OTARU Japanese Restaurant Pittsburgh

Overall, our experience at OTARU was exceptional. Our evening started with warm hand towels that bloomed into flowers in front of our eyes. Our server, Noah, expertly guided our party of four through the menu. With his suggestions in mind, we ordered an array of dishes among us and enjoyed every one. Special shout outs go to the roasted salmon entree and the wine selection. This is not even to mention the view of the city. I would recommend both OTARU and Noah to any diner and we definitely will be back! Five stars.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mochi Ice Cream, Roasted Faroe Island Salmon, Otaru Course

WOW and just WOW!
OUTSTANDING OMIKASE
This was my favorite experience with sushi in the 26 years I’ve been alive. THIS OMIKASE is truly a MASTER SUSHI CHEFS creation and take on making the freshest fish from Japan taste DELICIOUSLY RICH!!
ALLEN WAS OUR AMAZING CHEF 100/10
ANGELA was our SERVER and described each of ALLENS OMIKASE creations to a T which truly helps you understand how unique and special experience is!
THE LOCATION OF OTARU is indescribable. FULL CITY VIEW - NIGHT TIME is a BONUS
THANK you ALLEN
Thank you ANGELA !
100/10

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely phenomenal. Wonderful food, excellent service, spectacular view, and I will definitely come back to explore more of the menu

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Otaru Experience, Otaru Course, Chawanmushi

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Angela was our server, she was awesome. She knew the food and drink menu and made great recommendations which we ordered and were delicious. The fish was super fresh, the tuna toro was like butter! Amazing views of the city. Anyone heading there to dine will not be disappointed

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tartar Layer, Edamame

10/10 experience! We absolutely love an elevated sushi menu and this didn’t disappoint—everything was stunningly presented and top quality in taste and preparation. Angela was so knowledgeable and helpful in guiding us through the menu and her recommendations nailed it throughout the whole meal! Cocktails were delicious, all of our hot and raw food items were to die for, and the prices were so reasonable for the quality and quantity. We will be back for sure!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Treasure Box, Tartar Layer, Hand Rolls Set

This restaurant was AMAZING! It’s small and intimate with perfect lighting and an even better view.

Our waitress Angela was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and sweet as pie! Ask for her if you can.

We got the longevity noodles and salmon and they both get a triple thumbs up! If you are a tequila drinker I recommend The Mount Washington Sunset.

They DO NOT offer valet service so get there early to find a walkable parking space. We parked in the lot across the street but not sure if we were supposed to be there.

Parking: Parking is not great and valet is not available.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roasted Faroe Island Salmon, Longevity Noodles

Sashimi was incredible. Noah was amazing and elevated our experience. We will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went to Otaru for an anniversary dinner with my wife a friend couple. We all enjoyed the Otaru experience. Our waitress Angela was amazing. The food was great. In particular the chawanmushi was spectacular. I have been to every omakase offering the Pittsburgh region. While the Otaru experience is not billed as omakase, it reminded me of the omakase that one used to be able to get at Chaya Japanese Cuisine in squirrel hill. It was one of the only omakase that wasn't entirely composed of sushi, which warms my heart. I felt that was about Otaru today. Good non-sushi options mixed into the courses. I would recommend and intend to go again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mochi Ice Cream, Roasted Faroe Island Salmon, Otaru Experience, Chawanmushi

A phenomenal dinner experience. The food was absolutely fantastic and Angela, our server was so educational and helpful with our food choices. We will certainly be back soon! ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

An amazing place for special events, date night, any occasion!
Food was absolutely fabulous. We went with the Otaku experience. Well worth it. We had a wonderful server name Noah! Super knowledgeable and helpful!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Otaru Experience, Edamame

OTARU is amazing! What a view overlooking the city too! The fish melted in our mouths. It’s flown in from Japan daily. They have some very creative sashimi dishes. We ordered two treasure boxes. They were gorgeous. The ambience with very nice with many authentic Japanese touches. Our waitress Angela had some fantastic recommendations for drinks, apps, assorted sashimi, and desert. This place is s must!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Treasure Box

I was excited to try Otaru. We brought a friend who was visiting from out of town. The restaurant is beautiful and it has a knockout view. We ordered the several course tasting menu. I have to say I was underwhelmed with the sushi. It was just ok and not exceptional. Not worth what we spent. Our experience at a similar restaurant (Umi) was much better food-wise and less expensive. Our server was ok but not as knowledgeable or professional as one would expect at a restaurant like this. I was really hoping it would have been a better experience. I guess we are paying for the view.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

What an absolute one-of-a-kind experience.

Angela was our server and was fantastic from start to finish. She gave her personal recommendations that came from her own first-hand experiences and preferences. I always appreciate honesty whenever I ask for someone's recommendations.

While the sushi was without a doubt the best I've ever had, the beef udon noodle dish is something that I would travel 2-3 hours for just to have it again.

When you put together the amazing service, the quality of food and the beautiful view of Pittsburgh, OTARU is an absolute "must go" to anyone who loves a little fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our experience at Otaru was fantastic! All of the food and drinks we ordered were some of the best we’ve ever had in Pittsburgh. Our server, Noah, was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire menu and made wonderful recommendations and was able to answer all of our questions! The view was stunning, my only suggestion would be to have the lighting dimmer to be able to appreciate the city skyline at night. Highly recommending Otaru to all of our friends!!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tartar Layer, Yellowtail Jalapeno, Longevity Noodles

Left feeling disappointed. Service was ok. Started out strong and fizzled. The food itself was definitely just ok. The meal was very disjointed, receiving the sides about 10 minutes before the main. I received my food long before my partner and he was left just watching me eat then when he got his I did the same. The dessert was just ok. Tasted like the tiramisu was smothered in Hershey’s chocolate sauce. The portions were small and not worth the price paid. The treasure box was to feature different fishes and the waitress even surprisingly remarked that they gave me a repeat. I have paid less at a Michelin star restaurant for better food. Overall I’d likely not come back. Recommend the “complimentary” edamame. Which at this price is well included and not complimentary.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Edamame