VIBE

The neutral colors and natural textures of Nobu New York’s warmly lit interior give the pleasing illusion that you’ve entered a Japanese forest…or at least the deconstructed elements of one, reorganized into a swanky restaurant–wooden flooring, birch columns, and even a kitchen wall made of smooth river stones are all incorporated. That said, the décor is clearly not meant to take away from the real star of the show: the food. The flagship of 24 locations around the world, this sushi house may appear a bit careworn (as opposed to its flashy 57th Street outpost) but it still attracts the same well-heeled crowds with its inventive menu and infectious energy.

CROWD

A mix of New York elite, tourists, and Nobu loyals

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Upscale casual; go with a chic silk top, designer jeans, high heels and showy bag. (You could dress it up a bit more, if you so desire.)

GO HERE WITH

Coworkers; groups; significant other; a date

WHY WE LIKE IT

Like many of the city’s best Japanese hotspots, the menu offers omakase (chef’s choice), which makes for a fantastic way to sample the best Nobu has to offer. Nobu ranks towards the top of our New York restaurant list partly for nostalgic reasons: we have celebrated many special occasions here, and the food most definitely stands the test of time.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The more the Nobu chain grows and becomes accessible to us around the world, the less truly special and unique the flagship location feels.

GOOD TO KNOW

Nobu New York is the flagship restaurant of modern Japanese fusion chef Nobu Matsuhisa; he partnered with restaurateur Drew Nieporent and actor Robert De Niro to bring it to life. Since its opening in the early ’90s, Nobu hasn’t really made any significant changes to the menu–apparently he got it right the first time, and, except for bluefin tuna (which has proven scandalous due to its (almost) endangered status), no one’s complaining. Reservations are hard to come by here, but don’t fret: there is Nobu Next Door right, well, next door.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Nobu Next Door, Tribeca (New York); Nobu 57, Midtown (New York); 25 other locations around the world, including Nobu Malibu, Nobu West Hollywood, and Matsuhisa (Beverly Hills)

CLOSEST COMPS

Morimoto (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.