So our first night in Knoxville and we stumble upon Nama. We had a fun wait, walked down the street and into the shops, and by the time we came back they were ready to seat us. We were seated at the center of the sushi bar between the two sushi chefs. We saw all of our food prepared and, in addition to the great showmanship of watching it be prepared, it was amazing sushi! My partner loves ceviche, so we started with that. It was phenomenal. We then got the $50 chef's choice. The fusion of sushi, veggies, traditional and creative was a delight. Our favorite Knoxville sushi spot!
(5)
David M.
I'm debating a shout for 4.5 stars here, the tiny-ness of Nama and the pain of parking in a busy downtown being the detractors. Bah, I love downtown Knoxville. Hell with it...4.5. They still lose half a star because this was the 4th time I'd walked/ridden/wandered over to Nama, but the first time it wasn't so damn crowded as to turn away any sane (and hungry) individual. That's probably a good sign, or a sign that Knovillians are notoriously trendy in their food selections. Well, I have a close personal family connection on staff at this place, so after hearing it for years about how we gotta get in here, we finally did one afternoon before leaving town. Totally worth it. I adore sushi, but these guys do take it up a notch over most places. We decided to put our lunchtime fate into the hands of the sushi chefs, and we were not let down. Every dish that came out was well put together and tasted fantastic. If you're a frequent sushi eater, you can tell when you're eating a good slice of really, really fresh and nice fish. I got that here with several bites. I'd like to go back sometime and pluck a few items off the menu that caught my eye, so hopefully it isn't some late night when we arrive and there are lines out the door that send us up the road (or back to my brother's place) for some beer and grumbling stomachs. Nama's good stuff.
(4)
Tim M.
Big-city sushi served in a small-town closet. I can't add much beyond the other reviewers other than to say you've got to give it a try. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Tim, we're hours from the coast. Who wants to eat inland seafood that's old enough to vote?" Well, I don't know how they do it, but the quality of the fish is top-notch. It ranks up there with high-end places in Philadelphia that are situated right on the water. If you snag the lunch special with miso soup and seaweed salad, you can leave with your credit score intact. It's best deal around. Sitting outside is nice, but with its proximity to the Mission district, prepare to have a conversation with a vagrant or two while you dine. I like to eat inside downtown and outside at the Bearden location.
(5)
Desiree L.
The best sushi in Knoxville hands down! Hmmm ask for the fried sushi roll! This place is so nice and right in the downtown! For quicker service go to the sushi bar!
(5)
Randy B.
Good friendly staff. I've never eaten at a sushi bar before. So its my best experience yet. Dragon roll is great!
(5)
Stephanie K.
Visiting Knoxville and stopped in for lunch. The $9 lunch special was an incredible value. The soup and salad were delicious and my entree (Kama) was very very good. My friend had a portabella sandwich that appeared to be smeared in avocado crack because he ate it in about 2 min. Great place!
(4)
Lana S.
Once upon a time, Nama was a hip little sushi bar on gay street. Now it is a big sushi bar in Bearden and further down on Gay St. next to the cinema. Yeah, it's good. Just be weary of the Soy Joy Roll. -It's delicious but mostly because it's drenched in mayo-based sauces. I just feel that Nama has given in to appealing to everyone so it no longer appeals to those who truly love sushi. But mostly it has lost the quaint local. I will return as I feel that they do have good quality sushi....but it has lost something in the transition. Cheers!
(3)
Alex V.
Wow, I was not expecting this in Knoxville. Excellent Sushi, and a really diverse menu. You could really see the attention to detail, beginning with the appetizers and salads. I was really impressed with the presentation. With over 8 craft beers on tap, it was the best beer selection I've ever seen in a sushi restaurant. The staff was very attentive. I have no complaints, Nama is a diamond in the rough.
(5)
Michael L.
Moved to Knoxville from Boston, and was excited when I rolled up to my new apartment and saw a sushi place right across the street. It seemed to be pretty busy all the time, which is definitely a good sign. My only complaint is that the place is a little cramped so that the smell of raw fish can sometimes be a little strong (doesn't bug me, but might turn off first-timers) However, the service is top notch...I've had three different waitresses so far and each one has been relaxed, fun, and extremely helpful. Happy hour applies to both sushi and draft beers, so you can get a Kirin Ichiban for $2, and large te-maki rolls for $2 or $3! The special rolls are great, I recommend the Chef's choice or the Dragon Rolls (shrimp, avocado, eel, and spice)
(5)
DeRee C.
Two words- Soy Joy. It's the best roll I've ever had, hands down. May or may not be on the menu, the owner use to make these when he first opened the place. The restaurant could be bigger, but it's great sushi nonetheless. Great for couples, very intimate.
(5)
Anthony J.
I know what you are thinking "Sushi? In Knoxville, Tennessee"?! Well....you would be right... Full disclosure...I am incredibly spoiled having grown up near the coast with a cornucopia of Sushi at my doorstep. Always authentic and creative, with a dash of hip. Nama's menu is pretty standard and space is cramped with really nowhere to wait for a table. The Kimchee app was refreshing and tasty. I guess it is good enough if you happen to find yourself 1,000 miles from an ocean...
(2)
Sarah W.
It's unfair. I can see the place from my front window. Given this kind of convenience, it would take a lot for this place to get less stars for me. But seriously, they have a long way to go before losing a star. My vegetarian roll was so yummy. My waitress was so helpful and went out of her way to give me some suggestions on white wines. The fianC and his mom loved their rolls, especially the chef's roll--a special, daily creation. The decor was nice and simple, but trendy. They have a couple of outdoor tables. They stay open super late on the weekends (something like 2 I think?). And best of all--HALF PRICED sushi and drinks during happy hour (and not really that expensive anyway!! Seriously, I'm cool eating at fogie hour for half the price. Yum.
(5)
Island N.
Service was great. Sushi was as good ad u can get in TN. Mellow atmosphere. I had a very pleasant experience at Nama
(4)
Whitney M.
I recently went to Nama for their 1/2 price sushi menu offered on Mondays & Thursdays. There was a bit of a wait but the service and food were great once we got seated. There are about 10 items offered on the 1/2 price menu and they ranged between $3.50- 7.50. They also offer 1/2 priced house wines for $4 on those days. I highly recommend going to Nama for sushi whether they are having 1/2 price specials or not (although they can be a little pricey). In my opinion it is the best sushi in town.
(5)
Lashona M.
Great sushi with an excellent presentation and the plum saki will put some magic on you! It's small but still a cute restaurant! Plan to dine there this week on my return to Knoxville!
(4)
Daniel C.
A-MAZ-ING!!! The location is nice right on the outside of downtown knoxville. The sushi is amazing, probably the best I have ever had. It's a good idea to go on a monday, when the sushi is half price, so you can have alot of it. The experience is good at the bar or at a table but normally tables take longer to get seated. The actual restaurant at this location is small so expect to wait an hour for a table or 30 minutes for the bar. It's worth the wait though!
(5)
Austin R.
Back when Nama was located across Summit Hill, I went and got the Chef's special roll, which is just whatever the chef feels like putting into a maki roll. It was fantastic and totally blew my mind. More recently, I came to its new location for lunch and got the pizza roll, which had so much sour cream on it that I couldn't taste the beautiful salmon underneath. That was pretty disappointing. My sister ordered something simpler and was very satisfied. Also, the special at lunch is, in my opinion, a great deal and includes miso soup, seaweed salad or edamame, and a roll for I think $8. I'll be back and I'll order a more reasonable roll.
(4)
Kristina I.
Best sushi I've EVER had. And I've eaten at a lot of sushi places--from San Diego and Atlanta to New York and London. I always find myself comparing them to Nama and they never quite measure up. My favorite rolls are the Bahama Mama and Maui Wowie--super fresh. The ceviche is absolutely delicious and I dream about the shrimp and crab dip. They just opened their new location downtown next to Regal Riviera and I'm so gald they did. It's much, much bigger which means I don't have to wait as long to get my favorite sushi. On their half-price nights (Monday and Thursday) they have great rolls as well, for an unbeatable price--try the Fancy Scallop and Rooster (spicy). For dessert, the red bean and mango ice cream creations are to die for. It is a tad expensive, but completely worth the splurge to me. If you're worried about the price, try a half-price sushi or wine night. There's always some kind of special going on during the week, just make sure you get there earlier on half-price sushi nights. It's always busy! Oh, and a secret that may not be so secret anymore...there's a plethora of rolls that aren't on the main menu. So if you know what to ask and how to ask for it, you're in luck! So thankful Knoxville has this great gem, makes me never want to leave!
(5)
Aaron J.
This is the best sushi I've ever had. It is a bit expensive, but once you taste it you'll know where that money went. The quality is amazing. The atmosphere, though small, is great. Try the rooster roll!!
(5)
Rob J.
I read some Yelp reviews before deciding to go here and I was impressed. I've always thought going to ethnic restaurants far away from the main coastal cities was inviting disaster. The food was fresh (or at least I didn't get sick) and like a previous poster mentioned, they had a pretty good microbrew selection which is awesome for a sushi place because most Japanese beer is pretty light in flavor. Based on a previous Yelp recommendation, I order the crab dip and chips which was excellent as well as the non menu special Soy something(?) which was excellent. I tried to find the name in the reviews but it appears to have disappeared. Defnitely try it because the sauces that go with it are fantastic. The sashimi was fresh and tasty as was the Philladelphia rolls. The wasabi was nice and hot compared to some sushi places I've visited. Defnitely check it out if you're visiting Knoxville.
(5)
Emmy K.
Nama is as good as it gets! I live in Chicago now - where there are a lot of Sushi places...but NONE of them compare to Nama. The atmosphere and the Sushi are incredible and you will leave satisfied and smiling, especially if you had some wine with your dinner!
(5)
Lisa S.
We were in the area to visit the Smoky Mountains from Philadelphia. We figured that grabbing dinner in Knoxville, our chances for a decent restaurant should be greater. That said I wouldn't have expected Sushi to be something that was offered or rated highly. After looking at reviews on a couple of my favorite food sights I had to give Nama a try. The place is small but I like that, since it reminds me of the many restaurants that we used to frequent in NYC. We were seated right away (mind you it was a Tuesday night) and the service was very good. We waited a bit but anyone that has had good sushi knows that you have to wait since they aren't making it ahead of time. It was YUMMY! We had the standard Spicy Tuna but picked a few of their special rolls - Crunchy Shrimp & Bahama Mama. It was very fresh and creative. The snow crab has a really good taste. We ended by getting one more special roll that was just as good Maui Zowie. I would go again - if I lived in the area.
(4)
Audrey D.
Update: March 2011- Nama has moved down Gay street (next to the Regal Cinema movie theater) into a much larger open room + bar. Yeah! Because one thing that was annoying everyone was all that construction and waiting for an hour to get in for delicious sushi. The vibe is different in the new venue, but food tastes the same. My husband usually gets the chef's special and loves it. Old review: This review is for vegetarians, because I don't eat fish. Nama has wonderfully creative vegetarian options on the menu. My favorite is the 'Marley', which is a mango, asparagus, red pepper and tofu roll. Mmmmm, perfect. There is also an insanely hot spicy tofu roll which brought me to tears (in a good way), and another roll that has deep fried sweet potato in it, called the Crispy Veggie. My favorite vegetarian appetizer is the wasabi hummus dip with warm pita bread. I order this every time and long to know the recipe. Vegetarians will not be disappointed here. I take off 1 star because the seating is not very comfortable and there are sometimes long waits for the appetizers. Too long for me, because I'm always starving. Nama also has a half-price menu on Monday nights- but the line to get in the door is frustrating at times.
Ok at best some good food but fish wasn't the freshest. Service kinda slow. I expected a lot more after reading the reviews. They did have outside seating. Good selection of draft beers.
(2)
Wanita N.
Small space with a tightly edited sushi menu, but the attention to detail is great. The pineapple/basil sushi was a super sweet drink that would have gone nicely w/a mojito from the Cuban place next door. Hamachi was fresh, thinly sliced and perfect. Maybe the biggest surprise was the seaweed salad, most places in Knoxville make it too saucy and salty, but this was lightly dressed and slightly crunchy ... fantastic. Not the cheapest sushi in town, but certainly one of the swankier ways to eat sushi around here.
(4)
Brad H.
Great, cozy 100 block location....the 500 block is even better, for all but the 100 block neighbors. Right here next to the Riviera Theatre, in the heart of a walkable, small downtown, and surrounded by other great foodie and drinking options. Large, airy, and just as tasty as the former location. nama "uptown", as my parents would call it, is as great as ever. Gregg, this concept creator, once told me that the sushi chef is really the artist. I have never looked at this single style of culinary creation the same way. He was and is correct. Typical art never tastes so good. Give nama a view and a taste. Yum.
(5)
Brooke S.
knoxville....sushi....not exactly two things that go together int he mind of a sushi lover who has been splitting time between san francisco and nyc. so last friday, i'm in knoxville for the UT/Florida game and am walking to my lovely 930 reservation at fondue mecca The Melting Pot....i was entirely famished and literally crawling down the sidewalk when we noticed a bustling little nook that turned out to be Nama. after being told it would be a 20 minute wait for a table we saddled up to two open stools at the bar and promptly ordered a great, sonoma valley pinot gris and a bottle of cold sake (Nobu i think?). We were greeted by Trey, adorable long hair, southern drawl darling who introduced us to the restaurant and sold us on what turned out to be an unbelievable sushi extravaganza. Due to trey and his fabulousness we ended up sitting at the bar throughout dinner and left him to his own devices in providing us our meal. First up was a veritable feast of sashimi and nigiri....buttery salmon, spicy tuna tataki, delicious albacore and eel that defied any other in terms of taste and texture adorned the plate. The only one we didn't love was the tuna with shiso --- some sort of japanese herb or something - anyways, it tasted great but the texture was a little...uuhh...icky. after that little "tasting" and by tasting i mean enormous amount of food, trey - the new sushi love of my life - asked us what our favorite was and ten minutes later we were greeted with two enormous rolls. I told trey that I loved the albacore and my favorite roll (from a teeny tiny place in SF) consisted of asparagus, thinly sliced lemon and salmon.....what he brought out was an amazing roll with albacore, avocado and asparagus inside, and lemon, salmon and crunchies on top. AMAZING. honestly i can't even remember what myf riend got because I am so in love with a) trey and b) the experience as a whole......i think his roll had avocado, tuna, crunchies? seriously who knows but i definitely ate like, half of it. lesson learned....even knoxville can provide top notch sushi.....if i return to the land of the volunteer i will without a doubt return to see trey....
(5)
Eric M.
I was in knoxville on a business trip and happened to find this place on yelp. Great sushi and great service (even though they were a swamped at the time, our waitress was extremely apologetic... she even offered us an extra side of edamame for our wait!). Definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Janine A.
Pretty good, inventive sushi. Get the Boston!
(4)
Lisa T.
One of the best sushi bars in Knoxville, great service every time and the happy hour drink and sushi specials are perfect.
(5)
Dustin P.
The sushi here is excellent for a landlocked state, and while prices are very high, there are great deals throughout the week that will earn you great food at a reasonable price. I highly recommend the fish tacos (half price on Tuesdays). You can get half price rolls on Monday and Thursday. I've had quite a few now and the best by far has been the JG (the tempura was very good as well). The service is great too, especially considering how busy they always are. The only disappointment I've had here is the pork dumplings - they were not good at all. When all is said and done, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Ashley F.
I was shopping in market square so I made a stop here. I sat at the sushi bar and checked out their lunch menu. I did not get the sushi considering rolls are not my go to and I was not about to spend a ridiculous amount of money for the nigiris that I wanted. I ended up getting the Kama (yellowtail collar). It came with miso soup which wasn't bad. A while later, I got the Kama. They gave me a fork with it. Now, Kama is not something you can really eat with a fork. It came with white rice, which was dry and awful, salad that should've been on a different plate, and the Kama-with the fork. The Kama was not seasoned very well so you had to use the ponzu in order to enjoy it. The fish was also very raw the closer I got to the bottom of it. Overall: service was not great, food was mediocre, and not Japanese at all. Here's a tip on cooking Kama:salt the entire thing to get rid of the fishiness and rinse it off after 30 minutes. Then lightly season it with salt and pepper. On the thicker parts use a knife to make a X. This way, the customer leaves satisfied with their meal.
(2)
Sam S.
2.5. We went on a Monday to check out the specials, as I'm not going to spend 13-20 bucks On a roll when I don't know the quality. Immediately hit by the air of hipster. It was thick, like the scarves they wear even when it's 90 degrees and they're wearing obnoxious waist-high shorts already. Upon walking in, the host greeted us with an, 'oh. Hey.' Our waitress wasn't much better, doing the bare minimum to make sure we had a good time once she realized we only got soups and done of the roll specials. I get being a hipster, I do, but when you make your customer feel bad or neglected, then you cross the line, especially when the rolls were mediocre at best. The flavors were unbalanced for the most part, especially knowing how much the rolls usually go for
(2)
Dan H.
I often come here before symphony concerts, although I haven't been in a while. It's a really cool place; there's a sushi bar you can sit at and also tables if you prefer. Unfortunately, whenever I go, service is slow regardless of how many people there are, so this isn't the best place to go if you're looking for a quick meal. The last time I went, we were placed at a table near the door which was really quite uncomfortable. I had to keep scooting out of the way to make room for people coming in the restaurant, but that was probably because we had to add an extra chair. Servers were nice and friendly. I've tried a lot of rolls and they're all tasty, but two that stand out are the Pizza and the JG roll. There is no fishy taste and the rice is always nice and chewy; however, sometimes it's not warm enough for my liking. All in all, very good food and the portions aren't too bad (8-10 pieces per roll). These chefs know what they're doing. The entire experience isn't extraordinary, and sometimes the waits are so long that I'd rather eat somewhere else. Good sushi, mediocre service -- solid three stars for this place. Try it once or twice just to see if you like it or not; if you don't, there are plenty of other places in Knoxville.
(3)
Canny F.
Seaweed salad - I've only had seaweed salad once before nama and I enjoyed nama's version. It had onions, peppers and a hint of something I couldn't make out. The vegetable rolls I ordered: Spicy shiitake - shiitake mushroom, cucumber and sambal with soy-ginger vinaigrette Marley - tofu, asparagus, mango, roasted red pepper with pineapple-Jamaican jerk sauce Pina - pineapple, roasted red pepper, cucumber topped with avocado, coconut milk and basil They all sound good right? I was so excited to try them because they sounded so different. But it sucked. It was far from what I expected and hoped for. Those amazing sounding sauces were bland, the rice didn't have the sushi rice taste to it, and it was too much of a mush. I think people hype about this joint way too much. This was the first Asian cuisine I encountered at Knoxville.
(3)
David B.
Absolutely the best sushi in town. A little pricey but you get what you pay for. If you want cheap sushi, you probably don't really want sushi!
(5)
Erika S.
I'm a weird girl. I can go a million different ways with that, but I'll leave it at the fact that I don't like fish or seafood. I know, I know. The girl from Seattle doesn't like fish or seafood. I'm a complete freak. If you're judging me right now, just remember that Miley says only god can do that! So the love affair with Sushi is obviously lost on me. I don't eat it cooked, so I'm certainly not going to eat it raw. But that doesn't leave me exempt when I'm with a group and they all want to go for sushi. You quickly find something on the menu that makes you look like you fit in, but doesn't require a run for 4th meal after your meal. Nama does this brilliantly! Their menu is incredibly diverse. Sushi, sandwiches, noodle dishes....there is no shortage of delicious food. So good that I have even been able to find sushi rolls that I not only tolerate, but truly enjoy. Nama is also great about providing a wrap substitute other than seaweed. And the staff here is incredibly accommodating and don't make that face when you ask about substitutions. They get it. Pop in some night and partake of their half price sushi nights (Mondays and Thursdays), grab one of their sublimely concocted drinks, and shovel their Mediterranean rolls down your throat. Sushi and non-sushi fans alike will thank me.
(4)
Sierra B.
The food here was reasonable and pretty amazing for the price. We were seated and served very quickly! The seaweed cucumber salad was amazingly refreshing and light. For only 8 dollars you can get salad sushi and a drink!
(5)
Andrea J.
Nama is the best sushi in Knoxville, but not the best ever. Unfortunately they couldn't do any of the rolls with cucumber instead of rice. They did make my hand roll with it rice though! The spicy tuna wasn't covered in mayo, which I appreciated. I also ordered sashimi, It didn't seem super fresh. The portions are a good size but this is not a cheap date!!
(3)
Crystle C.
The atmosphere of this place is really what earned the stars. Very trendy, appropriately busy and the service was great. The sushi was definitely good, but not the BEST. The rolls were tasty and fresh but seemed to be lacking creativity. Howeverrrr, that may have just been the few that I ordered - my fault, I guess! I'll try and update on my next visit!
(4)
Cornethia J.
Probably my favorite place to go after work for Sushi and Drinks! My favorite is the Tempura and Chardonnay great combination, if you haven't been please stop you will enjoy
(5)
Trish W.
Best sushi ever. The pizza roll is my favorite. Wide variety of rolls to choose from. Atmosphere is great and location is ideals Great service friendly speedy.
(5)
Hans B.
Awesome sush! Very fresh!! Let me say that i normally don't like seaweed salad but I tried my daughters and it was de-lush!! My daughter and I got sushi surprise. You pick the amount you want to pay/eat and tell them what fish and accompaniments you would Like and the chefs create a roll for you!! Way cool Plus had probably some of the freshest salmon sashimi I have ever had !! Would definitely go again!!
(4)
Ryan E.
After going to a concert down the street at the Tennessee theatre I was so happy to find Nama was open. We were late to the show driving in from out of town and didn't have time to eat. I thought they closed an hour after we walked up, but found out later they were closing 10 minutes from the time we walked in. The hostess and waiter were so nice and gracious, they didn't seem annoyed we walked in last minute. Had I known we wouldn't have even gone in. I'm so glad we did. I can't even remember the roll I had, but it was amazing! Our waiter was great and very helpful and knowledgable of the menu. When I'm Back in Knoxville I'll definitely be back to Nama. Also- there were a lot of bars with patios around. If we haven't been exhausted and stuffed we would've checked them out. It was a cute little area by the theatre. Call your cab in advance though, we had a bit of a wait and it was an unseasonably COLD summer night.
(4)
Christina D.
Nothing compares to Nama Sushi, if it weren't for the price I would be there all the time! Luckily Mondays and Thursdays are half off, the only way I can eat Nama on a regular basis! Love their crab dip and fish tacos as well. Modern atmosphere and great service is a plus to the wonderful food ! I prefer this location, over their newly opened Nashville location. No other sushi in Knoxville even comes close, save your dollars and choose Amazing sushi.
(5)
Zach W.
When it comes to Sushi in Knoxville, I don't even consider anywhere else. Other places are "good" but Nama is the best. The food is always fresh, the drinks are wonderful and the vibe is always great. I prefer the downtown location solely because it's closer to my house but the Bearden spot is just as good! I'm a big fan of the Chef's Platters, where they make a custom plate for you. It's always full of seasonal ingredients, as well as more diverse options. This has always been my favorite way to go. Trust these folks, they have tons of great recipes and will certainly turn you on to things you never even knew you liked! Every time I go, I end up eating something I never even knew I liked! If you're not that daring, the tried and true options, like Crunchy Shrimp and California Rolls, are exceptional too! They have a ton of vegetarian options and if sushi ain't your thing, the "Hot Nama" menu, which includes tacos, noodle bowls and burgers, is an awesome addition to the already delicious menu. My wife and I are big fans of their happy hour and the "half-priced" roll nights! The service has always been great, the chef's are awesome and they will definitely take your requests to make something special for you.
(5)
Sebastian B.
If I handed everyone 5 start they wouldn't t be as meaningful. That said this place was pricey but excellent. I had a spicy tuna and avocado and they made it more spicy by request, just how I like it. I ordered the ex girlfriend roll and it was really delicious. It was a nice looking presentations and fun to eat. Cool place great tunes wonderful staff. My only criticism was there was too long of a wait between visit from the waitress. She was moving quickly all over the place and there were other staff plus the joint wasn't packed. I can't explain why I waited a really long time to get my check, then for her to pick it up and bring back my receipt. Other than that the place was an ace! Check em out for yourself.
(4)
Will B.
The prices are high for the food. The rolls are made in huge pieces that you can not figure out how to eat. It's hard to take multiple bits of one piece of Sushi before it falls apart. Check the expiration dates on the beer. My 5$ Sopporo in a bottle was a few days away from being at its limit of 9 months old. The date codes for Sopporo is first letter month based on A through M (skips I) A= Jan and M= Dec. the next two numbers are the day and the last two are the year. My total bill was 40$ for two beers, 4 pieces of shrimp tempura and a roll. I understand this is a college town but way too pricey and mediocre customer service. The Chefs did a wonderful job and the food was great. The food was beautiful in display and I respect their attention to detail minus the rolls not being bite size. The Chefs are the only reason this review gets a 3 instead of 0.
(3)
Michelle W.
When traveling to Knoxville I always make time for sushi at Nama. The food is delicious, the service is great and the atmosphere is fun. On Thursdays they have half price sushi rolls. I recommend stopping in to Nama if you are in the area.
(5)
Dan R.
This is a good solid such bar. When I'm in Knoxville I will most certinly come back. Somehow I just don't think they hit it out of the park to earn 5 stars.
(4)
Harold B.
Wanted to try Nama since has seen it advertised as one of the best sushi restaurants in town.I ordered Philly roll which came with Miso soup (quite good, tiny portion) and choice of salad. I ended up getting the cucumber salad and it was good size but the cucumbers had not been marinated evenly, some pieces did not have flavor at all. Philly roll tasted like your typical Philly roll but it was not very professionally made since the pieces kept falling apart and some pieces had big junks of cream cheese while some had barely any. Also the end pieces were not very even. The roll was served on a small plate where the sushi pieces kept sticking together and eventually falling apart. The service was ok and the decor was nice.
(3)
Marisa I.
usually have a pleasant experience!!! but this time my dad and i left with diarrhea :/ be careful
(3)
Shane M.
It's a small, southern, college town. It's nowhere near the ocean. It's not going to be as good as what you can find on the west coast - and that's totally fine. Compared to other sushi places in small, southern cities, this is about as good as you're going to find - for a reasonable price, that is.
(4)
Steve E.
Well above average sushi spot. Ambitious combinations in their two page menu of rolls. Our table had the vegetarian roll (eh, but not Nama's fault...good Lord, have some fish), the orange crush which looked unbelievable and my son finished in short order, and the JP roll, which was good. Taking other Yelpers advice, had the miso---delish. The hit was probable the garlic beef dish. Really unique combo of ingredients with some very sneaky heat. $75 for 3, so no bargain, but in line with sushi, IMO.
(3)
Grace B.
Nama has some great deals during the week (half-price sushi on Mondays and Thursdays!!) which makes their rolls worth the price. Their sushi is pretty fresh and there are many unique rolls. I haven't had any of the cuisine that Nama offers outside of their sushi menu, but I have to say that I love the squid and seaweed salad. For one, there aren't any fillers in the seaweed salad (some restaurants use clear noodles to give the salad more volume because seaweed is expensive) and the squid salad is chewy and soft. The sushi is delicious, but I have had times when friends didn't like what they ordered-- you have to get a roll you like. I personally like the Soy Joy. Overall, the service isn't as fast as it could be, but that depends on what day you go and what time you go too. Some days, I've had lightning fast service, some days I had the slowest service ever. Overall, pretty good place. Recommended sushi place in Knoxville!
(3)
Anna G.
This is my favorite sushi spot in Knoxville! Their rolls are delicious and unique. I also love the fact that Monday and Thursday nights they have a half-off special. Their lunch special is a bargain too (soup, salad, and sushi for 9$)! The best thing I've ever had here was the mixed green and avocado salad with sesame crusted salmon.
(5)
Allie L.
Not much to complain about. A bit pricy and always crowded and noisy but the food is great. If you want a quiet place don't come here at night but despite that I have eaten here at least 10 times. The food is just that good.
(4)
Bo W.
This is the best sushi I've had in Knoxville. Service us great, price is reasonable, and cleanliness is immaculate. I love this sushi restaurant. Oh, had the spicy tuna roll. It was delicious!
(5)
Caroline K.
Sushi is good!!! Very reasonably priced. Great Saki though!!! I would go back and recommend it to others!
(4)
William M.
Nama is the Knoxville sushi house. By far the best in Volunteer country Nama serves quality food in a nice setting. You can do lunch here for less $10, plus a tip of course, and you'll have plenty to eat and good chow. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Colby C.
Had em all in Knoxville ...this is THE place...skip the strip mall locations and make the drive...I don't play!
(4)
Alex A.
I have been searching for better than decent sushi since I moved to Knox and this place won the award. It is amazing. Every time we go I get the chef special and they always deliver the best of the best. We love the open feeling of the room and service is quick. It is great that they stay open later for that late night sushi urge!! Thanks guys!!
(5)
Tatiana P.
"Best example of a bad customer service' Nama restaurant has good food but when it comes to customer service, it was by far the worst experience I have ever had eating out. from the second we walked in, the hostess/ waitress spoke to us rudely. Then after we got seated we had to wait 10 min just to order our drinks then we waited another 10 min to get our drinks After that our server disappeared and we had to place an order with a different server... Then when she made a mistake of bringing the wrong sushi , instead of simply apologizing about it , she acted like we made the mistake and walked away. When our server finally came back we told him what was wrong and he said he will call the manager. When the manager came she acted like everything was our fault and she was mean and not helpful at all.... So , I would NOT RECOMMEND this place to anyone because the service will just ruin your entire day even if the food is good! Thanks to manager Palmer for ruining our night !
(1)
Stephanie C.
The first really good Sushi I had in 10 years, since moving from New Orleans. However, today we went at lunch and was sorely disappointed. We had just met some friends from New Orleans and was bragging big time. We were so glad we didn't bring our friends! The Soy Joy roll, which is heaven, tasted fishy and was subpar, the rice was under cooked. Felt like they had the "B" team in.The tuna avocado roll was the best thing we had! So sad. Our waitress was utterly unremarkable, except for her green hair! The lady greeter was nasty. There was no silverware or napkins at our table. After we got our food we waited 5 minutes for someone to notice we were in need. My husband finally said.."I'll get some from another table, what will they do, get mad at me?" I said yes!! When he got up the greeter fussed! She thought she was joking but we had been waiting too long. We paid $38 before a tip for 2 rolls and saki, at lunch! I won't quit them, but am truly disappointed! The location at Bearden is much more reliable.
(1)
Jamie F.
The food is great, the service has been hit or miss lately. I know it's trivial, but if you request an extra sauce, an extra plate, or an extra glob of wasabi, you shouldn't have to remind the server, twice... The food makes up for it, and everyone has their rough patches.
(3)
Jeffrey C.
The plate of chirashi was very fresh and artistically presented. Everything on it was tasty with the exception of the octopus that I thought was tough. They nicely exchanged it for something else - I requested quail eggs, which were presented in a very unusual manner, with sriracha sauce and some avocado. It's a huge menu. The staff is nice. And they play great music - first time I ever ate sushi listening to Pink Floyd.
(4)
Micah H.
I am no sushi connoisseur, but the sushi I had was very good, as well as my date's. The service was fine. It is a bit pricey for the amount of food you get, but I think that is expected when getting sushi. I will return.
(4)
Loftis B.
I have to walk by Nama every day after work, and it always smells so good, I want to turn inside and just stay here. And I get lunch here about once a month. Sushi is calorie-counting friendly; miso soup is miraculously low-cal and delicious. So I was delighted to finally coax my husband and son to come with me this past weekend. We even brought the corgi with us, sat on the patio, and had a fabulous family luncheon... For under $50. Seriously! We were surprised and delighted to find out that Sundays have a happy hour special all afternoon long -- appetizers and some drinks were half price. We immediately asked for pork dumplings. They're fried, not steamed, so they're a *little* harder on the diet than I would have hoped, but they were absolutely delicious -- delicious, delicious, delicious -- and half price. I could walk a little more at that price. Husband got the spicy shitake roll with seaweed salad and miso soup. He ate it like someone was going to steal it from him. (I think he might have growled at the dog, too.) Son had the Philly roll with cucumber salad and miso soup. He drank every drop of the soup and ate all of the salad -- and this is a fellow who does not eat regular salads. He's not a fresh greens and tomatoes and bleu cheese dressing kind of person. But he ate every single slice of that cucumber concoction. Me? I got the California roll, house salad, and miso soup. I do love the soup. I could eat it every day. (And for counting calories, I probably should!) The service staff were lovely and attentive without being there all the time. The waitress even brought the corgi a bowl of water, which was thoughtful. Nama Sushi is my favorite sushi place in Knoxville. I can't wait to go back. (To get the Crunchy Shrimp roll -- yum!)
(5)
Nisha H.
Nama is the best Sushi place in knoxville. The asiago crab dip and their kimchi and rice are amazing. They have half off sushi and drink specials depending on the night. The wait on those nights can be loooong but it is WAY WORTH THE WAIT! Be patient they won't disappoint. They have amazing sushi and other fusion options. This is a must eat place in Knoxville, TN!!
(5)
Joshua B.
It was quite a wait even though there was seating available. But the sushi was fabulous so no complaints there
(4)
Ann M.
The sushi was pretty good, I was visiting a friend and I was REALLY pleasantly surprised, with it 1. being Tennessee and all, 2 it being a landlocked state. The menu was pretty much all sushi, which was good. I really don't like sushi/hibatchi places as much. That area of Knox seemed to be pretty trendy and nice. Nama also seemed to pretty trendy inside. The decor was really nice. Why not a higher rating? I thought it was kind of pricey. I have eaten better sushi, not in Knoxville, but just in general. It was very loud inside. It would seem like a nice place to take a date but the noise level would ruin it. Overall 3.5
(3)
Ned R.
This is becoming my go-to for business trips to Knoxville. I came once before, had an enjoyable time, and decided to return. And I'm compelled to write about it. My waitress, Emily, was helpful, courteous, but not overly attentive. I wanted a quiet meal to myself, so I value the time I had between her occasional check-ins. She nailed that fuzzy space between being right on top of you and leaving you in the lurch. The cucumber-infused cold sake she recommended and brought me was excellent. Dylan, my sushi chef, was spectacular. He put together a hell of a chirashi--beautiful in presentation, diverse in flavor, and generous in size. Very knowledgeable about the fish, and did a great job explaining it all to me. Both servers made me feel welcome, kindly kept an eye on me without being intrusive, and delivered an outstanding meal. I'm looking forward to my next Knoxville visit just for my next dinner here.
(5)
Steven W.
Generous and beautifully presented rolls. Excellent service. Friday night crowd was all happy to be there.
(4)
Alex A.
The major downside to this sushi bar is how packed it is, but if you don't mind a loud dinner, then you'll be fine. The sushi is spectacular, the ex-girlfriend roll is definitely my favorite. A tad bit pricey 4 rolls-65 dollars, but for the quality and considering it's near campus, you can't beat this place.
(4)
Sergei M.
Excellent sushi at very reasonable price. My friend and I ordered chef's special sushi for $25 and half price rolls (tempura for $8 and smaller tempura shrimp for $4.50). Everything was very tasty. Tokyo quality in landlocked Knoxville.
(5)
Nisha S.
I travel the country for work. And Nama has hands down never disappoints. I feel comfortable sending clients and friends here when they are in town. I've never had anything other then a simple and fresh roll. Go for the lunch special- cheaper then even McDs- unbelievable. Wish I could get this shipped in from around the country to me.
(5)
John Paul D.
The sushi is good. Not outstanding.lots of spicy options. The miso soup is so so . the green tea did not appear to be a specialty. Most people were drinking wine or beer and appeared happy. If you are passing through close to highway 40 and want a quick sushi dinner not a bad spot. Looking for a culinary experience... Keep looking
(3)
Patty P.
Def the squid seaweed cucumber salad and the bahamas mama.. I'm from ny, I know my sushi . Amazing Omg amazing!!! Going back on my last night in tn !!
(5)
Eva V.
We heard this was the best sushi in Knoxville and we were not disappointed! I was very happy to see that they have a decent vegetarian-friendly menu as well as some fun, inventive kinds of sushi. I loved my "crunchy veggie" and could easily have eaten several plates of it. They also have a good miso soup and edamame starters. We will definitely return next time we are in town.
(5)
Leah B.
I'm in town for business and sat at the sushi bar. Chef Kelby made me the best sushi platter I've had in a long time. Would definitely recommend this to anyone in town for business, sitting at the sushi bar is a must.
(5)
Barbara H.
High quality ingredients, very modern sushi. It is Americanized, but for what it is, it's wonderful. If you want traditional, you might want to go elsewhere, but if you want delightfully creative and delicious, you'll probably enjoy Nama. You just need an open mind. I have a cilantro allergy and cilantro oil is in several items. My server was very helpful in letting me know which items were safe for me to eat. The service is wonderful and so is the location. Great atmosphere, but sometimes the wait to be seated can be lengthy. I like both locations that they have, but I prefer this location because of the atmosphere and wonderful service.
(5)
John W.
The shrimp tempura was very good. The ginger margarita was excellent. Service was meh. HOWEVER, The ceviche was an abomination and an insult to my mouth. My first mistake was ordering ceviche from a sushi restaurant run by a bunch of white kids. The place is a trap and hang out for local hipsters who don't know better. At it's heart the restaurant is a churn n burn disguised as sudo-fine dinning. It is not about the food but turning over as many tables as possible with a steep food cost ratio. Can't blame a business for that but when you focus on margins more than the food.. your future is bleak.
(2)
Gary H.
Froo-froo? Nay! Just awesome sushi at a fair price! Great ambiance at both locations.
(5)
Eric F.
This place is great. Plain and simple. Sushi is fresh, well priced and presented well. BBQ salmon is the best I have ever had. Anytime I am in from Atlanta, I always eat here.
(5)
Jonathan P.
Great food. Great service. Great location. Love this place, I will be back. Thank You Namas.
(5)
S B.
I second Heather G's review. She couldn't say it better! Half-price maki: Superb and priced well for what you get! Full-price: Not even close to worth it. I've had cheaper/better sushi on Michigan Ave in Chicago.
(2)
Joe S.
Pretty ok sushi for a landlocked southern city. Seemed a bit pricey, and the sushi cuts are pretty small. I would be more ok with the price if the cuts were a bit larger.
(2)
Bernice R.
I love sushi and when I moved to Knoxville from Chicago, I didn't think I could find a place that could match what I've eaten. I mean, it's pretty easy to find a good and authentic sushi bar in Chicago and its suburbs but I was very hesitant about K-Town. I was definitely mistaken! Nama is one the best restaurants for sushi! Love their unique combos and the classics were just so delicious. As for the place itself, I really like the downtown location. Very hip and cozy. Now, I'm back in Illinois but surprisingly, if I go back to Tennessee, I'll be more for getting sushi than BBQ, believe it or not!
(5)
Heather G.
For half-price-maki night, yeah sure. Wave it in. Wave it ALL in. However, for full-price-maki nights, absolutely not. No freaking way. Why? Full priced maki is more expensive than maki in Boston, nearing expensive maki in NY, and is over-fussy, over-dressed, over-worked and reworked and fondled and gussied-up. Well, to be clear, all the "special" maki is that way, but at half price, you can look the other way on the gussy-ness. The main thing that strikes me here is that Nama's chefs put thick, sweet sauces all over everything. Basically every special maxi is swimming in a pool of some sort of glaze or drizzle. Sometimes I just like my fish raw, cold, and nekkid. Do we have a problem with that? Your boyfriend always told you that "less is more" when it came to dolling yourself up, but you always thought he said that 1. to be sweet, and 2 .so he didn't have to wait for your 90 minute routine to wrap up in order to go across the street to the pub to get a burger and a brew. In that case, yes, you're right, he didn't mean that. More is more in dating, ladies. But in sushi? Less is actually more. Take away the drizzle and take back the fishies. Delicious fish, really. Cold, clean, fresh. But you wouldn't know it. Why? The damn sauces! Would I return? Unlikely. Though half priced sushi night almost makes it a good value, the line to get a table that night is absolutely insane, and the bars on the block in which to kill your time while waiting for your table are absolutely abysmal. No brainer pass.
(2)
Laurie L.
We love sushi. This is a good place to go! Good and reasonable!! Love the roll called Ex Girlfriend! I add avocado to it cuz I love avocado. Yum!! Something interesting to try.... the Chef's Choice. You tell the wait staff what you like, or don't like , and how spicey you like it... then let the Chef create a roll for you. $16. The edamame is ok.... but sadly... no gyoza/dumplings. Service. 4/5. good! Atmosphere. 4/5. good. Food. 4/5. good.
(4)
Jenny T.
Is this sushi? I've never had sushi drowning in mayo/ whatever other sauces they put on everything. Even my friends were disgusted. This is like the P.F. Chang's of sushi bars. Not authentic at all, but it's popular.
(1)
Trevor B.
Decent sushi, trendy little place. Sat at the sushi bar and saw some amazing looking rolls being prepared. Best part of the meal had to be dessert (which we would almost never order at a sushi bar); banana tempura with chocolate and raspberry sauce. Downsides: wait was 45 minutes+ for sushi bar seating then another 45 between ordering and receiving food. The relatively average rolls that we had we not worth the wait. Bottom-line: great place to be seen, average sushi. If the kitchen could expedite the wait times, it might be worth going back.
(4)
Beth And Jim S.
He said: I liked Nama a lot. The jerk seasoning on the calamari was unexpected and delicious. The noodles were so fresh and the veg in them was so good. The crunchy shrimp roll was just ok. The magic shrimp, or whatever it's called, were good, but a weird dish, little shrimp on a bowl of white rice. The soy sauce is special and flavorful. Staff knowledgeable and fast. Will be back. She said: I very much enjoyed the food at Nama. The jerk-seasoned calamari was pretty good, as was the crunchy shrimp roll. The fantasy shrimp was just awesome, but not enough of it (don't plan to share it...order your own...you'll be glad you didn't share)! And the somen noodle bowl was just delicious!
(5)
Christopher M.
Knoxville, you spoiled me with Nama. I've been to sushi bars all over and I was simply caught off guard by how good this place is. I got into town late on business and settled down at the back (drinking) bar, rather than the traditional (eating) sushi bar. I had the Seaweed Salad to start and the Crazy Tuna for my entree. Seaweed Salad was the best I've had and even came with a small portion of cucumber salad. The Crazy Tuna was delicious, fresh, and was huge. Only downside was the staff. Bartender was relatively unfriendly and I think everyone knew everyone because they all worked there. But don't let that get you down, this place rocked.
(5)
Rosie E.
So psyched to finally find excellent sushi in Knoxville. Tried Nama for lunch today and will definitely be back. Service - fast and friendly, ambiance - trendy and confortable, food - delicious, price - reasonable. And this is coming from a sushi snob whose favorite spot was and always will be Nobu in New York. Serious: Miso soup - tasty and I don't even like tofu but I gobbled it up House salad - delightful, but tricky to eat with chopsticks although I managed (love those little wasabi peas) Soy joy roll - to die for delicious, didn't leave a scrap $8 express lunch price - the icing on the cake, where else can you get a 5 star lunch for 8 bucks? Me happy
(5)
Mussaab H.
I love the Sushi here. I've ruined myself by only getting the Chef's Platter when I go so now I can't even order off the regular menu (even though its pretty great). I usually go with at least one other person and order the $50 Chef's Platter and let the waiter know I want only rolls and tell him one type of rolls I usually eat. The Chef always brings back 4 HUGE 16pc rolls with all the extra toppings you could want. I've never been unsatisfied with my platter. If you are going to buy 2 premium rolls anywhere, do yourself a favor and get the Chef's Platter. It'll change the way you do sushi.
(5)
Noel L.
OK I'm so on the fence with this place. When I first moved here in 2008 it was the first place I ate out and it was great. We went to the original location on Gay Street downtown and it was like going on a mission. You had to valet park, you always had to wait but that was half the fun as you got to go upstairs and have wine, and then finally you got to eat and it was tasty and delightful and thus all worth it. I didn't mind paying an average $60-80 for my meal as it was worth it and very date-like. These days, things have changed. They have relocated down the street to the busy part of Gay and opened a location in Bearden. Every time we have ate here, we order 2 rolls and then our staple roll (The Dragon Roll). I have been disappointed the last 3 times we went because the Dragon Roll has not been consistent. The rolls are also very haphazard, sometimes they don't even look like they were rolled but just mushed together, and the rice is cold and falls off everywhere when it's supposed to be sticky. We still pay the $60 for a meal here but the magic is gone. I think I'm done with this place afterall. Thanks YELP, this was therapeutic. Woop Woop Shiraz has been on the menu for years but every time we have ate there in the last 6 months they have been out. Tease!
(2)
Tara S.
It is unlikely you will be disappointed with your sushi here. I've never had something that didn't seem absolutely fresh. My favorites are Orange Crush, Bahama Mama, and Ex Girlfriend (or is it Boyfriend? I don't remember). Since they moved up the street, it's much more comfortable and roomy. They have a tiny bar area, too. Their menu recently expanded to include cooked dishes, none of which I've tasted. They have excellent calamari and the crab dip is great. Happy hour wine and 1/2 off rolls certain nigihts.
(4)
Evelyn R.
Igot sushi from here while travelling through Knoxville about a month ago. We ordered to-go since its been a hectic weekend of travelling and wanted to relax in the hotel. We chose the crunchy shrimp roll, philly roll and spider roll. Both the philly and crunchy shrimp were lackluster and overpriced. The spider roll was unlike any I've had before and after rating one piece I was done. The boyfriend has the exact same thoughts. My review can't account for the ambiance or service, its based on food only, overpriced, lackluster, and the rice didn't stick together well.
(1)
amanda w.
About as fresh as sushi can get in a landlocked state. I have grown up on fresh seafood and my taste is a bit discerning when it comes to sushi. I finally tried this place a couple months ago after going to UT for 4 years now. The food is delicious but it is way overpriced. That being said, we went during their "happy hour" which is half-price on a select list of rolls, and we ordered enough that warranted a $35-ish bill and paid $20 with drinks included. That was worth it. I haven't been back otherwise, just because the prices are friendly for those able to splurge a little. The place is small and lacks anything on the walls to dampen the noise and echoes so it can get loud. My mother didn't enjoy the atmosphere because of the noise levels. However I gave this place 4 stars because it's the best sushi in Knoxville and you can't knock that! Good food is good food.
(4)
Joey D.
This place is 'middle of the road' for me. The sushi is pretty good, the ambiance is great, and service has always been exceptional. I do think it can be a tinge overpriced though. The bar is great though and it's an excellent 'date' venue. I recommend going on any day other than Half Priced Mondays. On that day it's incredibly crowded and you have to wait a while for a table. Also, on Monday's I think they are trying to rid the kitchen of any older inventory to make way for the new. This makes me a little nervous, especially when it comes to raw food. Just my opinion though. . . . .
(3)
Jennifer S.
Silly themed sushi. Lots of options involving mayo. Interminable wait times. Great ambiance can't redeem it.
(2)
Mark C.
Food was mediocre at best and overpriced. Server (Savannah?) was great.
(1)
Jennie B.
Go here on half price night- Mon/Thurs. Otherwise Nama is somewhat overrated, overpriced sushi. They charge like a gourmet sushi restaurant. But what they serve is something you might expect in a random small city in the middle of nowhere. Here's what you get: Rainbow roll ($16) with avocado as the only topping for two pieces. Each piece should be topped with fish. El cheapos. Spicy tuna avocado roll with too little smushed up tuna and not enough avocado. Truffle dessert (1 small truffle) and a mochi (our own combo with 1 small mochi cut in 4 minute pieces) for $7.00. Ripoff central. Salmon nigiri is good. But again, while the salmon itself was great, the rice is a bit hard and does not fall apart. There are other places you can go for more product and less money. Like Kabuki in Turkey Creek or Anaba on Northshore Dr. Or test it for yourself. Just be ready to spend at least $30-40 unless you go on 1/2 price nights.
(3)
Yan Z.
I went there for half off sushi night, or should i say half off quality sushi night.. i ordered salmon skin roll, the sushi roll itself was poorly rolled, one end seem bigger than other and it was about to fall apart. maybe it was rolled by a new rookie chef or someone that they placed for a busy night. also the sushi was about 80% rice and 20% stuffing.. the rice also seem very hard and tasteless. i also ordered a pizza roll, hmm let's just say it's just 8 pieces of quarter size sushi that filled with oil and cheese. i feel like.... for Nama, rolling sushi is about business and profit, instead it presents as a piece of art and appreciation of food. overall, what you are gonna pay for is atmosphere not the food. the customer service was not that great either. the waitress never come back to fill my drink, actually she came back when we finished our food and ready for the check. i guess she tried to make it up at the end for some extra tips? not happy about this place, probably never go back again. dont waste your money there if you want some real sushi, youre just paying for the name and its atmosphere.
(2)
Michael M.
Pros: Great ambience - hipster crowd, MGMT on the sound system, attractive interior, cool neighborhood. Cons: White boy sushi chefs with poor knife skills. Flying fish sashimi was butchered - looked like it had been cut with a mallet. Fish quality varied - ranged from good to suspect. Overall: It's sushi in Tennessee, my friends.
(3)
Graham S.
I was really impressed with this place. Despite all the construction and one-way streets on the way to finding Nama, it was well worth it. Everything we ordered was delicious but it was the final roll that sealed the deal. We asked the chef to create a combination of our favorite ingredients along with anything he wanted to throw in: fantastic. Even though I've had more amazing sushi, I couldn't have been happier with this pit stop off of I-40.
(4)
Josh S.
My favorite sushi place in Knoxville. Great atmosphere and excellent sushi. They offer half price at certain times which is a great value. The full price stuff is really good but rather pricey. My favorite is the pizza roll! Def worth checking out if you're into sushi!
(4)
Jaime S.
This place would be 5 stars, but loses points for mediocre sushi and ehhhh service. I know what you're thinking, a sushi place loses points for mediocre sushi but still gets 4 stars? It's because of the CEVICHE. It may be a mexican dish, but damn this was delicious. for $13, you get a huge bowl of fresh fish, fresh shellfish, or both of ceviche with the perfect lime, cilantro, onion and saltiness that just KILLS. Homemade blue corn tortillas chips and a 4 cup bowl deep of delicious fish. I also got salmon sushi. It barely tasted of anything (which I guess is better than tasting like bad sushi) but my local grocery store put this to shame. Finally, I am not going to make any sweeping generalizations about the south, but Betina, our waitress, spent more time chit chatting it up with her friends on the phone, in the kitchen, and falling off the chairs at the bar than she did on her customers. We were at the bar, sitting directly in front of you; it shouldn't take 10 mins for you to notice my water is empty. Finally, save for the ceviche this place is overpriced. I'm not paying $12 for spicy tuna in Chicago, so unless it's magical tuna, It's not happening.
(4)
Amy E.
This was our first visit to Nama downtown since they moved from their quaint old location and I was extremely disappointed. There was a 20-25 minute wait. I don't mind to wait for a table but while we were waiting we watched the hostesses fight and roll their eyes at each other and tables sat empty and dirty for 10-15 minutes. They forgot to seat a couple that had been waiting for over 30 minutes and then asked them to wait while they sat someone else that arrived after them. They also do this thing where you leave your phone number and they call you when your table is ready. I heard the hostess say that it takes most people about 15 minutes to get there after they call. This is bad for business if you ask me.....it has to be killing their turnover time. After our wait and debating whether or not we should just leave and go somewhere else our table was ready. They seated us at the table right next to the hostess station and basically in the waiting area. We then waited another 10 minutes for our server to come to our table....again debating whether or not we should just give up and go down the street. When our server arrived at our table, he apologized for our wait. Afraid we wouldn't see him again, we ordered everything. My beer was lukewarm and sat empty for 10 minutes before our server came back to check on us. I ordered a second which also sat empty for 10 minutes and he never asked if I wanted another. The sushi was mediocre at best.....nothing like what it used to be at their old location. I wonder where the manager was during all of this. They have to be losing a ton of business. Mine included. We won't be back When I spend close to $100 I expect so much more.
(1)
Justin B.
Soy joy is delish. Monday 1/2 price sushi night. Excellent atmosphere and location.
(5)
Garrett G.
Great hidden gem in downtown Knoxville! The place was packed on a cold Tuesday night... I'm pretty sure because of the great wine specials going on. It sounds like they have amazing specials on different things most nights of the week. After waiting for 20 minutes and grabbing a few drinks at the bar I sat down for an excellent round of sushi. The unique rolls and high quality fish put this on the same level as other great sushi restaurants in much larger cities across the country. What a great surprise and an excellent addition to downtown Knoxville!
(5)
Penelope B.
So, I live in CO but I'm from Seattle and have lived in CA and traveled in Japan. This is definitely not a typical sushi restaurant. First off, no one in the building was Japanese, let alone Asian. And the rolls are very much non-traditional. Things like cajun seasoning and such. But, for what it is, which is a vaguely fusion nouveau sushi place, it's good. And it's in Knoxville. So. It's pretty good. We were satisfied with our meals, including the small fry, who ate the ebi shumai (definitely on the overly fried side of shumai, normally these are steamed and sometimes lightly crisped on the bottom... but still tasty). Fairly thick wrappers though, perhaps to hold up to being fried. Tasty mixed drinks. I cannot remember what I ordered but it was good. Our server seemed to not know quite what to do with us at first, a family with a preschooler and our two beautiful college age girl relatives. But he warmed up once he realized we were ordering quite a few things. Or maybe he was just warming up to being on duty. Anyway, it was a pleasant meal, just do not dare call this traditional sushi. It isn't. The fish was all cut well and presented well, and the fresh ingredients were crisp and tasty. Special rolls are the thing to order here. Sashimi, not so much.
(4)
Melissa B.
We came here before heading to the Valarium to see Mumford and Sons. We weren't in a hurry but at the same time weren't having a leisurely dinner. Our server was perfectly opinionated and wonderful. We told her the items we were thinking of ordering and she gave us alternate recommendations based on her own experience and those of other diners. She did not steer us wrong. Every roll we ordered was perfectly created, delicious and came out quickly. Living in Atlanta, there are a ton of sushi restaurants to choose from and enjoy. I must say that if Nama were in Atlanta, I would be a regular. It is easily in my top 5 of all sushi places I've enjoyed in Atlanta and across the country. If you are ever in Knoxville, go to Nama. If you live in Knoxville and love sushi, put this place on your regular rotation. Yum. Yum. and YUM!
(4)
Taylor M.
I was incredibly skeptical of eating sushi in the Smoky Mountains, but one trip to Nama and I was blown away. It is expensive, but not outrageously so. The price is not a problem when you have your first bite. I had the Shrimp and crab dip, the Jg, Soy joy, and Bahama mama. I went with someone from Knoxville so she knew about the special menu. Make sure you ask for that, that is where the Soy joy was. I have posted pictures I took in the Nama gallery that show what I ate.
(5)
Elaina S.
I am literally salivating just thinking about it. The only reason this place gets a 4 instead of a 5 is because it's so expensive. I only go on half price sushi nights (Monday and Thursday). Monday features the best fusion roll the world has ever known: The "Soy Joy". Also they have a really great crab, coconut soup.
(4)
Rebecca S.
Fabulous Food! We had Land and Sea tempura and many varieties of Sushi which were all delicious! Definitely one of the best around
(5)
Jason S.
Very decent sushi! Fair prices and great atmosphere! I need say no more, you won't be disappointed.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Josh H.
So our first night in Knoxville and we stumble upon Nama. We had a fun wait, walked down the street and into the shops, and by the time we came back they were ready to seat us. We were seated at the center of the sushi bar between the two sushi chefs. We saw all of our food prepared and, in addition to the great showmanship of watching it be prepared, it was amazing sushi! My partner loves ceviche, so we started with that. It was phenomenal. We then got the $50 chef's choice. The fusion of sushi, veggies, traditional and creative was a delight. Our favorite Knoxville sushi spot!
(5)David M.
I'm debating a shout for 4.5 stars here, the tiny-ness of Nama and the pain of parking in a busy downtown being the detractors. Bah, I love downtown Knoxville. Hell with it...4.5. They still lose half a star because this was the 4th time I'd walked/ridden/wandered over to Nama, but the first time it wasn't so damn crowded as to turn away any sane (and hungry) individual. That's probably a good sign, or a sign that Knovillians are notoriously trendy in their food selections. Well, I have a close personal family connection on staff at this place, so after hearing it for years about how we gotta get in here, we finally did one afternoon before leaving town. Totally worth it. I adore sushi, but these guys do take it up a notch over most places. We decided to put our lunchtime fate into the hands of the sushi chefs, and we were not let down. Every dish that came out was well put together and tasted fantastic. If you're a frequent sushi eater, you can tell when you're eating a good slice of really, really fresh and nice fish. I got that here with several bites. I'd like to go back sometime and pluck a few items off the menu that caught my eye, so hopefully it isn't some late night when we arrive and there are lines out the door that send us up the road (or back to my brother's place) for some beer and grumbling stomachs. Nama's good stuff.
(4)Tim M.
Big-city sushi served in a small-town closet. I can't add much beyond the other reviewers other than to say you've got to give it a try. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Tim, we're hours from the coast. Who wants to eat inland seafood that's old enough to vote?" Well, I don't know how they do it, but the quality of the fish is top-notch. It ranks up there with high-end places in Philadelphia that are situated right on the water. If you snag the lunch special with miso soup and seaweed salad, you can leave with your credit score intact. It's best deal around. Sitting outside is nice, but with its proximity to the Mission district, prepare to have a conversation with a vagrant or two while you dine. I like to eat inside downtown and outside at the Bearden location.
(5)Desiree L.
The best sushi in Knoxville hands down! Hmmm ask for the fried sushi roll! This place is so nice and right in the downtown! For quicker service go to the sushi bar!
(5)Randy B.
Good friendly staff. I've never eaten at a sushi bar before. So its my best experience yet. Dragon roll is great!
(5)Stephanie K.
Visiting Knoxville and stopped in for lunch. The $9 lunch special was an incredible value. The soup and salad were delicious and my entree (Kama) was very very good. My friend had a portabella sandwich that appeared to be smeared in avocado crack because he ate it in about 2 min. Great place!
(4)Lana S.
Once upon a time, Nama was a hip little sushi bar on gay street. Now it is a big sushi bar in Bearden and further down on Gay St. next to the cinema. Yeah, it's good. Just be weary of the Soy Joy Roll. -It's delicious but mostly because it's drenched in mayo-based sauces. I just feel that Nama has given in to appealing to everyone so it no longer appeals to those who truly love sushi. But mostly it has lost the quaint local. I will return as I feel that they do have good quality sushi....but it has lost something in the transition. Cheers!
(3)Alex V.
Wow, I was not expecting this in Knoxville. Excellent Sushi, and a really diverse menu. You could really see the attention to detail, beginning with the appetizers and salads. I was really impressed with the presentation. With over 8 craft beers on tap, it was the best beer selection I've ever seen in a sushi restaurant. The staff was very attentive. I have no complaints, Nama is a diamond in the rough.
(5)Michael L.
Moved to Knoxville from Boston, and was excited when I rolled up to my new apartment and saw a sushi place right across the street. It seemed to be pretty busy all the time, which is definitely a good sign. My only complaint is that the place is a little cramped so that the smell of raw fish can sometimes be a little strong (doesn't bug me, but might turn off first-timers) However, the service is top notch...I've had three different waitresses so far and each one has been relaxed, fun, and extremely helpful. Happy hour applies to both sushi and draft beers, so you can get a Kirin Ichiban for $2, and large te-maki rolls for $2 or $3! The special rolls are great, I recommend the Chef's choice or the Dragon Rolls (shrimp, avocado, eel, and spice)
(5)DeRee C.
Two words- Soy Joy. It's the best roll I've ever had, hands down. May or may not be on the menu, the owner use to make these when he first opened the place. The restaurant could be bigger, but it's great sushi nonetheless. Great for couples, very intimate.
(5)Anthony J.
I know what you are thinking "Sushi? In Knoxville, Tennessee"?! Well....you would be right... Full disclosure...I am incredibly spoiled having grown up near the coast with a cornucopia of Sushi at my doorstep. Always authentic and creative, with a dash of hip. Nama's menu is pretty standard and space is cramped with really nowhere to wait for a table. The Kimchee app was refreshing and tasty. I guess it is good enough if you happen to find yourself 1,000 miles from an ocean...
(2)Sarah W.
It's unfair. I can see the place from my front window. Given this kind of convenience, it would take a lot for this place to get less stars for me. But seriously, they have a long way to go before losing a star. My vegetarian roll was so yummy. My waitress was so helpful and went out of her way to give me some suggestions on white wines. The fianC and his mom loved their rolls, especially the chef's roll--a special, daily creation. The decor was nice and simple, but trendy. They have a couple of outdoor tables. They stay open super late on the weekends (something like 2 I think?). And best of all--HALF PRICED sushi and drinks during happy hour (and not really that expensive anyway!! Seriously, I'm cool eating at fogie hour for half the price. Yum.
(5)Island N.
Service was great. Sushi was as good ad u can get in TN. Mellow atmosphere. I had a very pleasant experience at Nama
(4)Whitney M.
I recently went to Nama for their 1/2 price sushi menu offered on Mondays & Thursdays. There was a bit of a wait but the service and food were great once we got seated. There are about 10 items offered on the 1/2 price menu and they ranged between $3.50- 7.50. They also offer 1/2 priced house wines for $4 on those days. I highly recommend going to Nama for sushi whether they are having 1/2 price specials or not (although they can be a little pricey). In my opinion it is the best sushi in town.
(5)Lashona M.
Great sushi with an excellent presentation and the plum saki will put some magic on you! It's small but still a cute restaurant! Plan to dine there this week on my return to Knoxville!
(4)Daniel C.
A-MAZ-ING!!! The location is nice right on the outside of downtown knoxville. The sushi is amazing, probably the best I have ever had. It's a good idea to go on a monday, when the sushi is half price, so you can have alot of it. The experience is good at the bar or at a table but normally tables take longer to get seated. The actual restaurant at this location is small so expect to wait an hour for a table or 30 minutes for the bar. It's worth the wait though!
(5)Austin R.
Back when Nama was located across Summit Hill, I went and got the Chef's special roll, which is just whatever the chef feels like putting into a maki roll. It was fantastic and totally blew my mind. More recently, I came to its new location for lunch and got the pizza roll, which had so much sour cream on it that I couldn't taste the beautiful salmon underneath. That was pretty disappointing. My sister ordered something simpler and was very satisfied. Also, the special at lunch is, in my opinion, a great deal and includes miso soup, seaweed salad or edamame, and a roll for I think $8. I'll be back and I'll order a more reasonable roll.
(4)Kristina I.
Best sushi I've EVER had. And I've eaten at a lot of sushi places--from San Diego and Atlanta to New York and London. I always find myself comparing them to Nama and they never quite measure up. My favorite rolls are the Bahama Mama and Maui Wowie--super fresh. The ceviche is absolutely delicious and I dream about the shrimp and crab dip. They just opened their new location downtown next to Regal Riviera and I'm so gald they did. It's much, much bigger which means I don't have to wait as long to get my favorite sushi. On their half-price nights (Monday and Thursday) they have great rolls as well, for an unbeatable price--try the Fancy Scallop and Rooster (spicy). For dessert, the red bean and mango ice cream creations are to die for. It is a tad expensive, but completely worth the splurge to me. If you're worried about the price, try a half-price sushi or wine night. There's always some kind of special going on during the week, just make sure you get there earlier on half-price sushi nights. It's always busy! Oh, and a secret that may not be so secret anymore...there's a plethora of rolls that aren't on the main menu. So if you know what to ask and how to ask for it, you're in luck! So thankful Knoxville has this great gem, makes me never want to leave!
(5)Aaron J.
This is the best sushi I've ever had. It is a bit expensive, but once you taste it you'll know where that money went. The quality is amazing. The atmosphere, though small, is great. Try the rooster roll!!
(5)Rob J.
I read some Yelp reviews before deciding to go here and I was impressed. I've always thought going to ethnic restaurants far away from the main coastal cities was inviting disaster. The food was fresh (or at least I didn't get sick) and like a previous poster mentioned, they had a pretty good microbrew selection which is awesome for a sushi place because most Japanese beer is pretty light in flavor. Based on a previous Yelp recommendation, I order the crab dip and chips which was excellent as well as the non menu special Soy something(?) which was excellent. I tried to find the name in the reviews but it appears to have disappeared. Defnitely try it because the sauces that go with it are fantastic. The sashimi was fresh and tasty as was the Philladelphia rolls. The wasabi was nice and hot compared to some sushi places I've visited. Defnitely check it out if you're visiting Knoxville.
(5)Emmy K.
Nama is as good as it gets! I live in Chicago now - where there are a lot of Sushi places...but NONE of them compare to Nama. The atmosphere and the Sushi are incredible and you will leave satisfied and smiling, especially if you had some wine with your dinner!
(5)Lisa S.
We were in the area to visit the Smoky Mountains from Philadelphia. We figured that grabbing dinner in Knoxville, our chances for a decent restaurant should be greater. That said I wouldn't have expected Sushi to be something that was offered or rated highly. After looking at reviews on a couple of my favorite food sights I had to give Nama a try. The place is small but I like that, since it reminds me of the many restaurants that we used to frequent in NYC. We were seated right away (mind you it was a Tuesday night) and the service was very good. We waited a bit but anyone that has had good sushi knows that you have to wait since they aren't making it ahead of time. It was YUMMY! We had the standard Spicy Tuna but picked a few of their special rolls - Crunchy Shrimp & Bahama Mama. It was very fresh and creative. The snow crab has a really good taste. We ended by getting one more special roll that was just as good Maui Zowie. I would go again - if I lived in the area.
(4)Audrey D.
Update: March 2011- Nama has moved down Gay street (next to the Regal Cinema movie theater) into a much larger open room + bar. Yeah! Because one thing that was annoying everyone was all that construction and waiting for an hour to get in for delicious sushi. The vibe is different in the new venue, but food tastes the same. My husband usually gets the chef's special and loves it. Old review: This review is for vegetarians, because I don't eat fish. Nama has wonderfully creative vegetarian options on the menu. My favorite is the 'Marley', which is a mango, asparagus, red pepper and tofu roll. Mmmmm, perfect. There is also an insanely hot spicy tofu roll which brought me to tears (in a good way), and another roll that has deep fried sweet potato in it, called the Crispy Veggie. My favorite vegetarian appetizer is the wasabi hummus dip with warm pita bread. I order this every time and long to know the recipe. Vegetarians will not be disappointed here. I take off 1 star because the seating is not very comfortable and there are sometimes long waits for the appetizers. Too long for me, because I'm always starving. Nama also has a half-price menu on Monday nights- but the line to get in the door is frustrating at times.
(4)J C.
Came here for a spontaneous date with my fiancée and loved it! Yes, it was pricey but the quality and taste was excellent. Sushi usually isn't cheap anyway, so I definitely believe you get what you pay for. Nama seems to be willing to try new things so if you're adventurous, ask the chef to make a roll out of things you like (it's an option on the menu). I ordered one with avocado, eel and salmon; don't know what else was in there but it was AMAZING. Dessert was also fantastic and our waitress was extremely friendly. Just love all around for this place, can't get enough of it! Can't wait for another special day so we can have an excuse for a splurge.
(5)Rob V.
Ok at best some good food but fish wasn't the freshest. Service kinda slow. I expected a lot more after reading the reviews. They did have outside seating. Good selection of draft beers.
(2)Wanita N.
Small space with a tightly edited sushi menu, but the attention to detail is great. The pineapple/basil sushi was a super sweet drink that would have gone nicely w/a mojito from the Cuban place next door. Hamachi was fresh, thinly sliced and perfect. Maybe the biggest surprise was the seaweed salad, most places in Knoxville make it too saucy and salty, but this was lightly dressed and slightly crunchy ... fantastic. Not the cheapest sushi in town, but certainly one of the swankier ways to eat sushi around here.
(4)Brad H.
Great, cozy 100 block location....the 500 block is even better, for all but the 100 block neighbors. Right here next to the Riviera Theatre, in the heart of a walkable, small downtown, and surrounded by other great foodie and drinking options. Large, airy, and just as tasty as the former location. nama "uptown", as my parents would call it, is as great as ever. Gregg, this concept creator, once told me that the sushi chef is really the artist. I have never looked at this single style of culinary creation the same way. He was and is correct. Typical art never tastes so good. Give nama a view and a taste. Yum.
(5)Brooke S.
knoxville....sushi....not exactly two things that go together int he mind of a sushi lover who has been splitting time between san francisco and nyc. so last friday, i'm in knoxville for the UT/Florida game and am walking to my lovely 930 reservation at fondue mecca The Melting Pot....i was entirely famished and literally crawling down the sidewalk when we noticed a bustling little nook that turned out to be Nama. after being told it would be a 20 minute wait for a table we saddled up to two open stools at the bar and promptly ordered a great, sonoma valley pinot gris and a bottle of cold sake (Nobu i think?). We were greeted by Trey, adorable long hair, southern drawl darling who introduced us to the restaurant and sold us on what turned out to be an unbelievable sushi extravaganza. Due to trey and his fabulousness we ended up sitting at the bar throughout dinner and left him to his own devices in providing us our meal. First up was a veritable feast of sashimi and nigiri....buttery salmon, spicy tuna tataki, delicious albacore and eel that defied any other in terms of taste and texture adorned the plate. The only one we didn't love was the tuna with shiso --- some sort of japanese herb or something - anyways, it tasted great but the texture was a little...uuhh...icky. after that little "tasting" and by tasting i mean enormous amount of food, trey - the new sushi love of my life - asked us what our favorite was and ten minutes later we were greeted with two enormous rolls. I told trey that I loved the albacore and my favorite roll (from a teeny tiny place in SF) consisted of asparagus, thinly sliced lemon and salmon.....what he brought out was an amazing roll with albacore, avocado and asparagus inside, and lemon, salmon and crunchies on top. AMAZING. honestly i can't even remember what myf riend got because I am so in love with a) trey and b) the experience as a whole......i think his roll had avocado, tuna, crunchies? seriously who knows but i definitely ate like, half of it. lesson learned....even knoxville can provide top notch sushi.....if i return to the land of the volunteer i will without a doubt return to see trey....
(5)Eric M.
I was in knoxville on a business trip and happened to find this place on yelp. Great sushi and great service (even though they were a swamped at the time, our waitress was extremely apologetic... she even offered us an extra side of edamame for our wait!). Definitely worth checking out.
(4)Janine A.
Pretty good, inventive sushi. Get the Boston!
(4)Lisa T.
One of the best sushi bars in Knoxville, great service every time and the happy hour drink and sushi specials are perfect.
(5)Dustin P.
The sushi here is excellent for a landlocked state, and while prices are very high, there are great deals throughout the week that will earn you great food at a reasonable price. I highly recommend the fish tacos (half price on Tuesdays). You can get half price rolls on Monday and Thursday. I've had quite a few now and the best by far has been the JG (the tempura was very good as well). The service is great too, especially considering how busy they always are. The only disappointment I've had here is the pork dumplings - they were not good at all. When all is said and done, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out.
(5)Ashley F.
I was shopping in market square so I made a stop here. I sat at the sushi bar and checked out their lunch menu. I did not get the sushi considering rolls are not my go to and I was not about to spend a ridiculous amount of money for the nigiris that I wanted. I ended up getting the Kama (yellowtail collar). It came with miso soup which wasn't bad. A while later, I got the Kama. They gave me a fork with it. Now, Kama is not something you can really eat with a fork. It came with white rice, which was dry and awful, salad that should've been on a different plate, and the Kama-with the fork. The Kama was not seasoned very well so you had to use the ponzu in order to enjoy it. The fish was also very raw the closer I got to the bottom of it. Overall: service was not great, food was mediocre, and not Japanese at all. Here's a tip on cooking Kama:salt the entire thing to get rid of the fishiness and rinse it off after 30 minutes. Then lightly season it with salt and pepper. On the thicker parts use a knife to make a X. This way, the customer leaves satisfied with their meal.
(2)Sam S.
2.5. We went on a Monday to check out the specials, as I'm not going to spend 13-20 bucks On a roll when I don't know the quality. Immediately hit by the air of hipster. It was thick, like the scarves they wear even when it's 90 degrees and they're wearing obnoxious waist-high shorts already. Upon walking in, the host greeted us with an, 'oh. Hey.' Our waitress wasn't much better, doing the bare minimum to make sure we had a good time once she realized we only got soups and done of the roll specials. I get being a hipster, I do, but when you make your customer feel bad or neglected, then you cross the line, especially when the rolls were mediocre at best. The flavors were unbalanced for the most part, especially knowing how much the rolls usually go for
(2)Dan H.
I often come here before symphony concerts, although I haven't been in a while. It's a really cool place; there's a sushi bar you can sit at and also tables if you prefer. Unfortunately, whenever I go, service is slow regardless of how many people there are, so this isn't the best place to go if you're looking for a quick meal. The last time I went, we were placed at a table near the door which was really quite uncomfortable. I had to keep scooting out of the way to make room for people coming in the restaurant, but that was probably because we had to add an extra chair. Servers were nice and friendly. I've tried a lot of rolls and they're all tasty, but two that stand out are the Pizza and the JG roll. There is no fishy taste and the rice is always nice and chewy; however, sometimes it's not warm enough for my liking. All in all, very good food and the portions aren't too bad (8-10 pieces per roll). These chefs know what they're doing. The entire experience isn't extraordinary, and sometimes the waits are so long that I'd rather eat somewhere else. Good sushi, mediocre service -- solid three stars for this place. Try it once or twice just to see if you like it or not; if you don't, there are plenty of other places in Knoxville.
(3)Canny F.
Seaweed salad - I've only had seaweed salad once before nama and I enjoyed nama's version. It had onions, peppers and a hint of something I couldn't make out. The vegetable rolls I ordered: Spicy shiitake - shiitake mushroom, cucumber and sambal with soy-ginger vinaigrette Marley - tofu, asparagus, mango, roasted red pepper with pineapple-Jamaican jerk sauce Pina - pineapple, roasted red pepper, cucumber topped with avocado, coconut milk and basil They all sound good right? I was so excited to try them because they sounded so different. But it sucked. It was far from what I expected and hoped for. Those amazing sounding sauces were bland, the rice didn't have the sushi rice taste to it, and it was too much of a mush. I think people hype about this joint way too much. This was the first Asian cuisine I encountered at Knoxville.
(3)David B.
Absolutely the best sushi in town. A little pricey but you get what you pay for. If you want cheap sushi, you probably don't really want sushi!
(5)Erika S.
I'm a weird girl. I can go a million different ways with that, but I'll leave it at the fact that I don't like fish or seafood. I know, I know. The girl from Seattle doesn't like fish or seafood. I'm a complete freak. If you're judging me right now, just remember that Miley says only god can do that! So the love affair with Sushi is obviously lost on me. I don't eat it cooked, so I'm certainly not going to eat it raw. But that doesn't leave me exempt when I'm with a group and they all want to go for sushi. You quickly find something on the menu that makes you look like you fit in, but doesn't require a run for 4th meal after your meal. Nama does this brilliantly! Their menu is incredibly diverse. Sushi, sandwiches, noodle dishes....there is no shortage of delicious food. So good that I have even been able to find sushi rolls that I not only tolerate, but truly enjoy. Nama is also great about providing a wrap substitute other than seaweed. And the staff here is incredibly accommodating and don't make that face when you ask about substitutions. They get it. Pop in some night and partake of their half price sushi nights (Mondays and Thursdays), grab one of their sublimely concocted drinks, and shovel their Mediterranean rolls down your throat. Sushi and non-sushi fans alike will thank me.
(4)Sierra B.
The food here was reasonable and pretty amazing for the price. We were seated and served very quickly! The seaweed cucumber salad was amazingly refreshing and light. For only 8 dollars you can get salad sushi and a drink!
(5)Andrea J.
Nama is the best sushi in Knoxville, but not the best ever. Unfortunately they couldn't do any of the rolls with cucumber instead of rice. They did make my hand roll with it rice though! The spicy tuna wasn't covered in mayo, which I appreciated. I also ordered sashimi, It didn't seem super fresh. The portions are a good size but this is not a cheap date!!
(3)Crystle C.
The atmosphere of this place is really what earned the stars. Very trendy, appropriately busy and the service was great. The sushi was definitely good, but not the BEST. The rolls were tasty and fresh but seemed to be lacking creativity. Howeverrrr, that may have just been the few that I ordered - my fault, I guess! I'll try and update on my next visit!
(4)Cornethia J.
Probably my favorite place to go after work for Sushi and Drinks! My favorite is the Tempura and Chardonnay great combination, if you haven't been please stop you will enjoy
(5)Trish W.
Best sushi ever. The pizza roll is my favorite. Wide variety of rolls to choose from. Atmosphere is great and location is ideals Great service friendly speedy.
(5)Hans B.
Awesome sush! Very fresh!! Let me say that i normally don't like seaweed salad but I tried my daughters and it was de-lush!! My daughter and I got sushi surprise. You pick the amount you want to pay/eat and tell them what fish and accompaniments you would Like and the chefs create a roll for you!! Way cool Plus had probably some of the freshest salmon sashimi I have ever had !! Would definitely go again!!
(4)Ryan E.
After going to a concert down the street at the Tennessee theatre I was so happy to find Nama was open. We were late to the show driving in from out of town and didn't have time to eat. I thought they closed an hour after we walked up, but found out later they were closing 10 minutes from the time we walked in. The hostess and waiter were so nice and gracious, they didn't seem annoyed we walked in last minute. Had I known we wouldn't have even gone in. I'm so glad we did. I can't even remember the roll I had, but it was amazing! Our waiter was great and very helpful and knowledgable of the menu. When I'm Back in Knoxville I'll definitely be back to Nama. Also- there were a lot of bars with patios around. If we haven't been exhausted and stuffed we would've checked them out. It was a cute little area by the theatre. Call your cab in advance though, we had a bit of a wait and it was an unseasonably COLD summer night.
(4)Christina D.
Nothing compares to Nama Sushi, if it weren't for the price I would be there all the time! Luckily Mondays and Thursdays are half off, the only way I can eat Nama on a regular basis! Love their crab dip and fish tacos as well. Modern atmosphere and great service is a plus to the wonderful food ! I prefer this location, over their newly opened Nashville location. No other sushi in Knoxville even comes close, save your dollars and choose Amazing sushi.
(5)Zach W.
When it comes to Sushi in Knoxville, I don't even consider anywhere else. Other places are "good" but Nama is the best. The food is always fresh, the drinks are wonderful and the vibe is always great. I prefer the downtown location solely because it's closer to my house but the Bearden spot is just as good! I'm a big fan of the Chef's Platters, where they make a custom plate for you. It's always full of seasonal ingredients, as well as more diverse options. This has always been my favorite way to go. Trust these folks, they have tons of great recipes and will certainly turn you on to things you never even knew you liked! Every time I go, I end up eating something I never even knew I liked! If you're not that daring, the tried and true options, like Crunchy Shrimp and California Rolls, are exceptional too! They have a ton of vegetarian options and if sushi ain't your thing, the "Hot Nama" menu, which includes tacos, noodle bowls and burgers, is an awesome addition to the already delicious menu. My wife and I are big fans of their happy hour and the "half-priced" roll nights! The service has always been great, the chef's are awesome and they will definitely take your requests to make something special for you.
(5)Sebastian B.
If I handed everyone 5 start they wouldn't t be as meaningful. That said this place was pricey but excellent. I had a spicy tuna and avocado and they made it more spicy by request, just how I like it. I ordered the ex girlfriend roll and it was really delicious. It was a nice looking presentations and fun to eat. Cool place great tunes wonderful staff. My only criticism was there was too long of a wait between visit from the waitress. She was moving quickly all over the place and there were other staff plus the joint wasn't packed. I can't explain why I waited a really long time to get my check, then for her to pick it up and bring back my receipt. Other than that the place was an ace! Check em out for yourself.
(4)Will B.
The prices are high for the food. The rolls are made in huge pieces that you can not figure out how to eat. It's hard to take multiple bits of one piece of Sushi before it falls apart. Check the expiration dates on the beer. My 5$ Sopporo in a bottle was a few days away from being at its limit of 9 months old. The date codes for Sopporo is first letter month based on A through M (skips I) A= Jan and M= Dec. the next two numbers are the day and the last two are the year. My total bill was 40$ for two beers, 4 pieces of shrimp tempura and a roll. I understand this is a college town but way too pricey and mediocre customer service. The Chefs did a wonderful job and the food was great. The food was beautiful in display and I respect their attention to detail minus the rolls not being bite size. The Chefs are the only reason this review gets a 3 instead of 0.
(3)Michelle W.
When traveling to Knoxville I always make time for sushi at Nama. The food is delicious, the service is great and the atmosphere is fun. On Thursdays they have half price sushi rolls. I recommend stopping in to Nama if you are in the area.
(5)Dan R.
This is a good solid such bar. When I'm in Knoxville I will most certinly come back. Somehow I just don't think they hit it out of the park to earn 5 stars.
(4)Harold B.
Wanted to try Nama since has seen it advertised as one of the best sushi restaurants in town.I ordered Philly roll which came with Miso soup (quite good, tiny portion) and choice of salad. I ended up getting the cucumber salad and it was good size but the cucumbers had not been marinated evenly, some pieces did not have flavor at all. Philly roll tasted like your typical Philly roll but it was not very professionally made since the pieces kept falling apart and some pieces had big junks of cream cheese while some had barely any. Also the end pieces were not very even. The roll was served on a small plate where the sushi pieces kept sticking together and eventually falling apart. The service was ok and the decor was nice.
(3)Marisa I.
usually have a pleasant experience!!! but this time my dad and i left with diarrhea :/ be careful
(3)Shane M.
It's a small, southern, college town. It's nowhere near the ocean. It's not going to be as good as what you can find on the west coast - and that's totally fine. Compared to other sushi places in small, southern cities, this is about as good as you're going to find - for a reasonable price, that is.
(4)Steve E.
Well above average sushi spot. Ambitious combinations in their two page menu of rolls. Our table had the vegetarian roll (eh, but not Nama's fault...good Lord, have some fish), the orange crush which looked unbelievable and my son finished in short order, and the JP roll, which was good. Taking other Yelpers advice, had the miso---delish. The hit was probable the garlic beef dish. Really unique combo of ingredients with some very sneaky heat. $75 for 3, so no bargain, but in line with sushi, IMO.
(3)Grace B.
Nama has some great deals during the week (half-price sushi on Mondays and Thursdays!!) which makes their rolls worth the price. Their sushi is pretty fresh and there are many unique rolls. I haven't had any of the cuisine that Nama offers outside of their sushi menu, but I have to say that I love the squid and seaweed salad. For one, there aren't any fillers in the seaweed salad (some restaurants use clear noodles to give the salad more volume because seaweed is expensive) and the squid salad is chewy and soft. The sushi is delicious, but I have had times when friends didn't like what they ordered-- you have to get a roll you like. I personally like the Soy Joy. Overall, the service isn't as fast as it could be, but that depends on what day you go and what time you go too. Some days, I've had lightning fast service, some days I had the slowest service ever. Overall, pretty good place. Recommended sushi place in Knoxville!
(3)Anna G.
This is my favorite sushi spot in Knoxville! Their rolls are delicious and unique. I also love the fact that Monday and Thursday nights they have a half-off special. Their lunch special is a bargain too (soup, salad, and sushi for 9$)! The best thing I've ever had here was the mixed green and avocado salad with sesame crusted salmon.
(5)Allie L.
Not much to complain about. A bit pricy and always crowded and noisy but the food is great. If you want a quiet place don't come here at night but despite that I have eaten here at least 10 times. The food is just that good.
(4)Bo W.
This is the best sushi I've had in Knoxville. Service us great, price is reasonable, and cleanliness is immaculate. I love this sushi restaurant. Oh, had the spicy tuna roll. It was delicious!
(5)Caroline K.
Sushi is good!!! Very reasonably priced. Great Saki though!!! I would go back and recommend it to others!
(4)William M.
Nama is the Knoxville sushi house. By far the best in Volunteer country Nama serves quality food in a nice setting. You can do lunch here for less $10, plus a tip of course, and you'll have plenty to eat and good chow. I highly recommend it!
(5)Colby C.
Had em all in Knoxville ...this is THE place...skip the strip mall locations and make the drive...I don't play!
(4)Alex A.
I have been searching for better than decent sushi since I moved to Knox and this place won the award. It is amazing. Every time we go I get the chef special and they always deliver the best of the best. We love the open feeling of the room and service is quick. It is great that they stay open later for that late night sushi urge!! Thanks guys!!
(5)Tatiana P.
"Best example of a bad customer service' Nama restaurant has good food but when it comes to customer service, it was by far the worst experience I have ever had eating out. from the second we walked in, the hostess/ waitress spoke to us rudely. Then after we got seated we had to wait 10 min just to order our drinks then we waited another 10 min to get our drinks After that our server disappeared and we had to place an order with a different server... Then when she made a mistake of bringing the wrong sushi , instead of simply apologizing about it , she acted like we made the mistake and walked away. When our server finally came back we told him what was wrong and he said he will call the manager. When the manager came she acted like everything was our fault and she was mean and not helpful at all.... So , I would NOT RECOMMEND this place to anyone because the service will just ruin your entire day even if the food is good! Thanks to manager Palmer for ruining our night !
(1)Stephanie C.
The first really good Sushi I had in 10 years, since moving from New Orleans. However, today we went at lunch and was sorely disappointed. We had just met some friends from New Orleans and was bragging big time. We were so glad we didn't bring our friends! The Soy Joy roll, which is heaven, tasted fishy and was subpar, the rice was under cooked. Felt like they had the "B" team in.The tuna avocado roll was the best thing we had! So sad. Our waitress was utterly unremarkable, except for her green hair! The lady greeter was nasty. There was no silverware or napkins at our table. After we got our food we waited 5 minutes for someone to notice we were in need. My husband finally said.."I'll get some from another table, what will they do, get mad at me?" I said yes!! When he got up the greeter fussed! She thought she was joking but we had been waiting too long. We paid $38 before a tip for 2 rolls and saki, at lunch! I won't quit them, but am truly disappointed! The location at Bearden is much more reliable.
(1)Jamie F.
The food is great, the service has been hit or miss lately. I know it's trivial, but if you request an extra sauce, an extra plate, or an extra glob of wasabi, you shouldn't have to remind the server, twice... The food makes up for it, and everyone has their rough patches.
(3)Jeffrey C.
The plate of chirashi was very fresh and artistically presented. Everything on it was tasty with the exception of the octopus that I thought was tough. They nicely exchanged it for something else - I requested quail eggs, which were presented in a very unusual manner, with sriracha sauce and some avocado. It's a huge menu. The staff is nice. And they play great music - first time I ever ate sushi listening to Pink Floyd.
(4)Micah H.
I am no sushi connoisseur, but the sushi I had was very good, as well as my date's. The service was fine. It is a bit pricey for the amount of food you get, but I think that is expected when getting sushi. I will return.
(4)Loftis B.
I have to walk by Nama every day after work, and it always smells so good, I want to turn inside and just stay here. And I get lunch here about once a month. Sushi is calorie-counting friendly; miso soup is miraculously low-cal and delicious. So I was delighted to finally coax my husband and son to come with me this past weekend. We even brought the corgi with us, sat on the patio, and had a fabulous family luncheon... For under $50. Seriously! We were surprised and delighted to find out that Sundays have a happy hour special all afternoon long -- appetizers and some drinks were half price. We immediately asked for pork dumplings. They're fried, not steamed, so they're a *little* harder on the diet than I would have hoped, but they were absolutely delicious -- delicious, delicious, delicious -- and half price. I could walk a little more at that price. Husband got the spicy shitake roll with seaweed salad and miso soup. He ate it like someone was going to steal it from him. (I think he might have growled at the dog, too.) Son had the Philly roll with cucumber salad and miso soup. He drank every drop of the soup and ate all of the salad -- and this is a fellow who does not eat regular salads. He's not a fresh greens and tomatoes and bleu cheese dressing kind of person. But he ate every single slice of that cucumber concoction. Me? I got the California roll, house salad, and miso soup. I do love the soup. I could eat it every day. (And for counting calories, I probably should!) The service staff were lovely and attentive without being there all the time. The waitress even brought the corgi a bowl of water, which was thoughtful. Nama Sushi is my favorite sushi place in Knoxville. I can't wait to go back. (To get the Crunchy Shrimp roll -- yum!)
(5)Nisha H.
Nama is the best Sushi place in knoxville. The asiago crab dip and their kimchi and rice are amazing. They have half off sushi and drink specials depending on the night. The wait on those nights can be loooong but it is WAY WORTH THE WAIT! Be patient they won't disappoint. They have amazing sushi and other fusion options. This is a must eat place in Knoxville, TN!!
(5)Joshua B.
It was quite a wait even though there was seating available. But the sushi was fabulous so no complaints there
(4)Ann M.
The sushi was pretty good, I was visiting a friend and I was REALLY pleasantly surprised, with it 1. being Tennessee and all, 2 it being a landlocked state. The menu was pretty much all sushi, which was good. I really don't like sushi/hibatchi places as much. That area of Knox seemed to be pretty trendy and nice. Nama also seemed to pretty trendy inside. The decor was really nice. Why not a higher rating? I thought it was kind of pricey. I have eaten better sushi, not in Knoxville, but just in general. It was very loud inside. It would seem like a nice place to take a date but the noise level would ruin it. Overall 3.5
(3)Ned R.
This is becoming my go-to for business trips to Knoxville. I came once before, had an enjoyable time, and decided to return. And I'm compelled to write about it. My waitress, Emily, was helpful, courteous, but not overly attentive. I wanted a quiet meal to myself, so I value the time I had between her occasional check-ins. She nailed that fuzzy space between being right on top of you and leaving you in the lurch. The cucumber-infused cold sake she recommended and brought me was excellent. Dylan, my sushi chef, was spectacular. He put together a hell of a chirashi--beautiful in presentation, diverse in flavor, and generous in size. Very knowledgeable about the fish, and did a great job explaining it all to me. Both servers made me feel welcome, kindly kept an eye on me without being intrusive, and delivered an outstanding meal. I'm looking forward to my next Knoxville visit just for my next dinner here.
(5)Steven W.
Generous and beautifully presented rolls. Excellent service. Friday night crowd was all happy to be there.
(4)Alex A.
The major downside to this sushi bar is how packed it is, but if you don't mind a loud dinner, then you'll be fine. The sushi is spectacular, the ex-girlfriend roll is definitely my favorite. A tad bit pricey 4 rolls-65 dollars, but for the quality and considering it's near campus, you can't beat this place.
(4)Sergei M.
Excellent sushi at very reasonable price. My friend and I ordered chef's special sushi for $25 and half price rolls (tempura for $8 and smaller tempura shrimp for $4.50). Everything was very tasty. Tokyo quality in landlocked Knoxville.
(5)Nisha S.
I travel the country for work. And Nama has hands down never disappoints. I feel comfortable sending clients and friends here when they are in town. I've never had anything other then a simple and fresh roll. Go for the lunch special- cheaper then even McDs- unbelievable. Wish I could get this shipped in from around the country to me.
(5)John Paul D.
The sushi is good. Not outstanding.lots of spicy options. The miso soup is so so . the green tea did not appear to be a specialty. Most people were drinking wine or beer and appeared happy. If you are passing through close to highway 40 and want a quick sushi dinner not a bad spot. Looking for a culinary experience... Keep looking
(3)Patty P.
Def the squid seaweed cucumber salad and the bahamas mama.. I'm from ny, I know my sushi . Amazing Omg amazing!!! Going back on my last night in tn !!
(5)Eva V.
We heard this was the best sushi in Knoxville and we were not disappointed! I was very happy to see that they have a decent vegetarian-friendly menu as well as some fun, inventive kinds of sushi. I loved my "crunchy veggie" and could easily have eaten several plates of it. They also have a good miso soup and edamame starters. We will definitely return next time we are in town.
(5)Leah B.
I'm in town for business and sat at the sushi bar. Chef Kelby made me the best sushi platter I've had in a long time. Would definitely recommend this to anyone in town for business, sitting at the sushi bar is a must.
(5)Barbara H.
High quality ingredients, very modern sushi. It is Americanized, but for what it is, it's wonderful. If you want traditional, you might want to go elsewhere, but if you want delightfully creative and delicious, you'll probably enjoy Nama. You just need an open mind. I have a cilantro allergy and cilantro oil is in several items. My server was very helpful in letting me know which items were safe for me to eat. The service is wonderful and so is the location. Great atmosphere, but sometimes the wait to be seated can be lengthy. I like both locations that they have, but I prefer this location because of the atmosphere and wonderful service.
(5)John W.
The shrimp tempura was very good. The ginger margarita was excellent. Service was meh. HOWEVER, The ceviche was an abomination and an insult to my mouth. My first mistake was ordering ceviche from a sushi restaurant run by a bunch of white kids. The place is a trap and hang out for local hipsters who don't know better. At it's heart the restaurant is a churn n burn disguised as sudo-fine dinning. It is not about the food but turning over as many tables as possible with a steep food cost ratio. Can't blame a business for that but when you focus on margins more than the food.. your future is bleak.
(2)Gary H.
Froo-froo? Nay! Just awesome sushi at a fair price! Great ambiance at both locations.
(5)Eric F.
This place is great. Plain and simple. Sushi is fresh, well priced and presented well. BBQ salmon is the best I have ever had. Anytime I am in from Atlanta, I always eat here.
(5)Jonathan P.
Great food. Great service. Great location. Love this place, I will be back. Thank You Namas.
(5)S B.
I second Heather G's review. She couldn't say it better! Half-price maki: Superb and priced well for what you get! Full-price: Not even close to worth it. I've had cheaper/better sushi on Michigan Ave in Chicago.
(2)Joe S.
Pretty ok sushi for a landlocked southern city. Seemed a bit pricey, and the sushi cuts are pretty small. I would be more ok with the price if the cuts were a bit larger.
(2)Bernice R.
I love sushi and when I moved to Knoxville from Chicago, I didn't think I could find a place that could match what I've eaten. I mean, it's pretty easy to find a good and authentic sushi bar in Chicago and its suburbs but I was very hesitant about K-Town. I was definitely mistaken! Nama is one the best restaurants for sushi! Love their unique combos and the classics were just so delicious. As for the place itself, I really like the downtown location. Very hip and cozy. Now, I'm back in Illinois but surprisingly, if I go back to Tennessee, I'll be more for getting sushi than BBQ, believe it or not!
(5)Heather G.
For half-price-maki night, yeah sure. Wave it in. Wave it ALL in. However, for full-price-maki nights, absolutely not. No freaking way. Why? Full priced maki is more expensive than maki in Boston, nearing expensive maki in NY, and is over-fussy, over-dressed, over-worked and reworked and fondled and gussied-up. Well, to be clear, all the "special" maki is that way, but at half price, you can look the other way on the gussy-ness. The main thing that strikes me here is that Nama's chefs put thick, sweet sauces all over everything. Basically every special maxi is swimming in a pool of some sort of glaze or drizzle. Sometimes I just like my fish raw, cold, and nekkid. Do we have a problem with that? Your boyfriend always told you that "less is more" when it came to dolling yourself up, but you always thought he said that 1. to be sweet, and 2 .so he didn't have to wait for your 90 minute routine to wrap up in order to go across the street to the pub to get a burger and a brew. In that case, yes, you're right, he didn't mean that. More is more in dating, ladies. But in sushi? Less is actually more. Take away the drizzle and take back the fishies. Delicious fish, really. Cold, clean, fresh. But you wouldn't know it. Why? The damn sauces! Would I return? Unlikely. Though half priced sushi night almost makes it a good value, the line to get a table that night is absolutely insane, and the bars on the block in which to kill your time while waiting for your table are absolutely abysmal. No brainer pass.
(2)Laurie L.
We love sushi. This is a good place to go! Good and reasonable!! Love the roll called Ex Girlfriend! I add avocado to it cuz I love avocado. Yum!! Something interesting to try.... the Chef's Choice. You tell the wait staff what you like, or don't like , and how spicey you like it... then let the Chef create a roll for you. $16. The edamame is ok.... but sadly... no gyoza/dumplings. Service. 4/5. good! Atmosphere. 4/5. good. Food. 4/5. good.
(4)Jenny T.
Is this sushi? I've never had sushi drowning in mayo/ whatever other sauces they put on everything. Even my friends were disgusted. This is like the P.F. Chang's of sushi bars. Not authentic at all, but it's popular.
(1)Trevor B.
Decent sushi, trendy little place. Sat at the sushi bar and saw some amazing looking rolls being prepared. Best part of the meal had to be dessert (which we would almost never order at a sushi bar); banana tempura with chocolate and raspberry sauce. Downsides: wait was 45 minutes+ for sushi bar seating then another 45 between ordering and receiving food. The relatively average rolls that we had we not worth the wait. Bottom-line: great place to be seen, average sushi. If the kitchen could expedite the wait times, it might be worth going back.
(4)Beth And Jim S.
He said: I liked Nama a lot. The jerk seasoning on the calamari was unexpected and delicious. The noodles were so fresh and the veg in them was so good. The crunchy shrimp roll was just ok. The magic shrimp, or whatever it's called, were good, but a weird dish, little shrimp on a bowl of white rice. The soy sauce is special and flavorful. Staff knowledgeable and fast. Will be back. She said: I very much enjoyed the food at Nama. The jerk-seasoned calamari was pretty good, as was the crunchy shrimp roll. The fantasy shrimp was just awesome, but not enough of it (don't plan to share it...order your own...you'll be glad you didn't share)! And the somen noodle bowl was just delicious!
(5)Christopher M.
Knoxville, you spoiled me with Nama. I've been to sushi bars all over and I was simply caught off guard by how good this place is. I got into town late on business and settled down at the back (drinking) bar, rather than the traditional (eating) sushi bar. I had the Seaweed Salad to start and the Crazy Tuna for my entree. Seaweed Salad was the best I've had and even came with a small portion of cucumber salad. The Crazy Tuna was delicious, fresh, and was huge. Only downside was the staff. Bartender was relatively unfriendly and I think everyone knew everyone because they all worked there. But don't let that get you down, this place rocked.
(5)Rosie E.
So psyched to finally find excellent sushi in Knoxville. Tried Nama for lunch today and will definitely be back. Service - fast and friendly, ambiance - trendy and confortable, food - delicious, price - reasonable. And this is coming from a sushi snob whose favorite spot was and always will be Nobu in New York. Serious: Miso soup - tasty and I don't even like tofu but I gobbled it up House salad - delightful, but tricky to eat with chopsticks although I managed (love those little wasabi peas) Soy joy roll - to die for delicious, didn't leave a scrap $8 express lunch price - the icing on the cake, where else can you get a 5 star lunch for 8 bucks? Me happy
(5)Mussaab H.
I love the Sushi here. I've ruined myself by only getting the Chef's Platter when I go so now I can't even order off the regular menu (even though its pretty great). I usually go with at least one other person and order the $50 Chef's Platter and let the waiter know I want only rolls and tell him one type of rolls I usually eat. The Chef always brings back 4 HUGE 16pc rolls with all the extra toppings you could want. I've never been unsatisfied with my platter. If you are going to buy 2 premium rolls anywhere, do yourself a favor and get the Chef's Platter. It'll change the way you do sushi.
(5)Noel L.
OK I'm so on the fence with this place. When I first moved here in 2008 it was the first place I ate out and it was great. We went to the original location on Gay Street downtown and it was like going on a mission. You had to valet park, you always had to wait but that was half the fun as you got to go upstairs and have wine, and then finally you got to eat and it was tasty and delightful and thus all worth it. I didn't mind paying an average $60-80 for my meal as it was worth it and very date-like. These days, things have changed. They have relocated down the street to the busy part of Gay and opened a location in Bearden. Every time we have ate here, we order 2 rolls and then our staple roll (The Dragon Roll). I have been disappointed the last 3 times we went because the Dragon Roll has not been consistent. The rolls are also very haphazard, sometimes they don't even look like they were rolled but just mushed together, and the rice is cold and falls off everywhere when it's supposed to be sticky. We still pay the $60 for a meal here but the magic is gone. I think I'm done with this place afterall. Thanks YELP, this was therapeutic. Woop Woop Shiraz has been on the menu for years but every time we have ate there in the last 6 months they have been out. Tease!
(2)Tara S.
It is unlikely you will be disappointed with your sushi here. I've never had something that didn't seem absolutely fresh. My favorites are Orange Crush, Bahama Mama, and Ex Girlfriend (or is it Boyfriend? I don't remember). Since they moved up the street, it's much more comfortable and roomy. They have a tiny bar area, too. Their menu recently expanded to include cooked dishes, none of which I've tasted. They have excellent calamari and the crab dip is great. Happy hour wine and 1/2 off rolls certain nigihts.
(4)Evelyn R.
Igot sushi from here while travelling through Knoxville about a month ago. We ordered to-go since its been a hectic weekend of travelling and wanted to relax in the hotel. We chose the crunchy shrimp roll, philly roll and spider roll. Both the philly and crunchy shrimp were lackluster and overpriced. The spider roll was unlike any I've had before and after rating one piece I was done. The boyfriend has the exact same thoughts. My review can't account for the ambiance or service, its based on food only, overpriced, lackluster, and the rice didn't stick together well.
(1)amanda w.
About as fresh as sushi can get in a landlocked state. I have grown up on fresh seafood and my taste is a bit discerning when it comes to sushi. I finally tried this place a couple months ago after going to UT for 4 years now. The food is delicious but it is way overpriced. That being said, we went during their "happy hour" which is half-price on a select list of rolls, and we ordered enough that warranted a $35-ish bill and paid $20 with drinks included. That was worth it. I haven't been back otherwise, just because the prices are friendly for those able to splurge a little. The place is small and lacks anything on the walls to dampen the noise and echoes so it can get loud. My mother didn't enjoy the atmosphere because of the noise levels. However I gave this place 4 stars because it's the best sushi in Knoxville and you can't knock that! Good food is good food.
(4)Joey D.
This place is 'middle of the road' for me. The sushi is pretty good, the ambiance is great, and service has always been exceptional. I do think it can be a tinge overpriced though. The bar is great though and it's an excellent 'date' venue. I recommend going on any day other than Half Priced Mondays. On that day it's incredibly crowded and you have to wait a while for a table. Also, on Monday's I think they are trying to rid the kitchen of any older inventory to make way for the new. This makes me a little nervous, especially when it comes to raw food. Just my opinion though. . . . .
(3)Jennifer S.
Silly themed sushi. Lots of options involving mayo. Interminable wait times. Great ambiance can't redeem it.
(2)Mark C.
Food was mediocre at best and overpriced. Server (Savannah?) was great.
(1)Jennie B.
Go here on half price night- Mon/Thurs. Otherwise Nama is somewhat overrated, overpriced sushi. They charge like a gourmet sushi restaurant. But what they serve is something you might expect in a random small city in the middle of nowhere. Here's what you get: Rainbow roll ($16) with avocado as the only topping for two pieces. Each piece should be topped with fish. El cheapos. Spicy tuna avocado roll with too little smushed up tuna and not enough avocado. Truffle dessert (1 small truffle) and a mochi (our own combo with 1 small mochi cut in 4 minute pieces) for $7.00. Ripoff central. Salmon nigiri is good. But again, while the salmon itself was great, the rice is a bit hard and does not fall apart. There are other places you can go for more product and less money. Like Kabuki in Turkey Creek or Anaba on Northshore Dr. Or test it for yourself. Just be ready to spend at least $30-40 unless you go on 1/2 price nights.
(3)Yan Z.
I went there for half off sushi night, or should i say half off quality sushi night.. i ordered salmon skin roll, the sushi roll itself was poorly rolled, one end seem bigger than other and it was about to fall apart. maybe it was rolled by a new rookie chef or someone that they placed for a busy night. also the sushi was about 80% rice and 20% stuffing.. the rice also seem very hard and tasteless. i also ordered a pizza roll, hmm let's just say it's just 8 pieces of quarter size sushi that filled with oil and cheese. i feel like.... for Nama, rolling sushi is about business and profit, instead it presents as a piece of art and appreciation of food. overall, what you are gonna pay for is atmosphere not the food. the customer service was not that great either. the waitress never come back to fill my drink, actually she came back when we finished our food and ready for the check. i guess she tried to make it up at the end for some extra tips? not happy about this place, probably never go back again. dont waste your money there if you want some real sushi, youre just paying for the name and its atmosphere.
(2)Michael M.
Pros: Great ambience - hipster crowd, MGMT on the sound system, attractive interior, cool neighborhood. Cons: White boy sushi chefs with poor knife skills. Flying fish sashimi was butchered - looked like it had been cut with a mallet. Fish quality varied - ranged from good to suspect. Overall: It's sushi in Tennessee, my friends.
(3)Graham S.
I was really impressed with this place. Despite all the construction and one-way streets on the way to finding Nama, it was well worth it. Everything we ordered was delicious but it was the final roll that sealed the deal. We asked the chef to create a combination of our favorite ingredients along with anything he wanted to throw in: fantastic. Even though I've had more amazing sushi, I couldn't have been happier with this pit stop off of I-40.
(4)Josh S.
My favorite sushi place in Knoxville. Great atmosphere and excellent sushi. They offer half price at certain times which is a great value. The full price stuff is really good but rather pricey. My favorite is the pizza roll! Def worth checking out if you're into sushi!
(4)Jaime S.
This place would be 5 stars, but loses points for mediocre sushi and ehhhh service. I know what you're thinking, a sushi place loses points for mediocre sushi but still gets 4 stars? It's because of the CEVICHE. It may be a mexican dish, but damn this was delicious. for $13, you get a huge bowl of fresh fish, fresh shellfish, or both of ceviche with the perfect lime, cilantro, onion and saltiness that just KILLS. Homemade blue corn tortillas chips and a 4 cup bowl deep of delicious fish. I also got salmon sushi. It barely tasted of anything (which I guess is better than tasting like bad sushi) but my local grocery store put this to shame. Finally, I am not going to make any sweeping generalizations about the south, but Betina, our waitress, spent more time chit chatting it up with her friends on the phone, in the kitchen, and falling off the chairs at the bar than she did on her customers. We were at the bar, sitting directly in front of you; it shouldn't take 10 mins for you to notice my water is empty. Finally, save for the ceviche this place is overpriced. I'm not paying $12 for spicy tuna in Chicago, so unless it's magical tuna, It's not happening.
(4)Amy E.
This was our first visit to Nama downtown since they moved from their quaint old location and I was extremely disappointed. There was a 20-25 minute wait. I don't mind to wait for a table but while we were waiting we watched the hostesses fight and roll their eyes at each other and tables sat empty and dirty for 10-15 minutes. They forgot to seat a couple that had been waiting for over 30 minutes and then asked them to wait while they sat someone else that arrived after them. They also do this thing where you leave your phone number and they call you when your table is ready. I heard the hostess say that it takes most people about 15 minutes to get there after they call. This is bad for business if you ask me.....it has to be killing their turnover time. After our wait and debating whether or not we should just leave and go somewhere else our table was ready. They seated us at the table right next to the hostess station and basically in the waiting area. We then waited another 10 minutes for our server to come to our table....again debating whether or not we should just give up and go down the street. When our server arrived at our table, he apologized for our wait. Afraid we wouldn't see him again, we ordered everything. My beer was lukewarm and sat empty for 10 minutes before our server came back to check on us. I ordered a second which also sat empty for 10 minutes and he never asked if I wanted another. The sushi was mediocre at best.....nothing like what it used to be at their old location. I wonder where the manager was during all of this. They have to be losing a ton of business. Mine included. We won't be back When I spend close to $100 I expect so much more.
(1)Justin B.
Soy joy is delish. Monday 1/2 price sushi night. Excellent atmosphere and location.
(5)Garrett G.
Great hidden gem in downtown Knoxville! The place was packed on a cold Tuesday night... I'm pretty sure because of the great wine specials going on. It sounds like they have amazing specials on different things most nights of the week. After waiting for 20 minutes and grabbing a few drinks at the bar I sat down for an excellent round of sushi. The unique rolls and high quality fish put this on the same level as other great sushi restaurants in much larger cities across the country. What a great surprise and an excellent addition to downtown Knoxville!
(5)Penelope B.
So, I live in CO but I'm from Seattle and have lived in CA and traveled in Japan. This is definitely not a typical sushi restaurant. First off, no one in the building was Japanese, let alone Asian. And the rolls are very much non-traditional. Things like cajun seasoning and such. But, for what it is, which is a vaguely fusion nouveau sushi place, it's good. And it's in Knoxville. So. It's pretty good. We were satisfied with our meals, including the small fry, who ate the ebi shumai (definitely on the overly fried side of shumai, normally these are steamed and sometimes lightly crisped on the bottom... but still tasty). Fairly thick wrappers though, perhaps to hold up to being fried. Tasty mixed drinks. I cannot remember what I ordered but it was good. Our server seemed to not know quite what to do with us at first, a family with a preschooler and our two beautiful college age girl relatives. But he warmed up once he realized we were ordering quite a few things. Or maybe he was just warming up to being on duty. Anyway, it was a pleasant meal, just do not dare call this traditional sushi. It isn't. The fish was all cut well and presented well, and the fresh ingredients were crisp and tasty. Special rolls are the thing to order here. Sashimi, not so much.
(4)Melissa B.
We came here before heading to the Valarium to see Mumford and Sons. We weren't in a hurry but at the same time weren't having a leisurely dinner. Our server was perfectly opinionated and wonderful. We told her the items we were thinking of ordering and she gave us alternate recommendations based on her own experience and those of other diners. She did not steer us wrong. Every roll we ordered was perfectly created, delicious and came out quickly. Living in Atlanta, there are a ton of sushi restaurants to choose from and enjoy. I must say that if Nama were in Atlanta, I would be a regular. It is easily in my top 5 of all sushi places I've enjoyed in Atlanta and across the country. If you are ever in Knoxville, go to Nama. If you live in Knoxville and love sushi, put this place on your regular rotation. Yum. Yum. and YUM!
(4)Taylor M.
I was incredibly skeptical of eating sushi in the Smoky Mountains, but one trip to Nama and I was blown away. It is expensive, but not outrageously so. The price is not a problem when you have your first bite. I had the Shrimp and crab dip, the Jg, Soy joy, and Bahama mama. I went with someone from Knoxville so she knew about the special menu. Make sure you ask for that, that is where the Soy joy was. I have posted pictures I took in the Nama gallery that show what I ate.
(5)Elaina S.
I am literally salivating just thinking about it. The only reason this place gets a 4 instead of a 5 is because it's so expensive. I only go on half price sushi nights (Monday and Thursday). Monday features the best fusion roll the world has ever known: The "Soy Joy". Also they have a really great crab, coconut soup.
(4)Rebecca S.
Fabulous Food! We had Land and Sea tempura and many varieties of Sushi which were all delicious! Definitely one of the best around
(5)Jason S.
Very decent sushi! Fair prices and great atmosphere! I need say no more, you won't be disappointed.
(4)