There is no doubt that sushi is the most popular dish in Japanese cuisine. Sushi is a true art, combining tradition, dedication, discipline, and unique flavors.
Personally, I love it, and I eat sushi practically every week at some of the numerous sushi restaurants in Madrid or through home delivery.
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Where to Eat the Best Sushi in Madrid
We are fortunate that there are so many quality sushi spots in Madrid where you can enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine with the same quality standards as the best sushi bars in Japan.
These are my top 10 recommendations for enjoying the best sushi in Madrid.
The 10 Best Sushi Restaurants in Madrid
1. Umiko
Address: C. Madrazo 6, 28014, Madrid
Phone: +34 914 938 706
Website: https://umiko.es/
To me, Umiko embodies the essence of “innovation”. Rather than a conventional Japanese eatery, it is a culinary canvas where traditional sushi meets Mediterranean and Latin American influences, crafting a symphony of fresh flavors.
Their menu boasts an array of delightful and dynamic dishes that evolve with the seasons, ensuring a constant source of culinary delight. Here you will find a carefully curated selection of sushi and sashimi prepared with the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
Adding to the charm, the interior showcases a captivating mural by renowned urban artist Okuda San Miguel, renowned for his vibrant graffiti artistry in Madrid’s streets.
2. Tora
Address: C. Padilla 5, 28006, Madrid
Phone: +34 912 62 12 33
Website: https://toraexperience.com/
I continue my list of the best sushi in Madrid with a recent discovery. Tora is an elegant and sophisticated restaurant, with Japanese cuisine crafted to perfection down to the last detail. On the menu, you will find surprising proposals that blend traditional Spanish ingredients with purely Japanese recipes.
I love experiencing the sushi-making process firsthand, and for more casual meals with friends I enjoy sitting at the bar, witnessing the spectacle as the chefs prepare the sushi.
From their extensive menu, their wide variety of nigiri, sashimi, and temaki stand out. Among my favorites are the sea bass nigiri, the toasted toro (fatty tuna) with scallop, and the crown jewel, the Wagyu A5 nigiri with marinade and sprouts.
3. Gaman
Address: C. Ferrer del Río 7, 28028, Madrid
Phone: +34 914 683 623
Website: https://gamancocinanikkei.com/
This small yet cozy establishment has become one of Madrid’s most acclaimed sushi bars. With excellent and highly elaborate cuisine, its chef is considered a pioneer of Nikkei cuisine in Spain.
At Gaman, you will find some of the best sushi in Madrid. Nigiri takes center stage on their menu, with standout pieces such as flambéed salmon with yellow chili, Joselito cured bacon, toro (fatty tuna) with foie gras, and eel with ginger jam, spicy chocolate, and Maras salt.
4. Miyama
Address: P.º de la Castellana 45, 28046, Madrid
Phone: +34 913 910 026
Website: https://www.restaurantemiyama.com/
Miyama is not just among my top picks for Japanese dining in Madrid, it is a go-to spot for any local enthusiast of Asian cuisine in the capital.
Renowned for its innovative approach to both preparation and presentation, Miyama offers contemporary Japanese cuisine marked by impeccable quality and harmonious, authentic flavors.
Their expansive menu encompasses a wide array of favorites, including tataki, sashimi, nigiri, maki, stews, soups, and other specialty dishes.
5. Ricardo Sanz Wellington
Address: C. Velázquez 6, 28001, Madrid
Phone: +34 915 77 78 77
Website: https://www.gruporicardosanz.com/
Chef Ricardo Sanz lends his name to this exclusive Michelin-starred restaurant following the separation from Kabuki. It offers a unique gastronomic experience that combines the best of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, incorporating ingredients such as olive oil.
The menu is extensive, and in my opinion, its bar offers the best sushi in Madrid. Among its creations, standout items include butterfish nigiri with white truffle pâté, red mullet nigiri, wagyu nigiri, and quail egg sushi with white truffle cream.
6. Yokaloka
Address: C. Santa Isabel 5, 28012, Madrid (Anton Martin Market)
Phone: +34 610 602 722
Website: https://yokaloka.com/
A classic spot for sushi in Madrid and a different, more casual proposal at a more than reasonable price. Currently located on the ground floor of the Antón Martín Market, Yokaloka specializes in Japanese street-style sushi.
Yokaloka’s menu is simple, featuring a variety of maki, uramaki, temaki, sashimi, and nigiri, as well as daily recommendations that are well worth trying.
The quality of the food, the price, and the excellent location near Madrid’s art triangle make Yokaloka a must-visit.
7. Yugo The Bunker
Address: C. San Blas 4, 28014, Madrid
Phone: +34 914 449 034
Website: https://yugothebunker.com/
Let’s now explore an exceptional restaurant known for its distinctive design and culinary innovation. Yugo the Bunker boasts a Michelin Star, showcasing the finest in cuisine with its use of exclusive, premium ingredients.
Fusing Japanese and Mediterranean flavors, Yugo the Bunker maintains a distinctly Japanese style, evident in its philosophy and meticulous attention to product and detail. The restaurant presents 2 tasting menus.
While the average bill may exceed that of typical Japanese restaurants in Madrid, Yugo the Bunker is an excellent choice for celebrations and memorable occasions.
8. Ikigai
Address: C. Velázquez 136, 28006, Madrid
Phone: +34 910 888 200
Website: http://ikigairestaurantes.com/ikigai-velazquez
Located in the exclusive Salamanca neighborhood, one of the prime shopping areas in Madrid, Ikigai offers what many locals consider the best nigiri in the capital.
In this elegant Japanese restaurant, you will find delightful fusion cuisine with original and innovative dishes.
On their menu, you will find a wide variety of nigiri and maki, although the tasting menu is also a great option. Among my favorite dishes are the sea bass nigiri, scallop with foie gras, akami tuna, and semi-flambéed toro.
9. 99 Sushi Bar
Address: Hotel NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding
Phone: +34 913 593 801
Website: https://www.99sushibar.com/en/
99 Sushi Bar is a renowned Japanese restaurant chain with multiple branches in Madrid, as well as in other Spanish cities like Barcelona, and internationally in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Rabat.
This establishment has become a classic in the capital for its gastronomic proposal, specially designed to combine the most emblematic flavors and textures of high Japanese cuisine with Mediterranean flavors.
Here you will find some of the best sushi in Madrid, in all its varieties, and you can also sit at the bar to watch the chefs. It is hard to go wrong, but if you are unsure what to order, I suggest the lobster maki and the nigiri of sardine, red prawn in two temperatures, and toro with tomato.
10. Doki Doki
Address: C. Villalar 4, 28001, Madrid
Phone: +34 917 793 649
Website: https://www.restaurantedokidoki.es/
Located a stone’s throw away from the famous Puerta de Alcalá and the popular El Retiro Park, Doki Doki is one of my favorite spots for its modern and minimalist decor.
It is the perfect place for a quiet dinner, not just for me but for many others, judging by the excellent ratings on TripAdvisor.
Its cuisine blends the most traditional Japanese recipes with avant-garde cooking. Some of its most popular dishes include the dragon roll filled with crispy prawn, scallop nigiri, toro nigiri toasted with truffle, and the spicy tuna and spicy scallop uramaki.
A Guide To Ordering Sushi in Madrid
Sushi is not just food; it is an experience, a delightful combination of flavors, textures, and cultural heritage packed into bite-sized parcels.
It reflects centuries of Japanese culinary tradition and craftsmanship, showcasing the reverence for simplicity, quality ingredients, and precise technique.
What is Sushi?
At its core, sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice combined with various ingredients, typically seafood like raw fish, vegetables, and sometimes tropical fruits, all neatly wrapped in seaweed (nori).
Contrary to popular belief, not all sushi contains raw fish, there are numerous options that range from cooked to raw, making it accessible to a wide range of palates.
Why is Sushi So Popular?
The popularity of sushi extends far beyond its homeland, captivating taste buds worldwide.
And it is not hard to see why! The best sushi in Madrid offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, from the buttery richness of fatty tuna to the crunch of fresh cucumber.
Moreover, its vibrant colors add to its allure, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Types of Sushi
Sushi comes in various forms, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are some popular types you might encounter in the top sushi restaurants in Madrid:
- Maki: Rolled sushi, typically filled with ingredients like fish, vegetables, and rice, then wrapped in seaweed.
- Temaki: Hand-rolled sushi cones filled with various ingredients and wrapped in seaweed.
- Uramaki: Inside-out sushi rolls where the rice is on the outside and the nori (seaweed) is on the inside, often topped with fish roe or sesame seeds.
- Nigiri: Hand-pressed sushi rice topped with slices of raw fish or seafood.
- Futomaki: Thick sushi rolls typically contain multiple fillings.
- Gunkan: Sushi rice wrapped with a strip of seaweed and topped with ingredients like roe or seafood.
Final Words
In conclusion, Madrid offers a vibrant and diverse sushi scene, with an abundance of restaurants catering to every sushi lover’s taste and preference.
Whether you are craving traditional nigiri, innovative fusion creations, or classic sushi rolls, you are sure to find a culinary haven that satisfies your cravings.
From intimate, minimalist eateries to upscale dining establishments, all the spots on my list of the best sushi in Madrid bring their own unique flair and dedication to the art of sushi-making.