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Kanpai - Milwaukee Reviews List
Kanpai - Milwaukee
A modern Asian Japanese restaurant that defies comparison. Extraordinary sushi, sake and small plates served in a sensual, yet contemporary atmosphere. Kanpai's tempting cocktails and sharable plates make it the premier spot for after-hours nosh and drinks, or a delicious late night meal.
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75 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 75 reviews
5 stars
(24)
4 stars
(36)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(40)
- good for groups(30)
- hot spot(25)
- special occasion(25)
- neighborhood gem(23)
- romantic(17)
Kanpai - Milwaukee Reviews List
Review 1 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Take time to enjoy
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/03/2013
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We (four of us) were in no hurry , and, sometimes, have felt in restaurants they are rushing you along. Not here.
Great cheerful server, wish I could remember her name. Super selections, and I have lived in Japan and Korea back in the day. Good to see some Korean dishes on menu.
Great cheerful server, wish I could remember her name. Super selections, and I have lived in Japan and Korea back in the day. Good to see some Korean dishes on menu.
Wide selection and variety of sashimi, sushi's and main entre's . Try grilled fish, to die for. We ended with "Uni " shooter... OMG!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, special occasion
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Review 2 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Rolls were very dry and absolutely tasteless. Worst sushi I have had in Milwaukee."
Dined on 4/30/2013
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Review 3 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was the Hit of the Meal. Many delicious dishes sampled by our Table. Some of the Best Fried Rice I have had.
Service was very attentive. Just the place we were looking for to be able to enjoy a meal with out of town friends.
Would highly recommend Kanpai to anyone looking for a great Dining Experience in Milwaukee."
Service was very attentive. Just the place we were looking for to be able to enjoy a meal with out of town friends.
Would highly recommend Kanpai to anyone looking for a great Dining Experience in Milwaukee."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fantastic selection of sushi!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Veronica, our waitress, was delightful. She was very helpful and always had a smile on her face.
We loved the sushi. Their rolls were of great variety and delicious."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 5 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Was great service for a large group, perfect setting arranged in the bar area with 2 large tables next to each other."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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Review 6 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I was pleased with the large selection of menu items. For those who do not enjoy sushi (although there are wonderful sushi menu items), there are many vegetarian and meat tapa entrees. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They do not have a patio, but do have outdoor dining on the sidewalk. We will definitely be back."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was great and our waitress
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was great and our waitress was knowledgable and attentive. Love this place."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 8 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Will be back to Kenpai!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Kenpai was a wonderful sushi dining experience. I love sushi so I don't normally fill up on hot dishes but had heard that the small plates were worth trying, so we did and they were great!
Perhaps my new favorite downtown sushi restaurant, plus plenty of options for those who don't sushi."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best service in the Ward!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The service and sushi was phenomenal! And our server was lovely! Great personality! We'll be back"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 10 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love it. Hadn't eaten Japanese
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Love it. Hadn't eaten Japanese food in SO long and now 3 times in one month!"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 11 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A New Love Affair
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Kanpai has become my favorite sushi restaurant. After two weeks, they have taken the place of the sushi restaurant I have been going to for over 20 years. I love the play on flavors when I want to try something with a twist, but I also love that I can still order traditional sushi. Also, they have the best uni in the city - hands down!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 12 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Kanapi should rethink their
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Kanapi should rethink their menu, especially searing sashimi. Also, they need to not display entrees on the tv screen and get rid of the pictures in menu because its tacky. Also, plastic coated pages in menus, also tacky. However, saki and service was good."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, great for lunch
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Review 13 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best maki in town
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Yum! The jalapeno poppers are a must try and the stuffed calamari with forbidden black rice was outstanding. They had a lobster maki on special with a green tea sauce that tasted so fresh and the presentation was beautiful. We hope they add it to the menu. We capped our meal with a chocolate lava cake and salted caramel ice cream from Purple Door. The service was friendly and attentive. This was our second time here and we will absolutely be back. Hands down best sushi restaurant Milwaukee has to offer. So glad to see that Nana Kusa was replaced by another high quality establishment."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Good rolls and nigiri. The
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good rolls and nigiri. The size of the nigiri cuts were absurdly large, not really my thing. The stand out of the night was the Yellowtail belly. Unfortunately the service was lacking. After asking for no wasabi on our nigiri, we were told that it wasn't normally included. Sure enough they still put wasabi on the nigiri. Not a deal breaker for me, but my fiancee can't stand it. She also had wasabi on her regular roll as well. They fixed the situation but it left us feeling pretty let down by the whole experience. Drinks were decent but not nearly up to par for the price paid. I've had some surprisingly great sushi experiences in Wisconsin and this could have been one of them, but I'd avoid this place or sit down directly with the sushi bar"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
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Review 15 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Going to be a regular.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had been customers of Nanakusa when it occupied this location and were delighted to find Kanpai!
What a delight! Seating was private and comfortable, parking was easy, food was outstanding, service attentive and thorough.
Can't wait to return!"
What a delight! Seating was private and comfortable, parking was easy, food was outstanding, service attentive and thorough.
Can't wait to return!"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic
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Review 16 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to KanPai! Service was attentive and server was very knowledgeable. The ambience is lovely and seating feels private. We were delighted when a sushi chef brought over a complimentary dish for us to try! We will be regulars here. Very good customer service!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, hot spot
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Review 17 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I've eaten here twice and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've eaten here twice and both times the service was slow. This time it was better once we actually got a server. The spicy pork was really fatty; would have preferred leaner meat. The Chicago Street roll was tasty. My friends loved the super white tuna."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2008
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Review 18 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We love Wasabi, the big brother
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We love Wasabi, the big brother of Kanpai so when the new restaurant opened up downtown, we had to give it a try. Kanpai did not disappoint, the sushi quality was great. There was a good selection, the menu was not as large as Wasabi, but had a good variety. We order the spicy combo, the beef bibimbop was excellent, and a stuffed calamari (not a big fan of). The small plates are a good addition. The ambiance was a lot like Wasabi, dressy casual with good background music. The staff were nice and professional. We will definitely be back. PS: if you like oysters, the oyster shooter is a must try :)"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was great, everyone
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was great, everyone in our party was pleased. Ambiance was nice as well! Our service was poor. The server had trouble clearing the table, had an incorrect order, and when it was brought to her attention, she forgot to bring out the correct entree. She also brought out appetizers that were not ours. She was very pleasant, though. We would come back for the food for sure, perhaps would try sitting at the bar instead"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
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Review 20 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The restaurant was freezing.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The restaurant was freezing. Food good but had to wear overcoats because it was soooooo cold!"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2013
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Review 21 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best sushi restaurant in Milwaukee!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Best sushi restaurant in Milwaukee! Outstanding service everytime we go too."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 22 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Very fast paced and trendy,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very fast paced and trendy, I felt as if I were in NYC! I loved it and cannot wait to return. The ambiance was great for romance but I can definitely see how groups can go for a fun night on the town!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 23 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
went in valentin's day, couldn't
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"went in valentin's day, couldn't order from the normal menu, but noticed other people were able. then food was average. go to kiku if u want sushi in Milwaukee."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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Review 24 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Terrible service, very good food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Waiter was very bad - delivered a drink we never ordered, forgot multiple orders, overcharged for drinks we never purchased.."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
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Review 25 for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This is the best sushi I have
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is the best sushi I have found by far in Milwaukee. It rivals my Chicago favorites. Plenty of food for non-sushi lovers as well and tons of yummy rolls to explore."
Dined on 01/28/2013
2006
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Kanpai - Milwaukee
Based on the average of (50) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic