50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Lafayette

“My partner and I just went for the first time - it will be our new typical date night spot! The reviews were great so we thought we’d check it out - we were pleasantly surprised by the immediate seating at 630PM on a Saturday, and the decor was nice. We ordered the gyozas, miso soup, California roll, rainbow roll, and dynamite rolls and they were all fantastic and beautifully presented. The owner of the restaurant also dropped off a complimentary appetizer (mushrooms) and dessert (chocolate ice cream). Overall, fantastic hospitality and very good fish. We will be back!“

“Loved this place, but removing a star because they took the teriyaki salmon option off the menu. Strange, because everyone loved it and it was often sold out! The raw fish is hit or miss. Bring back the teriyaki!

My roommates and I check doordash every week or so, just to see if they have Salmon Samba.“

“Delicious and everything was so fresh 😋“

“Fresh and delicious! So nice to grab a quick, easy dinner here on a hot night.

Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating regarding my need to avoid sugar. They even let me taste 1 drop to be sure I wouldn't get myself in trouble with a blood sugar spike.“

“Some of the best sushi in the East Bay, and one of the best sushi chefs, Jack san,“

“Atmosphere in the restaurant was great, service was attentive and they would take the time to explain the elements of every dish. If they have the off menu potato and cheese croquettes again, they are a must try. The short rib was amazing and the oxtail was a great comfort food. The milk bread dessert was delicious and unique, but the chocolate cake had too much cream and not enough chocolate for us.“

“Tatsu is a solid spot here that really delivers on atmosphere and flavor. The authentic Japanese design stands out right away - warm wood tones, pink Sakuras, clean lines, and a cozy layout that makes the space feel both traditional and welcoming.

On a packed Saturday night, the team was clearly working at full speed. The chef in particular was impressive - focused, efficient, and handling a nonstop flow of orders without missing a beat. You could feel the effort and care behind the counter.

The sashimi was fresh, clean, and genuinely delicious - exactly what you hope for when you sit down at a sushi bar. The specialty rolls like Flaming Dragon were beautifully plated with a bit of flair, and the uni shooters were the highlight of the night - rich, briny, and absolutely outstanding.

Overall, a lively, high-quality sushi experience. When a restaurant is that busy and still maintains this level of freshness and service, that says a lot. Definitely worth coming back.“

“Hands down the best restaurant in Martinez. I travel from Vallejo to enjoy the Salmon and steak hibachi. The staff are so kind and friendly. The dining area is always spotless. I highly recommend you come here if you’re looking for a good quality meal!!!!“

“Truly excellent place that has been here in the neighborhood forever. We've been coming here or getting orders togo for a decade and it's been the same folks running it the whole time and they are superb.
2025 update - still going strong. great food and great service!“

“Super delicious 👍 I never eat Japan food super good like this before.“

“Amazing as always! This place delivers consistently excellent sushi—super fresh, and just look at the picture to see how thick their sashimi cuts are. It’s not only fresh, it’s truly a great value.

I ordered four pieces of sashimi, the katsu curry with an add-on of California roll for an additional of $5, and it all even came with a salad. The pork in the katsu curry was juicy with two thick, satisfying slices.

Not to mention they gave me free tea. So generous.

Service was outstanding—the true definition of great customer care. The ambiance is cozy, welcoming, and very clean. Highly recommend!

I love this place and the owners!!!“

“Very good meal, service was great, I'll definitely be back.“

“Life without sushi is no fun. That's why Manpuku is so needed. Whether pieced or in bowls, Manpuku brings both traditional and fusion in a delightful and pleasant way.“

“First time here and probably last time too. I hella liked how the inside was decorated reminded me of a restaurant in Japan. Kinda disappointed though. I hella love sushi. But the sushi selection was small. Nothing caught my eye. The only thing I did enjoy with my meal was the ikura. The waitress’s don’t even check up on you to see how your doing. We we’re seated all the way in the back. I asked for more water and it never came. And for those 2 reasons I won’t come back.“

“Absolutely amazing nigiri! They share a space with Jungdon Katsu which means you get the best of both worlds.
The nigiri was amazingg!! We got some to try their nigiri, we were mainly there for the Katsu. But the portioning was so good with the Tuna that we ordered more (and we even got a bit of a bonus from the chef).
The fish ratio to rice was spectacular.
I've seen poor reviews about the service/speed, which I could see happening if things get busy. There was one server for all the tables, the food is made to order so it takes a bit to get your food. We went on a Thursday night and had one party ahead of us. The food took 20 mins to get to us. However the KATSU was PIPING HOT! The nigiri was also quick to arrive.
You order via QR code and the server was polite so I couldn't see anything to complain about the service besides the speed.

The place is a bit hard to find but I liked the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant.
Overall amazing experience. I'll be writing my review for Jungdon Katsu as well!“

“Excellent sushi again and again. Highly recommend this restaurant. Great service and fresh fish every time.“

“Every roll was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The staff were welcoming and attentive.
In the end they offered me plum wine but I asked for ice cream and they accommodated.
I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“BEST TERIYAKI CHICKEN!! Great food! Great service!“

“This is a local authentic sushi place. Chef is friendly and good listener if you have special inquiries. Sushi are freshly made to order with generous portions.
Good varieties of sushi, nigiri and sashimi plus non-sushi items. Ask staff for veggie options but some are clear through menu.
Place is clean and organized with responsive waiter.
Atmosphere is good for groups, meetup, seniors (flat floor) and small parties. Will return for orange spicy salmon (Netscreen) roll.

Vegetarian options: Veggie options available. Check with staff.

Parking: Free and paid street parkings“

“Good authentic Japanese cuisine! Had the tempura udon, beef teriyaki set and double salmon roll. Salmon tasted especially delicious.

Service was great, they accommodated for a party of 8 without reservation with about a 15 minute wait (friday dinner, 6pm). There is a physical waiting list upon arrival, staff was efficient and kind despite the large group inconvenience.

Would 10/10 go again, great value and great service.“

“I’ve been eyeing this place for months and finally was in the mood for sushi. The bento box was very fresh and delicious. I got the salmon teriyaki and spicy tuna. I also got the uji time ice cream. They offer a variety hand make ice cream that changes every week. This week I got the purple potato one. It was a perfect meal for an early dinner and the staff was very nice.“

“Okay, this is the fourth time we’ve been here this week so, I think we’ve crossed the official “rating your favorites” threshold. Pa’s Papa is ‘official’ in my heart for three reasons:
1. Every time I come in there’s a genially kind and friendly, LOCAL face to greet us! They hire folks from the neighborhood and I think that’s awesome and so “Official Oakland!”
2. Each visit our food has been so fresh, well seasoned, thoughtfully presented, packaged * and delicious The servings and pricing truly fair. *I teased the owner for teaching his young, new cashier how to properly bag hot soup like an official Oakland Chinese restaurant!
3. It’s a hella nice vibe. Every time. Music is upbeat, the restaurant is immaculately clean, and it’s a POSITIVE VIBE… that truly matters in this moment in time. I appreciate it.“

“Excellent place for good sushi. We went for dinner on a Sunday evening and the place was packed. Despite that we only had to wait about 5 min (they said 10-15). The restaurant is clean and we'll appointed. Staff were all friendly with excellent service. The food was delicious. We will happily return.“

“One of the best sushi spot in the bay. The food just feels and tastes fresh. Portions are nice and flavors are there. The sashimi is amazing, the specialty rolls are all really well done. You can tell they care about their craft. Ive had delivery and the food is still amazing. You know delivery sometimes reduces the quality of the food.“

“Came in this small but cozy restaurant for a quick lunch bite and was surprised by the ambiance. I got the pork chop over rice and was surprised on how authentic it tasted. Crispy and homey - good blend of veggies and meat. Definitely a spot for casual get-togethers or a quick lunch. I would come back to try the food they didn’t have in stock (certain foods weren’t available depending on the days of the week or month)“

“Best Japanese Curry in town !“

“The best omakase around!!“

“OMG. I’m a sushi lover and this is my new favorite lunch spot. Happened to be in the area for lunch, which just happens to be their happy hour! We ordered one of everything on the happy hour menu and were BLOWN AWAY. Soooo good, we ordered 2nds of most of the items. Floored how good the oyster mushroom tempura on their HH menu is. Like. Chef’s kiss! All of the fish items in HH were top shelf. So good, we ended up ordering multiples. Staff was so helpful and happy. Can’t wait to come back.“

“Small place, attentive staff, amazing sushi.
- Their rolls are stuffed to the brim with sushi.
- The salmon sashimi is a large portion, and super good.
- We also tried their Geta don. The tuna was amazing!! The onsen egg was really great!!!

I loved the spicy scallop roll. My friends really enjoyed the real cali roll. The hamachi roll was great too.

My only complaint is that the rice consistency wasn’t great and seemed basically unseasoned.“

“Excellent quality healthy and authentic Japanese food at affordable prices. Service is fast (usually 10-15 minutes wait, but sometimes only 5!) And the place is very clean.

Very good spot for a date, or lunch/dinner with your parents. Also a great everyday lunch spot. I try to eat here once a week at least - when I need a healthy meal Asian style.

My favorite is the miso soup and side salad, add a rice and it's under $10. There are many food options in the $10-15 range for a full meal. My favorite soup is the vegetable udon noodle soup. I also like that they have soda pop available with no artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup, so I can enjoy a soda sometimes without feeling too guilty about it.

The sushi is also great, and the teriyaki dishes yummy.

Best overall restaurant for healthy Asian food that isn't expensive and you can eat here any day, their open for business hours are consistent.“

“Awesome sushi poke place that is very generous with its portions! The staff is very friendly and helpful in getting all of the ingredients you like as well as telling you if something cost extra!

I ordered a large bowl which cost $20

The store is also very clean and if there's anything highlighted or shown for sale, they'll also let you know!

Overall, the ordering process was very smooth!“

“One of our favorite local spots! The fish is always fresh and all of their food is really good! Our favorites were the 49er, phoenix, and pleasant hill roll. Great family owned restaurant that is always clean with kind service! 10/10 recommend!“

“Very beautiful!!!! Vale a pena conhecer“

“In all my travels, I look for what I call "happy food." Happy food for me is healthy, nutritious, tasty, nicely prepared, and served by smiling people in a clean environment. Oori exceeded all my happy food requirements and then took me for a ride through food blissfulness worth each bite. I had chicken teriyaki, grilled salmon, and spicy tuna triangles. On the side, I complimented it with miso soup and ginger. Each flavor was distinct and made my taste buds ooh, ahh, and wow for more. I'll be back here for more without question. I felt like I was dining at a 5-star restaurant and found the food reasonably priced.“

“This takeout only spot has the MOST affordable and FRESH sashimi and sushi in the entire Bay!! The omakase box features fresh pieces of salmon, tuna, fatty tuna, roe, and scallop for $16.99. Zero fishiness at all. But my favorite is actually the seared salmon—omg it literally melts in your mouth 👌🏻👌🏻 The California roll uses actual snow crab and all their other rolls are good too. Only thing is they don’t open on weekends but they have a location in SF now. Highly recommend!“

“Ever since Jo's Sushi Bar closed, I've been searching for a comparable sushi place and I'm glad to say, The Shoya fits the bill. I judge a sushi place not on their rolls but the quality of their fresh fish and sushi rice...and this place doesn't disappoint. We got the 10 piece nigiri omakase and and sushi combo (7 piece nigiri and roll) as well as the tekka don and tempura and wvwrything was well prepared and delicious! The sake was served in a cool looking dispenser I've never seen before, which was a nice touch! I'm not in Pleasant Hill very often but I'm happy to know this will be my go-to spot for great sushi when I am in town.“

“Low key, family-run sushi spot out in the burbs. I usually get sashimi or one of the rolls. Now if you want to throw caution to the wind, get the roll called "I don't know". It's chef's choice, and it depends on the ingredients on hand that day. Sometimes it's great, sometimes less so. Regardless, the portion is always generous, and it's always a surprise.“

“Been here a few times, I see Japanese people eating here so the food must be good. Sushi rolls, hand rolls, miso soup, eel are good choices. It's hard to miss the plaza entrance to the parking lot as it's hard to see from the road.“

“Chill space- the BEST Tonkotsu I’ve had in a LONG time. Service isn’t bad but nothing to rave about. They ask you enough questions to get you your food and leave you alone otherwise. If you’re having a day where you just want noodles and to chill- this is the spot. The Tonkotsu soothed my soul and the soft boil eggs were perfection.“

“Ever since the Marugame Alameda location opened, it’s been a main staple for my routine! The staff are kind and attentive, and the food is delicious. Compared to other locations, I’d say the Alameda location is among the better ones I have visited over the years. Even though the location is fairly new, opening this past year, it’s helped heightened my expectations of Marugame locations. I highly recommend coming here and ordering the Gyudon!“

“Food was fresh! Service was great. The tables were clean!“

“The freshest sushi I’ve ever had in this area. Hands down. Will definitely be back!“

“Mijori – A Classic at Lake Merritt!

This little gem has been a mom-and-pop staple in Oakland for over 30 years, and they’re still going strong. The service is consistently friendly, and the food never misses. It’s a must-stop if you’re in the Lake Merritt area.

They offer a variety of weekly specials depending on the fresh fish they receive, so there’s always something new to try. Don’t skip the tuna salad—it’s topped with their house-made spicy Korean sauce, and it’s absolutely delicious.

The sushi we ordered tonight was fresh, sweet, well-seasoned, and simply satisfying. Pair it with a cold beer or a glass of sake, and you’re in for a great evening. Come check them out—you won’t be disappointed!

Don’t forget to follow for more Great foodie stops @Only1christinelu“

“Great atmosphere, great food, great service. Highly recommend Yokohama Sushi! 👍“

“Nice and accommodating 😘😘😘“

“It was just me when I went in, very polite server, I had just gotten back from a strenuous hike and was looking to eat good food. The food was delicious if I ever hiked up Mt. Diablo from bottom to peak again, I'll definitely come back here.“

“Hard to reserve seats at this 8 seat only Omakase behind an unmarked door in Alameda. Led by a quality, experience, and diner education obsessed chef who personally selects and imports most of the seafood from Japan.

It is a personally catered omakase bar service of very high quality. They also have a lovely sake selection.

Pricey, but worth it.“

“Even though I did not order anything from Koharu Japanese Cafe, this place of business has four restaurants combined in one location. The other three are Wok Chi (Chinese), Yue Club (dim sum) and Sachi (sushi).My visit there was for a YEE (Yelp Elite Event). The business was offering a complimentary food sampler. I chose the Wok Chi and paid extra for the Yue Club. The food was excellent. The dim sum was perfect with a cup of hot tea on a rainy day (January 27, 2021). I recommend the dim sum (har gow, siu mai, xlb dumplings, etc.)Service was quick and employees were pleasant and helpful. There will be a return visits in the near future for the beef chow fun and spicy eggplant.“

“Love the buffet around the sushi bar! Best place to sit!“

“One of the best hidden treasures sushi restaurants on the island of Alameda.
At this posting, Omakase nigiri (10 pieces nigiri) for $52 or Sashimi omakase (10 pieces) for $48.
Good wine and sake menu. High quality sushi, unlike other sushi restaurants in Alameda.
Professional service with details.
Price value!“