Hit or Misso? Thirteen Water NYC

I went to this omakase spot last year, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.

Thirteen Water in NYC — 13 courses for $75 when I visited (now $85). My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, saying “wow” with almost every bite.

This is a slightly more modern take on omakase. They stay true to the fundamentals—high-quality fish and carefully prepared nigiri—while getting creative with their garnishes.

Sushi Course:

The meal consisted of 11 nigiri, a bite-sized tuna & uni toast, and a toro handroll. Overall, it was a fairly light meal—especially for someone like me with a big appetite—but I could see it being the perfect portion for someone who prefers a lighter meal.

One of my favorite course was the unassuming hamachi, topped with shishito peppers. The peppers added a subtle bitter and salty note that balanced the flavors of the fish beautifully without overpowering it. I also thoroughly enjoyed the bluefin akami with mushrooms and black truffle. I’ve never been a big fan of truffle, as I often find the flavor too overpowering and lingering. But that wasn’t the case here. The truffle was subtle enough to complement the bluefin and mushrooms without taking over the bite. I actually really enjoyed the combination—and it might have even made me a truffle convert.

The salmon topped with torched tomato is one of their signature bites. It definitely stands out from a traditional piece of nigiri, with a generous slice of tomato on top. While I enjoyed it, it wasn’t my favorite of the meal. I found that the tomato overpowered the salmon slightly, while the other bites allowed the fish to shine more.

My one complaint was the extra bite I ordered: the snow crab uni. At $18, I expected the snow crab to be fresher and higher quality, but unfortunately, it tasted slightly fishy and was served very cold. I probably wouldn’t order this again.

That said, the omakase progression itself was excellent, especially considering the price. The quality and creativity of the other courses made for a really enjoyable experience overall.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, based on what I remember from my visit last year, Thirteen Water was an excellent omakase at a very affordable price point. You get high-quality fish and premium ingredients like otoro, truffle, uni, caviar, and wagyu, with a unique, modern twist, all while enjoying the classic intimate counter experience.

At $85, I’d definitely recommend Thirteen Water to a friend—especially for anyone looking for a high-quality omakase without the $200+ price tag.

Food: 9.2/10 - Incredible value for your money!

Atmosphere: 8/10

Service: 8/10 - Good, normal service. I save my 10s for a place like Eleven Madison

As always, these are simply my personal opinions, shared with the hope of offering constructive feedback. Every dining experience is unique.

What do you think—do you agree with my thoughts on Thirteen Water? And more importantly, where should I review next? Drop your favorite omakase or sushi spot below!