Mola

Heard great things about Mola, and did not disappoint. Probably the best bang-for-your-buck sushi place in Pittsburgh. Considering the freshness of the sushi, it only came out to be $25-30 per person. Much more reasonably priced than alternative sushi places like Golden Gai or Gi-jin. Given the price point and quality, Mola is pretty popular so this place can fill up especially because the restaurant is not too large. It can get noisy and a bit crowded. I would recommend coming off peak hours or reserving in advance. Sushi rolls are about 6 piece for like $10-14. Their Chirashi is $27 but small portioned.

I was really excited to finally come to Mola! We came on a Friday with no reservations, and were sat at the bar, which I was grateful for. The bartender who took care of us was incredibly detailed. He was really helpful in picking a sake. He also let me know that the rice is normal, just seasoned, and incredibly delicious, which was a concern of mine before coming. I got the Sushi Grande, which comes with a bluefin hand roll which is given to you right as you finish so the nori stays crispy. Absolutely delicious, it's a great way to be introduced to their sushi. Wonderful quality fish. My friend got the Grilled Salmon with Sweet Miso, which also was delicious, perfectly cooked salmon and a delicious bowl. I've come back for the spicy salmon poke, which is so delicious, well balanced, and a generous portion size. The Mola 75 is certainly my favorite drink on the menu. I love popping in here for a quick meal, but also got a longer date night. Mola is always busy and excited, and I am thrilled to have such a lovely place to eat sushi in my neighborhood.

Mola Restaurant - October 7, 2024, visit. I had the pleasure of dining at Mola with a guest, where we indulged in a variety of vibrant and nutritious Japanese-inspired dishes. The Spicy Edamame, with its smoky seasoning, added a savory twist to the typical sea-salted version, making it a standout. The Tuna Tartare was served atop fresh guacamole and paired with chips. It was more of a flavorful dip, with small cuts of tuna mixed into the guacamole, offering a refreshing and delicious bite. I expected thin slices of tuna with the guacamole to the side. The Ginger Green Salad was light and crisp, providing a great complement to the heartier options. We also enjoyed a California Roll, filled with avocado and crab, which was a delightful sushi option. The Air-Fried Crispy Chicken Curry, served with rice and potatoes, was a heartier dish with a well-seasoned crispy texture, contrasting beautifully with the rich curry broth. The service we received from John was exceptional. His attentiveness and knowledge of the menu elevated the experience, and the meal was served promptly. Mola’s contemporary bar and spacious dining area created a welcoming environment. I also appreciated the restaurant's unique business model, offering a discount for cash payments, which was a nice touch. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I would certainly recommend Mola to anyone seeking a well-prepared and flavorful dining experience.

Discovered this gem of a restaurant last week and absolutely have to leave a review! I’ve never really been a huge sushi fan but this place CHANGED me. Fantastic fresh Sushi! Drinks are great too! Prices aren’t bad all things considered. I’ve tried at least 6-7 things on the menu and so far nothing disappoints. Our server, Brad, was also fantastic. Good recommendations and he took great care of us. 10/10. Would definitely nominate as a top 5 restaurant for Pittsburgh.

I ate here back in December 2021 (very overdue review) and had the uni chirashi and a sea bream and truffle pate roll. They were both so good and sent me to HEAVEN so hard that I’ve literally been looking at property in Pittsburgh ever since so I can move there and have Mola everyday (I’m not joking; I live in California). Please never go out of business!!!

Oh, my! What can I say? Absolutely delicious! Wide variety of appetizers. Tremendous selection of sushi & sashimi. The blue crab roll was delectable. Dining available outside.

Mola is amazing! Great flavors not experienced anywhere else and huge pieces which leaves you filled and happy. Note: their website has pictures for every food item which is perfect. Got the: Crispy chicken bao 10/10 Pork belly bao 10/10 Spicy scallops Blue crab Crispy spicy tuna Shrimp tempura with avocado and cucumber And a couple more that I don't remember now All sushi rolls were great! Other than the bao buns, no use in recommending specific rolls here, get whatever feels good to you and I guarantee a good time!

By far one of my favorite sushi spots of all time. Just thinking about the food here is making my mouth water right now. My husband and I came here a ton while living in Pittsburgh, and now any time we’re in town we aim to make a stop here. We went basically all out for my husband’s birthday when we visited in May and I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope you all stay around forever! 💜

Mola is one of my favorite lunch spots for sushi! The waiters are always super friendly and the modern ambiance inside the restaurant makes it an enjoyable sit down experience. I love the lunch specials they offer specifically getting to pair a roll with a bao bun. My favorites include the shrimp tempura and eel roll. The Mola Vegetables are also a must try appetizer.

Sushi at Mola is always a treat! We happened to catch the tail end of their daily lunch special that's everyday from 11-3:30 where you get a free side with certain entrees. It was so cold that we had to go with the miso soup! The sushi at Mola is always so fresh and delicious and it's definitely one of my fave sushi places in Pittsburgh! The service was fast and friendly. The inside is pretty small so I would either go at an off time or make a reservation ahead of time.

Came here after making a reservation day of. I believe they only accept reservations by phone call. It was a Sunday so street parking was free, although it was still hard to find since it's a busy street. Their sushi menu wasn't very extensive, they offered rolls most sushi places have so there wasn't much uniqueness. The rolls were really good, fresh seafood and tasted absolutely delicious and of high quality! Affordable as well. It did take a long time to come. It's a pretty small space so it was kinda cramped and we could easily overhear other table's conversations. Our waitress was really nice and friendly and when my boyfriend ordered a drink, she asked me for my ID as well even though I didn't order anything. I've never experienced that before so I thought it was kind of strange but fortunately I brought my ID so my boyfriend could drink (not me). I definitely recommend Mola if you want high quality, somewhat casual, affordable sushi.

Super cute but kind of small inside so definitely make a reservation. This sushi is the best I've had in Pittsburgh -- the rice seriously takes it to the next level. Our waiter, who was awesome and gave us a great overview of the whole menu and some delicious recommendations, told us how the rice is brown looking because it's white rice that is soaked in this sushi rice vinegar they get from japan that is barrel aged and normally only used in Michelin star restaurants. 10/10 highly recommended!

Discovering Mola restaurant years ago was my lucky day. I can not say enough about the quality of the food and the creativity that makes each dish incredible.. The sashimi, my favorite, has large pieces of fish that couldn't be any fresher. Alex, the owner, makes this MOLA rice that is perfect and his wasabi a true winner. The poke bowls are fabulous with guacamole and seaweed on the side. The cooked meals, such as salmon are generous and tasty. Wonderful special teas and scrumptious desserts. You must try the crepe cake and mochidoki. I eat there frequently and recently met people from Japan and they couldn't say enough about it. I give it 10stars..

Go to sushi place in Pittsburgh! The quality of the fish here is unmatched. Best fish in Pittsburgh. I don't say that lightly. My wife and I are sushi snobs. My only complaint is they need a way bigger space. But I like the no frills approach so they can focus on quality ingredients. Place is always packed! Go early and go often!

Inside of a food hall. Fresh poke. Seasoned well. Good service. Reasonable wait time.

Been to Tokyo (my staff member's uncle was a sushi chef), worked in New York, and enjoyed sushi in coastal seafood meccas like Portland, Maine and Vancouver. This King Salmon Chirashi (sourced from Hokkaido) blew my freakin' mind! This place is so good and unpretentious, but casually refined. Will come back again and again.

Great to-go meal for my first time trying this restaurant. The food was prepared quickly. I had the miso glazed salmon (sub broccoli to make it GF) and a tuna/avocado roll. My husband had a shrimp tempura roll, Cali roll, and a sirloin steak rice bowl. All were equally delicious and we will be back.

Great fresh fish and a very great menu. There are multiple drink options including hard liquor and sakes! The cut rolls and specials are reasonably priced and our server was very attentive. We enjoyed the crab handroll and the sushi selection including yellowtail and tuna! It is a smaller seating space so sure to make a reservation!

Mola is a nice spot for some quality sushi as well as some other items including bao buns. The restaurant is nice though it does feel somewhat cluttered. They have table seating as well as some bar top options as well. Reservations are possible which is recommended as they have limited space and it does seem busy. The service was good and the food came out pretty quickly after we ordered. The Sushi regular combo was pretty good though I'm not sure I'd want to have the blue crab hand roll again. My daughter enjoyed her Spicy Salmon Poke. The seaweed salad and pork boa buns were also tasty.

Ok, I've reviewed Mola several times, and it's always gotten 5 stars from me. I hadn't been here in over a year, mainly just because I've been so busy at work. I had an excellent opportunity to take my youngest daughter out to lunch, and she said that she would love to go to Mola together, so there was only one thing we could do - say YES!! We hadn't been in the restaurant for quite some time, reserving our visits for mostly doing takeout. We decided to eat in, and it was wonderful as always. I've said it once and I'll say it again - Mahla has the best fish for sushi in town and is definitely on par with high-quality sushi venues in Japan. I also love how they don't just do sushi, but offer several other types of dishes, including their amazing pork dumplings, their Wagyu, and other delicious treats inspired by Japanese traditional dishes from Izakayas. The owners are super friendly, as is all of the staff, who are definitely tuned in to providing the best service possible. They have a great bar, with many different options for you to enjoy. Honestly, Mahla only keeps getting better and better and better over time. Once you think they have reached their Apex, they raise the bar once again. Truly one of my absolute favorite places to eat anywhere in the world! Oishī o ryōri o arigatōgozaimashita 美味しいお料理をありがとうございました！

If you've had good sushi, don't come here you'll be disappointed. But service is quick and their drinks were nice. Good range of food options although imo a little overpriced for the quality. Came with family on a recommendation, probably won't come again unless dragged out by a friend who really likes it.

Delicious!!! This place really does have great sushi for the city. Our waiter was great even though the service was a little slow... which I enjoyed since I didn't feel rushed at all and had lots of time to chat & decide what I wanted. Ambience was great- small place but super fun. I got the sushi regular combo & a hot rose milk tea (phenomenal!) and I was full and satisfied for $50 total (plus tip). I will say- the nigiri had wasabi in the rice which I wasn't a huge fan of- so if you're wasabi averse beware. Getting a day-of reservation for 6 on a Thurs was easy & I highly recommend booking in advance because it's a small place! Can't wait to come back.

Mola has one of the freshest fish options in Pittsburgh - hands down. Definitely feels like it's on the pricier side but the quality is 1000% worth it. We love to get the tuna bowl and sushi grande combo (comes with multiple nigiri, spicy tuna roll and a blue crab hand roll). The only hard part is getting a walk in table if you don't have a reservation on busy Friday and weekend nights. We had to sadly turn around twice after trying to walk in during dinner time and realizing the wait was an hour or 2 long! Otherwise, I love Mola sushi!

Pros: They make their wasabi in house which is quite rare. The fish is fresh, the rice is soft, and the amount of filling is hefty. The service is always nice and on top of the daily specials. Mola has an intimate setting with high quality cuts of fish- my place of choice when I want first rate sushi in Pittsburgh. Cons: I've gone a few times and every time the fried foods make the air thick with smoke and my eyes end up watering midway into the meal.

Mola has become my go-to when I'm craving sushi in Pittsburgh. I love that they are generous with their fish-- while many other places may decrease the ratio by adding in more rice/cucumber/scallions, I find their rolls to be consistently well filled and fresh. I appreciate their wide variety of options at several price points -- their rolls are competitively priced and they have a bevy of hot menu items too. Staff is very attentive and happy to offer suggestions.

It's the best sushi in the burgh! Nothing like it! It's a bit pricey but the quality is superb. Amazing fresh fish, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned rice. Different varieties of fish compared to some sushi spots I was tried a variety of items here and I've loved them all. I can't speak for the ambiance since I've never dined in- but I have done takeout from here maybe 8 times or so and it's always perfect The bao buns are also a must try! Love the pork!

Their regular menu may be good but don't go there for omakase. Our experience was disappointing. Just because you put a piece of raw fish on a plate doesn't mean it's omakase. Each piece is supposed to be crafted with care and creativity using innovative flavor combinations and focus on not only the taste but the presentation as well. Often a special sauce or decorative touch (like tobiko) or even a blowtorch will be used to create a design. This was not the case as each piece was just plain and bland. Two pieces were inedible. We should have known when the server apologized for them! I would recommend management visit Philadelphia to see what true omakase is.

Okay! Pregnant ladies dream. Vegan sushi that tastes like the real thing. I've been so sad thinking I wouldn't get to enjoy it for nine months. But honestly I couldn't tell the difference! I also enjoyed a ginger salad and a passion fruit mochi for dessert. Cute little place too! But a decent amount of seating for the size. Also bar seating with a variety of cocktails and bubble teas.

There is a reason this place is ranked number 1 for sushi in Pittsburgh. The poke bowl I got was one of the best meals I've had in Pittsburgh in years. The bf said that this sushi stands up well against some of the best sushi in London. Our spicy edamame was delicious and as you know we are Edamame experts. We also got drinks that were delicious and our waitress was very friendly and helpful. We will certainly be regulars at this spot. They also have a nice lunch special where if you order an entree you get a soup or salad for free!

I enjoyed my first time at Mola! For two, we ordered shishito peppers, spicy tuna cut roll, bluefin tuna cut roll, and salmon avocado cut roll. The bluefin tuna is incredibly tender, and the spicy tuna was very flavorful. The sushi is well-priced for the quality and quantity of fish. The cuts are pretty large, so I may ask for 8 cuts instead of 6 next time I go. The waitstaff was knowledgeable of gluten allergens on the menu and provided gluten free soy sauce (tamari). The inside was fairly casual. We sat at the bar and did not have to wait for a table on Friday evening without a reservation. If you're going with more than 2, I'd recommend a reservation.

One of the yummiest fusion dining spots in East Liberty! Very busy, popular restaurant. Luckily we visited in the summer and they were able to literally add a table and seats out front for us. The menu gets updated regularly and you can't lose with any of its items.

We were able to get in on a Friday night with a last min reservation! We started with the Shishito Pepper! Not to spicy but a great flavor and it's mild. I ordered the sushi lite which consisted of 4 pieces of raw fish and a California roll. It was the perfect amount of food! The quality of the fish was fresh! Everything is made to order! I also order the special soft shell crab bao! It was good but it definitely needed a sauce or a spicy Mayo to top it off. It was a little lacking in flavor! The restaurant is on the smaller side but I love how quick everyone gets seated. It's beautiful decorated with a huge chalk board showing their specials! You can tell the staff cares about making their guest feel welcomed. Although it was fairly busy, one of the staff members went outside their door and started to pick up all the trash around their area!

Back here to finally try the Omakase and it's definitely the best in town. Everything was made to perfection. Staff were amazing and service was excellent. Our servers made sure share each course in great detail. Every bite was heavenly. I would recommend to snag a reservation if you want to do an omakase with them.

I came here during a visit to PA. There were many options on the menu on the large chalk board as well as on the standard menu. I saw quite a few wagyu beef options. I had the salmon bowl which was very delicious. I also had a mango boba drink which was great as well. The ambiance was lively with great staff. The sushi that was shared with the group was excellent as well. I'll come back if I am in the area and craving Japanese food.

I used to love this place. But the fish did not look or taste as fresh as it has in the past.

Mola is by far the best sushi restaurant in pittsburgh! I've tried a few, and I was stunned by the quality and freshness of the food! We went here for our friends surprise bday party, and we had a blast! We started with some dumplings and my girlfriend got a miso soup! The miso soup had such an incredible flavor for it! Then, we each got 2 cut rolls and kind of shared them all! The highlights where the bluefin toro and the blue crab rolls, both were absolutely incredible and the amount of fish you got for the price point was well worth it! They also provide a complimentary tuna roll for orders over $45 dollars! I want to come back and try their omakase at some point!

Been here 3 times now. Each time has been a hit. The star of the show for me is the rice. Service is excellent. Warm boba tea is a nice cherry on top.

This is my new favorite sushi spot in town! We only did delivery but we are definitely going to go in for dinner at some point. The delivery took less than 45 mins which was earlier than expected when we ordered online. Just some comments about their takeout. We tried the sushi regular set and the handrolls were already rolled up before being delivered, so when it got to us, the seaweed was all soggy. From other places we've tried in other cities, when you do takeout handrolls, there's always a piece of plastic or contraption to separate the rice and fish from the seaweed during transport to keep it from going soggy. It's super taboo! I didn't love their "crispy rice" since it wasn't actually crispy rice. It was just a spicy tuna roll with crunchy rice balls sprinkled on top. When it got to us, the crunchy rice balls lost their crunch and was soggy - it honestly took away from the sushi. I would've preferred it without them. Also, we thought crispy rice meant they actually fried the rice and put the fish on top. We absolutely loved everything else we got though! Their sushi rice is so good and the sushi is a bit pricier but the pieces are big! Definitely love how fresh the fish is. I like this place better than Gi-Jin in town too! You have to check it out if you like sushi!

I have been here in person a couple of times, and got them delivered once or twice when I was living in Shadyside. If you get actual food and not sushi, you're probably better off going in person. Their sushi is good. I love scallops so it is nice to see scallop sashimi on the menu. What I really come here for is the Japanese curry. I love curry that has potatoes and carrots in it, but usually curry in Pittsburgh has tons of onions and other vegetables. Their curry has a decent amount of both, and the carrots aren't hard. The chicken is crispy, and the curry itself is thick and tastes good as well. It's also pretty filling. Never had room for dessert after. The boba here is alright. Think next time I go I will try a different drink. I don't know what the ladies bathroom looks like, but the guys' room has some funny artwork lol.

Enjoyed the experience. Ordered a variety of items... Pork belly bao (braised pork belly, crushed peanuts, pickled cucumber, cilantro) Crispy chicken bao (chicken breast, slaw, sriracha Mayo) Spicy bluefin Tuna hand roll Chirashi (salmon, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, scallop) Spicy crab salad The chicken bao and bluefin tuna rolls were great. Pork belly bao nothing memorable. The Chirashi was fun but not sure I'd get it again for its price point. Bartender was friendly and attentive until it was time to get bill. Seemingly understaffed and had to add more time in meter as result.

My first time at Mola was a huge success, I can't wait to go back! I called the same day and was able to get a reservation. Their dining room is on the small side so I would definitely recommend making a reso. Our server was really friendly and was eager to explain the specials to us as we were clueless on all of the types of cuts of fish that were available. It's really cool to see the menu of fresh fish that they have coming in daily to serve. I had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc which was a great pairing with our meals. We started with edamame, shishito peppers and pork belly bao buns. Everything was incredible, I really enjoyed the sauce that came with the peppers. The pork belly was amazing & super tender. For dinner, I had a salmon & avocado roll as well as a shrimp tempura, cucumber and avocado roll. They were both delicious, really fresh and super filling. I can't wait to come back!

Great food, great staff, and very, very reasonable prices. I love the variety of food available, and the weight staff was amazing. They also presented our plates in a really cute fun way.

One of my favorite sushi spots in the Pittsburgh area, Hands down! I love everything about East Liberty and this restaurant is truly a hidden gem amongst other sushi spots in and around the area. The location itself is the perfect size for a sushi restaurant. A small seating and bar area which always makes for a better dining experience when it comes to eating sushi. The staff was great and I never witnessed a single employee who was not smiling. I loved that! The import beer selection was as to be expected at a good sushi restaurant and they also had some local favorites on tap as well which made me very happy. The nigiri was very fresh and tasted excellent, the tuna roll was super tasty and the seaweed salad was delicious. I can't say enough about this place besides I'll be back the next time I'm in town. Thank you for the great food and excellent service :D

Great sushi place and bar. The fish they use is so fresh and delicious. The drinks are always so yummy too

My favorite sushi spot in all of Pittsburgh. They have a great lunch special! Also, their bubble tea is out of this world

Ordered some takeouts and they were yummy! I love the freshness of their sashimi and sushi, both salmon and scallops tasted awesome! One thing I do notice is that everything is higher priced in the DoorDash app so next time I would definitely try dine-in.

OMG!! Thy have the best sushi in Pittsburgh hands down. Wow!! It is so fresh and so delicious. It's not fishy at all. I really love it and crave it. I get the tuna poke bowl which is unreal. It's so flavorful and so delicious. I live it so much. My old job allowed us to order from GrubHub and it was soooooo good. We loved it. I still crave it and finally got it on my own. You have to get it. My husband got and loved the steak bao. Wow! So flavorful and delicious!

The best sushi restaurant in Pittsburgh continues to impress me every single time I go. Don't let the casual atmosphere confuse you - this spot is a must-go for any sushi lover in the area. They constantly bring in new specials that keep the menu exciting, and the wait staff is incredibly well educated and able to talk about all of the different menu options and how to best set up your sushi experience. New things that we tried on this visit were the Wagyu beef flight (each slice gets flame-cooked table side & topped with a unique topping - house made wasabi, chili sesame oil, black truffle vinaigrette, or otoro & uni), king salmon (marbled nigiri salmon fresh from patagonia that melts in your mouth), & soft shell crab bao (crispy & delicious). I also visited some old favorites like the scallop cut roll & hokkaido uni. Just like the food, the cocktails are impressive, and we ended the night with espresso martinis and mochi (the strawberry flavor was the group favorite). I will definitely be back soon for another amazing sushi feast!! Food: A+ Drinks: A- Service: A Ambiance: B

Visited Mola today for the first time today, and was very impressed. The outside of the restaurant and location can be unassuming, but this is easily one of the best places in Pittsburgh for sushi. The service was outstanding and welcoming. The young lady explained the items on their feature wall. We ordered the king salmon, regular salmon, o-toro, kama-toro and amaebi (?), along with a salmon and avocado roll, and were delightfully surprised. In North America, the best sushi we have had was in Baltimore and Markham, and haven't been able to find a good sushi place in Pittsburgh. This may have just made it to the number 1 spot for us. We will be back to try other menu items.

This restaurant reminds me of how spoiled I am to live in NYC. A warm environment and caring service can't save this clumsy, pedestrian sushi. The fish is thick cut and metallic tasting, the rice stodgy. But maybe this really is the best Pittsburgh has to offer?

First time in Pittsburgh and first time in shadyside neighborhood. Completely no idea what I was up to. It was such a pleasant first encounter with Pittsburgh. The sashimis are fresh with lots of choices. Surprisingly some Chinese stir fried veggie dishes were recommended by the waitress, so it seems the locals like them. Plus points. Lots of choices for Sake and sake based cocktails which are really nice. I don't like sweet drink so the cucumber cocktail hit the home run. Last but not least, I would like to recommend their desserts. They serve small low cost dessert, only $4 a piece for the cheesecake. Yuzu cheese cake is the most popular, but I really love the matcha cheesecake. I had both, not guilty at all as they are in a perfect portion for sampling.

I love Mola for its casual vibes and amazing food! I have yet to get anything I didn't like. I always love to start with mola-style vegetables. It has a great smoky flavor and makes me actually want to eat veggies! I wanted to also get the pork and chive dumpling but I opted for the Pork Belly Bao instead. No regrets! I have always loved Noodlehead's pork buns, but I think this is my new favorite. Each order only comes with a single bao. Ask your waiter if they can be cut in halves to share as appetizers. We also got the Shrimp Tempura Udon. The shrimp was nicely battered, and the soup was flavorful. I would definitely prefer the Spicy Salmon Poke I got last time over the udon though. We got the sushi grande and everything it came with was good. The blue crab hand roll came separately so it stays fresh. I wasn't impressed by it but I would definitely ask for it to be cut in half because the seaweed wrap is hard to bite/tear. Lastly, the yuzu cheesecake is amazing!!! I always get it because it's a perfect crowd-pleaser. (No pictures of it because it was gone so fast). We also split the Ozeki Nigori Sake which was refreshing and sweet.

This is the best sushi I have ever had. I have eaten sushi around much of the country, including NYC, and this takes the cake. Their fish is so delicate, fresh, and truly melts in your mouth. They do not skimp on quality or ingredients. Their fish-to-rice ratio is perfect. Adding almonds to an eel avocado roll? Absolute genius. Their prices are on the expensive end but they back it up with perfection. I don't know what else to say about this place other than you need to RUN here for your next sushi experience.

Went here with a friend and enjoyed it but my salmon was a bit tough. Service was excellent and overall we were both happy with this place.

I've been here more times than I can count and Mola is such a hidden gem. You drive down Penn through East Liberty and it's just the best hole in the wall spot. Incredible sushi for a reasonable price, great and friendly service, and consistently good every time. Love Mola and will continue coming back time and time again. I had the miso soup (so flavorful), the sautéed bok choy so good), and lots of rolls including the spicy salmon. The fish just melts in your mouth!

Best tuna I've ever had anywhere in the country! Was in town for work and I went twice.

Great date night, service was very friendly. They had so many sushi options that aren't available everywhere.