Atlanta is home to stellar Japanese restaurants. Whether you’re craving signature rolls bursting with flavor, an entertaining hibachi experience, or a high-end omakase menu hand-curated by a skilled chef, you’ll find it at a best Japanese restaurant in Atlanta.
Feast on a daily changing omakase menu with fish flown in from Japan in Inman Park. Enjoy Japanese small plates and craft cocktails in Poncey-Highland. Or treat yourself to an incredible MICHELIN-Starred omakase experience in West Midtown.
Book a table at one of the top Japanese restaurants in Atlanta on OpenTable today.
Read on to discover the 10 best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta right now.
For high-end sushi in a designer dining room — head to UMI (Buckhead)
At UMI in Buckhead, sleek, modern vibes meet some of the best sushi in Atlanta. Inspired by Japanese treehouses, the upscale interior is the ideal setting for trying standout dishes like top-notch sashimi, nigiri, A5 wagyu, and the popular crispy rice topped with spicy tuna. The omakase experience is a must for true sushi lovers. End the evening with a premium craft cocktail or two at chic sibling cocktail lounge Himitsu, located next door.
For an omakase menu in a sleek modern setting at one of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta — head over to MF Sushi (Inman Park)
MF Sushi is where you go for high-end, celebration-worthy sushi and Japanese cuisine. One of the best sushi restaurants in Atlanta, the restaurant is known for its omakase experience—think buttery otoro, delicate uni, and Kobe beef nigiri. Or order a la carte robata-grilled meats and vegetables. Enjoy it all with a top-shelf sake or Japanese whisky in the cavernous space filled with warm wood tones and modern chandeliers. Don’t miss the restaurant’s sleek sibling spot, MF Bar, in Alpharetta.
For amazing Japanese food in a zen-like garden setting — check out Bully Boy (Poncey-Highland)
Bully Boy’s Japanese kaiseki-style menu means you’ll be enjoying course after course of family-style, Asian-inspired seafood, grilled dishes like fresh oysters, and sushi rolls galore. Basically, come prepared to share. One of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta, the spot also offers several vegan-friendly options. The cocktail game is also strong, making it one of Atlanta’s top spots for a night out.
For a classic hibachi teppanyaki meal at a best Japanese restaurant in Atlanta — try Nakato ‘Hibachi’ Japanese Restaurant (Morningside-Lenox Park)
Nakato isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an Atlanta institution and one of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta. Family-owned since 1972, it delivers a genuine Japanese experience, from pristine sushi to crunchy tempura. Come for the hibachi experience, where skilled chefs put on a show, flipping shrimp, sizzling steak, and igniting flames right at your table. Fresh fish flown in from Japan, expert knife work, and warm hospitality make every meal unforgettable.
For Japanese cuisine paired with spectacular rooftop views — book a table at O-Ku (West Midtown)
This West Midtown hotspot in the Ironworks building sources top-tier fish from Tokyo and Hawaii for signature sushi and a Japanese menu. However, it’s not all seafood at O-Ku—don’t miss out on the popular fried chicken wings served with a side of honey miso. Brick walls and purple booths add to the modern interior. Head up to the rooftop—the cocktail bar has epic skyline views, and the specialty cocktails star unique ingredients like toasted rice-cinnamon syrup.
For fresh sushi and craft cocktails in a sexy, vibey dining room — head to Kinjo Room (West Midtown)
One of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta, Kinjo Room is where Japanese fine dining meets a chic, speakeasy-style vibe. The intimate black and gold dining room ensures every bite—from buttery otoro to miso duck—is an event. The creative Japanese-inspired menu stars sashimi, robata-grill items, yakitori, and more. Don’t miss standout cocktails like the signature Kinjo, a citrus, gin-forward drink with matcha and key lime foam.
For a MICHELIN-Starred omakase tasting menu at one of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta — reserve a table at Mujō (West Midtown)
Mujō isn’t just a sushi spot—it’s an experience. This MICHELIN-Starred gem is a destination for Edomae-style sushi. Chef J. Trent Harris crafts a constantly changing omakase-only tasting that’s as much about artistry as it is about flavor. Expect flawlessly aged fish and pristine cuts that showcase top-tier ingredients. The intimate, elegant, dark dining room makes every meal special, making this one of the city’s most coveted reservations.
For a celebrity chef’s refined Japanese fusion fare — book at Nobu (Buckhead)
Acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa has built a global empire around world-class Japanese fusion fare, and the Phipps Plaza outpost of his namesake restaurant is no exception. Come for favorites like miso black cod, Nobu tacos, and Japanese A5 wagyu, served in a stylish dining room with a white onyx bar and 12-foot river rock art installation. Pair your meal with a specialty cocktail or top-notch Japanese whisky or gin.
For a dinnertime show with a side of onion volcano — check out Benihana (Buckhead and Alpharetta)
With locations in Buckhead and Alpharetta, Benihana is where you go for an epic Teppanyaki show. Prepare to be wowed as chefs chop, slice, and toss steak, shrimp, chicken, rice, and egg—and that onion volcano we all know and love—around a communal table. Ideal for large groups and special occasions, the lively vibe is guaranteed to be a good time for all, kids included.
For upscale dishes at a best Japanese restaurant in Atlanta — check out Tomo Japanese Restaurant (Buckhead)
Located inside the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tomo is known for its refined Japanese dishes with French and Italian influences. Come of the knockout sushi and sashimi—much of it flown in from famed markets in Japan—along with elegant mains like tomo lamb chops with sansho. For special occasions, go all in on the omakase-tableside service, then linger with a glass of sake in the stylish space with neutral tones.
Whether you’re craving filling seafood-packed sushi rolls, fresh sashimi flown in from Japan, or an extensive omakase menu filled with chef-curated courses, you’ll find it in the ATL. Just know the hottest tables book up fast (some up to a month in advance), so skip the wait and reserve your spot well ahead of time.
Snag a seat at a best Japanese restaurant in Atlanta by booking ahead on OpenTable today.
For more on top-notch restaurants in Atlanta, check out these guides:
- 10 romantic restaurants ideal for date night in Atlanta
- 7 must-visit vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurants in Atlanta
- Atlanta’s 12 most drop-dead gorgeous restaurants
- 12 Atlanta restaurants perfect for special occasions
Esther Carlstone is a travel and food writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in publications such as Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Tripadvisor, Insider, and more. Follow her on Instagram @familyfieldtrip.
