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Globefish Sushi & Izakaya
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 2:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Globefish Sushi & Izakaya
Review Highlights
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"The Kensington location is very possibly the best sushi..." In 3 reviews -
"Good sake and import beer selection too." In 3 reviews -
"...Mardaloop location that takes reservations is probably a..." In 3 reviews
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Nick S.
In the early days, I bemoaned the fact that work kept me on the far west end of downtown, in areas largely devoid of both plus-15's, and good restaurants in general.
When it's minus 30 out, or pouring rain, this can be highly distressing at lunch hour.
It's sometimes easy to forget, while embedded downtown, that Kensington really is only across the bridge. Because of that, lunch choices in the West end are, in fact, not dire.
Once I remembered that I could walk there, or better yet, take a short 5 minute drive from 6th ave to 14th street ( #becauseI'mlazy ), I became a Globefish regular.
The Kensington location is my favourite of the 3, though the hours are more restrictive than Chinook. Lunch being 11:30 - 3:00, Dinner 5:00 - 9:30. Nonetheless, those hours work for me.
Convenience is one thing, the quality of Globefish is another.
My several visits thus far have been more than satisfying.
The restaurant presents a nice atmosphere for dining with some privacy, as it sports several high-backed booths. Great for a lunch meeting or private conversation without eavesdroppers.
The menu is large, diverse, and creative. Plenty of selection ensures that each time you return, you are able to mix it up and try something new.
There are two ways I tend to go: the "dressed up" rolls and sashimi, with flavorful sauces that really engage... and sashimi platters so fresh, that drizzled hot sauces would only mask the quality of what's being served.
Globefish does both very well, which I appreciate. My common order is the "Deluxe Sashimi," a nicely presented array on ice that looks as good as it tastes.
*** Side Note: I did upload a photo of my last Deluxe order for your viewing pleasure. However, I admit the posing shrimp MAY not have been delivered exactly like that... but hey, he looked like he was smiling, so deserved to be in the forefront! ****
The value of Globefish is the icing. I find the prices more than competitive. A bento box for lunch is one of the fairest deals around.
My only knock against Globefish is the parking situation. The lot fills up fast, so chances are you'll be parking elsewhere and walking. I always make sure to beat the lunch rush to prevent that from happening.Listed in: Lunch Within Striking Distance
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Review from Erin D.
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I enjoy eating Globefish sushi, I think it's delicious. I am no sushi expert but I like the fact that the rolls don't fall apart when I eat them and are beautifully presented. They make good Agedadshi Tofu and I could eat a bucket of their shrimp dumplings. A long wait is to be expected so you should always plan to have someone go and put your name in and wait 45 minutes.
What I don't like about Globefish is the service. They don't have wireless for their customers which really blows when you are waiting the 45 minutes for a table, it would have been nice to watch a movie while waiting as it certainly helps pass the time. The service we experienced the other night was some of the worst I've had in a long time in Calgary, which says a lot because I find most restaurant service in Calgary abysmal so to be the worst means it's really bad. We were served by what appeared to be some type of manager and she could have given less of a shit. She barely made appearances at out table, we waited FOREVER for our food, she forgot our drink orders and was generally rude and dismissive to us I also think it's crappy that they charge for refills of pop.
At this point I am pretty disenchanted with Globefish but because the food is so delicious I would consider take-out, but most likely not given the Sushi Club Kensington is nearby, and though the service there is normally terrible, the sushi is mind blowing and pop refills are free (and you can make reservations). -
Review from Adrian B.
Calgary, AB
3/24/2011
This is the standard for sushi in Calgary and they deliver, day in and day out. I usually go with the standby bento box (Box C) which consists of miso soup, salad, edamame, 6 pieces of California Roll, 4 pieces of sashimi and 3 pieces of assorted sushi ( Shrimp, Tuna, Salmon) all for a reasonable price of $11. I decided today to add a Spicy Fried Tuna Roll to my lunch which their standard tuna roll dusted with panko, deep fried and covered with their hot sauce. This is SINFULLY good as the outside is crispy but the inside still has the consistency of regular sushi. One word... Phenomenal. I left absolutely stuffed.
Service is quick, we had a group of 17 and we were out of there in about an hour. One of the best places to have lunch in Kensington and maybe even in Calgary. A word of advice though, get there early to avoid a wait as seating is limited and ask for the green cap soy sauce.( sodium reduced) -
Review from Leanne S.
12/31/2010
Tried a mixture of things from fresh oysters, prawn tempura, shrimp dumplings, sushi, sashimi, a few rolls and the bbq'd squid. The food was all very good with the exception of the bbq'd squid appetizer. I know squid can be chewy but this was like eating a rubber band. It actually snapped back and hit my 6 year old little nephew in the face. His response..."Ewww, not good, not good!" LOL. Everything else was very fresh and delicious.
The decor is very chic and beautiful. It seems like a great place to come for date night but might be a little on the pricey side.
Parking is a bit of a nightmare so make sure to arrive early or you may be driving around the block a few times. I do however think it's worth circling the block. :)
P.S. - Remember to proceed with caution when eating the bbq'd squid. :P -
Review from Ljubica T.
Calgary, AB
8/24/2010
If I had written this review 2 years ago, I would have given it 5 stars all the way. I'm giving it only two stars because they have truly become a victim of their own success. When we (husband and I) used to come here (old, tiny location), it was packed, yes... but the sushi and side-dishes were extremely good. Sashimi was cut nicely, rolls were interesting and unique... the lineup was long but totally worth the wait.
The last time we ate here, our sashimi came out mangled. It's as if whoever prepared it was using a dull, serrated knife. I was extremely disappointed. Everyone was busy trying to get the dishes out on the tables instead of focusing on quality.
We noticed that more people eat rolls here. That's fine, but we are all about the sashimi and nigiri. We don't care for rolls unless I want to be stuffed full. We no longer eat at Globefish simply because it's too busy, parking is a nightmare, the prices are expensive for what you get, and there is more of a focus on fusion & rolls instead of sashimi and nigiri. -
Review from Starsia E.
Calgary, AB
8/24/2011
An array of tasty rolls to choose from. Everything is fresh and the decor is friendly. One of the more expensive sushi places so it's more a place to go for a special day. The special rolls are all worth every penny and more. There are three locations to choose from and for the most part they are all tasty and reliable. The service is can be slow at times but well worth the wait. The sashimi is very fresh and good cuts.
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Review from Nyssa R.
3/15/2010
I love the food at Globefish. The service is always super quick and the special rolls are always very innovative. The Calgary themed rolls shows some creativity on their part for sure. The food comes out unbelievably quick and the sushi chefs always make everyone coming in or leaving feel like they made a good choice. The quality of the sushi here and the presentation of the sushi, I believe, is unrivaled in Calgary.
The only problem I have is that it's always super busy, so even if you get a table it always feels like they are rushing you to get out so the next table can come. There's no other way for them because they are just so busy, but I wouldn't recommend it for a relaxing take-your-time dinner... if you want really good sushi quick, this is the place. Also, as other people have mentioned, not a good place for big groups.Listed in: Sushi...
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Review from Sean E.
Calgary, AB
9/7/2010
Their "fusion" dishes are not bad but the sushi isn't very good any more. The last time we ordered sashimi and nigiri here it looked like it was cut with a hacksaw and there were bones in it still. We know the fish is fresh but it's poorly prepared. It's a shame, really because they used to be great.
They're a victims of their own success. If you come during dinner they're so busy they can't handle the crowd. The food suffers because of it. It was much better when they had limited seating and could serve quality food. They used to be my favorite place in the city for sushi but not any more. -
Review from Francois C.
Calgary, AB
1/1/2011
The Kensington location is very possibly the best sushi spot in Calgary. The decor is urbane; the atmosphere pan-Euro-Asian - albeit a little sterile of true Kyoto-ness.
If you like maki, you're in luck, it is clearly the house specialty. The selection of maki rolls here rivals the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. Portion sizes are, unusually for a sushi restaurant, quite large - if you order your maki a la carte, you will find that one to two orders will fill even the most corpulent sushi connoisseur. Special mention here for the Flames Roll Combo, despite the association the name conjures to that mediocre hockey team that plays out of the home arena.
I never miss an opportunity to meet a client for lunch at Globefish, and neither should you. -
Review from Mike R.
12/8/2008
Went here for dinner last week, the sushi was quite good if not a little more expensive then our usual places (Sushi Zeal & Sakana Grill). Their rolls however are very tasty and super creative a must try if you attend.
The only complaint was the seating isn't very good for larger groups, we went with 6 people and waited over an hour due to there only being a couple tables that can take more then 4. Trying the Mardaloop location that takes reservations is probably a good idea.Listed in: Sushi
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Review from Elle C.
5/10/2010
Very pleased with this place, although it gets super busy, the waits are long. BUT it's busy because the traffic in this place is intense, not because it's managed poorly. There is a distinction!!
I've followed this place since they were born in a little strip mall with only 8 tables, and I have had almost everything on their menu (excluding feature rolls of the month) and I can say I have been happy with everything at the least. The specialty rolls are really specialty rolls, no one can replicate them. Good sake and import beer selection too.
With the new renovations, plus good food, this place is definately a personal favorite. -
Review from Aymie R.
Calgary, AB
8/9/2011
Love love love Globefish! One of my fave restaurants in Calgary. I've been to all 3 locations. I think the best is the Kensington location, followed by Chinook and Marda Loop in a close 3rd. The only downside is they need to start taking reservations.
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Review from C T.
Calgary, AB
3/20/2009
Pretty fresh sushi. The rolls are really great. They have lots of different rolls.
Seems like the Flames frequent here a lot 'cos a lot of the rolls are named after the Flames.
I had the udon and tempura lunch special. It was tasty and the tempura was piping hot!
It's a little pricey but sometimes you've got to pay for freshness.
Give it a try at Globe Fish! -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
11/14/2009 1 photo
Okay, I'll put this out there first before I go any further: I do not like sushi. And I've tried it enough times to say that proudly. It's just not for me.
That being said, I've been to sushi restaurants with my friends and other sushi lovers. I usually get something that's been cooked, if I'm lucky enough to find it. Globe fish actually has a nice selection of foods other than sushi, which makes me very happy!
I like that they offer an assortment of tempura as well as different noodle dishes and salads. They do have a whole bunch of sushi and rolls though. It's a good thing I don't like it or I would be here for hours trying to decided which kind to order. Some actually sound pretty good, like the Avocado Roll: fresh avocado rolled with rice ans seaweed. That should be okay for me, right? Wrong. I've tried it... don't like it.
I don't mind going to Globe Fish since they do have something besides sushi that I can eat. I also really enjoy the appearance of the inside. It's somewhat modern and chic and makes me feel kind of fancy when I'm in here.
So, if you like sushi (or even if you don't) Globe Fish actually makes for a pretty good time. Eat up, my friends! -
Review from Joe L.
Calgary, AB
1/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Didn't have anywhere to go the other night so I thought I would drop by Globefish on 14th.
I've been to Globefish a few times before and remembered it as being one of the better sushi and Japanese places in Calgary. I especially enjoyed the various Izakaya on the menu. Izakaya, in case you didn't know, are a cross between a bar and restaurant serving a variety of small plates and sake.
Sitting at the sushi bar, I ordered a glass of the Demon Killer sake which was smooth, light and complimented my meal quite nicely.
Now, a visit to an Izakaya is usually most fulfilling with a bunch of friends where bottles of sake and plates of food could be shared around the table. Being on my own and not wanting to expand my waistline anymore then I had from Christmas, I stuck to a modest amount of food.
A plate of Takoyaki, Favourite Sushi combo (Tuna, Salmon nigiri and California Rolls), and one each of Ebi, Hamachi and Wild Salmon made up my meal. While the sushi was good, it wasn't the best that I've had from Globefish. The rice was a little too moist and the California roll s were squished into a rectangular shape. Aesthetics is a huge part of Japanese food!
Again, I've had very good experiences at both Globefish locations in Calgary so while the food on this particular instance was not the best I've had, the restaurants still get 4-stars from me.
Check it out but go with some friends, order a bottle of sake and make an event out of it!
J -
Review from Lynn H.
Toronto, ON
This place is always packed...and for good reason. Their sushi is soooo yummy! The price is quite expensive for such small portions but I guess it allows you to try more things on the menu, that is if you don't mind paying for it. I don't like that you have to pay for pop refills tho...like come on, you guys charge an arm & a leg for the food & you're making tonnes of money from the crazy business you get & you can't spare a few cents on a pop refill? Weak! But other than that, the servers (tho hard to understand most times) are friendly & the food comes out really fast & fresh. One word describes it all: YUMMY!!!
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Review from Joey N.
Calgary, AB
2/1/2011
Quality doesn't measure up to the cost. Seems to me they focus too much on inventing specialty rolls and they nelect the quality of it. They have some funny rolls, but just don't taste right. Rice in the rolls are kinda mushy, and they just stuff as much stuff in the rolls as they can and I can't really taste anything. The fusion idea is interesting but they aren't doing it well.
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Review from Anthony M.
Calgary, AB
9/19/2010 7 Check-ins Here
When looking for fusion style Nigiri Sushi, Globefish has the best all around. Fantastic Sushi. Can eat it every night of the week and it does not get old.
Listed in: Where I Like To Eat
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Review from Monica K.
North York, ON
2/20/2011
My friend took me to lunch here while I was in Calgary for the summer, and while the sushi was good we felt it could've been a lot better for the price. I had The Wild Rose (salmon, tuna, avocado, and mango, topped with fresh cilantro, cream cheese, and black tobiko) and it was pretty yummyyy, but the other two rolls my friend ordered were nothing spectacular.
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Review from Marco N.
4/12/2011
Came in on a Monday night, noticed the euro-style interior, the waitress highlighted a dish on the front page of the menu, the "Salmon Seattle". Supposed to be slightly seared pieces of salmon. I ordered it and the "Sashmi Roll", which was salmon and tuna pieces in thin wrap. It was yummy, but the Salmon Seattle was drowned in thick sauce with some egg salad on top.. Not my "cup of tea"..
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Review from Chad T.
11/17/2009
Globefish is a high-quality sushi restaurant, far far from the ocean. I had the sashimi Omakase and everything was great, especially the hotate and toro which were melt-in-my-mouth amazing. As Calgary's first Izakaya, they also have a deep sake selection. This is my new go-to place in Calgary.
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Review from Wilbert C.
Calgary, AB
11/25/2009
A place for fresh and moist sushi... the moisture must come from the mayonnaise that they put in the rolls because they taste a little salty. I liked the serving size of their dishes. Their tempura wasn't that great. It's nice that they have brown rice sushi available too but they didn't have them when I was there at lunch.
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Review from s c.
Calgary, AB
8/4/2009
This is a departure from the many Japanese restaurants in Canada that all have the same menu items. Globefish has creative rolls and menu items. You can get tako yaki (delicious octopus dumplings) and mochi ice cream (a tiny scoop of ice cream wrapped in this stretchy, dough-like stuff made from rice).
Be prepared to wait! They don't take reservations and it's a very popular place. Parking also iffy.
