Top Best Japanese Restaurants in Massachusetts

"Creativity and tradition don’t go hand in hand when it comes to sushi. Either a restaurant declares itself a “No California roll” zone, or its menu is full of rolls drenched in spicy mayo and eel sauce."

"O Ya is the place to go for some of the best sushi in Boston. Located in a 100-year-old fire station in Boston’s historic Leather District, it features contemporary Japanese dining..."

"In the same way that wearing glasses doesn’t actually make you ugly, being an uncreatively named sushi spot in a strip mall doesn’t mean you can’t be one of the very best in Cambridge. Come to this casual place in Harvard Square for either the omakase (~$100) or the more moderately priced but still great a la carte menu of rolls and nigiri and congratulate yourself of knowing what inner beauty really is."

"The decor isn't the focus at this Harvard Square raw stop, but folks clamor for its fresh sushi, prepared simply and elegantly as sushi should be. Best of all, the cost remains reasonable making sushi every night a reality for those who live in the area. Cafe Sushi has been part of the neighborhood scene since the early '80s, and their experience shines through in the terrific rolls."

"Harvard/Central Square The place to go for a four-star nigiri education. It’s not as clandestine as it used to be—as of a few years ago, there’s an actual entrance right off Mass Avenue—but Cafe Sushi still feels like one of the city’s best kept secrets. Savor some of the freshest nigiri around, including seasonal choices like Japanese barracuda and New Zealand king salmon."

"Restaurants Japanese Back Bay. What was once a tucked-away sashimi bar has blossomed into a 100-seat izayaka, where you can now pair your nigiri with Japanese milk bread, ember roasted duck breast, King crab yakitori and wagyu beef dumplings. But the sushi is still a must, including the lobster BLT roll, the A5 wagyu sirloin nigiri and the still-incredible sashimi offerings upon which Uni built its reputation."

"Uni, located in the lounge of Clio, is a hip Back Bay gathering spot. energetic yet intimate, with a reverence for the food and a large selection of sakes. Sashimi is imported from Tokyo's Tskuji market, as well as local sources, and is paired with a menu of distinctive cocktails."

"This half-nightclub/half-izakaya is one of Boston’s flashiest restaurants. And for once, we mean that in a good way. You can come here just for the sushi and sashimi and have a great meal, but you’re better off focusing on the small plates and ordering as many as you can."

"This tiny Porter Square ramen destination isn't just a restaurant — it's a place where founder Tsuyoshi Nishioka wants to make everyone's dreams come true, starting by encouraging diners to literally stand up and share those dreams out loud (after successfully finishing a giant bowl of ramen, of course). Aside from occasional seasonal specials, the simple menu only includes one type of ramen — “Jiro-style,” heavy on pork and garlic — with a choice of adding extra noodles and/or extra pork to an already hearty portion. COVID notes: Yume Wo Katare isn’t open for indoor dining during the pandemic, so you’ll have to stand up and share your dreams at home."

"Boston has no dearth of ramen options these days, but one of the most unique options in town is an eccentric little shop in Cambridge’s Porter Square where diners stand up and share their dreams after finishing massive bowls of jiro-style ramen (a hefty pork-topped style not found elsewhere in the Boston area). In non-COVID times, the menu was simple: two sizes of ramen, and each could be served with one slice of pork (kids only), two slices, or five slices. There was no takeout, aside from a 500-gram block of pork, and the shop only took cash and generally had long lines."

"Ramen is the perfect get-to-know-you meal with friends, though we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for a first date. This tiny Porter Square Shopping Center gem serves super-large bowls of pork ramen (no substitutions); if someone finishes the whole thing, the staff shouts, “We have a perfect!"

"Before life as we know it changed forever, my fiancee and I spent countless nights sitting at the bar at JP Seafood Cafe, snacking on sushi and gyoza and torched salmon and katsu and slugging heady IPAs from Turtle Swamp Brewing and shots of sake. By any metric — quality of food and service, general vibe, accessibility to our apartment — it is among our favorite restaurants in the city. We miss sitting at the bar, eating too much fish, and drinking too much alcohol, but we’re happy JP Seafood Cafe is open for takeout (and delivery for folks who live in JP)."

"There’s a maki for every mood, it seems, at JP Seafood Cafe. Whether it’s a “Double Dare” (with green chili and extra spicy sauce) or “JP Blues” (with three types of fish and mayo) kind-of night, this spot near the Harvard Arboretum has your back. Oh, and if you just want New England-style fried seafood, you can get that here too."

"Basho is a Fenway area Japanese brasserie that is the first of its kind to find a home on the streets of Boston. Basho serves fresh, high-quality ingredients including sushi that is flown in daily from all around the world. Offering diners a variety of seating options that include: communal tables, a "cocoon" for private dining, and intimate corners that let you be alone, as well as a sushi bar, raw bar and sleek, wraparound bar."

"Restaurants Japanese Fenway/Kenmore. Basho serves up super fresh sushi in a sleek and modern setting. Make friends at a communal table, eat privately in the “cocoon,” or watch the sushi artists at work at the sushi bar."

"Basho is a modern Japanese brasserie located in Boston’s Back Bay. The word Basho is roughly translated as “a space where activities occur,” a perfect name for this restaurant wher..."

"Restaurants Japanese Downtown. This Downtown Crossing spot — courtesy of the celeb chef Michael Mina — is an elegant spot for impressive, izakaya-style Japanese cuisine, but the high-end sushi menu alone is worth a date-night visit. The sashimi and nigiri list includes more exotic options like horse mackerel, cuttlefish, bigeye tuna, and wagyu beef."

"Pabu got its start as one of famed San Francisco Michael Mina's restaurants, opening this Boston location in 2016. Pabu offers an 8-course Omakase tasting menu with optional luxury courses and sake pairings. They use aka-zu, a traditional Japanese vinegar, to flavor their sushi rice, giving it a darker appearance."

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"Located at the 1st Floor of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel on the Charles River in Cambridgeport, Bisuteki Tokyo is one of the city’s most famous eateries. It is a landmark authentic..."

"This year, many of us are thinking even more carefully about where we send our hard-earned dollars. Directing them to Haley House Bakery Cafe is a worthwhile decision based on the spot’s social justice-oriented mission alone: The nonprofit baker provides important job opportunities to marginalized community members. But that’s not the only reason it took one of our latest Best of Boston awards—rather, we’re also smitten with the crumb pies made with local fruit, ready-to-bake frozen cookie dough (perfect for satisfying sudden cravings), and house baked chapati bread used for swiping up hummus or wrapping around savory snacks."

"Non-profit organization Haley House still has their cafe open Thurs-Fri from 2-7pm, and Sat from 11am-5pm. They have things like wraps, curry chicken salad, and cookies on their menu. Place an order on their website."

"This Somerville spot opened in 2014 so the owners of Diesel Café and Bloc 11 could take full control of the products they serve. Now, in its huge and busy kitchen, Forge bakes up boules, bagels, bars, scones, pies, and more for its sister cafés, as well as its own all-day menu. In 2016, the bakeshop added house-made ice cream and waffle cones—because everything is better à la mode."

"Forge Baking Company is just that, a baking company that whips up some the best baked goods in the Boston area. And they make these delectable baked goods not just for their store but for their sister spots as well- Diesel and Bloc 11. Breakfast items include pastries, breakfast sandwiches, quiches, savory bread puddings, and house-made granola."

"Bread is the name of the game at Forge Baking Company, sibling business to Forge Ice Cream (next door), Diesel, and Bloc Cafe. The cafe serves coffee and tea beverages as well as sandwiches, pastries, and more treats. Look out for seasonal galettes, or just get a bread plate with jams and butters."

"Its name nods to the moon, but this Cambridge café actually earned its neighborhood-hangout rep for morning fare: both weekday breakfast spreads and a super-popular, wide-ranging brunch menu on weekends. The latter’s lineup includes signature omelets with fixings like grilled pear with gorgonzola; double-thick Belgian waffles with berry compote; and a “surf and turf” Benedict of lobster and steak. Though it moved to a larger location a few years ago, crowds remain strong–so reservations are still recommended."

"Lemon ricotta pancakes aren't the only mouthwatering item on Cafe Luna's menu. A corned beef hash omelet, spicy pulled chicken and black bean home fries, and a grilled pear omelet are just some of the reasons why you and all of your friends need to head to MIT immediately."

"Area 4’s Café Luna, located at 612 Main St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the coffee and breakfast spot four stars out of 1,211 reviews."

"Address: 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, MassachusettsWebsite: www.nps.gov/bost/learn/historyculture/bhmuseum.htm. The Bunker Hill Museum is dedicated to the American Revolution and the founding of Charlestown, Massachusetts. The museum features exhibits that tell the story of the Battle of Bunker Hill and discuss how it was later commemorated."

"Located along the Freedom Trail just across the street from the monument. It has some great exhibits on the battle, the monument, and the history of Charleston. The museum is always free and is open daily 10 am to 6 pm."

"The Museum of African American History showcases the history of African Americans in the New England area from the 17th to 19th century. The museum is dedicated to preserving and conserving African American culture and contributions through exhibits and yearly celebrations. Exhibits currently include African American Literature, Picturing Frederick Douglass, and the Freedom Rising Civil War exhibit."

"The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to African American history. The museum is housed in the old African meeting house on Beacon Hill. The meeting house is the oldest Black church in America and was the center of the African American community in the 19th century."

"History and Cultural Heritage: The Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum was founded in 2007. They collect and exhibits art, artifacts, archives, objects, and photographs related to the history, heritage, culture, and art of Brighton and Allston, MA."

"The Leventhal Map Center located in the Boston Public Library's McKim Building in Copley Square is a place to explore history, geography and world events through their collection of maps dating from the 15th century to the present. Visit their gallery and learning center FREE to view exhibitions, and Kids Map Club with puzzles, books, globes, memory games and map related activities. Visit their website at https://www.leventhalmap.org/."

"Also located near Fenway Park, the Fenway Victory Gardens date back to the food shortages of World War II. During wartime, the garden plots housed local residents’ vegetable gardens. Today, the Fenway Victory Gardens encompass 500 gardens, though these gardens are now mostly ornamental rather than for sustenance. Find the Fenway Victory Gardens at 1200 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215."

"It’s one of the oldest navy yards and now the site of the U.S.S. Constitution, waterfront views and more. Check out The Anchor – an outdoor beer garden and restaurant right by the water."