🍣 Best in NYC
The best sushi in New York City — from Sushi Nakazawa's Jiro-trained omakase to Tanoshi's BYOB neighborhood counter on the Upper East Side.
5 picksNew York has more serious sushi restaurants than any American city outside of Hawaii, and the city's omakase scene has developed into one that demands comparison with Tokyo. The best counters in New York — Nakazawa, Tanoshi, 15 East — are operating with the quality of fish sourcing and the precision of technique that define the global standard for nigiri. The format is the same across all of them: you sit at the counter, the chef makes each piece to order, and you eat it immediately. No menu, no choices. Just fish.
Sushi Nakazawa in the West Village is the reference point. Daisuke Nakazawa trained under Jiro Ono — the subject of the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi — and his West Village counter produces a 21-piece nigiri progression that is among the best meals available in America. Tanoshi Sushi on the Upper East Side operates at the other end of the spectrum: intimate, neighborhood-scaled, BYOB, and run by a chef who makes extraordinary nigiri without the downtown scene. Both are essential for different reasons. Nakazawa for the experience; Tanoshi for the value and the accessibility. Both require advance planning — Nakazawa more than Tanoshi.
The NYC sushi market has bifurcated sharply between ultra-premium omakase counters ($200–$400+ per person) and accessible sushi restaurants. For visitors who want a serious but more bookable experience, Sushi Yasuda in Midtown has been one of the city's most reliable high-quality sushi restaurants for over two decades. Sushi by Bou offers a 30-minute, 12-piece omakase that makes the format accessible at a lower price point. For a date night or special occasion, Nakazawa is one of the most memorable meals in the city.
Daisuke Nakazawa's West Village omakase counter — trained under Jiro Ono in Tokyo, the 21-piece nigiri progression is one of the best meals in America
Must-try: Full omakase (21 pieces), Seasonal uni, Clam nigiri
📍 23 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014
The Upper East Side's intimate BYOB omakase counter — exceptional nigiri at prices that undercut the downtown heavyweights, in a room that feels like a neighborhood secret
Must-try: Omakase nigiri progression, Seasonal fish selections, Tamago
📍 1372 York Ave, New York, NY 10021
Midtown East's most reliable high-quality sushi counter — decades of consistency, excellent fish sourcing, and an ingredient-first approach
Must-try: Nigiri omakase, Seasonal tuna selections, Sea urchin
📍 204 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
The 30-minute, 12-piece omakase concept — makes the format accessible without sacrificing quality, with multiple seatings throughout the day
Must-try: Omakase (12 pieces, only option), Seasonal nigiri highlights, Miso soup
📍 Midtown, New York, NY
Union Square's serious sushi counter — precise technique, excellent sourcing, and a calm room that lets the fish speak for itself
Must-try: Omakase nigiri, Aged fish selections, Sake pairing
📍 15 E 15th St, New York, NY 10003
Sushi Nakazawa is the consensus answer for the best omakase counter in New York — Daisuke Nakazawa trained under Jiro Ono and his 21-piece nigiri progression is among the best meals available in America. For value, Tanoshi Sushi on the Upper East Side delivers exceptional nigiri at prices that undercut the downtown heavyweights.
Reservations at Sushi Nakazawa open on Resy at specific release times, typically 30 days ahead. Counter seats are the most coveted. Set a Resy alert and be ready to book immediately when the window opens — popular weekend counter slots go within minutes.
Omakase means "I'll leave it to you" in Japanese. The chef selects and prepares each piece of fish based on what's best and freshest that day. You sit at the counter, each piece is served one at a time directly to you, and you eat it immediately. No menu, no substitutions. The experience typically runs 60–90 minutes.
Sushi Nakazawa runs $150–175 per person for the counter omakase. Tanoshi is around $90–120 BYOB. Sushi Yasuda offers both à la carte and omakase at various price points. Top-tier omakase in NYC ranges from $150 to $400+ per person before drinks.
Daisuke Nakazawa trained under Jiro Ono — the subject of Jiro Dreams of Sushi — and his nigiri reflects that lineage. The sourcing is exceptional, the technique is precise, and the 21-piece progression covers a range of fish that very few counters match. It is one of the best meals available in America at any price.
Sushi by Bou offers a 30-minute, 12-piece omakase at a more accessible price point with significantly easier reservations — multiple seatings per day. Sushi Yasuda has more availability than most top counters. Tanoshi can often be booked 1–2 weeks out rather than a month ahead.