Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Harmony Cuisine 2B1

4.9

4.9 (250)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kearny Mesa

About the restaurant

OpenTable Diners' Choice 2022, 2023 and 2024!
Come dine in our modern and relaxing atmosphere, where we serve traditional sushi and unique fusion dishes.
Enjoy particularly selected sakes, wines, and unique cocktails that pair exquisitely with our fine dishes.
In addition to traditional sushi, and hot and cold Japanese appetizers, our menu includes pastas, homemade desserts, and other regional fusion dishes to cater to a wide range of guests.
We are also proud to offer premium A5 Wagyu dishes.
Please let us serve you our traditional and creative dishes so that you can enjoy "To Become One (2B1)" with us in Harmony!

Top review

Naomi

Dined on Nov 14, 2024

Excellent selection and wonderful meal. Fresh and decent portions. Was a great meal and experience.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Diego, CA | Downtown Gaslamp Quarter

4.6

4.6 (264)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Cristinavip

Dined 3 days ago

Enjoyed a dinner cooking our meats and having a set course to introduce us to Japanese bbq. Really good quality food and fun

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Experience

Expansive Happy Hour Options!!

Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Temaki Bar

4.7

4.7 (23)

$30 and under

Japanese

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Translating to “hand roll,” Temaki Bar celebrates the tradition that all perfect hand rolls should be eaten within seconds of the chef passing them across the counter — while the rice is still warm and the fish, fresh and chilled.

Delivery and in-person to-go orders are now available!

Temaki Bar does not take reservations. We encourage guests to put their name on the online waitlist up to an hour prior to their expected arrival. The online waitlist can be accessed via our website,
temakibarsushi.com, or on OpenTable. Parties larger than 4 guests cannot be guaranteed to be seated together.

EAT HERE || LIVE FOREVER

Top review

Kory

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Love the vibe, best sushi spot in North County!!!!

Nobu San Diego

4.5

4.5 (3727)

$50 and over

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

World renowned for its award winning "New Style" Japanese cuisine, Nobu continues to offer savvy diners across the globe a culinary adventure. Our San Diego location is yet another canvas for Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to display his legendary dishes, such as the Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. The restaurant which is nestled in the perennially hip and centrally located Hard Rock Hotel also features unique creations by Executive Chef David Meade who has honed his skill at Nobu locations in Miami and New York. Nobu San Diego delivers equally on food, impeccable service and ambiance that is sophisticated yet lively.

Top review

Lisavip

Dined 4 days ago

Portions are small so I would recommend ordering multiple dishes for each person. Food was delicious! My favorite dish was the black cod miso.

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Experience

2024 Holiday Omakase

Craft Bar Kamon

4.9

4.9 (180)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

"Taisho Roman craft cocktail bar in the heart of East Village San Diego that reflects the period in Japan when traditionalism and modernism first converged. We are committed to offer the unique and best craft cocktails!
**To make a reservation for a party of 6 or more, please contact us through email at info@barkamon.com
Please refrain from booking multiple tables as we most likely won't be able to accommodate to seat together.

**Please be aware that table or bar seating selection is just a request and it is not a confirmation. We will try our best to accommodate but due to limited seating availability, you may be seated to a different section from what you have requested at the reservation.

Top review

Alainvip

Dined on Nov 14, 2024

Drinks are always on point. Scallops were amazing as well. Highly recommend when visiting down town.

Lumi

4.6

4.6 (679)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Featuring world-renowned celebrity chef Akira Back, Lumi is an energetic and upscale rooftop experience serving innovative Japanese fare and sushi accompanied by handcrafted libations in a vividly unique atmosphere.

Top review

Brian

Dined today

Food was great! Sushi was fresh, servers were very nice. Ambience was perfect! The pork belly was really tender and full of flavor!

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4.6

4.6 (975)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Shimbashi's theme is based on the Izakaya, a Japanese tapas restaurant. We offer a multi-faceted menu that can be used as a pairing with sake for the light eater or sophisticated dinner entrées served in the Japanese tradition. Our menu changes with the season making each dining experience a new adventure.

Top review

Kierra

Dined on Oct 23, 2024

I would absolutely dine again. There were interesting specials and the standard fare had great options. Food came out at a great pace. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was very enjoyable.

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Popular dish

Omakase Sashimi

Sushi Mori

4.7

4.7 (38)

$31 to $50

Japanese

La Jolla

About the restaurant

If you’re in the La Jolla area, be sure you visit Sushi Mori Restaurant located near La Jolla Shores Park. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in La Jolla, San Diego.

As one of La Jolla’s premier dining spots, Sushi Mori offers a contemporary atmosphere imbued with the kind of ambiance that is just right for a romantic dinner. If you’re looking for a quick meal, the Sushi Mori menu offers great specials. Our sushi chef's dishes are created with fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepared with great attention to detail, making the end result a meal to truly relish in

Top review

Bobvip

Dined on Oct 27, 2024

Great staff and service. Food was good not great. Rice fell apart on nigiri when picked up with chopsticks. Nigiri was cut very thin, which felt cheap and lacked flavor. Inside was like a burger joint and so brightly lit and western vibe. Outside was nice. If you’re looking for a more authentic looking, feeling, tasting sushi place, this may not be it.

Benihana - San Diego, CA

4.1

4.1 (7309)

$30 and under

Japanese

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

Top review

Nicole

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great time with the family. We celebrated our son’s birthday!! Yuki was our server and was phenomenal! Great personality, on top of our request and very pleasant. Fausto our Chef made our food with love and soooo flavorful! Thanks!

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