Sushi in Israel began as an exotic gimmick, something meant mainly to impress. In recent years, it has become a language of its own. Japanese restaurants are opening on every corner, sushi appears in mall stalls, stars at wedding buffets and shows up on the menu at every other bar.
But not every nigiri is born delicious, and not every roll that photographs well knows how to hold a piece of fish. In honor of International Sushi Day, we set out to find the best sushi restaurants in Israel, the places that truly respect the bite.
Asa: putting on a show
In the buzzing passageway connecting Rothschild Boulevard and Ahad Ha’am Street, Asa turns sushi into a performance.
At the center of the bar is an impressive Japanese grill, and through a secret door is a charming izakaya bar that also serves sushi. The place belongs to a restaurant group behind several successful spots, including Chakoli and Helena.
Ahad Ha’am 54, Tel Aviv
Dinings: the luxury option
On the rooftop terrace of one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, a Japanese restaurant has been operating for years.
In recent months, it reopened with a new chef and bites that are genuinely mind-blowing. The atmosphere is expensive and elegant, the sushi is restrained and refined, and the experience is iconic.
Nachmani 25, The Norman Hotel, Tel Aviv
Wat Sang: no pretension
One of the city’s most talked-about and beloved sushi restaurants, Wat Sang functions like a neighborhood sushi spot with no pretension and no effort to impress anyone.
The menu is broad and the quality is strong. In the evening, the area turns into a lively nightlife zone, and the atmosphere follows.
Harakevet 12, Tel Aviv
Mententen: come in flip-flops
This is the restaurant that taught everyone to sweat over ramen even in July and August. But long before the ramen, Mententen was already an excellent sushi restaurant with a cool atmosphere, right in the action of Nahalat Binyamin.
It is the kind of place you can come to in flip-flops, and it stays open continuously from noon, which only makes it better.
Nahalat Binyamin 57, Tel Aviv
Gaijin: oh wow
Some call it the best Japanese restaurant in the city, but either way, the sushi here is a wow. The fish is fresh and tempting, the dishes are beautiful and the service is kind.
It is not especially luxurious or dressed up, but the food has a fine-dining feel. The owners are already planning to open additional restaurants.
Lilienblum 29, Tel Aviv
Silas: professional and creative
Chef Or Ginsburg’s excellent restaurant is not defined as Japanese, but it serves creative, colorful and simply delicious sushi.
The handling of the fish and the choice of seafood show that this is not only a chef who knows how to connect flavors, but also someone who understands fish.
Tanhum 6, Jaffa Flea Market, Tel Aviv
Onami: still here from the 1990s
Onami is a sushi institution born in the 1990s, when there was almost nothing like it in Israel. It has survived time, hardship and life in Tel Aviv, and remains relevant.
In recent years, chef Roy Sofer joined the kitchen and now guides the group’s two restaurants, including an additional kosher branch at the Hilton Tel Aviv.
HaArba’a 18, Tel Aviv
a: the jewel
Millions upon millions were invested in chef Yuval Ben Neriah’s extraordinary restaurant. It is an entire Japanese world that perfectly connects restrained Japanese design with elegance and delicious food.
The sushi here is like jewelry, and the taste is diamond-sharp. It is one of the best restaurants in the country, not only because of the sushi.
Menachem Begin Road 121, Azrieli Sarona Towers, Tel Aviv
TYO: like a party
The worlds of bar and restaurant meet beautifully at TYO. The place is popular and beloved, and every evening feels like a party.
But do not let that distract you: the sushi is perfect, led by sushi master Yama San, who works with peak professionalism and talent.
Shabazi 58, Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv
Soho: jewels on the menu
A veteran culinary institution and one of Israel’s most successful sushi restaurants, Soho was among the pioneers that connected Japanese sushi with an Israeli dining experience. It is not only loved by locals, but draws diners from across the country. It opens from noon, but the real thing happens in the evening, when the place becomes livelier and the atmosphere upgrades the bite.
The menu is huge, but sushi is the heart of the place, from classic rolls to unique creations that look like jewels and have given the restaurant a language of its own.
Moshe Becker 15, Old Industrial Zone, Rishon Lezion
Kisu, Nishi and Fu Sushi: a small empire
Three of the strongest restaurants on this list belong to the same group. The Kisu Group has become a small but consistent empire, with several Asian restaurants.
The name changes between Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv and Netanya, but the standard remains the same: generous, excellent sushi in an upbeat atmosphere.
Kisu, Refael Eitan Road 1, Kiryat Ono
Fu Sushi, Dizengoff 302, Tel Aviv
Nishi, Oved Ben Ami Boulevard 113, Netanya
Kyoto: a sweet memory
Twenty-seven years is a long time in the culinary world. Kyoto is a sweet memory of an earlier era, but also a good example of a restaurant that does not try to be the most innovative and still maintains a loyal audience.
The cone selection here is especially strong, almost like a playground.
Arieh Shenkar 7, Herzliya
Minato: kosher and to the point
Kosher, minimalist and simple sushi, where every bite carries freshness and thought.
Chef Aki San Tamura prepares an excellent toro tuna tartare and also serves a large selection of vegetarian sushi. Sit at the bar to maximize the experience.
HaMenofim 8, Herzliya
Super HaMizrach: enter through the grocery store
One of the coolest restaurants in Israel, Super HaMizrach is entered through a hidden door inside a grocery store, while the cashier’s counter is actually the host stand.
But beyond the amusing gimmick, the sushi here is tasty and kosher, and the atmosphere is loud, lively and good.
Beit Lehem 34, Jerusalem
Kimiko: no rolls
Not far from some of Haifa’s legendary hummus spots in the lower city sits Kimiko. The chef respects endangered fish species and does not serve tuna or grouper. He does serve yellowtail and salmon, both imported, as well as bonito and amberjack from local waters when available.
One more thing: there is no teriyaki sauce and there are no rolls. What there is, however, is an experience built on deep respect for the plate.
Khatib 4, Lower City, Haifa
Nini Cho: family atmosphere
The second branch of Tel Aviv’s kosher sushi restaurant Nini Hachi offers sushi that is tasty, varied and distinctive.
Here too, the sushi is kosher and good, and there is a dedicated preparation line for pregnant women. The restaurant is cheerful, with a family-friendly atmosphere.
HaSivim 18, Petah Tikva
Misomaru: generous and satisfying
What began as a small boutique sushi spot has become one of the most talked-about culinary addresses in the area, earning strong reviews.
The fish portions are generous, and the combinations are interesting, including a beet and tuna roll and sushi for pregnant women. Another advantage: the place is open at lunchtime too.
HaAndarta 1, Be'er Sheva