Which place, except Japan, comes to mind when you hear the word sushi? Not Austin. This landlocked city in Texas has some really good sushi spots that will bring the taste of Japan to you.
The sushi restaurants in Austin, TX, bring treats from the ocean to your plate. So, let’s dig!!
Whether you want to splurge or want a quick bite, you can find a place for both. You can take your date for a cute little romantic dinner. Or just eat by yourself with your favorite anime.
Indulge in the Austin sushi scene with delicious sushi made by talented chefs. The best sushi spots you must try are listed below.
1. Ichi-Umi Sushi
This sushi restaurant located in north Austin has a huge menu. Previously known as Haru sushi, they bring Japan to you. They even offer gluten-free and vegetarian options. You can start with appetizers like caramelized Brussels sprouts and get your greens in for the day. Or try their famous Ahi tower in cold appetizers.
You would also love their Nigiri, Aburi, and Gunkan sushi. Along with sushi, they also serve noodles. They have a lot of options for udon noodles, such as Don Katsu Yaki Udon. Feast on traditional or deep-fried rolls such as the Dynamite Roll. Crush on your roll is a frequent option, along with their vegetable rolls.
The restaurant is quite busy on any regular day. Sitting and eating here is quite an awesome experience. They provide good portions at a reasonable price.
Make sure to try Ichi-Umi sushi next time you crave sushi or ramen. You will go home with a full belly and a happy face.
2. Uchi
When you ask someone which is the best sushi restaurant in Austin, they will probably tell you about this place. Uchi, started by Chef Tyson Cole, has been a one-stop destination for sushi lovers since 2003. Chef Cole learned the Japanese language and culture while training under sushi masters.
Some of the local favorites you should try are dishes such as hama chili, sake tom kha, walu walu, and kudorai nigiri.
In 2010, Tyson Cole started Uchiko, a sister restaurant to Uchi. It was a total hit in central Austin. Later, he also started Uchiba. You can enjoy modern cocktails and some great Japanese whisky.
It is a very busy restaurant, so you might need to make some reservations. Try to go during their happy hour, 4:30 pm to 6 pm, if you are on a budget.
3. Neighborhood Sushi
This is a fairly new sushi restaurant. But that does not mean the quality is not good. This restaurant was started by McGuire Moorman Hospitality, a local group. It is a pretty casual restaurant and is located on South Congress Avenue.
Despite being new in the sushi game, they have a sizeable menu. They serve very traditional sushi but with a Texas twist and flair. They have a variety of sushi and nigiri options. Try the vegetable nigiri if you’re vegan. The specialty nigiri has options such as snow crab and squid tentacles.
They also have daily omakase. They also offer drinks and tonnes of sake options. You can enjoy sake cocktails, beer, and wine. They also have sweet options for your sweet tooth. You can choose from options such as Kakigori, Mochi Donuts, and sorbet.
You can order takeout or dine out seven days a week. They have parking space available across the street.
You can also organize private events here. They have a special tatami room, expertly decorated with floating lanterns, making you feel like you are in Japan.
You can celebrate birthdays, holidays, and even office gatherings and parties. Do try Neighborhood Sushi on South Congress AveLucky Robot Japanese Austin when you are visiting.
4. Fukumoto
Is not liking raw fish the reason for not trying any sushi restaurant? Well, that issue is solved. Fukumoto is an izakaya. The specialty of this Japanese restaurant is yakitori. Yakitori refers to skewers grilled over Japanese charcoal. Fukumoto is the place to go if you are looking for some tasty sushi and Japanese comfort food.
Chef Kazu Fukumoto opened this restaurant in 2015. He had trained in Musashino for 10 years as head chef. Then, he went to Japan to learn traditional yakitori. He shares his love for food through their exciting menu.
Buta Bara, miso-glazed pork belly, is among the yakitori most loved. You can never go wrong with their miso soup and tempura options. And they have an extensive list of sushi and sashimi, such as Sake Toro.
The staff there is always ready to assist and help you if you aren’t sure what you want to try. They will easily guide you through the menu and even give you beverage tips.
Make sure you call them for a reservation before visiting. They are not taking to-go orders and take out anymore.
5. Lucky Robot
Ever thought of street-style fashion for a restaurant? We neither. Lucky Robot is painted with black, pink, and white designs. The bright pink color will lead you to it, and you will have no trouble spotting it.
They also have swings in place of booths complimenting the Sakura decor. Along with the decorations, the food is also very artsy.
They serve traditional Japanese cuisine with spices and chilies from Latin America. They have mouth-watering dishes such as sushi, omakase, and ramen. You can even have vegan nigiri! You can pair these with their alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. But don’t miss out on their sake.
Lucky Robot sources all of its meat from local farms. They use the highest environmental and sustainable ranching processes. This makes it the first sustainable sushi restaurant in all of Texas.
The total hip vibe of this entire place will uplift your mood. Do visit for a quick brunch with your friends. Or you can enjoy everything on your own.
6. Musashino Sushi Dokoro
Musashino has been in the Austin dining scene for a long time. They are well-known for their Edomae Zushi. It means tokyo styleTexas sushi. They are famous for only serving fresh fish. They bring selected seafood from all over the world. It is even imported from Tsukiji- Japan’s biggest futon.
You should try their shrimp tempura and miso. Fatty salmon and A5 Wagyu are also delicious. Check out the traditional rolls and spicy hand rolls such as Toro Taku. Everything is expertly made and cut and served in generous portions. Dip and enjoy with lots of sauce options such as Ponzu and Nikiri.
Sip their cocktails, sake, or Japanese whiskey along with the great food. They even have dessert options. Nothing can beat Tiramisu. But do give their mochi ice cream flavors, such as green tea and red bean, a try.
Along with serving food, this restaurant has also trained some of the famous sushi chefs in Austin. Tyson Cole and Kazu Fukumoto trained under chef Takehiko Fuse. Later, they went on to start their own very successful restaurants.
They do keep their menu innovative and change with time. They do not shy away from rigidity when it comes to preserving the authenticity of their restaurant. Try Musashino for some awesome Tokyo-style sushi.
7. Kome: Sushi Kitchen
When you are staying away from home for a long time, you start to miss a home-cooked meal. The same was experienced by the owners of Kome; after not finding any restaurant that gives a home-like feeling, they took matters into their own hands.
What started as selling Japanese bento boxes soon turned into a Sushi-A-Go-Go trailer selling sushi rolls. Then they started Kome.
Kome offers traditional Japanese cuisine but with a home-cooked style. The restaurant gives a very casual vibe. The food they serve is the definition of comfort food. They serve delicious dishes such as hanger steak, ramen, nigiri, sashimi, and traditional maki.
They offer great portions that too at reasonable prices. So you can eat here without waiting for a special event or anniversary to enjoy delicious food. The fresh ingredients make you feel like your meal was just cooked at home. And the comfortable and homely feel of the place is another plus point.
If you close your eyes, you might just feel like you are eating food made by your mother or grandmother.
They provide both indoor and outdoor seating. You can even order takeout. They also have catering services. So try Kome the next time you want to enjoy a home-cooked meal away from home.
8. Soto Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
Soto is everything you would expect a sushi restaurant to be. They have the original location at Cedar Park and the second one on South Lamar. The fish served are fresh and imported from Japan two days a week.
They serve the best makimono in town. The grilled Chilean sea bass is a great choice for entrees. Don’t forget to try the Soto specialty Tuna Foie Gras and Fire salmon. The former comes with Bluefin Tuna, and the salmon is served over an open fire!
You can try dishes such as Ribeye or Omakase if you want to spoil yourself or if it’s a special occasion. Along with good food, they also have a lot of options for drinks too. You can pick from cocktails, sake, and Japanese whiskey.
It is also a great spot to take your kids. The price ranges from affordable to high. But you can visit during the happy hour for a discount.
They are also offering a special takeout bundle. This bundle consists of premium and expertly cut fish. All this is discounted so you can cook with a reasonable budget.
They provide dine-in as well as pick-up services but no delivery options.
9. Otoko
Otoko is a Japanese restaurant in the South Congress Hotel. It is a 12-seater restaurant.
They serve both Kyoto-style kaiseki and Tokyo-style sushi. The restaurant’s chef, Yoshi Okai, prepares your orders right in front of you, bringing about another experience.
All the movements of his hands are truly mesmerizing. The meals on the menu depend on the availability of the ingredients and seasons. This experience justifies having limited guests.
Reservations for Otoko are done through tickets. They are released on the first of the month on a 3-month basis. Watertrade is connected to the restaurant and provides a Japanese-style bar. They have Japanese whiskey, sake, and innovative cocktails.
All the reservations for Otoko come with a cocktail reservation at Watertrade for 30 minutes. You can order bar bites from the izakaya-style menu.
And keep in mind that dining in Otoko and Watertrade cannot be done on the same day! It is a little complicated. But this restaurant’s delicious food and atmosphere make it worth it.
They also offer space for private events such as family and corporate events.
10. Ichiban
Dining at Ichiban will take you straight to Japan. This is a tatami-style restaurant. The entire place looks like a mini Japan in Austin. The word ichiban means number one, and they are correct. This is the most relaxing sushi spot you can find.
They have a koi pond in the restaurant. It is a very beautiful and calming pond. They have regular booths and tables where you can take off your shoes and sit on the floor to eat. It truly gives you the most authentic experience.
They serve a blend of Japanese and Korean cuisines. This gives your palate a taste you never knew you needed. They always use fresh ingredients for their meals. You are loaded with sushi rolls and sashimi options such as One Roll combination.
They also offer bento boxes and lunch bowls with various options. You can also have a variety of udon noodles. You can wash it all down with hot sake before moving on to dessert. They have matcha cheesecake and various ice creams for your sugar cravings.
Make sure you give Ichiban a try for a relaxing dinner or lunch.
11. Uroko
The only words to describe Uroko would be tiny and fast. The concept for this sushi house was counter service. And the food they offer is made from high-quality ingredients. And they are made to order. So, you will only find fresh sushi here.
Their specialty is Temaki sushi. It’s when the sushi is rolled by hand and without a bamboo mat. It is in a conical shape made out of seaweed with fillings. They are also popular for their 45-minute omakase on Friday and Saturday for dinner.
They also offer a DIY Temaki and a special sashimi set. You need to place an order 24 hours in advance to receive your set. Now you can enjoy fresh temaki made at home. And this also gives you a way to spend time with your family.
The menu even has mochi ice cream for after-meal sugar cravings. You can also order a matcha latte if you are not in the mood for wine, beer, or sake.
And if all these things excite you, you can also join their in-person sushi classes. They also have other fun cooking classes. They even provide private sushi classes for those who can not attend the in-person classes.
12. Tadashi
They are very proud to call themselves “Austin’s finest sushi”. Located in the hill country Galleria, you will get a great view and amazing food.
Chef Sun Il has given traditional sushi and other delicacies a modern and contemporary twist. He makes sure every piece is cut to perfection. The quality of the ingredients is always taken care of. They import fish from Japan. Presenting classic Japanese food differently is their niche.
They have delicacies such as sushi, kushiyaki, and even bento boxes. You should try their hand rolls and sushi specials. They also have a separate kid’s menu. It features a bento box, fried rice, and also pasta.
The modern and chic interior and good-sized portions make Tadashi an amazing place to try. They also have delivery and takeout services. So try tadashi the next time you are craving sushi.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
