Craft Nori Opens on South First Street
The no-reservations sushi restaurant from the team behind Craft Omakase has opened in Austin's Tree Apartments building.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Japanese Food
Live Poll
Do you think high-end restaurants still offer good value for everyday diners?
Craft Nori, a sushi restaurant run by the team behind Craft Omakase, has opened at 3715 S. 1st St., Ste. A in Austin. The restaurant operates without reservations and is open for dinner only.
Why it matters
The opening adds a casual, walk-in sushi option from a team whose sibling restaurant has held a Michelin Star for the three years the guide has covered Texas. For Austin diners, it offers a lower-cost entry point into the same culinary lineage.
Cold and hot dishes at Craft Nori range from $7 to $18, and four slices of o-toro cost $27, the menu's highest price. By comparison, Craft Omakase charges $185 plus a 20 percent service charge and tax.
The players
Craft Omakase
Craft Omakase is a Michelin-starred Austin sushi restaurant that has received a Michelin Star in each of the three years the guide has covered Texas.
The details
Craft Nori is located in the Tree Apartments building and is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 pm. Guests can park on the bottom floor of the building's garage or at LifeWorks across the street after 5 pm, and parties of two to four are encouraged for the fastest seating.
Timeline
Craft Nori opened in its first week of full service, with the opening reported on November 5, 2026.
Tuesday through Thursday dinner service runs from 4:30 to 9 pm.
Friday and Saturday dinner service runs from 4:30 to 10 pm.
Market Landscape
Craft Nori extends a Michelin-recognized kitchen into a casual, walk-in format at a fraction of its sibling's price. The move reflects a broader pattern of high-end Japanese chefs opening more accessible concepts alongside their premium omakase counters.
Austin diners can now get Craft Omakase's kitchen approach at dishes from $7 to $18 without a reservation, though the restaurant is open for dinner only. Arriving in groups of two to four and parking at LifeWorks after 5 pm are the most practical ways to get seated and park.
The takeaway
Walk-in diners who want Michelin-level sushi technique without a reservation or omakase price can use Craft Nori as a lower-cost entry point. Arriving in a small group early in the dinner window improves the chances of a quick seating.
Further reading
For more on the city's sushi scene, explore Japanese Food coverage across Austin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CultureMap Austin.
Live Poll
Do you think high-end restaurants still offer good value for everyday diners?
