Maru Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Austin

I've lived in Austin since 2009 and this wholesome unassuming and quiet sushi restaurant somehow skipped my attention for years. It shouldn't have!

This establishment may just be the best sushi restaurant in Austin.

The plates are a little more expensive... but you have to understand the quality you're about to get is deserving of the best sushi restaurants in the world, much less Austin.

My partner and I sat down to dinner and decided to share only a couple dishes between us... An appetizer of Agedashi Tofo, and the Chirashi.

The owners take great care in what fish they select, and the selection that was in our Chirashi was honestly of the same high quality you might expect from a Michelin restaurant. Even the maguro ( bluefish tuna ) was beautifully dark red and delicious. the portions were generous, and the other seafood in the dish was equally high quality... Escolar, fresh scallops, yellowfin tuna, house smoked and fresh salmon, and buttery smooth mackerel, shrimp, crab, and of course tamago on a bed of sushi rice.

The restaurant looks like any little unassuming sushi restaurant you might find in Osaka... and it is one of Austin's...

I am not one to usually leave reviews, but my experience at Maru was absolutely phenomenal. This is some of the best Japanese food I have had in Austin in the last 20 years. I had the miso soup and gyoza for an appetizer. The miso soup was delicious and the gyoza had a perfectly light crisp on the outside. I then had the Squid Nigiri along with the Eel Nigiri. The squid, although a little tough, was very fresh with great flavor. The eel on the other hand was actually perfect. Very soft with the perfect amount of sauce on top. It was so good I had to order a second plate of it. They served my Kirin beer in a frosted glass which was also a nice touch. The service was stellar, the lady who served me was very sweet and attentive. I’m not sure if this would be considered a mom and pop shop but the atmosphere sure felt warm and inviting, as if I was at my own home as a kid. I was given a little cheesecake square with my bill and the total came out to $35.51. Considering the quality and experience I happily paid it and left a well deserved tip. I will gladly be returning. I have absolutely no idea why the restaurant was basically empty...

9/2025: Still love them, their escolar, their tempura, their miso soup, tiger roll etc. I might caution against the seaweed salad. They could improve this. It's rather syrupy & gloppy.

4.28.25: I stand by my glowing review, however, after a dinner experience there today (yum), I'm strongly wishing they'd had more help (at least 1 more person to take orders and bus tables; I don't know how things ran in the kitchen). 🍣💜

This is such a lovely neighborhood sushi restaurant. The couple is very sweet, the food is generously portioned, sushi perfectly sliced and DELICIOUS, and the restaurant is spacious enough not to feel cramped if you dine in, while maintaining a comfy/quaint arty living room vibe. Children are welcome.

I have tried a couple of rolls and tempura dishes I hadn't sampled before. There's nothing I've ordered that I've regretted! I'm a huge fan of the escolar.

Pick-up/to-go orders come packed with care and all the fixings.

Of course, it's pricey enough that I don't visit weekly, but I am happy to be a repeat customer of theirs. And I believe the cost is aligned with the high quality, and not exorbitant....