Welcome to Austin’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene. The city is full of unique flavors and innovative cuisine. The city is famous for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, but Austin’s culinary scene knows no bounds and boasts a wide variety of outstanding international cuisines. When I moved to Austin nearly three years ago, one of my first challenges was finding the best sushi in Austin. what have i learned Whether you’re a seasoned sushi connoisseur or a curious first-timer, Austin’s sushi scene has something for every palate.
After extensive research and ample tasting, our team has created a list of Austin’s best sushi spots with exceptional quality, creative culinary flair and impeccable service. Each restaurant on our list maintains both timeless and traditional sushi techniques and the ability to push the boundaries of creativity. Isn’t that what Austin is all about?
Featured image of Sushi by Scratch Restaurant To Chad Wadsworth.
Best splurge: Man
Don’t miss Otoko, a 12-seat Omakase Japanese Kaiseki-style spot inside the South Congress Hotel. Chef Yoshi Okai will guide you through a 20 course meal featuring nigiri, sashimi and other traditional Japanese favorites. To guarantee a seat at this popular restaurant, we recommend booking 3 months in advance. Trust me. Do not miss it.
- price: $$$$
- Specialty: This Omasake experience is a must-do here in Austin. ‘It’s up to you’ means you can enjoy a range of unique flavors without deciphering a menu of mouth-watering options. Hamachi with smoked tamari and herbs is a fan favorite, and the fish is grilled over Binchotan charcoal in front of you.
- 1603 S Congress Avenue | (512) 994-0428 | website | Instagram
Located in the bustling South Congress District, where Texas meets Japan, Neighborhood Sushi features an extensive menu of local and international ingredients. Enjoy Legacy Wagyu nigiri, made with La Grange beef, or choose Japanese dishes such as BBQ freshwater eel nigiri and sashimi. No matter what you choose, your taste buds will never be satisfied.
- price: $$
- Specialty: Neighborhood Sushi has many unique options for lovers of traditional sushi rolls, but they also have an extensive menu of veggie-only nigiri. Choose shimeji mushrooms with crunchy garlic or sweet corn with chili peppers and serrano for a delicious meat-free meal.
- 1716 S Congress Avenue | (512) 580-1390 | website | Instagram
At Fukumoto, you can have an authentic sushi experience. This restaurant is known for some of the best sushi in Austin, thanks to its mouth-watering menu and stunning interior. Sake barrels surround the dining room, where you can enjoy a variety of fresh fish, such as yellowtail and bluefin tuna, as well as specialty yakitori, such as miso marinated pork belly and brussels sprouts with honey sauce.
- price: $$
- Specialty: The highlight of this sushi restaurant is undoubtedly the charcoal-grilled yakitori prepared in the open kitchen. If you’re looking for entertainment while enjoying quality food, this is the place.
- 514 Medina Street | (512) 770-6880 | website | Instagram
Another omakase favorite here in Austin is Sushi by Scratch Restaurants. Located at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek, this 10-seat dining experience features his 16-course meal packed with everything from hamachi to wagyu beef. What really sets this dining experience apart is the variety of courses. Please note that this spot cannot accommodate vegetarian requests or mushroom allergies.
- price: $$$
- Specialty: The omakase experience itself is a specialty, but the diversity of ingredients from sea and land makes this sushi experience worth the wait.
- 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road | (512) 360-8601 | website | Instagram
Most Popular: home
If you’re an Austin local, a local, or just an in-the-know tourist, you know that Uchi is one of the finest sushi restaurants the city has to offer. Chef Tyson Cole presents a 10-course appetizer featuring the freshest, best-prepared sushi you’ve ever tasted. In addition, the regular menu offers top quality dishes from teppanyaki to caviar, nigiri and sashimi. If there’s one place on this list that you’d like to try for both the experience and the food, this is your spot.
- price: $$$$
- Specialty: What’s on our menu is different from what you’d find at a typical urban sushi restaurant. The omakase is arguably the most indulgent and signature dish here, but almost all the regular dishes too, such as hamachiri (fresh hamachi with ponzu sauce, Thai chili, orange supreme, or smoked trout eggs with yuzu cream). It is recommended. Fresh, black garlic, raisin relish and taro chips.
- 801 S Lamar Blvd | (512) 916-4808 | website | Instagram
Best Light Bite: rice
This first-come, first-served sushi spot has a varied menu for lunch, midday, dinner, and drinks, with plenty of choice to keep everyone full and satisfied. Enjoy rice bowls for lunch and hosomaki rolls for lunch. Whatever variation of this classic dish you choose should be cooked to beautiful perfection.
- price: $$
- Specialty: Think tapas, but that’s Japan. Komé’s Izakaya is bar-style Japanese cuisine with a large selection of typically inexpensive small dishes, along with a variety of specialty drinks. If you’re looking for a casual, delicious meal, this is the place.
- 5301 Airport Blvd #100 | (512) 712-5700 | website | Instagram
Best main dish: do
Soto, near Zilker, has the best of both worlds. In addition to nigiri and sashimi, we also have a wide variety of sushi rolls, so we can meet the needs of our customers. If you want an upscale night out, they also offer an omakase for $175 per person.
- price: $$$
- Specialty: If you want to expand beyond sushi, Soto’s hot and cold menu includes chili hamachi with garlic chilli ponzu sauce, fried jalapeños and scallions, and grilled Chilean sea bass marinated for 72 hours in a sweet miso sauce and scallions. Includes dishes such as
- 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste 2115 | (512) 531-9142 | website | Instagram
Classic and fresh, this Edomae sushi restaurant is one of those special places to satisfy your sushi cravings without going overboard. The nigiri is much larger than most sushi places around Austin, so it’s definitely worth paying for these foods. Enjoy your meal while enjoying the city view at the restaurant on the second floor. As a bonus, the weather is nice enough to eat on the patio!
- price: $$$
- Specialty: While you won’t get the full Omakase experience (and price), Musashino’s Deluxe Sushi comes with miso soup and a chef’s choice of several pieces of sushi.
- 2905 San Gabriel Street Suite 200 | (512) 795-8593 | website | Instagram
A longtime favorite in Austin is Tomodachi Sushi on Palmer Lane. The menu is not too elaborate and will likely fill up with locals who enjoy fresh fish for many years. The nigiri sushi and sashimi are carefully crafted by Chef Steve Reid and his wife Tina Song, both of which are not overly traditional and formal, promoting a welcoming and comfortable dining experience.
- price: $$
- Specialty: Some of Tomodachi’s highly rated popular menu items include fresh horse mackerel straight from the Tsukiji market in northern Japan and amberjack, wild yellowtail from the Honolulu fish market.
- 4101 W Palmer Line | 512) 821-9472 | website
A sister restaurant to popular James Beard Award-winning Japanese restaurant Uchi, the menu at uchiko is one of the most unique. From beef toro aged for 72 hours to Beausoleil oysters with strawberry chutney, the menu goes far beyond that of your local sushi joint.
- price: $$$$
- Specialty: Similar to Omakase, Uchiko offers a Somakase option for your dining experience, with your server overseeing the menu. Definitely worth a try if you want to spice up your 10 course meal without sitting down.
- 1801 Post Oak Blvd Suite 110 | (713) 522-4808 | website | Instagram
Another Austin local favorite is ichi-Umi on Research Boulevard. They consistently offer great service, hearty portions, and affordable prices. If you don’t want to commute to crowded areas like South Congress or downtown, Ichiumi won’t disappoint.
- price: $$
- Specialty: Their sushi is nothing special, but there are some must-haves on this menu. Honey wasabi sauce goes well with anything. The Matsu Combo is a large serving of sushi for multiple people for just $45.
- 9503 Research Blvd. #500 | (512) 795-8666 | website | Instagram
Best value for money: number one
Ichiban is one of the best sushi serving crowds in Austin. Happy hour runs Monday through Saturday from 4pm to 6pm and is substantial, but the regular priced menu is just as good. The interior of the restaurant is exactly what you would expect when eating Japanese cuisine. In my opinion, one of the best options in the city without breaking the bank.
- price: $$
- Specialty: It’s hard to find a restaurant that offers delicious bento boxes and a full sushi menu, but Ichiban-san always checks it out. It comes with rice, soup or salad, gyoza, vegetable tempura, and a California roll, so if you’re hungry, it might be your next order.
- 7310 Barnett Road | (512) 458-3700 | website | Instagram
