Cafe Sushi Shoten

"Ask any chef in town: Many will say that Cafe Sushi — open for the better part of four decades — is the best not-so-hidden gem around. In pre-COVID times, the reason to go was the epic omakase, a seemingly endless parade of dishes that alternated between traditional and unusual. During the pandemic, Cafe Sushi pivoted to only doing takeout and delivery, which is how they’re serving up the sushi now, including a variety of chef’s choice samplers, bento boxes, and maki." - Erika Adams, Valerie Li Stack, Eater Staff

"Cafe Sushi Shoten is a top takeout and delivery option in Cambridge that does cute little set boxes of nigiri, maki, and chicken teriyaki, complete with a cat sticker. But they also have a few window seats where you can hang out with a bottle of sake and some creative nigiri, like salmon with poblano miso and yellowtail kingfish with basil, balsamic, and tomato. You’re definitely going to want to order the amigo maki, too, which is packed with spicy crab, marinated eggplant, and oshinko and topped with seared salmon, avocado, and ponzu. On your way out, grab something from their small section of Japanese snacks, a bottle of fancy sesame oil, and a jar of housemade furikake.  " - tanya edwards

"If you’re curious why a takeout and delivery-only sushi shop belongs on a Best Restaurants list, trust us: it’s that good. Café Sushi had been a Cambridge mainstay since opening its modest sushi counter in 1984—it was one of those reliably excellent spots that locals could rely on for consistently excellent sushi. But in 2022, Café Sushi transitioned to Café Sushi Shoten (from the Japanese for “bookstore”), a takeout and delivery-only spot, enriched by a wide assortment of Japanese groceries and sundries like candied yuzu peels and sake. Shoten’s to-go platters still capture the freshness, attention to detail, and authenticity of these hallowed grounds’ prior iteration—and locals still rely on this spot as much as ever for great sushi." - Todd Plummer, Shannon McMahon

"Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.Around since 1984, Café Sushi was not a place that you went for ambiance exactly—it was located in a nondescript building near Harvard Square, between a shoe-repair shop and a Dry Bar—but now, in its new iteration Café Sushi Shoten which has been around since 2022, there are new reasons to love it. What's the vibe? Who are your fellow diners?The dine-in omakase counter has sadly departed, but in its stead, Café Sushi Shoten has adopted a to-go model paired with Japanese groceries and sundries that is no less authentic, engaging, and delicious. Peruse the shelves as you wait for your to-go order, and you’ll seeneighborhood residents exchanging a smile with the host before grabbing takeout, and Harvard kids pushing in for a break from the dining hall. Great sushi demands good sake (or at least a Sapporo). What's on offer here?Sake, reasonably priced Japanese beer and wine are all available for purchase. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown.The magic of experiencing a could-be-in-Tokyo omakase counter doesn’t quite translate to an (albeit gorgeously packed) bento box, but the sushi is still excellent here. The menu skews a lot more traditional than some of Boston’s other sushi joints, but there are still some experiments that are worthy of attneiton, like the kelp-cured branzino with wasabi oil and lemon, or the truly wow-worthy salmon nigiri with poblano pepper miso and twelve-spiced pineapple. Sure, the dine-in ambiance has been sacrificed; but the menu here is as delightful and exquisite as ever. Anything else we should know?On a beautiful evening in the warmer months, we can’t think of a better date night than grabbing some sushi and Japanese beers to go, then strolling a few blocks over to Harvard Square for some people-watching. If anything, Café Sushi Shoten has only helped to further integrate excellent sushi into the surrounding community." - Elizabeth Wellington

"“This is family-owned and operated by chef Seizi and chef Kenshi Imura who took it over from their parents who previously owned and operated the business. They closed for dine-in during covid and have been operating takeout-only, and Shoten (cute shop with sakes, snacks, and Japanese ingredients and gifts). I drive by on my way home from work every day and love swinging in to see everyone and enjoy takeout (chef’s specials are my go-to). I’m excited for them to re-open in 2024!” — Tracy Chang" - Erika Adams