Double Knot is an all-day cafe with a basement izakaya that serves some of the best Japanese food in the city.

Hiroki is a dark sushi restaurant in Fishtown with a 9-course omakase menu for $135.

Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village does the best sushi omakase in the city and has a fun bar up front.

Serpico on South Street is a good date spot with a nice bar and really pretty shared plates.

Sakana is the best option for an affordable omakase in Philly.

Cheu is a noodle and dumpling spot in Fishtown where you should start a night out.

Morimoto is a sushi place in Old City that’s super expensive, so you should save it for a special occasion or when someone else is paying.

Da-Wa is a small, casual sushi spot with a solid omakase offering under the El on Front Street.

Hikari is a BYOB sushi spot in Northern Liberties that has solid, classic rolls and a bunch of outdoor seating in the summer.

You have to walk down an alley next to Sampan to get to Graffiti, an outdoor bar with TVs and cheap drinks during Happy Hour.

Nunu is an izakaya and bar in Fishtown that’s great for a casual date or Happy Hour.

Pod in West Philly looks like the inside of a spaceship and serves a mix of Chinese and Japanese dishes.

Hajimaru is a Hakata-style ramen shop in Fishtown that’s also BYOB.

Crazy Sushi is a party BYOB in Center City with neon lights, decent rolls, and pretty much no rules.

DK Sushi is an outpost of Double Knot inside of Franklin’s Table that serves excellent sushi, including a $35 mini-omakase.

Hiro Ramen House is a small spot in Center City that’s good for a bowl spicy ramen.