A perennial fixture in our Best of Nashville issues, Sonobana has been beloved for its superb fresh fish and inventive flavors since 1987. Atmosphere-wise? It was … of a time. Today that time is now thanks to a 2025 renovation. They didn’t change too much — the dining room is still small and cozy but brighter, with more elbow room — and the food remains excellent, from fatty tuna nigiri to zesty ginger dressing. The latter can turn a boring head of iceberg into a zippy lunch, so be sure to grab it to go from the restaurant’s adjacent market.
More Best of Nashville wins: Sonobana also took Best Japanese Restaurant in the Readers' Poll in 2024. In our Writers’ Choice they’ve been named Best Small Grocery (2026).
