18 Best Sushi Bars near Carmel By The Sea

“We came in expecting a simple sushi spot, but this place completely surprised us.

The presentation is absolutely beautiful — every dish is decorated with so much care, and all the little details make the food feel even more special and delicious.

The courtyard is also cozy and has such a unique atmosphere — it honestly feels like you’ve stepped somewhere far away from the city for a while. We truly loved this place and left impressed. Definitely worth visiting.“

“The Carmel Drop: Chopsticks, Contraband, and Butterflies at CU Sushi
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a suspiciously perfect enclave—all storybook stone cottages, manicured cypress trees, and wealth so quiet it whispers. It is the kind of picturesque coastal postcard that makes a cynical operator immediately look for the exit routes.
But today, we had business. Under the cover of a cool coastal afternoon, the miniature anarchist and I took a table on the sleek gray patio of CU Sushi. She had officially suspended her campaign for high-grade French pastries, demanding raw fish, heavy unagi, and hot green tea instead.
Here is the surveillance report from our table.
The Desk Setup
The table was arranged with a clinical, modern aesthetic. Matte black plates and deep soy sauce saucers sat on the gray surface like tactical targets. At the center stood a heavy, square glass decanter of soy sauce, rigged with a silver pour spout that dispensed its dark, concentrated salt with smooth, high-precision control.
But the real mystery was the hot green tea. It arrived in a white ceramic mug covered in a flurry of pink and blue butterflies, bearing the cheerful slogan “Be the change.” It sat on our gray, austere table looking like a piece of bright civilian propaganda—a glaring, hilarious compromise to our hardboiled cover. Nearby, an empty white ceramic dish shaped like a sleek bamboo-print boat sat waiting at the dock, ready for a quick maritime getaway.
The Cold Assets
When the cold assets arrived, they did not disappoint. A long, heavy white rectangular platter carried a flawless, high-contrast linear parade of nigiri. Bright orange salmon, pale translucent yellowtail, deep-red maguro tuna, and pink-striped cooked shrimp were pressed onto tight, surgical pillows of seasoned rice. They were lined up in perfect pairs, looking less like lunch and more like precious, raw ingots ready to be smuggled out.
For a deeper dive, a pristine white bowl arrived packed to the brim with thick, ruby-red slabs of tuna. Nestled alongside the fish was a vibrant green heap of seaweed salad and a handful of rakkyo—pickled Chinese pearl onions that looked like smooth, pearlescent globes of polished gravel surrendering to the soy sauce.
The Heavy Artillery
The specialty rolls were constructed with absolute structural integrity, designed for maximum impact:
The Tempura Blitz: A roll entirely blanketed under a golden dune of shattered tempura flakes, drizzled with sweet soy reduction and capped with bright orange masago. Every chopstick pinch was a volatile operation, showering the plate with crispy debris.
The Velvet Dragon: A rich, high-caliber roll draped in caramelized, dark cuts of BBQ eel and perfectly sliced avocado. Lacquered in a rich, sweet unagi sauce and crowned with a dense dusting of orange roe, it looked like a row of miniature explosive charges.
The Clean Getaway: A pristine, white-on-white California roll packed with crab mix and avocado, served with a sharp pile of ginger and a green sphere of wasabi. It was standard-issue, but executed with zero technical errors.
The Verdict
CU Sushi is running an exceptionally tight, highly disciplined operation in Carmel. While the storybook streets outside and the cheerful butterfly mug threatened to soften our edge, the razor-sharp wasabi, pristine cuts of fish, and rich, dark unagi quickly brought us back to reality. It is a premium, top-tier setup that earns every bit of its keep.
We paid our tax, cleared the plates, and slipped back into the coastal fog before the local authorities—or the tourists—could note our presence.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars.“

“I enjoyed the food very much. I loved the tuna and yellowtail rolls, and the local King salmon nigiri, something I have never had before. We were asked to sit at the sushi bar I think because there were only two of us, and the tables were four tops. I was okay with that because I liked watching the chef prepare the sushi. There is a $40 minimum per person and if you have ordered too little, you will have a menu shoved in your face asking you what else you would like. It ended up being too much food but I ate it happily because it was all tasty. Just an odd experience. Service was a little brusque, overall. But I'm glad we tried it since there are only a couple of sushi restaurants in Carmel.“

“Fun sitting at the Sushi Bar! Great team, great service, and of course great food!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Crystal Fish was an outstanding dining experience! The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with amazing flavor. Every dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, making each bite a delight. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, while the staff was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout the meal. From the quality of the food to the overall experience, everything exceeded expectations. I highly recommend Crystal Fish and can't wait to return for another fantastic meal!“

“One of the few Sushi joints that can accommodate our dog. Nigiri was fresh with large pieces. Rolls are delicious and crafted well. Miso soup and salad also very nice.

Can get a bit busy but the servers are attentive and super nice.“

“Super friendly waitress and reasonable prices. Stopped by for dinner in the quieter part of town, and the restaurant was not too busy. The ramen and sushi were good. Be careful not to pull into the car wash, since Sushi by The Bay’s lot is on the other side of their building.“

“today an amazing couple paid for our tab. We are a family of 6 trust when I say our bill was not cheap. Thank you so much and may God bless. The service is always great, the food is always on point.“

“It was nice but the beef/steak was too chewy I recommend chicken and some people brought alcohol from outside which I found interesting. That being said, it was a nice experience trying Japanese dishes with all halal options, workers were nice people and the establishment has great vibes.“

“My wife and I will be paying a visit to the Presidio in a few weeks. We have many fond memories there from 1986/1987 when I was a Polish student and she was a Czech student, both of us U.S. Army. We met there and were married in Pacific Grove on our lunch hour. In our minds it's a magical place (and a superb language school) that expanded our horizons. We're returning to the U.S. after many years overseas.“

“Friendly staff, excellent food.“

“I have been eating at this establishment for years and no matter if it’s really busy or I’m going in for a takeout. their service is always awesome. They are so friendly. The food is awesome and I can’t say enough about this restaurant.“

“Excellent sushi restaurant in downtown Monterey. Fresh, great service and fun atmosphere.“

“Delicioso 🤤 cuando lo disfrutes con las personas adecuadas para ti 🥰🥰🥰“

“I love this place... simply the best!“

“Great place! Food, service, and atmosphere is excellent. Water doesn't taste like from the tap. I walked in with a friend and got a booth. Staff is super friendly and attentive. My go-to is the unagi donburi. I highly recommend this place!“

“The fish is fresh and the new rolls are a nice addition to the menu. Tommy and Esmeralda have been offering awesome promos like buy 2 get 1 free. Check em out! #sushiyoucantrust“

“exelent service and the food it's grate.“