50 Best Japanese Restaurants in New York

“We were celebrating a birthday with a group of six and the food was absolutely delicious! My personal favorites were the Soy Butter Bigoli, Mochi Bombolocini, Scallop, Rigatoni, and the Apple Pie. Most of the food was amazing. The service was fantastic – everyone was so attentive, helpful, and friendly. The atmosphere is super relaxed. I really loved the Umami in the Kenmare cocktail.“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“A great menu with each dish and skewer perfectly cooked. Great char and amazing flavour from the grill. It would have been good to see a wider variety of skewers and accompaniments as they were mostly chicken and very simple.
I was a little disappointed that the meatball skewer was not served with an onsen egg.
The wonton soup was unique and had a silky texture. Loved how the menu finished with a comforting bowl of ramen and a smooth caramel purin.
Staff were attentive and welcoming. Overall a fantastic experience!“

“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.“

“Más que un restaurante, es una experiencia!“

“Absolutely amazing food was delicious and the attention of the staff unique.“

“Second to none! The ingredients are fresh and chef skills are world class.“

“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!“

“phenomenal experience, so much delicious food & a beautiful mix of flavours - highly recommend. A lot better than a lot of other 3 star restaurants I’ve been to! Everything is unique and watching the chefs at the counter is an amazing experience.“

“Great food and a great vibe! I got Dr. Clark’s Choice and it was worth EVERY PENNY! I couldn’t recommend this place more! The Sashimi was incredible as well as the Scallop Risotto and Basque Cheesecake. I really wish I had pictures to post, but I ate my food before I could take any. The portions were also EXTREMELY generous for the price.“

“The best homemade udon in town , strongly recommended“

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

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

“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.“

“A very warm and friendly atmosphere. The food was quite proper and delicious. Since the weather was great, the fact that there was only a fan inside and no air conditioning didn’t bother me at all. I prefer fresh air over AC anyway. The service was very calm and they nicely provided information about extras you could get without being pushy. In my opinion, it’s a very good choice for having decent, tasty food“

“Perfect Food, Great Service, Nice Atmosphere“

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

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

“Everything was exceptional - the service, the atmosphere, the attention to detail, and of course, the food. Three of us had the Chef’s omakase experience, and it was like watching mesmerizing performance art. A fantastic experience all around.“

“We had sushi there yesterday and it was truly an amazing experience. The chef was not only highly skilled and professional, but also very funny, which made the whole dining experience even more enjoyable. The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh—honestly the freshest and best I’ve ever had. Every bite was full of clean, natural flavor. Highly recommend!“

“The sushi I had here is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted — even compared to the high-end spots in Ginza.
I came here with my brother, who lives in Tokyo, and sharing this meal with him made the experience even more special.
While Ginza sushi is elegant and refined, this place offers something entirely different: a sense of warmth, intimacy, and artistry that’s hard to describe.
Every piece of sushi felt like a moment carefully crafted — not just in taste, but in emotion.
The fish was incredibly fresh, the rice perfectly seasoned, and the way everything came together was simply unforgettable.
Sitting side by side with my brother, savoring each bite, it felt less like dining and more like quietly celebrating life together.
I’ve eaten at many acclaimed restaurants across Tokyo, but this place has a soul of its own.
It’s not just a meal — it’s a memory I’ll treasure for a long, long time.“

“Awesome Delicious Sushi, I can’t believe how quick they prepared and delivered our food...“

“Hole in the wall sushi spot. It’s a small and cozy spot in the LES. The size allows you to enjoy the food and chefs on a personal level. I also genuinely have not had fresher fish than here, every piece was mind blowing, the fact that it’s only $68 for 12 pieces! I’m so impressed and I truly can’t recommend it enough. Better than any Michelin I’ve ever had! Also if you love uni like I do, it’s a must.“

“Absolutely loved our experience yesterday. The basic omakase was delicious at $38, no hidden charges, and staff were lovely. Only slightly minor quibble was everything seemed a bit rushed and a little less peaceful than other places I've been to, but fair enough at that price. I was also a bit surprised at the rudeness of a customer talking on her phone when the staff were trying to engage her. That's not the restaurant's fault but maybe worth having a sign about using phones less and being in the moment more?!“

“Creative, fresh and delicious.“

“Haven’t eaten this well since I was last actually in Japan late 2019 before you know what! Loved the Korean flavoured belly pork.“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“Shion 69 is nothing short of a world-class omakase experience, absolutely worth every penny. Having dined at several Michelin-starred omakases in Japan and around the world, I can confidently say this rivals the very best.

Chef Shion is a true professional—attentive, gracious, and committed to creating an exceptional dining experience. His warmth and precision set the tone for what should have been a flawless evening. Unfortunately, one disruptive guest at our seating was excessively loud and clearly intoxicated before dinner began, which momentarily detracted from the atmosphere.

To Chef Shion’s immense credit, he noticed our discomfort without us even saying a word and handled the situation with grace. He discreetly and politely intervened, ensuring the environment returned to one of calm enjoyment. Thanks to his thoughtful approach, we were able to savor every course and left so impressed that we booked another reservation the following week.

This is an omakase worth traveling for—exquisite food, impeccable hospitality, and a chef who cares deeply about his guests.“

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

“Was visiting my godchild and she wanted to eat here. The staff was amazing as was the ramen. Cozy and cool. We went for lunch on a Saturday and we were seated right away. I would definitely go 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“

“Sushi Nakazawa is an unforgettable experience. The sushi is flawless — fresh, delicate, and prepared with incredible skill and precision. Every piece feels like a work of art. The chefs are engaging and passionate, and the service is smooth and attentive without being overbearing. The space is elegant yet relaxed, making the whole meal feel special from start to finish. Truly one of the best sushi experiences in the city.“

“NYC’s Most Beautiful Omakase — and yes, it tastes just as stunning as it looks.

Every course is a masterpiece of flavor and presentation — from delicate slices of premium fish to perfectly balanced bites that melt in your mouth. One of the most refined sushi experiences in the city.

14 Course + Wagyu Tasting Add-on
1 App | 10 Nigiris | 1 Monaka | 1 Handroll | 1 Dessert

Follow me @foodie.elite on IG and TikTok for more.“

“Chefs Isaac, Ivan, Kathlin and server Daniel all played a part in making our anniversary dinner one for the books! Loved the ambience, loved the view and the omakase was so good even the palate cleansing ginger deserves a shoutout (delicate like apple slices); but the highlight for me was the octopus + orange in greek yogurt sauce. I knew it’d be delicious, didn’t know it’d leave me speechless“

“I highly recommend anyone reading this to come try! I wish I could give 10 stars. Make a resy. This was honestly one of the best dining omakase experiences!! But not only was the experience great, so was the food and drinks. Karina was very kind on explaining us the drink options, and finding us the perfect drink we would love. Her and the chef were also super kind on telling us every piece we were eating and where it was from. Alex was also such a great host. Always asking how everything was and also make great small talk, getting to know us. The food was such great quality also so it was well worth the omakase price. I also ordered their special which had Uni-Toro-Wagyu-HotateCaviar. It was DIVINE!!“

“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!“

“The food was rich and flavorful. Some of the best eel, it was very tender. The sweet potato roll was crunchy and had so much flavor. The broth in the Ramen and Miso soup was not salty like most places and had a taste that complemented the dish.

The crunchy rice roll was the only dish that was average. It smelled much better than it tasted. The tuna and salmon tasted great but the actual fried portion on the rice was overpowering.“

“Had a lovely omakase dinner. BYOB is the cherry on top. Chefs were knowledgeable and it’s definitely a fun date night spot. Favorite bites of the night were the hamachi appetizer with grape tomato and the unagi with foie gras. Already have recommended this to my friends!“

“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.“

“This Taikun Sushi gives you exactly what its name suggests. The taste experience is remarkable. I've never been disappointed by what I've ordered and they give you just enough. Workers here always display welcoming attitudes. We're excited to explore more food options.“

“came in for a late night bite and some drinks. ordered appetizers, food came quickly and was beyond superb. very minor communication issue among the server that was working and our table, which meant we didn’t get informed that the kitchen was closing (closed by the time we spoke to our server). we hadn’t ordered main food yet, so were frustrated and brought it to the manager’s attention. he immediately corrected the issue and went above and beyond to ensure our visit was great. would highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for very reasonably priced, excellent food.“

“Presentation of sushi and appetizers were superb and the staff was exceptionally pleasant and professional-it will be our new go to spot when we come back into NY“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“You feel welcome once you step into this place. Service is top notch. 12 course dishes are all with very fresh ingredients and very delicious. I would say their Modern Kaiseki is very good even compare to those you find in Tokyo or Osaka. Last, if you are into Sake, you have to try their pairing and the staff their are very knowledgeable on what they pick.“

“Had a very nice dinner here in an intimate and beautiful setting! It was my first time trying shabu omakase; they cooked the meat in front of us and placed each piece on our plate like sushi omakase. While the cooking is the fun part of shabu shabu and I would’ve liked to control the degree to which the meat was cooked (it wasn’t equal and I kept receiving the more raw piece), it was also pleasant to watch. The pace was a bit too fast for me, because we were the only party in the restaurant. It would’ve been better had they paced it like a full house instead of cooking the next as soon as the previous piece was gone from the plate. (I just kept half a piece on my plate so we wouldn’t get the next one so quickly.)

We got yuzu sake and umeshu in the beginning as refreshments, then got sake for the course which paired well with the heavy meat. The A5 wagyu truly melted in my mouth, but I personally preferred the wagyu after the first bite bc it was less fatty. The whole course might be a bit too much of meat after meat, especially if you’re a smaller person (I couldn’t eat any more after 5-6 slices). Better pacing might have helped with this, or maybe it’s just a lot.

At any rate I was happy by the end of the night and it was quite memorable. Just make sure you can stomach everything or bring someone who can take their portion as well as yours.“

“It's an interesting omakase experience here. The theme and setting of this restaurant revolves around Mr. Moto's (a New York native) journey to Japan back in the late 1800s. Original artifacts from that trip are displayed throughout the restaurant. An code is even required to enter the restaurant. All adds to the novelty and interesting elements. Food wise, the ingredients are fresh and tasty, although not at the level of creativity that the restaurant's main theme suggests. Service is friendly and professional. The only area of improvement that I would suggest is the pace and synchronization of the dishes. Sometimes there are extended waiting periods in between the courses, and the serving process was a little chaotic and lacked synchrony. For example, the dish with uni on top of wagyu beef, the chef prepared every plate altogether. But by the time the dish was served to us, the wagyu was already cold.
I'd have given this restaurant a 4.5 star if there is such an option.“

“Every dish shows attention to flavor details. The staff made sure I wasn't overlooked and answered inquiries with sincere interest. We discovered new favorite dishes!! The kitchen selects obviously fresh, seasonal components. The spot is perfectly positioned and we plan to visit again.“

“Not too bad“

“The environment is very good, the dishes are exquisite, the miso soup is great, and it is suitable for entertaining distinguished guests.
However, the premium is too high... nearly $100 per person is not enough to eat, so it is not cost-effective😓
-2024.8.28“

“Sushi onakase Shinzo best“