Popular Charlotte sushi spot makes OpenTable’s list of 2024’s Top 100 Restaurants

A fan-favorite sushi restaurant in North Carolina is in the spotlight for being one of the top-rated places to eat across the country.

OpenTable released its annual list of the best 100 restaurants in the U.S. based on more than 14 million diner reviews, along with diner ratings, reservation demand and the overall percentage of five-star reviews.

Of all the delicious dining destinations perfect for any occasion, only one in the Tar Heel state made the rankings: O-Ku Charlotte, with a 4.8 rating on the restaurant-reservation’s website.

The Charleston-based restaurant, established in 2013, rolled into Charlotte with its third location in 2016, CharlotteFive previously reported. Now, there are nine locations across the Southeast, offering “authentic Asian cuisine with a regional approach.”

“O-Ku’s menu provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine. The South End restaurant offers rare and unique dining options along with traditional sashimi and specialty rolls, highlighting seafood from the finest fish markets in Tokyo and Hawaii alongside local and seasonal ingredients,” according to the restaurant’s website.

The Japanese cuisine concept, tucked in South End’s Atherton Mill, offers a variety of dishes using fish from markets around the world and locally sourced ingredients, including contemporary Japanese entrees, seasonal traditional sushi and more, like one of the chef’s specialties: Yellowtail Carpaccio made with cilantro, serrano pepper, mango, smoked sea salt and ponzu.

There’s also hot plates like chicken teriyaki and lobster fried rice for those who would like to dabble outside of the delicious sushi rolls.

Aside from petite plates and sushi specialties, O-Ku Charlotte’s menu also includes an artistic and creative chef-curated multi-course tasting with the option to pair with sake or wine.

“This year’s Top 100 list reflects the breadth of restaurants on OpenTable,” said Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable.

“I couldn’t be prouder of every restaurant that made this list for their incredible efforts to deliver hospitality to their guests at every turn. For diners, there’s something for everyone on this list – it’s an amazing hit list for locals and travelers too.”

You can check out the full list of the OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2024 online at opentable.com.

O-Ku

Location: Atherton Mill, 2000 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Menu

Cuisine: Asian, sushi

Instagram: @okucharlotte

This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 5:45 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription