Sushi in Nashville is a THING. Here’s Your Guide.
Nashville’s sushi scene has officially leveled up, from longtime Midtown staples to intimate omakase counters and boundary-pushing newcomers. Here’s where to get truly excellent sushi in Nashville right now. Image: Sushi by Boū
Yes, Nashville is landlocked. And if you’ve been here 10+ years, you know this deep in your bones — good sushi used to be hard to come by.
There were a few groundbreakers. A few “this will do” spots. A lot of polite nodding and lowered expectations. A lot of “it’s fried, but it’s still wrapped in seaweed, so it will suffice.”
And then … we kinda grew up.
Somewhere between our city becoming famous for hot chicken and Nashville’s MICHELIN chefs earning their stars, the sushi scene quietly leveled up. We’re talking thoughtful cuts of pristine fish flown in daily, global techniques, and chefs who care deeply about the kind of rice they’re using. (Yes, the RICE.)
This is an ode to that shift, and a guide to where to get truly excellent sushi in Nashville right now.
The Trailblazers
Let’s start with the OG spots that helped jumpstart our expectations, where we still go when we want the classics and some nostalgia. These are the restaurants that carried the torch before sushi was cool here. They set the bar, built the followings, and quietly raised our standards.
Sonobana
Neighborhood: West Nashville
More Info: sonobananashville.com
If you ask around for favorite sushi spots, Sonobana comes up fast and often. It’s a classic, longtime local option located in a strip mall on White Bridge, and while it skews more traditional, it still deserves a mention. Several SB team members swear by it, and a local interior designer friend of mine has been loyal for years. The nigiri is the star here: clean cuts, balanced rice, no unnecessary theatrics.
As a side note, there’s also a Japanese market attached, where you can pick up everything from chopsticks to miso paste and fresh seafood.
Virago
Neighborhood: The Gulch
More Info: viragonashville.com
Since 2000, Virago has been serving sleek, confident Japanese cuisine in a space that felt like a downtown secret. It’s still a go-to for consistency, clean flavors, and an experience that feels intentional without feeling stiff. If you’re introducing someone to “Nashville sushi,” this is the OG.
Samurai Sushi
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: Instagram
Samurai is part of Nashville’s sushi origin story. A mainstay for over three decades, it existed in its original Elliston Place location until 2024, until it moved to its current location. Owner and chef Young Yun Choo trained in New York before taking over the restaurant in 1999, and his following is loyal.
Peter’s Sushi and Thai
Neighborhood: Brentwood
More Info: petersushi.com
This is a Brentwood staple that locals guard protectively. Opened in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Peter and Day Jarupat, the restaurant blends Peter’s deep sushi training with Day’s traditional Thai cooking. The result? Generous portions, bright flavors, and that perfect sushi-meets-Thai balance. It’s not flashy; it’s just good. Oh, and several of our SB team members were quick to call this out as a favorite go-to spot!
Nashville’s Omakase Era
At some point, the Nashville food scene collectively decided we deserved chefs placing courses directly in front of us, with a story for every dish. And honestly? Well-played. Omakase is a chance to experiment in the best possible way, and it’s worth the slow, extended dine.
Kase x Noko
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: kasexnoko.com
Kase x Noko, attached to Noko (and very subtly marked), offers an intimate, chef-driven experience with a thoughtful mid-range omakase that feels both experimental and accessible. The 14-seat counter offers a thoughtful 14-course tasting for $75, with globally sourced seafood and a stellar sake program.
This is for diners who trust the process, surrender control, and love being surprised. It’s also one of the most difficult reservations in town to secure, with reservations released every night at midnight, six weeks in advance.
Sushi | Bar
Neighborhood: The Gulch
More Info: sushibarhospitality.com
If you want the whole theatrical experience, Sushi | Bar delivers. Omakase-only, intimate, precise, and borderline reverent. This is sushi as storytelling. It’s not casual. It’s not quick. It’s absolutely worth it when you want to be reminded that fish can be art.
As Tailor’s Chef Vivek Surti recently told me, this place is “sushi on another level.” Our StyleBlueprint Sales Operations Manager, Sarah Finklea, adds, “Sushi | Bar is all the pomp and circumstance with quality fish.”
Sushi by Boū
Neighborhood: Downtown/Printer’s Alley
More Info: sushibybou.com
Located in the Dream Hotel, Sushi by Boū leans into the elevated, presentation-forward side of omakase, where every course feels like a reveal. The Edomae-style tastings range from a refined 12-course progression to the ultra-indulgent Reserve, complete with decadent upgrades. It’s polished, interactive, and ideal for diners who enjoy direct dialogue with the chef.
Also, who doesn’t want to try a decadent 17-course lineup called the “Bougie Omakase?”
The Modern Crowd-Pleasers
Sometimes you want great sushi without committing to a three-hour, hushed experience. Nashville gets that, too.
Sushi-san
Neighborhood: 12 South
More Info: sushisanrestaurant.com
Sushi-san brings a high-energy, Tokyo-meets-Chicago vibe that works beautifully in Nashville. It’s fun, loud, stylish, and still delivers on quality. Ideal for group dinners and date nights, Sushi-san flies fresh fish in daily and offers an impressive array of presentations. But they also offer fabulous veggie and rice dishes, so there’s plenty for the non-sushi crowd, too.
O-Ku
Neighborhood: Germantown
More Info: o-kusushi.com
O-Ku has mastered the art of polished consistency, with strong sourcing, clean technique, and a menu that comfortably spans traditional and inventive. It’s equally suited for business dinners and friend catch-ups — reliable without being boring, elevated without being aloof.
You can look forward to cheeky rolls with names like Nashvegas, Tennessee Two Step, and Titan Up. They also have a multi-course omakase menu with an optional sake pairing.
888
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: 888nashville.com
888 is sushi with a soundtrack. Intimate and just a little indulgent, the sound system competes with the flavors in the best way. You’ll find nigiri, sashimi, classic rolls, hand rolls, and signature rolls, and you can even add on freshly grated wasabi or a caviar bump. Plus, they offer a deep selection of sakes and Japanese whiskies.
Sushi Row
Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston
More Info: sushi-row.com
A newcomer to Wedgewood-Houston, Sushi Row feels like being in an underground spot. With roots in Colorado Springs, Sushi Row is chef-driven, seasonal, and delicious. If you like feeling like you’re in an off-the-beaten-path “in the know” spot, give this one a try.
Other Spots Worth Your Chopsticks
Because a good sushi city isn’t built on a handful of names, or even restaurants that only serve sushi, here are a few more deserving nods. And some of them might surprise you!
Bite-a-Bit
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: biteabitnashville.com
Bite a Bit is that effortlessly cool neighborhood spot that just happens to do a lot very well. The menu runs deep, from Thai favorites to a full slate of sushi, including seared tuna with garlic ponzu, salmon poke, soft shell crab, and plenty of creative rolls. It’s relaxed, reliable, and worth returning to.
Maru Sushi & Grill
Neighborhood: East Nashville, The Nations, Wedgewood-Houston, Murfreesboro
More Info: Instagram
With four locations around the city, Maru has quietly become a dependable sushi staple. The menu balances inventive specialty rolls with classic nigiri and sashimi, keeping both newcomers and purists happy. It offers fresh fish, approachable energy, and just enough creativity to keep things interesting.
Bricktop’s
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: bricktops.com
Yes, Bricktop’s. While better known for its upscale comfort fare, its sushi program consistently surprises people who assume otherwise. The bar offers a sushi-centric menu with my personal favorites, the Butter Crab (warm crab in soy paper, served with ponzu butter) and the Firecracker roll (Spicy tuna, lump crab, avocado, spicy mayo, and jalapeño). This restaurant may not headline the sushi conversation, but it absolutely belongs in it.
Halls Catch
Neighborhood: Midtown
More Info: hallscatchnashville.com
Halls Catch earns its place here on sheer seafood confidence. A favorite of our Founder and CEO, Liza Graves, it offers nightly sushi and crudo alongside raw starters such as yellowfin tuna, hamachi, and oysters. The signature rolls round things out nicely. Plus, if you feel like venturing outside of the sushi zone, you can find everything from a lobster roll to a cheeseburger and a Wagyu filet.
Koshō by Tabu
Neighborhood: Sobro
More Info: koshobytabu.com
Koshō by Tabu is what happens when you want options. There’s shabu shabu, dumplings, yakitori, bao, and more to tempt the table. But sushi lovers aren’t left out. Expect crudo, clean slices of hamachi, unagi on crispy rice, and a small but mighty selection of hand rolls.
Noko
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: nokonashville.com
Is Noko a “sushi” restaurant? Not exactly. Is the fish program phenomenal? Absolutely. Noko’s carpaccios, crudos, and Japanese influences earn it a seat at the sushi table. Every bite feels thoughtfully layered and globally fluent. And the spicy tuna on crispy rice is a fan favorite!
The Henry
Neighborhood: 12 South
More Info: thehenryrestaurant.com
Word on the street is that The Henry’s sushi menu is a bit of a scene-stealer. While the broader menu runs from crab cakes to braised short rib, the dedicated sushi lineup holds its own. Think spicy tuna with crispy rice, pressed yellowtail with yuzu marmalade, and a polished rainbow roll. It’s concise, intentional, and far from an afterthought.
Eat up, Nashville!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.