Trevor Goering

My first time at Sushi Nakazawa, and this is the closest thing to eating at a friend's restaurant I’ll ever have. This started with John, who was super professional but also gave off the vibe that you were hanging out with your brother. The entire staff had a comfortable familiarity with them, making it easy to ask questions about each piece of omakase and the sake pairings. The sake list is big, and their sake sommelier was so helpful. Great omakase with excellent sake pairing in my price range. I will definitely be back!

Chet Lakhani

It’s pricey but worth it. We did the chef’s omakase. Nice variety of tastes and textures, beautifully presented. We also added a caviar piece. The service was impeccable. We marveled at how seamlessly they cleaned the table without interrupting us. The ambiance was serene and sophisticated, exactly what you’d expect for a place of this caliber. Definitely worthy of a Michelin star.

+3

Ricardo Toro

I’ve been to Sushi Nakazawa 8 times since it opened in 2013—way before NYC became flooded with omakase spots—and it’s still one of the best around. This was my first time back since COVID, and I’m glad to say it hasn’t lost a step. My daughter and I had the classic menu, and it was just as I remembered: clean, elegant, and consistently excellent. It’s traditional Edomae-style sushi—no over-the-top truffle and uni stacked tuna, just beautifully done, pure flavors. The progression of the menu is really well thought out. It starts with a few kinds of salmon, moves into shellfish, and keeps building from there. I did the sake pairing too, and the sommelier nailed it—every pour worked perfectly with the food. John, the GM, and a lot of the original team are still there, which says a lot. You can feel that experience and care in the service and the overall vibe. Definitely still one of NYC’s top sushi spots. Can’t wait to go back.

A Y

We went as a group of four Omakase first-timers and were so glad that we did. The ambiance is subdued modern and not so traditional as to feel intimidating. Everyone—from the chef to the sommelier to the rest of the staff—was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. We could whisper and laugh quietly, and take photos throughout the meal which was perfect for us. The food was outstanding. We love sushi but aren’t connoisseurs and can be happy with anything ranging from all-you-can-eat sushi buffet to small sushi joints. This, of course, was on a completely different level. About a third of the 21 courses were truly phenomenal and unlike anything we’ve had before. Our favorites included the scallop, goldeneye snapper, baby yellowtail, bluefin tuna, and medium toro. I don't normally like creme brulee and didn't finish mine, but some others in the group loved it. Everyone was satisfyingly full at the end. Sushi Counter is $190 per person, same as "Lounge Counter" which is just a smaller counter that sits 4 and is a little more intimate, instead of about 10 at the Sushi Counter. The sake pairing, priced at $120, was a highlight we’d highly recommend. The sommelier did an excellent job explaining each of the seven sakes, which even the non-drinkers in our group found interesting. At well over $1000 for four, I'm not sure it's something I'd do again anytime soon, but it was absolutely worth it, especially as first-timers.

Vlad

Chef’s table. Chefs Omakase at $250 per person. Great experience. Exceeded expectations. Attentive service. Interaction with Chefs 100% worth it. Outstanding freshness. Warm sable fish, scallop from Hokkaido, sea urchin, A5 Wagyu all great. And creme brûlée to end it was just perfect.

+3

Eljin Aguila

Have been here twice. Date of most recent visit was February 2025. Went with a party of 4, sushi counter for dinner. 2 of us availed the Premium Omakase and the other 2 with the wine pairing. Superb food. Exceptional service. We were served by the Executive Chef Shawn Li, awesome funny guy! All of the sushi were fresh, flavorful and well presented. You need a reservation to get in, and they fill out quick, i recommend reserving as soon as the spots open. Overall, 100% recommend and will definitely come back on special occasions.

+17

Anjoleen San Nicolas

What an absolute pleasure to dine here! From the moment we walked in the service was great and attentive. We were lucky enough to sit in front of Sushi Chef Dai. He was so welcoming, informative and kind. He told us about each bite with such enthusiasm and knowledge. Not only was each bite well executed and delicious but he shared some amazing stories and insights about the preparation, story and history of the bites. Truly was an adventure. Fumi our server was great as well. Dan also made a point to check in on us. Hospitality and service was on point, Overall great experience. We wanted a delicious and thoughtful experience for our short trip and it was just that. Thank you to everyone on the team!

+7

Mara

An extraordinary omakase experience - elegant, precise and unforgettable. Every piece of sushi is crafted to perfection, with the freshest ingredients and an impeccable balance of flavours. The attention to detail, from the presentation to the pacing of the meal, is truly remarkable. The ambiance is refined yet welcoming, making the experience feel both special and effortless. If you appreciate top-tier sushi, this is a must-visit.

+17

Daniel Laguna

Sushi Nakazawa offers top-quality Japanese cuisine with an excellent selection of fresh and diverse fish. The Chef's Omakase is the go-to option, featuring the best ingredients of the day. The restaurant is small and intimate, with an elegant ambiance and attentive service.

+3

Becky C

This restaurant offers a truly exceptional dining experience, starting with its elegant. The service is top-notch, with thoughtful touches like coat checking and offering warm towels to guests, making you feel pampered from the moment you arrive. The sushi is a standout, with each piece crafted from incredibly fresh ingredients and of the highest quality. The delicate flavors and perfect textures make every bite a delight. If you're looking for a refined, memorable dining experience, this place is definitely worth a visit.

+2

Not sure what there is to be said about Sushi Nakazawa that hasn't already been said. It's well deserving of the Michelin praise - from the service to the food to the space, etc.

Not sure what there is to be said about sushi Nakazawa that hasn't already been said. It's well deserving of the Michelin praise - from the service to the food to the space, etc.

Not sure what there is to be said about Sushi Nakazawa that hasn't already been said. It's well deserving of the Michelin praise - from the service to the food to the space, etc.

Awesome omakase for special occasions.\n\nWent for a bday dinner - was here last year and felt it was a great enough experience to come back and was not disappointed. Every dish was delicious and wel…

Great omakase at an incredible price for Michelin recognized.\n\nWe went with the sushi counter, Classic featuring 17 pieces before supplemental add ons.\n\nEach bite was exceptional with enhanceme…

Great omakase at an incredible price for Michelin recognized.\n\nWe went with the sushi counter, Classic featuring 17 pieces before supplemental add ons.\n\nEach bite was exceptional with enhanceme…

My significant other and I went to sushi Nakazawa last year and we were blown away. When we walked in, without saying a word, the maître d' knew who we were and immediately seated us (we were at a …

service is top of the line. The 20 pieces are extraordinary. We would definitely come back again.

After Shin Bay in Scottsdale, Sushi Nakazawa is easily the best sushi my husband and I have ever had. The whole evening felt seamless, from the effortless online reservation to being seated within …

Definitely one of the better value Omakases in New York. Not only was each piece delicious, but the service went above and beyond as well. Ambiance was very intimate and formal. It's great for date…

Definitely one of the better value Omakases in New York. Not only was each piece delicious, but the service went above and beyond as well. ambiance was very intimate and formal. It's great for date…

My wife and I went here for our 1 year wedding anniversary. Very attentive service, calm and relaxing atmosphere, fresh fish/seafood sourced from Japan and prime oceans. Our sushi chef was really n…

My wife and I went here for our 1 year wedding anniversary. Very attentive service, calm and relaxing atmosphere, fresh fish/seafood sourced from Japan and prime oceans. Our sushi chef was really n…

I've come here several times since 2016 and the ambiance, staff and quality of the sushi does not disappoint. My husband is a big fan of the Jiro Dreams of Sushi documentary and continues to come b…

I'm not usually a big fan of omakase, but I've heard great things about Sushi Nakazawa. The tasting menu consists of approximately 20 pieces of nigiri, and it's priced differently depending on wher…

Heard some great things about this place so our expectations were high but happy to say those expectations were met. We had a reservation at the chef's counter for dinner. We were greeted upon entr…

Let's be honest, Omakase has taken over NYC, and there are a lot of hit and misses. Nakazawa has been delivering a top notch experience, both food and service for more than ten years. An absolute…

Let's be honest, Omakase has taken over NYC, and there are a lot of hit and misses. Nakazawa has been delivering a top notch experience, both food and service for more than ten years. An absolute…

Went with an old colleague and his son. Delicious super fresh range of sushi accompanied by crisp daiginjo sake. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amazing quality and service. Wine quite pricey but you are in the west village so as expected. staff super helpful, explaining every course.

Amazing quality and service. wine quite pricey but you are in the west village so as expected. Staff super helpful, explaining every course.

Not your typical zen sushi place but bustling action in a black and white environment. The sake/wine list is one of the best in the city. The 21 pieces of nigiri are equisite. The service super fri…

Excellent omakase lunch! Everything was very creatively prepared. service was great. Being at the counter is the best experience. Recommend the truffle supplement, which I think was served on a pie…

4.5, really eye-opening selection of sushi! Very expensive wine The set was $150 for 20 pieces. Definitely recommend to try

4.5, really eye-opening selection of sushi! Very expensive wine The set was $150 for 20 pieces. Definitely recommend to try

Omakase in NYC can get obscenely expensive, and while this place certainly is still a splurge, I think it represents the sweet-spot on the quality/price spectrum. The feel is tranquil and profess…

Amazing experience. Difficult to get a Sushi counter reservation but 100% worth the effort to do so, as having the food prepared in front of you, along with the Chef's commentary is wonderful.

This was a pretty good omakase experience, but not necessarily incredible. The sushi tasted excellent, and having 20 pieces was ideal. The selection and presentation, though, was a bit uninspired and seemed to just check the boxes of what you expect at omakase. The atmosphere was the weakest point. The lights were bright, white walls, grey carpets, and black tables gave a monochromatic look, and even the counter was all white. Most other omakase places keep low warm lighting with spotlights for the food, natural colors and earth tones like bamboo for the counter, furniture, and walls. Being the *complete* opposite was really jarring. If you're only looking for good sushi, this is a good choice. But I'm not likely to come back to this restaurant.

Yev Yak

Sushi Nakazawa has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and after finally securing a reservation, I was excited to experience it. Spoiler: while there were certainly high points, a few aspects left me a bit underwhelmed. First Impressions: I had a 5:00 PM reservation, right when the restaurant opens, and there was already a small crowd lined up outside. Once inside, everyone was briefly seated in a quiet waiting area before being escorted to our table. The atmosphere during that wait felt oddly sterile, almost like a doctor’s office. Given how many staff were already present, I’m not sure why everyone wasn’t just seated right away. Service: The service was excellent, polite, attentive, and clearly well-trained. It was everything you’d expect from a Michelin-starred establishment. Food: This is where my expectations fell a bit short. I’m not sure if the experience differs at the sushi counter, but at the table, the nigiri was served in themed plates: one with three types of salmon, one with tuna, another with white fish, and so on. While the fish quality was solid, it didn’t feel significantly elevated above what you’d find at a non-Michelin omakase. Personally, I found the themed approach a bit monotonous, eating three variations of the same fish back to back didn’t allow for much contrast between bites. I would’ve preferred a more varied progression that showcased different textures and flavors in a more balanced sequence. Some pieces also tasted slightly fishy, which was surprising. Rice: The rice was a bit warmer than I would have liked, and in some pieces, the vinegary seasoning was overpowering. It also felt slightly overcooked at times. Overall: It was a good experience, but I wouldn’t say it stands significantly above a non-Michelin omakase. While it’s relatively affordable compared to other Michelin-starred omakase spots, you can definitely find the same quality—if not better—at non-Michelin restaurants.

+4

Katherine Ng

Celebrating a birthday at Sushi Nakazawa is less of a dinner reservation and more of an entrance into a beautifully choreographed world where sushi becomes performance art—and you’re the very lucky audience. This is high-end omakase with a capital O, and it delivers on every quiet, exquisite detail. From the moment we were seated—three of us at the counter—we knew we were in good hands. Two servers emerged in perfect synchrony, placing plates before us as if conducting a culinary ballet. It was subtle, deliberate, and oddly soothing. Then, in a moment of quiet brilliance, they noticed I’m left-handed. Without a word, every single round after that was presented in reverse, just for me. Not a single “oh wow you’re lefty!” announcement, just graceful, thoughtful accommodation. That kind of attentiveness? Rare. And deeply appreciated. As for the sushi itself—every piece was a study in balance, temperature, texture, and technique. Impossibly fresh, impeccably cut, and served at the exact second it wanted to be eaten. Each bite made the case for silence at the table, not because it’s stiff or formal, but because you just want to focus. Truly, sushi that demands your full attention—and rewards it. Now, the one hiccup. At one point, my phone—traitor that it is—accidentally flashed mid-photo. And the server’s reaction was immediate and intense, cutting through the serene atmosphere like a needle drop in a meditation room. I understand the sanctity of the experience, and that preserving ambiance is important, but the reaction was… a bit jarring. It momentarily shifted the mood from reverent to rattled. That said, it was a blip in an otherwise extraordinary evening. The service was still exceptional, the ambiance largely serene, and the experience—especially for a birthday—felt thoughtful and refined in a way that’s hard to come by, even at this level. In short: Sushi Nakazawa is a masterclass in detail and discipline. Come hungry, come respectful, maybe leave the flash at home—but absolutely come.

+2

Good sushi. Some of the pieces had large netas which I loved. The squid was really really good. Did not disappoint.

Nakazawa is a perfectly good omakase experience, but I feel like one can do better for the price. Hard to say why exactly other than the fact that nothing really wowed me. That being said, I did si…

It’s an omakase, but the atmosphere made us feel rushed the entire time. The fish quality is decent and meets the basic standard. However, I’m not sure the chef truly highlights or brings out the best qualities of the ingredients. The execution doesn’t fully showcase the natural flavors of the fish. Overall, it’s the kind of place you try once and that’s it. There wasn’t a single course that made me want to order it again or come back for an encore.

Came here for my second time after two years and honestly didn't have as great of an experience.\n\nThe fish was really good, the uni, the salmon, the tuna, but I just didn't have a great experie…

Not the Michelin experience that we are used to. We had the classic sushi omakase experience and we left feeling we overpaid for our meal. Food did not taste amazing, it was pretty much bland from …

Not the Michelin experience that we are used to. We had the classic sushi omakase experience and we left feeling we overpaid for our meal. food did not taste amazing, it was pretty much bland f…

Not the Michelin experience that we are used to. We had the classic sushi omakase experience and we left feeling we overpaid for our meal. Food did not taste amazing, it was pretty much bland fro…

sushi you can get anywhere, probably for lower price too. Have been to many sushi restaurants - see my other reviews worldwide. This one goes far down the list even though it’s one star Michelin.…

Sushi you can get anywhere, probably for lower price too. Have been to many sushi restaurants - see my other reviews worldwide. This one goes far down the list even though it’s one star Michelin. T…

Dan Minger

BLUF: Poor lunch experience, maybe dinner is better. The server told us the difference between the classic omakase and the lunch version was only portion size but that all the same fish were served - that was not correct as they served 7 additional fish in the classic. When I asked the server and the host why they told us that, they both were clueless. The food was subpar - they brûléed nearly all of the dishes. The atmosphere was sterile without character.

Booked this spot for my 40th birthday. Missed the confirmation email (my fault), and when I was 15 minutes away I saw they'd cancelled the reservation. Fine, I get it.\n\nSo I call to see if there's …

Booked this spot for my 40th birthday. Missed the confirmation email (my fault), and when I was 15 minutes away I saw they'd cancelled the reservation. Fine, I get it.\n\nSo I call to see if there'…

Booked this spot for my 40th birthday. Missed the confirmation email (my fault), and when I was 15 minutes away I saw they'd cancelled the reservation. Fine, I get it.\n\nSo I call to see if there'…

The GENERAL manager John Shin was a complete sh**. We had a bad experience.We had a reservation at 9:15 we came earlier to enjoy a drink. We sat down and waited about 15-20mins, Not like the place…

The GENERAL manager John Shin was a complete sh**. We had a bad experience.We had a reservation at 9:15 we came earlier to enjoy a drink. We sat down and waited about 15-20mins, Not like the place…

Had an absolutely horrible experience at sushi nakazawa. As we were waiting for our table, the gm told us we had to leave because we had given him feedback years ago that his behavior was racist. T…

Kalyan Marpak

Great food, terrible service = terrible experience Had a lunch reservation at the counter for 1400, reached the restaurant at 1330 and there was no one in the lobby. After sitting there by myself for about 10 mins, someone showed up asked if anyone had met me and disappeared. I think I was the only one who had a reservation for the 2 pm slot so they got me started in the existing service - this meant the chef had to serve my courses with the folks who were already mid way and resulted in pretty long wait times for me. Sushi was spot on, chef was amazing and spoke to me whenever I asked him to Service staff are terrible, borderline indifferent, definitely not interested. But such a shame, it ruined the entire experience for me.

+19