Nashville offers a thoughtful range of sushi experiences, from intimate omakase to easygoing neighborhood counters, all with fresh fish and attentive service. Expect settings where conversation comes easily, menus that welcome both purists and those who prefer cooked dishes, and prices that fit a simple night out or a celebratory meal.
Let’s get to it.
Noko
Two sushi paths, one spot in East Nashville. Noko brings the wood fire; Kase x Noko next door commits to sushi with confidence.
Kase is an intimate 14-seat omakase bar serving roughly 14 courses for about 75 dollars. Seats release nightly on a six-week rolling calendar and disappear quickly. The flow is nigiri forward, with fish flown in daily from Japan, Hawaii, Spain, and New Zealand. Expect tight pacing, a petite Japanese cocktail bar, and craftsmanship that rewards attentiveness.
In the main restaurant, the net is wider. Crudos, poke, and a rotating market catch scratch the sushi itch, while the hearth sends out wagyu, tomahawks, and plenty of vegetables. Bar seats overlook the fire, the patio takes walk-ins, and service is informed without fuss.
Pricing sits mid to upscale. Starters run about 7 to 21 dollars, specialty steaks can top 100, and shareable seafood plates keep the bill in check. The sake list is thoughtful by the glass or bottle, and the bar pours a full slate.
Pick Kase for a focused, high-value tasting; choose Noko when your group spans raw, cooked, and vegetarian. Reservations help at both. Refined yet relaxed, and right at home in Nashville’s dining moment.
Dear Sushi
In Donelson, Dear Sushi keeps it simple: fresh fish without the fuss and prices that stay reasonable. It is a reliable neighborhood counter where the focus stays on the fish.
It is small and straightforward, with counter service, a short row of tables, and a sushi bar where you can watch the knifework. Presentation skews quick-service with disposables, which keeps the pace brisk and the vibe relaxed.
The menu sticks to à la carte rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Classics like California and spicy tuna sit beside signatures such as the King Dragon, Sea Dragon, and a smoked salmon roll. No omakase, no theatrics, just solid cuts and generous portions.
Non-raw eaters are covered with tempura, dumplings, and fried rice, and there are vegetable rolls for a lighter route. Reviews consistently describe the fish as fresh and tender, a pleasant surprise at this price point.
Expect walk-in convenience rather than reservations, plus a strong takeout and delivery game if the couch is calling. No full sake program here, so think tea or soft drinks over cocktails. Value-seekers, families, and anyone craving a low-key sushi night will feel at home; those craving hushed, high-end ceremony may look elsewhere.
Virago
Set in The Gulch, Virago pairs mood lighting and a steady thrum with a sushi bar that actually earns its spotlight. It brings sleek, date-night energy while staying serious about fish.
Undecided? The chef’s selection omakase channels longtime vendor relationships into a tidy run of salmon, tuna, hamachi, black grouper, even eel. Prefer control? Classic nigiri and sashimi share space with showy fusion rolls like Godzilla, Oishi, Kayne Prime, and Volcano.
Not all of it is raw. The robata grill, bao, ramen, and crispy plates keep non-sushi friends happy, and vegetarian small plates and veggie rolls feel intentional. Drinks impress, from a Wasabi Martini to a deep sake and Japanese whiskey list.
Price sits in the mid-to-upscale range. Regular maki are fair, but A5 wagyu and big platters push the check. Value hunters should note Maki-Sake Monday and the late-night menu. Between the lively bar, sushi counter, rooftop patio, and private rooms, couples and groups both fit. Reservations help, and service can skew leisurely, so plan to linger. For stylish ambiance and creative sushi without leaving Nashville, Virago delivers.
I Love Sushi
Value and variety take center stage at I Love Sushi in Midtown. The kitchen leans into an à la carte lineup of nigiri, sashimi, ramen, and a parade of playful specialty rolls, so the meal is as flexible as your appetite.
The mood lands upbeat rather than precious. Expect counter seating to watch the knives fly, a sunny dog-friendly patio, and a full bar pouring sake cocktails.
Signatures lean roll-centric with American-style flourishes like jalapeño with yellowtail, while purists can stay with salmon or tuna nigiri. A head chef with 10-plus years leads the line; reviews praise freshness overall, with occasional inconsistency.
Prices hover in the casual to mid-range, and portions are neighborly. Service can drag at peak times, so a quick call ahead helps; online ordering is smooth for takeout.
Best for an easy sushi night with creative options and a drink, not for a hushed, formal omakase ritual.
Bite a Bit Thai & Sushi
With two menus and one polished kitchen, Bite a Bit Thai & Sushi turns the East Nashville debate of rolls or curry into an easy yes.
At the sushi bar, a veteran crew with international training works in clear view. Freshness gets frequent praise, and the Bangkok fine dining pedigree shows in tidy cuts and balanced rice. There’s no formal omakase, so the play is à la carte.
Purists can settle into clean nigiri and sashimi while roll lovers go big with Long Hunter, OBX, Heart Attack, and rainbow-style signatures. Not in a raw mood? The Thai side covers you with curries, noodles, and plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian paths.
The room reads casual-upscale with a lively bar and a patio when the weather cooperates. Kirin on draft, cocktails, and a modest sake lineup keep things easy. Prices land mid to upper for the neighborhood, and reservations help on busy nights.
Bottom line, it shines for mixed tastes at the same table. Grab bar stools to watch the knife work, or book a table and settle in. Takeout is simple when home wins.
Sonobana Japanese Restaurant
A sushi spot with its own grocery attached is rare in Nashville. Sonobana turns that perk into part of the experience.
Inside, running since 1987, this West Nashville stalwart refreshed its dining room in 2025, yet it still feels like the neighborhood’s table. The pace is easy, service is classic, and most seating is at tables; a small back sushi bar often handles takeout.
Nigiri and sashimi share space with bento boxes, tempura, and a parade of rolls, from the Rebekah and Crawfish to the Sonoban. Prices sit in the moderate zone, with many rolls around 15 to 25 dollars and generous bento deals at lunch. Vegetarian and cooked options are plentiful.
Expect familiar fish like tuna, salmon, yellowtail, plus the occasional uni or toro. Freshness is often strong, with the occasional off day; start with simple nigiri and add a house roll. Sake is poured in the restaurant, and the market next door stocks bottles.
Best for value seekers and mixed groups who want variety without ceremony. Peak times bring lines, so larger parties should call ahead. When a relaxed, dependable sushi night is the goal, Sonobana delivers.
Samurai Sushi
Samurai Sushi plays two games at once: inventive roll playground and steady, skilled fish work. It’s a locals’ favorite for mid-range splurges that don’t feel stuffy, and that balance is the draw.
The Midtown Elliston flagship is the move if you want the show. Grab a seat at the chef’s counter, chat with the crew, and let them steer a casual chef’s-choice tasting. It’s not a hushed, formal omakase, more a guided tour with personality. Seats go fast, so reservations help on peak nights.
From there, the menu runs wide. Expect playful signatures like Choo Choo, Volcano, Crazy Monkey, and the cucumber-wrapped Rainbow Naruto alongside nigiri and sashimi. There’s a deep-fried section, vegetarian options, and cooked dishes for the sushi-shy, which makes it easy for groups to order heavy on rolls without leaving anyone out.
Prices sit comfortably in the $$ zone. The bar pours everything you need, including a friendly-priced hot sake. East and Germantown outposts mix in Korean pub favorites like bulgogi and bibimbap. Fans praise freshness; service and consistency can vary, so confirm the specific location and format before booking. Go for creative variety and an interactive counter. Look elsewhere if you want white-linen ceremony.
