The Joint Sushi & Tapas

Locally owned since 2011, this Ocean Beach spot flies in sushi daily from a Los Angeles fishmonger and pairs it with tapas like karaage chicken and maple-miso Brussels sprouts, plus the occasional cut of A5 wagyu. Twenty-six rotating beers and a deep sake list back a cocktail menu added in 2023. The dining room mixes moody lighting and contemporary art, and the exterior keeps the block's scruffy, unpolished character. Reservations aren't taken, and the menu runs to small plates built for sharing.