Mu

There are “leave it up to me” friends and “leave it up to Mu” friends. With an 18-course omakase experience at its heart, the part-time specialists, part-time therapists at Mu are a perfect antidote to the effects of menu conundrum. Settle into an intimate 12-seated theatre, where expert craftsmen carve recently-caught seafood into decadent dishes.

Since its opening in 2021, Japanese restaurant Mu Omakase has quickly become a must-visit for serious diners looking for a unique experience – and it’s a one-hat restaurant that turns fine dining on its head. Offering a fusion of Kaiseki, Robatayaki, and Omakase dining experiences (with a twist), diners are taken on an unforgettable journey through 12 courses, but it’s worth noting that Mu is about more than a good meal. Perfect for date night (if there’s ever a lull in conversation you can both watch in awe as the Chef makes the next mouth-watering dish right in front of you), a special event, or a treat-yourself night out in the heart of Canberra’s city, dining at Mu will change how you look at, and enjoy food.

The influential restaurant group behind Canberra stalwarts Chairman & Yip and Lanterne Rooms is aiming surprisingly small with its latest salvo, a refined omakase restaurant with seats for just 10 diners at a time around its glossy L-shaped counter. From this stage set, sushi master Shinya Nakano deftly prepares an 18-course menu that might include delicacies such as Hokkaido scallop brushed with shiso garlic butter and sake-poached WA scampi with finger lime and salted cod roe. Constitution Place, 1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra

Be warned: access to this Japanesque 10-seater is through suave Cicada Bar, a lush purveyor of precise cocktails that may encourage staying put and skipping dinner. That would be a mistake. Mu’s finely tuned 12-course menu, based on the Japanese omakase tradition and served at a timber-topped counter, delivers an array of small jewels both subtle – glistening swordfish sashimi lifted with fennel and preserved lemon – and robust – a drunken king prawn soaked in Chinese yellow wine, lolling in rich lobster bisque.

Canberra’s best omakase restaurant Mu quickly climbed its way to one of the CBD’s top restaurants. Showcasing the rather unique concept of ‘omakase’ meaning ‘I leave it up to you’, the 10+ tasting menu takes you on a seasonal tour of Japan’s best flavours and cooking techniques. With two seating options available, diners can choose from a seat at the chef’s table where they can watch the magic unfold or a spacious seat in their joining Cicada Bar.

Mu is an intimate Japanese restaurant where diners are served a degustation of dishes consisting of fresh fish, quality meat and other local seasonal produce. They currently offer two types of seating options, a private table, or a spot at the counter table where you can dine Japanese style and share the experience with a small group of other diners. Katherine Lee left this review on Google; “An incredible experience!

Did you know Omakase translates to 'I’ll leave it up to you’?. Mu Omakase, a hidden nook in the city, is helmed by master sushi chef, Shinya Nakano. In this style of Japanese dining customers entrust their meal entirely to the chef, who will select and serve a customised menu based on the best-in-market that day.

Using the Japanese dining experience of Omakase (which translates to ‘leave it up to you’), at Mu you won’t be selecting your dishes – rather, the chefs create menus inspired by what produce and ingredients are best on the day. Mu offers a Japanese dining experience unlike any other. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Onzieme in Kingston and Mu Omakase in Civic are both newcomers to the Canberra dining scene, opening in mid to late 2021 amid lockdowns and dining restrictions. To be awarded a hat is a huge achievement for any restaurant, and to do so in the face of so many obstacles is quite remarkable.

Mu Omakase is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Canberra, with a twist. Dining here is almost like dining blind!. In Japanese, Omakase dining means customers entrust their meal entirely to the Chef, who will select and serve a customised menu based on the best-in-market that day.

A refined, counter-style experience that’ll transport you to the omakase bars of Japan. Each of the 12 seats puts you up-close and personal with the chefs as they transform seasonal ingredients into contemporary Japanese dishes. Expect knife skills, seafood and plenty of sake.

The Mu Omakase experience takes place seated at the counter whilst chefs serve up a very tasty degustation menu based on whatever’s freshest and in season that day. The sake menu is also fantastic and the interior is intimate and moody. 1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City

Mu Omakase & Cicada Bar, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra. Where: 1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra. From the very first bite at Mu Omakase, you'll discover why this Canberra restaurant has been awarded a Chef's Hat.

Mu Omakase, a tiny 12-seater on leafy Constitution Avenue, offers an authentic Japanese omakase experience of a lifetime. ‘Omakase’ describes a highly personal experience shared with the chef and a small selection of other diners.

An intimate and crafted Japanese Robatayaki dining experience, offering premium seasonal ingredients prepared over the charcoal grill and served in a set tasting menu.