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Esora Omakase
Photograph: Courtesy Esora Omakase

11 great local NYC sushi spots

In a city of endless excellent sushi, stop by a few of these top spots for maki, sashimi and more.

Written by Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner in association with Time Out paid partners
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If you're into sushi, New York City is the place to be. Not only is the city home to multiple Japanese enclaves - see Greenpoint, Brooklyn and the East Village's Little Tokyo -- but New York is full of Michelin starred, critically acclaimed sushi spots for every budget. Over-the-top omakase, budget-friendly ala carte, nice restaurants with plated dishes and date night worthy sushi counters are all available, are all so worth visiting.  

In a city of endless excellent sushi, stop by a few of these top spots for maki, sashimi and more.

11 great local NYC sushi spots

  • Restaurants
  • Lower East Side

Specializing in a 15 course omakase with three appetizers, eleven nigiri and a hand roll, Takumi Omakase focuses on seasonal fish and an ever-evolving menu of sushi. BYOB or sip from their sake menu as you sample A5 Wagyu beef, Hokkaido uni, king salmon and more. If you want to host an omakase party of your very own, they’ll bring their omakase menu anywhere within 1.5 hours of the city.

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  • Restaurants
  • Lenox Hill
  • price 1 of 4

The new restaurant will serve top quality meals served with the highest quality ingredients, along with a sushi bar led by chef Yutaka Murai with over 20 years of experience.

  • Restaurants
  • East Village

If you’ve been looking for a go-to omakase spot you can visit on a Tuesday, and not only for big-ticket special occasions, Sushi Kai stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and seafood with omakase under $100. Located in the heart of East Village, Sushi Kai offers a traditional 15-course omakase in 60 minutes for $85. Sushi devotees can get a wide range of fish and other highlights from toro and uni to botan ebi and wagyu. Grab your favorite bottle on the way, they are currently BYOB.

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  • Restaurants
  • Hell's Kitchen

Fushimi serves as the city's hub for Japanese and French fusion cuisine with restaurants in Staten Island, Bay Ridge, Williamsburg and a newly opened location in Times Square. Take a beat from the bustling streets in the heart of the city with an elevated meal at Fushimi featuring Japanese whiskey, sake and beer and an extensive menu of dishes for sushi lovers and vegetarians alike. Follow them on Instagram for more info and find more information on how to book a table for your next night out below! 

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  • Restaurants
  • Midtown East

When you’re craving a high-quality sushi experience but don’t have time to indulge in a full omakase experience at Jōji, head to Jōji Box! This simplified offering from one of Manhattan’s most prized omakase spots in the city is serving up sushi made with the same finesse for takeout or delivery. Each box comes with a combination of nigiri and maki rolls with a la carte options for further customization! Head to their website for a breakdown of each of their boxes and all the info you need to place your next order. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Japanese
  • Greenpoint
  • price 2 of 4

This izakaya-style restaurant in Greenpoint offers Japanese favorites, including yakitori, sushi and sashimi. Owner Nick Wang puts a focus on quality, and the restaurant sources sustainable fish, free-range meats and produce from organic farms. Amami even makes its soy sauce and wasabi in house. Before you order dinner, make sure to explore their cocktail menu: with a program featuring ingredients like edamame, lychee, ginger and wasabi, their seasonal drinks are inspired by Japanese whiskeys and aged sakes.

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  • Restaurants
  • Greenpoint

Wasabi is a cornerstone in Brooklyn's Japanese dining scene, recognized for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and insistence on only using the highest-quality fresh ingredients. Serving sushi and cocktails from its home in Greenpoint, this is the kind of place where you can grab a quick bento box for lunch or have a casual dinner where you go all-out with a belly-busting feast. 

Luxurious chef's specials include the Amazing Lobster roll with shrimp tempura, avocado and eel inside, lobster salad on top with a layer of sliced mango, and served with chili tropical fruit sauce and caviar. There's also the Naruto-style fish wrapped in thin slices of cucumber, donburi on fluffy rice and an array of different bento boxes. Of course, all of this is washed down with a selection of delicious, well-balanced sake.

  • Restaurants
  • East Village

Landing on the East Village’s iconic St. Marks Place, less than a block from Tompkins Square Park, this exciting new omakase concept offers flavors and ingredients not commonly found in other sushi restaurants. Rather than classic nigiri staples, Sushi Fan’s elevated, 12-course omakase menu serves up slices of fresh fish topped with rare and unique ingredients. Think yellowtail with pepper butter and torched banana pepper, uni with caviar, eel with foie gras, wagyu on toast and other combos with an Asian fusion vibe. Did we mention this omakase menu is an entirely affordable $65? Plus, Sushi Fan is BYOB for the time being. Omakase first-timers will love the experience while others will be surprised by the departure from the norm.

Be sure to post a pic of or video on social media and you’ll get an extra chefs-choice nigiri. Obvious cool selfie prop: the menu is printed on a fan.

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  • Restaurants
  • Hell's Kitchen

Next time you’re in the mood for sushi, order from Happy Tuna. Their team believes that great sushi deserves exceptional delivery when it comes to ordering in. With unique techniques, from fish preparation to packaging design, you can expect sushi bar service in the comfort of your own home! They also offer alternative grain options to fit any dietary preference with a choice of cauliflower rice, freekeh or sorghum. View the menu and place your order via their website! 

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  • Restaurants
  • Park Slope

Enjoy the intimate and relaxing ambiance at Ishi as you indulge in an artfully curated dining experience with ingredients sourced directly from Japan alongside premium sake offerings. Ishi provides a counter service tasting where guests can watch as the chefs prepare each course or a seated tasting with a slightly more limited selection of items. Book your next night out at Ishi now and head to their website for more information!. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Midtown East

Head to Shogun Omakase for a meal that conveys the true essence of Japanese cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients and fish. Each dish is carefully prepared by chefs with quality in mind and offers a unique range of flavor and texture. Enjoy succulent tempura, grilled dishes cooked over a charcoal fire and sushi dishes prepared with extreme precision! Find all the information you need to book a reservation at their website and find a gallery of past and current dishes on their Instagram

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