Masao in Des Moines blew me away. Caitlin was such an awesome server—super attentive and friendly—and Nick, the owner, made the night extra special by sneaking me a few extra sushi pieces to try (and wow, they were delicious). The food here isn’t your typical sushi spot at all—it’s next level. The French tapas were spot on, and everything I tried was amazing: the Ayu and Isaki sushi, clams in lemongrass broth, peach soup, and the fruit and goat cheese tart to finish. On top of that, the space is beautiful with a clean, minimalist vibe. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. Check them out before the secret’s out and everyone’s fighting for a table!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brooke Long
Exceptional food, vibes, and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shawn kellen
Had let the staff know this was the first time that my wife and I planed to have sushi. They were so helpful and friendly with the choices. Had three different entries along with samples and flavors were increadable. Sitting at the bar was the best for interacting with the chefs. Thank you Masao owner and staff for a great and unforgettable experience! Highly recommend and will be back to try other dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
seth shepherd
Just had the most amazing dinner experience at Masao for Jennie and I 10-year anniversary. Food was an awesome experience of Japanese French fusion, Gavin our server made the night so much fun and offered great recommendations even giving us an amazing berry and crepe dessert for free and the owner/chef came and talked to us and gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate as well. Can't ask for a better night and dinner with my amazing Wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom Moreland
Incredible new restaurant in Des Moines! Highly Recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sheri Kirby Hochgesang
This is the best new resturant in Des Moines, Iowa. The service is very professional, the food and presentations are amazing. We enjoyed all the small plate choices, sharing and sampling most of them. The sushi is clearly the best in Des Moines. I have only praise for the owner and his staff. 1 We will be dining here frequently!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Max Holmes
Nick and his team were awesome. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kamaura kim
The first time I tried to go, I had a reservation for 7:45 for three people. We arrived at 7:40, full restaurant, and checked in with the hostess. She said to come back in 10 minutes as they're waiting for a group to leave so we can be seated. We walked around the neighborhood and came back 15 minutes later. Waited awkwardly by the door waiting for 5 minutes while staff was looking at us weird. A waiter eventually asked us if we had a reservation and I told him we had a 7:45 but was told to come back in 10. The restaurant was still full, and he said they'll send us a text when our table is ready. At this point we've decided to eat somewhere else and a hour later I get a text that our table is ready.
I wanted to try this place one more time so two weeks later, I had a 8:45 reservation and was not disappointed. The uni, spider roll, and duck yakitori was amazing. Service was faster as it was less busy, and all the staff made sure it was a great night for everyone. The uni was fresh, the garnishes enhanced the flavor of the uni, and was a good portion size. Can't wait to go again. Maybe have less reservation time options during busier times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Max Scott
Pros: ponzu was really good, presentation value was high, prices were reasonable, good service. Cons: the food was bland. I'm glad the sauce was good, because the rolls needed help. They needed more flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Max Davis
If you want the absolute highest quality fish you can get, this is the place. The bluefin toro was the best fish I've ever eaten and it's not even close.
Amazing service, drinks and atmosphere but some of the dishes were a tad disappointing. The Tuna Sashimi and Volcano Maki were the best dishes we ordered and we did enjoy the other sushi rolls. We thought the Duck Yakitori had good flavor but was chewy and needed a knife. The clam’s and scallops fell a little short for us. The sauce the clams came in was really yummy but you couldn’t really taste it with the clams and could’ve used a few slices of bread to be able to soak it up. The scallops had a really good sear and flavors were good but for the price, I expected more than two small pieces. I would go back but only for the sushi side of the menu and the white wine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna
Alexander Nielsen
Great atmosphere, awesome service, and best sushi in Des Moines. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tyler Ripperger
Ate here a week ago, and still thinking about it. I’ve enjoyed fine food in many different cities. This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Sushi was comparable to when I ate at a restaurant where the fish was more local than the people enjoying it…it’s fresh! The kitchen has a great attention to detail, that when it’s fully implemented restaurant wide, will make this the destination spot in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
D M Pss
Truly a phenomenal place here in Des Moines. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find your new home here. Creative choices of dishes, variety of delicious ingredients, and a modern, minimalistic environment. Make a res at the bar, thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cj Bienert
Best Sushi anywhere hands down, platted food is fresh, delicious and unique! Try it for your self you won't be disappointed!
Remember in a world you can be anything - be kind.
Masao in Des Moines blew me away. Caitlin was such an awesome server—super attentive and friendly—and Nick, the owner, made the night extra special by sneaking me a few extra sushi pieces to try (and wow, they were delicious). The food here isn’t your typical sushi spot at all—it’s next level. The French tapas were spot on, and everything I tried was amazing: the Ayu and Isaki sushi, clams in lemongrass broth, peach soup, and the fruit and goat cheese tart to finish. On top of that, the space is beautiful with a clean, minimalist vibe. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. Check them out before the secret’s out and everyone’s fighting for a table!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional food, vibes, and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had let the staff know this was the first time that my wife and I planed to have sushi. They were so helpful and friendly with the choices. Had three different entries along with samples and flavors were increadable. Sitting at the bar was the best for interacting with the chefs. Thank you Masao owner and staff for a great and unforgettable experience! Highly recommend and will be back to try other dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just had the most amazing dinner experience at Masao for Jennie and I 10-year anniversary. Food was an awesome experience of Japanese French fusion, Gavin our server made the night so much fun and offered great recommendations even giving us an amazing berry and crepe dessert for free and the owner/chef came and talked to us and gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate as well. Can't ask for a better night and dinner with my amazing Wife.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible new restaurant in Des Moines! Highly Recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best new resturant in Des Moines, Iowa. The service is very professional, the food and presentations are amazing.
We enjoyed all the small plate choices, sharing and sampling most of them. The sushi is clearly the best in Des Moines. I have only praise for the owner and his staff. 1
We will be dining here frequently!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nick and his team were awesome. Really enjoyed it and will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The first time I tried to go, I had a reservation for 7:45 for three people. We arrived at 7:40, full restaurant, and checked in with the hostess. She said to come back in 10 minutes as they're waiting for a group to leave so we can be seated. We walked around the neighborhood and came back 15 minutes later. Waited awkwardly by the door waiting for 5 minutes while staff was looking at us weird. A waiter eventually asked us if we had a reservation and I told him we had a 7:45 but was told to come back in 10. The restaurant was still full, and he said they'll send us a text when our table is ready. At this point we've decided to eat somewhere else and a hour later I get a text that our table is ready.
I wanted to try this place one more time so two weeks later, I had a 8:45 reservation and was not disappointed. The uni, spider roll, and duck yakitori was amazing. Service was faster as it was less busy, and all the staff made sure it was a great night for everyone. The uni was fresh, the garnishes enhanced the flavor of the uni, and was a good portion size. Can't wait to go again. Maybe have less reservation time options during busier times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Pros: ponzu was really good, presentation value was high, prices were reasonable, good service.
Cons: the food was bland. I'm glad the sauce was good, because the rolls needed help. They needed more flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
If you want the absolute highest quality fish you can get, this is the place. The bluefin toro was the best fish I've ever eaten and it's not even close.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing service, drinks and atmosphere but some of the dishes were a tad disappointing. The Tuna Sashimi and Volcano Maki were the best dishes we ordered and we did enjoy the other sushi rolls. We thought the Duck Yakitori had good flavor but was chewy and needed a knife. The clam’s and scallops fell a little short for us. The sauce the clams came in was really yummy but you couldn’t really taste it with the clams and could’ve used a few slices of bread to be able to soak it up. The scallops had a really good sear and flavors were good but for the price, I expected more than two small pieces. I would go back but only for the sushi side of the menu and the white wine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna
Great atmosphere, awesome service, and best sushi in Des Moines. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ate here a week ago, and still thinking about it. I’ve enjoyed fine food in many different cities. This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Sushi was comparable to when I ate at a restaurant where the fish was more local than the people enjoying it…it’s fresh! The kitchen has a great attention to detail, that when it’s fully implemented restaurant wide, will make this the destination spot in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Truly a phenomenal place here in Des Moines. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find your new home here. Creative choices of dishes, variety of delicious ingredients, and a modern, minimalistic environment. Make a res at the bar, thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Sushi anywhere hands down, platted food is fresh, delicious and unique! Try it for your self you won't be disappointed!
Remember in a world you can be anything - be kind.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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