The Best Omakase Menus in New York City

New York City has entirely normalized the $400 dinner. A decade ago, that price tag was reserved for a single spot in Columbus Circle. Today, you can easily drop half your rent on raw fish in almost any neighborhood in Manhattan. The omakase scene has fractured into distinct tiers. At the very top, you have the obsessive temples of Edomae tradition where the fish is flown in from Tsukiji, the chef trained in Tokyo, and the counter is made of centuries-old hinoki wood. At the bottom, you have the rapid-fire, 60-minute counters slinging very good toro for the price of a few cocktails.

This is a guide to the absolute best of them. We left out the places riding on pure hype and the counters that charge $300 for a rushed, impersonal meal. Every spot on this list delivers on its promise, whether you are trying to impress a client on an expense account or just want a fantastic $69 dinner on a Tuesday. If you are looking for rolls or à la carte options, check out our broader The Best Sushi in NYC guide. If you want to surrender completely to the chef, keep reading.

The Heavyweights ($300 and up)

Yoshino

NoHo · 342 Bowery · $$$$ WebsiteMap

Chef Tadashi Yoshida left his highly acclaimed restaurant in Japan to open this ten-seat counter in New York, and the city is better for it. This is widely considered the peak of the city's omakase scene right now. Yoshida blends intense precision with slight theatricality, occasionally searing mackerel over live coals right in front of you. The price tag is staggering at $600 per person before drinks, but it delivers a flawless, deeply intellectual twenty courses that sushi purists travel across the country to eat.

Go for: the ultimate expense account dinner. Know before you go: reservations open 30 days in advance on Tock and vanish immediately.

Sushi Noz

Upper East Side · 181 E 78th St · $$$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Stepping into this room feels like walking into a shrine. The centerpiece is a 200-year-old hinoki wood counter, and the atmosphere is hushed and reverent. Chef Nozomu Abe executes a hyper-traditional Edomae menu that runs about $495 to $550. You will get five or six small seasonal plates before moving into a long progression of pristine nigiri.

Go for: an immersive Edomae experience. Know before you go: they take a full deposit when you book, and corkage is notoriously steep if you bring your own bottle.

Masa

Upper West Side · 10 Columbus Cir · $$$$ Website

Masa Takayama's flagship is the restaurant that introduced New York to astronomical sushi pricing, and it remains the most expensive dining room in the city. The omakase costs $950 per person, a number that still induces sticker shock. You are paying for unparalleled access to the world's most exclusive seafood auctions, served in a cavernous, windowless room in the Time Warner Center. The quality of the toro and caviar is undisputed.

Go for: the sheer spectacle of eating the most expensive meal in America. Know before you go: gratuity is included in the base price, though beverage pairings will easily push the bill past four figures.

Jōji

Midtown East · One Vanderbilt Ave · $$$$ Website

Located below One Vanderbilt, this is exactly where you want to take someone you need to impress. The room is sleek, modern, and insulated from the chaos of Grand Central above. The $410 omakase is polished and beautifully paced, leaning heavily on premium seasonal imports from Japan. The service is flawless, and the Champagne list is extensive.

Go for: a high-stakes business dinner. Know before you go: if you cannot get a seat at the main counter, they run a fantastic takeout operation called Jōji Box next door.

Noda

Flatiron · 37 W 20th St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

This eight-seat, half-moon counter feels like a secret club. Chef Shigeyuki Tsunoda works quietly and methodically, serving a $400 menu that balances delicate opening dishes with incredibly consistent nigiri. The room is dark and intimate, a stark contrast to the brightly lit, austere wooden boxes of most traditional sushi spots. You also get access to Shinji, the attached lounge, which pours some of the best Japanese whisky in the city.

Go for: a moody, luxurious date night. Know before you go: arrive early to grab a cocktail in the lounge before your seating time.

Nakaji

Chinatown · 48 Bowery · $$$$ WebsiteMap

Kunihide Nakajima is a third-generation sushi chef who runs this deeply personal ten-seat counter hidden inside the Canal Arcade. At $365, it sits slightly below the peak pricing of its peers but sacrifices absolutely nothing in quality. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than rigid, and the focus remains entirely on the progression of the fish. As a bonus, the space houses a dedicated whisky bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks.

Go for: top-tier sushi in an unpretentious room. Know before you go: dress neatly, but the vibe is downtown casual. The Chinatown Guide: Chinatown, Two Bridges and Dimes Square in 2026 has ideas for where to go after.

Kosaka

West Village · 220 W 13th St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

Chef Masatomo Soma heads the counter at this elegant, tranquil room on a quiet residential block. The $295 omakase is an exercise in subtlety, with minimal embellishments that let the sourcing shine. You might find a dab of yuzu kosho hidden under a slice of kinmedai, or a shiso leaf tucked beneath sea bass. It is a refined, low-anxiety dining experience that feels miles away from the city outside.

Go for: a serene, flexible dinner that rewards paying attention. Know before you go: they offer table seating, but you absolutely want to book the counter.

The Sweet Spot ($130 to $250)

Sushi Yasuda

Midtown East · 204 E 43rd St · $$$ WebsiteMapProfile

This is the pioneer. Sushi Yasuda opened in 1999 and taught a generation of New Yorkers what real sushi was supposed to taste like. Chef Mitsuru Tamura maintains the strict classical standards today. The omakase is tailored to the diner rather than a rigid set menu, usually landing around $225 depending on your appetite. The bamboo-clad room is timeless, and the fish is as good as it was twenty years ago.

Go for: an old-school New York sushi rite of passage. Know before you go: you dictate when the meal ends, so the final bill is entirely up to you.

Shota Omakase

Williamsburg · 50 S 3rd St · $$$ WebsiteMap

Chef Cheng Lin earned a Michelin star in his first year of operation, and it is easy to see why. The $195 menu is built on brilliant rice sourcing from Gifu and deeply skilled aging and curing techniques. You get twenty courses that rival the Manhattan heavyweights for half the price. The counter is small, the pacing is excellent, and the uni selection is consistently outstanding.

Go for: Michelin-caliber execution without crossing a bridge. Know before you go: this is one of the hardest reservations in Brooklyn, so check our The Williamsburg Guide: Where to Eat, Drink and Go Out in 2026 for backup plans.

Sushi Nakazawa

West Village · 23 Commerce St · $$$ WebsiteMapProfile

Daisuke Nakazawa famously trained under Jiro Ono, and his arrival in New York in 2013 reshaped the city's sushi landscape. Today, the restaurant is a well-oiled machine. The omakase runs $190 at the counter and $160 in the dining room. You will get twenty courses of expertly handled fish, ending with the signature tamago that takes hours to prepare. It remains a reliable, high-quality standard.

Go for: a recognizable name that still delivers. Know before you go: skip the dining room tables and insist on sitting at the bar.

Sushi Katsuei

West Village · 357 6th Ave · $$ WebsiteMapProfile

This Park Slope export brought its "open omakase" concept to Manhattan, and it remains one of the best values in town. Starting around $130, you get a meticulous, straightforward Edomae progression. There are no gimmicks, no truffles, and no gold leaf. It is simply great fish over well-seasoned rice, served in a relaxed room that feels appropriately neighborhood-y.

Go for: serious sushi on a Wednesday night. Know before you go: they allow you to keep ordering individual pieces after the formal omakase concludes. Pair it with a walk through our The West Village Guide favorites.

The Weeknight Steals (Under $100)

Takumi Omakase

Lower East Side · 181 Essex St · $$ WebsiteMapProfile

You might expect a 15-course omakase for $89 to cut corners, but Takumi consistently over-delivers. The intimate room is lively, the chefs actually talk to you, and the pacing avoids the rushed feeling typical of budget spots. You will get premium cuts like Hokkaido uni and A5 wagyu without the usual upcharges. It is the perfect entry point if you are just getting into tasting menus.

Go for: the best ratio of quality to price below 14th Street. Know before you go: it is an easy reservation to grab a few days in advance.

Sushi Lin

SoHo · 120 Sullivan St · $$ WebsiteMapProfile

Lenny and Ryan Lin expanded their Brooklyn empire into Manhattan, bringing their hyper-focused approach to a sleek SoHo space. They specialize in fish flown directly from Tokyo markets, serving a 12-course menu for $85 (or up to $125 for extended courses). The room is minimalist, the knife work is exact, and the flavors are incredibly clean. It is a fantastic option when you want a highly controlled, satisfying meal without the pomp.

Go for: exact, affordable sushi in the middle of SoHo shopping. Know before you go: they enforce a strict 90-minute time limit for seatings.

Sushi 35 West

Garment District · 232 W 35th St · $$ WebsiteMap

Finding this place feels like a test. You walk into an office building near Penn Station, go up a sketchy set of stairs, and enter what looks like a utility hallway. Behind an unmarked door is a pristine sushi operation doing some of the best takeout and casual omakase in the city. The fish is meltingly fresh, the rice is warm, and the prices hover under $100. It is completely bare-bones and entirely brilliant.

Go for: the ultimate insider sushi spot. Know before you go: the physical space is tiny, so this is primarily for takeout or a very quick bite.

Sushi by M

East Village · 300 E 5th St · $$ WebsiteMap

Chef Tim Lin runs this wildly popular, slightly chaotic counter. The 12-course menu starts at $69, and the chefs actively encourage a party atmosphere. This is not the place for quiet contemplation. You are here to eat the "Big Mac", a signature bite of toro, two kinds of uni, and wagyu beef wrapped in crisp nori. It is rich, decadent, and a lot of fun.

Go for: a high-energy birthday dinner or a lively date. Know before you go: the space is tight, and seatings move fast. See The East Village Guide: Where to Eat, Drink and Go Out in 2026 for where to drink after.

Shinn East

East Village · 119 E 7th St · $$ WebsiteMapProfile

One of the most reliable deals in Manhattan. For $69, you get 12 pieces of nigiri and a hand roll, prepared with an attention to detail that usually costs twice as much. Chef Mike sources surprisingly premium ingredients for this price tier, and the tiny room feels warm and welcoming rather than cramped. It hits the perfect balance of quality and accessibility.

Go for: an affordable date night that feels expensive. Know before you go: show up exactly on time, as they do not have a waiting area inside. If you need other romantic spots, look at The Best Date Night Restaurants in New York City.

Shin Takumi

West Village · 44 Greenwich Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

The newest addition to the Takumi family opened in 2026, offering a playful, modern take on the format. For $89, you get a 12-course meal that focuses on inventive garnishes and unexpected textures. It is approachable and bright, stripping away the intimidation factor of traditional counters while keeping the technique sharp.

Go for: a modern, low-stress introduction to omakase. Know before you go: the menu changes heavily based on seasonal availability.

Sushi by Bou

Chelsea · Various Locations · $ Website

The architects of the 60-minute omakase. You pay $60, you get 12 courses, and you are out the door an hour later. The quality is shockingly consistent across their various speakeasy-style locations. The chefs work at a breakneck pace, cracking jokes while they hand you deeply flavorful, seasoned nigiri. It is fast food for people who love fine dining.

Go for: a rapid-fire dinner before a show. Know before you go: there is zero lingering allowed. When your hour is up, you must give up your seat.

---

The Shout NY take: Omakase is ultimately about trust. You are handing over your money and your appetite to someone else's judgment. Whether you are spending $60 or $600, the best counters in New York all share a deep respect for the ritual. Find the price point that works for you, book the seat, and let the chef do the work.