50 Best Japanese Restaurants near College Point

“Got the house steak, California roll and shrimp noodles. All three dishes were delicious!!! Honestly everytime i come here the food seems to get better, ive tried multiple dishes and havent been disappointed. Waitress is attentive and kind as well and big portions are given. Truly a college point hidden gem. Im suprised its not more popular!“

“Delicious fresh food and amazing drinks! Celebrated my friend’s bday there and we had a 12 course menu! Great atmosphere and the DJ was a great touch! Had a great time at Kaizen.“

“The food here is absolutely fantastic. The uni series is a must-order, and the washu katsu omurice completely blew me away — easily one of the best things I’ve had in a long time. The green tea cheesecake is delicious too. The staff are all lovely, and you can see why this place stays so busy. We’ll definitely be back, and I can’t wait for their winter special. Highly recommend!🤤“

“Excellent!!! Food, service, atmosphere 👍👍“

“Good food and good service 👍“

“I came here a friend and had 2 rolls (salmon and tuna), one sea urchin, and one wagyu single piece. All the food was incredible. Some of the best sushi I've had in my life. My friend had 2 vegetarian rolls, which both were delicious. I would highly recommend this place to anyone that enjoys higher quality sushi, especially at lunch since they have some discounted rolls.“

“#組長極力推薦 #響紐約可以食到呢個level嘅質素就已經算係禾地嘅福份 😆 😆#紐約食食 #omakasetempura #係我響紐約食過最好食嘅天婦羅“

“We went to Shogun Omakase in New York yesterday for lunch. My son loves sushi and it was his birthday present (our first time experiencing Omakase). We were blown away! Seriously the best sushi experience (and to be honest, one of our top restaurant experiences) ever. Chef Ryan was an amazing chef and artist, and provided top notch customer service. We highly recommend Chef Ryan and Shogun Omakase to anyone who loves sushi and appreciates fine cuisine. ❤️🎉“

“Uzuki never disappoints. As two people with gluten and wheat allergies, it’s such a treat to find truly exceptional gluten-free soba and udon.

The Duck Shio Soba is always a favorite. Comforting, flavorful, and good for the soul. The Black Truffle Curry Udon was rich and delicious, but the surprise star of the night was the Tempura Mochi Vegetable Udon. It was our first time trying it, and we’ll absolutely be ordering it again.

The Farmer’s Root Vegetables were also great. We wanted to put that sauce on everything!

Fantastic food, attentive service, and one of our favorite dining experiences. Highly recommend! 🍜✨“

“WOW! My friend and I went today and had such a great experience! The staff were so friendly and kind, constantly checking in and chatting with us. The sushi was so delicious with new flavor combinations and the freshest ingredients. I have been to a few other Omakase restaurants in the city and this is definitely going up there on my list. I will DEFINITELY be back.“

“I brought my dad here when he was visiting from out of town to experience an Omakase restaurant. We had a blast! The service, food, and ambience were spectacular. I highly recommend coming here for a special occasion, or just a nicer dinner. The quality of the fish was also incredible, and well worth the price, especially for New York City - will definitely be coming back.“

“This is honestly one of the best Japanese restaurant in NYC! As a raw fish lover, I’m always looking for places that serve truly high quality fish, and this place absolutely delivers. Super fresh fish, and an amazing dining experiences!“

“Love Konban so we had to come try their new restaurant in Williamsburg. The backyard area is so cute and airy, and every dish had a unique flavor. The scallops and gomtang were standouts. They also have a beautifully crafted selection of mocktails. We’ll certainly be back to try everything else on the menu.“

“Lingo was the perfect choice for a special celebration. I brought my daughter here and the night was great. It’s a beautiful space, genuinely warm and personable staff, and excellent Japanese-inflected food with a creative twist.

We did have one miss: the ribs were too fatty for our taste. But here's where Lingo service stepped in. Without any fuss, they took the dish off the bill and were so gracious about it. That kind of hospitality is rare and says a lot about how they run their restaurant.

Everything else was delicious and the vibe was just right for a celebratory dinner. I'll absolutely be back.“

“One of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had, it’s just a phenomenal and special place. Each dish was delicious, fun, and inventive. Watching the chefs work was entertaining and the service was top tier. Highly recommend spending the effort and time to reserve one of their sittings. Again, a truly special place and one of the best restaurants in not just NYC, but in the country.“

“Excellent Sushi ! Would highly recommend. Only wished they had Saki.“

“A very interesting menu. Great food and service. A must for every local and tourist.“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“We just happened upon this omakase place as we were checking out the store next to it and I am glad we found it! You won’t find your usual omakase course here. The staff at nozomi (Max, Carlos, Jay and the rest of the staff) seek to give a different omakase experience and in my opinion have definitely come up with unique combinations that I have not seen at other omakase courses! From their yellowtail with vietnamese chimichurri to their pana cotta they have thought up of some delicious combinations! Definitely looking to come back again!“

“Traveled from out of town to see a friend but also maybe mostly to eat the spicy chicken katsu that I’ve dreamt of since Mini Mart/Mama Yoshi’s used to be a pop up at All Night Skate and we would go sit outside in the cold and enjoy the food and a cocktail. Moved out of reach in 2022 and my life has not been complete without the sandwhich I’ve evangelized across several countries and continents. Thankfully as spicy or at least close to as spicy as it has always been. Thanks for keeping the quality and quantity the same and the prices really much closer than I expected. And sick merch per usual.“

“Was very good meat and the atmosphere nice .“

“Our daughter took us here while we were visiting NY for her graduation for Wagyu Shabu. I normally don't like places with many prices, but since our daughter chose it so we enjoy with her. The prices on the windows are very confusing and more like false advertising for me, the lower prices are for the members which we're not since this is our first time and definitely our last, unless our daughter wants to come here again. So the price is the more expensive one.
For me, I prefer straight forward pricing, so this didn't give me good vibes, it's not the money, just the way they advertising and we have to know what we can only have with the price we chose. The restaurant just gives us the specific menu for what we selected to have then we don't have to be denied for what we chose because we selected gold instead of top of the line menu.
The place is clean and nice.
For $78/per person and only have Australian Wagyu Beef (not really Wagyu) then it's over priced.
We did have some premium beef which I liked because of the marble of fat on the beef quite tender and tasty, but only a sampler or whatever they called it.
Service with one person is quite inadequate but she's very attentive and pleasant, since she had to run the whole restaurant, sometimes forgets things.
The tomato broth was good and everyone liked it.
The seafood plate is OK and our sweet shrimps are sweet. Some snow crab legs, jumbo shrimps, fish fillets, nothing to make me go wow.
The appetizers tempura is crispy and good. The raw octopus is tasty.
The vegetables are fresh and clean.
After they denied me the premium beef sampler, I let my daughter to order everything else and I just enjoyed with the family. My daughter seemed to be happy and ate a lot, so I was happy.
I've eaten enough shabu, hot pot to know that Australian or American Wagyu are overrated, many of them are tough and chewy, not as tender as normal ribeyes or Brisket that I like.
This restaurant Wagyu beef does have marbles of fat in it, so it's tender and not so chewy.
So, for the GOLD menu, I don't think it's worth the $78 but for special occasions, it's OK. I just don't like the confusion of many menu, many prices, and not getting my own menu and get denied for something on the menu because I didn't pay enough.“

“I’ve had sushi all over America, and this is a top contender amongst the best I’ve had. The menu is on the simpler side, but don’t let that detract you from the absolute quality they deliver. The sushi rolls are larger than typical and priced very reasonable for what you get. Plus they serve warm sushi rice which not many places outside of Los Angeles do.“

“Mr sushi always treats us so well. Excellent white fish complimentary which is a lovely way to begin this exquisitely delicious culinary experience. The staff is sensationally kind and the music just tops it off so well. I would reccomend anyone to come here.“

“Fantastic speakeasy sushi joint. Very small, no more than an handful of people may join the omasake style bar where 3 talented (and cool) chefs serve you the best crafted sushi you can get. Definitely going back soon.“

“Lovely place we enjoyed it it was very cool“

“On our first visit, we had the Yakijake (grilled salmon). This time, we finally tried the Kinka Saba (mackerel), which had previously been unavailable. The fish is excellent—rich, fatty, and sourced from Ishinomaki Fish Market.

When I asked about sourcing, the staff mentioned they receive shipments from Japan roughly once a month.

The service is reserved. Staff were polite but not particularly engaging, and questions were answered without much enthusiasm. The overall experience feels very focused on the food rather than hospitality.

It’s a solid option if you’re craving a specific taste of Tokyo without getting on a plane. Overall, it leans a bit overpriced for what's presented.“

“Was craving for some katsu curry and this hit the spot. Nothing fancy here, just really good Japanese comfort food for deep fried pork or chicken.... Convenient location in the heart of mid-Town, this place was already busy at 5 pm on a Sunday afternoon
.... I'm sure it gets even busier for the mid day lunch crowd as well. They were a bit tad under staffed when we visited, but service was still quick and efficient. The katsu was crisp, the meat was tender, without being too greasy. Prices were pretty reasonable too.“

“Brooklyn native but just moved into this area with my man, so we had to check this place out. Stopped in mid-day for food and drinks and it did not disappoint!

We ordered karaage, hamachi crudo, a roll, shishito peppers, brussel sprouts, scallop ceviche, and the spicy salmon crispy rice. Everything hittt

Had some unfiltered sake and a cocktail.
And Mikey behind the bar was amazing, super attentive, made excellent recommendations, and took care of us the whole time. One of the best food and service experiences we’ve had in Brooklyn.

New neighborhood spot unlocked. We’ll be back.“

“One of the best omakase spots I’ve been to! Everything was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and every piece was delicious and beautifully prepared. Our server was super friendly and attentive, always paying attention to every detail, which made our experience even better. Amazing quality, great service, and an overall wonderful experience. I can’t wait to come back!“

“THE BEST BIRTHDAY DINNER WE’VE EVER HAD !!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🇮🇩🇺🇸👍“

“Ume is a unique omakase experience that combines traditional Japanese dining elements with a more interactive and immersive approach. From the moment you enter, the experience feels different from a typical sushi restaurant. Guests remove their shoes before entering, and the space incorporates tatami-style seating, cushions, and a quieter atmosphere that creates a more intimate setting. I liked that the restaurant focuses on creating a full experience rather than just serving a sequence of sushi.

The omakase itself is presented in a hand-roll style, which makes the meal feel more interactive and approachable. Each course is carefully prepared and presented with a lot of attention to detail, from the arrangement of the dishes to the explanations provided throughout the meal. I enjoyed the small touches, including the different salts used with certain dishes, because they added another layer to the experience and encouraged you to pay attention to the flavors.

The quality of the sushi was one of the highlights. The focus is mainly on fresh fish and carefully prepared bites, with each piece designed to showcase different textures and flavors. The presentation is also a big part of the experience, with the dishes looking almost too carefully arranged to eat. While the food was enjoyable, the overall concept and atmosphere were what made the meal feel memorable.

The service was one of the strongest parts of the visit. The staff were attentive, explained the dishes clearly, and helped guide the experience from beginning to end. The traditional seating style and quiet environment make it a good choice for a date, special occasion, or anyone looking for a slower dining experience. I would recommend making a reservation, especially if you want a specific seating area such as the garden setup.

The main thing to consider is that the price reflects the full experience, not just the food. If you are looking purely for high-end sushi quality, there are other omakase restaurants that may offer a stronger focus on the fish itself. Ume stands out more for the combination of atmosphere, presentation, and cultural elements that come together during the meal.

Overall, Ume offers one of the more unique omakase experiences in New York. The traditional setting, thoughtful presentation, and attentive service make it a memorable place to visit. It is especially worth considering if you want an experience that feels different from a standard sushi dinner and focuses on the entire dining journey.“

“Great value for lunch omakase in the UES. The $49 lunch set comes with an appetizer, 9 pieces of nigiri, miso soup, and dessert, which felt very reasonable for the quality and amount of food.

The fish quality was good, especially the o-toro and salmon belly. I personally prefer a more traditional/simple style of sushi where high-quality ingredients are served with minimal seasoning, and some pieces here had a bit more toppings or flavor combinations than I usually like. That said, everything was well prepared and enjoyable.

The caramel ice cream dessert was surprisingly delicious and a very nice ending to the meal. Overall, a solid and satisfying lunch omakase with great value.“

“Great experience ! Food was good and service great . The food was so flavorful I had the oyster crunchy rice bowl and loved the crunch and flavor and my partner had the curry udon which was also flavorful . Food came out pretty fast the server was knowledgeable helpful and friendly. Definitely go!“

“this place is amazing; the food the service and the atmosphere….its jus sooo good and fresh and i appreciate that they are in my neighborhood

fany and phyo have both helped me and they are kind and friendly and knowledgeable

mikado, you’re fortunate to have both fany and phyo on your side

give this place a try you won’t regret“

“thanks for the fab service Rei!! amazing drinks and food“

“This was a great experience. I came in for the lunch special, 3 rolls for $17. It came with a nice salad, was fresh & refreshing on a hot day. This place has a really pretty dining room, its classy! The servers are friendly & welcoming.“

“I come here all the time with my son and we love love Ting and Max, especially Andy! Best kindest service. Quality delicious foods. They keep adding more variety to the menu and everything is always a hit! This restaurant is our family favorite!“

“This is a 2nd floor Japanese-Thai speakeasy in Alphabet City where the food menu leans toward Japan while the drinks are Thai-inspired with the menu designed by veteran NYC bartender and Phetchaboon native Sayparn. Her and her partners opened 11 Tigers in 2022 (year of the tiger which symbolizes success). The staff do an excellent job of mixing food and entertainment.“

“Great Omakase It will make you fell, that you are in Tokyo“

“The atmosphere and the service were genuinely incredible! The Martini was also quite special. The food, unfortunately, fell a bit short for us. The sauces that accompanied many of the dishes ended up overpowering the flavors rather than complementing them. The Kabocha was a table favorite. I’m sure I’ll come back for the drinks, though.“

“Had a great time and great food I went here when it first opened after getting 3 stars in the times years ago , now my friend told me chicka from chickalicious is working there on fri and Saturday after retirement from her dessert bar so I went and enjoyed“

“Wow! What a great find and I wish the owner much success!

It’s a non-traditional Japanese inspired tasting course for a little over $100
The menu is seasonal and features everything from land to sea.
Each of the two seatings is around 75 mins but even 1.5hr was not enough to just enjoy; the pacing was a tad fast, especially towards the end.

Seating is also very different, in a U shape, so it does give a communal feeling and you can always watch the chefs in the open kitchen. Love the concept as it feels very intimate.

Highlights for May 2025 was the beef with sweet potato puree (perfection), and the shima aji course with a citrus jelly, crunchy kelp and I believe Thai basil!

I did think the huckleberry vanilla sumac coconut dessert was slightly underwhelming. I was hoping to end on a bang, something more roasty/toasty tea inspired or something super refreshing like strawberries. I also did find some dishes slightly salty but nonetheless flavorful.

Overall, amazing experience and will definitely be back for the next menu!!“

“the quality if the food was great, and the value was also good. very nice staff. if they would allow more time the experience would match the quality of the food. felt very rushed and would pay more for a relaxed pace. the space is quite tight and removing plates required constant contortions..also the extras and alcohol are not as good a deal as the food.“

“Moody little speak-easy tucked away in midtown. The 20 min line up sort of adds to the anticipation and “exclusivity”. Once in the underground bar you are instantly hit by how cozy and intimate the setting is and why the wait as seating is truly limited. We were seated at a communal table right by the band who were very good. We had dumplings and brie bites along with our drinks which were delicious:). Highly recommend for that NYC jazz experience. Quite a vibe !!“

“This place is slept on. Fantastic $48 lunch omakase deal. Every piece is delicious, high quality, and the pacing is perfect. The ambience is peaceful and comfortable. My favorite lunch omakase experience at this price. Went back 3 times before writing this review and it’s been consistently amazing“

“Sashimi新鮮，龍蝦🦞5食好味，服務非常好！👍🏻“

“Great omakase experience tucked away on second floor of neighborhood restaurant. High quality food and excellent service. We took our infant son here as well - they gave us space in the corner of the bar and they treated him like a prince. Highly recommend coming here. Overall great value“

“Just passing by and purchased two Onigiri (prim and salmon). They’re very delicious and will come back for sure. The quality of steamed white rice is excellent!“

“This is a great restaurant and I highly recommend eating here“