Madison has a lot going for it. We’re nestled between two gorgeous lakes, our farmers’ markets overflow with local bounty, and you can actually find parking downtown. That being said, we’re still in the Midwest. Which is why finding truly exceptional sushi feels like a minor miracle—and why this list is so essential.
Yako Sushi House
$$ | (608) 283-9075 | WEBSITE
This Madison spot makes classic Japanese dishes like gyoza and tempura into must-orders, and turns the sushi boat into a clever excuse for trying multiple rolls. In other words, it elevates everything fresh and flavorful. The less-traditional items (for example, the poke bowls) are also great, and overall, we have yet to find something we don’t like. The cozy space has lots of upbeat energy with its jpop soundtrack, and the family-friendly atmosphere is perfect for a small group any time of year.
Sumo Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
$$ | (608) 661-5533 | WEBSITE
Is your visitor a picky eater? A sushi skeptic? Just looking for a fun family meal? All of the above? Take this potentially hard-to-please group to Sumo Steakhouse & Sushi Bar. It’s a kid-friendly restaurant that’s also good for celebrations – and proof that Madison isn’t just for people who enjoy quiet, formal dining. You’ll find options like chicken nuggets and fries for the picky ones, hibachi that can be fun depending on the chef, and sushi that one customer called the best they ever had.
Yes, this place has been noted for high prices and sometimes slow bar service, but at least the tasty food and friendly atmosphere make for a satisfying meal that captures the fun of childhood restaurant outings with much higher quality than in the past.
SEQUOIA
$$ | (608) 630-8933 | WEBSITE
You’re not coming to SEQUOIA for some minimalist sushi platter with tweezer-placed microgreens. You’re here for generous rolls bursting with flavor, served on beautiful wooden boards with little boats of soy sauce and wasabi on the side. This place feels like it’s been Madison’s secret for years, and the interior has that cozy, timeless vibe—warm lighting, dark wood accents, and Japanese art that looks collected over decades.
If you’ve ever wanted to try one of those chef’s special rolls that looks almost too pretty to eat, you can do it here (it’s part of the Sequoia Deluxe). Good luck leaving without ordering another round of those Honey Mint Juleps.
Mad Seafood Boiler
$$ | (608) 819-6168 | WEBSITE
One of the best parts of eating seafood in the Midwest is that we really are surrounded by fresh water sources. And Mad Seafood Boiler is the kind of place where your server will let you know not only where your octopus came from, but also what kind of sauce it was paired with when it arrived that morning. The menu here is seafood-focused, but there are also appetizers like the octopus poke bowl (which is a must-order).
Niji Asian Cuisine
$$ | (608) 285-9690 | WEBSITE
Your friend who just got back from Tokyo is craving something authentic. The first thing he did when he landed was grab a burger at the airport, but now he wants something sushi-adjacent for dinner. Put Madison’s Niji Asian Cuisine on the itinerary. There’s a spacious dining room with friendly servers, and a huge menu with fresh sushi, fantastic hibachi, and plenty of sake recommendations. He can always order the scallop hibachi once the burger craving has worn off.
Poke It Up
$ | (608) 709-5511 | WEBSITE
Your coworker from out of town is in Madison, and you’re looking for a kind-of-healthy lunch. Head to Poke It Up. This place serves the type of food that someone who visits Hawaii every year – or at least dreams of doing so – might crave. Come for customizable poke bowls with fresh ingredients, generous portions of avocado and seaweed salad included in the price, and tasty vegetarian options. At this location, you can even grab your order to go.
Just tell your colleague to imagine that the limited parking spots are surfboards.
Takara Sushi Station
$$ | (608) 270-1188 | WEBSITE
Takara Sushi Station has the best all-you-can-eat sushi in Madison (maybe even the Midwest). This makes it a must-visit for families in the area, no matter what they’re craving. Just plan on arriving hungry, but assure everyone that it’s worth it. Especially that friend from Milwaukee who already tried conveyor belt sushi elsewhere but was too skeptical.
RED
$$$ | (608) 294-1234 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just need to let yourself be swept away by an evening of culinary artistry. RED is the place to do exactly that. Head downtown and order the Sushi and Sashimi Dinner. Fair warning, this experience is pricey – it’s an upscale sushi bar with sophisticated decor and impeccable service, not to mention a reservation that might take some planning. But it’s extraordinary, and in a league of its own.
Plus, this spot is nestled in the main floor lounge of a downtown Madison setting, and feels like a modern-day sanctuary for sushi purists (if the sanctuary served lychee martinis and matcha custard cake).
Tokyo Sushi
$$ | (608) 405-5825 | WEBSITE
Head to Tokyo Sushi in Madison for a classic sushi bar experience. The interior looks tastefully decorated with pleasant music and visuals, and the servers will bring you consistently higher quality fish than other places, with delicious vegetarian options like yasai gyoza and veggie tempura. The sushi is always fresh and well prepared. Make sure you appreciate the awesome and super fast service from polite staff who go above and beyond.
This place couldn’t be any more delightful if it played soothing music on repeat.
Akari Sushi
$ | (608) 422-5818 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just want to impress your friends with a really good sushi spot they might not have heard of. When that’s the case, go to Akari Sushi in Madison. It’s a very small, takeout-focused restaurant (with only about six tables), and it has some of the best sushi in the city. The focus here is on the fantastic melt-in-your-mouth tuna, but anything that uses their large, fresh cuts of fish is worth ordering—so get some specialty rolls and red snapper sushi as well.
If you’re in a hurry, grab takeout, which is ready quickly from their clean, casual space, while you plan your next craving for their Akari Lo Mein.
Tavernakaya
$$ | (608) 286-1548 | WEBSITE
Impressing Madison sushi lovers with a Japanese restaurant is hard. But you can take them to Tavernakaya with confidence. Every sushi dish here is fantastic – in particular the tuna roll, which is a menu staple. But the non-sushi is great, too (try the veggie loaded spring rolls or the pork gyoza). It’s the kind of place that might make someone (briefly) stop talking about their favorite spot in the East Side.
Jacknife
$ | (608) 255-5225 | WEBSITE
For a while, Madison didn’t have many sushi spots that could please both families and serious sushi lovers. But for some welcome reason, a place like Jacknife has emerged. It’s also quite accessible, with rolls running around $16-22 each. Your money gets you excellent sushi like the popular Godzilla rolls, plus super fresh sashimi with that abundant fish-to-rice ratio everyone praises.
So if you’re looking for a reliable neighborhood option, and also want to show visitors that Madison has great sushi for all ages and diets, grab a table here.
Takumi Poke Bowl
$ | (608) 663-3898 | WEBSITE
Takumi Poke Bowl, now Niji Asian Cuisine over by East Towne Mall, is the quintessential Madison poke spot. Meaning this place is compact, with soft background tunes and tidy tables. Plus, it has great food, including build-your-own bowls and a Madison-sized (i.e., very satisfying) rainbow bowl.
It’s the perfect spot for someone who frequents big chain restaurants—they’ll feel like they’re in a hidden gem, and you’ll be amused watching them navigate the simple paper checklists instead of overwhelming menus.
Muramoto Hilldale
$$ | (608) 284-9026 | WEBSITE
Muramoto Hilldale doesn’t serve the only destination-worthy sushi in this city. We also have this Japanese gem in Hilldale. At first glance, the blue mackerel sashimi appears unassuming – the slices are delicate, almost translucent, and seem modest. But that’s only because the fish has been expertly prepared, creating delicious, clean flavors. Include a Madagascar Mai Tai in your order, along with some fried calamari with ponzu mayo.
Not a bad candidate for helping someone finally let go of an obsession with other sushi spots (although realistically, good luck with that).
Teriyaki Sushi Express
$ | (608) 271-4000 | WEBSITE
At some point, a visitor to Madison might get overwhelmed by our heavy food and want a detox – a steady diet of brats and cheese curds can inspire this type of thing, or so we’ve heard. Take care of this with a meal at Teriyaki Sushi Express. The teriyaki chicken is light and fresh, and the dining area has enough warmth and efficiency to make your friends feel like they’re at home, where there isn’t quite so much waiting.
The generous servings with consistent quality surpass what you’d find at chain spots, and the friendly service makes the limited seating feel cozy rather than cramped. Order ahead to skip the line, and if you’re extra hungry, add more meat for just a few dollars – it’s worth it. Grab a punch card too; buy five, get your sixth free, because you’ll definitely be back.
Nori Sushi and Grill
$ | (608) 285-9160 | WEBSITE
This friendly spot in Madison makes the list for two reasons. One, it’s an excellent sushi bar – you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Two, it’s incredibly affordable. This is something many of us in Madison take for granted (we have a lot of budget-friendly options), but it will probably make your friends from more expensive cities jealous.
The Journey
$ | (608) 663-6686 | WEBSITE
It’s practically mandatory that you bring any sushi-loving friend in Madison to an all-you-can-eat spot. And when you’re dealing with someone who’s skeptical about buffet quality, you absolutely have to choose the right one. There are plenty of options around town, but The Journey is the top pick. The sushi here is fresh and varied (so it doesn’t have the tired, pre-made feel you get from some buffet bars), and the standout is the Hot and Sour soup.
Bring an extra napkin for when your friend inevitably goes back for thirds at the hibachi grill.
