Akira – Japanese
Akira offers a refined escape where the artistry of the sushi bar meets the savory warmth of the grill, inviting guests to linger over vibrant bowls of Chirashi Donburi and perfectly charred Hamachi Kama. Whether indulging in a meticulously curated Omakase journey or a balanced midday Bento Box, diners experience a harmonious blend of traditional precision and bold, contemporary flavors.
1222 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95062 https://akirasantacruz.com/Rating: 3/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Akira
Dairy-Free at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Skirt Steak, Omakase and Bento Box. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 2 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Skirt Steak and Omakase. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 6 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Salmon Teriyaki, Chirashi Donburi and Omakase. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 2 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Skirt Steak and Hamachi Kama. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Skirt Steak. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Skirt Steak. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Skirt Steak. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Akira
Akira in Santa Cruz has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Bento Box. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Akira
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Hamachi Kama | 5.6 g | 25.6 g |
| Skirt Steak | 0 g | 19.6 g |
| Bento Box | 77.7 g | 6.5 g |
| Salmon Teriyaki | 12.4 g | 2.9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for a menu featuring a wide variety of options, guests appreciate the diverse selection of dishes that cater to every palate. Diners highlight the friendly and welcoming nature of the staff, which contributes to a pleasant and approachable atmosphere. While the service maintains a more relaxed pace, reviewers find the experience consistently meets expectations for those seeking a reliable meal with a broad range of choices.
Menu
Main Courses
Traditional and modern Japanese main dishes and bowls.
- Salmon Teriyaki - $18: Grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Skirt Steak - $22: Grilled skirt steak Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hamachi Kama - $16: Grilled yellowtail collar Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Omakase - $45: Chef's choice sushi selection Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chirashi Donburi - $28: Assorted sliced raw fish over sushi rice Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Lunch Specials
Available during lunch hours.
- Sushi Lunch Special - $15: Assorted sushi selection for lunch Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: lunch
- Bento Box - $14: Traditional Japanese lunch box with various items Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Frequently Asked Questions about Akira
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Enjoy a relaxed meal featuring diverse options like the Omakase journey, Chirashi Donburi, or a midday Bento Box with friendly service.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- The restaurant offers a pleasant and approachable atmosphere characterized by friendly, welcoming staff and a relaxed service pace.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Reviewers mention that the service maintains a more relaxed pace, though the experience consistently meets expectations for a reliable meal.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Akira offers a casual dining experience with a friendly, approachable atmosphere and a relaxed service pace at a moderate price.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- The restaurant supports keto, gluten-free, pescatarian, paleo, and high-protein diets, with specific options like Skirt Steak and Hamachi Kama.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Customers love the wide variety of menu options and the friendly, welcoming staff that creates a pleasant, approachable atmosphere.
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Skirt Steak and Hamachi Kama both work for multiple diets, including keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and whole30.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes include Salmon Teriyaki, Skirt Steak, Hamachi Kama, Omakase, Chirashi Donburi, the Sushi Lunch Special, and Bento Boxes.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Customers appreciate the diverse menu and friendly staff, though the restaurant maintains a 3.0/5 rating due to a relaxed service pace.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking a relaxed, approachable atmosphere with diverse Japanese menu options and extensive dietary flexibility for keto, gluten-free, or pescatarian needs.
- Is Akira dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Akira has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Skirt Steak, Omakase and Bento Box.
- What can I eat at Akira on a dairy-free diet?
- Skirt Steak, Omakase and Bento Box carry the dairy-free tag, out of 3 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Akira have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Bento Box.
- Is Akira gluten-free?
- 2 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Akira?
- Hamachi Kama, at roughly 25.6g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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