Fresh, expertly prepared sushi and sashimi using premium ingredients, with options like nigiri and hand rolls.
A curated multi-course dining journey featuring unique dishes selected by our chefs for an authentic taste.
Handcrafted cocktails like the Sakura Samurai and a carefully selected sake list to complement your meal.
Reserved seating with city views, personalized service, and allergy-aware menus for birthdays, anniversaries, and more.
Enjoy our high-quality Japanese cuisine at home with convenient takeout and delivery options available.
I reserved for my daughter’s birthday and while we didn’t get a window seat as requested, you still have a really unfettered view of the city from the first floor. It’s worth going anytime, but had an especially nice ambiance at night with the city all aglow for the holidays. Angela was our server and endeavored to not only answer any questions, but to make the dinner an experience. She is a consummate professional, giving just enough attention to your needs/questions without being intrusive on your meal. I also appreciated that she asked about any food allergies and tailored her presentation for both of us, based on our preferences. She helped guide instead of pushing, so we were getting what we wanted/liked. I’ve never been terribly fond of raw fish and now understand that what I’m really not a fan of is mid or bad sushi/nigiri. I opted for the Black Miso Cod with that distaste in mind, and while it was incredibly delicious, after trying two pieces, I really think I could have eaten nigiri all night. To say the fish is “fresh” is an incredible understatement. This is how fish should actually taste - not the frozen/thawed, refrozen fish typically being served in landlocked areas. You can tell the care, attention to detail, and quality that you are receiving. Everything is delicately balanced and layered with often delicate flavors. I wish I had taken more pics to share here but we were having such a good time and enjoying the dishes so much that I only took a few. The presentation is as tasteful as the dishes themselves. Highly recommend the Sakura Samurai and lychee martini, although the sake paired with the experience was carefully curated and absolutely some of the best sake I’ve ever had. The “experience” is course after course of really lovely and unique sashimi, nigiri, and other dishes that I’ve never seen or tasted before. My descriptions won’t really do it justice as I’m a novice to the cuisine. But as a consummate lover of exquisite flavor profiles, the “experience” delivers. The tiramisu and matcha ice cream were a pleasant surprise, as they were also excellent. Overall, if you like sushi, sashimi or nigiri, and even if you don’t, this is the freshest spot to have it in Pittsburgh. If you love and appreciate sushi etc, Otaru is unquestionably the best place to treat yourself. Thank you for making our celebration special. We’ll be back!
We had an amazing time at Otaru. Definitely the best sushi I’ve ever had! Our server, Angela, was very knowledgeable and super helpful when we had questions about the menu and couldn’t decide what to get. My favorite was the salmon and ikura hand roll, but everything we had was delicious. This place is a must try for anyone who likes sushi.
Perfect anniversary date. We reserved a table in advance and were met with a delicious meal and friendly staff. The favorites included the Sakura Samurai cocktail, the Tartar, the Godzilla Roll, and the Sashimi platter. Honestly this was the best sushi rice I’ve ever had, so we got two bowls of that as well. Cat was a lovely server, we were glad to hear her recommendations and bond over our love of quality food.
This is truly a high-end sushi destination and, with many other places closing recently, it may very well be the best sushi spot in Pittsburgh. The fish is exceptionally fresh, the presentation is refined, and the flavors are authentic. Combined with outstanding service, it’s absolutely worth a visit for any sushi lover.
I visited OTARU on a Saturday with an advanced reservation for one. The service from start to finish was amazing with my server explaining the menu well. The food came out quickly and was all delicious. The hand rolls were delightful and the black miso cod was perfectly cooked. Overall, a wonderful experience and I would go back.

Elevating Pittsburgh's sushi scene with authentic Japanese cuisine and breathtaking city views.
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OTARU Japanese Restaurant offers an exquisite dining experience in Pittsburgh, specializing in fresh, high-quality sushi, sashimi, and nigiri. Located at 1200 Grandview Ave with stunning city views, we provide a refined ambiance perfect for celebrations and special occasions. Our knowledgeable staff, like Angela, ensures personalized service, catering to allergies and preferences. From hand rolls to Black Miso Cod and curated sake, every dish is crafted with care and authenticity, making us a top destination for sushi lovers and newcomers alike.
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