Brian Nagele
Jacksonville’s sushi scene is a hidden gem, shimmering as brightly as the waters of the St. Johns River. In this sprawling metropolis, the sushi spots are as varied as the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, each rolling out its own signature take on this Japanese culinary art. These establishments, ranging from intimate, softly-lit nooks to bustling, neon-drenched venues, offer an ocean’s bounty right to your plate. Whether you’re after the timeless elegance of perfectly crafted nigiri or the adventurous twists of fusion rolls, you can count on Jacksonville to elevate your sushi dining experience. So, ready your chopsticks and dive into the fresh, flavorful world of sushi where Jacksonville’s chefs are rolling out nothing but the best.
11. Sushi Bear Sushi & Grill
4530 St Johns Ave #9, Jacksonville, FL 32210
904-503-0690
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The funky Sushi Bear is only a few blocks from where the St. John’s River narrows to the Ortega. I’m constantly overwhelmed by the sheer number of appetizers, entrees, and desserts this full-scale Japanese eatery has available. When I’m in Jacksonville, this is one of my all-time favorite places to eat. In addition to a long list of sushi rolls and individual bites, Sushi Bear will cook up teppanyaki, teriyaki, katsu, tempura, and udon variations of chicken, shrimp, pork, and mixed vegetables. But I must eat any dish named after the restaurant itself, so the Sushi Bear roll of shrimp tempura, mango, spicy crab, avocado, and two types of mayonnaise makes my mouth water. Try it!
10. Open Sushi
9930 Old Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-619-1628
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When I got back from a guided kayak tour recently, I was hungry. Sushi seemed like the most appropriate meal after having been on the water. So I cruised into Open Sushi and devoured the “Special California Roll.” As a transplanted Californian, I appreciated the Left Coast taste of raw crab, cucumber, avocado on the inside, and tempura crab, eel sauce, fish eggs, and scallion on top. It was a big, delicious bite. But next time I’m going to try the Tokyo Roll. It’s a fried roll with salmon, eel, and avocado.
9. Crazy Sushi
4320 Deerwood Lake Pkwy #201, Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-998-9797
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Just west of I-295 and the University of North Florida lies this small but tasty eatery in a nondescript strip mall that provides some of the best sushi in Jacksonville, Florida. But there’s nothing nondescript about the delicious nigiri here. Crazy Sushi offers a full lunch menu and an extensive number of entrees, including filet mignon over rice. I like the devilishly good Diablo Roll. It’s a fried roll with tuna, salmon, Crabmeat, scallion, and cream cheese on the inside, and shrimp sauce on the outside. The combination of seafood flavors melds together nicely. My friend tried the Ocean Blue roll mostly because it didn’t seem to have anything remotely blue about it – tempura-battered sweet potatoes with crunchy tempura and spicy salmon. But he loved it.
8. Kazu Sushi Burrito
935 Durbin Pavilion Dr Ste 104, St Johns, FL 32259
904-484-7939
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Honestly, I’m a little late to the sushi burrito fusion of Hawaiian and Japanese flavors and techniques. But this mixture of cultures sure is delicious. After an appetizer of Lobster Goyaza – a pan-seared dumpling that included zucchini and onions, I opted for the Surf N Turf burrito. It was filled with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, spicy crab, red onion, chicken, crispy onion, cilantro, and lettuce with a sweet yuzu sauce to hold it all together. I recommend opting for any of the signature dishes as bowls to cut down on the extra carbs.
7. Otaki Japanese Steakhouse
7860 Gate Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
904-854-0485
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If I like to try dishes that are named after their restaurants, you can bet I will also try anything with a pop culture reference. Here, that includes the Bubba Roll, named for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company from the movie “Forrest Gump.” As expected, this roll came with six pieces of sushi filled with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and cucumber. Cooked shrimp and scallions were laid nicely on top, as was some spicy mayonnaise. The whole roll was then finished with a dusting of flying fish eggs. Other culturally referenced sushi rolls include the Gator, Jaguar, Jax, and PGA. Try them all. They also have such a great selection of drinks here that Otaki has quickly become one of my favorite places to grab a drink when I’m in Jax!
6. Sake House
Multiple locations
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Sake House is so close to the beach, not only can I smell the ocean breeze, but I also think they go down to the nearby pier and catch the fish themselves each day to provide customers with its omakase-style dishes. What I really like about this restaurant is the tasting menu of 26 different varieties of nigiri. I can mix and match individual sushi bites and decide which ones I like best. One day I might try octopus, whitefish, and squid. Maybe the next time I will attempt mackerel, conch, and escolar (white tuna). The possibilities are almost endless. Plus, this spot is only a short stroll to Neptune Beach and Jarboe Park. So, eat up and then walk it off at a leisurely pace.
5. Fuji Sushi
Multiple locations
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I like to watch sushi chefs prepare their rolls. I mean, it’s fun to be surprised when the cooks are in the back. But it’s also a treat, when offered, to watch chefs create their concoctions. They take a piece of seaweed and slap some rice on it. Then, they drop in the required ingredients, delicately roll the mixture, and slice it. Finally, with chopsticks or tweezers in hand, they gingerly lay the tiny finishing touches atop it. Voila, a perfect bite. At Fuji Sushi, watching the chefs helps me decide what to try. Otherwise, it would be too difficult because the menu is enormous. There are more than 100 items to choose from for lunch and dinner.
4. Yashi Sushi
4820 W Deer Lake Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-997-9887
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One mile south of the Beach and Peach Urban Bike Park on Southside Boulevard is Yashi Sushi. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a nice trail ride. I especially like the cucumber rolls here. Another pop-culture reference, the Naruto is a favorite with its combination of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, crab, and avocado. The 7th Hokage himself would be proud. Another favorite is the Futomaki, sushi that comes in a larger and thicker roll than others. These can be stuffed with up to 10 ingredients, such as codfish flakes, gourd strips, and eel.
3. Kazu Japanese Restaurant
9965 San Jose Blvd #35, Jacksonville, FL 32257
904-683-9903
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In less than a decade, Kazu has distinguished itself throughout Jacksonville with numerous accolades as the best sushi in Jacksonville. It is known for bringing in fish from throughout the globe and then preparing and presenting them in striking arrangements. For personal reasons, I have always been drawn to the Lady Love Roll here. Its pink soy paper roll is filled with spicy tuna, avocado, tempura shrimp, and tobiko (tiny, flying fish roe), and topped with a spicy kimchee drizzle. Yum. A close second is the Fantastic 4 Roll due to its sriracha, wasabi yuzu, and sesame finish.
2. Sushi House
Multiple locations
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Just south of where state routes 202 and 115 meet is the intimate Sushi House of Bay Meadows. The restaurant is quaint, and its offerings are simple. But sometimes the simple pleasures are the best. I enjoy the Triple Lover. It’s three pieces of salmon, three pieces of yellowtail, and three pieces of tuna with a spicy tuna roll. When I’m in the mood for something a little more refined, I opt for the Chirashi. It’s a dish of various fish served over a bed of rice. Chirashi is the Japanese word for “scattered,” and this colorful ring is meant to be as pleasing to the eye as it is to the mouth.
1. Yummy Sushi
4372 Southside Blvd # 207-208, Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-998-8806
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Don’t you love it when you find something different? I know I do. And at Yummy Sushi, I discovered my first taste of yummy Oshinko. The word Oshinko means “fragrant dish” in Japanese, and it has become the culinary term for pickled vegetables. Oshinko can be any vegetable, but it is usually daikon radishes. They turn bright yellow and become succulent during the pickling process. If you are prepared to breathe fire, Yummy Sushi has created three different dragon rolls: the Green, the Black, and the Angry Dragon. All of them include eel.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Wanderlog.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60805-c38-Jacksonville_Florida.html
https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-sushi-jacksonville
https://www.unation.com/stuff-to-do/best-sushi-in-jacksonville/
https://foursquare.com/top-places/jacksonville/best-places-sushi
https://www.floridahipster.com/best-sushi-in-jacksonville-florida/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/85748/best-sushi-restaurants-and-sushi-bars-in-jacksonville
