Toshokan

"The East Austin Japanese restaurant has to be the only Michelin-recommended sushi spot operating within a mini-golf course (don’t worry, after passing through the secret door, the interior reflects the high-end omakase experience this is). Chef Saine Wong treats every omakase seating at the sushi speakeasy-like a dinner party with friends, occasionally pulling down his guitar for a serenade. Toshokan’s mix of creative and traditional sushi plus a great cocktail and sake program earned it an Eater Austin Award for the best omakase of 2022. Reservations are essential and should be booked as soon as they drop." - Nadia Chaudhury

"The East Austin Japanese spot has become one of the city’s best omakases around, so much so that it won Eater Austin’s best omakase of 2022 award. Executive chef Saine Wong offers an awesome intimate meal in a space within the indoor mini-golf course Holey Moley, featuring well-crafted nigiri and other bites in a setting that feels like a fun little party. Reservations can be made online, and plan ahead: It books up quickly. There are indoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury, Erin Russell

"The Japanese restaurant within East Austin venue Holey Moley is one of the most fun higher-end omakase experiences around. Led by chef Saine Wong, the $160 14-course meal showcases his global culinary experiences in tasty dishes. Book reservations online; there are indoor dine-in services." - Erin Russell, Nadia Chaudhury

"Toshokan is a small, eight-seat omakase spot behind a bookshelf in the back of a mini golf course in East Austin. First, take a second to unpack that sentence. Second, set your timer for the first of the month, because that’s when tickets to these dinners go live, and to say they go fast is an understatement. Dinner is about 14 courses, varying from nigiri topped with bruleed brown sugar tangerine, to a toasted marshmallow ice cream served with chocolate melted tableside—a s’mores version of raclette that instantly locks the eyes of all eight guests in the room. It’s an intimate atmosphere that feels a bit like you’re eating in Harry Potter’s cupboard under the stairs, if it had been decorated with a live edge sushi bar and cute Japanese toys on the wall, and set to a soundtrack of old school hip hop. " - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs

"Verdict: Austin is home to a handful of very good omakase-only spots, and we put Toshokan up there near the top. Here, you’ll eat your way through about 14 courses that range from super classic nigiri (like otoro nigiri simply dressed in soy and wasabi) to more inventive bites with globally inspired flavors (like Hokkaido scallops with Peruvian salsa verde). The food is inventive without feeling over the top, the atmosphere is fun and intimate, and you’ll probably leave the tiny dining room feeling like you just made five new friends. " - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion