Even as Arizona’s heat simmers, Mesa remains Phoenix’s go-to escape. Just minutes from the city’s bustle, this suburban haven offers vibrant strips, a relaxed suburban vibe, and long evenings savoring pristine cuts. While the usual dinner rush has mellowed, there are still plenty of spots serving impeccable, artfully presented sushi. If you’re craving the city’s finest, here’s our list of the 17 best.
Makitto Sushi
$$ | (480) 508-6761 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Mesa’s bustling dining scene, Makitto Sushi has quickly become our go-to spot for exceptional sushi with a chef-driven menu that changes with the seasons. Think fresh cuts of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail, along with creative specials that showcase the chef’s expertise. The cozy, inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for a relaxed meal, and the friendly, knowledgeable staff ensures every visit feels special.
While the main dining area offers a warm, intimate setting, the entire experience is elevated by their signature sushi boat presentation, which adds a playful touch to the already outstanding food.
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
$$ | (480) 660-9752 | WEBSITE
If you’ve heard of one sushi spot in Mesa, chances are it’s RA Sushi Bar Restaurant. This popular restaurant right in the heart of town is largely credited for bringing the whole modern sushi bar experience to the area. And even after all these years – and plenty of new competition – it’s still one of the best. Their pleasant patio is perfect when the weather’s favorable, and the manager personally ensures every guest leaves satisfied.
Call ahead if you’re planning a special occasion or night out – it’s worth it.
HOUSE – Modern Sushi Restaurant
$$ | (480) 545-6009 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Mesa, you could easily mistake HOUSE – Modern Sushi Restaurant for a minimalist art space, but it is, in fact, a sushi bar. And a phenomenal one at that. The menu is expertly crafted, with everything from the Salmon Lovers roll to the crunch scalloped roll to the yellowtail roll, but just know you can’t really order wrong here. There’s a clean, welcoming interior with attentive service, fresh ingredients, and plenty of flavor.
Zugoi Asian Cuisine (new Sushi Kee)
$$ | (480) 654-1306 | WEBSITE
If you hear someone mention “sushi” in Mesa, it probably means they’re heading to Zugoi Asian Cuisine. Open for both lunch and dinner, this spot has become the go-to destination for fresh sushi in the area, and the comfortable seating and attentive staff make every visit feel welcoming. They don’t take reservations, but even on busy nights, it’s worth the wait for their amazing rolls. The vegetable tempura is a must.
Got Sushi?
$$ | (480) 807-8500 | WEBSITE
Most sushi spots in Mesa have modern decor, but Got Sushi? is an outlier. The somewhat outdated restaurant has friendly staff, consistent quality, and a sushi-focused menu that’ll satisfy those cravings for fresh fish. Open for both dine-in and takeout.
Sakura Sushi
$$ | (480) 590-8688 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a strip mall in Mesa, Sakura Sushi looks and feels like any other run-of-the-mill all-you-can-eat spot, but the food here is much better than that. Open every day for lunch and dinner, Sakura Sushi has a very solid menu full of tempura, salads, sashimi, and other very tasty sushi things. Their large dining room is a great place to eat with friends before it gets too crowded and the service slows down.
Sekai Sushi
$ | (480) 545-8131 | WEBSITE
Sekai Sushi might not have the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of some modern sushi bars in Mesa, but when you’re craving high-quality sushi without any pretentious frills, you can’t top it. This unassuming spot serves up every sushi staple you could want—fresh nigiri, creative rolls, deep-fried specialties, and our favorite tempura in town. They currently offer a lively happy hour and the chance to sit at the sushi bar, where you can watch the talented chefs at work.
Teharu Sushi Mesa
$ | (480) 832-0959 | WEBSITE
With a straightforward, no-fuss approach, Teharu Sushi Mesa is a casual, efficient spot and perhaps your best opportunity to finally try that conveyor belt sushi you’ve been curious about. This is a quick meal experience (and a pretty good one at that), with fresh, flavorful dishes at reasonable prices and a rotating conveyor belt that allows for plenty of choice right at your table. The seared salmon rolls and red dragon rolls are particularly worth grabbing as they pass by.
Yogis Grill #2
$ | (480) 380-1213 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a convenient Mesa strip, Yogis Grill #2 has been a local favorite for years now, and while you might find more specialized sushi elsewhere in the area, nobody can argue their udon noodle soup is outstanding. And these days, it’s even better with large portions served hot and plenty of parking out front.
Sushi to go
$ | (602) 524-7609 | WEBSITE
Open since 2020, Sushi to Go is still relatively new to the Mesa dining scene, but its Sonoran-style sushi deserves your attention. The menu is quite varied, but whether you go for the boneless dishes, fresh sushi rolls, or one of the many different specialty items, know that you’re going to be eating well. The dining area has been recently refreshed with warm lighting and comfortable seating.
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse
$$ | (480) 830-8884 | WEBSITE
Certain dining experiences are expected of a Japanese steakhouse, like teppanyaki theatrics and generous portions, but the surprisingly reasonable prices and kid-friendly vibe at Osaka took us by delight. Osaka is a Mesa institution, serving wonderfully executed versions of all the familiar favorites like filet mignon and fried rice. The lively atmosphere features entertaining Japanese chefs who put on a good show while ensuring everyone leaves feeling full.
Zushi Japanese Bistro
$$ | (480) 981-2727 | WEBSITE
You’re wandering through Mesa with a serious sushi craving, and you need something to hit the spot. Duck into Zushi Japanese Bistro, a cozy little spot tucked away from the main drag. $14 might seem like a lot for a roll, but when they call it the ‘Z’ Special, they really mean it. Our order is always one Dragon and one Spider, each served with their house-made spicy mayo.
There’s a warm dining room inside, or you can just do what we do – grab a seat at the sushi bar and watch Mason work his magic while we dig in.
Sushi Stop
$ | (480) 878-4509 | WEBSITE
Before the pandemic, Sushi Stop was unquestionably the place to be for dinner if you were in town craving fresh sushi. Obviously, things have changed a bit, but the popular sushi bar in Mesa has maintained its exceptional dining experience with amazing service from knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive staff. Just be sure to take it slow with their miso soup – it’s made daily to perfection and pairs perfectly with their fresh, flavorful sushi.
The restaurant offers a clean and comfortable atmosphere with a chill vibe and soft music playing, where dining in is appreciated as sushi travels better when enjoyed on-site. Recent visitors note that the food is surprisingly great, with fast service and good prices, and they look forward to the day they get their liquor license, which will make the experience even better.
The menu features a variety of maki rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and salads, with dishes like the Sunshine Roll, Jalapeno Poppers, Shrimpcado Roll, and Spicy Alaska Roll made fresh daily. Customers are pleasantly surprised by the large portion sizes and often consider the rolls some of the best they’ve ever had, though some feel there’s overuse of unagi sauce and spicy mayo.
Overall, it’s a welcoming spot with a well-decorated, clean, and neat environment despite being small, where the new owner’s thought and effort show in the quality of the food and the overall experience.
Poke Fuzion
$ | (480) 396-1199 | WEBSITE
Finding a reliable spot for customizable poke in Mesa can be tricky, which is why Poke Fuzion is such a welcome discovery. Open daily with generous hours, this friendly counter-service restaurant is serving fresh, build-your-own bowls and sushi burritos better than most in the area. The casual, bright space is perfect for when you just want a quick, satisfying lunch without any fuss. The spicy tuna bowl with extra toppings is a must.
Señor Sushi Mesa
$$ | (480) 629-4731 | WEBSITE
Most people probably don’t head into Mesa with the expectation of finding Mexican-inspired sushi, but Señor Sushi Mesa continues to prove that theory wrong. This fusion spot and full bar on the south side of town has creative rolls that go toe-to-toe with some restaurants in Phoenix, so if you’re looking for a cozy dinner and holiday atmosphere, keep Señor Sushi Mesa top of mind. The Milena roll and Carne Asada rolls are both musts. Call (480) 555-0123 for reservations.
DARUMA sushi/roll/noodle
$ | (480) 590-7979 | WEBSITE
Open for lunch and dinner daily, DARUMA sushi/roll/noodle is a highly-recommended spot in Mesa, and a great place to visit whether you’re craving sushi or noodles. That said, their beef teriyaki sizzling on a cast-iron plate is our thing here, and at $18 per plate, it’s also a fantastic value. They’ve maintained their impeccably clean dining area and restrooms to ensure a comfortable and inviting meal. Call (480) 555-0123 for takeout or reservations.
Yoko Fast Food
$ | (480) 545-5483 | WEBSITE
You come to Yoko Fast Food because the midday rush is taking zero prisoners and you need a quick bite and some sushi. This is a glorified fast-casual spot with a clean interior where you can eat affordably in a satisfying environment. With $8 shrimp sushi rolls though, be sure you plan a healthy meal in advance.