50 Best Sushi Bars near Belmont

“The service was great and the food was fresh. I loved the shrimp tempura and the different sushi options - of which there were many.“

“Woah, the greatness of the sushi was unexpected as I was caught off-guard!! My hubby took me here for a regular Frid eat out night. Omg, every bite of my sushi tasted heavenly!! I felt so special like it was my bday as I slowly savored each morsel of divine deliciousness!! Phew! So amazing!! Love the intimate, cute atmosphere, &the service was warm & attentive. Id surely be back here soon with the rest of the fam, & later with friends! Stay great Ryoshin!!“

“No parking. No place to eat. Sushi isn't meant to be delivered in my opinion. You have to order online. Their QRcode on the door is outdated and doesn't actually take your order. Price doesn't really make sense when there is no dine in option...“

“This was a very pleasant surprise. We made a last minute reservation for 8 and ended up being 9. They did not reject us after the change at pick hour. Food was great and because we were ordering so much, we even got some freebies from our waiter.“

“Great little Japanese restaurant in the Carlmont shopping center. The inside has 7 tables plus two counters for dining. The table staff is friendly and helpful. The restaurant is open later than other restaurants in the area. The go tos here are the chicken teriyaki, the gal bi ribs, Japanese fried rice and the four seasons roll“

“So bomb!!! Service is A+ and the food is delicious. Love stopping in for lunch during the week. Very affordable also...“

“I think it must take a lot of effort to source the ingredients to be able to serve sushi of this caliber in San Francisco. It's a great honor to be a fishmonger.‼️“

“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!“

“La comida es super deliciosa 👌 y el servicio que ofrecen es excelente“

“Excellent meal here. The miso sea bass was delicious, and the nigiri in the seasonal omakase was great. Wagyu nigiri was a standout. Our waitress/server was fantastic also! one of the best sushi/omakases in san mateo in my opinion! pricing is absolutely reasonable too.“

“Sushi was delicious and service was great! Not a romantic spot though because it’s loud but fun if your going with family and friends. Music is good!!“

“Some of the best California-omakaze style I’ve had. The fish quality is absolutely top notch. Some of the more creative “California” dishes are fantastic and some are a bit of a miss.

On one of my visits here there was a strong soapy detergent smell throughout the restaurant. This put a real damper on the experience.“

“An amazing sushi experience, highly recommended“

“Good sushi for good price“

“We love going here - it's sort of tucked away giving it a hidden gem feeling. The staff is warm, friendly and attentive. Sashimi is delicious and wonderfully presented. It was pricier than we expected but one wonderful thing they did for us was deep fry some of the decorations on the premium sashimi plate (the shrimp heads and the mackerel bones) - it was delicious and a nice, fun finish to the meal.“

“My girl enjoyed the Chef’s menu very much (need to post right after a meal otherwise challenging to find photos…).

The small upscale restaurant was popular with a full house with outdoor seating where we were.

Many tables ordered Al la car like I did & they’d leave early. Chef’s menu takes about more than an hour. Bite-size multiple tapa dishes.“

“Absolutely love Tomokazu! Every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The sashimi is top quality, and the rolls are always creative and delicious. The beef short rib and shioyaki saba were also amazing, even though I didn’t get a photo! The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, and this place never disappoints. One of the best Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area! 🍣✨“

“Cozy little Japanese restaurant with super friendly servers. The owner works at the counter. I come for Ishiyaki Hitsumamushi (Stone Bowl Seafood Rice) which I don’t think is served anywhere else. I also had tuna bone marrow for appetitzer and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. So many other dishes I want to try so will be back.“

“Great sushi! My favorite is the crunchy spicy tuna roll. The staff is so incredibly friendly, kind and professional. They always provide great recommendations on which sushi to try. The service is quick and the food is incredibly tasty. Such a wonderful gem in the Palo Alto area!“

“Great food. Good portions. Our server is very nice, friendly, polite and professional.“

“It's a relaxing environment after a long day at work. The sushi was amazing & most rolls are already made w/rice paper which we love. A must try!“

“The best sushi place in SF…I am a sushi lover. The fish there are so fresh and the Uni are premium. From the sashimi to the Kobe beef, everything is top. Their pricing is also very reasonable. Eric and Phoebe are very nice and provide excellent service.“

“Amazing sushi! Easily one of the best we’ve had in a while — everything was so fresh and flavorful. I love the idea of half rolls; it’s such a great way to try more kinds of sushi. The staff were super attentive and efficient. We’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Thank you for the fresh Uni, and very awesome customer service. Highly recommend!!!“

“Exceptional Ginza-Style Omakase in Downtown RWC!

Having tried my fair share of omakase across the Bay Area, Sushi Kinsen has easily earned a spot at the very top of my list. From the moment you walk past the bustling street into the serene, hinoki-appointed waiting room, you are completely transported.Chef Jason’s multi-course progression is an absolute masterpiece. The meticulous level of execution, precise temperature controls, and technical artistry on display here genuinely rival the crème de la crop omakase experiences in Tokyo.

We started the night with a beautifully refreshing, clean glass of mozuku seaweed that set a perfect tone. The sashimi course was incredibly pristine, highlighting sweet, crunchy tsubugai (whelk conch) and perfectly sliced white fish. Another early showstopper was the deeply sweet, masterfully marinated botan ebi (spotted prawn).The luxury ingredients kept coming, showcasing an incredible Hokkaido Kegani (hairy crab) course paired beautifully with premium Shiro Uni. The Awabi (abalone) sequence was arguably the highlight of the entire meal—moving from a comforting, clear dashi broth soup into a decadent, deeply savory abalone liver kimo sauce poured over warm shari. Watching the chef's precise technical skill and knife work right at the counter makes the experience incredibly engaging.Hot courses like the crispy, deep-fried mehikari (greeneye fish) with a squeeze of fresh lime provided an excellent texture contrast before moving into the heavy-hitting nigiri. The sheer freshness of the classic poached Kuruma Ebi (tiger prawn) was only accentuated by the chef taking the time to personally introduce its exact preparation to every guest. Some guests at the counter even complimented his engaging narrative as being equally exhilarating as his food!

The rest of the nigiri hits were just as legendary—the Akami (lean bluefin tuna) nigiri was perfectly structured, and the delicate shiromi (white fish) nigiri featured flawless, intricate scoring. The execution on the back half of the menu is exceptional, particularly the anago (sea eel), which stands as a true pinnacle of craftsmanship. Its natural flavor was complemented elegantly by the deep smokiness of binchotan, yielding just the right amount of crispness on the outside while remaining incredibly soft and delicate on the inside. A fragrant dusting of sansho pepper balanced seamlessly with a subtle hint of salt, culminating in a composed yet explosive symphony of flavors. We also loved the velvety uni chawanmushi, which was pure comfort in a bowl and were surprised by the inclusion of Daisen Uni on the menu!!!!

To elevate the night, Sunny (the manager) suggested pairing the meal with a bottle of Kuroushi 2025 Junmai Ginjo sake, which brought a beautiful, floral, velvety smooth complexity that complemented the richer cuts perfectly.

We finished the evening with a gorgeously presented dessert tray of fresh seasonal fruit (strawberry, blueberries, and shine muscat grape) alongside a perfectly crispy, traditional Monaka ice cream sandwich with homemade coconut ice cream.

Beyond the impeccable food and beautiful tableware, the service from Sunny and the team was warm and highly attentive without feeling stuffy. For the level of craftsmanship and top-tier sourcing delivered right to your plate, this place is tough to beat. Can’t wait to come back for the next seasonal menu!“

“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.“

“Most unique take on sushi in the Bay Area. Think “elevated sushi,” with a specialty in drawing out deep, full-bodied flavors through dry-aging.

We’ve been here a number of times, and it’s consistently one of our favorite sushi experiences. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the chefs make it feel personal every time.

I also swear the cuts of fish get noticeably thicker once we get the chefs a little drunk, though they’ll never admit to it.

If you’re looking for traditional sushi, there are plenty of great options around the Bay. But if you want something more distinctive, especially if you’re interested in dry-aged fish and seeing how much flavor can be pulled out of great ingredients, Sushi Ai really stands out.“

“Family operated business establishments are always the best!! Food is superb!! Price is competitive!“

“First time here, The basil chicken was delicious, sushi was fresh and well crafted.
The home made teriyaki sauce added to everything. Already looking forward to coming again. The food here is awesome
This place is a find !“

“From the warm greeting everyone receives when walking through the door to the attentive and super friendly service, this place is amazing! The sushi was outstanding… hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had! The texture, taste and presentation was top notch. Wish there was a location on the east coast!“

“Great walkable neighborhood“

“We do mostly takeout here and keep returning because the food is great. My family’s general assessment is that their sushi is better than most in the area. But I wanted to highlight their excellent customer service. We had ordered a 3 item bento box in one of orders and one item was forgotten. When it was brought to their attention by phone, they reimbursed the entire bento box, no questions asked. Good customer service is hard to find these days and just wanted to make sure they were recognized for that on top of the great food!“

“New restaurant in what used to be a great hole in the wall breakfast spot. Now it’s “high end” sushi in an old hole in the wall breakfast spot.

Prices are a bit higher than average but quality was standard. The chirashi ($40+) bowl was great with thoughtfully presented flavors but the mango tuna roll ($20+) had a piece of skin/tendon in every bite.

Service was doing the best they could during a busy dinner rush. They forgot one of our rolls entirely and tried to make that up to us.

They included miso soup and salad which I’m not sure is standard as it’s priced out separately in the menu.

Overall the price did not match the service and atmosphere, I understand we are in weird economic times but that made paying $20+ for a roll with chewy bits all the more disappointing.“

“Excellent food and service! We will definitely be back!“

“The bay has no shortage of sushi restaurants, San Mateo least of all. Against this competitive backdrop, The Backhouse still claims a spot at the top. Jui's selection of garnishes and sauces are simply a level above others making this sort of modern style sushi - so delicious and, importantly, unique. And on top of excellent and highly consistent flavor, the business maintains its genuine local charm.

Useful info:
- Responsive to Instagram DMs
- IG story has alternate pickup locations a few times per week
- Parking usually isn't too hard if you're coming to the San Mateo location

If you're looking at the order form and are concerned about getting your money's worth, just go for it. You won't be disappointed.“

“Fantastic food and good prices Excellent service“

“Los invito a todos a disfrutar de un buenísimo sushi!! 100% recomendable!! sabrosos y accesibles ;)“

“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.“

“We walked in for a quick munch. Surprisingly we were the only ones there at 2pm. Service is great!“

“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy“

“This place offers great bento boxes. This is the only restaurant that still serves free California rolls along with the bento boxes. I have ordered beef/chicken teriyaki and they’ve been delicious along with great portions. Although some items such as saba shioyaki and tempura can be a miss, the pork katsu is my go to option.“

“You will not be disappointed !!“

“Found a new favorite sushi spot and I'm already planning my next visit. The ambience hit the perfect balance, clean, comforting, and welcoming without feeling stuffy. The staffs were very nice!

What really stood out was the quality of the fish, thick, generous cuts, not the thin, skimpy slices you sometimes get elsewhere. The rice was perfectly done, and the rolls were satisfyingly filling rather than all rice and no substance.

I tried the spider roll, unagi lover roll (this one was a standout — amazing), Philly roll, and tamago and tobiko nigiri. Every piece delivered. Portions were generous, and the prices were genuinely fair for the area, which made the whole experience even better.

Will absolutely be back. Highly recommend if you're looking for sushi that doesn't cut corners on quality or portion size.“

“MJ Sushi delieved an amazing meal and experience. The sashimi was incredibly fresh, high quality, and beautifully presented.
They also have an excellent sake selection, whether you're looking for a crisp, dry sake or something a little more complex. The staff was knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations. What really stood out, though, was the customer service. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making the entire dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. If you're looking for outstanding sushi, premium sashimi, great sake, and exceptional service, I highly recommend. I'll definitely be back soon with friends!“

“Love their service and their sashimi and sushi. Very good and �!“

“I like to get takeout here, and it’s always good but tonight was phenomenal. The presentation was really pretty, the Cali roll was delicious as always, and I appreciate how thick the slices were. The staff is super friendly and quick. I prophesied that many more Cali rolls from here will follow the same path these did.“

“Always great food & service! Clean, friendly & fresh food! Thank you again!🤗♥“

“Great service, food was delish. Chef made special sushi dish ( not on the menu) that was FIRE! My new to go place.❤️❤️❤️“

“San Mateos best kept secret. Best sushi I've had in years. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and at a reasonable price. My comment after dinner was , I guess I have had so much grocery store sushi, I forgot what real sushi should taste like.. Best Japanese food like this is rare these days until you try Tokies“

“Absolutely amazing❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ best sushi!“