Butterfish Sushi — Restaurant in Berkeley

I recently dined at Butterfish in Berkeley, and I have to say, it was one of the best sushi experiences I’ve had in the Bay Area. While it’s on the pricier side, every bite was worth the cost. The quality and preparation of the fish were absolutely top-notch, making it clear why Butterfish stands out.

We were in a small group and ordered a variety of dishes, including the Otoro Don, Bara Don, and the Nigitoro, Uni & Ikura Donburi Bowls. The mix of flavors in each bowl was nothing short of spectacular, with each ingredient complementing the others perfectly. Not a single bite was left by the end of our meal—everything was that delicious.

For dessert, I was completely smitten with the matcha cheesecake and crème fraîche. It was the perfect balance of creamy and slightly tangy, with the matcha flavor coming through beautifully. We also tried the matcha ice cream with red bean paste, which was an interesting and delightful pairing I hadn’t tried before. It was the perfect way to end a meal.

What really made the experience stand out, aside from the incredible food, was the service. The staff were exceptionally attentive, going above and beyond to ensure we had an enjoyable meal. Honestly, the service here rivals that of many fine dining restaurants, which made the entire experience even more memorable.

Overall, Butterfish is a must-visit for anyone in Berkeley or the Bay Area. From the amazing fish to the impeccable service, everything was perfect. I will absolutely be coming back, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-prepared sushi and a fantastic dining...

I came in starving and so excited to eat at the restaurant I've been wanting to come here a long time! I had three friends give me rave reviews about this place! I walked in and I was asked to see if I could sit at the bar and I said no it would hurt my body there's no one in line and there was a table right in front of me and I was told there's no tables for party of one. No explanation why and no explanation of how long it would be.. I said this is my first time and I was so excited to come here and I said you just lost me as a customer. And she said oh and let me walked out the door. She didn't open the door and apologized and I was very kind and loving like I am. I have two bad knees I'm going to physical therapy for and bad ankle and plantar fasciitis in my feet I am not going up on a bar stool if you can't accommodate someone who can't get in a bar stool then why are you open and I will never go there again and I will let people not know not to go there I'm born and raised in berkeley. And my family is well known in the area I'm really bummed out I really wanted to try it and a horrible waitress and I worked in restaurants for 30 years terrible customer service I should...

This place is now my favorite local sushi spot!! I was super famished the other day coming back from the marina and just decided to check it out on a whim.

The sushi chef was so kind and welcoming. They were near closing but he didn’t rush me, and created a beautiful dish for me! (I have a crustacean allergy and they were so good about alterations). The sushi was fresh and their menu was really comprehensive and wonderful. I can’t wait to try everything over the course of visits.

Service was super quick if you need to grab a quick lunch.

Everyone who works there is SO nice. Even though they had closed, even the hot foods chef said goodbye and was so friendly to me.

Pui was such a lovely host. She was such a nice and wonderful person to talk to. She made amazing recommendations and also suggested a wonderful mint-based non-alcoholic drink for me that was one of the best I’ve had in a while!!

The owner is so sweet and kind!!

The decor and ambiance is nice. But do make reservations because it gets booked up on weekends.

I’ll definitely be coming back often with friends.

(Easy parking too!! And the place is super easy to spot from the...