Shiro's Sushi

Shiro's Sushi is a long-running sushi restaurant on 2nd Avenue in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, founded by Shiro Kashiba, one of the figures most often credited with introducing traditional Edomae-style sushi to the Pacific Northwest. Kashiba trained in Japan and worked in Seattle's early sushi scene before opening a restaurant under his own name, and the dining room has remained a reference point for the city's omakase tradition. The cuisine is Japanese, centered on nigiri and sashimi built around fish sourced from Pacific Northwest waters and beyond. Omakase, the chef's choice progression, is the best-known way to eat here, and diners often single out the uni, seasonal nigiri and fresh sashimi plates. The restaurant is divided between a dining room and the sushi bar, where guests sit facing the chefs and watch each piece prepared and handed over. The mood is polished but unfussy: low lighting, wood tones, quiet conversation and a focused, counter-driven rhythm rather than a boisterous scene. Dress is generally smart casual. The beverage list includes sake, Japanese beer and wine, and sake pairings are a natural fit with the omakase. Prices sit in the upper range, roughly $60-120 per person depending on how much is ordered and whether the omakase is chosen. Reservations are accepted for the dining room, and the sushi bar is available by reservation or walk-in, though the counter is the hardest seat to secure on weekend evenings. Booking several days to a couple of weeks ahead is sensible for prime times, and earlier or later seatings are usually easier. The restaurant is at 2401 2nd Ave, within walking distance of the Space Needle, the Olympic Sculpture Park and Pike Place Market, which makes it a convenient dinner stop in Seattle after a day downtown. Diners who prefer to control their budget can order a smaller selection of nigiri rather than the full omakase, and the staff can guide choices based on preferences and any dietary restrictions mentioned at booking.