Montreal’s first, reservation only, OMAKASE restaurant. (Omakase means “Chef’s choice”)
In addition to being imported directly from Japan, fresh fish is also acquired from all over the world. Our experienced Chefs meticulously select fish that suit the season, and use additional methods when necessary to maximize its umami (“delicious taste”). We make it possible to indulge in Edomae sushi, as if you were in Japan.
We commit to serving fresh dishes of the highest quality, whilst also offering multi-sensory entertainment.
In addition to quality food, we also wish you to experience Japanese culture. So, special attention is given to using authentic dining ware and cooking tools. We value your time with us and wish for it to be a live, interactive experience. We welcome you with Omotenashi (the Japanese philosophy of hospitality).
Reviewers describe Okeya Kyujiro as an intimate, immersive omakase experience that feels like a journey to Japan, with pristine ingredients, artful plating, and a dynamic, chef-led progression served right in front of guests. The service is repeatedly praised as attentive, polished, and personal, with explanations of dishes and provenance that elevate the tasting. Many note the ambiance as refined and authentic, the counter seating and open kitchen enhancing the sense of ceremony, and the overall experience frequently deemed memorable and worth the price, often positioned as a special occasion or bucket-list meal. Some report the brunch omakase as a more approachable alternative at a fraction of the dinner price. A few critiques appear around pacing, price, and value, occasional dessert misalignment, limited wine options or wine knowledge among staff, and an abrupt ending or fast tempo on certain visits, but these are outweighed by praise for consistency, the freshness of fish, and the artistry of the courses. Overall, the restaurant is widely celebrated as one of Montreal’s premier Japanese dining experiences, with many reviewers eager to return and celebrate milestones.
We came for a 6:00 pm reservation to celebrate a birthday. We were asked to arrive 15 minutes early, & while driving we tried calling the restaurant several times to confirm arriving closer to 6:00 pm, but the phone always went to voicemail.
While the concept is interesting, the execution did not feel consistent with the price point ($335 per person before drinks). All guests were seated before the blinds opened, & at 8:00 pm the blinds were closed, the lights were turned off, & we were asked to leave even though we were still finishing our drinks. That abrupt ending made the evening feel rushed rather than celebratory.
The chef & sous-chef served the dishes but only named them, while all explanations were given by a separate staff member walking from couple to couple. This may be due to language limitations, but it still broke the intimacy expected from a counter-style omakase & made it feel more like a narrated show than a personal dining experience.
For birthdays, everyone received the same candle & dessert at the same time, which made what should have been a personal moment feel more like a production line than a special occasion.
There were also atmosphere issues, including noticeable HVAC noise that had to be turned on & off during service, as well as glassware & decor that did not feel aligned with a high-end tasting menu at this price.
My partner enjoyed the evening, but for a special occasion at this cost, we expected a more refined, calm, & personal experience. The idea is good, but the execution & value simply did not match what is being charged.
Why 2★
Food quality: ★★★☆☆
Good fish & competent execution, but no memorable or'wow' moments for a $335 tasting.
Service & intimacy: ★★☆☆☆
The chef & sous-chef only named the dishes, while all explanations were given by a roaming staff member. This may be due to language limitations, but it still broke the intimacy expected from a counter-style omakase.
Atmosphere: ★★☆☆☆
Noticeable HVAC noise that had to be turned on & off during service, plus glassware & decor that did not feel consistent with a high-end tasting menu.
Pacing & hospitality: ★☆☆☆☆
Rigid timing, unanswered phone calls before arrival, & an abrupt ending at 8 pm even while guests were still finishing drinks.
Value for money: ★☆☆☆☆
At $335 per person before drinks, this price point competes with Montréal's top fine-dining & omakase counters, where guests expect silence, premium glassware, no rushing, direct chef interaction, & a calm, personal experience. Instead, we experienced loud HVAC cycling, average glassware, production-line pacing, a roaming narrator instead of chef-to-guest explanation, & a forced end at 8 pm. Even though some of the food was good, the overall experience did not come close to what this price level normally buys.
We came for a 6:00 pm reservation to celebrate a birthday. We were asked to arrive 15 minutes early, & while driving we tried calling the restaurant several times to confirm arriving closer to 6:00 pm, but the phone always went to voicemail.
While the concept is interesting, the execution did not feel consistent with the price point ($335 per person before drinks). All guests were seated before the blinds opened, & at 8:00 pm the blinds were closed, the lights were turned off, & we were asked to leave even though we were still finishing our drinks. That abrupt ending made the evening feel rushed rather than celebratory.
The chef & sous-chef served the dishes but only named them, while all explanations were given by a separate staff member walking from couple to couple. This may be due to language limitations, but it still broke the intimacy expected from a counter-style omakase & made it feel more like a narrated show than a personal dining experience.
For birthdays, everyone received the same candle & dessert at the same time, which made what should have been a personal moment feel more like a production line than a special occasion.
There were also atmosphere issues, including noticeable HVAC noise that had to be turned on & off during service, as well as glassware & decor that did not feel aligned with a high-end tasting menu at this price.
My partner enjoyed the evening, but for a special occasion at this cost, we expected a more refined, calm, & personal experience. The idea is good, but the execution & value simply did not match what is being charged.
Why 2★
Food quality: ★★★☆☆
Good fish & competent execution, but no memorable or'wow' moments for a $335 tasting.
Service & intimacy: ★★☆☆☆
The chef & sous-chef only named the dishes, while all explanations were given by a roaming staff member. This may be due to language limitations, but it still broke the intimacy expected from a counter-style omakase.
Atmosphere: ★★☆☆☆
Noticeable HVAC noise that had to be turned on & off during service, plus glassware & decor that did not feel consistent with a high-end tasting menu.
Pacing & hospitality: ★☆☆☆☆
Rigid timing, unanswered phone calls before arrival, & an abrupt ending at 8 pm even while guests were still finishing drinks.
Value for money: ★☆☆☆☆
At $335 per person before drinks, this price point competes with Montréal's top fine-dining & omakase counters, where guests expect silence, premium glassware, no rushing, direct chef interaction, & a calm, personal experience. Instead, we experienced loud HVAC cycling, average glassware, production-line pacing, a roaming narrator instead of chef-to-guest explanation, & a forced end at 8 pm. Even though some of the food was good, the overall experience did not come close to what this price level normally buys.
Feb 1, 2026
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an amazing, authentic flashback to the wonderful times we had in japan. experience was immersive, savory & a skillful display of plating & serving. beyond exceptional quality, quantity was well balanced & pace was great to sustain eating experience without stretching it too long. add to your to-do's if you've never been, we have added it to our go-to's.
My fiancé & I made reservations for lunch & couldn't have been happier with our choice. The food quality was amazing & the presentation was even better. They were able to make accommodations for an allergy as well. Would definitely come back when we have a chance.
I've been to the Toronto location when it first opened & maybe the novelty has worn off, but my visit here was a bit of a disappointment. The experience didn't feel as luxurious (Toronto gave me a souvenir at the end of the meal) & for 20 courses, the service was pretty rushed at slightly under 2 hours.
I appreciate the use of seasonal & high quality ingredients. Things like aiyu sweetfish, Hokkaido hairy crab & Ibaraki sweet potato are hard to come by outside Japan. However, it didn't feel like these special ingredients were allowed to shine in the cooking.
For example, the few pieces of junsai were cut too small & hidden below the pile of cucumber, shrimp & umibudo - it didn't feel like junsai was the star of the dish. The wagyu slice was also soaked in sesame sauce, which didn't allow its beautiful umami to come through.
The use of wild BC tuna for otoro also meant that it's leaner & less fatty than what I'm used to. The lack of the signature'melt in your mouth' feel of otoro was a shame.
Overall, none of the dishes stood out to me. They were very bland & one-note, propped up by pretty presentation. The service was amazing & I wish the food wowed me more.
Truly stunning meal that's one of a kind! The sushi is the highest of quality, the service was outstanding, & everything was just amazing. It's very true to what omakase in Japan is like & they go above & beyond with the menu here. There were some bites that made me emotional. It's definitely a special occasion restaurant & everyone there was celebrating a birthday or anniversary, but if I had my way (or the funds) I would celebrate all my birthdays there!
disclaimer: my meal was comped
This is literally the best culinary experience my & my gf ever had period. The quality of the food, the service & whole atmosphere was simply astonishing. Went there for my birthday & the attention to details was something I've never experienced (even in high class restaurant). Yes it's expensive but if you enjoy good sushi you need to try it once in your life.
Aug 6, 2025
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Went here for lunch-easier to book than dinner. $175 per person, & with drinks, tax, & tip, it came out to about $500 for two.
Food: Excellent quality. Started with warm fish appetizers & a small bowl of chawanmushi-perfect way to ease into the meal. Sushi was fresh, well-balanced, & served with warm, properly portioned rice. Only letdown was the dessert: the yuzu cake's crust overwhelmed the flavor. Felt more like a Western-style dessert, not quite in line with the rest of the experience.
Ambience: The space is small & well-maintained, but the high stools are not very comfortable-especially for anyone with mobility issues. A sunken chef's counter with standard chairs would've made a big difference.
Service: Very professional & well-rehearsed-almost theatrical, in a fun way. However, the pacing was fast. The entire 15-course omakase wrapped up in about an hour, which felt a bit rushed compared to the more leisurely two-hour meals I'm used to.
Still, the overall quality was way ahead of places like sushi place right next to it.(I know I probably shouldn't even compare these two together😂 but hey they are in the same price range) I'd happily come back to try the dinner service.
If you're mentally prepared to spend the money on this experience it will blow you away. Every single thing we put in our mouths was extraordinary. I've been to Japan & eaten sushi in countries all over the world but this will permanently stand out. Alcohol selection could be improved but everything from the service to the ambiance to the quality & care they show each guest...unparalleled & a real gem of Montreal. Cannot recommend enough for a special occasion.
My partner & I wanted something luxurious & that's exactly what we got. The attention to detail was spectacular & the staff were polite, attentive, friendly, & dressed in traditional Japanese robes which made the whole place feel authentic. We loved that there was the 2023 Michelin star behind us & the bar was professional yet warm & homey to sit up on. We were seated directly in front of the owner & head chef who did an excellent job of providing a unique & theatrical experience. We loved the fish & dishes he held out for us to view before serving to us & the staff right behind our ears letting us know about the next dish we were about to eat. There were something like 20 courses but it felt like over 30 with many types of appetizers, nigiri, rice dishes, noodles & dessert to eat. I cannot rave enough about the quality of the ingredients & the craftsmanship of the food plated in front of me. I ate Japanese food I never expected to experience such as wagu beef, otoro tuna belly, salmon roe, fresh bonito shavings, uni, sweet raw shrimp, two types of unagi, & so many unique types of fish. It is definitely expensive but also definitely worth the visit if you can spare a few hundred dollars. We were excited for every single dish that came out to us & tried to savor every momemt, however fleeting. I wish I could eat like this every day. 100/10 would recommend.
Jul 2, 2024
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I am sorry but I have to say that I am not impressed with the food quality here. I am a food critic & vlogger & have been to many Japanese Omakase places in Hong Kong, Japan, Toronto & Vancouver. At this price point, Okeya's food presentation, culinary skills & quality are just not comparable to other 1 Star Omakase places in Canada. It is not even as good as some Omakase dinner in Toronto at $98/person. Sushi rice's taste & texture are very ordinary, sometimes it will fall apart when you pick up by hand, taste does not enhance the piece of fish on top neither. Fish quality is again very, very ordinary, lack of culinary treatments such as adding house made sauce, smoked, aged, tenderized which you get from other starred places. Also sushi size is the smallest I have ever had. One pc of sushi was added yuzu juice but I cannot taste the aromatic yuzu fragrance at all, not a fresh yuzu? I do not understand why this place gets such high ratings? Maybe the high rating is given to the waitresses wearing pretty Kimonos serving green tea... & the theater setup with curtains go up & down... alcohol selection is limited, they don't have a drink menu to view their selection & price. Service & atmosphere were great. At this price, Montrealers definitely deserve much better Omakase experience. I would say this place is overpriced. Vancouver's 1 Star Masayoshi is 100 times better but only $220 for dinner. Toronto's 1 Star Aburi Hana price is similar over $300 for dinner but again, 100 times better. & I totally agree to all other 1,2 & 3 stars ratings here in google review.
Extremely high quality food with commensurate service. This wasn't a lunch, this was an artistic performance in both the culinary & the theatrical arts. My compliments in particular to the servers who were always ready to render assistance, answer questions & whose flawless execution of the wonderfully intricate tea ceremony left me awestruck. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
When looking for a "special" restaurant to take my husband out for his 50th birthday, Okeya immediately came to mind. I have known about this restaurant since it opened, but wanted to wait for the perfect occasion to try considering the cost. It was completely worth it if you want a unique experience coupled with delicious food made with high quality ingredients mostly flown in from Japan. We were lucky to have been seated right in front of chef-owner Takuya Matsuda & have an amazing view of his mastery. Every dish was carefully thought through & presented. Highly recommended for a special occasion - which is the reason most of the guests that ate with us that evening came for.
From the moment I stepped into Sushi Okeya Kyujiro, I knew I was in for an unparalleled dining experience. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a symphony of Japanese culinary excellence, seamlessly interwoven with the enchantment of theater & the authenticity of traditional culture. The culinary journey here goes beyond mere eating. Each dish is a testament to top-quality ingredients, masterfully prepared with a meticulous attention to detail. The Omakase Kaiseki, for instance, is not just food on a plate; it's a narrative of flavors, each telling a story of Japanese culinary heritage. But what sets Sushi Okeya Kyujiro apart is its immersive theatrical choreography, which transforms dining into a profoundly emotional experience. The ambiance is thoughtfully curated - dim lighting, traditional attire, & a sense of ceremonious unveiling of dishes combine to create an atmosphere that is both mystical & intimate. I have visited countless establishments, even in Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo, but Sushi Okeya Kyujiro stands out as a beacon of culinary innovation & cultural fusion. It is more than sublime food; it's an emotional journey that disarms & delights in equal measure. This place is a rare gem where food, theater, & culture meld in perfect harmony, offering a dining experience that is both epic & intimately personal. To reveal more would be to spoil the myriad of surprises that await within its doors. Suffice it to say, Sushi Okeya Kyujiro is not just the best restaurant I've ever visited; it's a journey through the heart of Japanese artistry that leaves you yearning for more.
