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BARMASA / MASA

Updated

Phone: (212) 823-9828

Address: 10 COLUMBUS CIRCLE 10019

TLDR

A three-Michelin-star omakase experience featuring elevated sushi with luxurious ingredients like truffles & foie gras. Meticulously crafted by Chef Masa Takayama.

Reddit Sentiment for BARMASA / MASA(based on 47 Reddit opinions)

30% Positive47% Neutral23% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

japanese 42fine dining 2edomae sushi 2sushi 39omakase 20fine dining 3View All

Neighborhoods

Upper West Side

Instagram Posts References

Summary

Details

Experience the pinnacle of Japanese haute cuisine at this three-Michelin-star establishment. Chef Masa Takayama orchestrates an omakase experience that transcends traditional sushi, infusing it with luxurious ingredients like truffles, caviar, and foie gras. The serene dining room, with its hinoki counter, provides a backdrop for a masterful culinary performance.

Food Overview

This Japanese restaurant is renowned for its omakase experience, featuring sushi elevated with luxurious ingredients such as truffles, caviar, and foie gras. While many praise the meticulous preparation and unique style, some diners and reviewers question the exorbitant price point in relation to the perceived quality, with some noting a decline or questioning its top-tier Michelin status.

Highlights / Recommended

"The restaurant specializes in omakase, offering a curated tasting menu of sushi and other Japanese delicacies. Dishes are known for incorporating luxurious ingredients like truffles, foie gras, and caviar."

Customer Sentiment

Customers view this restaurant as an ultra-high-end, almost inaccessible option, with many discussions centering on its significant cost. While some acknowledge the exceptional quality and unique preparation, others question if the value matches the price, especially given recent reviews about a lost Michelin star.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About BARMASA / MASA

This thread discusses Masa's loss of a Michelin star, with many commenters debating whether the high price point is justified by the quality. Some feel the sushi is very good but not extraordinary enough for the cost, while others argue the chef's absence and outdated training methods contribute to the perceived decline.
In a discussion about high-end lunch options, Masa is mentioned as a potential spot with a $495 lunch price. A user noted that Masa himself prepared the meal quickly, adding to the exclusive experience.
A user acknowledges Masa as a great but unaffordably expensive omakase option, seeking recommendations within a more reasonable budget.
This post highlights Masa's 'uncannily attentive service,' with servers refilling water so quickly that patrons can't take a sip without a refill, citing it as an example of 'unreasonable hospitality.'
Masa is recommended for sushi omakase, described as 'blasphemous' sushi and otsumami with unique Western touches uncommon even in Tokyo. It's called the original of its style and unique to New York.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Sushi Restaurants For Large Groups

"The user mentioned Masa in the context of sushi restaurants."

Positive
Mar 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: Do Any Restaurants In New York Offer Offline

"This user stated that Masa does not allow phones or photos, implying it's a place that values a phone-free experience."

Neutral
Mar 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Overall Omakase

"Masa is confirmed to fit the description provided in the original post."

Positive
Mar 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Overall Omakase

"The user is unironically recommending Masa based on the original poster's description."

Positive
Mar 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Overall Omakase

"Masa is mentioned as a place where wagyu is found in high-end omakase."

Positive
Mar 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Should I Go For My Birthday

"The user cited Masa, a Korean sushi restaurant, as an example of an excellent meal they have had."

Positive
Feb 18, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Popped Into Whole Foods To Grab A Sandwich

"This commenter jokingly suggested the original poster should have sat down to eat at Masa, implying it's an extremely high-end and likely inaccessible option."

Neutral
Feb 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Want To Spend 500 On Lunch

"This user strongly advised against Masa, stating that the restaurant has significantly declined in quality."

Negative
Jan 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Want To Spend 500 On Lunch

"Masa was mentioned as an option for lunch at $495, with the user noting that Masa himself prepared the meal quickly."

Neutral
Jan 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Noz 17 Vs Nakazawa Vs Any Others

"This user found Noz 17 to be more memorable than Masa, although they also stated that Masa was quite good."

Neutral
Dec 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Expense Account Restaurant

"Commenter reacted negatively to the suggestion of 'Omakase' possibly referring to Masa, stating it is over budget at $975 for a bar seat before tax and tip."

Negative
Dec 18, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This commenter praised another user's detailed review of Masa, agreeing that Shion offered a superior overall experience and appreciating the lack of a simple complaint about pricing."

Positive
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This commenter felt Masa should lose two of its three stars, considering the chefs there as primarily in training and expressing disappointment."

Negative
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This user pointed out that a major issue with Masa is that the chef himself is not always present, and there's no price adjustment or heads-up for diners when this occurs."

Negative
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This user questioned whether Masa should have been present more often, implying it might have impacted their rating."

Neutral
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"Following up on a previous comment, this user shared surprise about Per Se retaining its stars, noting a past negative experience but also hearing that the restaurant has improved significantly since a critical review."

Neutral
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This commenter argued that Masa is no longer competitive in the modern sushi scene, citing issues like Masa not always being present, the high price point, and the chef's training being from an older, less refined era. They suggested that in Tokyo, Masa would receive a lower rating and be significantly cheaper."

Negative
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"A short, strongly negative reaction to Masa losing a star."

Negative
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"Reflecting on Masa's opening, this user notes that while friends initially raved about it, increased competition and rising prices make it hard to justify the top rating, especially compared to other excellent sushi options. They also draw parallels to other fine dining restaurants like Per Se and Alinea experiencing similar perceived declines in value or quality over time."

Negative
Nov 13, 2025View Comment →

From post: Masa Have Lost Their Third Michelin Star

"This user expressed surprise that Per Se has maintained its three stars, having not yet dined at Masa."

Neutral
Nov 12, 2025View Comment →