Shiki Omakase: An Intimate Sushi Experience in NYC

Shiki Omakase Introduce

Nestled on the bustling streets of New York City, Shiki Omakase is a hidden gem for anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable Japanese dining experience. This intimate sushi bar, specializing in the traditional omakase style, offers a culinary journey where the chef is your guide. From the moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by an atmosphere that is both cozy and trendy, making you feel right at home. The entire dining experience is designed to be personal and artful, with each dish meticulously crafted and presented as a work of art.

Shiki Omakase has quickly become a standout in the city's vibrant food scene, praised for its incredible quality and surprisingly fair price point for New York City standards. While it may feel expensive to a visitor, locals understand that for the level of craftsmanship and freshness served, it’s a great value. The chefs here are more than just cooks; they are true artists who take their time to ensure every single plate is perfect, creating a dining experience that feels both luxurious and authentic. This is the place to celebrate a special occasion or simply treat yourself to a delicious and memorable meal.

Shiki Omakase is conveniently located at 71 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012, USA. Situated at the intersection of SoHo and Greenwich Village, its prime location makes it easily accessible from various parts of the city. Whether you're a local resident or a tourist exploring the area, finding this spot is simple. Its presence on a well-known street simplifies navigation, and the vibrant surrounding neighborhood offers plenty to see and do before or after your meal.

For those with mobility needs, the restaurant is designed to be accommodating. While details are not exhaustive, the restaurant is known to have some accessibility features to ensure a comfortable experience for as many guests as possible. Given the restaurant's intimate size and popularity, it's wise to plan your visit ahead of time. Public transportation and ride-sharing services are highly recommended as street parking in this area can be challenging.

Shiki Omakase operates as a full-service, dine-in establishment, specializing in a curated omakase experience. The focus is on providing a seamless and personalized culinary journey from start to finish.

Services offered include:

Dine-in only service for a full, immersive experience.
Lunch and dinner service, perfect for any time of day.
Dessert and table service, ensuring every need is met.
Reservations are required, which guarantees a spot and a personalized experience without a long wait.

Shiki Omakase stands out for a number of key features and highlights that contribute to its glowing reputation among New York City's food critics and diners alike.

Features and highlights of Shiki Omakase include:

Exceptional Omakase Menu: The heart of Shiki Omakase is its 12-piece tasting menu. It's a journey through some of the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. The menu includes standout items like O'toro Sturgeon Caviar and Sea Urchin Uni with Truffle, along with classics like Kumamoto Oyster and Akamezuki (Blue Fin Tuna). The chefs take pride in their art, ensuring each piece is "fresh and artfully crafted."
Intimate and Cozy Atmosphere: The restaurant is described as tiny and cozy, seating a limited number of guests at a time. This setup allows for a more personal connection with the chefs and a truly authentic feel, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese sushi bar. The atmosphere is quiet, intimate, and perfect for a special date night or a thoughtful solo dining experience.
Interactive Chef Experience: A significant highlight is the opportunity to watch the chef in action. Guests sit at the bar and witness the masterful preparation of each dish. This interactive element adds a layer of excitement and education to the meal, making it much more than just eating.
Quality Beverages: To complement the exquisite food, Shiki Omakase offers a selection of beverages, including alcohol, beer, hard liquor, and wine. These choices are carefully curated to pair well with the delicate flavors of the sushi and enhance the overall dining experience.
Solo Dining Friendly: Shiki Omakase is noted as a popular spot for solo diners. Its intimate bar seating and focused, personalized service make it a comfortable and enjoyable experience for those dining alone, which is a significant plus in a city like New York.
Reservation Policy: Given the limited seating and high demand, reservations are required. This ensures that every guest receives the full attention of the chefs and staff, contributing to a smooth and unhurried dining experience.

For all inquiries or to make a reservation, you can contact Shiki Omakase using the following information:

Address: 71 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012, USA

Phone: (917) 808-5205 or +1 917-808-5205

Choosing to dine at Shiki Omakase is a decision to embark on a culinary adventure that is truly special. The primary reason to choose this restaurant is the exceptional omakase menu. Every piece is fresh and artfully crafted, showcasing the chef's skill and passion. The food is consistently praised for being a perfect mix of traditional Japanese flavors, with surprising and well-balanced combinations that make each dish a discovery. The menu includes everything from classic fish like salmon and yellowtail to more luxurious items like Sea Urchin and O'toro with caviar.

Beyond the food, the service and ambiance are what truly elevate the experience. Customers consistently mention the "amazing service from start to finish" and the feeling of being "in a very authentic Japanese sushi place." The cozy and intimate setting ensures that the focus remains on the food and the craft, allowing you to fully appreciate the chef's work. The price, while not cheap, is seen as "fair according to NYC standards and the quality served," making it a justifiable indulgence for a special occasion. For anyone seeking a high-quality, authentic, and memorable omakase meal in a welcoming environment, Shiki Omakase is a top choice.

Shiki Omakase Menu

Shiki Omakase
Kumamoto Oyster $65.00
Madai(sea bream)
Hamachi (Yellowtail) $65.00
Sake (Salmon) $65.00
Akamezuki (Blue Fin Tuna) $65.00
Hotate (Scallop) $65.00
Botan Ebi (Spotted Prawn) $65.00
O'toro Sturgeon Caviar $65.00
Sea Urchin Uni W Truffle $65.00
Albacore Tuna $65.00
*Unagi (Bbq Eel) $65.00

Others
Shiki Omakase 12
Per person

Shiki Omakase Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Cozy
Trendy

Planning
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards

Shiki Omakase Photos

Shiki Omakase Location

Shiki Omakase

New York New York County New York West Houston Street

71 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012, USA

Shiki Omakase Reviews

Amazing service from start to finish everything was so fresh and art fully crafted, the chef truly took his time to make sure every plate was perfect. Came here for my birthday & had an amazing 17 course omakase. 10/10 would recommend.
May 07 · Mia
What an amazing surprise !We were originally going for another place but stepped upon this one and gave it a try.Food wise : the menu was really good. A mix of most of Japanese taste, all surprising and well balanced together. The menu on its own might not be enough tho.Price wise : I feel like it’s fair according to NYC standards and the quality served. But still expensive from a foreign visitor.Ambiance : it’s tiny and cozy. You feel like in a very authentic Japanese sushi place and we loved it.You should try it !
February 08 · Maxime HAES
Extremely friendly, kind and helpful staff. Came without a reservation and seated immediately. Got the 17 pieces, fall special and winter special and the yuzu sake. Enjoyed everything that I had. All of the seafood was fresh and clean. The music was lovely and added to the atmosphere. The timing you get the rolls and the explanations from the chef gave a amazing vibe. Everything was so good I don't know what tops are, but the add on I would suggest is the winter special that piece was mind blowing. 10/10
November 24 · Maria Rivera
Absolutely incredible and easily one of the best spots for high-quality, but not break-the-bank expensive sushi in NYC. Shiki Omakase has been on my bucket list since they first took the internet by storm with their $65 12-course omakase, so I was ecstatic when I finally managed to snag a reservation. While $65 for 12 pieces of sushi certainly sounds expensive -- and it is -- most omakase sets can easily cost upwards of $150 to $200. Despite their low (ish) cost, Shiki manages to deliver an outstanding set of sushi with top-tier service. The fish was super fresh, and it was really fun to be able to watch the chefs prepare the sushi right in front of you.Their menu rotates seasonally and depending on what's available at the markets that day, but when we visited, we were treated to their oysters, madai, hamachi, salmon, akamizuki, hotate, kanpachi, toro and caviar, uni and truffle, albacore tuna, A5 wagyu with uni, and unagi. Every single bite was phenomenal, with the perfect ratio of fish to rice, and with a great balance of other toppings, sauces, and flavors to create a fun experience of different textures and flavors with each bite. A few of my favorite pieces included the uni with truffle -- it was so rich and creamy, and it had a great earthiness and umami flavor from the truffle; it can be tough to balance two such strong flavors together, but they did an amazing job -- and albacore tuna with chili crisp.They're also fully willing to accommodate dietary restrictions; I don't eat meat, so they substituted my A5 wagyu piece with a toro and uni nigiri. The combination was incredibly decadent -- the toro was rich and fatty, and served the role of the wagyu perfectly. It paired wonderfully with the remarkably creamy uni, which was super fresh and didn't have any of the dreaded fishiness that uni so often does.In an effort to seat as many people as possible in this popular, but incredibly small, space, tables are limited to just one hour. The meals are pretty efficient, but they still do a good job of pacing the pieces so that you can still fully enjoy each bite without feeling rushed. The main thing lacking in this experience vs. a traditional omakase is that you aren't able to have a full conversation with the chef. It's still a pretty intimate experience, with only around 10-15 people allowed in the restaurant per slot, but the best part of most omakase is that you have one chef assigned to you and maybe one other party, so they're able to have a full conversation with you throughout the meal, answering questions, bantering, and really showcasing their craft. I absolutely love Shiki as a slightly more accessible option for omakase, and they've quickly become one of my favorite special occasion / treat destinations. However, if you want the true omakase experience, it might not be the right place for you.
January 10 · Sonya Hu
I called and asked if I can come in at 2:30 while they close at 3:00pm because I was nearby. They were welcoming and told me to come in!The pieces were fresh and although they started off really simple, they began to get more creative as the omakase went on. The staff was extremely warm and although I rushed them through the seating, their hospitality didn’t decline. They were fun and you can really tell how much they love providing their customers with a great experience.Chef asked me if I liked the rice + wasabi level or if it needed adjusting, which I found to be really nice because it’s not typically asked. It was great the way chef was serving.A few notes about some pieces:Otoro caviar piece was extremely melt in your mouth goodness. The quality exceeds the price point - just wow!Albacore tuna with chef-made crispy garlic… *chefs kiss*. I’m not usually a fan of albacore tuna but it was torched and topped with the crispy garlic which made it really fun and texturized.The Hokkaido Uni: I appreciated that there wasn’t an overwhelmingly big chunk of rice because I like to get the flavor and texture of the uni! It was one of top 5 sweetest uni’s from Hokkaido I have had.I also added 3 specials to my seating. Their presentation was extremely 5-star restaurant like. The fried seaweed with Hokkaido scallop, otoro, uni and caviar was AMAZING. I’ll be craving that piece.I can confidently say that this experience exceeded my expectations. You’re getting a big bang for your buck here. I can’t wait to join them for their 17 course seating.Price: I got the 12-course omakase + 3 specials and it was $125.
January 29 · Tania Assi