Royal Sushi &amp; Bar

16 Essential Japanese Restaurants in New Orleans

"Royal Sushi is a chill spot in the Marigny close to the R Bar — it’s popular for its creative handrolls. But the miso ramen is always a great bet for a comforting meal; the savory, tangy barbecue pork buns come dressed with bits of cucumber and cilantro. There’s tempura, of course, and a very tasty salmon fried rice." - Beth D'Addono

"This Marigny storefront is light and airy with lighting that changes colors, friendly servers, and consistently good raw seafood offerings. It’s hard not to love Royal’s generous portion of tuna tataki and the “geisha kiss” roll stuffed with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, snow crab, asparagus, avocado, cucumber, and masago. There’s also an extensive array of ramen bowls, with pick-your-own protein, broth, and veg for a bowl of custom noodle love. Soy-wrapped and rice-free rolls are also available. The same owners are behind Haiku on Magazine and Geisha on Tchoupitoulas, so the menus are similar." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell

The Best Ramen Shops in New Orleans - Eater New Orleans

"This spot right off of Frenchmen Street offers a build-your-own ramen bowl from start to finish. Five meats, and one vegetable option to start, then choose a broth: tonkotsu/spicy tonkotsu, a chicken-based shoyu spinach, or the seaweed-soy yasmin konbu. Then there’s a choice from three noodly types: udon, ramen, or rice noodles. And of course, the optional toppings, like corn, kimchi, crab stick, nori, or BBQ pork." - Nora McGunnigle, Eater Staff

Nicole D.

Yelp

Oh darling, I'm sipping on a sweet tea, and I'm taking you on a little trip down to the Big Easy, where the jazz flows like the Mississippi River. We were feeling restless, looking for something that'd shake things up in the city that's all about beignets and jazz. So, we wandered off the beaten path, and lo and behold, we stumbled upon this hidden gem, tucked away like a secret kiss. Now, I know what you're thinking " Nicole, what's the deal with sushi in New Orleans?" And I'm telling you, honey, it's like finding a diamond in the rough. The service was as smooth as a spring breeze on a magnolia tree, and the food was like a sultry serenade - it got me feeling all sorts of emotions. If you're looking to break free from the same ol' gumbo and jambalaya, then this little sushi spot is the place to be. Trust me, darling, I know a thing or two about doing things differently.

Maia S.

Yelp

I came here on a whim, my friend and I were looking for sushi in chalmette and nothing was open or wasn't what we wanted. We saw Thu's place in Yelp and said let's try it! I'm so glad we did. We were seated right away, the server was accommodating and answered all our questions (even tho they were busy). The food was good, the ramen was really yummy! The place is small but cute... it's not far from Frenchmen so parking is a challenge in busy weekends, but I really like this place! I wish I would've taken pics but I was hungry and not thinking...

Lynn L.

Yelp

Great sushi bar close to Frenchman or TheMatgny I ate here a few years ago and it was as amazing. Miso soup is so basic, and yet I have had some different taste. This is one of my favorites. Lots of whatever makes a great soup I am here early so I am eating lunch menu. I order Salmon TERRIYAKI BOX. I GET MISO SOUP, salmon, a spring roll and 3 California rolls. Just so gooood Our waiter was very nic

Ivy M.

Yelp

The food was so tasty! The staff is awesome. The vibes are immaculate. However, I have to dock major points for portions and price. I got the Combination Fried Rice. Sooo good but it is so small. It's an appetizer portion for $20+ entree price. It's so sad. Even the sushi felt skimpier than other rolls I've had in the price range. There's a place called Secret Thai in Chalmette that easily gives you 5x the amount (a literal mountain) of fried rice for half the price. All of their portions are huge like that. Then there's Sushi Express in Metairie (the name does not do it justice) I could get a lot more for the same amount of money. Their food is always so fresh and they cater. They're also very fast (hence the name). Both of the places I mentioned are relatively far. While Royal Sushi has very tasty food in a more convenient area, it's also a tourist area so there's tourist pricing, sadly. They should either lower the price or greatly increase the portions since I'm seeing multiple reviews mentioning this.

John F.

Yelp

I know New Orleans is not the place where you think about sushi, but we were looking for something a little different. We found this hidden jewel, not too far of a walk from the madness of Bourbon Street. The service was great, the food was good. Highly recommended if you're just trying to do some thing different than the standard New Orleans fare.

Anna B.

Yelp

While a bit pricey, the sushi was good quality. But not super filling sushi. I got an order of sashimi salmon and it was only three pieces, small amount for the price. The fresh roll I ordered was average but not SoCal quality sushi, IYKYK.

L R.

Yelp

This sushi restaurant goes up and down on when I like it and when. I don't like it right now. One of the things I don't like again is their ginger. It's disgusting. it taste like turpentine. It's over chemicalized and lame. I've told them many times in the past and they fixed the issue. Then I stopped eating there in the last three years due to a move and when I went back to eating there a few weeks ago, they went back to the cheap disgusting ginger they buy from they're distributor. It taste like turpentine or some sorta gross chemical. The sushi is OK I'm not impressed anymore about their rolls, too small. The cuts of the sushi is moderate, but I hear they've got great Ramen although I've never had it. I wish they would do better. They're the closest to me where I live, but because the ginger is so awful I don't even bother now. I'm tired of telling them. But lots of ppl don't seem to mind. They seem to be doing ok, so maybe my pallet's too sensitive.

Cierra L.

Yelp

I've ordered from here for takeout but finally decided to dine in. It's the space is small but intimate. We ordered many things on the menu but I only had a chance to take a picture of the ramen. We had the Asian style spicy shrimp wontons, I think they would have been better with no sauce, the spring rolls and the cucumber salad, which wasn't my favorite. I did end up taking some combination rice to go and they only had 2 shrimps in it. The service was fast and we didn't find ourselves waiting too long for the food. I would probably end up getting rice on my next visit. Try this place out if you're in the area.

Jessica K.

Yelp

I wanted to give this a higher rating but I was disappointed especially by the service. The sushi itself was good, but both rolls didn't match their descriptions which was frustrating considering I paid for the most expensive roll and it didn't even have masago--what I ordered it for in the first place. The menu also lacked diversity in the sense that each description was essentially the same which is good if you like simpler sushi. Service was shitty...Our server was disinterested and borderline rude. Didn't even ask anything aside from our order and barely came over despite the lack of crowd. Our server definitely ruined the ambience and the fruit flies inside the restaurant sent me over the edge. Overall, not a NOLA must have, but convenient if you want quick and better than average sushi.

Liza A.

Yelp

We went here for a quick bite before heading to Frenchmen Street for live music. It's a few blocks away from the hubbub of Frenchmen Street, so much quieter and less crowded. Service is quick and friendly. We were seated right away. The waiter took our orders in no time and our food arrived shortly thereafter. Perfect for us since we had a show to catch. We ordered salad, sushi rolls, and sashimi. The sashimi was super fresh. The sushi rolls were filling - they didn't skimp on the fish. The ginger dressing on the salad was refreshing. Highly recommend if you're looking for a sit down restaurant option on a quieter street near Frenchmen!

Angie D.

Yelp

Oh my goodness I have no idea why we have not been to Royal Sushi before it's so good!! We went on New Year's Eve and were afraid it would be too busy to get in, and yes it was busy but we were seated quickly. We have the GJoy cold sake (a favorite of mine), the Dragon Roll and the Hidden Dragon roll, both very fresh and flavorful. Service was fast and friendly. The restaurant has a casual but nice vibe. There ares also sups on the menu that I intend to go back and try. I highly recommend!

Michael T.

Yelp

I had an amazing experience! The customer service was top-notch, and the sushi exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality and excellent service."

Joelle L.

Yelp

During my trip to New Orleans, I had the pleasure of visiting a sushi spot that I would highly recommend. Our dining experience was filled with a variety of delectable dishes, including the ramen noodle soup, sushi rolls, and the Chirashi bowl. The presentation of the Chirashi bowl was truly a work of art, with attention to detail. The sushi chef even cut out little carrot butterflies. I was so impressed! The rolls were equally as amazing and had delicious flavors. The portions were satisfying, and the quality of the fish was truly impressive. I couldn't get enough of the flavorful ramen, which left me craving more. The overall dining experience at this sushi spot was simply delightful, so much so that I found myself returning to Royal Sushi three times for dinner during my short four-day stay in NOLA. The exceptional quality of the food, along with the friendly atmosphere, made it an easy choice for repeat visits. The restaurant is committed to excellence. If you find yourself in New Orleans, I highly recommend paying a visit to this sushi spot.

David S.

Yelp

Wonderful food, very nice staff. Will to help handicap people in and out. The place was clean and atmosphere was very relaxing.

Keith S.

Yelp

Looking for a low key hang out that's a little on the cheaper side of the F-quarter? Maybe an outside table to hear some of the sounds floating over from Frenchmen St? Royal Sushi is for you then. I had some veggie potstickers and miso ramen that I thought was tasty. The ramen had a great miso flavor and I added extra veggies for a little more crunch. The potstickers were tasty as well. This is a good place if you're looking for something simple and not too fancy. Although, I thought it was going to be more upscale by the name but was glad it was not. I didn't try the sushi but I imagine it's super good if it's on par with the ramen. Def recommend anyone checking this place out.

Briana S.

Yelp

I visited Royal sushi when I visited New Orleans last week and had an amazing experience. I went with my boyfriend and our friend and we were seated immediately. The service was great and they played great music. We started with the bbq pork buns and they were so flavorful, and fresh. I could have eaten like 20 more! We shared the 3 roll lunch special with the spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and dynamite rolls. We each got our own specialty roll and I got the crouching tiger. It was delicious. I will say that I didn't really taste the ponzu sauce that was on it and I love ponzu. The lunch special rolls were all fresh and delicious. Overall, I really have no complaints and highly recommend this place for sushi in New Orleans. I would definitely go back!

Karleigh W.

Yelp

So so so good. To drink, we split the cheapest sake on the menu - it was $8 and came in a small bottle that was the perfect size for sharing. It was a dry sake served chilled. We though it was delicious! All drink prices seemed reasonable. To eat, I got spicy tonkatsu broth with BBQ pork and ramen noodles and my husband got Yasmin Konbu broth with BBQ pork and ramen noodles. I was nervous about what the BBQ pork would be like but it was delicious. The spicy broth had a great flavor and the slight creaminess balanced the heat. The Yasmin had tons of flavor. We also got the tempura appetizer. We had the option of vegetables or shrimp, but the shrimp also comes with vegetables, so we got that. Everything was perfectly crispy and delicious. The service was great. We came in 45 minutes before closing and did not feel rushed. The location is great. Free street parking on the residential streets around and a block from great music on Frenchmen St. Overall, a great hidden gem. I wish we could take this place back to Tampa with us.

Andy V.

Yelp

What makes good sushi to me is really good rice and really good fish. Royal Sushi has mediocre rice and mediocre fish.

Alexandra E.

Yelp

First time coming here for my brother's birthday. They quickly set up a table for us as we came in. The food and drinks here were awesome. I ordered the Lycheetini and it was delicious! I ended up ordering another one before last call. For appetizer, I ordered the Ceviche appetizer and it was so fresh and yummy. The chips were a little stale but the seafood made up for it. For my roll, I got the Hidden Dragon Roll and added cream cheese. It was good! Service was great, food was great too. Would definitely come back.

Meghan R.

Yelp

One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans. We can never seem to remember which rolls we've gotten previously so end up with different ones each time. And, they never disappoint! Most recently it was the hidden dragon where each of us was vying for the final piece. We also did the Sashimi entree which was okay, but not something we'd get again, although that's based completely on personal preference and I'm glad we tried it. Bonus points for $9 large house sake. Staff is always nice and quick. Looking forward to trying the Ramen finally on a future trip.

Hannah A.

Yelp

As a self proclaimed noodle soup enthusiast, we chose this place based on a terribleeee craving to slurp some noodles and sip delicious broth and I was not disappointed. We had a lovely walk through the garden district to the restaurant which is located on a quiet, quaint little street - a very different vibe from bourbon and other surrounding areas. Service was quick and efficient. I ordered the spicy tonkatsu broth with beef, ramen noodles, and kimchi (requested on the side). Fiancé ordered the non spicy version with BBQ pork. Wasn't a huge fan of the beef which, texture wise, was more like pot roast. The BBQ pork is not at all what you think, it was just thin slices of pork belly. To make the broth spicy, it looked like they added some kind of chili oil to the regular tonkatsu broth which I wasn't mad at, but the spice does tend to hit you in the back of the throat as opposed to full mouth spicy feeling, ya know? We didn't order any sushi or sashimi but more than half the menu was dedicated to it and it seriously looked beautiful! Like, honestly, sounds like we went to a top notch sushi joint and just got the noodles lollll. Whoops! Anyway! Definitely check this place out if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of bourbon or just craving something other than southern cuisine. Enjoy!

Tori M.

Yelp

This is our ABSOLUTE GO TO SPOT!! The sushi is amazing and I love the spicy tuna hand roll! Martini is the best server. My girlfriend and I will always come here for our sushi. It's also in perfect walking distance to the French market and Frenchman of course.

Don G.

Yelp

Solid sushi, nice bar, feels a million miles from the scrum of Frenchmen Street. Fair prices too.

Eddie U.

Yelp

Fresh fish at the sushi place around the corner from Frenchman Street. We ended up having our anniversary dinner here because we get caught on Frenchman Street once evening dropped great place fresh sushi.

Loriyon J.

Yelp

Always looking for a new spot to try and I stumbled across a tik tok with a review on this place and thought I had to try. Was impressed with the service as well as the ramen. Haven't had any in New Orleans in a while but it is memorable and I will be back to try something else. Everything we had was really good and it's a cute little date spot

Jono B.

Yelp

Nice spot right off the outskirts of Frenchmen St. the service was good and the sushi was delicious.

Corby D.

Yelp

One of the BEST sushi places I have had in NOLA! They had such a variety on their menu and wonderful food. The sushi was so fresh and so tasty!!! Service is phenomenal as well.

Amber D.

Yelp

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the sushi dishes here. Upon entering, there's a bar. We had a seat close to the bar and there was this unpleasant, residual alcohol smell that kept wafting our way. However, once the food came out, everything was delicious and fresh! They have gluten free soy sauce. The service was slower but the food sing for itself

Kenny B.

Yelp

A must if staying near or in Marigny. Delicious ramen and excellent sushi!!! Had the spicy tuna roll and some pork buns. All were better than most places I've been to in LA

Dejon A.

Yelp

The Spicy Miso Ramen & BBQ Pork Tonkotsu Ramen is always bussing. Can't miss. Top it off with a Ginger Margarita & the good music playing in the background. Oh yeah I'm satisfied. Highly Recommend.

Ashley E.

Yelp

My fiancée and myself went to try this place for a date night. First off it is street parking. We went about 6:30 and lucked up and find parking fairly close to the restaurant. We ordered the spicy edamame and gyoza for apps. Both were delicious! I love spicy edamame and it hit the spot! We ordered the puff daddy roll and the shrimp tempura roll. Both were fresh and delicious! The puff daddy roll has a soy wrapper with snow crab, avocado, asparagus topped with fried crawfish tails and crunch. I didn't even get a picture because we tore in. We sat at the bar cause there were no open seats. It is a small restaurant but they do take reservations. Bartender was our server. He was friendly. All in all a good place to get fresh sushi!

Keith C.

Yelp

A great spot if you're in the area in need of a quick drink or app. Went with three friends recently and were treated like -- no pun intended -- royalty. Super-nice staff without being phony. Food was great and came out quickly. A little loud but, considering the location, not a deal-breaker.

Earl C.

Yelp

Always fresh whether sashimi, rolls or their cooked specialities. Friendly efficient service. Highly recommend.

Erica B.

Yelp

One of our regular spots for sushi - same good quality of service and food each time. Love all the dragon rolls, crouching tiger roll, and the sake cocktails. The dressing on the standard salad is tangy and delicious.

Danielle A.

Yelp

LADIES NIGHT OUT!!! Everything is 1 block away from everything else but after that much cabernet and tasty cocktails, we got lost lol! This is a nice cozy sushi bar. It feels city chic, but with a southern flair. The young lady (please don't move to Pennsylvania) who helped us was SO NICE! yes she made a mistake on our drink, but maybe those were the drink the universe intended on us having to begin with. Either way this is yet another non touristy place we really enjoyed for a lavish but affordable dinner. It was clean, not very crowded. There was a lovely view of an older house nearby. I got the sense if we wanted to sit all day we could. Order a few of everything and indulge. It's a nice place in town away from the Quarter to have a great meal and still get the experience you'd desire.

A B.

Yelp

I'm an outta towner who loves "local/neighborhood" types of places, this place was PERFECT! Great food, service & ambiance. Speaking of ambiance, I f'n kid you knot - as I'm enjoying my meal (immensely) a f'n cowboy goes by! So cool! Photo proof attached.

Jamijo W.

Yelp

I went there hoping to get kicked in the shin, left absolutely in awe. The Tchoupitoulas roll was AMAZING! Everything was amazing. Junyi was our server and she was an absolute delight. Minus one star because there were no crypt walks.

Emma A.

Yelp

Delicious sushi. Lychee martinis can be hit or miss depending on the day/bartender. Ceviche is quite tasty too! Don't recommend the soft shell crab appetizer.

Matt M.

Yelp

One of our favorites for a while. We recently ordered and nothing in the meal was fresh. Even the ginger looked passed its prime. Ate a few pieces against my better judgement and spent the majority of the day on the toilet. Glad I we smelt the specialty rolls before trying them because they were definitely turned.

Brent B.

Yelp

Absolutely love their ramen, this is my favorite place to go. The service here is very polite and fast, I will always come back!

Danna L.

Yelp

I'm from Seattle so the sushi bar is high. The food is ok. I expect sashimi to be cold, not room temp, I get it it's hot here but that can't come out warm. The rolls are very saucy so the flavors don't pop. Service was friendly and it's a chill spot to hang out if you are in the neighborhood. We went because our rental was in the area but I think I would have been disappointed if we trekked to come out for the food. Ok

Greg M.

Yelp

Awesome neighborhood sushi bar! Everything about my experience was 5-star worthy. Super cool vibe, with a variety of tables, many of which provide some privacy for visiting. I arrived early enough that there was no wait, selected a seat at the bar and enjoyed a Sapporo while perusing the menu. The super friendly bartender confirmed my first instinct, the crouching tiger roll. Excellent choice! Loaded with flavor. I followed that up with another bartender recommendation, the yellowtail roll. Another winner! I finished it all off with a shot of Nikka Coffee Grain Whisky. I simply couldn't have asked for a better experience, or better food/drink. I'll be back!

Emily M.

Yelp

Great spot! I love the transformation of the place from when it was suko Thai-much better layout, more homey and wonderful murals. Stopped in for a bite with friends well versed in sushi and sake and was not disappointed. Did you know you can gauge a sushi place based on how they prepare their mackerel and scallops? Well they did things right here, so go on with your bad self and support local!

John J.

Yelp

Early Saturday night if you are looking to finish off eating and drinking like the Japanese people do, you need to go to this place on the East end of the French quarter. Pretty full when we got there so go early. A bit of walking but you'll be pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed the late noodles. Other menu items looked decent too.

Chance M.

Yelp

Best sushi in the city so far. Baked salmon entree is amazing. Can never go wrong with Royal.

Dianna Y.

Yelp

First time here last week with a group of friends. We were the only ones there given mid day on a Tuesday. The tools were decent price for the lunch special. TSted good

Carl K.

Yelp

A hidden gem for sushi! I've been to many sushi places in New Orleans, but I can honestly say this is one of the best in the city. A bit hidden away from the busy streets, you'll find ample parking on the streets because it's less crowded. When you walk in, you'll be greeted by some great artwork on the walls, and like many other sushi restaurants, a menu with a pencil and paper. We were filling full from our late breakfast so we decided to only sample a few, but by the end of the meal, we had to restrain ourselves from ordering more!! The sashimi just melts on your tongue when you first put it in your mouth. It doesn't have a fishy scent that you'll get with many other fish, and it's just marvelous how it greets your taste buds. We also got the Metairie roll, the crunchy roll, and the crouching tiger. They were all so good, and the fish were all fresh. The only knock is the slow service. There only seems to be two people serving, and for a Saturday, it doesn't seem to be enough. We had to wait while for our order to be taken and for the bill to come, but other than that, this place is a must try!!

Ellen F.

Yelp

I save 5 stars for fine dining, but there was not one thing wrong with this restaurant. The sushi was fresh and delicious, the servers could not have been friendlier, and the food was reasonably priced and came out quickly.

Dennis C.

Yelp

New Orleans sushi is pretty lacking in general, but Royal Sushi is a casual neighborhood joint with good food and specials. I've had their lunch specials and some of the non-sushi dinner options and have enjoyed both. I do wish there were more options with the lunch specials, but it's the lunch special - simplicity is kind of the point which is fine. Their soup is pretty solid too, so don't feel like you have to go with the sushi. Service has been hit or miss the few times I've gone, with some staff being very attentive and others being a bit more aloof, even when trying to get their attention for something or the bill. Overall though, its proximity to me and overall pretty good food and prices will have me returning from time to time.

Lin Y.

Yelp

Simply the best sushi restaurant in french quarter. Make sure order the fried squid!!! The service is epic. Definitely need to come back!

16 Essential Japanese Restaurants in New Orleans

The Best Ramen Shops in New Orleans - Eater New Orleans