Omakase means “trust the chef” in Japanese, and the delightful tradition has spread worldwide. This dining experience often features a dozen or more bite-sized courses that play on texture, color, and flavor. Eye-to-eye with the kitchen, it feels like a dinner theater where the stars of the show are the chefs, their skills, and the freshest fish straight from Japan. Try these nine intimate omakase-style restaurants throughout the South!
Omakase Table | Atlanta, GA
Nestled in the heart of West Midtown, Omakase Table is a hidden Atlanta gem serving up a modern, tech-savvy twist on the traditional Omakase experience. Seated at the sleek counter, you have a front-row seat to Chef Yu’s expert crafting of a 20-course meal comprised of rare fish, inventive sushi rolls, and many delightful bites in between.
Chef Yu’s attention to detail is unmatched, from his ingredients and kitchen tools to dish presentations and drink pairings. Every course tells a story in an inviting atmosphere perfect for a date night or friends’ night out.
Shoyo | Dallas, TX
With more than 50 collective years of restaurant experience, Chef Shin Kondo and Chef Jimmy Park — once teacher and pupil — have collaborated to bring a high-end, authentic Japanese dining experience to Dallas. Shoyo combines the chefs’ passion, precision, and artistry. Diners embark on an artful procession of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese creations, learning about the fresh ingredients along the way.
Shoyo has 12 seats and offers two dinner seatings Tuesday through Saturday (5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.) and two lunch seatings on Saturday (noon and 2 p.m.). Expect 17 courses starting at around $200 per person.
Omakase Experiences by Prime Fish | Charlotte, NC
Prime Fish offers a few different types of Omakase that take diners on journeys through Chef Robin’s culinary mind. His symphony of delicate seafood dishes uses high-quality fish flown directly from Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. Chef Robin is also known for his extensive knowledge of sake and recommends the perfect pairing with each course.
The traditional omakase experience is offered on Fridays and Saturdays, with 15 courses for $300 per person. There’s a lunch omakase for $150, and Chef Robin also teaches Sushi Fundamentals weekly for those eager to learn the art of sushi preparation and knife skills. Here’s a peek into Prime Fish’s new Yakitori Omakase, a 12-course tasting menu featuring seafood, Wagyu, skewers, and dessert.
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Sushi-Wa | Charleston, SC
Many places in Charleston serve sushi, but nobody does it like Sushi-Wa. With over 30 years of experience between them, the chef-owners Kazuyuki Murakami and Chris Schoedler tag-team two omakase seatings per night to turn out a progression of courses that highlight the seasonality of fish and seafood, often flown in from Japan.
The experience starts with a few delicate appetizers, followed by meticulously crafted and flavor-packed rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Each piece is prepped and presented precisely, interweaving the ingredients’ flavors and textures. The chefs’ attention to detail makes this meal a feast for both the taste buds and the eyes.
Sushi | Bar | Nashville, TN (with locations in Austin, Dallas, and Miami)
Through an unmarked door in The Gulch, you’ll find a true omakase-style restaurant, Sushi | Bar. The unique 17-course menu highlights seasonal ingredients from land and sea. Buckle up for a two-hour dining journey through bite-sized nigiri masterpieces. You can opt for a sake pairing, wine pairing, or bourbon flight, or ask the full-time sommelier for other imbibing recommendations.
Highlights often include playful takes on classic nigiri, like the melt-in-your-mouth bluefin tuna and the luxurious Hokkaido uni. This sushi adventure costs around $165 per person, and reservations open on the first of the month at noon for the following month. Be sure to check out the adjacent cocktail bar, Golden Sound, for a nightcap.
Omakase by Yun | Dunwoody, GA
Omakase by Yun is a must-visit Omakase bar by Jonathan Yun. He trained under world-renowned sushi masters and worked at the Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa in New York City. His 16-course omakase menu features Japanese-sourced seafood like melt-in-your-mouth tuna and delicate uni (sea urchin), plus perfectly cooked Wagyu beef.
At $165 per person, Omakase by Yun is a fantastic value considering Chef Yun’s acumen and food quality. There’s also a 13-course lunch option for $75. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday, with two 14-person seatings per evening. Book your spot here and press play on this inside look.
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Soseki | Winter Park, FL
Florida (especially South Florida) has many fabulous omakase spots, but we’d be remiss not to point out Michelin-starred Soseki. The name means “cornerstone” in Japanese, and this unassuming, small-but-mighty locale packs some serious punch. Chef Michael Collantes puts a modern spin on the omakase tradition by highlighting local Central Florida farmers, fishermen, cheese makers, and ceramic artisans.
Lean on beverage director Benjamin Coutts (who happens to be Michelin Guide Florida’s Sommelier 2023 winner) for his extensive knowledge of sake and wine. Soseki’s beverage program accentuates each dish while challenging everything we think about traditional beverage pairings.
MUJŌ | Atlanta, GA
The South has yet another one-Michelin-starred omakase restaurant. MUJŌ in Atlanta is an edomae-style Sushiya led by Executive Chef J. Trent Harris, who focuses on delicious seasonal nigiri and small plates. The space is as elegant and dramatic as the dishes presented in front of you. And, of course, the attention to hospitality detail here is unmatched. From your welcome surprise to the final dessert course, you’re transported to Japan’s grandest omakase spots.
The seasonal omakase menu is $245 per person, with optional sake and wine pairings available. Expect to get cozy at the sushi table and meet some new friends … the experience lasts about two and a half hours.
Craft Omakase | Austin, TX
Newish to the vibrant East Austin neighborhood, Craft Omakase serves serious food in a cozy, laid-back setting. An intimate 12-seat counter is the stage for a one-of-a-kind omakase experience highlighting super fresh fish and creative ingredients. This is the perfect reservation for sushi newbies and aficionados alike. Here’s a highlight reel.
The omakase menu is a 22-course adventure through seasonal flavors and optional paired sake and wine. At $175 per person, this is a fabulous price point. Be sure to snag a reservation because this place fills up fast. There are two seatings a night, Wednesday through Sunday.
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Trust the chef and go omakase-style!
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