Innovative Japanese Cuisine and a Vegas-Style Energy Make This Sky-High Restaurant a Must-Try
With a Japanese menu designed by Michelin-starred celebrity chef Akira Back, Lumi is a sushi-lover’s dream. The eponymous restaurant sits atop the Grand Pacific Hotel building in San Diego’s buzzy Gaslamp Quarter, offering diners a sky-high experience like no other. Japanese architecture, modern design elements and splashes of color combine to create an eccentric space fit for a night out.
Ambiance
DJ beats create a lively atmosphere, setting the scene for guests to sip sake craft cocktails and snack on shareable plates. Whether you find yourself cozied up around one of the rooftop fire pits or bellied up to one of the two stunning bars, you’ll want to bring your appetite. Lumi’s menu is described as Japanese cuisine “with nikkei and Korean influences”—something San Diego wasn’t too privy to prior to the restaurant’s opening.
Menu
Lumi’s menu is a flavor-packed mix of sushi, sashimi, and nigiri—plus a few bold specialties worth the spotlight. Think rock shrimp tempura, kanpachi ceviche, charred pulpo, and baby back ribs smothered in sesame jalapeño sauce. But before diving in, take a moment to explore their impressive sake selection. From fruity and floral to earthy and savory, the options are endless. They even feature women-brewed sake brands, which we absolutely love. Not sure where to start? A sake flight is a fun way to sample a few. Prefer cocktails? The Yuki is a stunner with Suntory Roku gin, yuzu sake, blue spirulina, lemongrass, vanilla, lemon, and egg white. It’s the perfect way to kick off the night.
3/1
Once the cocktails kick in and the buzz is just right, it’s time to explore the shared plates—both warm and cool. They’re perfect for passing around and setting the stage. Then, dive into entrées like whole branzino, arroz con katsu pollo, or the bold miso pork belly kimchee chaufa. Our favorite? Hands down, the miso pork belly. It’s a powerhouse combo of tender pork belly, kimchee, English peas, fried egg, puffed quinoa, and jalapeño huacatay sauce. It’s the ideal dish when you’re craving something with heat and flavor. But if you came strictly for sushi (totally fair), Lumi’s new Omakase menu delivers. It’s a curated experience straight from Michelin-starred chef Akira Back—pure sushi bliss. The menu features a seven-course tasting, featuring signature Lumi dishes for $155 a person.
At Lumi, the presentation is half the experience. Pair that with the freshest fish in town and glamorous vibes reminiscent of a Las Vegas restaurant, and you’ve got yourself a spot worthy of your 2023 foodie bucket list.
Lumi by Akira Back
366 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.329.5864
@lumirooftop
