Sushi Nakazawa is a omakase-only restaurant in Manhattan's Greenwich Village

Sushi Nakazawa operates as an omakase counter in lower Manhattan, meaning the chef decides what you eat rather than you ordering from a menu. The restaurant seats roughly a dozen people at a sushi bar where you watch the chef work. There is no à la carte ordering, no tables, and no separate dining room — you sit at the counter or you do not eat there.

The restaurant was founded by Dario Yoshida, a sushi chef trained in Japan who worked at other New York omakase spots before opening his own place. It has become one of the harder reservations to get in the city, with a waiting list that can stretch months depending on the season.

Key Takeaways

  • Sushi Nakazawa is omakase only, meaning you do not choose dishes — the chef presents a set progression of sushi and other items.
  • The restaurant seats only at a counter with roughly a dozen seats, so you must be comfortable sitting close to other diners and the chef.
  • Reservations are required and often booked weeks or months in advance through their reservation system.
  • The price per person is fixed and typically in the range of $200 to $300, though this can change seasonally.
  • The experience usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and the chef controls the pace and order of courses.

How to make a reservation

Sushi Nakazawa takes reservations through its own online booking system on its website. You select your date and time, provide your name and phone number, and receive a confirmation. The restaurant does not take phone reservations or walk-ins.

Availability opens on a rolling basis — typically you can book several weeks out, but the exact window varies. Popular times like Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly. If your preferred date is full, you can check back periodically as cancellations do happen, or try a weekday or early evening slot.

The restaurant asks that you cancel at least 24 hours in advance if your plans change. A no-show or late cancellation may affect your ability to book in the future.

What the omakase experience includes

Omakase means "I trust you" in Japanese, and at Sushi Nakazawa it means the chef presents a sequence of roughly 15 to 20 pieces of sushi, sashimi, and other preparations. You do not order — the chef decides what to serve based on what is fresh that day and the order in which flavors should build.

The progression typically starts with lighter, more delicate fish and moves toward richer or more assertive flavors. The chef may ask if you have allergies or strong dislikes, but otherwise the experience is set. You eat each piece as it is placed in front of you, usually with your hands, and the chef watches your reaction.

The meal includes soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger at the counter. Some pieces come with a small amount of wasabi already applied by the chef. Rice is part of most pieces, though some items may be served without it.

What to expect at the counter

The counter is intimate — you sit a few feet from the chef and other diners sit directly beside you. The chef is working throughout the meal, so conversation is usually quiet and limited. You are watching the chef's hands and the fish in front of you, not looking at a menu or your phone.

The meal moves at the chef's pace. You do not rush, but you also do not linger between pieces. Most meals take 45 minutes to an hour. The chef may explain what you are eating, or may say very little — this varies by chef and by day.

The counter itself is typically made of wood or stone and is spotless. You will see the fish, the knives, and the rice up close. If you are uncomfortable with raw fish, this is not the right restaurant — nearly everything served is raw or lightly cooked.

Pricing and what is included

Sushi Nakazawa charges a fixed price per person for the omakase experience. This price typically ranges from $200 to $300 depending on the season and the quality of fish available that day. The exact price is shown when you book your reservation.

The price includes all the sushi, sashimi, and other items the chef serves. It does not include drinks, tax, or tip. Beverages — water, tea, sake, wine, beer — are ordered separately and charged to your bill. Many people order sake or beer to pair with the meal.

Tip is customary and is usually added to your final bill. Most diners tip 18 to 20 percent on top of the food and drink charges.

Dietary restrictions and allergies

Tell the restaurant about allergies when you arrive, before the meal begins. The chef needs to know about shellfish, soy, or other allergies so they can adjust what they serve or how they prepare it.

Vegetarian or vegan diets are difficult to accommodate at an omakase restaurant because nearly all items contain fish or seafood. Some restaurants can serve a modified omakase with cooked items or vegetables, but you should contact Sushi Nakazawa directly before booking to ask whether they can work with your diet. Do not assume they can.

If you dislike raw fish, omakase is not the right format for you. Most pieces are raw, and the chef's role is to showcase the fish itself, not to cook it.

Cancellations and no-shows

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your reservation time. You can usually cancel through the same online system where you booked, or by calling the restaurant directly.

If you do not show up or cancel less than 24 hours before your time, the restaurant may charge you a cancellation fee or may restrict your future bookings. Because the restaurant is small and each reservation is limited, no-shows affect the chef's ability to plan and other diners' access to seats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a guest or make a reservation for a group?

Reservations are per person, and you book for yourself. If you want to dine with others, each person needs their own reservation. The restaurant will try to seat groups together at the counter if you mention it when booking, but this is not may provide because seating is limited and fixed.

What if I do not like raw fish?

Omakase is built around raw fish, and nearly every piece served will be raw or very lightly cooked. If you are uncomfortable with raw fish, this restaurant is not a good fit. There are other sushi restaurants in the city that offer cooked options and à la carte menus.

Can I request specific fish or avoid certain items?

Omakase means the chef decides. You can tell the chef about allergies or strong dislikes, and they will work around those. But you cannot request specific fish or ask to skip items you do not want to try. That defeats the purpose of omakase.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Availability varies by season. Popular times like Friday and Saturday evenings can book out weeks in advance. Weekday lunches and early evenings often have more availability. Check the reservation system to see what dates are open — there is no fixed rule.

What is the dress code?

The restaurant is casual. You do not need a jacket or formal clothes. Clean, neat clothing is appropriate. Because you are sitting at a counter and eating with your hands, avoid loose sleeves or anything that might drag through soy sauce or wasabi.