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Zutto Japanese American Bar (Tribeca)
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Zutto Japanese American Bar (Tribeca)
8.3
A Tribeca pub that’s most rewarding when you treat sushi as the headliner and everything else as supporting cast—cocktails, small plates, and a steady, after-work rhythm. The fish selection and roll execution are reliable enough for repeat visits, especially when you keep the order focused and skip the menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s sushi/sashimi selection, Spicy tuna roll, Miso ramen
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Pub energy with sushi that holds up as the main event.
Who should go: After-work groups and sushi-first regulars
When to visit: Weeknights before 7 for easier tables
What to order: Sushi selection, spicy tuna roll, ramen
Insider tip: Order sushi first, then add one hot item only.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but most diners lean polished after work.
Noise level: Moderate—lively pub hum but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 minute pause
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, salads, and a few cooked plates work well.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with simple rolls and sides, but not a core strength.
Gluten-free options: Some options available—sashimi and select dishes, but soy sauce substitutions may be limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it strikes a comfortable middle ground: polished enough to feel intentional, casual enough to avoid pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights before 7pm; weekends are tougher, especially for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids—there’s no kids menu, but simple rolls and noodles can work for flexible eaters.
Best For
Better for: A relaxed, repeatable sushi night with cocktails and group-friendly energy—less formal than omakase spots.
Skip if: You want a pure sushi temple experience or highly specialized fish sourcing—look elsewhere for that level of focus.
Zutto Japanese American Bar (Tribeca)
7.9
A Tribeca pub built for flexible nights—sushi, ramen, and drinks—where the smartest move is to keep the order tight and let the kitchen do a few things well. Treat sushi as the anchor, add one warm bowl or plate, and stop before menu sprawl dulls the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sushi selection, Ramen, Spicy tuna roll
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Pub energy with sushi and ramen that stay dependable.
Who should go: After-work crews and sushi-first regulars
When to visit: Weeknights before 7 for easier tables
What to order: Sushi selection, spicy tuna roll, one ramen
Insider tip: Order sushi first, then add only one hot item.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking in TriBeCa; metered spots are scarce after 6pm. Paid garages within a few blocks are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and clean sneakers are fine, but most guests lean polished after work.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively pub energy, but conversation at the table is still comfortable.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short one under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie rolls, salads, and a few meat-free small plates are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of roll and salad options; ask about ramen broth before ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited — sashimi and some simple rolls work, but soy-based sauces are common.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something low-pressure. The pub vibe keeps it casual while sushi gives the meal enough polish to feel intentional.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights before 7pm. Later evenings and weekends are tougher, but bar seating can be a solid fallback.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who enjoy sushi or noodles. There’s no kids menu, and the evening crowd skews adult.
Best For
Better for: Flexible nights that mix sushi, ramen, and drinks without committing to a formal omakase or full izakaya experience.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate sushi bar or a destination-level ramen experience—there are more specialized spots nearby.
Zutto Japanese American Bar (Tribeca)
8.2
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A quietly strategic business-lunch option when you want something more relaxed than a formal dining room: ramen and sushi that land reliably, a casual pub feel, and service that keeps things moving. Works especially well for repeat lunches where you want consistency without ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ramen, Sushi Assortment, Bento-Style Lunch
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A lunch-capable Japanese pub that stays efficient and dependable.
Who should go: Repeat lunch meetings and solo work lunches
When to visit: Weekday lunch for quickest service
What to order: Ramen, sushi assortment, bento-style lunch
Insider tip: Stick to ramen + one sushi add-on for a clean, fast lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and time-restricted; nearby paid garages within a few blocks are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy to hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak times without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; tables usually turn quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, salads, and non-meat ramen options are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-forward dishes work, but ask about broth and sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited — sashimi and some sushi options work; soy sauce substitutions may be available on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for low-pressure, casual first dates than romantic ones — it’s comfortable and unfussy, but not designed to impress.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially at lunch or early dinner; walk-ins are usually accommodated with minimal wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally fine for older kids who enjoy noodles or sushi, but it’s more adult-oriented than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Efficient lunches, solo dining, and repeat meetings where consistency and speed matter more than atmosphere.
Skip if: You’re looking for a high-end sushi experience, a celebratory business meal, or a quiet, upscale setting.
Zutto Japanese American Bar (Tribeca)
8.3
A lively, cocktail-friendly Japanese-leaning room that works for dates who want sushi and drinks without committing to a full omakase production. The sweet spot is to mix rolls or chirashi with one warm dish, then let the bar program carry the rest of the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chirashi bowl, Spicy tuna roll, Signature ramen (as a shareable second act)
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Sushi-plus-cocktails energy that feels like a real night out.
Who should go: Couples who like a bar vibe
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for smoother pacing
What to order: Chirashi, one specialty roll, one warm share plate
Insider tip: Start at the bar, then move to a table if it opens up.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Tribeca; expect difficulty after 6pm. Paid garages within a few blocks are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jeans are fine, but polished tops, heels, or a jacket fit the room better.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is easy early, but the room gets louder as the bar fills later at night.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, salads, and a few cooked plates make it workable.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with roll and small-plate selections, but requires asking the server.
Gluten-free options: Yes — sashimi, chirashi, and some cooked dishes work; request tamari instead of soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want energy without pressure. The bar-forward vibe gives you something to talk about, and the menu is flexible enough to keep things casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings. On busy nights, starting at the bar is the smartest move while you wait for a table to open up.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. While there’s no formal restriction, the cocktail-driven, late-night energy makes it better suited for adults rather than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Dates that want sushi plus cocktails and a lively atmosphere without committing to a long omakase.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate sushi counter or a traditional omakase-focused experience.