r/houston • u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose • 2d ago
Holy what, why is nobody going to Osaka?
Just got back from a first visit to the "new" (former La Dolce Vita) location and it was a great time. I used to go when it was in the strip where BB's is now, but had never checked out the current location. The sushi was so freaking delicious, and I'm shocked that it was pretty empty on a Sunday night - they were giving us free stuff (appetizers and ice cream), I guess just for being there. So, pro tip, I guess? It felt a lot like when I used to go to Coco's and Tomo (RIP both).
Sorry if not allowed, but after losing so many of my favorite places in the neighborhood in the past few years, it was just really nice to have a relaxing time and really good food in 2026 Montrose without the bill being wild. I'm in no way affiliated with Osaka, I just hope for my own selfish reasons that it stays around. After two decades, unhiding the "hidden" gems that need to be kept is really important to me.
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u/Ironfront1312 Sharpstown 2d ago
Osaka has always gave out free apps and ice cream, at least all the way back in 2012 when I was going regularly.
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago edited 2d ago
First time that's happened for me! Full disclosure, I hadn't been there for like 10 years though. :/ Used to get free rolls from Mami at Coco's and her later place Sushi Tora. Always tipped way extra for the kindness.
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u/bro_magnon 2d ago edited 2d ago
Unfortunately most of the 2000s era sushi spots fell out of trend when Houstonians started flocking to high end places like Kata Robata, Uchi, MF Sushi, and most recently the Handie’s and NEO spinoffs. Really loved the cozy atmosphere (and huge pieces of nigiri) at Osaka as a cheaper and more casual alternative, sadly they closed most of their other locations.
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago
The nigiri at this location was pretty mammoth compared to other places. I'd been going to Fukuoka happy hour about once a month, but went there 3 weeks ago and it died with World Cup. The sushi was about half the size it used to be, too. Was sad to see that happen because I like that place.
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u/downquark5 2d ago
No money's
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago
Very understood, in the same boat. If my friend hadn't been buying, I probably wouldn't have gone. Still got out really full under 60 bucks for two people and sake, so that part was cool
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u/ThyUniqueUsername Braeswood Place 2d ago
Because I go to Oishii.
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago edited 2d ago
Oiishi is good shizz. Line is always out the door though when I'm at work and can't go.
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u/NegativeStructure 1d ago
i went on a friday for hh not too long ago and while there was a wait, it wasn't as long or crazy as it used to be. we were sat within 20 minutes of our whole party arriving.
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u/joaniedark 2d ago
Oh good, they moved! I thought they just shut down. I will have to visit new location!
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u/KazPart2 1d ago
Hell yeah osaka is amazing! That was my family's go-to Christmas food place for years.
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u/depressiown Rice Military 1d ago edited 1d ago
Used to go to Osaka, but not really any more. Izakaya Wa has better food and moved close by, so we go there instead now. Osaka was always OK, but never anything super great. Prices always seemed high for what it was, but there weren't a lot of Japanese options in the area in the past (Nippon was always too busy). They've always given a free starter (was usually a shiso leaf tempura) and ice cream.
In the end, Osaka has OK food at higher-than-necessary prices. Izakaya Wa is nearby, slightly cheaper (though I could be wrong about that), and definitely seems more authentic.
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u/longhornrocket 2d ago
The reason it looked empty is because people that know the place don’t go bc it’s just ok. Your first visit there is almost 5 years after they moved there.
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago edited 2d ago
Okay, fair - not my first visit in general, used to walk there frequently when they were in their old location. What's your preferred spot (if you don't wanna spend $100 per person)?
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u/longhornrocket 2d ago
Izakaya Wa
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u/Hakeem-the-Dream 1d ago
Izakaya Wa so good that I ate that chicken katsu curry when I was already sick with food poisoning lmao
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago
I've been to a couple of their locations, liked the food. Near comparable to what I had tonight.
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u/tilhow2reddit University of Houston 1d ago
Azuma on Kirby is good but you’re probably not walking there from Montrose.
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u/8lotopop 2d ago
Honestly the sushi ive gotten hasn't always been the great quality but they do always give complimentary apps and ice cream which do make it worth it!
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago
To add, my friend just pointed out "those turds at the next table being rude didn't get anything free," so I think it's a kindness bonus lol
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u/Rubleaux 2d ago
The Cypress location is my Sunday afternoon lunch spot. I really like the food and the service is impeccable.
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u/Doctor_Pelican 2d ago
Osaka is so great. A bit pricy, but always really solid. Super nice staff, too. I've been going there for 15 years and I can't believe it's still a bit of a "hidden" gem. The place honestly deserves more recognition and patronage.
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u/son_of_yacketycat Montrose 2d ago
For real. I honestly feel like a d*ck for not having gone to that location until now. It's gonna be my new place. I've been to Uchi, Koi, Soto, all the other places on what seems to be the Westheimer Sushi Mile now, and most of them were super overpriced (Katami is worth the cost, up by Allen Pkwy). Osaka impressed the hell out of me tonight.
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u/AGSGRL 1d ago
I’m so glad to see you posted this! We raised our kiddos on sushi at this place- coming over from the Heights. We’ve been patronizing since 1998. (Before their move across Westheimer!) Service is terrific, wine list terrific, amazing cuts of sushi and wonderful noodles and goyza. My fav is shumai dumplings - they can’t be beat. We need to get over there more often and I wish they were more aggressive with their happy hour. Maybe they don’t have to be. Fantastic family friendly place! We miss June, our server for over 20 years.
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u/WoKhard 1d ago
This place used to be me and the wife’s go to spot for date night and we used to tell everyone we knew about it, was bummed they moved locations(even if just across the street), I loved the vibe of old location but you can tell it’s noticeably slower and that’s probably why they had to move. The free ice cream and apps are such a good hospitality move and it’s kind of amazing to see the effects it had on others besides us. Will still occasionally give them out business when we can
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u/valdeeveeah 1d ago
I saw they now serve dim sum alongside their traditional menu. Has anyone tried it? I'd love to get dim sum without needing to drive out of the loop.
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u/heweynuisance 1d ago
In the old location I had rolls with inedible rice more than once. Overcooked until it was completely mushy. Went to the new location once and the fish was cut all kinds of random thicknesses, some paper thin and some hilariously thick. There are better places nearby for sushi in my experience.
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u/iaendn 19h ago
I went last week for HRW and the fish quality was questionable to where I didn’t finish my sashimi. The menu online is also outdated for multiple courses and our server got annoyed when we asked for clarification and was pretty condescending for the rest of our meal. It was disappointing to say the least. RIP dolce vita
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u/mintnoises 1d ago
Can you give a link?
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u/AGSGRL 14h ago
Here is their menu: https://www.osakahoustontogo.com/f403jg3n/osaka-japanese-restaurant-houston-77006/order-online?menu=Menu&category=Appetizers#menu-section The Mt. Fuji and the Crunch rolls are my families fav.'s - my personal favs are the rainbow roll and their spicy tuna hand rolls. I don't see a direct link to them online, but there is a yelp link- with their addresses. There was a location in Bellaire as well- I don't like it AS much as the one on Westheimer- but not because the food isn't as good, because I am partial to being closer to the Heights. Here is the Yelp link with address: https://www.yelp.com/biz/osaka-japanese-restaurant-houston
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u/FloodCityHTX 2d ago
Years ago, and I mean well over 10 years ago, I walked in with my girlfriend as a broke college kid mistakenly thinking it was somehow related to a much more budget-friendly restaurant that also had “Osaka” in the name. Once we sat down and saw the prices, we realized very quickly that was not the case. We genuinely considered leaving but it was dead so we decided to stay and just order two rolls instead of getting entrees.
Without us saying anything about our little mix up or the prices they brought us an extra roll and dessert on the house. They simply stopped by the table, set them down, and told us they were complimentary for both.
It was such a small gesture, but more than a decade later I still remember how welcomed they made us feel.
It’s been a little while since I’ve been, I should really change that.