Best Japanese Restaurants in Midtown East (10017)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Sushi Yasuda
Classic NYC sushi bar format built around disciplined nigiri.
Notable Picks
#1
Sushi Yasuda
8.6
A long-running Midtown sushiya where the best version of the meal is clean, traditional nigiri with careful rice temperature and straightforward seasoning. It’s strongest when you keep the order classic—sit at the bar if you can, let the chef steer, and avoid overcomplicating the arc with too many rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase/nigiri set, Toro nigiri, Uni (when quality is strong)
What makes it special: Classic NYC sushi bar format built around disciplined nigiri.
#2
Hatsuhana
8.4
A long-running Midtown East sushi address that works best as an upscale-but-approachable lunch or early dinner move, with reliable fish and a steady, business-friendly rhythm. Go for their set formats and you’ll get the strongest quality-to-price lane without overthinking the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Box of Dreams, Sushi Deluxe set, Omakase
What makes it special: Decades-deep Midtown sushi sets anchored by the signature Box of Dreams.
8.3
A Midtown omakase room tuned for a modern, high-energy tasting arc—fast-moving courses, playful embellishments, and a ‘treat night’ feel without going fully austere. It lands best when you commit to the set menu and let the pacing carry you rather than trying to customize every turn.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase set, Hokkaido uni rice (when offered), Hand roll finale
What makes it special: Modern omakase pacing with crowd-pleasing course design.
#4
Sakagura
8.3
A subterranean sake-first Japanese dining room built for small plates, bottles, and a lively after-work cadence near Grand Central. It’s strongest when you order like an izakaya: pick a sake direction, then stack a tight run of shareable plates to match.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sake flight, Sashimi platter, Seasonal izakaya small plates
What makes it special: A sake-driven izakaya format with bottle depth and share-plate momentum.
#5
Kaoru
8.0
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Midtown East Japanese kitchen that works as a flexible sushi-and-donburi stop—solid fish, comforting rice bowls, and a reliably easy lunch/dinner lane. The best move is to go donburi or nigiri-forward and add one smart appetizer so the meal feels complete without drifting into menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chirashi bowl, Sushi-nigiri set, Spicy scallop (when offered)
What makes it special: A dependable sushi-and-donburi hybrid built for Midtown routines.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Katagiri-grocery counter built around handheld onigiri that hit best as a fast, affordable Midtown meal with zero ceremony. Pick two rice balls with contrasting flavors, eat them fresh, and treat it as the quick win it’s designed to be.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled eel onigiri, Spam musubi, Spicy tuna onigiri
What makes it special: Handmade onigiri variety inside Katagiri for fast Midtown fuel.