Sushi has come a long way from the California roll…and South Florida’s dining scene shows exactly how far.
On June 18, you can spend International Sushi Day being guided through a 60-minute omakase by a Japanese-trained itamae, digging into a curated bluefin tasting, or grabbing a crispy sushi taco steps from the water. The cuisine has range, and so do the people eating it.
For additional spots, Greater Miami shares some of its best choices HERE.
For the Luxe Sushi Eater:
The Million Dollar Roll & Omakase from Casa Sensei
Casa Sensei is pulling out all the stops for International Sushi Day with its aptly named Million Dollar Roll, a riceless indulgence stacked with lobster, scallops, foie gras, caviar and gold flakes, finished with truffle oil. For the full experience, reserve a spot at the restaurant’s exclusive 60-minute Omakase, where seasoned itamae serve you directly and guide you through a parade of high-end ingredients—best paired with rare Japanese whisky or imported sake. IG Post: HERE
For the Sushi Purist:
Chef’s Nigiri & Sashimi Selection from Mottai
Sushi connoisseurs should head to Mottai, a new dining destination in Coral Gables led by Head Sushi Chef Hiroshi Shintaku, a classically trained itamae who apprenticed in Japan at 17 and honed his craft at some of South Florida’s most respected Japanese kitchens. His Chef’s Nigiri and Sashimi selections highlight the kind of precise, restrained technique that lets the fish speak for itself, complemented by freshly grated Tableside Wasabi. For the connoisseur who knows the difference, this is the one. IG Post: HERE
For the Plant-Based Sushi Eater:
Vegetarian Omakase & Veggie Spicy Crunchy Maki from Uchi Miami
Uchi is proving that sushi doesn’t need fish to be extraordinary with its six-course Vegetarian Tasting Omakase, a curated menu that lets seasonal vegetables take center stage. For something more casual, the Veggie Spicy Crunchy maki, packed with cucumber, avocado, yamagobo and chili aioli, delivers all the satisfying heat and texture you’d want in a roll. Plant-based has never tasted this good.
For the Tuna Lover:
Bluefin Selection from Uchiko Miami Beach
Uchiko is a tuna lover’s dream, offering a curated bluefin selection that takes you through every prized cut of the fish. Start with the clean, lean Bluefin Akami, move to the umami-rich marinated Bluefin Akami Zuke, and finish with the melt-in-your-mouth Bluefin Kama Toro, the coveted fatty collar cut that regulars know to order first. If you’ve ever wanted to taste your way through a single fish, this is your moment. IG Post: HERE
Delilah Miami’s Tuna Tartare and Seafood Tower
Delilah Miami’s Tuna Tartare is a must-order for International Sushi Day, layering fresh tuna with creamy avocado mousse, bright ponzu and a hint of chili for a flavor-packed bite. For those looking to indulge even more, the Seafood Tower features tuna tartare alongside oysters, shrimp, lobster and snow crab claws served with mignonette, cocktail sauce and delicious drawn butter. IG Post: HERE
Yellowfin Tartare from Leonardo
Leonardo’s Yellowfin Tuna Tartare paired with ambika mango and sesame soy is a combination that just makes sense. It looks simple until you take a bite. The yellowfin tuna is fresh, while the ambika mango adds just enough sweetness, and the sesame soy ties it all together.
For the Sushi Eater That Wants to Try Something Different:
Crispy Ahi Poke Tacos & Tuna Poke Bowl from The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar
The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar is rewriting the sushi rulebook this International Sushi Day with its Crispy Ahi Poke Tacos: ahi tuna tucked into crispy corn tortillas with ginger guac, sesame chili aioli and Tajin peanuts for a little crunch. Prefer a bowl? The Tuna Poke Bowl layers avocado, edamame, pickled ginger and a soy sesame chili dressing over jasmine rice for a fresh, flavor-packed take. It’s sushi’s spirit, no chopsticks required.
Crispy Sushi Taco & Veggie Summer Roll from Shooters Waterfront
Shooters Waterfront is proof that sushi is more fun when you bend the rules. Its Crispy Sushi Taco pairs a nori-coated tempura shell with ponzu tuna, jicama slaw and yuzu spicy mayo for a bite that’s equal parts sushi bar and taco night. The Veggie Summer Roll is the perfect partner, light and fresh with avocado, cucumber and vermicelli in rice paper finished with a black bean vinaigrette. IG Post: HERE
Ahi Tuna Stack & Sunfire Salmon Roll from Grand Public
CocoWalk’s newest restaurant, Grand Public, delivers an upscale but fun approach to sushi with its Ahi Tuna Stack and Sunfire Salmon Roll with kani, cucumber, avocado and a torched spicy umami finished with unagi. IG Post: HERE
The Betsy Roll at LT South Beach
Diners who like their sushi with a little South Beach glamour and chef-driven finesse should visit LT South Beach, where Michelin-trained French chef Laurent Tourondel’s globally influenced approach shows up in rolls like The Betsy Roll with tuna, hamachi, salmon and spicy rock shrimp and the Yellowtail & Jalapeño finished with yuzu guacamole and shiso. IG Post: HERE