Diners' Choice: Sushi restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Sushi cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi Ota - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (648)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Sushi Ota in Mission Bay, San Diego, we look forward to serving you!

**Please call at 858-880-8878 for Sushi Bar reservation**

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Was a commercial fisherman for 5 years, so I know what fresh fish is and Sushi Ota has the freshest fish around and is hands down the best sushi in San Diego

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (1197)

$31 to $50

Sushi

La Jolla

About the restaurant

A sushi bar and Japanese bistro. Inspired by the sushi bars in Tokyo. Himitsu introduces Japanese culture, design, and hospitality to San Diego.

Our 8 person sushi bar and 20 person patio is located in a discrete corner of La Jolla, a setting well suited to our name, which translate to "Secret" in Japanese.

Chef Mitsu Aihara presents a menu of traditional sushi and nigiri, along with Japanese style tapas using the high quality products and ingredients.

Top review

Ken

Dined 1 day ago

The service and food was outstanding. The staff was super friendly and professional. My only concern was that the beverage selection is quite limited. No Chardonnay available and no hard liquors. Very limited wine selection, but an adequate selection of sake and beer.

Discover more

Experience

No Soy Sauce Sunday at Himitsu by Mitsu

Azuki Sushi Lounge

4.7

4.7 (434)

$50 and over

Sushi

Banker's Hill

About the restaurant

Azuki Sushi is in Banker’s Hill, centrally-located in the heart of San Diego. We are within walking distance of Balboa Park, The Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Hillcrest.

We have been providing a modern approach to the rich traditions of Japanese cooking for over 15 years. We pride ourselves in our charming and boutique setting. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for those wishing to indulge in our culinary delights.

As in Japan, the menu is based on the seasons, savoring the peak flavor of the ingredients. Our outstanding chefs deliver the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine, respecting the individual ingredients’ natural flavors.

Top review

FletcherVIP

Dined 1 day ago

It's all about the fish, which is superb. My wife & I usually order the Nigiri chef's selection. Unlike many other sushi restaurants, Azuki's assortment includes all of their best current offerings, which are different every visit. Ours included otoro, uni, king salmon, Japanese barracuda, a slice of giant scallop, bigeye snapper, and a couple of other items. Each included a healthy portion of fish, a modest amount of rice, and sauces or garnishes which were different for each. We asked about sake and were provided with tastes of two. Many of their better sakes are offered in 9-oz carafes for $25-30, as well as bottles. Service was prompt and our sushi chef (we ate at the bar) was engaging. Seats were very comfortable. I downgraded the ambience because even indoors there is a lot of cold wind (even in June in San Diego), and it was a bit unpleasant. The only negative on the food was the salad: for $16, it is a large enough portion to share 4 ways, but the cut & arrangement of the greens makes it very difficult to portion out. We would have preferred if we could have ordered individual smaller salads (the salad itself was delicious, including half a perfect avocado and slices of apple, plus a light but flavorful dressing with toasted sesame oil.

Kai Ola Sushi Carlsbad

4.8

4.8 (22)

$50 and over

Sushi

Oceanside

About the restaurant

California’s best sushi in a laid back, casual atmosphere with Hawaiian vibes.

You will get the freshest, finest, and the best quality sushi at Kai Ola. We serve fresh, unique (as well as traditional) sushi and we take pride in how it tastes. Our chefs prepare top quality creations and we take pride in our work.

Kai Ola is not about the scene. While locals and visitors alike love to dine with us, this is not a fine dining experience. This is about the fish. Sandals, board shorts, and bathing suits are welcome.

Kai Ola has the true Aloha! spirit in everything we do. Please come join us for the best fish and sushi creations you have yet to taste.

Top review

EddieVIP

Dined on May 24, 2025

Once again Kai Ola was absolutely delicious. We like to order appetizers yummy, then Nigiri yummy then a couple of rolls yummy then full. They have a House Blonde Beer that is out of this world. The Service Rocks!

Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

4.7

4.7 (1451)

$30 and under

Sushi

Oceanside

About the restaurant

Please call for reservations of 7+ (760) 453-2738

Founded in 2013 by Davin and Jessica Waite, Wrench & Rodent is a space for culinary exploration and collaboration. This cozy, eclectic restaurant quickly became a destination for those who appreciated Chef Davin’s creative approach to celebrating local and responsibly sourced fish and produce.

In addition to a set sushi menu, Wrench offers an omakase as well as a list of specials that change daily. The team is committed to reducing waste and enhancing flavor by elevating all cuts of fish and veggies, as well as featuring a diverse range of species. Many menu items are simple, fresh and creative, with a lesser-known fish species complimented by ingredients from the backyard garden. Byproduct utilization drives the menu as well, and recent explorations with aging techniques have led to a dry aged fish program. Plant-forward preparations are also celebrated, and a vegan omakase is available upon request.

Top review

Kim

Dined on May 27, 2025

We have always enjoyed eating at Wrench and Rodent but the Waite and Sea and was an amazing experience. Davin has taken sushi to a whole different level. Great to experience the mind behind all the wonderful dishes set before us. He and his wife Jess make a great team!!

Discover more

Experience

Omakase! Wednesday through Sunday

Experience

Waite & Sea - Monday and Tuesday nights

Takaramono sushi

4.8

4.8 (82)

$31 to $50

Sushi

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Welcome to Takaramono Sushi, where tradition meets innovation in every bite. Our intimate space in the heart of the city invites you to experience the artistry of sushi in its purest form. From classic rolls to daring creations, each dish is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Join us for a culinary journey that promises to delight your senses and leave you craving more.

Top review

RaffiVIP

Dined 5 days ago

From the service to the food all amazing! We truly enjoyed dining here.

Kai Ola Sushi Encinitas

4.7

4.7 (10)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Located in the beach town known as Leucadia, Kai Ola is Encinitas, California’s best sushi in a laid-back, casual atmosphere with Hawaiian vibes.

You will get the freshest, finest, and the best quality sushi at Kai Ola. We serve fresh, unique (as well as traditional) sushi and we take pride in how it tastes. Our chefs prepare top quality creations and we take pride in our work.

Kai Ola is not about the scene. While locals and visitors alike love to dine with us, this is not a fine dining experience. This is about the fish. Sandals, board shorts, and bathing suits are welcome.

Kai Ola has the true Aloha! spirit in everything we do. Please come join us for the best fish and sushi creations you have yet to taste.

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Awesome local sushi restaurant on the 101 in Encinitas!

Lumi

4.7

4.7 (753)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

Lumi is an upscale rooftop restaurant and nightlife destination by world-renowned Chef Akira Back, located in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Known for bold Japanese cuisine with Korean influence, Lumi serves inventive dishes like AB Tuna Pizza, colorful sushi rolls, and handcrafted cocktails. Set above 5th Avenue, the space features panoramic city views, vibrant art installations, two rooftop bars, and fire pits that set the tone for stylish dinners and late-night energy. Just steps from Petco Park and the Convention Center, Lumi is ideal for group dining, celebrations, and private events. Whether you're here for dinner, drinks, or a night under the stars, Lumi delivers an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Top review

annVIP

Dined 6 days ago

BEST SUSHI WE HAD HAD IN OUR LIFE We love sushi we 70 and 65-so we have eaten sushi once a week at least for most of our life and around the world it was amazing we went for my birthday celebration

Discover more

4.5

4.5 (51)

$50 and over

Sushi

Coronado

About the restaurant

Marking the continued expansion of The Del’s culinary experiences, Nobu Del Coronado will be the newest addition to the world-renowned Japanese restaurant empire founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro.

Nobu Del Coronado will offer over 3,700 square feet of stunning indoor and al fresco oceanfront dining space, including an outdoor covered patio dining with a pagoda bar and dedicated sushi bar. Nobu Del Coronado will also spotlight Nobu-signature dishes including the iconic Black Miso Cod and Yellowtail Jalapeño, as well as Nobu’s world-renowned sushi, plus locally inspired dishes and cocktails.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined today

Excellent food and vibe! Love it and thanks for a great night.

Cloak + Petal

4.6

4.6 (1061)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Little Italy

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!
Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionship
Our concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.
Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.

Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.

Top review

Ezra

Dined 4 days ago

I really like the happy hour. But overall, the sushi rice was not well done. The fish quality was great though. I probably won’t go back though.

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Diego

Explore more Diners' Choice lists