Best Japanese Restaurants in Brooklyn Heights & Downtown Brooklyn (11201)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Kiwami
Waterfront omakase with skyline views and a calm, design-forward dining room.
Notable Picks
#1
Kiwami
8.9
Kiwami is a waterfront omakase destination along Brooklyn Bridge Park, pairing skyline views with a tightly choreographed tasting menu and premium nigiri. The experience leans serene and celebratory, with a focus on chef-selected sashimi, composed plates, and high-quality ingredients served in a calm, design-forward room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Full omakase experience, Premium toro or wagyu supplement, Seasonal white-fish nigiri flights
What makes it special: Waterfront omakase with skyline views and a calm, design-forward dining room.
#2
Hibino
8.7
Hibino is a Kyoto-style Japanese restaurant in Cobble Hill known for fresh homemade tofu, daily-changing obanzai small plates, and carefully made sushi. Open since 2007, it functions as both a weeknight staple and a low-key destination for diners who want Japanese comfort food with a bit more precision and craft.
Must-Try Dishes:
Homemade Tofu, Salmon Hako Sushi, Kyoto Style Futomaki
What makes it special: Kyoto-style obanzai and fresh-made tofu give Hibino a distinct, homestyle personality beyond sushi alone.
#3
Kinjo
8.7
Kinjo is a 14-seat omakase counter and cocktail lounge tucked under the Manhattan Bridge, offering a seasonal 11-course sushi tasting and a separate bar menu of small plates and highball-style cocktails. Opened in 2024 in a converted torpedo factory, it’s quickly become a Dumbo go-to for sub-$100 omakase that feels more luxe than its price tag suggests.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal omakase nigiri progression, Signature cooked small plate from the current menu, Uni or toro course when available
What makes it special: Intimate omakase counter with a focused seasonal menu and serious cocktails in a dramatic Dumbo space.
#4
Mikado
8.6
Mikado is a polished Brooklyn Heights Japanese restaurant where sushi, sashimi, and cooked plates are treated with equal care in a relaxed but upgraded room. Locals lean on it for reliably fresh fish, generous lunch specials, and a menu that works for both casual meals and low-key celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna tart with crispy rice, Spicy tuna crunch maki, Chef’s assorted sashimi plate
What makes it special: Upscale neighborhood sushi with consistently high-quality fish and polished execution.
#5
Ki Sushi
8.4
Ki Sushi on Smith Street is a Cobbble Hill–Boerum Hill favorite where long-running staff, consistently fresh fish, and a big modern menu make it a go-to for date nights and group dinners. The room feels livelier and more polished than a takeout joint, but still casual enough for weeknight cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s choice sushi or sashimi platter, Ki signature specialty roll, Crispy tuna or salmon appetizer
What makes it special: Long-running Smith Street sushi house with loyal regulars, attentive staff, and consistently fresh rolls and sashimi.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Iron Chef House is a longtime Brooklyn Heights Japanese spot known for big portions, broad menus, and sushi that over-delivers for the price. Regulars treat it as an everyday sushi house where you can mix classic rolls, hot appetizers, and combo boxes without breaking the bank.
Must-Try Dishes:
Monkey roll, Dinner bento box with sushi and tempura, Salmon avocado roll
What makes it special: Big-portion neighborhood sushi with generous combos and better-than-expected quality for the price.
8.2
Sushi Gallery is a compact Clark Street storefront where loyal Brooklyn Heights regulars come for fresh fish, friendly service, and specialty rolls that feel more personal than chain sushi. It’s a low-frills dining room but an overachiever on quality for both dine-in and takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Marshall roll or other house specialty roll, Assorted nigiri sushi set, Salmon sashimi with ponzu
What makes it special: Tight, unfussy sushi counter with quietly excellent fish and local-regular energy.
8.0
Inside City Point’s DeKalb Market Hall, Daigo Handroll Bar focuses on made-to-order Tokyo-style hand rolls built around warm rice, crisp nori, and high-quality seafood. It’s a fast, counter-service way to get seriously good sushi in Downtown Brooklyn without committing to a long sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro hand roll, Eel avocado cut roll, Salmon ikura hand roll
What makes it special: Hand-roll-focused sushi bar inside a busy food hall, marrying quality fish with grab-and-go convenience.