50 Best Japanese Restaurants in New York

“Japanese Italian fusion? Something I obviously had to try!
I appreciate Kimika’s creative menu with plenty of vegetarian options. Our waitress Kara/Cara was so friendly and helpful. I started with a Spritz that I think could’ve used some more bubbles, but the flavors were on point. The food was good but I felt like there could’ve been a bit more flavor. We tried the Truffle Carbonara, Soy Butter Bigoli, and Eggplant Katsu - I think the Bigoli was my favorite (think elevated lo mien). For dessert, we tried the lava cake, matcha French toast (would get it with ice cream if I were to over come again) and the Nutella Bombolocini (very creative - think mochi stuffed with Nutella).
Overall, I loved the concept of Kimika and the service, but I think there could’ve been just a tad more flavor in some of our dishes. Definitely a place to try once!“

“Very nice restaurant.
We were very hungry when we arrived, and the food did not disappoint.
We shared some spicy tuna sushi as a starter.
I had rice with chicken, perfectly cooked and well seasoned.
My wife ordered a beef ramen with noodles and corn, which was also excellent.

The place is very popular. The décor is simple but very charming.
I highly recommend this place.“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“Great Service and the foods was delicious. Will come back here again.“

“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 best homemade udon in town , strongly recommended“

“Great sushi spot for a quick, easy-on-the-wallet kinda dinner! Everything we ordered looked and tasted amazing! Staff was so warm and fast with service. The vibe here was almost lounge-like comfort with great music, lighting, and space. Great overall experience! Will come back!“

“#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. ❤️🎉“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“Best sushi we’ve ever had! Chicken gyoza was so good. Udon bowl was incredible. Spicy tuna, avocado roll and yellowtail scallion were top notch. Service was amazing. What a find for a meal prior to a concert at Terminal 5. Fantastic pricing as well! Highly recommend.“

“The meal is fast, the food is delicious, and the links are elegant and warm.“

“I usually don’t leave reviews, but Sushi Yolo definitely deserves one!

I decided to treat myself to celebrate the end of my doctorate program. It was a totally spontaneous decision, so I didn’t spend much time choosing a place. I opened Resy, typed “sushi midtown,” picked one of the top-rated spots, and honestly—I’m so glad I chose Sushi Yolo.

The food was great, but what really made the night special was Alex, the host. He was incredibly attentive and welcoming. I ended up having such a fun and meaningful conversation with him and another guest, Jerry—which is rare for me since I don’t usually talk to strangers. We talked about all kinds of things, and the vibe was just so easy and genuine.

Alex also kept pouring complimentary sake on the house, which was such a generous and thoughtful touch. This is one of those nights I’ll definitely remember—the atmosphere, the food, the conversations, and the company.

Thank you, Alex, for the amazing hospitality and real conversations. You and Jerry truly made my night.

I’ll definitely be back to this lovely restaurant soon.

Wishing you all the best on your journey with your husband!“

“Perfect Food, Great Service, Nice Atmosphere“

“Rainy day kind of happiness 🌧️✨
Had an 18-course omakase lunch with my husband today — and honestly, it was such a vibe. Quiet space, soft rain outside, and bite after bite of perfectly fresh sushi. 🍣
Japanese rice just hits different… but my top picks? Fatty tuna, aori ika, and kamasu — absolutely divine. 💫
Such a calm, healing little lunch date. 🥢💕“

“We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Fushimi Restaurant! The food was delicious, from the appetizers we ordered to our main course. Each dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. We also enjoyed a couple of drinks, which perfectly complemented our meal. What truly made our visit exceptional was the incredible service provided by our waitress, Ohmie. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Her warm demeanor and professionalism truly elevated our dining experience. We strongly recommend Fushimi Restaurant, especially because of the outstanding service we received from Ohmie. We’ll definitely be back!“

“Booked a birthday dinner here with my girlfriend and had a fantastic experience. The entire staff was professional and welcoming. We were honored to be served by Chef Aki, who is both highly skilled and friendly. The tasting course is very generous you definitely won't leave hungry! The 'Tail' was the standout dish of the night. Highly recommended.“

“Chef Aaron and the rest of the staff here have always gone above and beyond in terms of service and just making me feel comfortable during all my visits. I make it a point now to visit a couple of times a year, and especially make sure to stop by when showing friends and family my favorite restaurants in the city. I also had my birthday dinner here. The team made my friends and I feel special and super well taken care of. The attention to detail is always perfect. If you want amazing omakase from an amazing team please make sure to visit.“

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

“Before I start my review I just want to add a tidbit about actually finding Kono. It's in a dimly lit, long, but narrow corridor, similar to streets you might find in Japan. If you think you found it you're probably right. It took me a minute to venture down this little alley.

Let's start with the atmosphere, it was a small venue but despite that you could easily have your own conversations. If you're sitting on the side like myself, you're in for the pleasure of watching them prepare all the food over the charcoal grill. Who doesn't love dinner and a show.

All of the food was fantastic and midway through you can even order some Alla carte items that may have not been on the chefs selection for that experience. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I really appreciated they also took the time to explain each cut and which seasoning or none may go with it.

All of the staff were not only friendly but just very professional and helpful. The hostess at the front was also extremely kind and friendly.

I would totally recommend this spot for a date, taking a client, or even just solo dining. Truly a hidden gem, I'm shocked this flew under my radar for so long.“

“Mikado sushi in Lexington Avenue is my favorite sushi spot for lunch! They have amazing specials including sushi rolls like Wagyu, spicy crab ans scallops! 4 rolls for $20! They also have hot food dishes. The prices are so great and what I love about this spot is the service. I highly recommend eating here. There is also a great selection of sake, cocktails and tea!“

“Our 1st omakaze experience & def not the last! I love the smallness of the place, it makes it special! Everything melts in your mouth! The best Christmas gift ever!“

“Fantastic food, great ambiance. I throughly enjoyed the Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen and Chicken skewer, the broth was thick and bold full of flavor, the pork was sweet and salty and very tender, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. I would come here every day if I lived in New York.“

“If you have not experienced Omakase before, or are always on the lookout for high quality fish, you should stop by here! The flavor combinations were absolutely fantastic. The chef is very educated and versed in anything sushi, as well as other cuisines. There was a large selection of sake, and we were guided on what pairs well with certain types of fish. The team members are very sweet, it was nice to connect with them and have a real conversation over a great meal. Can’t recommend this place enough! We will be back :)“

“Party of eight and we all enjoyed everything we ate and drank. 👍 for the kitchen staff on doing everything perfect and quick. The staff was amazing and service was great. I highly recommend the burger 🍔. Will definitely go back.“

“Takumi Omakase is hands-down one of the best $89 experiences you can have in the LES. I came here with my best friend on a Monday night and every single one of the 15 courses was fresh, unique, and genuinely delicious.

The vibe is amazing too: great playlist, attentive staff, and the kind of sushi that makes you do a little happy food dance without realizing it. We also got a bottle of Dassai 39 which paired perfectly and made this random weeknight feel even more special.

Between the quality, the service, and the price point, this spot is an absolute gem. Can’t wait to come back!“

“Randomly decided to dine here before a show at Webster Hall. Every single thing we ordered was absolutely delicious. Teppen gyoza, kimchi beef fried rice, dynamite roll, and mango martini. Definitely plan on returning.“

“Great place with a decent price. I’m biased towards scallop so that’s always great. The Amberjack was better than most places here and their Wagyu piece as well! It completely melted off my tongue. I only dock one star because the Uni was a bit unfresh as we were getting the last few pieces from the box, so it may have been older.“

“My wife and I go here for our birthdays every year as a special treat and we truly love it. We always are given a big welcome by the chef and Tri, the sushi is fantastic, and the atmosphere is even better. The sake pairing is worth getting once but Tri makes some incredible cocktails. Tip well because they deserve it! Worth the price!“

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

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“We were casually strolling through the streets of NYC and stumbled upon Juban, and it turned out to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve had. From the moment we walked in, the entire staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The owner was especially warm and took the time to answer all our questions, sharing insights that made the experience even more special.

The ambience is fantastic cozy, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. Their sake selection is excellent, and every dish we tried was absolutely outstanding. The food was truly unforgettable.

Overall, Juban is a must-try in NYC. An unexpected find that turned into a memorable experience—we can’t wait to come back!“

“I’m from Chicago my son and his girlfriend attended your lovely restaurant. We had dessert. The Parfait which I had the Presentation was actually how I seen it instagram it was Delicious and They had the ice cream they also enjoyed it.“

“I had the Chef Omakase plate and it was super delicious. The ataff went over and the main highlights were the toro hand roll, the toro belly, uni and salmon! The fish was pretty fresh. The wagyu beef was also a nice treat towards the end and super tasty. The staff were awesome all around and got my order in a reasonable time.

The location is pretty convenient near the World Trade Center Station/Fulton if you're in this end of the city. If you're in the area I really recommend it.“

“I loved this restaurant! It has a calm and pleasant atmosphere, the food is delicious, and the meats have an exquisite flavor. The dessert was amazing, and the prices are excellent. I will definitely be back soon! Plus, the service from the staff was outstanding.“

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

“Came to New York, felt like I was in Tokyo! The quality of the sushi was fantastic. There was a variety of choices with bamboozling tastes. There was gut friendly spiked ginger. We could hear extremely well the server which is uncommon in Japanese restaurants (maybe too much sake). The deserts looked amazing and the decorations were immersing us into anime culture. They have goku, pikachu, floating fish reminding us of a Japanese garden. The sky decoration comes to life when the New York breeze enters the Japanese chambers. There was a wind blocking curtain which made it gentle and soothing. (A bit cold too, but the warmness of the server made it ok). This place is a true hidden gem! The deserts were less breath taking. Would love to keep it niche but they deserve more visibility.“

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

“Best place and value for this cuisine. Very authentic and best value in NYC. Owner is amazingly friendly and you can both feel and taste the love. Highly recommended.

This place closes on Sunday as owner needs to rest and attend Sunday worship.“

“OK last night we ate at BBF or as it's now called Oi bozu. We used to love BBF. It had an amazing menu and great staff - just an awesome place that I used to come with my daughter and my wife to eat in our neighborhood. They served clean amazing Japanese food. So I was surprised a few months ago when I met the owner and he told me they were closing down to reopen...

Some background: BBF always had a problem The problem was never the food The problem was always that it was hidden. There was no way to know it was a restaurant and there was no marketing. There wasn't even a sign on the door it was just a glass front where you could see a bar. It was only by chance that we found it because we live in the neighborhood. So when the owner told me he was shutting down to relaunch the restaurant I was excited. I thought maybe he would do some fantastic marketing. But I was much disappointed last night when I went in to find that the only change that they had made was to completely change the menu. And I don't think they made an improvement on the menu it's still good but the old one was better.

What they really need is a sign outside of the store on the street that says THIS IS A LAPANESE RESTAURANT. Hang a Lantern or two. The tiny etched glass 12 feet off the sidewalk tat says japanese tavern is way too subtle. If the owner reads this: You just need some signage and some marketing The food is amazing!“

“This restaurant is a true hidden gem, offering one of the best omakase experiences I've had, with incredibly fresh, high-quality fish and creative, unique dishes that keep me coming back constantly. Chef Frankie's thoughtful approach to the menu and overall customer experience truly shines through, showing genuine care for every detail of the meal. Highly recommend!“

“Consistently one of the best omakase’s I’ve had in NYC. (And I’ve been to a lot!). The quality of fish, rice, and ingredients is top tier. Fish is seasonal, comes from Japan, and sourced by Chef Mark himself. You can tell chef cares about his craft—he even makes his own soy sauce. Incredible value.“

“Visited this place the day after Valentines day, and its true what they say about wait times! My friend and I waited for a little over two hours, but since we cleared our schedules to be there, we had no issue and was worth the wait! We shared cucumber with miso and the cod roe udon. We also had lychee martinis and she ordered a float (cant remember which one..), everything was absolutely incredible! The jazz, the service, the food! We'll be back on our next visit to NYC!“

“Please open wynwood Miami Florida next location very very very soon next location they want this please plan a location this year finding a location thanks please plan to find a location this year the sooner the better so you have the location ready to go please or next year start 2026 finding a location for Miami Florida next location wynwood“

“Omakase Shiro is an absolute gem for sushi lovers. Every bite feels like a little masterpiece. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the flavors are perfectly balanced especially the Wagyu, o-toro, and the red snapper belly (if I got that right). The richness of the Wagyu, the melt-in-your-mouth o-toro, and the delicate, buttery snapper belly… honestly, I could go on forever.

The ambiance adds to the experience—cozy, elegant, and intimate, making it feel like a special occasion even on a regular night. The staff are attentive, friendly, and really make you feel taken care of, while the chef’s skill and creativity shine in every plate. From presentation to flavor, it’s clear a lot of thought goes into every detail.

The only small thing I’d note is that I mentioned it was my friend’s birthday when making the reservation, so a little candle on the dessert would have been a nice touch—but it didn’t take away from the incredible experience.

If you love sushi and omakase, this place is a must. I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit!“

“Cozy and intimate omakase tempura restaurant where everything is fried fresh to serve. Great ambiance with excellent customer service and a rotating menu depending on what's in season. Reserve ahead of time since there is only 6 seats.“

“Yakisoba tastes almost the same in Tokyo street food!!!!! Love it!! okonimiyaki is also good! The chicken (karaage style) is also a must try. Another thing i like is they prepare the food fresh. Can’t wait to visit again. :)“

“Went there for dinner with friends. The place is cozy and homey. The foods were delish. I really like spicy cucumber. It’s tasty and refreshing. Service was awesome. The servers are very attentive. I definitely come back to try others menu.“

“I had an amazing experience at One Bite Omakase on the Upper West Side. The food was absolutely outstanding – every bite was packed with flavor and prepared to perfection. Truly world-class taste and quality and great price.

Highly recommended! 👍“

“Good taste and service !“