15 Top Sushi Restaurants in Seattle

Seattle’s highlight is its seafood, handy in the city’s numerous sushi eateries. Shiro Kashiba, who still makes nigiri at Sushi Kashiba at Pike Place Market, introduced Edomae-style sushi to Seattle over 50 years ago. Sushi has now become a cornerstone of Seattle’s eating scene. If sushi is your thing and you are looking for the top sushi restaurants in Seattle, we’ve got you covered as we shall tour some of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle, showcasing their food, service, and settings.

There are plenty of high-quality local sushi restaurants in Seattle, such as Kisaku Sushi, where rolls are typically under $10.

Still, there are also a handful of inventive restaurants focusing on omakase, or “I leave it up to you,” the sushi equivalent of a tasting menu.

Top Sushi Restaurants in Seattle

As a sushi enthusiast, you may wonder which casual restaurants are genuinely outstanding, and which more expensive destinations are worthwhile.

We have the answers. From monthly takeout to special occasion omakase experiences, here are the Top sushi places in Seattle.

1. SanKai

Ryuichi Nakano, a star sushi chef, established this Edmonds location in 2019, and it has rapidly earned a devoted fanbase.

It now offers a large selection of well-crafted rolls, sashimi, and nigiri for pickup or onsite dining via online preorders. Omakase nigiri and sashimi plates are also available in Nagano.

2. Sushi by Scratch Restaurants

Each meal begins with a cannoli-shaped hand roll that serves as official notice: This 10-seat sushi bar throws tradition out the window (not that there are any windows in this dark, hidden-away spot).

Restaurateur Phillip Frankland Lee received a Michelin star for this concept’s Montecito site.

He understands how to use the natural drama of a sushi bar, whether it’s the speakeasy-style setting or the hallmark dish of eel nigiri bathed in rendered bone marrow.

Lee uses ingredients from his California ancestry, such as poblano chiles and sweet corn, and sourdough breadcrumbs, but the menu is carefully planned. The sushi isn’t for purists, but it holds its own beneath the theater.

3. Sushi Kappo Tamura

In his modern Eastlake dining room, the charismatic Taichi Kitamura lords behind the sushi bar. His extensive understanding of fish also comes in handy.

From sashimi platters to the traditional chef’s omakase, everything exudes seasonal, sustainable quality.

SKT’s cooked dishes are on par with the sushi, particularly the grilled blackish, and chawanmushi, and the sushi menu contains a whole section of vegetarian rolls. These are special occasion­-level meals served on a regular basis.

4. Shiro’s Sushi

Shiro’s Sushi is a legendary sushi restaurant in Seattle, known for its traditional Edomae-style sushi.

With a focus on simplicity and showcasing the natural flavors of the fish, Shiro’s Sushi has earned its reputation as one of the top sushi restaurants in Seattle.

5. Kisaku

There are two terms in quotations on Kisaku’s website: “frank” and “easygoing.” That’s exactly what Kisaku offers, combined with an incredible menu that will have you planning your next visit as soon as you leave.

If you’re looking for some rolled sushi, try their Kisaku roll, which has asparagus, mayo, scallop, crab, and soy paper that wraps flying fish roe.

Alternatively, be vegetarian and tempt fate with the Devil’s Vegetable Roll, which consists of red bell pepper, shiso leaf, deep-fried marinated eggplant, and cucumber.

It’s meatless, but incredibly delicious. Choose one of their two omakase options for a significantly more distinctive experience.

6. Sushi Kashiba

Sushi Kashiba, one of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle, was founded by renowned sushi chef Shiro Kashiba, and offers an exceptional omakase experience.

Located in Pike Place Market, this upscale sushi restaurant features the finest quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship, taking you on a culinary journey through the flavors of Japan.

7. Nishino

In the metropolis, there are more flashy sushi restaurants and omakase.

However, this tranquil, art-and-linen-draped dining room in Madison Park can offer a lineup of flawless nigiri before turning around and serving you dollops of hot salmon tartare with crisped rice or maki that successfully cross-pollinate seared tuna and foie gras.

The menu is extensive, the crowd is primarily loyal regulars, and the buzz isn’t nearly as loud as this circa-1995 establishment deserves.

8. Wataru

Wataru is a hidden gem in Seattle that offers an intimate and traditional sushi experience.

With a small sushi bar and limited seating, Wataru provides personalized attention to each guest. This makes Wataru one of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle.

The omakase menu features the freshest seasonal ingredients and showcases the chef’s skill and precision.

9. Ltd Edition Sushi

Keiji Tsukasaki, a Sushi Kashiba veteran, presides over eight chairs and one incredible omakase hidden in a gigantic apartment complex.

There’s no a la carte here, just the unusual combination of sushi that showcases the chef’s fish expertise and Martha and Snoop’s hosting friendliness.

He serves seasonal treats like aged sea bass and uni from Santa Barbara and Hokkaido, each taste heightened by hits of fresh wasabi root, which languishes on its huge grater like a nightmarish artichoke.

This counter has a lot of talent, yet Ltd. Edition makes high-end sushi feel casual—thanks to some entertaining cocktail pairings.

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10. Maneki

Maneki is a historic Japanese restaurant in Seattle’s International District, dating back to 1904.

It has a reputation for serving delicious sushi alongside other traditional Japanese dishes. With its classic ambiance and warm hospitality, Maneki is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

11. Umi Sake House

When the term sake appears in the name of a restaurant, you expect a large range of the stuff, and the team that runs the Umi Sake House does not disappoint.

Diners can come ready to not only eat some delicious food but also to enhance the meal with some wine for a peaceful evening, with over 60 imported bottles of sake.

The nigiri and sashimi menu may be shorter than at other Seattle sushi restaurants, but don’t let that fool you into believing the entire menu isn’t robust.

When you look at the extensive variety of specialty rolls, your mind will start spinning in the greatest way possible.

12. Oto Sushi

“A taste is worth a thousand words,” according to the Oto Sushi website, and when it comes to sushi, that statement couldn’t be more true.

When you see someone eat a beautiful piece of fish, their smile and intense focus on what they’re tasting tell you everything you should know about the experience. This is precisely what Oto Sushi strives to achieve with each dish.

Oto Sushi, which opened in 2011 after chef Mike Lin spent ten years training under sushi masters, is ready to wow every customer that walks in.

13. Sushi Suzuki

Follow a nearly imperceptible sign down a corridor to uncover a 10-seat sushi bar and a new addition to Seattle’s roster of “that meal just blew my mind” sushi experiences.

Chef Yasutaka Suzuki oversees a kitchen so small that it could be mistaken for someone’s home.

Suzuki controls the temperature of spotless rice to highlight the unique characteristics of a fish, such as luxurious otoro, amberjack, or dazzling iwashi sardine, and enjoys mixing uni with other delicacies such as wagyu or spot prawn.

14. Takai by Kashiba

Shiro Kashiba teamed up with his lifelong disciple, Jun Takai, to create Eastside’s first flagship of serious sushi. Kashiba provided his name and celebrity status, but the food is all the work of Chef Jun.

The omakase at his 10-seat sushi bar contains more courses than that at the dining room, however, both use aged fish in dishes such as octopus karaage or soup.

Drink pairings range from luxurious grower champagne to a very thoughtful N/A tea sequence.

15. Mashiko

Hajime Sato opened the city’s first all-sustainable sushi restaurant in 2009. This little eating room is now owned and operated by three veteran employees, who maintain its vital presence in the community.

The menu, which includes a long list of rolls, combo options, sashimi, and cooked entrees, is a well-researched homage to sustainable seafood.

However, the kitchen has expanded to include additional housemade products and, even better, online reservations. The extensive menu includes a section dedicated to vegan rolls.

Summary

Seattle is a city well-known for its thriving culinary scene, and when it comes to sushi, it doesn’t disappoint.

With its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Seattle boasts an abundance of fresh seafood, making it an ideal destination for sushi lovers.

From traditional sushi bars to contemporary fusion restaurants, Seattle offers a diverse range of sushi experiences. If you seek an exceptional sushi culinary experience, these 15 top sushi restaurants in Seattle won’t disappoint.