From straightforward nigiri to playful rolls and expertly-prepared poisonous fish, D.C. has a restaurant for every sushi craving.
Sleek award-winning restaurants and modest family-run businesses alike grace our list of eight must-try D.C. sushi spots. Impress your friends, family or a date at one of these incredible sushi spots below.
See also: Can Sushi Save The World? How Chef Bun Lai Leads a Sustainability Revolution of Love
View this post on Instagram
1420 New York Ave. NW / Website
Sushi Gakyu’s Chef Yoshi Ota is one of the few D.C. chefs licensed in Japan to safely prepare poisonous fish fugu, or pufferfish. Ota is equally knowledgeable about sake. He is a certified sake sommelier! Pair your meal with one of his top sake picks, and try something new with a sour plum roll or conchi nigiri.
View this post on Instagram
1811 Columbia Rd. NW / Website
Don’t let the name fool you: Perry’s in AdMo is no steakhouse. Best known for its Drag Brunch, this multi-level Japanese establishment has an extensive sushi menu and a vibrant rooftop complete with string lights and a bar. Pro tip: Go for happy hour and order the two maki roll special for only $11.
View this post on Instagram
1503 17th St. NW / Website
No D.C. sushi list would be complete without Michelin-starred restaurant Sushi Taro. Enjoy delicacies like lobster sashimi or wagyu sushi, or indulge in the eight-course, $120 per person tasting menu. You can even bring the experience home with an Omakase at home option, where Chefs Nobu and Masaya will serve a six-course menu from the comfort of your kitchen.
View this post on Instagram
3073 Canal St. NW / Website
Tucked away along the Georgetown canal, this newly-renovated spot offers high-quality fish at reasonable prices. Beware: this no-frills hidden gem takes the “spicy” in “spicy tuna” very seriously!
View this post on Instagram
1274 5th St. NE / Website
This Union Market sushi restaurant has sleek interiors, rooftop dining, and robata-style dishes in addition to a hefty sushi selection. Pair your rolls with one of the signature cocktails. We recommend the Co-Co-Q’shiki, which pairs coconut-washed Suntory Toki whiskey with palm sugar syrup and bitters.
View this post on Instagram
3101 K St. NW / Website
For sushi with a twist, visit Susheria. This Nikkei restaurant offers a fresh take on sushi not seen elsewhere within the city. What is Nikkei cuisine, you ask? While the term “Nikkei” refers to the Japanese diaspora, this particular cuisine is Japanese-Peruvian and born from Japanese migration to Peru. Branch out with a tuna crudo Peruvian-inspired bowl or hamachi tiradito.
View this post on Instagram
2309 Wisconsin Ave. NW / Website
This Glover Park business may seem unassuming from the exterior, but the fresh fish and countless choices do not disappoint. It’s easy to see why Joe Biden frequented this top-tier joint during his time as Vice President.
View this post on Instagram
1039 33rd St. NW / Website
This intimate Georgetown restaurant provides a break from crowded M St. establishments. If you’re looking for a straightforward and reliable menu, this is the place for you. Just look for the pastel yellow townhouse with the giant poppy mural.
Photography by: Vinicius Benedit / Unsplash
