Japanese Elixir: The Top 5 Sake Joints in New York City

Sakagura

With the last four digits of the phone number being SAKE, you can bet Sakagura has you covered for an ultimate sake experience. It’s like entering a hidden treasure or as many say “like walking into Tokyo.” More than 600 bottles of 200 varieties of sake are thermostatically maintained in a special 35 foot sake refrigerator. Certified Sake Sommelier, Momo, and other Certified Sake Advisors (every server) will guide you through the selection process and pair with delicious dishes.

Sakagura is located at 211 East 43rd  Street T B1F New York NY 212.953.SAKE [7253]

En Japanese Brasserie

Enjoy seasonal inspired cuisine based on the idea of izakaya, a relaxed style of dining that centers on a procession of tapas-style small plates. The “early evening sake tasting,” is presented every evening until 7:30. Choose from over 20 different types of sake. For the ultimate haute indulgence sip the Daishichi Horeki ($390/bottle).

En Japanese Brasserie is located at 345 Hudson Street New York NY 212.647.9196

Matsugen

Sip your sake in a chic environment designed by Richard Meier at this Tribeca hot-spot, presented by Jean-Georges Georges and the Matsushita brothers. Pair with a wide-range of sake friendly dishes such as Kamachi Sashimi, Kumamoto Oysters, and cold or warm Soba.

Matsugen is located at 241 Church St, New York NY 212.925.0202

Geisha

Part of the Serafina Restaurant Group you can expect to see beloved restaurateurs Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, celebrities, and regulars milling around Geisha. Enjoy hot or cold sake as well as a variety of saketinis, such as Melon Sake, Zen or the Pumpkin Saketini. For a variety of flavor try the sake tasting, a sake master’s choice of three favorite sakes.

Geisha is located at 33 E 61st St New York, NY 212.813.1113

15 East

For a night on the town order sake by the carafe at 15 East. Owned by Marco Moreira and Jo-Ann Makovitzky and designed by Richard Bloch it’s a welcoming space with revitalizing energy. Masato Shimizu brings a world class selection of fresh sushi and sashimi.

15 East is located at 15 East 15th Street New York, NY 212.647.0015