Sushi MARU

An amazing omakase experience better than most cities I have experienced from NYC to LA to Oahu. Chef Maru, the owner, is incredible, introducing every dish with such detailed explanation and such a passion for providing fish from Japan, Uni from San Diego and produce from local farmers. The staff was incredibly attentive and service was 5 star, Michelin quality. I could not recommend this experience more.

From start to finish absolutely delicious. Best omakase we've had since Japan. Don't be afraid to ask questions and have fun conversations with the chefs/waiters/waitresses! Worth the price, highly recommend to anyone wanting a true Japanese experience!

We had an amazing omakase dinner here for my husband’s birthday. Chef Maru & Chef Marcus, and the rest of the team were all very thoughtful & attentive to ensure a wonderful dining experience. I immediately recognized Chef Marcus when he came out, after having had him as our chef the previous year at another omakase spot. It was a nice surprise and made our evening extra special! :) We had 20/21 courses (very generous), and we enjoyed the delicious menu. We will definitely come back again in the future!

What a gem of a place. Incredible service, elegant (but simple) space, and food that surpassed the vast majority of restaurants I’d been to in Japan. Outstanding. If you’re looking for a special night out in San Diego, Sushi Maru is the spot.

This is a wonderful new “omakase” sushi restaurant that is in Downtown San Diego. The sushi is quite excellent, with an excellent presentation and fantastic tastes that will delight any sushi lover. The staff is friendly, engaging, and professional. They have a very nice selection of wines and sake, enough to please any enthusiast. While the sushi was excellent, I found the portions to be quite small (smaller than I’ve ever been served at a comparable high end sushi restaurant). I felt that this was more of a sushi “flight” sampler, than a proper dinner. Nonetheless, it was nice to come here, and I would recommend the sushi here. Though I would also recommend that you prepare to go somewhere afterwards to fulfill your appetite.

Service was amazing. Ambiance 10/10. Ceramics are super cute throughout the course. Some are even chilled. And of course the omakase was phenomenal. One of my top favorite omakases in San Diego.

Setting is intimate, experience is thoughtfully designed and well executed. Flavors are balance and without dismay - many new and local ingredients. We enjoyed dinner here as a birthday outing and it did not disappoint. Great addition to the neighborhood.

By far my favorite omakase experience in San Diego. It is a traditional seating with unique courses exceptional service.

This was such a unique and fantastic experience. Extremely intimate since it is only the sushi counter and the staff were very attentive and social with every guest. This was a ten course omakase experience with a wide variety of fish and sea life. I would not recommend if you are not an adventurous eater but it is worth it if you are. Reservations go quickly since it's a small space and they only do two seatings per night.

What an experience! This was our first time trying Omakase and I didn't know what to expect. Let me tell you from the moment you walk in you feel welcomed and as if you're home! The service is amazing, there were 3 servers and they were all equally attentive and so sweet! Inside is a very small intimate space which makes the expexperience even better! The food no words! Chef Maru is an artist! He is so careful with the food and you can tell how much he cares for the food he presents to us. Every single dish was flavorful and had a story. He explained where everything came from and what to expect when you eat it. If you have never tried Omakase please go here, the staff is amazing, the place is intimate and the food is out of this world! I did not take any pictures because I wanted to be in the moment but trust me please go and try it for yourself you won't be disappointed.

Being a long-time sushi lover, however, it was my first experience with omakase. High quality sushi was the expectation; however, it was way beyond expectations in so many ways. Chef Maru and the staff were very attentive and welcoming. The ambiance is peaceful and makes me feel secluded. The overall dining experience is entertaining and wholesome. We get to learn the source of each ingredient and how it was prepared such that it brings out the natural sweet flavors. That seems to be the focus of Chef Maru has and he takes pride in non-traditional ways of preparing the food. Most of the ingredients were new to me as they came directly from Japan. Even though I have had a lot of sushi, most of the seafood presented were new to me. The taste to each dish was exquisite and delicious! The nigiri just melt in your mouth. The recommended wine pairing was well thought out too; it complimented really well with the courses. Apparently all omakase offers a raw oyster dish, Chef Maru wasn't going to pass it up. He slow-cooked the oysters for several hours and it turned out way better than raw. I was impressed with the prepping method and flavors. I don't think I can name a favorite dish because they were all very very good. I couldn't have asked for a better dining experience!!

One of my favorite omakase sushi joints in San Diego that makes me keep going back over and over again. The restaurant has a simple intimate decor and the service is awesome! The seafood is always fresh and Chef Maru is definitely able to show his mastery of the knife! Sushi Maru is a must for any sushi lover out there!

Me and my husband went to Maru for the omakase experience. While expensive the value of the food was there. Everything was very fresh and both chefs were knowledgeable on all the questions we asked regarding the food. 18 courses followed by a soup and dessert there were 3 other staff members helping the chefs serve us 2 and the 4 other guests. Everything is kept nice and clean with earth tones and black. If you want to impress someone this is a great place to take them. Chef mentioned special fishes come in from Japan on Fridays so it's a good time to come.

Impressive experience dining at Sushi Maru. Chef Maru and team are so hospitable and they make the dining interactive. We both walked away impressed everything. Chef does a wonderful job of explaining each dish. We had 2 courses of Bluefin Tuna prepared completely different (one marinated and the other from the belly). I also haven't had Seabass as a nigiri before. All the fishes are from Japan and the highest quality. We loved how chef brought out a scalesless fish for us to see and also the hairy crab. Chef also uses local ingredients such as Chino Farms. We loved how there's mostly nigiri courses, but there's other dishes as well like soup and rice dish with crab. Ending with a soup (before dessert) is a tradition in Japan, and it was the same with our meal. For dessert there is a panda cotta with fruit. At the end, you have a chance to reorder any courses. There were several I would have wanted but 20 courses is filling. It's an intimate setting with 12 seats. The other guests were also really friendly and it was great meeting them. Definitely 5 stars! I can't think of anything they could have done to make it better. Quality of fishes, preparation, menu, ambiance, staff - everything was perfect.

I have enjoyed the proliferation of omakase exclusive Japanese restaurants that have popped up over the past year in the SD area. Surfing Chef Maruyama has branched out from his roots at Taka Sushi to open Sushi MARU on the ground level of the Stanza Little Italy building in the Cortez Hill neighborhood. The sushi bar could seat 10 diners and had two dinner seatings each night from Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations can be made using Tock. Twenty courses plus dessert were served over two plus hours at a cost of $180 per person which was on par with the local competition. My visit occurred within the first week of the grand opening. The bar setup was simple yet elegant like each of the SD omakase experiences I have tried so far. One diner on the opposite end had a few food allergies which made me wonder why he chose omakase for a meal. Nonetheless, Chef Maru-san and his staff made modifications to the offerings that met the customer's dietary restrictions. For the rest of us, the May seasonal menu was presented in this order... * Starter - Japanese cucumber, seaweed, hairy crab, nasturtium * Appetizer - Hokkaido scallop with myoga ginger, firefly squid, Pacific oysters, otoro from behind the gill and chutoro -- Nigiri, part one * Halibut (Hirame) * Bluefin Tuna Belly (Chutoro) * Striped Jack (Shima-aji) * Giant Clam (Mirugai) * Rosy Seabass (Nodoguro) * Bluefin Tuna Back, marinated (Zuke) * Warm Dish - Steamed halibut with hairy crab stock (dashi) -- Nigiri, part two * Flounder Fin (Engawa) * Scallop, konbu-wrapped (Hotate) * Hairy Crab, chopped including the head and brain (Kegani) * Sea Urchin, Hokkaido (Uni) * Spanish Mackerel (Aji) * Seasonal Simmered Dish - Saki and salt stock, carrot, yellow zucchini, turnip, brussels sprouts -- Nigiri, part three * Abalone (Awabi) with liver and saki sauce * Salmon Egg (Ikura) * Red Bream (Kinmedai) * Sea Eel (Anago) * Soup - Hairy crab with red and white miso * Dessert - Panna cotta with blackberry and strawberry The chef noted that hairy crab was in season so he made it a point to present the item in three different preparations. This was my first encounter with Kegani which I appreciated. Nothing on the menu was fried and even the use of a blowtorch to sear some fish was judicious. The other highlights for me were the giant sea clam and konbu-wrapped scallop which each had a clean, simple taste. There was plenty of interaction with the chef as he explained each course as it was presented. I peppered him with some questions like where a particular fish was sourced. All of the vegetables came from Chino Farms as the supplier. At the end of the session, you could re-order any item a la carte if it was still in stock. WIth the quality of the seafood used and the excellent presentation of each course, dinner at Sushi MARU was no doubt a five star experience.

Just a note, my wife and I will be going monthly to this place! Here is why, elevated experience but not pretentious. Extremely satisfying experience of quality and tasteful art. Our omakase experience was paired with an amazing bottle of recommended Saki, which is now a favorite - thank you Andrew! :) From the moment we arrived, you feel like a VIP. We came to the early dinner but will opt for the later next time, so we can sit and enjoy a drink afterwards. This place easily rose to the top as our favorite.

This was our first omakase experience and we loved it! 10/10 experience! Maru and his team created such a fun, relaxed, cozy experience! Felt like I was just at home eating! All the courses were delish and well thought out! Definitely would recommend!

My favorites were the Sea Eel, Hairy Crab (this comes with a puree of crab liver on top...I usually don't like liver at all but this dish was SO good), and all of the fatty tuna, especially the Otoro Maki. This place has superb service - they are knowledgeable, kind and engaging. What I liked best about this place is that the chefs and staff chat with everyone and make you feel welcome in a tight-knit environment.

Went here for my wife's birthday dinner and it was amazing! When you enter you immediately appreciate the beautiful design that creates a very calm ambience. It's very small so we were all at the sushi bar, which was amazing to see chef Maru make all the dishes and explain as he went along. Every single bite was delicious. The service from all the wait staff was also top tier! We've had omakase at the two 1 star Michelin restaurants that serve it in San Diego, and we both agreed that Sushi Maru was better than either (which were also great, so that's saying something). We would not be surprised if this place eventually gets its own star.

This restaurant is fairly new but their reviews are great so we had to try it. WOW! We are so glad we did! From the moment you step into their beautiful restaurant, you are taken care of like royalty. The inside is minimalistic and elegant. There is seating for about 10-12 patrons and you are not scrunched in like sardines, you have room. They take your drink order and then the head chef introduces the whole team. Everyone was fantastic. The food was exquisite in presentation and taste. We ordered a beautiful bottle of sake that was recommended and it was so light and refreshing. I will also note we were full at the end! The courses were magnificent. The flavors and the textures were out of this world. The head chef explains each course you are about to experience. They also change some of their menu items monthly so we have decided we need to come back every month! They also host special events and we will be attending the one in December which is a sake dinner with the sake owner. So special and cannot wait! I took pics of all courses but I doubt I will be able to post all of them. Just know they were all executed flawlessly. We will be back!

A new omakase experience. Chef Maru is so highly skilled and it shows in the care he puts in every single dish. He provides a short explanation of every dish and answers any questions with a smile. My friend and I had such a great time and loved the sake suggestion from staff. I embarrassing had a coughing fit after I clumsily ate ginger too fast. I excused myself to the bathroom and the staff had hot tea waiting for me to sooth my throat. The ambiance is simple and classy. I will be returning.

Food was delicious and service was excellent. The chef and all staff were very attentive and interactive with customers. I noticed that they always wipe off the sushi stand after we took each sushi. Also I had some nauseous moment and stayed in the restroom for a while due to alcohol. (Sometimes my stomach can't handle too much food and alcohol all together. Nothing's wrong with their food or alcohol). The moment I went back to my seat and they brought me a cup of hot tea. That was very nice and thoughtful. Really appreciate the details. All their food was delicious. While all other Omakase offers raw oysters, they offered cooked oysters. I like trying different things. Their cooked oysters were so good. I also had Bonito sushi the very first time. It was tender and I was very impressed. Rosy sea bass was also delicious. Their cooked belt fish was pretty special and tasty. We will be back!

What an awesome experience! The whole dinner was just over 2 hours and every single one of the 20 courses was amazing. Maru was fun and is a master. He explained every dish including its origin and tasting notes and hand made everything right in front of us. Every cut of fish was some of the freshest and most flavorful we've ever had and every staff member was knowledgeable and helpful. They noticed I was left handed and started giving me things on my left side, my water cup and sake cup were never empty, and someone came and wiped our sushi box clean after every piece. I'm glad I got our reservation so early because I think it'll be tougher to get as they start to get even busier. Oh he served us real wasabi, which is so rare and really elevates every item!

Another Omakase is now available near Downtown San Diego, bringing their own flair and personality to the rest of the lineup of businesses here! Sushi MARU is unique through the contrast of an intimate dining ambiance and their extroverted and lively interactions. - PARKING - There are a few spots right outside the building, but be mindful of the day you visit as you may need to pay for parking! Be aware of any time limitations as well, as this is almost a 2 hour experience. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - The dimly lit restaurant with just 10 seats at the bar may seem intimidating at first, but you are quickly and warmly welcomed in by all staff members, as well as the chefs that await to serve you. Their warm demeanor and genuine appreciation of your attendance is felt throughout the service, as they ask questions past your enjoyment of each dish. We were congratulated by the staff on our recent engagement, and felt like we were celebrating with friends. - EXPERIENCE - Omakase ($180/per): A pricey meal, but as with any Omakase experience, you are given an intimate experience with the chefs preparing your food right in front of you. They also use the best quality of fish and other ingredients that deem the more expensive price tag worth. The Omakase here at Sushi MARU definitely focuses more on the nigiri courses, as opposed to a variety of cooked/fried/raw dishes that other restaurants do. - OVERALL - If you like a talkative environment, along with nigiri-focused courses, Sushi MARU is an Omakase experience you may want to try!

Awesome sushi omakase experience here. Maru and Marcus prepared an amazing meal for us. Very attentive service. Great sake selection. Every dish was unique. Thoughtfully organized and prepared. Maru san said he went to Gifu to select the earthenware dishes. Very simple seasonings to bring out the qualities of the ingredients. 20 courses. Many locally sourced ingredients like their bluefin tuna and veggies from chino farms. Also seasonal ingredients from Japan. The kegani crab, iawashi, and sanma were very seasonal and delicious. Lookin forward to see more of what they offer!

The vibe, space and food is all exceptional. The set menu was perfectly paced. I can't wait to return.

The best omakase experience! The team is amazing. Chef Maru and Marcus were off the chain. Both took the time to explain the fishes. The service team is amazing! A+++

Came here for Father's Day 2024 I think they said was only opened for a month We love sushi we eat it almost every day sometimes 2x a day lol But we also love a great omakase We been to most of the omakase here in SD We even have been to TAKA numerous times where chef Mari used to be a chef Anyways love love love the omakase experience From food to service it's top notch without being overly exaggerated We ubered here so not sure how parking will be if someone drove Overall amazing experience

Another delectable omakase place has opened in San Diego! Beautiful intimate dining experience. Seasonal, creative, and flavorful dishes. I enjoyed both the warm dishes and nigiri. Fish/seafood was very fresh--it needs to be said bc some omakase places are not using the freshest seafood. When you're eating raw fish, you know when it's not fresh. Service was great but I can use a little less attentiveness--I know I know. Sometimes I just want to pour my own sake. They were nice when I said I can pour my own. Highly recommend and will be coming back soon!

You will not be disappointed. Simplistic excellence with impeccable service and the finest ingredients. Chef Maru is highly skilled, personable & truly cares about his craft. We all had a wonderful experience from the second we stepped into the restaurant until the moment we left. We will definitely be back again & again.

This place has been open for little over a month. Everyone there was super attentive, friendly and great. The omakase experience was as always top notch. However, for the price of this omakase I felt like more items should be added. Everything tasted delicious but kept me wanting more. I think more sashimi and more types of nigiri needs to be added on the menu.

This is elegant sushi made by real artisans. It's pricy but worth every penny - wonderful food, lovely presentation. Best sushi I've ever had and one of best dining experiences, period.

Beautiful restaurant with amazing food and great staff. Would highly recommend for a one of a kind experience. Omakase which means it's a set menu with all the food carefully selected, presented wonderfully with an explanation of each dish and most of all delicious. They have beer, wine and sake with the servers on top of your needs. Maru knows what he is doing when it comes to Japanese food and sushi. Would highly recommend if you're into fresh seafood and an eclectic but approachable menu. Thank you Maru for this experience and we can't wait to return!

The best Omakase 20 courses of sushi and warm dishes. A hideaway in downtown San Diego.

P.S. I suck at taking photos so please allow my words to give you a description. Apologies for the length in advance. As someone who is from Japan and has dined at the finest sushi restaurants in Japan, sushi maru was a serious eye opener. I saw omakase in America as an overpriced experience in many other restaurants. I cannot say the same for Sushi maru. It was a well thought 15 dish course with sashimi, nigiri, warm dishes and soup. Some of my personal favorites were the torched Nodoguro with sea salt, crab with miso (crab brain), and their grade A Uni from San Diego that left a sweet taste in my mouth. The starters came in two parts. The first one was the cod egg in dashi with myoga ginger and green onions. This was a refreshing starting dish as the cod egg melts in your mouth with a great dashi after taste. The second part was the hairy crab with cucumber and mozuku with tosa vinegar. The rich flavor of the crab paired with the refreshing vinegar cleansed my palette for the next dish. The appetizer was a plate full of joy. It consisted of bluefin chutoro and kasugodai sashimi, cooked oysters marinated in olive oil, and baby squid in miso vinegar sauce. The star of the show in my opinion was the oysters. The aroma of olive oil paired with the buttery texture of the oysters tasted amazing. The wasabi is from Shizuoka prefecture, which had a small kick to it with a sweet aftertaste. It harmonized well with the fatty bluefin toro. After the wonderful appetizers, the nigiri show started. My favorite nigiri for the first portion of nigiris was the Rosy Seabass (Nodoguro). There are not many sushi places that carry this fish so it was a pleasant surprise. After 6 rounds of different nigiris, Maru prepared the first warm dish. It was poached cod with crab dashi. The deep flavor of the cod tasted great with the thick crab dashi. Maru then continued to amaze me with his nigiris. In this portion of the course, my personal favorites were the Sea Urchin and the Spanish mackerel (Aji). I already mentioned the sea urchin above, but the Spanish mackerel took me by surprise. The Aji I had at Maru was phenomenal as the surface shined bright and the texture was smooth and tender. I enjoyed every bite of that. Maru also served his scallops in a manner not many other sushi restaurants would. He utilized a method called Kobijime where he put the scallops in between Kombu (Japanese seaweed) and let the flavor seep into the flesh. The subtle flavor of the Kombu in the scallops was an absolute masterpiece. He then moved onto the final portion of nigiris. First he brought out Awabi (abalone) which he also used a sauce from the abalone's liver. The liver sauce left a bitter yet umami flavor in my mouth. The Ikura was served in a bowl on top of a ball of sushi rice and some wasabi on top. I felt each Ikura pop in my mouth and the flavor of soy sauce and fresh salmon roe flooded my tastebuds. He also served miso soup (mixture of red and white miso paste) with some crab flesh. The miso soup at the end felt like a warm hug and definitely was a great way to end the course.... Or that's what I thought. Maru surprised the crowd with a homemade panna cotta made from rum as dessert. A hint of mint, strawberry, and blackberries were added to the top, which added some sourness to the sweet panna cotta.There was no better way to end the course. In hindsight, sushi Maru offers the closest thing to an authentic Japanese omakase experience in San Diego. The atmosphere is amazing and the staff are all attentive and communicative. Maru himself is a very laid back individual and will give you a homely vibe at his restaurant. Sushi Maru is not only a place for great food, but also for human interaction one cannot get at any restaurant. I will guarantee that you will leave the restaurant with a happy stomach, big smile, and most importantly, a warm heart. I truly recommend getting a reservation before the word spreads. It is safe to say I am blessed to have come across such wonderful restaurant.

AMAZIIIIING!!!! Quality food and chef ! Look no further ! Amazing date if you want to impress a lady ;)

Amazing omakase experience!! The fresh fish and the chef's delicate technique were top-class among San Diego sushi restaurants.

The food, service, and ambience were far beyond what we could've asked for. The best sushi you can have in San Diego. The team was so welcoming and both chefs were extremely talented in their art. You will want to come back guaranteed!!

THE BEST EXPERIENCE!! This wasn't my first time at omakase and I was absolutely blown away by everything! The ambiance to the genuine staff was incredible. Chef Maru is very engaging with his customers and truly shows you a great time! I highly recommend this place. You will NOT be disappointed!

The best omakase in town! Everyone does a fantastic job there! A must go place if u into omakase, happy to watch the community growing in town!

It was, from start to finish, an absolutely incredible experience. Thank you so much for a real delight that we'll remember forever. And I'll be back next time with my husband!

I did like quite a bit. It is a good option for non-edomae style Omakase. Nice staff, good overall food, and the ambiance was nice too.

Man we loved our Omakase experience at Sushi Maru. Having gone to all the major spots in San Diego, this place stands out as "Best All-Around Player". The room is elegant, the staff is expert but also very friendly and makes one feel 100% comfortable. But as always, it's the quality of ingredients and execution that matter, and both are exceptional. The appetizers were intricate, lovely and delicious. Standouts to me were the uni, scallops and hairy crab. One thing that I loved was that the nigiri were slightly smaller than at most places in SD. They encourage eating with fingers (the correct way!) and elegant hand towels are provided so the size is perfect and makes it much more manageable. With so many courses it's plenty of food, and I felt equally satisfied as elsewhere but didn't have to request less rice halfway through as I do at most places.

Maru is the best. It is my 2nd time here. Exceeds expectations. Food and Service are exceptional

Spent my 30th birthday here and it was by far the best dinner I have ever had. Chef Maru and his team are absolutely impeccable and made the experience so special. Everyone needs to experience a dinner like this! The food was so incredibly good.

Ate at the second seating (8pm) last Friday night (7/19). It was a great experience. Chef Maru has obviously emphasized great service to his staff, as the service was marvelous. Super-attentive, professional, friendly and low-key. No pressure to buy extras. The setting is upscale, but also peaceful and comfortable. The food was creative and of the highest quality both in ingredients and preparation. This is food-as-art, but also delicious. Side-note: Chef Maru is a Japanese person with excellent English skills, but he also impressed by speaking very good Spanish to customers from Mexico. The food preparation is sushi, of course, but Chef Maru has his own style. For example, one appetizer was oysters, which are traditionally served raw. Chef Maru's were marinated and gently cooked. The flavor and texture was unique, delicious and memorable. He applied his unique technique to other courses as well. Fantastic flavors. Chef Maru also serves warm dishes between nigiri courses. He sources his fruits and vegetable from Chino Farms, whose produce is very highly regarded. One of the warm dishes was a tiny bowl of vegetable soup that was absolutely fantastic. A simple preparation done to perfection. In summary, each course was a delight. The concluding dish was a simple fruit and sorbet dish that was the perfect ending to twenty courses of sublime food.

Service and sushi is impeccable. Truly a great experience. The chefs are so welcoming! Chef Maru and chef Marcus are straight up G's!

Amazing omakase experience using unique and sophisticated ingredients such as vegetables from the chino farm and live hairy crab from Japan, chef Maru San and Take San are a few of the best sushi chefs in town.

First time experiencing Omakase and I was blown away. The room is beautifully lit to make the food really pop out and the music is classical to get you in the fancy mood. Everyone did amazing at their jobs the chefs the servers were on it 24/7 with water and napkin replacements. 10/10 experience definitely deserves to be on the Michelin guide if not a star! Great job guys can't wait to come back!

Very nice seafood so fresh and delicious! Chef did great job. Very nice and friendly service! The sushi Maru Restaurant is super clean.

10/10 go! Friendly and fun staff with unbelievable food and a traditional and beautiful decor.

cannot recommend this place enough, if i could come here 7 days a week i would!! maru was phenomenal, hands down one of the best omakase experiences i've ever had.

My new favorite sushi place! everyone there is so fantastic and warm. The food is amazing. Chef Maru and his team go above and beyond to make your omakase an experience to remember! Everything is fresh and well prepared.We loved it!!