Best Sushi on 30A & in Santa Rosa Beach, FL (A Local’s Picks)
30A is famous for its beaches, its bike paths, and its ice cream. Sushi usually isn’t the first thing people think of. That’s a shame, because after almost 25 years of eating my way up and down this coast, I can tell you the sushi scene along 30A and in Santa Rosa Beach has quietly gotten really good. In Inlet Beach, there’s a laid-back sushi bar; in Alys Beach, a dressed-up option; and a couple of waterfront spots where the view is half the fun.
Here are my favorite sushi spots on 30A and in Santa Rosa Beach, starting at the east end in Inlet Beach and working west.
Looking for more? Check out my guide to sushi in Miramar Beach and Destin for the full picture.
Casual & Laid-Back
Sushi doesn’t have to mean dressing up, and this one proves it.
Shaka Sushi & Noodle Bar
Tucked into the Shoppes @ Inlet in Inlet Beach, Shaka is a relaxed sushi and noodle bar that opened on the east end of 30A in 2019. The menu has classic rolls for the traditionalists and more adventurous ones for everyone else, plus sashimi, nigiri, small plates and sake. Rolls like Locals Only and the rice-less Jaws Roll have been on past menus, so check what’s on now. It’s the kind of place where flip-flops are fine and the whole vibe is “hang loose.”
My go-to order: the Shaka Lobster Roll. Check their website for current hours and the latest menu before you go.
Dressy & Date-Night Worthy
When the evening calls for something a little fancier, this is the spot.
O-Ku Alys Beach
Right in the heart of Alys Beach, O-Ku sits at 27 Admiralty Row overlooking the town amphitheater, which makes for one of the prettiest settings for sushi on 30A. It’s part of the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, and culinary director Masa Hamaya, who grew up in Japan, oversees the menu. Along with sushi, sashimi, and nigiri, there’s a coal-fired robata grill turning out dishes like miso-marinated cod, wagyu steak, and chicken yakitori, so it works even for the person at your table who wants something cooked. It opened in late 2024, which makes it the newest spot on this list.
My go-to order: the Alys Royale. Reservations are available on their website, and I’d book ahead.
Late Night on 30Avenue
Sushi, noodles and a patio, all in one stop.
Aja 30A
Aja Elevated Asian sits at 30Avenue in Inlet Beach, right on US-98, with sushi and sashimi alongside stir-fries and noodle dishes. That makes it an easy answer when your group can’t agree on dinner. The patio is a draw too, with late-night bites, drinks, and music. Look for the sushi dragon platter if you want something worth photographing.
My go-to order: the Hurricane Roll. You can book a table through their website.
The Long-Running Local Spot
Some places have a following for a reason.
Basmati’s Asian Cuisine
On Scenic 30A in Blue Mountain Beach, Basmati’s has been a South Walton favorite for years, with an Asian fusion menu that goes well beyond sushi. Dinner is served nightly, and reservations are recommended (they take them through Resy). The sushi menu is a local favorite, and the Panko Red Snapper and Firecracker Grouper also get a lot of love. It’s a good one when half your table wants rolls, and the other half wants something off the grill.
My go-to order: the “Dorothy, We Are Not at Watercolor Anymore” roll.
Sushi on the Water
Two Santa Rosa Beach spots where the view comes with a side of sushi.
The Bay
At the foot of the Highway 331 bridge, The Bay is Chef Jim Shirley’s waterfront restaurant on Choctawhatchee Bay. It’s open daily from 11 to 9:30, with happy hour from 3 to 5, and there’s no reservation line, so you join the waitlist online. Sushi shares the menu with the seafood, and the Hot Mess Roll, a panko-fried roll with jumbo lump crab, has been a crowd favorite on past menus.
My go-to order: the Hot Mess Roll.
Old Florida Fish House
On Heron’s Watch Way in Santa Rosa Beach, Old Florida Fish House is a Gulf-to-table seafood restaurant with sushi on the menu, and the Volcano Roll has appeared in past listings. It serves both lunch and dinner, and the best way to get a table is through Resy on their website. Check the current menu before you go, since the sushi lineup has changed over the years.
My go-to order: the Caribbean Breeze Roll.
Ready to Plan Your Sushi Night?
Whether you’re after a casual roll after a beach day, a dressy dinner in Alys Beach, or a table with a bay view, 30A and Santa Rosa Beach have more good sushi than most people expect. Save this guide for your next trip, and bring your appetite.
Looking for more local picks? Check out my guides to sushi in Miramar Beach and Destin, dinner in Miramar Beach, and dinner in Destin for the full picture.
Did I miss one of your favorite sushi spots along 30A? Leave a comment, because I’m always looking for another great local recommendation. And if you found this guide useful, save it for your next trip to the Emerald Coast!
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