We take sushi seriously in Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Recently, we’ve seen an influx of new (and famous) sushi restaurants springing up around town. From fancy omakase experiences to locally loved spots boasting fresh fish and creative rolls, it’s time to explore. Here’s our guide to the best sushi restaurants in Miami, listed by neighborhood.

Makoto serves Chef Okuwa's modern Edomae-style sushi and Japanese dishes

Bal Harbour

In the glitzy Bal Harbour enclave, Makoto continually tops sushi lovers’ lists. Tucked inside the high-end Bal Harbour Shops, the restaurant serves Chef Makoto Okuwa’s modern take on Edomae-style sushi and Japanese dishes. Start with the ever-popular spicy tuna crispy rice, and then choose from an array of sushi rolls stuffed with everything from salmon and yellowtail to fatty tuna and soft-shell crab. Don’t miss the lobster maki, indulgently prepared with brown butter, charred corn, shiso and caviar.

Nobu serves nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls as well as dishes like Nobu Tacos

Miami Beach

In the heart of Miami Beach’s Mid Beach area, Nobu is nestled inside the lavish Eden Roc Hotel Miami Beach & Nobu Hotel Miami Beach. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a household name for sushi lovers globally. He treats diners to a long list of nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls as well as beloved dishes such as miso black cod.

At the trendy SLS South Beach hotel, Katsuya is a restaurant with a list of famous fans from around the world. Helmed by the renowned Chef Katsuya Uechi, this lively South Beach restaurant is typically packed with diners digging into tuna tartare served with nori crisps and the signature spicy tuna crispy rice, along with rolls such as the Katsuya special, fashioned with tuna, hamachi, salmon, scallop and crab.

Pubbelly's Tuna Pizza — Pubbelly is known for its innovative take on Japanese favorites such as the Tuna Pizza

South Beach’s trendy Sunset Harbour neighborhood is home to several hot spots with amazing sushi menus. Pubbelly Sushi, which has several locations throughout Greater Miami & Miami Beach, is known for its innovative take on Miami’s Latin flavors spun into sushi and Japanese favorites. Upscale NaiYaRa offers an impressive sushi, sashimi and nigiri selection alongside Chef Bee’s crave-worthy Thai street food. Also nearby, and located inside a completely reimagined car body shop, Sushi Garage serves the classics done right. Don’t miss the weekday happy hour where you can enjoy $4 rolls.

Located on the Lincoln Road pedestrian thoroughfare, Doraku Izakaya and Sushi is a longstanding sushi spot founded by the father-son team of Rocky Aoki (also the founder of Benihana) and Kevin Aoki. Regulars love Doraku for the happy hour, tasty cocktails that pair perfectly with a fresh sushi platter, and people-watching from the outside seats. Stroll a few blocks north and you’ll find Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, a well-known restaurant tucked inside The Plymouth Hotel. Don’t leave without ordering the decadent Blue Ribbon roll made with lobster tail and crowned with black caviar, as well as the famous fried chicken with wasabi honey. Toni’s Sushi Bar was established in 1987 and was the first Japanese restaurant in Miami Beach. It’s still going strong and serving excellent sushi.

Zuma in Downtown Miami attracts celebrities and a sophisticated crowd

Downtown Miami & Brickell

In Downtown Miami, Chef Rainer Becker’s Zuma Miami is an internationally acclaimed restaurant that attracts celebrities and a sophisticated crowd. At this sleek space located inside the Kimpton EPIC Hotel, guests can indulge in over-the-top sushi that’s packed with exotic ingredients. Make a reservation for the popular brunch, an absolute must for a sushi lover’s visit to Miami. Expect a side of “scene” with your sushi at NOVIKOV, a few blocks away. You’ll find an opulent menu with creative dim sum as well as endless options for sushi, including some topped with caviar or foie gras.

For as-fresh-as-it-gets fish and spot-on service, the intimate NAOE on Brickell Key is a coveted spot for avid sushi lovers. With only a handful of reservation-only tables, this is a dining experience you should plan ahead for. Here, Chef Kevin Cory serves artistic Tokyo-inspired sushi in an Omakase setting, meaning it’s always chef’s choice. The experience is memorable, as you’ll be served course after course of delectable sushi bites, prepared with the utmost care.

For high-end Southeast Asian cuisine in a super swanky space in the heart of Brickell, Komodo is the brainchild of nightlife impresario David Grutman, the powerhouse behind Miami Beach’s LIV nightclub and the Goodtime Hotel. While Komodo serves much more than sushi, you’ll find a broad range of maki, sashimi and nigiri to satisfy all your cravings.

Wynwood & the Miami Design District

Ask locals about their favorite sushi joint and they’ll point you to Itamae, a Nikkei-inspired restaurant located in Palm Court in the Miami Design District. Here, you’ll find inventive rolls married with Peruvian flavors. One of the must-haves is the Lost in Translation roll, made with tuna, salmon, avocado and crispy quinoa. The people behind Itamae recently opened a new spot, B-Side By Itamae, inside the 1-800-Lucky food hall in Wynwood, where diners can expect a modern take on sushi rolls that are packed with flavor.

Also in Wynwood is newcomer UCHI, where James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole offers a non-traditional spin on Japanese cuisine. Highlights from the core menu include the hot rock Wagyu beef and the Machi Cure, which is smoked yellowtail layered with yuca crisp, Marcona almonds and Asian pear. Guests can also indulge in three Omakase offerings: a 10-course chef’s tasting, a six-course signature tasting and a six-course vegetarian tasting.

For a sushi adventure (if you can find it), Hiden is truly a hidden gem in Wynwood. The secret, fine-dining sushi bar is tucked behind a taco shop. You’ll need a reservation for this exclusive Omakase experience.

Delicious Sushi — Enjoy inventive sushi rolls and bento boxes at Su Shin Izakaya

Coral Gables

Su Shin Izakaya is a locals’ joint in Coral Gables known for its delicious bento boxes. Try the Porque Mt. Fuji, a rice bowl with grilled salmon, ikura, shaved egg, sprouts and avocado (it may not qualify as sushi but it’s delicious); or, stick to the classics and cozy up to the sushi bar for platters of fresh nigiri or sashimi.

Matsuri, just outside Coral Gables, is one of Miami’s best-kept secrets for sushi. A beautiful, sparse dining space located in a strip mall between a grocery store and a pizza place, the restaurant has been serving both classic and inventive sushi dishes for decades. The line for a table can be pretty long, but it’s well worth the wait.

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