Wow! What an experience. We had heard about this spot & finally made it in the other night We were surprised by an intimate atmosphere, just 4 of us dining total, plus 3 staff members (chef, chef assistant & server). The service was excellent. Samantha, the server, made the experience top notch, explaining everything in depth and just being warm & chatty. She ensured we were well taken care of and were enjoying the experience The food was good! We started with a bento box featuring some unique flavors, followed by nigiri, several other courses & dessert Everything was carefully curated from the ingredients used to the dishes the food was served in There's a reason this restaurant has been in business for 17 years (!), the OG Miami omakase spot! read more

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The ramen broth was rich and comforting, with noodles that had a nice chew. The chashu pork was tender and flavorful. Portion size was generous and perfect for a filling meal. read more

I went for a solo date on my 45th birthday. I really enjoyed the ambiance. It was elegant and refined. The service was phenomenal and the attention to detail is just what I would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. The food was delectable. My senses were awakened with every bite. Thank you for the experience. read more

I came here for Valentine's Day with my girlfriend after extensive research to find an intimate omakase experience to anchor the weekend. I paid the $840 non-refundable reservation fee ($280 per person for omakase + $140 for a mandatory sake purchase per person, not including tip) with the expectation that this would be one of the top five meals of my life. While the ambiance and service are top-notch, the sushi is, at best, odd and, at worst, inedible. This is coming from someone who has experienced omakase in a similar format four times before and has traveled to Japan. This was the first Japanese meal I've ever had where I physically could not finish a piece of fish (Sake-Steamed Abalone with Abalone Liver Sauce). Believe the past reviews about the strange flavor profiles and diners who have vomited during the meal. The chef seems talented but favors an unconventional approach that won't appeal to most palates--even some refined ones. For this $1,000+ sushi misadventure, they don't even include a high-end tuna or salmon nigiri. The dessert course and matcha tea were excellent and helped us leave without an entirely literal or figurative sour taste in our mouths. Nonetheless, don't be fooled by the high ratings or the Forbes lists they've made. Take your money to Nobu and call it a night. read more

NAOE - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

As of this review, I believe the heart and service of NAOE is beyond what I've ever experienced before. Tonight, we were led by Wendy and the service here was superb, may I say genuine to the point you can't really "train". Tommy, as well, very friendly and served our dishes impeccably. Once you're in the door, they really take care of you 100%. Even as we were a bit late to depart, they never once made us feel unwelcome or rushed to leave. Further, from the cloth embroidered placements and select serve-ware to the uniquely selected ingredients (sake, wasabi, soy, fish, mushrooms, rice and more) NAOE is a very special experience. Tonight, and I believe most nights, they only seat four people for a very intimate, classy, curated, and high end experience. The ambiance is very zen, minimalist, and it works for the space. They make you feel comfortable, truly at home. Not only that but the uniquer fare is very tasty and masterfully crafted by an experienced chef with a lot of heart and respect for the Japanese tradition and culture. Prices and plates are not really for the faint of heart, and it's not meant to be. Foodies will relish the experience and do expect to equally "dish out" for it. NAOE - you have something truly special. Keep up the amazing tradition. I wish you all the success and hope to join again soon. read more

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Naoe will provide you with a top-notch service experience- perhaps the best we've ever had. We were celebrating a special occasion, so the customized menu (wishing us congratulations at the top) was a nice touch. The server, Wendy, is quite welcoming and engaging. Chef Kevin Cory is attentive and eager to talk sushi and sake. The sake - from Nakamura Brewery, in the chef's family since the 1800's- is outstanding. The ambience is spot on- limited omakase seating in a traditional Japanese setting. As far as the food, there were some high points, including the beautiful bento box that began the evening, consisting of squash-blossom Chawanmushi with local mahi mahi and organic shiitake; vinegared lobster tail with ginger and cucumber blossoms; fried Mamey and Konjac root; and Egyptian star flower, Salicornia, and Yamaimo. The Pink Moon oyster suimono and the Miyago oyster, as well as the uni, were excellent. The rest of the courses were not particularly memorable because it seemed as thought there was excessive respect for the ingredients. We certainly appreciate the emphasis on locally sourced and organic food, but many courses did not "pop" with the flavor and intensity we've experienced at the very best omakase restaurants. For example, the shoyu-marinated local Kingfish was somewhat on the bland side, and the two unagi courses lacked seasoning. The cured mullet roe, although a delicacy, was underwhelming, and the broiled local Mahi Mahi could have benefited from Togarashi or key lime to give it some zing. The other somewhat detracting aspect is the lack of any external signage to indicate exactly where the restaurant is. We eventually found it (after walking by it several times) because we noticed a small slip of paper above the door handle. Look for it next to a small convenience store. There's lots of potential at Naoe- but earning a Michelin star will require a reinvigoration and tweaking of the current menu so that the quality of the food matches the superb service. read more

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My goodness. I have LONGGGGGG WAITED to make a reservation here, what better timing than marking the end of my 14 Year Miami Stint? Combine that with a good friend's birthday and it's a winning combination!!! Memorable, delicious, enjoyable, intimate, I mean - so so so worth it. Is it expensive, yes - but also of course it is! They are using the best of the best ingredient-wise and the service you receive is beyond top-notch. If you do not value experiences like this then you will think its "too expensive" but if you find life through food this is a "cannot miss" experience! The menu was diverse, intriguing, intimidating (at times), and quite adventurous. What a mix! I would not skip the sake, not at all - it was such a wonderful accompaniment to each dish! I won't go into detail on my particular tasting experience as you can never be certain what chef will be in the mood for while you visit but just prepare yourself to try new things and be open to everything NAOE has to offer! read more

We heard NAOE was a hotspot for authentic omakase so we pre-booked our reservation a couple months in advance to celebrate my birthday. They accommodated our party of 5 (usually it's only for 4) and we were seated at the sushi bar with an open kitchen as the backdrop. If you want to have an authentic Japanese dining experience served in a private, intimate setting then NAOE is definitely worth the cost; and if you are a cold sake fan, even more so. But if you are not open to trying something outside of just salmon and tuna and maki rolls, then this will not be your cup of tea. The 10+ course omakase is a 3 hr dining experience, complemented with personal and courteous service customary in Japanese culture. While the Sushi Chef is concentrating on his creations, our server explained each course in great detail. They use traditional cooking techniques such as shoyu, fermenting, and marinating. Our first course was a Bento box filled with various items adorned with colorful herbs, super cute. I love the attention to detail. Our entire meal was very good. My only wish was to see the Chef cut a live fish to plate sashimi as a course. Maybe next time? Fresh fish and quality shellfish is a must for sushi, but three other items are often overlooked: fresh grated wasabi, quality soy sauce (first pressed) and good sushi rice (lukewarm, balanced flavor, slightly al dente), and NAOE did not disappoint. (We wanted to purchase their bottle of premium soy sauce but it wasn't for sale.) Overall, we had a pleasant dining experience at NAOE. My only complaint is that no one was there to greet us when we entered: we wandered around in the front room for about 10 mins before our hostess came out. I'm also not a fan of how these exclusive omakase sushi bars go out of their way to be so inconspicuous that it dampens my excitement to have to search for a place with no signage. But the delicious meal and excellent service that followed more than made up for it. read more

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Holy cow, this was an out-of-this-world, almost out-of-body-seeing-God/Buddha/Whomever experience! NAOE serves only 16 diners per night. It can be nightmarishly hard to get a table; just be persistent. It also ain't cheap...try to use a corporate Amex and talk about business while you eat some truly amazing sushi. The restaurant has received some big awards, including Forbes' Five-Star Award. NAOE is reportedly the most expensive dining establishment in Florida. Each diner pays $220, plus a 20 percent service charge and sales tax. Depending on frills like wine and desert, it can get north of $500 per head. The closest thing in quality and price in Miami is Zuma, and it's roughly half on both counts. There's no menu at NAOE. The chef/owner Kevin Cory selects each sushi-centric meal based on the freshest ingredients he finds each day. Sake comes from his family brewery. The restaurant website says: "It's not fresh. It's alive." They're quite serious, everything you'll eat is amazingly fresh and amazingly well-prepared. In short, come prepared for the best food in Miami, but don't forget your wallet. It's not the most easily accessible spot. It's out on Brickell Key, which only has one causeway in and out, at 8th Street near the non-stop weekend madness that is Brickell. Take an Uber if you can... read more

NAOE - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

This review is for 2014 that I never wrote. Hoping to go back soon to have updated menu. Omakase type of dinning if you're into eating for 3 hours. My type of dinning! Aesthetics: very simple decor but rustic and elegant. They do have a big dinning table in the front for big parties. But it was just me and my date. So they put everyone in the back by the kitchen which had very limited seating per night for this style of dinner. Either bar seating or a table. Food: food. Omg. I still dream about the food. Every bite was memorable. Sushi was so fresh. And my date requested uni which he knew I love. So the chef made it specially for us. We met Chef Kory at the end and he told us that was the last uni he had! Haha lucky us! Service: service was top notch. You don't expect anything less at a restaurant like that.l and for a price tag like that. Location: from what I remember very downtown ish vibe. We had to walk to it from parking. read more

NAOE - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

One of South Florida's most well-respected restaurants hides behind a nondescript single door, and a sheer white curtain. NAOE, a natural Japanese cuisine hideaway, continues to receive high rankings and accolades without any signs of slowing down. And yet, "Where is that?" is still a question I often get. Two words, Miami: Brickell Key. Who is chef Kevin Cory? The heart and soul of NAOE, that's who. His path to success began at age 19, under the tutelage of Kyoto-based, executive chef, Nobuo Kase. Several years later, Cory traveled to Toyama, Japan where his highly disciplined uncle, Yasushi Naoe, became his next mentor. Once back in Miami, he worked passionately to prove himself while at a newly remodeled Siam River. By 2004, the restaurant picked up steam under his reign and started attracting significant attention by sushi aficionados and the local media. NAOE finally opened later in 2009, after years of preparation. Honored with the prestigious Five-Star award by the Forbes Travel Guide year after year, and topping every Miami must-visit omakase list (as well as many of mine here, here, and here), this tiny kingdom deserves all the attention it receives. And more. The Chef's Choice menu, $220 per person exclusive of tip and tax, is available twice nightly for only eight guests. Reservations are listed only on the Yelp app/website for either a 6:30 pm or 9:30 pm spot. Diners are adviced to be punctual and to block out three hours to complete the NAOE journey.  Don't be surprised if you are greeted by name upon arrival. The impressive attention to detail by the hostess continues throughout dinner with prompt water refills, drink orders, napkin replacement, and extensive course-by-course descriptions. Minimalistic modern interior design and classical music provide an immaculate and harmonious backdrop to the royal menu. For the best view and to better appreciate the entire process, I suggest requesting counter seats upon reserving. With only one assistant in the kitchen and an enviable intense focus, chef Cory works diligently to execute each course using flawless precision. He does not stop to interact with the guests much, but instead lets his work speak for himself. Despite the mounting awards and mentions NAOE receives, his grace, humbleness, and contagious serenity come across loud and clear. The adventure usually begins with a sophisticated Shokado Bento Box and continues with a nigiri sushi progression. The sea treasures will vary per visit, but will undoubtedly include a mix of the local, traditional, and obscure: Madai, Shigoku (ultimate) Oyster, Maine Lobster, Jyo-Kinmedai, Lionfish Kōjizuke, Karasumi, Sea Cucumber Innards, Sea Urchin Roe, and Unagi, to name a few. The restaurant's tagline, "It's not fresh, it's alive," explains the concept further. Seafood is sourced locally and often also shipped overnight from Japan. My last two visits included a Mirugai-Geoduck, showcased tableside alive at first, and then gingerly prepared right before our very eyes. Alive and fresh? Check! Complementing dinner, you can expect an endless selection of organic vegetable, rice, freshly-grated wasabi root, and even shoyu and sake from chef Kevin Cory's family brewery, which dates back to the 1800s. Dessert concludes with a fun variety of sweets, including the NAOE signature ice cream and its guess-the-secret-ingredient game. Yes, I know the answer. No, I won't ruin the fun by telling you. To be honest, by now I'd love to say my palate has already reached a level that can fully grasp the intensity and complexity of everything I have ever tried at NAOE. Of course, I am familiar with most courses. But others are a leap of faith in which I am a curious, willing, and enthusiastic participant. A trip to Japan currently tops my bucket list. In the meantime, I feel incredibly fortunate that we, Miamians, have chef Kevin Cory here. I welcome the challenge and lesson, one bite at a time. Nothing else compares. read more

An experience I would gladly repeat! We used to live in Miami and were unable to get reservation to give this place a try and to know about the buzz about it. My husband and I are loves sushi and we never experienced a Chef's table style ( although, we always do omakase, still a very different experience). As soon as we were able to find the spot the set and the ambiance is top notch. With all the food we got and it is very well presented. What strikes me the most is the chefs passion for what he does. My husband and I are his fan and we are looking forward to visit Miami and experience that again. About all the food we got. I can't even find a word how delicious it was. In fact delicious is not even serves justice. I fast this place and the Chef it self DESERVES A MICHELIN STAR. read more

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The sushi is above excellent. Very fresh and simply prepared to be able to savor the fish. Wendy, our server has always been incredible and very attentive to our requests. The restaurant is small and private. The experience is very personal and you are made to feel special. I highly recommend it if you appreciate sushi prepared and served in the traditional Japanese way. read more

I first learned about NAOE months ago and decided to finally try it. We were able to make a reservation easily through Yelp. They only have two seating times per evening - 5PM and 8:30PM. Due to COVID, the restaurant is only allowing private parties (rather than the 6-8 guests they usually serve at each seating), so the two of us had the whole restaurant to ourselves. We arrived a bit early, but the door (very discreet with no hanging sign!) was locked. We waited outside until Wendy, the manager, let us in, took our temperatures, gave us bags to put our masks in, and gave us the parking validation. The restaurant itself is a very small area with a couple tables and a countertop seating where you can see the kitchen area and Chef Kevin Cory at work. Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes are provided upon entering and at your seats. It's very intimate, and we felt lucky to have the space to ourselves for dinner. Both Wendy and Chef Cory were incredibly friendly and kind. Wendy explained each dish in detail while Chef worked quietly in the back. The sake and soy sauce is made by Chef Cory's family and has been for eight generations. We tried the Ginjyo sake which was super smooth and slightly sweet. The soy sauce was salty but paired incredibly well with all the fish. The courses came in a timely manner (I lost track of exactly how many courses we had!) Dinner started off with a bento box, followed by a cooked seasonal fish, top shell, several types of nigiri prepared right in front of you of fish or seafood shipped overnight or same day from Japan, ceremonial matcha tea and soy sauce lollipop, then their ice cream with a secret ingredient you have to guess along with amazing honey cake. Be prepared to block out 2-3 hours for dinner; ours surprisingly took 3 hours, but the time flew by! It is obviously not an inexpensive dinner, but you are certainly paying for an amazing experience. If you have the chance to go to NAOE, I highly recommend it! read more

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Incredible. The best Omakase on the south east, and possibly better than anything I've tried even in New York. I was recently in Tokyo and the Omakasa there did not exceed NAOE read more

Another amazing meal at Naoe. This is a high quality omakase experience. Excellent service and only the freshest ingredients. This team puts in 110% to deliver the best experience possible. read more

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Unbelievable dining experience. The food is excellent and the service is impressive. The omakase is the way to go. Naoe is one of my favorites. It's an intimate dining adventure that leaves you wanting more. Definite foodie spot. Highly recommend. read more

I first heard about NAOE from a former boss (shout out to el jefe Terry). He raves about this place like no other and so I obviously had to try it out for myself. Wendy and Samantha were working the night we visited, and they were so warm and friendly. Customer service is top notch and I can honestly say that I have never been treated like that elsewhere. They pay close attention to you and no detail escapes them. I can't stress this enough because this alone made the experience that much more enjoyable. NAOE is a gem and there are many wonderful surprises sprinkled throughout the meal. Before NAOE, I had no idea that there was special uni that was shipped over to the states in sea water. I thought they always came packaged in the wooden trays. Silly me. Additionally, you end the night with a special treat where you have to guess the flavor of the dessert. I failed at that and required many hints in order to finally get the correct answer. Chef Cory is soft spoken and has many intriguing stories to share. If you're lucky, you'll also find out he's quite an artist. Omakase is $220 per person and there are 2 seatings a night. You should allocate 3 hours for your meal to fully enjoy the experience. read more

One of the longest tenured Omakase's in Miami, and one of the most creative/unique experiences. It is very intimate. Post Covid I believe they only allow one to two parties per seating based on the size of your party. It's about a three hour dinner. I've read many reviews on multiple sites about how amazing Wendy is, and she really lived up to it. She is a gem. One of the most personable and sweetest people I have ever met. Even if I didn't enjoy the Omakase I would probably still give 4 plus stars for her alone. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about food. She has print outs of all her favorite spots around the country that she will gladly provide to you. Wendy and Chef Kevin really make you feel like family. The Omakase was amazing. I loved how they used more seafood/shellfish than most other places. The Lobster and Stone Crab nigiri were exceptional bites. I loved their fresh uni marinated in salt water. The unagi two ways was brilliant and tasty. And the dessert with the mystery ice cream is amazing. The Sake! His family has a brewery in his hometown of Japan. They have some exceptional offerings. Some of the best Sake I have ever had. I loved everything about my meal. The attention to detail and passion is evident from the placement and timing of courses to the fact Chef Kevin goes to the docks daily to buy fresh fish for one of the starter courses. A truly exceptional meal and experience. Highly recommend. For pictures and descriptions check out my instagram @boujeeboybites read more

Note: On Yelp I review exclusively sushi bars. Summary: If you enjoy new and varying foods and fish, this is still the best sushi in Miami. It is not a place for you if a sauced roll is top of your favorites list or you like to stay close to the salmon/yellowtail/tuna home. If sashimi and nigiri by the piece are your go to, if you're out for a new taste of something you've never had before, if you enjoy having a chef craft a meal for you, and love a beautiful presentation, you're in for a treat. I've managed to eat at a wide variety of sushi bars, and built a relationship with my local chef that has led to savoring all kinds of unusual seafood. Yet each time I take a trip to NAOE, there is always a new fish, shellfish, fruit or vegetable. New experiences this time included braised sazae (sea snail), mantis shrimp which had it's roe still attached to the underside, and a great variation on basted eel with sichuan pepper and citrus lace. His eel sauce was such a welcome, tasty, variation on a standard fare! These new treats (for me) were part of the 15 course meal that still encompassed other uncommon seafoods that are hard to find elsewhere. It started with the bento box highlight, a vinegared maple point oyster with grated ginger and cucumber blossom (a 1 inch cucumber with a yellow flower sprouting from it). It included braized madai (sea bream), trumpet mushrooms, ishidai (striped beakfish), local lychees as part of the ending. As you would else expect, the nigiri is served to each individual one at a time so the rice is warm and lightly packed. The wasabi grated immediately prior, and the chef's nikiri sauce painted on as fit. The fish fresh and cool (or hot as the case may be). The uni was the best I can recollect, having been shipped without preservatives in salt water to maintain freshness. The sake and beer selection is small, but excellent. Although he's had some distribution issues, he normally has his family's sake available. As I've mentioned before, Chef Corey is reserved and quiet by nature, so you'll have to work a little, but he will get talking and he'll impart his experiences and knowledge and stories. It always makes the evening more enjoyable. =) read more

Alright so NAOE to me was always a once in a lifetime experience because that is one heck of a hefty bill. We used our anniversary as an opportunity to try it. You walk into this door that simply has a business card and are transported into a private kitchen with Chef Cory and his associates. The staff was super sweet and attentive. The meal was like a marathon. Each course made sense one after the other. I am a VERY adventurous person but some of these items, I couldn't even get behind. The bento box contained geoduck which was perfectly cooked and crab claw in rice vinegar which was the absolute highlight of the meal. The sushi courses were excellent except for the ice fish. It is a bunch of tiny translucent fish but to my surprise, it was slightly bitter. The steam fish course came with a type of whelk which I could not stand. Its flavor was so bitter and charcoal esque that it overpowered the flavor of the rest of the course. There was a Japanese delicacy of sun dried eggs that was a bit too chalky for my taste. The rest: eel, barley, lobster, uni, the list goes on, were absolutely beautiful and phenomenal. Would I eat here again? Probably not because paying ~$700 for two people is insane. Was it worth the once in a life time experience: Absolutely. And for anyone who is adventurous and willing to try a Japanese delicacy, this place is fantastic. read more

This our place to go to for special occasions Chef Kevin and Wendy and rest of the team are amazing and gives you great experience throughout this amazing omakase Recommend 100%% read more

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First experience. Omakase style sushi restaurant. I would like to get the highest rating in Miami. They are convey Japanese food culture well. Please experience it once. read more

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Dining at NAOE is unlike any other experience you can find in Miami. We made reservations via Yelp SeatMe a couple weeks in advance, once we knew we'd be certain to make it (to avoid being charged the cancellation fee). We chose the 9:30 pm seating which I was nervous about seeing as I normally eat on the early side, but eager to make a night out of it, we planned our meals carefully leading up to the dinner so we weren't starving but certainly ready to eat by the time dinner rolled around. There's no sign on the front door, so you must look for number 661. Living in Brickell, we decided to Uber over to Brickell Key, but there is a parking garage adjacent to the restaurant, as well. The restaurant called to confirm our reservation the weekend before, letting us know how to spot the restaurant which was much appreciated. We also took the advice of fellow yelpers to request the bar at this point in time, which they were happy to accommodate. This is a must. There were six people total during our seating which made for a very intimate experience. There were three hostesses that were able to switch off couples for each course and explain what we were eating and answer any questions. Again, I can't recommend sitting at the bar enough! The entire time, I was mesmerized by the chef's hands, finesse and overall cool concentration in preparing each and every dish. From grinding the wasabi root to delicately forming the rice balls for nigri, I felt like I was witnessing magic. I really could have sat there all night. Now, neither I nor my boyfriend are fans of sake, but we decided to give it a try as I assumed it'd enhance the flavors of our meal. We opted for the one marked as neutral for around $80. I certainly enjoyed it more than other sakes I've tried, but I think it's just not for me. As for the meal, it was a fixed menu for $200 per person. I think this has changed over the years (it used to be more a la carte), and I'm glad it has because I don't think I could trust myself having to order piece by piece. In total, we consumed 17 courses (including the bento box as one). I was worried there would be a lot of time between courses but the food was constant. I also thought we might leave hungry since fish is on the lighter side, but there was no way we could've ate more than what we were served. I won't list dish by dish because it changes all the time, but during this meal I tried so many new things, pretty much every dish was a new experience for us. I spent all of Sunday just looking at the pictures, reliving each bite and longing to try it again. Now, my boyfriend is a man's man and loves his steak. He appreciated the experience but I think next time will be more eager to drop $600 on a meatier meal. Even so, I don't think he regrets one cent and it'll be something we both remember for a long time! Finally, no words can do the service justice. Our menus were personalized, the staff was present throughout but never felt intrusive, and they really attended to our every need. Since we had the latest seating, the staff happily chatted away with us until we were ready to go, constantly pouring tea until a little after midnight. They even escorted us out of the restaurant and waited until our Uber arrived yet again. We learned Chef Kevin Cory and his team are bringing a new dining concept close to NAOE in the near future! Can't wait for that and will forever be dreaming omakase dreams until I can return! Or go to Japan. That'd be nice too. read more

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I don't usually say it 3times to people but don't go!!!!! Don't come to this restaurant!!! Avoid!!!!!!!!!Worst omakase experience... most expensive in s.Florida area but nigiri quality is no difference than regular 3stars or below restaurants. I've been most NYC omakase restaurants plus Miami s. Florida omakase restaurants. This is so far worst experience. Even after covid, other restaurants keep the same style. Look at photo me looking at empty walls.. I complained politely at first to sit up by corner to watch chef making nigiris or something? All they say back to you is sorry we are sorry: sorry doesn't mean anything if you don't fix it.. my bf really wanted walk away from this restaurant at the beginning.. but I took a chance to see if they will do something about it::: well nothing!!!! made my Bday worst. Don't bother this place. Plus automatic 20% service charge.. read more

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An amazing experience! I'm so glad that I finally got to make it here. The service and food was all exceptional! This is for the real sushi lover, not for someone who isn't ready to try things that might look a little weird and unusual. If you love sushi and are adventurous you can't get a better experience and selection. read more

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My review for Naoe is definitely way overdue. I dined here back in Fall 2011 before they had moved to their new location. I had placed my reservation and spoke to Wendy, their hostess, for a while (she's amazing btw) I was really excited about my reservation and when the day arrived I couldn't contain my excitement. I went alone and sat at the bar. Wendy greeted me and took my drink order. I got the Kaga No Yukizake 加賀の雪酒 "Snow of Kaga" which is a junmai best served cold, of frozen. I opted to drink it cold. It was excellent and a good start to my course which I was anticipating. I started with the bento box which was incredible. I've dined at some of the best Japanese restaurants in Tokyo, Sendai, and Kyoto and this reminded me of those places. The flavors and attention to detail were immaculate. From here the courses started and I was greeted with many amazing and very fresh pieces of sushi. During each serving chef Cory tells you what it is and instructs you on his recommended way of eating it "if comfortable please eat these with your hands" The shoyu (soy sauce) used is his own recipe and that night it was a Japanese citrus based soy sauce that he had created for his selection of sushi. The tempo of the meal is perfectly paced and you can expect to be there for at least 2 hours depending on if you order more after the initial set is given and if you stay for dessert and tea. Chef Cory has a true Japanese spirit and is incredibly humble. He doesn't speak much but when he does it is always warm and inviting. If you're in the mood for a truly authentic gourmet Japanese experience, go to Naoe and enjoy. It will leave a lasting impression! read more

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I liked my experience at NAOE. However I did not love it. I have been to Hiden which is a similar priced range and very similar experience. I loved my experience at Hiden so in comparison my experience in NAOE seemed disappointing. I was told due to covid they had to eliminate their staff and maybe that is why... but I felt a lot of dishes seemed pre-prepared or purposely selected to be able to serve not aa fresh. We had more pickled fishes/ cooked fish rather than fresh ones. The service was impeccable and I really wanted to rate this place highly because I felt the chef and Sam were so nice. However at the end of the day, if anyone asks me was NAOE worth it? I would say look for a reservation at Hiden read more

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It's been a difficult task to write this review fairly and equitably, but I have to true to myself. No doubt, this is a sushi experience in the Miami area, but it falls short: -I didn't taste the fresh melt in your mouth quality of the fish -The butternut squash miso was too thick & salty for me -The handmade unagi was overcooked, the tenderness was gone -The organic sake was not our cup of tea, very harsh, our fault for going the economical route. -The sashimi in the bento was nothing special and not particularly good. There are highlights also, but since 4 stars equates to 'fan' status, I cannot grant NAOE more than 3: -The tempura items in the bento were excellent, especially the eggplant & the fish, which was delicately salted. -Fresh green beans in the bento, so good. -One of the best chawanmushi w/lots of ingredients to uncover. -Wonderful Japanese desserts, I think I enjoyed this part of the meal the most. -Wendy is truly a joy: knowledgeable & engaging. For the experience and the area, NAOE, which is Chef Kevin's mom's maiden name, I think it's a neighborhood gem, but not a destination restaurant for an out of towner. read more

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A tab of $700 ($350 per person) for below average food paired with a bottle of wine and some expensive waters. We were both disappointed. The staff and chef was friendly but for this price that doesn't cut it. If you don't like not even a bit at least half of the courses, then there's an issue. Be prepared to spend some time to dine in this "high end" spot. if you plan to impress your date, there's better spots than this and money doesn't buy class. The establishment is classy but the food needs major improvement. read more

Wendy, the manager and hostess, went above and beyond to make the experience unique and special. Service was great! The atmosphere felt classy. And of course, the food was great! They put a lot of thought and effort into each dish. Everything was prepared with fresh, high quality ingredients. Many things were imported and rare. We had so much fun. read more

NAOE - I believe this was the first course of our multiple course meal. The food was all superb. - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

Chef and staff are all very friendly. It's an interesting overall experience for Japanese cuisine experience. Food is spectacular but decor and kitchen organization at the restaurant is not a match of chef's level. First time to see fresh wasabi root in miami. Thinking about taking my father when he comes to visit next time. read more

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1 to 10 FOOD : 9, authentic Japanese cuisine, everything is so fresh and tastes so good, if you're in Miami, I highly recommend it! Fav thing: the Japanese dessert Kasutera and the bento box. SERVICE: 6, vary and very poor pacing between dishes AMBIENCE: 9, essential, as you would expect a Japanese restaurant to be. NOISE LEVEL : 10 Great, very intimate ATTIRE: 8 Casual elegance, I would suggest a classy look.... in Miami women tend to dress very flashy. read more

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Came here for our anniversary. No question, Best restaurant in Miami* Wendy was knowledgeable and friendly, The Chef was reserved but kind and welcoming. They are experts at what they do. This is an experience like no other *Adventurous eaters only read more

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Super ridiculously expensive? Yes. Super amazing experience? Also yes. Great for a very very nice occasion, this Japanese omakase joint is the best sushi offering in Miami hands down. read more

I can't say it was glitz or substance! Living in Miami and having a great selection of Sushi and so many great dining experiences to choose from, i wanted to see for myself what this one was all about! This one is a little over the top than your ordinary Sushi restaurant. The Sushi is flown in "daily" overnight from Japan. All of their produce is organic and the fish they serve is all caught locally. So we decided to give it a try an splurge! Yes, it really is a splurge so make sure you realize this before making a reservation. Reservations are a must and only 2 seatings 6 and 9. They have been around for 8 years, but in Brickell Key for only five years. Before then they were in Sunny Isles. You will not see a sign on the door or anywhere. You will get a text/email that you have to enter thru Second Circle park in the garage and they validate only two hours, so you will still have to pay $18 afterwards. When you park, you will be instructed to then look for a door that just says 661 and that's the restaurant. Only 12 people at a time and only one table of 6 one table of 2 and the sushi bar for 4. The presentation and delivery was great. The start of the meal with the Vento Box was a great beginning. After that though, it really went down hill. The menu is pre fixed. So you can't choose anything else than what is on their menu. No substitutions. They only serve beer and sake, so don't expect cocktails or wine. I know everything was flown from Japan and the Chef makes an amazing effort to transport you to Japan or Tokyo for this one night. This is not your typical Sushi place and you really must love Sushi. It is extremely expensive as you need to make reservations way in advance (like 2 weeks) and give a cc deposit of $200.00 each person. The fixed menu was never explained when we made a reservation that it would be a prefixed so that was a surprise. You can let them know about any food allergies only 10 days before as stated on their menu, but they did ask us when we were seated. The menu is all Sushi, so if you have a non Sushi eater in your party, he/she will not be a happy person! You cannot change anything they serve you. If you don't like it don't eat it. Not really what I expected paying this amount of money! All said and done, been there done it. Not a repeat place to dine. A one time experience if you want to splurge out of the ordinary sushi restaurant. Service is great of course bc 20% is already included in your bill, so the two girls attending your table know they will be paid their commission . With the $200.00 per person reservation deposit it really makes it not a reservation to do unless you know, you are actually not going to cancel within their cancellation time. The sake is overly expensive, so for four people experience a bill of $1,700.00. Reason for me not giving it 1 more star? The lack of decor for this kind of expensive place you are paying, looks like I could hire a sushi chef in my house and make it that more of an intimate setting. And, the lack of not being able to substitute or ordering your choice of sushi with this kind of upscale Forbes rating Restaurant is beside me! read more

Wonderful experience! I loved everything: food, service and drinks. Food was impressive. I love tasting menus because you can try a lot of different courses. And at NAOE all courses were delicious and different. When I saw the price for sake I was a bit shocked but when I tried it I understood why it costs so much. Service was so good! Two waiters weren't just the waiters, they were interesting interlocutors. Of course this place isn't for every day dinners but for occasions it's perfect! read more

7 years I've waited to come here!! OK, turns out they've only been in existence for 5 years (including their stint in Sunny Isles), so 5 years I've waited to come here!! So, short story, NAOE (Now-Ay) lived up to all the hype in my head, and more. I was so excited about the food and the experience that I hadn't even considered the service, but whoa, the service was AMAZING!! And now, the long (very long) story. - I hit the character limit when writing this :( First of all, reservations were made quite far in advance...probably a month. The $200 per person was charged to Steven's card in advance as well, so make sure you really are dead set on coming here (open table explains all this when you first book). You're probably looking at ~$300-$350 a head after sake, tip, extra pieces etc. There are two seatings a night - 6pm and 9:30pm and we opted for the 9:30pm. We did alert them that it was my birthday dinner. We arrived slightly early at 8:45pm (mostly because we somehow came to believe the time was 9pm and not 9:30pm). The door, which was easy to find thanks to other yelpers, was locked and we sat outside on a bench for a few minutes as we couldn't see anyone inside to alert to our arrival. Soon after one of the hostesses/servers opened the door to let someone out of the 6pm dinner and invited us inside to wait at their new lunch table in the other half of the restaurant. I was impressed immediately at how welcomed I felt. She brought out two waters and our drink menus (customized with our names and a special happy birthday message to me) for us to look over while we waited to be brought into the main dining area. Not long after she brought us back into the dining area and we were sat at the bar. We didn't request the bar seats (which you totally should) so I'm not sure if we were sat there because we a) arrived first? b) made reservations before the other groups? c) it was my birthday? but we were thrilled! DRINKS The drink menu consists only of sake and beer. We did consider bringing our own wine since neither beer or sake are my drink of choice, but I figured I'd do the whole experience and try some sake. The server (there are only 2) was happy to suggest a chilled, sweet sake as one that I may enjoy and we happily sipped on that during our meal. Sake still isn't my favorite, but I'm glad I tried. SERVICE If I could give 10 stars for this I would. Both of the servers were attentive, friendly, personable, funny...the list could go on. I spent the entire evening impressed by their professionalism and politeness and even left feeling as though I had made two new friends. Their attention to detail while maintaining conversation makes this the best service I've ever received. AMBIANCE As others have noted the ambiance in here is very simplistic. I think it works well and keeps the focus on the food. The dining area is small and we totaled 8 in the area (I feel like there were seats for 11). The plating - plates, cups etc were very unique and changed with every course to highlight the food. FOOD Ok the good part. Admittedly there were a few things I didn't enjoy as much as others, but that doesn't change my view whatsoever. NAOE is a very special restaurant that is an entire experience, and worth every penny in my opinion. The next day I woke up feeling euphoric, full of love for the restaurant. There is no menu and instead you are served whatever is freshly flown in that day. Because of character limits (5000 booo) I must make this brief. Here's what we ate: *The bento box - brief summary The pork jowl The wasabi, freshly grated on the shark skin board The whelk The lightly cooked fish to be eaten with a spoon was mind blowing. The corn miso soup was the best miso soup of my life. *The cooked fish dish - I was lucky enough to get served a big chunk of red blue fish. Even the servers exclaimed that this was the first time Chef Kevin had served it cooked because it's so expensive. The fish was absolutely amazing, definitely one of the top 5 dishes of my life. Then we started nigiri pieces. *Scottish Salmon Belly *Oyster *Monk fish liver, maine lobster, golden ring octopus - there is a reason why monk fish liver is called the foie gras of the sea. *Red blue fish - this time sashimi style. *Fish I forgot the name of with silver skin *Gooey duck, lobster tamale sauce and seaweed - now that I've finally had gooey duck I can say I've lived! *Dried fish something - amazing presentation. Wasn't crazy about it on the first bite, but by the second I was sold. *Sea cucumber and uni - not my fav *Freshwater eel *Freshwater eel marinated and served with sake pickled melon *Fruit plate - dragon and jack *Matcha tea and fruit *Cake and mystery ice cream Summary - I was FULL! Oh and I received a nice take home bottle of sake as a birthday gift! read more

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Remember when you used to think that Outback was good until you had that incredible filet from an awesome steakhouse? Or when drinking Boone's hill was the best ever until you discovered wine over $10 a bottle? Or when you used to bang mediocre chicks until you finally tapped that really smoking piece of....ok maybe I'm getting off topic. My point is everyone realizes at one point or another what they have been missing. NAOE is a revelation. Or maybe evolution would be a better word. This place is an evolution of one's palate. I didn't realize how complex and exquisite sushi could be. From preparation, to presentation, to description, to taste - the Chef Corey show is definitely an experience. I kind of wish this didn't happen because the free rolls at Doraku happy hour just aren't going to cut it anymore. Dinner is a pre-set $85 for a Bento box and 8 pieces of sushi. Chef Corey makes sure you have only the freshest ingredients and many of the dishes are alive right before serving. My favorite from our Bento Box was the Chow Wan Mushi or egg custard - perfect consistency. Our eight pieces were: Salmon belly Octopus Sashimi - from Portugal Orange Clam - from Boston Live Scallop - from Boston Madai - from Japan Shima Aji - from Japan Squid with shiso - Boston Uni Hokkaido We continued with a four piece progression (priced per piece): Cobia belly Freshwater eel Shrimp omelet BBQ Uni & melon soaked in sake for 2 years (melon was incredible, such richness and flavor) The quality and freshness of the fish here is incredible. I would say that Japanese market is the only other place where I have had such quality in Miami. Our experience ended with some Japanese sponge cake and the mystery ice cream. I won't spoil the mystery ingredient, but it has caramel and coffee tones to it. Once you find out, it's so obvious you'll kick yourself. If all of this palate orgasm isn't enough, the sake here is also incredible. The couple next to us were gracious enough to share the top shelf stuff ($160 a bottle). Only beer and saki here and a prohibitive corkage fee ($40) makes you stick to the menu. No Nigori here too unfortunately - only filtered sake. Wendy is also the nicest person I have ever met. She was an incredible hostess and a closet foodie. Don't let her sweet smile fool you, she speaks at least 3 languages fluently and has been to some of the world's finest restaurants. NAOE is easily one of the best meals I have ever had (and most expensive). Reservations are required through open table as there are only 8 people seated and 2 seatings per night. Sit at the counter as you will want to experience Chef Corey at work. This place is as much of a show as it is a sensory overload. Dinner here is a wonderful experience all around. read more

NAOE - Best bento ever - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

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5+++ WARNING: The word "best" will be used in this review excessively and without regard. I might as well get it out of the way now. Best restaurant in Miami. Best sushi I've ever had. Best sake I've ever had. Best wasabi I've ever had. Best restaurant "show" I've ever had, with regard to preparation and presentation. Best gooey duck I've ever had (er, only gooey duck). Compared to other fine restaurants, how many places have great executive chefs with a passion for their food and an obsessive attention to detail. Ok, fine. Now how many of those restaurants can you go where the executive chef is directly involved with preparing your food. Scratch most off the list. Now how many can you go to where the executive chef is preparing your food, personally for you, in front of you. Bueller? Bueller? I went balls to the wall for my dinner without concern for cost. It's my birthday weekend. I ordered the $125 bottle of sake to start. We started with single pieces of sushi after the bento box but after the first one, the Scottish salmon belly, quickly switched to two. I've never had sake before, considering what I had here. I've never had sushi before, considering what I had here. Oh yes, there have been restaurants with the word "sushi" on the door and on the menu but none like this. Each piece of sushi was SO delicate it was absolutely surreal. The rice was warm, and amazingly prepared to not over power the ocean critters on top. It's not like I was eating the sushi inasmuch as I placed it into my mouth and had its essence dissolve into my being. The only exceptions were the eel, the gooey duck and the uni which don't really fit into the "delicate" category but were excellent nonetheless. The scallops and the gooey duck were alive, minutes before we devoured them. The gooey duck was like something from a third rate space horror film. HA, I ate the creature and saved the spaceship! The bento box was also amazing and was a great precursor to delights to come. After your (3 - 4 hour) dinner at Naoe, you expect to walk out onto the streets of L.A., New York, Chicago or even Tokyo. But no, you're still in Miami, the fantasy is over. Hopefully, Naoe punctuates a turn for Miami with similarly incredible restaurants to come. The four hours we spent at Naoe seemed like 1/4 of that time. Naoe is first on my list for special occasions, out of town guests and pescetarian indulgence whenever I can. If you go to Naoe and don't give it five stars, I don't think we can ever be friends. In fact, I probably won't like you very much. Not because of how you rated but because of how completely antithetic you're likely to be to me. read more

NAOE - The gooey duck emerges from the bowl. Will it jump out and suck my face off or will Chef Cory subdue it for my supper? - Japanese Near Me - Miami, Florida

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