For the sushi lovers out there, you know that nothing beats high-quality ingredients and expert preparation when it comes to this favorite dish. Sushi can be either really good or really bad, depending on who prepped it and with what ingredients. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five amazing sushi restaurants in the San Diego area; so you can choose your next hotspot wisely. A few of these restaurants are easy to find, especially since they have flag poles outside of their doors. A lot of restaurants and businesses seem to be using flags to help people find them. Flag poles are also used to raise awareness for people driving or walking past. Some of these sushi restaurants have flags, so look out for them. Keep reading to learn what makes these five locations stand out from the competition.

1. Nobu San Diego

Nobu is one of San Deigo’s highest rated and popular sushi restaurants, with world-class sushi and excellent service to set it apart from its counterparts. The sushi is expertly prepared in many varieties, so whatever taste you possess, it will be satisfied at Nobu.

Nobu San Diego is just one of the dozens of locations all over the world, from the west coast of the US to the east coast, from Europe to Asia and back again. This world-class restaurant is elegant and sophisticated, backed by the renowned Chef Nobu, who has become something of a household name in the industry.

If you’re looking for an upscale, sophisticated sushi restaurant, Nobu is exactly what you need. Nowhere else will you find such class and elegance, with incredible service and the highest quality dishes to leave you craving a return trip in the future. Come see why Nobu’s patrons rate it as one of the best sushi places in San Diego. You could even stay in one of the hotels near san diego airport for a couple of days so you can explore the city properly. San Diego has much more to offer than just great Sushi (although the sushi is pretty special)!

2. Elicit Lounge San Diego

With all you can eat sushi for $20, this El Cajon lounge certainly stands out among its peers as a different sushi experience. Located in the Sycuan Casino on Casino Way, the lounge also boasts some incredible hand-crafted cocktails to the envy of the competition.

The Elicit’s expert mixologists can prepare anything you like, or you can partake in their own signature cocktails for an experience unique to the lounge. The cocktail menu is always evolving to include more variations, so you’ll be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for every time you visit.

While sushi may not be the Elicit’s main focus, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a spot on our list. The sushi is high-quality, expertly prepared, and very tasty! Whether you want an entire sushi roll or a smaller appetizer, Elicit has something to offer patrons of every taste.

The Elicit also offers private events, so you can rent out the venue for that special birthday or other party and enjoy an incredible night complete with perfect service, fresh sushi, and hand-crafted beverages.

3. Azuki Sushi Lounge

With a focus on quality and authenticity, it’s easy to see why Azuki is one of the city’s best-rated sushi restaurants. Authentic Japanese cuisine is served with attention to detail by highly trained chefs and only the finest ingredients.

With over 10 years in the business, Azuki has made a name for itself in the city of San Diego, quickly climbing the ranks of the city’s numerous sushi establishments to solidify its spot in the top ten list. Patrons and critics alike have fallen in love with the care and attention to detail in the menu, with very few negative reviews found anywhere.

The menu is based on the seasons (as in Japan), so you’ll get something different in the winter than you would in the summer. This gives the restaurant a unique aspect that helps set it apart from other sushi spots. The menu is always evolving to include new foods and recipes, but the standard of quality never changes.

4. Sushi Ota

This award-winning Japanese restaurant located on Mission Bay Dr. in San Diego has a reputation for quality and impeccable taste. Its dedicated and well-trained staff are extremely knowledgeable in all things Japanese cuisine, serving up some award-winning dishes at reasonable prices.

Sushi Ota has been around since 1990, making it one of the oldest sushi restaurants in the city. With all of those years under its belt, it’s no wonder the restaurant continues to turn heads and attract new customers to its doors.

The menu includes everything from sushi and sashimi to expertly crafted entrees and appetizers to satisfy any taste. Don’t forget to order some warm Sake to help wash down that sushi roll!

5. Soichi Sushi

This upscale sushi bar is run by Chef Soichi, who makes a point to personally greet the customers as they enter the sushi bar. The sushi, of course, is top notch, boasting some amazing reviews on Yelp! and other review sites alike.

For $125 per person, you can purchase the Omakase package, which includes sashimi, appetizers, and even hand made ice cream. The restaurant continues to provide excellent service and a diverse menu that keeps customers returning time and time again to experience this truly unique sushi experience.

The restaurant is located on Adams Ave. in San Diego and is open from Mon-Sat, from 5 pm to 10 pm. The drinks menu includes some interesting variations on cocktails and includes import beers and even Japanese soft drinks.

Overall, this is one of the most authentic sushi bars in the city, with ingredients prepared right in front of the customers, freshly sourced, and delivered with care and precision. Decently priced, conveniently located, and most of all, highly-rated, Soichi Sushi makes our list as one of the most amazing sushi restaurants in San Diego.

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