Sushi Akira

“If the Michelin inspectors haven’t made it to Sushi Akira yet, they need to get there immediately. Chef Nikki is delivering Michelin-level precision, artistry, and hospitality at $220 per person for a 19-course omakase, making this the most exciting and accessible fine dining experience in the city right now. This is a restaurant that feels like it’s on the verge of something major, a hidden gem that the rest of New York is about to discover in a big way. Chef Nikki’s story is as compelling as the food itself. One of the very few female omakase chefs in NYC, she brings a French culinary background and an extraordinary pedigree, having trained at Masa, Sushi Nakazawa, and Sushi of Gari before opening Sushi Akira in 2024. That depth of experience shows in every single course, in the precision, the seasonality, the meticulous care that goes into each bite. The evening opened with a series of stunning appetizers. The pistachio with pistachio jelly was a revelation, delicate, nutty, and unlike anything I’d ever seen on a Japanese menu. The madai with cucumber sauce served in a cup was elegantly refreshing, a perfect palate primer. Then came the showstopper before the sushi even began: abalone with rice, buttery and oceanic, cooked to absolute perfection. The Miyazaki beef sando was outrageously good, rich, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu tucked into pillowy bread that had the whole table going silent. The sea scallop with karimi broth rounded out the starters with a warmth and umami depth that felt like a gentle hug. Then the sushi began, and things got truly extraordinary. The Japanese kizu white king fish was pristine and clean. The squid with salt and lime was bracingly bright and texturally perfect. Sweet shrimp ebi from Hokkaido tasted like the sea distilled into a single bite. The golden eye snapper, lightly torched, had a gorgeous char that amplified its natural sweetness. Japanese salmon was silky and rich without being heavy. The crab with two unis was a jaw-dropping combination, sweet, briny, and luxurious in a way that felt almost unfair. Chopped fatty tuna with pickled radish was a masterclass in balance, the acidity cutting through the richness beautifully. And the otoro with scallion? Simply one of the best bites of my life, fatty, luscious, and impossibly clean. The fish broth miso soup arrived at exactly the right moment, deeply savory and restorative. The sardine maki with caviar was bold and confident, a chef clearly unafraid to let strong flavors shine. Sea urchin was impossibly creamy and fresh, and the eel to close the sushi course was lacquered and smoky with perfect sweetness. Dessert, a panna cotta with melon, was the ideal ending: light, fragrant, and just sweet enough to leave you smiling. The pacing, the craft, the sourcing, everything at Sushi Akira operates at the highest level. Chef Nikki has built something truly special here, an omakase that rivals rooms charging twice the price, led by a chef whose talent and background are second to none. Book it the moment a reservation opens. You won’t regret a single bite.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

“I had an incredible omakase experience here. All of the sushi was so fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented. There was such a wide selection of high quality dishes but some ones that stood out were the hairy crab with uni, fatty tuna, and Spanish mackerel. The staff/chefs were incredibly welcoming and accommodating. The atmosphere was a very clean and intimate venue providing the best sort of environment for an omakase. Overall, really happy with my experience here and will be looking forward to coming back.”

“I had an unforgettable dinner at Sushi Akira. Every single bite offered a unique and thoughtful flavor, and the chef absolutely nailed each course with precision, creativity, and balance. It was truly remarkable from start to finish. The service was warm, attentive, and perfectly paced, enhancing the overall dining experience. The ambiance is elegant yet inviting, calm, intimate, and ideal for appreciating a high-quality omakase. I paired my meal with a glass of Mâcon-Villages, which complemented the earlier courses beautifully, and finished with a Riesling for dessert, a perfect way to complete the experience. Overall, an outstanding and memorable meal. Highly recommended.”

“We had a wonderful experience here for our anniversary celebration. Food was creative and fresh with unique flavors and old favorites. The atmosphere was great with both chefs being so wonderful and welcoming. We had a wonderful night!”

“An absolutely amazing dining experience! The ingredients were incredibly fresh and full of flavor, each dish uniquely crafted with great attention to detail. Our chef was super friendly and took the time to explain every ingredient and course, making the omakase feel truly authentic. A genuinely memorable meal — we’ll definitely be coming back again!”