Finding San Diego's Best Sushi
Updated September 2026: When it comes to creating a list of the best sushi restaurants in San Diego, everyone has a personal favorite. If you are craving sashimi, rolls, or crudo, San Diego has world-class sushi. I’ve baited the hook and reeled in the best sushi catches. This list is based on consistency, not hype.
I’ll be updating my list regularly. Enter your email to be updated.
Wrench & Rodent
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know I’m obsessed with Wrench & Rodent. Their sushi is amazing, in the best way. It is creative, always fresh, and made with sustainability in mind. And the prices are fair for the quality. This spot earns all the love it gets. Locals who care about freshness usually agree that this is one of the best sushi restaurants in San Diego.
Soichi
Located in University Heights, SOICHI is the intimate sushi restaurant from chef Soichi Kadoya, who previously worked at Sushi Tadokoro. The restaurant focuses on traditional Japanese sushi with seasonal omakase menus featuring appetizers, sashimi, and nigiri, along with a small selection of à la carte dishes. The sushi tends to be straightforward and fish-focused, letting ingredients such as Hokkaido pike mackerel, kampachi, and Spanish bluefin tuna take center stage. SOICHI also offers a curated sake selection and house-made desserts. The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2021 and still holds one today.
Temaki Bar
From the very popular Lionfish in Gaslamp Quarter and Serea at Hotel Del Coronado comes Temaki Bar. I guarantee one visit will have you coming back for more of their hand rolls. They serve hand rolls individually so you can finish them while the rice is still warm and the nori is crispy. This restaurant earns its place among the best sushi restaurants for fish quality alone.
Sushi Tadokoro
Chef Takeaki Tadokoro’s Old Town restaurant specializes in traditional Edomae-style sushi, a Japanese approach that emphasizes careful fish preparation and properly seasoned sushi rice. The intimate restaurant offers omakase and à la carte sushi, with much of its seafood sourced from Japan alongside seasonal California ingredients. The menu changes with availability, but specialties have included Japanese Spanish mackerel, sea urchin and ankimo, or monkfish liver. Sushi Tadokoro became the first San Diego sushi restaurant to receive a Michelin star when it was recognized in 2021.
Glass Box
Chef Ethan Yang brings so much detail and artistry to the food at Glass Box at the Sky Deck in Del Mar. The modern glass surroundings make it feel like a special night out, but it’s still welcoming and relaxed. If you’re unsure what to order, go with the omakase, which highlights the freshest fish and the chef’s vision. It stands out among San Diego’s best sushi restaurants for its sourcing and care.
Sushi Ota
Sushi Ota has been a major part of San Diego’s sushi scene for decades, originally founded by chef Yukito Ota in Pacific Beach. The restaurant is known for traditional sushi, sashimi, and chef’s-choice selections, with a menu that includes premium nigiri, seasonal seafood, and omakase. Ota trained many sushi chefs who went on to open restaurants throughout San Diego, making the restaurant an important part of the city’s sushi lineage. Today, longtime chef Shigenari “Shige” Tanabe oversees the kitchen. The current menu still features chef-selected nigiri and sashimi alongside a broader selection of Japanese dishes.
Noir Sushi
NOIR Sushi earned a spot on my list of the best sushi in San Diego after I attended their Bluefin Tuna Cutting Ceremony. Seeing a whole bluefin tuna brought in from Spain tells you a lot about their standards. This is not everyday fish. The quality was clear from the first bite. Their access to whole fish means better cuts and better control, and it shows. This is serious sushi, not just pretty rolls.
Hidden Fish
Hidden Fish in Kearny Mesa centers on a reservation-only omakase experience served at an intimate sushi counter. The structured tasting features a rotating selection of nigiri, with seafood sourced locally, from Japan, and from other regions. Michelin notes that the restaurant may serve San Diego uni alongside ingredients such as Peruvian scallops and Japanese fish. The approximately 90-minute experience follows a set progression, with additional hand rolls and seasonal nigiri available after the main tasting when time permits. Its small counter and limited seating make reservations essential to the experience.
Cannonball
I am always happy to recommend Cannonball. In addition to having a spectacular location with ocean views from its outdoor patio, their sushi is both creative and delicious. There is something special about enjoying fresh sushi with that perfect ocean view.
Himitsu
Himitsu is a small Japanese restaurant in La Jolla led by chef Mitsu Aihara, who spent 16 years at Sushi Ota. The restaurant combines traditional sushi and sashimi with Japanese small plates, daily fish specials, and an omakase experience. Its compact sushi counter provides a close-up view of the chefs preparing the meal, while the menu also includes cooked dishes and specialty plates. Michelin highlights the restaurant’s carefully prepared fish and intimate counter experience. The name Himitsu means “secret” in Japanese, fitting a restaurant tucked away in a hidden spot on Torrey Pines Road.
Moment Sushi
The food at Moment Sushi is a stunning showcase of the unforgettable flavors from owner Wook Jang. His dishes are beautifully plated and truly unique. You can taste the quality of the fish and produce in their Korean-Japanese fusion dishes. I recommend the hand rolls, salmon oshi, and Korean halibut wasabi ponzu. When looking for the best sushi restaurants in San Diego, I’d recommend Moment Sushi.
Kaito Sushi
Kaito Sushi has long been a destination for traditional sushi in Encinitas, with Tokyo-trained chef Kazuo Morita known for selecting seafood by season and quality rather than sticking to a fixed list. Much of the restaurant’s fish comes from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, and the menu includes nigiri, sashimi, chirashi, and rolls. Kaito suits diners who prefer traditional nigiri, and its omakase option lets the chef choose the day’s selection. The restaurant’s modest strip-mall setting contrasts with the highly focused sushi served at the counter.
Cloak & Petal
Cloak & Petal stands out for its mix of creative rolls, clean execution, and strong presentation. The menu leans into modern Japanese cuisine with sushi, sashimi, and signature rolls that balance rich flavors with fresh, high-quality fish. It’s not a traditional sushi bar, but more of a contemporary take where each plate is designed with attention to detail and visual impact.
Matoi
Matoi brings a distinctly San Diego personality to traditional Edomae-style sushi. Chef TJ draws on experience working in kitchens in San Diego, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Tijuana, and Japan, as well as training from several respected local sushi chefs. The Convoy restaurant focuses on seasonal fish sourced from Japan and offers a chef-led omakase experience. Matoi stands out for its atmosphere: traditional sushi served to the soundtrack of 1990s hip-hop. The combination of formal sushi technique and a relaxed, energetic setting gives Matoi its own identity within San Diego’s sushi scene.
Kiiro Sushi Izakaya
I didn’t expect to go to the Sports Arena area and find some of the most creative sushi I’ve seen in San Diego. And now that Kiiro Sushi Izakaya has added dry-aged sushi to the menu, there’s another reason to visit. The restaurant is casual, perfect for going with family and friends, and has a great selection of sake. What sets this apart is the quality of the fish.
Ken Sushi Workshop
Ken Sushi Workshop in Carmel Valley is known for its combination of traditional Edomae-style sushi and a broader à la carte menu. The restaurant offers both omakase and à la carte sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls, giving diners the option of a chef-guided meal or individual pieces. Current omakase options feature seasonal ingredients and a progression of courses, while the à la carte menu includes nigiri and sashimi made with premium seafood. Ken Lee owns the restaurant and trained for years at Sushi Ota, continuing that San Diego sushi institution’s influence in North County.
Sushi Maru
The 20-course omakase experience at Sushi Maru is one of my top recommendations in San Diego. This speakeasy-style hidden restaurant is so much more than a fantastic dinner. From the minute you enter, your dining experience starts with the decor and outstanding service. Chef Tsuyoshi Maruyama (“Maru”) takes immense pride in the quality of fish from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market and produce from Chino Farms. All 12 seats are counter-style, allowing you to watch the many techniques used by the chefs. It belongs on any serious list of the best sushi restaurants in San Diego.
Ichifuji Sushi
Ichifuji Sushi is an intimate 10-seat sushi counter in Linda Vista specializing in nigiri-focused omakase. Chefs with extensive experience at some of San Diego’s established sushi restaurants, including SOICHI, Sushi Tadokoro, and Taka Sushi, founded the restaurant. Its seasonal eight-course menu pairs sushi with appetizers and house-made desserts, while a more focused nigiri omakase emphasizes the fish itself. Because the restaurant is small, the counter offers a particularly close-up view of the preparation and presentation of each course.
Blue Ocean Robata
I remember Blue Ocean Robata as one of the first sushi restaurants I went to in Carlsbad back in 2014, and I still love their food. It’s hard not to take a picture of their food, since everything is so nicely plated. But please don’t skip ordering one of the crispy rice dishes.
Hane Sushi
Hane Sushi in Bankers Hill is led by chef Roger Nakamura, a longtime San Diego sushi chef who trained at Sushi Ota. The restaurant serves traditional nigiri and sashimi alongside creative rolls and off-menu preparations. Eater highlights its high-quality sushi and sashimi while also noting its more playful side, including specialty rolls such as the Diego Roll and Pizza Roll. The spacious restaurant offers both lunch and dinner, making it a more approachable option for diners who want serious sushi without the highly structured format of an omakase-only counter.
Shino Sushi + Kappo
Shino Sushi + Kappo in Little Italy combines sushi with kappo-style Japanese cooking, where the chef prepares a range of dishes using techniques such as grilling, steaming, frying, and simmering. The restaurant has roots in San Diego’s Sushi Ota tradition, with chef Robert Nakamura having trained under Yukito Ota. Along with nigiri and sashimi, the menu can include cooked dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients and techniques beyond raw fish. That broader approach is reflected in the name, with “kappo” referring to a style of Japanese cooking centered on food the chef prepares in front of the diner.
JRDN
JRDN would be on my list for getting sushi in Pacific Beach. Located right on the beachwalk, you’ll constantly have to switch your focus from sushi to people-watching to the beach. On a sunny day, getting a table can be difficult but is well worth the wait.
Taka Restaurant
Taka Restaurant has been a longtime downtown San Diego sushi restaurant, located on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. The restaurant describes its approach as a combination of modern creativity and traditional Japanese techniques, with seasonal fish flown directly from Japan. The menu includes nigiri, sashimi, specialty sushi, and Japanese appetizers and entrées. Taka originally opened in 1996 under Yoshiaki and Cindy Nishiba and was later acquired by the group behind Karina’s Mexican Seafood. It still operates as a sushi-focused restaurant in the Gaslamp.
Kinme
For an omakase experience, I am not sure there’s a better bet than a meal at Kinme. The entire dining experience feels five-star as you watch each dish being prepared right in front of you. With just 10 seats, having a reservation is a must – getting one is not easy, so planning ahead is a great idea. The experience here shows why it ranks among the best sushi restaurants in San Diego.
Saiko Sushi
Saiko Sushi in Coronado takes a distinctly local approach to Japanese cuisine, with chef and owner Anthony Pascale emphasizing seafood sourced from San Diego fishermen and other regional ingredients. The restaurant’s menu changes with the available catch and has included local opah, bluefin tuna, monchong, halibut, and other seafood. Pascale has also developed a strong interest in sake, including training in Japan that influenced the restaurant’s beverage program. Saiko’s approach is less about strictly reproducing traditional Japanese sushi and more about asking what sushi can look like when it is built around the ingredients and seafood of San Diego.
Azuki Sushi
From the second you enter Azuki Sushi, you can’t help but be impressed. Located in Bankers Hill, it’s always on lists of San Diego’s top sushi restaurants. If you can catch a seat at the sushi bar, you’ll marvel at watching the dishes being made. They also own Kinme, which is also included on this list. This place deserves recognition alongside San Diego’s best sushi restaurants.
The Sushi Stand
The Sushi Stand gets a lot of attention for the stunning presentation of its sushi rolls in blue boxes. They are perfect for on-the-spot enjoyment or takeaway. The rolls are made fresh while you watch. They also offer a great selection of classic and inventive rolls. The quality puts it in the same conversation as San Diego’s best sushi restaurants.
best sushi restaurants in San Diego
f you only try a few, start here. For omakase, book Kinme or Sushi Maru ahead. Kinme has 10 seats and Maru has 12. For hand rolls, go to Temaki Bar. For sushi with an ocean view, pick Cannonball or JRDN. For a casual night out, try Kiiro.
I update this list as I try new places. If I missed your favorite, send me a message on Instagram @sandiegofoodiefan.
FAQ's
What are the best sushi restaurants in San Diego?
The best sushi restaurants in San Diego include SOICHI, Sushi Tadokoro, Sushi Ota, Hidden Fish, Himitsu, Kaito Sushi, Matoi, Ken Sushi Workshop, Ichifuji Sushi and other notable restaurants throughout San Diego County. The restaurants on this list range from traditional sushi counters and omakase experiences to creative sushi restaurants and casual neighborhood options.
Where can I find the best omakase sushi in San Diego?
San Diego has several restaurants specializing in omakase, including SOICHI, Sushi Tadokoro, Hidden Fish, Matoi and Ichifuji Sushi. Omakase means the chef selects the dishes for you, typically based on the day’s seafood and seasonal ingredients. Many of these restaurants have limited counter seating and require reservations.
What is the best area in San Diego for sushi?
San Diego’s best sushi restaurants are spread throughout the county rather than concentrated in one neighborhood. Kearny Mesa and the Convoy area have several notable sushi restaurants, while University Heights, Little Italy, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Encinitas, Carmel Valley and other neighborhoods also have highly regarded options.
Where can I find traditional Japanese sushi in San Diego?
Restaurants including Sushi Tadokoro, SOICHI, Sushi Ota, Kaito Sushi and Himitsu offer traditional Japanese-style sushi, with menus emphasizing nigiri, sashimi and seasonal seafood. Several San Diego sushi chefs have also trained under established local chefs such as Yukito Ota, whose influence can be seen throughout the city’s sushi scene.
How much does sushi cost in San Diego?
Omakase at the top counters runs about $144 to $225 per person. Hidden Fish is around $144. Sushi Tadokoro starts at $165 and Sushi Maru is $180. Soichi’s full omakase is $189, Matoi is $195, and Kinme is $225. Some places add a service charge, and Kinme adds 20%. Drinks and tip are extra.
Rolls and hand rolls cost much less. Casual spots like Kiiro, Cannonball, and The Sushi Stand let you order rolls and small plates, so you control the bill.
7 Responses
A few of the better sushi restaurants are missing from this list. Sushi Ota, Hane Sushi, Himitsu and Ken Sushi Workshop.
Do you know anything about the food at Hidden fish?
Hi Victoria, I have not eaten at Hidden Fish as they do not allow you to make any changes to their omakase, and I do have a food restriction. I used to eat at their sister restaurant Hitokuchi which was excellent.
Any recommendations for La Jolla
Himitsu, Roppongi or Blue Ocean Sushi.
Nice list Darryl! You mention it here but in your list you don’t mention Blue Ocean in UTC or La Jolla. I’d put both of them on a ‘best of’ list.
HI Steve, I have been to the Carlsbad location many times, but since I have not been to the UTC or downtown La Jolla location, I do not know whether they are of the same quality, so I did not include them on my list.