UME SUSHI — Restaurant in Destin

Beautiful restaurant ran by beautiful people! Their passion for the craft was apparent the moment I looked at the menu and started talking with one of the owners. This place is ran by a husband and wife team. She runs the place. He makes the sushi. I'll let them discuss their impressive pedigrees with you, as they're quite personable and WELL qualified to make some kickass sushi, and run a solid business.

Fresh cut bluefin (toro, chutoro, otoro)? They've got it. And yes, I mean cut fresh, from a whole bluefin. They may be the only ones in the area to do this on the regular.

Meticulously selected fish, cut and rolled by a true artisan/artist. Once again, I'll leave it up to you to discuss this with them, as they're quite proud (and rightfully so) of this. Their salmon was particularly indicative of this, in both appearance and rich flavor. Just watch the man cut fish for half a second and you'll understand what I mean.

I ordered a modified Ocean Roll and Unagi (Eel) Nigiri, to go. My modification was simply a personal preference to real (lump) crab meat to k-rab - the topping of The Ocean Roll. And my modification was met with no resistance, only a thoroughly reasonable price increase, and a gentle reminder that they have snow crab on the menu, as this would have been the more direct substitute. I greatly appreciated this, even though I had my mind set on lump (once again, a personal preference). They know their stuff!

Because I was ravenous, I stopped to eat just one of my Unagi Nigiri, in my truck. NOPE. Smashed both of them without hesitation.

EASILY some of the best sushi rice I've had (tied for first with, or second, only to another local institution, that needs, or frankly, warrants no advertisement here. They and every other local sushi lover knows who they are)!

The rice made the eel sing. In fact, it was so good that I closed up my box, hopped out of the truck, and walked back into the spot to compliment them.

As I drove away, my other roll was calling to me. Even though I intended to take my food home, I quickly stopped in a nearby parking lot. Mind you, I DON'T eat sushi in my truck. Chills ensued, with a tear in the corner of my eye on the first bite. And before I knew it, with no soy accompaniment, and hardly a breath, The Ocean was defeated. Hands down, one of the best specialty rolls I've ever had.

Be sure to thoroughly check out their eclectic menu! It's filled with gems I cannot wait to mine! Keep killing it!

No pictures were taken, as this masterfully crafted sushi only made it to infancy in the wild. Go see it...

I’m moving from Destin to SF next week and I’m on the brink of tears because I can’t believe I’m leaving just as Ume comes to town. This is extraordinary New York-caliber sushi now available in Destin — I generally avoid revealing myself as a long-time New Yorker, but I can’t explain it any other way. Truly ten levels beyond anything else I have found in Destin, and I’ve been everywhere else, from here down to Alys Beach. All the freshness and quality and creativity and cleverness you could ask for — I love Harbor Docks, but this will be miles ahead of Harbor Docks for a special night out every time I visit. And props to them on the interiors —peaceful and pared back with a beautiful sushi bar. You honestly wouldn’t have any idea you were in Florida. I’m so stricken. I might not move after all.

-Went for Dinner Last Night with a Girlfriend; No Joke Returned for Dinner Tonight...

Absolutely incredible experience at Ume Sushi!

I loved everything about my visit. I had the Tuna Lover Roll, the Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, and the Karaage appetizer — and wow, the flavors were unreal! Every bite was so fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The bluefin tuna was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and you can really tell they use top-quality ingredients.

My husband had the Shrimp Tempura Rolls, and they were large and delicious — perfectly crisp, light, and full of flavor.

What stood out most was how unique everything tasted — nothing about this place feels cookie-cutter. You can tell there’s real creativity and passion behind every dish. I honestly wanted to try everything on the menu because I know it would all be out of this world.

If you love sushi (or even if you just appreciate great food), you need to try Ume Sushi. I can’t...