Tare

"This Austin omakase restaurant within the North Star neighborhood focuses on meshing Japanese, South Texan, and Mexican flavors and ingredients throughout its kappo-style Japanese menu. Helmed by chef Michael Carranza and pastry chef Danielle Martinez, expect nigiri and small plates such as mesquite-smoked ocean trout with Texas wildflower honey or salsa macha brushed atop bluefin tuna, all in an elegant space hidden within an office building. Book reservations online — it’s gotten popular since earning a Michelin recommendation." - Nadia Chaudhury

"The best omakase experience in Austin, from cocktails to dessert." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Melds Texas-Mexico-Japanese flavors beautifully in its nigiri." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Tare in North Austin follows the same format as the 375 other $100+ omakase sushi spots in town—a speakeasy-style dining room in an old office building, and 15-ish courses of nigiri and small plates. But instead of feeling like just another expensive fish in the sea, it brings some new and exciting flavor combinations to the table, like madai nigiri with salsa verde or negi toro on a bed of crispy chicharrones. The nigiri here starts with well-seasoned rice and high-quality fish, then just leans into the Rio Grande Valley flavors that the chef grew up with and doesn’t worry too much about following the “rules” of traditional sushi.  " - nicolai mccrary

"Adding to Austin’s growing scene of speakeasy-style sushi omakases, Tare is hidden away in an office building a little north of The Domain. The people running Tare previously operated an omakase in the back of Texas Sake, but this latest venture looks a little bit different, this time blending Japanese, Mexican, and South Texas flavors into a 15-course experience.  We visited Tare and added it to the Hit List." - nicolai mccrary