Omakase in Japanese roughly means “I leave it up to you,” and that’s exactly the spirit behind this dining style. You trust the chef and let them curate a meal that showcases their creativity, skill, and the best ingredients of the day.
Omakase can mean anything from a fancy course of sushi crafted piece by piece to a more casual lineup of small plates.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve spent a few weeks trying out different offerings to find the best spots. Here are the best omakase experiences in Calgary that are worth trying!
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1. Satsuki
– Media credit: satsukicalgary
Address: 1130 Kensington Rd NW
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +1 403-300-2405
Price: $$$
If you’re looking for the best omakase in Calgary, Satsuki has to be on your radar. I love this place not just for the food but also for the artistry.
They make the omakase experience come to life. I felt like I was visiting a mini art show. Every dish is carefully crafted, with colors and presentation that practically pop off the plate.
Every ingredient is hand-picked and made from scratch. That’s what I call commitment to quality.
I also love their sake pairings. Their selection is often something completely new to me, which makes the experience even more exciting.
| Pro Tip: The place is only available at 5 PM & 7 PM, so I’d call in advance to snag a seat. |
2. Ryuko South Japanese Kitchen + Bar
– Media credit: ryuko.yyc
Address: 13200 Macleod Trl
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 12 Noon to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 Noon to 10 PM
Phone: +1 403-815-1849
Price: $$
Ryuko’s offers one of the best value omakase experiences in Calgary. Here at their South location, they have both a lunch omakase and a dinner omakase experience upstairs.
Their lunch omakase is on Saturdays and Sundays only at 12 PM and 1:30 PM. Their dinner omakase is from Friday to Sunday at 5 PM and 7:30 PM.
For lunch, it’s $65 and dinner starts at $130.
I went for lunch and I loved that I was able to sample 3 delicious appetizers, 7 pieces of nigiri, and temaki (hand-rolled sushi). I also liked the savoury prawn butter miso soup it comes with.
| Pro Tip: The lunch omakase price excludes any alcohol. So, if you buy some sake, it’s going to be extra. |
3. Zushi Calgary
– Media credit: zushiyyc
Address: 12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE
Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +1 403-764-7547
Price: $$
At the 4-seat Zushi bar, it’s all about Temaki Omakase. It’s a unique omakase experience in Calgary that I think you shouldn’t miss.
“Temaki” means “hand roll” in Japanese, and it’s more than just a quick bite. Skilled chefs craft each hand roll right before your eyes. Every roll is packed with fresh ingredients, perfectly seasoned rice, and premium nori.
The nori is crispy and flavorful, and it really makes all the difference.
What’s really fun is that the chefs curate each roll with a mix of flavors, textures, and seasonal delicacies. You might get something familiar, but you’re just as likely to get something you’ve never even heard of!
| Pro Tip: Zushi can’t accommodate specific food allergies and dietary restrictions. So if you have restrictions, maybe skip out on this experience. But if you’re open to anything, this is the way to go! |
4. NUPO
– Media credit: nupoyyc
Address: 631 Confluence Way SE
Hours:
- Wednesday & Thursday, Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to Midnight
Phone: +1 587-353-1388
Price: $$$
NUPO celebrates both the love of plants and the art of sushi with passion. Their counter service Omakase Sushi Experience is easily one of the most exciting omakase experiences in Calgary.
What really impressed me here is that they offer two completely distinct menus.
If you’re a dedicated vegan, their Plant Menu is incredible. Every flavor still captures the essence of classic omakase. Their sweet potato and kimchi gyoza, for example, had that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory.
For seafood lovers, the Fish Menu is a must. It features twelve courses of nigiri, each made with sustainably sourced fish from around the world. The fun part here is that the chef carefully explains the nuances of the fish and the perfect pairings.
The artistry is insane. Regardless of which path you choose, you’ll end with a dessert that will sweeten the end of your omakase experience.
| Pro Tip: Seating for this experience is by reservation only through Tock. |
5. Shokunin
– Media credit: shokuninyyc
Address: 2016 4 St SW
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to Midnight
Phone: +1 403-229-3444
Price: $$$
Shokunin’s Yakitori Omakase is worth every penny. Seats are limited and it’s at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.
They only butcher 25-30 fresh chickens a day, so I’d say do your best to score a seat at their Chef’s Bar. This is where you can watch them do their best cooking and try those coveted, rare cuts like the chicken oyster and, for lack of a better word…chicken ass.
The entire thing is about 15 courses. Each dish you’ll try is full of flavors, textures, and techniques, and with optional drink pairings.
Expect everything from cold shuck scallop and wagyu pastrami burnt ends to yellow chicken bone broth. And don’t forget the dessert—an amazing sake kasu tiramisu.
| Pro Tip: This is a pre-paid reservation, so no shows mean no refunds. |
