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Restaurant Nippon
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Restaurant Nippon
8.8
Since 1963, Restaurant Nippon has been Midtown East’s classic Edo-style dining room, pairing pristine sushi and sashimi with signatures like beef negimayaki and hand-cut soba. Guests come for precise, traditional fish work and a serene, old-school room that still draws business regulars and Japanese expatriates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Negimayaki (scallion and prime beef roll), Sushi deluxe combination, Sashimi over sushi rice
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: New York’s original Edo-style sushi house, credited with inventing beef negimayaki.
Who should go: Sushi traditionalists and serious Japanese food fans.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or lingering business lunches.
What to order: Beef negimayaki, sushi deluxe, soba or curry special.
Insider tip: Ask for sushi-centric seating and add beef negimayaki as a shared starter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce during peak hours. Several paid garages sit within a 1–2 block radius.
Dress code: Smart casual; business attire fits naturally, but polished jeans and a collared shirt are acceptable.
Noise level: Low to moderate — calm enough for business talk or date-night conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation, depending on theater and hotel traffic.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though prime business lunch hours may add a short queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — vegetable rolls, soba, cooked appetizers, and seasonal vegetable dishes.
Vegan options: Limited — vegetable rolls, seaweed salads, and plain soba; confirm dashi use with staff.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — sashimi, most nigiri, and plain soba options work; ask for gluten-free soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the serene, old-school dining room, attentive service, and polished sushi make it an elegant but not intimidating choice.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially at lunch or early dinner. For peak dinner windows, calling ahead or reserving is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable for well-behaved older kids, but the room skews quiet and formal. No kids’ menu or stroller-friendly layout.
Best For
Better for: Classic Edo-style technique, pristine traditional fish work, and signature dishes like beef negimayaki in a calm, upscale setting.
Skip if: You want experimental omakase theatrics, loud energy, or ultra-budget sushi options.
Restaurant Nippon
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, Sashimi platter, Hand-cut soba
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: One of NYC’s original sushi destinations with tatami rooms and classic Edo-style fare.
Who should go: Traditionalists who want old-school Japanese formality
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for quieter, more romantic pacing
What to order: Beef negimayaki, assorted sashimi, hand-cut soba
Insider tip: Reserve a tatami room in advance for the most romantic and private experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Midtown East is limited; metered spots open up after 7pm but are competitive. Closest reliable option is nearby paid garages ($25–$35). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning refined. Dark denim is acceptable, but most guests wear button-downs, blouses, or understated date-night attire.
Noise level: Low to moderate. Main dining room has gentle chatter; tatami rooms are notably quiet and ideal for conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes for small parties if you walk in; longer for peak 7–8pm unless you have a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, aside from occasional business-lunch surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good options: vegetable tempura, soba, salads, and grilled vegetable dishes. Sushi choices include cucumber, oshinko, and other classic vegetable rolls.
Vegan options: Limited but workable: vegetable rolls, seaweed salad, and select vegetable tempura (confirm batter).
Gluten-free options: Moderate accommodations: sashimi, many grilled items, and soba made without wheat (verify availability). Soy sauce substitutions available on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The calm, classic atmosphere and tatami-style seating create a relaxed intimacy without feeling overly formal. It’s ideal if your date appreciates traditional Japanese dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, especially on weeknights or early evenings. Tatami rooms and prime weekend slots book out, so reserve if you need privacy or a specific seating style.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older children familiar with Japanese cuisine. No dedicated kids’ menu, and the ambiance skews quiet, making it better for families seeking a calm meal rather than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: A full-spectrum traditional Japanese experience—sushi, soba, tempura, and refined service—in a calm, retro setting that’s stronger on atmosphere and breadth than ultra-modern omakase counters.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge omakase, flashy presentation, or the city’s most experimental nigiri. This is a classicist’s destination, not a trend-driven one.