We chose this restaurant for a New Year’s Eve omakase and unfortunately it was a very disappointing experience, especially given the price point.
We were asked to arrive 30 minutes early, which we did. We were seated at the bar and offered a complimentary glass of champagne, which was appreciated. However, it was very clear that we were expected to order cocktails while waiting, and we did. Considering the already extremely high cost of the NYE omakase and the fact that we were specifically instructed to arrive early, it felt off-putting that only champagne was complimentary and not a cocktail as well.
Once we were seated in the omakase room, the experience felt incredibly rushed. Courses were placed in front of us while we were still chewing the previous bite. There was no time to savor anything or enjoy the progression of the meal. We were in and out of the omakase room in about an hour and a half, which is far shorter than what you’d expect from a true omakase experience at this price.
As for the food, I expected significantly more fish. There were only a handful of nigiri courses, which was surprising and disappointing. Some of the non-fish courses were simply not good. The tempura course in particular missed the mark — the wagyu stuffed with foie gras and fried in tempura was chewy and unpleasant, and the flavors did not work. There were several other courses that lacked balance and did not taste good at all.
There was also no sense of flow to the meal. In our experience, omakase should thoughtfully build from lighter to richer courses. This meal felt disjointed, with no progression or cohesion.
Overall, the experience felt transactional and rushed, not thoughtful or hospitable. For the amount charged, this did not feel like an omakase experience at all, and it left us feeling taken advantage of. New Year’s Eve should feel special - this was anything but.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
david
My wife and I have been to a handful of omakase offerings and this is by far the best blend of atmosphere, food and immersive experience. This is not your traditional japanese ambience. From the moment you sit down, you can tell chef okai’s influence on the layout, decor and just overall experience with him and his staff…such a perfect fit for Austin. The 20 course classic omakase was phenomenal fusing locally sourced ingredients with classic japanese sushi. A must try for any special occasion…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natcha Luechakiettisak
I’ve tried a lot of omakase spots in Austin and around the country (Texas, Georgia, and Hawaii). This one is in my top three — and I’m planning to go back sometime next year.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin Allen
Incredible meal, service and hospitality @ Otoko. Special night. Will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Needles
My date and I spent a little over $800 all in on sake and cocktails but the dinner was incredible. I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colby G
Come for the sushi. Stay for the shovel spoons
Dressy Prune
Sushi omakase was good the other non sushi was ok
Jeff Searles
Kinda no words - the food is mind blowing and such incredible cocktails too. Hard to get in, so plan ahead for sure!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megg Dunlap
Incredible omakase experience worth the splurge. It’s an incredibly thoughtful and well paced experience, from the second you walk through the courtyard you know it’s going to be special. The service was top tier. We did the wine pairing and it ever glass was new and unexpected. I don’t even know how to put into words how incredible the food is. Every bite more exciting than the next. The quality of fish they source is unmatched in Austin. Highly recommend the splurge for your next special occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colin Pear
Disgusting! I will never eat here. In July 2025 they put lab grown salmon meat on their menu. Texas just put a ban on it. Look up imortal cellular lines. These are cancer tissue cells. This is so disgusting. I am nausiated as I write this post.
OTOKO delivers an intimate, masterfully executed omakase experience that stands out among Austin’s finest dining offerings. Tucked away in the South Congress Hotel, this Japanese gem showcases dedication to seasonality and precision. From the delicate opening courses to the perfectly executed sushi and sashimi, each dish arrived as a small work of art. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply appreciate elevated Japanese cuisine, OTOKO is absolutely worth the visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Benjamin Modleski
Everything exceeded our expectations. We loved this restaurant and it's perfect for special occasions. If you're looking for a meal that's a true experience, you've come to the right spot! Additionally, don't miss out on the bar area beforehand. It's also 5 star!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amit Nandi
Phenomenal experience! The attention to detail by the entire staff was off the charts. Each course was meticulously created and made for an amazing experience. Could not recommend enough!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Teresa D
The absolute best hidden gem! We stopped in just for one drink and ended up staying for far longer. Josh and Xteve are not just amazing mixologists (the drinks are SO good), but they created the absolute best experience. We felt like we found a home there. 10/10 recommend and will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kishan Ramachandran
some of the courses were quite good but some missed the mark. sushi was good but some of the other courses were too salty or were bitter, i didnt finish a few of them. not terrible but i wont be coming back at this price
We chose this restaurant for a New Year’s Eve omakase and unfortunately it was a very disappointing experience, especially given the price point.
We were asked to arrive 30 minutes early, which we did. We were seated at the bar and offered a complimentary glass of champagne, which was appreciated. However, it was very clear that we were expected to order cocktails while waiting, and we did. Considering the already extremely high cost of the NYE omakase and the fact that we were specifically instructed to arrive early, it felt off-putting that only champagne was complimentary and not a cocktail as well.
Once we were seated in the omakase room, the experience felt incredibly rushed. Courses were placed in front of us while we were still chewing the previous bite. There was no time to savor anything or enjoy the progression of the meal. We were in and out of the omakase room in about an hour and a half, which is far shorter than what you’d expect from a true omakase experience at this price.
As for the food, I expected significantly more fish. There were only a handful of nigiri courses, which was surprising and disappointing. Some of the non-fish courses were simply not good. The tempura course in particular missed the mark — the wagyu stuffed with foie gras and fried in tempura was chewy and unpleasant, and the flavors did not work. There were several other courses that lacked balance and did not taste good at all.
There was also no sense of flow to the meal. In our experience, omakase should thoughtfully build from lighter to richer courses. This meal felt disjointed, with no progression or cohesion.
Overall, the experience felt transactional and rushed, not thoughtful or hospitable. For the amount charged, this did not feel like an omakase experience at all, and it left us feeling taken advantage of. New Year’s Eve should feel special - this was anything but.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
My wife and I have been to a handful of omakase offerings and this is by far the best blend of atmosphere, food and immersive experience. This is not your traditional japanese ambience. From the moment you sit down, you can tell chef okai’s influence on the layout, decor and just overall experience with him and his staff…such a perfect fit for Austin. The 20 course classic omakase was phenomenal fusing locally sourced ingredients with classic japanese sushi. A must try for any special occasion…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve tried a lot of omakase spots in Austin and around the country (Texas, Georgia, and Hawaii). This one is in my top three — and I’m planning to go back sometime next year.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible meal, service and hospitality @ Otoko. Special night. Will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My date and I spent a little over $800 all in on sake and cocktails but the dinner was incredible. I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Come for the sushi. Stay for the shovel spoons
Sushi omakase was good the other non sushi was ok
Kinda no words - the food is mind blowing and such incredible cocktails too. Hard to get in, so plan ahead for sure!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible omakase experience worth the splurge. It’s an incredibly thoughtful and well paced experience, from the second you walk through the courtyard you know it’s going to be special. The service was top tier. We did the wine pairing and it ever glass was new and unexpected. I don’t even know how to put into words how incredible the food is. Every bite more exciting than the next. The quality of fish they source is unmatched in Austin. Highly recommend the splurge for your next special occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Disgusting! I will never eat here. In July 2025 they put lab grown salmon meat on their menu. Texas just put a ban on it. Look up imortal cellular lines. These are cancer tissue cells. This is so disgusting. I am nausiated as I write this post.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
OTOKO delivers an intimate, masterfully executed omakase experience that stands out among Austin’s finest dining offerings. Tucked away in the South Congress Hotel, this Japanese gem showcases dedication to seasonality and precision.
From the delicate opening courses to the perfectly executed sushi and sashimi, each dish arrived as a small work of art. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply appreciate elevated Japanese cuisine, OTOKO is absolutely worth the visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything exceeded our expectations. We loved this restaurant and it's perfect for special occasions. If you're looking for a meal that's a true experience, you've come to the right spot! Additionally, don't miss out on the bar area beforehand. It's also 5 star!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal experience! The attention to detail by the entire staff was off the charts. Each course was meticulously created and made for an amazing experience. Could not recommend enough!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The absolute best hidden gem! We stopped in just for one drink and ended up staying for far longer. Josh and Xteve are not just amazing mixologists (the drinks are SO good), but they created the absolute best experience. We felt like we found a home there. 10/10 recommend and will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
some of the courses were quite good but some missed the mark. sushi was good but some of the other courses were too salty or were bitter, i didnt finish a few of them. not terrible but i wont be coming back at this price
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
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