Kata Robata

"Though a newer restaurant on this list, Kata Robata is certainly iconic. Helmed by chef Hori, this Uptown sushi restaurant has built a reputation for offering some of the freshest fish in the city (flying it in multiple times weekly from Japan) in delicious preparations. Need proof? Visit Kata right before the lunch rush to see diners lining up at the door to secure their spot." - Marcy de Luna, Brittany Britto Garley

"A Houston favorite for sushi, Kata Robata's ramen offerings should also be on your culinary bucket list. Go for the spicy soy broth, which makes for a perfect addition to a light sashimi course, or go for the seafood forward options, like the rich lobster and crab ramen made with pork and egg noodles, sesame, and tomato, or the Nagasaki Chapon bowl, a combination of clams, shrimp, cabbage, pork, onion, and ginger." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Helmed by chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi, Kata Robata is regarded as one of the finest destinations for sushi in the city, which is evident by its constantly packed lunch hours alone. The constantly changing menu spotlights fresh fish flown in from Japan multiple times throughout the week. For a thoroughly curated dining experience, there is the premium omakase meal, which allows guests to experience chef Hori’s hand-picked sushi selections. An unadorned but elegant dining room completes the picture. If you are looking to switch it up, visit its sister restaurant, Katami, which features sushi, a selection of expertly made hot dishes, including the highest quality wagyu beef in different preparations, and refreshing cocktails with the same emphasis on seasonal ingredients. The kakigori, made from ice imported from Japan, is also something special." - Brittany Britto Garley

"No one compares with Kata Robata when it comes to nigiri and sashimi, especially when the Upper Kirby spot offers a $28, eight-piece chirashi bowl at lunch. The Japanese sushi and grill restaurant serves each chirashi bowl with eight types of expertly sliced fish—two pieces each kind—sushi rice, and all the pickled, spicy, and savory toppings you could want. And at $1.75 per piece, the bowl, along with other sashimi bentos and sushi rolls, is the ultimate lunch bargain, whether you grab a solo bar spot or want a quick meal to break up the work day." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"Verdict: With a menu full of nothing but hits—everything from buttery nigiri, to wagyu katsu sandwiches, to paper-thin slices of octopus crudo—we get why seats at this Upper Kirby classic are hard to come by. And thanks to the canonically cool-tempered staff, the dining experience at this Japanese spot feels smooth and easy. Until it’s time to decide who gets the last piece of grilled hamachi kama." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas