Soto

"When Uchi is impossible to get into, or you’re looking for a different approach to Japanese cuisine, head to this Lamar Union development restaurant in the Zilker neighborhood, which happens to be open for lunch and dinner. On deck is the restaurant’s well-crafted nigiri, sashimi, and sushi, alongside larger dishes like uni pasta and lobster tempura. (The wine list is nice, too.) Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Rolls at this Japanese restaurant can be spendy but high-quality, like the decadent salmon with shaved truffles. There’s also great nigiri for a more simple date night. There are two locations — one in South Lamar with a nice patio and the original in Cedar Park that’s indoor-only — and both accept takeout orders online." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Just a block from Uchi in South Austin, Soto offers a pretty extensive menu of rolls and nigiri, in addition to a full menu of flashy hot and cold plates to round out your meal (if you really want a spectacle, order the salmon over fire, where a few pieces of raw fish with raspberry chili sauce arrive hanging over a live flame to cook for a few seconds). Much like at Uchi, the nigiri here is on the small end. But the nigiri options are extensive, and each comes paired with a unique set of garnishes. That means you can expect everything from more classic chu toro with pickled wasabi to ora king salmon with miso, garlic scallion oil, and lemon zest.  " - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"Enjoy sushi and cocktails at the Zilker Japanese restaurant, which is open until 10 p.m., with happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Polly Anna Rocha, Darcie Duttweiler

"It’s easy to forget that Soto has a location on South Lamar — especially when Uchi is nearby — but the Japanese restaurant is quite good and probably a good bet when you’re looking for a last-minute sushi trek. I went there for a solo lunch recently and ordered a bunch of nigiri under the recommendation of the very knowledgeable server and I wasn’t steered wrong. The kinki and the managatsuo — idiot rockfish and Japanese butterfish — were fantastic unexpected bites, and, I’m always a sucker for uni, especially when it’s from Hokkaido. It was the perfect albeit pricey lunch. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. —Nadia Chaudhury" - Nadia Chaudhury, Erin Russell