Traverse City has a thoughtful spread of sushi experiences, from quiet chef guided counters to polished dining rooms and easy takeout when you want a relaxed night in. Expect fresh fish, attentive pacing, clear options for both purists and mixed groups, and prices that feel fair for regular outings.
Let’s get to it.
The Dojo
Eight seats, two hands, and a torch. That is the show at The Dojo on the Long Lake Culinary Campus just outside Traverse City. The mood is intimate, the pace attentive, and every conversation with the chef tends to shape what lands on the plate.
The menu walks a steady line between classic and playful. Clean nigiri and sashimi sit beside specialty rolls like seven-spice tuna, tuna zuke, and Dragon or Gojira riffs. Poke bowls round things out, with raw and cooked choices plus solid vegetarian options.
Quality holds up. Tuna, salmon, hamachi, and unagi arrive fresh, often finished at the counter with a quick sear or citrus brush. Prices sit in the comfortable middle, with two-piece nigiri and approachable rolls or bowls that work for regular visits.
There is no formal, hours-long omakase, yet chef-choice plates and off-menu bites are common. Say what you like, then let the counter steer a bit. The focus is food rather than a full bar, so check ahead if sake or wine matters.
Seating is tight, so a quick reservation call helps. Takeout, catering, and occasional classes round out the experience. Best for diners who value quiet craft over spectacle.
Umai Eats
Set along the South Airport corridor, Umai Eats delivers fresh fish without the fuss, a sushi pit stop worth planning around.
Inside, it is a quick-casual counter, part grab and go, part linger at the small bar. Friendly, tidy, low noise, the focus stays on the fish, not theatrics.
The menu plays the hits and then some. California, Spicy Tuna or Salmon, Eel, and Philadelphia sit with Rainbow and tempura-style rolls. Nigiri, sashimi, and poke bowls round it out. Onigiri is the sleeper, including several hot options.
Value stands out, with many rolls in the 9 to 15 dollar range and onigiri around 4 to 7. Raw items are clearly marked. Non-raw eaters can choose tempura shrimp, teriyaki salmon, smoked salmon, or tofu. Veg-friendly picks like vegetable rolls and pickled plum onigiri keep everyone happy.
Ordering is easy through Toast, schedule pickup or walk in and order at the counter. A small but growing local following praises freshness. Choose Umai Eats for affordable, well-made sushi with broad appeal and zero pretense.
Fuji Sushi Steak House
You can have it both ways at Fuji Sushi Steak House, where a proper sushi bar meets full-on hibachi theater, and it works. Mid-price, generous portions, and a lively room make it an easy choice for mixed groups.
At the bar, seasoned chefs with New York area roots keep nigiri precise and sashimi clean. Classics share space with the showstoppers, including big specialty rolls like the Jackpot and dragon-style builds. Raw-shy diners can start with tempura or teriyaki.
Prefer some show with supper? The hibachi side is built for it, with multiple grills, flame tricks, and plenty of seats for birthdays or team outings. Do yourself a favor and reserve if you want a whole table, walk-ins do better in pairs and fours.
Plan on 30 to 50 dollars per person, a fair trade for the generous plates. The full bar covers sake and cocktails. Takeout travels well, delivery varies, so ask. Service can run brisk on packed nights, but the two-in-one format stays a crowd pleaser.
Red Ginger
Freshness rules at Red Ginger, with multiple weekly fish deliveries and sustainably sourced vendors, MSC certifications included. The flavors stay clean and bright in a room that feels casual yet polished. A downtown Traverse City staple under Executive Chef Dan Marsh since 2007.
Traditionalists get tuna, salmon, hamachi or eel over rice, while roll lovers roam. Chef Dan’s Signature, Lobster Dynamite, Seared Salmon, and Red Dragon keep things lively. Poke bowls offer a lighter route.
No set omakase on the menu, yet the team will curate a chef’s tasting from the day’s best. Ask when you book, and aim for the sushi bar if you enjoy the show.
Bringing a mixed group? The broader Asian-fusion lineup covers curries, hot plates, and lobster fried rice. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are clearly marked. Private rooms handle celebrations.
Pricing sits mid to upscale, ideal for date night or a small celebration. The full bar and thoughtful wine list fit the mood, with early-evening specials to soften the tab. Reservations are wise on busy downtown nights. Takeout and delivery are available. No all-you-can-eat.
Firefly Restaurant
This is the spot you choose when part of the table wants maki and the other half wants steak. Firefly folds sushi into a modern American small-plates menu, so sharing is easy and no one feels boxed in. The riverfront setting adds a relaxed, grown-up feel.
Rolls are the move here: California, spicy tuna, volcano, and sushi-style starters like ahi tuna nachos. It is not a purist’s nigiri counter, think creative, sauced, and satisfying. Portions land in that sweet spot where price and quality feel aligned.
Non-sushi eaters get plenty of love, from Thai-leaning bowls to steaks and pastas, plus vegetarian plates. Gluten-free soy sauce and thoughtful tweaks are available. The bar leans cocktail-first, with beer, wine, and a little sake to round things out.
Indoor tables and a patio sit along the Boardman River in downtown Traverse City. Expect table service rather than a dedicated sushi bar, which keeps the pace unrushed. Reservations help at peak times, yet walk-ins often find a seat. Takeout and online ordering are easy when you want a quiet night in. Great for groups and casual date nights.
Asian Buffet
Sushi without the ceremony, and plenty of it. At Asian Buffet in Traverse City, a dedicated sushi station hums, staff rolling continuously and trays refreshed quickly. All-you-can-eat means volume and variety at a wallet-friendly price.
Expect lots of roll-style options, American favorites alongside simple maki. Nigiri and a bit of sashimi show up depending on the day, though this is not a formal omakase. Suppliers are not listed, yet the brisk rotation helps with freshness.
The room is casual and lively, more group outing than hushed sushi bar. Tables sit near the action, and walk-ins are the norm. Drinks are basic soft beverages rather than a sake list.
Value shines at lunch, while dinner still lands below a sit-down sushi house. Round out plates with the hibachi or Mongolian-style grill and the hot buffet, and vegetarians will find tempura and veggie rolls in steady supply.
Best for practical diners who prize quantity and choice over pageantry. Purists chasing a chef’s counter and detailed sourcing should look elsewhere. For a casual sushi fix in Traverse City, it delivers what it promises.
