Stopped by M Sushi for the Nigiri Omakase which includes miso soup and 13 pieces of Traditional style sushi with specialty ingredients, chef's special futomaki, and house-made Tamago. When you arrive parking can be a bit tricky in this area as you'll need to find parking on the street or in a nearby parking lot. When you arrive the entrance can be a bit hard to find as it's tucked away down a cobblestone road. Look for the "m" logo outside of the door of the restaurant. You'll check in with the host when you arrive, and for this trip we opted to sit at the bar. When you walk into M sushi you'll feel like you've stepped into an underground, relaxed hangout for sushi. To start I ordered the Mizuwari (Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, elderfower liqueur, and tonic) which was perfectly balanced and a great way to start the meal. Following that the omakase service started with miso soup which was hot and fresh, followed by the different pieces of sushi. There was a variety from blue fin tuna, to sea bream, to Norwegian Sea trout. My favorite was a tie between the seared salmon belly and toro blue fin. We also ordered a bottle of Born Gold Junmai Daliginjo (Rich, smooth, fruit and grain forward) which paired excellently with the meal. This was a fun experience as it was my first time trying Omakase and looking forward to my next trip to M Sushi. read more

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My partner and I came here for his birthday recently. We had a reservation and I would always recommend getting one here because it is on the smaller side and gets quite busy. We started off with their sodas made in-house, one being green apple and the other being grapefruit. They were okay. The grapefruit one kind of tasted like apple cider vinegar. We tried them because a soda was $6 and there were no free refills. I find that a strange decision but this could be personal preference. We got a mixture of the small plates and rolls including the nigiri (delightful!), tuna crispy rice (my 2nd favorite), dumplings, bao bun (one cut in half), the rainbow roll, and the unagi roll. While I thought the nigiri and tuna crispy rice were amazing - both tasted fresh - overall, the food was just fine. I think our experience could just be based on pure preference. I found the sushi to be good but not the best I have ever had as some other Yelpers have experienced. read more

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I came here on a beautiful day With one of my friends, they are very clean and the aesthetic is almost like you walk into this new part of Durham We had the raw Omakase! It was great Everything they explained to me I forgot just as quickly, but I had my softest meats here Our server was very sweet and quick to make sure that we didn't ever have to wait for anything she explained each sushi individually and where the fish came from They ship everything from all over the world And the dessert was to die for This is dining like a princess This is the perfect place to take a woman on a date low effort on your part outside of needing to have a reservation*** The omakase is already chosen for you by the chef all you have to do is sit there and enjoy and experience the plates together! Extra brownie points if you can score going to M sushi then taking her to killjoy on Tuesday for their live music so you guys can dance or sit and enjoy more craft cocktails, and each each other's company! read more

So hard to find a traditional old school Japanese restaurant. The sushi here is beautifully presented on the plate, fresh, and the large maki rolls have some interesting choices. There are many authentic choices of fish, uni and either sea or fresh water eel. My roll had fresh shinto leaves. The wood and brick interior is warm and inviting. Make a reservation! I would go back any time! read more

Wow. Another gem from the M restaurant group. The small plates to share were inventive, with standouts such as the crispy rice and donburi. The smoked cod was delicate, the scallop mousse dumplings rich, the bao with bbq eel and salmon skin savory. There is also more traditional nigiri which was incredibly fresh, plus futomaki, and sashimi. House made vinegar based sodas delicious- we had the green apple and mixed berry. M Sushi is possibly my new favorite place. read more

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Clearly I'm a frequent flyer at M Sushi - the Omakase is amazing. Your other sushi places will need to put in the work to keep up with their chefs. Service was friendly, although I could tell our server was new. The vibe is upscale, quiet, and casual. Reservations recommended read more

M Sushi - Omakase - perfection - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The unassuming entrance with no pretension in sight does not prepare you for the casual cool of the high end sushi joint that is M Sushi. Can "basement cool" be a thing? The long and narrow dining room has four tops down one side with a long sushi bar perhaps the most desirable spot as you get to see the creation of the art that comes out of this kitchen. The lemon scallop was the highlight of a light sashimi first course. We then went the roll route with the Futomaki and Spider rolls standing out alongside a Rainbow. The Eel Avocado and Tuna Avocado were serviceable but perhaps suffered in comparison to the others as they came last. And I can't say I've ever given much thought to dessert when the high quality of the sushi and presentation keeps your attention. But three of us split the Yuzu Semifreddo, a Japanese citrus ice cream with black sesame crumbles and fresh raspberries. The black sesame crumbles were a first for me and combined with the sweet citrus for a delightful final highlight. The service was attentive but not overbearing and at the ready when we ventured tentatively into the long sake list. Definitely a splurge given the cost, but if you want to enjoy high end fresh sushi far from the coasts or those many basement bound gems in Japan itself, M Sushi fits the bill. read more

M Sushi - Yuzu Semifreddo, a Japanese citrus ice cream with black sesame crumbles and fresh raspberries - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I missed one pic of the sashimi course of our NYE omakase and the ones attached are not in order. All that to say, it was a top notch and amazing meal. The chef structured the menu beautifully and cooked everything perfectly. It was some of the highest quality fish I've had and I eat a lot of sushi/seafood. Even my teenage nephew ate and enjoyed the sashimi and sushi courses. That's got to be some high quality fish! The little flavor touches on the sushi course were expertly paired! I would eat at M Sushi any day of the week if I could afford it! The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the house made soda. It's not just flavored sparkling water. It seemed a little like kombucha, which isn't my thing. read more

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M Sushi absolutely blew me away. We ordered the Grand Omakase, and it was hands down one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Important note: if one person at the table orders the Grand Omakase, everyone must order it (unless you're vegetarian or don't eat raw fish). At $145 per person, it's definitely a splurge -- but this meal is 100% worth the price. Every bite was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed. Nothing was left on the table, and we all walked out completely satisfied and well fed. The service was excellent -- attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed without ever feeling rushed or intrusive. They explained each course clearly and made the experience even better. The standout for me was the Scallop Duo: * Panko-fried scallop topped with Kaluga caviar * Seared scallop on a tempura-fried shiso leaf with uni and smoked trout roe Both pieces were absolutely incredible and easily among my favorite bites of the night. The interior is cozy, darkly lit, and creates a perfect atmosphere for an intimate, elevated dining experience. Definitely make a reservation early -- this place books out far in advance for a reason. I truly don't think you can order anything bad off the menu here. M Sushi delivers on every level: food, service, atmosphere, and execution. read more

M Sushi - *A5 Wagyu strip, dashi shabu shabu, ponzu dipping sauce, grated daikon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I frequent the M Sushi in Cary and it's 5 stars for me all the time. So I didn't hesitate to book the NYE omakase for the Durham location. We arrived on time to find the place not entirely sold out, but very full. This location is much bigger and less fancy and less intimate than the Cary location. We were seated at the bar and the meal almost immediately began. They did adhere to my request seamlessly without me having to ask again which was good. The food was being served very quickly. When I had inquired with Cary about the timing, they indicated two hours, but we were served and done in one. We also noticed the menus were not the same. The Durham menu didn't seem to be worth the $445 (not including drinks) for two we paid to OpenTable. There was no wagyu on their menu like at Cary and both only provided 5 pieces of nigiri. The quality of the food was on par with what I expected. It was fresh and tastes good. My concern isn't so much with the meal itself as much as the value for the dollar basis the Cary menus offering. I would consider keeping the menus the same or changing the price to reflect. read more

I had heard a lot about M Sushi over the years and finally gave it a shot, and it truly was the most delicious dinner. Hands down the best sushi place I've been to in the area. First, service was impeccable. Two friends and I shared 6 rolls of sushi and a couple appetizers and literally each bite was so fresh and packed with flavor. I'm pickier when it comes to sushi and literally kept "oowing and ahhing" the whole time. The restaurant is nicely dimmed and perfect for a nice dinner with friends. read more

M Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The Best sushi restaurant in North Carolina! Amazing service. My wife and I loved the atmosphere here, it's kind of an underground hangout feel. Please make reservations to insure you get a spot for dinner. M Sushi is a hidden gem in Durham. read more

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Best sushi in the Raleigh-Durham area! Fish was fresh, rice was good, presentation was great, and lastly the staff were friendly. Will come again to fulfill my sushi cravings! read more

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We order several rolls and fried rice cakes. The level of quality is top notch. The fish is very fresh. Everything we had was excellent. My spider roll was one of the best over ever tasted. The Twisted Mango and the Futomaki were also outstanding. This place is definitely worth a visit. Staff were very friendly and helpful with making choices. read more

Fresh, delicious sushi with excellent service and a great ambiance. Everything was wonderful!

M Sushi is part of the many M restaurants in the greater triangle area. Located right behind The Durham Hotel, it makes for a great dinner spot before heading up to the Hotel rooftop for drinks afterwards. The dimly lite restaurant sets the perfect mood especially when sitting at the sushi bar and admiring the craftsmanship behind the counter. Their food is next level and delicious! I'd highly recommend the specialty rolls (we ordered almost all of them). The staff is quick, the sushi chefs are amazing and we'll definitely be back! read more

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Finally had a chance to try M Sushi and overall was worth the hype! Reservations are a must. Inside, the ambiance was intimate and cozy. We had 2 seats at the bar which were perfect for watching the chefs prepare the nigiri (we went with the nigiri omakase which came with 13 different pieces). The meal started off with miso soup which I found to be a bit too salty. However, the nigiri were all delicious and each piece was intricately crafted so that the flavors melded together in each bite (highly recommend getting a seat at the bar to see the food being prepared). The fish were all so fresh and tender including an array of salmon, tuna, trout, eel, red snapper and more. A great experience and a highlight for all sushi lovers and special occasions! read more

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So pick-up or delivery orders from here, I would NOT recommend. I'd give those a 1/5 star. We decided to give M Sushi a second try, based on the extraordinary reviews, and had a much better experience sitting at the sushi counter. Best sushi that you will have (in North Carolina...) We ordered the tuna crispy rice and edamame- both were just so-so. The star of the show was the nigiri omakase menu (at the bar) and the A5 Wagyu strip (with ponzu dipping sauce). All 13 pieces of nigiri had different flavor combinations, beautiful presentations, and the fish was all very fresh. The wagyu was sliced super thin, and came with rock salt, and a hot stone to cook it on (not only a fun, interactive experience, but tasted amazing). The bar is huge, longest bar I think I've ever seen at a restaurant. Definitely need a reservation here, pretty far in advance. I love that the restaurant is "underground", and service was fast, but didn't like that they had two huge fans blowing cold air in, by the front door (not thrilled with the unsanitary part of that). Not sure if the a/c was broken, or that's just a normal part of the restaurant. Overall a great experience and I would go back (for the sushi menus at the bar). read more

Good, fresh sushi. Everything was fresh and a couple of the special rolls, the Tuna Special and Twisted Mango were both great. I was surprised they did not have more creative rolls but did enjoy everything we ordered. read more

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Great first experience! Food : I ordered the rainbow roll and the bamboo drink and miso soup. Everything was delicious and fresh. The rainbow roll was enough for one person as long as thats all you're ordering. I don't see how it was anything special compared to other really good sushi restaurants, but it was really good food if not a tad bit over priced. Service : was attentive and professional and prompt. They honored my original appointment and I was seated quickly. As soon as I sat down, they served water. They gave me time to review the menu and came back took my full order. Food was served very very quickly. I was impressed by that. Ambience : this was my favorite part. I loved being able to sit at the bar and see what's going on behind the kitchen. I was disappointed at first that it was the only reservation seat available but it was honestly the best place to be seated and get your meals quickest. To be fair I did not try the other items on the menu that makes this place a little different from other traditional sushi restaurants. I will definitely be going back and updating my review when I do. read more

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Soooo delicious! Probably the best sushi you'll find in the triangle. Service was pretty fast, sushi was so fresh had really great unique flavors. Loved the ambiance and decor. Very intimate atmosphere. Overall 10/10 will come back to try their omakase. read more

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Best Sushi I've had outside of Japan! M sushi is a fine dinning experience. If you go - the best way to order is to get the omakase meal, this will be most authentic. The fish on the sushi truly melts in your mouth like butter which is my favorite part of high quality sushi. Our server was knowledgeable about the fish & great with conversation about the food. This is an upscale spot perfect for a nicer business dinner or special occasion. read more

M Sushi - Omakase part 1 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Hands down best sushi i've ever had. I got the bento box! Ruined all other sushi for me forever because it can never be as good as the sushi I had here. read more

For an omakase counter experience at this price point, I expect a high level of professionalism, attentiveness, and respect toward the guest. During my meal, the chef and his apprentices/assistant repeatedly whispered to one another and laughed while I was seated directly in front of them. I cannot claim to know exactly what was being said, but the behavior was noticeable, repeated, and made the dining experience deeply uncomfortable. At a bar-style omakase, the guest is in direct view of the chefs throughout the meal. Because of that, the kitchen's demeanor is part of the service. Whispering and laughing among staff in front of a solo diner creates an atmosphere that feels exclusionary and disrespectful, regardless of intent. I have been visiting this restaurant since 2022, so this was especially disappointing. The food itself may be carefully prepared, but the overall experience did not reflect the level of seriousness, hospitality, or professionalism I associate with omakase. read more

around Downtown Durham and ended up at M Sushi on 311 Holland St. We just wanted something quick and ordered a few sushi rolls. The rolls looked pretty nice when they came out -- colorful with different toppings, sauces drizzled on top, and some green onions. The fish tasted fresh enough and the rice was okay, not too hard or mushy. But honestly, the flavors were just average. Some rolls were a bit too sweet from the sauce, others a little salty from the roe. It was creative, but nothing that really blew me away. The place has a nice warm wooden table vibe and the lighting is good for photos. Service was quick, no long wait. Price-wise, it felt a little expensive for Durham -- four rolls and we weren't super impressed with the value. It was fine for a casual meal, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back just for the sushi. Might try something else next time or their omakase to see if it's better. read more

M Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Delicious, fresh, high quality sushi! We were blown away with our meal and overall experience here. We stated with the crispy rice and tuna with truffle oil and radish. Superb! Best bite we had of the night! We then shared multiple specialty rolls and a tuna roll. The tuna wasn't anything to write home about so I would stick to the specialty rolls. We enjoyed them greatly. The matcha cheesecake was light and matcha forward and the chocolate tart was so rich and creamy! If we get the chance to return we will try the omakase tasting menu, we were just pressed for time on this visit. Service was friendly and professional and the overall ambiance was date night vibes. Such a fun evening! read more

Overall I think the omakase experience was definitely worth a try. It was a little pricey but better than outside prices for the same experience. The chefs were so kind and told us what each piece was before eating it and the best way to eat the sushi. It was overall a great date night or even friends hangout spot, but definitely have to make a reservation with the popularity it has. Food quality was really good and sushi was delicious. read more

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Not bad at all, but maybe I was expecting more based on the hype? We got the Nigiri omekase at the bar, which was an excellent experience getting to see our sushi freshly-made and interact with the chef. However, the bar was extremely crowded, and I was touching the butts with the next party. Maybe that is just the bar experience, but since we had made reservations months in advance, I had hoped the seating would have been better-figured out vs what felt like an afterthought. Good selection of unique cuts and fish that were seasoned well (bit more wasabi-forward than other sushi places I've been, but I like wasabi so it' was great). I did not love though that the only variation on the standard Nigiri fish/rice combo that we were served was just with having green onion or fried onion on top - wish there had been other more interesting ingredients in play. Interior was nice and buzzy, clean, and cozy, nothing remarkable bad nor good. Decent and worth trying but regarding the hype, there are a couple other sushi places in the triangle I would recommend over this. read more

M Sushi - Drink menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We went partially because we're Top Chef fans, but we were also intrigued by a Japanese brunch. We sat at the bar so we could watch the cooking which was really fun to engage. Please be aware there is no Omakase at brunch, but there's a whole bunch of intriguing choices and we quite enjoyed it. It is meant to be shared the only challenge we had was picking which dishes to order. We thought the omelette was incredible and I think that was the biggest surprise The only disappointment at least for brunch it doesn't seem you can trust the online system if there's space or not. We were driving home so we thought we'd chance to see if we could get in for brunch even though it looked like it might be filled. read more

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Absolutely fantastic sushi experience -- worth the $$$ Had the pleasure of trying the $75 nigiri omakase here and wow -- it did not disappoint. Every single piece was beautifully crafted and bursting with fresh flavor. The attention to detail was obvious in both the presentation and the quality of the fish. Comparable to spots I've been to in NYC. My absolute favorite was the seared salmon belly -- buttery, rich, and it literally melted in my mouth. Every bite throughout the omakase felt intentional and well-balanced, with amazing texture and taste. The vibe of the restaurant is modern, intimate, and perfect for a date night or special evening out. Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing -- they really made the whole experience feel smooth and elevated. Definitely one of the best sushi spots I've been to in a while. I'll most definitely be coming back! read more

M Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Believe the hype. We've eaten here before but it was a long time ago. We decided to return for my birthday and reserved seats at the bar area right in front of where they make the sushi. We both got the basic omakase which came with multiple courses. Everything was fresh and of excellent quality. Yes, it costs more but this is a high-end sushi establishment. They didn't do anything special for my birthday but that was okay. It's nice when it's noticed but not mandatory. Definitely worth a splurge. read more

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I came here to celebrate my birthday and was a bit disappointing. The place itself is like a dark brick warehouse dungeon, but it was busy, and it had a good vibe. Kitchen has that open feel and we were seated across from it. Perfect view to see the plates coming out. Our server was amazing. She explained the menu to us and gave some recommendations. We tried the miso soup, the salmon sashimi, the tuna crispy rice, the rainbow roll, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. I wish I could say the rolls were good, but sad to say that I've had better at other places. The crispy rice on the roll was not crispy at all. It was soggy. The pieces on top of the rainbow roll were tiny and the sushi kept falling apart when picked up. I ordered simple dishes because I was here with my family, which included my kiddos. None of us were impressed. I reeaaaallly wanted to try the grand omakase but unfortunately everyone at the table had to participate and that was not going to happen. Few things; Definitely make reservations. Do not get confused by the restaurant on the corner which is also sushi. For some reason our directions took us there. They were kind enough to let us know we were looking for the restaurant next door. Parking is a bit complicated and busy. We ended up parking in a structure a bit down from the restaurant. We came on a weekday, can't imagine on a weekend. Be prepared. I, unfortunately, have no desires to come here again. It is a pricey sushi place and I don't think it was amazing for the price. Our favorite dishes were the miso soup and the dessert. Don't think that says much. Bummer. I apologize for the pictures. It was dark inside. Not the best. read more

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Sushi was so delicious and fresh! Some of the best food I experienced in Durham! Quick and easy pick up.

Ordered online for pick up, which was a super easy and smooth process! Got the M Special Roll and Seared Salmon Roll. Both were really fresh and delicious. Definitely on the pricier side for the modest quantity, but the quality makes up for it! read more

M Sushi - M Special Roll (left), Seared Salmon Roll (right) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I tried their mango sushi for the first time two weeks ago and I've legit been back at least 3 times since that visit. It's sooo good and fresh, 10/10 recommend! read more

This restaurant was recommended by one of our customers so we went there for dinner. I made reservations for eight people at 6:30 PM. We had a little bit of weight about 15 minutes when we got there. The service was really good and very attentive. The food was excellent. We ordered a bunch of appetizers from the crispy tuna rice, dumplings, bao buns, tuna sashimi. We also all ordered our own sushi. I got the traditional tuna, avocado, and salmon rolls, and they tasted fresh and delicious. Prices were a little on the high side, but well worth it for the delicious sushi. read more

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Best sushi I've ever had in my entire life. Ive been hearing about this place and have been wanting to check it out myself, and boy am I glad I did. I've realized I've been eating sub-par sushi my entire life. This sushi is grade A quality, I haven't had sushi like this anywhere else and I've been to some of the nicest restaurants in the world. Sitting at the bar and seeing them make the sushi fresh right in front of you, you can tell everyone in the kitchen is focused and passionate about making the best food possible and the perfect presentation on each plate. Watching them in action really adds to the experience & ambiance, knowing that there is love and passion going into every single piece of sushi. The service was great, there wasn't a moment we couldn't find our server or the dirty plates weren't immediately taken. Cooper also had great recommendations, the seared salmon roll and the m roll were absolutely fantastic. A must visit if you're in Durham looking for a great restaurant to visit! We drove from Greensboro just to have dinner here, and we would do it again. read more

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Hands down the best Sushi in the triad. I would stack this against any "big" city sushi restaurant. The Grand Omakase seems pricey but is a fabulous experience. The Lite Omakase is a great choice as well. Fourth visit here and never been disappointed. read more

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This is my new favorite restaurant in Durham! I was able to get a reservation for a Friday night, and it was packed the entire time I was there. We ordered the matcha beer, sashimi sampler, rainbow roll, and M special roll. We enjoyed everything and only wished there was more. The service was fast and attentive! Would highly recommend for a great date night! read more

M Sushi - Sashimi sampler - Sushi Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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All good things must come to end There seems to have been a recent change in management and the current staff don't know the menu all that well. My issue was with the donburi, which we asked for without wasabi. We noticed that there was no tako in the dish and when we asked the waitress about it, she claimed that it was in there! The upper management was only able to clarify after checking with the chefs. Super weird that they didn't know or mention that taking out the wasabi meant no tako. The crudo and crispy tuna was not bad. We finished with the yuzu semifreddo which was way too sour. Overall, the experience here is a shadow of what it was in the past. Service was slow too. The new Cary location is much better read more

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