By: Amy Rosner By: Amy Rosner | June 6, 2023 | Food & Drink, Guides,
When it comes to sushi, and well, just about everything else, Manhattanites get ultra-competitive. Here, we’ve rounded up the best sushi restaurants in the city–from traditional to innovative, and beyond.
181 E 78th St, Manhattan/Website
If ordering cucumber rolls is like shopping off the rack, dining at Sushi Noz is like vacationing in the South of France. This 8-person sushi counter is the pinnacle of New York City’s bustling restaurant scene. The 200-year-old sushi counter is inundated with New York City’s power players and a bit too much Baccarat cologne. In typical Noz fashion, they only serve a pre-fixe tasting menu, with 5-6 small plates, and a selection of seasonal nigiri. The omakase goes for $400, which is pocket change for the Investment Banking crowd.
204 E 43rd St, Manhattan/Website
If dropping hundreds of dollars at Sushi Yasuda every weekend is wrong, we don’t want to be right. Although it comes with a hefty price tag, the fish is flown in from Japan, transporting you immediately to the streets of Kyoto. While the nigiri is top-notch, the White King Salmon is one of the most decadent things we have ever tasted. The salmon is so luxurious, it melts in your mouth like butter. We’ve had an unhealthy amount of sushi in our lives, and few places have compared to the quality of Yasuda.
237 Kent Ave, Brooklyn/Website
Eating at Ume is a true culinary experience. All five senses are awoken as you indulge in an omakase set that has the artistic intricacies of a Picasso painting. Your mind, body, and spirit are carried to a world far away as you breathe in the tranquility of the bamboo-garden setting. Sitting on the floor somehow humbles you, a stark contrast to the luxurious pieces of fish set before you. If you’re still hungry, you must order the Everything Donburi: a truly masterful blend of fish that melds together like Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
Multiple Locations/Website
If you haven’t tried the Spicy Scallop handroll from Sushi Seki, you are seriously missing out. Chef Seki Shi mixes pieces of tempura crunch into the mayo sriracha mixture, resulting in a magical oasis of textures and flavors. But we need to pay proper homage to the real crown jewel here: the scallop. Never have we tasted fish this creamy and indulgent, and that’s coming from certified sushi addicts themselves.
461 5th Ave, Manhattan/Website
When they only serve omakase, you know it’s the real deal. While the tasting menu goes for the steep price of $450, there is no way to quantify this truly out-of-body experience. We’re not kidding, we almost saw god when we bit into the Sea Urchin handroll. While uni can sometimes be overwhelming, this dish seamlessly balances the briny and sweet flavors. And how can we forget about the Beef Nigiri topped with uni and caviar? Truly impeccable.
47 E 12th St, Manhattan/Website
Not to be confused with the popular Mediterranean restaurant, Shuka, this critically-acclaimed sushi spot serves some of the finest fish in the entire city. In addition to the delectable selection of nigiri, diners can treat themselves to the life-changing milk bread. Served with toro tartare and caviar, the milk bread has a whimsical, feathery texture that resembles an upscale french toast. The milky-sweet flavor perfectly complements the saltiness of the fish, resulting in a harmonious balance of salty and sweet.
14 Christopher St, Manhattan/Website
If you adore Sake just as much as sushi, Omakase Room by Mitsu should be the next step on your NYC food tour. We’re not exaggerating when we say we could have Kamatoro, a fancy word for cheek fatty tuna, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ok, you caught us, we’ll gladly have it for dessert too. As you bite into this seductive piece of fish, you are immediately captivated by the melty, buttery texture. Although the fish is cold, there is a sense of comforting warmth that overcomes your tastebuds.
245 E 44th St, Manhattan/Website
The creativity displayed at Sushi AMANE deserves some serious recognition. While every piece of sushi was better than the next, we can’t stop dreaming about the Unagi Nigiri. *Cue the cheesy Friends jokes* The sweetness of the eel was contrasted by the tanginess of the lemon zest, resulting in a beautiful symphony of sweet and sour. Another standout was the Tamago egg custard, which reminded us of a pillow floating in the sky.
23 Commerce St, Manhattan/Website
If you look up sushi in the dictionary, you’ll find this world-renowned establishment. Nakazawa’s nigiri-exclusive omakase menu comes with 20 pieces of fish for $180, which is a surprisingly good deal for the quality and quantity. Relatively speaking, of course. Although we’re not huge white fish fans, the Golden-eye snapper is truly astonishing. The fish is torched to absolute perfection, creating a sexy smokiness that takes your bite to the next level. A+ work!
Multiple Locations/Website
A forever classic, Sushi of Gari has defined New York’s restaurant scene since its inception. The culinary landmark is innovative by nature and continues to push the boundaries of the cuisine. Although every piece of sushi is inventive, there is something uniquely special about the Salmon Yaki Tomato. The melt-in-your-mouth salmon is paired with an intoxicatingly sweet onion sauce and topped with juicy seared tomato. *Mouth Waters*
Photography by: Helga Christina
