NEW: Japanese bar + restaurant bringing sushi + omakase to downtown [PHOTOS]

Ozu sushi bar and restaurant in downtown Huntsville — We first spotted Ozu’s signage on Wednesday, October 21. (Hville Blast)

Sushi lovers, get ready! Downtown Huntsville’s newest restaurant and bar is officially debuting on November 5, and we got an inside look on what to expect.

Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox.

What to expect at Ozu opening Nov 5

Ozu will be a Japanese bar and restaurant dedicated to sushi, cocktails and omakase.

ICYDK: Omakase is a Japanese dining style that translates to “I leave it up to you” or “chef’s choice,” meaning the chef curates a stylistic, seasonal sequential meal experience.

The restaurant opening was announced on Instagram on October 22, with several locals sharing their excitement for the concept.

Where: 104 Jefferson St S, downtown Huntsville (former Phat Sammy’s location, next to 106 Jefferson)
Grand opening: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Hours: Mon-Fri, 4PM-12AM | Sat-Sun, 4PM-2AM
Instagram

This location was formerly home to Phat Sammy’s for six years, a popular underground tiki bar/restaurant. Locals have been eager to see what tenant would move in next since Phat Sammy’s closure in February 6, 2026.

Owners’ goal to bring “go-to” sushi spot to Huntsville

Ozu sushi bar and restaurant in downtown Huntsville
Owners Megan and Sydney — Ozu’s owners, Megan + Sydney (Ozu)

Huntsville natives and avid world travelers Megan and Sydney are behind this new addition.

“After traveling all over the U.S. and the world, we noticed ourselves searching for the ‘best’ sushi spot in whatever city we found ourselves in.

We felt like Huntsville was missing a truly memorable date-night Japanese bar, and downtown felt like the perfect spot to bring that to Huntsville.”
Megan + Sydney, owners of Ozu

The duo shared a fun fact that after naming the restaurant, they discovered that Ozu, Japan sits at 33.50 latitude and Huntsville sits at 34.73—making the climates nearly identical. Talk about “meant to be!”