Must try: The Nozawa Trust Me ($59)! Why: Melt in your mouth fresh fish! I was craving sushi for 2 weeks so and buddy and I wanted to explore a new spot we've not been to yet for lunch. We both got The Nozawa Trust Me experience and loved it! All the fish for sashimi and sushi were fresh and melts in your mouth. Even the rice was premium. We appreciated the small cut chives, and wasabi that was slightly fluffy and mixed so easily in soy sauce - not your typical dark green, cheap and thick wasabi. The hand rolls were also superb. If my math is right, it's 10 pieces of sushi plus 2 hand rolls plus edamame and sashimi starters for $59. We washed it all down with a refreshing Sapporo. We are def coming back for more! Notes: We came during noon lunch rush so added our name to waitlist, which was around 25 mins. Totally worth the wait. Cute, clean, and chic restaurant good for small groups and they have bar seating. Bathroom was also clean and they provide unscented before meal soap plus scented after meal soap. Hostess and waitress were all friendly, welcoming, helpful, and attentive. This was an excellent sushi lunch spot and we left wanting more but fully satisfied! read more

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Sugarfish has been on my list of places to try for a LONG time, particularly the California locations since that is where i live. However, when the opportunity presents itself that I'm walking distance to Sugarfish, I absolutely had to go, and I will definitely be stopping by their California locations upon my return! First off the staff was absolutely fantastic! Everyone was pleasant, friendly and gave some great recommendations. Their menu had plenty of options for anyone looking for traditional sushi options. If I had more of an appetite, highly recommend any of their omakase options. I ordered the sea bream nigiri and crab roll, but my coworkers did have me try some of their options too. Absolutely delicious cuts of seafood, presented so beautifully! Everything basically melted in your mouth and left you excited for more, but also a little sad once the meal was over. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I have eaten at Sugarfish probably a half dozen times, different ones. I've been to this venue twice, I believe. All but once, I have been a solo diner. I write to report on two aspects of the experience. In summary, it is positive. I also offer an anecdote at the end. Skip it if you don't like digressions. First, Sugarfish is in the sweet spot. Sushi has become so popular it risks being ruined. Some people are unaware it has Japanese origins. Two generations ago, say in the 1980s, people in America turned their noses up at raw fish and made faces. Now kids know the difference between cuts of tuna. There is supermarket sushi, the California rolls (which are not Japanese, if you care about the matter; though the Canadian creator has been recognized by the land from which he emigrted) that are made in mass quantity by people who may have seen the real thing but can offer only the imitation. Then there is the high end experience that, if I had that money, I would spend it on durable goods or an experience not so ostentatious. Sugarfish, in particular its omakase ("trust me") options is in the middle. You can savor it. It is good, not merely good for the price point. But it does not require an expense account or that someone else be picking up the tab. Second, the sushi bar is perfect for a solo diner. In, out, courteous service. I can think of no other restaurant option that is as suited to the singleton. There is no shame to sitting there by yourself, watching the chef or the hustle and bustle or reading a book or if there is nothing better glancing at your smartphone. Last time I was there, the server was surveying people about a disco ball. He was pushing a campaign among his colleagues. Probably it was an inside joke. I was enthusiastic: sure, as good as it is, it'd be better with a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, and probably most public spaces would be improved by the glitter and the flash. A young couple next to me were discussing whether the nigori sake was gluten free. I looked it up. They did not mind my leaning over to assure them. It should be GF. Then the man said something that reminded me I'm not obsessed; we all are. He said, most politely, "sir," to be deferential. I replied that sir was my father not me, then in comparing notes I realized, yeah, I'm not young anymore; alas, I could easily have sired a fellow in his thirties who was on a date. read more

While there are many reasons to want to live in NYC, having access to restaurants like Sugarfish and Kazunori is reason number one for me to move to NYC. Every time I make a trip to NYC I always try and make it to Sugarfish or Kazunori. Service is top notch. Its a no tipping restaurant. Which means that all the servers work in tandem to make your meal here seamless. Food is top notch. The rice is slightly warm and maybe the shape of the sushi is non standard. Maybe the real sushi purists may have a problem with it. Dont be a sushi snob and take it for what it is. Just really a great bite of fish with rice. Its hard to explain but I always feel a bit more full and feel like I had a proper meal when I eat at Sugarfish. Especially during the winter time. The warm rice makes a difference. Price is top notch. For what you get I dont think its expensive at all. Could you get cheaper? You sure can. But for me the quality vs price ratio is really great at Sugarfish. This is especially true if you pair everything with a bottle of the Nigori. At $15 a bottle it equals half a bottle of wine. For 2 bottles that equates to be a full bottle of wine for $30. Where is NYC can you have the equivalent of 5 drinks for $30? Its awesome. Looking forward to my next meal already! read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Part of the Nozawa Trust Me. Its melt in your mouth goodness. - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This is a review only for the takeout-- I've ordered takeout here several times and it's always been consistent. The packaging is so nice and aesthetically pleasing. It's not the best sushi I've ever had but it's consistently fresh. And it's so much fun to play with all the different sauces in the box. My orders always come out quickly and the host is always friendly. I frequently come back. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - nozawa to go - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This is from Sugarfish on East 53rd. Some people treat this place like it's the crème de la crème, and this is their priciest box -- the Don't Think, Just Eat -- which came to $95 delivered. They've got two cheaper options I'll cover another time, but let's talk about this one. Straight up, this is a banger. Elite condiment selection (ponzu, chives, soy, wasabi), plus tuna sashimi, two rolls (real crab and toro), and a lineup of prime nigiri: toro, sea bream with shiso leaf, salmon, and that nozawa-style shrimp that's not quite fully cooked. They even throw in a wet wipe, which feels very on brand. Here's the bottom line: it's a lot of money for what it is, but it's a generous portion and will leave you full. And Sugarfish really is the OG of this whole "sushi box" delivery game. That said, there are a few newer spots giving you better value. Still -- Sugarfish gets an A-. Solid benchmark sushi. For more NYC sushi reviews, follow The Raw Report on TikTok. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The food here speaks for itself. Just indulging here is like reading a good book on your Kindle... or is that just because my server Kendall was so good. I got the Albacore Belly special which is one of my new favorites. I have Kendall to thank for introducing me to it. The ambiance is very dark and mysterious. It makes sense seeing as it will send your taste buds on an adventure. Just like a good book, I can't get enough. read more

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I've heard the hype and this was my first time trying with my friend. First off which I've NEVER heard in NY, ummm no tipping allowed?! But also this was one of the best seafood meals I've had in NY! Ambiance was also amazing! read more

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Sugarfish is hands down one of the best sushi experiences you can get in NYC for the price! We did the Nozawa Trust Me, and it was perfection. You get a little bit of everything, all incredibly fresh, high quality, and with generous cuts of fish. You really can't get a better bang for your buck, especially when you consider that prices include gratuity. Total steal! The only downside is that they don't take reservations, so we waited about an hour, but honestly, it was worth it. Once seated, the service was excellent, everyone was friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. We'll definitely be back. If you're a sushi lover and haven't been yet, you're missing out! read more

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My family ordered the "trust me" take-out boxes from here. While it was maybe not the best quality sushi I've ever eaten, for take-out, it was such a fun experience. We loved having a bunch of different options to choose from. The labeling was a bit misleading, since you don't receive every item that's listed on the box. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - "Trust Me" takeout box (March '25) - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This is truly exceptional sushi with an exceptional presentation and experience. This is the way I believe shush should be eaten. It's fresh, it's not chewy it does truly melt in your mouth and it's really special. Now this is not your typical sushi so really don't expect to be getting all the bells and whistles and boats lol but it's amazing. As someone who loves sushi but does not care for nigiri this was amazing and it's basically all nigiri. Our server was amazing I wish I had gotten her name but she was so nice and really took time explaining everything and was really over the top the best ever. We went in the night the blizzard started so it wasn't too busy but they didn't rush us at all and it was really just exceptional. I wish I had gotten some photos but I didn't but if you have the money and get the chance stop in and order one of their put together sets. So so amazing. read more

Did the Nozawa trust me - didn't disappoint! Everything was fresh and service was great. Gratuity is included. Short wait read more

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Visited here on a Thursday after work and was sat right away as a party of one at the sushi bar. I noticed a lot of solo diners here as I feel like sushi bars are the perfect spot for it! I ordered the trust me set menu and they were very accommodating on swapping out the crab hand roll for scallop. Everything served was fresh and fast! My only complaints are that my chair got hit a few times being on the corner, and the sushi rice kept falling apart the second I would pick up a piece of nigiri. I've eaten at a lot of sushi spots and usually don't have that much of a difficult time keeping it together. Dinner trust-me's are about $10 more than lunch, but overall for the price, I would recommend this place. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Albacore and salmon nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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It's all about timing. I wanted omakase and after seeing the reviews I decided to give this place a try. Glad I did. The hostess was welcoming and I was able to get a table after a short wait. The omakase was good and the ambiance pleasant. read more

The service was outstanding and thats that they don't accept tips. Tips are already calculated within their menu prices. Every plate we had was flavorful and delicious. Lovely little bar perfect for a quick bite or lunch/dinner. Tables available as well. read more

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Worms inside my sushi ! Ended up in hospital Never will I eat sushi beyond gross ! !!! read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Worms - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Best sushi of my life hands-down. Environment is cozy and upscale. Super easy down the block from subway. Prices are insane for the quality, and gratuity is included. Service has been top notch every time. read more

When we arrived, we had to wait about 45 minutes before we were seated. It was worth the wait - I thoroughly enjoyed the sushi here! My group and I each got the Nozawa Trust Me. Some of my favorites from the set were the salmon and the bluefin otoro. I appreciate that there is an option to sub out some of the pieces - I was curious about the Blue & Dungeness Crab Hand Roll, but I would probably swap that one for something else if I were to come again. I enjoyed the environment which was dimly lit for dinner. The service was great for us. I would come back, but maybe go for the standard Trust Me set -- though I'm glad I tried the Nozawa Trust Me. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I had a great experience at this Sugarfish location. Unlike the soho one, this spot had far less foot traffic. We were able to get a table for 4 with very little wait on a Saturday night. We only waited about 5 minutes, as opposed to the hour wait I experienced at the soho location. The sushi was so fresh and delicious. Sugarfish really stands out because of how fresh the fish is. I would come here again and again! read more

Loved this experience. Great service. I wasn't very hungry so I only had tuna sashimi and sea break nigiri. The tuna was my favorite. First time trying sea bream. The rice had a little more of a vinegar taste than I'd prefer. I love the dim lighting, candles on the table, the paintings on the wall. Very nice place. read more

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As good in this location as the others! I love how consistent they are and the workers are also so kind everywhere read more

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Good sushi with a modern/western spin. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Sugarfish Midtown East is a relatively small restaurant tucked between giant skyscrapers. Despite this, when went to visit today at around 11 am, there was already quite a crowd forming for lunch. After being quickly seated inside, our waiter gave us a few tips on eating the sushi - we were told to eat the handrolls quickly for the best taste, among other things. We were given a few options for water including hot water and cold. For food, since we were new, we decided to order the set menus, Trust Me and the Nozawa Trust Me. The tuna sashimi was the first dish, and it was very refreshing - we both liked the soy sauce based seasoning that came with it. The handrolls were both good, but we both agreed the crab was the best. Finally, the Nigirizushi were all quite good, though there were a few twists (like the sesame seeds on the salmon Nigirizushi). To add to the taste, the portions were just about right and neither of us left hungry. Price wise, Sugarfish, was quite competitive give that even ordering bowls in the area can easily cost close to $20s. The service was also very good. If you're in the area and are looking for sushi, Sugarfish is definitely worth a try. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Outside - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This place is right next to my hotel, kind of hidden, to be honest, but it gets busy. It's low-key overcrowded, so make a reservation. The vibe is clean and cool. Good spot for a date, but also works for a team dinner or something business-related. I got the "Don't Think, Just Eat" set, seven pieces of nigiri, and two hand rolls. No sashimi (not sure why), but everything was on point. The fish is super fresh and has that real umami flavor. Rice was a little much, but the quality made up for it. Service was solid, staff is attentive. And best part? No tipping. It's all included, which is rare and honestly refreshing. read more

My sister has always been interested by Sugarfish ever since they expanded so it we decided to celebrate her birthday here. Hearing that the wait time was over an hour last time she tried to go (she ended up skipping it), we popped by later in the afternoon on a weekday and we're glad we did because there was plenty of room in the restaurant for us to choose where to sit. We ordered the "Nozawa Trust me" set and service was quick, polite , and speedy, likely due to being so few other tables being occupied( though I'm not complaining). For the price, I definitely have to say, not a bad value at all, especially considering Sugarfish is a non-tipping establishment. We started with the Tuna Sashimi with ponzu and though the cuts themselves were kind of all over the place in terms of uniformity and shape, it tasted pretty good so not the biggest deal. The albacore and salmon served next were both fresh and looked pretty good though the rice was not packed well and completely fell apart when I tried to pick it up haha. The rice itself tasted good, nice vinegar flavor ( I know it's a bit strong for some people but I like it fine) but I woulddddd like to be able to pick it up with my chopsticks. Most of the other nigiri was similar lol, tasted quite alright-nice but the packing of the rice definitely needs work. The best things imo were both hand rolls. Basically solved the problems I had with the nigiri and the seaweed they use is top quality, both the toro hand roll and the crab hand roll were very good. Overall, had a good time here and the service was great with a good price point to match. read more

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We had a fabulous dinner at Sugarfish! We had never been before, but went with friends who had been there. My wife got the standard Omakase and I got the higher end one. Amazingly, even the high-end one was only $75. And my wife's was 45. The fish was amazing! Melt in your mouth, delicious, and a wide variety. They were also hand rolls which were fabulous and sashimi dish, which was also really good. The service was fast and efficient and the amount of food was just right. They don't take reservations, but we only ended up waiting about 30 minutes when we went at 7 PM. I would come back here in a heartbeat! read more

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Came here for the first time and absolutely fell in love with their tender fresh melt in your mouth fish. It was absolutely divine. read more

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I would say the food is good but not amazing. The ambiance is what could use some work. It just doesnt give off the fancy vibe that the price tag demands. But solid of some good variety sushi. read more

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We ordered the set lunches, and everything was heavily salted. We suspect the fish wasn't very fresh, and they used soy sauce to mask it... read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Lite lunch set - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was good, though slow on a busy day, which wouldn't bother me, but I wouldn't bother with this location if you're not white. I am saying that as an Asian American woman who was repeatedly ignored by the majority of the white staff. I arrived and another pair walked in after me which the host saw while speaking to the person who arrived just before me. He immediately addressed the white pair before I cut him off and pointed out I had arrived first and was able to be seated, while they didn't have appropriate seating for the pair. Then the server who presented my dishes never spoke to me and indicated what was being served. She spoke to every other white person at the counter and explained what they were served and instead plunked down my plate and walked away every time. Once I can forgive, but afterwards it's just blatant racism. Strange for a restaurant where it's from an Asian chef. I used to enjoy Sugarfish, where you pretty much always know what you're getting and the quality of the food, but this location has by far the worst service of all the NYC locations. read more

SUGARFISH was a few blocks down from where I was staying on a recent visit to NY and a place I've been wanting to try for a while. I walked in at 6:30pm, added my name to the list, and only waited 20-minutes. I was seated solo at a booth instead of crammed into the bar which I really appreciated. I ordered everything a la cart and enjoyed all the items. First came the tuna sashimi which was marinated, served cold, and very good. The tuna was buttery and had a great texture to it. I ordered the crab roll which was so soft, light, velvety, and creamy. The unagi nigiri came out last and was my favorite bite of the night. It came with two pieces, was served warm, and the eel sauce was so lovely. The only downside when ordering eel is the possibility of getting tiny bones in a bite, which is what happened. All items including a bottle of sweet sake was $50. The prices on the menu include the hospitality fee, so tips are not accepted and it's baked into what you're paying. The service was exceptional, my server was attentive, friendly, but let me be. read more

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Delicious! Great service and food was delicious too!! Will definitely come back!! Ambiance was amazing. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Can never go wrong with Sugarfish, and the NY location didn't disappoint. While not from NY, my gut was to try a new establishment I hadn't been to yet but I honestly don't remember the last time I've been to sugarfish (over 10 years at least) and when you have a craving you have a craving. The restaurant is in the SoHo district, and it's perfectly sized for what I think they are trying to achieve. Just intimate enough with six or so bar seats and a few tables. I was able to walk right in without a reservation and be seated at the bar. Service was personable, and I ordered the Trust Me Lite. The hot green tea was perfect for a winter afternoon. Sushi was as fresh as I could remember, and the perfect four or five course pairings were lovely presented delicious. Restaurant is clean, modern! I'd love to try other mom and pop Omakases but this place is such a steal. No tipping either! read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Chef special - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I finally came here with my husband after hearing so many glowing reviews from my friends. We came here at a very odd time - 245pm on a Friday afternoon so we didn't have to wait at all. Just an FYI - this is a no tipping restaurant. The fish was fresh! I got the Nozawa Trust Me and my husband got a hand roll, sweet shrimp, toro sashimi and scallop. The trust me sets (any tier) are like little omakase but not at the same level. You can skip the toro sashimi - it was a bit flavorless. For the pieces with soy sauce (about 2) there was so much sauce that the rice fell apart. Their service was great! For my second to last plate, they accidentally gave me the trust me set instead of the Nozawa trust me set (missing the chutoro) and instead of just giving me the chutoro, they gave me whole plate (yellowtail, sea bream, sea bass and chutoro). I'll be coming back. read more

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The set course menus at SUGARFISH are always good and reliable. I find myself always full after the trust me course. My favorites are yellowtail sushi and surprisingly the handroll. It is also well priced especially for lunch given that it is a no tipping restaurant. This time I had the uni which was priced around $20 for two pieces. It was delicious and well worth the treat! The service and cozy ambiance has always been good during my visits. read more

SUGARFISH | Midtown East - Albacore and Salmon Sushi (Lunch Trust Me) - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Have been here a few times and it always blows me away! They don't take reservations so try go at somewhat of an off hour but they do have a small waiting area. It is also a non tipping place. Great date night spot as the lights are dim and it's not too noisy. The wait staff is super attentive and once you are seated, the food comes out pretty quickly. I got the Nozawa Trust Me and I think it's the best value out of the tasting menu. The sushi pieces are my favorite and the crab hand roll. Love going here and would highly recommend! read more

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Love their Southern CA locations and this was really excellent. Service was impeccable. The tasting menu is the best choice. Small location with no reservations so arrive early. read more

It's sugarfish and yeah I like it. I can spend $80 and get decent quality sushi and also eat my heart out. I know it's not "authentic sushi-ya" or whatever, but the portions are generous, and the rice is pretty tasty -- acidic, sour, warm, and falls apart. And yea it might fall apart a bit _too_ much at times, but still pretty good. If you're a sushi snob, you will have to put wasabi under or on top of all of your nigiri pieces, but hey, there's some fun to that as well. Sake prices are reasonable, they also do corkage for a decent price ($20 I think), so if you have any sake you wanna try for fun, you can do it here. The kitchen can get backlogged at times, so I had to wait 5 min between courses, which was a bit frustrating. But it's still manageable. Favorite pieces here: - The tunas are all good, not the super cheap tuna cuts - White fish is generally good here, I like the acidity. Sea bass is probably my favorite, and the yellowtail is good as well - Lobster when they have it is a treat Pieces I don't like as much - Scallop: for some reason it's always less flavor than I expect - Raw Shrimp: Also pretty bland, idk why they don't add lime or add a bit more flavor read more

Luv this sushi chain. There is usually a wait, but they take your name and they will seat you when all parties arrive. It's a shorter wait if you go early before prime lunch or prime dinner time. It's a small but sufficient space at this location. They have booth type seatings and also a few high chair seatings at the counter. Staff are very friendly. The sushi is so good. It's paced out and comes one small plate at a time, but it's still quick within 30 minutes. It's possible to sit down and finish eating within an hour. This is a No tipping restaurant, so the total bill is the price+tax. They also have a birthday reward. Fill out the postcard they provide with your receipt and visit at least twice (must fill out the card each time) and get a free Trust Me sushi meal on the day of your birthday. What a great treat for your birthday. read more

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After being told it was a 30 minute wait, and 70 minutes elapsed, a group of 4 who came in after us was seated before us. It took the bartender getting upset with the hostess and half of our party walking out the door, to get a table. I have lived in Japan for an extended period of time, the food was okay. Nothing to rave about. Ambiance is loud. read more

50$ gets you a dive into omakase ! The fish is pretty good so are the rolls however not the best Also if you are hungry you ll leave hungry And there's no tips read more