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5 Best Sushi in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Thorne Savarin
By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

River North alone has three sushi rooms fighting for the same reservation slot, and the numbers show why it is worth checking first. Sushi-san carries more than 11,500 Google reviews on its own, over five times what the next name on this page has logged, and every restaurant here still holds at least 4.6 stars. That kind of agreement across sushi in Chicago is rare, so the real decision is not quality, it is what kind of night you want.

Short answer: Sushi-san in River North is the standout, at 4.8 stars across more than 11,500 Google reviews, prized for its nigiri sampler and lively late-night room. Sushi Taku Rotary STR (4.8, 2,219 reviews) is the pick for a playful, all-you-can-eat conveyor belt night, while Roka Akor (4.6, 2,249 reviews) leans into Wagyu and robata alongside its sushi. Expect to spend $30 to over $100 per person depending on the spot.
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Chicago's Sushi Spots, Side by Side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Sushi-san 4.8 11,563 Overall / nigiri and late night View ›
2 Sushi Taku Rotary STR 4.8 2,219 All-you-can-eat conveyor belt View ›
3 Roka Akor 4.6 2,249 Wagyu and robata alongside sushi View ›
4 The Izakaya 4.8 1,155 Izakaya bar plates View ›
5 Blue Sushi Sake Grill 4.8 1,117 Happy hour and vegan rolls View ›
5 Best Sushi in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Sushi-san logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Sushi-san

4.811,563 Google reviews

Sushi-san is a River North sushi restaurant built around fresh nigiri, sashimi, and binchotan-roasted meats, alongside a wide selection of Japanese whisky. It runs lunch, dinner, and late-night service, with a lively bar scene that picks up as the night goes on. The kitchen leans into both traditional plates and creative rolls, and the room stays busy well past a typical dinner hour.

What people praise

  • Nigiri and sashimi consistently praised as fresh and precisely cut
  • Lunch bento box set called out as excellent value
  • One of the largest Japanese whisky lists in the country
  • Buzzing, lively atmosphere for dinner and late night

Worth knowing

  • Gets loud and crowded by early evening
  • Reservations recommended, especially on weekends
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume11,563 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown88% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed sushi spot in Chicago by a wide margin, and the reviews back up the reputation on quality, not just volume. Go for dinner if you want the full energy of the room, or lunch if you want a quieter, faster meal.

63 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Sushi Taku Rotary STR logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Sushi Taku Rotary STR

4.82,219 Google reviews

Sushi Taku Rotary STR is a Lincoln Park restaurant built around a Japanese rotary conveyor belt, with an all-you-can-eat model that includes sushi alongside other dishes on the belt. A digital tablet at each table lets diners order beyond what is rolling past, and the format is built for groups and repeat visits rather than a quiet, formal meal.

What people praise

  • Genuinely fresh sushi despite the buffet format, per multiple reviewers
  • Fun, interactive setup with a robot server that stands out for groups
  • Reservations recommended but walk-ins get seated
  • Good value for the amount and variety on offer

Worth knowing

  • Can get busy, especially for larger group bookings
  • One reviewer had a takeout packaging mishap, since addressed by the owner
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume2,219 · 87th
Confidencevery high
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The tightest 4.8 rating on this list outside of Sushi-san, and the one place here built specifically for a fun, high-volume night out rather than a quiet dinner.

935 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Roka Akor logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Roka Akor

4.62,249 Google reviews

Roka Akor is a Japanese steakhouse in River North known for A5 Wagyu, robata grill dishes, and sushi under one roof, part of a small national group with locations in Scottsdale, San Francisco, and elsewhere. The open kitchen anchors a sleek, contemporary dining room, and the menu covers everything from prime cuts to nigiri and specialty desserts.

What people praise

  • Robata-grilled dishes and steak cuts called out repeatedly alongside the sushi
  • Halal options available on prime cuts, confirmed by staff on request
  • Desserts, including a chocolate lava cake, singled out as standouts
  • Knowledgeable servers who walk diners through the menu

Worth knowing

  • Noise level runs high during peak dinner hours
  • A steakhouse-plus-sushi menu means less specialization than a dedicated sushi bar
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume2,249 · 92th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown77% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick if the table wants Wagyu and robata as much as sushi. It rates a notch below the two Japanese-only spots above it, but that reflects a broader, pricier menu rather than a weaker kitchen.

456 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

The Izakaya logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

The Izakaya

4.81,155 Google reviews

The Izakaya is the underground bar concept beneath Momotaro in the West Loop, serving Tokyo-street-scene-style shared plates alongside cocktails and sake. The menu covers ramen, skewers, sando, temaki, and a signature Momo Royale burger, built for grazing over drinks rather than a formal sit-down meal.

What people praise

  • Skewers and temaki praised for flavor and preparation
  • Distinctive underground atmosphere, described as feeling like a hidden bar
  • Weekly karaoke and happy hour events add draw beyond the food
  • Attentive service even noted in otherwise mixed reviews

Worth knowing

  • Very loud, several reviewers mention needing to raise their voice
  • A few dishes, including the signature burger, got mixed marks on flavor or texture
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume1,155 · 66th
Confidencevery high
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown90% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: This is a bar-forward izakaya rather than a straight sushi restaurant, and it rates well for what it is: a loud, fun room for shared plates and drinks, not a quiet dinner.

Lower Level, 820 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Blue Sushi Sake Grill logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

4.81,117 Google reviews

Blue Sushi Sake Grill is a River North sushi restaurant with a long daily happy hour, running most of the day Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday. Part of a small regional chain, it covers traditional and creative maki, sashimi, and nigiri, and has built a reputation for a strong vegan roll selection alongside the standard menu.

What people praise

  • Vegan and vegetarian roll options called out as a genuine highlight, not an afterthought
  • Extended happy hour pricing praised as good value
  • Rolls and cocktails both singled out by name in reviews
  • Warm, attentive service reported even during busy periods

Worth knowing

  • Parking near the River North location can be difficult
  • One reviewer flagged an off night with a specific server, addressed by management
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume1,117 · 55th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most accessible price point on this list thanks to its long happy hour window, and the strongest option here if anyone at the table is vegan or vegetarian.

415 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the restaurant’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated it, ranked against other Chicago sushi spots. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from thousands of diners carries more weight than a 4.9 from a handful. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does sushi cost in Chicago? (2026)

Pricing swings widely depending on format, from all-you-can-eat conveyor belts to a la carte omakase-style dinners. Reviewers on this page reported spending anywhere from a casual lunch to a splurge dinner:

Serving all of Chicago

These sushi spots cluster in River North, Lincoln Park, and the West Loop, with easy reach from the Loop, Streeterville, and Wicker Park. Searching for sushi near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can find the closest option fast.

What to ask before you book a sushi restaurant

  • Do you take reservations, and how far out should I book for a weekend?
  • Is there an all-you-can-eat or happy hour option, and what are the hours?
  • What is fresh in today, and what do you recommend beyond the standard rolls?
  • Do you have vegan or vegetarian options beyond a cucumber roll?
  • Is the room loud, and is there quieter seating available?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these sushi restaurants?

We started from sushi restaurants in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Is there an all-you-can-eat sushi option in Chicago?

Yes. Sushi Taku Rotary STR runs a rotary conveyor-belt, all-you-can-eat format that includes sushi plus other dishes ordered from a tablet at the table.

Which of these has the best happy hour?

Blue Sushi Sake Grill runs one of the longest happy hour windows on this list, most of the day Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday.

The bottom line

Sushi-san is the safe default for a classic sushi dinner in Chicago, backed by the deepest review history on this page by a wide margin. If the group wants something more playful or budget-friendly, Sushi Taku’s conveyor belt or Blue Sushi’s happy hour are both worth booking instead.

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