Craving sushi in Music City? You’re not alone—turns out Nashville isn’t just about hot chicken and honky-tonks. Whether you’re a soy-sauce-sipping purist or someone who believes sushi should come with a side of spicy mayo and drama, this guide dives chopsticks-first into the top 5 sushi spots that locals whisper about and foodies flock to. From hidden gems to buzzy hotspots, these places roll out more than just fresh fish—they deliver flavor, flair, and a little bit of wasabi-fueled joy.
1. 888
📍 800 Clark Place, Downtown
888 melds refined sushi mastery with a turntable-driven lounge atmosphere. Designed like a Japanese jazz kissa, it’s refined yet unpretentious, with vinyl records lining the walls and a dimly lit sushi bar where samurai‑trained chefs orchestrate fresh nigiri, sashimi, and inventive rolls. The aesthetic is sleek and contemporary, anchored by sound-optimized acoustics and occasional in-house DJs weaving melody with mise‑en‑place. It’s sushi with a soundtrack—and a story.
Standout Features:
- Signature Dishes: Cured salmon onigiri, Donabe fried rice, and ocean‑fresh nigiri handcrafted by Chef Deden “Benny the Blade” Bandi, formerly of Nobu.
- Impressive sake list, Japanese craft beers, and sophisticated cocktails
Insider Tip:
Request a seat along the main bar during a vinyl‑listening session—pairing exceptional nigiri with ambient jazz spun from the label library turns a meal into a multisensory event.
2. O-Ku Sushi Nashville
📍 81 Van Buren Street, Germantown, Nashville, TN 37208
O‑Ku Nashville elevates sushi to an art form wrapped in Southern hospitality. The dining room is sleek and modern with soft lighting, natural wood accents, and an open kitchen where chefs assemble dishes tableside. Every detail—from the minimalist menus to the playlist—feels deliberate yet inviting. The space works equally well for date nights, solo omakase sessions, or celebrations with friends. O‑Ku seamlessly blends traditional Japanese flair with Nashville warmth.
Standout Features:
- Chef Specialties: Must-order signature rolls like Tennessee Two Step (tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, salmon, avocado, spicy aioli, sweet soy glaze), Playboy roll (crab, angus flank, goat cheese mousse, herb aioli), and wagyu nigiri or O‑Toro with chive and caviar.
- Hot Plates & Small Bites: Favorites include Kung Pao Cauliflower, Rock Shrimp Nashville‑hot style, tender Candied Sticky Ribs, and Shishito Peppers with furikake aioli.
- Regional Japanese whiskies, craft beers, wine selections, and cocktails like an Umami Martini showcase their attention to flavor pairing.
Insider Tip:
For the full experience, ask for a seat at the sushi bar early in the evening—you’ll often catch chefs preparing small dishes like A-5 Wagyu Poke or Usuzukuri scallops. If available, request their $140 omakase tasting menu for a multi-course feast that highlights rare fish from Tokyo and Hawaii. O‑Ku’s seasonal dishes change frequently, so don’t miss specials like black‑magic lobster rolls or specialty nigiri.
3. Sushi | Bar Nashville
📍 610 Magazine St, The Gulch, Nashville, TN 37203
This hidden-speakeasy omakase spot lives behind an unmarked door inside Golden Sound—think sultry, dimly lit elegance meets fine-dining theatre. With just 12 seats facing a minimalist sushi counter, the space feels deeply personal. Expect hushed anticipation, nods of appreciation as chefs present each course, and chic cocktail lounge energy before and after the meal. It’s immersive, cinematic, and utterly unforgettable—great for those seeking an elevated, curated sushi experience.
Standout Features:
- Omakase Experience: A fixed 17-course menu changes monthly, featuring rare nigiri and inventive bites like cured toro with truffle or uni topped with micro-herbs.
- Pre‑Dinner Cocktail Lounge: Arrive early for a complimentary welcome cocktail—usually a signature sake or gin concoction—served in the lounge before entering the dining room.
Insider Tip:
Book the earliest seating on Friday or Saturday to catch the sunset reflection through the golden-tinted windows. It’s the only time the sushi counter glows from the city light—creating a magical dining backdrop you’ll remember long after dessert.
4. Kisser
📍 747 Douglas Ave, Suite 105B, East Nashville, TN 37207
If you enjoy irony, welcome to Kisser—a place named after a Japanese “kissaten,” yet shockingly there’s no hugging involved (only high-tech QR waitlists and serious slurping). Operating only four days a week for lunch, it’s also the only sushi place in Nashville where lunchtime feels like a secret society ritual. Chef-owners Leina Horii and Brian Lea bring serious craftsmanship to comfort food, so while you wait in line, you’ll witness sushi rice artistry performed at communal farmhouse tables. The uncrowded, minimalist space forces direct eye contact with mouthwatering dishes—talent meets simplicity in an open kitchen.
Standout Features:
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Star Dishes: Chicken Katsu Sandwich on pillowy house-made milk bread, Beef Tataki Udon with yuzu broth and seared Bear Creek Farm tri-tip, and a trio of Onigiri—snow crab, curry kabocha squash, and cod-roasted grilled rice.
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Highlight: Yellowtail Collar, marinated 24 hours in lemon‑ponzu‑daikon, famed for falling off the bone with zero effort.
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Dessert & Drinks: Don’t skip the Miso Crème Brûlée or opt for a Crab Roll paired with a locally brewed rice ale. Tea lovers will appreciate the High Garden teas on offer too.
Insider Tip:
Despite the James Beard nods and national acclaim, its only open Thursday through Sunday, and lines begin forming before the doors open. But here’s the irony: the service is lightning-fast—once inside, you’ll be served with military precision, and many dishes (like the famed katsu sandwich) arrive so quickly it’s bewildering. Just don’t show up hoping for dinner—it doesn’t happen; and resist the urge to flick on blue light while on the waitlist—a quick scroll through local vinyl shops nearby is less shameful (and honestly more charming).
5. Kase × Noko
📍 904 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
Step into a sleek, modern studio-space atmosphere where every surface is clean and minimal, but the energy hums. Kase × Noko fuses Nashville’s design-forward sensibilities with delicate Japanese touches like blond wood counter seats and artful plating on hand-thrown ceramics. The open-kitchen layout means you watch tempura puffs and nigiri get assembled with care. It feels intimate yet creative, perfect for quietly impressed food lovers or design-conscious diners who care as much about their surroundings as their sushi.
Standout Features:
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Signature Plates: Experience Noko Set—six-piece nigiri plus two jet-black uni shooters served in mouth-coating cream. The Shrimp Tempura Buns and Tofu Katsu Sandwich are regular guest favourites for inventive takes on classic textures.
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Mini-Udon & Small Plates: Slurp the Dashi Udon with scallions and chili crunch, and try the Eggplant Miso bite-sized plush cubes.
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Curated Sips: They offer a focused drink list: bottled yuzu soda, ginger kombucha, chilled sake flights, and a limited-edition whiskey collaborative bottle.
Insider Tip:
Every Wednesday, Kase × Noko launches a tiny rotating menu of chef-brewed Japanese sodas—exotic flavors like yuzu-lavender or plum-ginger that aren’t sold anywhere else. These sell out fast, so ask for the flight just after taking your seat (they offer a bonus taste if you mention Instagram!).