Recently while shopping in the city center, I suddenly craved sushi and started trying out several nearby restaurants. As someone who has lived in Madrid for over three years, I’ve found that there are actually quite a few sushi options in the city center, but the quality varies significantly. Today I’ll share some restaurants I’ve recently visited, hoping to help friends looking for good sushi.
Sushi Restaurants Worth Trying
Kappo
Let me start with Kappo, located in the Chamberí area. While slightly off-center, it’s still within the city center range. They specialize in omakase sets, which aren’t cheap—around 60-80 euros per person. But honestly, the freshness of ingredients is exceptional. The chef is Japanese and highly skilled. If you want a more formal dining experience, this place is definitely worth it. The only downside is you need to book in advance—weekends are usually fully booked.
Tsunami
Next is Tsunami, located near Gran Vía with an incredibly convenient location. Prices are much more affordable than Kappo—two people can eat well for 40-50 euros. Their salmon sushi rolls are particularly excellent and quite generous in portion. They even offer lunch specials on weekdays, where you can get a decent sushi platter for around 15 euros. The environment is modern, perfect for dining with friends or a casual meal. You might also want to check out massage spots in Madrid city center nearby for a relaxing experience after your meal.
Price Comparison
I’ve put together a simple price comparison of these restaurants for your reference:
| Restaurant | Average Cost | Reservation Required | Rating |
|---|
| Kappo | 60-80€ | Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tsunami | 20-25€ | No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sushi Lab | 30-40€ | Recommended | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Personal Recommendations
If you have a generous budget and want to experience high-quality sushi, Kappo is definitely the top choice. But if you’re like me and just want something delicious without breaking the bank, Tsunami or Sushi Lab are both excellent options. I didn’t go into detail about Sushi Lab, but it’s located in the Malasaña district with a distinctive atmosphere and moderate prices—definitely worth trying. If you need to use public restrooms in Madrid while exploring the area, there’s a helpful guide available.
One last reminder: sushi restaurants in Madrid’s city center get extremely busy on weekends. Don’t be like me and show up without a reservation—you’ll almost certainly have to wait. Weekday evenings are relatively better, but for popular spots, I still recommend calling ahead to confirm. Also, if you’re allergic to raw fish or not quite used to it, these restaurants all offer cooked options like tempura and teriyaki, so no worries. After dining, you might enjoy exploring shops in Madrid city center around Gran Vía, Sol, and Salamanca districts.
Have you discovered any great sushi spots in the city center? Feel free to share in the comments below!
