Downtown Cotati is chock full of restaurants, but Shige Sushi Japanese Kitchen might be one that draws diners from farthest away. A quick glance at the reviews online shows that plenty of Shige customers say they come from hours away just to eat at this unassuming little mom-and-pop eatery on Old Redwood Boulevard.

Regulars claim this is one of the best places to get authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi in Sonoma County. In addition to seafood, the menu offers a fairly standard selection of teriyaki and tempura entrees, as well as various noodle bowls in your choice of ramen or udon. Popular dishes include soft shell crab tempura appetizer, Hawaiian Nagome style poke salad, and sushi omakase. Be aware that the dining room is quite small and it does get quite busy on weekends, so if you don’t want to wait it’s best to call and make a reservation ahead of time.