Phoenix’s top sushi restaurants fully dispel the misconception about fish in the desert. These spots show that, yes, you can get fresh fish here, and it can be top-notch. Phoenix has a surprising amount of stellar sushi restaurants ranging from casual to celebratory, spread from the northwest Valley, down the Central Avenue corridor and out into the East Valley.
When you get a craving for a classic cold bite, or want to impress with a unique and delicious dinner, the Valley’s sushi chefs are ready to roll (sorry, not sorry). Here are the top 12 best sushi restaurants in Phoenix.
Sushi Friend
8727 N. Central Ave.
Sushi Friend’s popularity is a sign of its quality. This small Sunnyslope spot started with half of its current building, before expanding to add a seating area for customers to sit and enjoy rolls fresh of the line. Now, those tables are almost always packed. Enter the sunshine-yellow-painted building and head to the counter where touch screens display the menu. Pick individual rolls, or opt for one of the combos. The rolls here skew creative, such as the Aguachile Roll, which includes jicama, spicy crab, avocado, kanpachi, aguachile and pickled red onions. We love the Fire Dragon Roll, which is filled with crab, cucumber and spicy tuna and topped with unagi or freshwater eel. It’s topped with a sweet and tangy eel sauce for a mouthwatering bite. The Rainbow Roll is another winner, which highlights the freshness of Sushi Friend’s selection, topped with tuna, yellowtail and ocean trout. Also, think of Sushi Friend for your next party, as this spot serves colorful platters with a rainbow of sashimi, nigiri, specialty and basic rolls sure to wow a crowd.
Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant has long been at the top of the Valley’s sushi game.
Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant
2051 W. Warner Road, Suite C, Chandler
2320 S. Santan Village Parkway, #104, Gilbert
The original Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant opened in 2003 after Sanae and Yoshio Otomo moved to Arizona from Japan and couldn’t find a taste of home in their neighborhood. Their daughter and son-in-law have since taken the reins and continue the restaurant’s tradition of serving thick cuts of fresh fish in delicious preparations. For the best sushi experience, sit at the bar and watch the masterful chefs. Order the Truffle Amberjack served with truffle oil and ponzu for a punchy, savory bite. Next, move on to some citrusy options, such as the lemon-tinted Citrus roll or Yuzu Tuna roll. If you’re looking for something cooked, the kitchen also serves a full menu of Japanese dishes, including multiple variations of udon noodles. Following the Chandler restaurant’s success, the family behind Shimogamo also opened a second location in Gilbert.
Most of the options at Sushi Nakano are classic rolls. For something a little different, try the hot Raijin roll with deep-fried rice.
Sushi Nakano
4025 E. Chandler Blvd.
If you’re looking for a casual, tranquil restaurant where you can enjoy simple, fresh sushi, look no further than Sushi Nakano. This small spot offers tables along one wall and, along the other, a sushi bar behind which a line of chefs carefully craft rolls and small bites. The restaurant’s slogan is “a traditional Japanese experience” – and it’s one that is perfected by chef and owner Leo Nakano. The clean flavors of fresh fish are celebrated in the nigiri and sashimi options, which combined with accents that make them sing in the restaurant’s rolls. An unusual bite among the classics is the Raijin roll: squares of hot, deep-fried rice topped with tuna, avocado, seaweed shavings, jalapeno and eel sauce.
At Haru Sushi, the gently sweet rice makes the rolls stand out. Try the Kiss of Fire (top) for a spicy bite that leaves you coming back for more.
Haru Sushi
20165 N. 67th Ave. #125, Glendale
It wouldn’t be fair to the delicious, fresh fish to say that the best part of Haru Sushi‘s rolls is the rice. But the grains are exceptional and seasoned with a touch more sweetness than your average sushi rice, perfectly enhancing the rolls that make this West Valley strip mall joint a standout spot. The modern black-and-white interior contrasts with the fun menu items such as the Bluefin Maniac and the Superman Burrito. And this spot is perfect for trying something new. The menu features sections of classic, signature, baked and “BBQ Fusion” rolls, along with nigiri, sashimi, tempura, noodles and cooked entrees. For a bite that will leave you coming back for more, try the Kiss of Fire roll, which is packed with spicy tuna and topped with a slice of serrano chile and a dot of Sriracha on each slice.
Kuka Sushi is the perfect spot to impress in Tempe.
Kuka Sushi & Izakaya
1221 E. Apache Blvd. #103, Tempe
Looking for a date night destination in Tempe? What about a birthday dinner spot? Kuka Sushi & Izakaya has you covered. A little more upscale than many of the surrounding eateries, this restaurant is modern and classy yet manages to maintain a little of the college-town fun. Beer tower, anyone? We recommend starting with a bowl of edamame – choose plain, garlic and parmesan or “flaming” hot. Then get your pencils ready to mark up your sushi sheet. The menu is split into the “You already know list,” which is filled with the classics, and “Crazy” rolls, which come dressed to impress. The fish is fresh, and the rolls are loaded with toppings ranging from crispy onions to a mountain of Cajun popcorn shrimp.
Share a couple of the Trio Samplers at Harumi to try a selection of different rolls.
Harumi Sushi & Sake
101 N. First Ave.
24681 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy. #101, Peoria
Last year, downtown sushi staple Harumi Sushi & Sake got a major upgrade. The restaurant and bar moved into a gorgeous, massive new home steps away from its former location. But the things that made this a go-to spot – its great value lunch specials and signature purple rice – have stayed the same. If you work downtown, don’t miss the lunch combos, which come with two half rolls, a side and miso soup. For those looking to try a variety of flavors, go with the Trio Sampler. This dish includes three half rolls, chosen from a list of six. So mix and match your way to a delicious meal. The rainbow roll is a classic, clean and simple choice, or get a little spicy with the Dynamite roll, topped with spicy tuna, serrano chile, spicy aioli and Sriracha. Those in the West Valley can enjoy the same delicious bites at Harumi’s location in Peoria.
Pair fresh fish with a tasty cocktail at Across the Pond.
Across the Pond
4236 N. Central Ave., #101
Across the Pond is a chic, intimate sushi spot from the team behind Clever Koi, which sits across the walk from its sibling restaurant in central Phoenix. Across The Pond’s team lets the eatery’s exceptional seafood shine as sashimi and nigiri. Selections include tuna, uni and tender salmon belly, along with lightly treated options, such as seared scallops and coffee-cured salmon. The menu also features an ever-rotating list of specials, rolls and raw dishes, including yuzu-marinated ceviche with wonton chips. Pair your sashimi with an excellent craft cocktail, such as the Suntory Sling, which combines its eponymous Japanese whisky, a French herbal liqueur, lemon, lime and “sling syrup,” served over pineapple ice cubes.
For a swanky dinner experience in Old Town Scottsdale, head to Uchi. The signature dish, Hama Chili, features yellowtail, ponzu, Thai chile and orange slices.
Uchi
3821 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Uchi opened in Old Town Scottsdale last February, quickly coming out of the gates with a well-curated experience and food to match. The restaurant is the brainchild of owner and James Beard Award-winner Tyson Cole, who launched the original outpost of the Japanese restaurant in Austin, Texas, with the aim to create a sushi bar-like experience at every seat. Uchi boasts such splurgy options as fish flown in fresh from Japan’s Toyosu Market or a 10-course omakase. If going a la carte, don’t miss the restaurant’s signature dish, Hama Chili. Yellowtail and orange pieces sit in a pool of ponzu and are topped with slices of Thai chile, microgreens and roe for a bright, well-balanced bite. In addition to sushi, Uchi’s menu also includes hot plates and decadent desserts.
King Salmon on Central Avenue serves sushi with diner vibes.
King Salmon Sushi
2825 N. Central Ave.
4041 E. Thomas Road, #115
Tucked in a strip mall off Central Avenue between a cell phone repair shop and a Domino’s Pizza, sits King Salmon Sushi. The small, casual restaurant blends diner vibes with Japanese paintings, old signs and lanterns. And the menu offers a wide variety of dishes spanning different cuisines. Try a Korean rice bowl with beef bulgogi, a Japanese donburi bowl, some udon noodles or poke. But we’re here for the sushi. The large menu offers basic rolls, hand rolls, vegetarian rolls and special rolls. We’re partial to the Lion King, a baked roll served in an aluminum foil boat and topped with a mountain of fresh salmon, and the Pacific roll. More fish than rice, this roll is jam-packed with slices of hamachi, salmon, tuna and white fish in every bite. Even better? The restaurant is running an ongoing special, offering all sushi rolls for 50% off. These rolls are great quality for the full price. For half off, they’re a steal. King Salmon also opened a second location this fall in Arcadia.
The Hawaiian roll has a fresh pop of pineapple at Seido Sushi in Glendale.
Seido Sushi
4372 W. Olive Ave., Glendale
In a West Valley strip mall with faded paint and multiple empty storefronts, there’s an old building with bright, painted signs. “Teriyaki!” one window proclaims. “Ramen!” says another. But the real winner here is the sushi. Seido Sushi is a Glendale gem churning out fresh sushi rolls for dine-in and takeout. The “classic” menu includes California, Philadelphia and Spicy Tuna rolls which are light and refreshing. The “Premium” rolls take things to the next level. Try the Hawaiian roll, which is filled with spicy crab mix, avocado and a sweet chunk of pineapple. It’s then topped with a rainbow of tuna, salmon, yellowtail and avocado and drizzled with spicy mayo and eel sauce. The unique combination of sweet, tart pineapple with the fresh fish and tangy sauces leaves us gobbling up piece after piece. Dine at the casual spot or order to-go and your meal will be rolled fresh and placed in special, oblong boxes to keep each piece in place until you get home.
Minnow serves matcha, sushi and donburi ideal for diners on the go.
Minnow
4501 N. 32nd St.
Minnow opened in July in the former home of the cafe Provision, and it’s already proven to be a great spot for Arcadia neighbors to catch up over lunch or savor cocktails and rolls on the patio while night falls. The restaurant comes from In Good Spirits Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Bernie Kantak’s New American restaurants Citizen Public House, The Gladly and Beginner’s Luck. The team branched out with a matcha and sushi bar, but they’ve incorporated some classically Southwestern ingredients into unique sushi rolls. The Penasco, a crab and shrimp roll, has a fiery spice from chiltepin ponzu and zesty, paper-thin slices of red onion. The Saguaro roll incorporates nopales to a spicy salmon roll, adding a textural element to this fragrant, slightly smoky bite that layers salmon inside and out of the roll. A standout roll on the menu, which also includes nigiri, sashimi and donburi bowls, is the umami-layered Drunk Fish. Savory, spicy garlic ponzu and wasabi mayo are added to a soy-paper roll with spicy tuna, bright pickled daikon and green onion and spring mix. Buttery slabs of halibut added atop this roll add another layer of richness that kept us going back for another bite.
Get cozy at Yuzu Omakase in north Phoenix.
Yuzu Omakase
4727 E. Bell Road, #59
Yuzu Omakase might be the most intimate sushi bar in Phoenix. Yusuke Kuroda, the Osaka-born chef behind the popular Origami Ramen Bar, launched Yuzu in August 2024. This north Phoenix gem has just six seats where guests taste 12 to 14 pieces of nigiri and temaki, handed across the bar by Kuroda after he forms each item by hand right there. Even better, this tasting menu of fresh fish, seafood and, on our visit, wagyu, is $95, making it one of the most reasonably priced omakases in town to boot. The intimate experience is well worth the price of admission, but if you’re hoping to save your wallet or your waistline, Yuzu also has a few tables available for walk-in guests who can order standard nigiri and sushi rolls, or pick up an omakase to go. This smaller chef’s selection is packed into a smart bento box with edamame, sashimi and your choice of two specialty sushi rolls – enough to still satisfy and feel like a special night, even if it’s in your sweats on the couch.
AloJapan.com