50 Best Sushi Bars in Washington

“I stopped in with friends before a event Sunday evening. The staff was warm and welcoming. I had the lentil sambusas and a peanut-infused coffee at the staff’s recommendation. The food was fast and delicious- the sambusas were warm and spicy, and the peanut coffee was delicious! In a kind gesture, the chef sent over a sampling of sushi to our table. Fresh and refreshing, the sushi was a nice complement to my sambusas and hot beverage. I’m not on this side of town often, but now I have a reason to come back.“

“Best sushi restaurant me and my family have ever been to. Our server, Jay made our experience even better with his service that went above expectations. They also gave complimentary matcha ice cream for our birthdays that was insanely good.“

“One of the best sushi experiences we’ve had on the East Coast. The Omakase was exceptional and absolutely worth every penny. A must‑try is The Heaven sake — incredibly smooth, crisp, and perfectly paired with the meal.

We celebrated my brother’s birthday here, and the entire family is still talking about how amazing everything was. Highly recommend!“

“Our visit to Zeppelin was absolutely breathtaking! From the moment we walked through the doors, we were greeted with the most exceptional hospitality by Ari and the rest of the staff. The atmosphere of the restaurant is truly one-of-a-kind, paying tribute to the Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships. But the real standout of our experience was the food. It was absolutely divine. We began our meal with the Edamame and Miso Soup, both of which were the perfect starters and set the stage for the rest of the meal. The Seaweed Salad and Cucumber Sunomono were also refreshing and bursting with flavor. For our main course, we decided to indulge in a variety of dishes from the KushiYaki (Japanese Charcoal Grill) menu. The Ebi Shumai and Beef Harumaki were both cooked to perfection, while the Takoyaki was a fun and tasty snack. But the standout dish was the Okonomiyaki, with its tempura, red ginger, okonomiyaki sauce, and mayo creating a truly unique and flavor-packed experience. From the sushi bar, we sampled a variety of rolls including the Negitoro Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Rainbow Roll. Each one was expertly crafted and perfectly balanced in flavor. We also tried the Sashimi Sampler, which was a fantastic way to try a range of different fish. For dessert, we couldn't resist trying the Green Tea Ice Cream, which was the perfect way to end the meal on a sweet note. Our experience at Zeppelin was truly extraordinary! The food was delicious and the hospitality we received from Ari and the rest of the staff was top-notch. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a truly unique and memorable dining experience.“

“It was a pleasant experience and friendly service.

the atmosphere was nice and welcoming.

The restaurant was tidy and clean 9/10

Talking about the food:
I tried the following:
● Signature CATERPILLAR
● Signature SUICIDE SQUAD
● CRAB WONTON starter (I would say less cheese more crab)
● Specialty rolls:
○ Roll me a fatty
○ 911
○ Rainbow
● Nigiri (Tuna (Maguro), Yellow tail (Hamachi), Kanpachi (Amber Jack), Flunder (Hirame),
Anago (sea eel)
● Classic Rolls
○ Salmon Avocado Roll
○ Hamachi negi
○ California Roll
○ Shrimp tempura Roll
○ Spider Roll

Food quality was great, everything was delicious and most importantly the fish was fresh.

Would I come back? Yes, I will definitely comeback.“

“Overall five stars for the service. We made a mistake with the original reservation and they were so kind in accommodating us. Generally, everyone was so professional and kind.

We did the tasting menu along with the sake pairing. Overall, the food was solid but it seemed a little pricey for the quality we got. A few dishes did blow us away: the fish and chips with the vinegar sauce, the shabu shabu, the gizzard chad, and the fish cake. The sake pairing generally worked, but the one that came with the nigiri seemed more like a palette cleanser than a pairing.

Also, shoutout to Alan our server who was kind, thoughtful, and even ran after us when we left something. We really appreciated his knowledge about the food and his service. All the service made our night exceptional and memorable - hence the five stars overall.“

“My family and I visited Satay Club on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, DC, and we loved it so much that we came back the very next day!

The food was absolutely outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and authentic. Every dish we tried was delicious, and you could tell it was prepared with care and attention to detail.

A special thank you to Howaah for making both visits so memorable. She was warm, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind. She always seemed to anticipate what we needed before we even had to ask and made sure our family was comfortable throughout our meals. Her positive attitude, professionalism, and friendly personality truly stood out and added so much to our dining experience.

Great food and exceptional service are hard to find, but Satay Club delivered both. We left feeling like valued guests and look forward to returning again soon. Highly recommended!“

“I chose Akeno Sushi to celebrate my bachelorette weekend, and I couldn’t have made a better choice! It’s my absolute favorite restaurant in DC, and this experience just confirmed why it’s one of my top spots. From start to finish, the staff was incredibly warm, accommodating, and genuinely thrilled to help us celebrate. Nadia, in particular, was a joy to work with and supported me every step of the way in planning. The food was phenomenal, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The drinks were equally impressive, featuring thoughtful details like fresh flowers that added a special touch to the celebration. The ambiance was perfect, with lovely decorations that made the night feel even more festive. Whether you’re planning a special event, a casual dinner, or a date night, Akeno Sushi is versatile, delicious, and always delivers a memorable experience. I highly recommend it!“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“❤️ Oku. hits everytime. every 🍾 celebration we (my fam) head straightforward there.“

“Very good spot near our hotel ! Staff was very polite and friendly. If we comeback around DC in the future we will have our lunch there for sure !“

“The experience was amazing the food the sushi 17 course was unreal and fresh. Each bite sparked my taste buds. The chef was friendly, patient and informative. Very considerate and accommodating to my 10 year old daughter. The strawberry Martini and vodka ice cream wow!! The drinks were cool! 😎“

“Absolutely enchanted by my omakase experience!

Steer clear of other spots; this one transcends expectations. Having explored omakase across the states, even the renowned ones fall short of this hidden gem, breaking free from sushi snobbery.

The highlight? Undeniably the superbly curated fish selection. Each piece, a testament to culinary artistry, surpassed my expectations. What set this experience apart were the exquisite hot dishes seamlessly woven between courses, elevating the tasting journey.

The owners and chefs? They're the cherries on top, sealing the experience like a wax-sealed envelope—sophisticated and perfect. Can't contain my excitement to introduce this culinary haven to all my friends. It's a gastronomic adventure that deserves to be shared!

Updated 6/19
Even after traveling all over Asia, I still missed coming here. Amazing sushi, great staff, and consistently one of my favorite spots. I honestly can't believe this place still isn't getting more media attention. The quality is incredible, and I'm surprised more people don't know about it yet. Definitely a hidden gem“

“I recently visited this Japanese restaurant and had an absolutely amazing dining experience. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavor. I also tried the ramen and tempura, and both dishes were prepared perfectly with high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff members were attentive, polite, and provided excellent customer service throughout the visit.“

“My wife and I had a great experience at Khin's. Amazing staff, delicious food, not expensive whatsoever. If we lived in the area, this would be a regular spot indeed. Just give 'em a try, c'mon. They're awesome. Oh what did I order? Well you see, I had a caterpillar roll and one of those fancy volcano dishes, and my wife had a philly roll with some other roll that had salmon on top. Good quality. Ten out of ten, five out of five, same same.“

“Had a Great time celebrating a friend’s birthday! Food is amazing, sushi is fresh! Good atmosphere! Owners are Super cool and really knows how to make their guests feel special. Kudos to the entire staff for the Great service. Highly recommend!“

“Friendly and attentive staff! Had a few questions about some menu items and my waitress Lucy was quick to answer and give me some amazing suggestions. I ended up going with the sizzling bulgolgi. Was extremely delicious!! Will be coming back, thanks so much!“

“The best sushi (to go) I’ve ever eaten...and I’ve eaten a lot of sushi 😅“

“Fun and enjoyable with good food and a great atmosphere. I suggest taking a kid with you. They will enjoy it as much as you. Robots deliver your drinks, food arrives on 1 of 2 conveyor belt systems. A unique and fun experience!“

“We have enjoyed several lunches here and have always felt satisfied. The quality is top-tier and great service.“

“EXCELLENCE“

“Sushi Hachi is the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to; it was so good that my boyfriend and I went back two nights in a row. Their cocktails are great, and my personal favourite was the 8th street specialty sushi. The atmosphere and mood is calm and pleasant, and the staff and service is top notch. I have to mention our waitress too from the second time, Soko. She remembered us from the previous night, she even remembered which drink she had made me! And she took the time to make some recommendations for us, and brought us some miso on the house and was just the most pleasant and friendly waitress I have had in a while. Thank you!!! We will definitely be back again for as long as we are in/near DC.“

“Beatiful place! Sushi is tasty and fresh.“

“Best sushi in town. Don't waste your money anywhere else. Quality and price come together.“

“Excellent bento boxes! So good that I will come back for more.“

“Little charming sushi restaurant in the heart of Georgetown, wonderful, taste and fresh food. Excellent service, highly recommend. 👏👏👏“

“Kusshi is my sisters and I favorite restaurant, and we’re upset that it’s closing down. I don’t know why these other people is putting bad reviews but this restaurant has SUCH good service, there food IS amazing, and the food didn’t take long to come, but other people has their own opinion but it’s disappointing it’s closing down.😢 we would’ve gave Kusshi ten stars but of course it doesn’t let us, or actually more. But we you guys don’t permanently close it down. 🙏🙏🙏“

“Great friendly welcoming service and the food was delicious- I would HIGHLY recommend 🤩“

“I'm so sad we found out about this place just as we were leaving DC. The seared salmon belly had that delicious char flavor and melted in my mouth. The salmon sashimi with wasabi olive oil was a punch of wasabi in the best way, and also melted like butter. All the nigiri is divine with how fresh and thick the cuts are, and the wasabi is pure. The rolls are uniquely flavorful -- we loved the salmon skin and white tuna especially. I would skip the tempura roll as the texture was too soft for my liking.“

“You can’t go wrong at Raku, their food is fantastic, well cooked and fresh!“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“This is one of the best vegan restaurants I’ve ever been to. BRAVO!!!“

“My homegirl and I went to dinner here after exploring Union market and had such an amazing time! Our waiter, Cierra, was phenomenal! My Bestie has a seafood allergy and she was so accommodating. She even made a special roll to accommodate her allergy. The food was delicious, the aesthetic was so cozy, and it’s the perfect place to have an intimate dinner with friends and family!“

“The whole menu here is excellent. Both the sushi and the sake are thoughtfully and chosen and prepared. The attention to detail both in the menu and the decor shows the care and dedication they put into the food. I highly recommend Shinwa to anyone who appreciates exceptional sushi.“

“Ordered the green dragon roll for lunch. Presentation is uniform with all to go sushi I’ve ordered from other restaurants. I ordered through Grubhub and the temperature was still perfect. I’ll definitely order again if I’m in the area.“

“I have been going here since 1991. Hands down the best sushi in the DMV! I will not waste money on any other sushi! Always friendly and quick service! Has been run by the same very sweet woman since I have been going there and she has a great memory! Always fresh and tasty! I wish they would reopen for lunch!! You won't be disappointed by the quality, price, and service!! LOVE SAKANA!!“

“Don't let the exterior of the building fool you. Closed on Sundays. Visited on a Monday at 3pm and the door was locked, but opened very fast (they were on lunch break!). Let me tell you, the couple that own and operate this restaurant are the kindest, most amazing people. The husband took out order and served us while his wife prepared the sushi. Oh, and the SUSHI!!! Expectations exceeded, by far! Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Box, A roll of Spicy Salmon Sushi and a roll of Shrimp Tempura Sushi (shared by 2 people). The Teriyaki Box was good but the Sushi Rolls were outstanding!!! Whole meal with 2 non alcoholic drinks came to about $65 without tip, which was WELL worth it! I will be returning, most definitely!!!“

“(This review is for a delivery order, so it's only about the food, not the service or ambiance).

Solid takeout sushi. I was desperately craving sushi on evening and, after perusing Uber Eats for a bit, settled on Toku after receiving a recommendation from a friend. I got their sushi combo, which came with ten assorted pieces of nigiri and a California roll, as well as my choice of miso soup or salad. The sushi was super fresh, and I appreciated the variety of fish chosen for the nigiri; I didn't care much for the California roll and would have loved the option to switch it out with a different roll, but it's perfectly reasonable for them to not allow those types of swaps. It was a solid meal and absolutely satisfied by sushi craving.“

“This place is an absolute gem! The manager is so nice and I definitely recommend the lunch Omakase it’s sooo good! Very fresh and what a bargain “i did tell him it’s so cheap” lol for the quality! You can also add additional pieces ! Wish I lived closer ! 🍣“

“The food quality and portion sizes were superb, and the drink selections were excellent as well. The service truly stood out — Rosy was wonderful in offering menu suggestions and was incredibly patient walking us through the iPad menu items. She made the entire dining experience enjoyable and welcoming. Highly recommend!“

“Came by Kata recently to check out their new menu and I was blown away !!
Cocktails were amazing 10/10
The Asian tapas were so creative and filling - The beef ribs 10/10 😍

Very happy they revamped their look and vibe - it definitely is something to come check out“

“Legit Japanese food. I’ve visited 6 cities in Japan and this is exactly the type of food I’ve had there. 🍱 🍜 🍣“

“$2 Crazy Hour is absolutely insane! They have a great selection of sushi and various appetizers. The sushi is the same high quality as their dinner service ,the fish pieces are huge and incredibly fresh. The alcohol are 50% off, and the selection is massive,they're not stingy like other places that only offer one or two brands. It's a super friendly restaurant, and you absolutely cannot find a better deal in town!“

“Great restaurant and service.“

“Great place to dine with friends and family ❤️“

“Absolutely a vibe, you pay a premium for the beautiful surroundings and being at the waterfront, very cozy and small tables as a 6 foot one adult it felt a bit tight and restricted, but I think that's what they're going forward to give it a trendy or more chic feel either“

“Enjoyed delicious sushi and curry coconut udon! The service was great and the atmosphere perfect!“

“Food: food was great, only deduction was the chicken appetizer was extremely small for the price paid. The pineapple frid rice was really good but pricy at almost $23. About 5 pieces of juicy shrimp were in the dish as well. Kruba cashew chicken was good.

Service: got there as soon as they opened for lunch so seated right away and food was quickly delivered.

Atmosphere: nice but a bit dated. Many of the tables are uneven and no longer sit together flush. Ambiance was nice, Thai decor all around and wooden vibe.

Final impression: very good for a quick lunch in downtown DC and head back to the office. Might be added to a regular rotation in DC lunch adventures.“

“Kusshi is my sisters and I favorite restaurant, and we’re upset that it’s closing down. I don’t know why these other people is putting bad reviews but this restaurant has SUCH good service, there food IS amazing, and the food didn’t take long to come, but other people has their own opinion but it’s disappointing it’s closing down.😢 we would’ve gave Kusshi ten stars but of course it doesn’t let us, or actually more. But we you guys don’t permanently close it down. 🙏🙏🙏“