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Sora Temaki Bar
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Sora Temaki Bar
7.6
Sora is a temaki-focused rooftop bar at the Original Farmers Market offering hand rolls, sashimi, and drinks overlooking the market stalls. It’s more of a casual, view-driven stop than a destination omakase, best used as a snack-and-sake break during shopping or a light night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Temaki, Crispy Shrimp Hand Roll, Vegan Avocado-Cucumber Temaki
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Temaki bar with rooftop views over the Original Farmers Market.
Who should go: Hand-roll fans wanting snacks with a skyline-adjacent view.
When to visit: Golden hour and early evening for the best light and breeze.
What to order: Spicy tuna temaki, crispy shrimp hand roll, vegan avocado-cucumber roll.
Insider tip: Time your visit around sunset for the most scenic experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use the Farmers Market and Grove garages; the Market lot offers 90 minutes free with validation. Street parking is limited and competitive during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual but polished; rooftop setting means most guests lean neat and fashion-forward without being formal.
Noise level: Moderate; open-air rooftop chatter and music make it lively but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes for rooftop seating during peak golden hour; bar seats turn over faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially before 1:00pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options including avocado-cucumber rolls, veggie temaki, and side salads.
Vegan options: Limited but available—1–2 temaki options plus simple veggie sides.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility; sashimi plates and many hand rolls can be made gluten-free if you avoid soy sauce or request tamari.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates—rooftop views and hand rolls create an easygoing vibe, though it’s less ideal if you want a long, sit-down dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Sora operates on a walk-up model. Arrive outside prime sunset hours for the quickest seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably; the space is open-air and casual, but the rooftop setting is better suited to teens and older kids rather than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Quick, high-quality hand rolls with rooftop views—perfect for casual drinks, snacks, and ambiance-driven stops during a Grove or Farmers Market visit.
Skip if: You want full omakase, extensive nigiri selection, or a long, immersive sushi dinner; choose a more traditional sushi bar instead.
Sora Temaki Bar
7.8
Sora Temaki Bar is a rooftop hand roll spot perched above the Original Farmers Market, where open-style sushi rolls, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired snacks are served with skyline views. Guests come for signature temaki, seasonal fish flown in regularly, and a breezy rooftop setting that feels more relaxed than a formal omakase counter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Snapper Truffle Yuzu Sashimi, Spicy Lobster Hand Roll, Coconut Shrimp
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A rooftop temaki bar above the Farmers Market with city views and open-style hand rolls.
Who should go: Sushi fans wanting casual rooftop views and temaki.
When to visit: Golden hour or early evening for sunset views and buzz.
What to order: Red Snapper Truffle Yuzu sashimi, spicy lobster hand roll, coconut shrimp.
Insider tip: Book an early evening reservation and ask for rooftop rail seating facing The Grove for the best views.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Park in The Grove or Farmers Market parking structures; first hour often validated, but rates climb after 2 hours. Street parking is limited and competitive after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Most guests lean stylish given the rooftop setting—jeans are fine, but pair with something polished if going at sunset or for drinks.
Noise level: Moderate. Music and rooftop chatter create a lively vibe, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially around sunset.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; rooftop tends to fill closer to 6pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Decent options—cucumber, avocado, and veggie-forward rolls plus some small plates.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly simple vegetable rolls and edamame; confirm sauces.
Gluten-free options: Good selection since much of the menu is sashimi- and rice-based; ask for gluten-free soy sauce and avoid tempura items.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's casual but elevated, with views that create an easy conversation backdrop. The shareable temaki format keeps the meal light and interactive.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays, but weekends and sunset hours can back up quickly. Walk-ins are common, but rooftop rail seats are typically claimed early.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the rooftop layout and bar-style seating aren’t ideal for toddlers or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Casual rooftop sushi with open-air views—great for relaxed dates, girls' night, and pre-Grove hangouts without committing to a full omakase.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional sushi experience or high-end nigiri; choose a dedicated sushi bar instead.
Sora Temaki Bar
7.8
Perched above the Original Farmers Market, Sora Temaki Bar is a rooftop hand-roll and sashimi spot where open-style temaki are built with high-quality fish and hits like Red Snapper Truffle Yuzu. The breezy patio and skyline glimpses make it feel more like a casual sushi lounge than a formal omakase counter. It draws date nights and friend groups looking for cocktails and hand rolls before or after a Grove run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Snapper Truffle Yuzu Sashimi, Toro Truffle Hand Roll, Spicy Crispy Rice Tuna
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A rooftop temaki bar serving open-style hand rolls with city views.
Who should go: Sushi fans who want a casual, scene-y rooftop hang.
When to visit: Golden hour for sunset light and a comfortable patio buzz.
What to order: Red Snapper Truffle Yuzu, toro truffle hand roll, crispy rice tuna.
Insider tip: Start with sashimi, then move to hand rolls so the rice stays warm and crisp.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Parking at The Grove/Farmers Market structure is the most reliable — first hour free, then tiered rates; street parking on Fairfax/Melrose is scarce at peak hours.
Dress code: Trendy-smart casual; elevated sneakers and clean denim are fine, but most guests lean stylish for the rooftop setting.
Noise level: Moderate — music and patio chatter create a lively scene, but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for walk-ins depending on sunset hours; bar seats turn over faster.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, with plenty of open-air seating.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some vegetarian-friendly rolls and appetizers, including veggie temaki and salads.
Vegan options: Very limited — most items rely on fish, mayo-based sauces, or dashi.
Gluten-free options: Many sashimi plates are naturally gluten-free; tamari is available on request, but some sauces contain soy/gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the rooftop setting, casual hand-roll pacing, and shared plates make it conversational without feeling too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weekdays; weekends near sunset may require a short wait, though counter seats free up regularly.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the space is safe and open-air, but the menu skews raw-fish heavy and the crowd leans adult, making it better for older kids or teens.
Best For
Better for: Casual, high-quality hand rolls with a rooftop atmosphere — perfect for groups wanting views without omakase prices or formality.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, heavily traditional sushi, or a fully climate-controlled indoor dining room.