Photo Credit: Instagram: @hidenmiami
Until recently, Miami had few spots to enjoy a true omakase dining experience. Omakase translates to “I’ll leave it up to you,” in Japanese—meaning that the entire meal is put into the chef’s hands, allowing him/her to deliver whatever they feel is the very best quality. Typically, omakase involves sushi in the nigiri form, piece by piece. However, each destination puts its own special twist on the delicacy with signature creations to pace the meal. Here, we take a look at the top spots in Miami to head to for an authentic omakase meal, from newcomers stealing the show like Hiden and New York-transplant Azabu to Miami classics like Nobu and Naoe.
Hiden
Photo Credit: @hidenmiami
Hiden entered the Miami dining scene this past winter and has quickly become one of the most coveted reservations to snag in the city. In fact, the waitlist tends to go over a month out in advance and must be pre-paid via reservations booking system, Tock. It’s easy to see why everyone is trying to get into the secret omakase den hidden in the back of Wynwood’s The Taco Stand—chef Tadashi Shiraishi ensures that the dining experience exceeds all expectations. From impeccable service, an unbeatable wine and sake menu and one mouth-watering dish after another, dining at Hiden is guaranteed to be one of the most decadent and delicious two hours of dining you can find in Miami. The menu rotates depending on the fish inventory, but signatures include the melt-in-your-mouth A5 Wagyu Beef, homemade Miso Soup with crab and an unbeatable toro selection served in multiple styles.
Azabu
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The New York Michelin-starred restaurant debuted in Miami’s foodie-centric South of Fifth neighborhood in February. The restaurant accommodates guests in the izakaya dining room for traditional Japanese dining or inside the intimate sushi den for omakase. The talented chef curates the menu each night to make sure it showcases the best variety of fresh fish combinations in a very special atmosphere. The experience is two hours long, and features two menu options—$120/person which includes eight courses with 10 pieces of omakase, or $150/person which adds on a Toro tasting—we suggest going that route and adding the Uni tasting, as well as the sake pairing, to get the ultimate omakase experience. The menu will also likely include a variety of buttery Botan Ebi, Sea Bream, Mackerel, Striped Jack, Sweet Snapper and so much more.
Naoe
Photo Credit: Instagram: @viibe_travel
Chef Kevin Corey’s exclusive omakase restaurant, Naoe, was the first true omakase dining destination to enter the city. Located on the quaint Brickell Key, the restaurant only accommodates four guests for a three-hour experience per seating. Thus, booking a spot here requires some time and planning but it’s completely worth it. With 16 courses of the highest quality of food, including 7-8 omakase pieces, the spot is sure to impress the most worldly and critical eaters with its renowned cuisine.
Nobu
Photo Credit: Mark Squires
You can’t go wrong with Nobu—ever—but especially for fresh omakase. Sit at the trendy Miami Beach restaurant’s sushi bar and leave your dinner in the hands of your capable sushi chef. After all, chef Nobu Matsuhisa was one of the first chefs to bring this special cuisine to the United States, so you’re guaranteed a fantastic meal in one of the hottest restaurants in town. Don’t forget to supplement the meal with some of Nobu’s signature dishes including the New Style Sashimi and the Miso Black Cod.
Umi Sushi at The Delano
Photo Credit: sbe
The intimate, beautiful sushi bar inside the iconic Delano Hotel is a can’t-miss destination, especially for delicious and simple omakase. Umi only seats a handful of people at their communal table at a time, so you can guarantee fantastic service and fresh fish prepared with careful skill. Guests can order their tasty rolls or platters a la carte or opt for the Chef’s Omakase Menu, “tasting tailored to you,” which includes sushi and sashimi for $35 / $55 per person.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
Photo Credit: Instagram: @eatblueribbonmiami
The New York famed sushi restaurant located at the hip Plymouth Hotel in Miami Beach is the perfect destination for a diverse selection of omakase at a more affordable price. Guests can sit at the sushi bar and order the “Masa’s Choice” for $85/person, which comes with a large platter of varying types of fish in different forms including sashimi, nigiri and omakase. They’re noted for the more uncommon types of fish that they’re able to snag, unlike other typical sushi/izakaya restaurants, including mackerel, sardines, Japanese uni, snapper and so much more. Even better, you can pair your omakase with some of the eatery’s famous fried chicken to complete the meal.
Oishi Thai
Photo Credit: Instagram: @oishithainorthmiami
Chef Bee’s North Miami Oishi Thai is one of the city’s greatest hidden gems, located within a strip mall along Biscayne Blvd. Inside, guests can indulge in some of the chef’s famed Thai and sushi dishes or opt to do an omakase experience in addition to the lengthy a la carte menu. Depending on the evening, guests will taste some of the chef’s most masterful flavor combinations, which he heightens with decadent ingredients like caviar, truffle, uni, fatty toro and more.
