Izakaya Restaurants near Long Island City, NY

“I was here a couple weeks ago. Very welcoming and friendly. I came here by myself sat at the bar. The attention to detail was there, the bartender was great with information on Japanese whiskey and cocktails. The dessert was blew my tastes bud away.“

“It was a cool place great food and atmosphere“

“Konban is an izakaya-style restaurant located in Chelsea with a sophisticated vibe and wooden interior. They even have a zen courtyard garden smack in the middle. It is so calming to sit by the window and enjoy the meal with that view. My boyfriend took me there and the intimate atmosphere made it a perfect date night spot.

Their tonkatsu, corn ribs and corn ice cream has taken the social media by storm. Every dish came in a small portion but exquisitely crafted. Even the complimentary starters (cherry tomato with yuzu cream cheese, yuzu sparkling drink) were memorable.

The restaurant gets really packed on weekends. Make sure to get a res at least a week in advance to secure a table (it isn’t as competitive as before!).

＊Katsu Tenderloin $15 ***
I picked tenderloin instead of loin as I prefer my pork to be more meaty and less fatty. The tonkatsu sauce was thick, rich and sweet, easily my fav one among the three. Truffle salt was aromatic and addictive. Wasabi didn’t really match well imo.

＊Sabazushi (Mackerel Sushi) $19 ***
My first time trying Mackerel Sushi and this one blew my mind. The mackerel was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The ginger and shiso were appetizing and they added so much flavors to the sushi. I am still dreaming about it.

＊Konban Corn Rib $13 **
Everyone recommends corn ribs from konban. You won’t be able to stop eating it after your first bite. The corn cheese powder tasted like doritos.

＊Eggplant Agebitashi $15
Served with toasted baguette slices, the eggplant agebitashi has a western spin with a mix of parmesan cheese and pork ragu sauce.

＊Mazemen $17
The mazemen was made of their housemade flat noodles, spicy pork, almond butter, scallion and butter. Thought it would taste like dan dan noodle but it was different. The texture was creamier and thicker.

FYI I didn’t get the viral corn ice cream at last. It looked cute but I heard from the other table that the white chocolate part was very sweet.“

“A delightful small cozy place, with a varied menu. Everything we had was top-notch delicious!! This one gets 5 stars from me“

“We shared the yakatori sampler and the mini donburi set and it was perfect! We got to taste the variety and everything was great. Our favorite was the gyu don - it was delicious and we will be ordering a full bowl next time! Looking forward to coming back!“

“Ended up here accidentally on a layover: Hands down, the best ramen I’ve ever had (springy, slurpy perfection), amazing cocktails (if you like gin the Japanese 75 is a must try!), and whatever the whipped cream, creme brûlée’d banana dessert was tasted like heaven. I even ordered another tonkotsu ramen to go (all the way to Florida) to bring back to my fiancé. They separated all of it, packaged it so it wouldn’t leak, and wrote directions on specific timing for heating up each item! Very impressive service. I’ll be back again!“

“The food was absolutely delicious. We went for dinner. I got the bibimbop and my husband got Malaysian noodles. The staff and owner are super great and cordial. The service was fast and efficient. The overall ambiance was very pretty as well.
We would definitely come back and try their brunch menu which apparently boasts items from the owner who is a baker as well“

“Here’s an enhanced version:

The tan tan ramen was absolutely delicious, with a rich, creamy broth that had the perfect balance of flavor and spice. The edamame and kimchi were fresh and tasty, making for great sides to complement the meal. The prices were very reasonable, and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere—especially since it wasn’t crowded on a Tuesday night. Highly recommend for a cozy, flavorful ramen experience!“

“Great ramen and tempura. Very friendly staff and good sake.“

“Great sushi! Great ramen!“

“Fun spot!“

“Ramen is good ! Soup is good not so oily Yakitori good with Asahi Beeru !“

“great atmosphere! super friendly staff.“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“I wouldn’t call Katana a dive bar, but on a Tuesday night it felt like a great neighborhood bar. Relaxed atmosphere. Was surprised at how small it was but that added to the chill vibe. I bet on a Thirsty Thursday and the weekend that all changes, but the bartenders and the craft cocktails will be just as great.“

“Went on a Saturday night at 7 so there weren't many people. I sampled the omakase. Although each portion of the six courses was small, the taste made up for it. It's hard to give an objective review as the items may change. However, I wanted to sample more food. I ordered soba which I felt was authentic and finished with the roasted green tea mousse, which was Hojicha pudding and it was delicious! I came to experience Japanese comfort food and left satisfied.“

“Good food and good service 👍“

“Loved everything we had - karaage, tempura, chashudon and gyudon. Everything tasted fresh and was cooked well. The chashu had amazing flavor, and the rice was so good. I haven’t had well-cooked rice in a very, very long time. It was quite special!“

“New places can be hit or misses these days. This one was a big hit. In order to succeed in that location you pretty much have to become a destination spot, and that requires another level skills. These guys got the experience and created something fun and different (for most NYC). Get the fried chicken, cabbage, steak, and spicy tuna on crispy rice. Full report on EatingwithZiggy[.com]“

“We come here every month for the delicious skewers and gyumaki. The chicken skin and sasami ume are our top favorites. Wintertime, nabeyaki warms our soul! It's in a convenient spot where we can get Sunday lunch then grocery shop at sunrise Mart.

They have a great selection of fish and so many skewer options for everyone. I miss Japanese izakaya food and WakuWaku always delivers the best dishes to relieve my nostalgia. I look forward to tasting new and amazing food the creative chefs make as well as the skewers that go great with their exclusive list of sake and cocktails/beer. It's a great place to bring friends, eat sweets and drink!

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly. They have high chairs and an adorable kids menu option.“

“I highly recommend Toriya.
Delicious authentic yakitori with so many options it's hard to choose.
They also offer larger plates and smaller appetizers as well. I had their seafood okonomiyaki which was wonderful.
The drink menu is wonderful offering a good selection of Japanese beers, soju, and a very extensive and well crafted sake menu.
Also I was seated immediately despite dropping in at a prime time on a Friday evening.
The ambiance is very nice, well decorated with excellent choices in music that is not overly loud.
The staff were all lovely and very attentive as well. Truly top notch all around.

Vegetarian options: Numerous vegetable only Yakitori options as well as vegetarian friendly large plates.“

“Best Filipino Fusion, Try the Cebuano Longganisa. Perfect“

“This ramen restaurant offers exceptionally flavorful noodles. For tonkotsu ramen, thinner noodles are used, while shoyu ramen features thicker ones, achieving the perfect balance for each dish.

The atmosphere is trendy and inviting, the staff is friendly, and the place is always buzzing with patrons, a testament to its well-deserved popularity.“

“I love the atmosphere and the customer service they provide! The food was good and differently one of my favorite place to eat in New York city!“

“I took my girlfriend to the Starlight Lounge for her birthday and everything was absolutely perfect. The sashimi was the best I've had and the service was second to none. They even made a birthday drink for her and a mocktail for me because I don't drink (without me having to mention that). I wish I got our bartender/waiter's name because he was fantastic. Thank you for an amazing evening we won't forget!“

“Food is amazing every time“

“Our dinner at Minato was amazing! I was truly impressed by the ambience and serenity of the garden area, with beautiful lighting and a fountain. The staff was incredibly kind and informative as they fielded all of our questions, and even were open to adjusting our order based on our preferences.

Highly recommend the assorted fish flight and salmon flight, and the teas which came in beautiful pots!!“

“Wonderfully eclectic place with phenomenal cocktails. Do both experiences (Sip & Guzzle) if you can when you book there. Highlights for me were the chicken, the wagyu sando, and the milkshake. Wagyu old fashioned was also very very tasty.“

“An absolutely gem in the hit & miss Times Square area.

The sushi is inventive flavorsome and seriously generous , the sashimi a cornucopia of the freshest fish of all colors sliced extra thick.

Great value for what you get with outstanding , friendly and attentive service.

I can’t wait to go back!“

“I don't often write reviews but I had to for Sozai. The food is incredible, the vibes are amazing inside and the service is wonderful. You can't go wrong with any of the dishes! And I also love the bar area in the back if you were just going for a drink, but I highly recommend eating here as well.“

“Great value for money in midtown for lunch! The food and interior is great for a sit down lunch with coworkers. The udom noodles are very chewy and fresh. The chirashi bowl was good too and the rice is flavored unlike the normal vinegar sugar mixture. Highly recommend!“

“最高でした！ 日本でもここまでの居酒屋は無いと思います！“

“Best izakaya place I’ve ever been to. Great atmosphere, but more importantly, the food was amazing. All the yakitori dishes were so good. Had to order more and more. Other dishes were as great. Would love to come back for the delicious food.“

“From the moment we walked in… A+++, server DUKE went above and beyond for me and my wife. Besides the great service, the food was out of this world, the appetizer was delicious and the ramen was so rich and flavorful… Definitely coming back soon with me and my wife“

“super cool vibe and gets better as the night goes on. located in chelsea market but not hideously touristy which is nice. enter on 15th st. serving great cocktails and asian inspired cuisine. the toro hand rolls were a highlight. i got the sweet potato cocktail (sorry i forget the name) but if you like negronis you’ll love it. it’s giving tokyo record bar. highly recommend in a weekday hangout with friends or even a date.“

“Best food I've had in some time! I really recommend this place. Nice relaxed atmosphere and the staff (Sophia in particular) is truly nice and helpful. We had the best papaya salad, and an AMAZING Tom Kha soup. The other dishes were great too, and we were surprised by the large portions. We even had a dish boxed because we couldn't finish it all (and we eat a lot). Definitely coming back.“

“ニューヨークで超落ち着く日本料理屋さんです。最高でした！日本の皆様にもぜひ紹介したいです！“

“Awesome atmosphere and music ….and the food is a “10” out of “10”!!! Delicious !!!!! The octopus is a definite must have!!!!!“

“Returning to Izakaya Kumade after a long time away was like rediscovering a hidden gem, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. The food brought back memories but also surprised with new levels of flavor and quality.

I started with the Nagasaki, which was perfectly balanced—rich and comforting, with a depth of umami that only authentic Japanese flavors can deliver. Next, the salted pollock roe cream udon was a delightful highlight. The creamy sauce, infused with the subtle, savory essence of pollock roe, coated each udon noodle beautifully. It was a unique dish that really set Kumade apart, embodying the best of traditional flavors with a modern twist.

To complement the meal, I enjoyed a classic Suntory Highball, which was refreshingly crisp and balanced, enhancing the flavors of the dishes without overpowering them. But what truly stood out was the Suntory Premium Draft beer. This was, without exaggeration, one of the creamiest drafts I've ever had—the texture was silky smooth, with a subtle malt sweetness and a perfectly frothy head.

Izakaya Kumade has managed to retain its authenticity while continuing to surprise and impress. For anyone craving Japanese izakaya-style dishes, paired with impeccable drinks, this place remains a top-tier choice in NJ. Highly recommended!“

“The beef bibimbap is amazing.“

“A place styled as an izakaya specializing in kushiyaki, Ai Ki Ya is a decent spot for night grub in the area if you aren't craving Chinese or Korean food to go with beer. The restaurant decor is fun and the back has a dark feel with neon lights. The front is more well lit.
The staff are prompt and bring the menus as soon as you sit. They take orders and are pretty responsive to being waved over. Food takes a bit to prepare since kushiyaki is usually more gently grilled than something like American barbecue.
The food is good and they have a very good variety of choices of skewers and even food off the skewer. They have skewered offal, which was good but everything unfortunately did not feel hot enough when it reached my table. The mochi was a fun treat in particular, though it was more stiff than I expected and not that tender. Overall, the vegetables were probably the best part, especially the shishito peppers. Prices per skewer are fair considering the local restaurant competition. It can feel pretty pricey since you pay per skewer, of course, so it's recommended you order some bigger things to stomach as well.
Overall, not a bad place to try kushiyaki if you want to just try it.“

“All the snacks are delicious, but for some reason the main dish, the yakitori, isn't very tasty... The sauce was too sweet and the food was overcooked, so you could barely taste the flavor. It's a little small and noisy, but the atmosphere is good.“

“最高でした！ 日本でもここまでの居酒屋は無いと思います！“

“My brother and I came for the Izakaya Prix Fixe dinner while visiting from Canada. Absolutely a wonderful time.
The food was great, the eel was probably my favorite dish. I dug the decor, like the dBA monitor on the wall.
We had looked at the vinyl selection prior but it truly was a joy to decide something on a whim and guess the other guests music choices. I could probably go on for ages how wonderful the team is for indulging my brother and I! Much love to both Davids and Denandus (sry for spelling).“

“This place was a nice little surprise. It's kind of like a blend of many kinds of small Japanese restaurants into one, almost like a restaurant sampler and a great bar in one. What this meant to us is that while I am not sure that any single food dish we had was a 10/10, the vast amount of unique foods we could try alone made the place a good spot. The vast selection of sake and other Japanese beverages that pair well with those dishes made it a great spot. There were grilled meats, ramen, sushi, onigiri, okonomiyaki, and more.

If you are an adventurous eater, you would likely be satisfied with many of the options. From the grilled meat side we tried beef tongue which we both agreed was good and chicken gizzards which split our group texturally. We had gotten the pickles with this (oshinko) and I would highly recommend pairing any grilled meats with those and a drink. I would comment that the kimchi didn't really fit with the pickles, but we loved the pickled daikon and the spicier green pickles. The monk liver and salmon roe (ankimo) was another adventurous dish that we thought was okay. The spaghetti with creamy spicy cod roe (mentai pasta) was another very unique one, we could have taken or left.

Overall though, I would suggest trying maybe fried and grilled meats with the pickles and booze. We also tried two types of onigiri which were both very good, plum filling the non grilled one and spicy cod roe filling the grilled one. Both of the onigiri were excellent, but I really think the grilled onigiri stands out as perhaps the best dish of the night.

We did try the miso soup, which was very good, however there is a lot of salt in all the food so I would tell anyone to consider if they really need that much salt before ordering. We tried a sushi roll, which was good, but it was hard not to find the sushi selection just a little bit disappointing. There were maki rolls and sashimi, but no nigiri or temaki which just seems like such an easy miss. There's a big difference between a quality slice of yellowtail nigiri and a maki roll.

I wish we would have gotten to try more, but we left very stuffed and also a bit tipsy. We were very free flowing in our orders, ordering just a few items at a time and the staff seemed very prepared and acquainted with that. We also ordered a nigori bottle of sake to start (this was a great deal and kicked us off properly) before we later finished with a higher proof shochu and mixed drink. I do think I would have appreciated the option to get flights here to lean more heavily into the trying everything vibe. I have never had shochu before and while my selection was fine, it would have been nice to know if I just picked the wrong one or if I'm just not a huge shochu fan without having to order several entire drinks. Same for the sake honestly, need flights.

The restaurant itself seemed fairly clean, was popular but not overcrowded, and was very well themed. There were anime posters, manga, a vertical standing record player, the bar looked cool. Overall a good vibe.“

“We had a lunch this Japanese/Scandinavian restaurant , amazing smoothies and Açaí bowl ! We also tried smørrebrøds … Smoked salmon one and Shrimp&Avocado one.. they were both excellent!! Desserts, cappuccino, hot chocolate were above average! Highly recommended. We will definitely go back there.“

“Come here every few weeks for Karaage and some other Japanese snacks. Hidden gem in the neighborhood and really all of Brooklyn. Chicken is always super fresh and cheap, the other menu items are pricier but still really well done. Can find some interesting sake here too. Highly recommend overall, need more places like this in BK.“

“I've been coming here about every month for the past few years and it has been very consistently good.

I had a tantan ramen and it tastes exactly like how I would expect it to taste. I also ordered a chicken skin skewer and it is so much better than the nearby sushi place "Osaka fusion".

The only nitpick I have is that this place is cash only“

“We only came to drink here but I’ve been here many times to eat before. We had 3 bottles of sake to share amongst the 4 of us, along with two glasses of sake (peach and yuzu). We really enjoyed the peach nigori (tasted like yogurt), but my favorite was the kurosawa nigori (less sweeter). The service was okay (had to ask for water and was never served any when seated). But the vibe here is great, has the old school Japanese-style pub vibe. Would stop by again to grab some food and drinks again.“