Best New York City Sushi 2025
Editor’s Note: This blog is part of the “2025 New York City Sushi Guide‘, presented by Ledge Headwear. The digital guide features a number of articles, collections, “best ofs” and “What to dos” for the Big Apple, and can accessed directly at NYCSushiGuide.com. As always, we appreciate your support of the blog and Ledge Headwear, the designer cap brand designed in New York and handmade in the hills of Piemonte at a generational family factory.,
As Omakase has taken over the New York City sushi scene, I frequently get asked “hey, legend, you’re amazing and kind and wonderful and all that. Where can I go for great sushi that doesn’t require 2.5 hours at a counter and a $1,000 credit card bill”?
It’s a reasonable question to ask. There’s plenty of reasons why someone wouldn’t want to sit four across at a counter; double dates, family meals, interventions, etc.
Below, I’ve gathered my five favourites. My entire catalogue of articles on the New York City Sushi Scene can be found here or at NYCSushiGuide.com.
Have any issues? Feel free to drop me a line at info@thesushilegend.com or follow me on Instagram at @TheSushiLegend and slide into the DMs if not.
Thanks for reading.
Hasaki
Best for: Couples dinner where budget is secondary to great sushi
Approximate cost: $50
Location: St. Marks
Hasaki is one of those sushiya that you’ll leave muttering “where the fuck have you been”. Down a staircase in St. Marks, with only a (very cool) sushi bar sign marking the entrance, is 10 tables usually packed with families, first dates and weird solo diners (k maybe that’s just me). Review here.
Hatsuhana
Best for: Cube monkeys seeking an hour break from the cold realities of corporate america
Cost: $60
Location: Midtown
I recently returned to Hatsuhana after 10 years away for a lunchtime omakase and I’m pleased to report it’s as good as ever. This is a sushiya that has existed since 1976 – one year before Kurumazushi – and yet it’s as popular as ever. The Hatsuhana omakase is similar to LA sushiya (and really, many Japanese sushiya). They keep serving until you say stop, and the price updates accordingly. Reservations are certainly recommended for lunch. Review here.
Marumi
Best for: A fantastic neighborhood sushiya, last-minute reservations, no-frills
Cost: $40+
Location: Greenwich Village and NYU Central
Marumi is located on Laguardia Place, south of Washington Square Park, right in the heart of NYU’s campus. Ms. Legend and I actually discovered it the old fashioned way – by walking by it one day while looking for a brunch spot. Most of the people who eat there are local – you won’t find many tourists hearing about Marumi from their friends. But that’s completely fine; people who know sushi – and not just from Tao – know Marumi.
The Atmosphere inside is phenomenal. Brightly lit and open, it seats approximately 30 (with 12 or so at the “L shaped” Sushi bar). The staff is friendly and efficient; food comes quickly, and they are knowledgeable. Though the fantastic “clear soup” is no longer on the menu, there’s still plenty on offer for any sushi sensibility.
Read my full review here.
Sushi Ann
Best for: Hatsuhana with better Uni
Cost: $50
Location: Midtown
The Omakase starts at $100, but in a throwback to how things used to be before the set menu took over, it’s very much “choose your own adventure”. Courses keep coming until you tell them to stop.
Our bill ended up at $150 each. Sushi Ann does offer an extensive a la carte menu if that’s more your speed.
Sushi Ann reminded me of the sushiya I visited for lunch in Japan, particularly おけいすし (Okei Sushi) in Shibuya. There is no 5 course preamble, no intervals to check baseball scores on my phone. Just nigiri followed by nigiri and on it goes every minute. If we weren’t chatting about my recent fantasy baseball championship (first time in 20 years, you may have seen it on Sportscenter), our meal may have finished in 30 minutes.
Review here.
Sushi Yasaka
Best for: Family nights out
Cost: $50
Location: Upper West Side
Not only was Sushi Yasaka delicious, but it also had a wonderful atmosphere. The food was completely reasonable, with an omakase offering for around $40. Sure it comes all on one platter, but smart sushi bloggers can just photograph each piece of nigiri individually. Once again, Sushi of Gari can take note from another restaurant how to effectively use sauce/toppings on nigiri (hint: it’s not by dumping it on).
The Atmosphere was a revelation, particularly given my expectations. Dark but not depressing, it sort of felt like a much trendier restaurant down in Soho. There are a lot of tables at Sushi Yasaka, so don’t expect something intimate; but given how busy it was, I was impressed that I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Review here.