Listen up sushi lovers! You know that Miami’s sushi scene does not disappoint. There’s plenty of options to choose from, from the highest quality sushi to authentic Japanese cuisine and Latin fusions. Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional roll or something a bit more adventurous, we’ve got you covered.
Grab your chopsticks and prepare to let the good times roll!
1. Chotto Matte, Miami Beach
You really don’t see Japanese cherry blossoms in Miami, but this Lincoln Road restaurant tells a different story. Helmed by renowned restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, Chotto Matte blends Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions to celebrate the very best of innovative cuisine. The elaborate menu includes a wide selection of à la carte shareables for the entire table to enjoy such as their dragon roll filled with shrimp tempura, salmon, avocado, and unagi sauce, as well as their Wagyu foie gras Gunkan with A5 sirloin.
Find it at 1666 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach, FL
2. Negroni, Midtown
As we all know, Negronis are timeless, refreshing Italian cocktails. This bistro named after the drink not only serves them, but it also features a number of international foods on their menu. And heading on over to their nikkei sushi bar, they offer a special selection of rolls, nigris, and more. A brunch menu staple is their avocado maki, a roll of grilled salmon and cream cheese topped with avocado, sweet chili sauce, and crispy coconut. For a premium selection, order Maki huancaino with fried breaded shrimps, cucumbers, covered with tuna and unagi sauce.
Find it at 3201 Buena Vista Blvd, Miami, FL
3. Wabi Sabi Miami, Upper Eastside
Of course, we’re not going to bring you a list that doesn’t feature authentic Japanese food, so here’s one that offers a fresh, high quality selection of sushi and donburi that come in plates resembling works of art. In fact, works of art just like the decorative colorful origami cranes all over their wall. From traditional rolls to hand rolls, omakase platters, vegetarian bites, and even private dining experiences, there’s truly something for everyone at Wabi Sabi.
Find it at 851 NE 79th St., Miami, FL
4. Moshi Moshi, multiple locations
In Japanese, “moshi moshi” is a casual greeting used when picking up the phone, and we can’t think of a more welcoming sushi restaurant than this neon-lit, late night sushi spot. They serve traditional Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, fried rice, ramen and teriyaki. And in multicultural Miami fashion, they also have homemade ceviches and tiraditos. With a 24-hour menu, you can count on them whenever you have a sushi craving.
They have three locations: Brickell, the MiMo District, and South Beach.
5. KAE Sushi, Coral Gables
Take a walk down Giralda Avenue where you’ll come across Chef Efra Landa’s KAE Sushi. This is not only a Japanese restaurant, it fuses Peruvian and other exotic flavors that will delight any palate. Chef’s recommendations include their toro & caviar roll, with nori, avocado, shrimp tempura, toro, truffle caviar, ahi amarillo, and yuzu ponzu; a sashimi platter with 4 pieces of raw salmon, tuna, and hamachi; as well as a 5-piece guava roll, including nori, tempura shrimp, scallions, guava, cream cheese, and eel sauce.
Find it at 143 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL
6. Kosushi, Miami Beach
Located in South Beach’s affluent South Pointe neighborhood, this hotspot is known for its authentic yet contemporary take on traditional Japanese cuisine with Brazilian flavors created by 5x Michelin Star Award-winning Chef George Koshoji. For all salmon lovers out there, try the salmon truffle maki filled with whitefish, salmon, avocado, truffle dressing, and micro greens. This dish goes great paired with their selection of sakis such as the Joto nigori sake.
Find it at 801 South Pointe Dr, Miami Beach, FL
7. Makoto, Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour Shops is not your average mall and Makoto is not your average Japanese cuisine. Named for Iron Chef Makoto Okuwa, this sleek, modern restaurant presents innovative 21st-century takes on Asian classics. Perfect for a romantic date, special occasion or lunch with friends, Makoto sits up to 200 people in an elegant dining room and patio while highlighting its main attractions — the sushi bar, selections of sake, and bincho-charcoal robata grill.
Find it at 9700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
8. KAO Sushi & Grill, Coral Gables
A true miracle located on Miracle Mile, KAO will satisfy your taste buds with its light full flavors of Japanese food infused with warm Peruvian touches. Take a seat in this modern yet chic setting, and bask in the creative presentations of each plate. We recommend their colorful volcano roll, which includes rice, seaweed, krab with spicy mayonnaise and eel sauce, avocado, sesame seeds, togarashi, and tempura red flakes which gives the unique appearance of a fiery volcano eruption.
Find it at 127 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL
9. The Den at Sushi Azabu, Miami Beach
Let’s talk about a real hidden gem, and one that has been awarded a Michelin star. This exclusive omakase room is tucked behind a sliding door in the Stanton South Beach Hotel. There, you’re face-to-face with Tokyo-trained chefs serving you an elevated sushi dinner. Fish is flown in directly from Japan, making you feel as if you’ve been transported to a fish market without every leaving the heart of Miami Beach. We have to warn you: Michelin-starred dining spots can be pricey. You want to check out their menu before reserving a spot on their waitlist.
Find it at 1601 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL
10. Hiden, Wynwood
This is another Michelin-starred restaurant that’s also “hidden” (see what we did there) and you want to check out their price point before reserving. Have you ever walked into a taco shop but never ended up ordering tacos? Inspired by the tales of small secret omakase restaurants in Japan, this upscale restaurant is found through a secret door inside of casual eatery The Taco Stand. Oh, and we should mention that there’s only eight seats. The experience includes an eight-to-ten course menu, Chef Shingo Akkikuni’s choice, which offers cold and hot dishes, a sushi selection, and dessert. From the menu, the Michelin guide recommends their “beautiful slabs of tuna, sweet botan ebi, and generous portions of uni.”
Find it at 313 NW 25th St., Miami, FL
11. Uchi, Wynwood
Its name comes from the Japanese word translating to “house,” which fits the modern Japanese restaurant’s welcoming nature. It presents a non-traditional take through its delicately designed menu, from dishes separated by serving temperatures to its vast selection of beets, wines, spirits, and sakes. You can witness chefs in action from the sushi counter, and dine in Uchi’s sophisticated floorpan or take a seat on the outdoor wraparound patio, all while delighting in thoughtfully prepared dishes. Menu highlights include their softshell crab with picked cucumber, cilantro, avocado, and soy aioli, as well as Tako Maki with octopus, jalapeños, and spicy ponzu.
Find it at 252 NW 25th St., Miami, FL
12. Pubbelly Sushi, multiple locations
Blending Chef Jose Mendín’s inventive and flavorful Latin take on Pan-Asian classics, this hip eatery serves dishes like grilled short ribs, spiced sashimi, and sushi rolls stuffed with whatever you can think of. Take a bite of their heat roll; spicy tuna, nori tempura flakes, albacore, garlic ponzu and aioli; and their Wagyu beef tartare roll; gochujang mustard, avocado, sesame, truffle poached egg.
They have five South Florida locations — Aventura, Brickell, Miami Beach, Dadeland, Doral — so you’re bound to find one closest to you.
13. Zaka Modern Japanese Cuisine, Doral
An all-you-can-eat sushi menu sounds like the perfect addition to this list and the perfect addition to your stomach. It’s 90 minutes, $25 for lunch, $36 for dinner, and $50 for a deluxe dinner if it’s a special night. From rolls to bowls, to seafood bombs, you can choose from a combination of flavors at this Doral spot boasts a combination of flavors. If you’re craving Japanese tradition with a Latin touch, try their unique platano roll with tempura shrimp, sweet crab, cream cheese, topped with fried sweet plantain.
Find it at 10832 NW 58th St., Doral, FL
14. PLANTA Queen, Coconut Grove
Let’s go over to Coconut Grove for vegan, plant-based eats. And that includes sushi. However, don’t be alarmed if you’re a meat lover expecting a ton of vegetables on a plate — these dishes do not skip out on the flavor. This Asian-inspired cuisine by Chef David Lee reimagines plant-based meals as a means for bettering health, our communities, and our overall planet. PLANTA’s rainbow roll features ahi watermelon, slaw, avocado, gachujang, and peanuts; and their baked crab roll features hearts of palm, spicy mayo, and ponzu.
Find it at 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL
15. Zuma, Downtown
An exceptional view elevates any experience, especially when you’re dining on sushi in a chic Japanese hotspot overlooking the Miami River. Located in the heart of Downtown, Chef Rainer Becker brings an internationally-acclaimed style of modern izakaya dining from the robata grill and kitchen to your plate. The menu features a variety of delicious sashimi and sushi dishes that range from Hokkaido uni (Japanese sea urchin) to Wagyu Gunkan (Wagyu beef sushi, daikon, and fresh black truffle).
Find it at 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL
16. Sushi Garage, multiple locations
First opened in what was once a car body shop, Sushi Garage is a casual yet sleek sushi spot filled with a sea of metal koi fish sculptures and natural hues of greens and natural wood finishes, giving the space a modern and organic feel. Expect menu items like sushi, nigiri, tempura dishes, grilled fish in every variety, noodles, soups, and salads. If you’re in the mood for classic Japanese flavors, then this is the spot for you.
They have three locations: Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and Fort Lauderdale.