Brian Nagele
Delve into the vibrant sushi scene of Philadelphia with our guide to must-try restaurants, offering authentic, creative, and mouth-watering dishes.
While the last decade has brought plenty of new, upscale, modern sushi restaurants, there are also smaller places you might miss if you don’t know about them. The best sushi restaurants in Philadelphia is all across the city, from South Philly to Center City to Fishtown.
Morimoto
Center City
732 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-413-9070
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Morimoto was an exciting new addition to Philadelphia’s sushi scene a few years ago, but they continue to serve excellent sushi. They serve some of the freshest fish in the city, and offer an omakase menu as well as other chef’s combination menus in smaller quantities. All sushi and sashimi is available a la carte as well, and they also provide hot entrees and desserts for a full meal experience.
Royal Sushi and Izakaya
Queen Village
780 S. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
267-909-9002
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While there’s no sign, you’ll know you’ve found Royal Sushi and Izakaya when you see the red lantern and the blue door. Chef Jesse Ito runs a 10-person omakase in the back, while the front of the restaurant serves a la carte Japanese cuisine including sushi and much more. Most of the fish at Royal Sushi and Izakaya is imported from Japan, meticulously prepared to perfection. The omakase menu comes with 18 pieces of the chef’s choice for $130 a person, which is steep but worthwhile.
Hiroki
Fishtown
1355 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-422-3222
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Hiroki is one of the most exciting dining experiences in the city right now and perfect for sushi lovers. This Fishtown sushi joint is omakase only, and offers unique sushi options. It is overseen by executive chef Hiroki Fujiyama, and it’s all about tradition and technique. The omakase comes with 20 pieces, and it is seasonally changed and inspired by his hometown cuisine in Kyoto, Japan. Beverages are also available to be paired with the food.
Tuna Bar
Old City
205 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-238-8862
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Tuna Bar comes from Chef Kenneth Sze, and features sushi and a raw bar, plus an omakase option. The sushi and sashimi at Tuna Bar is always fresh and high quality, and they have lots of other delicious menu items as well, from gyoza to entree dishes and more. Tuna Bar features some of Chef Sze’s family recipes, and they even offer sushi making classes for customers to learn on their own once a month.
Bleu Sushi
262 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-829-0800
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Bleu Sushi is in the heart of Midtown, just a short walk away from Washington Square. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much but inside has a warm and cozy atmosphere that makes it one of the best sushi spots in town. It’s the perfect combination of casual and fine dining. The menu at Bleu Sushi is what you’d expect from most sushi restaurants. They have many classic and specialty rolls, Japanese appetizers, and more. I recommend sharing the sushi/sashimi boat if you’re traveling with friends. Besides that, my favorite items are their fatty tuna and Ben Franklin Bluefin roll.
Zama
Rittenhouse Square
128 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-568-1027
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Zama is known for upscale, modern sushi. They serve traditional rolls as well as innovative ones, like the cheesesteak-inspired maki. Run by chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, Zama has a comprehensive menu of Japanese cuisine as well as super-fresh sushi and sashimi and unique dishes. They also offer a wide variety of sake and the chef’s own Drunken Zama sake.
Fuji Mountain
2030 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-751-0939
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Fuji Mountain is just south of Logan Square, less than half a mile from Rittenhouse Square. Some people in Philly even say it’s the city’s best Japanese restaurant. The restaurant is filled with stunning Japanese decor, bright lighting, and red and wooden walls. They have regular seating, red leather couches, and coffee tables for casual dining. They have lunch specials, plenty of sushi rolls, and classic Japanese entrees and appetizers. I love their sushi udon combo. You get five pieces of sushi the chef chooses, one spicy yellowtail and one udon. Besides that, their angry tuna roll and dragon roll are my favorites.
Kaiseki
990 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215-740-9475
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Kaiseki is in the Poplar neighborhood, about a block from Franklin Music Hall. This casual sushi restaurant is affordable and fast, but don’t let that deter you. It’s still high-quality and the best place for takeaway sushi in Philadelphia. They have a few tables and barstools at the sushi bar, but I’d take your food to go and eat at one of the nearby parks. Something I and others love about Kaiseki is the amount of combos and specials they offer. The tuna sampler is perfect for tuna lovers because you get a few pieces of sushi and different rolls, all made with tuna.
Dawa Sushi & Ramen Bar
1204 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 215-278-7671
You’ll find Dawa Sushi & Ramen Bar on North Front Street, just a short walk from Penn Treaty Park. This restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere with a solid black sushi bar where you can watch your rolls being made. I love the chalkboard wall that they regularly update with different specials. Dawa is known for its fresh sushi and delicious ramen. So, it’s the perfect spot in Philly if you want sushi, but someone you’re with isn’t in the mood but still will enjoy Japanese cuisine. I recommend getting a classic California roll here or their beef ramen.
Kinme
Washington Square West
1117 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-982-1722
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Kinme serves up sushi and other Japanese cuisine in style. This restaurant has a sleek design and presentation, and the food is delicious too of course. They feature creative custom rolls with musical inspired names, like Fiddler, Mamma Mia, or the Kinky Boots which comes with eel, avocado, and fresh pineapple topped with tuna ball and roasted bell pepper salsa. Kinme is BYOB and has plenty of great food to offer.
Double Knot
Center City
120 S 13th St, Philadelphia PA 19107
215-631-3868
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Double Knot is famous for its downstairs sushi restaurant. While the upstairs of this two-story restaurant serves coffee and cocktails, the basement serves Japanese cuisine and some of Philadelphia’s best sushi. Aside from sushi and sashimi there are plenty of Asian inspired small plates available. Their sushi is unique in presentation, straying from tradition.
Sagami Japanese Restaurant
37 Crescent Blvd, Collingswood, NJ 08108
Phone: 856-854-9773
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You’ll need to cross into New Jersey to find Sagami Japanese Restaurant. The good news is that it’s only a five-mile drive from the Philadelphia City Center. You know you’ve arrived when you see a large red awning with the restaurant’s name. It’s large, bustling, and has some amazing staff. Sagami Japanese Restaurant’s menu is vast, so everyone can find something they’ll love here. I like ordering the sushi assortment the chef selects, but my other top choices are their Philadelphia roll, fried oysters, and salmon skin roll.
Vic Sushi Bar
Rittenhouse
2035 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-4339
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It’s hard to get a seat at Vic Sushi Bar – in part due to the size, but also because it’s so popular. This BYOB sushi joint has a huge menu in a small space with only a counter and a few seats, so takeout may be a better option. Vic Sushi Bar is pretty inexpensive for its quality, with a three roll special for under $12. There’s lots to choose from here for sushi lovers who can’t break the bank over their next meal.
Doma
1822 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-564-1114
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Doma is about two blocks north of Logan Square in a walkable area of town. The restaurant combines Japanese and Korean cuisine in a tiny yet elegant space. It’s the kind of sushi place you go for a high-quality dinner after a day of exploring the City of Brotherly Love. The menu at Doma has a little bit of everything regarding sushi. The one thing you must try when visiting is the naked roll. It’s spicy avocado over deep-fried sushi. It sounds odd, but it’s delicious. Other items you should try when you’re here are their eel cucumber roll, the Doma roll, and the lobster tempura roll.
Fat Salmon Sushi
719 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-928-8881
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Fat Salmon Sushi is right near Independence Hall. It’s a more modern sushi restaurant with green walls, greenery ceilings, funky lights, and seating at the sushi bar and tables. People come for the food, but the atmosphere is what really sells this place. The creators of Fat Salmon Sushi wanted to include a little bit of everything on their menu. They have nigiri, sushi, and Japanese appetizers. I recommend looking at their combination options. The sashimi, for one, comes with 12 pieces and is a popular choice. The spicy scallop roll is my favorite if you don’t want sashimi.
Sakana Omakase Sushi
Queen Village
616 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-2149
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Sakana offers some of the best affordable omakase in Philadelphia. They won Best of Philly in 2019, and for good reason. Their omakase can be enjoyed with 12 pieces of chef’s choice sushi and sashimi, or you can go all out for a huge, 90 minute omakase of 21 courses. Either way, the fish is fresh and delicious, and you’ll get a great omakase experience for less than most of the other top sushi restaurants in Philadelphia.
Umai Umai
Northern Liberties
533 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-988-0707
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Umai Umai is a sleek sushi restaurant with lots of character. The food is presented beautifully and the sushi is fantastic by all accounts. They cover all the classic sushi rolls before venturing into the zanier rolls, of which they are many. The sushi at Umai Umai often has other cultural influences, creating a fun dining experience, but the classic rolls are done in the traditional style. Whether you choose a strange specialty roll or a classic, you won’t be disappointed.
Bluefin Restaurant
2820 Dekalb Pike, East Norriton, PA 19401
Phone: 610-277-3917
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Bluefin Restaurant is in East Norriton, northwest of Philadelphia. It’s a large and elegant restaurant where you should try to make reservations rather than walk in. While it’s not an overly fancy restaurant, it’s great for dates and special occasions. People know Bluefin Restaurant for their unique takes on classic sushi. They have all your favorites, but they have menu items like their tuna sundae. Some popular choices are the Boston Spider roll and the Bentley roll.
Yanako Restaurant
4345 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Phone: 267-297-8151
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Yanako Restaurant is in the Roxborough-Manayunk area of Philly on Main Street. It’s right near the river and is one of the only sushi restaurants that has indoor and outdoor seating. I suggest sitting outside if the weather’s nice when you visit. The menu here is filled with classic and specialty rolls for you to choose from. I love their sushi dinner options that are perfect for sharing with friends or alone. Their mardi gras roll is popular, but I recommend picking pieces of sushi and building your own plate or platter.
Aki Nom Nom
Center City
1210 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-985-1838
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Aki Nom Nom is probably the best all-you-can-eat sushi in Philadelphia. There are plenty of choices, so you can enjoy multiple plates with your favorite sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and more. Aki Nom Nom also serves ramen, also some of the best in the city. All-you-can-eat sushi and sashimi are only $28.95 per person, which is a deal you just can’t beat.
Philadelphia is home to plenty of amazing sushi places, from upscale restaurants to hole-in-the-wall restaurants you’d never think twice about if you never tried them.
Check out the best sushi in Philadelphia and let us know your favorites!
Did we forget your favorite sushi place in Philly? Let us know in the comments!
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