11 Tennessee Sushi Spots Fans Defend With Passion (You’ll Pay Up, You’ll Wait, You’ll Smile)

Nashville’s sushi scene has grown into something remarkable, an unexpected harmony of precision, warmth, and Southern ease. Beyond the neon and noise, you’ll find chefs shaping rice and fish with quiet confidence, turning every slice into a kind of performance.

These eleven restaurants reward curiosity and patience alike: tiny omakase counters where time slows, sleek lounges where craft cocktails mingle with toro, and tucked-away spots where a seat feels like a small victory.

Each visit carries its own rhythm, soft conversation, a brush of soy, a nod of appreciation. I made the rounds, stayed late, and left every time with the same thought: Nashville’s sushi isn’t a surprise anymore. It’s a destination.

1. Sushi | Bar Nashville (Nashville)

A whisper of incense and clean wood greets you at the door, it’s calm, deliberate, almost ceremonial. The vibe feels like entering a secret conversation between chefs and diners.

Each of the 17 courses at this 12-seat omakase unfolds with focus: scallop brushed with soy, wagyu with truffle salt, uni so fresh it glows. Ingredients fly in daily from Toyosu Market.

I’ve rarely been this silent during a meal. Every bite lands with precision and grace, and the smile that follows isn’t negotiable.

2. Virago (Nashville)

The music sets the tone before the menu does, low beats, dim light, skyline views from the rooftop bar. This is Nashville sushi with rhythm.

Open since 2000, Virago combines high-end rolls, inventive small plates, and a sake list that could pass for poetry. Try the “Hot Mess” roll, spicy tuna, crab, and scallion tempura under a soy glaze.

You should arrive just before sunset. Between the view and the first round of sashimi, you’ll understand why locals never gave up their loyalty here.

3. O-Ku Nashville (Nashville)

The torched aroma of wagyu nigiri hits first, smoky, rich, and faintly sweet. Inside, the space hums with modern ease: concrete, wood, and a bar that feels alive.

O-Ku blends Tokyo precision with Southern charm, serving fish flown in weekly from Japan’s markets alongside bourbon-glazed local touches. Their “Ocean Drive” roll balances citrus, crunch, and buttery texture beautifully.

I came expecting fusion; I left impressed by restraint. It’s proof Nashville’s sushi scene doesn’t mimic, it evolves.

4. Kase X Noko (Nashville)

Chef Brian Lea doesn’t hide behind theatrics, just clean cuts, quiet confidence, and perfectly timed pacing at the 14-seat counter. The intimacy feels magnetic, like a dinner conversation you never want to end.

Kase x Noko’s omakase menu runs through pristine nigiri, hand rolls, and small plates built on Japanese technique and local creativity. Every course tells a story in precision.

Visitor tip: set an alarm six weeks in advance when reservations open. Blink, and those seats vanish faster than uni melting on warm rice.

5. Sekisui Pacific Rim (Memphis)

The atmosphere hits a balance between sleek and homey, low lighting, clinking glasses, steady chatter. It’s Memphis’s longest-running modern sushi house for a reason.

Sekisui Pacific Rim has anchored East Memphis since the late ’90s, with a menu that marries traditional Japanese rolls and Pacific Rim flavors. Their lobster tempura roll deserves its loyal fanbase.

Grab a seat at the sushi bar if you can. Watching the chefs work with such easy precision adds quiet theater to the meal.

6. Sekisui Midtown (Memphis)

You’ll catch the warm smell of toasted sesame and grilled eel the moment you walk in. The pace is lively, a hum of regulars swapping lunchtime stories.

Opened in 1999, this Midtown favorite is one of Memphis’s sushi mainstays, offering fresh, generous cuts and approachable pricing. The salmon nigiri is always clean, buttery, and bright.

I stop here when I need something grounding between travel and noise. There’s comfort in seeing sushi made with skill but without ceremony, it just feels right.

7. South Main Sushi (Memphis)

The first thing you notice is the stillness, soft jazz, dim lighting, and the rhythmic slice of knives behind the counter. It’s intimate without feeling exclusive.

South Main Sushi specializes in clean, elegant rolls built around balance rather than flash. The “South Main Special,” with seared tuna, avocado, and jalapeño, lands perfectly between subtlety and kick.

Sit at the bar if you’re solo. The chefs are conversational, and their easy focus adds something meditative to the meal.

8. Red Koi Japanese Cuisine (Nashville)

Warm sake and citrus float through the air here, giving the room an inviting calm before the first dish even lands. The space feels quietly confident, full of regulars who already know what to order.

Opened in 2016, Red Koi brings contemporary Japanese dining to Donelson, with sushi rolls that lean fresh and restrained. The “Koi Roll,” layered with salmon, crab, and avocado, defines their aesthetic: clean, vivid, honest.

I came for a quick bite once and stayed nearly two hours. Time behaves differently when food feels like good company.

9. Nama Sushi Bar (Knoxville)

The snap of fresh-cut cucumber and the bright scent of rice vinegar mark the start of a Nama service, sushi as refreshment as much as indulgence. The energy hums between laid-back and refined.

Established in 2004, Nama brought modern sushi culture to Knoxville before it was trendable, emphasizing quality fish and consistent craftsmanship. The “Nama Crunch” roll, with tempura flakes and crab, is an unpretentious hit.

Visitor habit: pair your sushi flight with their spicy edamame. It’s simple, salty, and the perfect palate pause between rolls.

10. Sushi Nabe (Chattanooga)

The hum of quiet laughter and the faint scent of miso set the tone before you even sit down. It feels like stepping into a neighborhood secret: small, calm, and effortlessly genuine.

Family-owned since 1989, Sushi Nabe is Chattanooga’s oldest Japanese restaurant, known for its fresh cuts, reasonable prices, and traditional focus. The bento boxes and chef’s nigiri set are crowd favorites.

I love watching Chef Nobu move behind the counter. There’s no rush in his hands, just the steady grace of someone who’s done this for decades.

11. Totto Sushi & Grill (Nashville)

Steam rises from the grill while the sound of knives hitting boards keeps tempo, it’s sushi with a heartbeat. The vibe is lively and a little mischievous, mixing izakaya warmth with Nashville energy.

Totto balances sushi and grilled dishes, pairing toro nigiri with yakitori skewers and crisp gyoza. Their “Volcano Roll” earns its name with chili heat and satisfying crunch.

Sit where you can see the open kitchen. The choreography between the grill and sushi bar might be the best show in town.