My fiancé & I were running 30 mins late to our 5:30 reservation. After emailing them in a frantic to let them know, (they do not have a phone # to call, which I believe is intentional and just adds to the experience because they want you to focus on the meal and not be distracted), chef Maru was so unbelievably kind and waited for us to arrive before beginning the meal (big apologies and thanks to the family of 3 for waiting for us as well!).
Although there were a couple pieces I could've done without, I was impressed by all the flavors from the starter and appetizer down to the dessert, which was simply WOW and out of this world. The waiter was also great in his recommendations for sakes. The whole experience was divine and lovely; from the moment you walked in to when you leave, you are treated like family. They were so easy to talk to and even recommended other food places to check out for our last day in San Diego (definitely make a res for Callie too).
The interior design is simple and sleek, yet impactful. You can tell everyone working there loves what they do and want to bring you a fine dining experience, which is what Sushi MARU is. Chef Maru is knowledgeable and passionate about his craft and explains each piece so well. Most of his fish pieces are not what you normally get at typical omakase places, but that is what makes this place unique in its own way. Some of our favorite pieces were the seabass and Toro Takuan (both of which we ordered additional pieces of). They also allowed us to try both the San Diego uni and uni from Japan. I love that they also source ingredients from local spots.
This was my favorite meal of my San Diego trip (beating Sushi Ota by a hair though). If I ever find myself in S.D. again, I'll be sure to make my way to Maru. Do yourself a favor and dine at Maru for an unforgettable omakase experience. Well worth the money, time, and visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yeji Soh
I had an amazing experience at Sushi Maru. The sushi rice was perfectly seasoned and so delicious — you can really taste the care that goes into it. They use fresh, seasonal fish, which makes each piece unique. Great downtown location that’s easy to walk to. The staffs and Maru San himself were all super friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S W
love this place so much！ about $270 per person include tax and tips， very fresh and lots of great attention to food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren Weber
Such an amazing experience here! Excellent service, food and vibes. Chef Maru is a gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Todd Roth
Best meal I’ve ever had in my life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katy Reichlin
This is hands down the best sushi experience in San Diego! Chef Maru puts his unique spin on classic omakase. This experience is sleek and refined, which the interior and the curated ways he lets the flavors of the fish come through. Service is out of this world. Worth every penny. Michelin level.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Scher
Sushi Maru is a genuine Japanese Omakase experience. No fancy Americanized rolls just pure simplicity and perfection. With his 30 years of experience, he’s created such an amazing experience with fresh beautifully, prepared fish and rice that literally blew my mind. They kept asking me what my favorite was, but I couldn’t pick because they were all equally delicious. I don’t drink, but I walked out feeling high. It is such an experience to watch someone who is so passionate in their craft, using such detail and simplicity. And the staff I couldn’t speak more highly of them. Worth every penny… best Omakase experience I’ve ever had. Even the decor of the place expresses pure simplicity, beauty and the heart of Japanese culture. The bathroom even had a Japanese toilet. The place is immaculate and simple. Just like the food and staff again I couldn’t recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Xander
I haven't had much sushi in San Diego but this has to be one of the best sushi and omakase experiences and meals you will ever eat in SD.
Chef Maru is an absolute gem of a human being, chef, and curator of all things sushi and fine dining. Yet he is not cocky, he is not stuck up or snobby, and he is not fake. He is the real deal, genuine, humble, joyful, and amazing chef you should and would expect at any restaurant.
And not only is theChef absolutely outstanding, but so are his staff. Each and every person makes this experience so much better and incredible that the meal isn't complete without them.
All the sushi was incredible. The fish was so tasty, fresh, unique, and delicious, while the rice was perfect in every piece and with every bite.
The side dishes were unique, intriguing, and sometimes even mind blowing.
Even the most simplest of dishes like the miso soup was beyond anything I found in California and rivals that of the most unique options in Japan.
If you are not one to engage with the chefs and staff, if you are not one to appreciate all that goes into this type of meal, from the selection of ingredients to the combination of flavors and the final execution before it is served in front of you and carried into your mouth - then don't bother dining here or anywhere similar. This meal is not complicated or confusing. It is simply true to who and what Maru is meant to be and what Maru is bringing to the San Diego food scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dom Plata
Came here to celebrate my fiancée’s birthday. Atmosphere and service was great! Staff was very friendly. Each course was delicious! Our favorite was the SD sea urchin
Delicious, delicious, delicious! I love the presentation, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing! Every piece of nigiri was delicious, and the chef explained the fish to us. The staff were very kind. We had a wonderful dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moksh Dani
I am beyond furious with their predatory booking practices. I attempted to cancel my dinner reservation a generous 24 hours in advance, only to be denied a refund under the flimsy excuse of “limited seating.” Limited? I immediately checked their online system, and there were tons of open spots for the same time – easily over 6 on a Wednesday! This isn’t policy; it’s a blatant money grab, designed to pocket deposits without any real justification. Their rigid, customer-hostile approach shows zero flexibility or empathy, treating patrons like ATMs rather than valued guests. I’ve never encountered such deceitful tactics in dining reservations before. I’ll be blasting this on every platform, reporting to consumer watchdogs, and warning everyone I know until they refund my money. Avoid this place like the plague – one star is too kind!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David Hudon
We have dined as several Michelin star restaurants in the past several years and this was right up there! I could have taken many more pictures of the food but it would have taken away from the intimate experience. Chef and his staff create and present every dish in front of you and the conversation is organic and fluid. Amazing Experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Randall Stepp
Maru is an amazing chef with great staff. Sushi is fresh and fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Min Kim
AMAZING OMEKASE MEAL!!!! Food was fresh and innovative, and some of the best sushi I’ve had! I highly recommend!! You will not be disappointed! Service was impeccable!
It's delicious and fun experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
My fiancé & I were running 30 mins late to our 5:30 reservation. After emailing them in a frantic to let them know, (they do not have a phone # to call, which I believe is intentional and just adds to the experience because they want you to focus on the meal and not be distracted), chef Maru was so unbelievably kind and waited for us to arrive before beginning the meal (big apologies and thanks to the family of 3 for waiting for us as well!).
Although there were a couple pieces I could've done without, I was impressed by all the flavors from the starter and appetizer down to the dessert, which was simply WOW and out of this world. The waiter was also great in his recommendations for sakes. The whole experience was divine and lovely; from the moment you walked in to when you leave, you are treated like family. They were so easy to talk to and even recommended other food places to check out for our last day in San Diego (definitely make a res for Callie too).
The interior design is simple and sleek, yet impactful. You can tell everyone working there loves what they do and want to bring you a fine dining experience, which is what Sushi MARU is. Chef Maru is knowledgeable and passionate about his craft and explains each piece so well. Most of his fish pieces are not what you normally get at typical omakase places, but that is what makes this place unique in its own way. Some of our favorite pieces were the seabass and Toro Takuan (both of which we ordered additional pieces of). They also allowed us to try both the San Diego uni and uni from Japan. I love that they also source ingredients from local spots.
This was my favorite meal of my San Diego trip (beating Sushi Ota by a hair though). If I ever find myself in S.D. again, I'll be sure to make my way to Maru. Do yourself a favor and dine at Maru for an unforgettable omakase experience. Well worth the money, time, and visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an amazing experience at Sushi Maru. The sushi rice was perfectly seasoned and so delicious — you can really taste the care that goes into it. They use fresh, seasonal fish, which makes each piece unique. Great downtown location that’s easy to walk to. The staffs and Maru San himself were all super friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
love this place so much！ about $270 per person include tax and tips， very fresh and lots of great attention to food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such an amazing experience here! Excellent service, food and vibes. Chef Maru is a gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best meal I’ve ever had in my life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is hands down the best sushi experience in San Diego! Chef Maru puts his unique spin on classic omakase. This experience is sleek and refined, which the interior and the curated ways he lets the flavors of the fish come through. Service is out of this world. Worth every penny. Michelin level.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sushi Maru is a genuine Japanese Omakase experience. No fancy Americanized rolls just pure simplicity and perfection. With his 30 years of experience, he’s created such an amazing experience with fresh beautifully, prepared fish and rice that literally blew my mind. They kept asking me what my favorite was, but I couldn’t pick because they were all equally delicious. I don’t drink, but I walked out feeling high. It is such an experience to watch someone who is so passionate in their craft, using such detail and simplicity. And the staff I couldn’t speak more highly of them. Worth every penny… best Omakase experience I’ve ever had. Even the decor of the place expresses pure simplicity, beauty and the heart of Japanese culture. The bathroom even had a Japanese toilet. The place is immaculate and simple. Just like the food and staff again I couldn’t recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I haven't had much sushi in San Diego but this has to be one of the best sushi and omakase experiences and meals you will ever eat in SD.
Chef Maru is an absolute gem of a human being, chef, and curator of all things sushi and fine dining. Yet he is not cocky, he is not stuck up or snobby, and he is not fake. He is the real deal, genuine, humble, joyful, and amazing chef you should and would expect at any restaurant.
And not only is theChef absolutely outstanding, but so are his staff. Each and every person makes this experience so much better and incredible that the meal isn't complete without them.
All the sushi was incredible. The fish was so tasty, fresh, unique, and delicious, while the rice was perfect in every piece and with every bite.
The side dishes were unique, intriguing, and sometimes even mind blowing.
Even the most simplest of dishes like the miso soup was beyond anything I found in California and rivals that of the most unique options in Japan.
If you are not one to engage with the chefs and staff, if you are not one to appreciate all that goes into this type of meal, from the selection of ingredients to the combination of flavors and the final execution before it is served in front of you and carried into your mouth - then don't bother dining here or anywhere similar. This meal is not complicated or confusing. It is simply true to who and what Maru is meant to be and what Maru is bringing to the San Diego food scene.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here to celebrate my fiancée’s birthday. Atmosphere and service was great! Staff was very friendly. Each course was delicious! Our favorite was the SD sea urchin
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious, delicious, delicious!
I love the presentation, and the atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing!
Every piece of nigiri was delicious, and the chef explained the fish to us.
The staff were very kind.
We had a wonderful dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am beyond furious with their predatory booking practices. I attempted to cancel my dinner reservation a generous 24 hours in advance, only to be denied a refund under the flimsy excuse of “limited seating.” Limited? I immediately checked their online system, and there were tons of open spots for the same time – easily over 6 on a Wednesday! This isn’t policy; it’s a blatant money grab, designed to pocket deposits without any real justification.
Their rigid, customer-hostile approach shows zero flexibility or empathy, treating patrons like ATMs rather than valued guests. I’ve never encountered such deceitful tactics in dining reservations before. I’ll be blasting this on every platform, reporting to consumer watchdogs, and warning everyone I know until they refund my money. Avoid this place like the plague – one star is too kind!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We have dined as several Michelin star restaurants in the past several years and this was right up there! I could have taken many more pictures of the food but it would have taken away from the intimate experience. Chef and his staff create and present every dish in front of you and the conversation is organic and fluid. Amazing Experience!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maru is an amazing chef with great staff. Sushi is fresh and fun!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMAZING OMEKASE MEAL!!!! Food was fresh and innovative, and some of the best sushi I’ve had! I highly recommend!! You will not be disappointed! Service was impeccable!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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