The 14 best omakase restaurants in Chicago

What is it? An upscale omakase counter in Logan Square.

Why we love it: One of Chicago's most extensive (and expensive) omakase experiences can be found at Kyōten in Logan Square, where chef Otto Phan offers upwards of 20 courses at his eight-seat sushi counter. Priced at $440-$490 per person, depending on the day, it's an expensive meal, but the menu pulls out all the stops, with dishes catered individually to each guest. You can look forward to noshing on oceanic treats like kanpachi, uni, ebi and maguro.

Time Out tip: If you can't snag a seat at Kyōten, try its sister spot Kyōten Next Door.

Address: 2507 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6:30-11pm

What is it? A popular omakase counter hidden behind Sushi-san in River North.

Why we love it: Stroll through Sushi-san’s bustling dining room (and its accompanying hip-hop beats) and ascend a flight of stairs to enter this tucked-away omakase restaurant—a serene, elegant space housing a 10-seat sushi counter. Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan and his team serve a show-stopping, 18-course menu that changes regularly pending seasonality (a direct partnership with the Yamasaki family at the Toyosu Fish Market only helps matters). The beverage team creates expertly tailored pairings—diners have the option to select a sake, wine and sake, or non-alcoholic pairing for their menu, each one with its own delights (like the spirit-free, bright and smoky Strawberry Lapsang Old Fashioned). Whatever your flight, it will team up well with Chan’s hyper fresh selections, ranging from favorites like Otoro Tartare to Hamachi Toro.

Time Out tip: Take a pic (the lighting here beckons it), then take the chance to ask a Q or two—Chan and team are as social as they are skilled.

Address: 63 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5:30-11:30pm

What is it? Kyōten's sister restaurant in Logan Square.

Why we love it: Not content with just running one of Chicago’s best omakase experiences, Otto Phan opened a second concept adjacent to Kyōten in 2023. Though the price point is more affordable ($159-$169), there’s no dip in consistency or quality. The menu switches things up occasionally to highlight unique offerings, but your meal will typically include the usual (delicious) suspects, like chutoro, uni, Hokkaido scallops and Wagyu over seasoned rice. 

Time Out tip: It’s certainly a more laid-back affair than the OG Kyōten, and you may even find yourself chatting with the chefs throughout the evening and learning quite a bit about the sushi-making process.

Address: 2513 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Tue, Sun 5-9:30pm; Wed-Fri 6-9:30pm; Sat 4-9:30pm

What is it? A hidden sushi bar inside a former guest room at the Hotel Lincoln.

Why we love it: Grab a handful of friends for this intimate dining experience—a six-seat sushi counter and lounge situated within Hotel Lincoln. Check in at the hotel's front desk, where a team member will point you to an unmarked suite and you'll be introduced to a bartender, who handles drink preferences by way of bespoke cocktails throughout the night. They pair well with the team’s menu, a 17-course omakase showcasing marinated Fuji salmon with braised burdock root and lime zest, Japanese red snapper with aged ponzu and bonito-smoked Spanish mackerel. 

Time Out tip: If by night’s end you’re looking to return to any of them, there’s good news—guests can opt for a la carte orders of any favorite pieces.

Address: 1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening hours: Daily 5-11pm

What is it? Boka Restaurant Group's omakase spot, helmed by three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park alum chef Brian Lockwood.

Why we love it: Described as a "nouvelle" omakase experience, expertly crafted courses spotlight seasonal ingredients and Japanese heritage. The evolving menu features highlights like daikon and miso egg yolk, a selection of rotating hand rolls and sansho pepper duck.

Time Out tip: Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, just be sure to contact the restaurant ahead of time to discuss your needs.  

Address: 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6, 10:30pm

What is it? The Michelin-starred Chicago location from the Sushi by Scratch restaurant group.

Why we love it: This omakase spot, with award-winning locations around the country, from husband and wife Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee arrived in Chicago in 2023. Tucked away below West Loop bar The Drop In, the 10-seat concept dishes out 17 courses across three seatings each night. You can expect plenty of luxe ingredients to be featured, as well as inventive nigiri—like a piece with unagi and roasted bone marrow drippings.

Time Out tip: Sushi by Scratch offers complimentary pre-dinner cocktails and canapés for 30 minutes before each seating.

Address: 415 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Opening hours: Daily 5-9:30pm

What is it? A small West Loop restaurant offering celebrated sushi chef BK Park's extensive omakase experience.

Why we love it: The omakase experience at Mako fetches $215 a head for 15+ courses. The menu is sprinkled with pieces of sashimi and nigiri, and fluctuates with the seasons to highlight indulgent morsels like braised abalone with liver puree. The sushi counter boasts just 12 seats (with an additional 10 seats behind it in the dining room), and each seating is limited to two hours. No need to rush: The chefs are trained to keep things moving at a comfortable pace.

Time Out tip: Be warned: wine and sake pairings are not available at 4pm seatings on Saturdays and Sundays.

Address: 731 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 5:30-10:30pm; Sat, Sun 4-10:30pm

What is it? A tiny West Loop omakase counter serving Japanese and Korean bites.

Why we love it: The omakase menu at small West Loop restaurant Omakase Yume changes daily based on chef Sangtae Park's whims and what's in season and available to him. But if you're willing to put your trust—and $225—in the knowledgeable sushi chef, you can indulge in a 16-course menu that's packed with appetizers, sushi and dessert.

Time Out tip: Only six guests are served during each seating at the omakase counter, so make sure to snag a reservation well in advance.

Address: 651 W Washington Blvd, Suite #101, Chicago, IL 60661

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 5-10:30pm

What is it? Melvin and Carlo Vizconde's Japanese restaurant in Humboldt Park.

Why we love it: Although you can order a la carte, the affordable omakase menu at Kai Zan is the way to go, and includes more food than you can eat—everything from rich oyster and uni shooters doctored up with ponzu sauce and egg yolks or seared tuna maki adorned with truffled scallions and takoyaki to a fried dough ball with a nugget of octopus inside. While these are all fun, utterly delicious takes on Japanese food, the decadence stops short of overwhelming the great fish in the maki and sashimi. Tuna and salmon are packed into a balanced roll with jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, masago, chili and lime, and the omakase ends with a generous plate of sashimi.

Time Out tip: Stop in between 5 and 5:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to take advantage of the early bird menu, which costs $49 per person.

Address: 2557 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-10pm; Fri, Sat 4:30-11pm

What is it? A popular, intimate omakase restaurant in Lakeview.

Why we love it: AJI Omakase is among the exciting newcomers that popped up during the recent omakase boom. Grab a seat at the counter and watch as chefs Kristian Cho and Arnold Lee work their magic to craft 15 flavor-packed courses, including sweet shrimp topped with shaved and compressed caviar and Hokkaido uni. The menu is priced at $165 per person and can be supplemented with sakes, teas and inventive Asian-tinged cocktails.

Time Out tip: This is a hot reservation, so be sure to book your seat at least a week in advance.

Address: 3809 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 6-10pm; Fri, Sat 5-11pm

Why we love it: A seasoned veteran of the sushi world, Ismael Lucero Lopez has spent decades meticulously refining his skills in slicing pristine fish. At Madai, the menu honors traditional Japanese flavors while weaving in elements of Latin and Pan-Asian influences. Satisfy your cravings for raw seafood by indulging in inventive maki rolls like the La Baja—panko shrimp, akami and avocado, crowned with marinated jalapeños—or put your trust in Lopez and opt for the luxurious 13-course omakase experience at the sushi counter.

Time Out tip: Stop by the Time Out Market in the West Loop to get a taste of Casa Madai's inventive fare.

Address: 2023 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-9:30pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm

What is it? A low-lit West Loop bar and restaurant inspired by Tokyo’s raucous, alleyway drinking dens.

Why we love it: You’ll feel like you’re on a covert mission when you slip into Yokocho. Inside, the Japanese whiskey and sake flow like water, and you can leave your dining fate in the chefs' hands with the omakase menu that boasts luxuries like a wagyu sando.

Time Out tip: The 16-course omakase is only available one time each night from Tuesday to Friday, and twice on Saturday.

Address: 167 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm

What is it? An omakase experience from the team behind Sushi Suite 202.

Why we love it: Diners can head to one of the four Sushi by Bou locations across Chicago: in the West Loop (at the Emily Hotel), Lincoln Park (at Hotel Lincoln), the Gold Coast (within Claridge House) and River North (below Prosecco). Expect different vibes at each (from roaring 20s to 90s hip-hop), but count on a consistent menu throughout that features 12 courses.

Time Out tip: For an upgraded evening, spring for the upgraded experience, comprising 17 courses and a more extensive selection of fish.

Address: 712 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 5-11pm

What is it? A Phoenix import that turns the traditional steakhouse on its side with an Asian slant.

Why we love it: Roka Akor draws a stylish crowd with a menu bookended by sushi and wagyu grilled over Japanese binchotan charcoal. The dinner menu offers two omakase options for groups of two or more: At $120, the Signature menu is a mix of classic and premium dishes; for $148, the Decadent menu dips into rare ingredients.

Time Out tip: There is a two-person minimum in order to go with the omakase experience.

Address: 456 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 5-10pm; Fri, Sat 5-11pm