22 Best Japanese Restaurants near Monterey

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

“By far the best sushi I’ve tried in Monterey! The sushi is so fresh, soft, and literally melts in your mouth. Definitely a must try!

If you want to try the same sushi in the picture, go to the sushi bar and ask for SAI. Tell him, “I want Miguel’s Secret Sushi.” He knows exactly how to make it and has it written down on a piece of paper.“

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

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

“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.“

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

“Harumi Sushi in Seaside is such a wonderful spot! The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and quickly prepared. You can really tell that care goes into the quality of the food.The service was also fantastic, everyone was friendly, welcoming, and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends. Id would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for delicious sushi, great service, and a warm atmosphere in Seaside. I’ll definitely be coming back! 🍣❤“

“This must be the best sushi I have eaten in California in a really long time. The fish is extremely fresh, and the portions are generous. They focus on the fish and not the amount of rice. All the seasoning is so on point, and they keep it real without adding a ton of sauces or other distractions. I would come back any time when I'm in town. It can get busy during dinnertime, so either make a reservation or be prepared to wait for a little bit. They do offer outdoor seating.“

“Very happy to have Maido Sushi here in Marina. Staff is friendly, food is tasty, and it feels like an actual cafe you would find in Kyoto or some parts of Tokyo having visited. Thank you :3!“

“I had never been here before until my boyfriend took me a few months ago. We come here pretty often now. Servers are always super sweet and attentive. Vibe is a little dark, moody and quiet. We came on Thursday around 5:30 or 6pm. The food fills my heart and stomach 💛.
To drink we had Suigei Junmai Daiginjo sake and water.
For food this time we had the spicy tuna roll, Dream Eater roll (a special), two orders of ocean trout sashimi and unagi. I forget to take a picture of the unagi. We ALWAYS order it at the end as if it's a dessert, so good! 😋

It's sad that I have lived here so long and had never come here before until this year.
Highly recommended by this stranger. Delicious.“

“It’s about time I give a review. We have been eating here for a while at least once a month and it’s always delicious. The service is always friendly and it’s great food for a fair price in this climate. Not the best of pictures because the hubs was getting annoyed with me lol 🤍“

“A very nice Korean and Japanese restaurant alongside broadway Ave! They have Korean side dishes if you order from the Korean side of the menu such as kimchi and fish and others. On the Japanese side, there’s an extensive sushi menu and ramen too. I loved their 49ers roll with the crab and tempura inside and tuna outside. The Korean short ribs were nice too on the hot plate but stuck sometimes and the bones were a bit difficult to get off the bone. All with really nice service and getting water pretty often!“

“My wife, our friend who lives here and I went to Flying Fish Grill restaurant and had the best experience we have had at a restaurant. We were greeted by Rich from front of house with a warm welcome and he immediately recognized where we were from our phone area code. The restaurant is very cozy and you almost feel you are in their house.
The waitress Brandie came by quickly and took our drink orders and explained the highlights of the menu and answered our questions. Before we were barely settled we had a basket of fried wontons and salsa which were crisp and delicious.
Oh my gosh, I think the three of us hit the trifecta. I had the haddock in parchment paper with a miso and fermented black bean sauce which, it turns out, Brandie described very well. My wife had the Ying and Yan salmon which she loved. Our dear friend had the ahi tuna with pepper which she loved.
Gerry (Jerry not sure) served the dishes with charm and banter which we appreciated. The service was expedient yet we never felt rushed.
Again, we loved our experience at the Flying Fish Grill restaurant and highly recommend it.
I would never call myself a foodie expert but it was certainly the best seafood choices and flavors I have had in a while.
I made a point to ask all their names as they were all at the top of their game. Kudos to the chef behind all the food as he certainly knows how to make the magic.“

“Simply the best. This is the place that the real real food aficionados in our area go for sushi. The freshness and the quality is amazing. Atmosphere is very understated but I love it. You are here for the food, not for glitz. Try the soft tofu. Eggplant fantastic and the fish is amazing.“

“Picked up the Sushi Special and Zaru to go from New Tokyo Restaurant in Marina, and it hit the spot.
The service was incredibly fast and friendly right from the start. Both items were excellent—the sushi was fresh and well-prepared, and the Zaru was refreshing and perfect for a takeout meal.
It’s a solid, reliable spot when you want great Japanese food without the wait. Highly recommended!“

“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.“

“ushi Heaven in Carmel is an absolute institution and one of those special places that has been part of the community for years! In a town filled with incredible restaurants, Sushi Heaven continues to stand out for its amazing food, genuine hospitality, and unforgettable dining experience.

The sushi is always incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. There's a reason this place has been around for so long. The quality, consistency, and attention to detail are exceptional, and every visit feels like something special.

What truly makes Sushi Heaven extraordinary is David, the owner. David is simply amazing! His warmth, passion, and genuine love for his guests are what make this restaurant so much more than just a place to eat. He makes you feel like family, and that personal connection is something you just don't find very often anymore.

Sushi Heaven represents everything I love about Carmel: incredible food, wonderful people, and local businesses with real heart and character. It's places like this that give a community its soul. One of the best sushi experiences you can have, and a restaurant I will continue to support for years to come. Thank you, David, for making Sushi Heaven such a special part of Carmel!“

“Excellent food!!! It beats what we had in Maui recently.“

“I always have my Mad delivered. Watch for their free delivery Tuesdays, actually going on now. The food is so tasty, always hot, my special instructions are always met, and the delivery is on time every time. If you haven't tried it, you should, you won't be disappointed!“

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

“Friendly staff, excellent food.“