We asked and you voted. Here is the Readers’ Choice pick for best sushi in the Charlotte area.
Nothing beats good sushi, and it always tastes best when rolls are shared with friends and the sashimi is surrounded by engaging conversation. Pass the wasabi and the fresh gossip, please!
But where is the best place to get sushi in the Charlotte area?
That was the question we posed to you, readers, and the answers were impressive. You sent us your 50 favorite restaurants serving sushi in the Charlotte area (don’t miss the full list).
Then, the Readers’ Choice Best Sushi contest began. Round by round, the 50 best sushi restaurants were narrowed to one very best.
Here’s more about the restaurant you chose as the best sushi spot in the Charlotte area:
Best sushi in the Charlotte area: EeZ
Location: Birkdale Village, 16925 Birkdale Commons Pkwy F, Huntersville, NC 28078
Since 2005, eeZ has been serving “the freshest, most creative sushi” in Huntersville’s fast-evolving Birkdale Village. Owner Alan Springate says the restaurant’s popularity in the Lake Norman area stems from its insistence of only serving the highest quality fish. EeZ has chosen to work with companies that focus on environmental sustainability.
Master sushi chef Rifali Almunir and head sushi chef Son Nyugen have been with the company for years, focusing on the quality of both the sushi and the dishes served to guests. “Both of those guys are amazing,” Springate said.
He also wanted to thank the restaurant’s customers. “Can’t thank the readers enough. We really appreciate all the support we’ve gotten,” Springate told CharlotteFive. “We’ll keep doing our best to keep giving you the best product and we appreciate all the support we’ve gotten.”
Springate wanted to shout out the restaurant’s guests in Huntersville at Birkdale and in Charlotte. “They’ve always been so supportive of us as we’ve gone through a remodel,” he said. “They’ve always come out and support us in the greatest way. We just owe them the thank you for getting us here today.”
Over the past two years, Birkdale Village has undergone some major announcements, including:
- Charlotte Brewery Suffolk Punch announcing a Birkdale expansion;
- Brixx Pizza moving to a new Birkdale location;
- A new Girl Tribe Kiosk in a 1972 camper van;
- New retailers are expected to open this year, including Anthropologie, Warby Parker and a few others.
- Other local restaurants are opening at Birkdale as well.
Fun fact: You might know eeZ’s sister restaurant, The Cowfish, located at SouthPark in Charlotte. (The Cowfish made it to the Top Four in the sushi contest!).
And here are some details about the runner-up — a surprise newcomer to Ballantyne:
Runner-up for best sushi in the Charlotte area: Hestia Rooftop
Location: Ballantyne Village, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way Charlotte, NC 28277
Hestia Rooftop is a newbie to Charlotte’s sushi scene — the Ballantyne rooftop restaurant with a 180 degree view over the city only opened in March.
Chef Eiji Ozaka said that the sushi staff focuses on giving customers a wonderful experience, using fresh sushi and combining it with a high-scale presentation. “He’s being modest — he’s an artist,” said manager Bobby Debestani. “Come on in, try the sushi. If nothing else, you’ll definitely get some Instagram shots out of it.”
Debestani thanked the people voted for the restaurant, landing it in the No. 2 spot of our contest. “It’s the people that are coming in and enjoying the sushi and enjoying the quality of our sushi. ... We really appreciate everybody’s feedback and hopefully everybody keeps coming in and enjoying what we have to offer.”
After you’ve tried the winner and runner-up sushi restaurant, make sure to dive in to all 50 of your favorite sushi spots in the Charlotte area.
Read more about other winners of CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice contests:
This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM.