The 11 best sushi restaurants in America

What is it? Despite the ubiquity of dragon rolls and cavalcades of warm rice, the L.A. sushi scene is full of Edomae-style restaurants, with quite possibly no better example than Sushi Kaneyoshi. Hidden away in a Little Tokyo basement, it’s an elegant and minimalist space with a traditional 12-seat sushi counter serving approximately 20 pieces of sushi, sashimi and a few cooked dishes prepared using traditional Edomae techniques.

Why we love it: A meal here possesses that rare transportive power, the kind that whisks you out of regular life into an immaculate world of bleached wood, pristine plates of fish, and ochoko cups of clean-drinking sake before releasing you back onto the streets of Little Tokyo to go blissfully on your way.

Time Out tip: Bring cash for the parking attendant if you plan to park on-site, and try to be on time; the 7pm nightly seating doesn’t begin until all diners are present.

Address: 111 S San Pedro St, Suite B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 7-10pm

What is it? A sleek, minimalist omakase counter and lounge where chef Daisuke Nakazawa, of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame, serves 20 bites of exquisite fish over the course of two hours.

Why we love it: When we first visited Nakazawa’s eponymous spot in the West Village, we weren’t sure we’d ever really had salmon, snapper and fatty tuna before, not like this, not with flavors, textures and temperatures that have been perfected and then, unbelievably, improved upon. It’s a revelation. 

Time Out tip: This isn’t a walk-in situation. Reservations at Sushi Nakazawa book 14 days in advance and are released online daily at noon EST.

Address: 23 Commerce St, NY 10014

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–2pm, 5–10pm.

What is it? Nestled in Downtown’s Little Tokyo neighborhood since 1980, Sushi Gen has turned into a cult favorite for L.A.’s sushi aficionados. It’s a wonderfully serene, wood-paneled old-school sushi bar setting serving standout sashimi, nigiri and gunkan pieces topped with fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin, monkfish liver and oysters.

Why we love it: The sashimi lunch special invites you to glut your taste buds on fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin, scallops and oyster with a side of rice. It’s the perfect happy medium between an eye-poppingly expensive omakase and questionably cheap sushi.

Time Out tip: The lines are massive, and Sushi Gen doesn’t accept reservations—prepare to wait a bit. 

Address: 422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Fri, 11am–2pm, 5–8:30pm; Sat 4–8:30pm

What is it? Bold and ambitious chef Otto Phan left Austin, Texas, to come to Chicago to create the city’s best sushi. He fulfills those aspirations every night at his nondescript Logan Square restaurant, which is also one of the most expensive experiences in town.

Why we love it: Those who can secure a seat are treated to a front-row view of Phan slicing raw fish and serving it on extra-large rice grains that have been seasoned with aged red vinegar. You’ll pay a pretty penny, but Kyōten’s omakase provides some of the finest bites money can buy, made with luxurious products flown in from Japan.

Time Out tip: If you're not planning on shelling out nearly $500 for a meal, head a few steps down to sister spot Kyōten Next Door for a more affordable, but equally impressive, experience.

Address: 2507 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6:30–9pm

What is it? Located in a sign-free building in Little River, Ogawa isn’t a Japanese restaurant exactly. It’s a chunk of Japanese soil, an embassy, a slice of culture. That’s true with the vibe, in that it can be somewhat awkward yet humbling, and of course, with the food, a long evening of sushi and hot dishes that all display a downright obsession with being authentically Japanese.

Why we love it: Sushi chef Masayuki Komatsu's quiet observation of his diners' preferences. Don’t be surprised if you find a last-minute substitution of tuna in an uni handroll after skipping the uni in a previous course. 

Time Out tip: If you go, it’s impossible to say what you’ll eat or how many courses you’ll get. The owner, Alvaro Perez Miranda, says they tailor each night’s menu to who’s coming, changing it up based on preferences,  allergies and even special requests. Being flexible is key. 

Address: 7223 NW Second Ave, Miami, FL 33150

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6-9:30pm

What is it? Three-time James Beard Outstanding Chef nominee Shiro Kashiba’s third restaurant at Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market. 

Why we love it: The master sushi chef, who trained under sushi legend Jiro Ono, serves Edomae-style fare showcasing seasonal ingredients and local Pacific Northwest delicacies.  Guests seated at tables can choose from à la carte options like oysters, tuna poke and sauteed geoduck, or opt for the chef’s daily omakase offering. At the chef’s counter, a 1-hour-and-45-minute omakase experience features a rotating selection of the chef’s freshest dishes.

Time Out tip: Only a few seats are available to reserve for the three chef’s counter seatings (at 5, 7 and 9pm). All other seats are fair game, and you can book a spot in person for same-day seating any time after the restaurant opens at 5pm.

Address: 86 Pine St, Suite #1, Seattle, WA 98101

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 5-9pm; Fri, Sat 5-9:30pm

What is it? A Michelin-starred, dual-counter omakase bar in Williamsburg run by chef-owner Cheng Lin, who’s worked in the prestigious kitchens of Sushi Seki, Blue Ribbon and ITO Tribeca under Chef Masa Ito and Chef Kevin Kim. Expect 18 courses of spectacular sushi. Fun fact: the restaurant is named after a Japanese comic book called “Shota No Sushi” about a young man’s passion for sushi. 

Why we love it: Chef Lin is ready to feed and educate you, readily sharing how his bluefin tuna is sourced within a 10-kilometer radius of Southern Japan and why three months is the perfect time to age ponzu sauce. It all culminates in a one-of-a-kind, transportative experience that will get you moving to Domino Park, time and time again.

Time Out tip: The rice preparation is different from most standard U.S. sushi spots. Chef Lin changes the type of vinegar used in the rice depending on the fish and course, which can be surprising for some diners. 

Address: 50 S 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5:30-10:30pm; Fri, Sat 12:30-2pm, 5:30-10:30pm

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What is it? A modern and earthy Japanese den in a former 1920s bungalow from chef Tyson Cole, who became the first American itamae to receive a James Beard Award for Best Chef. Expect high-touch Japanese bites that include various types of uni, five types of bluefin, and a robust sake menu. 

Why we love it: Chef Cole’s menus change often and range widely enough to appeal to novices as well as connoisseurs, who can compare, say, three different kinds of sea urchin while their warier companions sample tempura-fried pumpkin alongside a robust list of sakes and skin-contact wines.

Time Out tip: Grab one of Uchi’s takeout boxes for a fancy treat-yourself meal in the privacy of your own home.

Address: 801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sun 4-11pm

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What is it? An intimate, 14-seat omakase bar that brings seriously spectacular sushi to the table, in a laid-back, unintimidating way. It’s one of the hardest reservations to get in Nashville, mostly due to the quality-to-price ratio: $75 for fourteen courses of exceptional fish flown in from Japan and Spain. 

Why we love it: Eating at Kase feels like crashing a friend’s bumpin’ dinner party—except this friend can really throw down on some fish. The room is small, but instead of feeling stuffy and pretentious like some other omakase experiences, Kase is approachable. Fun, actually. There’s 2000s hip hop piping through the room, service catering to your every beverage whim and sushi chefs who are having just as much fun as the diners.

Time Out tip: Get there early to enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Kase’s Japanese cocktail bar. 

Address: 707 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5-9pm 

What is it? Nashville isn’t the only city with a Sushi Bar to call its own. The omakase chain has a few locations scattered throughout the country, including Miami and Austin. But Sushi Bar seems to have perfected their formula in Music City, with a luxe, speakeasy setup and 17 courses that take advantage of the Toyosu Market in Tokyo—the chefs at Sushi Bar have their fishmongers on speed dial. 

Why we love it: The thoughtful and often experimental pieces of nigiri, sashimi, and rolls—like shrimp topped with dehydrated rice pears, red ribbon sorrel, and ponzu, and yellowjack that slaps the tongue with sliced serrano and bright citrus.

Time Out tip: Sushi Bar offers supplements to your meal for an extra cost. They’re pricey and will quickly hike up your bill, so skip them. Besides, the 17 courses are more than filling enough.

Address: 610 Magazine St, Nashville, TN 37203

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5-11pm