean the big shrimp you get, I mean the little rubbery ones you get in a prawn cocktail.
The food itself is very nice, but I feel when you select the chef special 8 sashimi, you'd expect a few different fish, not a majority of defrosted prawns.
On the positive side, the staff were friendly but it's a bit of a scam getting 4 prawns for £6. I couldn't believe my eyes.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Food lover
London51 contributions
Sept 2022 • couples
My boyfriend and I visited Etsu for the first time in 2020 and really enjoyed it. However when we returned this week, the menu had completely changed and a lot of our favourites (inari, avocado, tamago nigiri, wakame gunkan) were no longer offered. Also didn’t see any salmon rolls either.
There were only a few special roll options and these were £9 for 4 pieces, we were surprised as we expected 6 pieces or more for the price. The unagi roll we ordered was nice but there’s just not enough choice on the menu. We spent over £40 but were still hungry
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana C
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • friends
I’ve been to Estu many times over the last few years and their food has really gone down hill. The Seabass and salmon mains leave a lot to be desired. Just two different types of fish drenched in store bought sauce. You can tell the sushi isn’t made by oriental chefs. The mochi ice cream was like it had been in the freezer for 500 years. No oriental touch whatsoever. Just overall disappointing.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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