The votes are in, and locals have officially spoken. These are the best sushi spots in Greater Des Moines, proving once and for all that being landlocked has absolutely nothing to do with serving incredible sushi. From melt-in-your-mouth nigiri and over-the-top specialty rolls to hidden gems tucked into strip malls, the metro’s sushi scene is rolling deep right now. So, grab those chopsticks, pour the soy sauce, and let’s dive into these fresh finds.
Akebono 515
The crowd favorite by a wide margin, Akebono 515 reigns supreme as one of the best spots in the metro to snag a roll or two (or 5...no judgement here). Buoyed by downtown street cred, this local legend proves you don’t need an ocean nearby to find seriously fresh sushi. The star of the show is their iconic sushi bar with a live aquarium backdrop where chefs slice, layer, roll, and wrap up melt-in-your-mouth masterpieces like it’s performance art. Dinner and a show? Absolutely. Locals swear by the Nonsense Roll and Spicy Japanese Scallop Nigiri, but the real scene stealer might be the Crab Puffs, Akebono’s dangerously addictive take on crab rangoons.
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi
It’s a sushi bar straight out of a sci-fi movie. Izumi Sushi & Hibachi in Clive has brought upscale Japanese dining to the suburbs, complete with glowing lights, sleek interiors, and the kind of futuristic ambiance that makes you feel like you accidentally time-traveled into the coolest dinner spot of 2045. But let’s not bury the sushi roll here. What people really rave about is the all-you-can-eat experience. For $20.95 at lunch or $30.95 at dinner, adults can sample nearly 30 different rolls plus tempura, calamari, appetizers, and even green tea ice cream if you save room. There’s even all-you-can-eat chicken nuggets for the kids, which honestly might be the best dinner compromise ever.
Masao
Sushi and fine dining meet at Masao, the East Village restaurant that’s been turning heads since it opened in 2025. Blending French cuisine with precise Japanese technique, Masao brings something totally different to the local sushi scene, which probably explains how they became a 2026 James Beard semifinalist less than a year after opening. Their soft tuna nigiri melts in your mouth, the California roll is unexpectedly complex, and on the French side of the menu, the famous lavender eggs have basically become local legend status. I mean, just check out this aesthetic. If you’re looking for a sushi night that delivers a unique experience and just the right amount of foodie FOMO, Masao is your spot.
Sakari Sushi Lounge
Sakari Sushi Lounge on Ingersoll Avenue (“Restaurant Row”) is the kind of place that makes you want to order a cocktail even if you swore you were “keeping it casual.” This sushi hot spot serves up creative rolls alongside a menu that caters to foodies who may not love seafood but still want in on the fun. With alternative options like bao buns, chicken katsu sandwiches, a whole host of vegan options, and even a spam musubi roll, there’s something here for even those who find sushi to be a bit fishy. Their sleek, modern interior pairs perfectly with weekday specials worth planning around, like half-off house rolls during happy hour. Need we say more? Honestly, at those prices, saying less might be safer for your wallet.
Wasabi
With five locations across the Greater Des Moines metro and two more in Ames, it’s safe to say Wasabi has officially entered the “your group chat probably suggested it already” tier of local sushi spots. While each location has its own personality, they all bring the same sleek, modern vibe and a menu packed with inventive rolls, fresh sashimi, ramen, and plenty of shareable starters. The real flex here is consistency. When you’re eating sushi in a landlocked state, knowing you can count on fresh fish and a good meal every time is a beautiful thing. Not to mention, their happy hour is one you won’t want to miss with deals on wine and beer, discounted starters, $5-$6 classic rolls, and $11.95 signature rolls. In this economy? Yes, please.
Sakura Sushi
If there’s one place on the list that got the most whispers of “hidden gem”, it’s Sakura in West Des Moines. Tucked into an unassuming strip mall next to a nail salon, this cozy spot proves once again that great sushi doesn’t need a flashy address. What is flashy is specialty creations like the Ninja Roll with spicy crunchy salmon, mango, seared pepper tuna, shrimp, and eel; a roll so action packed it should have its own movie trailer. Sakura’s lunch specials also make a midday sushi run dangerously easy to justify. And on Wednesdays? All specialty rolls are just $11.99 (Yes, ALL of them). Consider your dinner plans handled.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
This small national chain has a handful of locations sprinkled across the Midwest, including a couple in Chicago, and honestly, the big-city energy followed them straight to Downtown Des Moines. From the chic paper lanterns hanging over the bar to the colorful murals and prime Court Avenue patio made for summer nights, this spot is perfect for roleplaying Sushi in the City. Bonus points for having one of the most playful social media presences in the sushi game, which should count for something. Oh, and the sushi is great too. Get the Cherry Bomb with bigeye tuna on top of rice tempura and Crunch LA Roll to complete your big city makeover.
Samurai Sushi & Hibachi
Samurai Sushi & Hibachi blends traditional Japanese cuisine with table-side hibachi entertainment and a deeply personal local story. Founded by Tim Lau, whose restaurant experience spans from Hong Kong to New York to Iowa, Samurai carries decades of sushi expertise. In fact, Lau’s earlier restaurant in Davenport was one of the very first sushi spots in the entire state. Samurai was also one of the first restaurants to plant roots near Jordan Creek back when the area was still mostly cornfields. Hard to imagine now. Since opening, Samurai has been serving up savory rolls, sizzling hibachi platters, and flying shrimp tricks to Greater Des Moines locals ever since.
Osaka Sushi
Des Moines sushi fans love a new concept, and Osaka Sushi already has people buzzing less than a month after opening. This tiny grab-and-go spot skips the trendy lounge vibes entirely in favor of something way more unique: Japanese convenience store-style sushi and onigiri, the beloved handheld rice balls wrapped in seaweed that are somehow still a rarity around here. The setup is simple. Walk up to the cooler, grab individually wrapped sushi or onigiri, maybe add a honey lavender matcha, and head on your way. The A5 wagyu, tuna mayo, and tamago onigiri earn raves, proving that sometimes the best sushi experience is less “date night reservation” and more “quietly becoming obsessed with a tiny takeout spot in a strip mall.”
Waterfront Seafood Market
Waterfront Seafood Market’s two locations in West Des Moines and Ankeny are the gold standard for fresh seafood in the metro. With seafood that is flown in daily whole and uncut, Waterfront’s market side is where every local home cook goes to pick up fresh fish to impress guests. And their restaurant side is where those same locals take guests when they want someone else to do the cooking. You name the type of fish, and they probably have it, but on the sushi side, expect all the classics like Dragon rolls, Spider rolls, and more. But with fish this fresh, this is where you opt for the nigiri and sashimi, to let the simple flavors shine. Waterfront also offers sushi-making classes at their West Des Moines location, perfect for a date night. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for registration and event information!
Hana Ramen & Sushi
Just because it’s tucked near Jordan Creek doesn’t mean Hana Ramen & Sushi is serving “mall sushi.” Far from it. This West Des Moines favorite has built a loyal following thanks to melt-in-your-mouth fish, generously sized rolls, and creative dishes that lean playful without sacrificing quality. Their fusion-forward menu shines in dishes like the Hana Pizza, a crispy sushi-inspired creation topped with spicy tuna, salmon, avocado, and sauce that somehow works way better than it has any right to. The cooked rolls here deserve some love too, especially for Midwest sushi fans who like a little crunch with their seafood. And while sushi gets top billing, locals swear the ramen deserves just as much hype (it gets top billing in the name, after all). The spicy shio chashu ramen, loaded with rich broth and homemade spicy sauce, has developed a reputation as one of the metro’s best bowls.
Sushi A Go Go
If your ideal sushi spot involves neon lights, DJs, and someone explaining the “concept” of the menu to you, Sushi A Go Go is not that place. And honestly? That’s exactly why people love it. This tiny Johnston spot keeps things refreshingly simple. Walk in, grab the little paper checklist, mark your order with a golf pencil, and a few minutes later you’re eating some of the freshest, most affordable sushi in the metro. The star of the show is their “sushi cupcake,” a stacked, sauce-drizzled tower of sushi that somehow feels both chaotic and genius at the same time. Cupcake B with avocado, mango, tuna poke, and Cupcake C with smoked salmon and cream cheese have developed a cult following for good reason. No frills, no gimmicks, just really good fish.
Explore a Whole World of Des Best
Who says you ever have to leave central Iowa to chow down on dishes from all around the world? Grab your passport because Des Best doesn’t stop with sushi. We’ve got you all the local favs when it comes to tacos, Italian, and overall international cuisine. Check out all of our Des Best lists here.
