Boston may be thousand of miles from Japan, but that won’t stop you from finding amazing, authentic sushi in and around the city.
Maybe you’re craving some affordable all-you-can-eat sushi to satisfy your hunger.
Perhaps you’re looking for a high-end omakase experience to celebrate a special occasion where the chef prepares a multi-course meal right before your eyes.
Or maybe you just want a solid sushi spot where you can get creative, high-quality maki.
No matter what your stomach desires (or what your budget allows), there’s a place in Boston for you.
Here are some of our favorite picks for the best sushi restaurants in Boston.
The Mad Monkfish
Previously known as Thelonious Monkfish, The Mad Monkfish in Cambridge’s Central Square offers imaginative sushi and live jazz on the weekends.
Along with traditional sushi, you can get poke bowls and signature rolls inspired by fairytales and great musicians.
There’s nothing like enjoying some jazz-themed sushi while listening to the sounds of Boston’s best jazz performers.
Address: 524 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: The Mad Monkfish
Empire
Located in Boston’s Seaport District, Empire is a stylish Asian restaurant-meets-nightclub. It’s operated by Big Night Entertainment Group, a respected name in the Boston nightlife scene.
Come on Mondays for spectacular all-you-can-eat sushi. Return on the weekends for “Empire After Dark,” when the lounge transforms into a 21+ party featuring some of the city’s hottest DJs to keep you entertained until the early morning hours.
Address: 1 Marina Park Drive, Boston, MA 02210
Website: Empire
FuGaKyu Japanese Cuisine
FuGaKyu was established in 1998 and has two popular locations in Brookline and Sudbury.
Fittingly, the restaurant’s name translates to “house of exquisite elegance.” Bamboo walls, a koi pond, and tatami rooms will make you feel like you jumped straight to Japan. Skilled sushi chefs prepare traditional sushi as well as inventive modern creations.
Address: 1280 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
Website: FuGaKyu Japanese Cuisine
Cafe Sushi
Cafe Sushi in Cambridge’s Harvard Square first opened back in 1984. Since then, it has maintained its reputation as one of the region’s top sushi spots.
In addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, there’s a special menu that changes daily according to what’s fresh. Seasonal sashimi, nigiri, and maki are thoughtfully chosen and meticulously prepared each day.
Address: 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: Cafe Sushi
Nijiya Sushi
Medford’s Nijiya Sushi is an informal and unassuming joint that’s a favorite among locals.
You can’t go wrong with the restaurant’s menu of classic and house maki rolls, which you can order for takeout or dine-in.
If you’re really hungry, you might want to stop for the all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. While it’s affordable, there’s no sacrifice on quality or freshness.
Address: 9 High St, Medford, MA 02155
Website: Nijiya Sushi
RUKA
Tucked inside Boston’s Godfrey Hotel at Downtown Crossing, RUKA is a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant with a striking interior and diverse sushi menu.
RUKA uses the word “Nikkei” in their tagline, which refers to Japanese emigrants and the communities they’ve formed. This identity is clearly seen in its unique menu of fusion sushi, which focuses on Peru but draws from other cultures as well.
Address: 505 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
Website: RUKA
Douzo Sushi
Douzo Sushi is an award-winning sushi restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston. It has been in operation since 2005.
“Douzo” refers to the concept of warmly welcoming guests, and the staff at Douzo Sushi lives up to the name. Owner Jack Huang grew up in Japan before coming to the United States, bringing with him his love for Japanese cuisine and artistic sushi.
Address: 131 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
Website: Douzo Sushi
Yamato
Brighton’s Yamato provides takeout and menu options, but they’re primarily known for their reasonably priced all-you-can-eat sushi buffet.
The buffet menu has a nice variety of sashimi, maki, hand rolls, and non-sushi items to please everyone in your party.
If you’re searching for a place to stuff yourself with sushi without breaking the bank, Yamato is worth a visit.
Address: 117 Chiswick Rd, Brighton, MA 02135
Website: Yamato
Fuji at Assembly
Fuji is a trendy sushi restaurant located at Assembly Row in Somerville and run by passionate sushi connoisseur Jimmy Liang.
Whether you’re in the mood for nigiri, sashimi, maki, or traditional omakase, you’ll find something here. The sushi is made with a masterful technique and the ingredients are always fresh, high-quality, and delicious.
Address: 320 Canal St, Somerville, MA 02145; 352b Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118; 300 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Website: Fuji at Assembly
Ebi sushi
Right in the heart of Union Square in Somerville, Ebi Sushi is a laid-back sushi bar offering authentic and high-quality sushi.
Ebi Sushi has an extensive menu of rolls, combos, and specials. Can’t make up your mind? You can opt for the omakase option, where the chef will select five or ten pieces of thoughtfully prepared nigiri for you.
Address: 290 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Website: Ebi sushi
Genki Ya
Genki Ya was founded in 2007 in Brookline. Since then, its success has allowed them to open additional locations in Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, and Dedham.
With a strong dedication to serving healthy sushi, they provide the option to substitute multigrain or brown sushi rice on any roll or nigiri order. Their impressive menu contains the usual Japanese sushi and innovative special maki rolls.
Address: 232 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Website: Genki Ya
Yoki Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Yoki in Medford’s Station Landing has been serving up quality Japanese food and sushi for over 13 years.
Their raw and non-raw sushi selection is top-notch and made to perfection by talented chefs. Along with Yoki’s main restaurant, there’s also Yoki Express in Cambridge’s Porter Square and the Boston Seaport, where you can grab a poke bowl or sushi burrito.
Address: 62 Station Landing, Medford, MA 02155
Website: Yoki Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Osaka Japanese Sushi & Steak House
First established in Northampton over 15 years ago, Osaka brings elegant Japanese dining to Coolidge Corner in Brookline.
Osaka has two floors of seating with beautiful slate walls and Japanese accents. It may be best known for its hibachi shows, but it also has a separate sushi room away from the commotion, where you can get traditional sushi and unique Japanese fusion rolls.
Address: 14 Green St, Brookline, MA 02446
Website: Osaka Japanese Sushi & Steak House
Love Art Sushi
Founded in 2017 with locations in Fenway and Downtown Crossing, Love Art Sushi is a go-to for well-priced sushi in a fast-casual setting.
The specialty at Love Art Sushi is their signature poke bowls, which use ingredients sourced in small batches to ensure freshness.
You can also create your own bowls, try a handheld sushi roll called a “makiritto,” and enjoy bottomless house-made drinks.
Address: 1 Haviland St, Boston, MA 02115
Website: Love Art Sushi
Uni
Uni is located inside the Eliot Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay. Acclaimed chef Ken Oringer has been in charge of the space for decades, but Uni has only existed in its current form since 2016.
This upscale restaurant offers fresh seafood sourced from local markets and imported from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji market.
Uni prides itself on making each meal special, whether it’s through an intimate omakase experience or a recommendation for the perfect sake pairing from their enormous collection.
Address: 370A Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Website: Uni
Laughing Monk Cafe
Laughing Monk Cafe in Boston’s Mission Hill area has the standard sushi bar offerings as well as three ways to try omakase.
First, visit the restaurant for a true dine-in experience where you can watch the chef work and learn about each course.
Second, you can book a private “chef-at-home” experience in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Or third, order “omakase to go,” which comes in attractive compostable packaging and is complete with information cards for each piece.
Address: 737 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Website: Laughing Monk Cafe
Basho Japanese Brasserie
Located in the Fenway area of Boston, Basho specializes in modern Japanese sushi with a twist. It’s a sister restaurant to Douzo, also owned by restaurateur Jack Huang.
In Japanese, “basho” means “a place where things happen.” With tons of seating and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s an appropriate name.
Ingredients are flown in each morning from around the world, making the sushi some of the freshest around.
Address: 1338 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215
Website: Basho Japanese Brasserie
Oppa Sushi
Oppa Sushi in Allston is a cozy restaurant with charming vibes and mouthwatering sushi.
Along with classic Japanese sushi and flaming maki rolls, Oppa Sushi is one of the only places in the area that serves Korean-style sashimi. Their signature rolls are creative with a superior taste and texture and there’s plenty of variety, all for a great price.
Address: 185 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA 02134
Website: Oppa Sushi
O Ya
Recognized on several national and global “best of” lists, O Ya in Boston’s Leather District is the place to go for refined sushi and exceptional omakase.
The omakase at O Ya features signature dishes and seasonal specials, and you can even request a full vegetarian menu.
For a more casual experience, you can grab takeout at gogo ya, which was originally located at Time Out Market and now shares space with O Ya. It offers sushi tacos and traditional sushi to go.
Address: 9 East St, Boston, MA 02111
Website: O Ya