Houstonians cannot seem to get enough of sushi—whether it’s from the sushi counter at their neighborhood H-E-B or at the countless Japanese restaurants around town. When deciding where to dine for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour, it’s no doubt that sushi is a popular pick for many. The city has seen a wave of openings in the last decade, with chefs taking creative liberties to showcase fresh fish, dynamic rolls, and robust sake lists that rival some wine bars.
When mapping out your next sushi outing, consider this list that will satisfy purists, as well as guide those looking to explore some exciting newcomers.
Kata Robata
Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi is the master behind this modern Japanese restaurant in Upper Kirby. Fresh fish is flown in from Japan for the sushi and sashimi, and high-quality meats are cooked on the robata. Starters include pork belly and fresh papaya and foie gras and duck chawanmushi, while on the robata side, guests will find grilled oyster mushrooms and Texas kobe beef skewers. The sushi selection is extensive, but sushi bar samplers make ordering a cinch. On date night, try the chef’s sashimi for two, or splurge on chef Hori’s premium omakase at market value. 3600 Kirby Dr., Houston, katarobata.com
Tobiuo
Not all of the best sushi spots are in Houston proper. This Japanese eatery, located at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch, is headed by chef-owner Sherman Yeung, whose resume includes Uchi and Yauatcha. The environment is more relaxed than some of the inner-loop restaurants, giving it kind of an izakaya feel. Guests can start out with simple items like gyoza and shishito peppers, before tackling the plentiful nigiri and sashimi choices. If rolls are more your speed, try the truffle toro trio, which is fragrant and buttery. In addition to wine, sake, beer, and Japanese whiskey, there are cocktails like a smoked Japanese old fashioned and lychee cosmopolitan. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Houston, tobiuosushibar.com
Katami
Katami is the sister concept of Kata Robata from chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi and partners, Yun Cheng and Ryan Snyder. The restaurant, located in the Harlow District in Montrose is what chef Hori believes is the future of Japanese cuisine in America. Open for dinner service only, Katami offers a lengthy menu of plates like Texas wagyu beef salad, madai carpaccio, bone marrow with a kick from smoked char roe, alongside fresh sushi and sashimi. The Japanese-style shaved ice, with ice brought in from Kanazawa, Japan, is not to be missed. 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston, katamihouston.com
Uchi
Founded in Austin by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, Uchi landed in Houston in 2012 and remains a hot spot for modern Japanese dining in the city. The menu offers both hot and cool tastings, with standouts including hama chili and the indulgent A5 hot rock. Some of the more interesting bites include the sake ringo; and salmon maki with trinity herbs, apple, and Thai basil aioli. For something truly special, the omakase is an exclusive 10-course tasting that can be customized for vegetarian diners. And for something even more involved, check out Uchi’s sister concept, Oheya, next door. The intimate, reservation-only restaurant is limited to a 12-seat counter and features collaborations with Hai Hospitality chefs from around the country, giving diners something new to look forward to every time. 904 Westheimer Rd., Houston, uchirestaurants.com
MF Sushi
At this time-honored Museum District restaurant, helmed by chef Chris Kinjo, watching the chefs at work from across the flush sushi bar is part of the culinary adventure. Start with a Japanese old fashioned or shiso mojito, then mix and match maki like spicy tuna and eel from the a la carte menu. Or, opt for the “chef’s choice” nigiri or sashimi platters for some interesting variety. For those who opt to go all out for the omakase, the experience is one that will not soon be forgotten, and at $250 per person, it is a hefty splurge.1401 Binz St., Houston, mfsushi.com
Uchiko
Uchi’s sister concept in the Galleria area features sushi preparations that often get a kiss of smoke and char from the flaming hearth. The restaurant’s contemporary design, with handcrafted banquettes and mid-century style furniture, echoes the modern approach to Japanese cuisine. Led by chef de cuisine, Shaun King, and head sushi chef, Vicki Rodpai, guests will find cool tastings like sake crudo and koji-cured salmon with truffle ponzu and kiwi. Hot tastings include rock shrimp, roasted oyster, and cod katsu with charred cabbage beurre blanc and smoked trout roe. 1801 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, uchirestaurants.com
Hachi
This newcomer, quietly located in a corner of Galleria Park II, offers a fine dining experience set in a sleek and sexy space. Its 18-course omakase is extravagant and a splurge at $250, while its seasonally-driven kaiseki is a bit less at $165. If you’re ordering a la carte, standout cold plates include a bluefin tuna flight showcasing four different cuts, while some of the signature maki include aburi hamachi, yuzu salmon, and lobster smoked caviar. Cocktails like the lychee martini garnished with a slice of dragonfruit, serve as exciting pairings, but there is also an impressive sake list. Visit during lunch, when reasonably priced sushi lunch sets are on offer for $22 to $34. 5333 Westheimer Rd., Houston, hachihouston.com
Soto
This Austin import from Andy Chen arrived in Houston in 2021. Its use of fresh seafood flown in from Japan’s fish markets is a big draw for sushi aficionados. For those who prefer to leave it up to the chef, there is an omakase for $150 and a premium option for $250, while the regular menu features cold dishes like chili hamachi and jalapeno toro and ample nigiri and maki. Lunch specials are available daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there is a dedicated vegetarian menu as well. 224 Westheimer Rd., Houston, sotohouston.com
Kokoro
From Duckstache Hospitality’s chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, this restaurant has a counter inside the Bravery Chef Hall in Downtown. There is a variety of sushi sets, in which diners can mix and match maki and nigiri, plus daily specials like hotate serrano, a refreshing scallop dish with oranges, peppers, mint, and ponzu. Five-piece maki plates are available with hamachi, negitoro, and unagi. Check out Kokoro’s new Woodlands location, which is dedicated to hand rolls. 409 Travis St., Houston, kokoro.com
Aiko
From Duckstache Hospitality, this restaurant on the quiet end of Washington Avenue near Downtown has table service and a seasonal menu. A small, intimate bar greets guests upon arrival, while the dining room and sushi bar are tucked behind a set of green curtains. The chefs are always creating something new for the rotating menu, but there are core favorites like muki hotate and beautiful kanpachi. It’s worth noting Aiko has a full bar and offers various reasonably-priced omakase options, ranging from $45 during social hour to $125 during dinner. 1902 Washington Ave., Houston, aikohtx.com
Soma Sushi
Helmed by chef Omi Higa, this Washington Avenue sushi spot has been around since the late aughts and has seen a few changes since. One constant is its Crazy Irishman roll, a spicy concoction of salmon, tuna, and avocado, topped with masago. The Soma sashimi bowl packs a selection of sashimi chosen by the chef over ice and is large enough for two to share. While the premium fish is Soma’s main draw, it is also known for its ramen and happy hour bargains like $5 lychee martinis every Tuesday. 4820 Washington Ave., Houston, somasushi.com
Hidden Omakase
This Michelin-recommended restaurant is located beyond the doors of a mock comic book shop in the Galleria area. Once inside, a sushi counter limited to only 18 people makes up the bulk of the dining room, and it is where the restaurant’s 15-course omakase experience ensues. Led by chef Marco Juarez, guests are treated to a truly immersive experience, which can last more than two hours. With only two seatings per evening that the restaurant is open, reservations can be hard to come by. The restaurant has a BYOB policy, so come prepared. 5353 W. Alabama St., Houston, hiddenomakase.com
Azumi
Part of the Atlas Restaurant Group, this modern Japanese restaurant made its Houston debut at River Oaks District in 2024. Led by executive chef Timur Fazilov, the menu is focused on sushi that fuses elements from other cuisines. The well-appointed dining room features a sushi counter, dedicated bar area, and two covered patios. Some of the most popular items include the flaming king crab roll and the ever-popular miso black cod. The Toyosu nigiri flight offers nine assorted pieces chosen by the chef, while the Azumi Royal Platter is a shareable feast of a dozen nigiri and sashimi, plus three maki rolls. Azumi is one of the few places that has daily happy hour, offered from 3 to 6 p.m. in the bar and patio, with specials like $9 lychee martinis and $2 oysters. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, azumirestaurant.com
Oishii
This family-owned restaurant isn’t fancy, but it has a loyal clientele that keeps its small dining room packed on most days. Regulars come for the reasonable prices, good portion sizes, and the killer BOGO happy hour. The massive menu runs the gamut from sushi and sashimi to teriyaki and nabemono. A good option to try a little of everything is the sashimi plate, which boasts a whopping 32 pieces, or the sushi plate that has 24 assorted bites. Most of the hand rolls are $5 or less, and wine, beer, and sake keep guests lingering around. 3764 Richmond Ave., Houston, oishiihouston.com
Nobu Houston
With dozens of locations across five continents, this Japanese restaurant from chef Nobu Matsuhisa and renowned actor Robert de Niro, is well regarded and recognized by locals and visitors alike. While its famous miso black cod is raved about, its sushi is the star of the show. Get a festive start with a quail egg-topped uni shooter and the signature crispy rice with spicy tuna. The tiradito is inspired by the flavors of Peru, with thinly-sliced fish in a citrus-based sauce, topped with cilantro and rocoto. Nobu’s Tanoshi Hour, offered from 5 to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge, is one of the best times to visit during which there are deals on items like whitefish dry miso and black cod butter lettuce. 5115 Westheimer Rd., Houston, noburestaurants.com
Aya Sushi
The kitchen at this Bellaire restaurant is led by the rambunctious Tokyo-trained chef Yoshi Katsuyama, whose Houston resume includes both Uchi and Soto. Katsuyama’s menu is filled with delights like salmon tataki and pinch pinch, a specialty maki made with soft shell crab and lobster. Daily selections vary, but may include nigiri and sashimi bites such as boquerones and BGB king salmon. Lunch specials and happy hour bites are a great deal at Aya, but guests can also go big and opt for the omakase where Katsuyama’s culinary talent is on full display. The restaurant’s sushi gets rave reviews, but its bar program is equally impressive with sake flights and attractive cocktails. It has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for its wine program for the three years that it has been open. 5407 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, ayasushi.com
