Rebel Omakase — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

I am not even sure where to begin! I have been eating sushi since I was a year old, I am now 31 and I cannot find anywhere I would rather eat at now. I have lived in CA for 8 years and tried a lot of sushi places, I cannot find anywhere that has fish as fresh and combinations of ingredients as good as this place. My friends found Rebel Omakase when we were searching for a place to go for my birthday in April, I was blown away by not only the food but the service as well. Tonight I returned with my father who has been eating sushi for over 40 years and was visiting from Boston. He was also blown away and has never had a better sushi experience. The chefs here really know what they are doing, the environment is extremely pleasant and both the chefs and front of the house team work in fluid motion to provide a perfect experience. The quality of the fish is amazing, everything is so buttery smooth and packed with freshness and flavor. It was about a 2 hour experience and twice now I have enjoyed every minute of it. The Sake menu is on point, it may look expensive but the quality of their cold sake is out of this world. I will be coming back as often as I can spend the money, it is well worth the cost per person. The staff is super friendly, the sushi chefs were very talkative and spoke clearly when explaining each dish produced, they answered many of our questions and provided over all great conversation through out the meal. I will be recommending this place to any sushi lover I meet. You cannot compare any other sushi restaurant or buffet to this place. If you want to truly get what you pay for, go to Rebel Omakase, you will not regret it. I cannot believe they have only been open for 9 months, their team feels like they have worked together for years. I will be back soon I hope!! Thank you so much for 2 amazing...

Rebel Omakase aims for Michelin-star status but falls short of expectations. The staff was friendly and professional, and the wine and sake selection was great, though no sake or wine pairing was offered. Some of the plating was very extravagant, and the gifts were a nice touch. However, the sushi quality was inconsistent—while some fish was fresh, others, like the raisin-dry salmon roe, disappointed. The chef’s reserved demeanor and lack of dish explanations left us confused; the chef drops the sushi without saying what it is, so we had no idea what we were eating. We had to ask several times what we were eating, and it would have been helpful if the chef could at least say what he is serving. The absence of matcha was also a letdown. Michelin-star omakase requires not only top-tier ingredients and masterful technique but also a chef who explains what he is serving and greater consistency in the quality of the sushi. Unfortunately, Rebel’s uneven fish quality, weak sushi basics, and detached chef fall short of these standards.

In Laguna Beach’s competitive sushi scene, Rebel Omakase doesn’t quite live up to the Michelin hype. We suggest trying other spots for a more satisfying experience and...

This place is a gem! From the moment I sat down, I knew I was in for something special. The ambiance is intimate and welcoming, with the chef working right in front of you, carefully preparing each dish with so much precision. You can really see the passion behind every course.

The sushi was incredibly fresh, each piece practically melted in my mouth. The chef explained every dish as it came out, which made the experience even more personal. My favorite had to be the uni—it was out of this world, creamy, and packed with flavor. Every bite just kept getting better.

On top of the amazing food, the sake pairing was spot on. You can tell a lot of thought went into every detail, from the timing of each course to how the flavors complemented each other. This place is a must if you’re looking for a true omakase experience.

I can’t recommend it enough. If you want top-tier sushi and a dining experience that feels like a journey, this is the place to go!

This version is more relaxed and conversational, focusing on the highlights in a friendly,...