Omakase, derived from the Japanese verb makaseru (任せる), translates to ‘to entrust’ or ‘to leave in someone else’s hands,’ signifying an experience fully dictated by the chef’s expertise.
During an omakase meal, patrons relinquish all culinary choices to the chef, who tailors dishes to reflect the guests’ tastes and the freshest ingredients available each day.
The practice traces back to Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), when sushi vendors showcased whatever was freshly caught, circumventing the need for set menus. As the dining culture evolved in Japan during the late twentieth century, affluent diners seeking the finest dining experiences began to place their trust entirely in the chef’s hands.
Today, omakase restaurants can be discovered in major cities worldwide, often located within luxury hotels or behind discreet entrances in private dining areas.
Notable Omakase Rooms Globally
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El Secreto at Faena Miami Beach
MiamiEl Secreto, located within the lavish Faena Miami Beach, is concealed behind a hidden entryway in a 150-seat theater embellished with rich red velvet and gold accents. The intimate dining space, adorned with onyx marble and mirrored murals by Argentine artist Amaya Bouquet, seats just six guests each evening. Chef Paul Qui, a James Beard Award recipient, crafts a sixteen-course menu that merges the styles of Tokyo sushi and Kyoto kaiseki.
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Musashi by Aman
TokyoAt Musashi within the Aman Tokyo, chef Hiroyuki Musashi carefully cultivates his own rice using pristine Mukawa water from Yamanashi and tends to the harvest himself. This rice becomes integral to his unique sake, the Musashi by Aman Extra DDry, which requires a month of brewing. Each day, he rises early to procure top-quality seasonal fish from the Tokyo fish market. The omakase is experienced at an eight-seat hinoki cypress counter, occasionally utilizing crockery crafted by Musashi himself.
See also: The Sushi Restaurants the World’s Top Chefs Actually Go To
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Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane
LondonSituated behind a concealed entrance at 45 Park Lane, Sushi Kanesaka has established itself as a top dining destination. The restaurant presents an 18-course omakase menu curated by chef Shinji Kanesaka, who began his culinary journey at the age of 28 while training at Tokyo’s Kyubey. It earned its first Michelin star just seven months post-opening. Seasonal dishes might include lobster cream croquette and octopus sonomono, utilizing fish selected from Europe and prepared using the traditional ikejime method for optimal quality.
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Hoseki at the Bulgari Resort
DubaiDefined by its intimacy and minimalist design, Hoseki, meaning ‘gemstone,’ resides on the fourth floor of the Bulgari Resort in Jumeira Bay. It offers two counters along with a private dining area showcasing stunning views of the city skyline. Head chef Masahiro Sugiyama, a sixth-generation sushi master and former apprentice at Sushi Kanesaka, delivers an ever-evolving menu that emphasizes Edomae sushi in the traditional hand-pressed style.
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Sushi Ginza Onodera at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
KyotoAt Sushi Ginza Onodera, guests experience Edomae sushi at a counter hewn from a 400-year-old Japanese cypress, or in a private room overlooking an ancient Shakusui-en garden. Executive chef Takuya Kubo sources premium ingredients from local markets, as well as Tokyo’s Toyosu Market and Hokkaido. A seasonal highlight occurs for three months each year, when exquisite sea urchin from Hokkaido’s Rebun and Rishiri islands—renowned for their rich umami and creamy texture—is featured on the menu.
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Masa at Mandarin Oriental
New YorkChef Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama opened Masa in New York City in 2004, becoming the first Japanese restaurant in the US to be honored with three Michelin stars and retaining them for 15 years. With a 23-course omakase menu and only 26 seats, the most coveted spots are at the hinoki wood sushi counter. For those with access to the Oriental Suite, Presidential Suite, or Suite 5000 at the Mandarin Oriental New York, an in-suite omakase experience can be arranged.
Criteria for Selecting the Premier Omakase Venues
Each highlighted restaurant has been independently chosen by the editors of Elite Traveler, based on personal experiences and thorough research. This compilation reflects some of the most respected fine-dining establishments globally, selected for their exceptional quality, impeccable service, and unique culinary experiences.
