If your chopsticks feel lonely and your soy sauce dish has been collecting dust, you need exceptional sushi like a sumo wrestler needs rice or a fish needs water. That’s why we’ve assembled Somerville’s finest sushi bars—because even when you can’t dine at the counter, you can still savor pristine fish from home.
Bosso Ramen Tavern
$$ | (508) 656-4687 | WEBSITE
Bosso can satisfy any and all ramen cravings. This cozy tavern is serving up rich, flavorful bowls with unique broths like the citrusy yuzu-based Enmi ramen, as well as generous sushi hand rolls and gyoza at great prices. There’s also attentive service from friendly staff like Justin who make you feel right at home, ensuring a pleasant experience you’ll want to repeat every week for the next month.
FUMI Hibachi. Sushi. Chinese
$ | (781) 662-5777 | WEBSITE
FUMI Hibachi. Sushi. Chinese is, in fact, a take-out spot. Which means you can order sushi with your hibachi, a California roll at lunch, and start a devoted relationship with a bento box. But unlike other grab-and-go places with plastic chairs and basic menus, FUMI serves generous, consistently fresh Japanese-Chinese fusion. All of it is delicious, especially the steak bento which deserves its own dedicated pickup line.
Uchi Sushi & Ramen
$$ | (781) 747-7000 | WEBSITE
Staring at your phone won’t satisfy that sushi craving. So when it hits, just head over to Uchi Sushi & Ramen instead. Most of the sushi here runs between six and nine dollars per piece, and everything from the Spicy Combo to the Kiss the Fire Maki will keep you and your most discerning friends completely content.
Yoshi’s
$ | (617) 623-9263 | WEBSITE
You could order delivery from Yoshi’s three times in the same week, in three different moods, and have three different meals without ever feeling like you’ve done it all before. This sushi spot in Davis Square makes some intensely flavorful miso soup from real family recipes that we can’t place an order without, but the main event is the customizable sushi and sashimi combo for two. It travels deceptively well because the presentation holds up beautifully.
Build your meal with things like fresh sashimi, pork gyoza, edamame, poke bowls, and that house salad.
Ocean Sushi Restaurant
$$ | (781) 388-9000 | WEBSITE
At this Somerville sushi spot, you’re going to want the shrimp tempura roll, with its perfect balance of sweet and crunchy flavors in every generous bite. In the event that you want to maximize value, order the lunch special, which always delivers excellent rolls at a great price.
And in the event that you want to do the opposite of maximize value, get the chef’s selection platter, where each piece of fresh fish is cut so big it almost overflows with filling, making for a truly satisfying takeout experience.
Ebi sushi
$$ | (617) 764-5556 | WEBSITE
Ebi Sushi has quickly become Somerville’s most celebrated sushi destination, offering an exceptional experience that keeps locals coming back. The restaurant occupies a cozy corner spot that buzzes with warmth and energy, creating the perfect city hotspot for any sushi craving. In other words, this place is a gem and an absolute must for your next date night or special occasion.
From the unbelievably fresh nigiri and melt-in-your-mouth fatty tuna sashimi to the mind-blowing Japanese pork curry and luxurious A5 steak, it’s hard to go wrong ordering anything from this menu. Don’t miss the Tiger roll or the sinus-clearing real wasabi that perfectly complements every bite, and be sure to try their fabulous pear martini to complete the experience.
Matsunori Handroll Bar
$$$ | (857) 305-3993 | WEBSITE
Even though you probably can’t see them from the sidewalk, we want you to know that the handrolls at this Somerville sushi bar are assembled by hand right at the counter. And for $16, you get a salmon cup that tastes like it’s coated in miso butter, and for another $12, you can and should add a side of chawanmushi. If you’re looking for something other than handrolls to order tonight, try their shrimp tempura or scallop caviar.
Fuji at Assembly
$$ | (617) 628-8883 | WEBSITE
Fuji at Assembly is offering a lunch special bento, but since both the sushi boat and fresh sashimi are available for dinner, we’re certainly not complaining. Remember to order the Chef’s Special Sushi Platter with Dragon Roll and a side of Spicy Tuna Roll, and to fully explore this Somerville Japanese spot’s warm atmosphere before placing your order.
Sugidama Soba & Izakaya
$$ | (617) 764-5770 | WEBSITE
The Izakaya-style Japanese dishes at this neighborhood spot in Somerville are some of the best Boston has to offer. Keep this place in mind the next time you want to be in the company of karaage, soft shell crab, or hot soba soup with shrimp and grated vegetables tempura without leaving the comfort of your apartment. And if for no other reason, you should try this restaurant just so you’ll have a strong rebuttal the next time someone says “There’s no good Japanese food in Somerville.”
Shore Leave
$$$ | (617) 530-1775 | WEBSITE
Shore Leave has about as many flaws as a tropical breeze on a perfect summer day, which is to say, practically none. From the Omakaze menu that offers a symphony of fresh fish and textures, to the speakeasy-style Tiki Bar in the basement with its pretty lighting and decor, to the delightful drinks crafted by skilled bartenders, all of the experience at this Somerville sushi spot is phenomenal.
The a la carte menu, as well as a $98 Omakaze tasting for two, are available for those seeking the full experience.
Genki Ya – Somerville
$$ | (617) 326-7171 | WEBSITE
Sushi bars are always good, but they’re rarely special. Fortunately for you and tonight’s dinner companions, Genki Ya falls into the latter category. This Davis Square spot makes sushi rolls and combos that are fresh and flavorful, with a diverse menu featuring what would seem like an excessive amount of delicious options. Rest assured, it’s the ideal amount of variety.
Make sure to order at least one volcano roll (we like the generous scallop portion), but Genki Ya’s veggie gyoza and udon noodles are also worth trying.
Sunny Cafe
$ | (857) 256-2188 | WEBSITE
We typically order the same four-ish things from Sunny Cafe on repeat – mostly because we’d be too sad eating here without them by our side. The more you visit this excellent sushi spot in Somerville, you’ll come to see what we mean. The spicy edamame and fresh shrimp tempura are both essential sharing items. As for mains, we suggest trying the incredible make your own bowl with three proteins as well as the sushi burrito draped in avocado.
Cafe Sushi Shoten
$$ | (617) 492-0434 | WEBSITE
Cafe Sushi Shoten is one of those rare spots where you can grab sushi to distract from how long the T is taking, or to distract from how underwhelming your last takeout order was. You’ll be very happy with the Chef’s Sampler featuring five pieces of nigiri with unique seasonings, or the fantastic chirashi with fresh sashimi and seasoned rice, and depending on how much you messed up your last meal planning, you might consider adding a Signature Set as well.
No Relation
$$$$ | (617) 530-1772 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a sushi experience that feels both intimate and elevated, check out the omakase at No Relation. They offer a customizable tasting menu where you can omit ingredients like uni with advance notice or add enhancements like caviar and black truffle. Regardless of which options you choose, make sure to pair your meal with drinks from their excellent sommelier and save room for the ice cream at the end.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
$$$ | (617) 264-0410 | WEBSITE
Blue Ribbon Sushi delivers an authentic Japanese dining experience that’s just as memorable the second time you visit. Start with the sashimi platter, then add the tempura roll, wagyu gyoza, and the highly-recommended Sushi Deluxe Platter, with fresh, flavorful pieces of fish including outstanding toro and hamachi. This place is not only one of the best sushi bars in Somerville – it’s one of our favorite restaurants in the area.
Matsuba Izakaya
$$ | (781) 628-2168 | WEBSITE
Matsuba Izakaya serves the best sushi in Somerville. The baked salmon maki with its perfectly seared top and creamy interior is reason enough to visit this casual spot as soon as possible. But it’s certainly not the only reason. Others include nigiri so fresh it practically melts on the tongue, and ramen so rich you’ll want to savor every drop of broth before the last noodle disappears.
One Bite And Bar
$$ | (617) 945-1336 | WEBSITE
The offerings at this sushi spot in Inman Square range from lunch to dinner, and from one visit to the next. But no matter what you order, you can leave the chopsticks on the table. Sushi donuts practically melt in your mouth as you lift them from the plate, and when you bite into the salmon skin cucumber roll – our favorite item here – with your fingers, the crispy skin blends with the fresh cucumber and rice.
No matter what you choose, make sure to try the brown sugar boba milk tea – served in a reusable can with the restaurant’s logo that makes for a nice souvenir.