Welcome to the colourful and numerous culinary scene of Austin— a metropolis with no scarcity of distinctive flavors and progressive 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 in all my first duties to search out the very best 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 crew compiled an inventory of the very best 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 methods and the power to push the boundaries of creativity. As a result of isn’t that what Austin is all about?
Featured Picture of Sushi by Scratch Eating places by Chad Wadsworth.
Finest Splurge: Otoko
Otoko—a 12-seat Japanese kaiseki omakase-style spot discovered within the South Congress Lodge—is an expertise you don’t wish to miss. Chef Yoshi Okai leads you thru a 20-course meal crammed with nigiri, sashimi, and different conventional Japanese favorites. We advocate making your reservation three months upfront to make sure you get a spot at this fashionable restaurant. Belief us—you gained’t wish to miss out.
- Worth: $$$$
- Specialties: This Omasake expertise is one you don’t wish to miss right here in Austin. Translating to “I depart it as much as you,” you’ll get pleasure from quite a lot of distinctive flavors with out having to decipher by means of a menu of mouth-watering choices. The hamachi with smoked tamari and herbs is a fan-favorite a part of the expertise, the place the fish is grilled in binchotan coals proper in entrance of you.
- 1603 S Congress Ave | (512) 994-0428 | web site | instagram
The place Texas meets Japan, Neighborhood Sushi—situated within the bustling South Congress neighborhood—options quite a lot of native and worldwide elements on its menu. Take pleasure in a Legacy Wagu nigiri with beef from La Grange, or go for a Japanese favourite with BBQ Recent Water Eel nigiri or sashimi. No matter you select, we are able to guarantee you your style buds gained’t be left unhappy.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: Whereas there are many distinctive choices for lovers of a conventional sushi roll at Neighborhood Sushi, there may be additionally a sizeable menu for vegetable-only nigiri. Go for a hon shimeji with crispy garlic or candy corn served with togarashi and serrano for a scrumptious meat-free chunk.
- 1716 S Congress Ave | (512) 580-1390 | web site | instagram
You’ll have a very genuine sushi expertise at Fukumoto. This restaurant is thought for a few of the finest sushi in Austin because of each its appetizing menu and beautiful inside. Sake barrels could be seen surrounding the eating room, the place you’ll get pleasure from quite a lot of contemporary fish, reminiscent of yellowtail and bluefin tuna, and yakitori specialties, like miso-glazed pork stomach and Brussels sprouts with honey tare.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: The spotlight of this sushi spot is unquestionably its yakitori—skewers grilled over Japanese charcoal—that are carried out of their open kitchen. In case you’re in search of leisure with a high-quality meal, you’ve discovered the fitting place.
- 514 Medina St | (512) 770-6880 | web site | instagram
One other omakase favourite right here in Austin is Sushi by Scratch Eating places. Positioned within the Hyatt Regency Misplaced Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek, this 10-seat eating expertise encompasses a 16-course meal crammed with every thing from Hamachi to Wagyu beef. The range of the programs is what makes this eating expertise stand out probably the most. Be aware that this spot can’t accommodate vegetarian requests or mushroom allergic reactions.
- Worth: $$$
- 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 fee and wait.
- 575 Hyatt Misplaced Pines Street | (512) 360-8601 | web site | instagram
Most Common: Uchi
In case you’re an Austin native, native, or only a well-informed customer, you already know Uchi as top-of-the-line and best sushi eating places this metropolis has to supply. For his or her omasake, Chef Tyson Cole takes you on a ten-course meal crammed with a few of the freshest and best-prepared sushi you’ll ever style. Moreover, their common menu is crammed with the best high quality dishes that vary from scorching plates to caviar to nigiri and sashimi. If there’s wherever you strive on this record for each the expertise and the meals—that is your spot.
- Worth: $$$$
- Specialties: What you see on Uchi’s menu is not like what you’ll discover at your typical metropolis sushi spot. Whereas the omakase is arguably the popular splurge and specialty right here, we additionally advocate nearly all the common menu gadgets, together with their hama chili—a contemporary minimize of yellowtail with ponzu, Thai chili, orange supreme, or the smoked trout roe with yuzu creme fraiche, black garlic, raisin relish, and taro chips.
- 801 S Lamar Blvd | (512) 916-4808 | web site | instagram
Finest Gentle Chunk: Komé
This primary-come, first-serve sushi spot options a number of completely different menus—lunch, mid-day, dinner, and drinks—all of which have sufficient choices to maintain everybody full and glad. Take pleasure in a rice bowl for lunch or Hosomaki mid-day. No matter variation of this basic delicacies you select, it’s certain to be ready to aesthetic perfection.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: Suppose tapas, however Japanese. The izakaya right here at Komé is a bar-style Japanese delicacies that consists of quite a lot of small, sometimes cheap dishes served with quite a lot of specialty drinks. In case you’re in search of informal good eats, that is your spot.
- 5301 Airport Blvd #100 | (512) 712-5700 | web site | instagram
Finest Major Dishes: Soto
Positioned near Zilker, Soto is the very best 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 provide omakase at $175 per individual when you’re in search of an upscale night.
- Worth: $$$
- Specialties: In case you’re seeking to department out past sushi, Soto’s cold and warm menu options dishes like their chilihamachi with garlic chili ponzu, fried jalapeño, and scallion, and grilled Chilean sea bass marinated 72 hours in candy miso sauce and scallion.
- 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste 2115 | (512) 531-9142 | web site | instagram
Traditional and contemporary, this Edomae-style sushi restaurant is a type of particular locations that may fulfill your sushi craving with out going overboard. The nigiri is way larger than what you’ll discover at most sushi spots round Austin, making these eats positively value their value. Take pleasure in a view of town to accompany your meal at this second-story restaurant. The bonus is the climate is sweet sufficient to eat on the patio!
- Worth: $$$
- Specialties: With out having the whole omakase expertise (and value), Musashino’s sushi deluxe is paired with a miso soup and a chef’s alternative of a number of items of sushi.
- 2905 San Gabriel St Suite 200 | (512) 795-8593 | web site | instagram
An extended-standing Austin favourite is Tomodachi sushi, located on Parmer Lane. Their menu isn’t overly elaborate, and also you’ll doubtless discover the spot crammed with 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 cozy eating expertise with out being overly conventional and stuffy.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: A couple of of the highly-acclaimed favorites at Tomodachi are the contemporary aji (Japanese horse mackerel) simply in from the Tsukiji fish market in northern Japan, or kampachi, wild yellowtail from the Honolulu fish market.
- 4101 W Parmer Ln | 512) 821-9472 | web site
A sister restaurant of the beloved Uchi, a James Beard Award-winning non-traditional Japanese joint, Uchiko’s menu is without doubt one of the most unusual. From their gyutoro—a 72-hour brief rib—to their beau soleil oyster served with strawberry chutney—the menu spans far past what you’ll discover at your native sushi spot.
- Worth: $$$$
- Specialties: Much like Omakase, Uchiko gives a Somakase choice for his or her eating expertise, the place the server has the duty of curating your menu. It’s positively one thing to strive when you’re seeking to spice it up with out sitting down for a ten-course meal.
- 1801 Submit Oak Blvd Suite 110 | (713) 522-4808 | web site | instagram
One other spot cherished by Austin locals is Ichi-Umi, situated on Analysis Boulevard. They constantly ship nice service, massive portion sizes, and inexpensive costs. In case you don’t wish to commute to the busier areas like South Congress or Downtown, Ichi-Umi doesn’t disappoint.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: Whereas their sushi is nothing out of the atypical, there are just a few must-haves on this menu. The honey wasabi sauce is nice on nearly every thing, and the Matsu combo is a big portion of sushi meant for multiple to get pleasure from for under $45.
- 9503 Analysis Blvd #500 | (512) 795-8666 | web site | instagram
Finest Bang for Your Buck: Ichiban
Ichiban is a few of the finest sushi in Austin for serving a crowd. Whereas their glad 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 strictly what you’d anticipate when eating on Japanese delicacies. In my view, it’s top-of-the-line choices within the metropolis to get pleasure from with out breaking the financial institution.
- Worth: $$
- Specialties: It’s not usually 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, when you’re hungry, it is likely to be your subsequent order.
- 7310 Burnet Rd | (512) 458-3700 | web site | instagram