Sushi By M

Tucked into the East Village, Sushi By M is the kind of place where the decor might remind you of a college dorm room mid-move-in, yet the fish rivals spots that require months-long waitlists and several hundred dollars. With just eleven counter seats and a playlist that bounces between indie rock throwbacks and current hip-hop, this tiny restaurant proves that exceptional sushi doesn’t need velvet ropes or hushed reverence.

The experience here is refreshingly straightforward: text for a reservation, show up, and enjoy a 10-piece omakase for $50. Each piece is carefully crafted, starting with lighter selections like hamachi and lean tuna before building to richer courses like Hokkaido uni and toro crowned with caviar. The progression feels thoughtful, like watching a chef tell a story one bite at a time. You might catch one of the chefs wielding a blowtorch with the casual confidence of someone lighting a sparkler at a backyard barbecue.

Once you’ve finished your omakase, the option to order à la carte pieces opens up, and this is where the infamous “Big Mac” enters the picture. At $18, this towering creation of chopped toro, seared toro, wagyu, and two varieties of uni wrapped in crispy nori is pure indulgence—the kind of bite that makes you close your eyes and forget where you are for a moment.

This isn’t the place for corporate dinners or milestone anniversaries where ambiance matters. But if you want world-class sushi without depleting your savings, served by friendly staff in a space where paper napkins are the norm, Sushi By M delivers exactly what you’re looking for.