50 Best Sushi Bars near El Cerrito

“Excellent take-out. Love their unagi, spicy crab salad, every roll that I’ve tried. And they are so nice!!“

“I’ve been here a few times and the food and service never disappoints. They have a pretty good size menu with not only rolls but also other options such as bowls and salads. We ordered the Bay Area roll and double spicy ca this time around along with gyoza and tuna nachos all super delicious!

Parking: It’s in a the plaza so there’s is always plenty of parking“

“Chill sushi spot with great food and a lot of options. It has the best miso soup I've had in the Bay Area and the fish always tastes fresh. Staff is friendly and genuinely cares about feedback. I've started here regularly because the food is that good, highly recommend.“

“This place is so worth it. My family has been going for 10+ years, almost since the beginning of the restaurant when it was in a different location. Aki-San will tell you when you’re eating something wrong, but it’s not mean-spirited. You should definitely ask him about his life and his journey to becoming a sushi chef. The sushi is the best you will ever have, even better than sushi I had when I visited Japan. It may be very expensive, but if you have the means it is extremely worth the price. Don’t ask for specific things, get what he recommends (but don’t be scared if you have diet restrictions to ask for something that works). Is is an amazing experience so if you go really enjoy it.“

“Delicious!!! Beautiful!! Great service too“

“Really nice place with good-quality Japanese cuisine. The rolls are really tasty and really big, you can get enough with just one set! The Seafood Udon that’s in broth is brought in a pot in which it was cooked, very authentic. The bento box is delicious! We tried sushi in so many places this place is the best of the best. We always come back only here when we really want a good and quality sushi. I recommend 100% Lion king is our fav. Greatly recommend as a lunch or dinner place, the service is really good and the meals were brought pretty quickly.“

“This place offers delicious food coming out of an adorable (and clean) sushi spot, and has a positive, communicative staff.

I purchased the Half-Baked roll (to-go), which I suppose is their version of a Lion King roll, except that it doesn’t have the cucumber. It has avacado.

Notes: There was more than an adequate amount of wasabi and ginger with my order, which I appreciate. Their to-go presentation and takeout packaging overall is one the cleanest, and best, I’ve ever seen.

Thank you,

C Mars

10/30/24 update: i ordered a roughly $12 with tax salmon avocado roll after hitting the gym at 24hr van ness and it was delicious and refreshing, a bit lighter when I don’t want the spicy mayo sauce on the half-baked. ?“

“I cannot say I had a bad experience. Everything was my favorite“

“This is a really upscale place that only serves omakase for $250 per person. when you factor in tax and tip it comes to $350 per person. although the service and quality are very good, I have has this type of omakase in various places around the country and I think the price is way too much. I think it is worth $150 per person. the meal was great - I Just don't think it's worth the price. the Nigiri was excellent. wasn't a fan of the desert and several of the appetizers I didn't like either. the quality of the fish is amazing.“

“One of the Best Omakase Experience we had!“

“Very nice place for special occasions or just a fancy night out. Our meal was minimalistic but elevated. Fish was well prepared and each item was so unique. Our chef was attentive and welcoming, especially to customers who had any food aversions.“

“Our experience exceeded all of our expectations. The food, service, and care provided by the chef and staff were outstanding! They made our birthday and anniversary the best ever. I highly recommend this omakase experience to anyone who enjoys and respects Japanese cuisine.“

“-The quality of the fish is very good and tasty. They know how to combine and play with the ingredients
- the price is too expensive for what you get
- the service is average. Our server is very friendly. However, we arrived a bit early for our appointment, the server told us to wait for 10-15 min for them to get a table ready since the customers at that table about to pay.We waited for more than 30 min outside, watching new customers came in and out. The server knew we were waiting outside at the door. Then we went inside just to see why they took new customers and saw there were multiple empty tables. It's quite weird when they have available tables and still let us wait outside. It took us a while to get the server attention at the door and also at dining.“

“Best non-traditional sushi that I've ever eaten“

“Love the convenience and quality of their sushi. The setup of this place is odd; people don’t know where to stand and there’s a past of the shop that is totally unused. It would be nice if they redesigned the space and could have more things or allow people to not block others trying to look at and grab food.“

“An astonishing 18-course omakase, expertly prepared, sourced in the finest sushi chef tradition of impeccable quality.
Warm and comfortable welcome with a happy-to-share chef who told us stories about his choices in making what has to be one of the finest Japanese experiences stateside.
Tiny space, superbly arranged.

I cannot recommend it enough. Not cheap but value for money if you struggle to “have something you’ve never had anywhere else” (and don’t want the 9+ hour Tokyo flight).“

“awesome a must try, this is a hidden gem“

“This is the best sushi experience in SF! The fish was excellent, the atmosphere was cozy and sophisticated, and the staff offered excellent service and friendly conversation. There's no doubt I will be returning. Also, the oysters were amazing.“

“Great sushi, perfectly prepared and presented. So glad I walked a few more blocks to go there. Small with a very friendly staff (my 2 Buddhi’s) made for enjoyable experience. Come to town at least once a year; plan to be back.“

“A true gem in downtown SF! Came on a week night and was half full, with some takeouts here and there. May not need to make a reservation if weeknights. I was astounded by the variety of the sushi rolls, sashimi, and the appetizers. The octopus wasabi and agedashi tofu were fantastic, the octopus was very fresh I could eat a big bowl! I devoured my sashimi, sushi and roll set and wanted to come back for more!“

“This is the best sushi restaurant on Pier 39 in California. The prices are not expensive and we only use fish supplied that day. This is the only sushi restaurant run by a Korean, and you can even eat kimchi if you speak well.

Parking: Paid street parking is available at the end of Pier 39th Street, but is not recommended.“

“After lunch, I was surprised that they didn't have more people eating in this establishment. This is a great place for a date or to come alone. The food is amazing 10/10. We had the omakase nigiri. 10 pieces of pure magic. The ramen just was amazing the best i had in san Francisco. The staff was amazing too. Definitely give them a visit. 10/10“

“OPTIMAL! Following the other reviews we arrived at this small Japanese restaurant, almost invisible from the street. Excellent and well-groomed food. Very kind staff, very helpful both in advice and in customizing orders! A little dark but welcoming place!“

“Emma ,Julio and staff great!“

“Had a wonderful dinner here! The service was excellent, and the cozy, relaxing atmosphere made for a great dining experience. The food was well-prepared, and I especially enjoyed the unique twist on the tonkatsu ramen with the addition of fresh ginger—it added a nice, refreshing touch. Overall, a really nice dinner, and I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for delicious ramen!“

“The best sushi place in the city!! Quality of food is 10 out of 5......“

“Nigiri combo is excellent! I can’t wait to try the sashimi combo next. I came just before they were closing for lunch and people were steadily coming either to pick up or eat-in up until their closing time. It seemed they were regular customers who are keeping this place a secret and happy to say, I am on it already. Can’t wait to go back.“

“A wonderful evening at Okoze with Jason, doing a vast taster session for us organised by some amazing friends.
Some of the freshest ingredients I’ve ever tasted!
From crab, to tuna, to prawn, to scallop, to wagyu, to pickled plum and a wild array in between this was a fantastic evening and wonderful meal. A special shout out to the prawn tempura we started with, so crunchy but so light! Plus the wagyu that melted like butter!
Highly recommend a visit to Okoze for truly beautiful and tasty food.“

“The flavors were thoughtfully crafted, authentically vibrant, and incredibly fresh, making every bite a delight. The staff were attentive and genuinely welcoming, creating a warm and comfortable dining experience from start to finish. I will definitely be dining here again in the future.“

“Cute ambience, solid rolls for the price, and welcoming staff. However, fish quality was not high enough for sashimi or nigiri - kampachi was good. At a similar price point consider BUBU. At a slightly higher price point consider Okane. Overall, not a bad choice for a casual night out for a date or otherwise, but stick to the rolls. Attire casual or smart casual.“

“Fantastic food, great service!“

“Best sushi in the Marina District!“

“First time visiting in August and did not dissapoint. Such great food and the service was very thoughtful and speedy. Will be returning for sure.
Update:
Returned and totally worth it. Such excellent sashimi. Wonderful service and so wonderful to sit at the bar this time to watch some masters work! Looking forward to next visit.“

“Happy hour is amazing! Great prices on nigiri, rolls, and drinks until 6:30pm.We also ordered seafood sonomono which was HUGE!!! Great prices for everything.The best part is all their seafood is sustainably sourced.

Dietary restrictions: They will make anything gluten free upon request.“

“Asaka is a delightful addition to the North Berkeley restaurant scene! The food is delicious, the service impeccable, and the owner generously donated a few platters of sushi ? to the Japanese American Experience event we held last month at St. Mary Magdalen Church. Come check it out!

Vegetarian options: Honestly, I don't know if there are main dishes for vegetarians, but their edamame was delicious!

Kid-friendliness: I think children would enjoy the food here.“

“The most amazing and traditional sushi near Golden Gate! I totally recommend this place!! You should come here, ask for the Nigiri Combo, you’re going to love it!!! The fish is VERY VERY FRESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Can’t wait to come back to SF, to eat here again!!!“

“If you're between spending $8 for an impossible whopper or a classic roll at this place then this place all day. Tane (and Shizen) offer high quality ingredients, plating, and taste to all of their decisions, specifically the eggplant nigiri. The eggplant melts in your mouth and does not require any chewing but is full of flavor. The speciality rolls are also of good value because they range from $16-17 & come with 8 pieces. The 1 menu item that was on the pricier side was the cheesecake which was priced at $15. Nevertheless the pricepoint is worth it because it has to be one of the bay area's best cheesecakes. Never a bad experience at Tane.“

“I went here during the hottest day of the heat wave and rightfully so I wanted something refreshing. Their Hawaiian Tuna Poke was amazing!!
Beautiful presentation and extraordinary flavors for a very good price!!
Definitely going again“

“Made a stop here for dinner before heading to the airport! My boyfriend ordered the 3 item bento box and it was such a good amount of food for the price. He loved everything!! I had a Rainbow Roll which was super fresh and tasty as well ?Everything was so delicious and knowing I have nothing compares back home is pretty devastating! “

“Just discovered this place while walking the dog and thought I’d give it a shot. Awesome discovery! Very friendly greeter who prepared my meal immediately while I’m sure he had other online orders to fulfill. Got the pork katsu and rice - crispy breading, great flavor, a LOT of food! I highly recommend Ginto!“

“Amazing sushi rolls and great service. Try it. I promise you won't be disappointed.“

“Awesome salmon and tuna nigiri.“

“I really like the sushi rolls and the calm atmosphere at Sumo. Hot tea and miso soup to start on a rainy evening. It was my first time having the GoGo roll, with shrimp, avocado, cucumber and DF asparagus... give it a try! The baked scallop roll is a warm savory treat as well.“

“The exclusivity and attention to detail in this culinary haven were unparalleled. From the moment we walked in, it felt like an intimate gathering of food enthusiasts. The chef's omakase menu was a mesmerizing journey through sushi perfection, with rare ingredients and artistic presentations that left us in awe. The personalized service and wine pairings elevated the experience to new heights. The ambiance exuded sophistication and exclusivity. While it may be "Friends Only" in name, this is a destination worth befriending for an unforgettable dining experience.

Parking: Hard to find a street parking in the evening“

“This is by all time my favorite to-go sushi place. For the reviews about the customer service, get over yourself! She’s not rude and always diligent and quick when customers are in the store. Just because there’s no “how’s your day?” doesn’t mean the service is horrible. Great great place and even more wonderful people running it.“

“I've been coming here since it opened years ago and it's one of my all time favorite spots. It's not my every-day sushi pick, it's my "I want the good stuff" spot. The fish is incredible quality. I typically get the chirashi because it's a great way to get a sample of some of their great fish, including some you may not typically get at other restaurants, plus they often include some of their incredibly tasty pickled veg and some shiso. This place is so good they make my least favorite things (Ikura) taste incredible. My partner got me their omakase for my birthday one year and it's still one of my absolute favorite birthday dinners. And while the price is by no means cheap, it's also not overpriced. Many lesser quality restaurants charge the same price for substantially inferior fish. I just love this place so much, the charming ambiance, the delectable fish, and the sweet and speedy staff. Everything about it is top tier. Truly a gem of north Berkeley.

Editing to add I was there the same night as "Dan potash" and yeah, it was a loud group, but it's a small place. The vibe is mostly pretty chill and the ambiance is usually pleasant. I would not begrudge the restaurant forever for an unexpectedly boisterous group of diners ONE time.“

“I ordered a tuna poke bowl. It was tasty fish and tuna. Unfortunately it had no rice, not sure if they ran out or that’s standard for them but I’ve never heard of a sushi restaurant not putting any rice with a tuna poke bowl. I’ll come back but recommend that people mention rice if they want that in the dish.“

“อร่อย มากๆเลย มากินกันเยอะๆนะคะ“

“Went on 09/20/24 at 1:45pm to avoid the lunch crowd. Ordered the Chirashi Bowel on the kiosk and received the food within 10 minutes. The fish tasted fresh and overall it was a very good healthy lunch, Great value! Recommend and will repeat.“

“Excellent foods, friendly staffs! We really love to have dinner here~ Absolutely, I will visit again when I come back to Berkeley!“