Midori Japanese Cafe

4.5 star rating
13 reviews Rating Details

Category: Japanese  [Edit]

1054 17 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2T 0A5
(403) 244-3787
Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
No
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take Away:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "Prices are reasonable, sushi is fresh and the rolls are..." In 9 reviews
  • user photo
    "The sushi was well-priced and tasty." In 3 reviews
  • user photo
    "introduce yourself to the yam roll." In 3 reviews
  Loading...
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

13 reviews in English

  • Review from Peter A.

    • 34 friends
    • 45 reviews

    Ottawa, ON

    5.0 star rating
    5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I've always liked Midori. I think it was the first restaurant/cafe that I went to when I first ventured down 17th Ave as a young highschool fleeing the suburbs on a Saturday. Back then, going for sushi downtown felt pretty grown-up. My 17 year-old self was struck by, what I perceived as, the authenticity of the place and more importantly, the low prices and good sushi.

    Midori has stayed mostly the same. There is still the sort of Japan kitsch decor, the prices are low, but have increased slightly, and the menu is more-or-less the same.

    I still think that Midori is the go-to place for well-priced, and delicious sushi. If I recall correctly, it's also locally owned by a Calgary family, and certainly, the service is Calgarian; efficient and polite.

  • Review from Danelle W.

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    1/29/2012 3 Check-ins Here

    Midori is a great place for sushi in Calgary. It's hard to find somewhere with decent sushi without paying an arm and a leg but Midori is one of the best I've found so far. I really like the "crunch" rolls (although the tempura bits cannot be good for you). The Caterpillar roll is my favourite so far, I think.

    My only complaint is that they never refill water... so service is a little lacking. I drink a lot of water; when I drain the glass within the first 10 mins, a refill might be nice. Soy sauce is salty! And when everyone at the table is in need of water, definitely an indicator!

    All in all, I'll be back, though. A place definitely worth a visit (or 2)

  • Review from Adrian B.

    • 12 friends
    • 30 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    1/9/2012

    Now that I am firmly established in my perch overlooking 17th Ave SW, I find myself hankering for a little sushi lunch action every once in a while.  Being that there are a couple of options close by, I have made Midori the spot where I bring colleagues as I believe it has better value and quicker service as compared to its counterparts.  

    Pros:

    If you order the bento box (sushi - about $15, chicken or beef teriyaki - about $13) you are going to leave full.  Add a roll to this and forget about any productivity for the afternoon.  Fast lunch service but arrive early if you want a seat.  Excellent "junk food" sushi, you know, the kind with tempura, bits of other fried goodness and such.

    Cons:

    A bit pricey, very small dining room.  No waiting area for take away customers means guests waiting are learing while they wait.  Special rolls are quite expensive, especially when compared to the amounts of food received in the Bento.  

    I kind of wish they did a lite version of their Bento subtracting a few items and bringing it in under $10 bucks.  That being said, if you need a sushi fix in an intimate environment, then this is a place for you.

  • Review from Kelsey K.

    • 4 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    12/12/2011

    Midori may seem like a little hole in the wall and that it is!! (but those are usually some of the best).

    When you walk in it's not overwhelmingly gorgeous or anything in there, it actually doesn't even have much seating (not good for large groups). But there is always a friendly face to great you whether picking up take out or dining in!

    My experience has always been amazing, and even for the Specialty rolls they are well priced!! I love that they have the photos on the walls as i am visual and need to know what it is going to look like! also the presentation is always amazing, Colorful and visually stimulating for me at least :).

    Favorite Roll of ALL time is served here and it is the one and only Midori roll-- With mango slices and a delicious sauce you are beyond satisfied.

    I recommend for dine in with a friend or pick up!! Always satisfying and a great sushi experience!!

  • Review from Alex L.

    • 5 friends
    • 71 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    11/2/2011

    Good cheap sushi and rolls on a 17th ave patio. Great in the summer as you can people watch while having your meal. It is also a novelty to be able to eat sushi outside giving the meal a much more social feeling to it as you can chat, people watch and nibble away at your heart's content.

    They also have some great sounding Korean dishes that I will be back to try.

    2/30

  • Review from Sarah Louise F.

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    11/23/2011

    I am a fan of Midori, and until I discovered a few sushi places even closer to my apartment, this has always been my go to spot. Since high school, actually, when I would be in the city and searching for a little nook to curb my sushi cravings.
    They have a few fantastic vegetarian options, which makes the livin' eeeeeeasy for Sarah Louise. However, sometimes if I ask for something such as a cucumber and avocado roll TOGETHER, they want to charge me for one of their more expensive options sans meat, which doesn't particularily make any sense to me. So I end up having them separate and wishing I could combine the two.
    I love to eat on the patio here. Also, the rice is always pretty impeccable, which is something that I am very picky about. The miso soup is alright, and this place was my first introduction to real Genmaicha tea. Solid.

    (23/30)

  • Review from Shannon M.

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I love trying new sushi places and finding out they're good! Midori had a decent selection, quite well-priced and very tasty. My butterfish and scallops were a bit frozen, but all-in-all it was very good. I'd definately go back.

    On a side but still important note, the washroom was very clean.

  • Review from Arc P.

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here ROTD 6/11/2011

    Had a favorable experience at Midori. Found it a very cozy little restaurant with a nice 17th Ave urban vibe. Enjoyed the convenience of having a variety of sushi sets to make ordering quick and easy, such as the couple sets.

    This place is really fast. The order was ready in about 5 minutes even though the restaurant was full and there was only one server and one chief. Interesting!  

    They also have a small Korean section on the menu that needs to be sampled, an intriguing reason to come back next time.

    In my opinion, it isn't the best place in Calgary for sushi. However, it certainly is satisfying and rather close to me. On a sushi craving day when I'm feeling lazy to travel elsewhere, it would be the right fit.

  • Review from Mike M.

    • 152 friends
    • 96 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    9/7/2010

    When my roommate told me that Midori Japanese Cafe was the best sushi outside of Vancouver, I didn't believe him.  That's why I made him take me there and take care of the bill.

    Don't tell him that I told you this, but I think I have to agree.  The tiny (and I mean tiny) sushi joint is easily Calgary's best kept secret when it comes to all things Japanese.

    The must haves include The Double Crunch ( ($11.95) and the standard but delectable California Roll ($5.50). And you would be missing out if you didn't try the Butterfly Roll ($11.95)

    Also, if a tiny restaurant isn't your thing, their take-out is stupidly fast. You can call them and go and pick it up and they'll have it ready for you almost immediately. It is like they can read your mind!  They can't, can they?

  • Review from Wendy P.

    Calgary, AB

    5.0 star rating
    10/30/2010 3 Check-ins Here

    I've been learning to like sushi, but Midori might very well have me falling in love with it if I keep spoiling my tastebuds with the sushi-tastic rolls and dishes I found here.  

    With limited seating available, the best choice for Midori Sushi is to phone in your order ahead for takeout.  We walked in off the street and there was a steady stream of people picking up orders while we waited.  Although if you're not sure what you're in for from the menu, being on location can help with pictures of each of the dishes lining the wall to give you an idea.

    If you're not sure what to try... introduce yourself to the yam roll.  Super tasty and with a bit of crunch, this one is by far my favourite.

  • Review from Adam S.

    • 111 friends
    • 16 reviews

    Emeryville, CA

    USA
    5.0 star rating
    4/17/2009

    If you're looking for fast, inexpensive Japanese fare, this is the place to go. Their hot dishes are always served piping hot, and the ingredients are of high quality.

    My favorite dish is their beef teriyaki udon. It's a plate of thinly sliced beef teriyaki with a bowl of udon soup to dip it in. The beef is served sizzling at your table, and the sauce is sublime.

    Here's another interesting thing about this restaurant: I don't think I've had a Coke that tasted so delicious in my entire life. Maybe it's because the can they give you is near-freezing, or maybe it's the tumbler full of ice they serve it with, but I don't think you can have a glass of Coke anywhere that's better than this. Seriously. Try it.

  • Review from Arinn W.

    Vancouver, BC

    4.0 star rating
    7/4/2010

    The sushi was well-priced and tasty.  My dude wasn't won over by the chicken teriyaki he ordered, but I guess it was decent.  There are korean options on the menu but I didn't know how veggie-friendly they were so I stuck to sushi.  Midori is a cute little place and I prefer it to other sushi joints nearby.

  • Review from Patrick P.

    • 2 friends
    • 8 reviews

    Calgary, AB

    4.0 star rating
    7/4/2010

    Great sushi restaurant! Prices are reasonable, sushi is fresh and the rolls are tasty. Service is fast. It has a patio for people watching on 17th ave. Solid.

People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...

People Viewed This After Searching For...