New York City's Best Omakase Spots for Sushi Loving Travelers
Whether you're looking for a classic omakase experience or something more modern and innovative, you're sure to find it in NYC. So next time you're in town, be sure to check out one of these amazing omakase restaurants.
November 29, 2023
New York City's Best Omakase Spots (For All Budgets)
New York City is a sushi lover's paradise, with some of the best omakase restaurants in the world. Whether you're a seasoned sushi connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of omakase, there's a restaurant in NYC that's perfect for you.
In this blog post, we'll highlight some of the best omakase spots in NYC for sushi travelers. These restaurants offer a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience, with the freshest fish, the most skilled chefs, and the most attentive service.
The restaurants below have been organized in order of most expensive per person to least.
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Tadashi Yoshida, a renowned sushi master from Japan, moved to New York to open a $500, 20-course omakase restaurant on the Bowery. His omakase draws inspiration from both France and Japan, and includes Western ingredients like cream, olive oil, caviar, and white truffles. One of his signature dishes is sabazushi (mackerel), which he torches with a handheld binchotan grill.
Sushi Noz is a New York City sushi restaurant that has earned a reputation as "sushi royalty." Guests can enjoy a deluxe omakase meal in either the Hinoki Room or Ash Room. The meal may be administered by Chef Noz himself or one of the restaurant's other talented chefs, depending on the seating time.
The sushi is traditional and edomae-style, with a focus on meticulous preparation. Some standout dishes include bluefin tuna, nori-wrapped scallop, Hokkaido uni and wood-smoked eel. Sushi Noz is especially revered for its obsession with rice, which the chefs believe to be more important than the fish itself.
At 69 Leonard, Chef Shion Uino serves a high-end omakase experience, featuring rare seafood and a custard-like tamago. The meal progresses from sashimi to tsumami (small appetizers), nine nigiri bites, a hand roll, soup, and tamago. The chef's focus and attention to detail make this a serious meal, best suited for those who appreciate the craft of sushi. While the price tag is steep, the portion sizes are generous, and will leave you feeling satisfied but not overly stuffed
Kosaka is a beloved sushiya in the West Village that offers a stellar omakase in an elegant setting. Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka presides over the 12-seat counter, where he crafts nigiri one piece at a time. The omakase consists of an amuse, sashimi, 12 sushi courses, soup, and a dessert with tea. The fish is minimally embellished, relying instead on original sourcing and impeccable technique. Highlights include red snapper, Japanese sea bass, wild winter yellowtail, and firefly squid.
Sushi Nakazawa is a high-end sushi spot in the West Village that was opened by Daisuke Nakazawa, an apprentice of Jiro Ono (of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame). The restaurant offers a 21-course omakase featuring gently dressed nigiri, such as sea scallops with yuzu kosho and torched king salmon. The omakase also includes a few hand rolls, such as a toro hand roll and an uni hand roll, and ends with a dessert such as fresh fruit or ice cream.
Juku, a three-floor space in Chinatown, offers a high-quality omakase experience led by Chef Kazuo Yoshida. Yoshida is known for his innovative dishes, such as the ma-aji (horse mackerel) nigiri with sesame seeds and chives instead of ginger and green onion. Other highlights include the Botan Ebi (with crumbled tamago), Kinmedai (Goldeneye Snapper), and Uni (Sea Urchin).
Juku's location in Chinatown sets it apart from other omakase restaurants in the city, offering a unique and authentic dining experience in one of Manhattan's more architecturally interesting neighborhoods.
Sushi Ishikawa, Upper East Side and Upper West Side
$175
17 Courses
Sushi Ishikawa offers a lively and enjoyable omakase experience with tasty and unusual sushi at a price point that's lower than many similar spots. Chef Don Pham serves a variety of nigiri, hand rolls, and plated dishes, all of which feature creative and unexpected flavor combinations. For example, he might top a piece of silky shrimp with torched ramp butter and bottarga, or construct a stacked marvel from three kinds of uni and a flurry of black truffle.
Sushi of Gari is a legendary omakase restaurant on the Upper East Side that is known for its unique and flavorful dishes. The signature Salmon Yaki Tomato (fresh salmon topped with seared tomatoes) is a must-try, and the other pieces are all beautifully presented and carefully crafted. The high-quality fish at Sushi of Gari is complemented by interesting toppings and sauces meant to bring out the best in the flavors. If you are looking for a truly unique omakase experience at a mid-tier price point, Sushi of Gari is a great option.
11 Sushi + 1 Hand Roll + 8 Additional Courses (Dinner) OR 11 Sushi, Toro roll or a Toro Taku + Soup (Lunch)
Omakase Sushi Dairo is a hidden gem near Union Square that offers a unique omakase experience at a reasonable price. The omakase includes a variety of nigiri, including salmon, toro, sea urchin, hamachi, scallop, yellowtail, and even anchovy. The fish is fresh and delicious, and the sushi rice is specially blended. The restaurant also offers a variety of à la carte options, including makizushi, otsumami, and donburi.
Crispy Fluke + 10 Sushi + 1 or 2 Rolls + 1 Hand Roll + Soup
Tanoshi is a cozy BYOB sushi restaurant on the Upper East Side that offers an exceptional omakase experience at a reasonable price. The omakase includes a variety of nigiri, tuna maki, and a spicy salmon handroll. The fish is fresh and delicious, and the rice is intentionally looser than most places, so it is best to eat with your hands. The miso-marinated black sable and the amberjack with a tiny dollop of spicy sauce are particularly noteworthy.
Sushi On Me is a fun and lively omakase restaurant in Jackson Heights and Williamsburg that offers a unique dining experience. For a set fee, you can enjoy 15 pieces of nigiri, a couple of appetizers, and unlimited sake. The restaurant is known for its creative and delicious sushi dishes, as well as its party atmosphere and is an excellent choice for celebrating with sushi-loving friends and family.
U Omakase is a communal-style omakase restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The 13-course meal features creative and delicious dishes, such as a Kumamoto oyster with salmon roe, miso bouillabaisse with shrimp and lobster, smoked salmon with roe, fried soft shell crab with cauliflower purée, and Wagyu beef. Unlike the more refined Omakase spots, U Omakase offers a casual setting and encourages guests to socialize with each other.
Takumi Omakase is an affordable omakase restaurant on the Lower East Side that offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere but serves high-quality sushi, including A5 wagyu beef, Hokkaido uni, and king salmon. Takumi is a great spot for a low-key birthday celebration or a special occasion meal, and they like to offer complimentary sake to the person celebrating.
This intimate omakase restaurant on the Lower East Side offers a great value for the price, with a 13-course meal for $85 from a highly experienced Itamae (head sushi chef), New York City-based Kei Yoshino. The friendly atmosphere encourages guests to socialize, making it a great place to meet new people. Oh, and there’s also a speakeasy with sake tastings behind the freezer door.
Sushi By M is a tiny omakase restaurant in the East Village that's known for its high-quality fish and laid-back atmosphere. With only 11 seats at the counter, it's an intimate experience where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal right in front of you. The 10-piece omakase menu changes seasonally, but you can expect to see creative and delicious dishes like shiso-wrapped sea bream, uni with caviar, and wagyu beef nigiri.
Shinn East is a great omakase restaurant in the East Village that is co-owned by the same team behind Thirteen Water, another popular and affordable omakase spot in the neighborhood. The menu changes frequently to reflect the freshest ingredients available, but some of the highlights include the botan uni (sweet shrimp and sea urchin), hotate (scallop), and unagi (eel).
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