40 Best Japanese Restaurants near Highland Park

“Insanely delicious and fresh sushi.“

“I cannot say enough good things about Koya. I was so happy to find this restaurant. Everything we ordered, tempura, tempura udon soup, kids bento boxes, and sushi was incredibly good. Can't wait to go back!

Kid-friendliness: The bento box options for the kids were great! My 2 and 5 year olds loved it.“

“A Big Shout Out to Happi Sushi in Highland Park. We were lucky enough to try a number of their apps and rolls. Every single thing we got was SO delicious 😋. Their sushi was fresh, tasty, and so yummy. The apps are unique and full of flavor. We just love this family owned restaurant. The staff goes above and beyond for each patron. Please try Happi Sushi, Friends. You will not be disappointed!!“

“Great place to hangout and good sushi“

“I really like this place! I had the Tantanmen ramen and chicken karaage and both were bomb. Great service too. We were seated quickly and our food came out in under 10 mins. 5/5 stars in my book!“

“This place is so adorable I love it so much! I had the spicy beef kimchi bowl and it was incredible. My partner got a tonkontsu bento box and they were also very happy. The tea is also delicious, and the staff are super friendly! If you're ever in the Glenview area I would highly recommend, 5 stars all around.“

“perfect foods...great decorations.. nice price...“

“We liked very much. We strongly recommend“

“Excellent Ramen. Excellent bartender in Helen Try the Mango Tango Vegi Roll.“

“A great find! Dishes are quite different than typical Japanese restaurant menu items, maybe a bit intimidating if you aren't familiar with the ingredients or style of cooking but rewarding for the curious or adventurous. Definitely coming back.“

“One of the best sushi spots in the suburbs 😍“

“I am not local, this is a regular go-to place for a friend, so when I visit with her, she wants to bring me. I had a Chinese Eggplant with chicken dish, flavorful and spicy. Also had some nigiri sushi, all very good. The Black Tobiko was plentiful and fresh. The Tamago and Inari, which are types of sushi that are deceptively simple seeming but really show a chef's knowledge and artistry, were excellent. I'm sure I will go again.“

“Good food with good asmosphere. I really recommend this restaurant if you are in a mood of craving yummy food!“

“Great food, fresh ingredients… worth every penny!“

“Hands down one of the best Tonkatsu Bentos around. The pork cutlet was crispy, golden, and incredibly juicy. Sankyu Sushi & Izakaya does an amazing job honoring traditional Japanese flavors while delivering consistent quality. A five-star experience every time.“

“The widest selection of Sushi grade seafood Ive seen on a menu in a Long time- all very fresh and very generously portioned! Octopus and salmon Sashimi were the dessert orders from our kids 😂 We will definetly be returning, and highly recommend. Servers, Host, Owner, entire staff was extremely attentive- and to top it all they were happily and safely able to accomodate my childs severe dairy and peanut allergies (first sushi experience for him, and we Love seafood, so huge win for the whole family 🙌🏼)“

“My family and I got several bowls from Koya. We loved all of the customizable toppings it offers as well as the complimentary miso soups and cookies that come with the bowls. The ingredients were fresh, and portions were pretty large. The food was very reasonably priced.“

“It was our first time there. There were many tables open but they sat us right by the front door facing the door dash orders to be picked up. Then our server was abrupt and forgot to bring us our drinks until we reminded him. He was nice but almost like we were an inconvenience. Might have been better if we were sitting in the main part of the restaurant. Food was really good which is what made it a decent experience“

“Sushi cravings, this is the place to savor good sushi and rolls. The ambiance is excellent, with plenty of space, a very artistic atmosphere, and outstanding table service. Highly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but for large parties, reservations are required.“

“I thank 5th ave sushi for kicking me out of their establishment as I looked elsewhere and found this 💎.
My goodness, the service was outstanding. The ramen was delicious and the sushi just melted in your mouth. Our server was so kind and I believe she was the owner although not our server (Park) was warm and welcoming. I will definitely be coming back and telling everyone about this place!“

“Love this place. Very fresh sushi!“

“Akai Hana has been in business for over 30 years, and the steady traffic means the sushi is fresh and safe, offered at a good price. However, the ambiance is lacking, with an outdated, cafeteria-like vibe and cheap-looking menus. It’s a solid spot for a quick, no-frills sushi meal, but not the place for a special dining experience.“

“Fresh, Fresh, Fresh Seafoods! Great Service! Tasty foods.“

“Yummy food and good service.“

“Always great entertainment and food!!!“

“What a great experiences! The food was amazing! The family enjoyed themselves in the beautiful restaurant and wonderful staffs! Definitely reminded my daughters of grandma's cooking! 🫰“

“Best sushi. Better than your fancy Chicago spot. It’s the only restaurant we frequent regularly. They have something for everyone including non sushi lovers.“

“My favorite sushi place! Love their Spicy Salmon Maki! Nice cozy place.“

“Really good place! I was expecting generic Chinese but I was pleasantly surprised. I asked the owner if the egg foo young was made with real eggs, or eggs from a carton. He was kind of shocked at the notion he would use eggs from a carton and assured me it was made with fresh eggs and freshly-made vegetables, like he would not be caught dead doing it any other way. That gave me a good feeling about the place - he clearly had pride in what he does. We had a vegetarian and a celiac in the party and he was very understanding and respectful of their needs. We are picky eaters but were all very happy with our meals, which were really good. Big portions too!“

“Food was excellent. Highly recommend.“

“The best tasting thai food i have had in a long time. It is a little gem I will be returning to again. I had the shumai and they were light and delicate, the pad thai was well balanced with the sweet and sour notes from the tamarind even with it being ordered extra spicy, the heat was there but tge flavor of the dish still shined through.“

“My first time at a hibachi restaurant and it was amazing and such a great experience, Food was Delicious!!!!“

“I love reviewing and eating Japanese food, and being from Japan, I find it very difficult to come across truly authentic Japanese cuisine. Most American Japanese restaurants barely scratch the surface of what Japanese food really is.

This place not only captured the atmosphere of a real Japanese restaurant, but the food itself was genuinely close to what you’d find in Japan. I had the pleasure of ordering the Zaru Soba Tempura, and I honestly haven’t had authentic tempura in a long time. I’m happy to say it exceeded my expectations, the food was outstanding.

What made the experience even better was that the waiter spoke to us in Japanese, which really showed the restaurant’s respect for the culture and added to the authenticity.

Japanese authenticity rating (if this restaurant were in Japan): 7.8/10
American-Japanese restaurant rating: 8.9/10

Overall, this place is amazing and absolutely worth visiting.“

“great place to eat, very good service and very large portions. loved it here“

“Nobori Sushi is a sleek, welcoming spot that blends traditional Japanese charm with a modern, relaxed vibe. The sushi here is consistently fresh and beautifully presented — every roll feels thoughtfully crafted rather than rushed. The Nigiri and sashimi stand out in particular, with melt-in-your-mouth texture and clean, balanced flavors.

Service is polite and attentive without being overbearing, and the staff seems genuinely proud of what they serve. The menu offers a nice mix of creative rolls alongside classic favorites, and the prices feel fair for the quality you’re getting.

The ambiance is calm and intimate, perfect for either a quiet dinner or a casual night out. If anything, a few of the cooked dishes could use a touch more seasoning, but that’s a minor note in an otherwise excellent meal.

Overall, Nobori Sushi earns a solid four stars — a dependable go-to for quality sushi, great service, and a pleasant dining experience.“

“Excellent Ramen. Excellent bartender in Helen Try the Mango Tango Vegi Roll.“

“The best sushi spot in Evanston. They flew in a 200 lb tuna from Japan.“

“We ordered trays for a party and asked to make them pretty because we were using them as centerpieces. This isn’t something they typically do, but they decorated each tray beautifully for us for no extra charge. Everything was tasty, fresh, and done on time. This is a family business with a real heart.“

“AMAZING! this is truly one of the best sushi i have ever had! such a gem in Morton Grove. if you love sushi or have never tried 100% try this awesome spot. staff is so sweet and they’re very fast with your order! I got the shrimp tempura and volcano salmon maki rolls and they were 10/10! will be coming here much more often“

“Folks with celiac disease are often out of luck at Japanese restaurants, but Jimoto makes dining a total joy. Items are clearly marked with allergens, and tamari sauce is available in lieu of soy. Everything was very tasty, particularly the hamachi sashimi and the Chicago fire roll. Presentation is quietly elegant. Our new favorite north shore restaurant.“