Austin, TXSushi

Tyson Cole's Uchi opened on South Lamar in 2003 and set the bar for sushi in Austin. The menu runs from pristine nigiri and sashimi to inventive hot and cold tastings, and the happy hour is a beloved way in. A repeat honoree in the Austin Chronicle's sushi readers' poll through 2024, it remains the reference point that the rest of the city's counters measure against.

Komé is a casual Airport Boulevard sushi spot known for sashimi lunch deals and its sunshine roll. The Kaneta family serves nigiri and homestyle Japanese plates in an easygoing Highland room, backed by sake and house-made mochi ice cream. A repeat Chronicle sushi finalist, it is the kind of neighborhood sushi bar you fold into a regular rotation.

Soto is a North Austin sushi restaurant known for attentive service and fresh cuts. The menu covers nigiri, sashimi, and specialty rolls in a calm, unhurried room away from the downtown crowds. A finalist in the Austin Chronicle's sushi category, it has quietly built a loyal north-side following for its consistency and its careful, personable hospitality.

Neighborhood Sushi is a South Congress spot serving fresh nigiri and rolls in a compact, welcoming room. The cuts are clean, the menu approachable, and it works equally well for a quick counter dinner or a relaxed date. A repeat Chronicle sushi finalist, it lives up to its name as the dependable neighborhood option in a busy stretch of South Austin.

Uchiko is the Uchi family's North Lamar restaurant, pairing a full sushi menu with modern Japanese cooking. The nigiri and maki share the table with hot tastings and that signature fried Brussels sprouts, all delivered with the group's trademark precision. It carries the Uchi pedigree into its own room, a polished choice for sushi with a little more range.