50 Best Sushi Bars in San Diego

“Amazing omakase, friendly and knowledgeable staff“

“Came here on a Saturday night. Place was busy. Most of the dishes were good. Servers were overall great. Main issue is that food comes out a bit slowly so there can be a wait between dishes. We sat in the patio but somehow diners inside the restaurant who sat down 2-3 dishes after us, caught up and finished before us. Overall took 2.5 hours for the Soichi omakase. There was a heater on the patio if needed which was nice.“

“The shrimp head moving scared the crap out of me but everything was delicious and awesome“

“I’m not much of a reviewer unless an establishment is amazing or the opposite.
I must take the time to let everyone know that this was the BEST fish and sushi that I’ve ever had. It was incredibly fresh and each dish was better than the next. It is most certainly worth the price (although less expensive than some other spots). The drinks were also suberb and service was excellent and genuine.
Don’t be fooled by the exterior appearance. Once you go inside, it’s chic and modern.
Absolutely will give Hane 10+ stars.“

“Inspiring, creative menu that rivals the best menus in the world. Surprising affordable and unforgettably crafted cocktails. Entire staff is friendly, approachable and highly knowledgeable.“

“Best Sushi, Omakase, and experience hands down.
These chefs are masters and the nicest guys who put everyone at ease and take your taste buds on an journey of pure joy and deliciousness.

Everything is sooo fresh and top quality. Each bite feels sacred, you can't help but close your eyes when enjoying the symphony of flavors.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars. My only advice: sit at the sushi bar and enjoy the ride :)“

“This was the BEST sushi we have ever had. The entire experience was so wonderful. We left feeling relaxed and happy. Highly recommend this place and the staff were all fantastic and very attentive.“

“Fantastic fresh food; great sushi bar. Wonderful service from Kaz. I highly recommend..best sushi and sashimi around!“

““Japanese restaurant with amazing quality of fish”

ㅇ (Taste) Both sashimi and sushi are aged amazingly. The taste of fish at a high-quality Japanese restaurant.
- Truffle-topped sushi may be a bit complicated, but the taste of fish is the best.
- If you order the $34 chef's set, you get 6 pieces of rolls, 4 pieces of sashimi, and 6 pieces of sushi. Good value for money
ㅇ (Service) Friendliness. The server continuously checks the meal status. And the food came out super fast.
ㅇ (Atmosphere) Cleanliness inside and outside the store. The spacing is wide so you can relax. There are lots of seats, but it's not noisy at all.“

“Eaten here numerous times. Excellent quality food, and service. Equivalent to San Francisco Bay Area Japanese restaurants..which are outstanding.“

“This place is wonderful....Good Japanese Traditional Sushi and Modern American Rolls for the Non Japanese. good service and quality is good.“

“Pretty loud and tight seating. Felt like we were eating dinner with the tables next to us. The happy hour menu was impressive and all the food was fantastic. Staff was kind and constantly checking in. All in all, would recommend. Just be ready for a decently chaotic experience.“

“Fantastic food quality. Purist food.“

“@kinmesd delivered a memorable experience for us. From beginning to end I was in awe with the attention to detail, precision and heart they put into every bite. There was never a moment we weren’t taken care of by the chef’s assistants. It was beautiful to watch a group of people work together, harmoniously, and the reflection that had on the food.

@kinmesd I will be thinking about this meal for a very long time. Thank you for making our anniversary dinner such a special experience.“

“this is clearly one of my favorite Japanese markets in San Diego is not that big but I has enough stuff to make you happy in the dinner place is really good the ramen is amazing and I love you decoration because it makes you feel like you're in Japan looking at the samples you should totally go here will never regret it. prices are there regular has another Asian market but when you think about these being products that you don't get every where it is kind of cheap.“

“The best you can find stateside without a doubt and better than most in Japan too and I lived in Japan for 10 years. �. Can’t go wrong and the atmosphere is awesome. �“

“Very fast service, friendly people. Delicious food especially the ramen.“

“Delicious and so reasonably priced! The spicy Reese roll was so tasty, and the salmon poke bowl was fresh and filling. The service was top notch- both guys working were friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. Perfect for a nice little Sunday meal. Highly recommend!“

“Kumi Café is one of those hidden gems you find and just keep coming back to. My husband and I have been here multiple times, and every visit is just as good — if not better — than the last.

The service is always amazing. The staff is kind, fast, and really on top of things without ever making you feel rushed. They create the kind of experience that makes you feel genuinely taken care of.

Today, we had the Korean short rib, the bento box with gyoza and a California roll, and the tuna poke bowl. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. I normally don’t even like California rolls, but theirs are so good — fresh, not too mayo-heavy, and the rice is just right. My husband said his poke bowl was refreshing and delicious, and I couldn’t stop stealing bites.

We’ve also tried the sashimi and the chicken katsu curry on past visits, and both are incredible. The sashimi is super fresh and generous, and the curry — especially the chicken katsu version — is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. Definitely one of our favorites on the menu.

The place has a chill, modern vibe — clean and simple, but welcoming. It’s become one of our go-to spots when we want something that hits the spot without breaking the bank.“

“I was expecting more. The calamari tasted bland. The muscles were good but my toast was burnt and bland. The desert with the coconut and lime was tasty. Our service was average.“

“Makai Sushi offers a cozy, casual dining experience where the focus is clearly on the freshness of the ingredients. I tried their hapa roll, featuring Aji tuna and crab, and was impressed by how fresh everything tasted. The venue itself is small, with just four tables inside, but the patio provides a more spacious alternative. It’s a counter-service spot, so you order up front and they bring the food to your table—perfect for a relaxed meal. When I visited, the place wasn’t busy, allowing for quick service. A word of advice: the rolls are generous, and the large pieces make it a challenge to eat in one bite. I’m eager to return and explore their sushi burritos next time!“

“Nicholas was great, would highly recommend this restaurant.“

“I had the sea bass with Himalayan salt- a favorite of mine- the green beans and splurged (diet wise) for the mashed potatoes instead of a salad. Everything was delicious. My lunch partner had fish tacos which he seemed to inhale. The server was very attentive.“

“Ordered for takeout and the staff were nice. The restaurant is clean and I love the mural! The food is super fresh and tasty. I highly recommend. The baked sushi is the best baked sushi I've ever gotten and their nigiri is soo good it melts in your mouth.“

“The sushi is amazing...baked salmon roll and Philly rolls are my go to!“

“Everything was great. Service and food. Wonderful environment. We throughly enjoyed our evening.“

“Best sushi ever, very friendly“

“The food is SO good. The chef was super friendly and nice. We can’t wait to go back. 😄“

“We are visiting from Mexico, and the food at Moment was absolutely delicious. The sushi was one of the best I’ve ever had. The quality of the food is exceptional, but what truly stands out is the extraordinary service. Everyone was incredibly kind and attentive. I made the mistake of ordering a roll without asking about the ingredients, and when it arrived, I realized it had truffle oil, which I really dislike. Without me saying anything or asking for a replacement, a young staff member noticed when I leaned in to smell the sushi and came over to check if everything was okay. I explained that I hadn’t asked about the ingredients and wasn’t a fan of truffle. They replaced it immediately, no questions asked. It was an incredible experience with top-notch service. Highly recommended!“

“Kyoto sushi has my heart! I loooove this place. The owners Mike and Maria put their heart and soul into this place and it shows.
This may be the best yellow tail sashimi/nigiri I have had in SD.
Their specialty rolls are out of this world and to top that off, they will make whatever roll you want (as long as they’re not too busy) just tell them your preferences.
This is a weekly spot for me and the misses and whenever family or friends are in town, we will bring them here.“

“The sushi was amazing! We tried the power roll, energy roll, and Mexican roll, and each one was delicious. Sara was super helpful with recommendations since it was our first time visiting. The sushi tasted really fresh, and the rolls were well-made. The atmosphere was also great—very chill and welcoming. Definitely recommend checking this place out!“

“What a beautiful space. The food is divine and omakase is very well priced here. I’d say if you’re looking to celebrate and need a budget friendly option they definitely have it here!

Their courses were great and quality. Service is impeccable we had the pleasure of being served by Lily and she was the best server I’ve had in a very long time.“

“Great place to grab some sushi and ramen for the kids! They have the Japanese soda's the kids loved as a "special" drink. This is a must try secret sushi spot! You gotta have the amazing fried rice. Cheers.“

“Fresh, absolutely. But let’s start with the basics. The rice is perfect. So many places don’t give any attention to the rice. They have it dialed in. The cuts also show amazing skills. If you are in San Diego and a sushi fan, you have to eat here!“

“Great food...would definitely recommend this restaurant 😍“

“Small charming place. The sushi rolls were creative, tasted great, and very reasonably priced. I was full from one roll even though it would usually take one and a half rolls at other places. Best local Del Sur/Carmel Valley place I know of so far.“

“I’ve been to many sushi restaurants around the world. Matoi would stand up to any omakase style sushi experience in Japan. Exceptional attention to detail goes into every course. From the rice to the various type of fish imported from Japan. Most of them you won’t find at any other restaurant. It’s hard to eat at other sushi restaurants around San Diego once you’ve gone here. It’s better than the Michelin starred one.“

“We love Kappa! Good food Good service Good vibe“

“Our first time after trying places when Akai Hana and we loved it. it's clean, inviting, friendly and the food/sushi is quality! We will be back.“

“affordable, friendly and fast service“

“Great place. have been here a few times now, staff is attentive, friendly and the food it great. We will be back for sure and highly recommend it!“

“Glad to find some Korean food in downtown San Diego. I’m visiting from out of town and was craving comfort food. Quite expensive for fishcake udon soup but it was good. I got the fried Mandu/gyoza because of a special. Usually I don’t buy dumplings when I eat out since they usually taste solid but never wow me. I was surprised I enjoyed them as much, of course the filling is good, but the texture stood out to me! It was so light and crispy - idk if it’s the skin or temperature they fried it but I looooved it. I just Wish they did not charge extra for kimchi, at least for the Korean dishes 😢 Service was good. Unsure if I’d come again for the traditional korean dishes, but I want to try the sushi and ofc get the dumplings. it was very clean and organized inside“

“Good experience! Friendly atmosphere“

“Best sushi ever!!! Umami roll is the most amazing roll I’ve ever had with tofu in it!“

“Good experience! Friendly atmosphere“

“Great service Great food Delicious 😊😊“

“Great service! Jas and Deanna were so nice and friendly. Gotta try the Brussel sprouts.“

“If you’re visiting the Ikiru restaurant — or even just in the area — you absolutely must come here to eat! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and everything is prepared with such care. Highly recommended! Especially Hamachi Kama! 👍“

“I always have fantastic service and wonderfully tasty food every time I come here. This visit was no exception.“

“Wonderful spot that's open late. It is a great izakaya style place to go to get some truly delicious Korean food offerings. The service has been excellent every time, and the atmosphere is fun and vibrant.

The Cheese Bul-Dak ( 치즈불닭 ) is exceptional!!! Lots of flavor and the perfect amount of spice. Bulgogi Japchae ( 불고기 잡채 ) is also excellent. The Deep-Fried Chicken Wings are VERY crunchy, but if you are looking for spice, they are a bit mild. Still delicious.

There is a dedicated parking lot right out front. The establishment is wheelchair accessible and there is wheelchair accessible parking available as well. If it's super busy, you might have to park on a nearby street and walk over.

They offer plenty of Korean alcohol beverages to choose from. Far more than most. You can also get a few Japanese beers and sakes here, too.“