Connecticut is not only the home of Yale University and Hartford, the state capital. While New York City and Boston may get all the attention when it comes to food, Connecticut has some of the best sushi in the country. If you’re looking for an omakase or kaiseki experience, here are the seven best places to go in Connecticut.
Need to know:
- Kaiseki is more multi-course meal which not limited to sushi but also depends on the chef’s selection.
- If you are allergic to any kind of food, it is best to inform the chef or restaurant in advance before taking reservations.
- Taking seats at the counter bar is the best way to interact with the chef and get the best experience out of it.
Otaru Sushi Bar
0.7 miles away from New Haven Union Station. Otaru is a small, unassuming sushi bar located in New Haven, Connecticut. Despite its small size and unassuming location, Otaru serves up some of the best sushi in the state.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Sunny Change, who has over 20 years of experience in sushi restaurants around the NYC scene, including Morimoto, Nobu, and O Ya, gaining invaluable experience and refining his craft.
Unlike other, Japanese restaurants in CT, Otaru Sushi Bar focus on making Omakase-style sushi. This is a sushi experience where the chef hand-selects the freshest and best fish of the day and serves it to you, nigiri style.
Otaru offers two different omakase options: Full course omakase is $108 per person, and the sushi-omakase is $65 per person.
The difference between the two is that the full course omakase includes 12 pieces of premium nigiri, 2 small plates, 1 hand roll, and 1 soup. The sushi-omakase includes 10 pieces of nigiri, 1 hand roll, and 1 soup.
Anyway, if you don’t want a full course Otaru still has the option of sushi to-go. With tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and more, there’s something for everyone at Otaru Sushi Bar.
Highlights:
- Omakase-style sushi
- Affordable prices
- Sushi to-go available
Address: 21 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Price: Full course omakase – $108 per person; Sushi-omakase – $65 per person (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: http://www.sushiotaruct.com/
Tsuki Omakase & Bar
Looking for a new dining experience that will truly impress your taste buds? Look no further than Tsuki Omakase, a restaurant where they put a lot of work into getting the freshest ingredients and turning them into innovative, inspiring flavors.
At this Omakase restaurant, you can enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner that includes three appetizers, eleven pieces of nigiri sushi, and a Japanese cheesecake for dessert.
The fish at Tsuki is flown straight from Japan regularly, so you know you’re always getting the very best quality. And to top it all off, the ambiance here is truly beautiful as well, making this the perfect spot for an elegant meal out.
Tsuki offers 2 Omakase courses:
The 12-course is $99 and includes 2 appetizers, 11 pieces of nigiri sushi, 1 hand roll, & 1 dessert.
The 15-course is $129 and includes 3 appetizers, 10 pieces of nigiri(including caviar & wagyu truffle), 1 hand roll, & 1 dessert.
Highlights:
- Beautiful ambiance
- Fresh fish from Japan
- Appetizers like Madai, King Salmon and Kapachi
Address: 474 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Price: 12-course – $99; 15-course – $129 (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://www.tsukict.com/
Oko Westport
The 1st branch of Brian Lewis’s celebrity chef’s restaurant group, Oko Westport is a modern Japanese spot located in the heart of downtown Westport, Connecticut.
With an impressive menu that includes both Japanese and American fare, this restaurant is perfect for those who want to try something new or are simply looking for a delicious meal.
Some of their most popular items include the A5 Miyazaki Beef, Foie Gras, and Okonomi yaki.
But of course, being a Japanese restaurant, they also offer an Omakase experience. The omakase here is a bit different from the others and limited to only four seats per night.
This means that you need to reserve your spot well in advance if you want to try it! The omakase here is at $130 per person, includes a wide range of fish from local and Japan, and changes seasonally.
Highlights:
- A5 Miyazaki Beef
- Exclusive Chef’s table only 4-seats per night
- Chef Lewis’ signature
Address: 16 Wilton Rd Westport, CT 06880
Price: Omakase – $130 per person (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://okokitchen.com/westport
Red Lotus CT
Red Lotus is owned and operated by Executive Chef and sushi master, Larry Wang and His wife Nia Chen. The restaurant has known as the finest Asian fusion cuisine that runs since 1965 by his father and now Larry Wang.
Nia Dumplings, Chef Larry’s Lucky Spare Ribs, and Triple S Thai Drunken Noodle is a masterpiece that you could not find in any other Asian restaurants. The fresh sushi and seafood made to order are the heart of Red Lotus and Larry’s passion for Asia shines through.
The omakase here is $70 per person and comes with seasonal ingredients and many special tasting menus from the chef.
Red Lotus is not only delicious but also an affordable price that won’t break your bank.
Highlights:
- Asian Fusion Cuisine
- Nia’ Dumplings
- Triple S Thai Drunken Noodle
Address: 872 Bridgeport Ave Shelton, CT, 06484
Price: Omakase – $70 per person (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://www.redlotusct.com/
Sushi Bar Old Greenwich
Sushi Bar Old Greenwich is one of the most popular sushi restaurants in the area and for good reason. The sushi here is amazing and made with only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.
The omakase experience at Sushi Bar Old Greenwich is a bit different from the others on this list as it’s more of a prix fixe menu. You can get an omakase platter at the table for $100 and if you want to experience a traditional sushi bar omakase style, it will be $125 for up to 12-14 courses.
The prix fixe omakase menu includes a wide variety of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes. The traditional omakase at the sushi bar includes even more seafood options as well as some unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else.
Highlights:
- Prix Fixe Omakase Menu
- Traditional Omakase at the Sushi Bar
- Freshest, Highest-Quality Ingredients
Address: 242 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870
Price: Prix Fixe Omakase Menu – $100; Traditional Omakase at the Sushi Bar – $125 (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://sushibarct.com/
Kissaki
Kissaki Greenwich is a new branch of Kissaki NYC that opened in March 2021. The restaurant knows for high-end and boutique Japanese cuisine.
At Kissaki, executive chef Mark Garcia draws on his passion for cooking to create a culinary experience that feels like home for all guests.
Kissaki has unique access to fresh fish from Japan and other regions around the world enabling them to provide our customers with premium uni, caviar, and other delicacies that are caught in their natural habitats and free from harmful contaminants.
An extensive network of local fishermen also gives us access to a wide variety of high-quality fish from all over California, as well as locations such as Montauk, Outer Banks, and Gloucester Bay.
The Omakase course at Kissaki Greenwich is the same price and the same experience in the NYC branches it includes traditional kaiseki dishes with a modern twist. The omakase experience is $120 per person(13-course) and $150 per person(16-course).
Highlights:
- Access to fresh fish from Japan and other regions
- Omakase course same as the NYC branch
- Traditional kaiseki dishes with a modern twist
Address: 355 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
Price: Omakase – $120 per person (13-course); $150 per person (16-course) (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://explorekissaki.com/
House of Yoshida
Known for being one of the best places for Shabu, Sukiyaki, and Kaiseki cuisine in the state, House of Yoshida is a must-try for any Japanese food lover.
Omakase here is a 6-course chef’s tasting menu that is $90 per person. The menu changes daily depending on what’s fresh, in season, and available but some examples of dishes you may find are Hokkaido scallop, Bronzini, Bouillabaisse, and Tatere.
Whether you are in the mood for shabu, sukiyaki, or kaiseki, the House of Yoshida is the perfect place to go. The restaurant also has a wide selection of sake, wine, and beer to pair with your meal.
Highlights:
- Shabu, Sukiyaki, and Kaiseki cuisine
- Omakase is a 6-course chef’s tasting menu changes daily depending on what’s fresh, in season, and available
Address: 25 Grassy Plain St, Bethel, CT 06801
Price: Omakase – $90 per person (Not including Tax & Drinks)
For More Information and Booking: https://www.house-of-yoshida.com/
Many people love Japanese food and Omakase & Kaiseki is worth any kind of special occasion because of the delicate and often complex flavors. The seven restaurants above are great places to enjoy an Omakase & Kaiseki meal in CT.
Each restaurant has its take on what Omakase & Kaiseki should be, so it’s up to you to decide which one you want to try. Whichever one you choose, you’re sure to have a fantastic and memorable experience.
