August 14, 2025

Sugarfish to Open Its First San Diego Location in Little Italy

News Summary

Sugarfish, the acclaimed sushi restaurant chain, is set to open its inaugural branch in San Diego’s Little Italy by spring 2026. Known for its fresh sushi offerings, the new location will feature a design inspired by Californian ranch houses and cater to 40 guests. The menu will include various sushi options, with a focus on quality and seasonal ingredients at reasonable prices. Excited local sushi lovers can look forward to experiencing this dining concept that has gained popularity in other cities.

San Diego – Sugarfish, a renowned sushi restaurant chain, is scheduled to open its first location in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood by spring 2026. This will mark the establishment’s initial expansion beyond its traditional bases in Los Angeles, Orange County, and New York city.

The new restaurant will be situated at 2100 Kettner Boulevard, Suite 1100, San Diego, CA 92101. As part of the Nozawa Group, which also owns Nozawa Bar and KazuNori, Sugarfish is poised to offer its signature sushi experience to San Diego locals and visitors alike.

Since its inception in 2008, with the first location opening in Marina del Rey, Sugarfish has gained popularity for its dedicated approach to sushi. Founded by chef Kazunori Nozawa, along with his son Tom Nozawa and partners Jerry Greenberg, Lele Massimini, Clement Mok, and Cameron Broumand, the restaurant’s premise focuses on fresh fish paired with perfectly cooked rice in diverse offerings including sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and hand rolls.

The restaurant’s hallmark is its “Don’t Think. Just Eat. Trust Me.” set menu, which showcases a careful selection of flavors through sashimi, seven orders of nigiri, and two hand rolls. The upcoming San Diego location will offer four set meals along with hand rolls, cut rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and edamame. Among the unique features of the menu will be limited availability items, such as a toro tasting and uni.

Designed by architect Robert Tsurimoto Kirsten of A-RTK, the ambiance of the San Diego Sugarfish is intended to reflect the charm of Cliff May’s California ranch houses. The restaurant will accommodate 40 guests, featuring concrete floors and expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the harbor.

Aiming to distinguish itself in the competitive sushi market of San Diego, Sugarfish promotes a casual dining atmosphere while maintaining a commitment to delivering high-quality sushi at reasonable prices. The Nozawa-style sushi emphasizes the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. This approach is characterized by its simplicity, avoiding fusion sauces or overly elaborate rolls.

Pricing for menu items at the new restaurant will vary, with the most affordable lunch special starting at $32. The popular “Trust Me” option will cap at $60, ensuring a range of choices for sushi enthusiasts at different price points.

As Sugarfish prepares to enter the San Diego dining scene, it brings with it a reputable brand known for prioritizing quality and a distinctive culinary philosophy. San Diegans can anticipate a seafood experience that reflects the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine while fitting seamlessly into the vibrant atmosphere of Little Italy.