In this vibrant neighborhood nestled along the shores of Biscayne Bay, sushi enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with an array of establishments offering the freshest and most tantalizing sushi creations. In this list, we’ve gathered the cream of the crop featuring surreal omakase experiences worth lining up for and places where you can get a quick bite with no less than the freshest fish possible.
Midorie
Tucked away in the vibrant Coconut Grove, Midorie is your go-to spot for quick, casual Japanese cuisine that does not lack quality or dedication. This hidden gem, a sibling to Wabi Sabi, brings top-notch omakase to the area without cutting corners. The brainchild of Alvaro Perez Miranda, the talent behind Hiyakawa and Ogawa, Midorie blends authenticity and simplicity in a serene setting. The minimalist ambiance lets you savor each bite undistracted. Here, the pinnacle lies in the ultra-fresh fish, flown in directly from Japan.
Midorie’s menu features five Japanese staples: fish donburi, maki, nigiri, sashimi, and temaki. Customize your bowl with Atlantic salmon, yellowfin tuna, wild blue crab, or Japanese yellowtail, paired with fresh veggies and your choice of rice, green tea soba noodles, or mixed greens. Top it off with their homemade umami sauces like spicy miso or sesame ginger. And don’t miss the omakase deals—$50 for the chirashi, featuring 12 pieces of the freshest catch flown in straight from Japan, is a steal. Plus, take advantage of their BYOB policy with no corkage fee.
Omakai Sushi
Omakai Sushi is our go-to location when we want a legit good meal without breaking the bank. The Coconut Grove location is chic and trendy, offering a somewhat minimalist feel with cool and sleek woodwork adorning the walls. The fact that they have Omakase starting at $20 makes this sushi spot all the more appealing. Dubbed the OMA Bite, you’re getting an appetizer alongside the freshest sashimi, nigiri, and a hand roll. Can’t beat that with a baseball bat. They even have a VEGAN OMA for plant-based fans, elevating this sushi spot to a whole new level. And you can totally go all out with the OMAKAI Experience which features a 15-course feast specially curated each evening by the chef.
If you do decide to go the a la carte route, don’t skip on the toro truffle, wagyu tartare, or the king crab nigiri. If you’re an early bird, we suggest showing up for happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m., where you can snag nigiri and handrolls for $6, plus drinks ranging from $3 to $7. You won’t find a better bang for your buck in town. One last tidbit of advice—make sure to order the freshly grated wasabi to compliment your meal.
Omakai Sushi is located at 3304 Mary St, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Sushi by Scratch
The Michelin-starred Sushi by Scratch is an experience you definitely don’t want to miss. The place serves no more than 30 people a night, so you know it’s consistently full. Reservations can be made on the first of every month starting at 1:00 p.m., and we suggest you have your phone out and ready well before then.
So what’s the hype? Sushi by Scratch is no ordinary omakase experience. It is intimate and highly interactive. Oh, and you’ll be trying flavor combinations you wouldn’t have thought of in your wildest dreams with the freshest catch the 305 has to offer. Priced at $185, it’s not the most wallet-friendly option on our list, but you will get a complimentary cocktail and a 17-course dinner you’ll be waxing poetic about for moons to come.
Sushi by Scratch is located at 3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Sushi Garage
This CocoWalk sushi joint is our go-to location for a casual bite. Sushi Garage’s menu is loaded with tapas-style dishes, tacos, noodles, and, of course, sushi. The restaurant serves up some highly creative specialty rolls you simply don’t want to miss trying. From the lemon vegetarian roll with crispy shallots and honey yuzu mustard to the tuna chicharron made with eel, tuna, and aji amarillo sauce pickled red onion, we’re always prepared to have our minds blown when dining here.
If you wish to stick to the classics, Sushi Garage has all the regular roll and nigiri suspects you might be craving. We won’t be gatekeeping their happy hour deals either, which last from 5 to 8 p.m. daily and include sushi and rolls for as little as $4.50 and heartier dishes for $11. Plus, half off all specialty cocktails, wine, and sake carafes.
Sushi Garage is located at 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Varsol Sushi Bar
Varsol Sushi Bar is one of the Grove’s trendiest locations, and reservations are highly recommended. Everyone wants to see and be seen on their industrial-esque greenhouse patio. More importantly, though, everyone wants a taste of some of the best sushi in the 305. The restaurant has an extensive sushi menu featuring fresh seafood flown in daily from across the world, as well as some fire wok specials.
Foodie favorites include Tara’s Tuna—spicy tuna on a bed of crispy rice, spicy tuna tartare made with truffles, and the seared salmon toro sashimi made with the utmost melty salmon belly you’ll ever feast on. Varsol Sushi Bar also delights us with happy hour specials daily from 3 to 6 p.m., where sushi lovers can feast on bites ranging from $4-11 and sips from $5-8.
Varsol Sushi Bar is located at 3423 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
