Brian Nagele
New York City is a place that manages to have a little something for everyone, and that includes spots for high-quality sushi.
You can find good sushi pretty much anywhere in NYC. However, you owe it yourself to check out one of the sushi spots in Williamsburg.
Williamsburg has been on the rise since the late 90s, and more and more people have begun to visit the neighborhood over the years as it gains new attractions. Now it is known for being a place that brings in all kinds of people to enjoy its diverse array of restaurants, live music from talented performers, breathtaking sightlines on its waterfront, and so much more.
Now, while the fantastic culture of Williamsburg is enough of a draw in its own right, we’re here to discuss sushi! Particularly where to get sushi in Williamsburg, so let’s get to it!
For starters, here’s my list of the best sushi spots in Williamsburg!
Okonomi // Yuji Ramen
150 Ainslie St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 929-295-0480
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Okonomi sits two blocks from the Lorimer L and Metropolitan G stops. At the time of this article, this location is not offering any indoor or outdoor dining, which is a shame since the establishment brings the feeling of a traditional Japanese sushi eating experience.
That aside, their new take-out-only menu for delivery and takeout sushi is quite extensive and full of exciting options that fill most niches. Personally, the spicy tuna and breakfast bento are the two items I’d recommend above all others, as the former brings about what you’d expect to the table while the latter will surprise you a bit.
Bozu
296 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-384-7770
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Located only a block away from The City Reliquary Museum, Bozu is one of the sushi bars on this list with more trendy décor. Along with that, Bozu has a unique method of using Kaiki water in food preparation, drinking water, and tea. Kaiki water is chemical-free and full of energy and “a natural mineral balance” that far outshines tap water.
Bozu offers an excellent range of fresh sushi roll options. However, what sets Bozu apart from other sushi spots is the signature sushi bombs. I find them to be just as good as regular sushi rolls, and the added uniqueness factor makes them one of those dishes that you’ve got to try at least once for the experience.
Suzume
545 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-486-0200
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Located on the end of the block almost directly opposite of Lorimer St./Dover St. bus stop, Suzume is another sushi bar that offers an intimate sushi eating experience. The elegant décor of this place is something that you’ll likely appreciate, along with some quality sushi!
The sushi options you can expect to find here include veggie, tuna, spicy salmon, and California rolls. Also, while Suzume has decent indoor and outdoor seating, you may want to call ahead and see if seating is available.
Samurai Mama
205 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-599-6161
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Located only a few blocks from the Williamsburg Music Center, Samurai Mama is another sushi bar that prides itself on using Kaiki Water for its tea and food preparation, just like Bozu. It’s one of those out-of-the-way bars that are a bit difficult to find, but it offers outdoor and indoor seating. The brown walls and wood give the interior a very down-to-earth feel, so Samurai Mama is excellent if you want to immerse yourself in a darker ambiance.
The Sushi Taco Set is among the most popular items on the dinner menu. That said, I’d also recommend the Hot Pepper Tsukudani for some spice and the Salmon Negi for a more plain option.
Salt + Charcoal
171 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: 718-782-2087
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Salt + Charcoal has indoor, sidewalk, roadside, and cellar dining, so right off the bat, you’ll have multiple options to personalize your sushi dining experience to the max. Located on the corner strip of Bedford Ave and Grand St., Salt + Charcoal is actually a steakhouse, but you can get sushi on the dinner menu.
Here you can still find your choice of salmon, yellowtail, or tuna avocado rolls. So, if you’re looking for sushi and also want some steakhouse-style food to pair with it, then Salt+Charcoal is the best option in the neighborhood for its variety.
Shalom Japan
310 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-388-4012
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Shalom Japan is located right on the corner of South Fourth Street and Rodney St. It has a clean exterior look that’s quite eye-catching, and its equally impressive interior will undoubtedly give you a great first impression.
The menu blends Jewish and Japanese roots to make unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Since the menu has a lot of different options, I would suggest getting the Matzoh Ball Ramen or the Okonomiyaki for the flavor safari they’ll take you on.
Musashi Asian Cuisine
495 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-388-5081
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Located on the corner of Grand Street and Union Avenue, Musashi Asian Cuisine has one of the sleekest interior designs you could ask for. If you go at night, the dim lighting allows for an intimate eating experience that will make you not want to leave when you’re done.
For sushi specifically, there are 11 different sushi bar entrees. Add on even more options from the sushi and sashimi a la Carte section of the menu, and you’ve got a wide range of options on your hands. I recommend the Sushi Deluxe as the best starter entrée since it offers a nice healthy number of assorted sushi.
Okozushi by Megumi
376 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 347-599-1144
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Suppose you’re looking for a sushi bar that really has a lot of variety in terms of sushi rolls. In that case, Okozushi is the one I would recommend the most on this list. It’s just a block away from Graham Ave. subway station that’s on Graham Ave/Metropolitan Ave.
You can find tuna avocado rolls, eel cucumber rolls, eel avocado rolls, veggie rolls, spicy tuna rolls, and many more at this sushi bar. There are even exciting combos like the Nigiri & Roll combo, which has tuna, white fish, salmon, and Hamachi with salmon or avocado rolls.
Sometimes having too many options leads to a quantity over quality issue, but in Okozushi’s case, you’re getting nothing but quality!
Fushimi
475 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-963-2555
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Fushimi sits right outside the southwest side of McCarren park. When I first stumbled upon the spot, the restaurant’s fusion of traditional Japanese and French-inspired nouvelle cuisines left me quite speechless. Though what really blew me away was the design and décor of the place. It has that Las Vegas feel where everything is super sleek and shiny, and you don’t want to touch or breathe on anything because it’s all so pristine.
It’s the perfect place to take a group of friends for the wow factor alone, and if you do go, I recommend getting either the Angry Dragon or Fire and Ice rolls.
Amani Bar & Restaurant
57 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 917-909-1568
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Located between Guernsey and Lorimer Street, Amani is a bar and restaurant that strives to create a balance that brings together a menu and atmosphere that will make your body and mind feel right at home. As soon as you walk in the door, you get the feel of the artistry that’s visible in the place’s design. It feels like a classic sushi bar with a modern twist, which carries over to the presentation of the various dishes.
I recommend the small or medium sushi ozara, but if you want to stick to a more basic option, you can’t go wrong with the classic roll combo that includes tuna, salmon, and California rolls.
Minami Lounge
299 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 917-909-1896
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Minami Lounge is on the east side of Marcy Great North park, and what stood out to me most when I first walked into the restaurant was the lighting. It has a unique look because of the light placement and the sheer amount of reflective surfaces inside. So, if you want some lovely décor to look at while you eat, you’ll definitely get that here.
As for the Minami Lounge’s sushi, there are all kinds of combo and assorted rolls. My favorite is the Tri-Color Sushi, which has three salmon, three tuna, and three yellowtail rolls. However, if you want to keep things simple, the sushi deluxe comes with nine pieces of assorted sushi and one tuna roll.
Ako
205 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-302-2035
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Located on 5th St. and Bedford Ave., Ako is a great sushi bar if you’re a fan of outdoor seating. There is a spacious deck with large umbrellas that offer protection from the sun’s rays on a sunny day, and you’ll also be surrounded by well-kept greenery and trees. It’s a simple yet satisfying atmosphere, and the presentation of the food also reflects this same atmosphere.
There are plenty of sushi options to dive into here. Some are very basic and hard to beat, like the spicy tuna roll, while others are more exquisite, like the Golden Dragon. The latter is my favorite, as the honey wasabi sauce and yellowtail tuna mixed together in a cucumber roll with sweet mango tickles the taste buds just right!
Fukuyama Sushi & Ramen
622 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-782-1496
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Fukuyama sits directly east of the Lorimer St. subway station exit right on the corner of Lorimer St. and Metropolitan Ave. It is a nice little spot that offers an intimate atmosphere, as there are only a handful of tables for seating. If you’re looking for a quieter out-of-the-way sushi spot to visit at night when you’re ready to start winding down, you may want to put this one at the top of your list.
I recommend the sushi lunch if you’re just looking for basic sushi. However, you can also get the sushi platter or Tri-color sushi as well if you’re looking to switch things up a bit.
Ume
237 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: 929-420-3253
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Located at the east tip of Grand Ferry Park, Ume brings a classic dining experience. The place pioneers a combination of artistic and culinary direction that is entirely its own. There is nothing else quite like this little sushi spot that makes you feel like you’re teleported to a different reality that exudes peace.
There is a good variety of sushi on offer here, so you won’t have any trouble finding something you like. I recommend any of the handroll options, and if you want to add on a little extra, the Omakase is an excellent choice. It is a little on the more expensive side, but well worth the price!
Aburi Sushi
769 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-387-8815
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Unlike the other locations on this list, I would say that Aburi Sushi is the easiest to pass by if you were simply walking down the Grand St. Sandwiched between a salon and hardware store, this sushi bar is about as casual of a sushi bar as you’ll ever find. The interior will not blow you away, but it is clean, quiet, and spacious, so you can still expect an excellent dining experience.
I liked the sushi lunch specials, as you get your choice of California, tuna, or salmon rolls. Though the sushi sashimi combos also make for good entrées/appetizers.
Finding a sushi bar in Williamsburg is not a difficult task as there are so many spread across the neighborhood. Still, they all have their own specialties, and picking the right one isn’t as easy as choosing what fast food restaurant you want to go to.
A truly great sushi eating experience is about more than just the sushi itself, so consider everything we covered on this list when picking what sushi bar you want to try.
If you’re looking for more restaurant advice, check out our 17 Best Brunch Spots in Williamsburg.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
