San Francisco thinks it's got the South Bay beat when it comes to Japanese food. While SF might be the sister city to Osaka, San Jose is the sister city of Okayama, too. In fact, Japantown San Jose is actually slightly larger than J-Town SF, but who's counting the blocks? Not me, of course. Nonetheless, the South Bay is not only renowned for its booming tech industry but also its strong connection to Japanese culture and cuisine. From deep historical ties to Japan and a significant Japanese population, an abundance of authentic culinary experiences is not surprising. Add in the well-documented high disposable income in the area, and it's no surprise that the South Bay offers some of the best sushi restaurants in the country. Our list of the 14 best sushi spots includes establishments ranging from intimate Omakase experiences to lively fusion sushi bars to boisterous izakaya spots, ensuring a diverse array of options for all sushi enthusiasts.
Sushi Katsu
Best Sushi in the South Bay
Sushi Katsu, a fine dining Japanese establishment, offers modern design aesthetic with an intimate ambiance. Plan ahead as Sushi Katsu has only 8 seats at the bar. It's the perfect destination for sushi lovers seeking an authentic Edomae-style Omakase experience. This high-end sushi spot is known for attention-to-detail from masterful chefs, ensuring the freshest fish and tastefully plated, seasonal seafood with every visit. As you step into this minimalist yet inviting restaurant, expect skilled and professional staff that strives to be a step ahead of your needs, ensuring a delightful dining experience. As this is Omakase, it is dealer's choice with chef at the helm, but if you are lucky enough to end up with the Uni cup with baby eels, you're in for an exquisite combination. Sushi Katsu is truly a Bay Area gem that every sushi connoisseur must add to their list!
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859 Villa St, Mountain View
Sushi Yoshizumi
Delicious Sushi Restaurants in Silicon Valley
Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill is a lively and well-attended Korean-style sushi restaurant that boasts a modern and sleek interior, creating an inviting atmosphere for all guests. The large dining room and outdoor area offer ample space for enjoyable dining experiences. Known for its delicious and generously-sized sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Asian fusion-inspired dishes, diners particularly rave about the toro, carpaccios, and hamachi carpaccio. Among their extensive menu, the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna dish stands out as a must-try item pleasing the palate of many visitors. While some may find the prices slightly on the higher side, the quality of food and service makes it worth the visit. The restaurant is conveniently located in San Jose, ensuring an enjoyable dining experience topped off with divine flavors for sushi lovers.
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325 E 4th Ave, San Mateo
Toro Sushi Stone Grill & Bar
Amazing Sushi near San Jose
Toro Sushi Stone Grill & Bar, nestled at 43785 Boscell Rd, Fremont, CA 94538, United States, is an incredible spot to satisfy your craving for sushi and grilled delights and the atmosphere is perfect for a date night or casual dining experience with family and friends. The restaurant is known for its standout dishes, such as the Stone Grill Omakase Set, which gives you a delectable sampling of various meats and seafood, as well as their signature sushi rolls like the popular Sexy Lady Roll, and Lobster Tempura Roll. While savoring the diverse options available, you'll enjoy the excellent service as their professional, attentive staff is always on-hand to offer their recommendations and ensure your dining experience is nothing short of spectacular. The cozy and cool ambiance, featuring dim lighting and beautiful décor, adds to the overall appeal of this dining hotspot. In conclusion, Toro Sushi Stone Grill & Bar offers a fantastic selection of food, affordable prices, and a memorable experience for all who walk through its doors but, don't forget to indulge in their delectable Lobster Tempura Roll which is a must-try!
Visit WebsiteCall: (510) 683 - 8800
43785 Boscell Rd, Fremont
Sen Dai Sushi
Top Sushi in the South Bay
Sen Dai Sushi offers some of the best sushi you can find, with a menu that boasts a variety of traditional maki, hand rolls, and large, over-the-top rolls. Their fresh and generously portioned fish are sure to delight your taste buds, the Storm Bringer roll, being a true crowd-pleaser. Though the restaurant is relatively small, and the parking lot can be a challenge at times, this only serves as testament to how popular Sen Dai Sushi is. To avoid the long waits for a table, one could opt for takeout while the quality, service, and prices are consistently impressive the ambiance is enjoyable as well, with friendly staff who are always ready to assist with a smile, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all who visit.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 263 - 1472
224 N Abel St, Milpitas
Image Credit: Sushi Tomi
Sushi Tomi
Delicious South Bay Sushi Spots
Sushi Tomi has not only incredible sushi, but also serves up delicious Japanese entrees. Tomi provides an extensive menu of both traditional and unique items to satisfy any craving. While the venue doesn't offer a vast selection of extravagant sushi rolls found at other establishments, the freshness of the fish used elevates the more traditional sushi offerings, appealing to true sushi enthusiasts. The skilled sushi chefs work at an impressive pace, ensuring that diners receive their plates promptly and enjoy their meal. Among the standout items, the Tomi Special Roll, with its perfect blend of flavors, is a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant. Combining fresh, high-quality dishes with attentive service in a cozy atmosphere, Sushi Tomi is an exceptional dining experience worth trying in Mountain View.
Visit WebsiteCall: (650) 968 - 3227
607 W Dana St Unit H, Mountain View
Image Credit: Mizu Sushi Bar
Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill
Amazing Sushi Restaurants in Silicon Valley
Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill is a lively and well-attended Korean-style sushi restaurant that boasts a modern and sleek interior, creating an inviting atmosphere for all guests. The large dining room and outdoor area offer ample space for enjoyable dining experiences. Known for its delicious and generously-sized sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Asian fusion-inspired dishes, diners particularly rave about the toro, carpaccios, and hamachi carpaccio. Among their extensive menu, the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna dish stands out as a must-try item pleasing the palate of many visitors. While some may find the prices slightly on the higher side, the quality of food and service makes it worth the visit. The restaurant is conveniently located in San Jose, ensuring an enjoyable dining experience topped off with divine flavors for sushi lovers.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 260 - 7200
1035 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Minato Japanese Restaurant
Best Sushi near San Jose
Minato Japanese Restaurant, located in San Jose, is a delightful eatery that offers more than just sushi and ramen. With an amazing staff, they ensure a warm dining experience and have captivating art on the walls to enhance the ambiance. The restaurant tends to get busy, so it's best to arrive early to secure a seat. Among the variety of delicious menu items, a popular dish is the combo meals that come with miso soup and salad, their Minato roll, and the perfectly cooked teriyaki steak with sashimi. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or having dinner with friends, Minato Japanese Restaurant is a spot that never disappoints with its fantastic food, and attentive service despite a slight issue with cleanliness, this place always delivers an outstanding experience.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 998 - 9711
617 N 6th St, San Jose
TANTO Japanese Restaurant
Delicious Sushi Restaurants in Silicon Valley
Tanto Japanese Restaurant is a bustling, cozy spot featuring delicious izakaya-style dishes perfect for sharing with friends or family. Upon arriving, you may notice a line forming outside, indicating the restaurant's popularity, so it is wise to make a reservation or arrive early to secure a table. One of the standout dishes at Tanto is the Gyu Ikura Don, which boasts tender beef and flavorful salmon roe atop delicate rice; however, if you're feeling a little more adventurous, the unique and satisfying Ishiyaki Butameshi should not be missed. With attentive service and intimate booth seating available, Tanto provides a delightful dining experience that will leave you eagerly anticipating your next visit, and there's ample parking in the plaza, making it convenient for guests coming from across Sunnyvale.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 244 - 7311
1063 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Image Credit: Yuki Sushi
Yuki Sushi
Amazing Sushi near San Jose
Yuki Sushi, located at 1140 Lincoln Ave, is a combined delightful dining experience across both environment and food. The cozy and warm ambiance provides an intimate setting, perfect for enjoying their wide range of delicious sushi rolls and combination platters, to not only mention their much-loved squid kara age that keeps patrons coming back for more their attentiveness to the freshness and flavor of their dishes is impressive, too. Among the popular sushi delights, the Hamachi Crunch Roll, Dragon Roll and Seared Salmon Belly Nigiri stand out as crowd favorites, all served in generous portions that will leave you satisfied and coming back for more. Despite the occasional inconsistency in some 'to go orders,' this gem of a sushi spot, in San Jose, remains a top choice where you can savor both great food and friendly service.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 287 - 9854
1140 Lincoln Ave #8, San Jose
Image Credit: Cha Cha
Cha Cha
Top Sushi in the South Bay
Cha Cha Sushi offers an extensive variety of sushi rolls and dishes for every taste bud. With a casual and lively atmosphere, this place is the ideal spot for meeting up with friends or enjoying a quick solo sushi fix. Although the restaurant is known for its impressively large sushi rolls, it's the delightful combination of fresh fish and unique flavors that make Cha Cha a fan favorite. Among the tempting options, the 49er Roll and the Brandon Roll stand out as must-try items due to their exquisite salmon and lemon pairing, and the generous assortment of fresh fish. The attentive and friendly staff ensure a remarkable dining experience, even if there tends to be a quick turnover of tables to accommodate more patrons. While some might find the prices to be on the higher side, considering the quality and portion sizes, many believe it to be well worth the cost.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 265 - 2416
547 W Capitol Expy, San Jose
TGI's Sushi
Delicious South Bay Sushi Spots
TGI's Sushi offers a pleasant and inviting experience for sushi enthusiasts, the interior design at this restaurant is cozy and neat, with lively music playing in the background, which adds to the ambiance. The service is attentive and friendly, ensuring a great dining experience for everyone. Among the extensive menu, some popular items include the Natasha roll, and the Chirashi Bowl of Sushi, which definitely should be given a try. The quality of the fish is impressive, and they offer a wide variety of rolls to cater to different preferences, from raw to cooked options, making it perfect for diverse palates. So, if you're in Campbell and craving some good sushi, don't miss out on this hidden gem, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the overall experience.
Visit WebsiteCall: (408) 871 - 0123
100 W Hamilton Ave C, Campbell
Nobu Palo Alto
Amazing Sushi Restaurants in Silicon Valley
Though I tend to avoid chains, Nobu is somewhat of an exception. Nobu offers an extraordinary dining experience that attracts high-profile individuals, Stanford scholars, and food enthusiasts alike. With its upscale and sophisticated atmosphere, this restaurant sets the stage for memorable moments and deals to be made. The exceptional service provided by the knowledgeable and friendly staff, complements the splendid culinary creations, making your visit all the more enjoyable. The star of the menu has to be the Black Cod with Miso - a delightful and rich dish that is not to be missed. Additionally, the sushi selection offers an array of mouthwatering options, all bursting with fresh flavors and inventive toppings that go beyond your standard sushi fare. If you, seek a unique and memorable meal in a stunning setting, Nobu Palo Alto is the place to indulge your senses and savor the best of what the culinary world has to offer.
Visit WebsiteCall: (650) 531 - 8800
180 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
Image Credit: Ozumo Santana Row
Ozumo Santana Row
Best Sushi near San Jose
Ozumo Santana Row offers a chic and modern dining experience, perfect for an intimate dinner or gathering with friends. The restaurant boasts a diverse menu filled with fresh sushi and seafood options, as well as delightful appetizers such as the crispy Ebi Tempura and delectable garlic edamame. One standout favorite among patrons is the melt-in-your-mouth Miso Black Cod, although it comes with a heftier price tag for the portion size. The atmosphere in Ozumo Santana Row, is enhanced by the warm, low lighting and stylish decor, making it a luxurious spot to indulge in expertly crafted sushi rolls and satisfy your craving for exquisite Japanese cuisine. Slightly pricey, but worth a visit to treat yourself on special occasions or when you're in the mood to splurge in San Jose.
