Amazing omakase experience at Sushi Kaito! Restaurant is small and intimate with only 12 seats at the counter. Wall art was very cute. The bench seating by the window was extra comfy. Servers welcomed us upon arriving with warm towels and an appetizer trio. We ordered a bottle of sake to share. They make sure they get down any allergies we may have before they start. Sushi chef paced our dining experience quite well. Each piece was expertly prepared to perfection. We just did the 17 course. One of the best omakase experiences we have had. 10/10 recommend read more

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I've had three or four really great omakase experiences at Sushi Kaito. But that's not why I'm here. Tonight I was disappointed because the host insisted that I pay the check before I had finished dining. When I mildly protested and said I'd like to finish eating first, he said that he was sorry but he needed the pay-at-table device somewhere else so he needed me to pay at that moment, interrupting an otherwise delightful meal. Just so you know . . . read more

I really enjoyed my experience at Sushi Kaito. This is a small initmate space with 2 Japanese sushi chefs behind the counter, each serving 6 patrons. Each course was carefully prepped by the chef in front of you. You can watch them shape the rice, prep the finish, and skillfully garnish each serving. Each dish was very flavorful and delicious. Service was also amazing. Water was constantly topped off. Ginger was also promptly refilled if needed. The chef was also very friendly and noted what each dish was to everyone while serving us. read more

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An absolute gem on the Upper West Side! Sushi Kaito is one of the best omakase experiences in the city, and certainly on the UWS. Everything was flawless. The fish is impeccably fresh. A special shoutout to my server, Amy, who truly made the night. She was warm, attentive, and welcoming. For the quality you're getting, it's an incredible value compared to the big-name omakase spots downtown. $300 for 2 with saki (excluding tip), which is 50% or less of other "famous" omakase spots. read more

$115pp Great traditional omakase, good quality fish, and funny old chef. Nothing stood out specifically, but it was good and enjoyable. read more

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I got dinner a sushi Kaito before a NY philharmonic concert - the location and dinner timing was perfect for omakase beforehand, convenient for the Lincoln Center and left plenty of time for another stop afterwards - for me it was bubble tea but plenty to get other dessert before a show. Omakase was $115 for 17 courses including appetizers/dessert. The restaurant sat about 12 people with 2 chefs dividing, making for a fairly intimate experience with the chefs. Room was a bit cramped but just enough space between diners. Dinner started right away once you were sat and service was efficient though not rushed. A few people came late and the chefs served people at their own pace even if you were a few pieces ahead of others, though they do have a time limit to ensure seatings. The drink menu had a number of sake offerings in addition to other alcohol from junmai to daiginjo though I didn't have any this meal. The meal followed typical omakase courses including Anago, ikura/uni, ankimo, salmon, scallop, chutoro, amberjack, madai. The fish tasted fairly fresh and good though not amazing. My main issue was rice - I thought so little rice was used for a lot of the courses to the point of barely tasting it. Some pieces also had a lot of nikiri sauce and was so salty. Wasabi and ginger were fine. I didn't say anything as at omakase I personally defer the whole courses and prep to the chef's preference for preparation though it can be totally fine to ask the chef to modify the amount of rice or wasabi. They also have an okonomi option at the end. Overall I think I Sushi Kaito would be worth a revisit, is definitely a very good value for the price and the fish was very good, my meal was just my personal preference with rice and everyone seemed to have a good time! Would definitely recommend before a show nearby for the early and efficient dinner service. read more

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We had the omakase which included a delicious appetizer, 14 pieces of sushi and dessert. We were celebrating our anniversary and they gave us a nice yuzu cheesecake at the end. It's a small place with sushi counter seats. I would say this place is worth it for $115 per person. read more

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Not being dramatic when I say this meal I will ever eat in my entire life. Amazing experience, amazing staff, make a reservation in advance. This place is absolutely incredible. read more

Sushi Kaito - Sushi Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I had the pleasure of dining here for the first time the other day, i think its one of the best kept secrets in NYC Sushi. $115 for app, 14 pieces, hand role + desert. All of the courses were amazingly fresh, and everything was so beautifully prepared by our Sushi chef. Service was absolutely impeccable, highly attentive but always welcoming and kind. Can't wait to come back. I really can't believe there were tables available here either, when there is a wait at mediocre/bad sushi places popularized on TikTok (i won't call them out by name, you know which ones i mean). read more

i had a FANTASTIC experience here - all the fish was so incredibly fresh and well done. the food: you know it's REAL when the omakase is led by two japanese experts - i thoroughly enjoyed the perfectly cooked and temp of the rice, the freshhhhh fish, and the unique yet not trendy pairings of flavors. everything tasted authentic and not overdone. the space: 12 seater, it is slightly fishy inside but i promise you the quality of the fish is perf the service: super attentive and kind read more

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Best omakase experience on the Upper West Side. Great service, great space. Great spot for a date or just a fun night out.

Unbelievable quality and expertise of the chefs is amazing to watch. Great service and wonderful atmosphere.

Great ambience. Amazing service. Amazing sushi. The quality is top notch. I came from LA and absolutely love this place!! read more

I had been to Sushi Kaito a few times and really enjoyed yet. However, I recently returned for dinner and was disappointed. Everything looked very nice, but most pieces were lacking in flavor. The servers were attentive so that was a plus. Sadly, I don't plan to return. read more

Sushi Kaito - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Sushi Kaito is a budget-friendly omakase that offers two kinds - the Classic that comes with 13 courses, and the Premium that comes with 17 courses. Both come with Japanese cold somen noodles and dessert. I liked that their menu is seasonal, so it may change on your next visit. Ours included: +an app (comes with miso soup and a cooked hamachi) +Madai +Shima Aji +Katsuo +Sawara +Akami +Chuturo +Ootoro +Niji Masu +King Salmon +Hotate +Botan Ebi +uni +anago +Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Beef +a handroll +and, finished with a dessert (a mochi ice cream) Overall, the experience was okay. Staff were friendly, but we thought the quality of the fish could have been, albeit being a budget-friendly one. +budget-friendly omakase read more

I think Sushi Kaito might be my all-time favorite higher end sushi place in NYC. I've been lucky enough to try a handful of Michelin starred places in NYC like Sushi Yasuda, Kosaka and Noz. Places with Michelin recognition are generally good (with the exception of Nakazawa which was pretty disappointing.) Sushi Kaito is a hidden gem and while it doesn't have a Michelin star, I think that the food and service here is better than most other places in the city. In addition, it's a little more reasonable pricewise since it doesn't have any Michelin stars. FYI you will need to book a reservation in advance. There are only 10 seats. The presentation is great, and while I've only been here twice, both times I've felt that the meal was a different experience. All of the fish is extremely fresh which is an expectation at this kind of restaurant and the preparation is unique. The pacing is also very good and you're not made to feel rushed or feel like you have to wait for each piece. This most recent visit they had my favorite, nodoguro. This fish is in season during the colder months and not available all year round. In short, if you're looking for a sushi place for a special occasion, skip the typical places and give Sushi Kaito a shot. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Had the pleasure to get a spot at the counter last night and enjoyed their omakase menu. From the opening pieces to the last, it was a delight to taste fresh and perfectly seasoned bites through their versatile and interesting menu. The kamatoro, tuna jaw, below me away and had to get a second piece. I'll be back. read more

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Wow... first time leaving a bad review, and it's for this place. The staff kept rushing me to eat because "people are waiting" -- three times! I came for sushi, not a speed-eating contest. Super rude. Don't come here if you actually want to enjoy your meal. And to make things worse, they skipped one of my dishes. Really bad experience. read more

This was our 2nd time here...the 1st time, we dined outside and had the regular omakase.  This time we dined inside and splurged on the premium. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.  Definitely recommend dining inside to watch the chefs in action. We started off with some water, green tea and a large bottle of Suigei.  Soon after, the omakase experience commenced and it felt like it would never end. Overall, the prices were not exhorbitant, the service was above par, and the sushi was delicate and tasty!  Some of our favorites were the New Zealand salmon, Japanese baracuda, the creamy sea urchin and the wagyu! Will definitely be returning.  Enjoy the pics. read more

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This was truly phenomenal - the chef was extremely nice and explained where the fish was from and carefully prepared each piece. Everything was delicious and they catered to specific tastes. 10/10. read more

Omakase at Sushi Kaito is truly a world class experience! The quality of the fish, attention to detail in the preparation and service is absolutely incredible. With a slight rebranding during the pandemic, they stepped up the menu even further by adding several new creations as interludes in between the nigiri. These new dishes are perfectly balanced in terms of flavor & texture and ensure that the entire menu is not only a marvelous delight to the palate but also entirely satiating. read more

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Incredible local omakase! Great price and wonderfully fresh! Almost don't want to post because will get more difficult to get a reservation. Can't miss and always a stop for me when back in NYC! read more

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Had this meal over a year ago (hence I cannot name the pieces now) but it was that good that I can gladly and finally write a review for Sushi Kaito. This was my first omakase experience and I no longer order sushi at random sushi restaurants when cravings strike. Honestly this has changed my outlook in life though my wallet cry every time I want sushi but one must not go back to sad sushi after their first (also great) omakase experience!! The service was top notch and we were carefully served by not only the chef but our waitress. Our waitress moved swiftly but politely behind us (only limited bar seatings) and filled up our sake as we finish the last. Food: 9.5/10 hence I was not fond of all types of fish served but that doesn't mean any was not top notch fresh! The wide eyes in surprised my bf and I exchanged to each other once each piece reach our tastebuds, then we both danced in joy with constant nodding. Yes, I can remember this night very clearly. Definitely recommending this and def opt for that more pieces option of the omakase, you won't be disappointed! read more

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Don't sleep on this small, unassuming sushi paragon! If you're lucky enough to reserve one of the 12 or so limited seats, all of which are at the omakase bar, you're in for a real treat. Witnessing the artful, intricate knife skills and extreme attention to detail of the sushi chef was mesmerizing. Every single piece of the 12 course tasting was perfect! Each bite truly did capture that elusive and highly desirable perfect balance of sweet, sour, saltiness, bitterness and savoriness. The preparation seemed simplistic, but the beauty was in the complexity of flavor the chef was able to coax out of the fresh, delicate fish. I would definitely go back! read more

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Stopped by during an impromptu visit to NYC and I was very impressed that Sushi Kaito executed our outdoor dining Omakase experience so well. Ambiance was quite romantic too, complete with faux candles, soft music, toasty lamps and hot tea to keep you warm from the elements. Now for the food! Excellent starters: We enjoyed the red miso soup served with the giant shrimp head and the kampachi kama. My first time eating kampachi this way as I've only had the hamachi but it was equally delicious and the portion was substantial. Entrees: Plate 1 was a quality opener with baby hamachi belly, aji, kinmedai, ebi and zuke tuna but Plate 2 blew us away with all the drool-worthy pieces featuring chutoro, madai, sawara, kodai and uni. All in all, I loved the selection for the different varieties and flavor profiles. Even our toro hand roll kicker was amazing. As you know, I am a pig so we ordered a la carte items as well and finally ended with some otoro and hotate sashimi. Great quality and very smooth. Highly recommend this place! Stop in if takeout sushi just won't cut it for you anymore at some point during this lockdown. You will get a knockout meal and you'll stay warm too! read more

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It's a small spot that seats about 10 people so it's nice and quiet. The sushi was amazing and really fresh. It was 17 courses for $115 so great price for the quality it was. You can also order repeats of any that you liked. read more

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Never thought I would be having omakase outdoor and away from the sushi counter....but it is what it is given the covid 19 restriction. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time as there are only 3 tables of 4 available. We went on a pretty chilly night, but the outdoor setup had heat lamps and the server brought us hot tea immediately. We all got the sushi omakase (10 exquisite pieces plus maki roll and miso soup). My friend didn't eat shellfish and uni, so she paid an additional $10 for the kosher version?! Honestly, can't believe they would change more for not having uni. We also got a bottle of hot sake to share. They definitely serve some high quality fish which include toro, uni, and salmon belly. Let's support this neighborhood restaurant when you are craving for some high quality sushi. read more

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It's solid but not great. It's budget friendly but not very memorable. I wouldn't go there again

I took my mom here for her 70th birthday and we really enjoyed ourselves! Here's a breakdown of how we'd rate this omakase spot Food (4.5/5)... nearly everything was delicious and fresh. Rice amount was perfect and well seasoned Ambiance (3/5)... it's a small spot that didn't feel well ventilated. Very stuffy and smelled of fish when we walked in. Also they still have dividers up between diners and between chef and diners so it was really hard to hear the chef. I think this is half the experience of omakase; to be able to interact with others. Service (4/5)... it was good, nothing exceptional but also nothing worth docking an additional star for. read more

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Food-- very very tasty, flavorful, punchy. I even had one or two bites of food that I had never had before, which is saying something given how frequently I go to omakase spots in the city Service-- attentive and friendly Ambiance-- unfortunately this is where I docked a couple stars, the smell inside the restaurant was very unpleasantly fishy, totally at odds with how wonderful and fresh the food was read more

My bf and I went here for dinner and had a great experience. It was my first time eating omakase so I don't have anything to compare it to, but my bf who has been to several thought it was good but not the best he's had for a similar price. We sat indoors in front of the chefs and were served like 16 courses I think? My personal favorite was the fatty tuna which melted in my mouth.... I still think about it sometimes. Also loved the grilled yellowtail collar - prob one of the best cooked fish I've ever had. Also, the black sesame mochi ice cream for dessert was the best mochi ice cream I've had - the black sesame flavor was super authentic and mochi was very chewy and fresh, unlike most mochi ice creams I've had which become hardened and stale over the freezing process. Service was great too of course! read more

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I came in for the omakasea on a random Saturday afternoon and experienced the best sushi i've had in my life. read more

Sushi Kaito - Sushi Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Another day another omakase. Came on a weekend evening and yes, you definitely need a reservation considering there are only 10 seats and NYC restaurants are more booked than ever. Overall, we believe the sushi was mediocre at best, although a few bright spots here and there. The highlights were the chef and hot dishes (including Kobe beef, oyster, and cod). The sushis were much smaller than average, at triple-digit prices, and it was quite disappointing. The appetizer and dessert were a disaster, let's not even mention them. Chef himself was very nice, will give him that. Not a place I'd recommend or return to. service 3.5/5 value 3/5 food 3.5/5 ambiance 3/5 read more

Sushi Kaito - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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We booked the reservation at last minute but luckily they had availability for us. In the beginning, my boyfriend ordered 2 classic Omakaze but then the quality of the food amazed us!!! We quickly asked the waiter to change our orders to the premium Omakaze, and we never regretted our decision. The whole dining experience was amazing. Their ingredients are inarguably fresh and wonderful. I myself rarely eat carbs but I was so impressed with the quality of their premium Japanese rice. Tasty Pinot Grigio and lovely dessert We will come back soon!!!!! read more

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The attention and effort to detail created an outstanding experience whether it be the delicacy of the nigiri, the seating of guests, the focus and concentration of the chefs, and attentive consideration of the host. Highly recommended read more

What a pleasant fine dining experience! We sat outside for omakase and I was worried everything wouldn't be as good due to the temperature, wind, etc. I'm wowed by how amazing the nigiri sushi was. I actually didn't have anything I did not like today. Fish is fresh, the toro, uni, and abalone were the highlights for me. My boyfriend particularly enjoyed the toro. Needless to say, I think an omakase would be a better experience sitting by the chef's table. Definitely make a reservation for that. They have very few spots and they fill up quickly. However, the outdoor experience is great and the quality of food is not compromised. We got the premium and did not have lunch in preparation for our scrumptious dinner. The portion isn't crazy, so if you are super hungry, the regular version might not be enough food. We also got a nice bottle of sake to go with our meal. Came here for the anniversary and the service was spectacular. Staff is very friendly, and at the same time, they respect your privacy. Will definitely come back and sit inside. read more

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Had dinner before a show at Lincoln Center. Omakase is so prevalent in the city but based on reviews this seemed like a good choice. We weren't disappointed - cozy spot with a small sushi counter. We enjoyed watching the chefs craft each piece. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Pace of the meal is nice - you don't feel rushed. My husbands favorite piece was the Uni, my son loved the shad which we had never tried before and I really enjoyed the scallop and tuna. Reasonable price for the number of pieces you get. read more

Amazing. Maybe I'm inherently biased towards the omakase process, where the pacing and selection are completely out of your hands, and you simply sit back and let the process wash over you. For a control freak like me, it actually lets me concentrate on the food more. I'll also add a plug for eating omakase with your hands - it makes for a pretty sensual experience that you wouldn't otherwise get with utensils. So for Kaito, I had been looking forward to it for days. Kaito offers some interesting combinations and flavors (think chili, olive oil, and finger lime as accoutrements, with some pink Himalayan salt thrown in for good measure) but there were also many pieces that would appease a purist, with just a dab of wasabi and drizzle of soy sauce. The first thing they'll ask is whether you want the 12- or 16-piece. We went with the 16-piece (which comes with a starter plate, hand roll, miso soup, and tomago) and two a la carte pieces, and walked out pleasantly satiated but not stuffed at the seams. Do NOT eat the white stuff at the bottom of the starter plate, by the way. Instead of ground-up radish, as I had thought, it was pure salt and I had a panicked moment where I thought I was going to start hacking uncontrollably. The standouts: - Oyster on the starter plate. If there's one thing Sushi Yasaka and Kaito do exceptionally well, it's the oysters. I can't tell you what's exactly on them but I will say I could down a platter without any trouble. - Fatty tuno or otoro. This was one of the pieces I had to get a repeat of. - Scallop. - Miso soup. I grew up on the overly salty miso that came in these dried up little pellets - this one tasted home-made. - Ebi. - Tamago. I sort of lost track about halfway through because of the deliciousness overload. Our chef was so friendly (thanks for posing with the uni!) and offered me an extra birthday piece of the tamago. read more

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Sushi Kaito was a wonderful experience I have had the pleasure of sharing with my parents. Out of a 12 piece or 16 piece omakase menu, we each chose the 16 piece option. For the duration of about an hour and half, Chef Kei San hand made each piece in front of us, allowing us time to appreciate the texture and soak in the taste of each bite as we anticipated the next. Sushi was fresh and melted in our mouths; their colorations were marvelous. By the time we were finished, both my parents were satisfied, and I was quite full. (Probably because I drank so much of their rich green tea.) What a special treat. Pictured (did my best to label them correctly): - Starter Sashimi - Nigiri's: Hamachi (yellowtail) w. finger lime | Aji (horse mackerel) w. grated ginger | Hotate (scallop) w. Himalayan black salt | Amaebi (sweet shrimp) | Escolar (butterfish) | Anago (saltwater eel) | Saba (mackerel) w. grated ginger | Kanpachi (amberjack) | Toro (blue fin belly) | Maguro Senaka (tuna) | Sake Toro (salmon belly) | (torched mackerel/sardine) - Maki's: Uni (sea urchins) | Gunkan Ikura (salmon roe/fish eggs) Unpictured: - Fatty Tuna Handroll ---------------------- Side note: Make reservations in advance, as there is a limited number of seatings. Warning: Their 12 piece omakase is now $90, and their 16 piece omakase, $120, pre tax & tip. read more

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Omg it's been a month since I came here and I am still thinking about my omakase experience and the sushi I had here. Everything about our experience here was excellent. The staff were excellent and so attentive throughout our slot, the sushi chef did such an amazing job preparing each piece and was clearly knowledgeable and proud of his craft, and the space, though tiny, was very well organized and welcoming. The food itself has tainted all future non-omakase sushi for me because it was sooooooo good here. So much flavor and thought in the pairing of fish with sauces and garnishes. If the opportunity arises, I am 100% coming back here read more