Japanese restaurant, offering Omakase, Sushi, Sashimi, sake, beer and wine. Fine dinning, catering, special event.
Overall, I had a good experience. You are definitely getting higher quality sushi, but only 1-2 dishes were truly memorable for me. I liked the performative gold glitter section of the experience. The ambiance and plating are on par with a nicer restaurant, not necessarily the price tag (as in, if part of the price is for the ambiance, I would have expected more).
Visited 2 months ago
Great place. First time trying Omakase with my wife on our anniversary. The chef, the food, the servers, ambience, everything was phenomenal.
The courses were spaced nicely and were very flavorful. We loved the attention to detail and the effort put into the experience by the chef and staff. Would definitely recommend if in the area and want to try Omakase.
Visited 2 months ago
My husband and I traveled all the way from New Mexico. We love food of all kinds from many cultures and have a pretty high expectations for food/restaurants and Umami did NOT disappoint. It is the best Japanese fusion Omakase restaurant in Boston. Every course is like a new amazing surprise. We chose the 18 course and we will definitely be back.
The staff are amazing and so knowledgeable on what food we were eating. They took the time to get to know us and that was really special.
Visited 7 months ago
Compared to top omakase spots Wa Shin and 311 the quality of the fish is not quite as good. But there is more variety and playfulness and Umami has a more relaxed atmosphere. It does hold 20-30 for one service so it gets a bit loud and is a bit less intimate than other omakase in Boston, but again is a bit more relaxed and you don't have to keep it down here. Regardless the staff are very nice and friendly. That being said, all the dishes were solid with one or two being excellent, such as the duck dish.
Service was two hours long with good spacing between dishes.
While not the top contender for omasake in Boston it's still above average and ,with the price point, offers very good value. I encourage any sushi lovers to dine here and enjoy a relaxed and fun meal here! 4/5
Visited 6 months ago
Most authentic omakase experience. No frills, but straight focus on quality dishes—seafood, meat, flavors all amazing.
This is the spot. Don’t hesitate, book it for that special occasion or if you just want a couple hours of amazing food.
Service was great. Recommend the bar seating to see all the prep.
Not fancy necessarily, but that’s what makes this place great. It’s an awesome experience that feels like a Japanese hole in the wall.
Visited a year ago
Decent omakase spot - as someone who has omakase almost every weekend in nyc, I’m basing my comparison to a middle of the way omakase in NYC. The food was good but could’ve been fresher. If you like your cuts of fish to be big, you’ll like this place it just isn’t my personal preference.
Visited 3 months ago
I’m person who really enjoy omakase. This was my second visit and it changed a lot and it was total mess. The condition of the sea urchin and the quality of the sushi were really bad for the price. The concept of omakase was ridiculous. Service was so bad Several people were making sushi not really one chef Some of them didn’t look professional and they kept talking about me and my boyfriend in Chinese, thinking I couldn't understand them. Which I do understand what they were saying the whole time. it was such a bad experience expensive dinner We ended up paying about $500, but it didn't seem to be worth it. For this price, I recommend going to another omakase restaurant.
Visited a month ago
Too complicated with different mixed flavors. Understood the endeavor to be creative but couldn't get genuine taste. Too thick Sashimi. Service was great.
Visited a month ago
Visited a month ago
Friendly service and good quality omakase. I removed one star mainly because I saw one dish with fois gras. It’s one of the productions I can’t agree on. We can always make compassionate choices and the quality of dishes here is already great without it.
Visited a month ago
Great place. First time trying Omakase with my wife on our anniversary. The chef, the food, the servers, ambience, everything was phenomenal.
The courses were spaced nicely and were very flavorful. We loved the attention to detail and the effort put into the experience by the chef and staff. Would definitely recommend if in the area and want to try Omakase.
Visited 2 months ago
Overall, I had a good experience. You are definitely getting higher quality sushi, but only 1-2 dishes were truly memorable for me. I liked the performative gold glitter section of the experience. The ambiance and plating are on par with a nicer restaurant, not necessarily the price tag (as in, if part of the price is for the ambiance, I would have expected more).
Visited 2 months ago
Thank you to chef Gary and his entire team for a wonderful date night for my husband’s birthday! The dishes were so fresh and traditional to Japan’s purist flavors. We especially loved the uni special dish and the fois gras! A special thanks to Jacob, our server who was very attentive and kind. A must try from omakase enthusiasts!
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Decent omakase spot - as someone who has omakase almost every weekend in nyc, I’m basing my comparison to a middle of the way omakase in NYC. The food was good but could’ve been fresher. If you like your cuts of fish to be big, you’ll like this place it just isn’t my personal preference.
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
Excellent omakase experience
Seafood is expertly prepared and served with extreme attention to detail.
Michelin level- highly recommended
Visited 3 months ago
I’m not a big review writer but this place is fantastic - the staff is super friendly and the food is phenomenal. It was one of the best omakase/ sushi experiences I’ve had. Everything was very fresh and inventive and the service was excellent.
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
For the price this place is a great value when compared to other similarly priced omakase joints in Boston in general. Both the chefs and the host were fantastic to talk to, and the food pairings were great as well.
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
What a great meal and dining experience! Every one of the 18 courses was delicious and the sake pairings delightful. The staff was both attentive and engaging. It is expensive but well worth it.
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
My partner & I love to try omakase’s in different states/cities and cannot say enough good things about this one. Although the food wasn’t the best we’ve ever had (still very very good & complete), the service made it such a top notch omakase experience. Server was incredibly nice & informative, constantly asking how we’re doing and accommodating. Chefs were great as well at describing every dish. Absolutely love this place and would love to come back when we get the chance to visit from Texas again.
Visited 5 months ago
This omakase experience was bucket list material.
Visited 6 months ago
I loved this spot. Easily the best dinner I’ve had in Boston in over a year. Full stop. Go eat there!
Visited 6 months ago
Sushi quality didn’t match price at all. Disappointed. Service was great tho
Visited 6 months ago
Compared to top omakase spots Wa Shin and 311 the quality of the fish is not quite as good. But there is more variety and playfulness and Umami has a more relaxed atmosphere. It does hold 20-30 for one service so it gets a bit loud and is a bit less intimate than other omakase in Boston, but again is a bit more relaxed and you don't have to keep it down here. Regardless the staff are very nice and friendly. That being said, all the dishes were solid with one or two being excellent, such as the duck dish.
Service was two hours long with good spacing between dishes.
While not the top contender for omasake in Boston it's still above average and ,with the price point, offers very good value. I encourage any sushi lovers to dine here and enjoy a relaxed and fun meal here! 4/5
Visited 6 months ago
Great attentiveness to each customer. Left feeling like friends. Made our anniversary memorable. Their Omakase was very focused on the fish and dancing their ingredients to match the natural salinity of each dish. Personally based on other Omakase I prefer sushi rice with more vinegar and Mirin, but their vision really worked for their style. Plenty of meter street parking. Would recommend.
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Food was unbelievable. Great mix of fish, duck, noodles, steak. Staff very nice and knowledgeable. Amazing place all around
Visited 6 months ago
My husband and I traveled all the way from New Mexico. We love food of all kinds from many cultures and have a pretty high expectations for food/restaurants and Umami did NOT disappoint. It is the best Japanese fusion Omakase restaurant in Boston. Every course is like a new amazing surprise. We chose the 18 course and we will definitely be back.
The staff are amazing and so knowledgeable on what food we were eating. They took the time to get to know us and that was really special.
Visited 7 months ago
Truly fantastic experience. And it will get you full by the end! Every course was exceptional, but my favorites where the duck and the wagyu. The tuna belly sashimi was also divine. Highly recommend. The only thing is the atmosphere is not as nice as I'd hope, but it seems like they're working on it.
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
Absolutely delicious along with a wonderful staff. Would recommend to anyone looking for an omakase experience.
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
It's not a bad omakase place near Boston. The price is quite hefty, given the quality of fish they serve.
Visited 8 months ago
I went here for my birthday last night with my husband. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We sat at the bar so we saw how the chef and his team made everything. They did a wonderful job for each of the courses. We decided to do a sake pairing with the meal and it went really well with all the different flavors. I would recommend Umami to anyone who wants a great omakase experience or a special occasion dinner.
Visited 9 months ago
I have never had a restaurant experience like this one before. Incredible food, fantastic service. The servers bring one taste of one kind of food at a time, so the pace is unhurried, but still it moves right along, because the chef and the servers describe what we are going to taste. Just amazing!
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
I visited this restaurant to celebrate my friend's birthday. I think it became unforgettable experience for them because food, drink, service...everything was outstanding. Every sushi dish was very fresh and tasty!! I would say this place is the best sushi restaurant I've ever visited in the US😀
Visited 10 months ago
I Love omakase. I’ve been to many omakase places in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and even Japan. Compare to other omakase places in Boston. I enjoy umami the most. I don’t know the chefs, but you could see how passionate they are. Pay attention to details and take professional pride in their work. That makes our omakase dinner experience so enjoyable.The food is exceptional. I loved the uni spoon, wagyu with caviar sushi and the madai nigiri the most, For this price, it’s the best omakase you could ask for in Boston area.( I’ve lived in Boston for 20 years) overall it’s a very pleasant experience. We will definitely come back.
Visited 10 months ago
Possibly one of the most complete omakase experiences in Massachusetts. You can taste the care that went into making each and every dish that is hard to explain. Although the price is a bit steep at around 200 dollars a person. I would say that it is well worth it for the experience.
Visited 10 months ago
Food was really great and it was a fun experience, but they add a 13% fee at the end (that is explicitly NOT a tip) in order to “subsidize the kitchen wages” and then you’re expected to tip on top of that as well. In my opinion, at this price point (about $200 per meal per person before drinks), there should be no reason that a restaurant isn’t already paying their people sufficient wages. Getting stuck with an add-on of about 30% after an already expensive dinner left a pretty bad taste in my mouth.
Visited 10 months ago
Awesome Omikase. Incredible fish, great presentation. Cool chefs and waiters
Visited 10 months ago
My husband and I ate at Umami on a weeknight in February and had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The omakase meal is excellent! We tried so many things we hadn’t eaten or heard of before and loved the diversity of the dishes. The toro and beef were the most memorable dishes for me.
Visited 10 months ago
Great Japanese cuisine, and the service was very attentive. Be aware of the mandatory 15%“kitchen appreciation” fees in addition to tips. Caught my friend and me by surprise. Would have appreciated if stated in advance.
Visited a year ago
1.5-1.8/5
TL;DR: SUPER LONG REVIEW - not a true omakase and more of a tasting menu. Modern sushi fusion gone wrong. SO overpriced. Took 3 hours
My friends and I wanted to try an omakase spot when visiting Boston and decided on this spot due to all the good reviews. The interior is cute, and service is nice. We quickly realized that everyone in the restaurant were doing the omakase, so they are serving ~30-40ish people simultaneously.
RED FLAGS/Negatives:
--Serving 30-40 people at once: can cause delays/timing issues
--A lot of the pieces of fish/nigiri were pre-cut
--First dish of Miso Soup was so bland (bad start)
--Sushi chefs were handling iPads with their hands then handling the food directly after
--They tried to upsell dishes (like Japanese uni) party by party: when we declined the salesman made a condescending comment "oh, you don't like uni?" Like no, we do; but you are aggressively upselling it to us
--It was ~10+ minutes in between dishes
--Experience took almost 3 hours (they said they were down a sushi chef)
--Rice was so weird (each grain was a different size and was coated in something weird)
FOOD RATINGS by order (see pics for more):
~Miso Soup (2/5): bland and clam was overcooked
~Oyster with tomato puree (2/5): oyster was raw and temperature was on the warmer side. Tomato puree seemed like an odd choice
~Assorted cuts of fish with fruit and fruit gel (1/5): what even was this. It tasted like a fruit cocktail with jello and pieces of fish
~The spoon (5/5): toro, quail egg, ikura, uni, and caviar on a spoon. Tasted good
~Spanish Mackerel (3/5): mid
~Chopped salmon with yuzu tobiko and sweet cream cheese (1/5): I assume this was their play on like a bagel and lox. They said to mix it up and eat, and it just tasted like sweet cream cheese, and the texture was off-putting. Honestly, disrespectful to the fish.
~Aji (I think)(2.5/5): Mid
~Snapper (3/5): Mid
~Multiple types of toro with caviar (4/5): can't go wrong with toro, but rice and temp made me dock a star
~Chawanmushi (2.5/5): had a shrimp and scallop on top which were both severely overcooked. The egg was decent, but the soy gel on top was tasty but strange texture (maybe too much agar agar or something)
~Baby squid (2/5): Could only taste mayo
~Scallop (3/5): large piece of scallop; but just wrapped in some nori
~Another type of snapper (2.5/5): meh
~Smoked duck breast (2.5/5): great presentation; half warm, half cold. Very dry
~Wagyu (3/5): can't mess up wagyu, but it was just okay and the topping did not complement the wagyu
~Foie Gras (4/5): Foie gras was torched and tasty but ruined by the bad rice
~Unagi Tamago (3.5/5): decent but nothing special
~Mango Mousse (1/5): As a lover of dessert, I was so disappointed. Overly sweet, and again had some kind of gel.
I haven't had a disappointing meal like this in a very long time. It took WAY too long; was WAY too expensive; was NOT an omakase; did NOT taste good.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Most authentic omakase experience. No frills, but straight focus on quality dishes—seafood, meat, flavors all amazing.
This is the spot. Don’t hesitate, book it for that special occasion or if you just want a couple hours of amazing food.
Service was great. Recommend the bar seating to see all the prep.
Not fancy necessarily, but that’s what makes this place great. It’s an awesome experience that feels like a Japanese hole in the wall.
Visited a year ago
Amazing!! I haven’t had an experience this good since I went to Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo in 2015. Arigato gozaimas!!!
Visited a year ago
Not bad, but I personally prefer omakase where the dishes/nigiri are a bit more intense/flavorful. To me this felt like it was a bit more on the light side and I often felt the pieces were missing something such as more sauce or some acid etc. And for the price, I might expect some more creative pieces. Overall still a good meal, but not my favorite especially for a special occasion. On the plus the service was stellar - could not be beat! :)
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
We have been to Umami twice and both were a wonderful experience. The service is friendly and enthusiastic and the food is really top notch. Great variety of fish, creatively prepared without ever overwhelming the flavors. They also do a nice job of showing exactly what the fish is that you’re eating with some of the more unfamiliar types, like cornet fish, which was new to me (and delicious).
Visited a year ago
When it comes to omakase in the Boston area, umami rises to the top as the best in the area. Tied for our favourite go to sushi for special occasions, the intentionality and care that goes into the food always goes beyond expectations.
I first went for a birthday post covid where there was significantly less courses and it was more accessible price wise. At the time I thought it was the more under priced omakase in boston.
They have since raised their prices and added more courses. One would assume it's for inflation but genuinely I think it mainly accounts for the additional courses and quality of ingredients.
Umami does an amazing job balancing and highlighting the quality ingredients they source. executed with precision, the staff is caring and engaging when explaining each course or answering questions.
This past trip, i honestly wondered why we haven't visited more often. but honestly saving it for the special days makes each trip more impactful.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
TLDR; Horrible case of food poisoning caused by dinner here
After a lovely evening here to celebrate our 20th anniversary, my husband and I left to walk around the city. Unfortunately, after less than an hour, I was hit with the horrible results of food poisoning. It was in a public place and extremely embarrassing and ended our lovely night.
I reached out to the restaurant to let them know and got a response asking for a doctor's note. Luckily, I didn't have to go to the doctor as it passed quickly. But I was disappointed that after a $500 meal, the restaurant had little response and took no action to make it right.
I waited years to try omakse and this was a big treat to splurge on this meal. I'm very disappointed at the ending.
Visited a year ago
Very understated decor to have you focus only on the food and experience. Each dish was better than the last. The chef shows you what kind of fish you are eating as some are very unique.
Visited a year ago
JMT
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
蛮难吃的 不知道这么多好评怎么刷的 不仅难吃还吃的拉肚子 赶紧跑
Visited a year ago
Definitely not worth the price. Atmosphere is seriously lacking. There’s no art on the walls and it’s clear there wasn’t much investment made into creating any sort of ambiance.
The staff were very kind, but could not accommodate my dietary preferences (dairy free) for every course. The food was good but I’ve had better for cheaper. Many of the dishes used chopped up bits of fish that were left over from what they couldn’t use for sashimi or nigiri. It’s a great way for them to turn a big margin. Don’t pay for the uni. At $25 for one piece, I expected it to come straight out of its shell and into my plate. What I got instead was something out of a box that didn’t taste nearly as fresh as it should. Total waste of money.
If this meal cost half of what I paid, I would have given it 3 stars instead of 2.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
They do such a phenomenal job with the small details that make the meal so meaningful and special - whether it's the chef making sure to come talk to everyone to showing you pictures of the fish you're eating to genuinely wanting to know what dishes were good and what could be improved. Thoroughly recommend!
Visited a year ago
Amazing food, above and beyond wonderful service. Everyone was so knowledge and kind. They were so professional and went above to make our dining experience one to remember. Shout out to the customers next to us as well, they tied our experience together. Absolutely love and a dinner I will NEVER forget. Thank you guys for everything!
Visited a year ago
Everything from the moment we walked through the doors was a perfect experience! The food was delicious and interactive when possible. We mentioned off hand to one member of the staff that it was our anniversary and they surprised us with an extra dessert! 100% worth the experience
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Everything is wonderful but be prepared for $$$ tips and service charges besides food price $$$. Spent over $700 after taxes, tips, etc for two people. But the foods and services are fantastic. I’ll recommend this place if money’s not the issue.
Besides the food price, they mandatorily charge 20% kitchen service fees (approx $100 for two), taxes (approx $80), the lowest tips starts from 18% which is about $110 for two. When I made a reservation, they said 18 course omakase is $158 per person but the price charged was $178 per person. You will be charged $100 if you can’t make it. The prices are a bit questionable but the foods are great so just be aware of these charges!!
Visited a year ago
It was ok, not great. My husband and I were disappointed with the selection of fish and flavors. For $178 per person, the service was aligned with that but the atmosphere and omakase was not. Some pieces were overpowered by the garnishes. Could not taste the fish or wagyu. Certain dishes such as miso soup, steamed egg, duck and salmon with mixed fruit did seem like cheap options to what they are charging. No nigiri piece of uni. You had to buy it for an additional $25 which is strange as all other omakase spots we’ve been to include it. Whether it’s Japanese uni or others. Atmosphere was not a traditional omakase spot. We could barely hear the chef talking about the omakase at the sushi counter because the guests in the dining room were talking over him. Ultimately, highly disappointed and would not return or recommend for that price and omakase.
Visited a year ago
Overpriced, overrated, and sooo over it…
Price: 168$ a person (not including automatic 20% tip). We booked a 5:30pm reservation at 5:10pm, looking at the traffic we realized that maybe we should cancel and find another place. But when we called they said “you have to pay the 100$ cancellation fee because we already prepared the food and it will go to waste!” After this we were a bit confused as we had just booked the reservation a couple minutes before, but were also excited by the notion that it would be such a prepared experience. But when we arrived, we noticed that they actually had just pulled the fish out of the fridge and were doing all the preparations right in front of us when we got there. I have no idea why they would lie about this (perhaps it has to do with the 100$ fee).
Food quality: while I’m sure they fish was of quality, I’m not so confident that all of it was as fresh as they claimed - some pieces seemed a bit tougher/smellier than others. There was a strange citrusy flavor that slapped my date and I in the face with each course. Not quite sure what this was caused by, but it seemed to be on every single dish (even dessert!). There was not a single course we both ate with any enthusiasm or really enjoyed at all and have had much better experiences elsewhere (FREQUENTLY).
Service & Atmosphere: the employees were very friendly, professional and attentive. Additionally they were also very quick to take dirty dishes and such. On the other hand, the atmosphere left much to be desired. It was a bit uncomfortable and felt a bit like a church, where my girlfriend and I felt like we almost had to whisper if we wanted any privacy.
Overall this was a very disheartening experience. What was meant to be a really nice, enticing break from a long day and a long week turned into a very expensive and very disappointing experience. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. I feel a bit bad saying this, but anyone who truly believes they received a decent value/experience here is only lying to feel better about wasting all of their time and money.
Visited a year ago
Mid restaurant. Spent 1300 dollars for four person here and it was not worth it. All the courses was boring and mid, none of them used any expensive fish at all. The waitress kept saying they got the materials from Japan THIS MONTH, that’s not fresh at all then. And after I tried the fish it proved my thought. The restaurant will charge you a 20% mandatory service fee on the house and ur forced to pay another 20% tip. I felt robbed after coming here.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
An incredible experience - photos alone do not do justice to the delightful creations composed here. Every bite was memorable, will definitely be finding an occasion to return
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I don’t have words to say how amazing this dinner was! Perfect for a special occasion. Every bite was perfection!
Visited a year ago
Food
This is my new favourite sushi place in town. The omakase had 18 courses, and most of the dishes were well done.
Everything else
The service was phenomenal and I don’t say that lightly. Everyone was friendly and helpful. One of the waitresses made me feel like we were friends.
Visited a year ago
Seriously overhyped. Save your money.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
From the minute we walked in, the staff was attentive and cordial. So many fabulous touches like the Chawanmushi which was a cloud filled with tiny treasures, the sweet Uni and homemade pickled ginger, eighteen courses were perfectly balanced. We opted for the sake pairing which took me by surprise. Generously filled glasses married nicely with the nigiri and maki. We had front row seats watching this finely tuned chefs deftly slice nigiri to envelope perfect rice. Perfection in all steps both visual and culinary.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
The place was small, but perfect for Omakase. The service was good. We got the 18 Course Omakase. Some of the selection was a hit or miss. Overall, presentation was good and most of it was delicious. The Toro was yummy. The Wagyu was so smokey and tender. Perfect for a date night. I got the extra roll of uni from Japan for $25. We paid like $500 for 2 people. 20% was already included
Visited a year ago
Impeccable service, incredibly friendly, and the food was perfect.
Visited a year ago
Wonderful Omakase Experience in Cambridge
Restaurant Name: Umami Omakase
It was great to visit Umami Omakase once again; the restaurant's interior transported me to Japan, creating a truly immersive dining experience. The food, ranging from a delightful variety of rolls to other exquisite delicacies, was nothing short of amazing, and every dish came with thoughtful explanations from the chef or server, enhancing the experience even further. The attentive servers added to the enjoyment by engaging in conversations, making the Omakase meal truly interactive.
Pros:
- The restaurant's interior design provides an authentic and immersive Japanese dining atmosphere.
- The diverse menu offers a wide range of delicious rolls and other delicacies.
- The staff's informative explanations of each dish and their overall attentiveness contribute to an exceptional dining experience.
Cons:
- While not a major issue, it's advisable to arrive a bit earlier than your reservation time due to limited street parking availability.
Overall Impression: One of the top traditional omakase experiences in the Greater Boston area. I recommend others to give it a try. Omakase experiences are always on the pricey end, so I recommend you give this a visit during special occasions. You will not regret it!
Visited a year ago
So much umami in every bite! Did the omakase with sake pairing. Highlight pieces were the shima aji, chutoro, bafun uni, and foie gras. And applewood-smoked duck. Everything was good. And the service was excellent.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Amazing. What a meal
Visited a year ago
This place was amazing. Gary, the head chef, is extremely kind and friendly. The other chefs are amazing with their craft as the food was absolutely amazing. You get quite a bit of food for the price as well, I left with a full stomach. If you have allergies or prefer anything different, they will make it for you. The atmosphere is super great as well, minimalistic but beautiful. Would definitely recommend.
Visited a year ago
This amazing food tasting experience! Best omakase at Boston
Visited 2 years ago
Beautiful place, amazing sushi, awesome price. Nice selection of beer and Sake too!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
We had an amazing birthday dinner at Umami. Everybody here made sure we had the best meal. Thank you so much!
Visited 2 years ago
Absolutely a great place for a special occasion! The staff was fantastic! There wasn't a single disappointing bite/course. My only wish would be that we be allowed to order an extra serving of any course because there are a few courses that are impossibly amazing. And. I. Want. More! 😂
Visited 2 years ago
I have had several omakase dinners in my life and this was my least favorite so far in terms of quality. Would not recommend.
Visited 2 years ago
There was nothing remarkable about the sushi and entire omakase was uninspired/boring. You can get similar or better quality sushi at other places in Boston for less with a better omakase experience.
Visited 2 years ago
Just went here for my husband's birthday. I had no idea what to expect since the price was so high but WOW it was worth it. I am not a huge raw fish fan (this was an experience mainly for my husband) but after tonight I may be. Everything was prepared expertly, the food was fresh, and the portions were perfect. Loved the mix of nigiri, sashimi, and cooked meats with amazing bursts of unique flavor. We also got the sake pairings, which were perfect. Not to mention the incredible chefs who offered amazing, attentive service. We highly recommend for a special occasion or a fun night out!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
They know their craft. I have had many omakases in my time and this ranks in top 3.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Incredible place and restaurant.
All is awesome, taste and especially the mix of it.
You will live a true experience and I can only encourage you to take the sake proposition from the chef !
One of the best restaurant of my life !
18 meals in 2 hours and so many to discover !
Thanks Umani Omakase !
All was perfect !
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I was not aware that you had to go Hunger Games style for the counter seat which is probably why everyone gave me the stank-eye when I innocently walked into the restaurant past everyone and waited by the counter. That was still not enough because when the clock struck I was instantly ravaged by hungry sushi fiends who ran past me and established their dominance over the entire counter. I was pushed back and sadly stuck with a table so for future customers be warned for the need to train, practice, and be absolutely ready for the run of your life. That was a very jarring start to the meal. I would highly recommend a proper reservation system. The sushi was good and inventive and service was very attentive. The atmosphere was light and casual. However some pieces can be quite gimmicky which is not my cup of tea.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Seriously amazing, Omakase!
Worth it!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Great experience. Can't really pick out any course as a standout as they were all quite good. Great sake pairing choices.
Visited 2 years ago
Had one of the best bites of my life. Gotta love that otoro and truffle!
Visited 2 years ago
Fantastic experience. Minimalist atmosphere. Top notch quality (compare to a similar spot between thr seaport & Chinatown). Attentive and professional service.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
I just ate at umami for my partners 30th birthday. I can say without a doubt, this is the BEST restaurant in Boston. Every course was a unique and delicious experience. And the courses truly reinvigorated my creative spirit. Eating at umami is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
100% one of my best food experiences! I liked the interactive experience and how amazing the staff was. They explained every dish before serving it. It is pretty affordable. I loved the drink selection. The food was so fresh, delicious, and very tasty.
Visited 2 years ago
3 stars for mid omakase. They favor presentation over innovation. Asking diners to pull out their phones and record is just flat out weird.
Experience was enjoyable but left much to be desired.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
If I could give this place 6 Stars, I would.
Everything about the dining experience, from beginning to end, was top notch. The restaurant, also been a sake bar, has an impressive sake selection. The Chef has have truly outdone himself with creating this menu. It had all the delights, from the freshest fish, to A5 Japanese Wagyu, foie gras, smoked duck breast, uni, bluefin toro and more, garnished very tastefully with roes, caviar, finely chopped salads and other delicious surprises. Every piece was a carefully crafted piece of art, and tasted simply phenomenal.
The service was phenomenal as well. Michael worked his magic to make this night not only possible, but unforgettable, and both him and Jeff were on top of every step, being professional while friendly, attentive and caring throughout the evening.
Lastly, if you have a chance, for dinner, sit at the sushi bar. These spots do fill up quick, speaking from experience, so reserve in advance.
Visited 2 years ago
Their Omakase is good! And the 4 stars for overpriced, they charge you for both administrative fee and gratuity, that’s not accepted at other omakase like No Relation I think!
Visited 2 years ago
Had a great experience for my wife's birthday! Probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Worth the money for sure!!!
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Oh no. For that price, I have to compare it to all of my greatest dinners and omakase experiences. They were all better, and cheaper. The fish was also chewier than usual.
Visited 2 years ago
Impeccable omakase experience! They were very kind to accommodate my dietary restrictions as well (no meat, pescetarian). The quality was very high, and the price is very reasonable given the experience. Ahmed, the waiter, was also fantastic and very attentive.
Visited 2 years ago
Best birtbday omakase ever!
Visited 2 years ago
Warm welcoming service with excellent omakase
Visited 2 years ago
I had an incredible birthday dinner here. I was new to omakase but it might have been the best meal I've had. The service was attentive and accommodating, and the whole experience was worth every penny.
Visited 2 years ago
I was excited to experience all that umami omakase has to offer and I was not let down. What umami omakase stands for is the infusion of all the flavors and ingredients included in a single comprehensive mouthful of sushi and sashimi presented in the most traditional spectacular Japanese fashion showcasing the fish as the primary source of flavors complimented by pairings of spectacular fashion. Cannot wait to try again. Compliments to the chef and team.
Visited 2 years ago
We went there to celebrate my Birthday and it was a phenomenal experience. Would highly recommend getting a seat by the sushi bar if possible. Without it, I do not think it would be nearly as good of an experience. The waitstaff were very attentive and the sushi chefs were very kind and attentive throughout the entire meal. It was 18 courses omakase + an additional course that you could add on. Each course was phenomenal on its own, but i truly enjoyed the foie gras nigiri and the umami spoon. While the entire meal was very expensive, the experience was worth it for us as we got to enjoy the artistry of each dish up close and personal. We thought of it more as a performance and meal rather than just a meal on its own.
Visited 2 years ago
MEDIOCRE!
When you walk out of a restaurant after paying 200+ person still hungry thats a problem. I went to Franks steakhouse to grab a meal right after, thats how small the portions were. Absolutely ridiculous, Ive been to other restaurants that do omakaze way better.
Visited 2 years ago
Spectacular food. Extremely friendly staff
Visited 2 years ago
Best meal I had a in Boston hands down out of nine years of cooking
Visited 2 years ago
Good food
Visited 2 years ago
Horrible experience we came in here to waste our time no guarantee seating at the bar Even with an appointment, with a appointment its still first come first serve Will not recommend anyone to this place, There’s also a cancellation fee of $100 per person, which is stupid if you want to leave after being treated unfairly.
Visited 2 years ago
It's still a walk-in first come first serve even if you have a appointment. No guaranteed to sit at the bar. No manager in duty complete waste of time
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Exceptional.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
If you are thinking on trying Omakase for the first time, don't hesitate, come to this place. Amazing staff and service. The selection of dishes was superb and the quality of the ingredients amazing. Price, very accessible in the world of Omakase restaurants.
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
Visited 2 years ago
This spot used to be another sushi restaurant that sells bento, which was my go to lunch place. They turned it into a fancy omakase experience during the pandemic, and it works quite well! It’s hard to get a nice sushi chef so they turned it around by adding some fancy ingredients. For example, sparkling gold on sushi and closing the light to make it shine. You can feel the skill of making a nice sushi is still lacking, but they definitely put a lot of thought into it. I do appreciate the effort and like the experience. Hopefully they will continue improving themselves and I look forward to visiting again.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Underwhelming experience. Pretends authenticity but doesn’t deliver. Also, at $200 per person, you should not serve tap water. Do not recommend - find another place for omakase.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Umami Omakase, at least at the time of posting isn’t the most expensive Omakase in Boston. And their ambiance isn’t too extravagant. However, if you love sushi and ready for the top tier sushi experience, this is the place. Simply, it’s delicious! It’s very impressive how they gather the range of quality ingredients, refine them, and combine to provide unique culinary experiences that please all of your senses. I also think it’s an experience that visitors be craving again soon enough. It’s certainly a memorable meal so make your reservation in advance for special days.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
An omakase exclusive restaurant that serves a mix of traditional and fusion Japanese dishes.
Recently had the chance to visit to enjoy their 18 course meal. We made a reservation for 5:30pm and were seated at the bar seats along with all the other two people groups. As soon as everyone arrived, they started the show and made us feel like we were in a one big group. While this wasn’t the typical intimate and romantic omakase experience, the communal atmosphere definitely added a special element to the overall dining experience.
We started off with the clam miso soup that subtly introduced us to the understated taste of Japanese cuisine. Among the sushi dishes that followed, umami spoon, A5 wagyu sushi, foie gras sushi, and the bluefin toro were the standouts. The overall quality of the sushi wasn’t the best I’ve tried, but I liked the infusion of yuzu in a lot of their sushi dishes. The lingering aroma of yuzu gave a smooth transition to the subsequent dish. We also added the Bafun Hokkaido uni, and the creaminess of the uni was undoubtedly the best I had in Boston.
The whole experience lasted about 2 hrs, but since most dishes were prepared in advance, the interval between each dish was only around 5 minutes. While this certainly wasn’t the most luxurious omakase I’ve had, I would highly recommend them to people who are looking for a causal introduction to omakase.
Visited 3 years ago
The restaurant has a set menu for omakase serving 2 parties per night. This is a 18 course meal starting with soup, sashimi, nigri and then your hot entrees. I highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar to watch the chefs prep and serve. Each bite is delicious. You can taste the quality and amount of effort that went into it. We will be back.
Visited 3 years ago
Exceptional experience sitting at the counter. The food you're eating is mostly prepared in front of you and of high quality. Some stuff you'll be hard pressed to find elsewhere and this unassuming restaurant in North Cambridge is a hidden dining gem.
Visited 3 years ago
My third time experiencing omakase and I must admit this was one of my best experiences good food good drinks can’t complain
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Magnificent food & service. Highly recommended for foodies and folks wanting to celebrate a special occasion. Very far from your normal sushi dinner experience. Get ready to be WOW'd!!!
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Amazing omakase experience! Definitely get the sake pairing and any specials they have for night.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Nice omasake
Visited 3 years ago
I've tried omakase in a few places across America, and I was excited to try one in Boston given the local reputation for fresh cold-water seafood. I have never been so disappointed. This was some of the worst sushi I've had in a while. The chefs failed to make use of the local seafood and instead served frozen, "imported" seafood that tasted slimy, fishy, and halfway rotten. Out of the 18 courses on the menu, only 3 tasted palatable at all, everything else left me feeling sickened. I was tempted to just leave halfway through, and I wish I did in hindsight. Aside from the awful sushi selection, the "A5 Japanese wagyu" was flavorless and poorly prepared. I have no doubt that it was previously frozen, and the chef failed to provide a certificate of authenticity for it (a common practice for quality omakase) which has me questioning if it was even Japanese wagyu at all. The staff were rude and seemed reluctant to serve us (they even commented on how "poorly dressed" my table was??? unbelievable). I had to ask 3 times and wait nearly 30 minutes to get my water refilled. They were annoyed that we asked for soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi (which should have been provided without asking). Also, the wasabi is powdered, for $200 they couldn't even use real wasabi? It seems like most of the $200 price tag went towards this stupid gold glitter they put on the "wagyu". The staff had everyone take out their phones and record a video of them spraying gold glitter on the "wagyu", which I think sums up the entire experience. The omakase was designed to be pretty and instagram-able. The delicate balance of flavors and freshness that I would expect from an omakase simply was not there - the chefs designed the dishes to look beautiful, without regard for taste. Everything was about aesthetics - and sure, the dishes look lovely in photos, but the lack of quality and care for the taste of the food is ultimately a bastardization of what this experience is supposed to be. Do not spend your money here, everyone involved in this experience should be ashamed.
Visited 3 years ago
I wouldn’t waste your time going to this spot. Most of the dishes were definitely not fresh. Fatty tuna felt slimy and tasted fishy. Akami tuna tasted like blood, cheap quality. Oyster tasted like warm water oyster, or a cold water oyster that went bad. I’ve had better beef from publix/walmart than the “japanese wagyu” they provided. The wagyu is 100% frozen. Steamed egg dish had no flavor. Shrimp dish was the worst thing on the menu. So bitter, sour and terrible quality.
The rice fell apart easy and did not stick together properly.
They used gold glitter spray on the “japanese wagyu” and had us take a video of it with our flashlights on. Stupid and gimmicky, no point in it.
Wasabi is not real and cheap powder
They seem reluctant to provide a side of soy sauce, ginger and wasabi. Had to keep asking for them because they gave us so little each time.
Only a few good dishes, 2/18 dishes were fantastic. 3/18 was all right and 13/18 were absolutely terrible. Waste of money and this place should be ashamed of serving this food for $200. Im sure the chefs are embarrassed to serve the food we had tonight. It was obvious the quality was terrible. This is similar to take-out, cheap sushi i’ve had in other cities.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Fish was great, oyster were a bit stinky. The interior is nice. The menu rotates over time, would recommend giving it a try, but not really worth the price tag.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
Well thought out courses with excellent sake pairings.
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
I discovered this place via ubereats and thought I’d give it a try—support local businesses. Was very impressed with my dinner. Had the premium omakase, gyoza, and mikan juice. Everything came well packaged and neatly presented. Blown away by the nigiri & topping combinations. Quality exceptional; fresh, tasty, made to order. Highly recommend!
Visited 3 years ago
For omakase this price the rice should be this sticky and soft, chawanmushi should not be tasting spicy, I do not recommend this restaurant at all unless the price is less than 80dollars
Visited 3 years ago
Visited 3 years ago
- 18 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.5 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 617-868-2121
- Menu Website: http://www.umamiomakase.com/
- Sushi Address: 2372 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140, United States
- Sushi Map: 42.3966284, -71.12979729999999
- Japanese restaurant
- Sushi restaurant
- Sunday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Wednesday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Thursday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Friday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Saturday: 5:30–10:30 PM
- Delivery: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Assistive hearing loop: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Wine: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Catering: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Bar on site: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- Family friendly: Available
- LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
- Reservations required: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- High chairs: Available
- Free of charge street parking: Available
- Paid street parking: Available
- Parking: Available