Kiyo’s Japanese Restaurant—Quaint and welcoming Japanese eatery. Traditional Japanese dishes and a wonderful sushi bar. L Mon.-Fri; D Mon.-Sat. All major credit cards except DC. 531 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.238.1726. $$ Map Q16

Masuo's—Small sushi bar with cozy, artsy dining room caters to the hipster crowd. Expansive menu with dozens of creative rolls. L Mon.-Fri; D nightly. All major credit cards. 145 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, 858.481.6363. $$ Map X22

Ra Sushi—A hip sushi bar that also features a creative menu of Japanese fusion dishes. Lively bar has Asian-themed cocktails and flat-screen TVs. L, D daily. All major credit cards. 474 Broadway, downtown, 619.321.0021. $$ Map Q16

Station Sushi—Casual, hip and tiny, this sushi bar features delicious rolls with fun names, such as Bruce Lee and Station Fantasy Roll. L Mon.–Fri., D nightly. All major credit cards except DS, DC. 125 N. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, 858.481.9800. $$ Map X22

Sushi Bar Nippon—Established in 1985, this traditional sushi-only restaurant uses quality ingredients and caters to personal preferences. L Tues.–Fri.; D daily. All major credit cards. 532 Fourth Ave., downtown (Gaslamp Quarter area), 619.544.9779. $$$ Map Q16

Sushi Ota—Touted by locals as “the best sushi in town.” You don’t come for the scenery—it’s all about sushi. Call first. It’s always busy. L Tues.–Fri.; D nightly. All major credit cards. 4529 Mission Bay Drive, Pacific Beach, 858.270.5670. $$ Map H9

Sushi on the Rock—Raucous sushi bar and fresh fish for the fun-seeker who appreciates the blare of rock music with artistic sushi. L Mon.–Fri.; D nightly in La Jolla location. L, D daily in Carlsbad. All major credit cards. 7734-A Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1138, Map W19; 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.436.6261, Map T22 $$

Tomiko—Traditional Japanese dishes blend well with creative, contemporary updates at this cliff-side Encinitas dining spot overlooking the ocean. D nightly. All major credit cards except DC. 87 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas, 760.633.3587. $$ Map V22

Zenbu—Fresh, local fish brought in by the owner’s personal fishing boats. Try the flaming lobster dynamite. D nightly. All major credit cards except DC. 7660 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.454.4540. $$ Map W19