I thoroughly enjoyed the remarkable freshness of the fish and the unique experience of watching the chefs skillfully craft each piece of sushi. Without question, it is the finest and most exquisite sushi offering one can find in Omaha. However, while the quality of the food was outstanding, I am unsure if this was the best omakase experience I’ve ever had.
Omakase is meant to be a holistic experience, not just about the sushi itself but the ambiance and the overall atmosphere. Unfortunately, the experience fell short in this regard. The setting, though intimate, was disrupted by two couples whose loud, rowdy conversations overtook the compact space. Despite asking the server if anything could be done, the response was, “we will try,” which turned out no meaningful action was taken. This left the environment feeling like a chaotic bar and far from the serene, harmonious experiences I’ve had in Japan, where sushi can be savored in a tranquil setting.
Additionally, a 22% gratuity was added automatically, which didn’t sit well with us given the overall experience.
In conclusion, while the fish was undeniably fresh and the sushi among the best you can find in Omaha—perhaps the only truly authentic omakase experience in Nebraska—the lack of a more curated and serene atmosphere made it difficult for me to be fully satisfied.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jordie White
Spending the evening with Chef David Utterback is not something to be taken lightly. The man is world-class. And he’s invited you to share a meal together.
It’s hard to believe you’re still sitting in Omaha once you’ve entered Ota. My husband’s and my favorite things to do are travel and eat. We’ve been to a lot of places and eaten a lot of sushi. This experience is unlike any other. There’s a reason this is one of the top sushi restaurants in North America. The sushi was so good, it quite literally brought tears to our eyes. The balance of flavor and ingenuity is accompanied by the absolute highest quality of ingredients. Ever seen true, fresh wasabi? You’re about to. Want a generous helping of caviar perched atop a top-grade wagyu bite? Done. The cost of dinner at Ota is seemingly high, but actually a deal. This is a culinary experience and yet in an easy-going, approachable way. Chef Utterback is seriously cool and entertaining. This is the kinda guy you wanna hang out with. It’s an intimate dinner that makes you feel like you’re leaving, not as a customer, but as a friend soon to return for another outstanding Omakase night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patricia Wonch Hill
It was a wonderful experience, and I will definitely go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef
Dennis Pham
This IS the finest Sushi restaurant in all of Nebraska. I’ve been to multiple Omakase resultants in both the west coast and east coast and Chef Utterback brings an experience normally only found in large cities such as New York or Chicago to Omaha. It is not easy to find and transport the finest fish to the middle of the US, but he does source from the Tuna King in Japan. The quality of food here is usually only found in other Michelin starred restaurants in New York. This is an experience you won’t forget as a sushi enthusiast!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Abdouch
This experience was magical. I was lucky enough to get two seats booked for my husband and I after we got through a really busy season, as a little reward, and it did not disappoint. Each plate was amazing. The wine and sake pairings were delightful, and it was just such a special, memorable experience. Even though it's at a counter with other guests, the atmosphere is intimate, the chef and waitstaff are incredible, and we had a great night. I cannot underscore well enough the quality of this experience, nor how much it meant to us. Not just five stars, this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of amazing. Don't pass it up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phaedra Saltis
Nestled in an unassuming and unlikely storefront, Ota offers guests an epic and unforgettable omakase experience. Everything is calibrated to perfection, from the fish and ingredient sourcing, to the preparation and presentation, to the pacing and beverage pairings. Chef Utterback is not only a gifted chef but also a culinary troubadour—regaling with detailed description of his omakase creations, the philosophy of sushi, and the ethos of the restaurant industry. Do not pass up a chance to be a guest at this counter. We may not be able to eat sushi again unless it is here.
Brittney Schmit
One of a kind experience. Intimate atmosphere. Excellent sake pairings. Loved hearing stories about each piece of sushi/nigiri. Absolutely would go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Boardman
The best sushi I've ever had. The best meal I've ever had. Ota is worth traveling across the country for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Barbara Beegle
If you can possibly get a reservation, definitely do it. I am not wealthy by any means but I managed to get a seat once in September. Best meal of my life. Loved it so much I got seats for myself and my boyfriend visiting from London last month. If you love special food experiences, this is the pinnacle of them all. Some of the best sushi in the country. The chance to sit down with David and hear about the unique way he has learned his craft is also very special. There’s nothing else like this!
This is the crown jewel of Omaha dining experiences. Chef David showcases amazing technique and flavors over the course of a 2+ hour meal that you will never forget, and the wine pairing is a definite must as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gloria kisicki
Most fabulous sushi experience ever- David is an exceptional creative and gifted chef. The food was amazing and the education on sushi its origins and his ability to transform with the most rare and impeccable ingredients- so simple and so delicious! We cannot wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Ruwe
We had a magical experience. Chef is open to questions and more than happy to share his vast knowledge of sushi, travel, and life.
Marti Carrington
Absolutely incredible experience and food.
Wai Chan
Yoshitomo has separated their omakase experience to be it's own thing, in the form of omakase ota.It is separated now by a door with it's own waiting room.190 per person.The experience is comparable to big city omakase. In Omaha itself there are no dedicated omakase rooms aside from this.Many omakase in North America do not seperate the experience. Many are dine at your table, the server will present to you the omakase. A few like morimoto in Napa valley or Miku waterfront in Vancouver have a set menu where its more prix fixe that they do for everyone.Even at umami, though you head chef Serves you personally, he is not one hundred percent yours for the evening.This is an intimate experience with the sushi chef. You have his attention for the next 2+ hours. Its a labor intensive, socially entertaining good time. You might chat about his experiences traveling, his failed attempts at recreating dishes, the reason why the omakase is priced as it is and why it's actually a good deal, every time you go, it will be different.If you go again, as he gets to know you, he may tailor it for youThe meal is prepaid through tock. If you order drinks you will receive a bill at the end of the night for your drinks.Parking is free on the street if you can find it. We did the early reservation on Saturday and didn't have a problem though.
I thoroughly enjoyed the remarkable freshness of the fish and the unique experience of watching the chefs skillfully craft each piece of sushi. Without question, it is the finest and most exquisite sushi offering one can find in Omaha. However, while the quality of the food was outstanding, I am unsure if this was the best omakase experience I’ve ever had.
Omakase is meant to be a holistic experience, not just about the sushi itself but the ambiance and the overall atmosphere. Unfortunately, the experience fell short in this regard. The setting, though intimate, was disrupted by two couples whose loud, rowdy conversations overtook the compact space. Despite asking the server if anything could be done, the response was, “we will try,” which turned out no meaningful action was taken. This left the environment feeling like a chaotic bar and far from the serene, harmonious experiences I’ve had in Japan, where sushi can be savored in a tranquil setting.
Additionally, a 22% gratuity was added automatically, which didn’t sit well with us given the overall experience.
In conclusion, while the fish was undeniably fresh and the sushi among the best you can find in Omaha—perhaps the only truly authentic omakase experience in Nebraska—the lack of a more curated and serene atmosphere made it difficult for me to be fully satisfied.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spending the evening with Chef David Utterback is not something to be taken lightly. The man is world-class. And he’s invited you to share a meal together.
It’s hard to believe you’re still sitting in Omaha once you’ve entered Ota. My husband’s and my favorite things to do are travel and eat. We’ve been to a lot of places and eaten a lot of sushi. This experience is unlike any other. There’s a reason this is one of the top sushi restaurants in North America. The sushi was so good, it quite literally brought tears to our eyes. The balance of flavor and ingenuity is accompanied by the absolute highest quality of ingredients. Ever seen true, fresh wasabi? You’re about to. Want a generous helping of caviar perched atop a top-grade wagyu bite? Done. The cost of dinner at Ota is seemingly high, but actually a deal. This is a culinary experience and yet in an easy-going, approachable way. Chef Utterback is seriously cool and entertaining. This is the kinda guy you wanna hang out with. It’s an intimate dinner that makes you feel like you’re leaving, not as a customer, but as a friend soon to return for another outstanding Omakase night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was a wonderful experience, and I will definitely go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef
This IS the finest Sushi restaurant in all of Nebraska. I’ve been to multiple Omakase resultants in both the west coast and east coast and Chef Utterback brings an experience normally only found in large cities such as New York or Chicago to Omaha.
It is not easy to find and transport the finest fish to the middle of the US, but he does source from the Tuna King in Japan. The quality of food here is usually only found in other Michelin starred restaurants in New York. This is an experience you won’t forget as a sushi enthusiast!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This experience was magical. I was lucky enough to get two seats booked for my husband and I after we got through a really busy season, as a little reward, and it did not disappoint. Each plate was amazing. The wine and sake pairings were delightful, and it was just such a special, memorable experience. Even though it's at a counter with other guests, the atmosphere is intimate, the chef and waitstaff are incredible, and we had a great night. I cannot underscore well enough the quality of this experience, nor how much it meant to us. Not just five stars, this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of amazing. Don't pass it up.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nestled in an unassuming and unlikely storefront, Ota offers guests an epic and unforgettable omakase experience. Everything is calibrated to perfection, from the fish and ingredient sourcing, to the preparation and presentation, to the pacing and beverage pairings. Chef Utterback is not only a gifted chef but also a culinary troubadour—regaling with detailed description of his omakase creations, the philosophy of sushi, and the ethos of the restaurant industry. Do not pass up a chance to be a guest at this counter. We may not be able to eat sushi again unless it is here.
One of a kind experience. Intimate atmosphere. Excellent sake pairings. Loved hearing stories about each piece of sushi/nigiri. Absolutely would go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best sushi I've ever had. The best meal I've ever had. Ota is worth traveling across the country for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you can possibly get a reservation, definitely do it. I am not wealthy by any means but I managed to get a seat once in September. Best meal of my life. Loved it so much I got seats for myself and my boyfriend visiting from London last month. If you love special food experiences, this is the pinnacle of them all. Some of the best sushi in the country. The chance to sit down with David and hear about the unique way he has learned his craft is also very special. There’s nothing else like this!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simply the best meal I’ve had in my lifetime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This is the crown jewel of Omaha dining experiences. Chef David showcases amazing technique and flavors over the course of a 2+ hour meal that you will never forget, and the wine pairing is a definite must as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Most fabulous sushi experience ever- David is an exceptional creative and gifted chef. The food was amazing and the education on sushi its origins and his ability to transform with the most rare and impeccable ingredients- so simple and so delicious! We cannot wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a magical experience. Chef is open to questions and more than happy to share his vast knowledge of sushi, travel, and life.
Absolutely incredible experience and food.
Yoshitomo has separated their omakase experience to be it's own thing, in the form of omakase ota.It is separated now by a door with it's own waiting room.190 per person.The experience is comparable to big city omakase. In Omaha itself there are no dedicated omakase rooms aside from this.Many omakase in North America do not seperate the experience. Many are dine at your table, the server will present to you the omakase. A few like morimoto in Napa valley or Miku waterfront in Vancouver have a set menu where its more prix fixe that they do for everyone.Even at umami, though you head chef Serves you personally, he is not one hundred percent yours for the evening.This is an intimate experience with the sushi chef. You have his attention for the next 2+ hours. Its a labor intensive, socially entertaining good time. You might chat about his experiences traveling, his failed attempts at recreating dishes, the reason why the omakase is priced as it is and why it's actually a good deal, every time you go, it will be different.If you go again, as he gets to know you, he may tailor it for youThe meal is prepaid through tock. If you order drinks you will receive a bill at the end of the night for your drinks.Parking is free on the street if you can find it. We did the early reservation on Saturday and didn't have a problem though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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