They’ve given up and don’t care. I was served absolutely foul uni that was like raw sewage. I urged the sushi chef to taste it because it could get people sick, but he shrugged and ignored me.
Tori B.
Simple and delicious location. Had the yasai (vegetarian) gyoza, veggie rolls, and a tuna/hamachi roll. Really tasty and fresh! Simple location with good flavor. Just know that the rolls are really big! My party was not prepared for that!
lisa conway
An old time quality sushi restaurant with large slices of very fresh and delicious sushi/sashimi. The only complaint and its minor is the restaurant has looked the same for 30 years. It needs a makeover but then again that might be its charm.Highly recommend the special rolls.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
I. Ilyabayev DDS, A. Edgar DDS
Fresh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
W F Hunter J.
Terrible service .. bad attitude throughout the whole meal.. no "thank you" or any elements of normal expected service. Need to be more attentive. Sushi good not great .. questioned the tip when he was lucky to even receive one
Alice Agrusa
No way I am really seeing bad reviews about this place. My father used to come during his college years and brought me here 10 years ago for the first time. It has been my favorite sushi restaurant ever since, and i’ve recommended this place to every single person who visits new york and it never disappoints. the food quality has stayed exceptionally consistent… i have never left yama thinking the quality was different than the last time. i used to go every 2 weeks or so when i lived in the city and now that i live abroad, i come every time i’m back (sometimes 2-3 times in the same trip). i constantly find myself wishing i could have yama; it’s been part of my life for so long and it’s beyond a treasure. the place is so unique, the food is incredible, and it’s really a must go. i honestly even think it’s better than blue ribbon, nobu, or any of those overpriced bougie sushi places. my favorite dishes are the mango sushi roll, nasu shigayaki, and their miso is wonderful. i always joke that if yama closed i would stay in mourning… i would chose yama any day and highly recommend making a pitstop at this amazing restaurant, whenever you’re in NY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mix of Sashimi, Sushi
Julianna Evans
Oh no! Yama’s jumped the shark! Irving Place stand-by that’s been there for years and it’s quite pricey for no longer wonderful sushi. Sad to say it’s gone downhill :( also a little smelly in the back room. I’m so sad to write this! I used to love this place and probably have a glowing review from 10 years ago…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Gina A.
This was my first time here. My friend took me here. I was so, not impressed, but didn't say anything. I know this is a very old, popular establishment, BUT, first impression is everything. The interior needs to be revamped. Old, worn, dirty red carpeting, huge decayed, brown, large chairs, n tables: too large for low ceiling basement restaurant. Very tight and claustrophobic. Dingy walls. The Frier was broken. We were told this when ordering. We could not order 1/2 the items we wanted. FISH WAS VERY FRESH but presentation n plates were nothing to write home about. Japonica is way better as so light n airy n pretty establishment to patron. I do like to give good reviews but when 2 people spend almost $140 on dinner, the food, presentation, ambience n decor should reflect. I felt as if I was eating in a college dorm room. It was also extremely loud. Sorry Yama
Kate S.
The best sushi in NYC is off of Union Square, down some steps, in a unassuming but welcoming spot. The menu and the spot itself aren't fancy, but the service is prompt and efficient, and the fish is unbelievably fresh and melts in your mouth, and the pricing is reasonable. Yama is out of this world good.
Norris Chumley
Good food. Terribly rude, mean staff. Tiny and cramped, dirty. Never ever again!!
Some of the best sashimi I've had on the east coast. The place is a little warm down and hard to find but absolutely worth it! Enjoy.
Andrew Hodges
Good quality fish/tasty, but expensive prices, rude service, and a dingy restaurant aesthetic. I live nearby and have been a couple times recently. I paid almost fine dining prices to eat in a dingy basement served by an apathetic server. I felt nickle-and-dimed when on the second visit, I asked for no fish egg (roe), and they upcharged $4 for the change. Kotobuki and Sugarfish are other options to consider.
Chad White
This place is going down so badly. The staff is rude. This is now the 3rd time they won’t take orders after 9:15. The food use to be amazing too. It is terrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Andrew Mackenzie
Fresh and consistent sushi. Outdoor seating is nice, indoor seating is bleh. Mostly do takeout but love this spot.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher P.
They've been in the game for decades & the Sushi is Great. The place needs some simple interior décor improvements. A simple paint job and replacing the old rug in the back room would do wonders.
They’ve given up and don’t care. I was served absolutely foul uni that was like raw sewage. I urged the sushi chef to taste it because it could get people sick, but he shrugged and ignored me.
Simple and delicious location. Had the yasai (vegetarian) gyoza, veggie rolls, and a tuna/hamachi roll. Really tasty and fresh! Simple location with good flavor. Just know that the rolls are really big! My party was not prepared for that!
An old time quality sushi restaurant with large slices of very fresh and delicious sushi/sashimi. The only complaint and its minor is the restaurant has looked the same for 30 years. It needs a makeover but then again that might be its charm.Highly recommend the special rolls.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Fresh
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible service .. bad attitude throughout the whole meal.. no "thank you" or any elements of normal expected service. Need to be more attentive. Sushi good not great .. questioned the tip when he was lucky to even receive one
No way I am really seeing bad reviews about this place. My father used to come during his college years and brought me here 10 years ago for the first time. It has been my favorite sushi restaurant ever since, and i’ve recommended this place to every single person who visits new york and it never disappoints. the food quality has stayed exceptionally consistent… i have never left yama thinking the quality was different than the last time. i used to go every 2 weeks or so when i lived in the city and now that i live abroad, i come every time i’m back (sometimes 2-3 times in the same trip). i constantly find myself wishing i could have yama; it’s been part of my life for so long and it’s beyond a treasure. the place is so unique, the food is incredible, and it’s really a must go. i honestly even think it’s better than blue ribbon, nobu, or any of those overpriced bougie sushi places. my favorite dishes are the mango sushi roll, nasu shigayaki, and their miso is wonderful. i always joke that if yama closed i would stay in mourning… i would chose yama any day and highly recommend making a pitstop at this amazing restaurant, whenever you’re in NY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mix of Sashimi, Sushi
Oh no! Yama’s jumped the shark! Irving Place stand-by that’s been there for years and it’s quite pricey for no longer wonderful sushi. Sad to say it’s gone downhill :( also a little smelly in the back room. I’m so sad to write this! I used to love this place and probably have a glowing review from 10 years ago…
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
This was my first time here. My friend took me here. I was so, not impressed, but didn't say anything. I know this is a very old, popular establishment, BUT, first impression is everything. The interior needs to be revamped. Old, worn, dirty red carpeting, huge decayed, brown, large chairs, n tables: too large for low ceiling basement restaurant. Very tight and claustrophobic. Dingy walls. The Frier was broken. We were told this when ordering. We could not order 1/2 the items we wanted. FISH WAS VERY FRESH but presentation n plates were nothing to write home about. Japonica is way better as so light n airy n pretty establishment to patron. I do like to give good reviews but when 2 people spend almost $140 on dinner, the food, presentation, ambience n decor should reflect. I felt as if I was eating in a college dorm room. It was also extremely loud. Sorry Yama
The best sushi in NYC is off of Union Square, down some steps, in a unassuming but welcoming spot. The menu and the spot itself aren't fancy, but the service is prompt and efficient, and the fish is unbelievably fresh and melts in your mouth, and the pricing is reasonable. Yama is out of this world good.
Good food. Terribly rude, mean staff. Tiny and cramped, dirty. Never ever again!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Some of the best sashimi I've had on the east coast. The place is a little warm down and hard to find but absolutely worth it! Enjoy.
Good quality fish/tasty, but expensive prices, rude service, and a dingy restaurant aesthetic. I live nearby and have been a couple times recently. I paid almost fine dining prices to eat in a dingy basement served by an apathetic server. I felt nickle-and-dimed when on the second visit, I asked for no fish egg (roe), and they upcharged $4 for the change. Kotobuki and Sugarfish are other options to consider.
This place is going down so badly. The staff is rude. This is now the 3rd time they won’t take orders after 9:15. The food use to be amazing too. It is terrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fresh and consistent sushi. Outdoor seating is nice, indoor seating is bleh. Mostly do takeout but love this spot.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
They've been in the game for decades & the Sushi is Great. The place needs some simple interior décor improvements. A simple paint job and replacing the old rug in the back room would do wonders.