Sushi @ Temple Records is a two-level sushi spot that feels more like a listening room experience than a traditional Japanese restaurant. We walked into a space split between an upstairs vinyl-driven lounge and a downstairs sushi bar, and the contrast between the two made the whole visit feel intentional from the moment we arrived. The downstairs in particular had a quiet, intimate setup where the focus shifted fully to the counter and what was happening in front of the chef, with the lighting and seating arranged to keep the attention on the food rather than the surroundings. The sushi itself is clearly built around quality and technique rather than volume. We ordered a few pieces and found the rice standing out immediately with a really clean texture that held each piece together without overpowering the fish. The omakase-style pacing felt structured, with each piece served one at a time so we could actually notice the progression of flavors instead of everything arriving at once. The fish selection leaned fresh and high-end, with a focus on balance rather than heavy sauces or overly complex rolls. The flavors were clean and refined, and the simplicity of each piece allowed the quality of the seafood to come through clearly. The upstairs space added a different layer to the experience, with vinyl playing and a more lounge-like atmosphere that felt separate from the sushi bar energy. It made the restaurant feel like it could shift between a social hangout and a focused dining experience depending on where we were seated. The soundtrack and lighting gave it a slightly modern, curated feel without taking away from the food being the main focus downstairs. We took a moment to browse the record collection before the meal, and the connection between the two spaces felt intentional rather than gimmicky. The main thing to keep in mind is that this is not a large-portion, casual sushi spot. The pricing sits on the higher end, and the meal is more about the experience and quality than getting full quickly. Service was smooth and the pacing was controlled, but it did feel designed for a slower, more intentional meal rather than something quick. The staff moved through the counter with precision, and the rhythm of the courses kept the meal engaging without feeling rushed. Overall, it worked best when we leaned into the atmosphere, the vinyl-driven concept, and the omakase flow instead of expecting a traditional sushi dinner format. read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Our daughter recommended this bar so I got a reservation for us tonight at the high top seats at 5:15. The hostess with the mostest Bianca greeted us at the door and took us on a little tour of the place including the sushi restaurant downstairs. So friendly and attentive! She even gave us a keepsake postcard to remind us of our good times at Temple Records! Kevin our server was super helpful answering our questions about the menu and checking on us frequently to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. He also asked about allergies and let us know which menu items were either safe or could be modified for us, which we super appreciated! Ambiance 5/5: dim lighting, excellent music dj'd by the bartenders, cool decor of records, posters, collectibles from the owner's home. The main bathroom has a Japanese Toto toilet with a heated seat! Drinks 5/5: we ordered the Delirious, the Akai Barchetta, and the Chan Chan. My favorite was the Akai Barchetta which was their version of a Negroni. Smooth! Food 5/5: we ordered the pork belly cabbage wraps with kimchi (which they offered us vegan style), the unaQ maki (eel sushi), and the hamachi maki--sooo fresh! I prefer pork belly a bit fried for crispy texture but all the flavors were superb! Half the food menu is from the sushi restaurant downstairs and half from Somaek next door so you have some excellent Japanese/ Korean options (small bites)! This is a place we'll boast about to our friends back in California and return to on our next visit to Boston for sure! Highly recommend! If I could rate it a 10, I would!! read more

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Sushi at Temple Records is hard to find, but the best discovery for a sushi lover in Boston. The street level looks like a typical American bar, but the basement looks Japanese (only bigger). Finally a great collection of less common fish. I mean: Kohara, Sawara, Saba, Ma-Aji etc. Much is imported from Japan - Kohada from Kyushu and hotate from Hokkaido. Kappo preparation at Ginza kaiseki grade and prices! No, you don't need the soy sauce dish! Every piece comes appropriately seasoned somewhere in the middle between Kansai and Kanto. Plus a perfect pairing for Nihon-shu from Niigata. All delivered with relaxed, impeccable service. The environment is truly traditional - except that the music is too loud. read more

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Sooo good. Quality is up there with the Michelin star sushi I had in while in Japan! Pricey but worth every penny, great spot for a celebration or special occasion. read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We went for a quick drink before a show, and this place definitely delivered! The staff worked with us to get us in and out quickly before the show which we really appreciated. They were super kind and helpful about it also! We ordered one round of drinks - I got the Take Five and my friend got the Yellow Submarine. I didn't love hers because of mezcal but I did enjoy my drink! The sherry was a little sweet but not too much and it warmed me right up! The vibes of this place were definitely cool with an extensive menu and some great multi-sensory vibes. read more

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The curly ginger hair girl with glasses in the front was giving full on attitude. She was annoyed that me and my friends asked for a table instead of the bar set. Her body language and the way she talked to us- when she works in a service field? Damn. Shame on you. And I don't understand why you have to give your phone number in order to sit down. Also, maybe could've saved us time by telling us that the kitchen was closed. read more

We went to the sushi bar downstairs for a birthday dinner. You can pick your items à la carte or choose from some sushi moriawase options. The rice here is fantastic with the right texture and flavor. The vibe here is intimate with a nice soundtrack in the background. Our meal ended with a nice tuna birthday treat. Great experience! read more

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The food and drinks were absolutely amazing, surprising and nuanced! It was a lovely dark space wih great music (goodbye horses by q Lazarus!!) but most of all the staff was absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable and kind! Especially Lisa who is an absolute gem and a professional! read more

I expected a bit more from temple records. The service was great but the ambiance was lacking. There is one interesting wall but the rest is giving dark alley unfortunately. Also their menu didn't have mocktails or desserts of any kind so a bit lacking in my opinion. The drink I got was very good tho - the delirious. Prices were pretty good too. read more

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The sampling of the food is simply wow! They will have something for all and although I didn't go there for their dinner service as we had a reservation next door, I did check out a few of their stuff and all were great. All The cocktails were great and nothing will fall short. Did I say mention the decor? When you are surrounded by the vinyl records, what can go wrong? A definite date night place. read more

Temple Records - Take 5 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Stopped in at the recommendation of a colleague who happens to be the mom of one of the bartenders. He wasn't working that night but we were treated like family nonetheless. We wanted to grab some food after the drinks we had at their sister spot next door. I had the noodle which were incredible. I wish I had more room to stay and try more but I'll save that for my next trip. The space was small with an upstairs. We sat at the bar which proved to be the best choice and the best company. I'll definitely be back. read more

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I came here for an omakase, but also ordered some food at the bar upstairs while waiting for the omakase to start. I liked the decor upstairs. Felt very alternative. The clientele leaned on the older side. At the bar I got a peanut appetizer. I was unimpressed by the peanuts, and I was hoping the omakase downstairs would turn my opinion around since I love sushi. Nope. The only impressive part of the omakase was the uni for being so sweet. Everything else was underwhelming. The wait staff jumped at every opportunity to move plates and talk to customers while standing against the wall behind me felt overbearing. I guess the owner felt that making his staff chat with customers made for good customer service. The staff working in front preparing food looked fed up too. I even heard a waiter mutter something passive aggressive and dismissive. 100% would not return again. read more

My friend and I actually wanted to go to the restaurant next door, but given the lack of availability, we came here as these two spots share a kitchen. The ambiance was pretty nice, romantic and cozy. We sat upstairs specifically, not at the sushi bar downstairs. The menu had a good mix of dishes for sharing as well as eating individually which was nice. Service was friendly and quick to bring food out as it was ready. The drinks were nice, strong and decently priced. I thought the food was fine, nothing amazing nor terrible. The price was honestly a bit too high in my opinion for what came out - the chicken was probably the best thing in my opinion. Overall, not a bad meal, but I probably wouldn't come back given it wasn't unique enough to warrant another visit. read more

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Solid sushi spot with some creative options. I actually went in expecting an omakase set but they didn't have that. The server was sweet and recommended me some based off of what pieces of fish I usually like. She also recommended an app which was a very interesting textural experience. (I forgot the exactly what she said it was seaweed + ??). The whole meal was pricier than I expected but each piece of sushi was really good. read more

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Heard about Temple Records, a cocktail bar and a sushi restaurant (possibly with a speakeasy component), from our Boston friends and decided to check it out! Overall drinks were alright and service was also kinda mixed. --Stay With Me: kinda like a sake martini with a sweet floral scent but not necessarily taste --Off Minor: Strong gin and absinthe flavors; personally would have liked it sweeter but my friends liked it as is --Yellow Submarine: clarified mezcal drink with yuzu but didn't have much citrus flavors --Funkee Mah-Chan Highball: Refreshing and appreciated the strong fizz The restaurant space is long so a lot of the seating is high top/bar seating. Our server made a lot of small talk and helpful in getting us drinks but I also felt like he was kinda pushy about asking us for our second/third rounds. He also made a comment about my friend, assuming she didn't like bitter drinks. Again felt like mu experience was mixed overall. read more

Temple Records - snacks menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food options are very upscale asian fusion. For the price of what you get though, it is pretty pricey. I come here mainly for their whiskey drinks and atmosphere vibes. Great place to stop in for a drink and small plates with a friend or for date night. The place is very cramped though, so no big crowds. Service is often slow but it is nice when you're looking to chat and don't want to feel like you'll get kicked out. Staff is friendly and helpful. I don't have a favorite drink - I like all of them but I'm also a whiskey person. They somehow make whiskey super refreshing and light so I definitely recommend! Must try! read more

We walked in without a reservation and the team was able to make space for us which I really appreciated! The vibe was cool but definitely looks different upstairs from what you see on instagram. At first I thought I was in the wrong place! The server was really awesome and explained the entire menu which had a lot of Japanese contents I wasn't familiar with. We didn't have any food but that is mainly because it smelled so bad in the bar. I'm not sure if it was just where we were but I'm not exaggerating when I say it smelled like broccoli and rotten fish. The stench truly did turn us away from ordering any food and did not make me want to try the sushi downstairs read more

Temple Records - Japanese whiskey high ball in the back and dirty martini in the front - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Grabbed drinks and bites at the bar while we waited for a table to grab sushi. Cocktails were creative and the chicken karage was yum. Would skip the mushroom dumplings, everyone in our group found it to be a bit off. Sushi was fresh and delicious, but overpriced. Great ambiance, music anattentive and friendly staff. read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Couldn't understand much from the menu, so asked them to serve us whatever. We got really fresh and delicious fish, creative dishes (considering traditional Japanese place), and even came out full! Very good Playlist and wine list as well! read more

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After seeing mixed reviews online I wasn't sure what to expect but ended up loving my experience! I ate downstairs at the sushi bar which I believe is different than the cocktail bar area upstairs. The wait staff was super helpful with explaining the menu and we had sake, several rolls, and some nigiri. The nigiri was around $15-20 per piece but was amazing. Rolls were less expensive and just as tasty. Unless you're looking to spend $100 per person I wouldn't recommend coming here aiming to leave stuffed but I would absolutely recommend it as a nice place to get very high quality seafood and sample a traditional Japanese menu. It was seriously some of the best sushi I've had in my life and will definitely be returning. read more

Buri tasted off. Otoro was small and underwhelming in terms of the fattiness. Shirayaki was dry and not crispy on the skin. Botan ebi and shima aji were good. Prices are about double that of other places. You're paying for the atmosphere (and location). Could use some nama sakes by the glass. Afterwards I got some food elsewhere. read more

This spot is pure fun wrapped in experience that hits different -- in the best, most unexpected way. The music keeps you listening. The drink menu reads like an adventure, and the whiskey shelf is stacked like it's showing off. And do yourself a favor: ask for Bianca. She's the hostess with the mostest, guiding the night like a pro. read more

Temple Records has a great vibe, but honestly, Pat the bartender is the real reason to go. He's got that perfect mix of incredible customer service and serious talent behind the bar. Even when the place is totally slammed, he still manages to remember your name and makes sure everyone feels taken care of, turning what could be a chaotic night into a great experience. But the best part is his drinks. Seriously, the guy is a master; whether I ask for a classic Old Fashioned or a complex sour, it comes out perfectly balanced and tasting amazing every single time. If you're ever in Downtown Boston, you have to check out Temple Records and ask for Pat; you won't regret it. read more

This is a new cocktail bar with amazing ambience. They play classic vinyl records while you enjoy your cocktail. I recommend sitting at the high top to watch your cocktails being made and enjoy the vibes. I really enjoyed the Off Minor (gin, midori, yuzu, absinthe). They also have a selection of highballs. Downstairs, they have a sushi bar where you can be seated in front of the chefs making your sushi. Great place! Will definitely be back again! read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is based on Temple Records first omakase event. On 1/15/25 The food was fantastic with a great fusion of Korean influences in flavors. For $120 there were about 14 times serving consisting of high quality nigiri , sashimi, banchan, owan ect.. and everything was high quality, fresh, and delicious. The value was incredible. The seating area itself was in the lower level of the main dining area , which was both spacious intimate at the same time. The sushi counter is hugeeee and can sit around 20 people. The ambiance was very lively. They were pumping out Korean jazz type music which was really fun. Only suggestion I would make to the restaurant is to lower the volume when explaining dishes in these kind of events. But ordinary this probably isn't an issue. Service is also super friendly and knowledgeable I will 100 percent be coming again for the regular menu if the experience is indictive of the quality and flavors they usually serve. read more

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I cannot wait to go back. Wine selection is good. Sushi is phenomenal. The ambience and service is 10/10. Classy. read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I have been here twice now, and they never disappoint. The drinks are top notch, the service is just great. And finally the ambiance, It's not hard to see why this place is always packed all the time. Me and my friends will definitely be returning again. read more

Been here twice now and love the vibe, food, and drinks! The "listening lounge" concept is a fun touch and being Korean I appreciate the classic and modern takes on Korean food. I also love the Off Minor drink, and each time the service has been great! read more

Very cozy atmosphere with great music. The bartender queuing up records was a nice touch. The food came out quick and tasted fresh. Deshay was especially awesome and took the time to thoroughly explain the drink menu to me. She made me feel very welcome! I would love to try the sushi bar downstairs and Somaek as well. Would definitely come back! read more

Temple Records - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Man, what a disappointment. Very limited menu. What's there is fresh and tasty, but you're paying $72+tip for 7 pieces of very standard nigiri. NO omakase, which leads me to believe that there isn't a sushi chef here. Wine list prices are out of control. Cheapest option is $60 for a bottle of cava that tasted like a $6 bottle of Barefoot Bubbly. Most were $120+ and the quality did not match the markup. Lights are bright, ambience is negligible. There's nothing to make the meal feel like an "event," and have you linger. Nothing romantic or special. Bad for groups bc you all have to sit at the bar, which limits conversation. Service is adequate, although rolls come out SLOW and weirdly loose. Music was BOMB, but idk, that's not really what I think of when I'm craving sushi. I wouldn't recommend going in hungry, but you will leave hungry. read more

This place had recently opened and I wanted to go check it out. We made a res for 7pm on a Friday, it was crowded so I would recommend a res. The staff were so attentive and really helpful as we had a few questions about the sake and wine selections. The fish was beyond fresh! Our favorites were o toro sashimi, Tera maki and spicy Maguro maki. The record bar upstairs seemed to have great cocktails but it was too crowded by the time we left. we will definitely be back to try those! read more

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Food: it's very small portions, higher end price for quality ingredients. The fish selection is rich in freshness and it's really more for the experience. You're not going to get full of a limited menu. You get one nigiri for the price that is between $7-15. Essentially you are paying for the dining experience which is rather is on the pricey end, so if you have the time and money to splurge, sure. But you're not missing out as there's many spots elsewhere Service: They make sure your tea is never empty and they clear off your plate as soon as you finish. Very fast service but you can take your time enjoying the place and food. Ambiance: it's small but brings Japanese decorum and culture so you feel the calmness inside. It can fit about 15 people seated. Location accommodation: it's separate from the bar upstairs so if you want to try their sushi, make sure to book the reservation here and not just at temple records. It's right next to the other speakeasy and bar by the Boston commons read more

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The vibe and ambience here is great - and I was excited to have a new spot in the local cocktail scene - but unfortunately I didn't find anything outstanding. The drinks were all perfectly fine and the service was top rate - but with several other outstanding options in the area - this hasn't proven to be some place to seek out specifically for the drinks. If you're simply looking to have a drink while waiting for a table at the Korean place next door it's great - but if looking specifically to go out for a special cocktail - I think there are better options in greater Boston. read more

Lets get to the point, This one isn't gonna make it.... send sealed and delivered which is a shame because at least the bar has a nice theme which it doesn't quite all in on, but I like the suggestion of the post-war Japanese vibe. The restaurant though is pretty bad and really without redeeming qualities. Lets review it in two parts, first the restaurant So lets start with the bad, which is like extensive -The chief I hear is from the Hawaii area, starting out new to the area. Didn't say hi or pretend to engage my group at all on the sushi counter, which is very odd. At almost every other sushi counters the chief has always been polite and inviting, its part of show and experience. -His assistance sushi makers? are pretty sloppy, not their fault, they looked super young and inexperienced. The rice came out sloppy, broke awake from the nigari piece, hard textured...my rice cooker could do a much better job on the quick cook setting. Not soft, not tasty, the vinegar was uneven. Just bad. You'd have to blame the chief as that's his domain -The fish was poorly cut, fresh I suppose, small in portion, but untasty. At this price point, 10-15 for a single piece, you have a number of places in boston to look at for something much better, shameful really. -Had a couple tuna pieces that are quite frankly terrible, -One of the ebi was like a cocktail shrimp from Shaws or Market Basket -The soup they made was extremely disappointing -I can rattle of probably 10-15 places at 50-70% of the price point where you'd eat better, super disappointed as looking for something new to Boston but this aint it The service was pretty bad, can easily tell the crew was inexperienced, didn't know their own menu, and quite lack luster in intuition and perception of our needs. Wet nap went uncollected, tea went unfilled, and sake slowly poured, not necessarily the staffs fault but at this price point you expect something quite a bit more. Regarding the upstairs bar -good vibe, good space and good bar area -I love the crystal clear ice but I know thats probably not everyone's thing -Cocktails were decent and premiumuly priced, - Again disappointed at the poor execution especially on the food front on this place. I would have to blame the chief, he just ain't good read more

Cool vibes inside. Really small upstairs. Small menu for snacks and interesting drink selection- I didn't find anything I loved personally but it was fun to try for a date night! read more

Had some sake out of a panda cup and listened to rare James Brown recordings. What more do you need from life

Ate here over the weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday. The sushi was good (mainly ordered the maki because that's the only reasonably priced sushi on the menu- the nigiri prices are indeed for one piece) but we felt like the experience at this restaurant was definitely not worth the price and what we assumed would be a "fancier restaurant". There were 2 sushi chefs for the maybe max 14 seats around the sushi bar and any sushi made was made at an extremely glacial pace. We had already waited a long time for our first round of 5 rolls but then when we ordered 2 more rolls we were sitting around for about 25 minutes before being approached by the waitress asking if we were waiting for something. She had forgotten we had directly ordered 2 more rolls from her and likely didn't put the orders in. We asked to cancel the 2 more rolls if the sushi chefs had not already started on them as we had to be somewhere and had already spent 1.5 hours here mainly in the process of waiting because it doesn't take much time to eat the rolls once they'd been served. The owner brought the check and just said sorry and then the waitress said sorry there was a kitchen miscommunication. I just feel that going to this restaurant was a waste of time and not worth it. Also if you are seated at one end of the bar at the bottom of the stairs there will constantly be people from the upstairs restaurant using the bathroom directly behind you or there will be people the owner is periodically showing off the sushi basement to. read more

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A really cool stop if you're into authentic omakase. The space is sleek and minimal, with a focus on the food and craft -- no fluff. The chef was skilled, personable, and clearly passionate about what he served. Every course felt thoughtful and well-balanced. Fish was fresh, cuts were precise, and the pacing was just right. It's not over-the-top or gimmicky -- just solid, traditional Japanese omakase done right. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something genuine and well-executed. read more

Food was incredible! Whimsical and playful, culturally interesting and enlightening, perfectly approachable yet inventive. Service was just as good: attentive but not overbearing, casual but informative. The cocktails were balanced and intriguing. Pricey, but aren't they all? All-around it's a great restaurant. BUT, it was beyond loud. I expect restaurants to be loud, I accept that, but this was painfully and prohibitively loud. They kept cranking up the music, which in turn led everyone to yell across their tables. So if the music wasn't overwhelming, other diners sure were. We would have stayed for another round (or 2) of cocktails but couldn't stand the noise anymore so went elsewhere for equally expensive, far LESS delicious cocktails down the street. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they figure out their volume control fast because I'd love to come back again and again. read more

Great food but very dark stairwell. Not a comfortable ambiance. If you could just change the access to the sushi bar I would go back.