The 13 best sushi restaurants in Paris

On the ground floor of the Cheval Blanc palace, in a serene, wood-panelled cocoon reminiscent of a Shaolin temple, the talents of Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric are combined with Takuya Watanabe's expertise in Japanese cuisine. The result? An incredible 17-step epic using the very best of the sea, where dishes are assembled before your eyes in a meticulously choreographed performance. Here, some of the finest sushi in Paris is accompanied by broths, pairings, and desserts crafted by the two French chefs. Hakuba soars to great heights.

Where? 8 Quai du Louvre, Paris 1st arrondissement

In front of an audience of eight chopstick-wielding diners, Isao Horai (who has taken over from the legendary Masayoshi Hanada) stands unflinching behind the concrete counter of this small minimalist space. Dining at Sushi B is like listening to a perfectly crafted symphony: every note is exquisitely balanced, from the freshly prepared sushi (including brill, yuzu squid and a trio of tuna), to the tuna-caviar maki, to a silky squid and white grape dish. All of this is best accompanied by carefully selected sake.

Where? 5 Rue Rameau, Paris 2nd arrondissement

Don’t be fooled by the DIY-esque wooden panelling and the oversized air conditioning unit in this low-ceilinged space: Ryô is one of Little Tokyo’s greatest spots. Toyofumi Ôzuru carves generous, delightfully imperfect bites of squid, langoustine, or sea urchin. And the good news? The prices are pretty reasonable.

Where? 7 Rue des Moulins, Paris 1st arrondissement

Great news for sushi fans on a limited budget – Nanyo Kurihashi and Terutaka Izumi, who honed their skills at Issé and beyond, have set up shop near Place d'Aligre, and you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to try it. At lunch, their fresh bento of sashimi and nigiri featuring tuna, sea bream, mackerel, prawn, salmon, and rice, served with wasabi and sliced ginger, is the real deal. Totto is no joke.

Where? 6 Rue Théophile-Roussel, Paris 12th arrondissement

In a polished, pocket-sized space, you’ll find tightly packed tables for around fifteen guests, a few bare light fixtures, and, as decoration, a couple of bottles of sake. From the small, pale wood counter, the mischievously smiling sushi master serves up a dozen well-crafted and delicately wrapped nigiri, with exactly the right amount of rice and served at the perfect temperature. Among the best: thick-fleshed glazed eel, cuttlefish (subtly scored cuttlefish for better texture), sweet raw prawn, and toro wrapped in nori, offering a heavenly texture.

Where? 55 Boulevard des Batignolles, Paris 8th arrondissement

Following the tragic passing of its creator Shunei Kimura in June 2022, the Nordic-designed Sushi Shunei is now under the stewardship of Chizuko Kimura, his widow, and the skilled Takeshi Morooka. In cathedral-like silence, he delivers graceful masterpieces at a premium price: tuna and radish maki with ponzu sauce, marinated bonito pieces in a masterfully textured sweet-savoury sauce, and yellowtail sashimi. The dexterity and surgical precision used to craft the nine nigiri – featuring yellowtail, mackerel, fatty tuna, and marinated eel – are truly admirable.

Where? 3 Rue Audran, Paris 18th arrondissement

Takara opened way back in 1958, making it the oldest Japanese restaurant in the city. On the extensive menu of this legendary establishment, where you'll be served by waiters dressed in kimonos, fans of raw fish can enjoy a magnificent sashimi platter (fatty tuna, cuttlefish, whelks – €140 for two to three people), marinated mackerel sushi, or melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef.

Where? 14 Rue Molière, Paris 1st arrondissement

From behind a marble counter in a stainless steel room, Takuya Watanabe (the sushi master behind the unforgettable Paris restaurant Jin) serves unbeatable hand rolls (for the unfamiliar, they’re like oversized makis). If we weren’t already standing to eat, we’d stand to applaud the exceptional ingredients: pearly grains of warm rice, homemade soy sauce, and above all, top-quality fish, such as bluefin tuna or line-caught meagre. Among Takuto's signature creations, the Kaïto maki, featuring two kinds of tuna (ventresca and akami, vertically cut bluefin), marinated squash, shiso, and sesame, is our top choice.

Where? 71 Rue de Seine, Paris 6th arrondissement

Wrapped in church-like solemnity, the interiors of L’Abysse (the Alleno group’s Japanese establishment) are worthy of a contemporary art museum. The food is equally as impressive: Chef Yasunari Okazaki slices nigiri and sashimi of the highest calibre: each delicate, salty slice melts on the tongue, the rice boasts a sensuous texture and warmth that will leave you blushing, and every drink is perfectly paired as if crafted to envelop each bite. Naturally, all this comes at a price: expect at least €100 per person at lunchtime.

Where? 8 Avenue Dutuit, Paris 8th arrondissement

With its Japanese cypress wood interior, this restaurant exudes elegance and an ultra-Japanese style. Komatsubaki has twelve counter seats and a private room for eight, separated from the main space by sliding fusuma panels. Serving both lunch and dinner, the ever-reliable Yoichi Kino delights his guests with sushi in its purest, most traditional form: melt-in-the-mouth bluefin tuna toro, line-caught sea bass topped with salted seaweed, succulent mackerel, and brill with yuzu vinegar. A true delight.

Where? 3 Rue d'Artois, Paris 8th arrondissement