TLDR: Premium sushi and a promising all you can eat brunch concept, but the crowded layout and inconsistent buffet replenishment still need work. We visited Yubari for its Sunday sushi brunch buffet. It is a great concept, offering unlimited rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and creative sushi bites from the buffet, along with several hot brunch dishes made to order. Our party of two had an 11:15 reservation and was seated at the sushi counter. Normally, counter seats are my favorite place to sit at a sushi restaurant, but they were not ideal for this setup. Counter space was limited, and we were directly outside the kitchen in one of the busiest traffic areas of the restaurant. The sushi itself was excellent for a buffet. We enjoyed premium cuts including otoro, salmon, and scallop, along with creative rolls, single bite sashimi spoons, and mini chirashi bowls. Since we arrived near the beginning of service, we were fortunate to visit the buffet while it was fully stocked. Unfortunately, Yubari appeared to wait until the buffet was nearly empty before completing a full replenishment rather than replacing individual items as they ran out. Once the restaurant filled up, each new batch was picked clean within minutes. Guests arriving closer to noon were often left with a mostly empty buffet and had to rely on the made to order hot dishes while waiting. At roughly $88 CAD per person, the experience can be a good value if you arrive early and catch the buffet fully stocked. It is much harder to justify for diners seated later who may not receive the same selection. Since this is still a newer brunch service, they are likely working through the operational issues. Tighter seating waves, fewer covers, and continuous replenishment would make the experience much more consistent for everyone. Overall, Yubari has an excellent concept and serves some of the best quality fish I have encountered at a sushi buffet. The food is there, but the format and execution still need refinement before the experience matches the price point.
