Butterfish Sushi

Staff was super friendly, didn't have to wait at all since I was solo and got a bar seat. Got the lobster special and a salmon teriyaki meal. Both were incredible. Didn't get a picture of the lobster as I was too hungry to photograph. But here's the salmon teriyaki

*edit* My original review is below, which was 3 stars, but two months later I’m rating it 5 stars after eating at the restaurant this time (last time was takeout). All the food I ate was so delicious, so fresh, and so rich. The sushi chefs really put in work. I enjoyed sitting at the bar and seeing them make it. —————— The sushi roll I got (I think it was Pacific roll?) as take out was tiny compared to the ones I was seeing being made for in house. For $20 I don’t think it was worth it. I will give it another try but eat at the restaurant next time.

By chance stopped here with my kid and it’s officially my new favorite sushi spot. Ambiance is perfect, excellent service, and some incredible food. Definitely coming back soon!

I recently dined at Butterfish in Berkeley, and I have to say, it was one of the best sushi experiences I’ve had in the Bay Area. While it’s on the pricier side, every bite was worth the cost. The quality and preparation of the fish were absolutely top-notch, making it clear why Butterfish stands out. We were in a small group and ordered a variety of dishes, including the Otoro Don, Bara Don, and the Nigitoro, Uni & Ikura Donburi Bowls. The mix of flavors in each bowl was nothing short of spectacular, with each ingredient complementing the others perfectly. Not a single bite was left by the end of our meal—everything was that delicious. For dessert, I was completely smitten with the matcha cheesecake and crème fraîche. It was the perfect balance of creamy and slightly tangy, with the matcha flavor coming through beautifully. We also tried the matcha ice cream with red bean paste, which was an interesting and delightful pairing I hadn’t tried before. It was the perfect way to end a meal. What really made the experience stand out, aside from the incredible food, was the service. The staff were exceptionally attentive, going above and beyond to ensure we had an enjoyable meal. Honestly, the service here rivals that of many fine dining restaurants, which made the entire experience even more memorable. Overall, Butterfish is a must-visit for anyone in Berkeley or the Bay Area. From the amazing fish to the impeccable service, everything was perfect. I will absolutely be coming back, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-prepared sushi and a fantastic dining atmosphere. 10/10!

Convenient and authentic Japanese sushi restaurant next to the chevron gas station. Variety of sake options, extremely fresh sashimi and sushi, creative menu and great atmosphere for dining with your love ones. Only thing need to improve is the reception, maybe they were short handed, took too long to clean tables and sit the next waiting customers.

Tanya Sing

Ok so I have pretty much given up eating sushi cause the quality even at highly rated places seems to be a bit meh now a days. Stumbled on Butterfish last night and I was literally transported back to Japan! I wish I could give them 10 stars. The food is just exquisite. Just come and try it yourself cause I really won't do justice to it with mere words. And the best part is you will receive the most hospitalable service which again transports you back to Japan. I wish other restaurants that are allegedly fancy would learn from this service team. We enjoyed the food so much we over ate and it was totally worth the constitutional we needed to take after the meal😅 The fish is fresh, presented in innovative ways, they don't skimp on quantity, service completely above and beyond and lovely atmosphere. I give this place 10 happy bellies 😋😍

Henry Martin

Came here last-minute looking for a good sushi place, and it was amazing. Atmosphere was indeed omakase-esque as other reviews state, really small and intimate. Sat at the bar and watched the chef at work, which I would highly recommend. I don't think you would go wrong at all ordering anything off the menu, everything we had was delicious. Portions on the salmon avocado roll were large, and there was never any padding for space in a roll with extra rice... just more fish. A bit on the pricey side, but very much worth it and really close to the best sushi I've had.

Thuy Tran

Butterfish Sushi is a wonderful place to enjoy a great meal. The sushi is made with fresh fish, and every plate is beautifully decorated. The staff is friendly and attentive, making the whole experience very enjoyable. The atmosphere is cozy yet modern — a great spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.

Marwa Ibrahim

This is a beautiful japenese sushi restaurant right on university ave. I came with a book but happened to run into childhood friends at the sushi bar ☺️. The ambience is sweet, dimmed lightening and light music. I ordered the eel unagi, tuna roll, and fresh oysters (they were like firecrackers in my mouth, super flavorful and magical) 🤤 Easily my new favorite sushi spot in the Bay!

Anne

I quite enjoy this sushi spot on University. I’ve been here about 3 times now and have enjoyed everything I’ve ordered. I definitely recommend the main dishes that come with miso and rice. You get more bang for your buck. This time around I ordered the saba mackerel and it was delicious. The fish comes with seaweed salad, cucumbers, miso soup, rice, and salad. Last time I ordered the hamachi collar and it was def a favorite. Their food is always presented so elegantly. The inside is small so it can get packed easily. Surprisingly it wasn’t that crowded around lunch time on a Monday though. Keep in mind that they do close after lunch service to prepare for dinner service. We were able to get a table for a group of 6 right away. Parking is metered on the street and can be difficult to be find. Staff is super sweet and accommodating. Someone in our party accidentally knocked over some of the miso soup and the waitress happily gave him a new one and also replaced his tray and helped cleaned the table. Inside gives a cozy and relaxing feel and the tableware was nice as well.

Daniel Halbig

Best Sushi Experience and Fish quality ever! Highlight in Berkeley! This is a restaurant you should not miss! Amazing people, atmosphere and food!!!

Roberto “Spookster” Reyes

Staff was super friendly, didn't have to wait at all since I was solo and got a bar seat. Got the lobster special and a salmon teriyaki meal. Both were incredible. Didn't get a picture of the lobster as I was too hungry to photograph. But here's the salmon teriyaki

Shayna Graber

By chance stopped here with my kid and it’s officially my new favorite sushi spot. Ambiance is perfect, excellent service, and some incredible food. Definitely coming back soon!

Nicola

Cute little spot with a variety of delicious items. They bring a cute little dish around for you to wash your hands after you sit down with a coupe glass with some snacks. The Tuna Tartare was amazing and the presentation is cute. We got several different things and nothing was a disappointment. I've been looking for the perfect sushi spot since I've moved back home and I feel like I have finally found it. Update 10/25 I've been a million times since my review and I'm still in love with this place. It's always spot on . The staff, the chefs and the atmosphere is always good energy. Very consistent place and that's very hard to find these days.

J

I loved this place. First of all I liked all the employees there. Everyone gives warm smiles all the time, I felt welcomed! My bf and I got about 13? nigiri 🍣 special menu dynamite rolls. I loved it. My bf and I loved: Salmon belly Wagyu Uni (SO MUCH uni!) Scallop Definitely recommend. I spent $200 for two people. It is a great place to have a date night, but since there are limited space, please make a reservation!

Sonia Garcia

*edit* My original review is below, which was 3 stars, but two months later I’m rating it 5 stars after eating at the restaurant this time (last time was takeout). All the food I ate was so delicious, so fresh, and so rich. The sushi chefs really put in work. I enjoyed sitting at the bar and seeing them make it. —————— The sushi roll I got (I think it was Pacific roll?) as take out was tiny compared to the ones I was seeing being made for in house. For $20 I don’t think it was worth it. I will give it another try but eat at the restaurant next time.

Devin Geis

I recently dined at Butterfish in Berkeley, and I have to say, it was one of the best sushi experiences I’ve had in the Bay Area. While it’s on the pricier side, every bite was worth the cost. The quality and preparation of the fish were absolutely top-notch, making it clear why Butterfish stands out. We were in a small group and ordered a variety of dishes, including the Otoro Don, Bara Don, and the Nigitoro, Uni & Ikura Donburi Bowls. The mix of flavors in each bowl was nothing short of spectacular, with each ingredient complementing the others perfectly. Not a single bite was left by the end of our meal—everything was that delicious. For dessert, I was completely smitten with the matcha cheesecake and crème fraîche. It was the perfect balance of creamy and slightly tangy, with the matcha flavor coming through beautifully. We also tried the matcha ice cream with red bean paste, which was an interesting and delightful pairing I hadn’t tried before. It was the perfect way to end a meal. What really made the experience stand out, aside from the incredible food, was the service. The staff were exceptionally attentive, going above and beyond to ensure we had an enjoyable meal. Honestly, the service here rivals that of many fine dining restaurants, which made the entire experience even more memorable. Overall, Butterfish is a must-visit for anyone in Berkeley or the Bay Area. From the amazing fish to the impeccable service, everything was perfect. I will absolutely be coming back, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-prepared sushi and a fantastic dining atmosphere. 10/10!

Kevin W

Convenient and authentic Japanese sushi restaurant next to the chevron gas station. Variety of sake options, extremely fresh sashimi and sushi, creative menu and great atmosphere for dining with your love ones. Only thing need to improve is the reception, maybe they were short handed, took too long to clean tables and sit the next waiting customers.

Anne Mayoral

Gorgeous and thoughtfully designed and laid out restaurant with delicious and equally presented food. The service was fast and the staff friendly. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the chefs prepare the sushi. They even present you with a cloth to wipe your hands and nibbles upon sitting. This is our new sushi spot. They are also conscientious and use very little plastic! Really appreciate the extra effort.

Best way to end 2025! I’ve been to Thai Table many times and always loved the food, so when I found out Butterfish has the same owner, I had to try it—and wow, best sushi in town. We came with a group of 8 to celebrate the last day of the year. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the staff was so welcoming and accommodating. Our waitress, Pui, was super sweet and gave us amazing menu recommendations. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I can’t believe I waited this long to come here. Can’t wait to come back again. Thank you, Butterfish, for making our celebration special and helping us welcome 2026!

We stopped by on a whim and were delighted by the experience. The service was excellent—welcoming, attentive, and efficient from start to finish. Dan was our server and truly made the evening; his recommendations were spot-on. We ordered the albacore tapas plate, which was outstanding, along with the smoked hamachi roll and a few other rolls. The portions were generous, everything was incredibly fresh, and every dish was delicious. We’ll definitely be back.

A vegetarian/vegan delight! ~ My friends loved the seafood/pescatarian options too! ~ What I ordered: - yuzu sparkling soda and then a matcha lemonade - spicy edamame (vegan) - veggie poke bowl (vegetarian due to eggs) Ambience is beautiful (trendy but accessible). Perfect for a date night… and the price is right! Service is impeccable. Friendly, attentive without being too “sales-y”, and quick/efficient. Food: - presentation, presentation, presentation! Every dish was plated beautifully but without any pretense. The stoneware and flatware was beautiful. - fresh and flavorful! - most notable items were the marinated tofu skin and the chili paste used to marinate the edamame. Both were flavor packed but not too overpowering. They have made a regular out of me!

This is with out a doubt the best sushi I’ve had in my entire life. I seriously recommend to try any of their nigiri options, each garnish is incredibly intentional on how it complements the flavor as a whole. You can tell the chef has thought through every bite. In fact, I’d say it’s ruined any future places I’ll ever go to hahaha. Perfect place to celebrate someone or a milestone. The staff and chef are incredibly kind. The establishment is very cute and intimate. Highly recommend

Mustafa Kaghazwala

Having been to Japan; this place feels incredibly authentic with unique flavor profiles that actually (blasphemously) supersede sushi I had there. This place is a gem, and it’s almost outrageous that doesn’t have a Michelin Star. I’m an honest reviewer and don’t rate places highly to be polite. 5/5!

Kwanrudee Uttapa

Best way to end 2025! I’ve been to Thai Table many times and always loved the food, so when I found out Butterfish has the same owner, I had to try it—and wow, best sushi in town. We came with a group of 8 to celebrate the last day of the year. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the staff was so welcoming and accommodating. Our waitress, Pui, was super sweet and gave us amazing menu recommendations. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I can’t believe I waited this long to come here. Can’t wait to come back again. Thank you, Butterfish, for making our celebration special and helping us welcome 2026!

Alexandra Casey

This is with out a doubt the best sushi I’ve had in my entire life. I seriously recommend to try any of their nigiri options, each garnish is incredibly intentional on how it complements the flavor as a whole. You can tell the chef has thought through every bite. In fact, I’d say it’s ruined any future places I’ll ever go to hahaha. Perfect place to celebrate someone or a milestone. The staff and chef are incredibly kind. The establishment is very cute and intimate. Highly recommend

Maureen OReilly

We stopped by on a whim and were delighted by the experience. The service was excellent—welcoming, attentive, and efficient from start to finish. Dan was our server and truly made the evening; his recommendations were spot-on. We ordered the albacore tapas plate, which was outstanding, along with the smoked hamachi roll and a few other rolls. The portions were generous, everything was incredibly fresh, and every dish was delicious. We’ll definitely be back.

Roxann Reyes

A vegetarian/vegan delight! ~ My friends loved the seafood/pescatarian options too! ~ What I ordered: - yuzu sparkling soda and then a matcha lemonade - spicy edamame (vegan) - veggie poke bowl (vegetarian due to eggs) Ambience is beautiful (trendy but accessible). Perfect for a date night… and the price is right! Service is impeccable. Friendly, attentive without being too “sales-y”, and quick/efficient. Food: - presentation, presentation, presentation! Every dish was plated beautifully but without any pretense. The stoneware and flatware was beautiful. - fresh and flavorful! - most notable items were the marinated tofu skin and the chili paste used to marinate the edamame. Both were flavor packed but not too overpowering. They have made a regular out of me!

Serving food in visibly moldy tableware is a serious health risk. Mold exposure can be dangerous and potentially carcinogenic, and this situation should never happen in a restaurant. What makes this worse is that the staff and manager were clearly aware of the problem, yet showed no intention of taking responsibility or improving the situation. Our meal was served in a wooden bento box that was clearly moldy, with visible mold that had already penetrated deep into the wood. Unfortunately, the food was placed on top of the box, so we did not see the mold until after we had finished eating. When we brought this to the staff’s attention, the responses were shocking. The waitress simply said, “Oh wow, that’s mold,” and walked away without taking any action. We then informed another waitress, who reacted by saying, “That’s gross, it’s really mold. I’ll go ask inside.” She went inside, came back out, and then completely ignored us. There was no follow-up, no explanation, and no resolution. Eventually, we informed a male staff who turned out to be the manager/owner of this restaurant. Instead of apologizing or addressing the issue, he blamed us, asking why we didn’t tell him before we ate. This response was unacceptable. The moldy container was covered under the food, making it impossible for us to notice beforehand. If you think the food there was tasty, perhaps it was from the flavor of unknown contamination added, very likely out of their awareness. Diners should be very cautious. No meal is worth risking your health by consuming mold or food served in unsanitary conditions.

Koala Bear

Serving food in visibly moldy tableware is a serious health risk. Mold exposure can be dangerous and potentially carcinogenic, and this situation should never happen in a restaurant. What makes this worse is that the staff and manager were clearly aware of the problem, yet showed no intention of taking responsibility or improving the situation. Our meal was served in a wooden bento box that was clearly moldy, with visible mold that had already penetrated deep into the wood. Unfortunately, the food was placed on top of the box, so we did not see the mold until after we had finished eating. When we brought this to the staff’s attention, the responses were shocking. The waitress simply said, “Oh wow, that’s mold,” and walked away without taking any action. We then informed another waitress, who reacted by saying, “That’s gross, it’s really mold. I’ll go ask inside.” She went inside, came back out, and then completely ignored us. There was no follow-up, no explanation, and no resolution. Eventually, we informed a male staff who turned out to be the manager/owner of this restaurant. Instead of apologizing or addressing the issue, he blamed us, asking why we didn’t tell him before we ate. This response was unacceptable. The moldy container was covered under the food, making it impossible for us to notice beforehand. If you think the food there was tasty, perhaps it was from the flavor of unknown contamination added, very likely out of their awareness. Diners should be very cautious. No meal is worth risking your health by consuming mold or food served in unsanitary conditions.