Picking a meal to eat is never a struggle for me. I am not a picky eater, and I enjoy a wide variety of foods.
However, when it comes to sushi, I am definitely a harsh critic.
Sushi is my favorite meal, and I cannot deny that I would eat sushi every day if I could.
After years of being a huge sushi fan, I have learned the difference between good sushi and bad sushi.
Although I’ll eat just about any fish combination out there, I enjoy the best of the best.
Over a year and a half ago when I started my college experience, I knew that a fresh start meant finding new go-to restaurants.
I’m so used to my favorite sushi restaurants at home. So, I needed to find the perfect replacements in Gainesville.
After trying just about every restaurant I heard of in the area, I came up with my top five favorite sushi spots, along with my favorite orders.
- My all time favorite – Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Company
-
If you haven’t been to Dragonfly, you are truly missing out.
Dragonfly beats most of my hometown sushi restaurants, which I didn’t think was possible.
The menu includes non-traditional rolls and appetizers that you can’t find anywhere else.
I often struggle with ordering dinner because there is so much to choose from.
However, my all-time favorite roll is the bomb roll, featured in the picture above on the left.
Composed of tuna, crab, avocado and tempura flakes, the bomb roll seriously is the bomb!
My favorite part about Dragonfly’s rolls is that the rolls are literally covered in different sauces.
Another one of my favorite selections at Dragonfly is the Brussels sprouts appetizer.
I usually stick to fish-related appetizers when I go out, but the flavor on these Brussels sprouts is unbeatable.
Dragonfly is the perfect spot for family dinners, birthday celebrations and weekend excursions.
Moreover, there is a cheap happy hour menu, with a wait time.
- If you’re looking to order in – Sushi Matsuri
-
I didn’t discover Sushi Matsuri until this year, but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this find.
One of my favorite rolls from this restaurant is the daikon roll, pictured above.
Composed primarily of crab along with tuna and rice, the daikon roll is wrapped in radish and is very filling.
Sushi Matsuri has a wide-range of cucumber-wrapped and radish-wrapped rolls that are known for their large size.
Additionally, these sushi rolls stay completely intact when you order them for take-out.
I am also a huge fan of their spicy tuna salad and the bagel roll.
- When you want a casual sushi meal – Mahzu Sushi & Grill
-
Mahzu is the perfect casual restaurant for when you’re craving sushi.
It has a wide variety of rolls and meals, and you can’t go wrong with whichever one you pick.
Mahzu is the kind of place that I know I can order anything and I’ll be pleased.
I enjoy many of the simple rolls, such as the salmon avocado roll and the rainbow Naruto roll.
If you’re looking for dinner and a show, Mahzu also includes a hibachi section!
- A classic – Liquid Ginger
-
I’ve been going to Liquid Ginger since the beginning of freshman year, and I can always expect a good meal from there.
At Liquid Ginger, I enjoy a wide range of classic and special rolls.
I specifically love their kani and wakame salads.
Two of my favorite special rolls are the rectangle-shaped sushi box and the heart-shaped valentine roll.
I also enjoy their flavorful pad Thai noodles.
- When you’re craving a poke bowl – Poke Bowl Station
-
In the past few years, poke bowls have become a growing trend.
I have grown to love a good poke bowl the same way I love a sushi roll.
Located in midtown, Poke Station is a convenient and delicious meal.
My regular order consists of a rice base with salmon, crab salad, avocado, edamame, masago and spicy mayo.
There are endless toppings to choose from to create your perfect custom bowl, or you can choose from combinations already listed on the menu.
Aside from poke bowls, Poke bowl Station offers sushi burritos, waffle ice cream and different teas.
After all, there are so many amazing sushi restaurants to try in Gainesville.
I know my food tour will only continue, but these five spots are an absolute must for the sushi-lovers out there.