Where to Get the Best Sushi in Atlanta
Get your chopsticks ready for a tour of the best sushi Atlanta has to offer! We're sharing seven of our favorite spots, and you're in for a treat. Image: O-Ku Atlanta
From intricate omakase experiences to innovative rolls and fresh sashimi offerings, Atlantans know their sushi and the best sushi spots around the city are ready to meet their expectations. Though it was difficult to narrow down our list, we selected eight of our favorite destinations (in no particular order) throughout metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Get your chopsticks ready for the best sushi Atlanta has to offer!
Your Guide to the Best Sushi in Atlanta
Omakase Table
Neighborhood: West Midtown
More info: omakasetableatl.com
Omakase Table began as a pop-up located inside Silom Thai & Sushi Bar before moving to Brush Sushi Izakaya. With its growing popularity, it opened a brick-and-mortar location in West Midtown this past fall. The intimate eatery serves a 20-course omakase experience led by Chef Leonard Yu. Gorgeous nigiri and small dishes are meticulously prepared, each one highlighting seasonality.
Umi
Neighborhood: Buckhead
More info: umiatlanta.com
Often referred to as Atlanta’s “see-and-be-seen” sushi spot, Umi offers a unique sushi experience in a sleek setting. Can’t-miss dishes include the yellowtail sashimi adorned with sliced jalapeño and the decadent lobster tempura roll. The omakase experience is also worth mentioning, especially if you want to splurge.
MF Sushi
Neighborhood: Inman Park
More info: mfsushiusa.com
MF Sushi is the brainchild of sushi chef Chris Kinjo and his brother Alex. MF stands for “magic fingers,” and after just one visit, you’ll see why. MF honors traditional Japanese techniques, and the eatery also sources fish from the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. This guarantees that the sashimi, nigiri, and rolls are of the highest quality. We recommend the addictive o-toro — super fatty tuna with serrano pepper, dijon mustard, caviar, and truffle soy.
O-Ku
Neighborhood: West Midtown
More info:o-kusushi.com
Midtown’s O-Ku provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi. The signature nigiri menu features options such as soy-brushed salmon topped with caviar and smoked yellow tail tuna with garlic ponzu. Popular specialty rolls include fresh favorites like the “Follow The Yellow Brick Roll,” which consists of paper-thin sliced lemon, salmon, tempura crab, cucumber, and masago aioli. Plan a visit during Happy Hour, which runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., where you can get five of their famed sushi rolls at half price.
Sushi Hayakawa
Neighborhood: Buford Highway
More info: hayakawaatl.com
Perhaps surprisingly, the most luxurious prix fixe menu in Atlanta is not found at a fine dining restaurant in Buckhead but in the corner of an unassuming strip mall on Buford Highway. Sushi Hayakawa is known as a sushi purist’s dream. At $185 a person, you receive 14 courses driven by both the market and the season. Chef Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa guides only two lucky diners each night through the hours-long experience, presenting curated dishes such as nigiri dressed with one of his tailored soy sauces.
Nakato
Neighborhood: Morningside
More info: nakatorestaurant.com
First opened in 1972, Nakato is considered Atlanta’s oldest Japanese restaurant. In the 1970s, most Atlantans were horrified by the thought of consuming raw fish. Today, the restaurant receives multiple fresh fish deliveries from Japan weekly and offers a variety of both traditional and adventurous sushi options.
Eight Sushi Lounge
Neighborhood: West Midtown
More info: eightsushiatl.com
The sushi menu at Eight Sushi Lounge offers unlikely twists on your run-of-the-mill sushi, highlighting a fusion of flavors and textures from different countries. Examples include sushi “bruschettas” topped with various toppings, a spicy tuna Eggs Benedict with quail egg, and brightly-hued sushi-style ceviche. Another detail worth mentioning is the sushi restaurant’s 30 house-made sauces.
Brush Sushi
Neighborhood: Buckhead
More info: brushatl.com
Brush Sushi, a new spot offering a detailed, chef-driven sushi omakase experience, is now open in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead Village. The extensive menu features a variety of shareable dishes, all focused on seasonal ingredients and detailed preparation. Their cocktail menu is also not to be missed — highlights include the “Mr. Miyagi” with sesame vodka, ginger, wasabi, and lime. They also offer housemade kombucha, with their ginger version made from the liquid left behind from the pickled ginger served alongside the sushi dishes.
Mujō
Neighborhood: Midtown
More info: mujoatl.com
Mujō is an edomae-style sushi restaurant, meaning that the fish is explicitly caught from Tokyo Bay and is often cured before serving. Mujō is an omakase-only tasting menu experience where guests can expect a series of small plates followed by a progression of seasonal nigiri. The tasting menu price is $225 per person, with optional beverage pairings available for an additional fee.
Now, when you find yourself craving sushi, you have fabulous places from which to choose! Enjoy.
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Anne Henley Walker
Anne Henley is a University of Georgia graduate (Go Dawgs!) currently based in Atlanta. She's perpetually on the hunt for her new favorite restaurant.