Omakase has become a trend and a lot of players in the city are cashing in on. Presenting basic sushi of moderate quality omakase style without the inventiveness or quality you expect. You get what you pay for! I even went to one where they played happy birthday for people! It happened to be my birthday and I was happy to be there but is that really what we are going for in an omakase experience? Thirteen Water is one omakase where it feels like you get more than you paid for. The quality of the fish served, the method of preparation and the service really stood out to me. This is my go to omakase in the under 200 category! read more

Mid-range omakase. Entry level NY-style omakase. My own term for the heavily garnished omakases popping up around the city, with the garnishes usually skewing towards luxury (uni, caviar, but also charcoal salt, pickles, etc) but also for visuals. A fixed printed menu is another sign of their commitment to their creative vision via bite composition as opposed to flexibility, quality, seasonality and availability. Slick, dimly lit dining room. Solid fixtures. Service is attentive enough. They're about par, all things considered. Let's use the Otoro toro caviar bite as an example. Nigiri with a slice of torched Otoro topped with chopped toro, caviar and chives with a dollop of wasabi. Luxurious and inoffensive but the individual flavors will get lost in each other. No real surprises here but you'll get some uncommon combinations that don't do much, like their salmon tomato bite. Safe and inoffensive. The rice for each bite is smaller than average but they don't skimp on the fish. No dessert included, though I'm not sure if they have any desserts at all. They're also quick to get you the bill. It's a price point play if you want different flavors and textures with your nigiri but there are (admittedly more expensive) places that do it better with more creative and coherent compositions. read more

Thirteen Water - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I made a resy reservation with friends for the omakase and we were seated inside the restaurant shortly after our reserved time. The servers made rounds often to ensure everyone had what they needed. The restaurant was fairly quiet so you can fully immerse yourself in enjoying the omakase. The restaurant has only bar seating with the chefs in the center preparing the sushi in front of the guests. You can really tell the sushi is well-made and the ingredients were fresh. I was previously not a fan of ikura and uni, but this experience changed my mind. I've been to a few other omakase's with similar price points to Thirteen Waters and I've got to say, this has been my best experience so far. read more

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Came to Thirteen Water for my birthday, and it was marvelous. The space is small and intimate, which made the whole experience feel personal. Out of the 13 courses, a few of my favorites were the chutoro, otoro toro caviar, and toast. The chutoro was beautifully fatty and, as promised, literally melted in my mouth. The otoro toro caviar had a similar richness, but felt more complete as a bite. It was lightly fired, giving it a warm, toasty flavor that made it my absolute favorite of the night. The toast was also such a unique touch: crunchy, unexpected, and paired really well with the fish. Every bite felt carefully and thoughtfully composed, with just the right balance of wasabi, soy sauce, and supporting flavors. Nothing felt random; each course felt like a fully developed bite. I was a little underwhelmed by the unagi and didn't find it especially memorable. It felt like something I could get elsewhere, and I wish it had been approached with a bit more creativity. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and the staff were incredibly kind. They even brought out matcha ice cream with a candle for my birthday, which I really appreciated. Thank you to the Thirteen Water staff for making it such a memorable celebration!!! :) read more

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Oh my god this place lived above and beyond my expectations! The service was amazing! The chefs were super cool! Every bite was a hit the whole night. I got the base omakase and like 9 more from the specials. I even got a complementary drink :). The place felt quite intimate but I didn't feel uncomfortable or uptight at all. Every bite was fresh, melt in ur mouth, umami, u already know. I'd 100% come back. My bill was a lot higher though since I got so many specials on top of the base omakase. The base is 85 which is a great price especially for this quality. Yelp won't let me post all the photos since I got so much! read more

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Loved everything I got here! My friends took me here for my graduation dinner and every piece of sushi was amazing and fresh. My favorites were the tunas! read more

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All the courses were fresh and some of their flavor combinations were really unique and memorable. I'm not a big tomato fan but their salmon with tomato was surprisingly delicious. Loved that there was a good variety of diff fishes and all were very fresh. This place gets you in and out in an hour and everyone kind of eat at the same pace so I did felt a little bit rushed. It's the first omakase where everyone came and go at the exact same time. If you want a more slow paced restaurant maybe this might not be the best option. Chefs were pretty busy meeting demands so they were less interactive compared to other places I have been. Personally have no issue with that so really depends on your preference. Restaurant was small but clean and service was great. Overall enjoyed this omakase and rly like the courses. read more

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Just incredible!!! I loved my dinner here at Thirteen Water. The craftsmanship of each dish is fantastic! Everything was 10/10 delicious and the service was incredible! This is a must visit omakase spot in NY. I am already dreaming of my return!! read more

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This omakase spot in Alphabet City has been one that I kept hearing raving reviews about from my friends! With a cozy interior, it's the perfect spot for a date night. At $85 pp, it is 13 courses and offers nigiri, some handrolls, and a toast. I thought the quality of all the fish was delicious and loved the garnishes for each. I truly enjoyed their toro truffle, otoro toro caviar, and their toast. At the end of the course, we were still hungry so we got their spicy salmon handroll and their scallop uni, which were both amazing. However, I would say that service here is just okay. They are pretty strict with the 60 minute dining limit so as soon as we finished, they rushed us out the door so they could sit the next group. Wasn't the biggest fan of that as it made the dining experience feel rushed, but I also understand. In addition, the whole time while dining whenever the waitress went to refill my tea, she always reached OVER my plate and asked me to move/wait for her to pour it. I felt as if that was a bit unprofessional and she should have gone to the other side of me to pour it. Small detail, but it happened about 4-5 times throughout the meal and it kept interrupting our conversation. read more

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I visited Thirteen Water for omakase, and it ended up being a really memorable experience--especially as one of the first omakase spots I've tried in New York. What stood out to me right away is that their approach feels more modern compared to traditional omakase. There's also a subtle Chinese influence woven into some of the flavors and presentation, which makes the experience feel unique without straying too far from what you'd expect. Almost every piece of nigiri tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The flavors worked really well together, and nothing felt out of place. You can tell there's intention behind each course, from how it's seasoned to how it's served. I honestly wish I had some pictures saved because a lot of the dishes were visually impressive too. It's definitely the kind of place where presentation adds to the overall experience. Overall, I'd say this is a great introduction to omakase if you're newer to it, while still offering something a little different for people who've had more traditional experiences. Solid quality, creative touches, and a spot I'd recommend trying. read more

Small but intimate, cosy space. Staff was very friendly and helpful, answering our questions thoroughly. The food was yum! We got the omakase and there were some very unique dishes I've never tried--would recommend if you are open minded and like to try new flavors. read more

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Another good tasty quick sushi omakse place at $85 and tax for 13 courses. Very tasty. Just eat and go. One hour deal. Worth it? Yes. Not bad. read more

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Great price for high quality omakase in the city. They take a unique spin on their pieces like with the tomato and salmon piece. They were accommodating to us for arriving late and had our pieces ready to go. They also brought out a special matcha ice cream dessert for my birthday! Would recommend and come back for another meal! read more

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Loved the omakase experience and for $85, you can't get better than this. 13 courses of fresh fish topped off with garnishes that elevated each bite ~ insane. Our chef was friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable. We came for lunch around 3pm and practically had the space to ourselves for a party of 6 ~ so lunch time may be a good time without a wait. Would definitely come back again. read more

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Thirteen Water is a small sushi bar that solely does omakase located in East Village of New York City. The omakase here is quite affordable compared to other places. It is a fixed price of $75 per person, before tax and tip. There are limited amounts of seats and you are required to have a reservation to be seated. I made a reservation for a party of four online through Resy. It was very easy and they explained all the policies before you make the booking. In our omakase set for Friday, 07/25/2025, it was 13 courses: madai, chutoro, hamachi, tuna truffle, shima aji, salmon tomato, ikura, botan ebi, hotate, otoro toro caviar, unagi, uni toast, and toro handroll. I also ordered a yuzu cocktail off their drink menu. The fish quality was great for only $75. I love salmon, chutoro, and otoro, so I was very happy that these pieces were in our set! The chefs weren't very social or interactive with us. Not sure if that is typical for their staff here, but that is one thing I noticed. Other times and places I have had omakase, the chefs tend to be more talkative. read more

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This was a great omakase experience and a must go to if you are in town or in the area. The service was great and the fish was super fresh. A simple menu set but completely hit the spot with distinct flavors. The ambiance was nice but really wish they had hooks for your bag! read more

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- ~ * An experience * ~ - This was my first omakase and it was so good! Every time I took a bite my tastebuds were dancing!! I believe it's reservations only. They provide stale water or there's an option for sparkling. The place is clean. We had a large group of 9 people and the service made us feel welcomed. They even got a bottle of sake out for us to take a shot with them. It was so nice of them. read more

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I would definitely recommend this place. The omakase was great. The staff were great at checking in. The reservations weren't too hard to get. Overall good to go with a friend and share the experience together. read more

Thirteen Water - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Absolute favorite "affordable" omakase in NYC! This was an incredible experience. Very very fresh fish, innovative flavor combinations & high quality ingredients! Very fast- 60 min omakase, almost felt rushed but very similar to other omakases in the city! Staff were wonderful & helped us pick a sake bottle! Will absolutely be back!! read more

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Had an amazing experience at thirteen water during our last visit to New York! I had done some research beforehand to find a quality, but not overly pricey spot and this place fit the bill. We had the omakase, split a bottle of sake, and each got 1-2 specialty add ons on top of the set. All of the courses were delicious, and I really felt like the seasonings, sauces and toppings all worked together really well for each piece to be its own experience. We saw a few groups waiting outside when we got there, so we assumed seating wasn't available yet and we were right. They do group seating / eating, so each group for the same reservation time will be seated at the same time, and only after the previous group leaves. So don't go inside to take a peek before your res time, and make sure to keep up during the courses if you don't want to be the last ones there! The system made it feel a tad rushed since you didn't want to be left behind, but it wasn't too hard to stay with the group. It was relatively quiet in the room during the meal, but everyone was talking amongst their own groups, or even doing their own solo meal rituals so it felt very laid back. I'd definitely return again if the opportunity presented itself! read more

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Perfect first omakase experience--unfussy, approachable, intimate. This is a tiny space and seatings are all together at the start time, so don't come too early--or else you'll need to wait outside. But be on time, as the personal sushi chef-ing gets started right away and you only have an hour! James was our chef and he did a great job. I liked that we had a print out of the courses so I knew what to expect. Service was fast and on point the entire time. Our personal fav's were the tuna truffle, shima aji, and the toast. We also added on the spicy crab and salmon hand rolls and the A5 wagyu. The only course I really didn't like was the botan ebi-the texture was a bit slimey for my taste and was one of those things that sticks with you and kinda grosses you out later. If you're looking for luxury or something super vibey, this might not be the place. But if you're looking for an approachable, quick, and extremely affordable (and pretty tasty!) omakase experience, this is the perfect spot. read more

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Such a good omakase spot - it was $85 for 13 courses. The fish was honestly SO fresh, and really loved all of the pieces. One that really took me by surprise was the salmon, topped with tomato. I thought that I wouldn't have really liked it, as it was an interesting combination, but was honestly so good. All of the pieces were absolutely amazing, with my favorite, obviously, being the otoro topped with caviar. It literally melted in my mouth, and tasted fabulous. I loved the little details they added to different pieces of fish (like the truffle topped on the lean tuna, and garlic chip on one of the pieces), which was a really nice addition, and made them unique. I definitely see the hype for this spot, and will have to try their other location with the DIY omakase box! read more

WOW, everything in this omakase experience was to die for. I will seriously be back every time I visit New York. The fish was great quality and the experience is just priceless! Staff was wonderful as well! read more

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My boyfriend and I were able to snag a reservation for Thursday night the day before!! Our friends in the city recommended this place for a true NYC omakase experience. Our reservation was for 6pm and the hostess was already making rounds around the block at 545 checking people in. This place is QUICK - they want you in and out quickly. I noticed a lot of their fish was pre cut to make sure food got out quickly, vs my previous experiences where omakase was a bit slower to account for the experience of it all. I think we were in and out of the restaurant in 50 minutes lol. The shop is very clean. The service was great, they checked on us often. The chef was also friendly! The price was $85 for 13 pieces and it was all delicious! I also ordered their matcha which was soooo good I'd come back just for that. The highlight was definitely the toro with caviar. I would recommend if you want an omakase with a better price range compared to others! read more

Thirteen Water - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I was pretty excited to try this omakase place since it is a bit more "experimental" with the pieces. However, I felt like some of the pieces did not work well in my opinion. The first few pieces such as the madai, chutoro, hamachi, and tuna truffle started off strong but then I started to dislike some of the pieces after. I think I disliked the salmon tomato and toast piece the most. The value was good for an omakase but the pieces were not as memorable compared to other places I have tried. read more

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quality of sushi, taste, and presentation was excellent. super enjoyable watching the delicate and detailed assembly of each roll. the hamachi was a standout, and the chutoro was melt in your mouth buttery texture. the atmosphere and ambiance was kind of lacking, felt kind of sterile and service was not very welcoming. there was minimal interaction with the sushi chefs compared to other omakase I've been to. food was 5 stars though. read more

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My friend and I have been to a new omakase place every month this year, and Thirteen Water was by far our favorite! EACH piece actually wow'ed me and I didn't think any piece was too normal or typical. For someone who doesn't really like tomato, the fact that I enjoyed the salmon tomato piece was a big sign that they're doing something right here! We also don't normally add any additional pieces but we both had to here. Booked another resy for next month because it was just so good!! One thing I do wish was a different is that I wish the ambiance was a bit darker to set the tone b/c it is pretty bright here, creating a more casual vibe. I would highly recommend Thirteen Water if anyone is looking for a reasonably priced, GOOD omakase in NYC!! read more

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One of my favorite omakase places for its price! $75 for 13 course omakase. I've been here twice and both times were amazing. Really high quality dining experience. The chef was meticulous in handling each piece and he made sure we were enjoying ourselves and even wiped our plates clean midway through dinner. I like how most pieces had toppings on it that really elevated each fish. And also they used Santa Barbara uni for their toast piece which was just chef's kiss. Love love love this place! read more

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If I could give this six stars i would in a heartbeat. This is the greatest sushi i've ever had in my life and its not close AT ALL. James was our omakase chef and he did an UNBELIEEEVABLE job all night! The otoro toro caviar and the toast with unni and otoro was MINDBLOWING and almost brought me to tears. James deserves a raise and I hope his pillow is always cold and that everything works out for him in life. Aaron the owner is also super friendly! My friend Ben took me to Thirteen Water and this is Ben's 6th time there so hopefully Aaron remembers him next time LOL. This is the best sushi/omakase/meal I've ever had in my LIFE and definitely in all of New York!!! YOU SHOULD GO IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GOING read more

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This is hands down my favorite omakase spot ever! It's relatively affordable compared to others I've tried ($75-85pp) for 13 courses. There are some pieces where they highlight the fish where others they add a bit of flare. My favorite piece is the salmon tomato, it melts in your mouth and is insane. Their toast piece is also to die for! Great to come on a date night or a friend out of town because they will be amazed. It's an intimate spot and the chef's are so friendly! Make sure you come on time for your reservation because they seat and start everyone at the same time which makes the experience feel even more intimate. read more

I booked a reservation for Thirteen Water because I heard great things on social media and it was a close friends birthday. The food itself was delicious overall as someone who just came back from A vacation from Japan. It was a Sunday dinner and the sushi booths were super full. I do have a few critiques on the experience. For 13 pieces it was rushed and finished in less than 40 mins. I felt like although the staff was friendly the chef didn't really engage or explain any piece which thankfully was resolved with the menu. The rice was good but kept falling apart as well. I loved the recommendation of the yuzu sake that our waitress recommended. I was also a bit disappointed that there wasn't dessert or any special gesture when I marked it as a birthday celebration. So all in all although the food was decent, I'll have to take off 2 stars because of the lackluster experience and them needing to improve consistent experience for each client. read more

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I can't say enough good things about Thirteen Water. I discovered this place through a TikTok video around September 2022 and I've been hooked ever since. In fact, I've now been here seven times and each visit has been consistently amazing. This is hands down one of the best Omakase experiences I've had, and I've dined at plenty of the well-known (and much pricier) spots around town. Thirteen Water beats them in quality, creativity, and overall experience. It's honestly shocking in the best way that the whole experience comes in at under $100. For that price, you're getting a beautifully curated meal full of bold, clean, and thoughtful flavors. Every single piece that comes out is memorable. One bite might have a bright hit of zesty lime, the next a perfectly charred Otoro or a melt-in-your-mouth foie gras. There's always something that surprises me with how well-balanced and flavorful it is. You can tell the chefs put real care and thought into every piece. Speaking of the chefs, they're another reason I keep coming back. They're not only skilled, but also fun and welcoming. They take the time to explain what's being served, offer little surprises here and there, and genuinely make you feel like you're part of the experience not just another diner in a seat. I also appreciate how consistent they've been with quality and service. Seven visits in, and it's been excellent every single time. That's not something you can say about most restaurants. If you're into sushi or curious about trying omakase for the first time, this is the place to go. It's approachable and honestly a steal for what you get. I always recommend Thirteen Water to friends, and I'll continue singing its praises every time someone brings up omakase. Thirteen Water isn't just a sushi spot, it's an experience I look forward to over and over again. Don't sleep on it. read more

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Everything was absolutely excellent from the food to the ambiance to the experience. All the omakase pieces were delicious and such good quality. The servers and chefs were so nice and on top of things. I would definitely come back when I'm in the city. No bad words about this place! read more

Thirteen Water - menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This was my first omakase experience and i enjoyed it. My boyfriend was afraid of trying the fish but the chefs explained everything so well that he now loves omakase !! read more

I really enjoyed the quality of the fish at thirteen water and the ambiance. There wasn't much interaction with the chef which was disappointing and the service was just ok but otherwise the restaurant was comfortable and small which I liked. I thought the Otoro Toro Caviar piece was the best and I was intrigued by the Salmon Tomato and Toast pieces. I will say that the rice was not as good at other omakase places I've gone to in the city. I thought the rice was a bit too sticky although flavored well. I also thought the quality of the Ikura was not the best. Other than that, everything else was good. Overall, I'd give it a 4.1 read more

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Made a reservation for a Friday night and had a solid meal here. It was $75 for 13 courses as of September 2024. Definitely one of the better affordable omakase options in the area. Highlights included the churros, tuna truffle, shima aji, unagi and toast. I was super full after and thought it was great value for the price! read more

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One of the most affordable and delicious omakases in the city! I could not even name a favorite because every bite was just as delicious as the last. The fish they use are all extremely fresh and the toppings and shavings are perfectly done. I'm use to the service being more upbeat and talkative at omakase counters. I felt like this was lacking at thirteen water and it would've really made the meal an easy five stars. It is also very quick as they were able to seat us till around 7:10pm and we left before 8pm. All in all, an amazing omakase experience. Would definitely recommend! read more

Thirteen Water - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on Friday for lunch and it was basically just us and another group of 2. The staff are friendly and most importantly the food was amazing. Everything was seasoned very well and was fresh tasting. The sake was also really good. I think the 13 piece omakase was a good amount of food - you won't leave feeling stuffed but you'll feel comfortable. Would def come back! read more

Thirteen Water - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The reservations for this spot seem to be booked up most of them time, so ended up having to go too early at 5pm. The counter only has about 15 seats. It was worth it though since they used a variety of different sauces that made it stand out from so many other omakase spots. I didn't take too many photos since I find omakase to always look very similar, but the otoro felt like he was building a tower. I'd go back again for sure. read more

Thirteen Water - Otoro + caviar - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I went in with high expectations, however, was severely disappointed. First, the food was just okay. And second, the service at the end was horrible. The first bite I took, the rice was overpowering. It was too vinegary and overcooked. It be rice was mushy. The rice to fish ratio was also off which added to the overpowering flavor of the rice. The fish itself was just fine. It was hard to determine the taste of the some of the them. I do remember one piece with caviar was super greasy and big. It seemed like they just piled any expensive food they could find to make it sound fancy l. But the fish was just so mushy and greasy. Some of the other pieces were just fine. The chef was very nice and fun to talk to. However, the waitresses were quite rude. At the end when the bill came, she shoved the kiosk into my friend's face while she was still eating her last piece. This was 30 minutes into the meal when we were supposed to be give 60 minutes. When we payed she kept emphasis the fact that the price shown had NO TIP. For me, it always feels bad to have someone keep emphasizing this fact. After tipping, I went to the bathroom and came out to everything cleaned out 15 minutes before the end of the 60 minutes. My friends were waiting outside because they had been rushed out. The waitress had come around while they were waiting and stood behind them with a rag looking at my friend and then my stuff until she got intimidated and left. Keep in mind, there was no seatings after our time AND it wasn't even past what we were allocated. Just overall extremely rude and did not expect that. When I get something like an omakase experience, my expectation is that it should be a level above any time of regular sushi dinner just at a bare minimum. Or, at least AS good as a decent sushi dinner. read more

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