Noz 17

The Downtown Version of One of New York's Leading Omakase Counters

If you've already sat at Sushi Noz on the Upper East Side and want to go again, Noz 17 in Chelsea is the more accessible alternative; same chef, same philosophy, a slightly different room. If you're choosing between Noz 17 and Shota Omakase for your next omakase night, Noz 17 wins on prestige and accolades; Shota edges it on booking ease. Against Masa, Noz 17 is the more human-scale option at a lower price point with fewer hoops to jump through.

What You're Booking

Noz 17 holds a Michelin star (2024) and ranked #38 on Opinionated About Dining's Leading Restaurants in North America in 2024, climbing from #63 in 2023 to #42 in 2025; a trajectory that puts it firmly in the conversation for New York's leading omakase seats. The format is counter-only omakase at a seven-seat cypress bar, where Chef Junichi Matsuzaki runs a procession of otsumami, sashimi, nigiri built around sourcing and technical control. The room itself, warm wood, calibrated lighting, is designed to direct attention to the plate, not to the décor. For a first-time visitor, that setting communicates clearly: this is a serious counter, not a showroom.

If you've been once, the question is what brings you back. The answer, based on the OAD rankings and Michelin recognition, is the product quality and the chef's style, which leans free-wheeling rather than rigidly classical. Matsuzaki's omakase keeps the pace interesting across its courses, the acclaim suggests consistency rather than a single memorable dish. That's the right reason to return.

On the Takeout and Delivery Question

Noz 17 is an omakase counter. The entire value proposition is seated, sequential, dependent on temperature, timing, the chef's hand. Nigiri served minutes after it's formed is a fundamentally different product from nigiri that has travelled in a delivery bag. There is no version of this meal that works off-premise in any meaningful way. If your goal is high-quality Japanese food at home, a delivery order from a solid a la carte sushi spot in Chelsea will serve you better than attempting to translate Noz 17's format. The counter experience here is not separable from the food, it is the food. Book the seat or don't book at all.

Leading Time to Go

Noz 17 is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday and Tuesday, with no service Wednesday or Sunday. Given the seven-seat counter, every session is effectively a private event regardless of which night you choose. That said, if you're a returning guest looking to book with a smaller group or have a quieter experience, Thursday is your leading entry point, it's the start of the service week after the Wednesday closure, demand typically builds toward the weekend. Friday and Saturday are harder to get and carry more of a special-occasion energy even when that's not your intention. For a low-pressure return visit where the focus stays on the food, Thursday works in your favour.

Ratings and Recognition

• Michelin 1 Star (2024)
• Opinionated About Dining, Leading Restaurants in North America: #42 (2025), #38 (2024), #63 (2023)
• Star Wine List White Star (published November 2024)

Booking

This is a hard book. Seven seats across a limited weekly schedule means availability disappears fast. Plan for at least three to four weeks of lead time, more if you're targeting a Friday or Saturday. The counter format means no walk-in culture here, there is no bar to sit at while you wait for a cancellation. If you're serious about going, set a reminder for when your booking window opens and treat it like a ticket release.

Reservations: Book well in advance, four weeks minimum for weekends, two to three for early-week seatings. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday–Saturday 5 PM–11 PM; closed Wednesday and Sunday. Budget: $$$$ (omakase pricing; expect top-tier tasting menu costs consistent with Michelin-starred counters at this level). Dress: No stated dress code, but the room's atmosphere calls for smart casual at minimum. Seats: Seven-seat counter only, no private dining rooms or large group options.

How It Compares

See the full peer comparison below.

Explore More in New York City

Noz 17 sits at the concentrated end of New York's dining options. For the full picture of where it fits, browse our full New York City restaurants guide. If you're planning a wider trip, we also cover hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences across the city. For comparable counter-format omakase, Shota Omakase is the most direct local alternative. Bar Miller is worth knowing if you want something more casual in the same neighbourhood.

For serious tasting-menu dining elsewhere in the US, the reference points are Alinea in Chicago, The French Laundry in Napa, Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg, Providence in Los Angeles, and Emeril's in New Orleans. Internationally, Alain Ducasse at Louis XV in Monte Carlo and Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen represent the equivalent tier in Europe.