If you’re planning a trip to New York City or just find yourself between the upper west and upper east sides of Manhattan, you may wonder where to get sushi near Central Park.
In a city as big as Manhattan, you can find a little bit of everything sprinkled about here and there. Add on top of that the major attraction that is Central Park, and it makes sense to assume that there’s a nigh endless variety of options within walking distance of the park.
Luckily, that assumption is spot on when it comes to sushi. There are numerous sushi bar options for you to choose from, and I’ve compiled my personal favorites on this list!
With each entry, you can expect to get a feel for what type of sushi is on offer at each sushi bar, as well as what kind of atmosphere each location maintains. Of course, every spot is a little different, so keep that in mind as you’re reading through the list.
Now, let’s get on to spotting the best sushi Central Park area!
Beyond Sushi
62 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019 Multiple locations
Phone: (646)-964-5097
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Beyond Sushi is located on the south side of Central Park, close to the corner of 6th Ave. and W 56th Street. The vibe of this restaurant feels very trendy, as it’s got some smooth lighting that pairs well with all the bright colors of the interior. You’ll be able to get both takeout and delivery at this location, so it’s a great spot to get sushi from if you’re in a hurry.
You can get special rolls, signature rolls, or sushi pieces, and I recommend the special rolls because they are unique and tasty. Specifically, I would give the Rainbow or the Ube Crunch a try.
Sushi Nonaka
410 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 646-454-0226
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Sushi Nonaka is what I would consider a more upscale sushi bar. It’s located on the west side of Central Park, between the park and the riverside, and is the type of sushi bar that makes you feel as though you’ve been transported to Japan. The clean look of the establishment, combined with its soft color palette, creates a sushi eating mood that is near perfection.
The sushi bar menu comes with three options: Omakase Sushi, Kosher Sushi, and Omakase at the Chef’s Counter. I recommend trying the Omakase Sushi as it comes with Miso Soup on the side or order from the online menu where you can find standard sushi rolls.
Sushi Kaito
244 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-799-1278
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Sushi Kaito is located on the lower west side of Central Park, not too far from Sushi Nonaka. The mood of this sushi bar strikes a blend between a modern and classic feel with its décor, and it is also one of the smaller locations on this list. So, if you want to enjoy your sushi with little to no distractions, Sushi Kaito is more than likely one of the top spots you’ll want to check out.
Here you’ll find hand rolls and sashimi, both of which have plenty of available options. For rolls, I highly recommend trying either the Toro & Scallion roll or the Salmon rolls, and for sashimi, Kanpachi Yellowtail.
Shiro
285 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-201-7488
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Located on the west side of Central Park and a couple of blocks south of the American Museum of National History, Shiro will wow you with an exploration of omakase dining, led by chef Kei Yoshino and owner Leo Lin. With more than 20 years of culinary experience between them, Yoshino and Lin make it a point to treat their customers to the highest quality service and fish in Manhattan every day.
I recommend lean tuna, fatty tuna, or amberjack rolls. However, Shiro’s list of sushi offerings is lengthy, so if those three don’t appeal to you, you will still easily find something you like!
Sushi Yasaka
251 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-496-8460
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Sushi Yasaka sits on the lower western side of Central Park and is close to the riverside. It’s a bit more spacious than some of the other sushi bars on this list, meaning that if you’re out with a larger group of people, this spot is an excellent one to try. It does get rather packed at certain times in the day, though, so consider calling ahead to see if seating is available.
I don’t think you can go wrong with the Dragon Rolls and Special Spicy Sal Rolls, but if you’re with a group and want some assorted sushi, the sashimi deluxe is the best way to go.
Sushi Ishikawa
419 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-651-7292
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You’ll find Sushi Ishikawa on the lower far east side of Central Park, by the East River. Chef/owner Don Pham has made a name for himself by putting his own spin on traditional sushi and continues to pour his heart and soul into his deep passion for cooking. The personalized omakase experience he gives to his guests is one of a kind and well worth experiencing firsthand if you’re in the area.
The Fatty Tuna is raved about at this place, and rightfully so. I highly recommend trying it, along with the Piece Omakase, for an option that is a little more adventurous.f
Matsu sushi
483 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212-799-7922
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Located on the west side of Central Park and two blocks above the American Museum of Natural History and Rose Center for Earth and Space, Matsu Sushi offers takeout and delivery, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. The interior is on the smaller side of things, so it is another good sushi bar if you want a more intimate sushi eating experience.
The sushi rolls, hand rolls, and sashimi are all high-quality at this spot, but the rolls are incredibly delicious. My recommendations are the Shrimp Tempura roll and the Spider roll. If you want something savory, try the Hot Dancing Tuna roll.
Raku
57 W 76th St, New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-873-1220
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Raku sits on the same block as the New York Historical Society Museum and features a very down-to-earth vibe that is hard not to love. It is far from the biggest sushi bar you’ll find near Central Park. However, it does have both tableside seating and bar seating.
I found the sushi presentation at Raku to be some of the best I’ve seen, as everything from the design of the plates to the setup of the sushi itself felt so artistic. And on top of that, the quality of the sushi taste did not fail to match the exquisite presentation. Try out the Spicy Tuna Tartar and Smoked Salmon rolls.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill – Columbus Circle
308 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-397-0404
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Located at the southwest corner of Central Park, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill has an intriguing blend of light and dark ambiance. It mainly comes from the darker décor mixed with the exterior lighting. The combination creates an atmosphere that I find perfect for a business lunch or dinner. There is also the Blue Ribbon Hi-bar, which is a rooftop bar where you can sit and have a pleasant view of Central Park.
The Tako, Hamachi, Otoro are all excellent sashimi choices here. If you want Maki, give the Ebi Tempura Rolls and Blue Ribbon Rolls ago.
Gari Columbus
370 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212-362-4816
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Gari Columbus is located on the corner of Columbus Ave. and W 78th. St. Masatoshi Gari Sugio is the founder of Sushi of Gari and a sushi chef who has many years of experience in sushi’s artistic and culinary world. He opened several restaurants to get to where he is now and managed to find success with all of them while building his own brand of sushi.
At Gari Columbus, you can experience Gari’s Omakase if you want to leave it all up to the chef. However, the sushi regular is another quality option, as well as Amber Jack for nigiri and Salmon Roe for hand rolls.
Flame
100 W 82nd St #5502, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 646-870-0301
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You can find Flame on the middle west side of Central Park, two blocks east of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. A flame, not only will you get high-quality sushi, but you’ll also get to experience a show from the chefs as they prepare your food right in front of you. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so you likely won’t have to worry about waiting for a seat even when it’s busiest.
The sushi menu features plenty of unique options to Flame, like the Lady Lobster, Deluxe Rainbow, and Hot Lover. If you want sashimi, try the Ahi Tuna, Striped Bass, and O-Toro.
And there you have it! Eleven restaurants that I think are among the best spots for sushi around Central Park. As I mentioned at the beginning of the list, every location is a little different in its own unique way, so you’ve got a lot to consider when deciding which restaurants you want to try.
That said, regardless of where you go, the sushi you’ll experience will leave you hungry to come back for more!
If you’re an avid lover of sushi who’s looking to learn more about sushi as a whole, check out our article on The Top Sushi Rice Brands to Use for Making Sushi.
Did we leave out a restaurant on our list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!