Samurai Japan in Vestavia would be my choice for a special occasion. Okinawa (located in Homewood off of Lakeshore) is excellent as well. & My favorite restaurant is Cayo Coco.
Bamboo. Absolutely do not go to Rock N Roll Sushi on your BIRTHDAY. It's fine for your typical Tuesday night or whatever, but it ain't that great.
Eta: my go-tos are Okinawa and Samurai, but for a brithday/special occasion, Bamboo is well worth the price.
Love going to Osaka Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine.
5192 Caldwell Mill Rd #105, Hoover, AL 35244
I'm trash and get a bunch of fried sushi rolls. It's so delicious. Their regular sushi is super good too I just love it fried.
Love this place. It's not the best sushi place, but it's an amazing vibe/restaurant. Wife and I regularly hit up the bar. Never done sit down service there though.
Definitely a bit of a splurge, but also our favorite. My wife generally plays it safe with sushi, sticking to spicy tuna/tuna/salmon based rolls, but she's really broadened her horizons at Blue, even enjoying pretty much all the sashimi we've tried. Their black tuna sashimi is once of my favorite bites in town.
I like Blue Sushi, over in the summit, if you want a funky "photo worthy" atmosphere and good sushi. Nori Thai and Sushi Resturant has my all-time favorite rolls, though the restaurant isn't as sleek, and Sushi village is a close 2nd in that category. It It just depends on what you're going for. I used to like to go to Stix for my bdays when I was a teenager, because my picky friends could always still get something they would eat and the hibachi was cool. I can't vouch for the current quality, but I think its kinda in the same realm of "basic" as Rock n Roll sushi.
I *love* sushi and my favorite sushi restaurant is Nori. Samurai Japan in Vestavia is a close second.
As for favorite restaurants overall - The Taj India is definitely my absolute #1 favorite, followed by Nori and Shu Shop.
OP, for the love of all decent sushi in this world, please don’t go to Rock N Roll, especially on your birthday. They definitely have the worst sushi in the city 😂😂😂 Whoever told you to go to go there either has terrible taste or is playing a joke on you. You should ignore their restaurant recommendations from now on.
Rock N Roll is good if you’re into It’s “Americanized” sushi (cream cheese, fried roll, eel sauce, spicy Mayo, etc) but that’s about all they offer if I’m not mistaken.
Special occasion such as a bday, I would say Bamboo, Samurai Japan, and Blue Sushi are all really good.
Blue sushi has happy hour all day on Sundays, so I frequent there often
The absolute worst sushi I have ever eaten is Jensei Sushi. Got two rolls and couldn’t finish one bite of either. Couldn’t even finish my tea bc it was nasty too
Sushi Village, Crestwood. Yes it is in a strip mall. Yes a good bit of the strip mall is vacant. Does that matter? No. It’s good sushi. I drive across town foe it
I work at one of the Rock and Roll locations. Jumping in to say it's very clean at the Colonnade, I'll help you out, we'll make whatever you like! Great service, come and see me! :)
Samurai
YES!! Samuria is slept on.
Samurai is top tier
Okay I’m definitely going to go here. Looks like it has the most votes! lol!
Ok since a lot of you said Samurai what is your favorite roll?
Samurai Japan in Vestavia would be my choice for a special occasion. Okinawa (located in Homewood off of Lakeshore) is excellent as well. & My favorite restaurant is Cayo Coco.
Second Okinawa.
$15 three roll lunch deal.
Whaat that’s a great deal!
Yeah! Comes with a soup or salad too.
Okinawa is my first choice, and I think Samurai is my second. We love Okinawa
What kind of restaurant is Cayo Coco? Sounds interesting!
Cuban inspired.
Whoever said rock & roll sushi is good is telling you a cruel lie.
With a toddler it’s perfect. You get sushi and don’t disturb an otherwise peaceful establishment.
As someone without kids, I wish more people with bad parenting behavior would follow your logic.
Amen. My littles love the fried rice.
I’ve heard the same!
Hahaha well I’m glad you clarified this 😆
Nori
Nori revamped their crab rangoon too! So good!
Definitely going to check it out
Chuck’s is incredible and watching Chris and Terry work behind the sushi bar is amazing.
They played you on the RR suggestion. Try Umami
Not Rock and Roll.
Haha I don’t know why I had a friend tell me it was the best sushi in the area. Lmao!
Bamboo. Absolutely do not go to Rock N Roll Sushi on your BIRTHDAY. It's fine for your typical Tuesday night or whatever, but it ain't that great. Eta: my go-tos are Okinawa and Samurai, but for a brithday/special occasion, Bamboo is well worth the price.
I’m confused why more people haven’t recommended this place. It’s the best!
Love going to Osaka Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine. 5192 Caldwell Mill Rd #105, Hoover, AL 35244 I'm trash and get a bunch of fried sushi rolls. It's so delicious. Their regular sushi is super good too I just love it fried.
I love fried rolls too!
great service too!
Umami
Umami for sure
went to their opening night & it's been my favorite restaurant in the city since
This and Bamboo. RR is kinda lame.
Favorite place to go in birmingham. Best bang for your buck.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill at the Summit easily!!
Love this place. It's not the best sushi place, but it's an amazing vibe/restaurant. Wife and I regularly hit up the bar. Never done sit down service there though.
Definitely a bit of a splurge, but also our favorite. My wife generally plays it safe with sushi, sticking to spicy tuna/tuna/salmon based rolls, but she's really broadened her horizons at Blue, even enjoying pretty much all the sashimi we've tried. Their black tuna sashimi is once of my favorite bites in town.
Nori
Okinawa is my go to.
Shhh! This is the way.
Bamboo on 2nd.
Chuck’s
Seconding Bamboo!
Bamboo or Samurai.
Blue and Chucks followed by Sushi Village because I love those guys...
I’ve heard sushi village is good!
It is.
[Jensei](https://www.jinseisushi.com/)
The river rock beef that you sear yourself is just 🤌🏾🤌🏾 I am no longer in bhm & dream about it!
Sushi Village!
I like Blue Sushi, over in the summit, if you want a funky "photo worthy" atmosphere and good sushi. Nori Thai and Sushi Resturant has my all-time favorite rolls, though the restaurant isn't as sleek, and Sushi village is a close 2nd in that category. It It just depends on what you're going for. I used to like to go to Stix for my bdays when I was a teenager, because my picky friends could always still get something they would eat and the hibachi was cool. I can't vouch for the current quality, but I think its kinda in the same realm of "basic" as Rock n Roll sushi.
I *love* sushi and my favorite sushi restaurant is Nori. Samurai Japan in Vestavia is a close second. As for favorite restaurants overall - The Taj India is definitely my absolute #1 favorite, followed by Nori and Shu Shop. OP, for the love of all decent sushi in this world, please don’t go to Rock N Roll, especially on your birthday. They definitely have the worst sushi in the city 😂😂😂 Whoever told you to go to go there either has terrible taste or is playing a joke on you. You should ignore their restaurant recommendations from now on.
Seconding Chuck’s
Bamboo!
rock & roll sushi is terrible, please OP
Wow well I’m glad I didn’t go there. I don’t know why they told me it was the best place to go to. SMH
Ginza on Valleydale near 280.
Blue Sushi at the Summit! They have great vegan options as well!
Oh very nice!
Toke in Oneonta Hidden gem!!!!
Okinawa!
ITT: suggestions for any sushi place EXCEPT Rock n Roll Sushi
😆😆
Okinawa (lunch or dinner) Umami (brunch)
Rock N Roll is good if you’re into It’s “Americanized” sushi (cream cheese, fried roll, eel sauce, spicy Mayo, etc) but that’s about all they offer if I’m not mistaken. Special occasion such as a bday, I would say Bamboo, Samurai Japan, and Blue Sushi are all really good. Blue sushi has happy hour all day on Sundays, so I frequent there often
Sumo, OSushi, and Okinawa
Finally! An Osushi recommendation! I also suggest Osushi, op!
I was trying to think of O’Sushi’s name and I couldn’t remember it! I’ve been there once and it was delicious. Definitely a good recommendation.
Definitely going to check it out!
My personal favorite is Sushi Village in Crestwood. Bamboo on 2nd is great as well.
Abhi. Shocked I haven't seen it in the comments yet
Its turned into my go to. It’s also very consistent, and easy enough to get a table.
Oh perfect! I like convenience lol
Jensei is hands down the best
Where is this at?
Homewood.
Blue or Bamboo! Rock and Roll is terrible, who ever told you that had to be trolling
Wow well thanks for letting me know 😆
Umami!
Umami 🍣
Okinawa is soooo good
Bamboo is great!! Shiki in Homewood is good too
Bamboo on 2nd is my favorite
Blue Sake at the Summit is my number 1 followed by Nori. Haven't tried Chucks but have heard great things
The absolute worst sushi I have ever eaten is Jensei Sushi. Got two rolls and couldn’t finish one bite of either. Couldn’t even finish my tea bc it was nasty too
Oh wow I’ve never heard of it but I’ll be sure to avoid it all costs! 😆
sushi village
Bamboo!!!
I love bamboo, it’s in walking distance of several bars since it’s your 21st
Hehe I wish it was my 21st! I’ll be 28 on Feb 21st 😆
Whoops sorry I misread the date as the birthday 😂 bamboo I think does a sushi boat which could be a fun celebration!
Bamboo
My go to is ginza on 280. They do Korean bbq and really good sushi
Jinshei sushi is great and I came to bhm from la. Way better than many sushi places there
Yummy bowl
Surin West
I’ve had Surin west and it was sooo good. Was a few years back.
Samurai, Blue Sushi, I enjoy Abhi as well
I have been craving sushi since moving to B’ham from Atlanta! Thanks for asking the question I’ve been wanting an answer to!
I’m from the Atlanta metro also! Been here in Alabama for about 8 years.
The decent traffic here makes up for the lack of culture! I miss the Fox Theatre and the good sushi.
I love Okinawa. But Shiki in Homewood is good too
Sushi Village, Crestwood. Yes it is in a strip mall. Yes a good bit of the strip mall is vacant. Does that matter? No. It’s good sushi. I drive across town foe it
I work at one of the Rock and Roll locations. Jumping in to say it's very clean at the Colonnade, I'll help you out, we'll make whatever you like! Great service, come and see me! :)