Updated in May 2023
By AccraEventsGH
Though it feels like many things in our motherland are regressing, diversity is not one of them. Accra is continuing to diversify at an alarming rate and this variety manifests itself in the different music, languages, dances and food around the city. This article gives a rundown of the Top 5 sushi restaurants in Accra using our "5 Senses of Flavour" scale. Your experiences may differ. Please note, this list focuses solely on sushi options and all ratings are curved based on the category. (See HERE to understand our grading scale). Also, the hours specified for each venue are general hours that they are open every day, but some days have longer hours.
1. SANTOKU
📍 Airport
⏰12PM - 3PM, 6PM - 10:30PM
📖Reservations: Required
Note: Dress code (no shorts / hats indoors)
SUMMARY: Ingredients so fresh, they harmonized with Ariel in the latest Disney remake!
If you're looking for authentic Japanese cuisine with excellent service Santoku is the place. In my opinion, Santoku is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Accra, with its authenticity and phenomenal service. In fact, you won't be wrong if you declared Santoku an official ambassador of Japanese Food in Accra. Their rolls are extremely delectable - composed with the freshest ingredients, and their selection is so original, they feel like recipes that were gathered from the fingertips of the originators in Japan. If you are a sushi lover like myself, you must visit Santoku at least once in your Accra lifetime! Santoku sometimes engages a skilled Live Band to contribute to their imperial ambiance, they craft their cocktails as carefully as their sushi, and they expect their clientele to be attired in a manner that matches their atmosphere.
CURVED RATING: 9.3/10
RATING BREAKDOWN
Taste: (Flavor 9.2/10, Texture 2.9/3, Presentation 5.6/7) | Feel: (service 5.8/6, Value 0.8/2, Variety 1.2/2) | Ambience (Sight: 12.2/15, Smell: 1.6/2, Sound: 2.2/3) = 8.3 (+grade curve)
2. SHOGUN
📍 Cantonments
⏰12PM - 4PM, 7PM - 12AM
📖Reservations: Recommended in advance for Dinner bookings
Note: No dress code but you will feel out of place if you look basic.
SUMMARY: They say money talks so Shogun must be the microphone
The popularity of Japanese food is predicted to keep growing and some of the best in Accra can be found at Shogun, the newest establishment on this list! Although Shogun is barely a year old, the only things that expose this novelty are the stylish layout and the service which has not been worn down by the usual complacence of most establishments in Accra. The service is still energetic, swift and attentive, and the dark aesthetic oozes a modern tone which complements the contemporary decor. The yellow spot-lighting also illuminates the space in a favourable manner at night, but is washed out by the intense exposure from the street-facing room-length windows during the daytime. All these attract a sizable clientele who invest in quality so reserve if you are keen on avoiding potential disappointment. Shogun has a sizable array of enticing and high-caliber sushi options that could cost a pretty penny but are worth every last cent for the luxury and service!
CURVED RATING: 9.28/10
RATING BREAKDOWN
Taste: (Flavor 9/10, Texture 2.8/3, Presentation 5.8/7) | Feel: (service 5.7/6, Value 0.7/2, Variety 1.6/2) | Ambience (Sight: 12.5/15, Smell: 1.7/2, Sound: 1.6/3) = 8.28 (+ grade curve)
3. KŌZO
📍 Airport
⏰6PM - 12AM
📖Reservations: Recommended well in advance
Note: N/A
SUMMARY: So rich and sophisticated, they put me on Forbes
Nestled in the heart of Accra, away from the hustle of Downtown, Kozo is a classy, relaxing and organized dinner hangout with admirable service and notable cuisine. Just 5 minutes from the Airport with elegant outdoor environment and an intimate indoor one, there are few reasons not to visit Kozo. Though very limited in parking (thus forcing most patrons to park by the roadside), extremely pricy (with a mandatory 10% gratuity) and slightly more challenging to book for the average person, the great ambiance, fantastic cocktails, attentive service and outstanding occasional performances make the experience invaluable. In fact, the booking difficulty is irrefutable evidence that Kozo is in high demand and is definitely worth your while. The chef at Kozo is evidently a woke apostle who wins souls and hearts through the stomach, and takes his craft very seriously. There may not be a variety of sushi options on the menu but the options presented are outstanding. These rich rolls paired with their sophisticated cocktails endow Kozo with a luxuriant sushi experience.
CURVED RATING: 9.26/10
RATING BREAKDOWN
Taste: (Flavor 9/10, Texture 2.8/3, Presentation 5.8/7) | Feel: (service 5.6/6, Value 0.6/2, Variety 0.3/2) | Ambience (Sight: 13.1/15, Smell: 1.7/2, Sound: 2.4/3) = 8.26 (+ grade curve)
4. ROCKAFELLAS CONTINENTAL
📍Labone
⏰4PM - 11PM
📖Reservations: Recommended but not required
Note: Recently Relocated
SUMMARY: Quality AND Quantity? Yes Please!
For affordable, unpretentious Japanese sushi and sashimi, Rockafellas is the real deal. Rockafellas has been awarding us quality and good portion sizes for over a decade, and remains a consistent option to satisfy intense cravings for sushi. They have a menu overflowing with a diverse lineup of options which ensures agreeable alternatives for everyone. Though they recently relocated, they have maintained the same superb service and quality. They have also managed to keep this same quality for deliveries. Some preferred the cozy setup they had in Osu, but the new and more spacious venue also has its perks. The fine rolls coupled with their stellar service and atmosphere blend to give a truly positive experience. Their well-made sushi gives great value for money, especially in comparison to most of the other spots on this list: they reinforce the notion that you don't have to pay exorbitant prices for nice food.
CURVED RATING: 9.1/10
RATING BREAKDOWN
Taste: (Flavor 8.5/10, Texture 2.6/3, Presentation 5.5/7) | Feel: (service 5.7/6, Value 1.6/2, Variety 1.7/2) | Ambience (Sight: 11.8/15, Smell: 1.5/2, Sound: 1.6/3) = 8.1 (+ grade curve)
5. POLO CLUB RESTAURANT
📍 Airport Bypass
⏰12PM - 11:00PM
📖Reservations: Recommended but not required
SUMMARY: Should be converted from a Polo Court to a Marina
An upscale restaurant conveniently situated at a peaceful corner of the airport area, the Polo Club Restaurant boasts both proximity to both Osu and East Legon. With a modern oak interior, a relaxing and airy exterior setup that simultaneously overlooks the Accra Polo Court and the Kotoka International Airport, and sufficient space for performances and events, there's somewhere for everyone to hang out. The Polo Restaurant menu has a multitude of delicacies, and their sushi menu matches this variegation with unique and outstanding options. These present a perfect explanation for the price-tag and why the establishment is an attractive dinner option even on weekdays! You are likely to face extremely slow service, naturally, but that doesn't take away from the palatability of the rolls and the decent number of rolls per portion. Although the service can be slow, and management may have a history of treating darker skinned patrons to worse service, the staff remain courteous and the location remains prime.
CURVED RATING: 9.02/10
RATING BREAKDOWN
Taste: (Flavor 8.6/10, Texture 2.6/3, Presentation 5.6/7) | Feel: (service 4.8/6, Value 1.3/2, Variety 1/2) | Ambience (Sight: 12.4/15, Smell: 1.2/2, Sound: 2.6/3) = 8.02 (+ grade curve)
All establishment listed above are higher-end establishments and globally, Japanese food tends to be more expensive than other choices. This means the establishments ranked here are a bit more pricey, especially in comparison to the Accra average, so those considered "cheaper" may not necessarily be cheap. This list will be updated and expanded with my future experiences at multiple venues during different events to bring you feedback.
Check back for updates every other week and check our social media for options of things to do.
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