Brian Nagele
If you haven’t already fallen in love with sushi, then now is the time to give it a shot!
Most people think of sushi as being primarily raw fish. Still, many other options come together to make delicious rolls and other dishes, including garnishes, sauces, and even preparation techniques to help differentiate between styles.
The sushi craze has become huge in the United States over the last several years, with American-style sushi restaurants popping up all over the country.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to beat the quality of the best sushi restaurants in America when it comes to proper, authentic Japanese sushi.
If you want to try out some exceptional sushi, here are some of the best places to get high-quality sushi without having to travel very far!
1. O Ya
9 E St, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-654-9900
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O Ya Sushi is located in Boston, MA. It’s great for parties and has a unique underground location with modern decor.
O Ya focuses on sustainable fish, sourcing tuna suppliers that use pole and line fishing, and protecting marine life. They are generally eco-friendly by recycling paper products.
I love the omakase experience here because it means I get to try 20 courses of whatever the chef wants to give me.
There are no decisions to make, and I get to try new things! Their seasonal side dishes rotate, and their optional drink pairing is worth it.
2. Morimoto
723 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-413-9070
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Often called the Napa Valley of sushi, Philadelphia is a haven for both novices and connoisseurs. Morimoto, located in Philadelphia, PA, is owned by Iron Chef Morimoto.
Chef Morimoto takes the time to greet each table personally with the traditional sip of sake from a small wooden cup before beginning service on your new plate.
Chef Morimoto’s creative combinations take time to prepare, but it’s well worth it—he dishes fresh fish that melts in your mouth!
I love the regular menus at Morimoto, too. Some of my favorite dinner options are the Kani crab salad with yuzu dressing, the wagyu dumplings, and the seafood toban yaki.
The butadon hits the spot for my noodle cravings, and the omakase experience at Morimoto is an absolute delight.
3. Miyake
723 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-413-9070
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Located in Portland, ME, Miyake is closed for renovations until sometime in the summer of 2022, so it should be open again soon!
Still, I’m ready to go ahead and call it: it’s one of my favorite sushi restaurants in America. The quality of seafood is as fresh as you can get — and, as a result, incredibly delicious.
That’s not surprising when you consider how selective chef Masato Nishihara is about his food sources.
One of his mantras: Local first, sustainable second, best fish available third. Miyake Restaurant is unique: they don’t serve mediocre sushi or rolls just because people have come to expect it.
Miyake’s Hamayaki, which is lobster, crab, and scallops over rice with truffle oil and spicy mayo, is one of my go-to’s when I come here, followed in close second by their Salmon Lady Roll.
I can’t seem to eat here without ordering a house salad. The miso dressing is incredible, and the add-on avocado and seared tuit make it top-notch even as a small meal!
4. Sushi Nakazawa
23 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-924-2212
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A modern sushi spot in New York City, Sushi Nakazawa is a Japanese omakase restaurant with a 12-seat sushi bar.
Chef Daisuke Nakazawa and his wife Megumi are renowned for their creative and precise approach, reflected in everything from tasting menu options to carefully crafted sushi.
The freshest ingredients, innovative flavor combinations, and exacting standards have earned it legions of fans.
Nakazawa’s attention to detail has him personally selected premium fish flown daily. President Obama included it as one of his favorite spots. If you’re going to DC, you can try out their second location there!
I was delighted with the omakase here and loved the experience’s price point best!
5. KAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 773 278-5776
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Kai Zan is an elegant sushi bar in Chicago, IL, and was opened by ‘The Sushi Twins’, Melvin and Carlo Vizconde.
They provide an excellent omakase experience starting at around $85 and a tasting menu of readily available dishes.
Kai Zan is home to some of my favorite karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, which I was pleasantly surprised to find at a sushi restaurant!
Their shirt rib skewers cooked down in a wine reduction are mouth-watering. You can ask the chefs to prepare you any traditional rolls, nigiri, or sashimi not listed on their regular menu.
One of my favorite surprises about Kai Zan is that you’re free to BYOB! Call ahead to make sure what you want to bring isn’t something already on their menu, but if you have something specific you’d like to bring, all you have to do is grab it before you go!
6. Urasawa
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310 247-8939
Urasawa is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in America. It’s located in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, CA.
The food is incredible and unlike anything else I’ve eaten. With three Michelin stars under its belt, Urasawa has been called one of the most outstanding restaurants on earth by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The establishment was opened by master chef Masayoshi Takayama, one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, in 2010.
My dining experience at Urasawa included twenty-nine courses of fresh seafood prepared using traditional Japanese techniques and served with creative sauces.
On top of being downright delicious, each course is an art form unto itself – making every visit an authentic culinary experience.
Not only will you enjoy fine dining with a perfect view at Urasawa, but you’ll also have an opportunity to learn about Japanese culture from Chef Masayoshi himself!
Make sure to grab a reservation before you go. Urasawa is one of the most prestigious places in LA to stop for sushi and only seats 10 people at a time.
7. Maru Sushi
160 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-315-3100
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At Maru Sushi in Detroit, MI, people come for sushi and stay for a bit longer. It is one of the top sushi restaurants in America and has won numerous awards (including several from me).
Its best-known dishes are eclectic rolls like the mangolorian (think mango, salmon and cream cheese) and the crouching tiger (shrimp tempura roll topped with jalapeno).
Nigiri and sashimi options are also available, and I just needed to ask my server what was available for the day.
Those who are craving other Asian cuisines will also find a lot to love here. Maru also serves up tasty Chinese food dishes and an entire menu devoted to Southeast Asian specialties like pad thai.
Don’t take my word for it: one taste of anything from Maru Sushi in Detroit will have you hooked.
8. Naoe
661 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 305-947-6263
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If you’re looking for some severe exclusivity and a very intimate dining experience in Miami, FL, then you need to find your way to Naoe.
I discovered they have a seating capacity that maxes out at four guests, and they do not offer same-day reservations, but the wait to get in was beyond worth the time.
They’re currently only accepting reservations through their online portal, but the omakase here was outstanding.
It took about two and a half hours to get through the whole experience.
Chef Cory dedicated himself to showcasing Japanese culture in the best way possible on the shores of Miami, and Naoe was Miami’s first omakase-only sushi experience.
If the restaurant didn’t have five stars already, I’d have given them five stars myself.
9. Q Sushi
521 W. 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: 213- 225-6285
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There’s no shortage of fantastic sushi in Los Angeles, but Q Sushi is a favorite among foodies and regulars, so I just had to try it!
Located in Westlake Village, CA, Q Sushi has made a name for itself with its impeccable selection of nigiri, sashimi, and maki.
If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience without breaking your budget, look no further than Q Sushi.
The vibe is friendly, relaxed and fun. Don’t miss out on one of Q Sushi’s most popular items: the fatty Binh hand roll, made with tuna belly meat and spicy mayo.
My favorite from Q Sushi was the fire goddess roll, with albacore and yellowtail tunas, avocado, a spicy ponzu sauce, and topped off with slices of fresh jalapeno.
10. Juno
2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-935-2000
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Although there are many great sushi restaurants in Chicago, Juno Sushi deserves mention because of its impressive array of nigiri and sashimi.
If you enjoy classic sushi rolls, they have them on their menu, but like any good traditional restaurant, their primary focus is fresh fish and seafood with nothing else.
After first trying it, I quickly became a fan because most traditional meals typically have some sort of sauce or dressing on top of your roll – not so at Juno, where you can taste that it’s all about quality ingredients.
This experience is perfect for those who love raw seafood but aren’t huge fans of heavy sauces like mayo and spicy tuna.
11. Hidden Omakase
5353 W Alabama St #102, Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 713-496-2633
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I recently found out about a sushi bar in Houston called Hidden Omakase.
Hidden Omakase is an intimate dining experience with a Chef’s tasting menu, with limited 18-person seating and set times for available reservations.
A reservation for each person starts at $175 but delivers hand-made creations designed by Chef Niki for a truly glorious experience.
I like the atmosphere here, as it’s still an intimate dining experience but isn’t as restrictive as some of the smaller intimate dining experiences available across the country.
Be prepared to take your taste buds on a full-length adventure!
12. Morio’s Sushi Bistro
1150 S King St #103, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: 808-596-2288
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This spot isn’t just a place you go to eat sushi. If anything, it is a local hangout—not unlike your neighborhood bar.
Not many people may have heard of Morio’s Sushi Bistro, located in Honolulu, HI. Still, any lover of sushi and Japanese cuisine will tell you that every bite served here is worth every penny.
Known for its laid-back atmosphere, local hangout factor, and, most importantly, their affordable pricing – all located in an unassuming strip mall – Morio’s Sushi Bistro caters to locals more than tourists.
Honestly, I feel a little guilty writing about it because I don’t want any outsiders getting word of its terrific location!
Another tip – Morio’s is Bring Your Own Beverage! The best part of my experience here was sharing drinks with others who had brought enough to share!
13. Soto
11066 Pecan Park Blvd Ste 402, Cedar Park, TX
Phone: 512-257-0788
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Located in Cedar Park, TX, is a fantastic sushi restaurant by Chef Andy Chen. Some say Soto is one of Austin’s most famous sushi joints.
Start your meal off as I did with some steamed seafood shumai and wagyu dumplings, then move on to a toro truffle roll and prepare yourself for an excellent culinary experience.
I highly recommend you get the rock shrimp feast or tuna tataki!
Luckily, Soto has other locations around Austin and has also opened up a location in Houston. Texas has some of the best sushi ever, y’all!
14. Akiko’s
431 Bush St, San Francisco, CA, 94108
Phone: 415-397-3218
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Sure, anyone can walk into a grocery store and grab a pack of imitation crab sushi, but if you want to take your sushi game to new heights, you should learn about some of the best-kept sushi secrets in Houston.
Want to know what everyone’s whispering about? Check out Akiko’s Sushi Restaurant.
Owned by Akiko, it’s no wonder that her restaurant is one of Houston’s best-kept secrets. What more could you ask for when you already have great food, atmosphere and exceptional service?
You’ll feel right at home as soon as you sit down, especially if you love the simplicity of a sushi menu without all the extra flavors and fluff!
15. Uchi Austin
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-916-4808
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Uchi Austin offers fresh fish (most caught only hours before preparation) with traditional preparations in a creative atmosphere, more of a traditional Japanese restaurant than an Americanized sushi bar.
Fresh fish is what it’s all about here: salmon from Washington State and kampachi from Hawaii are some of their most popular offerings.
Uchi Austin’s menu rotates based on season and availability, but I cannot recommend their hama chili enough!
It had yellowtail and Thai chilis, and I rounded my meal out with some of their coconut tapioca (with picked blueberries and lychee sorbet) for dessert!
16. Sushi Hashiri
4 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-908-1919
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There are quite a few options if you live in San Francisco and want to experience authentic omakase.
However, if you want all-out luxury, there is only one: Hashiri. This fully omakase experience inside San Francisco’s Mandarin Oriental offers a complete meal with fresh sushi and beautiful artistry.
For those who opt for in-home service, for an additional fee, the chefs will personally come to your house to serve up to four guests.
Talk about high-end! This option is for anyone who wants real class and loves eating fish so fresh that you may as well be watching fish swim around your dinner plate!
17. Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th Ave Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-232-5255
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It may not look like much from the outside, but Bamboo Sushi in Portland, OR, serves fresh and affordable sushi.
This local favorite has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp with 77 reviews, which is why I just had to try it.
Reviewers praise the restaurant’s excellent service and food quality, writing that it’s the best value for sushi in Portland, hands down.
I agree with the value and quality of the place, and it’s even better that Bamboo Sushi has multiple locations.
For just $20—or even less if you take advantage of their happy hour—you can eat yourself silly on tuna avocado rolls and spicy scallop hand rolls.
My essential tip before going: Grab some cash before heading over because they don’t accept credit cards.
How could you leave out Masa in NYC? Ridiculously expensive, yes. Worth the experience. Amazing!!!
In Houston, you should try Kata Robata. The best in Houston.