NAOE

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.