Sushi in Santa Fe spans serene counters and casual neighborhood rooms, with fish handled carefully and settings that feel welcoming. Whether you are marking a special occasion with a crisp sake or seeking a fresh, unfussy weekday supper, there is a spot to match your pace and palate.
Let’s get to it.
Jesushi Santa Fe (Food Truck)
Sushi that eats like a sit-down splurge, served from a tidy trailer in a Cerrillos Road lot. Jesushi is the unexpected high point between errands.
Chef-owner Jesus Mendoza trained with Japanese and Korean masters, then honed skills at Osaka, Kai Sushi, and Jo-Ji’s. The rice lands warm and seasoned, the knife work razor clean. Seafood arrives from Japan and California, prepped the same day for bright flavor. Prices stay food-truck level.
Go classic with nigiri and sashimi, or lean into the namesake Jesushi roll, a shrimp tempura number topped with torched salmon. New here? The chef’s choice chirashi bowl and daily selections let Mendoza steer. Baked and tempura rolls cover the cooked-only crowd, and vegetarian or gluten-free requests are honored. Drinks skew light, think ramune.
Service is counter-style with casual outdoor seating, and takeout is a strength. Call in orders when possible, since online systems can be fussy. If pristine fish and careful technique matter more than mood lighting, Jesushi is an easy yes.
Fu Sushi
Looking to let the whole table eat well without a splurge? Fu Sushi leans into value and breadth.
A newer face on the Cerrillos Road corridor, it focuses on approachable rolls and clean, simple nigiri. The menu is wide, with basic maki, specials, sashimi, and a full page of cooked plates like hibachi and tempura.
Veg-minded diners get edamame, seaweed and cucumber salads, veggie tempura, and avocado-forward bites, so mixed groups find plenty to share.
Locals cite an all you can eat deal around the mid twenties on select nights. Prices shift, so confirm before you go. For hearty appetites or curious samplers, it is an easy yes.
Service is casual and quick, with online ordering and delivery for weeknights. Drinks are straightforward, not a deep sake program.
Choose Fu Sushi for value, variety, and unfussy comfort, and skip it if you crave omakase ceremony or rare fish. Want me to call for current specials or sake details?
The Wrap Santa Fe
Here, a California roll can share the table with a turkey panini, and it somehow feels intentional. The Wrap pairs sushi rolls with ramen and rice bowls, a friendly fusion built for lunch.
Roll-wise, think approachable and generous. The Cali and Dragon rolls show up often, with shrimp tempura crunch and a touch of unagi glaze for sweetness. Prices sit in the comfortable 10 to 15 dollar range, so adding dumplings or miso on the side does not feel indulgent. If your group mixes sushi fans and sandwich devotees, the menu keeps the peace.
Space is cozy, with a handful of seats and a low-table nook. Walk in and you will usually find a spot, though peak times can stack up. Takeout and delivery are reliable, and bigger orders go smoother with a call ahead. Vegetarian and vegan eaters get real choices, from tofu bowls to plant-based ramen.
Go for an easy, affordable lunch, and skip it if pristine nigiri and a bar scene are the goal.
Izanami Restaurant
High above town at Ten Thousand Waves, Izanami pairs mountain air with tatami calm in an izakaya rhythm. The mood leans spa-serene, yet the room hums with conversation. Booths, tatami, and a year-round pavilion lead to a scenic deck for long sips.
The raw side is serious without being fussy. Nigiri and sashimi cover hamachi, akami, sake, chutoro, hotate, and more. Rolls and crisp temaki round things out. Specials appear when the fish is right, and sourcing leans seasonal. There is no formal omakase, you order at your own pace.
It sits mid to upscale, but you control the spend. Share a few plates and a pair of hand rolls, or lean into premium moments like wild Chilean sea bass or Miyazaki A5 wagyu on hot stone. Vegetarians, vegans, and the gluten-free crowd have real choices, not afterthoughts.
Sake is a draw, curated by master sommelier Deborah Fleig, with Japanese whisky and polished cocktails. An afternoon deck happy hour pops up in good weather. Book ahead in peak seasons, and check the day’s fish list.
Joy’s Sushi Bar
Santa Fe’s best sushi value hides beside the aisles of Santa Fe Asian Market. Joy’s Sushi Bar feels practical and brisk, yet surprisingly generous.
Order at the counter, claim a table, and the team runs plates out as they are ready. It suits quick lunches and takeout nights, but the details still land, from neatly formed nigiri to wasabi with real bite.
The menu is broad. Traditional nigiri and sashimi share space with dozens of specialty rolls, many playful, all tidy. No omakase theater here, you build a meal from à la carte pieces, combo plates, or one big roll. High turnover keeps fish bright, and portions feel generous for the price.
Budgets breathe easy. Miso, salads, and many rolls land at friendly numbers, so dinner for two dodges sticker shock. Drinks are basic, more fountain than full bar, and mixed groups do well with teriyaki, tempura, and plenty of veggie options.
Not a hushed temple of sushi, a smart, value forward stop for freshness, variety, and zero fuss.
Kai Sushi & Dining
Fresh fish and friendly chefs headline Kai Sushi & Dining on the Cerrillos Road corridor. The vibe stays neighborly, and the sushi bar hums, with chefs chatting and floating occasional off-menu specials. No formal omakase, just honest guidance.
The menu walks a nice line. Classic nigiri and sashimi share space with playful rolls like the Kai roll, Dragon Z, and Red & Red. Tokyo Sushi Academy training on the team shows in tender cuts, precise knife work, and rice that holds together without clumping.
Lunch is the sweet spot, when specials and bento boxes include miso or salad and rice, keeping costs in check. Dinner runs casual to mid, climbing with premium fish, yet many locals find the quality worth it. Busy nights fill fast, so reserve or go early to snag the bar.
Bringing a mixed crowd? Vegetarian and gluten-free picks are clearly marked, and there are plenty of cooked plates, from tempura to udon. Sake, beer, and wine cover pairings, and online ordering and catering add convenience.
Choose it for serious freshness and skilled hands without the fuss. A neighborhood standby with just enough flair to feel special.
El Nido
Su Sushi slips a serious Tokyo-to-Honolulu seafood pipeline into Tesuque, just north of Santa Fe. Tucked inside El Nido, this dedicated sushi bar and annex plays for keeps.
Deliveries of sushi-grade fish arrive several times a week from Toyosu and Hawaii, hand-picked for a pristine nigiri-and-sashimi lineup. Expect yellowfin, bluefin, hamachi, and salmon, and toro appears when the markets smile. The tone leans classic, while tasting menus let Chef Alex Gaytan flex with a few seared or seasonal riffs.
The counter is where the omakase shines, paced and personal without feeling fussy. If you prefer a quieter pocket, the Su annex offers intimate table seating away from the bustle of El Nido’s main room.
This is a high-end night, and prices track the quality. The bar keeps pace with a thoughtful sake list, strong wine selections, and polished cocktails, so you can match each course with confidence.
Mixed parties fare well, since El Nido’s wood-fired kitchen can cover the cooked cravings, and vegetarian options are not an afterthought. Reservations are smart, especially if the chef’s choice experience is the goal.
Izmi Sushi Bar
More fish, less rice. That guiding line comes to life at Izmi Sushi Bar, where Head Sushi Chef Taka Ayamoto draws on nearly 40 years of Japanese training to let pristine cuts do the talking.
Yellowtail belly, salmon, tuna, and ikura arrive clean and generous, with rice that supports rather than steals the show. When you want the chef to lead, ask for a chef’s-choice sequence, including the popular seven-by-seven sashimi and nigiri set.
The sushi bar seats make it feel personal, and a chilled sake or light beer pairs neatly with the progression. Roll lovers get range without gimmicks, from classic maki to creative specials that change with the fish.
Non-raw eaters are covered with tempura, udon or ramen, bento lunches, tofu, and katsu, which makes it easy for mixed groups. The room is intimate and lively in downtown Santa Fe, with semicircular booths if you prefer a little privacy.
It does fill quickly, so a reservation or off-peak timing helps. Prices sit in the comfortable middle, and takeout is available when you want great fish without the fuss.
Masa Sushi
Southwest heat meets clean Japanese lines at Masa Sushi, where green-chile tempura rolls share the stage with pristine nigiri.
In the West Alameda corridor, this locally owned spot keeps it casual and welcoming. Slide into a sushi-bar seat to watch the knife work, or choose a table for groups. Prices sit comfortably in the moderate range, and you can add a warm sake or Japanese beer without tilting the check.
The menu reads à la carte, no omakase or set chef’s choice, which suits diners who like to curate. Traditional nigiri and sashimi are the backbone, while baked salmon and Southwest-leaning specials keep fusion fans engaged.
Non-raw eaters are not sidelined. Yakisoba, tempura, bento boxes, and several vegetarian rolls make it easy to keep everyone happy.
It works beautifully as a reliable weeknight choice. Online ordering hums along for takeout, and reservations are wise at prime time. Expect solid fish, a friendly room, and the kind of flexibility that makes group dining simple.
Jinja Bar & Bistro
Call it a diplomatic solution to the eternal table standoff, sushi fan meets stir-fry loyalist. Jinja Bar & Bistro in Santa Fe keeps peace with a pan-Asian menu that actually respects both camps. Prices sit comfortably mid-range, and the brand has siblings in Albuquerque.
Sushi-seekers get playful, approachable options. The Ahi Tempura Roll scratches that crispy-creamy itch, while sashimi-grade tuna shows up in a bright Jinja Bowl or seared as a steak-style entrée. Salmon and halibut are labeled sashimi grade as well. There is no omakase here, just à la carte rolls and sashimi-style plates.
If raw fish is not in your plans, no one will go hungry. Think noodle bowls, curries, and wok dishes, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices clearly marked. The result is a menu that works for mixed groups.
The room leans date-night casual, supported by a full bar with tropical, vintage-leaning cocktails. Booths feel comfortable, bar seats are lively, and reservations help during peak hours. Happy hour sweetens the deal if timing aligns.
Not a purist sushi shrine, yet a smart bet when you want solid sushi alongside broader Asian flavors, fair pricing, and easygoing service. For Santa Fe, that balance is the draw.
Sushi8
Sushi that plays nice with weeknights. In Santa Fe, Sushi8 leans casual in all the right ways, a storefront spot with limited seating that prioritizes quick service and clean, fresh fish over ceremony. There is no chef’s-choice pageantry, just a clear, menu-driven approach.
The board ranges from tidy nigiri and sashimi to a parade of American-style rolls. Rainbow, Dragon, Hello Kitty, Crawfish, and a creamy Philly keep the variety lively, while basic tuna or cucumber rolls stay comforting. Freshness and presentation earn steady praise.
Prices stay friendly, which makes mixing and matching fun rather than fraught. Non-sushi eaters are covered with teriyaki, udon, fried rice, tempura, and bento boxes, even crab rangoon. Vegetarians get dedicated rolls and easy tweaks.
Expect counter service and a small dining room in a simple strip-center setting, though takeout and delivery are where Sushi8 really shines. It is not a sake temple, so plan on simple beverages and a quick meal. Peak times can stack up, so a call ahead helps if you are corralling a group.
Kohnami
Step into tatami-style booths and a humming sushi bar, then meet a green chile tempura roll that nods to the Southwest. This locally run spot blends tradition with Santa Fe flavor without tipping into gimmick.
It is the rare spot that works for mixed groups. Sushi fans can order nigiri and sashimi while non raw eaters dig into tempura, teriyaki, katsu, or a comforting bowl of ramen. Vegetarians have real choices, not afterthoughts.
On the roll side, expect creativity alongside standards. The namesake Kohnami roll layers eel and tobiko with a sweet-savory finish, and the Cherry Blossom roll is a crowd pleaser. Salmon and tuna are staples, and the fish is generally cited as fresh.
Prices land in the moderate zone, with lunch bento boxes offering standout value. There is a full bar, so you can pair sake or a cold Sapporo with your spread, even a sake bomb if that is the mood.
Plan ahead for weekends and holidays, since reservations help. Service can run leisurely at peak times, which suits a lingering meal on the patio in season. No formal omakase, just a broad, reliable menu near the Railyard.
