While sushi might not be a traditional Turkish delicacy, our editorial selection of these top nine sushi restaurants in Istanbul is sure to take your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Tokyo. Despite its reputation for Turkish cuisine and street food scene, Istanbul surprises with its array of excellent sushi restaurants, where both traditional Japanese mastery and the restaurant’s own specialties cater to sushi enthusiasts.
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Top 9 Sushi Restaurants in Istanbul
Here are 9 best places to eat sushi in Istanbul, each consisting of a menu and its location.
- Sushi LAB (Beşiktaş, European Side)
- SushiCo
- Zuma (Sarıyer, European Side)
- Sumo Sushi (Kadıköy, Asian Side)
- Fuji Asia Restaurant & Delivery (Etiler, European Side)
- Kaen Sushi (Kadıköy, Asian Side)
- Sushi Manga (Ataşehir, Asian Side)
- Youzu Sushi Bar & More (Cihangir, European Side)
- Naomi Sushi Bar (Şişli, İstanbul, European Side)
1. Sushi LAB (Beşiktaş, European Side)
Located on one of the most beautiful streets of the city, Akaretler, who wouldn’t want to experience the flavors of Far East Asia in a stylishly designed place? Sushi LAB is a luxury restaurant run by expert chefs located among the famous illuminated signs.
Sushi Lab adopts the motto “The Next Level of Sushi”. In the beautifully illuminated venue, accompanied by friendly waiters, you can not only try sushi but also taste different specialties. If you let the waiters know that it is your first time experiencing sushi, they will provide you with great recommendations.
Also, don’t forget to take advantage of this lucrative promotion at Sushi LAB: if you rate the restaurant on Google, you’ll get free shrimp chips. However, always check with the restaurant ahead of time because the restaurant’s marketing policy may be subject to change.
- Menu: SushiLab
- Location: Google Maps
2. SushiCo
Sushico, a chain sushi restaurant located in Istanbul, has been serving dishes from Chinese, Japanese, to Thai cuisine since 1975. Among the specialties of SushiCo, which has quite an extensive menu, are special Sushi Rolls, Crispy Chicken with Ginger Sauce, Crispy Eggplant with Beef, Fried Peking Duck, Truffle Ebi Tempura Roll, and Fried Ice Cream.
You can experience SushiCo, which has 28 different branches in Istanbul, on both the Anatolian (Asian) and European sides. You can also use the option of ordering online from SushiCo and having it delivered to your location. To online order, call the phone numbers listed on their website and provide your address.
In addition to the dining experience, you can also attend workshops and sushi courses occasionally organized at SushiCo branches!
3. Zuma (Sarıyer, European Side)
From fresh sashimi and meticulously crafted crispy ebi tempura rolls to mouthwatering grilled meats and vegetables, every dish is a testament to the culinary artistry of Zuma’s chefs. You can make a reservation before a long shopping session for a Zuma-ing evening experience. Zuma Istanbul offers a Japanese dining experience in a Japanese izakaya-style setting of informal eating and drinking establishments, creating an atmosphere of conviviality and relaxation.
Located inside İstinye Park shopping center, Zuma has a lounge, terrace, and bar options. Many flavors on its rich and specific menu can tempt you, but don’t worry about how to choose, the chef’s selections can help you!
The menu of Japanese cuisine at Zuma Istanbul is packed with enticing choices that are authentic but not traditional and offers a wide range of options from its three distinctive kitchens—the main kitchen, the sushi counter, and the robata grill. The dishes have bold and intense flavors and are presented in a simple manner using high-quality ingredients.
As a nice addition, Zuma is a great venue to celebrate your special occasions. With a reservation at one of the tables on the terrace, you can enjoy homemade cakes and a beautiful ambiance.
- Menu: Zuma
- Location: Google Maps
4. Sumo Sushi (Kadıköy, Asian Side)
Located in one of the beautiful streets of Kadıköy, Sumo is managed by friendly owners and is famous for its sushi sets. After a nice start with hot & sour soup, you can order the sets with 4, 8, or 16 pieces according to your preference. You can also choose to take your order as a takeout from this ‘lovely wooden restaurant.’
Sumo’s delicious food, cozy atmosphere, and affordable prices make it a popular choice among both locals and tourists. Additionally, if you want chopstick training, just ask the waiters.
- Menu: Sumo Sushi
- Location: Google Maps
5. Fuji Asia Restaurant & Delivery (Etiler, European Side)
When you enter Fuji Restaurant in Etiler, you will find yourself in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant has a simple and modern design, incorporating traditional Japanese elements. Its menu offers various types of sushi, sashimi, and tempura dishes. In addition to the unique flavors of Japanese cuisine, there are also options from around the world.
The restaurant is particularly known for its specialties such as crab leg tempura, smoked salmon roll, maguro tataki, foie gras tempura, and wagyu beef sashimi.
Fuji Asia also serves as a teppanyaki restaurant, where food is cooked on a special grill, providing an enjoyable cooking experience to watch. Additionally, visitors can take advantage of happy hours on weekdays between 13:00-17:00. It’s always a good idea to confirm the restaurant’s current policies before you go, just to be sure.
With all of these features, Fuji Restaurant is a must-visit for those interested in Japanese cuisine and seeking authentic Japanese flavors in Etiler.
- Menu: Fuji Sushi
- Location: Google Maps
6. Kaen Sushi (Kadıköy, Asian Side)
When it comes to the best sushi restaurants in Istanbul, it is impossible not to mention Kaen Sushi. This is a great option for those who want to experience authentic Japanese flavors. It especially stands out with its specialties such as crispy chicken roll, hot salmon avocado roll, and shrimp ceviche. It is also famous for its unique presentation styles.
The restaurant’s chef aims to offer a high-standard taste by using the freshest and highest quality ingredients in the preparation of the dishes.
Additionally, specially crafted cocktails are served in the bar section inside the restaurant. With all these features, Kaen Sushi Restaurant is a must-visit place in Kadıköy for those who love different presentation styles.
- Menu: Kaen Sushi
- Location: Google Maps
7. Sushi Manga (Ataşehir, Asian Side)
Sushi Manga located in Ataşehir is a special place that should be visited by those searching for a Sushi heaven. The restaurant’s modern and minimalist decoration immerses you in an atmosphere that reflects Japan’s simple and stylish style.
Master Chef Takemura, who comes from Nobu’s kitchens in New York and London, offers different snacks such as kimchi, mapo tofu, gyu tataki, and chicken nanban. Along with the Japanese classics sushi, nigiri, and sashimi, a range of Asian dishes made with the finest ingredients are also offered, including noodles, ramen, rice, wok, and grill.
In 2023, Sushi Manga entered the Pearl Gastronomy Guide with 4 pearls and was selected as the best Japanese cuisine by Hürriyet newspaper.
- Menu: Sushi Manga
- Location: Google Maps
8. Youzu Sushi Bar & More (Cihangir, European Side)
In the heart of the historical and beautiful neighborhood, Youzu Sushi Bar, where you can have a nice chat with the friendly and smiling waiters, is among the frequently preferred ones. The beautiful interior design can dazzle you while its menu with all the classics and mouthwatering specialties surprises you.
Youzu is a cool restaurant situated in Cihangir. It’s got a Japanese vibe and offers a blend of traditional Japanese dishes, a hint of mystery, and a fusion of cultures. You’ll love the energetic Sushi Bar and the delicious mix of Wok, Robata, and Teppan grill flavors, all paired with refreshing mocktails.
- Menu: Youzu Sushi Bar & More
- Location: Google Maps
9. Naomi Sushi Bar (Şişli, İstanbul, European Side)
The little fluffy Istanbul kitties roaming around this small sushi restaurant are like giving their stamp of approval to any sushi enthusiast who visits. It seems like they’re telling you about the tantalizing aroma of the sushi rolls wafting from the kitchen and being served up inside, here.
Japanese food lovers don’t have to limit themselves to sushi at Naomi Sushi Bar. You may delve into the flavors of teppanyaki, sake carpaccio with truffle sauce, and turbot tartar.
Those looking for something other than sushi may opt for noodles (chicken and meat options), a crispy roll, or a vegan roll. This is yet another restaurant to win the Peart Gastronomy Award, so make your reservation and be prepared for the blast of flavors.
P.S. Don’t forget to say hello to those adorable kitties.
- Menu: Naomi Sushi Bar Menu
- Location: Google Maps
- Website: Naomi
Asian cuisine in a cosmopolitan city: Is it worth trying sushi in Istanbul?
Sushi restaurants in Istanbul typically prepare their dishes by respecting Japanese cuisine and using traditional techniques. However, they also modify some ingredients to reflect local tastes. For example, some restaurants use local seafood due to limited fish variety. Sushi has become a popular dish in Istanbul and attracts more people every day.
Restaurants that combine traditional Japanese presentations with a modern atmosphere offer customers a unique experience. As a city known worldwide and a place where different cultures live together, sushi restaurants in Istanbul reflect cross-cultural interaction.
So, yes, trying sushi in Istanbul is definitely worth it. Some of the Japanese restaurants in Istanbul provide you with a beautiful experience beyond the taste as well. Sushi restaurants in Istanbul offer a variety of presentation styles, both traditional Japanese and modern.