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Shion 69 Leonard Street
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Shion 69 Leonard Street
9.2
An eight-seat Edomae omakase built around pristine seafood, immaculate knife work, and a calm, ceremony-forward pace. It’s a destination experience where every detail—rice temperature, seasoning, and timing—stays tightly controlled from first bite to tamago.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase nigiri progression, Seasonal otsumami, Tamago
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Edomae omakase with precision rice-and-fish control.
Who should go: Omakase loyalists celebrating something big
When to visit: Early seating for the calmest pacing
What to order: Omakase, seasonal add-ons, one sake pairing
Insider tip: Eat lightly beforehand—this menu rewards focus and pace.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; nearby paid garages in TriBeCa are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual to dressy—no jacket required, but this is not a shorts-and-sneakers room.
Noise level: Very quiet and intimate—conversation is easy and often minimal to respect the omakase flow.
Weekend wait: Reservation only; walk-ins are extremely unlikely due to the eight-seat counter.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service—dinner-only omakase with advance booking required.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Not accommodated—this is a fish-forward Edomae omakase with no vegetarian progression.
Vegan options: Not available—the experience is built entirely around seafood.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes—soy and seasoning can often be adjusted if noted in advance, but notify when booking.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if both people are comfortable with a quiet, high-focus experience—this is more ceremonial than conversational.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No—seats are extremely limited and bookings are essential, often secured well in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is an adults-only style experience best suited for diners who can sit attentively for the full omakase.
Best For
Better for: Purists who value Edomae technique, rice discipline, and a chef-led progression with zero distractions.
Skip if: You want flexibility, à la carte options, or a more social, talkative omakase atmosphere.
Shion 69 Leonard Street
8.9
A serious, chef-driven omakase that keeps the room quiet and the focus locked on fish quality, knife work, and progression. Best experienced as a full trust-the-chef meal where the texture changes and temperature control do the storytelling.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase nigiri progression, Toro (when offered), Uni (seasonal)
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A precision-first sushi counter where progression and technique carry the night.
Who should go: Omakase loyalists who want zero theatrics
When to visit: Earlier seating for the calmest, most focused service
What to order: Full omakase, add-ons if offered, dessert course
Insider tip: Skip extra snacks early—save appetite for the late-course peak bites.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited metered street parking nearby; garages on Leonard and Church are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jackets aren’t required, but polished attire fits the room.
Noise level: Low and controlled — quiet enough for focused conversation and chef interaction.
Weekend wait: Reservation strongly recommended; walk-ins are rarely accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-only omakase service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Not accommodated — the experience is fish-driven.
Vegan options: Not available.
Gluten-free options: Generally manageable if communicated in advance, but not a dedicated gluten-free experience.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re both comfortable with quiet, intimate settings. It’s conversation-friendly but serious, not playful.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very unlikely. This is a reservation-first counter with limited seats and fixed pacing.
Is it kid-friendly? No — best suited for adults who can sit through a long, quiet tasting menu without disruption.
Best For
Better for: Purists who care about fish quality, knife work, and progression over spectacle or volume.
Skip if: You want a lively room, flexible ordering, or a more casual sushi experience.
Shion 69 Leonard Street
8.9
A serious, quiet omakase counter where fish quality and progression take priority over theatrics. Best experienced as a full trust-the-chef run so the temperature shifts and texture changes land in the right order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase Progression, Seasonal Toro Course, Chef-Selected Nigiri Finale
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A precision-first omakase focused on progression and restraint.
Who should go: Omakase loyalists who want calm
When to visit: Earlier seating for the most focused experience
What to order: Full omakase, seasonal toro, chef-selected nigiri
Insider tip: Avoid extra add-ons early—save room for late-course peak bites.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in Tribeca, especially after 6pm. Paid garages are nearby on Leonard and Church Streets; plan on a short walk.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy. Jackets, elevated casualwear, or date-night attire fit the room best.
Noise level: Quiet and focused — easy conversation, with long stretches of attentive silence during courses.
Weekend wait: Reservation-only omakase. Walk-ins are extremely unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-only format.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Not accommodated. The experience is entirely seafood-driven.
Vegan options: Not available.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes with advance notice. Soy and preparation adjustments can usually be made if flagged when booking.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re both comfortable with quiet, focused dining. It’s intimate and refined, but not playful or chat-forward.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No. Seats are fixed per seating and typically booked in advance. Plan ahead and book online.
Is it kid-friendly? No. This is an adults-only, tasting-focused environment best suited for experienced diners.
Best For
Better for: Purists who value fish quality, temperature control, and calm pacing over spectacle or interaction-heavy omakase.
Skip if: You want a social, high-energy sushi counter or need flexibility with dietary restrictions.
Shion 69 Leonard Street
9.0
An intimate, eight-seat, Michelin-recognized omakase built for milestone date nights where the fish is the main character and the pacing is deliberate. Expect Edomae technique, premium sourcing, and a quiet room that rewards couples who want to focus on each bite instead of the scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase nigiri progression, Uni tasting (when available), Seasonal hairy crab dish (when available)
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A Michelin-recognized, eight-seat omakase with meticulous Edomae technique.
Who should go: Couples celebrating something big
When to visit: Weeknight seating for calm pacing
What to order: Omakase, uni courses, seasonal crab if offered
Insider tip: Mention favorite fish up front—courses can be tailored.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Tribeca; paid garages are available nearby but expect a short walk.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; no jacket required, but this is not a shorts-and-sneakers room.
Noise level: Very quiet and intimate — easy conversation, with most attention on the chef and the food.
Weekend wait: Reservation-only; walk-ins are extremely unlikely due to the eight-seat counter.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; dinner seatings only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Not recommended — the experience is fish-forward and omakase-driven.
Vegan options: No — this is a seafood-centric omakase with no vegan substitution path.
Gluten-free options: Mostly accommodating — many courses are naturally gluten-free, but soy-based elements may need adjustment if requested in advance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you already know you’re aligned on food and pacing. It’s intimate, quiet, and serious — better for established chemistry than casual getting-to-know-you energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No. Seats are limited and typically booked in advance; plan ahead and confirm dietary notes when reserving.
Is it kid-friendly? No. This is an adult-focused, chef-led omakase with long seatings and no kid accommodations.
Best For
Better for: Milestone date nights, anniversaries, and couples who want a focused, Michelin-caliber omakase where technique and sourcing are the main draw.
Skip if: You want a lively scene, à la carte flexibility, or a more budget-friendly sushi night — consider larger omakase counters or high-end sushi bars instead.