Everyone knows that St. Augustine is addicted to pristine sushi. We queue for our omakase like determined pilgrims, savoring it anywhere you’d ordinarily think ‘this deserves a proper table.’ Uni on a historic cobblestone wall? Sure. Hand rolls while dodging tourist trolleys? Hai, chef. St. Augustine has all manner of excellent Japanese food that doesn’t demand a tatami mat—from sizzling robata and steaming ramen bowls to delicate tempura, and more.
WASABI
$ | (904) 436-6688 | WEBSITE
WASABI does some of the best sushi in St. Augustine: the fish itself is incredibly fresh, and each roll is packed with generous portions and balanced flavors. The quality at this family-owned spot is very consistent—it’s still as good today as it was years ago when we first tried it. Go for the classic spicy tuna roll, or get a deluxe version with tempura shrimp and avocado if you’re feeling indulgent.
It’s a clean, simple setup with a nice atmosphere so dining in is a pleasure, though takeout works great too.
Umai Sushi Hibachi
$ | (904) 217-7973 | WEBSITE
You’ll find Umai’s sushi all over St. Augustine. In lunch boxes, takeout containers, and maybe even on your plate at a friend’s house. The cozy Japanese spot on the local dining scene serves hundreds of rolls on a daily basis and we like them straight from the source. Out of the kitchen, fresh and flavorful, topped with a load of spicy mayo and eel sauce or, even better, a generous portion of hibachi chicken.
The fact you can pick up the Teriyaki Benito Box for under fifteen dollars, complete with soup and salad, is an enormous bonus.
Ginger Bistro
$ | (904) 429-7600 | WEBSITE
Yes, this Japanese spot in St. Augustine is a full restaurant, but when the sushi bar is busy, grabbing a few pieces of that dry aged tuna (so fresh it practically melts, with Tuna himself advising a dab of soy sauce) and sitting at one of the small tables in the Ross/Marshalls plaza makes for a perfect quick bite. They keep everything in that special fridge with exotic fish anyway.
Nori Restaurant
$$ | (904) 789-6674 | WEBSITE
Nori Restaurant—a welcoming Japanese spot in St. Augustine making sushi burritos—is a solid example of casual dining done right in Florida. The custom sushi burritos start at around $12 but when you load them with tofu and a variety of vegetables, it’s more like eighteen bucks. It’s worth it though. Fresh, flavorful, crunchy, satisfying—it’s a great lunch, especially when sitting inside, watching the clean and well-organized space around you.
Ichiban Buffet
$ | (904) 797-9918 | WEBSITE
This St. Augustine staple can be a chaotic and overwhelming experience. Arrive during peak family hours and the buffet lines are more than likely snaking—the space between tables is tight, as noted—or worse, the Mongolian BBQ station has run out of your preferred protein. But that’s also part of this place’s charm. The Hibachi station is our go-to, featuring fresh ingredients you choose, cooked right in front of you. If the sushi bar has the spicy tuna roll, get that too.
Pacific Asian Bistro
$ | (904) 808-1818 | WEBSITE
There are so many Asian restaurants in St. Augustine but there is only one Pacific Asian Bistro. In the heart of the city, this welcoming establishment has been serving top-tier cuisine for years. Three things are guaranteed here. There will be a wait when it’s busy, the friendly staff will give you attentive service if you’re patient with them, and that pork fried rice is second to none.
Whether you opt for the sizzling hibachi or the expertly crafted Dragon Roll, it’s some of Florida’s best Asian food.
Tank’s sushi bistro(WGV)
$ | (904) 940-8799 | WEBSITE
Once you step inside this WGV bistro, you’ll discover Tank’s Sushi Bistro’s inviting Japanese dining experience. There are plates featuring unique dishes like BBQ squid, Yellow tail neck, and live scallops, along with classic options like sushi and unagi nigiri. But of all the well-priced menu items, our go-to order is: the fresh sushi selections, the chicken hibachi with fried rice, and the unagi nigiri. The cooked dishes make for a satisfying meal and the sushi options are elite bistro fare.
SUSHI 99 （St Augustine）
$$ | (904) 481-8758 | WEBSITE
SUSHI 99 is an excellent reason to venture to St. Augustine. From the outside, you’ll see families and couples, sitting at clean contemporary tables, focused on colorful sushi platters with complete delight. While the bright, fresh space can feel a bit bustling during peak hours, the fantastic service and great parking mean staying for a meal is the best option.
Whether you’re enjoying the fresh and tasty sushi sampler, the perfectly executed A17 roll, or the comforting shrimp udon, the quality ingredients and real wasabi sauce make this some of the best Japanese food in Florida. At around $18-25 per roll, it’s worth the slightly higher price for such delicious sushi.
Yamato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar
$$ | (904) 819-0202 | WEBSITE
This entertaining Japanese steakhouse in St. Augustine isn’t somewhere you’re going to eat a particularly quick meal. Save for a few sushi bar seats, it’s predominantly teppanyaki-table-only. But once you settle in at the grill, this experience will live long in the memory. Jorge’s knife skills will do the tango with your senses and the expertly prepared food, in particular the eel avocado roll, is second to none.
Corner Sushi
$ | (904) 342-7382 | WEBSITE
This Japanese restaurant in St. Augustine has a straightforward menu with several sushi rolls to choose from, including salmon, tuna, and California rolls. Our favourites are the spicy tuna and the dragon roll. Your order is prepared fresh to order, miso soup and ginger salad come with the meal, and each dish is finished with a complimentary dessert, green tea ice cream, and little side cakes. Once you try one excellent lunch special, you’ll be back to taste everything on the menu.