Sushi Amane
Sushi, Japanese · East Midtown-Turtle Bay, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Vinegar-Forward Omakase Precision
Price
$$$$
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Sushi Amane is a Michelin-starred omakase counter in Midtown East, Pearl Recommended for 2025. Chef Shion Uino serves a focused progression of Japanese-sourced fish over sharply vinegared rice in an intimate downstairs room. At $$$$ per head, it earns its price through sourcing discipline and technical precision; book well ahead, as the small counter fills fast.
About Sushi Amane
Verdict
Book Sushi Amane if a Michelin-starred, counter-format omakase in Midtown is what you're after. It earns its Pearl Recommended status and its 2024 Michelin star through technical precision, sourcing discipline, a service cadence that respects the format without performing it. At $$$$, it sits in the same price tier as Masa and Sushi Noz, but the experience skews more intimate and less theatrical than either. For a special occasion dinner where quality of fish and rice matters more than spectacle, this is the right room.
The Experience
Sushi Amane operates out of 245 E 44th St in Midtown East, downstairs from street level. The descent into a worn wood counter is the first signal that this is not a room built for Instagram; it is built for eating. The counter accommodates slightly more than a handful of guests, which means the room stays quiet enough for conversation and focused enough that the progression of courses holds your attention throughout the evening.
Chef Shion Uino runs the kitchen with a progression that follows a traditional omakase arc: light appetizers open the meal, the sushi sequence follows, the evening closes with warm miso soup and Okinawa brown sugar sorbet. The rice is sharply seasoned with multiple kinds of vinegar; a detail that matters more than most diners expect, fish are sourced directly from Japan. A rich nikiri glaze finishes many of the nigiri pieces. The appetizer stage includes preparations like pounded ankimo with pickles and fried amadai with hairy crab. These are not incidental bites; they set the register for what follows and signal that the kitchen is working with real technical intent.
On the service question, which at this price tier is always a fair one to ask, Sushi Amane does not offer the white-glove formality of Sushi Nakazawa or the grand-gesture hospitality of Masa. What it offers instead is focused, unhurried attention from a small team in a small room. For a date dinner or a celebration that does not need the trappings of a grand dining room, that restraint works in the venue's favour. The intimacy of the counter format means you are close to the preparation, the pacing is controlled by the kitchen rather than the clock. That is the trade you are making at Amane: depth over polish.
For diners who want the counter experience but find the Midtown address inconvenient, Kosaka in the West Village is worth considering. Sushi Yasuda, also in Midtown, offers a more accessible price point if the $$$$ tier is a stretch. For a similarly priced omakase with a different style emphasis, Sushi Noz on the Upper East Side is the direct peer comparison worth making: Noz is more formal, Amane is more focused. Both are legitimate at their price.
If you are planning a broader New York itinerary around this dinner, Pearl's full New York City restaurants guide, hotels guide, and bars guide are useful starting points. For experiences and wineries in the city, see also our experiences guide and wineries guide.
Internationally, omakase at this tier is a competitive category. Sushi Masaki Saito in Toronto and Endo at The Rotunda in London are the closest peer comparisons outside the US. Within the US, the counter-format fine dining conversation includes places like Lazy Bear in San Francisco and Alinea in Chicago, though the cuisine categories differ significantly. For those travelling from other US cities with strong restaurant scenes, Providence in Los Angeles, Emeril's in New Orleans, and Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg represent the comparable splurge tier in their respective markets.
Ratings & Recognition
- Pearl Recommended Restaurant (2025)
- Michelin 1 Star (2024)
Booking
Sushi Amane operates Tuesday through Saturday, 6 PM to 11 PM, is closed Sunday and Monday. Given the small counter size, demand is high relative to available seats. Treat this as a hard booking, plan well ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings. The format does not accommodate walk-ins in any realistic sense. Confirm the booking method directly with the venue, as no online booking link is currently listed.
Practical Details
| Detail | Sushi Amane | Sushi Noz | Sushi Yasuda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price tier | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Format | Omakase counter | Omakase counter | À la carte + omakase |
| Location | Midtown East | Upper East Side | Midtown East |
| Days open | Tue–Sat (dinner only) | Varies | Mon–Sat |
| Booking difficulty | Hard | Hard | Moderate |
| Michelin star | 1 Star (2024) | 1 Star | No star |
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: closed · Tuesday: 6 PM-11 PM
- Location
- 245 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- sushi-amane.com
- Phone
- (201) 676-0431
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sushi Amane presents a quietly refined omakase experience in Midtown East, operating from a basement counter that favors restraint over spectacle. The room is small and spare—a worn wood counter seating a handful of guests—so the chef’s movements and the progression of fish take center stage. The sense of tradition is palpable: sourcing begins in Japan’s fish markets and the format adheres to Tokyo-rooted practices. The overall effect is intimate and composed, a serene counter service where culinary craft, not decor, defines the evening.
Best For
This is a destination for an attentive dinner: ideal for date night or special occasions that benefit from focus and intimacy. With a single evening seating and limited capacity, the counter format encourages close attention to the sequence of courses and the chef’s technique. It also suits solo diners who want a direct line to the kitchen. Expect an evening-length progression centered on high-quality seafood—uni, abalone and amadai figure as signature highlights—rather than a casual or noisy meal.
Ordering Tips
Sushi Amane runs a classic omakase progression from the chef’s counter and emphasizes a single evening seating with limited capacity. Guests should come prepared to experience a sequential tasting that showcases fish sourced from Japan’s markets; signature items named for the venue include uni, abalone and amadai. Because the format centers on the chef’s pace and the continuity of courses, plan for a focused dinner at the counter rather than a la carte dining or social grazing.
Venue details
Ambiance
Silky wood counter in a quiet, tucked-away basement with humble, focused atmosphere emphasizing the sushi craftsmanship.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Quiet
- Service Style
- Omakase Bar
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- uni
- abalone
- amadai
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- closed
- Tuesday
- 6 PM-11 PM
- Wednesday
- 6 PM-11 PM
- Thursday
- 6 PM-11 PM
- Friday
- 6 PM-11 PM
- Saturday
- 6 PM-11 PM
- Sunday
- closed
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Le Bernardin; French, Seafood, $$$$
- Atomix; Modern Korean, Korean, $$$$
- Eleven Madison Park; French, Vegan, $$$$
- Masa; Sushi, Japanese, $$$$
- Per Se; French, Contemporary, $$$$
Restaurant context
At the $$$$ tier in New York City, Sushi Amane's closest direct competitor is Sushi Noz on the Upper East Side. Both are Michelin-starred omakase counters operating at a similar price point with fish sourced from Japan. The difference is register: Noz runs a more formal room with a higher level of service ceremony; Amane is quieter and more focused on the food itself. If service polish matters as much as the fish, Noz has the edge. If you want the counter experience without the formality, Amane is the better call.
Masa is the comparison everyone reaches for, but it belongs in a different category; the price is substantially higher and the service architecture is more elaborate. Unless budget is genuinely not a concern, Amane delivers comparable sourcing quality at a more defensible spend. For diners weighing omakase against other fine dining formats in the city, Le Bernardin and Atomix are the relevant non-sushi peers: Le Bernardin is the right choice if you want à la carte flexibility and a grander room; Atomix is the call if Modern Korean tasting menus interest you more than traditional Japanese. Eleven Madison Park and Per Se are both significantly more expensive in total spend and operate in a different hospitality register entirely.
The booking difficulty at Amane is hard; the counter is small and the restaurant operates only five evenings a week. Sushi Nakazawa is marginally easier to book and carries a lower price tag, making it the practical fallback if Amane is unavailable for your dates. For diners who want the omakase format at a lower price tier, Sushi Yasuda in Midtown offers a more accessible entry point without the same booking pressure.
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Unlock the full Sushi Amane guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sushi Amane
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sushi Amane | Sushi, Japanese | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 StarPearl Recommended Restaurants | Hard |
| Le Bernardin | French, Seafood | 2026 Eater NY 38 Best Restaurants in New York City · #82026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #132026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #212026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #342026 Forbes 5-Star2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #3 | Unknown |
| Atomix | Modern Korean, Korean | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #62026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #72026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #7Star Wine Lists 20262026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #12025 James Beard Awards · #12025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #2 | Unknown |
| Eleven Madison Park | French, Vegan | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #472026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #32025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #218 | Unknown |
| Masa | Sushi, Japanese | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #922026 Forbes 5-Star2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #672025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #862025 Michelin 2 Stars2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Forbes 5-Star | Unknown |
| Per Se | French, Contemporary | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #292026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Wine Spectator Grand Award2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #102025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #922025 Relais Chateaux Award | Unknown |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Sushi Amane?
There is no ordering; Sushi Amane is a fixed omakase format, so the chef decides the progression for you. Based on what the kitchen is known for, expect the meal to open with appetizers such as pounded ankimo with pickles or fried amadai with hairy crab before moving into nigiri seasoned with multiple vinegars and glazed with nikiri, closing with warm miso soup and Okinawa brown sugar sorbet. If you have strong preferences or aversions, flag them when you book rather than at the counter.
Does Sushi Amane handle dietary restrictions?
Sushi Amane's format is a chef-driven omakase with fish sourced directly from Japan, so the menu is built around seafood; this is not a flexible-format restaurant. Severe shellfish or seafood allergies are likely incompatible with the experience. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the restaurant in advance; last-minute requests at a small counter this size rarely land well.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Sushi Amane?
At $$$$ per head with a Michelin star and Pearl Recommended status, Sushi Amane justifies the price if counter-format omakase is your preferred dining mode. The rice is sharply seasoned with multiple vinegars, fish comes directly from Japan, the progression follows a considered arc from light appetizers through nigiri. If you want à la carte flexibility or a less formal fish-forward experience, this is the wrong venue; but on its own terms, the credential-to-price ratio holds up.
What should I wear to Sushi Amane?
The venue database doesn't specify a dress code, but a Michelin-starred counter omakase in Midtown East at $$$$ generally draws guests in business casual to business attire. Loud fragrances are a practical concern at any small sushi counter; chefs and fellow diners are close. Trainers and athleisure are likely to feel out of place, even if they're not prohibited.
Is Sushi Amane worth the price?
Yes, for the right diner. The 2024 Michelin star and Pearl Recommended recognition are earned markers at the $$$$ price point. Fish sourced directly from Japan and a rice program built on multiple vinegars reflect the kitchen's technical priorities. If you're comparing to Masa at a higher price ceiling, Amane offers comparable seriousness of ingredient sourcing at a lower entry cost; if you're comparing to more casual omakase options around the city, the gap in formality and ingredient quality is meaningful.
Is lunch or dinner better at Sushi Amane?
Sushi Amane only operates dinner service, Tuesday through Saturday from 6 PM to 11 PM, with no lunch service and no Sunday or Monday seatings. There is no lunch versus dinner decision to make; plan accordingly, especially if you're traveling to New York mid-week.
Is Sushi Amane good for solo dining?
Counter omakase is one of the formats where solo dining works best, Sushi Amane's worn wood counter with seating for a handful of guests is well-suited to it. A single seat is typically easier to secure than a pair, which can be an advantage when demand is high. Solo diners get full focus on the progression without coordinating pacing with a group.
