Yoshitomo

What is it: A modern take on classic Japanese sushi spots (and cooking technique) serving regular omakase service. Why go: Chef and owner Dave Utterback loves to play with classic techniques and making them his own. Don’t miss the hamachos, his take on nachos, or the aburi wagyu, made with seared beef.

This intimate, upscale neighborhood sushi-ya has been recognized by The Washington Post for being one of America’s best sushi restaurants and is helmed by nationally acclaimed chef and James Beard nominee David Utterback. The two-time James Beard semifinalist creates a menu of inspired Japanese small plates, nigiri and maki sushi for guests, featuring ingredients that focus on mixing traditional sushi fare with modern reinterpretations and small shareable plates. Yoshitomo’s menu lists appetizers like oni egg (deviled egg with mentaiko, trout roe, yuzu togarashi and potato salad) and kaki (four oysters, green apple, dashi gelee and dill).

Omaha chef and James Beard nominee David Utterback, owner of Ota - omakase table and sister restaurant, Yoshitomo, attracts destination diners searching for refined American sushi. A December 2023 profile in The Washington Post quotes food writer Yukari Kane: “I think the best new sushi right now is in Omaha.” Utterback adds a regional touch to dishes, including “prairie tuna” – a slice of wagyu strip loin topped with sea urchin butter and golden osetra caviar. Book your spot for the 20-course chef's tasting at Ota - omakase table, or make your reservation to Yoshitomo for a more casual experience.

At Yoshitomo’s Ota, enjoy the Midwest’s only omakase experience and trust James Beard Award-nominated chef David Utterback to prepare memorable bites right in front of your very eyes. An Omaha seafood staple, Shucks serves up a veritable plethora of comfort-food level seafood eats from calamari and oysters to crab cakes and lobster bisque. Pacific Eating House and Twisted Cork Bistro, whose owners hail from the Pacific Northwest, promise always natural, always wild seafood with sophisticated options like ahi sashimi and mahi-mahi.

Even – or perhaps especially – the most seasoned travelers rave about David Utterback's Yoshitomo: a petite neighborhood sushi restaurant dishing out some of the most interesting and high-quality food in town. The restaurant does serve a menu of creative rolls, but the real focus is on handcrafted small plates, nigiri and the limited omakase service – a multicourse curated experience that runs year-round and is a hot ticket in town. You can enjoy your pick from the extensive wine, sake and beer list while dining at Yoshitomo.

Even – or perhaps especially – the most seasoned travelers rave about David Utterback’s Yoshitomo: a petite neighborhood sushi restaurant dishing out some of the most interesting and high-quality food in town. The restaurant does serve a menu of creative rolls, but the real focus is on handcrafted small plates, nigiri and the limited omakase service – a multicourse curated experience that runs year-round and is a hot ticket in town. You can enjoy your pick from the extensive wine, sake and beer list while dining at Yoshitomo.

You know a restaurant is impressive when the owner travels to Japan twice a year to sample the food and bring back ideas to offer an American spin on sushi and other plates. Owner and chef Dave Utterback, a James Beard Foundation nominee, creates unique dishes at Yoshitomo, such as seaweed salad with sesame chili, and rodeo sushi, featuring wagyu beef and barbecue paper. Located in the eclectic Benson neighborhood, check out the alley art after dinner or enjoy a drink and vintage pinball games at Beercade.

Yoshitomo Price: $$ Address: 6009 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104, United States Phone: +1 402-916-5872 View this post on Instagram A post shared by yoshitomo (@yoshitomosushi) If you feel like going to a sushi place with a pub-feel interior, you can try Yoshitomo. They serve a variety of creative sushi, including maki and nigiri. However, their menu does not end there.

The flavor of this dish assaults your tastebuds (in a good way!) Yoshitomo is known for its unique, carefully thought-out flavors, and this dish is the best example. The dish’s three layers just work so well together: the bed of tender rice brings the starch, the wagyu beef is slightly sweet and adds a touch of bitterness from its sear on the grill, and the uni butter infuses the entire bite with a fattiness.

Sushi and special occasions go together so naturally and Yoshitomo is the frontrunner when it comes to sushi in Omaha. This restaurant is run by local chef David Utterback, who is known for his work at several other well-known establishments. Come try his creative takes on nigiri, sushi and maki, and don’t forget to accompany your selection with beer, wine or sake from the carefully curated drinks menu.

We bellied up to the sushi bar and watched in amazement as Chef David Utterback served up some innovative dishes like foie gras rice, seared wagyu with uni butter, fresh oysters with dill and apple mignonette, as well as the most amazing sablefish with yuzo sumiso. We were floored by how innovative and delicious this sushi experience was, it is absolutely one of the best restaurants in Omaha.

The long list of the sushi menu— which even includes vegan options —is tempting enough alone, but Yoshitomo also serves appetizer dishes, entrees, and a few salads. Sake and beer are available, too, but Yoshitomo takes pride in their wine choices especially. They also offer non-alcoholic drinks, so there’s something for everyone on the menu here, even in terms of food!

He launched Yoshitomo, a sanctuary where the reverence for the sea’s bounty is palpable, and it’s not just one of the best in Omaha but stands tall among the culinary giants anywhere. Not one to rest on his laurels, Utterback conjured up Koji in Countryside Village, a new temple for those who worship at the altar of fresh, exquisitely prepared fish.

ABOUT we are a local omaha sushi bar focused on serving modern edomae style sushi, upscale tasting menus and japanese food. We offer a diverse menu featuring nigiri, sashimi, omakase, classic maki sushi rolls and a thoughtfully curated wine, sake and japanese beer list as well as private omakase dinners

Raved about by travelers and locals, Yoshitomo by Chef David Utterback is an amazing sushi restaurant with quality and creative rolls. They also offer small plates, nigiri, or a limited omakase service. Omakase is a curated experience with multiple courses to showcase special and delicious flavors.

If you’re in the mood for sushi, there’s a city-wide debate on who does it best. Yoshitomo in the Benson neighborhood is one of the best, though. Chef David Utterback is a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (18 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 6009 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104-4103- Read more on Tripadvisor

Yoshitomo (Benson) and Koji (Westside) are two amazing restaurants created by James Beard-nominated chef David Utterback. The Washington Post called Koji one of the best sushi restaurants in America.

6009 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104Phone: 402-916-5872 Visit Website. A post shared by yoshitomo (@yoshitomo_sushi). Yoshitomo is a seafood restaurant near the Central Park Plaza and Poppleton Block.

Yoshitomo, a sushi bar and Japanese spot, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 119 Yelp reviews. Head over to 6009 Maple St. to check it out for yourself.

Ending this list of the best Omaha restaurants is Yoshitomo. Known for sushi and Japanese small plates, this specialized restaurant delivers on all counts.