OMG. The sushi and nigiri are out of this world and more aligned to something I would expect in Chicago or New York City. I had the futomaki and bluefin akami (deep, cranberry red) to start, followed by the bluefin toro, the J. Pablo, and finished with the tuna lemon. All were excellent in their own distinct ways. This restaurant is super cute on the inside, and they fly in their seafood from all over, but it is very fresh and made at the bar in plain sight. Caitlin took excellent care of me, and Pedro made all of the sushi by hand, and he did a phenomenal job of educating me on what he was making, and what everything was. My dinner there was the highlight of my visit to DSM, and locals and visitors alike need to check this restaurant out! read more

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Masao is hands down one of the best dining experiences you'll find in Iowa. The sushi is incredibly fresh and easily the best I've had. I ordered the J-Pablo, my wife had the Volcano Roll, and both were absolutely packed with flavor--we couldn't have been happier. We also shared the mushroom gnudi from the French side of the menu, and honestly, it was one of the most delicious things I've eaten in a long time. We were still talking about it the rest of the night. If you're looking for high-quality food, unique flavors, and an unforgettable meal, Masao is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back. read more

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An exceptional combination of authentic Japanese cuisine with sushi masterfully made right in front of you with and exceptional French cuisine. My dinner at Masao was both an exceptional meal and wonderful experience and I am already thinking about the next time I'll get to come back! The place is inviting but is a bit on the smaller side, so definitely make a reservation in advance for the best experience and maybe wear stretchy pants because it is just that good! I was recommended this newer spot by a friend and advised I sit at the bar to be able to watch the magic happen and it did not disappoint. The menu has some very creative sushi dishes with some authentic French plates, too. I started with the salmon nigiri which was perfectly cut and fresh high-quality fish. For the main course, I enjoyed the spider roll and tuna lemon rolls which were outstanding! The sushi here is the best in des moines, and their attention to detail is impressive. The staff is all so friendly and very knowledgeable about not just the menu but the story of Masao. You can tell their whole time buys in, and it shows by the impeccable plates they create. Will definitely be coming back and highly recommend making a reservation in advance because this place fills up fast! read more

Masao - Spider roll (top) and Tuna lemon roll (bottom) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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For those that like different culinary experiences, Masao is the place! A Euro-Asian fusion restaurant, where French and Japanese leads to an interesting evening of some familiar favorites with a twist and some exciting new tastes. Located at the foot of the Iowa Capitol building in the East Village district of downtown, Maseo is now approaching at six months in business. Across of casual and sophisticated, the restaurant is light, open , and has a modern vibe with a hint of fine dining with table linens. Metered Street parking and nearby parking garages are available, but street parking can be a challenge during busy weekends and peak hours so plan accordingly. Open for dinner service only, check their website for operating details. We had a reservation, which is highly recommended, for a Thursday evening, and the restaurant was at near-full capacity for the duration of our visit. We were pleasantly greeted and quickly seated. The dining room area includes counter seating. Two finely trained chefs, utilize their respective expertise in Japanese fish/sushi and traditional French dishes. The menu is eclectic, and our dinner consisted of a delicious French onion soup, a fantastic mushroom dish that resembled a sea coral, some of the finest quality sashimi, and familiar maki rolls, to one of our favorites that was a poblano Maki roll with crab. There was an interesting fusion volcano roll that involved a hint of French mushroom topping that was really great. The restaurant offers a full bar, house cocktails, and mocktails, that will please any pallet. We enjoyed a nonfiltered sake with a beautiful presentation. Our server was friendly and attentive, and probably one of the things that we enjoyed. The most was that they acted as a team backing one another up as they went by and checked on each other's tables. This is a wonderful restaurant with a wonderful concept. I would recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket as the dining room was a little cool, particularly towards the door in the front of the restaurant. Might be because we were out on one of the first days of snow of the season! Check out this fun, classy, and interesting restaurant for a memorable dining experience. read more

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If you are a sushi aficionado, there is simply no place in Iowa like Masao. I've tried high-end sushi coast to coast and never had anything quite like this. Imagine having a private, master chef thoughtfully and carefully prepare fresh cuts of delicate fish based on the preferences of your particular palate, replete with handmade sauces that bring out the subtlest flavors. Eating at the bar in Masao is the closest most sushi lovers will ever get to that. The service is friendly and the atmosphere upscale but inviting. Prices are high but easily justified by the attention to sourcing (constant fish deliveries, and real japanese wasabi root for nigiri), meticulous preparation, pride in presentation, and cleanliness. The menu also changes frequently, with relatively uncommon items sourced and presented in limited quantities. Think bluenose, barracuda, and seared wagyu nigiri. It is no exaggeration to say that the Volcano roll - which did not sound particularly special or inventive - was one of the best dishes I have ever had at any restaurant. It is extremely rich and satisfying. Can't wait to visit again. read more

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Wow!!!!!!!! One of the best sushi restaurants I have been to outside of Japan. Nick has done a masterful job sourcing, preparing, plating and serving. A great experience. I sat at the sushi bar and Nick shared how the menu changes daily and he creates works of art. Diego was clearly excited about what he prepares as well. Plus the other half of the restaurant has a French influence. I started with potato soup and ended with chocolate mousse. All in all a great experience. A must go to in Des Moines. read more

Masao is an inventive Japanese restaurant in Des Moines. Apparently it has recently reopened with a new sushi chef who trained under the one who was in this spot prior. There were some interesting things on the menu like lavender eggs. For me, nothing was spectacular that I tried except for the cherry soda lol! I know this spot has great reviews and I don't mean to bring it down by my rating, however I was not overly impressed. The sushi was solid, and the other items were ... inventive. This wasn't a favorite spot of mine but I would try it again. read more

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The food here is absolutely amazing and love the fusion of Japanese and French food. You cannot find anything else like this in DSM. This is not your typical Japanese or French restaurant. The ingredients and thought into each dish was impressive. Contrasting and complementing tastes and textures really highlight each dish. Adding extra feedback because I know the chefs were asking for thoughts while we sat at the bar: Pieces of sushi was slightly thinner and smaller than I had experienced in other cities. I wished the truffle in the tuna carpaccios was fresh instead of jarred. Foie gras was out of this world, no changes in that! All rolls were done amazing, the rice to fish ratio was perfect and the sushi rice was made well. The duck yakitori could have been executed better. Felt it was a bit overcooked. Service was ok. It got a little more busy on the Tuesday and I felt like they should have had more than one server. She didn't seem to know too much about the menu, finished plates were not picked before the next course so we had to move things around on our own. She was busy to get her attention to order another drink. But wanting to come back again to try new items! read more

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I was shocked to discover Masao opened 3 days ago! The Service was incredible and the food is fantastic! We were one of the first tables ( at 515 ) to arrive. Gavin and the other staff were welcoming and fun. We arrived a few minutes before our friends and I ordered 3 small plates and a bottle of cava for the table. It's always fun to see what the staff pick, and we weren't disappointed! Lavender Eggs, topped with cavier! The Veggie tart! I wouldn't have ordered it, so Glad they picked it! The third ware clams, which were perfect. The other two exceptional small plates were the Okonomi Jaki ( cabbage casserole ) & Duck Yakitori. The menu front page featurrs small plates, the back page has sushi and rolls. My favorite sushi ( i like the rice ( 2 pieces ), also available as just sashimi ( 3 pieces ) ) was the tomago ( egg ), Eel, and Octopus and our favorite Roll is the STT followed by the Alaska Roll and Spider Roll. Thier Beverage program is top notch with delicious cocktails and a sleek wine and beer list ( not a huge selection, but everything on it matches the food menu ). The decor is fine dining. White table clothes set the tone. The food is prepared in two places. If you like watching the sushi chef, there are 8 bar stools. As you're ordering, different things take different time, so a dash of patience is needed. read more

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While on a business trip to Des Moines Iowa we found ourselves at a small quaint establishment looking for local spots to wet our whistle and taste some great local food. It was then someone suggested sushi with the caveat of "it needed to be close to our hotel" which was the AC Marriott downtown (see my review of this hotel in my reviews). As we walked in we were not prepared for fine dining service, we were looking for one of those places where people go without much of a 2nd thought. We were seated near a window by Gavin who immediately treated us like we were regulars at the local pub right after winning a state championship. Gavin repeatedly stopped by to ask us if there was anything we needed and promptly filled our glasses with water in what seemed like every sip. To some this may be a bit overbearing but we found it to be of exceptional service. We haven't even spoken about the food yet!! When it came time to order, Gavin knew the menu like he wrote it himself. After letting me know they were out of the clams he suggested the Lavender Eggs... upon reading on the menu what was in it, I was hesitant to make a decision but when in Rome... within a few minutes my eggs appeared. The French style scrambled eggs were buttery smooth and the creme fresh paired so smoothly with it like a jazz band at speak easy. The eggs were topped with caviar which contrasted brilliantly with the sourness of the cream fresh in an amazing layering of familiar flavors. The sushi we ordered also arrived which was also intricately complex in its flavors yet fresh and delicious. After diner, the sushi chef Nick stopped by the table to chat which was a welcome departure from what you would normally get down at the Applebees and gave us some insight to their masterful dishes. Clearly this places sets a bar that few can reach. Try it, love it, rinse and repeat. read more

Masao - Menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The sushi was on point--crispy where it should be, perfectly balanced, and not overloaded with rice. You can tell they care about quality, from the presentation to the taste. Service was smooth and attentive without hovering, and the overall vibe felt relaxed but polished. It's the kind of place you'd come back to without overthinking it because you know the food is going to be solid every time. Definitely a spot I'll be returning to. read more

Masao - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

YO ELITE YELPERS! CHECK THIS PLACE OUT RIGHT AWAY! Absolutely blown away by Masao. A friend and I lucked out and snagged two seats at the sushi bar on Saturday night after forgetting to make a reservation--pro tip: make a reservation, because this place fills up fast. Now I know exactly why. Hands down, this was the best sushi I've ever had in my life--and I've had plenty from San Francisco to New York. The quality here? Next level. Every bite was impossibly fresh, artfully presented, and bursting with flavor. As a vegan, I tried two of their mushroom-based rolls, and they were mind-blowingly good. My friend, who paired her white wine with a tuna roll, kept saying it was the best she'd ever had. So whether you're plant-based or not, you're in for something special. Shout out to our server Maggie, who was a total delight, and to Nick, the owner, who personally presented our dishes and made the experience feel even more intimate and memorable. Masao is a true gem--and who would've guessed it would be right here in Des Moines? Can't wait to go back. Next time, I'll be sure to book ahead. read more

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Typically have a rez but walked in and the staff was amazing! Made room for us on a friday night and the drinks, food and service was amazing! read more

Masao - French Martini - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Masao in Des Moines blew me away. Caitlin was such an awesome server--super attentive and friendly--and Nick, the owner, made the night extra special by sneaking me a few extra sushi pieces to try (and wow, they were delicious). The food here isn't your typical sushi spot at all--it's next level. The French tapas were spot on, and everything I tried was amazing: the Ayu and Isaki sushi, clams in lemongrass broth, peach soup, and the fruit and goat cheese tart to finish. On top of that, the space is beautiful with a clean, minimalist vibe. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Check them out before the secret's out and everyone's fighting for a table! read more

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Incredible experience. The best sushi I've ever had and the duck yakitori was an explosion of fatty goodness. We were late to our reservation due to an accident clogging our route to the restaurant but the service was very accommodating and understanding. The music and vibe was perfect for good conversation with friends. Cannot recommend enough. Don't let the simplicity of the menu descriptions fool you, everything here is packed with flavor and eloquently presented. read more

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This place is mind blowing. The attention to detail, skill, ambiance, and service were all top notch. If you're looking for the best sushi (and seafood in general) in Des Moines, this is it. We were greeted by our waitress Stass and truly made us feel celebrated as we were dining here post-wedding. She really enjoyed talking about their menu (which changes every day) and gave great recommendations. She was very in sync with the restaurant operations. Sushi chef/owner Nick was a pleasure to dine with. We sat at the sushi bar for our reservation and he took care of our sashimi and maki orders. The fish was also fresh orders and the other ingredients are either very carefully sourced or hand crafted in house. As he was working orders, he shared his experience and training, and his passion for his craft really showed. We asked about one of the seasonings they used on their Barracuda, and it was remnants of an order of Kelp, but tasted rich and toasted. He also put together some type of strawberry puree and Red Snapper, which at first glance I didn't understand, but trying it I was very pleasantly surprised! Chef Phil prepared our French order of scallops. Not only did the ingredients show their quality, but the preparation and presentation were spot on. He came out to congratulate us and although he said he was "a little rusty", he held down the fort. All in all, it was a phenomenal experience. If you're celebrating something, craving seafood, or just want an experience that appeals to your senses, this is the spot to be at. read more

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We stumbled in on this place and it was beyond amazing! The wait staff were very nice and really made us feel welcome and the food was so delicious, like you wish you ordered more delicious. You will not be disappointed! A must try. read more

My favorite country to visit is Japan and I feel that this menu embodied the joy of Japanese cuisine. Food was excellent, I am not a huge raw fish person but this fish was not fishy at all and high quality. The ambiance is also good. We will be back. read more

Masao - Sushi Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Great staff and atmosphere. Tremendous dishes. Each dish was perfectly balanced, subtle but unforgettable. Had the octopus, red snapper nigiri. Very good. lavender eggs are velvety smooth, a combination that was, to me, unexpectedly complimentary. Better than advertised in my opinion. I loved Miyabi 9. It feels like they successfully merged Miyabi 9 with Proof. I need to get back to work my way through the sushi. Desert was perfect as well. Wonderful experience. read more

Fantastic restaurant. Went for dinner and enjoyed delicious French appetizers, amazing sushi and great service.

The food and ambiance was excellent. Our server, Catelyn, was helpful, attentive and kind. Love the fact that they change the menu frequently. Everything thing was fresh and presented beautifully. read more

Absolutely blown away by the entire experience at Masao!! Being a couple foodies from a serious food town (Portland, OR), we are accustomed to top-notch meals, but this was - for both of us - a top 5 meal of our lifetimes!! Sashimi salad and scallops were otherworldly, as was the espresso crème brûlée and all of the wine and wine pairings!! Phenomenal!! read more

Exceptionally fresh fish that was complimented by the passionate preparation, and to boot, beyond amazing French food! The seafood was fresher than most high-end sushi joints in major coastal cities (think Nobu). This is a passion project from a couple of local boys that could be executive chefs at Michelin star restaurants anywhere! I will be back to dive deeper into the French food, if I can say no to the sushi at that moment. Not that I have to choose, except for based on my stomach's capacity, based on the offering sizes (tapas-esque) which allows for one experience both. Go - you won't regret it! read more

Great food, great service, love the East Village! The four of us had a couple small plates including the Tomato Trio and Three Way Mushrooms. Both very good. Then we moved to the sushi and had the Blue California, Spider, Spicy Tuna and Volcano. All excellent, but the Spicy Tuna is one we get everywhere we go and this is clearly the best we've ever had. Good wine, reasonable price (for 2025). Give it a try! read more

Stumbled upon this place looking to treat myself to a celebratory meal. Totally BLOWN AWAY. Diego the sushi chef and I recognized each other from another sushi place that he worked at previously and struck up a conversation while sitting at the sushi bar. The pride and enthusiasm he shows in his craft is apparent. Followed his recommendations and I got to try something he called Butterfish Nigiri maybe Blue nose? (Not totally sure since I was so excited) which I hadn't had before. Came with real wasabi root and the best ginger I have ever tasted. BOMB! Also had a Tuna Lemon roll. It was perfectly balanced with many flavors and took me on a pleasant journey. Rich, lemony, sweet, with some mellow spicy heat that lingered towards the end of the bite. The kind of thing that you want to wolf down but have to slow down so it lasts as long as possible. Nick the owner was trained by Chef Mike who was the proprietor of Miaby9. Super nice guy who also takes pride in his work. I could sense his pride when talking about the house made sauces and the techniques he used to create them. I only tried Japanese cuisine during this visit but excited to come back and try some of the French cuisine as I could tell that every person working here is passionate about the food. It is great to have such a high quality, unique place with a down to earth staff here in the metro. read more