Best Sushi in Philadelphia (2025)
Chef Jesse Ito’s eight-seat omakase remains the city’s benchmark—meticulous nigiri, family craft, and a waitlist to prove it. Lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer and recognized with a 2025 James Beard finalist nod, it’s Philly sushi at full power.
As a sister concept to Philly’s original hotspot opened in Detroit, Hiroki-San spotlighted a wider range of Hiroki Fujiyama’s beloved style of Japanese cooking and was such a success for Fujiyama and the Method Co. hospitality group that it prompted the decision to upgrade HIROKI’s menu in Fishtown to offer more vibrant and affordable options.
Hidden behind a bookshelf in Northern Liberties, Kevin Yanaga’s eight-seat omakase is theatrical yet deeply personal. Open weekly with limited “performances,” it’s been buzzing among local critics and diners for its chef-driven storytelling.
BYOB, counter-only, and serious about technique, Sakana delivers a value-forward omakase with occasional aged fish—praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer and noted on Eater’s maps. Expect 20-ish courses, precision cuts, and a friendly neighborhood vibe.
Center City’s subterranean sushi den balances izakaya energy with polished fish work. Frequently recommended by local critics, it’s a sleek, very Philly experience—happy hour upstairs, refined nigiri and sashimi downstairs.
Midtown Village’s Kichi Omakase is the opposite of any tranquil sushi experience you’ve ever had. Demi Lovato plays, shots of sake are being poured at the bar, and because it’s a 60-minute meal, the chefs have the chaotic energy of friends sharing a mirror before a night out. Sure, by the end of the hour, you’ll have had some good bites of seafood. But you’ll also leave with the overall feeling that you’ve found the intersection of a Venn Diagram between “sushi dinner” and “hyperspeed”—and that overlap isn’t seamless. photo credit: GAB BONGHI The casual, wood-filled space is a BYOB where people hang out near the sake bar before their seating and couples finish bottles of Riesling in lounge seats at its end. Because of the hurried pace, you’ll likely see leftover champagne from a birthday celebration or a group’s rowdy, sushi-filled night. Uptempo pop blasts from the speakers, you’re quickly shuffled to one of the 14 seats at the chef’s counter, and before you can blink you’re onto the third course. photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: GAB BONGHI Pause Unmute Behind the omakase bar are three energetic, hospitable chefs working at a cadence that’s cranked up to full throttle. If you want to know what you’re about to eat, you’ll have to quickly interject, “what is this?” before they’re onto the next ingredient, and if you focus you may be able to make out “sea bream,” “lime shavings,” and “miso uni glaze” over the music. One chef torches king salmon, another saves steak from catching fire on a plug-in grill, and the third tops bluefin with micro greens. If you happen to be in their section when the smoke clears, they pass you the finished product. photo credit: GAB BONGHI It’s a kind of organized chaos that reminds us of a silent rave—when half the party is dancing to the beat of another song. The $95, 15-course rotating menu features standouts like chūtoro topped with truffled mushrooms and wagyu layered with foie gras, caviar, and a gold flake mist that will stay on your hands for the rest of the night, while several of the others land closer to serviceable. photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: GAB BONGHI photo credit: GAB BONGHI Pause Unmute Kichi works when you’re in the mood for an exciting, fun meal that includes Ariana Grande hits and a montage of accessorized nigiri. It just happens to feel like it’s being served in fast forward. Food Rundown The menu here changes every week, but these are a few examples of things you might see. Eel With Eel Sauce And Foie Gras photo credit: GAB BONGHI Otoro With Caviar And Gold Flakes photo credit: GAB BONGHI Fluke With Shiso Leaf And Kosho Sauce photo credit: GAB BONGHI Bluefin Tuna With Truffle Mushroom photo credit: GAB BONGHI Kampachi With Pickled Jalapeño photo credit: GAB BONGHI
Chef-owner Kenneth Sze’s Old City raw bar marries clean, well-sourced nigiri with oysters and shareables. A neighborhood anchor noted on Eater Philly, it balances date-night polish with a warm, local following.
A Rittenhouse mainstay continuing chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka’s legacy with inventive rolls and steady sushi craft. Spotlighted by The Philadelphia Inquirer and regularly cited by local guides, it remains a go-to before or after the Square.
Tiny, counter-only, and adored by regulars, Vic turns out fast, affordable sushi with a personal touch. Celebrated by local food writers, it’s the kind of spot Philadelphians recommend to friends when they want unfussy and satisfying.
Family-run and detail-obsessed, Kinme blends classic technique with creative specials and strong hospitality. Recent diner praise and steady local buzz make it a reliable, low-key pick for excellent fish without a scene.
A lively BYOB known for inventive rolls and a pandemic-era robot arm that became a local story. Frequently featured by local media, it remains a Center City standby for groups, late hours, and accessible pricing.
