The best omakase in Miami serves up art on a plate

What is it? Ogawa is a true chef’s-choice, tailored a bit to your preferences, with nothing but a price range ($175 to $300) to help you prepare for 18-ish courses of sushi and hot dishes. The meal takes about two hours.

Why we love it: At Ogawa, there’s a Shinto-like shrine at the entrance, a zen garden out back, and an omakase counter that’s a one-night ticket to Japan. At times you may be unsure about etiquette at the 11-seat counter restaurant in Little River, and the vibe will vary depending on the conversation level of those around you. But it would be hard not to adore the attention to detail taken here to feel very Japanese and also to put out just simply the best of everything. Our visit included tuna belly nigiri, seared wagyu with egg yolk, baby sea bream and caviar on freshwater eel.

Time Out tip: While this is chef’s choice, the astute Masayuki Komatsu will pick up on what you’re vibing—and what you’re leaving behind. If there’s anyone you should let take charge, it’s this guy.

Address: 7223 NW Second Ave, Miami, FL 33150.

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6–9pm.

Expect to pay: About $500 per person on the higher end once you factor in drinks, tax and tip.

What is it? The hidden sushi counter at over-the-top South Beach restaurant Queen is an equally extravagant affair that can easily reach four figures for two people when you tally up tip, tax and cocktails—of which you’re likely to have more than one. The actual price? $225 per person, paid in advance, for 14 courses.

Why we love it: No omakase counter in Miami feels more exclusive, more luxe than the one upstairs and behind a heavy curtain in a former balcony above Queen. Expect caviar and truffles and beautifully marbled meats prepared before your eyes in a way that feels as much theater as it does dinner. Behind the opulent counter is Max Kamakura, a Japanese-Brazilian, third-generation sushi chef who narrates the multi-course meal as he’s doing things quite possibly never done before to sushi—all of it downright delicious.

Time Out tip: Just go for it? Foie gras melted over tuna will make you feel like you’ve done something right in life. It’s the best bite of the whole night.

Address: 550 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Opening hours: Tue–Sat at 8:30pm; Fri, Sat 7pm and 9:30pm.

Expect to pay: Dinner is $225 per person, but the cocktails here are very enticing and are priced between $20 and $25.

What is it? Kissaki is a New York City export offering relatively affordable omakase from a handsome, lounge-like space at the southern tip of South Beach.

Why we love: It’s not trying for the authentically Japanese approach that defined Miami omakase in the past, but offering a more entertaining experience headlined by a fusion menu. The $150, 15-course omakase includes 3 apps, 10 nigiri, a hand roll, and dessert, either from the high sushi bar or from the main restaurant that feels more like a party. They frontload the experience with the best bites, including white fish wrapped around a grapefruit segment with a slice of black truffle on top and chopped wagyu on brioche with caramelized onions. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t more great food to come: the nigiri portion of the tasting features pieces dressed in Latin-style sauces in a way that feels very Miami.

Time Out tip: Kissaski regularly hosts tuna-cutting events, and for sushi fans, this is All-Star-Game level.

Address: 500 South Pointe Dr, Ste 160, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Opening hours: Wed, Thu, Sun 5:30–11pm; Fri, Sat 5:30pm–midnight.

Expect to pay: The omakase experience is $150 person; cocktails start at $21, while wines by the glass are priced at $16 and up.

What is it? The 14-seat counter restaurant in Coral Gables’ historic La Palma building is as intimate as they come. The 18 courses served at the L-shaped counter will never feel like the most fun omakase in town, but it will certainly feel true to Japanese traditions.

Why we love it: While other omakase experiences these days bring in fusion flavors and thumping music, Michelin-starred Shingo is a serious affair that feels like a visit to the church of sushi. Formerly the head chef of Hiden, when it won a Michelin star, chef Shingo Akikuni, is behind the counter here, deftly slicing fish imported from Japan. Also imported? The entire 850-square-foot place was built in Kyoto, Japan, before being disassembled and shipped to Coral Gables.

Time Out tip: We love a purse holder. At Shingo, you’re given a beautiful basket to place your handbag in. The basket slides under your chair, keeping your accessories out of the way while still being easily accessible.

Address: 112 Alhambra Cir, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6–11pm.

Expect to pay: Omakase at Shingo is priced at $275 per person.

What is it? The design-forward Wynwood restaurant draws from the eateries of Ginza, Tokyo’s posh entertainment district. It’s upmarket but not stuffy, and so is the omakase experience. Priced at $180, it includes eight courses, featuring the restaurant's signature dishes.

Why we love it: This is seriously one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Miami, anchored by a wooden-arch ceiling that’s been written up and talked about by more than just us. Design aside, you won’t leave Hiyakawa hungry. The competitively priced menu serves quite a lot of food and is a great way to sample the restaurant’s heavy hitters. Recently, the restaurant introduced a Washoku menu for the fall and winter. The nine-course tasting focuses on seasonal ingredients and strikes a nice balance between hot and cold dishes.

Time Out tip: The omakase counter is more for the show, while table dining is available for those who don’t want to keep conversations low.

Address: 2700 N Miami Ave, #5, Miami, FL 33127.

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 6–9:30pm.

Expect to pay: Omakase is $180 per person, not inclusive of tax, tip and drinks. 

What is it: One of the first hidden omakase restaurants on the scene, Hiden is tucked behind Wynwood’s Taco Stand, past an unmarked door that guests need a passcode to enter. Punch in the numbers sent with your reservation confirmation, and you’ll find an eight-seat counter where you’ll be greeted by two chefs who are ready to make your sushi dreams come true.

Why we love it: The novelty of needing a passcode and the excitement leading up to actually getting it is still a thrill. We like the size of the space, especially for first-timers who need help navigating the world of omakase. Expect lots of whispering in the quiet space but also engaging conversations as you’re guided through hot and cold dishes, featuring ingredients flown in from Japan.

Time Out tip: Get your credit card ready when you book the reservation, because the $300 per-person meal is pay-up-front.

Address: 313 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6–11:30pm.

Expect to pay: Your bill will be upwards of $400 if you're conservative about your beverage pairings.

What is it: Hidden below Lincoln Road's ultra-trendy MILA rooftop lounge, MILA Omakase delivers everything you'd expect from a high-end chef's counter experience—and a few extras you'll hate to live without going forward (if only every omakase came with your own personal cherry blossom tree). The second-floor room curtained from the dimly lit, members-only MM Lounge, is highly exclusive, with just 10 seats. There are two seatings, 7pm and 9:30pm, and dinner is priced at $195 per person.

Why we love it: Besides the tree mentioned above, it’s the least stuffy, high-end option on this list. You’ll get quality fish without the pretense of some of the other places, where adherence to Japanese tradition is paramount to the experience. Still, you’ll see people behind the counter, bent over intricate dishes with tweezers in hand or deftly molding rectangles of sticky rice for your next amazing course. And you can converse at a normal decibel and bop to the modern soundtrack while enjoying your sushi.

Time Out tip: Whether you opt to pair your meal with sake, wine, cocktails or tea, rest assured your glass will never go empty here.

Address: 800 Lincoln Road, second floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 7–11:30pm.

Expect to pay: About $250 on the lower end and anywhere north of that if you enjoy more than one drink.

What is it: Japanese restaurant Azabu is home to an omakase experience offered in its secret room aptly called The Den. It’s spacious by speakeasy standards and boasts a large, three-sided 18-seat counter that allows for a little privacy in a communal setting. But it’s sizeable enough to accommodate a large group. You’ll find several seating options with the signature omakase priced at $300.

Why we love it: Tokyo-trained chefs helm the decadent tasting menu, which includes a variety of fresh sashimi and a rotating selection of grilled dishes. The friendly staff is amenable to changes and welcomes questions about the meal’s preparations if you are curious about the dishes. Fish is regularly flown in from Japan, and the rice is made in special rice makers, perfectly calibrated for the Miami heat. The nigiri is spot on.

Time Out tip: Guests can add uni and toro toro courses, and everyone absolutely should—the Den’s fish is about the freshest around.

Address: 161 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6:30–11pm.

Expect to pay: About $400 on the lower end, including tax and tip.

What is it: Chef Nando Chang reimagined his family’s Japanese-Peruvian Itamae concept as Itamae AO, a fiercely personal omakase-style, 10-seat counter in Midtown that’s $165 per person.

Why we love it: The idea here seems to be to challenge the adventurous: a hand roll with clam, decadently heavy uni rice and pungent tuna aged for more than a month. Nothing here will be like what you have at other omakase counters. Neither is the vibe. Chang, who’s also an accomplished musician, curates a hip-hop playlist to complement the unconventional, seasonal menu. Memorable bites from our visit included a delicate one-piece roll that, even with anchovy sauce, still tasted like the stone crab at the center, and shaved ice with a delicate lychee foam made savory with olive oil and salt.

Time Out tip: Chef Nando Chang recently earned a James Beard nomination and Itamae AO joined the local Michelin Guide. If you’re waiting for a good time to book, the answer is now—reservations are about to become next to impossible.

Address: 3225 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137.

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5–11pm; Sat 5–11:30pm.

Expect to pay: Dinner currently costs $213, including tax and tip per seat. 

What is it: Located inside the Esmé Hotel on Española Way—a tourist-trodden area of South Beach—Sushi | Bar is an Austin export that brings a more casual, innovative approach to omakase. The 17-course menu at this 12-seat counter restaurant will run you $175.

Why we love it: How might a chef work mojo or mamey sapote into sushi? You’ll soon see. The lineup here consists nearly entirely of nigiri or, generally, fish on a bed of sushi rice served in ways you probably wouldn’t think possible. You’ll find a lot of sweet flavorings, like a strawberry gochujang on the aji and a caramelized pineapple hat on the hiramasa. But there is also unexpected savory pairings, such as the king salmon served with whipped goat cheese and the barbecued freshwater eel with a sweep of bone marrow.

Time Out tip: While some omakase counters are quick affairs meant to turn tables, this one can last two hours or more, making it more of an experience.

Address: 1438 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Opening hours: Daily 5–11pm; seatings are at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:45pm.

Expect to pay: Your meal will run you about $225 if you skip drinks, which you shouldn't. In that case, budget for $250 or more.

What is it? A welcomed alternative to the stuffier omakase spots in Miami, Mr. OmaKase is a laid-back counter-style restaurant in the heart of Downtown. Here, sushi chefs roll maki to an old-school hip-hop soundtrack while folks look on from the eight-seat bar.

Why we love it: This is a great option for when you want omakase on a Publix sushi budget—fine, maybe not that cheap. Still, it’s affordable and you have choices, unlike what you’ll encounter at the stuffier spots. There’s a 10-course express meal for $60, followed by $89, $109 and $149 menus, depending on the number of courses you choose. Chefs are also happy to accommodate for allergies and dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free and kosher-style requests.
Time Out tip: Choices run from 10 to 18 courses, but we found the middle option to be perfectly satisfying: 14 courses for $109.

Address: 163 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131.

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 4–10pm, with seatings every two hours.

Expect to pay: It ranges depending on your hunger level and thirst. You can leave here satiated for about $80 or really blow it out with a $200+ meal.