Masa is a world-famous Japanese restaurant located in the heart of New York City. It sits inside the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. Founded by legendary Chef Masayoshi Takayama, it is widely known as the most expensive and exclusive sushi dining experience in the United States.

As the first Japanese restaurant in America to earn the prestigious three Michelin stars, Masa represents the ultimate peak of fine dining. It blends ancient Japanese culinary traditions with the absolute finest ingredients available globally.

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| MASA NYC |
| [ Three Michelin Stars ] --> [ Omakase Dining Style ] |
| [ $750 - $1,200+ Per Person ] --> [ Imported Hinoki Bar ] |
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Chef Masayoshi Takayama grew up working in his family’s fish market in Japan. This early childhood experience gave him a deep respect for fresh seafood. He moved to the United States to share his passion for omakase, a Japanese dining style where the guest leaves the entire meal selection up to the chef.

At Masa, Chef Takayama  oishii sushi practices shibui, a Japanese concept of beauty that focuses on simplicity and restraint. Every detail of the restaurant is carefully planned, from the custom-designed plates to the rare ingredients flown in directly from Japan multiple times a week.

There are no printed menus at Masa. Instead, guests sit down for a multi-course tasting journey that shifts smoothly like a ballet. The meal includes a mix of seasonal hot kitchen appetizers and pristine, hand-pressed nigiri sushi.

• Exquisite Seafood: Guests are treated to decadent pieces of toro (fatty tuna), uni (creamy sea urchin), and tender abalone.
• Luxury Elements: Chef Takayama frequently elevates his dishes with fresh white truffles, black truffles, and pearly scoops of Osetra caviar.
• Signature Bites: A favorite among regular diners is the melt-in-your-mouth foie gras nigiri sushi.

The interior of Masa is designed to feel like an oasis of peace, completely shut off from the busy streets of New York City. The center of the room is anchored by a strikingly smooth sushi bar made from solid hinoki wood imported from Japan. This sacred wood is sanded down daily to ensure a perfect texture for guests to rest their hands on.

To protect the serene atmosphere, the restaurant strictly enforces a no-photography rule. Guests cannot snap photos of their food or the room for social media, encouraging everyone to focus entirely on the taste, smell, and texture of the meal.

Dining at Masa requires a massive financial commitment. The baseline dinner price for a dining room table starts around $750 per person. However, if you want a seat at the coveted hinoki sushi bar right in front of the chefs, the cost climbs to $950 to $1,200+ per person before drinks, taxes, and tips. A dinner for two can easily exceed $2,500.

While critics debate whether any sushi meal can justify such a steep price tag, loyal patrons agree that Masa offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It remains a legendary destination for serious food lovers who want to taste the absolute best sushi outside of Tokyo.