BUTTERFISH: An Unforgettable Omakase Experience in Rutherford, NJ

Where do I even begin? This was our second time visiting Butterfish, and once again, the experience was absolutely amazing. As a sushi lover—especially when it comes to omakase—I’ve been to many sushi spots across NJ, but Butterfish stands out. Everything was incredibly fresh, and the fish literally melted in our mouths. Even my husband, who usually isn’t a big fan of sushi, loved it! What truly made our experience exceptional was the outstanding service, especially from the manager, Jojo. He took our evening to the next level with what we now call “The Jojo Experience”—from the freshest otoro to delicious oysters, everything was top-tier. We’ll definitely be back soon and will be bringing friends with us next time. Also, a quick tip: this place is BYOB, so don’t forget to bring your favorite drinks. Thank you again to the Butterfish team, and especially Jojo, for making our night so memorable!

Had an amazing meal at Butterfish! Big thanks to Frankie for the warm welcome and Manager Jojo for making everything run so smoothly. Super chill vibes, The fish was super fresh and it tasted amazing! — can’t wait to come back!

My friend and i recently had the pleasure of dining at Butterfish and it was truly an outstanding experience from start to finish. BYOB which is a plus, bring your own airplane bottle for $2 off the mocktails. The sushi itself was exceptional—fresh, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. Each piece showcased the chef’s skill and dedication to quality ingredients. The service was impeccable, with the staff checking in just the right amount without being intrusive. Their knowledge of the menu and willingness to offer recommendations made the experience even better. Thank you so much Ryann!!! We truly enjoyed our experience and can't wait to come back!!!

We had one of the best dining experiences ever at Butterfish, and it made my son’s college graduation celebration truly unforgettable! After a small mix-up with our first reservation, Jojo—the General Manager and customer service superstar—promised to make it right. He certainly did just that and then went above and beyond. His overflowing attention to detail and genuine care set the tone for a perfect evening. Every dish was incredible. The Salmon Burrata Hand Roll was a creamy, tender surprise that melted in our mouths. The Cucumber Chili Crunch Salad had the perfect mix of spice and freshness. We were amazed by the Marine Oysters, flown in fresh six days a week—better than Nobu-level quality! The A5 Wagyu with Crab Grab Rolls was a standout interactive dish—fun and full of flavor. My personal favorite? The Toro Caviar. Salty but buttery, and absolutely luxurious. Chewing was optional as every appetizer and roll were so tender. To finish, the Sorbet & Gelato Sandwiches were perfect palate cleansers—especially the salted caramel, which was to die for. Thank you to JoJo, the chef and entire Butterfish staff for our very special and five star experience! From service to presentation to flavor, everything was exceptional. Run—don’t walk!

Such an amazing experience!! Frankie took excellent care of us. Everything was so good, the music was chill and upbeat at the same time and the service was impeccable! It’s no surprise that this place deserves all the 5 star ratings! We’ll be back for sure.

We had an incredible experience at ButterFish! The service was top-notch—Jojo and Marilyn were both exceptionally attentive and made us feel truly taken care of. Every piece of fish was unbelievably fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Jojo also went above and beyond to accommodate some specific dietary needs at our table, which really elevated the entire experience. From the quality of the food to the personalized service, everything was outstanding. Can’t wait to go back!

We had a fantastic dinner at Butterfish! Our family is passionate about sushi, and we tend to steer away from Americanized rolls—we love our sushi nigiri-style with high-quality, fresh fish and seafood. All three of us ordered the premium omakase, and every piece was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The toro hand roll was especially memorable—so rich and buttery, it melted in our mouths. We ended the meal with a delicious gelato sandwich that was the perfect sweet finish. The service was also top-notch. Ryan was our server and he was absolutely wonderful—attentive and friendly. Big shout-out to him for making our experience even better! As frequent sushi and omakase diners, we truly appreciated the overall quality. That said, we do believe feedback is essential to any great restaurant’s continued growth. We found the Hotate (scallop) dishes—including the truffle scallop carpaccio and the scallop served during our omakase—to be a bit on the salty side. Even our teenage son, who has a refined palate for sushi, noticed the same. Just a small note that we hope helps fine-tune an already impressive menu. All in all, we loved our dinner and will absolutely be back for more!

First of all, anyone that wrote a one star for this place is full of nonsense. The food is amazing. This isn’t the stuff your face kind of place. The omikase offerings are a great way to experience everything this restaurant has to offer. The way they serve the food, in small courses, lets you really savor the quality ingredients and the thought they put into the menu. The service was impeccable and you can tell how enthusiastic they are about wanting you to enjoy the experience, especially the manager Jojo. The servers are warm and energetic. I left feeling very satisfied with the meal and not overly full. They value quality and flavorful food over quantity and blandness. The menu is a little pricey, but you absolutely get what you pay for. I can’t wait to go back.