Omakase Ri — Restaurant in Lisbon

Manage your expectations, you will eat mediocre sushi but paying top sushi chef price. If you already had authentic omakase experience, this is not for you. If you are looking for the “wow”in each bite in omakase, you won’t get it here.

Let me tell you why I say that. I’m a foodie and mostly a sushi fanatic, a good vacation to me is all about finding good local food and authentic sushi. So when I came across an omakase charging €90 per person, I expected qualified chefs know what they are doing and bring out the best flavor out of the food. With this high expectations on Omakase Ri after reading high reviews on google, we thought it would totally worth to extended 2 days of our stay in Lisboa just so we can have some real sushi. Oh boy, how wrong could I be…

To start with, this sushi bar is located in a basement, very dark with loud music and a few flies are coming from the kitchen through the course. Ok I can deal with this cuz I’m here for the food… then food arrives the show begins. The chef starts to play with his rice, add more, take some off then add even more until he finally get the size right, ok maybe he is just looking for perfection in his craftsmanship, until you put that sushi in your mouth you know this chef is not ready and not good enough to do omakase - he uses akazu vinegar, usually it give sushi rice more acidity that can very well balance the fat from fish, but unfortunately the portion of the fish is thin and tiny, the rice is over powering the fish, so all sushi just end up taking the same, even fatty tuna! (Speaking of which, while the chef preparing fatty tuna for everyone, he cut out a piece separately and made a piece of sushi for his hosts in front of everyone, how inappropriate…) the sauce on sushi also failed to accentuate each fish’s unique flavor. ALL TASTES THE SAME.

This is max €60 level meal (for the type of fishes served also the level of skills), but the chef has the audacity to charge €90 already, one must consider oneself to be true sushi chef… maybe extra 30 eur was paid to watch the show where some one flips a sheet of seaweed 50 times on a toaster to add “more taste”, or customized Spotify playlist…

To add the final pinnacle to the entire show, at the end of meal, the chef, sous chef and host pours themselves a cup of saki and congratulate themselves a evening of success and accomplishment while all the customers are watching them celebrating… what’s there to celebrate?

Overall, I feel have been scammed, and waisted time to people full of themselves. Lesson learned: be careful of...

I had the pleasure of visiting this charming sushi place, and I must say, it was an experience that exceeded all expectations. This small venue, with its intimate setting of only seven seats around the bar, instantly created a sense of exclusivity and authenticity.

One of the highlights of this sushi haven was the exceptional quality of the fish. The majority of their seafood was sourced locally, ensuring a freshness that truly elevated the dining experience. The chefs showcased their expertise in the traditional preparation of sushi, honoring the artistry and precision which the Japanese are so famous for.

What truly impressed me was the dedication to craftsmanship evident in every dish. From the sashimi to the delicate nigiri, everything was made from scratch with great attention to detail. This commitment to excellence was evident in every bite, and it made all the difference.

The ambiance of the place added another layer of enjoyment to our visit. Seated at the bar, we had the pleasure of engaging with three guests from Hong Kong and two guests from the USA. Despite our diverse backgrounds, there was an immediate connection fueled by our shared love for exceptional food.

I must mention the hosts, who were warm, welcoming, and truly passionate about Japan and sushi. Both from Brazil, their love for this cuisine shone through in their every interaction. Their knowledge and enthusiasm added an extra layer of depth to the experience, making us feel like honored guests in their culinary world.

I wholeheartedly recommend this extraordinary sushi place to anyone who appreciates the beauty of this cuisine. Be prepared, though, as it will forever raise your standards for sushi. After experiencing the freshness, craftsmanship, and delightful atmosphere of this hidden gem, regular take-out sushi simply won't compare. Treat yourself to an unforgettable culinary adventure and savor every moment at this exceptional...

I had some time to « waste » before writing my review as I was extremely surprised that some … « people » didn’t give 5 stars. Some people are clearly pretending to be « foodie » or some sort of food critic specialist but I had to look at other reviews they gave … and I totally understood their frustration, not calling anyone specifically out but they should feel ashamed because giving 1 star can literally ruin a business, but they couldn’t care less as they aren’t really enjoying their life where they living …

My wife and I were hoping to book for Valentine’s Day and when I checked (back in January the 6th) it was fully booked, but we managed to find 2 seats for the 13th, 21:30pm. We were 10 lucky guests that night, everyone coming from different part of the world, and all I can say is that we had an amazing time and unique experience! Not only the chef Will and the staff were looking after us, keeping us entertained, but we shared some laughs all together and were all astonished by the quality of the dishes, the techniques, the knowledge, the connection they have with each other! No one is trying to steal the show at all as they really delivering a Michelin star but super friendly and chill service, even the 2 staff who were in the back kitchen interacted with us as if we knew each other for 10 years!!

I really don’t know what else to say apart from « book your table asap », « this is our go-to sushi from now on », « please don’t leave » and « Kokoro kara...