Discover the Best Sushi in San Diego

San Diego is a city on the Pacific Coast, and it has an unmistakable beachy vibe, attracting surfers, sunbathers, and swimmers year-round. People come to San Diego to experience the ocean, whether they spend time in the seaside neighborhood of Pacific Beach or head to explore the rugged terrain and beautiful views of Point Loma. Thus, it's not surprising diners can find great seafood meals there--whether it's the casual seafood joints of sunset cliffs or the five-star steak and lobster restaurants of cosmopolitan Downtown. Diners who love sushi can find no shortage of great sushi options there. There are tons of eateries serving up unforgettable, fresh Japanese meals. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We've pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Travelers should check out this list to see the spots for the best sushi in San Diego, then book a table for a meal that is enjoyable, impressive, and delicious.

The OpenTable Team

13 Restaurants

Updated 26 February 2020

Restaurants:	Himitsu, Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub, Shimbashi Izakaya…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Sushi, Japanese…
Neighborhoods:	La Jolla, Oceanside, Del Mar…

Himitsu

$$$$

Sushi

La Jolla

4.9

750 reviews

Located in La Jolla, Himitsu calls itself a bistro. The name means secret, and this fits because you have to know about Himitsu in order to find it. The restaurant consists of a tiny 8-person sushi bar and 20-person outdoor patio sits in a quiet corner of peaceful La Jolla, and it offers diners both a traditional menu of sushi and nigiri, as well as less-traditional Japanese tapas. Enjoy the food at Himitsu in the intimate atmosphere, or order from the sake menu or wine list, which features natural wines and Japanese beers. The minimalist interior compliments the restaurants focus on the flavor of its food above all else.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

$$$$

Sushi

Oceanside

4.7

1142 reviews

Its name might not let on what the restaurant is actually all about, but Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub is a sushi restaurant that focuses on local fisherman and growers when making its sushi. Wrench and Rodent provides a casual dining experience with a menu that is innovative and packed with exciting flavors. As many ingredients as possible are locally sourced on the Wrench and Rodent menu, and the restaurant takes many steps to minimize waste post-meals. In addition to traditional sushi plates and meals, the restaurant also features what the call "Unorthodox Nigiri and Sashimi," which includes sea bream with smoked soy and lemon oil and wahoo with smoky apricot sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Shimbashi Izakaya

$$$$

Japanese

Del Mar

4.7

824 reviews

Shimbashi Izakaya is an izakaya that is in Del Mar, and diners say it has some of the best sushi in San Diego. While the restaurant has excellent sushi, they are also well known for its seasonal tapas, which changes depending on what ingredients are fresh locally. The restaurant has a menu of traditional rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. They also tout a selection of specialty rolls, which includes options like the house Shimbashi roll, which is King crab tempura, cucumber asparagus topped with seared albacore, green onion, garlic oil, ponzu, spicy mayo, sesame seeds, and grated daikon radish. Head to Shimbashi for a balance of sushi options and warm entrees. People also rave about the noodle dishes and soups available here.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Nobu San Diego

$$$$

Cocktail Bar

Downtown / Gaslamp

4.5

3274 reviews

Also located in the Gaslamp District is Nobu San Diego. Like Nobu locations all over the world, Nobu San Diego offers an upscale fine dining sushi experience with a classy atmosphere and unforgettable food. The menu at Nobu has cold and warm appetizers, as well as entree-sized hot dishes. The restaurant also has a large sushi menu, including sushi, sashimi, and classic rolls, which can come in a hand roll or cut roll. For diners who are feeling adventurous, Nobu offers a popular Omakase option. When ordered, Chef Matsuhisa serves up multiple tasting courses of his choosing.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Cannonball

$$$$

Sushi

Mission Bay

4.7

716 reviews

For sushi with a view, there's Cannonball, a rooftop sushi spot with unbeatable views of the ocean. (In fact, Cannonball is San Diego's largest ocean top rooftop!) The menu at Cannonball is small. It offers a handful of nigiri options and a couple of rolls. In addition to sushi, the restaurant also has entrees like burgers and tacos, as well as a raw bar. Cannonball is summery and fun, and the casual but scenic atmosphere makes it a good choice for a celebratory meal or simply a fun dining option by the beach.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Gyu-Kaku - San Diego, CA

$$$$

Japanese

Scripps Ranch

4.5

993 reviews

At Gyu-Kaku San Diego, diners can cook various meats and vegetables at a grill in the middle of their table. For those with a hankering for sushi, Gyu-Kaku offers other Japanese options like seaweed salad, shumai, spicy cold tofu, and more. While not technically a sushi place, Gyu-Kaku San Diego offers many beloved sushi restaurant options, like chicken teriyaki, miso soup, and gyoza. Looking for rare options? Choose a high quality of beef and enjoy on the rare side (after all, diners are in control of the temp!) Gyu-Kaku is in a convenient location, at Scripps Ranch.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Benihana - San Diego, CA

$$$$

Japanese

Mission Valley

4.3

5987 reviews

Benihana is a worldwide chain for sushi and steak (as well as hibachi). The location in San Diego offers up an extensive sushi menu, which diners can enjoy alongside their companions at a Teppanyaki, or communal dining, table. The sushi selection at Benihana - San Diego is small. Choose from a menu of rolls that includes shrimp tempura, eel, California, tuna, yellowtail, salmon, and cucumber rolls. Benihana San Diego is in University Heights.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Benihana - Carlsbad, CA

$$$$

Japanese

Carlsbad

3.7

3052 reviews

The Carlsbad location of Benihana offers diners the option to eat hibachi menu items at communal teppanyaki tables or to order a la carte in the lounge area. For diners who want sushi instead of hibachi items, there is a selection of several sushi rolls. Benihana - Carlsbad offers multiple sushi dinner options, including sushi sashimi combo dinner, a sashimi combo dinner, one tuna roll with nigiri, or one California Roll with nigiri. In the lounge, diners can also select specialty rolls like the Chil Shrimp Roll, which is crab, cream cheese and seaweed tempura in a spicy chili sauce, topped with spicy crab†and shrimp. Enjoy a sake alongside sushi, since the restaurant has a good selection of different sakes served hot or cold. Benihana is festive and kid-friendly, so it is a dining spot that is appropriate for the whole family.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill

$$$$

Seafood

La Mesa

4.6

243 reviews

For the best sushi in La Mesa, diners head to Banbu Sushi Bar and Grill. This restaurant has beautiful outdoor dining options with firepits, so head here on a nice night, no matter the season. Banbu's menu includes traditional Japanese starters like agedashi tofu and vegetable tempura, and it also has noodles and salads. In terms of sushi, the restaurant serves traditional rolls like spicy tuna, veggie, California, and shrimp tempura. They also have specialty rolls including the banbu sushi burrito, which is shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, cream cheese, cucumber, sprouts, and green leaf lettuce rolled in soy paper, or the Melrose Roll, which has salmon, avocado, and cream cheese, tempura fried and then served with spicy crab salad, diced shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, and eel sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

King's Fish House - Mission Valley

$$$$

Seafood

Mission Valley

4.5

1861 reviews

Mission Valley's most popular sushi option is King's Fish House, a seafood restaurant that has cooked fish classics in addition to sushi. Diners can order grilled seafood and meat if they are looking for something well done. For raw fish fare, they can look at the sushi menu, which has choices like California rolls, albacore tataki rolls, and lobster crunchy rolls. King's Fish House is casual and bustling, so it is a good option for a welcoming, low key meal. It also has an extensive menu with options like sandwiches, salads, and more, so it can be a great place to go with picky eaters in tow.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Cloak + Petal

$$$$

Sushi

Little Italy

4.4

625 reviews

Cloak + Petal calls itself a place of "intimacy and companionship." This restaurant offers spaces for diners to gather together at long communal tables, or to find a private nook to enjoy a romantic date. The interior of Cloak + Petal is striking, with tall flowering trees lining the bar and colorful local art on the walls and ceilings. The food is no less striking, especially the sushi which is some of the best sushi in San Diego, and artfully prepared and served. They have classic rolls here, so diners looking for the traditional fare won't be disappointed. They also have innovative sushi options, including the La Jolla Pkwy Roll, which is jalapeno, spicy tuna, cilantro, yellowtail, garlic and avocado; or the Cesar Chavez and main street roll, which is shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, peppered tuna, charred jalapeno, ponzu, pickled cabbage, sesame, cilantro, and habanero.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

JRDN Restaurant

$$$$

Californian

Pacific Beach

4.6

2156 reviews

JRDN is a beloved spot in Pacific Beach for sushi. The rolls at JRDN are innovative and unique. Find options like the lobster roll (featuring tempura fried spicy lobster), and the JRDN two-point "oh" (which is spicy tuna and yellow tale with seared tuna, yamagobo and serrano pepper). JRDN is light and airy inside, and because it is inside the Tower23 Hotel, it is welcoming for any age of guest (or any attire). They serve breakfast on weekdays, and lunch and dinner daily.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana

$$$$

Seafood

Del Mar

4.6

1088 reviews

Another spot in Del Mar serving some of the best sushi in San Diego is Del Mar. This restaurant is an Italian cafe and sushi bar combined, so pair a delicious plate of pasta with sashimi, nigiri, or rolls. The most popular sushi items on the menu are the "House Specialties," which include three rolls: the creamy shrimp, the crispy rice, and the Seasalt Plateau Royal, which is a combination of California roll topped with tuna and salmon and mango sauce, salmon nigiri, tuna sashimi gunkan, and spicy yellowtail. The restaurant offers waterfront patio seating, so choose it for a spectacular view or a meal in the sunshine.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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