It’s Friday night. You may or may not be craving sushi, but you’re ready to pull on your favorite jeans and eat something that transports you to Tokyo. Whether you’re after melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, sizzling hibachi, or a cozy ramen bowl, we’re here to guide you to Lafayette’s finest.
Kirin steak House
$ | (337) 573-4540 | WEBSITE
This Japanese steakhouse in Lafayette specializes in hot, fresh hibachi—including a very good lunch-sized steak with savory sauce. But there are also crispy fried calamari, flavorful chicken yaki soba, and shrimp-and-steak combos that will inspire you to order seconds. The fried cheesecake for dessert is worth saving room for.
Shinto Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (337) 406-0024 | WEBSITE
We get excited just thinking about the quality of Shinto’s sizzling hibachi, delicate sushi rolls, and crispy tempura. It’s the first place we recommend for Japanese food in Lafayette, even if the prices are on the higher side. Their welcoming atmosphere makes every meal memorable, especially with thoughtful gestures like the fruit-shaped bear for kids.
Bring a group on a weekend and you’ll see families enjoying the interactive hibachi shows, overhear conversations about favorite rolls, and taste perfectly fried shrimp tempura that crackles with each bite.
Kasai Steakhouse & Sushi
$$ | (337) 889-3880 | WEBSITE
You know what they say: Jack of all trades, master of none. But somehow, Kasai Steakhouse & Sushi on Lafayette’s restaurant row serves excellent sushi, entertaining hibachi, and a surprisingly fresh house salad—and it’s all good. The welcoming, modern spot won’t rush you out, which makes Kasai just as useful for a special birthday celebration with a full hibachi show as it does for a quiet sushi dinner on a regular weeknight.
If you’re really just getting one thing, make it the grilled smoked salmon skin roll. But don’t take that as a sign to shy away from the rest of the non-sushi dishes.
Fuji Sushi House
$$ | (337) 412-6543 | WEBSITE
From the comforting Miso Soup that warms you up to the flavor-packed Aloha Roll and rich, buttery Toro Nigiri, there’s not much here we wouldn’t recommend at this Lafayette gem. At prime time on weekends, you’re going to have to wait for a table just to try the ‘riceless’ roll and house salad. That is, unless you can grab a seat at the sushi counter, where you’ll get personal attention from the owners.
Tokyo Japanese Steak House
$$ | (337) 989-8588 | WEBSITE
If dinner for you means steak cooked right before your eyes, you should start your evening at Tokyo Japanese Steak House. The Japanese steakhouse is one of the best in Lafayette, and our favorite spot for family dining in the area. They don’t take reservations, but the wait for a hibachi table typically passes quickly. There’s no place in town searing steak fresher or entertaining guests funnier.
Tsunami Sushi Lafayette
$$$ | (337) 234-3474 | WEBSITE
The menu at Tsunami Sushi Lafayette has satisfying dishes like miso soup and spicy crab salad, and signature rolls. But the one dish that sets them apart is their Udon with tempura shrimp, which has such perfect presentation that it makes every visit memorable. The accommodating staff tends to get busy on weekends when customers celebrate special occasions. You could always come on a weekday.
Hawaii Grill
$ | (337) 534-0188 | WEBSITE
Hawaii Grill, a welcoming Japanese spot in Lafayette, should really be called Hawaii Grill & Steak House. It’s not that the other menu items are disappointing—the sushi rolls and tempura appetizers are perfectly decent. But it’s the Hawaii Steak that’s the real showstopper. Drop by on a quiet evening for that tender meat with teriyaki-pineapple sauce, served with fried rice and grilled vegetables, or brave the lunch rush when the place fills up.
The Hawaii Steak plate—a generous portion of juicy steak, sweet pineapple, broccoli, carrots, and perfectly cooked rice—is worth every penny of its $18 price tag.
Sushi Masa Lafayette
$$ | (337) 456-1534 | WEBSITE
Sushi Masa is a solid pick for basically any craving or occasion, but there’s something especially satisfying about coming here for dinner. It could be the aroma of fresh ginger and soy sauce, or it could be the cozy, relaxed space. Either way, this is one of our favorite sushi spots in Lafayette. Order the all-you-can-eat option, complete with spicy Kani salad, a variety of cooked rolls, and one included alcoholic beverage.
And in case you’re watching your budget, the whole experience is surprisingly affordable.
Samurai Sushi Bar
$ | (337) 993-2433 | WEBSITE
If you come to this Lafayette sushi spot on a weekend during dinner, you’re going to be just one of a sea of sushi lovers in search of fresh rolls and teriyaki. So come on the early or late side if you want to avoid playing defense just to get a booth. We always get the ULL Roll as well as the beef teriyaki, which comes with generous portions of tender meat and then drizzled in savory sauce with a side of crab salad on the plate.
Oishi Sushi
$$ | (337) 262-0106 | WEBSITE
Oishi Sushi kind of feels like a friend’s house in Japan and has a cozy atmosphere that makes takeout feel special. The menu at this Lafayette spot leans traditional and affordable with everything from a California roll and shrimp tempura to the Elizabeth, Shrek, and Treasure rolls.
It’s takeout-only and they don’t have seating, but there’s consistently fresh fish and thoughtfully composed rolls that you can enjoy while you appreciate the quality and daydream about the Crab salad with sliced avocado.
Osaka Lafayette
$$ | (337) 264-9997 | WEBSITE
Some people believe that Japanese food should be reserved for special occasions. By some people, we mean us. Apparently, the team at Osaka Lafayette does, too. The restaurant serves their signature beef pho with a variety of sides and customizable beef yakisoba, but also has heartier options, like chicken fried rice that gets even better with teriyaki sauce, chicken katsu with perfectly crisp breading, and fried cheesecake for dessert.
The casual, welcoming space might not be the ideal scene if you’re looking for a formal dining experience, but the Obje roll is fantastic. So order a bunch and bring your family.