Emma WhitePlanning an extraordinary date night or booking an exclusive corporate dinner requires something truly special. Whatever you’re looking for, be it an authentic culinary experience or premium ingredients like bluefin tuna, going to the right spot matters.
Fortunately, the capital has some incredible upscale sushi spots and Japanese restaurants that focus on meticulous presentation and elite execution.
To help you navigate the city’s finest dining rooms, we’ve listed here the best omakase spots in Ottawa for your next luxurious night out. Read on!
How much does an omakase experience cost in Ottawa?
An omakase experience in Ottawa typically costs $135 to $350 per person, depending heavily on whether you sit at a live counter or order an upscale tasting platter.
| Dining Format & Experience | Average Price Range (Per Person) |
| Traditional Live Counter Experience | $135 to $200+ |
| Premium Omakase Platters & Tasting Boxes | $150 to $350 |
1. TOMO Restaurant
Website: https://tomorestaurant.ca/
Address: 109 Clarence St.
Contact: 613-241-0990 | [email protected]
Schedule: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun 5 pm–11 pm; Fri, Sat 5 pm–2 am
Stepping into TOMO Restaurant means discovering an exclusive dining experience called Hikaru by TOMO. It’s led by Chef Hikaru Yokoyama, a Japanese native with more than 15 years of culinary experience.
Guests have told us it feels like watching a show, thanks to the carefully structured 16-course format. You move from delicate sashimi to ten pieces of premium nigiri, a hand roll, soup, tamago (that sweet egg omelet), and dessert.
It’s fascinating to watch the chef prepare all these right in front of you, slicing each piece of fish with impressive precision.
If you or your friends are looking for a different vibe, the main room offers a creative regular menu from Executive Chef Daniel Ken Miyamoto.
Just know that this 16-course menu isn’t ideal if you’re after a quick or casual meal. Also, the focus on luxurious touches means it isn’t the cheapest option.
Fantastic omakase experience at Hikaru by Tomo
Fantastic Omakase dining experience at Hikaru by Tomo tonight. The nigiri was expertly prepared by chef Hikaru. Fish was super fresh, rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned and was served at the perfect temperature. I’m hands down an Uni person but our favorite tonight was definitely the Negitoro handroll (green onion tuna)….fantastic flavors and textures….an absolute symphony in the mouth. Excellent service by Ann who was a wonderful host. Can’t wait for their more traditional Omakase restaurant to open in the future….I will be there. Enjoy.
- Peter Chung | Google Review
Authentic, fresh, and worth it
Me and my husband just experienced the Omakase dining at TOMO. We were so pleased and honoured to have been served by the Japanese chef there tonight. Very authentic, very fresh, delicious and worth it. It was amazing. We highly recommended it. Thank you, arigato gozaimasu.
- Isabelle G | Google Review
2. Kuidaore
Website: https://www.kuidaore.ca/
Address: 420 Preston St.
Contact: 613-422-7537 | [email protected]
Schedule: Wed-Sun 12 pm–9:30 pm
If you want a casual, spontaneous evening without booking a counter weeks ahead, Kuidaore is a great pick. They’re mostly walk-in friendly, keeping just 10% of tables for reservations.
Instead of the usual raw fish lineup, they offer an “Omakase Skewers” option, where the chef chooses four random skewers hot off the grill for you.
You can also enjoy both layered Hiroshima-style and mixed Osaka-style okonomiyaki (those savory Japanese pancakes).
Their menu stands out with solid options for different diets, too, think gluten-friendly ramen, vegan Tan Tan, and tomato broths.
The only catch is that the chef controls the skewer selection, so you can’t customize.
And if you have allergies, you’ll need to double-check with your server to stay safe.
Best ramen and omakase in Ottawa
Super friendly and prompt service, and best ramen I have tasted in Ottawa to date, and I tried them all around town. It’s really a treat to have some warm sake on a cold winter day, omakase sushi or sashimi as an appetizer followed with ramen. I’m hooked on this place and the prices are right!
- R W | Google Review
Delicious omakase and excellent service
Excellent food and service, try going at non-peak hours to have better omakase. I have been there 2 times, when it was 5pm the omakase was declicious (6 nigiri, 4 sashimi, with avocado). The 2nd time was still delicious but there was no salmon and fewer nigiri more sashimi (6 sashimi, 4 nigiri. The unagidon was excellent too. Best Japanese restaurant in Ottawa imo and I have been in Kyushu, Japan for 4 years.
- Tu Vo | Goog le Review
3. Shinka Sushi Bar
Website: https://shinkasushibar.com/
Address: 2900 Sheffield Road, Unit 3
Contact: 613-565-8998 | [email protected]
Schedule: Lunch: Fri to Sat 12:00 pm–3:00 pm; Dinner: Sun to Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm, Fri to Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm; Takeout: Sun to Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm, Fri to Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm
If you care most about top-notch ingredients, Shinka Sushi Bar takes its omakase experience to the next level by flying in fresh Japanese fish almost every day.
Chef Peo “John” Diep draws on decades of experience, building on skills learned from the late master chef Joe Nagara Izayoui since he opened New Generation Sushi in 2004.
The chefs mix traditional Japanese fish cuts with a modern twist, creating platters that wow guests visually.
They also make sure everyone feels included by offering great vegan options alongside their premium seafood.
The main thing to remember is that they’re located on Sheffield Road, outside the downtown area. That means you’ll need to travel away from the city center to enjoy this dining experience.
Fresh and impressive omakase
Definitely amazing! We orderd the Omakase, though little different from what showed in menu. Still worth, the fresh, tender and juicy layers of the sushi was very impressive. Their patience to handle my concern was appreciated.
- Jie Hu | Google Review
Top-tier dining experience at Shinka
I have nothing but great things to say about Shinka. A must try, top tier dinning experience in all categories. Beautiful aesthetics, great for girls night or date night. The staff, Joel and Maddison made the dinning experience exceptional with their knowledge and passion for their work. The food, of course, is the best in its class, hitting all the marks for presentation, taste, quality and creativity. We tried the $350 Omakase and it was absolutely worth it. A must try, and an easy choice to return to try more of the menu.
- Lauren Martyn | Google Review
4. Jfuse
Website: https://www.jfuseottawa.com/
Address: Unit #3, 175 Main St.
Contact: 613-239-0112 | [email protected]
Schedule: Tue to Thu: 5:00 pm–9 pm; Fri: 5:00 pm–10 pm; Sat: 10:30 AM–2:30 pm, 5 pm–10 pm; Sun: 10:30 am–2:30 pm, 5 pm–9 pm
Jfuse is shaking up Japanese fusion food, blending classic flavors with cool, modern presentation. It’s the exciting second restaurant from Chef James Park, a sushi pro who got his start at J: Unique Kitchen back in 2018.
He also has over 13 years of experience!
The menu is packed with creative sushi and aburi (that’s flame-seared) dishes that give the fish an awesome smoky touch.
If you’re looking to try something beyond the usual sushi rolls, this is the place to do it.
In addition, the vibe inside is sleek and relaxed, setting the perfect scene for a date night or any big celebration.
However, if you’re all about super traditional sushi, the fusion style here might feel a little too bold and modern.
Phenomenal food, service, and atmosphere
It was amazing. I really like the crudo!!! Perfect to start, fresh salmon with yummy sauce. Brussel salad was delicious too. Sashimi was really fresh. Also omakase don was excellent, otoro was melting in my mouth. I need to try otoro nigiri next time! Torched sushi was super good!!! Mushroom pasta Wow…I didn’t expect vegetarian dish that so good…. Everything was phenomenal👍👍👍Food, service, atmosphere. I will definitely come again and again.
- Sunny K | Google Review
Service was excellent as was the ambiance
What an absolutely beautiful restaurant. Perfect spot for a date night or celebration! Service was excellent as was the ambiance. Sushi/nigiri was very fresh as was the beef tataki. Kids loved the wagyu sliders and crab pasta. Glad we tried it out. Enjoy.
- Peter Chung | Google Review
5. Sushi 88
Website: https://sushi88.ca/
Address: 690 B Somerset St., West
Contact: 613-233-3288 | [email protected]
Schedule: Tue to Sun 4:30 pm–9 pm
Hidden right by the Chinatown Arch, Sushi 88 has been delivering sushi to Ottawa since 2003.
Inside, it’s cozy and comfortable, with a welcoming vibe that makes you feel relaxed right away.
They offer special tasting menus with Sushi Omakase, Nigiri Omakase, and Sashimi Omakase plates, where the chef picks the best combinations available each night.
You’ll also find fun specialty rolls, like the Salamander and Kamikaze, that guests rave about.
For those who want to take things up a notch, there’s a sake list with about 25 different varieties to try.
Just keep in mind, their omakase plates are brought out all at once, so if you’re hoping for a long, interactive multi-course meal, it’s a bit more limited.
Fresh and flavorful sushi omakase
The quality is a cut above here. Had the wakame salad which was delicious, and the sushi omakase plate which has a mix of 8 Maki and 7 nigiri. It was fresh and full of flavor. I really like that they choose from the better quality soy sauce brands, with no preservatives. Friendly staff that accommodated our guest count rounds the experience up. Will definitely come back and discover more flavours!
- Victor Khalaf | Google Review
Birthday dinner with great food and atmosphere
Stopped in for dinner on my birthday, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. We had the vegetable tempura (A4), miso soups, sushi omakase (J6), the mega combo (C3) and the kiwi twist. Not to mention the ice cream for dessert; mango, red bean, black sesame seed and a green tea (takes getting used to but still good). Definitely one of our favorite places to go to.
- Jessica Richard | Google Review
