Cozy, understated spot for izakaya-style Japanese small plates, creative cocktails, beer & sake. Based on 418 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.8 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
54 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 613-9939
Website: http://www.izakayaminato.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
H W
A very cozy Japanese small plates and cocktail joint. I would recommend a reservation unless you’re in the area. It was a 50 min wait for my party of 1 on a Wednesday evening. The wait was worth it, however. They have a rotating list of specials. I tried a squid dish off that list which was fantastic. I also got the JFC, which was okay and probably my least favorite of the food options, but still good. The udon was perfect. As far as the cocktails, the green vodka based one was great – super light and refreshing. I did not care as much for the Polly Pratt because the plum wine element of it was a tad heavy. The atmosphere is great and the service is prompt and efficient. Please note that they do a 3% service fee added onto the bill to the hourly waged back-kitchen staff. Spent $64 on 2 cocktails, 3 small plates which was super filling and a bit of a splurge. It’s better as a treat kind of meal than a regular place.
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Yetunde Meroe
This is one of the best meals I have ever had. Everything was delivious and fresh with a twist that made it more than just another meal. If you have a big group make sure to make a reservation. We got to the place 30 minutes early before they opened and there was already a line! Lastly, get the tasting menu, it is so worth it even if members of your group of dietary restrictrions!
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Hale Musgrove
If I could give somewhere a 6/5, this would be the place. Izakaya is a small plates, Japanese inspired restaurant with a western flair. Just a warning, it is a small restaurant and you need to get there before 5pm to get a table when they open otherwise you could wait for 2+ hours you can put your name down however and they will text you when your table is ready. For the food, I will say that you should just get their Omakase as it is 5-7 dishes all curated by the chefs for you to enjoy. It’s a bargain for the quality of food you get sitting at about $48 per person. I have had many Omakase dishes and courses but this one takes the cake. Caution, these are not sushi dishes but rather a curated menu of beef, fish, vegetables and other foods to make an incredible journey through food.
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Martin Seibert
Best Japanese cuisine. We loved it. We had a menu for all where the chef will decide for you what you’ll eat. It was plain awesome and seemed to include almost the whole menu. It’s pricey but worth every dime. Highly recommended. Don’t miss it.
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aden ho
After a brief 30 min wait on rainy Saturday evening, my party of two was seated at the bar. We each ordered omakase which was only supposed to include 4-5 courses. Luckily, we got 7 courses total for no extra charge.
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Abigail Gustafson
Very cool, intimate restaurant. We ordered an array of small plates to share and they had a separate gluten free menu that I very much appreciated. Our cocktails were interesting but a bit off the mark. The sashimi was the best dish that we had and the mochi bacon was chewy and interesting.
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Liv Vaisberg
Found randomly this absolutely amazing place, the good was so good, the fish fresh, the cocktails very special, I would give it more stars if I could!
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Ben Hirons
The best restaurant in Maine! The JFC, Beef Tartare, Udon Noodles are some of our favorites. Sashimi Tuna Crudo is the picture with this and was fantastic as well.
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Jesse Kochis
This is my go-to spot. I would eat here more often if I was able to get a seat every time. I always get the specials and an ice cream flavor I haven’t had before. The staff is very nice and one of the hosts in particular has this really welcoming spirit which is pleasantly disarming, and always sets the tone for a delightful meal for me.
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RYU 311
Great food and drinks. Pretty busy on Saturday. They opened at 5pm and there was a line forming outside at 445. The omakase consisted of 8 items from the menu. Our server also told us about the specials which typically are not included in the omakase.
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