Sushi or not Sushi: 5 New York Sushi Restaurants Not to Miss

Nobu

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, restaurateur Drew Nieporent and actor Robert De Niro opened the Tribeca Flagship of the Nobu empire in 1994. The original New York Times review claimed, “Sushi lovers will find that no kitchen in the city turns out a more spectacular plate of raw fish.” Indeed, New York’s most fabulous fine diners have been flocking to Nobu for over a decade, like schools of… well, you know.

The Japanese menu is infused with influences from South America. It includes dishes like Yellowtail with Jalapeño, and Black Cod with Miso and Wasabi Pepper Sauce, that have become standards. The restaurant has a coveted Michelin star and New York Magazine food critic Gael Greene ranked it as one of the most important restaurants of the last 40 years. The elegant space, designed by architect David Rockwell is filled with birch, wood and stone, reminiscent of the Japanese countryside.

Nobu has been a long-time celebrity staple. But this summer a group including Elle Macpherson, Sting, Sienna Miller and Woody Harrelson began protesting Nobu’s use of endangered blue fin tuna. The verdict on Nobu’s environmental impact may still be out, but the food is a clear winner.

Nobu is located at 105 Hudson Street. The more casual Nobu Next Door is right beside Nob and more recently an uptown edition, Nobu 57 opened.