50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Lafayette

“Excellent sushi. Very fresh and flavorful. The salmon had a delicious buttery texture, as it should. Hard to find high quality these days and it is authentic. It is pricey, so depending on your budget it might be a once every so often place. As someone who only eats raw fish, it was perfect. Will be going 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,“

“I got the romano beans and the fried chicken. I didn't know the fried chicken was chicken wings--- which it doesn't say and I don't like, but I ate it anyway. Wanted to try the chocolate cake (which is on the online menu) but it wasn't on the menu anymore. Will come back to try other things another time. Good service and nice ambience.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“The food was fresh, well-prepared, and nicely presented. The sushi had great flavor, and the variety on the menu offered plenty of appealing choices. Service was also attentive and reasonably quick, which made the dining experience enjoyable.

However, one issue stood out and affected my rating. The table menu was noticeably dirty, with visible smudges and stains. This detail took away from the otherwise pleasant atmosphere and raised some concerns about cleanliness standards.

Overall, it’s a solid place for sushi with tasty dishes and good service, but improving cleanliness—especially of items like menus—would make a big difference.“

“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“

“Nothing but a 5-star experience at Tanoshi. Great value for their combo - at $14? Am I even living in 2026?! I doubt this will last long... And the food was amazing! Katsu and tempura were very well executed - even stayed crunchy after the whole meal. Raw fish taste fresh. Miso soup was well balanced. The salad was well dressed... What else can I say? Hmmm with such good quality of food and great pricing, their decoration was also very pleasant - their bathrooms were also well decorated!

Ok, nothing is perfect. Two things here. 1 - Low on staff. This place can get very busy and you might have to wait in line for a while. 2 - Shrimp tempura was the biggest disappointment. Microscopic shrimp with a thick blanket of flour. Still, couldn't recommend this place more.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Best Japanese Curry in town !“

“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)“

“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.“

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

“I was so happy to find this place! It’s a casual Japanese restaurant. This place seems to specialize in takeout, but there’s tables and seating if you want to dine in.

I tried their chicken katsu bento and I was blown away with the quality and portion size. A bento can easily feed 2 if you don’t eat large amounts. Food is definitely on the heavier side.

They also serve sushi. Would definitely come back to try them.“

“Hakashi is truly one of the best sushi restaurants in the East Bay. The sushi is always fresh and delicious, and they add their own creative twist with unique flavors and presentation. Their drinks also have a personalized touch, definitely try the tamarind and hibiscus mocktail. For sushi rolls, the 49er and the Hakashi roll are must-tries, with the Hakashi roll being my personal favorite.“

“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.“

“The best omakase around!!“

“The place offers a pleasant and easy ordering experience with a standard, simple design that keeps the focus on the food.
The dishes are fresh and flavorful, especially the large poke bowl made to order with the option to add plenty of extras, which makes it both satisfying and customizable.
Everything tastes clean and well-prepped. One thing to note: they don’t serve alcohol, so plan accordingly.
Overall, a solid spot for a fresh sushi or poke fix.“

“We had a great dinner here! Everything felt very authentic, and you can tell they put a lot of care into preparing their seafood. The proportions were spot on.
A huge surprise was the miso soup—it was so good that even my kids, who usually don't touch it, finished the whole bowl. The salad was simple and refreshing, and the fried chicken (karaage) was perfectly crispy and tender. The beef was a little on the salty side for my taste, but overall, it didn't take away from a really enjoyable meal.
We liked it so much that we even grabbed some nigiri to go, and the kids absolutely loved it. Definitely a spot we’ll be coming back to.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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“

“This is one of the best izakaya spots around here. The owners and staff are very friendly, and it looks like they have a lot of regular customers.

I ordered a few dishes to enjoy with some good sake. The yakitori was a bit disappointing since it lacked that smoky, grilled flavor. I wouldn’t recommend it.

However, the steamed clams were excellent—perfect as a drinking snack. The fried herring was so delicious that we finished it in no time. Lastly, I had ochazuke, which was absolutely satisfying and something I’d definitely order again.

Overall, it was a perfect dinner experience.“

“Nice and accommodating 😘😘😘“

“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.“

“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!“

“My favorite sushi spot in the whole Bay Area. That's incredible how much food (really fresh and flavorful) you get for the prices they have. The service is always friendly and quick. We normally just walk in and get a table but on weekends dinner time there could be a wait(20-30 min). After discovering this spot a couple of years ago we always eager to cross the bridge to have the best sushi in a non pretentious atmosphere.“

“Hands down my favorite sushi restaurant, super fortunate to live nearby. I order the “Shelby Roll” frequently (best Shelby I’ve experienced, always super fresh). Titanic is fantastic, also fresh with a little crunch. Tonight I tried the “Sushi Pizza” and I’m in 7th heaven. Great for me by myself and easy to share. I usually order to go but the ambience and team make an inviting experience. It’s a cozy spot with friendly employees, every time. Thank you! <3“

“best egg rolls and gyoza! I wish we could find teriyaki this good in WA“

“best sushi and cheap!!! will come again!!!“