As far as special occasion dinners go, this was pretty top notch. Obviously the price point doesn't allow for this to be an everyday thing but when you're feeling like treating yourself, I highly recommend a dinner here. We came here with a Saturday night reservation for the Kotobuki Omakase option. The team at Naoki sushi all works very well together and the entire experience was super special and went very smoothly. I love the simple atmosphere and decor, it is relaxing, bright and very authentically Japanese. There wasn't a single thing that wasn't delicious in its own way. The fish was super fresh and I'm still dreaming about the melt-in-your-mouth uni. You can tell that you get what you pay for here in terms of quality. read more

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My husband and I decided to try the omakase dinner for his birthday as we've tried all the places in our general area. This place is small and intimate with only 8 sushi bar seats and 8 table seats. A great vibe and ambiance to watch your sushi chef expertly prepare your meal. Unfortunately, a couple decided to bring their small children that were talking very loudly and had occasional screams. There is a place and time to bring your kids dining and fine dining isn't one of them. Our favorite appetizer was the chanwanmushi! They packed so much umami into such a small dish and the texture of the egg was like silken tofu. My husbands favorite piece of nigiri was the otoro as the tuna was so fatty and just melted in your mouth. Mine was the uni spoon which was a small dish of uni, ikura, caviar, and rice. The hand rolls were a highlight too! After the 6 courses are done you're able to order ala carte and I'm so glad I got an ikura hand roll. Service is impeccable and everyone was very kind and thoughtful. Overall a great experience and an omakase spot we would come back to. read more

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Had a fantastic lunch at Naoki! The intimate, authentic atmosphere made me feel as though I had stepped into Japan, and the attentive, welcoming service made the experience even better. Watching the chef prepare each piece of nigiri right in front of me was both engaging and impressive. The eel was tender, rich, and perfectly glazed, while the toro was buttery, delicate, and incredibly fresh. Both were among the best I've ever had. Highly recommend! read more

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First and foremost sushi is high quality, and that deserves a lot of praise but that's also where my praise ends. My girlfriend and I did the 40 dollar lunch nigiri set, the pieces are very small, you will leave hungry, I even added two tuna hand rolls which are also very small, and expensive 15 dollars a piece. I don't even eat that much when I go out for sushi, most places a sushi dinner and two salmon rolls and I'm full. Quality sushi but can't justify the cost to fullness ratio. read more

Saw the menu outside and thought I could get sushi for $15 ahhhh I was humbled lol. It's a boujie spot so come ready to spend $200-$300 for a good experience. Dinner starts at 8pm. The server and chef were super sweet and helpful to explain the menu to me. Told them by God's grace once I start making 6 figures then I think this would be a lovely experience to do with family especially the Al La carte etc. it's gives cute and peaceful vibes. So dress well. read more

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My husband and I came to Naoki Sushi for lunch last week because it's been on my list to check out for over 6 months and we were craving sushi. I'm so glad I decided to make a last-minute reservation online before we got there, because we took the last seating for 12pm (so make that reservation! But also be aware of their cancellation policy!) As soon as we opened the door, we felt like we were being transported back to our honeymoon in Japan. The staff was friendly and accommodating to the car seat we had our daughter in. We both loved the nigiri lunch set and thought the quality was excellent and well worth the $40 value. read more

Naoki Sushi Dining - Lunch nigiri set - Japanese Near Me - Lawrenceville, New Jersey

We came here for our anniversary dinner and somehow booked a table instead of the bar. We tried to switch but there was a large group reserved for the bar so we weren't able to. That was okay though, because there are only two tables in the restaurant so it was still very intimate. My partner had listed my food allergies and the fact that I don't eat red meat, which they confirmed upon sitting. We started off with a fish pate, a toro skewer, and fish ball. The toro was the obvious winner out of the three, though the pate was quite interesting. It followed with a small plate of sashimi, which one was topped with small pieces of I believe grapefruit, which again, was interesting. It was followed by an egg custard dish which was a nice palate cleanser. We noticed that everyone else in the restaurant received an A5 wagyu dish, which obviously I didn't receive but neither did my partner, who eats red meat. And nothing was offered to replace it, it was just omitted. Our plate of sushi came out, which normally would be served one by one. My favorite was the middle dish of uni and caviar. The horse mackerel tasted very fishy, and I wasn't a fan. We finished off with a clear simple soup and then a matcha ice cream dessert. I felt that the vanilla ice cream should have been a bit sweeter because the dish was overwhelmed by the strong and bitter matcha, though the matcha was of good quality. Since it was our anniversary, they gave us a little sign on a crane and put a bit of gold leaf on our dessert. The Japanese woman was super nice and cute about it. Our bill came out to be $150 per person, which we expected. What we didn't expect was that an entire course was going to be removed from the dinner and it wasn't replaced or discounted from the bill. I thought that was a huge oversight. We finished significantly earlier than the rest of our diners due to the omission. Service, for the most part was good, though noticing the way they man grabbed both of our coats at once in one hand and just giving them to us at the same time, squishing the collars together, was a little less than the formal environment they seemed to try to portray. Another note, I think that some of the fish wasn't quite was fresh as it should have been. I kept tasting the horse mackerel in my mouth for the next 24 hours, with stomach issues. My partner did not have the same taste stuck in his mouth but he also had digestive problems. read more

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My work team and I visited this establishment as a "well done" dinner to raise a toast to the end of a project. We didn't really know what to expect, but were very pleasantly surprised and absolutely floored at how delicious everything was. The whole place was clean, with lighting to set the ambience for a relaxing and enjoyable dinner. The chefs were expertly preparing the meals in front of is and the flavors were so mouth wateringly delicious. From beginning to end, we had a tremendous time (especially with our BYO wines and sake) and would defiantly recommend and return. read more

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Naoki Sushi is A+! I've only been for lunch service but the restaurant is clean, simple and on top, the sushi is amazing! The fish is so fresh, cut right in front of you. At the end, we did order some al la carte item, the handroll, pickled radish with toro. read more

Naoki Sushi Dining - Japanese Near Me - Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Authentic Japanese and high quality fish in a beautiful setting. We loved the sushi and sashimi here (the eel and smoked salmon sushi pieces were excellent). However, we felt many of the other courses fell a bit flat. The price of our meal was similar to Sushi Nakazawa in NYC but wasn't quite as memorable for us. We paid extra to sit at the counter but my party of 4 was very spaced out and did not feel we got much explanation of dishes from the chef. I did not feel the counter was worth it and would recommend a table if you come, especially with a party of 4 or more. This place is BYOB and reservations need to be made in advanced. You can book tables online which requires a credit card and has a strict cancellation fee. Please note, the 6pm seating felt rushed to us as there is another seating is at 8. If you want to enjoy your meal a bit more please come for the later seating. Parking located is behind the restaurant. read more

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Naoki is generally reservation only as seating is limited. The restaurant is quiet and beautiful and fits the classy Lawrenceville/Princeton vibe pretty well with the added plus of having their own parking lot in the back of the restaurant!. Everything is clean, modern and sleek and is truly a hidden gem! The staff was very welcoming when receiving us for our lunch reservation on a Saturday. They confirmed the lunch set we ordered during reservation and too our drink orders quickly and the chefs were quick to work on it! The nigiri set was delicious! It started quickly with a salad with a vinaigrette dressing and miso soup. Both were good as expected. The $40 lunch nigiri set was amazing quality and value for the price! All the fish were definitely higher quality and very fresh tasting. Each of the pieces were delicious and decadent in their own ways. We even ordered wagyu sushi from the a la carte menu to top it off. I would 100% come here again. Dinner looks to be pricier and served omakase, but also a great date night spot. Will definitely be back soon! read more

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL/DELICIOUS DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD! There are honestly not enough words to describe how incredible this place was. From the attentive staff to the mouthwatering dishes, it was a 10/10. Went here to celebrate my sisters & friends birthdays and we had the best time. The fish was some of the freshest I've ever had. Each course was so beautifully thought out, with the flavors and also the presentation. Highly recommend this place! It is a bit pricey but for special occasions it is honestly worth it! It is BYOB! read more

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Made a reservation for saturday lunch at the sushi bar. $40 for the sushi lunch set was a great price! It came with a soup, salad, 10 different pieces of nigri and a tuna roll. Everything was super fresh. Service was very good, the waiters made sure our drinks were always filled and checked in often. We added an order of wagyu nigri at the end, it was a little overcooked but still delicious. I loved sitting at the sushi bar. It sat a good amount of people without being too close to one another. Would definitely come back to try out their dinner course, but lunch was definitely worth it! read more

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Absolutely nothing I can say that hasn't already been stated more eloquently by prior reviews, but needed to add my five stars. We had dinner here to celebrate my wife's birthday, and it was a great present for her. Chef Naoki is an absolute artist and a lovely man. He seemed to genuinely enjoy talking about the ingredients he selected and the techniques employed to prepare them, and was thrilled to see our enjoyment of the meal (look at the smile on his face as he saw my wife's reaction to him adding gold flake on her dessert!). Definitely one of the best dinner experiences I've had. The price relegates Naoki Sushi to only the most special of special occasions, but it is money well spent. Save up, make your reservation, and go enjoy. You won't regret it. read more

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Amazing Omakase experience. Although prices are on the higher side, the quality of the food and services are totally worth it. Have my birthday celebration dinner with my family and I got the special dessert (see photo) read more

Naoki Sushi Dining - Persimmons in matcha sauce top with gold leaf - Japanese Near Me - Lawrenceville, New Jersey

I was never a person who would write a review on anyplace. But I feel like i owe it to this restuarant for its food quality, ambiance and service. Even though this is my first omakasa experience, I had been to quite a few michelin star restuarants in Singapore, Thailand and Italy. And Naoki is very compatible with all of them. The food quality is unbeatably fresh and top grade, all the time and effort that put into the preparation and presentation show the creativities and love for the cusisine. The simple and minimalist deco feels so serene. And the service is way beyond. This is not a place just about food, it is also an experience about culture, art and performance. Dinner that night was about simplicity, kind of mindfulness and yet the chefs were very informative with a touch of playfulness. I am looking forward to go back soon. Elinna L read more

The entire experience is akin to that of the high-end omakase restaurants I've visited in Japan. That being said, the quality of the fish is excellent, and even better than most that I've visited in New York City. The service is high quality, but I think the well-designed interior, which emanates a calm and beautiful sense of space is also what separates this venue from most others. read more

Incredible omakase experience in the central Jersey suburbs. I've been to a decent amount of omakase in NYC and DC around this price point. This is my favorite omakase I've had outside of Japan. In particular, I was extremely impressed by the nigiri. The chef did not overpower the sushi, instead letting the fish stand on its own while complementing it with modest assistance from other ingredients. Standouts included the ika (squid), the chu-toro (medium fatty tuna), and the uni/ikura bowl. I also really enjoyed the dessert - a spin on an affogato using matcha instead of espresso. Vibes of the place were traditional but not stuffy. Service friendly. Very fair for the price point, and probably would be a bit pricier in NYC if I had to guess. For the full omakase experience, definitely sit at the sushi counter. We were served each nigiri individually and had each piece explained to us. Seemed the people sitting at the handful of tables next to the counter were served the nigiri together on a plate. read more

Great food, great service, and a great atmosphere--highly recommended. It's a little pricey, but I give it a thumbs up. read more

Naoki Sushi Dining - Japanese Near Me - Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Just incredible from start to finish. If you love sushi please run, don't walk, to Lawrenceville, NJ and book a seat at the intimate, 8 seat sushi counter for an amazing experience. I also grew up in this area and have also been to/lived in Japan for a while and this restaurant was head and shoulders above almost anything I've ever had in the US before. Since I was in the area for just a few days and had limited chances to visit I made a reservation for myself for Sunday evening alone and decided to treat myself and go all out on the Kagayaki set with Wagyu. When I entered into the elegant space I was greeted by a team of waitstaff who were extremely considerate. Each dish was presented with beauty and pride by the staff who were thoughtful and kind throughout my meal. Each piece of the meal was perfectly seasoned and using seasonally tuned ingredients. Each piece of sushi was presented in a manner allowing it to stand beautifully alone as well. I can't stop raving about my experience at Naoki and would absolutely love to go back one day if I am able. I would absolutely travel back for this meal at any time. read more

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I can't believe this restaurant is near where I live. My husband took me here for Valentine's Day dinner and we had the tasting menu, which was spectacular. I literally felt like I went back to Kyoto. I later found out in the paper US1 that the interior was created by Japanese architects. My photo doesn't do it justice. The sushi was delicious and fresh with a beautiful presentation. I especially enjoyed the seasonal touches added to every dish. This place deserves to be in a magazine. I can't recommend it enough. If you go, I recommend sitting at the bar where you can see how everything is sliced and prepared with extreme care. read more

Naoki Sushi Dining - Japanese Near Me - Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Absolutely authentic Japanese food. Pleasant atmosphere and kind service. The prices are a bit high, but it's totally worth it.

We were super surprised to discover this place in Princeton/Lawrenceville area. Although they do have a la carte, I strongly try out their Omakase at least once. They are so good and you won't be disappointed. This place can compete with many of similar restaurants in the big cities like New York, Chicago or Boston. Chef Tashiro and his staff are very friendly and you would be well served. The restaurant is quite simple and clean. I will go back anytime when I want to have Japanese food in Princeton area. read more

Japanese main st, Lawrenceville, NJWe had lunch reservation on Friday noon. The restaurant was very small, a sushi counter and three tables. There was no privacy at all. We had lunch nigiri set and chirachi. Both came with soup and salad. The sushi rice was cooked perfectly and the raw fish was cut very small but was fresh. We would like to come back to try their omakase. read more

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5 stars for everything decor,sleek and artful,service professional, knowledgeable and accommodating,food 6stars as good as it gets,I've eaten sushi for 50yrs this is authentic,imaginative, fresh as anything I've encountered at any hi end bar .Not a mayonnaise laden Godzilla or Marylyn Monroe roll in sight. read more

The best sushi this side of Jersey. The ultimate in service. The nigiri sushi set for lunch is prepared right in front of you. A very intimate setting. read more

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We celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary at Naoki Sushi and had an amazing experience! The ambiance was elegant and simple yet inviting, the service was attentive, and every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and flavorful. Highly recommend for a memorable and romantic dinner! They even made a special parting dessert with gold leaf. FYI - its BYOB read more

6 course Omakase sushi menu. Service and atmosphere was fantastic as we sat at the sushi counter. Definitely enough food and you will end up full. BYOB so make sure you bring a bottle. Fish was fresh and tasty. First time trying barracuda, golden eye snapper and the eel was prepped differently than typical. The egg custard course and soup course was average and bland. So think of it as a palette cleaner. Will definitely repeat.. read more

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You can take a trip to Japan while never leaving Lawewnceville in this incredible dining experience. The service was impeccable, restaurant was quiet and classy. And the food, omg the food, was simply outstanding. Each course made my taste buds dance. Omakase was a brand new experience for me and I truly enjoyed every moment. read more

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They are very good. The sushi is on par (or even better) with the best sushi places in NYC, so definitely worth a try.

Born and raised in princeton NJ, I have been to japan and back many times ‍ I've attemptented and sampled Omakase in every state in the USA as touring musician... I can finally say, I've had my top Omakase experience in my own backyard. The service was out of this world, and the music was perfect Naoki Sushi, I award the unpresidented rating of.. 10,000,000,0000 shooting sushi stars. Naoki, I will seeya later *) read more

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This is hands-down the best restaurant in NJ. Amazing omakase sushi. Lunch here is a wonderful treat and a very good value for the money, considering how melt-in-your-mouth perfect each piece of sushi is. Sit at the bar, watch Chef Naoki craft his amazing sushi, then eat it slowly, piece by piece, and savor this amazing experience. read more

Newly found sushi restaurant, NAOKI SUSHI DINING which is located only 20 minutes away from our home The authentic sushi restaurant just opened 3 months ago by owner chef Naoki Tashiro with 30 years of experience. Truly authentic and artistic local gem . We could not believe such an authentic sushi restaurant opened in our neighborhood All the sushi toppings and sashimi were fresh and high-quality melted in my mouth. The severs were very attentive and professional as well as if we were in Japan! read more

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Amazing Omakase so close to Princeton! The food and ambience are comparable to elite NYC omakase without the price tag. Service is good and attentive. Could definitely skip a trip to NYC for omakase and go to Naoki instead. read more

Just...wow! I had heard a few people recommending this place, and decided to go here with my wife for Valentine's Day. I was just blown away by the whole experience. The interior is incredible - it's like you walk off Main Street in Lawrenceville right into Japan. There's a beautiful foyer with a pebble floor which leads into the main dining room, which is focused around a sushi bar. Though there are tables, I highly recommend reserving a seat at the sushi bar, where you can watch the two chefs prepare the food and watch each piece of nigiri be placed in front of you just as it's finished. The food here is just beyond exceptional. I can't recall eating better sushi, including on trips to Tokyo and Kyoto. The fish almost melts in your mouth, and Chef Naoki uses additions like a dab of Japanese mustard on nigiri, which he explains to you as he offers each course. The meal is omakase-style (officially six courses, but the 12 nigiri sushi are made one at a time, so it feels like even more than that). Service is perfect. The restaurant is BYOB. There are two dinner seatings each night, as well as a lunch service on Fridays and Saturdays. There's a private parking lot right behind the restaurant. Highly recommended - I plan to come back! read more

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Truly authentic and phenomenal sushi in the heart of historic Lawrenceville! So excited! Growing up in town, I always wondered why -besides a couple restaurants- our food scene on Main St. wasn't terribly developed (I used to feel similarly about Princeton & still do to an extent). For years our area was particularly lacking in Asian food despite living in a terrifically diverse area ...our palates have always craved the authenticity of foods we get to experience in nearby NYC and Philadelphia. Why not here at home? Our hopes were at least partially answered when Masa8 opened in The Manners and later their all-you-can-eat outpost in Nassau Park. Ok, decent start and clearly very popular as unfortunately they have become perhaps too busy and unable to maintain quality... but what about the *real* stuff? Well, look no further! Naoki Sushi has arrived and with it brought the finest quality omakase & other such offerings one might expect in a cultural capital like NYC. Additionally, they've done so in the most understated and elegant space where one can relax and be transported by the sights, smells, textures, and flavors of fine quality sushi. -The restaurant is quiet and thoughtfully designed very much in the ethos of traditional/contemporary Japanese architecture/design... quite transportive from the colonial American small town Main St experience outside. -Staff is attentive and polite without being pushy and chef Naoki is exacting in his preparations. -The sushi is about as good as sushi gets, and this is coming from someone who has eaten some of the best (don't mean to be snooty). From what I've experience so far, the sushi is done fairly traditionally in the sense that it is not over-dressed or basted in sauce.. not much mixing of different fish at once either so you can appreciate the unique qualities of each morsel. This is a tricky approach because too minimal can feel stingy or uninspired.. while too elaborate or dressed can feel inauthentic and mask the high-quality sushi you're in fact there for. From my experience, Naoki Sushi walked this tightrope masterfully, especially for being such a new place. I suspect over time it will get even better and perhaps offer some additional items a la carte. I have had plenty of more expensive omakase dinners in NYC that were not as good as this. Fine dining omakase as whole has become very expensive in the last 5 years or so so believe it or not Naoki's current price point is not extreme. I was left satiated, not stuffed, and fulfilled from the meal. It checked all the boxes for me and while the cost of the omakase is certainly premium, the experience met the mark and I did not leave longing or regretful. This will certainly be a place that I regularly come to when home.. be it for their fantastic lunch chirashi which is competitively priced for the size and quality --perhaps a great starting point for someone who is new to fine sushi or not ready to pull the trigger on the more expensive omakase-- ..or for a special occasion or to treat myself to the omakase. I've been fortunate to have eaten a lot of world-class food over the years especially having lived in Brooklyn for a decade now, but never in my wildest dreams did I think such a gem of a place would open right in the heart of my treasured hometown. This place is for those who really love sushi, and frankly, even if you are unsure about sushi, a fine establishment like this might just be the gateway drug that ignites your love of sushi. When the quality is great and the chefs are skilled, it is easier to trust them and your perception of sushi shifts.. I know a lot of people in this country have eaten "sushi" their whole lives without actually ever eating sushi at all. I could ramble on but props if you made it this far, give this place a try if you can.. the people running it are lovely and the food/ambiance/service is as good as it gets. Our area is blessed to have them and I wish them all the success in the world. Just don't get so popular that I can't get a reservation!! read more

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I've been to Japan multiple times and eaten at top notch restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto, and elsewhere. The omakase meal experience at Naoki rivals some of the best meals I've had in Japan. Is it the absolute best omakase or kaiseki I've had? No. But is it amazing on its own and a special omakase meal. Absolutely! And it's right in Central NJ, in an unassuming location, in a small but well conceived space with fresh, wonderfully prepared dishes. The service was friendly and professional. I highly recommend a visit if you are anywhere nearby. I'm glad it is an easy drive for me. I will be back. read more

Hands down the best restaurant in Mercer County. The highest quality of Sushi paired with impeccable service. Had their lunch menu plus several other pieces of Sushi. Im going back for their dinner menu. This is a must try. read more

Wow. There is nothing more to say. It was just an intimate experience and the staff was incredibly attentive. The pace of the food was perfect. We opted for the wagu menu and it was such an awesome experience. It is very pricey but 100% worth it and I'd do it again for any special event. read more

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Surreal experience. BETTER than omakases I have been to in NYC and Philadelphia. From start to finish Naomi doesn't disappoint. We were apprehensive about the experience since it's right here in our backyard but it did not disappoint. The ambiance was minimalistic and mimicked that of Japanese restaurants. The food is incredible and absolutely mouth watering. The service was impeccable. Would love to eat here everyday if my wallet allowed. Can't wait to return. read more

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