Houston’s sushi culture is amazing, with a slew of new sushi restaurants and hand roll hotspots springing up all over the city. As a result, there’s no better time than now to satisfy a need for raw fish.
Sushi restaurants in Houston, Texas, are sure to have what you’re looking for, whether it’s a traditional Japanese dining experience, a fast-paced, casual sushi bar with sake, or a modern Japanese fusion kitchen with an edgy vibe. Here is our ranking of Houston’s top ten sushi restaurants.
Roka Akor – Houston
Start your dinner with the caviar-topped toro tartare, then go on to the substantial lobster and Gulf shrimp dumplings, followed by rows of expertly positioned sashimi in pinks and peaches coupled with a robata grilled sirloin.
Roka Akor is a Japanese version of an American steak and seafood restaurant, including big pieces of quality Wagyu beef and entire seafood dishes, as well as smaller sushi plates.
You may also enjoy a high-end lounge ambiance with a bustling open dining space including a giant Robata-style grill and an exposed kitchen where you can see your food being prepared.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Open dining space
- Quality Wagyu beef
- Expertly positioned sashimi
Address: 2929 Weslayan St, Houston, TX 77027, United States
Timing: Monday – Closed; Tuesday to Sunday – 4:30 PM to 10 PM
Contact: +1 713-622-1777
Shun
Shun Japanese Kitchen is a hip, urban-style Japanese fusion eatery. Chef and owner Naoki worked as a chef and collaborator for many high-end Japanese restaurants around the United States for decades.
Shun’s fantastic menu features unique Japanese interpretations of a variety of cultural dishes. Miso babyback ribs, smoked for six hours and served with crispy rice and watermelon pickles, are among the Texas-inspired dishes on the menu.
Uni Pasta combines uni, black truffle, ikura, bacon, ao Nuri, and parmesan cheese in a pasta carbonara. Traditional Okonomiyaki Japanese savory pancakes with bacon, corn, and other ingredients are also on the menu.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Urban-style
- Texas-inspired dishes
- A unique Japanese take on cultural dishes
Address: 2802 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098, United States
Timing: Monday and Tuesday – Closed; Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM; Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM; Sunday – 12 noon to 5 PM
Contact: +1 832-409-5888
Soma Sushi
Soma Sushi, a traditional sushi restaurant at the border of the Memorial, Heights, and Montrose districts seeks to deliver the most authentically cooked Japanese foods in Houston. It’s the perfect mix of formal and informal, modern and traditional.
Soma serves a range of ramen bowls, ranging from seafood ramen with clams and lump crab to hot miso ramen with fried pig belly. The sushi and grilled meats are outstanding, but the ramen is the meal must-have at Soma.
Ceviche, Japanese BBQ, and a variety of Soma specialty rolls are also popular, in addition to the typical suspects.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Popular dishes
- Range of ramen bowls served
- Serve modern and traditional food
Address: 4820 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Timing: Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM to 10 PM
Contact: +1 713-861-2726
Hando
Hando, a casual, fast-paced sushi bar in downtown Houston, is popular with both dine-in and take-out customers. At this sleek and private Heights sushi bar, the focus is on temaki or hand rolls wrapped in crisp nori.
Only 22 counter chairs are available, giving customers a clear view of the hand-rolling operation. A dine-in experience is personal and exciting, as you can see sushi being cooked right in front of your eyes while sitting at the bar, much like in Tokyo’s sushi restaurants.
Their food is simple and excellent, and it reflects the restaurant’s modern aesthetic.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- 22 counter chairs
- Exciting dine-in experience
- Modern aesthetic
Address: 518 W 11th St Suite 500, Houston, TX 77008, United States
Timing: Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM; Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Contact: +1 713-393-7425
Kokoro
Kokoro, one of the several eating options within Downtown’s Bravery Chef Hall, serves high-quality sushi in a fast-casual and exciting setting. The cuisine, which is overseen by Uchi veterans Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, features fresh sushi and sashimi from across the world, as well as chicken fat rice bowls and yakitori skewers.
From buttery chicken skewers to a large selection of nigiri and sashimi, the menu strikes multiple high notes, all of which are supplied straight from Japan. Their nutritious rice bowls, luscious edamame, and blistered Shishito peppers for a spicy kick go perfectly with these standout nibbles.
How to make a reservation: Stop by for first-come, first-served seating or place an order via Toast for pick-up.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Large selection of nigiri and sashimi
- Nutritious rice bowls
- Serves high-quality sushi
Address: 409 Travis St suite a-366, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 9 PM; Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM; Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Contact: +1 713-909-0691
Uptown Sushi
In a newly renovated building just south of Houston’s beautiful Memorial Park. Uptown Sushi offers a relaxed and economical dining experience, as well as the option of ordering food to go.
This is the ideal location for fresh sushi! A fan favorite and must-try is the thinly sliced yellowtail with parmesan cheese, jalapenos, habanero tobiko, and ponzu sauce.
They also have a great vegetarian sushi variety, with avocado, green bean tempura, kaiware, and serrano peppers, topped with grilled eggplants and drizzled with the spicy sauce being our favorite.
Sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi are available in a wide variety of flavors. Uptown Sushi also provides one of the top happy hours in the Galleria neighborhood.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Top happy hours
- Ideal location for fresh sushi
- Great vegetarian sushi variety
Address: 1131-14 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
Hours: Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM; Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM; Saturday – 12 noon to 11 PM; Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Contact: +1 713-871-1200
Uchi
Uchi delivers tiny meals and sushi that is artistically cooked and filled with layers of honest flavor, making it one of the most sought-after reservations in town. Everything on Uchi’s menu is out of this world. Everything from traditional food to contemporary meals is available.
Tyson Cole, the owner, and head chef studied under world-renowned sushi masters in Japan, New York, and Austin, and was awarded the James Beard Award for his inventive culinary talent. The Felix space, which houses Houston’s Uchi restaurant, is a historic home with a homey yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Tiny meals
- Amazing menu
- Awarded head chef
Address: 904 Westheimer Rd Suite A, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 4 PM to 10 PM; Friday and Saturday – 4 PM to 11 PM
Contact: +1 713-522-4808
Tobiuo Sushi & Bar
Tobiuo, which means “flying fish” in Japanese, is a metaphor for the Sushi restaurant and bar’s originality and authenticity, which elevates it beyond Houston’s sushi competition. Tobiuo Sushi & Bar, located in Katy, one of Houston’s largest and oldest suburbs, is worth a visit even if you reside inside the loop.
They’ll undoubtedly become elegant culinary fodder for Instagram stories thanks to their artistic plating. Seared Chilean sea bass with pine nut puree, garlic butter, Romanesco, and cuttlefish ink, or miso butter scallops with miso butter bechamel, maitake mushroom, and yuzu kosho soy.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Artistic plating
- Original
- Authentic
Address: 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Suite H130, Katy, TX 77494, United States
Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM; Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Contact: +1 281-394-7156
Izakaya-Wa
Izakaya Wa is one of the few informal and affordable sushi restaurants in the area that offers culinary quality and authentic execution. Sushi is the main menu item, however, tapas and skewers are also available.
Thanks to well-seasoned sticky rice and a spectacular array of nigiri, sashimi, rolls, and hand rolls from renowned sushi chef Hajime Kubokawa and partner Akira Asano, this Japanese tapas bar is a more than deserving sushi destination.
Izakaya-Wa, as the name indicates, offers the intimate atmosphere of a bustling Japanese izakaya with patio seating, as well as a budget-friendly and approachable cuisine.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- Informal and affordable
- Well-seasoned sticky rice
- Patio seating
Address: 12665 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77024, United States
Hours: Monday – Closed; Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 10 PM; Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Contact: +1 713-461-0155
Nobu Houston
Nobu is the world’s most famous sushi restaurant, with outlets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and Pacific Asian countries. Nobu has also grown into a monopoly in the hotel industry, with many Nobu Hotels. Nobu, located in Houston’s famous Galleria shopping and dining complex, is a chic, modern, and airy space where you can enjoy some of the world’s best sushi.
Nobu has an incredible collection of everything. Ocean-fresh maki and sashimi will enchant diners, as will specialty tacos topped with tuna, caviar, ceviche, and crunchy tempura. Don’t forget to end the dinner with a fragrant Market Margarita, because fresh foods usually go well with drinks.
Features that make them stand out of the crowd are –
- World’s most famous sushi restaurant
- Chic, modern, and airy space
- Incredible collection
Address: 5115 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 5 PM to 10 PM; 5 PM to 11 PM
Contact: +1 832-987-2599
If you’re looking for a high-profile date night spot with elegantly presented sushi and spirited drinks, or a budget-friendly izakaya with weekend happy hour, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our list of fantastic sushi restaurants that serve sashimi, specialty rolls, and more.