Miami is a culinary melting pot for South Florida foodies. This extends far beyond the classic Cuban bakery or Latin kitchen. In recent years, restaurants serving Japanese cuisine have exploded in the area, offering authentic flavors from the Pacific. From classic hand rolls to plant-based rolls, these five places offer the finest in the subtropics.
Omakai Sushi
2107 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33127
Located in Wynwood, Omakai opened in 2019. The company was created by two brothers, Diego and Pedro Quijada, along with their friends, Nicolas Sayaverda, and Aaron Pate. All shared a passion for bringing traditional sushi to Miami. What sets Omakai apart from other Japanese restaurants is the “leave it up to us” set menu, which brings top quality at the right price and is a chef-selected plate that is different every time. (ranging between $24-$48).
Pubbelly Sushi
Multiple locations include Aventura Mall, Brickell City Center, Downtown Dadeland, and Miami Beach.
Pubbelly Sushi opened its first location in Miami-Dade in 2010. A little more than a decade later, Pubbelly is one of the area’s most recognizable names. Chef Jose Mendín infuses his dishes with Latin and Japanese flavors, emphasizing high quality and affordable prices. Combine this with an electric atmosphere, and Pubbelly is a must-try when it comes to Miami sushi. The rock shrimp tempura ($16) and the naughty lobster ($20) are must-tries.
Dragonfly Izakaya
5241 NW 87th Ave.
Doral, FL 33178
If you’re a sushi lover and heading to west Dade, Dragonfly Izakaya is an essential stop. Located in Downtown Doral, it delivers fresh fish flown in from Japan and has a reputation for implementing creativity in every dish and cocktail. The seven-piece composed nigiri ($28) or sashimi ($18) are chef’s selections of fish that are guaranteed to expand your culinary palate and keep you coming back for more.
Novikov
300 S Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33131
Perfect for an anniversary, birthday, or just a night in Downtown Miami, Novikov combines culinary excellence with an electric ambiance to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. With two other locations, in London and Moscow, Russian restaurateur Andy Novikov combines Japanese and Chinese cuisine in his downtown Miami eatery. Their premium sushi is a top seller, with A5 Wagyu & Foie Gras (duck liver) for $34 (2 pieces per order).
Planta South Beach
850 Commerce St.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just like to try new things, Planta South offers plant-based sushi that will leave you in awe. The vegan restaurant offers sushi daily, however, Maki Monday gives guests the option of unlimited select sushi rolls ($27) and bottomless sake–or $8 rolls. Their spicy tuna roll uses ahi watermelon in place of tuna, and their dragon roll incorporates tempura broccoli wrapped in spinach.
