Nama Sushi Bar
2300 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN, 37203
Nama Sushi Bar Menu
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Address :
2300 Elliston Pl
Nashville, TN, 37203 - Phone (615) 933-6262
- Website https://namasushibar.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
- Mon : 11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kayce T.
Rachel was awesome, she suggested the Ex-Girlfriend and didn't disappoint. Seviche was great, and the tempura roll delish! Staff was warm and friendly!
(5)Christina D.
As a Knoxvillian located in middle Tennessee, I have been waiting patiently for this location to open. Unfortunately, this Nama has a bit to go before being able to be compared to its mother. The server selection here seems a bit unselective, I have always been more than happy with the servers in Knoxville. The Nashville location had many young servers, and we could hardly understand what are server was telling us, which I find a pretty important part of serving. I went on half price night ( Mondays and Thursday) and was relieved to find that the roles haven't changed! I will say the tempura roll ( my favorite) was a bit smaller than normal, and the orange crush was not "orangey". Hopefully these things will adjust themselves in the next months of getting the kinks worked out.
(4)Jeni M.
So Fresh! Enjoyed a lunch here for the first time. The main menu is a bit overwhelming but the sushi options are much more diverse than other restaurants in the area. I tried the Marley sushi roll as well as the soy joy roll. Marley roll is vegetarian with tofu, as asparagus and mango covered in jerk seasoning. Soy joy is spicy tuna with albacore and wrapped in soy paper. They were both incredibly fresh tasting. Soy joy was the best piece of sushi I've had in a long time. Do not miss this place! Great lunch specials and friendly/knowledgable staff.
(4)Samantha N.
Recommend the half price sushi days! We had the soy joy, pizza roll, and Kim Chee and rice. Also, on the main menu, enjoyed the tuna poke. If you like seaweed, this is a must!
(4)Kylie H.
The ambiance of Nama stands out against the other sushi spots on Elliston. It's a great place to fulfill your sushi fix, have a nice dinner with friends and not spend a fortune. Drinks are also reasonably priced. Sushi was good, the only thing I did not care for was the calamari appetizer.
(4)Daniella B.
Over priced sushi. If you want to pay for atmosphere and inauthenticity, this is your place. Sushi chefs looks like they are American college kids who responded to a groupon deal on how to make sushi. Go to Samurai instead. Quality is much better.
(1)Leslie J.
I guess my expectations were too high, as this restaurant has been recommended as one of the new hot spots in Nashville, and not just for sushi. Well, I was a little underwhelmed. The sushi was good, without a doubt, but, it's hard to make a roll worth $18. There were also some little things...like the fact that their "house" champagne is J Roget?? It's $3.00/bottle at the wine store...the worst. And, they sell it for $7/glass?? Come on, now. Any decent restaurant should not have J Roget in their establishment! The hot sake also seemed bland, with a watered down flavor. The highlight of our meal was the ceviche...oddly! Lots of fresh fish and shellfish mixed with pico, and avocado slices on the side. It came with a basket of chips which were not even needed. The ceviche can stand alone! As far as atmosphere goes, the space is beautiful...large/open, clean, modern, and with an outdoor patio that will be great when it cools off a bit. Also, we had great service from the bartender, Jay. I would definitely return, but I might try it on half-priced sushi night!
(3)Angus N.
Really enjoyed this place, we brought the kids. It was a mellow Monday night, half price sushi. Loved the Pizza roll and the Soy Joy. We didn't order any sashimi, not sure about that this far inland.
(4)Vanessa K.
I love me some good sushi and I found some here! The rolls are bigger than most and they were delicious. My group ordered the Boston, Crazy tuna, and Fancy Scallop rolls. We also ordered the calamari to start, which was a bit chewier than I like, but it helped me save room for the sushi. We got som cocktails that had a hint of alcohol thrown in there and weren't mixed very well so I would just go with a beer next time. The place was cute & modern inside and the ambiance was good - we sat at the bar and watched a game. The more I write this review I realize the place wasn't bad and I did very much enjoy the sushi, but that's about it. I'll probably come back if I can't find parking for Samurai, which is what happened on this visit..
(4)Michelle L.
Went on a night that was not busy with my boyfriend because we LOVE sushi, (not just because we're asian, but we just grew up with it, so i mean, we definitely know our sushi) and we wanted to try this place out since we're so close to it. Keep in mind that we DO NOT mind paying 100 dollars for dinner for two. We usually eat a higher end meal at LEAST once a week. We've been to multiple sushi joints all over nashville. Including places like Samurai, Tenno, and Wild Ginger (HIGHLY recommend). We definitely had high expectations for this place. VISUALLY: VERY appealing. The atmosphere is great, wine list had a good variety. We ordered the ex-girlfriend which was one of our server's favorite. It was pretty good! my boyfriend got some kind of sushi platter that came with a basic roll. The roll that came on his platter was just SO BLAND. It was just lacking that burst of flavor that a roll should have. Not only that, i noticed my boyfriend was not touching his sashimi or nigiri pieces. I asked him what was wrong, and he said that it smelled funny. Being a server myself, i always want to give the restaurant and it's workers the benefit of the doubt. I've dealt with one too many difficult customers that were just so rude. Eventually, i took a whiff of the fish, and WOW DID THAT THING SMELL. It actually smelled like ...well, FISH. Like it had been left out too long instead of in the fridge or something. Just COULD NOT eat it. Definitely disappointed. I think we paid about 70 dollars including tip? but it was not worth out money. Not thinking of going back. Maybe just to try their sweet potato mousse and kitchen dishes? but for the sushi? nope. no thank you.
(2)EdDee P.
My boyfriend and I came here opening day. Service was great. Staff very friendly. It was not too busy (yet) prices are expensive but the portions are big. Usually we order 5or6 rolls from o sake down the street. We ordered 3 and were full. Rolls were amazing! We will defiantly come back. Drinks were amazing! However, we will be rotating shifts with o sake
(3)Will P.
Just checked this place out for the first time. Love the vibe. It's hip. It's urban. It's everything a new downtown restaurant should be. On mondays and thursdays apparently they do a few of the cheaper rolls for half price, so we definitely took advantage of that. We also indulged in the crab-asiago w/ Naan appetizer which was good. I give it 3 stars mainly because the normal prices are pretty high for a sushi place, and the service was fine but not great. I'd give it a half star bump if I could. Aw screw it I'll give it 4 for trying.
(4)Suz J.
I just started their lunch club with my Lunch Club card from Nama Sushi. They stamp it when I go for lunch and give me a $20 gift certificate on my tenth lunch visit. The Soy Joy albacore tuna roll is about eight pieces of sushi with crumchy cucumber and my preferred there. It's flavored with horseradishy wasabi and a generous application of eel sauce. Nama in the E23 is a little snazzier than the typical Nashville sushi restaurant. Table settings and service are comparable to the Belle Meade sushi place I go to although the sushi at the west sushi bar is better. Prices match this West End location, so I'll be going in the future when they have their half off / half price specials on the sushi or on the alcohol.
(4)Trey B.
Very good sushi. Love the half price on Monday and Thursday. Rolls to try: JG Tempura Soy Joy Atlantic
(5)Randi T.
always excited to try a new sushi place in town. our usual go-to is Samurai, this place is definitely an upscale version with overloaded rolls. we were overwhelmed with the menu but our server was super patient with us. we started with the calamari salad - DELISH. thumbs up. next was the crab dip - thumbs up again. not sure I would order again, but my husband definitely would... the rolls... fancy scallop roll was okay.... just not that flavor full and full of creamy sauce. we did the sushi platter chef's choice ($25) and got to choose what nigiri and sashimi fish we wanted (great plus to that) and also what special roll we wanted - the chef will make anything. our server told us to pick one of the expensive rolls and we can alter it any way we want. long story short, we got the wrong roll and thank god. it was fried (was that a fried eggplant on my sushi?) and was drowning in creamy sauce. our server saw it was wrong and came right over and got us a new roll. the new one was good but again, 3 sauces too many. the sashimi was really good and tasted fresh, thumbs up for that. we would go back, but not order rolls again, sashimi and appetizer orders only.
(3)Andrea K.
Not even a competition, this is the best sushi in Nashville!! I've brought quite a few out of town guests and Nama has blown each of them away. The ingredients are always fresh with a huge variety of flavors. My favorites are the Royale roll and the Orange Crunch (there's also an Orange Crush which is good, but the crunch is incredible). I also recommend the red sangria... Amazing!! If you sit at the sushi bar it's worth ordering the chen's choice. They'll talk you through what they are doing and let you sample along the way the be sure you like what they're creating. I HIGHLY recommend Nama for any occasion. It's a fun, trendy atmosphere with the seriously delicious sushi.
(5)Josh B.
Had a delicious meal there, will definitely be going back. Ate edamame as an app. Seaweed salad to start and a delicious tuna burger as a meal! Service was great, food was excellent. I had some sampling a of another's sushi and it was fantastic! Time to go back soon.
(5)Padma L.
Hot new Sushi bar , Nama is amazing!! Food is tasty, the atmosphere cool and the service exceptional from our server Leah!! Visiting Nashville but will definitely be back!!
(5)Joel L.
Leah was a wonderful server in a swanky atmosphere. The tempura roll was fabulous. The udon noodles were cooked just right. Highly recommend this restaurant to those who like their sushi.
(5)Seth E.
I used to frequent Nama's location in Knoxville and had very high expectations for this location in Nashville that opened recently. I have to say, this location blew my expectations out of the water. Service and food is excellent! Best sushi in Nashville hands down.
(5)Jessica N.
Love this place! The service is great! And the sushi is awesome! We always get the chef special! :)
(4)Isabel C.
The sushi was unique and amazing. However, dinner prices are too high for me to go back at that time. $16 for one roll. And I like to have 2 or 3. Lunch prices are more reasonable. Great lunch spot.
(4)Jamie M.
Overall impression is mixed. Atmosphere is great but the sushi is no fresher than other sushi restaurants in Nashville. However this is easily the most expensive sushi restaurant in Nashville. Unfortunately our experience was poor: several prices of nigiri had skin on them, maki rolls (just rice, fish and seaweed wrapper) were mostly rice with strips of fish skinnier than a nickel, low sodium soy sauce had been refilled with regular soy sauce, miso soup was tiny (5 spoon fills; no kidding). The food prep was not consistent either, as re-orders were sometimes better and sometimes worse but never the same. We might try again in a couple of months and hope the food prep issues have been worked out. But price points should also be adjusted for what is plated. Samurai down the street is fresher and cheaper but has hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. All tradeoffs.
(2)Brian N.
I live a few blocks from here, and finally stopped in today. I'm really not sure what to think. It's a good looking restaurant, but it seemed soulless and to just be following "cool" design trends, rather than the result of any particular aesthetic vision; it looked like a chain restaurant, and I try my best to avoid chains. There were surprisingly few vegetarian options on the lunch menu, so I ordered off the main menu, and it was expensive for what it was. Was it good? It was...okay. I had a crunchy veggie roll and a veggie bowl, and, while they were both decent, they weren't good or different enough for me to want to go back at the prices they asked for. The service -- Juan and some other woman who's name I didn't catch -- were very attentive. I don't know how business has been -- it was empty at lunch, but this is Christmas week and, I suppose, a lot of people are otherwise engaged -- but it seems to be a bit generic to do well in an area that might call for more eclectic food and design. It seemed just one step above mall sushi. I might try it again or dinner to see if there's an improvement.
(3)J L.
We ate here this past Saturday evening. I definitely noticed the decor first - very pretty place. Also, complimentary valet parking and the valet staff was very friendly. The hostess and the folks at the bar were super nice as well. Once seated, our server was OK - he wasn't the friendliest individual, but maybe it was just an off day. He wasn't rude or anything, so it wasn't a big deal. The food is a little pricey, but all of the food we ordered tasted amazing! I would definitely go back. We will have to try going on a Monday next time.
(4)Charlotte Y.
Nama is hands-down the best sushi restaurant in TN! There are two or three locations in Knoxville, and the Nashville Nama is the first franchise location. The ones in Knoxville are a booming success and with good reason! The food is delicious, authentic, and very filling at a reasonable price (especially on the half-priced nights)
(5)Sherry Y.
A spacious, modern two-floor restaurant, Nama takes the cake on contemporary ambience at Elliston Place. While the interior and the expansive cocktail menu impresses, the food is still pretty delectable. Since my table ordered lunch specials, we were able to get around the high prices many Yelpers duly noted. However, I was able to get my Philly smoked salmon roll, miso soup, and house salad for $9 on a Sunday. Not a bad price, especially with a live jazz band strumming in the background. While "Honeysuckle Rose" sang, we enjoyed a fresh meal chock full of fresh veggies. My only critique is that the chef used far too much miso or salt in the soup, rendering it a briny, eye-wincing ordeal. However, service here is professional and warm. Our server was incredibly attentive, even though it was also her lunch hour. She brought out all of our food in under 10 minutes flat, maybe less. I would advise those looking for a fancy lunch to come here, and perhaps skip on evening affairs unless it's just for drinks and a light bite.
(4)Hye Eun C.
It's great to have a good sushi bar close to Vanderbilt. Although the prices here are pretty steep, Nama does seem to offer several lunch deals and happy hour specials every day. My bf and I tried the pork dumplings ($5 happy hour special) and 4 rolls. All were pretty good. The rolls were beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. While the sushi here isn't authentic per say, it is still worth a try. Just make sure your pockets are deep or opt to come during half priced sushi days!
(4)Allison L.
DOUBLE the price for half the food... Patchy service and don't expect to chit chat with the sushi chefs. I'll be surprised if this place lasts three months. Fresh fish... For now, but cutting corners is right up their alley. As I waited well over half an hour for a roll when the place was dead,I tried to understand why my iced tea was $4 and my ahi poke was $12! With less fish than a roll. I'd rather go across the street to Samurai where at least there is some authenticity and charm.
(2)Ashley T.
Just like the two Knoxville locations, Mondays/Thursdays are half price sushi night. Same sushi rolls are on the list, thank God, because since moving to Nashville, I have missed the tempura roll! I will say this one just didn't hit the mark quite like the Knoxville locations do, but it was still very good and it filled the void I've been missing from my favorite sushi restaurant back home! Hopefully this location will stick around! I'll be back for half price sushi as this is normally a $16 sushi roll for $8. I'm also curious about the Japanese sweet potato mousse...
(4)Stefanie P.
**Monday Nights 1/2 Price Rolls** - Select Rolls that is. We went on a Monday and got the Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura, Cali Roll, Soy Joy. They said they can't bring them all out at once and they do courses. Um okay. We hate the first 2 rolls fast, and then waiting a few more minutes for the other 2 rolls and crushed them. My favorite: Soy Joy. We only ate sushi on this night! We we're still hungry and got something off the full price menu crazy tuna for $16. There were about 10 pieces and it was alright. It's a big place and there are TVs and it just sorta feels like your in a condo restaurant. Maybe they need more decor on the walls, I'm not real sure. Our server was very sweet, and new alot about the menu. Free Parking in garage, valet was available and we saw a few street spots as well. I agree with the other yelpers reviews that its just okay. Its not amazing but its not the worst. It's just okay. I wish I could write something more specific or exciting.
(3)Liz V.
I absolutely love this place! I am a regular here for lunch. I can easily get in, have a nice sit down lunch, and get out and back to work. The wait is never long and the sushi rolls are amazing. I usually order off of the lunch menu and either get the Philly or Atlantic rolls, both of which, are nothing short of AWESOME! The wait staff is always super nice and attentive. Be sure to ask about their lunch loyalty program if you frequently visit for lunch. After so many visits for lunch, I received $20 in gift certificates and they email coupons as well. The decor is nice, modern, and trendy and I love the atmosphere. I have nothing but nice things to say about this place!
(4)FoodCritic 6.
This place was okay! Not all that. Very nice and upscale place. Whet there with a group of friends waiting one hour for our food. The sushi was not all that. If you want good sushi I wouldn't go there. Better place around town than this place. Too over priced for some loose sushi.
(2)Cary B.
Daughter and I are in town for college orientation. Staying nearby at Hilton Homewood Suites. Nama's is a block away. We had 2 appetizers: seaweed salad and tomato/avocado salad. Both were delicious, but the tomato/avocado salad lacked some flavor which was quickly remedied by some sea salt. We had 3 sushi rolls: Cali, Crunchy Shrimp, and Dragon. Would definitely get the last 2 again. Outstanding!! The Cali was a crab and mayo blend, not a whole piece of crab. Had more flavor but not a lot of crab meat. We took our desserts to go: truffles, and salted caramel cheesecake. Small portions but divine!! Service was slow on a Monday night but we weren't in a hurry. And the place was very busy. My daughter now knows of a good sushi place here in Nashville within walking distance from college.
(4)Emily Myles H.
Namas food was great. I went with some girlfriends on Monday which happens to be half priced sushi night. We shared the crab and asiago dip to start which was awesome. I got the tempura roll and it was fantastic, great flavor. Service was just OK. Will definitely be back .
(4)Chelsea J.
Their lunch special can't be beat! The sushi is fresh, flavorful, and service is (usually) great. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner though, its a little too pricey.
(4)Sheri L.
Great service. Great location and ambience for a fun night out. Creative sushi and hot dishes.
(5)Kayce T.
Rachel was awesome, she suggested the Ex-Girlfriend and didn't disappoint. Seviche was great, and the tempura roll delish! Staff was warm and friendly!
(5)Allison B.
Just okay. Over priced
(2)Christina D.
As a Knoxvillian located in middle Tennessee, I have been waiting patiently for this location to open. Unfortunately, this Nama has a bit to go before being able to be compared to its mother. The server selection here seems a bit unselective, I have always been more than happy with the servers in Knoxville. The Nashville location had many young servers, and we could hardly understand what are server was telling us, which I find a pretty important part of serving. I went on half price night ( Mondays and Thursday) and was relieved to find that the roles haven't changed! I will say the tempura roll ( my favorite) was a bit smaller than normal, and the orange crush was not "orangey". Hopefully these things will adjust themselves in the next months of getting the kinks worked out.
(4)Jeni M.
So Fresh! Enjoyed a lunch here for the first time. The main menu is a bit overwhelming but the sushi options are much more diverse than other restaurants in the area. I tried the Marley sushi roll as well as the soy joy roll. Marley roll is vegetarian with tofu, as asparagus and mango covered in jerk seasoning. Soy joy is spicy tuna with albacore and wrapped in soy paper. They were both incredibly fresh tasting. Soy joy was the best piece of sushi I've had in a long time. Do not miss this place! Great lunch specials and friendly/knowledgable staff.
(4)Samantha N.
Recommend the half price sushi days! We had the soy joy, pizza roll, and Kim Chee and rice. Also, on the main menu, enjoyed the tuna poke. If you like seaweed, this is a must!
(4)Kylie H.
The ambiance of Nama stands out against the other sushi spots on Elliston. It's a great place to fulfill your sushi fix, have a nice dinner with friends and not spend a fortune. Drinks are also reasonably priced. Sushi was good, the only thing I did not care for was the calamari appetizer.
(4)Daniella B.
Over priced sushi. If you want to pay for atmosphere and inauthenticity, this is your place. Sushi chefs looks like they are American college kids who responded to a groupon deal on how to make sushi. Go to Samurai instead. Quality is much better.
(1)Leslie J.
I guess my expectations were too high, as this restaurant has been recommended as one of the new hot spots in Nashville, and not just for sushi. Well, I was a little underwhelmed. The sushi was good, without a doubt, but, it's hard to make a roll worth $18. There were also some little things...like the fact that their "house" champagne is J Roget?? It's $3.00/bottle at the wine store...the worst. And, they sell it for $7/glass?? Come on, now. Any decent restaurant should not have J Roget in their establishment! The hot sake also seemed bland, with a watered down flavor. The highlight of our meal was the ceviche...oddly! Lots of fresh fish and shellfish mixed with pico, and avocado slices on the side. It came with a basket of chips which were not even needed. The ceviche can stand alone! As far as atmosphere goes, the space is beautiful...large/open, clean, modern, and with an outdoor patio that will be great when it cools off a bit. Also, we had great service from the bartender, Jay. I would definitely return, but I might try it on half-priced sushi night!
(3)Angus N.
Really enjoyed this place, we brought the kids. It was a mellow Monday night, half price sushi. Loved the Pizza roll and the Soy Joy. We didn't order any sashimi, not sure about that this far inland.
(4)Vanessa K.
I love me some good sushi and I found some here! The rolls are bigger than most and they were delicious. My group ordered the Boston, Crazy tuna, and Fancy Scallop rolls. We also ordered the calamari to start, which was a bit chewier than I like, but it helped me save room for the sushi. We got som cocktails that had a hint of alcohol thrown in there and weren't mixed very well so I would just go with a beer next time. The place was cute & modern inside and the ambiance was good - we sat at the bar and watched a game. The more I write this review I realize the place wasn't bad and I did very much enjoy the sushi, but that's about it. I'll probably come back if I can't find parking for Samurai, which is what happened on this visit..
(4)Michelle L.
Went on a night that was not busy with my boyfriend because we LOVE sushi, (not just because we're asian, but we just grew up with it, so i mean, we definitely know our sushi) and we wanted to try this place out since we're so close to it. Keep in mind that we DO NOT mind paying 100 dollars for dinner for two. We usually eat a higher end meal at LEAST once a week. We've been to multiple sushi joints all over nashville. Including places like Samurai, Tenno, and Wild Ginger (HIGHLY recommend). We definitely had high expectations for this place. VISUALLY: VERY appealing. The atmosphere is great, wine list had a good variety. We ordered the ex-girlfriend which was one of our server's favorite. It was pretty good! my boyfriend got some kind of sushi platter that came with a basic roll. The roll that came on his platter was just SO BLAND. It was just lacking that burst of flavor that a roll should have. Not only that, i noticed my boyfriend was not touching his sashimi or nigiri pieces. I asked him what was wrong, and he said that it smelled funny. Being a server myself, i always want to give the restaurant and it's workers the benefit of the doubt. I've dealt with one too many difficult customers that were just so rude. Eventually, i took a whiff of the fish, and WOW DID THAT THING SMELL. It actually smelled like ...well, FISH. Like it had been left out too long instead of in the fridge or something. Just COULD NOT eat it. Definitely disappointed. I think we paid about 70 dollars including tip? but it was not worth out money. Not thinking of going back. Maybe just to try their sweet potato mousse and kitchen dishes? but for the sushi? nope. no thank you.
(2)EdDee P.
My boyfriend and I came here opening day. Service was great. Staff very friendly. It was not too busy (yet) prices are expensive but the portions are big. Usually we order 5or6 rolls from o sake down the street. We ordered 3 and were full. Rolls were amazing! We will defiantly come back. Drinks were amazing! However, we will be rotating shifts with o sake
(3)Will P.
Just checked this place out for the first time. Love the vibe. It's hip. It's urban. It's everything a new downtown restaurant should be. On mondays and thursdays apparently they do a few of the cheaper rolls for half price, so we definitely took advantage of that. We also indulged in the crab-asiago w/ Naan appetizer which was good. I give it 3 stars mainly because the normal prices are pretty high for a sushi place, and the service was fine but not great. I'd give it a half star bump if I could. Aw screw it I'll give it 4 for trying.
(4)Suz J.
I just started their lunch club with my Lunch Club card from Nama Sushi. They stamp it when I go for lunch and give me a $20 gift certificate on my tenth lunch visit. The Soy Joy albacore tuna roll is about eight pieces of sushi with crumchy cucumber and my preferred there. It's flavored with horseradishy wasabi and a generous application of eel sauce. Nama in the E23 is a little snazzier than the typical Nashville sushi restaurant. Table settings and service are comparable to the Belle Meade sushi place I go to although the sushi at the west sushi bar is better. Prices match this West End location, so I'll be going in the future when they have their half off / half price specials on the sushi or on the alcohol.
(4)Trey B.
Very good sushi. Love the half price on Monday and Thursday. Rolls to try: JG Tempura Soy Joy Atlantic
(5)Randi T.
always excited to try a new sushi place in town. our usual go-to is Samurai, this place is definitely an upscale version with overloaded rolls. we were overwhelmed with the menu but our server was super patient with us. we started with the calamari salad - DELISH. thumbs up. next was the crab dip - thumbs up again. not sure I would order again, but my husband definitely would... the rolls... fancy scallop roll was okay.... just not that flavor full and full of creamy sauce. we did the sushi platter chef's choice ($25) and got to choose what nigiri and sashimi fish we wanted (great plus to that) and also what special roll we wanted - the chef will make anything. our server told us to pick one of the expensive rolls and we can alter it any way we want. long story short, we got the wrong roll and thank god. it was fried (was that a fried eggplant on my sushi?) and was drowning in creamy sauce. our server saw it was wrong and came right over and got us a new roll. the new one was good but again, 3 sauces too many. the sashimi was really good and tasted fresh, thumbs up for that. we would go back, but not order rolls again, sashimi and appetizer orders only.
(3)Andrea K.
Not even a competition, this is the best sushi in Nashville!! I've brought quite a few out of town guests and Nama has blown each of them away. The ingredients are always fresh with a huge variety of flavors. My favorites are the Royale roll and the Orange Crunch (there's also an Orange Crush which is good, but the crunch is incredible). I also recommend the red sangria... Amazing!! If you sit at the sushi bar it's worth ordering the chen's choice. They'll talk you through what they are doing and let you sample along the way the be sure you like what they're creating. I HIGHLY recommend Nama for any occasion. It's a fun, trendy atmosphere with the seriously delicious sushi.
(5)Josh B.
Had a delicious meal there, will definitely be going back. Ate edamame as an app. Seaweed salad to start and a delicious tuna burger as a meal! Service was great, food was excellent. I had some sampling a of another's sushi and it was fantastic! Time to go back soon.
(5)Padma L.
Hot new Sushi bar , Nama is amazing!! Food is tasty, the atmosphere cool and the service exceptional from our server Leah!! Visiting Nashville but will definitely be back!!
(5)Joel L.
Leah was a wonderful server in a swanky atmosphere. The tempura roll was fabulous. The udon noodles were cooked just right. Highly recommend this restaurant to those who like their sushi.
(5)Seth E.
I used to frequent Nama's location in Knoxville and had very high expectations for this location in Nashville that opened recently. I have to say, this location blew my expectations out of the water. Service and food is excellent! Best sushi in Nashville hands down.
(5)Jessica N.
Love this place! The service is great! And the sushi is awesome! We always get the chef special! :)
(4)Isabel C.
The sushi was unique and amazing. However, dinner prices are too high for me to go back at that time. $16 for one roll. And I like to have 2 or 3. Lunch prices are more reasonable. Great lunch spot.
(4)Jamie M.
Overall impression is mixed. Atmosphere is great but the sushi is no fresher than other sushi restaurants in Nashville. However this is easily the most expensive sushi restaurant in Nashville. Unfortunately our experience was poor: several prices of nigiri had skin on them, maki rolls (just rice, fish and seaweed wrapper) were mostly rice with strips of fish skinnier than a nickel, low sodium soy sauce had been refilled with regular soy sauce, miso soup was tiny (5 spoon fills; no kidding). The food prep was not consistent either, as re-orders were sometimes better and sometimes worse but never the same. We might try again in a couple of months and hope the food prep issues have been worked out. But price points should also be adjusted for what is plated. Samurai down the street is fresher and cheaper but has hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. All tradeoffs.
(2)Brian N.
I live a few blocks from here, and finally stopped in today. I'm really not sure what to think. It's a good looking restaurant, but it seemed soulless and to just be following "cool" design trends, rather than the result of any particular aesthetic vision; it looked like a chain restaurant, and I try my best to avoid chains. There were surprisingly few vegetarian options on the lunch menu, so I ordered off the main menu, and it was expensive for what it was. Was it good? It was...okay. I had a crunchy veggie roll and a veggie bowl, and, while they were both decent, they weren't good or different enough for me to want to go back at the prices they asked for. The service -- Juan and some other woman who's name I didn't catch -- were very attentive. I don't know how business has been -- it was empty at lunch, but this is Christmas week and, I suppose, a lot of people are otherwise engaged -- but it seems to be a bit generic to do well in an area that might call for more eclectic food and design. It seemed just one step above mall sushi. I might try it again or dinner to see if there's an improvement.
(3)J L.
We ate here this past Saturday evening. I definitely noticed the decor first - very pretty place. Also, complimentary valet parking and the valet staff was very friendly. The hostess and the folks at the bar were super nice as well. Once seated, our server was OK - he wasn't the friendliest individual, but maybe it was just an off day. He wasn't rude or anything, so it wasn't a big deal. The food is a little pricey, but all of the food we ordered tasted amazing! I would definitely go back. We will have to try going on a Monday next time.
(4)Charlotte Y.
Nama is hands-down the best sushi restaurant in TN! There are two or three locations in Knoxville, and the Nashville Nama is the first franchise location. The ones in Knoxville are a booming success and with good reason! The food is delicious, authentic, and very filling at a reasonable price (especially on the half-priced nights)
(5)Johnny T.
I'm glad to see more recent reviews 'getting' Nama. No, this isn't your mom & pop sushi spot. Yes, the prices are probably higher than you want to pay for a to-go order. But this isn't a to-go kind of spot. This is a destination spot for a fun evening of eating and drinking. Thing is, if you want a more affordable, casual experience, you can get it here. The lunch menu/special is cost effective and Nama offers a happy hour that introduces their food/drink program for reduced price. Look up, look down, look all around... this is why the prices are higher. The folks behind the Nama machine spent time, effort and money to construct a visual appealing place (that patio alone) at which people would want to spend some time. Yes, it's an interesting situation that there are other sushi restaurants within spitting distance but they offer very different experiences.* This is a fun, sexy place to which you could take your gf, boss or buddy and have a fantastic experience. I've spoken on the decor and vibe... let's get to the food. It's awesome. Nama offers a broad Japanese food experience. While the maki is good, allow yourself some time to venture past the sushi offerings. When it comes to rolls, the caterpillar (eel, snow crab, cucumber topped with avocado and eel sauce) and crazy tuna (spicy tuna, cucumber topped with seared albacore, avocado, scallion and ponzu sauce) are my jams. No mayo or cream cheese to be seen. But when I'm in the mood for a different sort of party, Nama is quick to oblige. For instance, the wasabi hummus is truth. Get ready for your next addiction. The miso soup does skew a bit to the salty side, but I like salt. I don't quite get how the crab & asiago dip fits in to the Japanese point of view but after the first taste, I decided to stop asking questions and to eat more. I could put a tub of that away. The salad offerings aren't as successful, in my experience. I've found the house salad to be watery and the seaweed salad to have an off-putting aftertaste. No worries. More dip & hummus for me. Then there's the hot food. Try this. Order this. Put this into your rotation. I don't know of other restaurants in town offering this slice of Japanese life and you're gonna want it. Both the katsudon and the currydon are fantastic blends of protein, vegetables, rice, and spice. One comes with egg. The other comes a little sweeter. They're both flavor bombs that may make you forget about sushi altogether. It's important to know what you're getting in to when you go to Nama. Here you're getting an elevated food experience without snobbery. Yes, the price point is higher than what you get at a mom & pop joint but this isn't a mom & pop joint. Nama may not be your all day every day sushi joint but once you check out the breadth and depth of the menu, it'll become part of your Friday night rotation. Definitely. *No shade. I am a regular at one of them.
(4)Scott H.
Would have loved to have tried the food tonight but sat at the bar and no one would wait on us. 3 people at bar more focused on cleaning glasses than waiting on customers.
(1)Mike J.
We stopped in on a sunny Saturday for a late lunch. First impression was positive - its a nice, open space, but it still felt warm and welcoming. The ceilings open up to an upstairs seating area, where they have another bar and another sushi bar. At 2 pm on Saturday, there were only a few other diners, and there was plenty of staff. We were quickly greeted and seated, and our waitress took our drink orders immediately. We both selected items from the $9 lunch menu - she had the soy joy and I had something like an Alaska roll. The roll presentation was excellent, a good balance of ingredients. Both were excellent, and very filling. We also tried a premium roll, the fancy scallop. It was very good as well, but not a great value at $16. I think that the key to enjoying this place is to stick with the $9 lunch menu (which had about 10 sushi items as well as several other goodies). The lunch comes with miso and a house salad. The house salad is worth mention. This is not the standard fare of iceberg lettuce drenched in ginger sauce - but a delicate, well balanced and well presented little meal! The dressing was exceptional. Drinks aren't cheap, $4.50 for a draft beer. Our server told us they have 1/2 price sushi on Monday and Thursday night - this will be worth checking out, especially during happy hour (which is all day on Sunday). Service was fabulous, and parking is free valet. We'll be back!
(4)Yvonne C.
Majority of the reviewers have said it, it's definitely a modern, contemporary take on a sushi restaurant but not so much that the comfort factor is lost. On a Sunday night, my party of 4 came here for dinner and we were greeted/sat immediately. Our waitress was quick to visit us as well! Service throughout the meal was a-okay. This place has weekly specials, and on Sundays they have all day "happy hour" where select apps are $5. For alcohol, they have the 2-4-1 drink specials which include $5 drafts, $6 glasses of wine, $9 cocktails, and sake (can't remember the pricing). My party went with sushi for our first venture into this restaurant, and though I was only able to try my BF's "chirashi" dish, my "crazy tuna" roll, and a salmon maki roll, everything on our table was presented nicely and neatly. I tried the crazy tuna on the recommendation of Johnny T. in order to avoid the mayos/cream cheese, and he didn't steer me wrong, it was a good choice. This 8pc. roll is a simple blend of avocado and tuna, flavors complemented each other and the fish tasted fresh. The salmon maki roll is really tiny in size but at least it tasted good. As for the chirashi, it includes about 4 different fish served over sushi rice and topped with some sliced beets. Something that really made me laugh was the soup! One of our friends ordered the miso soup and it came out in the smallest bowl I have ever seen, in fact the spoon was too big for the bowl. The bowl is akin to a dessert bowl for a scoop of ice cream. It's incredibly teeny. I think a major takeaway point here is to be aware of the portion sizes! As others have mentioned, the prices here are really steep. My crazy tuna was $18, chirashi $25 for reference. Although the sushi tastes good I wouldn't say their prices are worth it. I've had sushi equally as good for less. But my overall experience was good and my party enjoyed ourselves. Would I come here again for a causal dining experience? Nah. Maybe for a date night or with some friends? Sure. Probably best to dine here for lunch if you're on a budget.
(4)Krystal T.
Sushi was originally pedestrian food of the working class, but with quality ingredients; Nama Sushi is the exact opposite. The only thing elevated about Nama (besides the second-floor seating, which is rarely filled) are the prices. This place is almost always empty, which makes the fact they have valet parking almost hilarious. Honestly, I prefer to walk down 1.5 blocks to Samurai Sushi which has a more authentic sushi bar atmosphere with better prices and at least equal quality.
(2)Alexandra F.
Very, very good fresh sushi. Very confused as to where their parking lot is. Anyhow, I came here for lunch and found a spot on the street. You can also park in that garage. Go past Nama on Elliston a tiny bit and there is a garage on the right and it's free. Lunch prices are a little more expensive than I'm used to. At a lot of places you get 2 or three rolls with soup or salad. Here you get one roll. The quality of the food is worth it though. I would order more food next time cause I was still hungry. Miso soup was great. Seaweed salad was perfect. Spicy tuna roll was so fresh and delicious. I don't care for cucumber in mine, but that's ok. Next time I'll probably try a different roll. I would love to come back here for lunch or during happy hour.
(4)Andy W.
I freaking love Nama. Best sushi in Nashville IMO. But the edemame just never works out. Always cold. Always dry and too hard. The thing is, pf changs is down the street and their edemame just crushesssss namas. It can't be hard. But man they really need to try and just make it like the other places. Not a huge deal. I'll still keep coming. But my wife hates coming with.
(3)Mike J.
We stopped in on a sunny Saturday for a late lunch. First impression was positive - its a nice, open space, but it still felt warm and welcoming. The ceilings open up to an upstairs seating area, where they have another bar and another sushi bar. At 2 pm on Saturday, there were only a few other diners, and there was plenty of staff. We were quickly greeted and seated, and our waitress took our drink orders immediately. We both selected items from the $9 lunch menu - she had the soy joy and I had something like an Alaska roll. The roll presentation was excellent, a good balance of ingredients. Both were excellent, and very filling. We also tried a premium roll, the fancy scallop. It was very good as well, but not a great value at $16. I think that the key to enjoying this place is to stick with the $9 lunch menu (which had about 10 sushi items as well as several other goodies). The lunch comes with miso and a house salad. The house salad is worth mention. This is not the standard fare of iceberg lettuce drenched in ginger sauce - but a delicate, well balanced and well presented little meal! The dressing was exceptional. Drinks aren't cheap, $4.50 for a draft beer. Our server told us they have 1/2 price sushi on Monday and Thursday night - this will be worth checking out, especially during happy hour (which is all day on Sunday). Service was fabulous, and parking is free valet. We'll be back!
(4)Chris A.
I went to Nama by myself on a Friday night. It was considerably busy and I opted for bar seating. I sat at the bar for what seemed like an eternity before even being acknowledged. I chocked it up to just the bartenders being busy. When acknowledged, I asked for some wine. I got the apothic red. I drank almost the entire glass before having to flag the bartender again and ask for a food menu. I ordered salmon nigiri, quail egg, and a tofu roll. The food was delicious. I was really hoping they would have Mackerel but the season is so fickle its hard to see what they will have. Once the bartenders knew I was eating here, they were actually very attentive and I felt they took good care of me. The atmosphere is wonderful. This is the third sushi restaurant on Elliston. I hope they all live in harmony because I like all three. Nama seems a bit more 'upscale' and fancy though.
(4)Eliza R.
I'm seeing some low star ratings, but I had a great experience with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago. We went for a late lunch, so it was totally dead inside. However, service was phenomenal! Our waitress was honestly one of the best servers I'd had in a long time: she was perky, attentive, warm, and made a lot of good suggestions. I want to say her name was Kayla or Haley! Anyway, she made the experience memorable. The food itself is great, too! I had a seaweed salad and miso soup, along with the Thai roll (basil and coconut milk - heck yeah!) and I was really pleased with the quality. My only issue is that it IS very pricy sushi; not quite Virago expensive, but expensive nonetheless. I was surprised there wasn't a lunch menu to choose from. Anyway, I still really enjoyed the place and I will definitely be back!
(4)Joi B.
I have a new favorite sushi place in Nashville (possible the entire South, truth be told) and that's Nama. One of the reasons? Tons of vegetarian options! As in, not just tofu teriyaki and an avocado cucumber roll. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I first spied the menu. Wasabi hummus app?! Several noodle dishes. An *entire* sushi section? I get actual *choices*?! Normally the choice is made for me with the one option a place begrudgingly offers (or the ability to "leave off the..." without leaving off the price that the protein costs). There I was, glorying in my indecision because I never get to be undecided. Although I'd typically order sushi, I wanted something heartier and the tofu burger and The Bowl... of Greatness (my add-on) were both calling my name. I can't resist a bowl brimming with vegetables, noodles and tofu, so I went with that. Excellent if you're hungry but want to keep to a lighter option. It's exactly what you'd expect, no bells and whistles. This would be my healthy go-to. But next time I'm so getting that burger. Let's not overlook the fact that Wednesday night is half price bottle night. And there are other specials on various weeknights as well. Let's not overlook the large patio that's just begging for long Wednesday nights with a couple of girlfriends and bottle after half-priced bottle... Nama sushi, when will I see you again?
(5)Zach P.
Being from the Knoxville area I've heard great things about Nama but just never found my way in. My brother and his fiancé recommended Nama and said it was new to the scene. We went on a Sunday night and the crowd seemed light which is preferable bc sushi is a time consuming prep generally. We ordered spring rolls and calamari apps and they were pretty good but the $6 for 2 spring rolls that were essentially a roll of dimes seemed inadequate but the flavor was good. We got 5 rolls- 3 of which I remember Moon special- great roll but had carrot and cucumber mixed around, unsure of it other than filler and seaweed salad. It was a good portion but at 18$ should be. Overall good. The Atlantic roll was well prepared and delicious Get it! The mowie wowie was different and everyone enjoyed it. I could see sushi purists being up in arms that it had untraditional topping of citrus salsa that was borderline hipster. It's worth a try. The overall vibe of the place was trendy and relaxing. Kudos to the layout as this place has some new age charm to it. They have valet parking too but there's a lot across the street for casual parkers. Fun spot to try out. But be warned it'll lighten up your wallet.
(4)Victoria L.
I have several friends that relocated to Nashville from Knoxville and they were rather enthusiastic about Nama opening a location here. Perhaps it was hyped up too much by my well meaning friends but I found the experience slightly disappointing. The atmosphere and presentation is lovely and the service was wonderful, but that's what you're paying for here. Still, our server was friendly and our food was quick. The sushi quality does not match the prices. If my final check had been about 30% less I think my rating would be very different. However I had one bowl of miso soup and one specialty roll and paid over $20. I'm willing to fork over decent money for sushi (and do so quite often) it's good enough but I personally don't feel the taste and quality are quite there for the prices. Don't get me wrong, the food was decent. You're really just paying extra for the atmosphere and location here which is not uncommon and totally a personal choice.
(3)Adrianna S.
Was very excited to visit this restaurant since it is a new addition to Vanderbilt's Taste of Nashville selection. However, I will definitely will not try this place again for sushi. Sushi was verrryyyyyy overpriced compared to main competitor (Osake) and was unimpressive. My sushi rolls were very bland, small, and not worth the price. It seemed like the rolls were under sauced with eel sauce and spicy mayo so you'd be forced to ask for extra sauce on the side at a price.Additionally, the far side of the restaurant had a rancid smell as if water had been wasted but not soaked up leaving a rotten smell on that side of the restaurant. In contrast, the fish tacos were very good and one of the cheaper items in the menu for a sizeable amount of food.
(2)Kina L.
There are two things you MUST order at Nama. Always, desserts first. 1) Japanese Sweet Potato Mousse. Mind exploded. When the waitress handed us the dessert menu, I was being a total snark and saying to my friends... yeah yeah, let me guess, mochi, green tea ice cream.. the usual right. WRONG. WHO MAKES MOUSSE OUT OF SWEET POTATOES?? Especially Japanese sweet potatoes?? Geniuses. Thats who. Japanese sweet potatoes are, the funny enough... yellower and sweeter cousin of the standard/central American sweet potato. (Side note- if you really decide you like Japanese sweet potatoes you can buy it at the grocery store off Charlotte next to Lucky bamboo). Anyway, we ordered the mousse and were Blown away. It was incredibly creamy and rich with just the right amount of sweetness. I really thought there was avocado in it (theres not- I asked). And hey, its sweet potato- thats Paleo right. That means its like 100% healthy right? Best Sashimi deal in Nashville Hands down. 2) The Nama people sell themselves short on the description of this salad on their menu. Its under Spicy Sashimi salad and $12 at lunch (apparently the dinner portion is even bigger but for a slight price increase). Coming in at a whooping ~15+ pieces of sashimi on top of mixed greens with other shredded veggies.. it was a steal. And a beauty! I really expected a much smaller portion size on top of a couple pieces of greens. This was definitely dinner portion for someone with a regular appetite. I would highly recommend this dish for a light and protein packed lunch. I honestly have not seen this much sashimi for this price in Nashville. Other things I tried but was like eh about. 1) The nama hot bowl- your standard noodle bowl with choice of noodles or rice and protein- pork, tofu, chicken, shrimp. 2) Eel roll- pretty standard. 3) Seaweed salad and edamame- well you really can't go wrong here. So my 4 stars are pretty much for the crazy good dessert and sweet lunch special.
(4)Brandon F.
If you gave this more than 3 stars you haven't ever had good sushi and definitely not great sushi. First sign of potential larceny, we should have know better when we saw a menu dominated by rolls - this means the place isn't good. Second, if you have the price point of this place you better be as good or better than Uchi, Musashino, and Kome in Austin or Sushi of Gari in NYC but this was much more on the level of Grocery Stores. No embellishment there- this place is as good as Grocery stores but has more choices. I am ready for Nashville to have a great sushi place because there simply isn't one. Wild Ginger and Two ten jack are definitely better sushi than Grocery Stores but neither of those places are in the league of today's Great Sushi spots.
(2)Michael L.
Well, I visit this shopping complex at least 4 times a week to get a massage and juice. Tonight, I finally gave this place a try. Keep in mind, I have no problem paying $65 on a dinner for two, but I do expect a certain level of service at that price. If I wanted to sit with my drink empty for 10 minutes while the bartenders ate from a plate of food right in front of me, I would have paid $20 for dinner at Chuys. Nothing more annoying than when a place charges a premium price for food with, at best, mediocre service. Just go down to the street to Samurai. 1/2 the price, just as good, and you don't have to watch the people serving you food eat their dinner while your drink stays empty. Two stars becuase the food and environment are pretty okay.
(2)Sheena T.
Meh. BF and I picked up a take out order and had the Soy Joy, pot stickers, and another roll that I believe was the ex-girlfriend. The Soy Joy was OK, but the ex-girlfriend wasn't very good at all. I was disappointed in the flavors and just didn't find the quality to be very good for how expensive the specialty rolls were. I've heard from other people that their non-sushi menu is a lot better, so I will have to try that out next time. I really like the space and location but my first go-round was a dud.
(2)Lynne P.
I've been a couple of times now and it's okay but not my "go-to" for sushi. The rolls are creative and tasty but pricey. Service was good, the decor is ultra contemporary, it's quiet (at least when I have been there) enough to carry on a conversation. Bottom line..it's just okay.
(3)Diana O.
A nice sushi spot with patio seatings. They have valet available or you can find a street side parking. I had a good experience. The prices was a bit high for sushi that was medicore. If you like trying out new places go for it.
(4)Guglielmo F.
Excellent sushi and attentive (just the right amount) and friendly staff. The nigiri was incredibly fresh and amazing - and the Soy Joy roll was a great new experience. May be back for dinner.
(4)Dominic L.
While very trendy on the inside, the quality of the sushi nor the service lives up to those expectations. We ordered sushi to go from here and they told us 10 minutes. We arrived at the restaurant to find the two orders the place were rather overpriced, quality unbecoming, and we waited 25 minutes while ordering overpriced drinks at the bar. I don't think they have a legitimate sushi chefs. Rather a bunch of college students have taken some course on how to make sushi.
(2)Norra T.
I wish I could've given this place more stars. 1 star bc the soy joy roll was good. But it lost a lot of stars because of the sashimi platter we received had yellowtail with bones still in it. I found 2 bones in 1 piece and 1 bone in another. Be careful if you decide to order any sashimi. Brought this to my server's attention and nothing was done or addressed. Don't bother ordering a whole bottle of ozeki unfiltered sake either. You won't get the bottle. They pour the cold sake into a large sake carafe. The large sake carafe is only good for 6 shots total... just fyi. If you purchase ozeki bottles elsewhere it's good for at least 9 to 10 shots at the very least. The sake shot cups are the same as any other sushi bar. Do not be fooled.
(1)David O.
The Better Half wanted to try the new Sushi Bar that is Nama. The place is very very nice, and feels quite upscale. That certainly doesn't come without cost. The FULL price rolls would easily break the bank, but Monday is Half Price Roll day (From a select Menu) and fortunately includes several types, without including the entire menu. We started off with Miso soup which really is my only major complaint with this place. The bowl they serve the (full price) Miso soup in is so shallow that the spoon doesn't even hit the bottom. It's over before it starts! I felt like they might as well have put my soup in the bowl you put your Soy Sauce in! Otherwise, we had the Pizza Roll, Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura and Orange Crush roll. The Pizza Roll was the one I disliked the most. Its well made, it just had something I can't quite pin down about it I didn't care for. On the other hand, the Orange Crush was the biggest surprise. It was quite sweet and a unique take on Sushi. I absolutely recommend trying that one. In the end, the price is the barrier to me. For the Half Priced Rolls we paid about what we would dining at a "regular" sushi place. If you want the upscale atmosphere this is a great location, but if you just want good sushi and a decent price I recommend Sonobana or other local choices.
(3)Hall W.
The sushi here isn't awe inspiring world class, but for Nashville (and especially TN), it is still pretty good. The presentation is great and they have a comprehensive ingredients. However, taste wise, it just lacks that balances of an amazing sushi. Ironically, I would say the best points to Nama isn't the Sushi part, but the bar part. They have pretty amazingly well made mixed drinks and awesome drinks selection. They also have super amazing deserts too. The feel is modern trendy, but without overdoing it. The service is just beyond spectacular. Overall its a spectacular experience for a pregame dinner or a Friday night drinks...
(4)Tammy T.
Nama on a thursday night for half off sushi?!?! DONE AND DONE. Although there is only a limited amount of half price sushi you can choose from, the price definitely makes up for it! Crunchy shrimp for $4.50. HELL YES! The interior is very spacious and DARK. Might need to bring a flashlight next time to see the menu. I ordered the crunchy shrimp and spicy tuna. The crunchy shrimp was absolutely delicious. Hello crunchy shrimp and goodbye mickey d's! (jk, mickey d's, you will forever have a place in my heart) The spicy tuna, on the other hand, was really fish and didn't tasted fresh at all. yuck! That just means two orders of crunchy shrimp in the future!
(4)Lauryn C.
Very slow service. We were told to come here for happy hour. Empty but took forever to get drinks and the waitress rarely came back to ask us if we needed anything.
(1)Dave P.
Nama is visually appealing but far from a good sushi restaurant. Their menu is mainly focused on prepared foods, not fresh or raw foods that is considered typical sushi. I could not find a single roll that didn't have something cooked, fried, filled with cream cheese or made from artificial crab (they claim 50/50). To top it off my stomach has been in knots since I ate a $25 plate of sashimi on a bed of sticky rice. This would be the same raw fish you would find in nigiri or sashimi, just served as a featured dish. The appetizer sampler plate was worse than the dumplings and rolls that I get from the grocery store freezer isle. Your best bet is to go to some of the original sushi places in town that offer a complete menu of fresh fish in a verity of healthy offerings.
(2)Lauren L.
This place came highly recommended from friends who had tried it, so I was disappointed. I am so glad I went on half-priced sushi night because the #1 thing about this restaurant is that it is EXTREMELY overpriced. For sushi that is not great quality, $18 dollars a roll is ridiculous. For that price, go down the street to Virago where the sushi is amazing for the same dollar amount. The service was only OK. When we arrived the restaurant was basically empty but they sat us in the back of the restaurant by the back door (that kept opening and blowing cold air in). Drinks were meh. Overall- I won't go back. Not sure how long they can survive doing half-priced sushi the same night as the other big sushi place in Nashville.
(2)Seth T.
I've had fusion sushi from the east coast to the west and Nama is, by far, the best I've EVER had. To find fresh fish in a land locked state is obviously difficult yet this restaurant somehow does it! You should eat at the bar if you want the best service. When I went in I had an amazing experience with a vibrant young lady, I think her name was Madi . Order a chef's choice from any of their fine sushi chefs, personally I love josh and Logan, and expect to have an amazing culinary experience! Don't be turned off by a slightly higher price point. Paying a little more is well worth it. I go to Nama at least once a week!
(5)Hannah W.
Good food and good service. However, I live in the apartment above Nama and just went down to grab some dinner with my roommates. There were at leAst 4 open tables outside and 5 or 6 inside yet they told us it'd be a 30 minute wait so we left. Would like to see quicker service and to see them turn tables faster.
(3)Jason P.
First visit. Although they did not have a nigiri combo on the menu my server asked the chef to make one special. It was very good! Haven't tried rolls yet but definitely will next time. Service was friendly and attentive. They had an extensive list of over a dozen sake choices. Will definitely be back!
(5)Stephanie C.
Excited that Nashville has a true specialty sushi place! They had a great selection of different rolls and some non-sushi dishes as well! I like that they have a full bar too. The sushi wasn' t blow you away but we are about 10 hours away from the ocean. They did have a few TV's too and valet which made parking super easy. For it only being open 2 days we didn't really have any glitches.
(3)Jeff S.
Service is par, but the sushi is awesome here! Best I've had! 4 star service but 6 STAR sushi gives them an average of 5
(5)Anna J.
Came here the other day for half off sushi, and was very disappointed. The rolls sounded amazing, but when they came, they were all let downs, maybe except for one (the tempura fried one). My biggest problem was the fact that none of the rolls were rolled tightly, or the rice wasn't cooked well, so when you picked one up, it would fall apart. The rice to filling ratio was off on some of the rolls. Nothing tasted spectacular, just average. Service was alright, our waitress didn't seem like she was having a good day.
(3)Thomas I.
Tried out Nama sushi bar tonight. It was expensive food that should not use the word "sushi" Over cooked rice, nori was not prepped right. Tempura & cutlet cooked in the same oil? Taste was off. The prepping of the curry was not Japanese. Yet I don't know which style of curry serves undercooked bell peppers. If you are feeling for Japanese, don't go here. Grocery store sells better prepped sushi. As Japanese, this place feels more insulting than disappointed. Would I go back again? No Would I go eat here if it's all paid dinner? No
(2)Caroline B.
I attended a yelp event here tonight. Great staff and service. I liked the restaurant, but it was a little dark (I had to sit at a weird angle to even look at my menu). Get the Asiago crab dip, or you will regret it for the rest of your life. If you get the house salad, ask for extra dressing. The dressing is so yummy, but there's barely any on the salad. I had the pizza sushi and it was yummy. Good flavor. If you get the tempura sushi, ask for some extra heat to be added - we got some extra sauce & it was well worth it! The truffle dessert was sooooo good, but very rich.
(5)Beth E.
My husband and I used to frequent Nama Sushi Bar when we lived in Knoxville, so we were super excited to hear that they were opening a location in Nashville as we have been disappointed with most of the sushi joints in Nashville. I am excited to report that the Nashville Nama location has definitely lived up to my expectations and we will definitely be recommending it to everyone we know! Our favorites include the crab and asiago dip appetizer, tempura roll, soy joy roll, dragon roll, rainbow roll, and Atlantic roll. Maki rolls are also tasty and they have great specials. Good for groups and sharing. House saki is also yummy!!
(5)Mark H.
OK, I had dinner here two nights in a row. The first night I was with clients, the second night I was dining alone. The first night was really a great experience. The food was good, (I had a couple of different rolls) and we were all drinking drafts and the beer was nice and cold! When I went back the second night, I ordered a Martini. When the bartender brought it to me, it was obviously a short pour. She asked me if that was how I liked my martinis and I told her I typically like them full. She obviously didn't get it! I was going to order another bit decided instead just to order a Vodka rocks. Again, a noticeably short pour! I made another comment to her and she just looked at me. The food here was good, (I had the shrimp tacos) however, when you rip me off on the alcohol, it makes me want to never walk into the place again. Especially when I'm paying enough for one martini to buy the damned bottle of vodka! BEWARE OF THE SHORT POURS HERE! JUST DRINK BEER.
(2)Miss C.
It's decent food. I liked my sushi roll, my honey didn't like his. There was a bunch of pico on his roll that didn't stay on the roll. It was different, but everything that's different isn't better. The "modern" spin on sushi was... modern. I see what they were trying to do. Some appetizers are good. I loved the calamari, and the cheesy dip appetizer (I'll update the post when I think of the name). The miso soup was standard. There was solid service, and generally friendly employees. I won't go running back every week, but I won't vehemently protest should someone want to try it. (Maybe quietly offer another option.)
(3)Yan Z.
I like the atmosphere and location. The food was nicely presented and tasted great! The price is little higher than average sushi place but Nashville is going to explode into a big city in no time, we will be seeing more of those prices :) definitely would go back.
(4)Kate S.
The secret garden roll is the best. This place is always fresh and delicious. I've never had anything that wasn't good at Nama.
(5)Allison L.
DOUBLE the price for half the food... Patchy service and don't expect to chit chat with the sushi chefs. I'll be surprised if this place lasts three months. Fresh fish... For now, but cutting corners is right up their alley. As I waited well over half an hour for a roll when the place was dead,I tried to understand why my iced tea was $4 and my ahi poke was $12! With less fish than a roll. I'd rather go across the street to Samurai where at least there is some authenticity and charm.
(2)Ashley T.
Just like the two Knoxville locations, Mondays/Thursdays are half price sushi night. Same sushi rolls are on the list, thank God, because since moving to Nashville, I have missed the tempura roll! I will say this one just didn't hit the mark quite like the Knoxville locations do, but it was still very good and it filled the void I've been missing from my favorite sushi restaurant back home! Hopefully this location will stick around! I'll be back for half price sushi as this is normally a $16 sushi roll for $8. I'm also curious about the Japanese sweet potato mousse...
(4)Stefanie P.
**Monday Nights 1/2 Price Rolls** - Select Rolls that is. We went on a Monday and got the Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura, Cali Roll, Soy Joy. They said they can't bring them all out at once and they do courses. Um okay. We hate the first 2 rolls fast, and then waiting a few more minutes for the other 2 rolls and crushed them. My favorite: Soy Joy. We only ate sushi on this night! We we're still hungry and got something off the full price menu crazy tuna for $16. There were about 10 pieces and it was alright. It's a big place and there are TVs and it just sorta feels like your in a condo restaurant. Maybe they need more decor on the walls, I'm not real sure. Our server was very sweet, and new alot about the menu. Free Parking in garage, valet was available and we saw a few street spots as well. I agree with the other yelpers reviews that its just okay. Its not amazing but its not the worst. It's just okay. I wish I could write something more specific or exciting.
(3)Liz V.
I absolutely love this place! I am a regular here for lunch. I can easily get in, have a nice sit down lunch, and get out and back to work. The wait is never long and the sushi rolls are amazing. I usually order off of the lunch menu and either get the Philly or Atlantic rolls, both of which, are nothing short of AWESOME! The wait staff is always super nice and attentive. Be sure to ask about their lunch loyalty program if you frequently visit for lunch. After so many visits for lunch, I received $20 in gift certificates and they email coupons as well. The decor is nice, modern, and trendy and I love the atmosphere. I have nothing but nice things to say about this place!
(4)FoodCritic 6.
This place was okay! Not all that. Very nice and upscale place. Whet there with a group of friends waiting one hour for our food. The sushi was not all that. If you want good sushi I wouldn't go there. Better place around town than this place. Too over priced for some loose sushi.
(2)Cary B.
Daughter and I are in town for college orientation. Staying nearby at Hilton Homewood Suites. Nama's is a block away. We had 2 appetizers: seaweed salad and tomato/avocado salad. Both were delicious, but the tomato/avocado salad lacked some flavor which was quickly remedied by some sea salt. We had 3 sushi rolls: Cali, Crunchy Shrimp, and Dragon. Would definitely get the last 2 again. Outstanding!! The Cali was a crab and mayo blend, not a whole piece of crab. Had more flavor but not a lot of crab meat. We took our desserts to go: truffles, and salted caramel cheesecake. Small portions but divine!! Service was slow on a Monday night but we weren't in a hurry. And the place was very busy. My daughter now knows of a good sushi place here in Nashville within walking distance from college.
(4)Emily Myles H.
Namas food was great. I went with some girlfriends on Monday which happens to be half priced sushi night. We shared the crab and asiago dip to start which was awesome. I got the tempura roll and it was fantastic, great flavor. Service was just OK. Will definitely be back .
(4)Chelsea J.
Their lunch special can't be beat! The sushi is fresh, flavorful, and service is (usually) great. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner though, its a little too pricey.
(4)Sheri L.
Great service. Great location and ambience for a fun night out. Creative sushi and hot dishes.
(5)Allison B.
Just okay. Over priced
(2)Sherry Y.
A spacious, modern two-floor restaurant, Nama takes the cake on contemporary ambience at Elliston Place. While the interior and the expansive cocktail menu impresses, the food is still pretty delectable. Since my table ordered lunch specials, we were able to get around the high prices many Yelpers duly noted. However, I was able to get my Philly smoked salmon roll, miso soup, and house salad for $9 on a Sunday. Not a bad price, especially with a live jazz band strumming in the background. While "Honeysuckle Rose" sang, we enjoyed a fresh meal chock full of fresh veggies. My only critique is that the chef used far too much miso or salt in the soup, rendering it a briny, eye-wincing ordeal. However, service here is professional and warm. Our server was incredibly attentive, even though it was also her lunch hour. She brought out all of our food in under 10 minutes flat, maybe less. I would advise those looking for a fancy lunch to come here, and perhaps skip on evening affairs unless it's just for drinks and a light bite.
(4)Yan Z.
I like the atmosphere and location. The food was nicely presented and tasted great! The price is little higher than average sushi place but Nashville is going to explode into a big city in no time, we will be seeing more of those prices :) definitely would go back.
(4)Chris A.
I went to Nama by myself on a Friday night. It was considerably busy and I opted for bar seating. I sat at the bar for what seemed like an eternity before even being acknowledged. I chocked it up to just the bartenders being busy. When acknowledged, I asked for some wine. I got the apothic red. I drank almost the entire glass before having to flag the bartender again and ask for a food menu. I ordered salmon nigiri, quail egg, and a tofu roll. The food was delicious. I was really hoping they would have Mackerel but the season is so fickle its hard to see what they will have. Once the bartenders knew I was eating here, they were actually very attentive and I felt they took good care of me. The atmosphere is wonderful. This is the third sushi restaurant on Elliston. I hope they all live in harmony because I like all three. Nama seems a bit more 'upscale' and fancy though.
(4)Kate S.
The secret garden roll is the best. This place is always fresh and delicious. I've never had anything that wasn't good at Nama.
(5)Yvonne C.
Majority of the reviewers have said it, it's definitely a modern, contemporary take on a sushi restaurant but not so much that the comfort factor is lost. On a Sunday night, my party of 4 came here for dinner and we were greeted/sat immediately. Our waitress was quick to visit us as well! Service throughout the meal was a-okay. This place has weekly specials, and on Sundays they have all day "happy hour" where select apps are $5. For alcohol, they have the 2-4-1 drink specials which include $5 drafts, $6 glasses of wine, $9 cocktails, and sake (can't remember the pricing). My party went with sushi for our first venture into this restaurant, and though I was only able to try my BF's "chirashi" dish, my "crazy tuna" roll, and a salmon maki roll, everything on our table was presented nicely and neatly. I tried the crazy tuna on the recommendation of Johnny T. in order to avoid the mayos/cream cheese, and he didn't steer me wrong, it was a good choice. This 8pc. roll is a simple blend of avocado and tuna, flavors complemented each other and the fish tasted fresh. The salmon maki roll is really tiny in size but at least it tasted good. As for the chirashi, it includes about 4 different fish served over sushi rice and topped with some sliced beets. Something that really made me laugh was the soup! One of our friends ordered the miso soup and it came out in the smallest bowl I have ever seen, in fact the spoon was too big for the bowl. The bowl is akin to a dessert bowl for a scoop of ice cream. It's incredibly teeny. I think a major takeaway point here is to be aware of the portion sizes! As others have mentioned, the prices here are really steep. My crazy tuna was $18, chirashi $25 for reference. Although the sushi tastes good I wouldn't say their prices are worth it. I've had sushi equally as good for less. But my overall experience was good and my party enjoyed ourselves. Would I come here again for a causal dining experience? Nah. Maybe for a date night or with some friends? Sure. Probably best to dine here for lunch if you're on a budget.
(4)Dominic L.
While very trendy on the inside, the quality of the sushi nor the service lives up to those expectations. We ordered sushi to go from here and they told us 10 minutes. We arrived at the restaurant to find the two orders the place were rather overpriced, quality unbecoming, and we waited 25 minutes while ordering overpriced drinks at the bar. I don't think they have a legitimate sushi chefs. Rather a bunch of college students have taken some course on how to make sushi.
(2)Hye Eun C.
It's great to have a good sushi bar close to Vanderbilt. Although the prices here are pretty steep, Nama does seem to offer several lunch deals and happy hour specials every day. My bf and I tried the pork dumplings ($5 happy hour special) and 4 rolls. All were pretty good. The rolls were beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. While the sushi here isn't authentic per say, it is still worth a try. Just make sure your pockets are deep or opt to come during half priced sushi days!
(4)Johnny T.
I'm glad to see more recent reviews 'getting' Nama. No, this isn't your mom & pop sushi spot. Yes, the prices are probably higher than you want to pay for a to-go order. But this isn't a to-go kind of spot. This is a destination spot for a fun evening of eating and drinking. Thing is, if you want a more affordable, casual experience, you can get it here. The lunch menu/special is cost effective and Nama offers a happy hour that introduces their food/drink program for reduced price. Look up, look down, look all around... this is why the prices are higher. The folks behind the Nama machine spent time, effort and money to construct a visual appealing place (that patio alone) at which people would want to spend some time. Yes, it's an interesting situation that there are other sushi restaurants within spitting distance but they offer very different experiences.* This is a fun, sexy place to which you could take your gf, boss or buddy and have a fantastic experience. I've spoken on the decor and vibe... let's get to the food. It's awesome. Nama offers a broad Japanese food experience. While the maki is good, allow yourself some time to venture past the sushi offerings. When it comes to rolls, the caterpillar (eel, snow crab, cucumber topped with avocado and eel sauce) and crazy tuna (spicy tuna, cucumber topped with seared albacore, avocado, scallion and ponzu sauce) are my jams. No mayo or cream cheese to be seen. But when I'm in the mood for a different sort of party, Nama is quick to oblige. For instance, the wasabi hummus is truth. Get ready for your next addiction. The miso soup does skew a bit to the salty side, but I like salt. I don't quite get how the crab & asiago dip fits in to the Japanese point of view but after the first taste, I decided to stop asking questions and to eat more. I could put a tub of that away. The salad offerings aren't as successful, in my experience. I've found the house salad to be watery and the seaweed salad to have an off-putting aftertaste. No worries. More dip & hummus for me. Then there's the hot food. Try this. Order this. Put this into your rotation. I don't know of other restaurants in town offering this slice of Japanese life and you're gonna want it. Both the katsudon and the currydon are fantastic blends of protein, vegetables, rice, and spice. One comes with egg. The other comes a little sweeter. They're both flavor bombs that may make you forget about sushi altogether. It's important to know what you're getting in to when you go to Nama. Here you're getting an elevated food experience without snobbery. Yes, the price point is higher than what you get at a mom & pop joint but this isn't a mom & pop joint. Nama may not be your all day every day sushi joint but once you check out the breadth and depth of the menu, it'll become part of your Friday night rotation. Definitely. *No shade. I am a regular at one of them.
(4)Sheena T.
Meh. BF and I picked up a take out order and had the Soy Joy, pot stickers, and another roll that I believe was the ex-girlfriend. The Soy Joy was OK, but the ex-girlfriend wasn't very good at all. I was disappointed in the flavors and just didn't find the quality to be very good for how expensive the specialty rolls were. I've heard from other people that their non-sushi menu is a lot better, so I will have to try that out next time. I really like the space and location but my first go-round was a dud.
(2)Krystal T.
Sushi was originally pedestrian food of the working class, but with quality ingredients; Nama Sushi is the exact opposite. The only thing elevated about Nama (besides the second-floor seating, which is rarely filled) are the prices. This place is almost always empty, which makes the fact they have valet parking almost hilarious. Honestly, I prefer to walk down 1.5 blocks to Samurai Sushi which has a more authentic sushi bar atmosphere with better prices and at least equal quality.
(2)Eliza R.
I'm seeing some low star ratings, but I had a great experience with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago. We went for a late lunch, so it was totally dead inside. However, service was phenomenal! Our waitress was honestly one of the best servers I'd had in a long time: she was perky, attentive, warm, and made a lot of good suggestions. I want to say her name was Kayla or Haley! Anyway, she made the experience memorable. The food itself is great, too! I had a seaweed salad and miso soup, along with the Thai roll (basil and coconut milk - heck yeah!) and I was really pleased with the quality. My only issue is that it IS very pricy sushi; not quite Virago expensive, but expensive nonetheless. I was surprised there wasn't a lunch menu to choose from. Anyway, I still really enjoyed the place and I will definitely be back!
(4)Adrianna S.
Was very excited to visit this restaurant since it is a new addition to Vanderbilt's Taste of Nashville selection. However, I will definitely will not try this place again for sushi. Sushi was verrryyyyyy overpriced compared to main competitor (Osake) and was unimpressive. My sushi rolls were very bland, small, and not worth the price. It seemed like the rolls were under sauced with eel sauce and spicy mayo so you'd be forced to ask for extra sauce on the side at a price.Additionally, the far side of the restaurant had a rancid smell as if water had been wasted but not soaked up leaving a rotten smell on that side of the restaurant. In contrast, the fish tacos were very good and one of the cheaper items in the menu for a sizeable amount of food.
(2)Scott H.
Would have loved to have tried the food tonight but sat at the bar and no one would wait on us. 3 people at bar more focused on cleaning glasses than waiting on customers.
(1)Lynne P.
I've been a couple of times now and it's okay but not my "go-to" for sushi. The rolls are creative and tasty but pricey. Service was good, the decor is ultra contemporary, it's quiet (at least when I have been there) enough to carry on a conversation. Bottom line..it's just okay.
(3)Kina L.
There are two things you MUST order at Nama. Always, desserts first. 1) Japanese Sweet Potato Mousse. Mind exploded. When the waitress handed us the dessert menu, I was being a total snark and saying to my friends... yeah yeah, let me guess, mochi, green tea ice cream.. the usual right. WRONG. WHO MAKES MOUSSE OUT OF SWEET POTATOES?? Especially Japanese sweet potatoes?? Geniuses. Thats who. Japanese sweet potatoes are, the funny enough... yellower and sweeter cousin of the standard/central American sweet potato. (Side note- if you really decide you like Japanese sweet potatoes you can buy it at the grocery store off Charlotte next to Lucky bamboo). Anyway, we ordered the mousse and were Blown away. It was incredibly creamy and rich with just the right amount of sweetness. I really thought there was avocado in it (theres not- I asked). And hey, its sweet potato- thats Paleo right. That means its like 100% healthy right? Best Sashimi deal in Nashville Hands down. 2) The Nama people sell themselves short on the description of this salad on their menu. Its under Spicy Sashimi salad and $12 at lunch (apparently the dinner portion is even bigger but for a slight price increase). Coming in at a whooping ~15+ pieces of sashimi on top of mixed greens with other shredded veggies.. it was a steal. And a beauty! I really expected a much smaller portion size on top of a couple pieces of greens. This was definitely dinner portion for someone with a regular appetite. I would highly recommend this dish for a light and protein packed lunch. I honestly have not seen this much sashimi for this price in Nashville. Other things I tried but was like eh about. 1) The nama hot bowl- your standard noodle bowl with choice of noodles or rice and protein- pork, tofu, chicken, shrimp. 2) Eel roll- pretty standard. 3) Seaweed salad and edamame- well you really can't go wrong here. So my 4 stars are pretty much for the crazy good dessert and sweet lunch special.
(4)Brandon F.
If you gave this more than 3 stars you haven't ever had good sushi and definitely not great sushi. First sign of potential larceny, we should have know better when we saw a menu dominated by rolls - this means the place isn't good. Second, if you have the price point of this place you better be as good or better than Uchi, Musashino, and Kome in Austin or Sushi of Gari in NYC but this was much more on the level of Grocery Stores. No embellishment there- this place is as good as Grocery stores but has more choices. I am ready for Nashville to have a great sushi place because there simply isn't one. Wild Ginger and Two ten jack are definitely better sushi than Grocery Stores but neither of those places are in the league of today's Great Sushi spots.
(2)Hannah W.
Good food and good service. However, I live in the apartment above Nama and just went down to grab some dinner with my roommates. There were at leAst 4 open tables outside and 5 or 6 inside yet they told us it'd be a 30 minute wait so we left. Would like to see quicker service and to see them turn tables faster.
(3)Jason P.
First visit. Although they did not have a nigiri combo on the menu my server asked the chef to make one special. It was very good! Haven't tried rolls yet but definitely will next time. Service was friendly and attentive. They had an extensive list of over a dozen sake choices. Will definitely be back!
(5)Joi B.
I have a new favorite sushi place in Nashville (possible the entire South, truth be told) and that's Nama. One of the reasons? Tons of vegetarian options! As in, not just tofu teriyaki and an avocado cucumber roll. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I first spied the menu. Wasabi hummus app?! Several noodle dishes. An *entire* sushi section? I get actual *choices*?! Normally the choice is made for me with the one option a place begrudgingly offers (or the ability to "leave off the..." without leaving off the price that the protein costs). There I was, glorying in my indecision because I never get to be undecided. Although I'd typically order sushi, I wanted something heartier and the tofu burger and The Bowl... of Greatness (my add-on) were both calling my name. I can't resist a bowl brimming with vegetables, noodles and tofu, so I went with that. Excellent if you're hungry but want to keep to a lighter option. It's exactly what you'd expect, no bells and whistles. This would be my healthy go-to. But next time I'm so getting that burger. Let's not overlook the fact that Wednesday night is half price bottle night. And there are other specials on various weeknights as well. Let's not overlook the large patio that's just begging for long Wednesday nights with a couple of girlfriends and bottle after half-priced bottle... Nama sushi, when will I see you again?
(5)Zach P.
Being from the Knoxville area I've heard great things about Nama but just never found my way in. My brother and his fiancé recommended Nama and said it was new to the scene. We went on a Sunday night and the crowd seemed light which is preferable bc sushi is a time consuming prep generally. We ordered spring rolls and calamari apps and they were pretty good but the $6 for 2 spring rolls that were essentially a roll of dimes seemed inadequate but the flavor was good. We got 5 rolls- 3 of which I remember Moon special- great roll but had carrot and cucumber mixed around, unsure of it other than filler and seaweed salad. It was a good portion but at 18$ should be. Overall good. The Atlantic roll was well prepared and delicious Get it! The mowie wowie was different and everyone enjoyed it. I could see sushi purists being up in arms that it had untraditional topping of citrus salsa that was borderline hipster. It's worth a try. The overall vibe of the place was trendy and relaxing. Kudos to the layout as this place has some new age charm to it. They have valet parking too but there's a lot across the street for casual parkers. Fun spot to try out. But be warned it'll lighten up your wallet.
(4)Victoria L.
I have several friends that relocated to Nashville from Knoxville and they were rather enthusiastic about Nama opening a location here. Perhaps it was hyped up too much by my well meaning friends but I found the experience slightly disappointing. The atmosphere and presentation is lovely and the service was wonderful, but that's what you're paying for here. Still, our server was friendly and our food was quick. The sushi quality does not match the prices. If my final check had been about 30% less I think my rating would be very different. However I had one bowl of miso soup and one specialty roll and paid over $20. I'm willing to fork over decent money for sushi (and do so quite often) it's good enough but I personally don't feel the taste and quality are quite there for the prices. Don't get me wrong, the food was decent. You're really just paying extra for the atmosphere and location here which is not uncommon and totally a personal choice.
(3)Michael L.
Well, I visit this shopping complex at least 4 times a week to get a massage and juice. Tonight, I finally gave this place a try. Keep in mind, I have no problem paying $65 on a dinner for two, but I do expect a certain level of service at that price. If I wanted to sit with my drink empty for 10 minutes while the bartenders ate from a plate of food right in front of me, I would have paid $20 for dinner at Chuys. Nothing more annoying than when a place charges a premium price for food with, at best, mediocre service. Just go down to the street to Samurai. 1/2 the price, just as good, and you don't have to watch the people serving you food eat their dinner while your drink stays empty. Two stars becuase the food and environment are pretty okay.
(2)Diana O.
A nice sushi spot with patio seatings. They have valet available or you can find a street side parking. I had a good experience. The prices was a bit high for sushi that was medicore. If you like trying out new places go for it.
(4)Norra T.
I wish I could've given this place more stars. 1 star bc the soy joy roll was good. But it lost a lot of stars because of the sashimi platter we received had yellowtail with bones still in it. I found 2 bones in 1 piece and 1 bone in another. Be careful if you decide to order any sashimi. Brought this to my server's attention and nothing was done or addressed. Don't bother ordering a whole bottle of ozeki unfiltered sake either. You won't get the bottle. They pour the cold sake into a large sake carafe. The large sake carafe is only good for 6 shots total... just fyi. If you purchase ozeki bottles elsewhere it's good for at least 9 to 10 shots at the very least. The sake shot cups are the same as any other sushi bar. Do not be fooled.
(1)Guglielmo F.
Excellent sushi and attentive (just the right amount) and friendly staff. The nigiri was incredibly fresh and amazing - and the Soy Joy roll was a great new experience. May be back for dinner.
(4)Seth T.
I've had fusion sushi from the east coast to the west and Nama is, by far, the best I've EVER had. To find fresh fish in a land locked state is obviously difficult yet this restaurant somehow does it! You should eat at the bar if you want the best service. When I went in I had an amazing experience with a vibrant young lady, I think her name was Madi . Order a chef's choice from any of their fine sushi chefs, personally I love josh and Logan, and expect to have an amazing culinary experience! Don't be turned off by a slightly higher price point. Paying a little more is well worth it. I go to Nama at least once a week!
(5)David O.
The Better Half wanted to try the new Sushi Bar that is Nama. The place is very very nice, and feels quite upscale. That certainly doesn't come without cost. The FULL price rolls would easily break the bank, but Monday is Half Price Roll day (From a select Menu) and fortunately includes several types, without including the entire menu. We started off with Miso soup which really is my only major complaint with this place. The bowl they serve the (full price) Miso soup in is so shallow that the spoon doesn't even hit the bottom. It's over before it starts! I felt like they might as well have put my soup in the bowl you put your Soy Sauce in! Otherwise, we had the Pizza Roll, Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura and Orange Crush roll. The Pizza Roll was the one I disliked the most. Its well made, it just had something I can't quite pin down about it I didn't care for. On the other hand, the Orange Crush was the biggest surprise. It was quite sweet and a unique take on Sushi. I absolutely recommend trying that one. In the end, the price is the barrier to me. For the Half Priced Rolls we paid about what we would dining at a "regular" sushi place. If you want the upscale atmosphere this is a great location, but if you just want good sushi and a decent price I recommend Sonobana or other local choices.
(3)Hall W.
The sushi here isn't awe inspiring world class, but for Nashville (and especially TN), it is still pretty good. The presentation is great and they have a comprehensive ingredients. However, taste wise, it just lacks that balances of an amazing sushi. Ironically, I would say the best points to Nama isn't the Sushi part, but the bar part. They have pretty amazingly well made mixed drinks and awesome drinks selection. They also have super amazing deserts too. The feel is modern trendy, but without overdoing it. The service is just beyond spectacular. Overall its a spectacular experience for a pregame dinner or a Friday night drinks...
(4)Lauryn C.
Very slow service. We were told to come here for happy hour. Empty but took forever to get drinks and the waitress rarely came back to ask us if we needed anything.
(1)Lauren L.
This place came highly recommended from friends who had tried it, so I was disappointed. I am so glad I went on half-priced sushi night because the #1 thing about this restaurant is that it is EXTREMELY overpriced. For sushi that is not great quality, $18 dollars a roll is ridiculous. For that price, go down the street to Virago where the sushi is amazing for the same dollar amount. The service was only OK. When we arrived the restaurant was basically empty but they sat us in the back of the restaurant by the back door (that kept opening and blowing cold air in). Drinks were meh. Overall- I won't go back. Not sure how long they can survive doing half-priced sushi the same night as the other big sushi place in Nashville.
(2)Stephanie C.
Excited that Nashville has a true specialty sushi place! They had a great selection of different rolls and some non-sushi dishes as well! I like that they have a full bar too. The sushi wasn' t blow you away but we are about 10 hours away from the ocean. They did have a few TV's too and valet which made parking super easy. For it only being open 2 days we didn't really have any glitches.
(3)Jeff S.
Service is par, but the sushi is awesome here! Best I've had! 4 star service but 6 STAR sushi gives them an average of 5
(5)Anna J.
Came here the other day for half off sushi, and was very disappointed. The rolls sounded amazing, but when they came, they were all let downs, maybe except for one (the tempura fried one). My biggest problem was the fact that none of the rolls were rolled tightly, or the rice wasn't cooked well, so when you picked one up, it would fall apart. The rice to filling ratio was off on some of the rolls. Nothing tasted spectacular, just average. Service was alright, our waitress didn't seem like she was having a good day.
(3)Thomas I.
Tried out Nama sushi bar tonight. It was expensive food that should not use the word "sushi" Over cooked rice, nori was not prepped right. Tempura & cutlet cooked in the same oil? Taste was off. The prepping of the curry was not Japanese. Yet I don't know which style of curry serves undercooked bell peppers. If you are feeling for Japanese, don't go here. Grocery store sells better prepped sushi. As Japanese, this place feels more insulting than disappointed. Would I go back again? No Would I go eat here if it's all paid dinner? No
(2)Caroline B.
I attended a yelp event here tonight. Great staff and service. I liked the restaurant, but it was a little dark (I had to sit at a weird angle to even look at my menu). Get the Asiago crab dip, or you will regret it for the rest of your life. If you get the house salad, ask for extra dressing. The dressing is so yummy, but there's barely any on the salad. I had the pizza sushi and it was yummy. Good flavor. If you get the tempura sushi, ask for some extra heat to be added - we got some extra sauce & it was well worth it! The truffle dessert was sooooo good, but very rich.
(5)Beth E.
My husband and I used to frequent Nama Sushi Bar when we lived in Knoxville, so we were super excited to hear that they were opening a location in Nashville as we have been disappointed with most of the sushi joints in Nashville. I am excited to report that the Nashville Nama location has definitely lived up to my expectations and we will definitely be recommending it to everyone we know! Our favorites include the crab and asiago dip appetizer, tempura roll, soy joy roll, dragon roll, rainbow roll, and Atlantic roll. Maki rolls are also tasty and they have great specials. Good for groups and sharing. House saki is also yummy!!
(5)Tammy T.
Nama on a thursday night for half off sushi?!?! DONE AND DONE. Although there is only a limited amount of half price sushi you can choose from, the price definitely makes up for it! Crunchy shrimp for $4.50. HELL YES! The interior is very spacious and DARK. Might need to bring a flashlight next time to see the menu. I ordered the crunchy shrimp and spicy tuna. The crunchy shrimp was absolutely delicious. Hello crunchy shrimp and goodbye mickey d's! (jk, mickey d's, you will forever have a place in my heart) The spicy tuna, on the other hand, was really fish and didn't tasted fresh at all. yuck! That just means two orders of crunchy shrimp in the future!
(4)Dave P.
Nama is visually appealing but far from a good sushi restaurant. Their menu is mainly focused on prepared foods, not fresh or raw foods that is considered typical sushi. I could not find a single roll that didn't have something cooked, fried, filled with cream cheese or made from artificial crab (they claim 50/50). To top it off my stomach has been in knots since I ate a $25 plate of sashimi on a bed of sticky rice. This would be the same raw fish you would find in nigiri or sashimi, just served as a featured dish. The appetizer sampler plate was worse than the dumplings and rolls that I get from the grocery store freezer isle. Your best bet is to go to some of the original sushi places in town that offer a complete menu of fresh fish in a verity of healthy offerings.
(2)Alexandra F.
Very, very good fresh sushi. Very confused as to where their parking lot is. Anyhow, I came here for lunch and found a spot on the street. You can also park in that garage. Go past Nama on Elliston a tiny bit and there is a garage on the right and it's free. Lunch prices are a little more expensive than I'm used to. At a lot of places you get 2 or three rolls with soup or salad. Here you get one roll. The quality of the food is worth it though. I would order more food next time cause I was still hungry. Miso soup was great. Seaweed salad was perfect. Spicy tuna roll was so fresh and delicious. I don't care for cucumber in mine, but that's ok. Next time I'll probably try a different roll. I would love to come back here for lunch or during happy hour.
(4)Mark H.
OK, I had dinner here two nights in a row. The first night I was with clients, the second night I was dining alone. The first night was really a great experience. The food was good, (I had a couple of different rolls) and we were all drinking drafts and the beer was nice and cold! When I went back the second night, I ordered a Martini. When the bartender brought it to me, it was obviously a short pour. She asked me if that was how I liked my martinis and I told her I typically like them full. She obviously didn't get it! I was going to order another bit decided instead just to order a Vodka rocks. Again, a noticeably short pour! I made another comment to her and she just looked at me. The food here was good, (I had the shrimp tacos) however, when you rip me off on the alcohol, it makes me want to never walk into the place again. Especially when I'm paying enough for one martini to buy the damned bottle of vodka! BEWARE OF THE SHORT POURS HERE! JUST DRINK BEER.
(2)Miss C.
It's decent food. I liked my sushi roll, my honey didn't like his. There was a bunch of pico on his roll that didn't stay on the roll. It was different, but everything that's different isn't better. The "modern" spin on sushi was... modern. I see what they were trying to do. Some appetizers are good. I loved the calamari, and the cheesy dip appetizer (I'll update the post when I think of the name). The miso soup was standard. There was solid service, and generally friendly employees. I won't go running back every week, but I won't vehemently protest should someone want to try it. (Maybe quietly offer another option.)
(3)Michelle L.
Went on a night that was not busy with my boyfriend because we LOVE sushi, (not just because we're asian, but we just grew up with it, so i mean, we definitely know our sushi) and we wanted to try this place out since we're so close to it. Keep in mind that we DO NOT mind paying 100 dollars for dinner for two. We usually eat a higher end meal at LEAST once a week. We've been to multiple sushi joints all over nashville. Including places like Samurai, Tenno, and Wild Ginger (HIGHLY recommend). We definitely had high expectations for this place. VISUALLY: VERY appealing. The atmosphere is great, wine list had a good variety. We ordered the ex-girlfriend which was one of our server's favorite. It was pretty good! my boyfriend got some kind of sushi platter that came with a basic roll. The roll that came on his platter was just SO BLAND. It was just lacking that burst of flavor that a roll should have. Not only that, i noticed my boyfriend was not touching his sashimi or nigiri pieces. I asked him what was wrong, and he said that it smelled funny. Being a server myself, i always want to give the restaurant and it's workers the benefit of the doubt. I've dealt with one too many difficult customers that were just so rude. Eventually, i took a whiff of the fish, and WOW DID THAT THING SMELL. It actually smelled like ...well, FISH. Like it had been left out too long instead of in the fridge or something. Just COULD NOT eat it. Definitely disappointed. I think we paid about 70 dollars including tip? but it was not worth out money. Not thinking of going back. Maybe just to try their sweet potato mousse and kitchen dishes? but for the sushi? nope. no thank you.
(2)EdDee P.
My boyfriend and I came here opening day. Service was great. Staff very friendly. It was not too busy (yet) prices are expensive but the portions are big. Usually we order 5or6 rolls from o sake down the street. We ordered 3 and were full. Rolls were amazing! We will defiantly come back. Drinks were amazing! However, we will be rotating shifts with o sake
(3)Will P.
Just checked this place out for the first time. Love the vibe. It's hip. It's urban. It's everything a new downtown restaurant should be. On mondays and thursdays apparently they do a few of the cheaper rolls for half price, so we definitely took advantage of that. We also indulged in the crab-asiago w/ Naan appetizer which was good. I give it 3 stars mainly because the normal prices are pretty high for a sushi place, and the service was fine but not great. I'd give it a half star bump if I could. Aw screw it I'll give it 4 for trying.
(4)Suz J.
I just started their lunch club with my Lunch Club card from Nama Sushi. They stamp it when I go for lunch and give me a $20 gift certificate on my tenth lunch visit. The Soy Joy albacore tuna roll is about eight pieces of sushi with crumchy cucumber and my preferred there. It's flavored with horseradishy wasabi and a generous application of eel sauce. Nama in the E23 is a little snazzier than the typical Nashville sushi restaurant. Table settings and service are comparable to the Belle Meade sushi place I go to although the sushi at the west sushi bar is better. Prices match this West End location, so I'll be going in the future when they have their half off / half price specials on the sushi or on the alcohol.
(4)Zach P.
Being from the Knoxville area I've heard great things about Nama but just never found my way in. My brother and his fiancé recommended Nama and said it was new to the scene. We went on a Sunday night and the crowd seemed light which is preferable bc sushi is a time consuming prep generally. We ordered spring rolls and calamari apps and they were pretty good but the $6 for 2 spring rolls that were essentially a roll of dimes seemed inadequate but the flavor was good. We got 5 rolls- 3 of which I remember Moon special- great roll but had carrot and cucumber mixed around, unsure of it other than filler and seaweed salad. It was a good portion but at 18$ should be. Overall good. The Atlantic roll was well prepared and delicious Get it! The mowie wowie was different and everyone enjoyed it. I could see sushi purists being up in arms that it had untraditional topping of citrus salsa that was borderline hipster. It's worth a try. The overall vibe of the place was trendy and relaxing. Kudos to the layout as this place has some new age charm to it. They have valet parking too but there's a lot across the street for casual parkers. Fun spot to try out. But be warned it'll lighten up your wallet.
(4)Victoria L.
I have several friends that relocated to Nashville from Knoxville and they were rather enthusiastic about Nama opening a location here. Perhaps it was hyped up too much by my well meaning friends but I found the experience slightly disappointing. The atmosphere and presentation is lovely and the service was wonderful, but that's what you're paying for here. Still, our server was friendly and our food was quick. The sushi quality does not match the prices. If my final check had been about 30% less I think my rating would be very different. However I had one bowl of miso soup and one specialty roll and paid over $20. I'm willing to fork over decent money for sushi (and do so quite often) it's good enough but I personally don't feel the taste and quality are quite there for the prices. Don't get me wrong, the food was decent. You're really just paying extra for the atmosphere and location here which is not uncommon and totally a personal choice.
(3)Norra T.
I wish I could've given this place more stars. 1 star bc the soy joy roll was good. But it lost a lot of stars because of the sashimi platter we received had yellowtail with bones still in it. I found 2 bones in 1 piece and 1 bone in another. Be careful if you decide to order any sashimi. Brought this to my server's attention and nothing was done or addressed. Don't bother ordering a whole bottle of ozeki unfiltered sake either. You won't get the bottle. They pour the cold sake into a large sake carafe. The large sake carafe is only good for 6 shots total... just fyi. If you purchase ozeki bottles elsewhere it's good for at least 9 to 10 shots at the very least. The sake shot cups are the same as any other sushi bar. Do not be fooled.
(1)Guglielmo F.
Excellent sushi and attentive (just the right amount) and friendly staff. The nigiri was incredibly fresh and amazing - and the Soy Joy roll was a great new experience. May be back for dinner.
(4)Allison L.
DOUBLE the price for half the food... Patchy service and don't expect to chit chat with the sushi chefs. I'll be surprised if this place lasts three months. Fresh fish... For now, but cutting corners is right up their alley. As I waited well over half an hour for a roll when the place was dead,I tried to understand why my iced tea was $4 and my ahi poke was $12! With less fish than a roll. I'd rather go across the street to Samurai where at least there is some authenticity and charm.
(2)Ashley T.
Just like the two Knoxville locations, Mondays/Thursdays are half price sushi night. Same sushi rolls are on the list, thank God, because since moving to Nashville, I have missed the tempura roll! I will say this one just didn't hit the mark quite like the Knoxville locations do, but it was still very good and it filled the void I've been missing from my favorite sushi restaurant back home! Hopefully this location will stick around! I'll be back for half price sushi as this is normally a $16 sushi roll for $8. I'm also curious about the Japanese sweet potato mousse...
(4)Stefanie P.
**Monday Nights 1/2 Price Rolls** - Select Rolls that is. We went on a Monday and got the Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura, Cali Roll, Soy Joy. They said they can't bring them all out at once and they do courses. Um okay. We hate the first 2 rolls fast, and then waiting a few more minutes for the other 2 rolls and crushed them. My favorite: Soy Joy. We only ate sushi on this night! We we're still hungry and got something off the full price menu crazy tuna for $16. There were about 10 pieces and it was alright. It's a big place and there are TVs and it just sorta feels like your in a condo restaurant. Maybe they need more decor on the walls, I'm not real sure. Our server was very sweet, and new alot about the menu. Free Parking in garage, valet was available and we saw a few street spots as well. I agree with the other yelpers reviews that its just okay. Its not amazing but its not the worst. It's just okay. I wish I could write something more specific or exciting.
(3)Liz V.
I absolutely love this place! I am a regular here for lunch. I can easily get in, have a nice sit down lunch, and get out and back to work. The wait is never long and the sushi rolls are amazing. I usually order off of the lunch menu and either get the Philly or Atlantic rolls, both of which, are nothing short of AWESOME! The wait staff is always super nice and attentive. Be sure to ask about their lunch loyalty program if you frequently visit for lunch. After so many visits for lunch, I received $20 in gift certificates and they email coupons as well. The decor is nice, modern, and trendy and I love the atmosphere. I have nothing but nice things to say about this place!
(4)FoodCritic 6.
This place was okay! Not all that. Very nice and upscale place. Whet there with a group of friends waiting one hour for our food. The sushi was not all that. If you want good sushi I wouldn't go there. Better place around town than this place. Too over priced for some loose sushi.
(2)Cary B.
Daughter and I are in town for college orientation. Staying nearby at Hilton Homewood Suites. Nama's is a block away. We had 2 appetizers: seaweed salad and tomato/avocado salad. Both were delicious, but the tomato/avocado salad lacked some flavor which was quickly remedied by some sea salt. We had 3 sushi rolls: Cali, Crunchy Shrimp, and Dragon. Would definitely get the last 2 again. Outstanding!! The Cali was a crab and mayo blend, not a whole piece of crab. Had more flavor but not a lot of crab meat. We took our desserts to go: truffles, and salted caramel cheesecake. Small portions but divine!! Service was slow on a Monday night but we weren't in a hurry. And the place was very busy. My daughter now knows of a good sushi place here in Nashville within walking distance from college.
(4)Emily Myles H.
Namas food was great. I went with some girlfriends on Monday which happens to be half priced sushi night. We shared the crab and asiago dip to start which was awesome. I got the tempura roll and it was fantastic, great flavor. Service was just OK. Will definitely be back .
(4)Chelsea J.
Their lunch special can't be beat! The sushi is fresh, flavorful, and service is (usually) great. I probably wouldn't come here for dinner though, its a little too pricey.
(4)Sheri L.
Great service. Great location and ambience for a fun night out. Creative sushi and hot dishes.
(5)Allison B.
Just okay. Over priced
(2)Kayce T.
Rachel was awesome, she suggested the Ex-Girlfriend and didn't disappoint. Seviche was great, and the tempura roll delish! Staff was warm and friendly!
(5)Christina D.
As a Knoxvillian located in middle Tennessee, I have been waiting patiently for this location to open. Unfortunately, this Nama has a bit to go before being able to be compared to its mother. The server selection here seems a bit unselective, I have always been more than happy with the servers in Knoxville. The Nashville location had many young servers, and we could hardly understand what are server was telling us, which I find a pretty important part of serving. I went on half price night ( Mondays and Thursday) and was relieved to find that the roles haven't changed! I will say the tempura roll ( my favorite) was a bit smaller than normal, and the orange crush was not "orangey". Hopefully these things will adjust themselves in the next months of getting the kinks worked out.
(4)Jeni M.
So Fresh! Enjoyed a lunch here for the first time. The main menu is a bit overwhelming but the sushi options are much more diverse than other restaurants in the area. I tried the Marley sushi roll as well as the soy joy roll. Marley roll is vegetarian with tofu, as asparagus and mango covered in jerk seasoning. Soy joy is spicy tuna with albacore and wrapped in soy paper. They were both incredibly fresh tasting. Soy joy was the best piece of sushi I've had in a long time. Do not miss this place! Great lunch specials and friendly/knowledgable staff.
(4)Samantha N.
Recommend the half price sushi days! We had the soy joy, pizza roll, and Kim Chee and rice. Also, on the main menu, enjoyed the tuna poke. If you like seaweed, this is a must!
(4)Kylie H.
The ambiance of Nama stands out against the other sushi spots on Elliston. It's a great place to fulfill your sushi fix, have a nice dinner with friends and not spend a fortune. Drinks are also reasonably priced. Sushi was good, the only thing I did not care for was the calamari appetizer.
(4)Daniella B.
Over priced sushi. If you want to pay for atmosphere and inauthenticity, this is your place. Sushi chefs looks like they are American college kids who responded to a groupon deal on how to make sushi. Go to Samurai instead. Quality is much better.
(1)Leslie J.
I guess my expectations were too high, as this restaurant has been recommended as one of the new hot spots in Nashville, and not just for sushi. Well, I was a little underwhelmed. The sushi was good, without a doubt, but, it's hard to make a roll worth $18. There were also some little things...like the fact that their "house" champagne is J Roget?? It's $3.00/bottle at the wine store...the worst. And, they sell it for $7/glass?? Come on, now. Any decent restaurant should not have J Roget in their establishment! The hot sake also seemed bland, with a watered down flavor. The highlight of our meal was the ceviche...oddly! Lots of fresh fish and shellfish mixed with pico, and avocado slices on the side. It came with a basket of chips which were not even needed. The ceviche can stand alone! As far as atmosphere goes, the space is beautiful...large/open, clean, modern, and with an outdoor patio that will be great when it cools off a bit. Also, we had great service from the bartender, Jay. I would definitely return, but I might try it on half-priced sushi night!
(3)Angus N.
Really enjoyed this place, we brought the kids. It was a mellow Monday night, half price sushi. Loved the Pizza roll and the Soy Joy. We didn't order any sashimi, not sure about that this far inland.
(4)Vanessa K.
I love me some good sushi and I found some here! The rolls are bigger than most and they were delicious. My group ordered the Boston, Crazy tuna, and Fancy Scallop rolls. We also ordered the calamari to start, which was a bit chewier than I like, but it helped me save room for the sushi. We got som cocktails that had a hint of alcohol thrown in there and weren't mixed very well so I would just go with a beer next time. The place was cute & modern inside and the ambiance was good - we sat at the bar and watched a game. The more I write this review I realize the place wasn't bad and I did very much enjoy the sushi, but that's about it. I'll probably come back if I can't find parking for Samurai, which is what happened on this visit..
(4)Miss C.
It's decent food. I liked my sushi roll, my honey didn't like his. There was a bunch of pico on his roll that didn't stay on the roll. It was different, but everything that's different isn't better. The "modern" spin on sushi was... modern. I see what they were trying to do. Some appetizers are good. I loved the calamari, and the cheesy dip appetizer (I'll update the post when I think of the name). The miso soup was standard. There was solid service, and generally friendly employees. I won't go running back every week, but I won't vehemently protest should someone want to try it. (Maybe quietly offer another option.)
(3)Yan Z.
I like the atmosphere and location. The food was nicely presented and tasted great! The price is little higher than average sushi place but Nashville is going to explode into a big city in no time, we will be seeing more of those prices :) definitely would go back.
(4)Kate S.
The secret garden roll is the best. This place is always fresh and delicious. I've never had anything that wasn't good at Nama.
(5)Charlotte Y.
Nama is hands-down the best sushi restaurant in TN! There are two or three locations in Knoxville, and the Nashville Nama is the first franchise location. The ones in Knoxville are a booming success and with good reason! The food is delicious, authentic, and very filling at a reasonable price (especially on the half-priced nights)
(5)Scott H.
Would have loved to have tried the food tonight but sat at the bar and no one would wait on us. 3 people at bar more focused on cleaning glasses than waiting on customers.
(1)Michael L.
Well, I visit this shopping complex at least 4 times a week to get a massage and juice. Tonight, I finally gave this place a try. Keep in mind, I have no problem paying $65 on a dinner for two, but I do expect a certain level of service at that price. If I wanted to sit with my drink empty for 10 minutes while the bartenders ate from a plate of food right in front of me, I would have paid $20 for dinner at Chuys. Nothing more annoying than when a place charges a premium price for food with, at best, mediocre service. Just go down to the street to Samurai. 1/2 the price, just as good, and you don't have to watch the people serving you food eat their dinner while your drink stays empty. Two stars becuase the food and environment are pretty okay.
(2)Trey B.
Very good sushi. Love the half price on Monday and Thursday. Rolls to try: JG Tempura Soy Joy Atlantic
(5)Randi T.
always excited to try a new sushi place in town. our usual go-to is Samurai, this place is definitely an upscale version with overloaded rolls. we were overwhelmed with the menu but our server was super patient with us. we started with the calamari salad - DELISH. thumbs up. next was the crab dip - thumbs up again. not sure I would order again, but my husband definitely would... the rolls... fancy scallop roll was okay.... just not that flavor full and full of creamy sauce. we did the sushi platter chef's choice ($25) and got to choose what nigiri and sashimi fish we wanted (great plus to that) and also what special roll we wanted - the chef will make anything. our server told us to pick one of the expensive rolls and we can alter it any way we want. long story short, we got the wrong roll and thank god. it was fried (was that a fried eggplant on my sushi?) and was drowning in creamy sauce. our server saw it was wrong and came right over and got us a new roll. the new one was good but again, 3 sauces too many. the sashimi was really good and tasted fresh, thumbs up for that. we would go back, but not order rolls again, sashimi and appetizer orders only.
(3)Andrea K.
Not even a competition, this is the best sushi in Nashville!! I've brought quite a few out of town guests and Nama has blown each of them away. The ingredients are always fresh with a huge variety of flavors. My favorites are the Royale roll and the Orange Crunch (there's also an Orange Crush which is good, but the crunch is incredible). I also recommend the red sangria... Amazing!! If you sit at the sushi bar it's worth ordering the chen's choice. They'll talk you through what they are doing and let you sample along the way the be sure you like what they're creating. I HIGHLY recommend Nama for any occasion. It's a fun, trendy atmosphere with the seriously delicious sushi.
(5)Josh B.
Had a delicious meal there, will definitely be going back. Ate edamame as an app. Seaweed salad to start and a delicious tuna burger as a meal! Service was great, food was excellent. I had some sampling a of another's sushi and it was fantastic! Time to go back soon.
(5)Padma L.
Hot new Sushi bar , Nama is amazing!! Food is tasty, the atmosphere cool and the service exceptional from our server Leah!! Visiting Nashville but will definitely be back!!
(5)Joel L.
Leah was a wonderful server in a swanky atmosphere. The tempura roll was fabulous. The udon noodles were cooked just right. Highly recommend this restaurant to those who like their sushi.
(5)Seth E.
I used to frequent Nama's location in Knoxville and had very high expectations for this location in Nashville that opened recently. I have to say, this location blew my expectations out of the water. Service and food is excellent! Best sushi in Nashville hands down.
(5)Jessica N.
Love this place! The service is great! And the sushi is awesome! We always get the chef special! :)
(4)Isabel C.
The sushi was unique and amazing. However, dinner prices are too high for me to go back at that time. $16 for one roll. And I like to have 2 or 3. Lunch prices are more reasonable. Great lunch spot.
(4)Jamie M.
Overall impression is mixed. Atmosphere is great but the sushi is no fresher than other sushi restaurants in Nashville. However this is easily the most expensive sushi restaurant in Nashville. Unfortunately our experience was poor: several prices of nigiri had skin on them, maki rolls (just rice, fish and seaweed wrapper) were mostly rice with strips of fish skinnier than a nickel, low sodium soy sauce had been refilled with regular soy sauce, miso soup was tiny (5 spoon fills; no kidding). The food prep was not consistent either, as re-orders were sometimes better and sometimes worse but never the same. We might try again in a couple of months and hope the food prep issues have been worked out. But price points should also be adjusted for what is plated. Samurai down the street is fresher and cheaper but has hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. All tradeoffs.
(2)Beth E.
My husband and I used to frequent Nama Sushi Bar when we lived in Knoxville, so we were super excited to hear that they were opening a location in Nashville as we have been disappointed with most of the sushi joints in Nashville. I am excited to report that the Nashville Nama location has definitely lived up to my expectations and we will definitely be recommending it to everyone we know! Our favorites include the crab and asiago dip appetizer, tempura roll, soy joy roll, dragon roll, rainbow roll, and Atlantic roll. Maki rolls are also tasty and they have great specials. Good for groups and sharing. House saki is also yummy!!
(5)Brian N.
I live a few blocks from here, and finally stopped in today. I'm really not sure what to think. It's a good looking restaurant, but it seemed soulless and to just be following "cool" design trends, rather than the result of any particular aesthetic vision; it looked like a chain restaurant, and I try my best to avoid chains. There were surprisingly few vegetarian options on the lunch menu, so I ordered off the main menu, and it was expensive for what it was. Was it good? It was...okay. I had a crunchy veggie roll and a veggie bowl, and, while they were both decent, they weren't good or different enough for me to want to go back at the prices they asked for. The service -- Juan and some other woman who's name I didn't catch -- were very attentive. I don't know how business has been -- it was empty at lunch, but this is Christmas week and, I suppose, a lot of people are otherwise engaged -- but it seems to be a bit generic to do well in an area that might call for more eclectic food and design. It seemed just one step above mall sushi. I might try it again or dinner to see if there's an improvement.
(3)J L.
We ate here this past Saturday evening. I definitely noticed the decor first - very pretty place. Also, complimentary valet parking and the valet staff was very friendly. The hostess and the folks at the bar were super nice as well. Once seated, our server was OK - he wasn't the friendliest individual, but maybe it was just an off day. He wasn't rude or anything, so it wasn't a big deal. The food is a little pricey, but all of the food we ordered tasted amazing! I would definitely go back. We will have to try going on a Monday next time.
(4)Yvonne C.
Majority of the reviewers have said it, it's definitely a modern, contemporary take on a sushi restaurant but not so much that the comfort factor is lost. On a Sunday night, my party of 4 came here for dinner and we were greeted/sat immediately. Our waitress was quick to visit us as well! Service throughout the meal was a-okay. This place has weekly specials, and on Sundays they have all day "happy hour" where select apps are $5. For alcohol, they have the 2-4-1 drink specials which include $5 drafts, $6 glasses of wine, $9 cocktails, and sake (can't remember the pricing). My party went with sushi for our first venture into this restaurant, and though I was only able to try my BF's "chirashi" dish, my "crazy tuna" roll, and a salmon maki roll, everything on our table was presented nicely and neatly. I tried the crazy tuna on the recommendation of Johnny T. in order to avoid the mayos/cream cheese, and he didn't steer me wrong, it was a good choice. This 8pc. roll is a simple blend of avocado and tuna, flavors complemented each other and the fish tasted fresh. The salmon maki roll is really tiny in size but at least it tasted good. As for the chirashi, it includes about 4 different fish served over sushi rice and topped with some sliced beets. Something that really made me laugh was the soup! One of our friends ordered the miso soup and it came out in the smallest bowl I have ever seen, in fact the spoon was too big for the bowl. The bowl is akin to a dessert bowl for a scoop of ice cream. It's incredibly teeny. I think a major takeaway point here is to be aware of the portion sizes! As others have mentioned, the prices here are really steep. My crazy tuna was $18, chirashi $25 for reference. Although the sushi tastes good I wouldn't say their prices are worth it. I've had sushi equally as good for less. But my overall experience was good and my party enjoyed ourselves. Would I come here again for a causal dining experience? Nah. Maybe for a date night or with some friends? Sure. Probably best to dine here for lunch if you're on a budget.
(4)Thomas I.
Tried out Nama sushi bar tonight. It was expensive food that should not use the word "sushi" Over cooked rice, nori was not prepped right. Tempura & cutlet cooked in the same oil? Taste was off. The prepping of the curry was not Japanese. Yet I don't know which style of curry serves undercooked bell peppers. If you are feeling for Japanese, don't go here. Grocery store sells better prepped sushi. As Japanese, this place feels more insulting than disappointed. Would I go back again? No Would I go eat here if it's all paid dinner? No
(2)Caroline B.
I attended a yelp event here tonight. Great staff and service. I liked the restaurant, but it was a little dark (I had to sit at a weird angle to even look at my menu). Get the Asiago crab dip, or you will regret it for the rest of your life. If you get the house salad, ask for extra dressing. The dressing is so yummy, but there's barely any on the salad. I had the pizza sushi and it was yummy. Good flavor. If you get the tempura sushi, ask for some extra heat to be added - we got some extra sauce & it was well worth it! The truffle dessert was sooooo good, but very rich.
(5)Sherry Y.
A spacious, modern two-floor restaurant, Nama takes the cake on contemporary ambience at Elliston Place. While the interior and the expansive cocktail menu impresses, the food is still pretty delectable. Since my table ordered lunch specials, we were able to get around the high prices many Yelpers duly noted. However, I was able to get my Philly smoked salmon roll, miso soup, and house salad for $9 on a Sunday. Not a bad price, especially with a live jazz band strumming in the background. While "Honeysuckle Rose" sang, we enjoyed a fresh meal chock full of fresh veggies. My only critique is that the chef used far too much miso or salt in the soup, rendering it a briny, eye-wincing ordeal. However, service here is professional and warm. Our server was incredibly attentive, even though it was also her lunch hour. She brought out all of our food in under 10 minutes flat, maybe less. I would advise those looking for a fancy lunch to come here, and perhaps skip on evening affairs unless it's just for drinks and a light bite.
(4)Hye Eun C.
It's great to have a good sushi bar close to Vanderbilt. Although the prices here are pretty steep, Nama does seem to offer several lunch deals and happy hour specials every day. My bf and I tried the pork dumplings ($5 happy hour special) and 4 rolls. All were pretty good. The rolls were beautifully presented and tasted fresh and delicious. While the sushi here isn't authentic per say, it is still worth a try. Just make sure your pockets are deep or opt to come during half priced sushi days!
(4)Krystal T.
Sushi was originally pedestrian food of the working class, but with quality ingredients; Nama Sushi is the exact opposite. The only thing elevated about Nama (besides the second-floor seating, which is rarely filled) are the prices. This place is almost always empty, which makes the fact they have valet parking almost hilarious. Honestly, I prefer to walk down 1.5 blocks to Samurai Sushi which has a more authentic sushi bar atmosphere with better prices and at least equal quality.
(2)Seth T.
I've had fusion sushi from the east coast to the west and Nama is, by far, the best I've EVER had. To find fresh fish in a land locked state is obviously difficult yet this restaurant somehow does it! You should eat at the bar if you want the best service. When I went in I had an amazing experience with a vibrant young lady, I think her name was Madi . Order a chef's choice from any of their fine sushi chefs, personally I love josh and Logan, and expect to have an amazing culinary experience! Don't be turned off by a slightly higher price point. Paying a little more is well worth it. I go to Nama at least once a week!
(5)Hannah W.
Good food and good service. However, I live in the apartment above Nama and just went down to grab some dinner with my roommates. There were at leAst 4 open tables outside and 5 or 6 inside yet they told us it'd be a 30 minute wait so we left. Would like to see quicker service and to see them turn tables faster.
(3)Jason P.
First visit. Although they did not have a nigiri combo on the menu my server asked the chef to make one special. It was very good! Haven't tried rolls yet but definitely will next time. Service was friendly and attentive. They had an extensive list of over a dozen sake choices. Will definitely be back!
(5)Johnny T.
I'm glad to see more recent reviews 'getting' Nama. No, this isn't your mom & pop sushi spot. Yes, the prices are probably higher than you want to pay for a to-go order. But this isn't a to-go kind of spot. This is a destination spot for a fun evening of eating and drinking. Thing is, if you want a more affordable, casual experience, you can get it here. The lunch menu/special is cost effective and Nama offers a happy hour that introduces their food/drink program for reduced price. Look up, look down, look all around... this is why the prices are higher. The folks behind the Nama machine spent time, effort and money to construct a visual appealing place (that patio alone) at which people would want to spend some time. Yes, it's an interesting situation that there are other sushi restaurants within spitting distance but they offer very different experiences.* This is a fun, sexy place to which you could take your gf, boss or buddy and have a fantastic experience. I've spoken on the decor and vibe... let's get to the food. It's awesome. Nama offers a broad Japanese food experience. While the maki is good, allow yourself some time to venture past the sushi offerings. When it comes to rolls, the caterpillar (eel, snow crab, cucumber topped with avocado and eel sauce) and crazy tuna (spicy tuna, cucumber topped with seared albacore, avocado, scallion and ponzu sauce) are my jams. No mayo or cream cheese to be seen. But when I'm in the mood for a different sort of party, Nama is quick to oblige. For instance, the wasabi hummus is truth. Get ready for your next addiction. The miso soup does skew a bit to the salty side, but I like salt. I don't quite get how the crab & asiago dip fits in to the Japanese point of view but after the first taste, I decided to stop asking questions and to eat more. I could put a tub of that away. The salad offerings aren't as successful, in my experience. I've found the house salad to be watery and the seaweed salad to have an off-putting aftertaste. No worries. More dip & hummus for me. Then there's the hot food. Try this. Order this. Put this into your rotation. I don't know of other restaurants in town offering this slice of Japanese life and you're gonna want it. Both the katsudon and the currydon are fantastic blends of protein, vegetables, rice, and spice. One comes with egg. The other comes a little sweeter. They're both flavor bombs that may make you forget about sushi altogether. It's important to know what you're getting in to when you go to Nama. Here you're getting an elevated food experience without snobbery. Yes, the price point is higher than what you get at a mom & pop joint but this isn't a mom & pop joint. Nama may not be your all day every day sushi joint but once you check out the breadth and depth of the menu, it'll become part of your Friday night rotation. Definitely. *No shade. I am a regular at one of them.
(4)Diana O.
A nice sushi spot with patio seatings. They have valet available or you can find a street side parking. I had a good experience. The prices was a bit high for sushi that was medicore. If you like trying out new places go for it.
(4)Dominic L.
While very trendy on the inside, the quality of the sushi nor the service lives up to those expectations. We ordered sushi to go from here and they told us 10 minutes. We arrived at the restaurant to find the two orders the place were rather overpriced, quality unbecoming, and we waited 25 minutes while ordering overpriced drinks at the bar. I don't think they have a legitimate sushi chefs. Rather a bunch of college students have taken some course on how to make sushi.
(2)Mike J.
We stopped in on a sunny Saturday for a late lunch. First impression was positive - its a nice, open space, but it still felt warm and welcoming. The ceilings open up to an upstairs seating area, where they have another bar and another sushi bar. At 2 pm on Saturday, there were only a few other diners, and there was plenty of staff. We were quickly greeted and seated, and our waitress took our drink orders immediately. We both selected items from the $9 lunch menu - she had the soy joy and I had something like an Alaska roll. The roll presentation was excellent, a good balance of ingredients. Both were excellent, and very filling. We also tried a premium roll, the fancy scallop. It was very good as well, but not a great value at $16. I think that the key to enjoying this place is to stick with the $9 lunch menu (which had about 10 sushi items as well as several other goodies). The lunch comes with miso and a house salad. The house salad is worth mention. This is not the standard fare of iceberg lettuce drenched in ginger sauce - but a delicate, well balanced and well presented little meal! The dressing was exceptional. Drinks aren't cheap, $4.50 for a draft beer. Our server told us they have 1/2 price sushi on Monday and Thursday night - this will be worth checking out, especially during happy hour (which is all day on Sunday). Service was fabulous, and parking is free valet. We'll be back!
(4)Chris A.
I went to Nama by myself on a Friday night. It was considerably busy and I opted for bar seating. I sat at the bar for what seemed like an eternity before even being acknowledged. I chocked it up to just the bartenders being busy. When acknowledged, I asked for some wine. I got the apothic red. I drank almost the entire glass before having to flag the bartender again and ask for a food menu. I ordered salmon nigiri, quail egg, and a tofu roll. The food was delicious. I was really hoping they would have Mackerel but the season is so fickle its hard to see what they will have. Once the bartenders knew I was eating here, they were actually very attentive and I felt they took good care of me. The atmosphere is wonderful. This is the third sushi restaurant on Elliston. I hope they all live in harmony because I like all three. Nama seems a bit more 'upscale' and fancy though.
(4)Eliza R.
I'm seeing some low star ratings, but I had a great experience with my boyfriend a couple weeks ago. We went for a late lunch, so it was totally dead inside. However, service was phenomenal! Our waitress was honestly one of the best servers I'd had in a long time: she was perky, attentive, warm, and made a lot of good suggestions. I want to say her name was Kayla or Haley! Anyway, she made the experience memorable. The food itself is great, too! I had a seaweed salad and miso soup, along with the Thai roll (basil and coconut milk - heck yeah!) and I was really pleased with the quality. My only issue is that it IS very pricy sushi; not quite Virago expensive, but expensive nonetheless. I was surprised there wasn't a lunch menu to choose from. Anyway, I still really enjoyed the place and I will definitely be back!
(4)Adrianna S.
Was very excited to visit this restaurant since it is a new addition to Vanderbilt's Taste of Nashville selection. However, I will definitely will not try this place again for sushi. Sushi was verrryyyyyy overpriced compared to main competitor (Osake) and was unimpressive. My sushi rolls were very bland, small, and not worth the price. It seemed like the rolls were under sauced with eel sauce and spicy mayo so you'd be forced to ask for extra sauce on the side at a price.Additionally, the far side of the restaurant had a rancid smell as if water had been wasted but not soaked up leaving a rotten smell on that side of the restaurant. In contrast, the fish tacos were very good and one of the cheaper items in the menu for a sizeable amount of food.
(2)Sheena T.
Meh. BF and I picked up a take out order and had the Soy Joy, pot stickers, and another roll that I believe was the ex-girlfriend. The Soy Joy was OK, but the ex-girlfriend wasn't very good at all. I was disappointed in the flavors and just didn't find the quality to be very good for how expensive the specialty rolls were. I've heard from other people that their non-sushi menu is a lot better, so I will have to try that out next time. I really like the space and location but my first go-round was a dud.
(2)Lynne P.
I've been a couple of times now and it's okay but not my "go-to" for sushi. The rolls are creative and tasty but pricey. Service was good, the decor is ultra contemporary, it's quiet (at least when I have been there) enough to carry on a conversation. Bottom line..it's just okay.
(3)Kina L.
There are two things you MUST order at Nama. Always, desserts first. 1) Japanese Sweet Potato Mousse. Mind exploded. When the waitress handed us the dessert menu, I was being a total snark and saying to my friends... yeah yeah, let me guess, mochi, green tea ice cream.. the usual right. WRONG. WHO MAKES MOUSSE OUT OF SWEET POTATOES?? Especially Japanese sweet potatoes?? Geniuses. Thats who. Japanese sweet potatoes are, the funny enough... yellower and sweeter cousin of the standard/central American sweet potato. (Side note- if you really decide you like Japanese sweet potatoes you can buy it at the grocery store off Charlotte next to Lucky bamboo). Anyway, we ordered the mousse and were Blown away. It was incredibly creamy and rich with just the right amount of sweetness. I really thought there was avocado in it (theres not- I asked). And hey, its sweet potato- thats Paleo right. That means its like 100% healthy right? Best Sashimi deal in Nashville Hands down. 2) The Nama people sell themselves short on the description of this salad on their menu. Its under Spicy Sashimi salad and $12 at lunch (apparently the dinner portion is even bigger but for a slight price increase). Coming in at a whooping ~15+ pieces of sashimi on top of mixed greens with other shredded veggies.. it was a steal. And a beauty! I really expected a much smaller portion size on top of a couple pieces of greens. This was definitely dinner portion for someone with a regular appetite. I would highly recommend this dish for a light and protein packed lunch. I honestly have not seen this much sashimi for this price in Nashville. Other things I tried but was like eh about. 1) The nama hot bowl- your standard noodle bowl with choice of noodles or rice and protein- pork, tofu, chicken, shrimp. 2) Eel roll- pretty standard. 3) Seaweed salad and edamame- well you really can't go wrong here. So my 4 stars are pretty much for the crazy good dessert and sweet lunch special.
(4)Brandon F.
If you gave this more than 3 stars you haven't ever had good sushi and definitely not great sushi. First sign of potential larceny, we should have know better when we saw a menu dominated by rolls - this means the place isn't good. Second, if you have the price point of this place you better be as good or better than Uchi, Musashino, and Kome in Austin or Sushi of Gari in NYC but this was much more on the level of Grocery Stores. No embellishment there- this place is as good as Grocery stores but has more choices. I am ready for Nashville to have a great sushi place because there simply isn't one. Wild Ginger and Two ten jack are definitely better sushi than Grocery Stores but neither of those places are in the league of today's Great Sushi spots.
(2)Andy W.
I freaking love Nama. Best sushi in Nashville IMO. But the edemame just never works out. Always cold. Always dry and too hard. The thing is, pf changs is down the street and their edemame just crushesssss namas. It can't be hard. But man they really need to try and just make it like the other places. Not a huge deal. I'll still keep coming. But my wife hates coming with.
(3)Joi B.
I have a new favorite sushi place in Nashville (possible the entire South, truth be told) and that's Nama. One of the reasons? Tons of vegetarian options! As in, not just tofu teriyaki and an avocado cucumber roll. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I first spied the menu. Wasabi hummus app?! Several noodle dishes. An *entire* sushi section? I get actual *choices*?! Normally the choice is made for me with the one option a place begrudgingly offers (or the ability to "leave off the..." without leaving off the price that the protein costs). There I was, glorying in my indecision because I never get to be undecided. Although I'd typically order sushi, I wanted something heartier and the tofu burger and The Bowl... of Greatness (my add-on) were both calling my name. I can't resist a bowl brimming with vegetables, noodles and tofu, so I went with that. Excellent if you're hungry but want to keep to a lighter option. It's exactly what you'd expect, no bells and whistles. This would be my healthy go-to. But next time I'm so getting that burger. Let's not overlook the fact that Wednesday night is half price bottle night. And there are other specials on various weeknights as well. Let's not overlook the large patio that's just begging for long Wednesday nights with a couple of girlfriends and bottle after half-priced bottle... Nama sushi, when will I see you again?
(5)David O.
The Better Half wanted to try the new Sushi Bar that is Nama. The place is very very nice, and feels quite upscale. That certainly doesn't come without cost. The FULL price rolls would easily break the bank, but Monday is Half Price Roll day (From a select Menu) and fortunately includes several types, without including the entire menu. We started off with Miso soup which really is my only major complaint with this place. The bowl they serve the (full price) Miso soup in is so shallow that the spoon doesn't even hit the bottom. It's over before it starts! I felt like they might as well have put my soup in the bowl you put your Soy Sauce in! Otherwise, we had the Pizza Roll, Crunchy Shrimp, Tempura and Orange Crush roll. The Pizza Roll was the one I disliked the most. Its well made, it just had something I can't quite pin down about it I didn't care for. On the other hand, the Orange Crush was the biggest surprise. It was quite sweet and a unique take on Sushi. I absolutely recommend trying that one. In the end, the price is the barrier to me. For the Half Priced Rolls we paid about what we would dining at a "regular" sushi place. If you want the upscale atmosphere this is a great location, but if you just want good sushi and a decent price I recommend Sonobana or other local choices.
(3)Hall W.
The sushi here isn't awe inspiring world class, but for Nashville (and especially TN), it is still pretty good. The presentation is great and they have a comprehensive ingredients. However, taste wise, it just lacks that balances of an amazing sushi. Ironically, I would say the best points to Nama isn't the Sushi part, but the bar part. They have pretty amazingly well made mixed drinks and awesome drinks selection. They also have super amazing deserts too. The feel is modern trendy, but without overdoing it. The service is just beyond spectacular. Overall its a spectacular experience for a pregame dinner or a Friday night drinks...
(4)Lauryn C.
Very slow service. We were told to come here for happy hour. Empty but took forever to get drinks and the waitress rarely came back to ask us if we needed anything.
(1)Lauren L.
This place came highly recommended from friends who had tried it, so I was disappointed. I am so glad I went on half-priced sushi night because the #1 thing about this restaurant is that it is EXTREMELY overpriced. For sushi that is not great quality, $18 dollars a roll is ridiculous. For that price, go down the street to Virago where the sushi is amazing for the same dollar amount. The service was only OK. When we arrived the restaurant was basically empty but they sat us in the back of the restaurant by the back door (that kept opening and blowing cold air in). Drinks were meh. Overall- I won't go back. Not sure how long they can survive doing half-priced sushi the same night as the other big sushi place in Nashville.
(2)Stephanie C.
Excited that Nashville has a true specialty sushi place! They had a great selection of different rolls and some non-sushi dishes as well! I like that they have a full bar too. The sushi wasn' t blow you away but we are about 10 hours away from the ocean. They did have a few TV's too and valet which made parking super easy. For it only being open 2 days we didn't really have any glitches.
(3)Jeff S.
Service is par, but the sushi is awesome here! Best I've had! 4 star service but 6 STAR sushi gives them an average of 5
(5)Anna J.
Came here the other day for half off sushi, and was very disappointed. The rolls sounded amazing, but when they came, they were all let downs, maybe except for one (the tempura fried one). My biggest problem was the fact that none of the rolls were rolled tightly, or the rice wasn't cooked well, so when you picked one up, it would fall apart. The rice to filling ratio was off on some of the rolls. Nothing tasted spectacular, just average. Service was alright, our waitress didn't seem like she was having a good day.
(3)Tammy T.
Nama on a thursday night for half off sushi?!?! DONE AND DONE. Although there is only a limited amount of half price sushi you can choose from, the price definitely makes up for it! Crunchy shrimp for $4.50. HELL YES! The interior is very spacious and DARK. Might need to bring a flashlight next time to see the menu. I ordered the crunchy shrimp and spicy tuna. The crunchy shrimp was absolutely delicious. Hello crunchy shrimp and goodbye mickey d's! (jk, mickey d's, you will forever have a place in my heart) The spicy tuna, on the other hand, was really fish and didn't tasted fresh at all. yuck! That just means two orders of crunchy shrimp in the future!
(4)Dave P.
Nama is visually appealing but far from a good sushi restaurant. Their menu is mainly focused on prepared foods, not fresh or raw foods that is considered typical sushi. I could not find a single roll that didn't have something cooked, fried, filled with cream cheese or made from artificial crab (they claim 50/50). To top it off my stomach has been in knots since I ate a $25 plate of sashimi on a bed of sticky rice. This would be the same raw fish you would find in nigiri or sashimi, just served as a featured dish. The appetizer sampler plate was worse than the dumplings and rolls that I get from the grocery store freezer isle. Your best bet is to go to some of the original sushi places in town that offer a complete menu of fresh fish in a verity of healthy offerings.
(2)Alexandra F.
Very, very good fresh sushi. Very confused as to where their parking lot is. Anyhow, I came here for lunch and found a spot on the street. You can also park in that garage. Go past Nama on Elliston a tiny bit and there is a garage on the right and it's free. Lunch prices are a little more expensive than I'm used to. At a lot of places you get 2 or three rolls with soup or salad. Here you get one roll. The quality of the food is worth it though. I would order more food next time cause I was still hungry. Miso soup was great. Seaweed salad was perfect. Spicy tuna roll was so fresh and delicious. I don't care for cucumber in mine, but that's ok. Next time I'll probably try a different roll. I would love to come back here for lunch or during happy hour.
(4)Mark H.
OK, I had dinner here two nights in a row. The first night I was with clients, the second night I was dining alone. The first night was really a great experience. The food was good, (I had a couple of different rolls) and we were all drinking drafts and the beer was nice and cold! When I went back the second night, I ordered a Martini. When the bartender brought it to me, it was obviously a short pour. She asked me if that was how I liked my martinis and I told her I typically like them full. She obviously didn't get it! I was going to order another bit decided instead just to order a Vodka rocks. Again, a noticeably short pour! I made another comment to her and she just looked at me. The food here was good, (I had the shrimp tacos) however, when you rip me off on the alcohol, it makes me want to never walk into the place again. Especially when I'm paying enough for one martini to buy the damned bottle of vodka! BEWARE OF THE SHORT POURS HERE! JUST DRINK BEER.
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