Score 86/100 · Order: Omakase or signature black cod · $120–250
Nobu San Diego is a brand experience. The room is beautiful, the service is polished, and the crowd is dressed for a night out. The omakase menu is well-executed, the signature black cod miso is as good as ever, and the cocktail program is strong. But the sushi itself, judged purely on fish quality and rice craft, is not the best in San Diego. You are paying for the atmosphere, the reputation, and the downtown location. It is a great choice for a business dinner or a celebration, but not the first stop for a sushi purist.