Best Sushi in Salt Lake City: A Local's Guide (2026)
Quick Answer: Takashi on Market Street leads Salt Lake City's sushi scene with pristine nigiri and an exceptional omakase experience. For creative rolls and a more casual vibe, Tsunami on 9th in East Central and Sushi Groove in Sugar House both deliver quality fish at friendlier prices.
At a Glance
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Price | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takashi | Downtown | $$$ | 4.6 | Traditional nigiri, omakase, date nights |
| Tsunami on 9th | East Central | $$ | 4.4 | Creative rolls, sake selection, groups |
| Sushi Groove | Sugar House | $$ | 4.3 | Casual atmosphere, live music, inventive rolls |
Salt Lake City's sushi scene has matured significantly over the past decade, moving well beyond California rolls and teriyaki combos. The city now supports restaurants that fly in fish multiple times weekly, employ trained itamae who understand knife technique and rice preparation, and maintain sake programs that go deeper than a few basic junmai options.
The three restaurants in this guide represent different approaches to sushi in Salt Lake City. Downtown's Takashi brings a refined, traditional sensibility with an emphasis on pristine nigiri and seasonal omakase. East Central's Tsunami on 9th balances quality fish with creative American-style rolls that appeal to both purists and adventurous eaters. Sugar House's Sushi Groove adds live music and street art to the equation, creating a neighborhood spot where the atmosphere matters as much as what's on your plate.
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary with a $150 omakase or grabbing spicy tuna rolls after work, Salt Lake City has legitimate options. Here's where to find them.
How We Chose These Restaurants
These rankings reflect a combination of factors: consistency of fish quality over multiple visits, technical execution in rice preparation and knife work, breadth of menu offerings, atmosphere and service standards, and sustained reputation within Salt Lake City's food community. All three restaurants have been visited at least four times over the past eighteen months, with attention paid to both signature items and daily specials.
1. Takashi
Downtown | $$$ | 4.6/5
Takashi occupies a sleek corner space on Market Street, just west of Main, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the dining room with natural light during lunch service. The interior leans modern and minimalist, with blonde wood surfaces, a marble sushi bar that seats about twelve, and tables arranged with enough space that conversations stay private. The energy picks up during dinner service, when the bar fills with regulars who know the chefs by name and trust them to guide the evening's selections.
The nigiri here showcases what proper sushi should be: cool, vinegared rice that holds together without being compressed into a dense block, topped with fish cut to the right thickness and served at the proper temperature. The hamachi develops a buttery texture that melts across your palate, while the sake nigiri arrives with a brief torch kiss that releases its oils. The omakase runs around $120 and typically includes twelve to fifteen pieces, plus a hand roll and miso soup. If you're ordering a la carte, the toro when available justifies its price, and the uni comes from Santa Barbara with a clean, sweet ocean flavor. The specialty rolls lean traditional—no cream cheese or tempura flakes—with the Rainbow Roll presenting five types of fish over a California roll base.
Reservations are essential for dinner, especially Thursday through Saturday when the dining room fills by 6:30pm. Lunch offers better availability and a slightly abbreviated menu at lower prices. Parking downtown can be tricky; the City Creek parking garage two blocks east offers validation at some merchants, or there's metered street parking on Market. The sake list runs deep, with about forty options including several hard-to-find labels from smaller breweries. Service moves at a deliberate pace—plan for ninety minutes minimum if you're doing omakase.
Must-Try Dish: The chef's omakase when you want the full experience, or the sake nigiri if ordering a la carte—it demonstrates the kitchen's understanding of how to handle delicate fish.
Good to Know: Sit at the sushi bar if possible; watching the chefs work adds significantly to the experience, and they'll often explain what you're eating and where it came from.
2. Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar - Tsunami on 9th
East Central | $$ | 4.4/5
Tsunami anchors a small commercial strip on 900 South, between 1000 and 1100 East, in a neighborhood that transitions from residential to light commercial. The restaurant spreads across a single-story building with a covered patio that operates spring through fall. Inside, the space feels lively without being loud—booths line the walls, tables fill the center, and a sushi bar runs along one side. The lighting stays dim enough for date night but bright enough to see what you're eating. Weeknight crowds tend toward couples and small groups; weekends bring families and larger parties.
The menu splits between traditional nigiri and sashimi on one side and creative specialty rolls on the other. The fish quality holds up well—the salmon has good color and fat content, the tuna shows proper texture, and the yellowtail arrives fresh enough to eat with confidence. Where Tsunami excels is in its specialty roll construction. The Dynamite Roll combines yellowtail, green onion, and a spicy mayo that doesn't overwhelm the fish, while the Crunchy Roll adds tempura flakes for texture without turning into a fried mess. The Poke Bowl makes a solid lunch option, with cubed tuna or salmon over rice with seaweed salad and edamame. The kitchen also handles cooked items well—the chicken teriyaki comes with a house-made sauce that balances sweet and savory, and the tempura vegetables arrive light and crisp.
No reservations for parties under six, so expect a twenty to thirty minute wait on Friday and Saturday evenings. The bar area usually has a few open seats if you're dining solo or as a couple and don't mind perching on a stool. Parking fills the small lot out front quickly; there's additional street parking on 900 South and the residential streets just north. Happy hour runs weekdays from 3pm to 6pm with discounted rolls and appetizers. The sake selection includes about twenty options, with knowledgeable servers who can guide you toward something that matches your meal.
Must-Try Dish: The Dynamite Roll hits the sweet spot between traditional and creative, with enough heat to be interesting without masking the yellowtail's flavor.
Good to Know: Happy hour offers the best value—several specialty rolls drop to $7 or $8, making it easy to try multiple options without a big bill.
3. Sushi Groove
Sugar House | $$ | 4.3/5
Sushi Groove sits on Highland Drive in the heart of Sugar House, in a standalone building with its own parking lot—a genuine advantage in this busy neighborhood. The interior immediately signals that this isn't a formal sushi experience: graffiti-style murals cover the walls, Edison bulbs hang from the ceiling, and a small stage in the corner hosts live music Thursday through Saturday nights. The crowd skews younger and more casual, with groups of friends sharing rolls and sake bombers. The atmosphere gets loud when bands play, so this isn't the place for quiet conversation, but it works perfectly for a fun night out.
The sushi menu runs long on creative rolls with names like the Flaming Tuna, which arrives tableside with a quick torch treatment that caramelizes the spicy mayo topping. The fish quality sits solidly in the middle tier—fresh enough to eat raw without concern, though you won't find the same pristine cuts as at Takashi. What Sushi Groove does well is flavor combinations that work. The Crunchy Shrimp Tempura Roll layers textures effectively, and the Spicy Scallop Roll brings actual heat along with sweet scallop meat. The nigiri selection covers the basics competently: tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and shrimp all show up properly prepared. Beyond sushi, the tempura ice cream has become something of a signature—vanilla ice cream wrapped in pound cake, flash-fried, and drizzled with chocolate and caramel.
Walk-ins usually work fine except on band nights, when the place fills up by 8pm. Parking in the dedicated lot makes this one of the easier sushi spots to access in Salt Lake City—no circling blocks or feeding meters. The drink menu includes a dozen sake options plus cocktails and local beers. Service moves quickly, sometimes too quickly if you're hoping to linger over your meal. Prices run reasonable, with most specialty rolls in the $12 to $15 range and nigiri pieces around $3 to $4 each. Check their social media for the music schedule if you want to catch a band or avoid the extra noise.
Must-Try Dish: The tempura ice cream sounds gimmicky but actually delivers—the contrast between hot crispy exterior and cold ice cream works better than it should.
Good to Know: The music adds energy but can make conversation difficult; if you want to actually talk to your dining companions, come on a Monday or Tuesday when the stage stays empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Salt Lake City sushi restaurant has the freshest fish?
Takashi maintains the highest fish quality in Salt Lake City, with multiple weekly deliveries and proper handling that shows in the texture and flavor of their nigiri. Their omakase experience showcases whatever's best that day, often including seasonal items you won't find on the regular menu.
Where can I find good sushi in Salt Lake City for under $30 per person?
Both Tsunami on 9th and Sushi Groove offer quality sushi at reasonable prices, with specialty rolls in the $12-15 range. Tsunami's happy hour (weekdays 3-6pm) provides the best value, with several rolls dropping to $7-8. You can easily eat well at either spot for $25-30 per person including tax and tip.
Do any Salt Lake City sushi restaurants offer omakase?
Takashi offers the most developed omakase experience in Salt Lake City, running around $120 per person for twelve to fifteen pieces plus accompaniments. It's best to call ahead and let them know you want omakase, especially if you have dietary restrictions or preferences the chef should know about.
Which sushi restaurant in SLC is best for groups?
Tsunami on 9th and Sushi Groove both handle groups well, with booth seating and table arrangements that work for parties of six or more. Sushi Groove's casual atmosphere and extensive specialty roll menu make it particularly good for groups with varying sushi experience levels. Takashi works better for smaller parties of two to four.
Can I get good nigiri in Salt Lake City or just specialty rolls?
Takashi specializes in traditional nigiri and sashimi, with fish quality that stands up to coastal cities. Their rice preparation and knife work demonstrate proper technique. Tsunami on 9th also offers solid nigiri, though their menu emphasizes specialty rolls. Sushi Groove focuses primarily on creative rolls but covers the nigiri basics adequately.
Do I need reservations for sushi restaurants in Salt Lake City?
Takashi requires reservations for dinner service, especially Thursday through Saturday when they book solid by mid-week. Tsunami on 9th doesn't take reservations for parties under six, so expect potential waits on weekend evenings. Sushi Groove operates walk-in only, with waits primarily on nights when they have live music.
Which Salt Lake City sushi restaurant has the best sake selection?
Takashi maintains the deepest sake program in Salt Lake City, with about forty options including several premium and hard-to-find bottles. The staff can guide you through the list and make pairing recommendations. Tsunami on 9th offers a solid selection of about twenty sakes with knowledgeable service, while Sushi Groove keeps a smaller but adequate list focused on more approachable options.
Final Thoughts
Salt Lake City's sushi scene offers genuine quality if you know where to look. Takashi sets the standard for traditional preparation and pristine fish, making it the clear choice for special occasions or when you want to experience what proper sushi should taste like. The price reflects the quality, but the omakase experience justifies the investment at least once.
For more frequent sushi meals, Tsunami on 9th and Sushi Groove both deliver solid fish and creative preparations at prices that won't require budgeting a week in advance. Tsunami works particularly well for date nights or small groups who want a balance of traditional and contemporary options. Sushi Groove brings the energy with live music and a fun atmosphere, perfect for casual nights out with friends. All three restaurants prove that Salt Lake City can support quality sushi—you just need to know which spot matches what you're looking for on any given night.