Welcome to the colourful and various culinary scene of Austin— a metropolis with no scarcity of distinctive flavors and modern culinary delights. Whereas this metropolis is well known for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, Austin’s culinary scene is aware of no bounds—boasting an array of remarkable worldwide cuisines. After I moved to Austin practically three years in the past, I made it one among my first duties to search out the perfect sushi in Austin. What I realized? Whether or not you’re a seasoned sushi connoisseur or a curious first-timer, Austin’s sushi scene has one thing for each palate.
After in depth analysis and loads of tasting, our group compiled a listing of the perfect sushi spots in Austin that exude distinctive high quality, inventive culinary aptitude, and impeccable service. Every restaurant on our record maintains each the timeless ability of conventional sushi strategies and the flexibility to push the boundaries of creativity. As a result of isn’t that what Austin is all about?
Featured Picture of Sushi by Scratch Restaurants by Chad Wadsworth.
Best Splurge: Otoko
Otoko—a 12-seat Japanese kaiseki omakase-style spot discovered within the South Congress Resort—is an expertise you don’t wish to miss. Chef Yoshi Okai leads you thru a 20-course meal full of nigiri, sashimi, and different conventional Japanese favorites. We advocate making your reservation three months upfront to make sure you get a spot at this standard restaurant. Belief us—you gained’t wish to miss out.
- Worth: $$$$
- Specialties: This Omasake expertise is one you don’t wish to miss right here in Austin. Translating to “I go away it as much as you,” you’ll take pleasure in a wide range of distinctive flavors with out having to decipher by a menu of mouth-watering choices. The hamachi with smoked tamari and herbs is a fan-favorite a part of the expertise, the place the fish is grilled in binchotan coals proper in entrance of you.
- 1603 S Congress Ave | (512) 994-0428 | website | instagram
Where Texas meets Japan, Neighborhood Sushi—located in the bustling South Congress neighborhood—features a variety of local and international ingredients on its menu. Enjoy a Legacy Wagu nigiri with beef from La Grange, or opt for a Japanese favorite with BBQ Fresh Water Eel nigiri or sashimi. Whatever you choose, we can assure you your taste buds won’t be left unsatisfied.
- Price: $$
- Specialties: While there are plenty of unique options for lovers of a traditional sushi roll at Neighborhood Sushi, there is also a sizeable menu for vegetable-only nigiri. Opt for a hon shimeji with crispy garlic or sweet corn served with togarashi and serrano for a delicious meat-free bite.
- 1716 S Congress Ave | (512) 580-1390 | website | instagram
You’ll have a truly authentic sushi experience at Fukumoto. This restaurant is known for some of the best sushi in Austin thanks to both its appetizing menu and stunning interior. Sake barrels can be seen surrounding the dining room, where you’ll enjoy a variety of fresh fish, such as yellowtail and bluefin tuna, and yakitori specialties, like miso-glazed pork belly and Brussels sprouts with honey tare.
- Price: $$
- Specialties: The highlight of this sushi spot is definitely its yakitori—skewers grilled over Japanese charcoal—which are done in their open kitchen. If you’re looking for entertainment with a high-quality meal, you’ve found the right place.
- 514 Medina St | (512) 770-6880 | website | instagram
One other omakase favourite right here in Austin is Sushi by Scratch Eating places. Situated within the Hyatt Regency Misplaced Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek, this 10-seat eating expertise contains a 16-course meal full of every little thing from Hamachi to Wagyu beef. The variety of the programs is what makes this eating expertise stand out essentially the most. Be aware that this spot can’t accommodate vegetarian requests or mushroom allergic reactions.
- Worth: $$$
- Specialties: Whereas the omakase expertise is a specialty in and of itself, the variety of elements from each land and sea makes this sushi expertise one that’s completely value the price and wait.
- 575 Hyatt Misplaced Pines Highway | (512) 360-8601 | website | instagram
Most Well-liked: Uchi
If you’re an Austin native, local, or just a well-informed visitor, you know Uchi as one of the best and finest sushi restaurants this city has to offer. For their omasake, Chef Tyson Cole takes you on a ten-course meal filled with some of the freshest and best-prepared sushi you’ll ever taste. Additionally, their regular menu is filled with the highest quality dishes that range from hot plates to caviar to nigiri and sashimi. If there’s anywhere you try on this list for both the experience and the food—this is your spot.
- Price: $$$$
- Specialties: What you see on Uchi’s menu is unlike what you’ll find at your typical city sushi spot. While the omakase is arguably the preferred splurge and specialty here, we also recommend almost all of the regular menu items, including their hama chili—a fresh cut of yellowtail with ponzu, Thai chili, orange supreme, or the smoked trout roe with yuzu creme fraiche, black garlic, raisin relish, and taro chips.
- 801 S Lamar Blvd | (512) 916-4808 | website | instagram
Finest Mild Chunk: Komé
This first-come, first-serve sushi spot features several different menus—lunch, mid-day, dinner, and drinks—all of which have enough options to keep everyone full and satisfied. Enjoy a rice bowl for lunch or Hosomaki mid-day. Whatever variation of this classic cuisine you choose, it’s bound to be prepared to aesthetic perfection.
- Price: $$
- Specialties: Think tapas, but Japanese. The izakaya here at Komé is a bar-style Japanese cuisine that consists of a variety of small, typically inexpensive dishes served with a variety of specialty drinks. If you’re looking for casual good eats, this is your spot.
- 5301 Airport Blvd #100 | (512) 712-5700 | website | instagram
Finest Predominant Dishes: Soto
Situated near Zilker, Soto is the perfect of each worlds. There’s an in depth number of nigiri and sashimi choices, in addition to loads of makimono rolls to suit everybody’s requests. In addition they supply omakase at $175 per particular person in case you’re searching for an upscale night.
- Worth: $$$
- Specialties: In case you’re seeking to department out past sushi, Soto’s cold and warm menu options dishes like their chilihamachi with garlic chili ponzu, fried jalapeño, and scallion, and grilled Chilean sea bass marinated 72 hours in candy miso sauce and scallion.
- 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste 2115 | (512) 531-9142 | website | instagram
Basic and contemporary, this Edomae-style sushi restaurant is a kind of particular locations that can fulfill your sushi craving with out going overboard. The nigiri is far greater than what you’ll discover at most sushi spots round Austin, making these eats positively value their value. Get pleasure from a view of town to accompany your meal at this second-story restaurant. The bonus is the climate is sweet sufficient to eat on the patio!
- Worth: $$$
- Specialties: With out having the entire omakase expertise (and value), Musashino’s sushi deluxe is paired with a miso soup and a chef’s selection of a number of items of sushi.
- 2905 San Gabriel St Suite 200 | (512) 795-8593 | website | instagram
An extended-standing Austin favourite is Tomodachi sushi, located on Parmer Lane. Their menu isn’t overly elaborate, and also you’ll seemingly discover the spot full of locals who’ve loved their contemporary fish for years. The nigirizushi and sashimi are made with care by Chef Steve Raid and his spouse Tina Son, each of which foster a welcoming and comfy eating expertise with out being overly conventional and stuffy.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: A couple of of the highly-acclaimed favorites at Tomodachi are the contemporary aji (Japanese horse mackerel) simply in from the Tsukiji fish market in northern Japan, or kampachi, wild yellowtail from the Honolulu fish market.
- 4101 W Parmer Ln | 512) 821-9472 | website
A sister restaurant of the beloved Uchi, a James Beard Award-winning non-traditional Japanese joint, Uchiko’s menu is one of the most unique. From their gyutoro—a 72-hour short rib—to their beau soleil oyster served with strawberry chutney—the menu spans far beyond what you’ll find at your local sushi spot.
- Price: $$$$
- Specialties: Similar to Omakase, Uchiko offers a Somakase option for their dining experience, where the server has the responsibility of curating your menu. It’s definitely something to try if you’re looking to spice it up without sitting down for a ten-course meal.
- 1801 Post Oak Blvd Suite 110 | (713) 522-4808 | website | instagram
One other spot cherished by Austin locals is Ichi-Umi, situated on Analysis Boulevard. They persistently ship nice service, giant portion sizes, and inexpensive costs. In case you don’t wish to commute to the busier areas like South Congress or Downtown, Ichi-Umi doesn’t disappoint.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: Whereas their sushi is nothing out of the odd, there are a number of must-haves on this menu. The honey wasabi sauce is nice on nearly every little thing, and the Matsu combo is a big portion of sushi meant for multiple to take pleasure in for less than $45.
- 9503 Analysis Blvd #500 | (512) 795-8666 | website | instagram
Finest Bang for Your Buck: Ichiban
Ichiban is among the finest sushi in Austin for serving a crowd. Whereas their completely happy hour is stable and runs Monday-Saturday from 4-6 pm, their regular-priced menu is simply pretty much as good. The restaurant inside is precisely what you’d count on when eating on Japanese delicacies. In my view, it’s among the best choices within the metropolis to take pleasure in with out breaking the financial institution.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: It’s not typically that I discover a restaurant that serves a scrumptious bento field and a full sushi menu, however Ichiban checks that field with ease. Served with rice, soup or salad, gyoza, vegetable tempura, and a California roll, in case you’re hungry, it may be your subsequent order.
- 7310 Burnet Rd | (512) 458-3700 | website | instagram