Creative Japanese izakaya with standout modern sushi and premium ingredients, but service can be slow and prices high for portions; great when it hits, frustrating on off-nights.
Izakaya Supa Banana delivers solid neighborhood dining with above-average food quality featuring inventive modern sushi and premium ingredients, but quality varies noticeably between visits, with some nights showing bland execution or portion concerns. Service ranges from warm and attentive to frustratingly slow depending on staffing, and the modern, minimalist setting lacks destination appeal despite comfortable seating. Worth visiting on well-staffed nights when the kitchen and service align.
The room reads modern and calm, with high ceilings and a minimalist look that some love and others find a bit austere. Service stories are split: on good nights servers like Sunny earn raves for warmth and poise, while short-staffed stretches can mean long waits and staggered courses. One diner summed it up: "When it clicks, dishes arrive polished and the evening flows; on slow nights you feel the gears." In the kitchen, the approach leans creative, ingredient-focused rather than strictly traditional. Expect layered modern sushi, premium cuts, and touches like kimchi-sukiyaki broth or sesame-satay buri. When execution lands, flavors feel precise and intentional; off-nights bring comments of bland ramen, oversweet sauces, or uneven fish quality. Pricing tracks the premium sourcing, so happy hour becomes a smart entry point. Families fare well here: staff can be thoughtful with kids, and simple wins like gyu bowls, curry, and mild cod work for younger palates. There is no dedicated kids menu, but portions are manageable and the space handles strollers easily. If your child avoids adventurous flavors, steer toward rice bowls and away from the bolder modern sushi items.
Area vibe: Mixed-use downtown Redmond near tech offices and apartments; modern, convenient, weeknight-friendly crowd.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit, steady foot traffic; minimal late-night concerns.
What's nearby: Near Microsoft-adjacent corridors, retail plazas, and future light rail; parking garages tied to residential-retail complexes.