Few situations entice me to give up full control of a meal as much as a good omakase at a sushi bar. Omakase, which means “I’ll leave it up to you,” gives the sushi chef the freedom to decide what to serve and how. Your input will likely be limited to dietary restrictions and, depending on the place, the number of courses.

Fortunately, NYC is full of great omakase options at a wide range of price points. Check out my thoughts below on the best omakase restaurants in NYC.

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Shinn East

Shinn East is one of your best options for a high quality omakase with premium fish (like uni and caviar) at an unbelievably reasonable price: $65 for 12 pieces of nigiri and a maki roll. The space is small, low-key, and simple, and their outdoor sushi bar is awesome on warm nights. You can find them in the East Village.

Sasabune

Sasabune on the Upper East Side is another reasonable option for omakase in a no-frills, simple space. I find the sushi quality to be one notch below Shinn East, but it’s still great and will more than satisfy your sushi cravings. Sasabune is an especially great option if you want some choice over how much you’ll eat and spend: they offer three variations of omakase, ranging from $57 to $97. As far as seating goes, there are tables inside and outside in addition to a small sushi bar, so you can easily go with a group or fly solo.

Sugarfish

Sugarfish is one of the best gifts LA has ever given NYC. You can order a la carte, but their real brainchild is the accessibly priced, high-quality omakase. There are four different omakase menus that range from $30 to $67. They also have delivery down to a science, so the next time you’re craving omakase from your couch, Sugarfish is one of your best options. If you’d like to visit in person, you can find them in Flatiron, Midtown East, Midtown West, and SoHo. And while I’m at it, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Sugarfish’s hand roll cousin, KazuNori, in NoMad. The hand rolls are simple, delicious, and incredibly priced (5 for $28!).

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Sushi Nakazawa

Sushi Nakazawa is an elegant, fairly classic omakase experience with some American twists. You’ll get the same melt-in-your-mouth sushi whether you sit at the sushi bar or a table, but the experiences will be slightly different. At the sushi bar, you’ll get one piece at a time for the most part, which really allows you to savor the uniqueness of each bite, and you’ll get to watch the chefs put on a show as they craft each piece. At the table, you’ll get a plate with 3-4 pieces at a time and the seating will be more conducive to a conversational meal (especially if you’re a group of 3+ people). You can find Sushi Nakazawa on a quaint street in the West Village.

Sushi of Gari

Sushi of Gari has several locations around Manhattan, all of which have loyal followings. Unlike the restaurants mentioned above, you can order sushi a la carte and you can even order non-sushi items (e.g. chicken teriyaki), making it a great restaurant for a group with a range of sushi preferences and experiences (especially young families). If you do get the omakase, which I highly recommend, go into it with an open mind. You’ll get many unique, unconventional pieces and they’ll all melt in your mouth. Though Gari’s price tag isn’t cheap, their casual, comfortable dining room makes the experience extremely approachable.

Sushi Ishikawa

Sushi Ishikawa is what I think of as a more “new age” Instagram-friendly omakase restaurant. They serve all of the trendy, over-the-top items taking over NYC’s sushi scene (think: caviar, wagyu, and uni in one bite), and while that makes me cringe a little, each dish is so beautifully crafted and toes the line of excess just enough to send you to a blissful sushi heaven without overwhelming you. The service is consistently kind and reliable, and they have a cute Covid-era outdoor dining setup that reminds me of a greenhouse. Since the sushi bar is still closed, all reservations are for table seating. You can find Sushi Ishikawa on the Upper East Side (and, if they eventually reopen their second location, the Upper West Side).

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Sushi Zo

Sushi Zo is a classic, pure omakase experience in a small space just big enough for a sushi bar. The beautifully fresh fish and the artful on-display preparation come together to create a sensory experience that makes the high price point worthwhile. You can find them in two NYC neighborhoods - the West Village and Midtown East. 

Kurumazushi

Kurumazushi, which opened in 1977 (well before omakase options exploded in NYC), is a wonderfully unique experience. Located on the second floor of a typical, no-frills Midtown East street, you’ll unknowingly walk right past Kurumazushi if you aren’t looking for it. The paired-back, casual environment puts the focus entirely on the extremely high quality fish and chef’s experience, which is further emphasized by the amount of sashimi (no rice) served during the omakase. The fish shines in its purest form and you’ll get cuts of fish you may have never dreamed of (think: toro shoulder, toro neck, etc.). Overall, Kurumazushi feels like one of the most authentically Japanese omakase experiences in NYC.

Below are the places on my “Want to go” list. Leave a comment below or drop me a note if there’s a spot I should add to that list :)

Sushi Kai ($$, East Village)

Sushi by M ($$, East Village)

Tanoshi ($$$, Upper East Side)

Shuko ($$$$, Greenwich Village)

Shion 69 Leonard Street ($$$$, Tribeca)

Sushi Noz ($$$$, Upper East Side)