Boto Sushi Del Mar

If you are looking for a high-end authentic Japanese sushi/sashimi experience, look no further. Our family has been dining here for over 5 years, and we've enjoyed every single visit. Gary's sushi and sashimi is not only fresh, delicious, but also beautifully presented. Gary boasts unparalleled cutting skills allowing the taste of the fish to be accentuated and enjoyed. The ambience is bright and relaxing, while the service is also superb. My husband had his birthday Omakase here two years in a row, and we also brought my father-in-law here for Father's Day celebration. Everything on the menu is not to be missed, but the dishes we've ordered and enjoyed the most are: rainbow roll, hamachi lover roll, mango tango roll, XOXO roll, Toro tartare with caviar, Japanese Mackerel, Heart of Palm Salad, Vegetable cut roll, Kama yellowtail, agedashi tofu, clam miso soup, udon soup, Omakase, and black sesame panna cotta for dessert, etc.

Boto Sushi delivers on flavor and service—everything we ordered was fresh, well-executed, and beautifully presented. The staff there is amazing and the space has that modern zen vibe you want from a higher-end sushi spot. That said, I went with the Prestige Omakase and left wishing it had a bit more… well, fish. For the price, I expected the experience to be a touch more generous, especially when spots like Kinme and Maru offer comparable (or better) omakase portions at similar price points. Still, Boto is a solid sushi destination in Del Mar—worth a visit.

OK I'm always looking for new sushi places to try, and believe me I've tried a lot in my travels. My friend and I came across Boto Sushi and decided to have lunch. The interior vibe is very nice, unique touch with the tile wall to write the menu rather than a chalk board LOL. Their claim to fame is their fish/seafood is the highest quality from Japan. Quite frankly, I found all my favorites that I would normally eat at a Japanese restaurant were crazy expensive. For example, the regular Uni $18 a piece, not to mention the Japanese Uni $30 a piece. Thanks but no thanks. We we also found the service to be spotty and could barely hear the sushi chef. We ordered the basics. It was all good. I see they have a few very special items like the Japanese river crab, Firefly squid. If that's your thing this is the place for you. Just be prepared to pay the prices. Atmosphere: very nice, sleek, natural wood feel. Food: good but $$$$. Service: OK

Unpretentious place with surprisingly good omakase (priced accordingly to the area). Friendly staff, inventive dishes, and great nigiri sushi that’s dressed properly. It’s not cheap, but it has a lot of great stuff flown in from Japan. Trust the chef and order the omakase. It’s worth the splurge.

Fresh and quick service! Stopped off at this sushi place when passing through town. It did not disappoint! Got a tuna roll and salmon roll. Gyoza was also delicious. Recommend sitting at the sushi bar and watching the chefs make the sushi rolls.

I was already struggling to justify the old prices, but now? They’ve taken it to another level. If you’re going to raise prices this much, at least offer something in return: better quality, bigger portions, anything. Instead, I got the same food, the same portions, and to top it off, I nearly swallowed a big sharp bone in my sushi.. For the price they’re charging, the least they could do is make sure the food is safe to eat. Being stingy and careless won’t get you far.

Great staff and quality sushi. We have eaten there both lunch and dinner and have always been happy. The ever changing "fresh catch" selection posted on the wall is a nice touch, so in addition to old standards and favorites, you can branch out and try something different.

So delicious!! Glad we stopped in. Crunchy roll and Ahi tuna roll was so fresh and you can notice. The rolls were at the proper temp, you can tell there equipment is up to code and keeping proper temps. Thanks!

Gary and his staff are second to none when it comes to a Michelin Star Omakase experience. The ambiance is nice and quiet, allowing your tastebuds to focus on every bite! Every course has its own umami surprise. When you make a reservation at Boto, do yourself a favor and experience the Omakase course, your taste buds will thank you.

Gary, owner and head chef, is a true artist. His product is always fresh and well presented. The specialty items shipped daily from Japan are extraordinary. His wait staff are attentive and polite. One of my perennial "go to" stops whenever I am in town.

The sushi here is the best I've ever had. The fish was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the presentation was beautiful. I highly recommend Boto!!

There are so many sushi restaurants in San Diego and I have a tendency to visit different ones so that I can explore what's new and good out there. On a rare occasion, I repeat sushi restaurants because they stand out to me. Boto Sushi Del Mar is a new favorite for my daughter and me and we will definitely be back! What really stood out to us was the uniqueness of the ingredients in the Chirashi Bowl and how well prepared they were. Hands-down, they make the absolute best tamago! It tasted like a very light and airy Japanese cotton cheesecake, but it was just egg. Equally unique and delicious was how the octopus was prepared. It had a smoky flavor and the meat was so tender. It was out of this world! We also ordered the Sushi Trust Me. For $36, it came with Bluefin Tuna Sashimi x 2, King Salmon x 1, Amber Jack x I, Threadfin Seabream x 1, Shrimp x I, Daily fish x I, Spicy tuna hand roll or Shrimp temp hand roll x I, and Miso soup. The fish were all very fresh. The miso soup had a good amount of tofu and seaweed. The broth was seasoned just right. We also ordered the Lemon Roll. The inside had crab, cucumber, avocado. All of this goodness was topped with yellowtail, salmon, lemon slices, masago, green onion, and drizzled with sweet ponzu. It was a delicious roll! Order these same items and I promise you will be just as impressed as we were!

This is hands down the best sushi experience in San Diego. We typically make reservations for Omikase, sit at the sushi bar and let Gary be the true master. What we get is the freshest, beautiful and uniquely made cuts of fish I've had anywhere. Sushi is packed with flavor, arranged in great presentation and shows the love that goes into it. Pair this with Dasai 23, outstanding and attentive service from Iris and you feel like family :) A must go place for the serious sushi goers!

Boto Sushi is an absolute gem. If you're serious about sushi in San Diego, this is the spot. Sushi Chef Gary is a master at his craft -- not only is his technique flawless, but the quality and variety of fish he brings in is truly next level. I've had sushi all over Southern California, and Gary consistently has cuts I haven't seen anywhere else. Everything from the buttery otoro to the seasonal specialties is handled with such care and precision. You can tell he takes immense pride in sourcing the best fish available -- and it shows in every bite. On top of that, his staff is just incredible. Welcoming, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food and the experience. It feels like you're being taken care of by friends who just happen to serve the best sushi in town. If you're looking for a mind-blowing omakase or just want to treat yourself to the freshest sushi in SD, Boto is the place. Gary and his team have created something truly special.

Unpretentious place with GREAT omakase. Friendly staff, inventive dishes, and great nigiri sushi that's dressed properly. It's not cheap, but they have a lot of great stuff flown in from Japan. Trust the chef and order the omakase. It's worth the splurge.

If you are looking for a high-end authentic Japanese sushi/sashimi experience, look no further. Our family has been dining here for over 5 years, and we've enjoyed every single visit. Gary's sushi and sashimi is not only fresh, delicious, but also beautifully presented. Gary boasts unparalleled cutting skills allowing the taste of the fish to be accentuated and enjoyed. The ambience is bright and relaxing, while the service is also superb. My husband had his birthday Omakase here two years in a row, and we also brought my father-in-law here for Father's Day celebration. Everything on the menu is not to be missed, but the dishes we've ordered and enjoyed the most are: rainbow roll, hamachi lover roll, mango tango roll, XOXO roll, Toro tartare with caviar, Japanese Mackerel, Heart of Palm Salad, Vegetable cut roll, Kama yellowtail, agedashi tofu, clam miso soup, udon soup, Omakase, and black sesame panna cotta for dessert, etc.

Boto is our GO TO Sushi Restaurant. Gary and his staff are amazing. Everything we've had has been delicious! The best, freshest and beautiful creations. So much thought and dedication go into all of our meals. From the fresh ginger to magic peaches for dessert. No detail is forgotten. My son is very into anime and one of the servers remembered so when I came in the next time, the server had custom made stickers for my son. It's those kind of details on top of having wonderful service and the best food, you feel like family when you walk into Boto.

OK I'm always looking for new sushi places to try, and believe me I've tried a lot in my travels. My friend and I came across Boto Sushi and decided to have lunch. The interior vibe is very nice, unique touch with the tile wall to write the menu rather than a chalk board LOL. Their claim to fame is their fish/seafood is the highest quality from Japan. Quite frankly, I found all my favorites that I would normally eat at a Japanese restaurant were crazy expensive. For example, the regular Uni $18 a piece, not to mention the Japanese Uni $30 a piece. Thanks but no thanks. We we also found the service to be spotty and could barely hear the sushi chef. We ordered the basics. It was all good. I see they have a few very special items like the Japanese river crab, Firefly squid. If that's your thing this is the place for you. Just be prepared to pay the prices. Atmosphere: very nice, sleek, natural wood feel. Food: good but $$$$. Service: OK

Service was amazing specially because we were the only ones there right when they opened. We ordered 4 rolls and 3 app and a beer totally to $100 and change for the two of us. Food was great and the space nice and clean.

Fresh, Creative, and Absolutely Delicious! Boto Sushi Del Mar is a true gem! The quality of the fish is outstanding--always incredibly fresh--and the menu offers a great selection of both classic favorites and creative daily specials that depend on seasonal availability (which I love!). The rolls are perfectly balanced and full of flavor, and every time I visit there's something new and exciting to try. The hearts of palm salad is my personal go-to--it's light, refreshing, and so satisfying. I'm also obsessed with the scallop sashimi--delicate, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect. And don't even think about skipping dessert. The panna cotta is phenomenal--a must-try that somehow feels indulgent and light at the same time. Service is always warm and attentive, and the space has a welcoming vibe that makes every visit a pleasure. If you're a sushi lover (or even just sushi-curious), Boto Sushi Del Mar is a spot you don't want to miss!

Boto Sushi is your typical American sushi restaurant. They have a handful of rolls you'll want to try. My favorite was the House Special Roll. XOXO and Baked Scallop were close second and third favorites. Service was quick and the servers were very attentive. I loved that they also kept count of our orders. I find it amusing to have been asked if the sake bottle I ordered was ok as if I was ordering a $100 bottle of wine or $200 bottle of champagne. Towards the end, we were getting full but the staff kindly reminded us we had two more rolls coming without pressuring us to order more. It seems like if you have money to spend, they'll also prepare specialty nigiri/sashimi. Plenty of seating at the bar or at a table. Overall, for 4 people, two apps, one bottle of sake and 7 rolls...it came to about $60/person. Giving them 4 stars because the other rolls I tried were hit or miss. It could be due to my preferences since my friends seemed to have enjoyed everything.

Boto Sushi Del Mar is a neighbor gem where the food a work of art. Gary is a true master of the craft. Watching him work behind the counter reveals calm, precise, and full of quiet confidence. He clearly takes great pride in every detail, from the selection of ingredients to the perfect cut and presentation. The fish was incredibly fresh--melt-in-your-mouth quality--and the rice was seasoned to perfection. We have tried so many things and not a single bite disappointed. Check out Boto Sushi Del Mar's Instagram postings for a sample of the food. The service is attentive but not intrusive and the food arrived at the perfect pace. If you're a sushi fan--or even just curious--this place is a must-visit.

The sushi here is as good as anything else in San Diego as far as I'm concerned! Three days a week they get deliveries from Japan, fresh fish which is nice to branch out from local and try good fish from Japan. Rolls were incredible, sashimi incredible , but the prices are not incredible lol It's definitely not cheap but every now and then when you want to go to the next level with sushi, it's worth it . I deducted one star because of how expensive it is .

best sushi you'll ever have . omakase was better than japan and any place ive been in nyc, la etc.

Best Omakase in the San Diego area. Fresh, high quality, and creative dishes. Gary never disappoints!

A new favorite we started coming here more often and I can't believe I never really gave this spot a chance before now. They are definitely of Ken's Sushi quality. A true Japanese chef owner who is on site. They've got so many traditional Japanese dishes and extremely fresh fish. You pay for what you get for sure some of their special rolls are like 24 $25 there Sashimi is expensive but like I said you're definitely getting what you pay for and if you want some authentically Japanese dishes like shirakara or ankimo or sawagani they have it .

Every visit to Boto Sushi Del Mar leaves us completely satisfied, both by their warm hospitality and exceptional food. We've dined at numerous high-end restaurants, including enjoying sushi at Addison, a three-Michelin-star establishment, and we can confidently say that Boto Sushi Del Mar matches that level of freshness and quality. The ingredients are top-notch, and every bite reflects the care put into their craft. While the prices reflect the quality, the experience is well worth it. We've been frequent customers at Boto Sushi Del Mar for years, and we still love the same dishes we ordered on our very first visit--just as much as we did back then!

I recently moved from Los Angeles so I've had incredible sushi experiences and have been lucky to befriended some of the best Sushi Chefs in Southern California. As I transition to San Diego a lot of the highly-rated Sushi places on Yelp have largely been focused on Sushi Rolls (nothing wrong with that) but personally for myself the best experience is usually the opportunity to engage the sushi chefs at the sushi bar and listen to how the sushi was prepared vs getting a tray of sushi that needs wasabi and soy sauce. To each their own but I can say that if you want a true sushi dining experience then Boto Sushi Del Mar provides that. It is a cute little restaurant and one of the longest sushi bars I've seen outside of Nobu or Roku. I had Omakasa by Chef Gary and everything was close to perfection with a variety of different dishes aside from the core Nigori sushi and some Sashmi. Each dish was delivered individually and explained how it was prepared by either the Chef or by the great staff. Enjoyed my first real exploration of Sushi in North County and will be back.

We come here often because Chef Gary is a genius and his food is always so delicious! He marinates or seasons or salts the fish to perfection so no shoyu is needed. Service is friendly and there's lots of parking.

The service is amazing and the food is exceptional and I could eat it all day! The sushi is well made and fresh everyday! I have lived here for over 15 years and it is definitely the place I go to when I am craving a GOOD piece of sushi!! Chef Gary and Iris always make our experience outstanding! If you are looking for a good sushi place you have just found it! I highly recommend Boto sushi!!

Can't tell you enough about how good this sushi is. Hands down one of the best places to go for Fresh caught japanese sushi. Gary is amazing with service and quality of what he serves. One of my top 5 favorite spots in san diego. This place should get a Michelin star!!.. hands down... the ambiance is very fun and inviting as well.

Amazing service, the sushi is super delicious, and a relaxed ambience. I've been here over 30+ times in the last year and they are always so nice!

Boot has changed my mind about Japanese food! They're not your typical run of the mill Cali-based Japanese restaurants. The waitresses were so sweet and accommodating. And the ambience was very festive for Christmas. The food was delectable. We started with a salty and briney miso soup and a side salad with the best carrot and peanut dressing you could imagine. For my main I had chicken katsu and my dinner date had the black miso cod I think. The cod was delicate and buttery. The chicken katsu had the right amount of breading and the chicken wasn't dry at all. The sauce was like a sweet and sour Japanese bbq sauce. This will be my go to Japanese in Del Mar!

I use to come here with work colleagues all of the time. Thought I'd give it a try again. Very disappointed. Sushi was mediocre and the service was terrible. The paper to select the sushi had been whited out from previous customers. I had to request ginger and wasabi. There was a mix up on the bill even though I was the only customer on a Friday at noon. Somehow I was given a bill to sign for $20 more than my lunch. I'd like to think that was a mistake but I am not sure given my overall experience.

Boto is the closest sushi joint to my house. It's good: I've never had any complaints about the quality of the fish or its presentation. Their main problem is that Ken's Sushi Workshop gloriously sits a couple miles away. (Sushi places within a couple miles of Ota also likely face a similar situation). Boto's pricing skews high; tack on another 10% and you're in the price range of Ken's excellence. Boto turned me on to Goldeneye, a snapper that's not to be confused with a 007 space laser or, for that matter, Goldmember. They often display their catch-of-the-day list on the wall behind the sushi bar, and lucky me when it's Goldeneye and their excellent Kampachi (Amberjack). Boto's pretty inside, with high ceilings, exposed concrete, and light wood all around. It's very open and airy, and often feels a little too much so, as it's often quite empty. Sometimes I've been the only one in the place. Only once did I encounter it full, which harried the usually bored-looking servers. Need a quick sushi fix? Boto won't let you down. But they are really pushing it, value-wise.

We did not plan well for Valentine's Day and found that they had reservations available. I grabbed one and we were on our way. Got there and I guess they didn't accept reservations after noon so my reservation was not valid (rsvp through Yelp). But she made it work finding us 2 spots at the bar. Luckily because it was PACKED. Service was nice but slow as there were 2 ladies on Valentine's Day! But our sushi chef filled in and made sure our kitchen order got in. We had a basic crunchy roll... good but basic. A sashimi bowl that was good but small. A bomb crab cake! And an even better Poke Roll - so much so that we ordered another one. It is a cute trendy sushi place. Don't be discouraged because it's in a Vons shopping center. We didn't have to take a loan out for the bill. We will go back - maybe not on such a busy night.

Sushi quality was amazing, and the sushi chef was so sweet. The quality for the price is wonderful. They had fresh ingredients and great ambiance! We got the Hamachi Roll, House Special, Lemon, and eel. Literally all bangers. Would 100% come back!

Omakase in San Diego... My cousin and her husband really like this elegant place in Del Mar! They've referred many customers to Boto Sushi and Chef Gary. I think they might visit once a month or so? It's located in a shopping center with Vons and Jersey Mike's Subs. There's lots of free, shared parking! We had 15 amazing courses: Ankimo (monkfish liver); Japanese River crab; oyster shooter; jellyfish salad; Lobster ceviche; sashimi platter: bluefin tuna, Amberjack, King Salmon, and otoro; king crab tempura; slow cooked octopus; seared A5 wagyu; threadfin bream; golden eye snapper; Rosy sea perch; house cured Japanese mackerel; Sea Eel; Mango Panna Cotta Each dish was tasty, creative, and beautiful! Service was excellent - friendly, polite, and efficient! It's no wonder that Boto Sushi is the favorite restaurant of my cousin and her husband!

Beer wasn't very cold and the sushi had a fishy smell to it. I would not go again. It's overpriced too. They had uni for $32? What? I love uni but not for that price.

We came last Saturday for late lunch. We were greeted and seated right away. It's decorated nicely and very clean. Our server, Syneath B. was very pleasant and attentive. I checked in on Yelp and it offered me a miso soup for checking in. Syneath informed me that they no longer honor that offer. We ordered... Miso soup Hakkaisan sake King crab tempura Toro tartare with caviar Octopus carpaccio Mango tango roll Everything was very fresh and very tasty. Every dish was a piece of art that was perfectly prepared with delicious accompanying sauces/spices. We'll definitely be back as it was that good!

Came here for the first time today! I got the final fantasy roll and some miso soup, yellowtail nigiri and a california hand roll. All the food tasted so fresh and i love it when the sushi is cold and this definitely was! Only recc is i wish they made the california hand roll a little bit bigger, there wasn't much crab and rice in it as most places. Other than that the service was great and i can't wait to come back!

Stopped in for a quick snack, 2 rolls and Miso soup. Spicy Mango roll was fire . It had so many flavors mango, salmon, spicy tuna, red onions with an herbal sprinkle.When It hit my palate I thought wow this is not only refreshing but sweet and spicy it popped joy in my mouth! The miso soup was rich, creamy, and savory with every spooful. The yellowtail jalapeño roll was basic but it had a kick. Definitely a place to check out different types of sushi and other items written on the brick wall behind the chefs, is a cool aesthetic.

I had never heard of this gem until I was looking for a place to go with the family on New Year's Eve. This is probably as authentic as one can get in a US-based sushi restaurant. Very minimalistic inside, great aura, hostess/server is very professional (and patient!) while the two chefs make an amazing sushi/sashimi. The fish is super fresh; you eat tuna and it melts in your mouth. The King Salmon (although a bit too lemony) is amazing. The hand cut spicy tuna rolls are outwordly and not laced with the usual tuna/sriracha that you find in 90% of sushi restaurants; they have tuna laced with hot pepper, the way it should be! I highly recommend getting one of the sushi combos for $27 plus any of the special rolls and (of course) nigiri which is super high quality. Not cheap, it's pricey but that's the price one pays for top quality, authentic sushi. Next time I visit, I will try the omakase for $160!

We just ordered sushi, everything with tuna tasted extremely fishy, tuna roll, spicy tuna hand rolls, house special roll all had bad smell and taste, definitely not fresh.

The 3 stars go for the wonderful Hispanic sushi chef that served me while we sat at the bar. She made our rolls delicious, the only 2 stars remaining that I did not fill are for what seemed to be head sushi chef who kept correcting her and waving at her to not pile on the ginger on my plate ( extremely unprofessional) like pull her to the side and tell her or here's a thought....just let it go, it's ginger bruh.

OUTSTANDING SUSHI SPOT THAT WE JUST BUMPED INTO WHILE HUNGRY! PROS: Parking was easy. The waiter was intelligent, articulate, and knowledgeable. He even made some edits to our order so we got what we wanted but saved us some money. Reviewing the menu and selecting food was easy. Ordering was quick and easy. Drinks and apps came out quick. Entree's and Rolls came out fast. Waiter checked on us even though he was busy and topped of our drinks twice. Indoors was still closed but decor and seating capacity was on point. Bathrooms were big, nice, clean, and well stocked. We will be back here if we're coming through Del Mar. CONS: Not enough outdoor tables to keep up with this awesome places pace of customers now that we can eat again. Not really a knock though - that means this place is popular!

Overall, their sushi was fantastic! However, service was terrible. Takeout clearly took priority over seated diners and we were not the only table who waited over an hour for any rolls to come out. The waitress basically avoided our table as it got later and later and we couldn't even get water refills. The manager eventually came over and offered free edamame but the whole experience took almost two hours in a mostly empty restaurant on a Monday night. We really enjoyed their specialty rolls which were all a home run. We got the baked scallop, mango tango, and Hamachi. Their Kama yellowtail app, salmon avocado, and salmon roe were also really good. The spicy tuna left a lot to be desired though. The fish wasn't very good and the roll was wrapped too loosely. There was also very little by way of spice, it was basically a tuna roll which would be fine if that's what we ordered. We would have ordered more if it wouldn't have taken an hour to come out.

Amazing sushi amazing service amazing ambiance! We had the best experience here and loved every minute of it! You must try this place! Also.. freshest fish ever!! Melts in your mouth! Highlyyyy recommend

Amazing fresh sushi Friendly staff Good pricing Great location Good for Togo Dine in is currently available Covid precautions in place Veggie friendly

Boto Sushi is one of our favorites. It is a higher end sushi restaurant with many special items imported directly from Japan. It's hard to find fresh wasabi but Boto has it and grates it's fresh for you. Gary the chef and owner does a great job with his creations. Even his garnishes are delicious. Sit at the bar if you can since you'll get a more intimate look at what the sushi chefs are creating. Our favorite item on the menu is hands down the rosy sea perch. We frequent Boto for celebrations. However, we bring many out of town guests here too. Sushi lovers are never disappointed when they come with us to Boto.

My husband and I probably eat here twice a month. It's a go to for sushi. Really good fresh sushi and not doused with spicy mayo and other sauces. My favorite is their toro!

Amazing sushi. Friendly, helpful and very quick service. I highly recommend! We went with a large group of almost 20 people and everyone loved their food.

Food and service was fantastic. Very cute restaurant, highly recommended if you're a sushi lover!

After previewing homes all day we stopped in to grab a bite of sushi. When I was handed my first sushi roll it wasn't holding together well falling out all over the place. Approx 20 min into eating the waitress says we are closed now and Im looking at her wondering what she is asking us to do. I asked would you like us to take our food to go she said yes please and handed us a to go container for our sushi. I'm in shock and disbelief that any place would allow you inside if they were closing down in 20 Min to eat them ask you to leave because they are closed!!. This is first time eating here and LAST for us at this sushi place. Never rush your customers just because you closed down. Unwelcoming and rude!

Excellent quality sushi but uneven service. Sushi came after those ordering cooked dinners had finished their food. Took one hour to get the 7 rolls ordered. It was Valentines day so place was slammed and somewhat out of control. Restaurant was not properly prepared to handle its reservations. The servers were very nice and tried but the sushi chefs were terribly backed up and seemed indifferent. Looking forward to coming back on a slow weekday evening.

Holy Smokes. I thought Ive had the best Sushi in SF til I tried this place. Authentic like Japan. Pricey but worth it. They have some rolls that are reasonable but all the special unique sashimi you dint find anywhere else is $$$$ but worth it

They take the time to do it right!! Delicious food. Service is amazing! Will def go back.