Brianna Sanchez
We had an amazing time at Otaru. Definitely the best sushi I’ve ever had! Our server, Angela, was very knowledgeable and super helpful when we had questions about the menu and couldn’t decide what to get. My favorite was the salmon and ikura hand roll, but everything we had was delicious. This place is a must try for anyone who likes sushi.
… moreKathleen Wilson
Perfect anniversary date. We reserved a table in advance and were met with a delicious meal and friendly staff. The favorites included the Sakura Samurai cocktail, the Tartar, the Godzilla Roll, and the Sashimi platter. Honestly this was the best sushi rice I’ve ever had, so we got two bowls of that as well. Cat was a lovely server, we were glad to hear her recommendations and bond over our love of quality food.
… moreDorothy Ingram
I reserved for my daughter’s birthday and while we didn’t get a window seat as requested, you still have a really unfettered view of the city from the first floor. It’s worth going anytime, but had an especially nice ambiance at night with the city all aglow for the holidays. Angela was our server and endeavored to not only answer any questions, but to make the dinner an experience. She is a consummate professional, giving just enough attention to your needs/questions without being intrusive on your meal. I also appreciated that she asked about any food allergies and tailored her presentation for both of us, based on our preferences. She helped guide instead of pushing, so we were getting what we wanted/liked.
I’ve never been terribly fond of raw fish and now understand that what I’m really not a fan of is mid or bad sushi/nigiri. I opted for the Black Miso Cod with that distaste in mind, and while it was incredibly delicious, after trying two pieces, I really think I could have eaten nigiri all night. To say the fish is “fresh” is an incredible understatement. This is how fish should actually taste – not the frozen/thawed, refrozen fish typically being served in landlocked areas. You can tell the care, attention to detail, and quality that you are receiving. Everything is delicately balanced and layered with often delicate flavors.
I wish I had taken more pics to share here but we were having such a good time and enjoying the dishes so much that I only took a few. The presentation is as tasteful as the dishes themselves. Highly recommend the Sakura Samurai and lychee martini, although the sake paired with the experience was carefully curated and absolutely some of the best sake I’ve ever had. The “experience” is course after course of really lovely and unique sashimi, nigiri, and other dishes that I’ve never seen or tasted before. My descriptions won’t really do it justice as I’m a novice to the cuisine. But as a consummate lover of exquisite flavor profiles, the “experience” delivers. The tiramisu and matcha ice cream were a pleasant surprise, as they were also excellent. Overall, if you like sushi, sashimi or nigiri, and even if you don’t, this is the freshest spot to have it in Pittsburgh. If you love and appreciate sushi etc, Otaru is unquestionably the best place to treat yourself. Thank you for making our celebration special. We’ll be back!
… moreFiras A
This is truly a high-end sushi destination and, with many other places closing recently, it may very well be the best sushi spot in Pittsburgh. The fish is exceptionally fresh, the presentation is refined, and the flavors are authentic. Combined with outstanding service, it’s absolutely worth a visit for any sushi lover.
… moreAshley Wilcox
I visited OTARU on a Saturday with an advanced reservation for one. The service from start to finish was amazing with my server explaining the menu well. The food came out quickly and was all delicious. The hand rolls were delightful and the black miso cod was perfectly cooked. Overall, a wonderful experience and I would go back.
… moreMister Review
An extraordinary experience from the time we walked in until the time we walked out. More people need to experience this. Absolutely top quality fish and top quality service. Not only our waiter, but it seemed every employee was extremely educated on the menu.
… morecjp
Absolutely amazing experience from start to finish! The food was incredible – every dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with incredible views that made the evening feel even more special. We celebrated my sister’s birthday here, and the staff made the evening memorable. The service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this spot for any occasion or just a great night out!
… moreGrant Regan
The best Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh if not the best restaurant in Pittsburgh. We went for a special occasion. The food is fresh and well-prepared. All of the courses are perfectly balanced. The table selected a series of appetizers and the Otaru course plus a few hand rolls and drinks. There was not a single bite or sip the table did not enjoy. The staff was all very courteous and go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience. Penny, helped us lock in a reservation at the perfect table for us — a nice treat for an occasion or celebration. The waitress (name evading me) was incredibly attentive and did a great job walking us through the menu and explaining some of the taste/textures of different fish. Most importantly, if you love good Japanese food you will notice this too: The rice is perfectly seasoned. All-in-all, this is truly a five star experience for a fair price.
I would recommend Otaru to anyone. It may be the best restaurant in PGH at the moment.
… moreMaksim Safiullin
Without a doubt, this restaurant offers one of the best views of Pittsburgh. The cozy interior, designed in a traditional Japanese style, creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. As for the cuisine, it’s hard to judge for now-perhaps my expectations were too high. It might be worth a second visit to form a final opinion on the food.
On my return visit to this restaurant, I had the chance to explore more of the menu – and I was thoroughly impressed. The quality remains consistently high, with well-balanced flavors and thoughtful presentation.
… moreDan Oliver
The restaurant looks very nice and has an excellent view. We got the 9 course tasting menu, which while expensive I think for the quality was priced appropriately. The service was quite good and the waitress was fairly knowledgeable, not quite Michelin star level, but at the price point I think it would be hard not to be very satisfied. The per glass sake selection was somewhat limited which was a little disappointed. If we wanted to get a bottle there were a lot more options. Specifically it would have been nice to have had any nigori by the glass. The mixed drinks we got instead were good. The bathrooms are two floors up and that floor isn’t air conditioned as well, which while not a huge deal wasn’t ideal. I don’t think there was valet parking available and on street parking is very limited although there was a parking lot not too far from the location. Overall a great restaurant, particularly at that price point, but with a few fixes they could hit an even better tier of dining, although I’m not sure if there is a market at that price point that might require. We really liked it and are likely to return.
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