Sushi Noz

Verdict

Sushi Noz is one of the most technically precise omakase experiences in New York City, the credentials back that up: two Michelin stars, #29 on Opinionated About Dining's North America ranking for 2025, 88 points on La Liste 2025. If you've been once and are weighing a return, the answer is yes; but book now. Chef Nozomu Abe's dates fill fast, this is not a walk-in counter.

The Room and the Experience

The hinoki-lined room at 181 E 78th St is deliberately quiet. This is not a venue for loud groups or a buzzy night out; the atmosphere is hushed and focused, which is the point. Kimono-dressed staff and Chef Abe himself see guests off at the end of the meal, which tells you something about the hospitality register here. If you found the room too intense on your first visit, it will be the same on your second. If you loved it, that atmosphere is consistent and intentional.

The format is omakase only. The meal opens with otsumami, cooked preparations like sea perch with fresh ponzu and ice fish, before moving to nigiri. Miso soup has featured eel "noodles" with salted egg yolk cream and crispy tofu. The nigiri itself is described by multiple sources as jewel-like in construction. For a returning guest, the sequencing will feel familiar; the seasonal sourcing is where the variation comes in. Chef Abe's commitment to pristine, largely unadorned fish means this is not the counter for those who want architectural presentations or heavy sauce work.

The Wine and Drinks Program

For a sushi counter, the beverage program at Sushi Noz is serious. Wine Director Tira Johnson oversees a cellar of approximately 1,100 selections with 3,400 bottles in inventory, with particular depth in Burgundy and Champagne. Wine pricing runs to $$$, meaning the list carries significant $100+ bottle options. The corkage fee is $200, which is high enough that bringing your own wine requires genuine calculation, a good bottle from the list is likely the more practical path for most guests.

For returning guests, the wine list is worth spending time on. The Burgundy depth in particular makes this a counter where the pairing opportunity is meaningful, not an afterthought. If you skipped the wine on your first visit, the second visit is the time to engage with the list properly. The sommelier team includes Haden Riles, Chris Gomez, Michael Chung, Heidi Kim, there is enough staff depth here to have a real conversation about what you're eating and what to pour alongside it.

Star Wine List has recognised the program with a White Star accreditation (published November 2024), which places it among the stronger wine lists in the city's fine dining tier. For a Japanese counter, a category not always known for wine depth, that credential carries weight.

Booking and Logistics

Booking here is near impossible without advance planning. Watch Chef Abe's specific dates and time slots when reservations open. The counter is small and the room fills. Dinner runs Monday through Saturday, 5:30–11:30 pm. The restaurant is closed Sundays. There is no lunch service, so the dinner-versus-lunch question is moot, dinner is the only option.

The price range is $$$$ across both cuisine and wine. For a returning guest thinking about bringing someone new, set expectations clearly: this is a commitment in time, attention, cost. It rewards those who come prepared to engage.

Pearl Picks: If You're Planning Around This

If Sushi Noz is the anchor of your New York trip, pair it with the right context. For more Japanese omakase options in the city, Masa, Sushi Amane, Sushi Nakazawa, Kosaka, and Sushi Yasuda cover a range of price points and formats. Our full New York City restaurants guide and bars guide are useful for building the rest of your itinerary. If you're travelling from outside the city, our New York City hotels guide covers where to stay nearby.

For comparable omakase experiences at the same tier in other cities: Sushi Masaki Saito in Toronto and Endo at The Rotunda in London are the closest international equivalents in terms of format and precision. If you're planning fine dining beyond New York, The French Laundry in Napa, Alinea in Chicago, and Providence in Los Angeles are Pearl-tracked options worth considering.