Best Date Night Sushi Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Sushi Hayashi
An unusually value-forward omakase where AYCE nigiri and free-flow sake make it feel like a party rather than a ceremony.
Notable Picks
8.8
Intimate omakase counter in Midtown East serving around 14–15 courses of nigiri-focused sushi with an optional all-you-can-eat format that keeps serious fish lovers engaged. The room is compact and low-lit, so it feels tailored to couples who want to focus on the chef and the fish rather than the scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
AYCE Omakase Nigiri (14-course), Toro Nigiri, Wagyu Beef Nigiri
What makes it special: An unusually value-forward omakase where AYCE nigiri and free-flow sake make it feel like a party rather than a ceremony.
8.6
Since 1963, this pioneering Midtown Japanese restaurant has offered Edo-style sushi, hand-cut soba, and refined tempura in a calm, almost retro setting. It’s more of a full Japanese dining experience than a pure sushiya, but couples get serious fish, deep sake lists, and tatami-style privacy that reads as special-occasion date night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Negimayaki (scallion and prime beef roll), Sushi deluxe combination, Sashimi over sushi rice
What makes it special: New York’s original Edo-style sushi house, credited with inventing beef negimayaki.
#3
Sushi Ann
8.5
An Edomae-style institution tucked just off Park Avenue, Sushi Ann focuses almost exclusively on pristine sushi and sashimi with a serious lunch and dinner omakase program. The room is understated and calm, making it a strong pick for couples who care more about perfect rice and fish than decorative flourishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bluefin Tuna Flight, Chef’s omakase nigiri, Spicy tuna roll
What makes it special: Strictly traditional Edomae sushi executed with old-school precision and minimal distractions.
#4
Sushi You
8.4
Basement-level, counter-focused omakase run by chef Miku, Sushi You feels like stepping into a nostalgic, personal sushi bar with Japanese music videos on the TVs and a regular-heavy clientele. The omakase leans creative but precise, with toro, hotate, and seasonal specials making it a playful, intimate date for sushi fans.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sushi Omakase (6 pieces and hand roll), Sashimi Omakase (15 pieces), Crepe Cake
What makes it special: A bar-style omakase with playful plating and a devoted following among sushi obsessives, without the formality or pricing of marquee counters.
8.3
Set in a 19th-century Turtle Bay townhouse, Crave Sushi Bar pairs sustainability-minded sourcing with a cocktail-ready sushi menu and softly lit, ocean-toned dining room. It reads as a modern date-night spot where rolls like the Spicy Maine Lobster sit alongside creative nigiri and a lively bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon crispy rice, Warm buttery crab roll, Brown butter local scallop
What makes it special: A sustainability-forward sushi bar using 100% domestic seafood in a stylish townhouse space.
#6
Sushi Ginza
8.1
Sushi Ginza on First Avenue blends omakase, composed appetizers, and generous chirashi lunches in a comfortable, modern room that works for both dates and business dinners. It’s not as rarefied as the city’s priciest counters, but couples get polished fish, solid cocktails, and a relaxed Midtown pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Avocado Tartare, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Yellowtail Nigiri
What makes it special: A stylish, contemporary room with omakase-level fish quality and a menu that ranges from lunch bento to composed nigiri and tartares.
8.0
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Inside The Hugh food hall, KazuNori’s Midtown East counter turns out Nozawa-style hand rolls built around warm rice, crispy nori, and focused fillings. The menu is built on set combinations of toro, crab, scallop, and salmon, giving Midtown diners a fast but quality-driven alternative to sit-down sushi.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro Hand Roll, Bay Scallop Hand Roll, Blue Crab Hand Roll
What makes it special: A dedicated hand-roll bar where warm rice, crisp nori, and tightly edited fillings deliver a very high quality-to-speed ratio.