Best Sushi in Minneapolis

Kado no Mise is not just the best sushi in Minneapolis — it is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the Midwest, full stop. The omakase counter seats a handful of diners who watch every cut, every press, every plate emerge in quiet precision. Three tiers of omakase are available: ume ($84), take ($138), and matsu ($192), all with a 21% service charge built in. The take and matsu menus at the chef's counter are the way to go — the progression from delicate sashimi through nigiri to a warm finish is thoughtful and deliberate, never rushed. Tuesday nights offer a kaiseki experience (Kaiseki Furukawa) that is an entirely different discipline. Open Wednesday through Sunday with seatings at 5:30 and 8:00. Reservations through Tock book up weeks in advance, and they should — there is nothing else like this in the Twin Cities.

Billy Sushi has become one of the hardest reservations in Minneapolis since opening on First Avenue in the North Loop, and the hype is earned. Chef Billy Tserenbat trained in Japan and brings a precision to his nigiri that you rarely see at restaurants this lively — the fish is flown in multiple times per week, and the rice is seasoned with a specific red vinegar that gives it a subtle warmth. The omakase here is less formal than Kado no Mise but more playful, with courses that might include A5 wagyu nigiri, uni shooters, and a torched salmon belly that regulars swear by. The cocktail program leans Japanese whisky and yuzu, and the speakeasy-style lounge downstairs adds another dimension. Expect to spend $60–$120 per person depending on how deep you go. Open Monday through Saturday; book ahead or eat at the bar.

Kyatchi has been a south Minneapolis staple on Nicollet Avenue for years, and it earned that loyalty by doing something rare: taking sustainability seriously without sacrificing flavor. Every fish on the menu is sourced according to Monterey Bay Seafood Watch guidelines, which means the yellowtail and salmon you're eating were caught or farmed responsibly. The creativity is genuine — the Nicollet Roll with tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, and mango is a local favorite, and the rotating specials reflect what's actually in season rather than what's cheapest at market. Happy hour runs twice daily (4–6 PM and 10 PM to close), and the late-night crowd on Fridays gives this place an energy that most sushi restaurants cannot match. The back patio is excellent in summer. Closed Tuesdays.

Hikari brought the temaki bar concept to Minneapolis when it opened inside Eat Street Crossing in early 2025, and the format is ideal: you sit at the counter, Chef Jason Yeung — who has been making sushi for over twenty years — builds each hand roll to order, and you eat it within seconds while the nori is still crackling. That immediacy is the whole point. The spicy scallop hand roll is the signature, with a clean heat that builds without overwhelming the sweetness of the scallop. The Hokkaido scallop and bluefin tuna are both flown in from Japan, and you can taste the difference. Prices are fair for the quality — most hand rolls run $6–$14 — and the food hall setting keeps things casual. No reservations, no pretense, just excellent technique served fast. Open daily.

Ask a Minneapolis local where they go for sushi on a regular Tuesday night and Wakame is the answer you'll hear most often. Open since 2009 on Excelsior Boulevard near the lake, this family-run restaurant has built its reputation on consistency rather than flash — the fish is always fresh, the rolls are well-constructed, and the service remembers your name after three visits. The menu stretches beyond sushi into Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese dishes, but the sushi bar is the real draw. The spicy tuna roll and salmon sashimi are benchmarks, and the chef's omakase (available by request) is a genuine value for the quality. Happy hour Monday through Saturday offers discounted rolls and apps that keep regulars coming back. The patio facing Excelsior is a warm-weather gem. This is not the flashiest sushi in Minneapolis, but it might be the most loved.

Sushi Takatsu is hidden inside the Baker Building skyway system downtown, and the line out the door at 11:30 AM tells you everything. Owner Jun Abematsu grew up south of Tokyo and spent a decade cooking in Florida before moving to Minneapolis, where he worked at the original Origami before opening his own counter in 2014. The Osaka-style pressed sushi (oshizushi) is something you will not find anywhere else in the city — firm, vinegared rice topped with torched salmon or shrimp, pressed into a mold that gives each piece a satisfying density. The sushi bowls are enormous and run $12–$16, which is absurd for the quality of fish. The catch: lunch only, Monday through Friday, closed by 3 PM, and there are no seats when the downtown office crowd descends. Go at 11:00 or 1:30. Worth the timing.

Sushi Train is the only conveyor belt sushi operation in Minneapolis, and the format is half the fun — color-coded plates of nigiri, maki rolls, edamame, and desserts glide past on a belt while you grab what catches your eye, and the bill is tallied by plate color at the end. The downtown Nicollet Mall location is the original; a second spot on West Lake Street near Bde Maka Ska opened more recently. The quality is solid for the format — the salmon nigiri and spicy tuna rolls hold up, and the variety means picky eaters and adventurous ones can sit at the same table happily. Prices are reasonable: most plates run $3–$7, and a filling meal lands around $25–$35. The vibe is casual and genuinely fun in a way that most sushi restaurants are not. Great for kids, groups, and anyone who likes eating with their eyes first.

Okome House is not a traditional sushi restaurant, and that is precisely why it belongs on this list. Located in Longfellow on 42nd Avenue, this small, seasonal kitchen specializes in onigiri — hand-formed rice balls with dozens of filling options — alongside donburi, udon, and a curated selection of nigiri and sashimi that reflects what's fresh rather than what's expected. The approach is Japanese home cooking elevated: simple, seasonal, and made with an obvious care for ingredients. The chirashi bowl is beautiful and generous, and the miso soup tastes like it was made by someone who actually grew up eating it. Weekend lunch service draws a loyal crowd from across south Minneapolis. Closed Mondays; dinner Tuesday through Friday, lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday. A quiet, soulful restaurant that respects the craft without performing it.