St. Augustine’s cobblestone streets may whisper of Spanish galleons, but today they lead to some of Florida’s most remarkable sushi bars. This ancient city—America’s oldest—has mastered the art of preserving history while embracing the new, with chefs who treat local grouper and cobia with the same reverence as imported bluefin.
From omakase temples tucked in historic courtyards to casual spots where the Atlantic breeze accompanies your nigiri, here are the 19 best sushi experiences in the Nation’s Oldest City.
Ayara Thai Street Cafe – St. Augustine, FL
$$ | (904) 547-2845 | WEBSITE
Just a short walk from the historic district is Ayara Thai Street Cafe, which is basically authentic Bangkok street food (we mean that as the highest praise). There are vibrant ceramic plates on every table, and the walls are lined with colorful Thai artwork instead of generic travel posters. Skip the beef salad and take advantage of Ayara’s Pad Thai with Duck, which has impressively tender meat that peeks out from the noodles. Get a Thai Iced Tea on the table, too.
There are fresh ingredients everywhere you look, the family-style seating is perfect for sharing, and the restaurant is right in the heart of Saint Augustine. The green curry is worth planning an extra hour in your schedule for.
Fancy Sushi
$$ | (904) 436-5317 | WEBSITE
If you’re seeking something fresh and polished in St. Augustine’s dining landscape, this is a wonderful spot to try. The sushi is superb and the service feels like a white‑glove affair—polite, kind, and attentive to every detail. You’ll start with a complimentary miso soup and might even receive a free roll and soup, and dinner ends with a unique fried Oreo on the house. The bright, clean ambience and impeccably clean bathrooms make it a great choice for a relaxed yet refined meal.
Ginger Bistro
$ | (904) 429-7600 | WEBSITE
Fun fact time: not only is St. Augustine the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, but the city also has a surprisingly vibrant sushi scene. This not only explains the amount of foodies you’re likely to encounter while exploring the historic district, but also why seeking out exceptional sushi in unexpected places is such a St. Augustine thing.
There’s no better place to do that than at Ginger Bistro, a charming little spot tucked away in the Ross/Marshalls plaza with excellent Japanese fare. The restaurant has a cozy, unassuming aesthetic, but you really want to sit near the special fridge showcasing exotic fish. When it’s time to order, get anything that involves the dry aged tuna. Letting chef Tuna advise you on how to best enjoy it isn’t a bad idea either.
Yamato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar
$$ | (904) 819-0202 | WEBSITE
Yamato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar is a shining example of a classic Japanese teppanyaki experience. This spot has been around for years and has the kind of hibachi grills that have been seasoned by countless shows and sizzling meals. But entertainment aside, Yamato still holds up as a reliable place for outstanding sushi rolls, theatrical chefs, and a memorable tsukiyaki.
The wide-ranging menu—which includes eel avocado roll, spider roll, and steak—could serve as a syllabus for Japanese steakhouses everywhere. There are enough loyal families to ensure a wait for weekend dinners. And for reasons relating to the skilled performance, the dining area is decorated with a row of chef’s knives on display.
Jin Sushi Hibachi Thai
$ | (904) 829-8822 | WEBSITE
We haven’t found a better sushi spot in all of St. Augustine than Jin Sushi Hibachi Thai. This small, cute restaurant is making the best versions we’ve ever had of Japanese and Thai dishes like dynamite rolls, volcano rolls, and tom ka chicken soup in an area that’s dense with tourist traps. Every ingredient in every dish—from each fresh slice of fish to the tender chicken that simmers in the soup—tastes like the perfect form of itself. At one point, this place was a hidden gem.
But now all of St. Augustine knows about it, so try to come at an off time or prepare to enjoy the easy parking while you wait for your quick seating.
SUSHI 99 （St Augustine）
$$ | (904) 481-8758 | WEBSITE
SUSHI 99 is another solid option if you’re looking for something fresh with a nice contemporary vibe. This sushi spot is conveniently located in St. Augustine. The menu is devoted to Japanese favorites—like very good sushi rolls—and also includes some comforting noodle dishes. It has options like the Sushi Sampler, A17 roll, Shrimp Udon, and Sashimi Appetizer.
The food, service, and inviting atmosphere are all worthy of a family-friendly meal if you’re coming here to enjoy something delicious—even if that something is just being in a dining room where everyone’s not wearing flip-flops.
Sakada Japanese Steak House
$$ | (904) 819-5857 | WEBSITE
While St. Augustine’s sushi scene has gotten better, Sakada is still the place to go for huge portions of delicious Japanese food. For our money, Sakada makes the best hibachi and rolls in North Florida. They have a simple decor and an inviting atmosphere, with hibachi tables up front and tables or booths in the back.
Only there can you grab your meal (our order is the chicken hibachi with fried rice, plus a San Marcos roll) and then enjoy the welcoming environment with a traditional Japanese beer like Kirin Ichiban.
Corner Sushi
$ | (904) 342-7382 | WEBSITE
This casual sushi spot sits in a convenient St. Augustine location and serves some of the best rolls in the area. Whether you’re biting into a spicy tuna roll, a California roll, or a bit of salmon nigiri, every piece is fresh and beautifully presented. The sushi is perfect on its own, but the miso soup is also exceptional—made with a delicate broth and tender tofu. Corner Sushi also serves other Japanese staples, like ginger salad, along with generous portions that leave you satisfied.
They have some indoor seating, but many people get their food to go, especially during the busy lunch hours when everything remains under $14.
Andaman Asian Bistro
$ | (904) 461-9190 | WEBSITE
St. Augustine has its share of touristy spots, but Andaman Asian Bistro feels like it was plucked straight from a quiet Bangkok alley, in the most delightful way. You can get decent sushi at the unassuming restaurant (which sits at the end of a plaza), but there are also crispy duck dishes, pan-fried yaki soba noodles, and—the standout of the menu—a duck green curry. Andaman Asian Bistro is home to some of the freshest sashimi in St.
Augustine, but it’s also just a quaint and lovely place to stop for a relaxed weeknight dinner. Just know you’ll probably pay a bit more than expected. The quality justifies it.
（St Augustine)Green Papaya Thai & Sushi
$$ | (904) 516-8888 | WEBSITE
Don’t feel like waiting for a table at another spot? This charming Thai and sushi restaurant is only a short drive away. Green Papaya Thai & Sushi makes dishes with flavors more satisfying than finding your favorite table open on a busy night. The relaxing restaurant is quiet, but the food is thrilling. Start by ordering liberally from their sushi menu—the boat is a satisfying shared meal. Over on the Thai side, the must-order dish is the gorgeously spiced Masaman Curry.
Then, you’re in good hands with pretty much every noodle or curry dish, though the udon can be a bit salty. The fresh ingredients, fast service, and inviting atmosphere make this a top choice.
Matsukawa Sushi & Ramen Cuisine
$ | (904) 814-8008 | WEBSITE
There’s not much to the dining room of this cozy, welcoming little spot. The excitement lives in the bowls and on the plates. Matsukawa offers a variety of fresh, well-prepared rolls reminiscent of the SF Bay Area, with thoughtful service that makes you feel at home from the moment you walk in. The miso soup is flavorful and comforting. And the custom rolls for gluten allergies—available with gluten-free soy sauce—are a considerate touch that ensures everyone can enjoy.
It’s perfect for a heartfelt dining experience, or a convenient, affordable choice when you’re craving sushi in St. Augustine.
Umai Sushi Hibachi
$ | (904) 217-7973 | WEBSITE
Everything has changed since sushi became mainstream in America, which makes the preservation of this classic neighborhood spot all the more comforting. That consistency is why Umai is still a destination for sushi lovers seeking reliable quality. It feels like walking into a cozy den where the staff has been steadily perfecting their craft for years. The wide variety of sushi, hibachi, and teriyaki dishes is simply background to the exceptional service and welcoming atmosphere.
You can just come here for the reasonably priced lunch menu. But, at least once, settle into the dimly lit space with colorful lighting and order the Hibachi Chicken—it’s cooked to perfection and served with generous portions that make it a true value.
Daruma Asian Cuisine Japanese steakhouse
$$ | (904) 230-1999 | WEBSITE
You can watch the hibachi chefs work their magic from nearly every table in this Japanese steakhouse, which is why families flock here for dinner shows. But the regular dining area has a nice view of the sushi bar where fresh fish is expertly prepared. The menu does everything a good Japanese restaurant should: solid sushi rolls, a miso soup with silky tofu and seaweed, and over a dozen hibachi options. But the chef’s special sushi platter boosts this restaurant from good to great.
It has glistening fish and some of the more perfect rice-to-fish ratios we’ve ever seen in sushi. Keep this place in mind for family celebrations or giving visitors some exceptional Asian cuisine with entertaining preparation.
Andaman Asian Cuisine
$ | (904) 429-9565 | WEBSITE
You can’t miss Andaman Asian Cuisine in St. Augustine. This welcoming spot serves the best Thai food around. They pile so much flavor into each dish, you can barely finish the generous portions. Pad See Ew and Pad Kra-Pow Basil are great choices. But if you’re feeling adventurous, order the shrimp red curry, brisket pho, or our favorite: spicy lobster roll that’s perfectly balanced. All dishes come fresh and vibrant, with plenty of options for vegans and meat lovers alike.
But also ask for extra basil if you want that authentic Thai kick (you do). You can enjoy the warm atmosphere inside, but the lunch menu is especially popular for its reasonable prices, so arrive early if you want the best selection.
Salt Life Food Shack
$$ | (904) 217-3256 | WEBSITE
Salt Life Food Shack is a St. Augustine staple that serves seafood that tastes like a Florida vacation, which is what this lively restaurant embodies. Since opening, Salt Life has been the place to celebrate beach days, consume aggressively cold beers, and dive headfirst into coastal comfort food. There’s really nothing fussy about this seafood—no molecular gastronomy or artisanal plating.
It’s just fried grouper, shrimp, calamari, and there’s a full bar in the center of the dining room so you can customize your drink to your liking. The roughly palm-sized portions range from $15 to $25 and are cooked in a kitchen that remembers when flip-flops were acceptable footwear.
Tank’s sushi bistro(WGV)
$ | (904) 940-8799 | WEBSITE
It’s easy to pass by Tank’s Sushi Bistro and think to yourself, ‘Hey, there goes another regular ol’ sushi spot.’ But this deceptively modern place is a St. Augustine classic. This is mostly because they serve some of the best sushi in Northeast Florida. These aren’t trendy little bites, but substantial dishes perfect for hungry friends who are ready to appreciate quality seafood. Start with the BBQ squid or the live scallops, both excellent choices.
The unagi nigiri is a good idea too, but there are no bad decisions here, especially if it involves fresh fish or perfectly cooked rice. Just know that the inviting atmosphere means it fills up quickly, so come early to avoid a wait.
WASABI
$ | (904) 436-6688 | WEBSITE
Walk around St. Augustine and you’ll find plenty of sushi spots. But if we had to choose just one, we’re going with WASABI. This family-owned restaurant serves up generous portions of high-quality sushi—and their consistently fresh menu has never disappointed us. The selection isn’t overwhelming—you’ll find classic rolls, tempura, teriyaki, and amazing hibachi options. But it’s all delicious.
Highlights include the miso soup, various sushi rolls, and vegetarian dishes that are plentiful if not overly adventurous. It’s one of those places that feels more like eating in a clean, welcoming home than a restaurant, so keep it in mind for regular visits.
Pacific Asian Bistro
$ | (904) 808-1818 | WEBSITE
If you want something even more refined than the usual sushi spots, head to Pacific Asian Bistro, a restaurant that treats each sushi roll like a masterpiece ready for display. Inside the dimly lit dining room, focused chefs concentrate on meticulously crafted rolls that demand appreciation from friendly servers. The sushi offerings are the most exciting and flavorful parts of the menu—especially the Green River Roll and Dragon Roll.
For heartier dishes, try the exceptional pork fried rice or the sizzling hibachi. Expect to spend around $80 per person (or exactly $150 if you indulge in multiple specialty rolls and drinks), so it’s not exactly a casual weeknight meal. But you’re coming here for sushi that doesn’t look or taste like anything else in St. Augustine.
Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant
$ | (904) 461-9488 | WEBSITE
The full name of this restaurant is “Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant.” This sounds like a straightforward fusion spot, but it’s also an accurate description of the place. Baitong tweaks Thai and sushi staples with authentic touches that hit a sweet spot between bold and balanced. Panang curry with just the right coconut cream richness. Little bits of fresh ginger mixed into the dipping sauce that comes with the salmon sushi.
A vegan pad thai alongside the traditional meat options on the main menu. These unexpected flavor flourishes—plus Henry’s genuinely friendly welcome and patiently kind service—make Baitong one of St. Augustine’s best family-friendly options. If you want to bring the kids and enjoy a curry, or convince your friends that there’s more to this world than just takeout, do it here.