Discover the Best Sushi in Washington DC

O-Ku boasts the only restaurant roof deck in the Union Market neighborhood, a delightful 40-seat spot with incredible views of the Capitol dome and other local landmarks. A view of a different kind – into the kitchen to observe the skills of sushi chefs at work – is available from the bar area inside, where diners snack on small plates, classic sushi and sashimi, and original creations. A full sit-down meal in the dining room should certainly include a sampling from the robata grill, fired up to over 1,000 degrees by Japanese white oak charcoal. Consider sichimi-seasoned chicken thighs or cumin-chili lamb chops to go with modern sushi options such as Tasmanian king salmon or sea eel with cognac sauce. O-Ku is a small chain (the D.C. venue is the newest of four) but the menu at each restaurant is entirely unique.

Susheria by Maté (formerly Maté) in Georgetown is designed as a hip, all-day neighborhood hang-out spot. Its menu features creative Peruvian-Japanese fusion (see the nikkei maki and kamameshi selections), shareable starters, signature maki rolls, and a raw bar. Peruvian and Japanese traditions collide deliciously in such items as the lomo saltado roll, with strip steak, cream cheese, avocado, onions, and a crunchy potato string topping, and in the pescado frito, sweet potato, and cancha corn rice bowl. Diners enjoy plush velvet seats, happy hour deals, sake on tap, and great views into Waterfront Park.

One of the most popular Japanese restaurants in Washington, D.C., Sushiko in Chevy Chase offers a daily happy hour, plenty of cooked dishes alongside great sushi, and an unusually comprehensive range of vegan and vegetarian options. A fun option is the wagyu beef, which diners sear over a hot rock. Also notable is its "restaurant within a restaurant," Kobu by Sushiko, which presents 12- to 15-course omakase meals including a vegan version. Diners can sit in private booths in the lounge or grab a seat at the marble bar. During happy hour there are great deals on cocktails, beer, wine, sake, sushi, and cooked food.

Nobu Matsuhisa's signature Peruvian-Japanese fusion creations landed in Washington, D.C. in 2017, when Nobu DC became the 28th in the famous global chain of restaurants. It occupies one of the most expensive real estate spots in the city, inside a luxury West End condo building. While the menu features a number of special dishes unique to D.C., Nobu regulars can never get enough of the famous miso black cod, Nobu-style sashimi tacos (choose from tuna, short rub, lobster, or vegetable), and top-quality wagyu steaks. Those who come just for the sushi find no shortage of maki, nigiri, and sashimi options on the lengthy menu. There are also omakase menus, including a vegetarian option, with optional wine and sake pairings.

Sushi Hachi's owner-chef Steve Yoon, along with all his chefs, has trained extensively in Japan, resulting in a menu complete with authentic Japanese hot and cold dishes. The restaurant flies its fish in daily from Japan, Canada, California, and Spain, guaranteeing peak freshness and cutting items from the menu as soon as the day's catch has run out. There are several omakase options suiting a range of budgets and appetites, as well as an a la carte menu. Hot dishes such as Japanese-style fried chicken share space with a wide seleection of nigiri sushi, sashimi, and hand rolls.

Washington, D.C.-area sushi aficionados are happy to take the trip to Arlington, Virginia, to dine at Yume Sushi, which opened in late 2018. The 70-seat restaurant (plus sake lounge) offers omakase and a la carte menus; the latter featuring around 20 signature rolls. Among them is the scallop sunlight, made with spicy tuna and avocado, topped with sea scallop, kiwi, mano tobiko sauce, and tempura bits. There are also numerous salad options, some clearly inspired by classic sushi combinations. Yume Sushi has over 90 sakes on tap and offers inventive sake cocktails.