o ya is a contemporary Japanese restaurant from husband and wife team James Beard Award Winning Chef Tim Cushman and Restaurateur Nancy Cushman.
o ya features a nightly chef's choice omakase; a 20 course tasting menu featuring a variety of nigiri, sashimi, and cooked dishes. Beverage pairings are also available.
Reservations are required and are taken 30 days in advance through a prepaid ticketed reservation platform called Tock.
We absolutely loved our time at O Ya! Tim, Tom and CeeCee were all amazing and the chefs all did such an amazing job. I have so much to say about this place but truly think anyone just needs to experience it for themselves to see how great the food and people are! (The pictures are just a sampling of what to expect!)
Visited 8 months ago
O ya restaurant in Boston is a unique place that leaves an unforgettable impression. One of the main reasons is the highest quality of dishes and their impeccable execution. The chef and his team create true culinary masterpieces, combining traditional Japanese techniques with modern trends.
The restaurant’s interior is stylish and cozy, creating the perfect atmosphere for dinner. The staff is always attentive and professional, which adds even more enjoyment to the visit.
One of o ya’s main advantages is its tasting menu, which allows guests to try a variety of dishes and enjoy rich flavors. Each dish is carefully thought out and prepared using only fresh and high-quality ingredients.
However, it is worth noting that the restaurant is in a high price segment, so it is suitable for special occasions or for those who are willing to pay for a truly unique culinary experience.
Overall, o ya is a place that is worth visiting at least once to enjoy exceptional cuisine and service.
Visited 9 months ago
Attentive and friendly service. Awesome food.
So this is more fusion than traditional omakase. So if you come in thinking it is you'll be turned off. This is a fun menu with great cuts of fish with flavorful sauces and toppings. So if traditional omakase is a whisky tasting o ya is more a cocktail tasting if that makes sense.
I enjoyed every dish. I added the potato chip, uni toast, and the A5 wagyu. I suggest all of them if in your budget. I would highly recommend giving this place a shot and enjoy a menu that doesn't take itself to seriously but still maintains a super high level.
5/5 highly recommended.
Visited 9 months ago
For around $300 per person without tax tip or wine, I was expecting to be blown away. Instead, each piece of sushi and sashimi completely fell flat and off the mark. Each fish slice was mushy, then topped with various aiolis and green onions and all sorts of all ‘toppings’, and then had exotic sounding name to it. I could not taste the freshness, the flavor or the ocean in any of the fish slices. At this price point, the standard really ought to be much higher.
We spent more than $1,000 for two people and left really disappointed.
Visited 8 months ago
Great, knowledgeable server added to the experience. Better not to arrive too hungry, you get one bite of food every 8 minutes on average (we had 22 items in just over 3 hours). - In fact, the people sitting next to us mentioned they were here for the experience but were planning to get another dinner afterwards! Dishes ranged from interesting to delicious to just OK. Not fish forward, but the sauces were all complex and every dish had a wide variety of textures. I sometimes found myself wishing i could try the main ingredients without all the distractions, but I think the complex sauces are their specialty.
Visited 2 years ago
Top-notch omakase. Worth every penny of it.
Visited 4 months ago
The omakase was so delicious and interesting. Ambiance is great and service was friendly and knowledgeable.
Visited 4 months ago
Extremely disappointed. The experience fell far short of expectations, especially given the price. Service was underwhelming, the atmosphere lacked energy, and the courses were uninspired—relying heavily on rice. Overall, an unremarkable experience.
Visited 4 months ago
Felt like I was in Japan. Everything was perfect visuall, smelling and tasting... everything was beyond expectations
Visited 4 months ago
Famous Boston restaurant, lovely and inventive sushi , the service is attentive, the ambiance and decor are ok - not really that special, drinks can absurdly overpriced, no cocktails. Expect to pay $1500-$2000 for 2 and feel disappointed
Visited 4 months ago
Hands down best restaurant in Boston. The kinmedai and nodogyro were highlights
Visited 4 months ago
We've been to quite a few Michelin star restaurants and omakase's and O ya might have been our favorite omakase and one of our favorite restaurant experiences of all times.
First off, it is conveniently located with plenty of paid street parking. The interior is more laid back and trendy than I was expecting. Definitely a great vibe (not stuck up like some fancy restaurants).
The waitress came over and started explaining the menus and add ons. The meal is quite expensive, so we didn't do any add ons, but for a very very special night out they really did have a lot of options for up charges. Our waitress (and all of the staff) were excellent. They even printed out a special menu for me because some of my items were modified since I'm dairy free.
Each bite was a truly unique experience. The fishes were unique and eat had a topping and/or accoutrement that enhanced the fish. There were no misses, as every dish was as good as the last (and as unique). The staff explained all of the dishes as well which really enhanced the experience.
We were truly blown away by this experience. If you are in Boston and like raw fish, you need to give O Ya a try for your next celebration.
Visited 4 months ago
We came to celebrate a special occasion and O ya delivered. I've been to a few Michelin experiences and our evening at O Ya was absolutely a contender for top spot. Best dining experience I've had in Boston. It was a splurge, but well worth it
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
We absolutely loved our time at O Ya! Tim, Tom and CeeCee were all amazing and the chefs all did such an amazing job. I have so much to say about this place but truly think anyone just needs to experience it for themselves to see how great the food and people are! (The pictures are just a sampling of what to expect!)
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
For around $300 per person without tax tip or wine, I was expecting to be blown away. Instead, each piece of sushi and sashimi completely fell flat and off the mark. Each fish slice was mushy, then topped with various aiolis and green onions and all sorts of all ‘toppings’, and then had exotic sounding name to it. I could not taste the freshness, the flavor or the ocean in any of the fish slices. At this price point, the standard really ought to be much higher.
We spent more than $1,000 for two people and left really disappointed.
Visited 8 months ago
Attentive and friendly service. Awesome food.
So this is more fusion than traditional omakase. So if you come in thinking it is you'll be turned off. This is a fun menu with great cuts of fish with flavorful sauces and toppings. So if traditional omakase is a whisky tasting o ya is more a cocktail tasting if that makes sense.
I enjoyed every dish. I added the potato chip, uni toast, and the A5 wagyu. I suggest all of them if in your budget. I would highly recommend giving this place a shot and enjoy a menu that doesn't take itself to seriously but still maintains a super high level.
5/5 highly recommended.
Visited 9 months ago
The menu had food way out of my comfort level but I ate it all. Quite an experience. Four of the dishes were so good you close your eyes, moan and rub your legs together. Place was small and quaint and the staff were all wonderful. A nice evening. $$$$$$$$$
Visited 9 months ago
O ya restaurant in Boston is a unique place that leaves an unforgettable impression. One of the main reasons is the highest quality of dishes and their impeccable execution. The chef and his team create true culinary masterpieces, combining traditional Japanese techniques with modern trends.
The restaurant’s interior is stylish and cozy, creating the perfect atmosphere for dinner. The staff is always attentive and professional, which adds even more enjoyment to the visit.
One of o ya’s main advantages is its tasting menu, which allows guests to try a variety of dishes and enjoy rich flavors. Each dish is carefully thought out and prepared using only fresh and high-quality ingredients.
However, it is worth noting that the restaurant is in a high price segment, so it is suitable for special occasions or for those who are willing to pay for a truly unique culinary experience.
Overall, o ya is a place that is worth visiting at least once to enjoy exceptional cuisine and service.
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Tres chere
Visited 10 months ago
Not worth the hype and the price, at all. Not a real Omakase experience, you are brought out your dishes independently from the others in the restaurant. No communication with the chef. Plates were a bit boring, a bunch of similar sashimi cuts with different condiments on top. I would definitely recommend No Relations if you are looking for a true Omakase experience in Boston.
Visited 10 months ago
Our experience was outstanding! Beautiful interior, with the choice to sit at the sushi bar or at a table (we took the sushi bar to be near the action). Each dish ranged from excellent to exquisite. The ability to customize the menu per dietary restrictions/preferences was something that we have not seen before, by nature of omekase being a "chef curated dinner", but it really added to our enjoyment so we could be sure each course would be something we love. Also Hillary provided fantastic service - Friendly, fun, and very knowledgeable on the food and the beverage pairings.
Visited 10 months ago
The food was amazing. Some of the best I've ever had. The service wasn't. The waitress put her bare hand on the top of an open bottle of champagne. Yuk. She also continued to completely fill glasses with wine without asking. Maybe I don't want more... I also found the wine advice was terrible. We asked for a dry sparkling wine. What they brought was somewhere between a sec and demi-sec and certainly wasn't a brut.
It is also very loud. There doesn't seem to be any acoustic panelling or noise reduction of any kind. Even the waiters were yelling as they announced the dishes they brought. My advice: bring noise reducing headphones and set up a conference call with the people you're eating with. Or ask for takeout.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
This is the third time we've visited O ya. It used to serve very fresh fish with minimal saucing, but now the dishes are heavily sauced—some are too salty or the flavors overpower the taste of the fish. I am disappointed to notice the decline in flavor quality; it would be much better with less sauce and more authentic fish flavor. There were also repeated fish dishes, which were not enjoyable to eat (ex. salmon came up 3 times). Wagyu was too oily, again with heavy saucing. The dessert wine was unnecessary; I don't think it contributed to the meal's wholesomeness. Something with a citrus or refreshing tea flavor would probably work better. I wouldn't want to come back based on the lack of food variety this time. Service and atmosphere were great.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Incredible experience, the team at o ya are professionals. Quality of product is the highest you can find and the service was flawless. Thank you for making an unforgettable memory for us.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
O Ya is an elegant Japanese Sushi Bar that offers you the ability to enjoy authentic Japanese-style sushi, which focuses much more on the seafood in your selection; specifically plating it as the star of each playful dish.
We went to O Ya to explicitly enjoy their offering of a Chef's Tasting Menu or Omakase. They offer many different versions of their Omakase, which allows the ability to accommodate varying Food Allergies and preferences, including gluten-allergies and dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or vegan requirements.
We enjoyed many playful and mouth-watering samplings with the tasting menu including pleasantly piquant Oysters with salacious Sturgeon Caviar, a smoked Arctic Tartare, succulent savory Scallops, beautiful usage of Foie Gras, and of course everyone's favorite, the delicious A5 Japanese Wagyu.
When in the city of Boston and seeking a star-worthy meal, be sure to seek out O Ya in Downtown Boston.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My recent omakase experience at O Ya left me underwhelmed. As a fan of omakase, I had high hopes for a memorable dining experience, especially since it was my birthday celebration.
However, the reality fell short. The ingredients lacked the freshness and quality I expected. In particular, the seafood failed to impress, lacking the vibrant flavors I associate with omakase.
Additionally, there was an excessive use of sauce, overpowering the natural flavors of the dishes and detracting from the overall enjoyment of the meal.
While the service was attentive and the ambiance pleasant, the quality of the food didn't meet my expectations.
In conclusion, unless you're a fan of lackluster flavors and drowning sauces, steer clear of O Ya for your omakase fix.
Visited a year ago
Some interesting dishes, many of which tasted good. They hit the fish+mignonette+microgreen trope a little too hard.
Efficient service, though bland. Atmosphere is tired and dingy, a real disappointment.
The value is off. This is one of those places I convinced myself is good in the moment, because how else can you feel good about the expense? But I regret it.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Extremely good omakase but it will set you back. Everything was spectacular though including its understated ambiance.
Visited a year ago
O Ya was a place I've been trying to get to for 3-4 years. On an episode of the youtube series Hot Ones where celebs eat progressively hotter wings Salma Hayek proclaimed O Ya as her favorite restaurant. When I heard it was a restaurant in Boston I knew I had to try it. Each piece was creatively constructed and layered with complimentary flavors. Pictured here is the entire 20 course omakase plus 1 extra (the umi toast). If you look at the image of the menu and zoom in there are additional items you can add to your courses. I asked the waiter if I went with just one what does he suggest and he said the umi toast and I'm happy he did. The umi toast was a crispy tangent that I really appreciated. There is a steep price tag to eat here, but you will be here for 2-2.5 hours so I think of it more like an edible art show. I had an amazing time here and I hope you do as well.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Really enjoyed our meal here. Most of the courses were stellar. Lots of variation across them. Service was well paced and extremely friendly.
The only miss was the music selection which is a minor knock and I feel odd even mentioning it. But at this price point you expect more thought and curation put into the dinning experience. The music was all over the place and didn't seem to match the setting.
Visited a year ago
We’ve been here twice: once about 15 years ago, and again this week. It’s an amazing experience, and a meal that we will remember for a long time, as we still fondly think back to our first visit. Expensive but absolutely worth it!
Visited a year ago
It was good, but if you are looking for a true omakase experience...this isn't it. I chose counter space seating assuming that that meant the sushi chef will present us with the pieces of the night. Like other omakase.
To my confusion and dismay, the chef creates the sushi and then the waiter comes and takes it to the back for quality control/toppings and then they bring it out and present it again. It was a weird roundabout way of presenting a piece that I already saw created and then presented to me as if I haven't already seen it ???
Also the uniqueness of each piece was great, it was bold but by the near-end it was too much. My tongue was getting assaulted by too much flavor, I honestly never thought that would happen. I was relieved after the last piece and so so glad for the mochi donuts.
Will I come back again? No...probably not, but it's a good one off experience.
Visited a year ago
We had the pleasure of dining at O Ya last night, where we enjoyed their 20 course menu with drink pairing. It was a culinary adventure that we will never forget. The food was exquisite, with each dish offering a complex and harmonious combination of flavors and textures. The drink pairing was perfect, enhancing the taste and mood of each course. The service was impeccable, with Tim and the rest of the staff being attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They made us feel welcome and looked after throughout the night.
The restaurant has a cozy and elegant ambiance, with soft lighting and fun music. The whole experience lasted for about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but it felt like time flew by. It was a special occasion for us, and O Ya made it even more memorable. It was expensive, but worth every penny. I highly recommend O Ya to anyone looking for a relaxing fine dining experience that will blow your mind.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Just outstanding!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
This is not just a restaurant. It's an experience. It's one of the most special experiences I've ever had and I would recommend it to any sushi lover.
Visited a year ago
O ya was a good experience but I'm not sure if it was worth the price. For the price they were charging I was hoping to get more variety of fish and maybe some more exotic stuff like sweet shrimp and otoro. The sashimi and nigiri share the same cut of fish and some of the sauces were overpowering many of the fish.
Ive been to many omakase's but this one was by far the most expensive and least exciting. They have good dessert though, mochi donuts were my favorite dish.
Visited a year ago
Was great. Had a server named tim. He was cool.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Believe the hype. You know a place is going to be insane when there's a three month wait and when you come in, they more or less tell YOU what you're having. And they never disappoint. Hands down the best sushi spot in Boston and all of New England. From the freshness of ingredients to the meticulously combined flavors and gorgeous presentations, and the wine pairings to boot! This spot is a real treat.
Visited a year ago
If anyone wants a free reservation for tonight at 5:45, please let me know…. It’s for 2
They are impossible to deal with - extremely unforeseen circumstances, a week away - and no flexibility. They hope you understand. No, I don't. Totally unreasonable. I was coming from out of state to go here.
Visited a year ago
They have a new reservation system through Tock. Booked on Wednesday for next Tuesday though I made a mistake so I called the next day 26 hours later To try to switch to Thursday (it was booked) or Wednesday. I just couldn’t make it at all next Tuesday. They were totally inflexible and was like NOPE. Will not even refund which I get but won’t even move days. This reservation was 6 days away!
I guess I can’t make reservations here anymore because I’m too chaotic. I won’t be refunded for a reservation 5 that cost $1,900. You get no food for $1,900.
Double check your dates before you book and make sure you can really make it. This seems very off market.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
To call it an experience is an understatement. O ya delivered everything it advertised and more. I highly recommend an evening at o ya.
Visited 2 years ago
Not worth the hype. Probably better idea to book a flight to NYC for good Omakase.
Good service.
Food is very heavy on seasoning. Feels very Americanized - all you taste is the sauce and seasoning but not the food itself. The chef tried too hard on the seasoning I finished roughly 8 glasses of drinks. There are too many repetitive items on the menu: I don't need black truffle/salmon/Maine Uni >3 times in one meal.
Visited 2 years ago
For the price I was expecting more. We made reservations as we are not from the area and we're looking for a one of a kind meal we can't find in our area. The dishes all tasted amazing but we're sometimes overpowered by the amount of ingredients. The atmosphere was amazing wish we weren't seated at the bar for a reservation.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
O Ya? More like O No.
This restaurant is one of the priciest in Boston at $295 per person excluding tax and tip. I booked a table reservation and was seated instead at the bar. I was not happy about that because this is a very long 2.5 hour dinner and seating side-by-side changes the whole experience. I booked the reservation 60 days in advance the moment it opened at midnight to guarantee myself a table. The new system also charges 20% tip automatically before you even go to the restaurant.
Both times I have been to this restaurant, the experience was lackluster compared with other fine dining experiences I have had. Our water was left empty until we asked for it. Several servers came by the table and did not bother to look at the water. You constantly have servers reaching over you, often without any warning or verbal communication. This is not a fine dining experience at all.
The presentation is definitely 5 star. The taste however is often overpowered because lots of dishes were drenched with soy or shoyu. So salty that I needed water right away, but of course as previously mentioned, there was often no water in my glass.
If you are looking for an amazing omakase experience, there is another establishment I can think of that blows this out of the water, and for half the price. Do yourself a favor and look for other options.
Visited 2 years ago
Amazing food. Reminded me of my trips to Japan. Only drawback was having to sit near David Pakman. He was over to my very far left. Otherwise can’t complain about any dish. Will come again.
Visited 2 years ago
Great, knowledgeable server added to the experience. Better not to arrive too hungry, you get one bite of food every 8 minutes on average (we had 22 items in just over 3 hours). - In fact, the people sitting next to us mentioned they were here for the experience but were planning to get another dinner afterwards! Dishes ranged from interesting to delicious to just OK. Not fish forward, but the sauces were all complex and every dish had a wide variety of textures. I sometimes found myself wishing i could try the main ingredients without all the distractions, but I think the complex sauces are their specialty.
Visited 2 years ago
Absolutely excellent experience. Food is tremendous, service is great, and it is a relaxed atmosphere, which one might not expect at a place like this. Did the 17 course tasting menu and everything about it was great. Must try.
Visited 2 years ago
This was an amazing experience! We went here for our first anniversary and it was great being able to pay for everything including tip (except any extra dishes or beverages) with the reservation. The servers knew the menu and recommendations inside and out, had all sorts of accommodations if needed, and were very friendly. O ya does have a bit more of a casual vibe with a lax dress code. It was very approachable and delicious and perfect for a special occasion.
Visited 2 years ago
No longer worth the money. This used to be by far our favorite restaurant in Boston. But ever since they switched from an à la cart menu to a strict prixe fixe menu, it went downhill noticeably. We were there tonight – a party of six. The food was just OK. But what really made things terrible, was that the time between servings was outrageously long. Average was 15 minutes in between servings, and I actually started timing it. Bear in mind that each serving is just one small piece of sushi per person. So when you have to wait 15 or more minutes between those servings, you spend most of your time being quite hungry and bored. When at one point my timer showed that 26 minutes have elapsed from the last time we received a serving, I called the manager and explained that at this price point they need to do far better, because this is no longer a pleasant dining experience. He simply shrugged me off.
I would say that we spent 95% of our time just sitting around, waiting for the next serving to arrive - and the entire experience start to finish took almost 4 hours. At $500 per person this is no longer a restaurant worthy of our business. We have been patrons here for over 10 years but we are not coming back
Visited 2 years ago
Absolutely phenomenal. This placed was tucked into an alley that felt equal parts industrial and refined. The ambiance was great, and didn't feel pretentious at all. The food was the best food we ate on our tour through New York and Boston. Each course felt like a whole journey of flavors, and they all worked together nicely. I'm a fairly picky eater, and nothing here disappointed. Can't wait to make the trip back to Boston just to eat here!!
Visited 2 years ago
An amazing omakase experience with a wonderful staff. I brought my girlfriend here for her 40th birthday and it was out of this world. Each course had its own unique flavor profile. If you enjoy Uni, truffle, assortment of flavor fishes, and waygu, this is the place to go!
Visited 2 years ago
For $350+ a person, I expected so much more. This was not top tier food. Courses were unimaginative, under and over seasoned, and just unbalanced. SO much scallion. Their style of cooking lends itself much more to entrees, not small plates. Too busy and crowded for single pieces of fish - it almost felt lazy. The fish got lost. The rice temperature was cool and felt like the dishes had spent time sitting in the window.
There was WAY too much time between courses. By the time we were halfway through I was wishing it was over. Painfully long. We were in town for 5 days and made O Ya a destination for a birthday dinner. Wish we hadn’t.
Visited 2 years ago
Are there 10 stars?
Visited 2 years ago
Not worth a $350 (inc tax and tip) omakase. I love omakase but every course here was just average.
Visited 2 years ago
It's pricey, but worth it if you want to indulge yourself. The food and service are excellent! The dishes are unique and daring without becoming muddled. We didn't think pictures would do it justice, so you'll need to make the trip yourself if you want to see what I'm writing about.
Visited 2 years ago
One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to in my life. O ya offers an exceptional rotating menu with fresh fish and items from across the globe. The sake complimented every meal perfectly and the food was simply amazing. My uncle who doesn’t even like fish loved this omakase.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Undeniably, one of the best food and drinks nights we've enjoyed in a long time. The 20 course omakaze menu (plus the additional 5 supplemental choices), the beverage pairing, Hillary - our server's service, was all excellent.
Cannot wait to do it all over again.
Thank you so much for an amazing night!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
The food is amazing, and the atmosphere is good! Always a treat coming here!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Everything just melted in my mouth, I don't know where it went 😭. Delicious food, friendly staff, great selection of courses, add-ons, and pairings. Should definitely try when given the chance to!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I have been looking forward to this experience for several years. My family has bought me gift cards for 2 birthdays. We were able to get childcare situated for our visit tonight. My wife and I have been privileged to enjoy sushi in Toronto, New York, LA, San Fran and surrounding area, Hawaii. Recently omakase in Toronto. The fish was pure, fresh, well chosen and prepped. The rice was perfect. There were so many things that amazed us from the sake selection, to the uni. Tonight… has been the opposite. The service was good, I poured my own sake all night from the bottle at the table… which is fine. But when you are paying 200 dollars for a 35 dollar bottle of sake maybe someone pours it. Maybe I’m wrong. But I’m assuming the mark up includes that someone is around enough to check on that. (Let alone the 20% obligate tip otherwise you are the worst human being in the world). The dishes, were fancy, they had some thought. But kinda like what I would do the night before a project is due. They accomplished a taste, something… but not what you would expect. There was no pure nigiri or sashimi, it was made up with tastes and flavors that were added to disguise the taste of extremely ordinary fish. This place is not a bad experience. If someone who has eaten mall sushi this will blow their minds. For someone who doesn’t understand what you want to accomplish with an omakase… this will impress them. I think this has been the most over rated food establishment i have ever eaten (two 3 star Michelin star rated restaurant experience). If you are outside of Boston, you are almost gonna always succeed over this place, and in Boston there are several places significantly better. I know there are a lot of 4-5 star reviews… and maybe mine is low. But honestly I would not go back for dinner after the experiences I have had. If anyone is on the edge of going here or not, I highly recommend you save your time, there are much better experiences out there.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Overpriced. I’ve had omakase at other restaurants that was at least just as good if not better, but at a much more affordable price. E.g. Sushi Kashiba in Seattle, other locations in Houston, etc. That’s my main complaint. Otherwise, the wait staff was great, and the food and beverage was very good. We did the drink pairing. We went for a combined special occasion (birthday, promotion).
Visited 2 years ago
One of the best meals and experiences I’ve B ever had in my life. Almost brought me to tears. The beverage pairing is an absolute must
Visited 2 years ago
Seriously it was one of the (if not THE) best dining experiences of my life. The food was out of this world delicious and the service was impeccable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ + ⭐️
Visited 2 years ago
Extraordinary culinary experience for vegetarians!
This isn't your run-in-the-mill vegetarian Sushi place. You have to do the Omakase menu. Its so diverse and dazzling. Tell them you're vegetarian when booking. The turffle potato chip fingerling is a highlight, among others.
The cuisine is really Japan meets European and its mind blowing. Not sure why they don't have any Michelin stars. This has to be a 3 star restaurant when you compare it to the very average ones you see in New York or London.
The staff are super friendly and warm.
But so difficult to get a table! It was easier to eat here before the pandemic.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Unreal! Delicious.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
If you understand what O Ya means, this is exactly what we have experienced tonight. Literally a What?! taste palette explosion on top of very tasty Japanese seafood dishes and absolutely further more. Of course you would dine here every day. However, the jolt of your much needed and unexpected experience beyond already delicious Japanese seafood is right here, and only so.
Visited 2 years ago
O YA is an exceptional restaurant that offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant’s ambiance is elegant and sophisticated, and the food is absolutely outstanding. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the flavors are perfectly balanced, making each bite a tantalizing experience for your taste buds.
But what really sets O YA apart is the outstanding service provided by their servers, and in particular, the amazing server Jessica. Jessica is a true professional, and her knowledge of the menu and the sake is truly impressive. She is attentive, friendly, and goes out of her way to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfect. She is a true asset to the restaurant, and we highly recommend that you request her as your server when you dine at O YA.
Overall, we highly recommend O YA for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in Boston. The food, ambiance, and service are all outstanding, and the restaurant is truly a gem in the heart of the city.
Visited 2 years ago
Not worth the price. Not enough fish options, some dishes repeat like the salmon and mushroom dishes. Extremely salty. Very disappointed.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Do not bother! Go anywhere else for a decent omakase and half the price! Truly disappointed.
Visited 2 years ago
Not worth. Our waitress was unpleasant and the food was not worth the price point. Came here based on the good reviews hoping for a good experience and left underwhelmed.
Visited 2 years ago
NOT WORTH. I have enjoyed quite a bit of fantastic sushi in NYC. O Ya is not even close. You deserve so much more for $300. This is not it.
Let's start with the (few) positives. Much of the sashimi was decent, the mushrooms + "potato chip nigiri" were fun, desserts were good. If they charged $100 for this half of the menu I wouldn't object.
HOWEVER -- Nigiri were entirely disappointing. Miniscule portions, which is not a problem per se, but the nibbles of fish were so overwhelmed by the extra ingredients that you hardly tasted them. Uni nigiri had the criminal addition of large pieces of lemon zest, which overwhelmed the delicate flavors of the uni completely.
Ambiance and service were not what you would expect of a high end sushi restaurant. Not unfriendly, but felt more like a bar. Also, although food was prepared directly in front of us at the counter, it took a circuitous route back through the kitchen, rather than being served fresh by the chefs.
For $300, you can literally travel to NYC and back and get better omakase for half the price. Don't bother with O Ya
Visited 2 years ago
Loved it
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Great food, good vibes, great service!
Visited 2 years ago
Food was insanely good. Wide selection of sake, whisky and other liqueur. Great atmosphere, amazing staff.
Visited 2 years ago
Absolutely incredible experience!
Visited 2 years ago
Rockstar. Best omakase experience and quality sushi of my life. Totally worth the $$$.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Love, love, love. O Ya is more than just sushi; it's an experience.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
O Ya definitely lives up to the hype! The omakase experience is slightly different from our typical sitting at the counter with other folks and getting each course at the same time (you know what I mean)—it’s at your own pace and really encourages conversation, which we greatly appreciate! The food itself is amazing, but if I had to nitpick, the use of yuzu/ponzu might be a tad too liberal. Throughout the omakase, most dishes incorporated that citrusy flavor profile, but of course each course with its unique twist. The waiting staff is incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable. Will definitely go back soon!!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
November 2022: We had 20 entrée chef's omakase dinner. Each entrée is one bite, so even though I was worried it would be too much food, it was not. At the end I was full but not stuffed. Each entrée was a delight, with flavors that pleased and surprised. The service was attentive and fast.
However, there were several negative distractions from the wonder food and service. The music was continuous hip hop with a loud beat (Google identified the band as Beastie Boys when I asked it to identify the music), which was not condusive to enjoying food or talking. There was no variety, the same beat over the head music for over two hours we were there. The second issue is that the bathroom is not very accessible, it requires going down a set of very steep stairs. Despite the two issues, it was a memorable experience.
Visited 2 years ago
Amazing flavors
Beautiful presentation
Everything perfect
Wonderful, entertaining evening with much personal attention
Our waiter, Tim, made the show perfect.
Haven’t seen a real professional waiter in a very long time; knowledgeable, informative, well versed, helpful ……. can’t say enough about this guy!
Only feedback would be to change spoons; they are textured and too thick getting in the way of the food. If that is the only criticism from me, O Ya is right up there with the best of the best. It was an awesome evening!!!!
Thanks to everyone on the O Ya team (and I mean “team”) for making my niece’s 59th birthday extra special.
Betsy Feldman
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I had one of the best dining experiences of my life here. Almost every course was the most precisely executed version of itself, balanced yet bursting with flavor.
The service was fantastic as well, very thoughtful and focused without ever feeling like too much.
Visited 2 years ago
This was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've ever had in my life. The food was true art and the omakase took you on a journey from fresh to savory and everywhere in between. It told a story and was beautifully crafted. It is expensive but WOW it is well worth the price. The only issue is that drinks are not included in the price but otherwise a phenomenal place to have a once in a lifetime experience. If you want to treat yourself, definitely come to O Ya!
Visited 2 years ago
O Ya in Boston near South Station is a very intimate Japanese restaurant that serves omakase small plates for $250 per person. More if you want to add alcohol. I got a la carte of three items and paid around $60 and left very hungry. The salad is gorgeous. Looks fantastic in the photos. Miniature pansies and microgreens. Yellows, pinks, reds, greens, and purples. Do not be deceived, that salad was the smallest salad I ever had in my life. It was in a dipping sauce bowl -- one where you normally put soy sauce in. Less than an ounce of flowers and lettuce. Sneeze, and the salad may flutter away. The onsen egg was perfectly made. I will say that I got inspired to make my own onsen eggs at home. Quite easy and cost 30 cents to make. The food and service were outstanding. i just found the restaurant overpriced for what it was.
Visited 2 years ago
The Omakase at O Ya provides a unique, singularly-exquisite, experience. Each course is perfectly prepared, presented beautifully, and delicious yet distinctive. My wife and I have eaten at O Ya approximately twice a year for the past several years, and have always had a wonderful evening. The staff has always been friendly, knowledgeable, and unpretentious. Some commenters have complained about the price, but it is not out of line with high-quality tasting menus elsewhere in Boston. The only restaurant we have found in Boston with a superior overall experience was the late l'Espalier, whose tasting menu and wine pairing could easily lead to a $1200 tab for two people.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Drink 1: champagne
1. Kumamoto Oyster
Refreshing. Very light. With the oyster sitting upon a mound of ice, it gets your slightly worried about the contents spilling over since they stuff the oyster quite full.
2. Hamachi
Small hints of Wasabi. An enticing combination of savory and smoky flavor.
3.
Hokkaido sea urchin & white sturgeon caviar
So rich and buttery. It melts almost as soon as you put it into your mouth. This dish also has slight hints of wasabi.
Drink 2. Arnott roberts
4: Kohada Baby Mackeral
The salsa verde here is unexpected and is very flavor additive. The salsa adds a hint of "green" to the overall palate experience. Refreshing. Very smooth. Not a flavor that fills your mouth but stays on your tongue.
5. White spot prawn
I could smell the smoky flavor even before I picked it up. Heavy savory flavors - almost spicy.
6. Ora King Salmon
Melts in your mouth. Strong flavors of ginger and scallion that work well together and sort of clean your palate as we move into a different phase of the meal.
Drink 3: Dry rose
7. Housemate fingerling potato chip
Good crunch with the potato chip
The truffle made it very rich and decadent.
8. Fried Kumamoto Oyster
This was definitely one of my favorites. I was happy it was lightly fried instead of deep fried. Foamy squid ink is a unique experience. A bit of kick with the kosho pepper.
9. Chanterelle Mushrooms
A slightly smoky garlic flavor that is very rich. Very tasty. Mushrooms are soaked in sake. Very soft
10. Sip of Summer
Tastes like earth and green tomato. Refreshes the palate for the sashimi course.
Drink 4: Full bodied Chardonnay
11. Branzino
The crunch from the tiny cucumbers is nice. Subtle flavors aside from a bit of kick from the spice included.
12: Shima Aji & Hokkaido Sea urchin
Fills your mouth with the tastes of the ocean but in a good way. Strong savory flavor reflecting the rich flavors and textures of uni.
13. Hamachi
The fish is soaked is soaked in a spicy and savory but light sauce. Its also coated in fried shallot bits which adds a welcome crunch You can taste the spice from the red chill powder fairly clearly but it's not overpowering.
Drink 5: Pinot noir
14. Ora king salmon
This is a more traditional sashimi with a soy sauce base with a tiny bit of spice. And cucumbers complement the high quality salmon texture.
15. Bluefin Toro
We get the flavor of Wasabi but no so much the spice component. Big piece of fish. Careful with chopstick
16. Grilles maitake, shiitake and Kong oyster mushroom
The fragrance kf the garlic fills tour nostrils even before you take a bite. And the sesame and sesame foam juxtapose a tiny bit of sweetness with a strong garlic flavor and savory sauce.
Drink 6: a more full bodied wine. Saladin
17. Sea scallop
Creamy sauce with fish that melts in your mouth and is accentuated by truffles. Very light on flavor overall but a treat in the mouth. A pause between dishes with a heavier flavor
18.Wagyu kushiyaki
The beef is cooked to perfection falling apart in your mouth without any effort complemented by hints of sweet and glaze
19.Foie Gras
This course is served with a complementary drink called tokai that the server recommended that we sip after the we eat the course. The duck fat just melts in your mouth and the dark chocolate leaves an essence of smoking after an initial sweetness
20.Yuzu sorbet
Quite tart but still good. A perfect closer to the evening.
Visited 3 years ago
The check won't be for the faint of heart - but the food, ambiance and service make it worth it. A fantastic restaurant that might very well be the best one in the city.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
I've been to The supposed best Japanese restaurants in L.A.Each dish is a masterpiece of flavor, texture, and presentation. Well worth the price which, if you're going to gripe about, should have you avoid the place to begin with - it's not a secret! This was among the best meals I've ever had anywhere.
Visited 3 years ago
I like the bar seating
Visited 3 years ago
Every course was an experience worth having. Loved every bite and can't wait to come back.
Visited 3 years ago
I am the chef and owner of a successful sushi restaurant in Southern Maine. Having dinner here makes me feel like I am serving Street Food compared to what they put out. It only proved to me how much more I have to learn. I strive to get the best quality that I can and my quality is comparable to theirs but their presentation and attention to detail is world class. I was absolutely Blown Away I The Taste and presentation of every single dish and the wine and sake pairing.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
The best food overall in Boston. Great service with a friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Visited 3 years ago
The experience of a lifetime🥰👩🏼🍳🙏🏼
If you haven't been to oya is a must from the beautiful art to the delicious taste in every plate they send out. Hiro the main chef which we love and appreciate for over 7 years. Yes! We have been going there for that long. Is our number one place here in Boston. Kate thank you for always accommodating us and making us feel like family. With our regular little table in the corner. Thank you to the whole entire team for All the love and effort you put every day to make us live this experience. Love Katie & Daniel Maggioli
Visited 3 years ago
Honestly disappointing for the price point. Food was interesting, but servers did not understand what they were serving and our entire group left hungry. We ended up going to a different restaurant afterwards to get more food. Boston definitely has better Japanese-style set menus for much more reasonable price-to-experience ratios.
Visited 3 years ago
Absolutely among the best culinary experiences that I've had. An amazing experience top to bottom. This is something worth saving for and experiencing on a special occasion.
Visited 3 years ago
Terrific experience at O Ya. My husband treated me for a birthday dinner there, and it's an experience we've been looking for since I first read about O Ya while still living in Boston more than 15 years ago. Exactly the right combination between highly refined Japanese cuisine with innovative, sometime whimsical American touches. We went for the multi course dinner with the sake pairing and added a couple of extras. Superb dishes, excellent pacing, attentive and knowledgeable service, just perfection. For some reason we booked at 17:30 (right when the restaurant opens) and were alone for quite some time untill more people arrived. A treat on its own... We'll certainly go back. Now, if possible...
Visited 3 years ago
This is the sound I make as each piece of sushi enters my mouth
Visited 3 years ago
Love the dining experience here. We usually try to go once a year and each time the omakase is different but still reflective of O ya's quality and style. The staff are all very professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Visited 3 years ago
As one of the longest standing omakase place in Boston, O Ya certainly delivered.
We had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday dinner here, and I was satisfied with the overall experience. However, getting a reservation for the omakase required a lot of effort. Not only did we have to make the reservation two months in advance, but also some of the time slots were sold out in less than 10 seconds.
The omakase experience comprised 20 unique dishes from delicate sushi and sashimi to foie gras and A5 wagyu steak. While the quality of the fish may not have been the best I’ve tried, the toppings were certainly innovative. Toppings like the pomegranate, thai basil, and apple added a refreshing after taste, whereas ramp oil, scallion oil, and squid ink bubbles elevated the butteriness of the respective sushi. Some of the standout dishes include the foie gras with yuzu, spring mackerel with ramp oil, A5 wagyu steak, and the bluefin chutoro.
Service was also top notch, and the katsu sando was served gratis as our server almost forgot about it. The whole experience took a little longer than 3.5 hours as we added two extra dishes, but it didn’t feel too long. Nevertheless, I would recommend reserving an earliest possible time slot as we barely made it home by midnight.
Visited 3 years ago
Best in Boston
Visited 3 years ago
The food was good do not get me wrong, but unless you have an appreciation for imported foods from Japan the price tag is just unreasonable. My girlfriend and I spent our evening here and got the full course dinner each and split a bottle of wine, with tip over $700. We made our reservations over 2 months ago and just do not see the reasoning behind spending the money.
Visited 3 years ago
Way over priced for the experience. The food is excellent, however, similar to many in Miami or other countries I’ve been in for way cheaper and a better environment. There is no special experience, just good food in small portions.
Visited 3 years ago
Wonderful omikase menu with drink pairings!
Visited 3 years ago
Phenomenal. Was in town and a close friend asked I check this place. One of the few places I’ve been where I felt truly grateful to experience masters of their craft. Best to everyone.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Excellents sushis mais beaucoup trop cher. Cela devrait coûter 150$ et pas 300
Visited 3 years ago
Amazing food, superb sake pairings, fun/knowledgeable wait staff, cozy atmosphere…it is hard to pick out our favorites among the 20 courses each was a gem on its own—the umami tastes were amazing … we can’t wait for our next visit… the owner/executive chef has an incredible knowledge of many cuisines and marries them in a Japanese way. It is our favorite restaurant in Boston.
Visited 3 years ago
We were fortunate enough to make rsvp for this year's NYE @ O Ya. This restaurant is small, inviting, minimal in decor and presented very creative sashimi, nigiri and cold/hot plates.
Service was friendly, they were very knowledgeable in where the fish was sourced from, very great sake menu and timing was great too. I am a fan of enjoying fish as the highlight of the bite itself, at O ya, their creativeness of the dishes sometimes took away from the fish itself but that was in no way a negative, just different. I would highly recommend O ya to anyone as you will definitely enjoy yourself!
Visited 3 years ago
The best ever
Visited 3 years ago
Amazing from start to finish. In addition to the omakase, they offer additional options to round out the meal. We added another three but would have been fine with the base omakase option. Wine and sake pairing were well done. Waiters were attentive. Our new favorite restaurant in Boston!
Visited 3 years ago
El tasting menu es espectacular. Super recomendable
Visited 3 years ago
An exclusive fine dining sushi experience including flavorful and beautiful creations makes for a great evening with a loved one. I have been here twice and will keep coming.
Visited 3 years ago
Probably the best high end Japanese experience I have ever had to date. Always an incredible experience here.
Visited 3 years ago
The meat was rancid and the owner has a bad personality
Visited 3 years ago
A wonderful tasting menu that takes you on a journey of many different flavours. Each course is a unique experience.
Visited 3 years ago
Amazing. Great depth and variety of flavor and presentations.
Visited 3 years ago
A most absolutely exquisite experience.
Visited 4 years ago
Life changing
Visited 4 years ago
Sushi was tasty, but each nigiri and sashimi were very small portion and it’s hard to satisfy even for women until the last minute. Spinach soup was a little salty. I understood this place’s concept is to let customers spend money to alcohol and stay there for a long time. Total time was more than 2h without alcohol and it was too long. Plus, bringing each piece’s plate every time (20 times) is tiring, and it’s better to provide several pieces at the same time. I’ve been to many good sushi restaurants and Michelin places in Japan so far, but if we pay $250 to the sushi course, that would be very satisfying in service, amount, and quality. So, unfortunately, more than $600 course for 2 persons including 2 water bottles and tip is overpriced.
Visited 4 years ago
One of the best sushi restaurants in Boston
Visited 4 years ago
O Ya is in my top 20 list of best Japanese restaurants in the United States. I haven’t been in awhile as I don’t live near Boston, but when I’m in town I make reservations and look forward to the O Ya experience again. Expensive but excellent.
Their quality meals would be priced two to three times higher in other US cities.
Spectacular! Always a special dining event every time I go.
Visited 4 years ago
Incredible food and wonderful service.
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
Everything about this place is fantastic. Worth the wait for the reservations.
Visited 4 years ago
I love their food. Every bite is an experience!
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
Very Very GOOD
Visited 4 years ago
Quality food, quality service. But for the price you're paying, the little details matter, and that's where things fell short.
Pacing: as soon as we were finished with our bite, dishes were whisked away and the next course brought up. Just seemed too rushed.
Flavors: inventive, yes. But many dishes were too unbalanced - certain flavors overpowered the rest of the bite. Sometimes too much salt, sometimes too much jalapeño. The adjuvant dressing should be just that, an assist to help the fish shine. Instead, much of the sushi could have been exchanged for one another, and I wouldn't have noticed, because the other flavors were too prominent.
Again, an impressive tasting menu. But at $250pp, I expected far more.
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
Visited 4 years ago
- 15 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.6 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 617-654-9900
- Menu Website: https://www.o-ya.restaurant/
- Sushi Address: 9 E St, Boston, MA 02111, United States
- Sushi Map: 42.3514647, -71.0569289
- Japanese restaurant
- Fine dining restaurant
- Sushi restaurant
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5–8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 5–8:30 PM
- Thursday: 5–8:30 PM
- Friday: 5–8:30 PM
- Saturday: 5–8:30 PM
- Identifies as women-owned: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Delivery: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Wine: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Gender-neutral toilets: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Transgender safe space: Available
- Reservations required: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Usually a wait: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- High chairs: Available