50 Best Sushi Bars near Menlo Park

“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.“

“Good sushi for good price“

“We were looking for a new place to try and Octopus had some great reviews/ pictures of their sushi rolls. After looking over the menu we decided to head on down. Friendly staff got us seated right away and we started with a round of appetizers. Gyoza, chicken karaage and a Toro Nigiri special started off the night and everything was delicious. Ordered 4 rolls and a bento box combo and everyone was extremely satisfied with the food. Can't wait to return and explore more of the menu“

“Amazing service. We had lunch there today. I ordered for the table and for one roll to go. When they brought the food the server realized they put two of the rolls in the to go box. And instantly said she’d have them make another for me to eat here and the second one was on the house. They also give free drinks when you dine in. They are wonderfully run!!!!“

“Drunken Monk is one of my favorite Japanese spots, especially for their oyako don. It’s the dish I keep going back for, but I’ve also tried quite a few other items on the menu and have enjoyed the variety.

The space has a cozy, casual izakaya feel, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner or date night. It’s not exactly a cheap eat, but the food feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared, so it’s a good spot when you want something a little nicer without being too formal.

The corn karaage is also amazing and definitely worth ordering. Crispy, sweet, and so easy to snack on. I’ve also tried dishes like their sashimi, mini uni don with ikura, grilled skewers, and clam dish, and everything has been comforting and well done.“

“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!“

“We were a group of 6 all visiting for the first time and we loved it! 5 out of 6 of us did the Omakase tasting. All the courses were delicious and all of the folks there are amazing and welcoming! I highly recommend Sushi Jin. It is great spot and we will go back again.“

“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.“

“Great sushi! Must get the omakase nigiri or Toyosu special!“

“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!!“

“An amazing sushi experience, highly recommended“

“The BEST Sushi in the Bay Area- FOR SURE“

“Nice place to eat, I only give the food 4 stars because the little differences in their rolls compares to others I've had with the same name just wasn't really for me. I ate them and enjoyed them as best I could and had no issues with them just not the best I've tried of rolls with that name.“

“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.“

“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!!“

“Have been going to this place lately. Fresh and delicious. The price is pretty good for 1 combo with sides.“

“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!“

“Authentic Japanese sushi that lets the quality of the ingredients shine.
Each piece is delicate and melts in your mouth.
The chef explains each course as it’s prepared, making the experience relaxed and memorable.
A wonderful place to share with someone special.“

“Love their foods, so delicious and fancy will bring my family & friends there again!!“

“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!“

“Enjoyed my quick lunch to Bay Sushi. I finally had time to go during their special hours. Pretty packed but seated fast. Miso was so yum, I love how they make it; broth wasn’t too watery and was the perfect temp to slurp it down. Served quickly with my lunch bento. Tempura was crunchy and the dipping sauce made it savory. Gyoza was crisp and the filling was yum. Great price and wonderful service.“

“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.“

“Wow. The sushi salad was AMAZING, the service was SO great AND the chef gifted us with salmon teriyaki!!!!!! Never even mentioned it was a birthday dinner!!!! Everything was so fresh, textures were amazing and taste was just right sweet, salty and so healthy. Grateful!“

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

“Good legit Japanese restaurant. The chicken karaage was very tender and juicy. For some reason it was very spicy. The sukiyaki was ok. The beef was a little tough but tasted good. We also got a teriyaki salmon and assorted tempura. The salmon was a little over cooked. which I expected it to be better. All in all a great place for a good representation of Japanese cuisine.“

“Great walkable neighborhood“

“Quiet Japanese restaurant in downtown Los Altos I have walked past several times and never been in.

Food: 4. Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4
Cost to worth it rating: 3
Opentableable: no, looks like need to call
Return worthiness: sure

Highlights:
- Albacore ginger roll: simple but never seen it before and loved it. Good quality white tuna with ginger along the sides. 5 stars
- Tempura: crispy crunchy batter than typical airy style but was good Order came with 2 shrimp, 2 onion, sweet potato, carrot. Bonus for daikon coming with the tempura sauce. 4 stars
- Scallop nigiri: nice size, flavor, and texture. 4 stars
- Dragon roll: solid version but unagi could've been bit better. They were able to do it without the crab for me. I'm not a fan of that mayo mix 3.5 stars
- Miso soup: came with lots of tofu and a pretty decent sized bow: 3.5 stars
- 3 different menus: sushi, specials, dinner menu
- Japanese waitress was nice.
- Seating inside with booth tables, a tatami room, and tables on the patio even
- Classical music made me feel calm and cultured

Lowlights:
- Solid option I should have tried sooner.“

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

“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.“

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

“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 service and good fresh food clean environment!“

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

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

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

“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...“

“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.“

“Not only is the sushi fresh with generous amounts of fresh seafood, but the to-go containers are actually biodegradable! No massive amounts of single-use plastic containers that break your heart!!
I highly recommend Sushiko for their creative rolls, fresh ingredients, and eco-friendly to-go packaging! So grateful“

“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“

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

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

“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!“