Ozakaya
Japanese · Brooklyn
Savoring Japan's heart in Brooklyn
About Ozakaya
Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn at 635 Vanderbilt Ave, Ozakaya is more than just a restaurant; it's an immersive journey into authentic Japanese cuisine. Our mission is to bring the essence of Japan's culinary culture to you, serving up traditional flavors with a modern twist. We offer a diverse ra...
Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn at 635 Vanderbilt Ave, Ozakaya is more than just a restaurant; it's an immersive journey into authentic Japanese cuisine. Our mission is to bring the essence of Japan's culinary culture to you, serving up traditional flavors with a modern twist. We offer a diverse range of dining experiences, from intimate omakase dinners to lively izakaya-style gatherings. With 4.7/5 ratings based on 1510 reviews, our commitment to quality and service is evident in every bite. Whether you're exploring the rich tapestry of sushi, savoring handcrafted ramen, or indulging in seasonal small plates, Ozakaya promises an unforgettable taste adventure. Join us for a dining experience that celebrates the beauty and depth of Japanese gastronomy.
What Customers Say About Ozakaya
Ozakaya is a beloved Japanese restaurant in Brooklyn known for its fresh, high-quality food and cozy atmosphere. The sushi, especially the Kaishin Don and rolls, are highly praised. Expect a wait or make a reservation.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Make a reservation, as it's popular. Some reviewers recommend the Kaishin Don and sushi rolls for their freshness and flavor.
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What to see nearby
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Explore the area around Ozakaya
Ozakaya is located in Brooklyn, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- Union Temple (A 527m) — synagogue in Brooklyn, New York Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
- Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew (A 545m) — church building in Brooklyn, United States of America Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
Religious Buildings
- St. Augustine's Church (A 681m) — Roman Catholic church in Brooklyn, New York
Parks & Gardens
- James Forten Playground (A 274m) — playground park in Brooklyn, NYC
- Lowry Triangle (A 404m) — park in Kings County, New York, United States of America
- Dean Playground (A 516m) — park in the United States of America
- Elijah Stroud Playground (A 645m) — park in Brooklyn, New York, the United States of America
- Gateway Triangle (A 684m) — park in Kings County, New York, United States of America
Other Points of Interest
- Ward Baking Company Building (A 335m) — bakery in New York, United States
- Troubled Sleep (A 621m) — bookstore in Brooklyn, New York
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Frequently asked questions about Ozakaya
Ozakaya Brooklyn Reviews
I love chai latte and carrot cake here. They were so good. Staffs were nice and a lot of cupcake for optional. I will comeback again to try another cupcake for sure.
I’m 🍃right now and the Banana pudding from here it’s absolutely delicious and amazing. The most homemade flavor I’ve ever had. So fluffy, abundant and filling. I will give it 100/10 ⭐️ best dessert ever
Attention cake lovers!! One of the best bakeries in the City! Everything is good and delicious! You will wanna buy everything! Location: It is located in Vanderbilt Avenue. The interior is super nice, has this girly bakery vibe! Nice display of all the cakes, make you want to buy everything. Service: buy and go! The employees are nice and takes time for you to order. Just order, pay and go home. Food: I love everything here to be honest! From cakes, pies and cupcakes! BANANA NUTELLA CAKE: this is my favorite, omg banana and nutella in one!! What can you ask for? It is super moist and you will eat the whole thing! BLACK and WHITE CAKE: this is just exactly like the cookie, so good and moist! STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: taste amazing strawberry, moist and not that sweet. SOUTHERN RED VELVET: one of my fave! The moist red velvet and not that sweet cream cheese frosting is just perfect! CONFETTI CAKE: if you eat this it feels like your birthday! Lol so good! DOUBLE CHOCOLATE: typical chocolate cake but very good. TIRAMISU: so good, there is a kick of coffee! BLUE VELVET CAKE: delicious blue velvet with fresh blueberry inside! Price rating: 6/10, the price matches all the deliciousness! Been here multiple times and definitely coming back for more! Get my recommendation and you definitely will come back! But get the banana Nutella! Lol
I was dying to try the Brooklyn Blackout and Strawberry Shortcake, I was finally able to make it in and I was not disappointed. They definitely live up to hype. They are a bit pricey but so worth it!! The lady behind the counter also recommended I try the dreaming princess and Mott street slice, I’ll definitely be back for those.
Loved this bakeshop! The cheesecake and the Brooklyn blackout cake were incredible. Very friendly staff and cozy atmosphere. I recommend grabbing some baked goods and walking over to prospect park to enjoy!
The cheesecake is divine and same for banana pudding. Dear god this is absolutely heavenly. Def get both
The “Dreaming Princess” is legitimately the favorite desert / slice of cake I’ve ever eaten. I get sad when I sometimes go and it’s not there (even though everything else is delicious). Please never discontinue Dreaming Princess Cake! Sincerely, Dreaming Princess Lover
Bought a freshly baked apple pie for Thanksgiving dinner and now my family wants the same (but make it 2!) for Christmas! Loved finding this gem of a bakery! They were very friendly and helpful as well.
I was sad when a friend moved away to Brooklyn, but happy that she moved near this cute, delicious cake shop. The cake is always moist, the frosting thick and creamy, the slices delightfully enormous. I don't love the flavor of the Brooklyn Blackout cake, but that's more about my taste in chocolate than their execution. Everything else I've had there has been yum yum yum. Service is friendly and they're open late. What else could you want? Maybe additional locations near me :-)
Every time I find myself in Prospect Heights, I stop in to pick up slices of their amazing layer cakes. My favorite is the classic Carrot Cake, but the German Chocolate and Coconut Cloud are very good as well.
I love this bakery. I’ve been coming here for years, and every year I choose a different flavor to add to my repertoire, & it never disappoints. The staff is always so kind and patient with me. I’ve introduced this bakery to all of my family and friends, and it’s become a favorite for many of us.
Omg I love this so much my server Nya she was absolutely amazing. Help me out to get some birthday cakes for my grandma for her birthday today. I really do appreciate her so much. She was so sweet and understanding. Great staff. I love that. She made me feel so welcome. I just wanna hug her.
The atmosphere is basically how I'd imagine a izakaya in Tokyo! The food was PHENOMENAL. The Hokkaido seafood nabe was literally the perfect size for two people and was tender fresh meats and fresh veggies. The mentaiko korokke was to die for! Even their tempura blew away any I've had before! Treat yourself to hot barley tea during your meal, which really helps with digestion, and afterwards please try the yuzu cheesecake 🤤 Dennis and the other staff members were super attentive and kept the table incredibly clean while we ate, bringing the food with IMMACULATE timing. Incredible service, Everyone from the hosts to the servers even to some random guy from the back who showed me where the toilet was! 5 stars + 10 more stars.
Ozakaya was exceptional. They offer a diverse range of Japanese dishes—from sushi omakase and wagyu to donburi and ochazuke. It was a delight to try such a variety, and the quality across the board was top-tier. The space has ample seating, and even the mochi matcha dessert was the perfect ending to a satisfying meal. I can absolutely see why this place is so popular. Service was also attentive and professional!
Their rolls are really good and HUGE, but lowkey on the pricier side (like $22 min for a roll). Wish it was less of a trek to get here :’) - Ozakaya roll: 9/10, pretty tasty, and so many toppings - Hanabi roll: 8/10, I liked the fish roe a lot, and love seared salmon *Note: Wanna come back for their more popular dishes, like the kaisendon, and their lunch special which seems like more value
Ozakaya is a well known Japanese restaurant in Brooklyn, located in the heart of prospect heights. Place was packed but overall service was good and efficient. We got the Geso Karaage, Hanabi roll, Kaishin Don, and the Mentai Pasta. The Geso Karaage was lightly battered and very crisp, went well with the spicy mayo dip. The Hanabi roll had Ikura on top and seared salmon, tasted good, the sushi did fall apart for some of the pieces though. Mentai Pasta had a decent amount of cream, noodles were thick but easy to eat, the bacon was a little overly rich and contrasted with the Mentai pasta, but overall it was a great dish. Standout was the Kaishin Don, beautiful presentation and perfect size for sharing. Lots of fish and a good amount of Uni, Uni was creamy and all the pieces worked together to form a great dish. I had a wonderful experience here and will definitely go back.
Went there on Christmas Day for the first time after really wanting to try this place. Unfortunately, they were out of uni and the cocktail I was most excited about, but everything else was great. We ordered wagyu, ozakaya rolls and mentaiko pasta each dish was flavorful and well prepared. Even though it was a very busy night, they still managed to get us a table and the service was attentive. Overall a lovely experience and I’d definitely come back to try more next time
FOOD WAS FLAVORED REALLY WELL. I came in expecting to get mentaiko pasta and lunch specials, but ended up only purchasing the mentaiko pasta to go and ordered a lot of their Fall specials. Everything was flavored JUST right. The hokkaido uni portions are fairly hefty since the size of hokkaido uni is small so they stack them. There is a MILD bitterness to the uni, but to be quite honest havent had insanely fresh hokkaido uni ANYWHERE since before the pandemic. The bitterness was only slight, but can definitely taste the umami sweetness still. Their ikura has been marinated incredibly well. It definitely tastes like high end ikura. In fact, ALL of their dishes taste like higher end dishes. Props to the chefs for doing great prep work. We got one pot of genmaicha, one pot of hojicha, the mini omakase, sushi donburi set, two hokkaido uni a la carte, two hotate a la carte, the rice cake with matcha ice cream & red bean topping, and also a mentaiko pasta to go. The dessert was really really good, i really recommend it. Id say the mini omakase and sushi donburi were MORE THAN enough to fill us up, but we really wanted more uni and to try the hotate. The hotate was not bad and really soft, but i did prefer the hokkaido uni sushi a lot more. The really awesome thing about the sushi donburi is you can make MULTIPLE hand rolls out of it. I ordered 8 more nori sheets because i just loved making the hand rolls soooo much. There was still so much fish and rice left after all the handrolls i made. The waitress offered to finish me off with dashi broth in the rice bowl and it really gave me the confidence to finish the rest of my food despite being completely stuffed. The mixture of the sushi rice and the soup really elevated the soup because it went from a dashi broth to a whole nother soup. There was a sourness to the soup since the rice vinegar in the rice mixed with the dashi broth. If you enjoy sour food, youd REALLY love the soup. On top of the food being really good, the service was incredible. From the hospitality to the explanations to attentiveness to our table, everything was top tier. I highly recommend this place, especially if you’re looking for a DIY handroll experience. Our bill came up to over $200 for two people, but you could easily be just as satisfied with only the sushi donburi set.
A stunning Japanese spot with high quality fish and well crafted nigiri. We started with a miso black cod and the 10-piece nigiri set, and both were exceptional. The cod was rich and umami-packed, while the nigiri featured generous high-quality cuts and perfect fish-to-rice balance, with highlights like uni, chutoro, hotate, and ikura. The Kaishi Don, loaded with chopped fatty tuna, uni, and ikura, was similarly rich and satisfying. Overall, a super memorable Japanese meal in a modern and snug space. Easily one of the best Japanese options in NYC.
Super convenient to get to, even if you are staying in a different area. You can just hop on the Q train and it is only a block from the metro exit, which makes it an easy stop for dinner. I usually go to omakase places when I travel but this time I was with my family and my mom cannot eat raw fish. This spot ended up being perfect because it has something for everyone, and the seafood quality is honestly top notch. Presentation is beautiful too. I tried their seasonal menu and loved the scallops with yuzu sauce. The wagyu rice bowl was delicious as well. The staff members were nice and attentive the whole time, so that added to the experience. I really cannot complain about the food quality. I enjoyed everything I tried. The tan tan spicy ramen was good too, according to my mom. I tasted the broth and loved how well seasoned it was without leaving that salty aftertaste. Lovely. The only thing I wish were better is the bacon they use for the creamy mentaiko pasta. The flavor was good, but the bacon was not crispy, so it felt a little out of place texture-wise. Other than that, I would definitely come back. I recommend making a reservation if you have a group of four or more because the space is pretty small. If you are traveling with your family and you want your night of raw fish while your parents prefer hot food, this is the place to be. Everyone gets something they enjoy.
very good quality ingredients but the uni don was smaller than expected and there was a lot of rice in comparison (you can’t really see in this photo), it was still very delicious so don’t get me wrong there as I would still recommend. I think the star of the show was the mentai udon, that was one of the best mentai I’ve ever had so if you love that I would 10000% recommend.
Our time at Ozakaya was fantastic. The food was top notch and we were happy with every dish we ordered. Especially the Agedashi Tofu. The broth was absolutely incredible. Also, the entire staff was super nice and our server Pim did a fantastic job and helped us with any questions we had. Will definitely be back!
Had lunch here with a few friends and the food was really good and fresh! I tried the Kaishin Don, which consisted of uni, ikura, and otoro over rice with a side of seaweed. My friends tried the katsu curry, udon, and ramen, and all the dishes did not disappoint. I recommend making a reservation on Resy ahead of time though. The place was packed by 12:30pm on a Saturday.
I have brought numerous people to Ozakaya to show it off and every time they leave in shock of how quality and delicious the food is.. as well as the presentation. Their rolls, their nigiri, their kaisendon bowls I mean you can’t go wrong. Service is quick and simple. Fabulous place to indulge in some tasty sushi. They also have a patio for a warmer night!
Ozakaya is an absolute gem! The ambience is stunning: dimly lit and beautifully designed, making it the perfect spot for birthdays, dates, or intimate gatherings with friends and loved ones. The food is phenomenal; each dish somehow tops the last, and you can tell real care goes into the flavors and presentation. Service is equally impressive. Everyone was attentive, warm, and knowledgeable. Truly one of those places where the overall experience makes you want to come back again and again. Already planning my next visit!
Ozakaya is such a gem in Brooklyn! The atmosphere is cozy and stylish, it is perfect for a casual dinner or a special night out. The food was fresh and delicious we loved every single item!! I definitely recommend trying their omakase set and sushi rolls! The presentation is immaculate. The service was exceptional , the staff really made sure we felt taken care of. Definitely a new go-to spot for me. Highly recommend🤍🍣
The food was so amazing! If you love fish and sushi, you will love this! Everything was so fresh and tasty. We also ate fried oysters, karage, and the yaki udon, all were amazing. Our waitress was also so sweet and attentive even with a full seating. I went in a Monday night and it was packed so definitely reserve if you can.
Ozakaya is such a wonderful restaurant. The food is so fresh and tasty. Everything I ate was so good and the portion size was enough to make you feel good but not too full, which I loved because I felt that way when I went to Japan. You can’t go wrong coming to this restaurant because you will not be disappointed. Staff were also so friendly! I will definitely be back.
Stopped by Ozakaya in Brooklyn for lunch on a hot day and it hit the spot! The food was absolutely delicious, and the ice-cold Asahis were perfect in the heat. ☀️🍺 The service was outstanding — they accommodated our group of 7 plus a stroller without hesitation. My toddler was asleep in his stroller and they were so sweet about letting him rest, which is a rare kindness in NYC. We felt really taken care of. Definitely coming back! ❤️🍣
This Japanese restaurant is absolutely worth the visit. The delicious food here is reason enough for why this spot is my favorite Japanese restaurant in NYC.\n\nThey currently have a winter menu to…
I was first introduced to Ozakaya at Plate by Plate, a tasting benefit, where I tried their Donburi with Hokkaido Uni and I was instantly blown away . The seafood was unbelievably fresh, and the un…
We have been missing Japan and wanted to try out this restaurant. First, be sure to have a reservation, because it's popular and beloved for a reason. Impeccable friendly service, a warm hand towel…
We have been missing Japan and wanted to try out this restaurant. First, be sure to have a reservation, because it's popular and beloved for a reason. Impeccable friendly service, a warm hand towel…
food was delicious, didn't expect the amount for the order. For the space, it was kinda tight but the food definitely made up for it. The employees and owner came out with the food quick and pr…
This place was SO GOOD. I am a sushi fanatic and everything was so fresh. We did the lunch special and got a roll & 2 rice dishes. That was a LOT of food for three people, and going back we should'…
I tried the Kaishin Don and the 10-piece sushi set at Ozakaya sushi in Prospect Heights, and honestly what stood out the most was the freshness. Everything was handled with a minimalist approach:…
This place is a Gem!\nFreshest food, Great service from the door and relaxed atmosphere. But the food was The Best!! Prepared by Artists.
Ozakaya is a must-try for quality Japanese food, ranging from sushi and karage to hamachi collar and their fall special menu! We finally got lucky with a short wait time and ate here a couple weeks…
i went on a weekend around lunchtime and we were seated immediately. incredibly fresh and well-portioned, especially for these prices! can't wait to go back.
Solid 4.5 stars for a japanese retaurant with lots of yummy options.\nHuge portions on the tempura bowl with leftovers for another meal. My other friends tried the kaishin don, katsu curry, udon, a…
Ozakaya, my top favorite Japanese spot near Prospect Park, brings Tokyo's Tsujihan style famous luxury seafood bowl to NYC. It was a showstopping moment when they brought it to our table-so gorgeou…
I haven't been here in person, but only done food delivery. \nThe sake don is so good here and I get their classic roll set. \n\nThe pickles that comes with the lunch set is a nice complement and I…
3.5/5 not really 4 The Brooklyn blackout cake is a bit overhyped, it was kind of dry. However the strawberry cake was pretty good. Their other options are better. Slices were huge and its a cute place with plenty of seating. Plus friendly service.
I came here 2 times after reading the reviews. I tried different cakes. I love a couple of them, such as red velvet cupcakes, original cheesecake, and key lime pie. Others are super sweet. The icing is extremely over sweet, and they will definitely give you diabetes. Like young people. The price is not cheap here but the cake tastes fresh so i don't mind about the price too much. Staff are friendly doing their job. I will come back after the overall experience.
This is a nice Japanese Restaurant serving Prospect Heights and the adjacent areas of Brooklyn. Clean facilities. Nicely decorated. The specialty menu items are the star ⭐️. Staff is not Japanese, but they are very friendly. Reasonably priced. Card payments are accepted. Great place if you want try something new. We will definitely be going back.
Delivery Order:\nThe Ozakaya Roll and Miso Black Cod are delicious!!! I've ordered twice. For the price of the Black Cod, rice should be included. Otherwise no complaints. 10/10 on these orders.
Delivery Order:\nThe Ozakaya Roll and Miso Black Cod are delicious!!! I've ordered twice. For the price of the Black Cod, rice should be included. Otherwise no complaints. 10/10 on these orders.
delivery Order:\nThe Ozakaya Roll and Miso Black Cod are delicious!!! I've ordered twice. For the price of the Black Cod, rice should be included. Otherwise no complaints. 10/10 on these orders.
Great spot in Brooklyn, was easy to travel to from the city.\n\nThe menu has so many options to choose from definitely will be back to try other items.
Izakaya New York delivers a cozy, energetic dining experience that captures the spirit of a traditional Japanese gastropub right in the city. The menu offers a great variety of small plates, perfect …
The menu has many options and they have many special dinner set. Food and service is good and I like the fish decor in ceiling.
Managed to get a last minute lunch reservation on a Saturday afternoon. Nice ambience but I did feel like the tables were a bit close together - they're really popular right now. \n\nWe got some su…
Came here after seeing hype around this place but left thinking it was all paid TikTok influencing. It's extremely MID.\n\nHad reservations but waited about half an hour to get seated. We got the o…
Good food but do not order from a delivery app! Twice in the last month I've ordered only for the order to be canceled after waiting for 1.5 hours. They can't figure out the delivery app situatio…
I came here after seeing a lot of hype on TikTok and was excited to try it out. The food was good overall, but my experience didn’t quite match what I saw on social media. I didn’t receive a wet towel at the beginning like others mentioned, and when I ordered a new fall menu item, I noticed some people received soup when they didn’t finish the rice -but I didn’t get that either. I gave it another try on a second visit, and the service still felt a bit underwhelming. It’s not bad, but definitely not what I expected based on the videos.
Ranges from okay to great, and the staff is always sweet, but opening this after paying $10 & looking forward to trying this cake was upsetting. 95% of the frosting is on the paper. The cashier/server was pleasant, but I don’t understand why she thought this was acceptable.
The bakery is very unique and cool with its unique flavors however I got multiple items from there and many of the cupcakes and cake slices were fairly dry in terms of the cake itself but the frosting was decent. The staff was nice and got our order done quick. The banana pudding cup was very good but the chocolate pudding was just okay in comparison
The wait is too long for what this is. Food is also too expensive for what it is. The staff told us it would be half an hour wait which turned out to be 1.5 hours.
I placed and order on Door Dash for 2 items. The employee put my 2 items in one box. I did not want the 2 items in one box. I wanted separate boxes. Then they give the delivery man my order, no utensils, no napkins, and no bag. Unprofessional! When i go in person to Little Cupcake, I want my regular slice cake.
I have been coming here for years and for the past few months, the shop has gone down hill. The size of the cupcakes and cake slices have gone down while prices have increased by 40%. Customer service is also unfriendly and generally bothered by customers placing orders. The businesses are really taking hits with rising costs and you can see that the owners are cutting costs via quality of goods and wages for their employees. And they don't care and are unbothered by customer feedback, clearly. Sigh. (Objects are smaller than they appear)
I'm here to echo some of the other recent reviews from the past year or so. I used to LOVE this place, and always got my birthday cake here, not to mention cake and coffee throughout the year. Lately the service has gone way down, in terms of staff attitude. Additionally, the cake quality and quantity have decreased, while prices have increased. The last few times I got cake, it was a noticeably smaller slice, and sometimes not very fresh. Really really sad. Doesn't seem like the managers read these either.
Every positive bit of feedback about this place has nothing to do with the baked goods. Kudos for having vegan options, but wow, we’ve gotta step it up on flavor because EEEYUCK. 3 cupcakes, 1 chocolate chip cookie and a peanut butter bar totaling $25. All of it tasted like stale air, it was evident that the vegan goods are days old and hard. The one positive is it reminded me just how spoiled I am as a vegan in Brooklyn. Absolutely disgusting, and I mean everything. Might as well take them off the menu and start from scratch. I see that you all are hiring, I considered applying to give this feedback more directly because the vegan baked goods are in crisis. Vegans, take your business to Clementine’s
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635 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
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635 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
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