If you find yourself walking along Fourth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh, no matter if it’s a midday lunch break or a night out, Okane sits along the street, ready to welcome hungry guests to a three-level Japanese restaurant.

Okane Introduces You to Three Levels of Japanese Dining in Downtown Pittsburgh

Recently opened to the public, Okane mixes traditional and contemporary styles of Japanese dining to offer three floors of selections. It is your way to travel without ever needing a passport or plane ride. You can stop in for sweets, sushi, and an extensive bar and sake program, as well as curated one-of-a-kind chef dinners. Not to mention, on the warmer Pittsburgh days, you can take lunch or cocktails up at Okane’s Rooftop where your view of the city is unmatched. Needless to say, Okane is an experience you’ll definitely want to make time for!

What to Try at Okane Sweet Spot

Starting on the first floor is Okane Sweet Spot, a love letter to premium matcha, gorgeous ube, delicious Vietnamese coffee, teas, as well as Japanese-inspired sweets and treats. This is your place for a quick on-the-go snack or afternoon pick-me-up. You can choose to build your own coffee, matcha, or jasmine tea, but they also have plenty of signature coffee and fruit tea recipes to pick from.

Then, dive into picturesque, fish-shaped Taiyaki cakes full of ube, red bean, matcha, and cream fillings or bubble waffles featuring different drizzles. You could even make your Taiyaki into a sundae with ube or matcha ice cream and toppings. Or, simply get the ice cream on its own with toppings like mini mochi, Strawberry KitKats, Chocolate Pocky, or wafer sticks.

If an Instagram-worthy food pic is your goal, don’t forget to order a Japanese Sando made with fluffy white bread and a variety of fillings from Salted Caramel to Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Ube, and more.

Okane Rooftop

Continue to treat yourself as you head up to Okane’s Rooftop. Looking out over Third Avenue and PPG Place with a cool breeze rushing through, have a seat among the impressive buildings of Pittsburgh. Whether you’re sampling sake, wine, and craft cocktails at the bar or sharing a plate of sushi with friends, the Rooftop is Pittsburgh’s home for celebrations, girls’ nights, intimate dates, family get-togethers, and so much more. Plus, the menu lets you curate your meal to absolute perfection.

You can start by ordering appetizers for the whole table like Crab Rangoon, Fried Fingerlings, Crispy Seafood Egg Rolls, and Kani Spicy Salad. Then, dive into traditional sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, all with premium quality seafood. Okane focuses on melding bold flavors with traditional Japanese favorites; you’ll see staples like California Roll or Avocado Roll alongside new creations like a Lil’ Delicious Roll that contains spicy tuna, cream cheese, avocado, kani, and is deep-fried then topped with eel and spicy mayo. There are over 25 different rolls to try, so be sure to come with an empty stomach and an open mind.

And, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can order Okane’s Sushi Tacos that wrap your favorite sushi toppings in a seaweed shell. For instance, the Fresh Okane packs in salmon, tuna, yellowtail, jalapeño, and mango with a side of wasabi mayo and crunch.

Okane Omakase

But, if you’re looking for an all-out experience, the second floor, Okane Omakase, is the way to go. The word “Omakase” here means, “I leave it up to you.” You’ll put your full trust into Okane’s professional chef team at an elegant, indulgent chef’s dinner with either 16 or 18 courses that come out one-by-one. Let your taste buds wander through Wagyu Tartar, Salmon Cigars, Duck Breast, A5 Wagyu Nigiri, Bluefin Tuna, Amaebi Pani Puri, and a Matcha Tiramisu for dessert.

It’s not just the food that’s excellent at Okane Omakase — it’s the cultural experience that makes your dinner unforgettable. You’ll connect personally with Japanese culture as you watch your food come to life before your very eyes at the counter. There are even small dining pods that allow for more privacy as you savor each bite and make memories with those around you. Not to mention the modern, sleek dining room escorts you directly to the contemporary spaces of Japan.

Located at 245 Fourth Avenue in Downtown, Okane’s Sweet Spot opens at 11 a.m. daily, the Rooftop opens at 11:30 a.m. daily, and Omakase starts taking reservations at 5 p.m. daily.

Looking for more delicious Asian cuisine around the city? Check out these restaurant picks from contributor Aakanksha Agarwal.

Story and Photography by Kylie Thomas

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