Hokkaido, which is located on Above Bar Street, has been praised for its service, decor and variety of menu options.
It’s these factors that have helped it garner a reputation as a quality romantic restaurant in the city.
The Instagram account Taste Tribe were one of those who described it as “the perfect spot for a date night”.
What does Hokkaido offer?
According to its website, the objective of Hokkaido is to bring the “spirit of Japan to your dining table”.
It adds: “We pride ourselves on combining traditional ingredients and innovative techniques, to create a marriage of authenticity and adventure for your taste buds.”
Options on the menu include black cod miso, soft shell crab tempura and salmon tartare, alongside varieties of maki, nigari and gunkan.
Hokkaido opened back in 2024, and director Brian Nguyen discussed what it had been like running the restaurant after it had been operating for a year.
In a post on Facebook, he shared: “One year ago it was a dream. I still remember the opening day.
“I was very, very nervous, excited and running inside the restaurant like crazy.
“We want to bring the authentic Japanese flavours to Southampton. It’s not the sushi, but the feeling you are in Japan, the calm, the care and the details.”
Brian added that running a restaurant has never been an easy task, but seeing people enjoy the food “makes it all worth it”.
Hokkaido aims to bring the spirit of Japan to your dining table (Image: Hokkaido)
He added: “To everyone who’s walked through our door, I want to send a deep thank you.”
What do visitors think of Hokkaido?
Hokkaido has been well-received by visitors, earning a 4.4/5 score on Tripadvisor from 16 reviews and a 4.8/5 score on Google Reviews from 583 ratings.
One wrote: “Came here with my boyfriend and we loved every minute of our experience. Staff were very attentive and welcoming.
“We ordered a few different sushi options and all of them were great. Fresh tasty food and beautifully prepared too!”
Hokkaido has been praised for its decor, food and service (Image: Hokkaido)
Another said: “Delicious authentic-tasting Japanese food in Southampton, beautiful and vibrant interior, friendly staff – thank you for making my birthday lunch feel special!”
Recommended reading:
A third shared: “I really enjoyed my visit here! Went once but still impressed with the decoration.
“The food was delicious, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Definitely a great place to experience a bit of Japan in Southampton.”
Another posted: “Really authentic experience, enjoyed everything we ordered! Very friendly staff and amazing service! Really recommend, also the scenery and decor is beautiful!”
What’s your favourite restaurant for a date night in Southampton? Let us know in the comments.
AloJapan.com