20 Best Sushi Bars near Monterey

“Highly recommend this spot! A hidden gem. The food, service, and atmosphere were all outstanding. Lots of indoor dining with a nice patio area for outdoor dining. We sat at the bar and the sushi chef was very kind and friendly. All the staff were welcoming. The food was brought out quickly. Very fresh ingredients and delicious food! Absolutely loved the heart attack and bento plates with beef. The Sapporo was served in a chilled mug which really hit the spot. Overall I'm happy to have come by this restaurant and definitely plan on returning.“

“The Presidio of Monterey is a active military base that also is the home of the Defense Language Institute. This base sits up on the hilltop and has some of the most spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. The Presidio has a very old history that dates back to the early Spanish settlers and Missionaries that discovered our beautiful state. This base requires visitors to check in at the designated gates with ID, etc. There's definitely plenty of interesting things to see like the Sloat Monument, part of the Berlin wall and a Russian tank from WWll . Many active duty military stationed at the Presidio consider it as paradise.“

“Wanted to grab a snack but ended up ordering dinner. The menu was a bit overwhelming with plenty of options. Since the original plan was to get sushi, we got the Chirashizushi (sashimi over a bed of sushi rice), rainbow roll, ocean sushi roll, and California roll (for our son). I will start with the sushi melted in freshness! I knew at my first bite we were going to be satisfied with our meals. The sashimi dish was a flavorful combination, and the other rolls were delicious!! Our son loved the California roll as he ate all 8 rolls to himself. Must have been good. Another place we will frequent when visiting Monterey. Next time, I may try other dishes, but may be hard since we enjoyed the fresh sushi so much!“

“A small mom and pop restaurant located just off Cannery Row! Me and my friend visited yesterday for dinner after spending all day at Monterey Bay Aquarium. It wasn't busy, so we were able to be seated immediately. They have 3 TV screens playing, but the restaurant is actually fairly quiet overall (which I usually prefer bc it's better for table conversation). I ordered a dinner bento box, which comes with miso soup, rice, salad, and 2 meats. For me 2 meats, I got chicken teriyaki and a California roll (8 pcs). I really liked the miso soup and California roll! I wish I had gotten a different meat besides the chicken, but it was still pretty good overall. My friend ordered 2 sushi rolls and they were cutely decorate with mini umbrellas! When we got the check, they served us almond cookies and they were really good! Shout out to our server who was really nice and dealt with our shenanigans! The food was served fairly quickly as well, so we were happy with that. Would come back again!“

“Extremely hospital & kind. When you walk in you check-in and they seat you. Staff is super flexible with any seat you want, very quick service. Every staff member from the host/hostess, waitress, to the sushi chef himself (Shout-out to Michael; he was amazing) are very kind and provide amazing customer service! I also saw that another one of the sushi chefs knew his regular's favorite sushi order, which is a nice touch. You can tell walking into the place that they really value customer service. Wait time was extremely quick. Came in on a slow night (Wed approx. 8:45pm). I overheard another guest who was surprised that there wasn't a wait, which a great sign meaning that people like the food! Even on a busy night though, I would imagine they would still be pretty quick, they didn't waste any time. Ordered the Phoenix Roll (they light it on ) & an order of gyoza. Gyoza was fried nicely, not overly heavy. They give you a light sauce for them. Phoenix Roll was a recommendation based on gram worthy pics & taste. It was really good, subtle flavors that all blended nicely. And the fire show was a nice touch! Usually when places add show, they miss the mark on flavor, but not this one! I was a little hesitant on ordering the Phoenix Roll as I'm not usually someone who likes rolls with spicy tuna, but the sushi chef told me not to worry, it was a really mild spice and he was absolutely right! Fun fact for the spicy lovers! They even have the extreme heat peppers like ghost pepper & (2) others if you're into the so spicy you're sweating or challenging your friends to see who can hang! Lol I saw a lot of couples here. Casual dining.“

“The food was good here. The service was on point. They worked as a team, and quickly removed dishes from our table. Drinks were also quickly refilled.Only complaints is the place stunk like smelly fish. Also, the place needs a heavy detailed cleaning. When sitting at the sushi bar you can see old stains which doesn't look good around the fresh fish you are looking at. Slow days are for scrubbing.Parking: Limited parking“

“This review is long overdue!! I ended catching a gnarly sickness while prego and wasn't able to post a review until way later. This place has such a stellar view of the ocean in Monterey! We went on a rainy day, but even still it was such a cool experience seeing the boats and ocean nearby. Our servers were super great and kept coming around to check on the table. The portions were huge for the cost, and the lunch specials were a steal! My mouth is still watering for the teriyaki steak. I highly recommend coming on Saturday for a relaxing afternoon. On top of it all, they have some great lunch specials. I highly recommend this spot“

“In every city that we can go to visit we also go to Benihana. It was our first time in Monterrey because I didn't know there was a location there. The food is always good. One always goes to Benihana. The attention was very average, not to mention bad. The waitress took forever to come take our orders and they didn't pick up our plates. This is my son's favorite restaurant and that's why we always go to celebrate his birthday at any Benihana we have nearby. We traveled 3 hours from Modesto to Monterrey for lunch this Sunday. When we asked for the photo once again, they took a long time and I had to ask them to please pick up the dirty dishes because I didn't want them to be in the photo. I finally did it myself. The place is very well located next to the docks and the marina. A beautiful place to walk. It is a strategic location that they have. It is on the second floor. They must look for parking before arriving on the sidewalks or in the Marina's public parking lot. The girl who welcomed us was very friendly and so was the chef. The restaurant was impeccable and very clean and organized. The bathrooms are absolutely clean. Delicious food at its temperature and flavor point. I don't know if Benihana has the same prices in all its stores but this time is when the food was the most expensive for me. It was more than 500 dollars for 6 people and only the main dishes with a regular soda since I ordered a glass of water. They put the 18% service in my account at once without the option to modify it. This tip was more than 70 dollars. High enough that after they bring you the receipt to sign, they ask for another additional tip again. I found this restaurant very expensive because as I told you, I have been to more than 10 different Benihana restaurants in the United States. Maybe it's this place just in Monterrey. Still, I recommend it 100% and I will never stop visiting them. Thank you.“

“An unassuming location for good sushi. This restaurant is a great little spot for quality sushi with excellent service. Although this place is small, they manage to provide efficient and attentive service to more guests than it seems possible. I came here with my wife and two kids a little after 5:30pm on a weeknight. The place was already busy but there were a couple of tables left so we did not have to wait. There were a few seats at the sushi bar as well. But shortly after we were seated, new customers kept coming in and a small wait list was starting. My wife and I both opted for the sushi dinner with an assorted 7 pieces of nigiri along with our choice of a Maki Roll; there were many to choose from it was tough to decide. I narrowed my choice down to the salmon skin roll, and it was great. The meal came with soup and salad as well. We also started with an order of the fried calamari. My kids ordered a few different cut rolls. Everything was very good and the service was wonderful. Between the three servers they made sure we had everything we needed and promptly cleared our table of any unwanted dishes. Overall this was a very pleasant dinner experience and I would highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.“

“I stumbled upon this little sushi restaurant practically around the corner from my home and was delighted at the freshness of their fish, their roll options and presentation, and the price! Portions exceed most sushi places I frequent. If they just had a better restaurant atmosphere, it would be my go to. But, if you just want a quick bite to eat among friendly and attentive staff, or need some delicious takeout to enjoy at home, C U Sushi will never disappoint.“

“Took my mom here for her birthday because she wanted Japanese. I was pleasantly surprised by how great this unassuming restaurant was! The hibachi was probably one of the best I've had, and the sushi selection and quality was solid! The shop was pretty no frills, but the food and service was so good, who needs fancy ambiance. It's great for family dining with kids. I took my two year old and several other tables had young children as well, and the staff were very patient and accommodating with the kids.“

“Happy Hour from 5 to 6 pm Monday thru Friday is a bargain, the sushi, appetizers, wine and saki are a hit. Most items on the menu are between $5 and $15 dollars for edamame, cucumber salad, gyoza, and sushi or hand rolls. Beautifully presented and excellent service, everything fresh and yummy, in a very expensive restaurant town, this family owned Japanese Restaurant is a local secret.“

“FoodI drove down here from the boring city of Hollister to try out the nabeyaki udon. I enjoyed a tasty hot bowl of delightful dashi-based broth with udon and seafood. The sad part was running out of that hot, delicious food.ServiceThe wait staff only cared about the initial interaction and the end of my time there, when I was finished with my food. The wait staff did not check on me during the middle portion of my meal. I go to restaurants, and I expect good service as part of the experience. Good food by itself does not mean full stars. Two stars for service are gone because they need to improve their service.AtmosphereThe restaurant is in a small strip mall. Behind the strip mall, the area looks rather run down. The strip mall itself was alright. As for the restaurant itself, it's your typical Japanese restaurant with some ink painting of Samarais hanging on one wall. There's nothing that really makes this place stand out as a "You've got to come here." In fact, from the outside it looks rather bland.“

“A Culinary Journey to Remember at AkaoniFrom the moment I stepped into Akaoni in the enchanting town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I knew I was about to embark on an unforgettable dining adventure. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a portal to a world where every bite tells a story, and every dish is a masterpiece.The ambiance struck a perfect balance between elegance and comfort, with subtle lighting that made the exquisite Japanese artistry around the room come alive. The staff welcomed us with genuine warmth, making us feel like honored guests in a grand culinary celebration.Then came the sushi - oh, the sushi! Each piece was a work of art, crafted with precision and passion. The fish, fresh from the dreams of Neptune himself, melted on the tongue, leaving behind a symphony of flavors that danced across the palate in perfect harmony. The sushi chef, a true maestro, wielded his knife with the grace of a samurai, presenting us with creations that were too beautiful to eat, yet too delicious to resist.But the magic didn’t stop at sushi. Every dish we ordered was a revelation, from the succulent sashimi that whispered secrets of the deep to the innovative rolls that brought together flavors and textures in ways I never imagined possible. It was clear that Akaoni isn’t just serving food; they’re crafting experiences.The highlight of the evening was an exclusive dish, whispered about among culinary circles but rarely seen. It was a fusion of flavors so unique, so extraordinary, that words fail to capture its essence. Let's just say it was an epicurean dream that lingered long after the last bite.As we bid farewell to Akaoni, walking out into the starlit night of Carmel-by-the-Sea, it was with the knowledge that we had just experienced something truly special. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a voyage to the heights of culinary excellence. Akaoni is not a restaurant you simply visit; it’s a destination you experience with all your senses.If you find yourself in Carmel-by-the-Sea, do yourself a favor: visit Akaoni. But be warned, your culinary standards might never be the same again.“

“Robata has gone through many iterations in the past 40 years- from excellent when owned by the Fukumotos to less so and now has been in a bit of a resurgence with the new owners. I enjoyed going back there , the food was very good, the wine list acceptable , sake ( of course). Nice place for a quiet Japanese style dinner.“

“This place has amazing food! The food might be the best I've ever had. The location was a couple of blocks off the main strip in Carmel. The restaurant itself was plain and had a diner feel to it but the food was top shelf. I do recommend it.“

“In a word...Amazing!We wandered into Toro Sushi after spending the day in Carmel today. The place was packed and didn't think we even had a chance of getting a seat without a reservation. The hostess welcomed us and seated us immediately. Although the Manager Nicole was busy taking care of other customers, she still took the time to greet us and introduce herself, and assured us that someone would be right with us. James at the bar was awesome and recommended some excellent food options. Food and service was unparalleled and, without a doubt, has catapulted Toro Sushi to the top of our dining list when visiting Carmel. If we could make any suggestion it would be to not change a thing!“

“We enjoyed a fresh, delicious dinner in this cozy space. There are about 5 tables that sit 2 people each and a sushi bar that fits maybe 4 people. Definitely a place for locals. This place is run by a husband and wife team. The husband makes the sushi and the wife does EVERYTHING else (takes drink and food orders, refills drinks, cleans tables and cooks everything). Patience is key, as many others have noted. All in all, my sister and I were in there for a total of an hour and fifteen minutes. Truly not bad considering it was a Friday night dinner and we were not in any hurry. When we first arrived, the wife did tell us that she couldn't help us "for a long time." We still decided to wait it out. While we dined, she actually had to turn away two parties because she would not be able to get to them for a while. Basically if you show up and there are no available tables, don't plan to wait for one. It did take about 10-15 minutes to get our drink order taken, then another 10-15 to place our food order. But once the food order was in, our food started coming out at a steady pace. The miso soup was amazing! So flavorful with a generous amount of tofu. The meals also came with salad that was fresh and included seaweed. We ordered: Gyoza- a generous 12 piece portion that came out piping hot and was very flavorful. Tempura- came with 3 tempura shrimp, green beans, onion and sweet potato. Came out hot and crispy and again, a generous portion. Salmon roll- small 6 piece portion. The salmon was fresh and buttery. So good! Combination dinner- my sister chose the beef teriyaki (amazing sauce and flavor), white rice and a Philadelphia roll (small 6 pc roll and fish was super fresh). Including our drinks, the total was $65. Customer service was really great, the wife was very cheerful, even if overwhelmed. I would return if in the area and had time for a leisurely paced dinner.“

“This place has like mondo sushi bento combinations galore, a huge selection of all the staple fish items you're familiar with annnnndddd the portions are large as well! It's a cool little place in a seaside town that's peaceful and fun. Date kind of place but could be busy and then not so private. I loved it I will go back when over the hill in this area (12).“

“Stopped by this place on a rainy Saturday afternoon for a bowl of chicken nabeyaki udon. Restaurant is located on the perimeter of a sketchy part of town. Sketchy meaning you see homeless people walking around.I thought the nabeyaki udon was alright. In essence, I had soup with chicken leg meat and udon noodles, with a bit of fake squid and diced seaweed. There was no other veggies, like daikons, Napa cabbage, sliced carrots, or even an egg.I’ve been to other Japanese restaurants where they give you more than just chicken when you order the chicken nabeyaki udon. They include Napa cabbage and sliced carrots, served in a cast iron pot so that you feel like you got your money’s worth.I might come back and try their sushi another day. Sushi Time further south on the same road has better nabeyaki udon.“