The sultan of sushi, the pharaoh of fusion, Nobu Matsuhisa has achieved hall of fame status among restaurateurs since opening Nobu in 1994. He's gone on to open Nobu 57 and Nobu Next Door and has expanded his restaurant empire internationally, but his original New York outpost in TriBeCa remains wildly popular. The see-and-be-seen crowd as well as those hopeful for celebrity sightings flock to this vast, theatrical dining room, which is co-owned by Robert De Niro. As far as sushi goes, the multi-course omakase is a reliable bet. South-of-the-border influence is prevalent in ceviche with lobster, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, and Nobu sashimi tacos, but many claim that it is the cooked Japanese fusion dishes, which Nobu popularized, that render this a truly special dining experience. The black cod with miso is the signature dish, while other options include halibut cheeks with wasabi pepper sauce or squid pasta with garlic sauce. If you can't find a seat, try Nobu Next Door, which only takes walk-ins. Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly.
Where The Locals Eat rating
Top 100 Restaurant, New York City
"Nobu New York, the flagship restaurant of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, has been a pioneer for Japanese cuisine since its opening in 1994. Nobu partnered with actor Robert De Niro, producer Meir Teper, restaurateur Drew Nieporent, and managing partner Richard Notar to bring his modern Japanese to Tribeca. Nobu draws upon his classical training at sushi bars in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru, Argentina, and around the world to create a whole new trend in Japanese cuisine. The resulting dishes, including Tiradito Nobu Style, Yellowtail with Jalapeno, Squid Pasta, and Black Cod with Miso, make Nobu the innovator of new style Japanese food."
– Nobu website
"Chic, casual and pulsing with energy, Nobu cannot be compared with any other restaurant. The spirit of invention of its chef-owner, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa – incorporating new ingredients into old dishes or retooling traditional recipes – lighted a spark in the kitchen, igniting each chef to new and increasingly daring feats. ... Order an omakase meal and let the chefs choose your meal for you. No kitchen turns out a more spectacular plate of sushi."
– The New York Times
"The great fusion chef Nobu Matsuhisa has done enough innovating to span several culinary lifetimes, and, more than most things cooked up during the nineties, his miso-marinated black cod, rock shrimp with spicy mayonnaise, and tuna tartare with a bed of crushed avocado all have stood the test of time."
– New York magazine
"Once you taste the seductive sushi and sashimi, you'll understand Nobu's appeal."
– Michelin Guide
How others rate Nobu
The New York Times
*** (excellent)
Top Pick
New York magazine
** (very good)
Critics' Pick
Zagat 2009
27 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Time Out New York
Critics' Pick
James Beard Foundation
Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group, Outstanding Restaurateur 2007 (national)