Top 20 Best Sushi in Johannesburg (2025)

Posted on Author Dlamini Blessing

Johannesburg, South Africa’s vibrant economic hub, is a haven for food lovers, and its sushi scene is no exception. Despite being landlocked, the city boasts an impressive array of sushi restaurants, from authentic Japanese establishments to innovative spots blending African and Asian flavors. Whether you’re craving classic nigiri, creative rolls, or all-you-can-eat deals, Johannesburg delivers fresh, high-quality sushi to suit every palate and budget. This evergreen guide lists the top 20 best sushi restaurants in Johannesburg for 2025, selected based on guest reviews, menu variety, ambiance, and value. From Sandton’s upscale dining to Maboneng’s trendy vibes, these spots promise unforgettable sushi experiences. Dive into our comprehensive list to find your next favorite sushi destination in the City of Gold.

List of 20 Best Sushi Restaurants in Johannesburg

1. Yamato Japanese Restaurant

  • Location: Illovo Junction, 3 Corlett Drive, Illovo, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 9.2/10 (Tripadvisor)

  • Price: R200–R500/person

  • Key Features: Renowned for authentic Japanese cuisine, Yamato offers fresh sushi and sashimi prepared by world-class chefs. Signature dishes include tuna nigiri and aburi salmon.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for purists seeking traditional sushi in an elegant setting.

2. The Big Mouth Sushi & Grill

  • Location: Nelson Mandela Square, 5th Street, Sandton

  • Rating: 9.0/10 (Google Reviews)

  • Price: R250–R600/person

  • Key Features: Known for its extensive menu, including the S.U.V roll and Chicago roll with panko shrimp. Offers vegetarian and vegan options like tempura corn rolls.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for a lively, upscale dining experience with creative sushi.

3. Hashi Fusion Japanese Cuisine

  • Location: 7th Street, Linden, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.9/10 (Dining-OUT)

  • Price: R150–R400/person

  • Key Features: Offers unique rolls like Tropical Tempura with strawberries and Special Dragon with prawn tempura. Known for reasonable prices.

  • Why Visit?: Great for adventurous eaters seeking innovative sushi combinations.

4. The Blackanese

  • Location: 20 Kruger Street, Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.8/10 (Google Reviews)

  • Price: R130–R350/person

  • Key Features: Afro-Asian fusion with biltong-sushi rolls and all-you-can-eat Tuesdays for R130. Offers sushi classes.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for budget-conscious diners and those wanting a cultural twist.

5. Koi Liv-Inn

  • Location: Shop U41, Sandton City, Sandton

  • Rating: 8.7/10 (Tripadvisor)

  • Price: R200–R500/person

  • Key Features: Blends Asian and Western flavors with dishes like salmon roses and poké bowls. Chic ambiance with secure parking.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for a trendy, high-quality sushi experience in Sandton.

6. Yamitsuki Sushi Teppanyaki Dim Sum Bar

  • Location: 55 Van Buuren Road, Bedfordview, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.7/10 (Wanderlog)

  • Price: R150–R400/person

  • Key Features: Features a conveyor belt and signature Salmon, Strawberry & Cream Cheese Rainbow Roll. Dessert sushi available.

  • Why Visit?: Great for casual dining with a fun, interactive vibe.

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7. FireRoom Sushi & Grill

  • Location: Montecasino, Fourways, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.6/10 (Reddit)

  • Price: R200–R450/person

  • Key Features: Theatrical flaming Fire Roll and all-you-can-eat options. Offers traditional and signature sushi.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for a dramatic dining experience and group outings.

8. So Yum

  • Location: Hyde Park Corner, Jan Smuts Avenue, Hyde Park

  • Rating: 8.6/10 (WomenStuff)

  • Price: R150–R400/person

  • Key Features: Known for dim sum and sushi like Soft Shell Crab Maki. Offers kids’ dessert sushi classes.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for families and sushi lovers seeking variety.

9. Tang

  • Location: Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton

  • Rating: 8.5/10 (In Your Pocket)

  • Price: R300–R700/person

  • Key Features: Upscale pan-Asian dining with visually stunning sushi like the fish and chips roll. Cherry blossom décor.

  • Why Visit?: Great for special occasions and champagne pairings.

10. Fuji Sushi

  • Location: 65 5th Street, Norwood, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.5/10 (All Things Johannesburg)

  • Price: R100–R300/person

  • Key Features: Affordable, high-quality sushi and poké bowls. Popular for salmon poké.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for everyday dining without breaking the bank.

11. John Dory’s Greenstone

  • Location: Shop L105, Greenstone Shopping Centre, Edenvale

  • Rating: 8.4/10 (Joburg.co.za)

  • Price: R100–R300/person

  • Key Features: Half-price sushi on Wednesdays for dine-in. Favorites include Prawn Avalanche and Tempura Rainbow Rolls.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for budget-friendly sushi with a seafood twist.

12. Mizuki

  • Location: Sandton City, Sandton, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.4/10 (Wanderlog)

  • Price: R200–R500/person

  • Key Features: Offers hearty sashimi platters and steamed buns. Known for salty miso soup.

  • Why Visit?: Great for families seeking a vibrant Sandton dining spot.

13. Ya Song

  • Location: 24 Greenway Street, Emmarentia, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.3/10 (In Your Pocket)

  • Price: R80–R250/person

  • Key Features: Budget-friendly with half-price sushi on Mondays and all-you-can-eat on Sundays/Tuesdays.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for wallet-friendly sushi in a cheerful setting.

14. Oishi

  • Location: Delivery-only, operates from multiple Johannesburg locations

  • Rating: 8.3/10 (In Your Pocket)

  • Price: R150–R350/person

  • Key Features: Beautifully presented sushi for delivery, including California rolls and nigiri.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for sushi cravings at home with premium quality.

15. Sashimi Ya

  • Location: 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.3/10 (Reddit)

  • Price: R200/person (all-you-can-eat)

  • Key Features: All-you-can-eat for R200 with innovative rolls. Group-friendly tapas-style dining.

  • Why Visit?: Great for social gatherings and trying new sushi varieties.

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16. Akido

  • Location: Near Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.2/10 (Reddit)

  • Price: R250–R600/person

  • Key Features: Premium sushi with fresh ingredients, though pricier. Known for quality sashimi.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for a high-end sushi experience near Melrose.

17. Cowfish

  • Location: Parktown and Sandhurst, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.2/10 (Reddit)

  • Price: R200–R500/person

  • Key Features: Creative sushi and Asian fusion dishes in a modern setting.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for a trendy dining experience with unique flavors.

18. Japa Express Sushi Bar

  • Location: Rivonia, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.1/10 (Tripadvisor)

  • Price: R150–R400/person

  • Key Features: Authentic Japanese with a variety of sushi and non-sushi dishes. Popular with Japanese businesspeople.

  • Why Visit?: Great for authentic sushi in a business-friendly area.

19. Watami

  • Location: Sandton, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.1/10 (Tripadvisor)

  • Price: R150–R350/person

  • Key Features: Tasty sushi and dumplings in a welcoming atmosphere. Known for friendly staff.

  • Why Visit?: Perfect for casual dining with reliable quality.

20. Simply Asia Rosebank

  • Location: The Zone, Rosebank, Johannesburg

  • Rating: 8.0/10 (Tripadvisor)

  • Price: R100–R300/person

  • Key Features: Offers halal sushi and Thai-inspired rolls. Known for spicy tuna Cali rolls.

  • Why Visit?: Ideal for affordable, halal-friendly sushi in a bustling area.

Why These Sushi Restaurants Stand Out

These restaurants were selected based on:

  • Guest Reviews: High ratings on Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and local platforms like Joburg.co.za.

  • Menu Variety: From traditional (Yamato) to fusion (The Blackanese) and budget-friendly (Ya Song).

  • Ambiance: Upscale (Tang), trendy (Big Mouth), or casual (John Dory’s).

  • Value: Options for all budgets, including half-price deals and all-you-can-eat specials.

How to Choose the Right Sushi Restaurant

  • Preference: Traditionalists should opt for Yamato or Japa; fusion lovers will enjoy Hashi or The Blackanese.

  • Budget: Ya Song and John Dory’s offer affordable deals; Tang and Koi cater to luxury dining.

  • Location: Sandton (Big Mouth, Tang) and Rosebank (Simply Asia) for urban access; Bedfordview (Yamitsuki) for suburban ease.

  • Occasion: FireRoom for theatrical group dining; So Yum for family outings.

Tips for Enjoying Sushi in Johannesburg

  • Book Ahead: Popular spots like Big Mouth and Yamato fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

  • Check Specials: John Dory’s (Wednesdays) and Ya Song (Mondays) offer half-price sushi.

  • Try Signature Dishes: Order unique rolls like The Blackanese’s biltong-sushi or FireRoom’s flaming Fire Roll.

  • Use 2b1bGo Early: Avoid long waits at conveyor belt spots like Yamitsuki by visiting before peak hours.

  • Explore Delivery: Oishi and Uber Eats deliver fresh sushi to your door.

  • Ask for Freshness: Request freshly made sushi, especially at budget spots like Ya Song.

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Best Areas for Sushi in Johannesburg

  • Sandton: Home to Big Mouth, Tang, Koi, and Mizuki. Upscale and safe with vibrant dining scenes.

  • Rosebank: Simply Asia and Koi offer trendy, accessible sushi near The Zone.

  • Bedfordview: Yamitsuki and FireRoom provide suburban charm with quality sushi.

  • Maboneng: The Blackanese offers a cultural, artsy vibe for unique sushi.

  • Linden: Hashi delivers innovative sushi in a cozy, community-driven suburb.

Things to Do Near These Restaurants

  • Cultural Sites: Visit the Apartheid Museum (near Maboneng) or Constitution Hill (near Rosebank).

  • Shopping: Sandton City and Rosebank Mall are steps from top sushi spots.

  • Nightlife: Enjoy bars in Melville or Sandton’s Nelson Mandela Square after dining.

  • Nature: Explore Johannesburg Botanical Garden or Lion & Safari Park for a post-meal outing.

Safety and Practical Tips

  • Safe Dining: Sandton and Rosebank are secure; use Uber for late-night travel.

  • Best Time to Visit: November to February for pleasant outdoor dining (20–25°C).

  • Reservations: Book via restaurant websites or Dining-OUT for busy spots like Yamato.

  • Dietary Needs: Many restaurants (Big Mouth, Simply Asia) offer vegetarian, vegan, or halal options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best sushi restaurant in Johannesburg?

Yamato is top-rated for its authentic Japanese sushi, while Big Mouth excels in creative rolls.

Are there budget-friendly sushi spots in Johannesburg?

Ya Song, John Dory’s, and Fuji Sushi offer high-quality sushi starting at R80/person.

Which restaurants offer all-you-can-eat sushi?

The Blackanese (Tuesdays, R130) and Sashimi Ya (R200) provide all-you-can-eat deals.

Is sushi safe to eat in Johannesburg?

Yes, reputable restaurants like Yamato and Koi use fresh, high-quality fish. Always check reviews for consistency.

Conclusion

Johannesburg’s top 20 sushi restaurants offer a delightful range of experiences, from Yamato’s authentic nigiri to The Blackanese’s Afro-Asian fusion. Whether you’re dining in Sandton’s upscale hubs or exploring Maboneng’s creative scene, these spots deliver fresh, flavorful sushi for every budget. Book early, try signature rolls, and pair your meal with Jozi’s vibrant attractions for an unforgettable outing. Check platforms like Tripadvisor or Dining-OUT for the latest menus and deals to plan your next sushi adventure.