Uchi Austin

"You can’t talk about sushi in Austin without Uchi’s name entering the conversation. The team behind this sushi and Japanese fusion restaurant have built a mini-empire spanning multiple states and concepts, but it all started right here in a cozy renovated house on South Lamar. Uchi has a core sushi menu with classic pieces like salmon or yellowtail, but the really good stuff is on their toyosu section—named after the famous fish market in Tokyo where the fish gets flown in daily. The sushi here tends to be on the smaller side, like well-proportioned nigiri that hasn’t fully grown yet. They also have two other spots in town, Uchiko and Uchiba, with similar menus. Reservations at Uchi open up one month in advance, and they tend to go fast. If you want to secure a prime time seat, you’ll want to be there right when reservations get released, but even the off-hour tables get snapped up about three weeks out. You can also show up right when Uchi opens and usually snag a seat at the bar (or sometimes even a table). The plus side to an early dinner is you’ll also have access to the excellent Happy Hour. Uchi also has two sister concepts—Uchiko in Rosedale, and Uchiba Downtown—both with very similar menus, and tables that go about half as fast." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"Ask any random person in Austin where to go for a special occasion, and there’s a 96% chance they’ll say Uchi. The restaurant earned its reputation by offering a mix of traditional sushi and inventive Japanese fusion dishes at a time when most places thought “Japanese fusion” meant plopping spicy mayo on a tuna roll and calling it a day. There’s a reason this place has expanded to half a dozen states—but it all started right here in a tiny, renovated house on South Lamar. Reservations at Uchi open up one month in advance, and they tend to go fast. If you want to secure a prime time seat, you’ll want to be there right when reservations get released, but even the off-hour tables get snapped up about three weeks out. You can also show up right when Uchi opens and usually snag a seat at the bar (or sometimes even a table). The plus side to an early dinner is you’ll also have access to the excellent Happy Hour. Uchi also has two sister concepts—Uchiko in Rosedale, and Uchiba Downtown—both with very similar menus, and tables that go about half as fast." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs

"The Deal: $3-12 dishes; $6-10 sake, $6-$20 wine and beer. $8-$9 cocktails Uchi is best known for their sushi, but what they should actually be best known for is their “sake social,” the daily Happy Hour during which you can sample excellent rolls and classic Uchi bites for a fraction of the price. If you haven’t been, you’re doing things all wrong. P.S. this happens at their sister restaurants Uchiko and Uchiba, too. Reservations at Uchi open up one month in advance, and they tend to go fast. If you want to secure a prime time seat, you’ll want to be there right when reservations get released, but even the off-hour tables get snapped up about three weeks out. You can also show up right when Uchi opens and usually snag a seat at the bar (or sometimes even a table). The plus side to an early dinner is you’ll also have access to the excellent Happy Hour. Uchi also has two sister concepts—Uchiko in Rosedale, and Uchiba Downtown—both with very similar menus, and tables that go about half as fast." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"The Zilker Japanese restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole focuses on fresh, sustainable, and responsibly fished ingredients for its sushi and hot and cold dishes. For discounted prices on select food and drink options, get there early for the happy hour, aka the sake social. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are DoorDash deliveries; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Uchi and Uchiko are classic Austin Japanese restaurants for good reason. Both have some of the best, most inventive sushi in the city. Prepare to spend money or opt for the more budget-friendly sake social hour. Takeout orders can be placed online (Uchi, Uchiko); there are DoorDash deliveries (Uchi, Uchiko); and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury