50 Best Sushi Bars in San Diego

“Amazing omakase, friendly and knowledgeable staff“

“First of all, it is extremely difficult to make a reservation. ???

It took us TWO YEARS to finally dinning at this exquisite restaurant.??

I deeply appreciate this waitress to allow me to record this video. ❤️❤️❤️

The service is absolutely excellent! And it is not bad at all to enjoy your omakase on the patio. They have an under table heater so you won't feel cold.???

Parking is only street parking.

This humble looking Japanese restaurant is actually a Michelin One Star.

The only way to make a reservation is via their reservation partner. They will send you an email notification like two hours ahead of your reservation.

However, you have to really "fast hand" to confirm your reservation. If you are like a sloth, you will never be able to complete your reservation.???

And, they will charge a despite of $50/ person when the reservation is confirmed.“

“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.“

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

“I always walk past this place every day and just happened to stumbled in here last night, I was pretty waisted. That being said the staff was very hospitable, was very social and took care of me hahahhaha omg I'm embarrassed. Well I ordered food to go and it was amazing, very good food. I highly recommend this place.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Came here for my anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint. Service and timing of when the food came out was perfect. Ambiance was nice and dark, music was so good and vibey. They celebrate birthdays here with a cake and a birthday song. I'm sure you'll just need to let the servers know what the occasion is.

The Shibuya roll is my favorite, along with their matcha creme brulee. Would go back for sure!!“

“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. �“

“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.“

“Started with the Spicy Heights with the volcano heat level. It was the perfect spice temperature where I am about to break a sweat. Restaurants need to commit to catering to an authentic high spice level, and this place delivered!

Also, ordered the Crunchy Roll. It is shrimp with eel sauce and I loved it.

Great service and the best AC unit in San Diego. Check it out!“

“Everything was delicious and fresh. I really enjoyed the Tonkatsu Curry and spicy garlic edamame (not pictured because I immediately dug in lol). My mom really enjoyed the Crispy "no rice" roll, and she's not as versed/adventurous as I am when it comes to Japanese food/sushi.

The staff was great, attentive, and efficient. So glad I finally made it to try out. Will definitely be back soon to try more of the menu! ☺️“

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

“Pacific Catch offers a fantastic mix of fresh seafood, flavorful dishes, and a laid-back yet stylish atmosphere. The menu has a great variety, from poke bowls to grilled fish, all with bold, well-balanced flavors. Hannah was one of the most professional and knowledgeable waitresses I have ever had. She was tremendous! I tried the poke bowl and it was delicious—fresh, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The drinks were also on point, with a nice selection of craft cocktails and sake. Service was friendly and attentive, though the restaurant was a bit busy, so there was a slight wait for our food. Still, the overall experience was excellent, and I'd definitely come back. Perfect spot for a casual yet high-quality seafood meal! Would definitely recommend for seafood lovers or anyone looking for a great dining experience.“

“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!“

“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.“

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

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

“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!“

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

“Best sushi ever, very friendly“

“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.“

“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.“

“Update/Edit:
I would like to thank SoCal Sushi for setting the example for restaurants dealing with a negative experience on the customer end. They provided me a way to get in contact and they listened; they did not deny or make excuses. I spoke with the management and their responses were genuine, honest, and demonstrated professionalism. No business can be free from mistakes; it just matters how a mistake or issue is handled. I really appreciate their willingness to learn from this experience and I wish them all the best in the future.

Original Review: I don’t give this review lightly. I tried to find an email for an owner or manager so I could talk over this issue with someone rather than hashing it out like this, but I couldn’t find one. I felt bad even giving such a low rating given how great the sushi was, but this place will make me self-conscious go out as a solo female diner for a while.

I ate here for dinner on a Wednesday evening and had a great meal. The sushi was fresh and fantastic. I was thinking this would be a great place to bring my parents when they’re in town next time. I was just getting ready to leave after being seated at approximately 7:09 (based on their call to inform me I could be seated at exactly 7:08). I was then told to leave by the waitress after I paid as I tried to finish my drink. It was 8 pm exactly when I checked my phone in the parking lot.

The waitress had dropped off the check while I was still actively eating, but I thought maybe she was just trying to save a trip and not actually trying to rush me. I initially thought “oops, time must have gotten away from me, and I overstayed the 90 minute limit, my bad.” They have a small dining room, so having this limit makes perfect sense. However, I was only trying to finish my beverage before leaving. I paid for it, and it’s not like you can put a beer in a to-go cup. Again it was a weeknight, not a Friday or Saturday. I had to leave my drink a little less than half full on the table.

As I got to the parking lot, I realized my stay had been much shorter. I was immediately confused and embarrassed. She had asked me to leave in front of all the other guests. I even felt bad for “overstaying my welcome”, but it had only been approximately 50 minutes. I ate a little slow, but only because I really enjoyed the sushi and wanted to savor it. I don’t eat out much, and I wanted to make the most of my special “splurge” meal, as my bill totaled about 70 dollars. It was supposed to be a special treat. But I felt singled out as a solo female diner. I fought back tears as I got in my car. I felt terrible yet I did nothing wrong.

If the dining time limit was different for the bar area, I genuinely would have understood. Again, it’s a small restaurant. But the signs clearly state 90 minutes is the permitted time. I had no intention on even staying more than 60. I never want to be that person. The waitress singled me out even though I was just one woman at the end of the bar. Needless to say, I can’t recommend this place. The sushi chefs are wonderful, but don’t expect to be treated fairly if you’re alone as a woman.

If you want to try the sushi I don’t blame you, it’s wonderful, but go with a group who can stick up for you.“

“My friends, and I literally all agreed that this was the best sushi we’ve ever had. The fire fire roll was IT!! However, if I’m being particular, I feel as though the ambiance could use some music or more viby feels but overall great spot!“

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

“Good experience! Friendly atmosphere“

“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.“

“Amazing memorable experience. Chef so knowledgeable, creative, precise. Loved every minute! Had oysters in plum sauce, wagyu skewers, Blue Fis, Trigger fish, Octopus, mackerel tuna, Edo sushi, traditional nigiri, lotus root chips, tuna belly, two types of jack, etc etc. Presentation was breathtaking.“

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

“affordable, friendly and fast service“

“Okay true confession: I am a sushi addict... I have been eating sushi for 62 years, yes, I'm an old man but I have never lost my love of fabulous sushi. And last night I found it, finally!!! I took a bus from downtown to try this well-recommended restaurant and boy was it worth it. This family-owned restaurant not only has the finest sushi, a very friendly expert sushi chef, but the homey atmosphere makes dining here a supreme delight. And when I got my bill I was shocked to see that the sushi was discounted to 50% off. What a pleasant surprise. Five star sushi at a price that even an old pensioner can afford. lol
Well, It looks like I am going to be spending much more time on the 215 Express bus, It is worth the trip.“

“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.“

“A weekly ritual for my wife and I “Ikaru” is an fantastic little sushi bar. The word Ikaru roughly translates to “To live” or as the friendly staff boisterously described “I want to live, or I like to live” really encourages people to try new things or enjoy your regular favorite. They have fantastic sushi and even bento meals. The sake is really nice too.

I go here every week and even get to practice my Japanese with some of the staff. I highly recommend.“

“Good experience! Friendly atmosphere“

“Great service Great food Delicious 😊😊“

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

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

“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.“

“it looks delicious never tried it I live in Puerto Rico USA used to live in California and ate sushi twice a week so I know west coast sushi, sashimi, miso etc. are the best your pics sure make me hungry thanks for sharing I would eat the entire tray 🍣🍤🍣🍤🍣🍤🍣“

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