Another brainchild from James Beard award-winning chef Paul Qui is expected to launch in South Austin this week.

The details

Kitsu Nori is opening its doors on Dec. 13 with a sushi and handroll experience. As stated in a news release, the concept is designed with the Japanese philosophy of ikebana, or the art of floral arrangement, in mind.

“Our goal with Kitsu Nori is to serve something beautiful and intentional,” Qui said. “Even early in my career, I was drawn to the idea that sushi could be more than just food; it could be an experience of balance, care and craft. With Kitsu Nori, I wanted to bring that concept to life in a way that’s approachable, thoughtful and rooted in the joy of sharing beautiful, simple food.”

The atmosphere


The space will feature 30 seats with a 14-seat counter and a 16-seat dining room, designed by Qui himself. The space is inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold.

All natural-edged wood tables in the space are filled with gold epoxy and the same repair technique is being used to repurpose broken dishes from other restaurants.

The restaurant also features an outdoor patio with an estimated 100 seats on the back patio and 45 seats on the street-facing patio. Both patios will be shared with pizzeria Roselle which is set to open in 2026, as stated in the news release.

On the menu


Diners can look forward to a menu focused on crispy nori, warm rice, dry-aged fish, premium shellfish and farm-fresh vegetables. Some menu items include chip-and-dip pairings, tuna sashimi, a wagyu aburi handroll and more.

The restaurant plans to launch its to-go services in early 2026 where customers can order signature handrolls and crudos.

The space will also offer three tiers of omakase-inspired experience which will feature a coursed progression starting at $38. The experience can also be ordered for takeout in a refined bento-style format.

Diners looking to add a specialty drink to their experience can check out a traditional Japanese lineup part of the restaurant’s beverage program which includes sake, Japanese highballs on draft and craft cocktails.