The Best Sushi in Austin

Komé — Komé has the most affordable and high-quality sushi served in an easy, first-come first-serve environment, and that’s a fact. I like to go for lunch because they have an incredible lunch special and it’s casual and chill. I’ve never had to wait that long either. I think the Spooky Roll is the best sushi roll in all the land, with spicy tuna and salmon inside PLUS more salmon on top, a it has just the right rice-to-fish ratio and not too much sauce to where you can’t taste the sea.The Nigiri pieces are so big, with the fish a little wide and hanging over the rice slightly, but not TOO big. I never miss the Otoro here as it’s always reliable and the exact texture needed. They’re open seven days a week (most sushi restaurants I want to go to are closed on Sundays), and lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekend. The Sushi Lunch, which includes five pieces of Nigiri, miso soup, and your choice of roll, is only $22 for so much food! If you’re in the mood for soup, come here for Udon, and let it heat you up!

Neighborhood Sushi — I previously wasn’t a fan of Neighborhood Sushi, but I had only sat outside, and I can now report that dining in the enclosed and cozy booths with the sexy lighting that makes the hard-at-work sushi chefs light up changed the whole experience for me. They exude fame with the spotlight on them, and the mood of the entire restaurant is calming and soothing and a place that feels nice enough! The dish that I’m still thinking about is the tender and eye-popping Yellowtail Tartare with caviar in the center that was almost like taking little bites of ice cream as it melted in my mouth. I would say this is one of the top 5 bites in Austin and why I will now go back anytime someone suggests Neighborhood. For nigiri, we had Eel, Eggplant, Tuna, Tasmanian Trout, and Salmon, and even though I still like the nigiri more at Komé and Sushi Roku due to its tenderness, flavor, and size, I think you’ll enjoy Neighborhood Sushi, and I definitely want to sit at the sushi bar next time.

Sushi Roku — Sushi Roku’s new downtown spot is an already established California concept (don’t roll your eyes as we needed a non omakase spot that’s this fresh!) that meets my sushi needs as a simple place for fresh, tender nigiri that isn’t overly dressed in sauces, leaning more rice heavy, and whatnot. At this point, I really judge a sushi spot based on my favorite  item: Tuna Toro Nigiri, and Sushi Roku wins with great quality tuna portion over just the right amount of rice. I’m not a big fan of rolls because they hide the fish flavor in sauces or tempura, but I will hunt down Sushi Roku’s Tuna Jalapeño Roll as it made my eyes bulge out in a “hell yes!” This reliable sushi spot has their sourcing figured out, and I’m thrilled to report they’re now open for lunch with a sushi and nigiri and chirashi option, as well as the full menu. There’s so many steakhouses downtown, but no full-on sushi spots I love — until now! 

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants — Considering the 17-course Nigiri Sushi Omakase at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants is one of my 112 Best Dishes in Austin, you know Chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee’s omakase would make this list. The Michelin-starred concept gives dinner AND a show as you watch the chefs break down the fish and blowtorch salmon for that extra flavor all right before your eyes. Each bite is better than the last, and when they opened a few years ago, they instantly became the inspiration as this was the only nigiri-only 10 seat omakase in town, and now, they are overflowing with new ones regularly. Sushi by Scratch isn’t trying to overwhelm you with complexity and if you like nigiri like me, this will have you moaning at each bite, plus the matcha ice cream bon bons at the end are stellar. There’s 10 seats in each seating, held at 5, 7:15 and 9:30 nightly. (Photo by Chad Wadsworth)

Musashino — At this point, you probably know exactly how I like my sushi — nigiri with fresh tuna toro over perfectly vinegared rice. Musashino has always been a golden Austin sushi restaurant to me as they have the biggest pieces of nigiri I’ve ever had! Located near campus, jaunt up some steps to enter the restaurant, where you’ll see a sushi counter, casual dining seating and traditional Japanese decor. There’s SO many different specials every night to choose from, but do NOT miss the cooked Escolar Kushiyaki, two skewers of rock-grilled escolar, which is the best appetizer I’ve had at any sushi spot and will be how you’ll begin this meal…or else. Their rolls are way too big for me with too much rice hiding the fish, and I left most of the roll on my plate and ordered more nigiri.

Uchi + Uchiba + Uchiko — When I want Japanese food, Uchi is incredible with all their crudos, cooked dishes, and desserts, but when I think of just sushi, I go to other places, and as for Uchiko, there’s a wonderful private room for the ultimate birthday for a sushi lover! The newest member of the Uchi family, Uchiba opened 20 years after the first Uchi, and you can see how both Austin and Uchi have grown when you visit. Austin is often so casual with picnic tables and chairs that leave lines on the back of your legs, so I love the more elegant experience of eating at Uchiba, where everything feels intimate and luxurious with a beautifully-lit bar and arches throughout the space. What stands out about the menu compared to other Uchi restaurants is the Buns and Baos, Dumplings and Yakitori, but I think the sushi is the best part. I recommend all my go-to nigiris, including the Bluefin Otoro, Hamachi, Kanpachi and Nasu (Japanese Eggplant), plus the Spicy Tuna Makimano roll with crispy shallot, Asian pear and charred negi aioli. Uchi is our hometown hero, and I’m so proud watching all the chefs that come out of Uchi, but Uchiba has quickly become my favorite of the three, mainly just because of the gorgeous interiors and how it makes me feel. 

Toshokan — You might not know about this spot tucked inside the loud and semi-tacky indoor golf putt putt spot, Holey Moley, but step beyond the bookcase in the back to safety with Chef Saine Wong and one of the best bar manager/bar tenders in town, Nadia Hernandez! The 14-course omakase (mostly nigiri) started with Bluefin Tuna pieces all bundled up on top of a homemade wasabi cracker that I couldn’t get enough of and then ordered an extra at the end of the meal. The O-Toro, so melty and delicious that I couldn’t believe it was from Spain not Japan, and the market special was a Khao Soi take with crab and rice that I told Chef I wish he would open a stand-alone restaurant to just serve this dish! This is one of my favorite omakases in town because it feels relaxed, easy-going, and more importantly, each sushi bite tastes better than the next!

Fukumoto — Fukumoto falls into the “reliable standard” category for me, as it’s not my pick for a big night out, but consistently fits the bill for great sushi every night but Sunday, when they are closed. If I’m in East Austin and someone says, “Hey, where do we get sushi?,” this is the spot!

Uroko — Truthfully, I’ve never been a big fan of handrolls because the seaweed is hard to bite into or the roll falls apart in my hand. However, the temaki here were unlike any I’ve had, so much so that I felt a whole change in my spirit and attitude. The Bluefin Tuna Taku held bluefin tuna, cucumber, takuan, wasabi butter, and shiso for $8 and I absolutely loved the sour, vinegary flavor mixed with the tuna in a warm and comforting roll with every ingredient in each bite. I’m usually frustrated by how handrolls fall apart, and the cone shape of this one held up without being tough. I also tried the Marfa roll with tuna, hamachi, avocado, yuzu kosho, cucumber, and shiso, and the Spicy Tuna, which almost tasted like sriracha, but I would go back just to get a bunch of the Bluefin rolls. They also do sushi classes, and an omakase that I need to try!

Craft Omakase — Chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen and partner Tim Boyer, all previously of Uchiko, opened the discreetly-located Craft Omakase near Chili’s in the old Steeping Room space in 2024, and they’ve already earned one Michelin Star! The 22-course experience feels less “hoopla” than some other omakases, as it’s a very simple, sleek environment with no name plates and no blow torches. You don’t answer any “get to know you” questions, and the chefs are truly there to do their craft. Although I haven’t been to Japan, the precision, look, and quiet feel made me think it’s similar to dining there. It’s more about having great nigiri bites with a few plated crudo or hot dishes — like the ocean trout over a broth with root vegetables that I couldn’t get enough of — and then getting back to your conversation with whoever you came with vs. hearing the chefs share stories about their lives or going on about the ingredients. The best dishes for me were the Tuna Tartare draped over a nori tart, Japanese Mackerel, Otoro with wasabi and caviar, and Ocean Trout. Each tasting holds 12 seats, costing $175 before tip and tax so it ultimately ends up at more than $200 after adding those costs. They announce their reservation releases on their Instagram so follow along there to get a res. Charlie told me their waitlist is about 6,000 people so good luck!

Little Nishi – When I first rolled up to Little Nishi, I was concerned about eating sushi from a food truck, wondering how it could be so good because you can’t just source sushi-grade fish from any purveyor. You need to have relationships to secure high-quality fish, so I quizzed Little Nishi’s chef about it, and it turns out she also works at Kome, and Little Nishi buys their fish from the same supplier that Kome does! This is obviously the best sushi food truck we have as the temaki tastes just as good as temaki from Uroko. The menu is full of sashimi, temaki, and snacks like Chicken Karaage and Panko Pork Belly. The Maguro Toro hand roll held bluefin tuna belly, kizami wasabi, shiso, sesame, and nikiri for $10, and because tuna is my fish of choice, this was definitely my favorite bite. I also ordered three pieces of the Bluefin Tuna Sashimi, and the Hama Roll, suggested by the chef, with yellowtail, toasted sesame, and nikiri. The fish is high-quality, and you can enjoy it in an easy setting without having to plan ahead. Founded in 2023, they’ve since opened a second location at the Armadillo Den, and according to their website, they’re also on the hunt for a brick and mortar!

Tancho – I’m always looking for great sushi that is casual and available at lunchtime, and one with an affordable omakase available for less than $30 like this is CRAZY. With four different offerings at both lunch and dinner from $29 to $59 AND at this high of quality, this really is a steal for everyone! The signature is $35 at lunch and $39 at dinner with the Suomono Cucumber Salad, Tuna Sashimi, and nigiri such as Yellowtail, Salmon, Albacore, Akami, which is my favorite tuna, and then two open handrolls. I loved it all except the salmon handroll, which was too sweet.