An Exhaustive List of Chicago's Omakase Offerings and their Rankings

We have hesitated to rank the Chicago omakase scene for quite some time. While we believe we are qualified, at the end of the day, our experience is just that, OUR experience. Some of our visits have been recent, others have been in years past. Our opinions are also just that. Opinions. And not fact. Please take the below rankings with a grain of salt. We think all of the Chicago omakase offerings are more than worthy of a try. They all bring something different to the table. We have thoroughly enjoyed each omakase experience here in the city and put this list together to help you determine where to start.

Jinsei Motto Omakase Bar

Chitown Sushi Rating Categories

Our rating system is based on 7 key areas of an omakase. Overall experience, ambiance, service/hospitality, rice, sourcing, chef, and value.

Experience: Showmanship and interaction with the chef. Is it fun? Impressive? Serious?

Ambiance: Environment. The character and atmosphere.

Service/Hospitality: Attention to detail, personalization, exceptional reception.

Rice: Quality, temperature, texture, vinegar.

Sourcing: Quality, variety, rarity of ingredients.

Chef: Experience, technique, prestige.

Value: Is the price point reasonable? Worth it? Fitting for the experience?

Chitown Sushi Rating Scale & Score

Each restaurant is given a rating from 1-5 on each of the 7 categories. Scores are out of 35. (If on mobile, scroll left and right to see full scale)

1	2	3	4	5
Needs work	OK	Good	Great	Amazing

Chicago Omakase Offerings

Select the arrow to the left to expand for further details.

Kyoten

$490 - Varies | 15-Course | 8-Seat

Experience: 5

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 4

Rice: 5

Sourcing: 5

Chef: 5

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 33

I am obsessed with Kyoten and will always prefer to save up to splurge here than go to a couple of cheaper omakase dinners. Chef Otto has a polarized reputation, but as someone who has made multiple visits, we have gotten to see his passion and excitement for his craft. Kyoten is THE place if you care deeply about Omakase. Kyoten has rivaled many of the New York and Japan sushiyas we have visited, so we do not rave about it lightly.

Best for: Sushi snobs, those who care about rice, and special occasions.

The Omakase Room

$250 | 18-Course | 10-Seat

Experience: 5

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 5

Rice: 4

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 5

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 32

Omakase room is the embodiment of luxury. From the ambiance to the ingredients, everything is done to the absolute fullest, and you will leave more full than from any omakase in the city. For those skeptical about the price tag, we have a good feeling this will be going up if/when they receive any stars, so you might as well get in at this price point while you can.

Best for: Special occasions, those who prioritize luxury items such as toro and caviar, and those who want to feel pampered and special throughout their full experience.

Jinsei Motto

$175 | 18-Course | 6-Seat

Experience: 4

Ambiance: 3

Service/Hospitality: 4

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 4

Chef(s): 4

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 28

Jinsei Motto is another of my top recommended spots. With it's favorable West Loop location, and it's casual ambiance, Jinsei Motto is a great option for those looking for a more unique experience. While the nigiri here is great, we may be even more in love with their small plates offered along the way.

Best for: Those looking for a casual vibe with elevated food.

Kyoten Next Door

$159 | 9-Seat

Experience: 3

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 5

Rice: 4

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 4

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 29

Kyoten Next Door is Kyoten's little sister with a more affordable price point, focusing on nigiri alone.

Best for: Those looking for good quality nigiri without breaking the bank for its older brother, Kyoten.

Omakase Yume

$150 | 16-Course | 8-Seat

Experience: 3

Ambiance: 4

Service/Hospitality: 5

Rice: 4

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 4

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 28

Best for: Those looking for a traditional feel and good quality bites.

Mako

$175 | 16-Course | 22-Seat

Experience: 3

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 4

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 4

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 27

Best for: Those looking for a light, yet lavish meal.

Sushi Suite 202

$155 | 17-Course | 6-Seat

Experience: 4

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 4

Rice: 4

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 2

Value: 3

Chitown Sushi Score 26

Sushi Suite was one of my all-time favorite offerings in the city for many many years. However, as time has passed, amazing staff have moved on, less money spent on top ingredients, and the atmosphere has moved far more corporate than soul.

It is still a great spot, at a great price, but what was once an exceptional steal, is now just a good option. Past chefs were recruited from prestigious backgrounds, but now younger, less experienced chefs have been left in charge.

Best for: A fun, affordable omakase celebration in a creative atmosphere.

Q Sushi & Omakase (DISCONTINUED)

$125 | 15-Course

Experience: 5

Ambiance: 4

Service/Hospitality: 3

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 3

Value: 5

Chitown Sushi Score 27

Best for: Those looking for a GOOD TIME. This is the place for you. The team is the most fun you can have and the food is great and experimental with flavor combos.

Sushi by Bou

$50 | 12-Course

Experience: 4

Ambiance: 2

Service/Hospitality: 4

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 3

Value: 5

Chitown Sushi Score 25

Best for: Those looking for a quick and affordable omakase.

Kai Sushi Lakeview

$150 | 12-Course | 4-Seat

Experience: 4

Ambiance: 3

Service/Hospitality: 2

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 4

Chef: 3

Value: 5

Chitown Sushi Score 24

Best for: Those looking for an amazing meal at a super casual/small sushi counter.

Aji

$150 | 14-Course

Experience: 3

Ambiance: 4

Service/Hospitality: 3

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 3

Chef: 3

Value: 3

Chitown Sushi Score 23

We will admit, we only went once, on their second day open, and really need to get back up there for another experience. Our scores could have easily been affected by the newness of the location.

Best for: Those looking for an omakase experience north of Lincoln Park.

Sushi by Scratch

$165 | 17-Course | 10-Seat

Experience: 4

Ambiance: 4

Service/Hospitality: 5

Rice: 2

Sourcing: 3

Chef: 3

Value: 2

Chitown Sushi Score 23

This isn't my favorite spot but plenty of others do enjoy it. You will get more theatrics than top-tier fish here, but the definite market for theatrics, and Sushi by Scratch plays up to that demand. I find that the more people working at an omakase, the more your meal price goes toward overhead than ingredient sourcing.

Best for: Those looking for a unique experience with heavy sauce/toppings.

Omakase Takeya (DISCONTINUED)

$130 | 16-Course

Experience: 3

Ambiance: 3

Service/Hospitality: 3

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 3

Chef: 4

Value: 4

Chitown Sushi Score 23

Best for: Those looking for a traditional experience.

Hinoki Sushiko

$150 | 15-Course | 8+ Seats

Experience: 2

Ambiance: 4

Service/Hospitality: 3

Rice: 3

Sourcing: 3

Chef: 3

Value: 3

Chitown Sushi Score 21

Komo

$160 | 8-Course | 8+ Seats

We have yet to dine at Komo and therefore have not provided a rating.

Kai Zan

$75 | 10-Course

We have not dined omakase at Kai Zan in over 6 years so will refrain from rating.

Juno (DISCONTINUED)

$150 | 16-Course

We have not dined omakase at Juno since Chef and Owner BK Park opened up Mako in West Loop.

Arami

$110 | 16-Course

We have yet to dine at Arami's omakase counter and therefore have not provided a rating.

Sushi Dokku

$150 | 8-Course

We have yet to dine at Sushi Dokku's omakase counter and therefore have not provided a rating.

Roka Akor

$145

Roka Akor's omakase is tableside and delicious. However, It is very different than the other omakase offerings and is harder to scale on an apples to apples level, so we have forgone attempting to fit it into our scaling system.

Omakase Shoji

$225 | 20-Course | 10-Seat

Experience: 2

Ambiance: 5

Service/Hospitality: 5

Rice: 1

Sourcing: 3

Chef: 2

Value: 1

Chitown Sushi Score 19

This omakase was a miss for us. I don't often disclose a restaurant's failure in such brutal honesty, but the truth of the matter was that it just was not an enjoyable meal. The staff and chefs were great and welcoming, but the food was just not what we expected for the price point.