Sushi Seki

Should you book Sushi Seki for your next sushi night in Chelsea?

Yes, with caveats. Sushi Seki at 208 W 23rd St is a Chelsea sushi counter that has earned consecutive recognition on the Opinionated About Dining (OAD) Leading Restaurants in North America list — ranked #304 in 2025, up from #334 in 2024, after a Recommended nod in 2023. That upward trajectory matters: it signals a kitchen gaining confidence, not coasting. If you want a serious sushi experience south of Midtown without committing to the prices at Joji or Shion 69 Leonard Street, Sushi Seki belongs on your shortlist.

The Room and the Experience

Sushi Seki operates as an evening-only destination, open Monday through Saturday from 5 pm to 12:30 am and closed Sundays. That late closing time is notable: this is one of the few OAD-recognised sushi counters in New York where you can walk in after a show or a late meeting and still get serious nigiri. The extended hours give it a flexibility that more formal omakase rooms — where seatings are fixed and early , simply do not offer. For a special occasion that starts late, that matters more than it might sound.

Chef Seki Shi runs the kitchen, and the format leans toward the kind of sushi counter where the chef's relationship with the guest is central to the experience. The setting is Chelsea rather than the Upper East Side enclaves where many comparable rooms operate, which keeps the mood slightly less stiff and more accessible for first-timers to high-end sushi. If you have previously visited Blue Ribbon Sushi and want to take a clear step up in precision and sourcing, Sushi Seki is the logical next move.

The Drinks Program

Sushi Seki's drinks offering is worth factoring into your booking decision, particularly for date nights or celebratory dinners. A well-curated sake list is standard expectation at a counter of this calibre, and pairing sake with omakase-style nigiri remains one of the more reliable ways to get full value from a sushi meal. The late hours also mean the bar component of the evening can extend naturally after the meal, which is unusual for sushi at this quality level. If you are comparing this to Bar Masa purely on drinks flexibility and late-night access, Sushi Seki is the more practical choice. For the deepest sake programme in a structured omakase setting, Sushi Sho remains a benchmark, but Sushi Seki's hours give it an edge for guests who want the meal and the evening rolled into one.

Ratings and Recognition

• OAD North America: #304 (2025), #334 (2024), Recommended (2023)
• Google Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 (346 reviews)

Booking and Practical Details

Reservations: Booking is rated Easy , you do not need to plan weeks ahead, which is unusual for a venue at this recognition level. Book a few days out to secure your preferred time, but same-week availability is realistic. Hours: Monday–Saturday, 5 pm–12:30 am; closed Sunday. Dress: No dress code is listed; Chelsea sushi counter norms apply , smart casual is appropriate and never out of place. Budget: Price range is not published, but OAD Top 300-range sushi in New York typically runs $150–$250 per person before drinks; plan accordingly. Getting there: 208 W 23rd St, Chelsea , well-served by the 1, C, and E subway lines at 23rd St.

How It Compares

See the full comparison below. For broader context on eating and drinking in New York, see our full New York City restaurants guide, our full New York City bars guide, and our full New York City hotels guide. For sushi at the highest level internationally, Harutaka in Tokyo and Sushi Shikon in Hong Kong are the reference points. For comparable commitment to craft in other US cities, see Providence in Los Angeles and Smyth in Chicago.

FAQ: Sushi Seki, New York City

• How far ahead should I book Sushi Seki? A few days to a week is typically enough , booking difficulty is rated Easy, which is rare for an OAD Top 300 restaurant. Same-week reservations are realistic, though Friday and Saturday evenings will tighten up.
• What are alternatives to Sushi Seki in New York City? For a step up in formality and price, Joji and Shion 69 Leonard Street are the natural comparisons. For a more casual sushi evening, Blue Ribbon Sushi covers the gap below. If budget is not a constraint, Bar Masa offers the Masa experience at a lower commitment than the main counter.
• Can I eat at the bar at Sushi Seki? Sushi counters of this format typically seat guests at the bar as the primary experience , that is the point. Counter seating is standard here, and it is the format that gets you the most direct interaction with the chef.
• Is Sushi Seki good for solo dining? Yes. Counter sushi is one of the leading formats for solo diners: you are facing the chef, the pacing is set for you, and there is no social obligation to fill a table. Solo diners booking a seat at Sushi Seki are doing it right.
• Is Sushi Seki good for a special occasion? Yes, particularly for a date or an intimate celebration. The late hours, the OAD recognition, and the counter format combine well for a two-person special occasion. For a larger group celebration, a private dining room elsewhere would serve you better.
• Is lunch or dinner better at Sushi Seki? Dinner only , Sushi Seki does not open for lunch. Hours run 5 pm to 12:30 am Monday through Saturday, so all bookings are evening sittings. The late-night availability makes it one of the more flexible options in its tier.
• Can Sushi Seki accommodate groups? Groups are possible but depend on seat count, which is not published. For parties of four or more, contact the restaurant directly before booking to confirm availability and any group arrangements. Large groups are generally a poor fit for counter-format sushi rooms.
• What should I wear to Sushi Seki? No dress code is listed. Smart casual is the sensible call for an OAD-recognised sushi counter in Chelsea , clean, put-together, but not black-tie. Overly casual attire would feel out of step with the experience level.

Also worth knowing: our New York City wineries guide and our New York City experiences guide are useful if you are building a full itinerary around your visit. For destination-level dining benchmarks elsewhere, see The French Laundry in Napa, Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg, Lazy Bear in San Francisco, and Emeril's in New Orleans.