Incredible kaiseki experience with Japanese Polish fusion! I also love that it's a nonprofit, and that everything was donated to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, which I happened to volunteer for regularly. The experience started in the garden with milk bread and a couple of vegetable dishes, before bringing all twelve guests to the dining room. My favorite bite was the truffle chawanmushi with honeynut squash, dashi, and parmesan. The bottom was squash, topped with a dashi egg jelly-like texture, then a creamy truffle parmesean sauce on top. I will definitely be thinking about this and will try to recreate it at home. I also loved the homemade soba. The broth was so comforting and deep, and the anago (saltwater eel) they paired with it was so soft and tender, maybe fhe best eel that I've had. The sawaea with wasabi and vanilla was also delicious. And so were the kyuri with cucumbers, kiwi berry, kombu, and ginger. The seasonal appetizers to start were delicious as well. Honestly, all the bites were very bold and complex, little explosions of flavor in each dish. There was nothing I disliked, although I definitely enjoyed the small bites over the larger entrees like the grilled and rice set. Everything was also plated so beautifully, the ambience was beautiful, and the servers took care of us from start to end. They also gave me a candle for my birthday, and everyone there wished me a happy birthday which was very special. Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable dining experience, Ikigai. read more

Had a lovely time at Ikigai. I love their interior design, it's probably one of the best places I've ever been to in terms of ambiance. The hostess and staff are so attentive and lovely as well. Each dish was executed really well and had a great balance of flavors. You need to make a reservation early on Resy and the price was $195pp which you need to pay right away when you reserve. For 11 dishes, I'm not sure if the price is worth it for some people, but it was a nice experience to have. Some memorable dishes and they gave complimentary chopsticks at the end for you to take home. read more

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Everything is so beautifully thought out and presented here! The tasting menu has European and Japanese inspiration, and we enjoyed almost every dish we tried. I love that you start out in the garden with the yummiest milk bread and then are brought to the counter for the rest of the tasting menu. Each dish is presented by a different chef Don't expect a sushi omakase, there was a mix of hot and cold dishes. It looks like they change their menu based on ingredients and season since we had some different ones compare to our friends who went earlier in the year They send you home with a nice pair of metal chopsticks at the end! read more

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Had a great time at Ikagei . A friend of mine told me about this place knowing im a foodie in nyc , so I looked it up and had to go . Its wonderful being a non profit and this tasty is amazing lots of stuff I haven't tried , its very inventive. Rafa and staff deserve all credit read more

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Had a wonderful meal at Ikigai! The restaurant has an exterior resembling a townhouse which felt quiet welcoming then you're brought into a sleek room before the dining area. It's a circular chef's counter, a bit lowlit but with the spotlight being on the food. The staff were very nice, engaging and super helpful for recommending drinks tailored to preferences. I got the drink pairing with nice pours. The selections were thoughtful and to me paired well in enhancing each dish's flavors. The highlighted courses were the Chawanmushi with a very impressive amount of truffle (the other diners and I were in shock with how much kept getting shaved!) - just an explosion of flavor - the caviar tartate was extremely well done (though is an add on) with the mildly salty caviar balancing the tender and sweeter beef tartare. The chef's were great at explaining each dish and answering questions. I really appreciated the Polish influence from the head chef in dishes and experiencing that fusion. The price is quite reasonable and cheaper than other kaiseki in NYC (which tend to be $200+ base). Would definitely recommend and return! Most kaiseki restaurants are in Manhattan so this is definitely a great addition to Brooklyn. read more

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Wow. What an incredible dining experience, from start to finish. I only wish I had taken a picture of the menu so as to remember these dishes more exactly. The Chawanmushi, an assortment of amazing seafoods, a unique kikurage mushroom dish and a signature dessert...so many incredible dishes. We opted for the beef tartare and caviar upgrade. I'm not able to name all the dishes we had (accurately, at least) but check out the pics. We did the beverage pairing as well which had us drinking some delicious sake and a very nice red wine. We were blown away by the quality of the food and professionalism of this restaurant and team. It's worth the price, esp knowing you're supporting a good cause. Oh, and the restaurant itself is gorgeous! So much intricate woodwork. A visual delight found in both the food and decor. A great addition to the Fort Greene neighborhood. read more

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What a fantastic place to celebrate a special occasion. The meal starts off at the garden room with soft and fluffy milkbread.Then we are ushered to dine at the beautiful main dining room. All the courses were delicious and beautifully presented. I especially loved the honeynut squash chawanmushi with a very forward aged cheese that made the dish a perfect blend of sweet and salty umami-ness. The black truffle jidori egg was another memorable bite. I do admit to enjoying eggs quite a bit. Poised, friendly service with a chef that cooks with inspiration from his hometown. Proceeds also go to fighting food insecurity. Highly recommend! read more

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It's haute cuisine without the haute conceit! It is an unforgettable experience. They serve a delicious 12-course Kaiseki-inspired menu, each dish beautifully presented. We started in the garden with a welcome tea and our first course, then we were moved inside to the bar seating for the rest of our meal. It is a curved table, seating only fourteen, and so this creates an inviting and intimate experience where we are the audience and the chefs take center stage. We could observe final preparations and the staff announced and explained the details of each course. The whole experience was warm, fun, lively, and friendly. It's the finest dining imaginable - the finest I have ever experienced! - but without the usual stuffiness and snobbery you get at similar high end restaurants. This is indeed a very special and very different restaurant, a welcome wonderful disruptor in the fine dining space. I plan to return again and again whenever I visit New York. (I love too that they are a not-for-profit and the proceeds go towards fighting food insecurity. Also they give you a gorgeous set of chopsticks as a keepsake.) read more

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Loved everything about this place. The staff. The service. The food. The drinks. The ambiance. And they do all of this for a cause- to support food security. Ikigai lives up to its name: "Ikigai is often explained using a four-circle diagram that represents: What you love What you're good at What the world needs What you can be paid for The intersection of these four circles is where you can find your ikigai." You can truly tell the chef has found his ikigai. So looking forward to coming back. read more

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Tucked away in the ground floor of a brownstone, you'll find Ikigai, tranquil and gorgeously decorated, complete with a backyard garden oasis. When you enter, you are taken to the garden for your welcome drink and first round of appetizers. You get a chance to preview the menu and select from a tightly curated list of sake & tea. You'll then be taken into the dining area which feels intimate and inviting. The chef will then take you through each course, explaining each item and telling stories about the significance of certain ingredients to him. It was such a special experience to interact with the chef and the staff since each seating time only accommodates ~10 people. The photos undermine how spectacular each course was. A few favorites were the saba with tomatoes & basil, A5 wagyu with potatoes and fresh wasabi, and the quail "egg in a hole" uni toast. Special mention for the carrot, prepared similar to unagi, which single-handedly made me tolerate carrots. Ikigai is also a non-profit, so all proceeds go toward fighting food insecurity. A beautiful experience for a beautiful societal impact. read more

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Great dining experience! They served a 10-course meal (technically 11 on the menu, but the unagi and miso come together as the gohan course), and we added the toro tartare with caviar. The food leans more modern Japanese than traditional--I noticed some Western ingredients like truffle and yogurt. Everything was super flavorful and well put together. The cocktails were interesting--we tried the soba old fashioned and the snap pea martini. Both were unique. I preferred the old fashioned (a bit sweeter than usual). The snap pea martini was super fresh and ...grassy. We also had the red sake, which was delicious--definitely recommend trying it. Service was amazing from start to finish. The meal started in the garden with welcome tea and the first course, then we moved inside to bar seating for the rest. I loved the bar--it's slightly curved, unlike a typical straight sushiya counter, which made the vibe feel more intimate. Also love that it's a nonprofit, so proceeds go to a good cause. They even gave us chopsticks as a gift, which was such a sweet way to wrap things up. Definitely recommend! read more

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Loved the whole experience. The harmony between the chef and owner here is really visible in the food. You can tell the owner wanted a Japanese restaurant but hired a Polish chef and let him add personal touches. Every course had well balanced flavor and was memorable. It's the type of food you'll talk about later. The space was really beautiful and well thought out as well. Every saki we tried was one of the best we've ever had. The restaurant is new and hasn't been Michelin rated yet, I'd get a reservation before it becomes hard to. read more

Ikigai is a unique non-profit Japanese restaurant in Fort Greene that leans fruit/vegetable-facing as they take on classic Japanese courses, such as uni, unagi (eel) and sashimi. Ikigai nails it on ambiance and aesthetics, with a dark, sleek interior and more airy open garden where you dine on your first course. Although I'd typically prefer more traditional meat options I was impressed by the technical skills on display here. Service is prompt and attentive and I especially liked the gift they give you at the end of the experience (a set of high-quality chopsticks emblazoned with the Ikigai logo). They even feature a bidet in the bathroom in line with traditional Japanese experiences! read more

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One of the best value fine dining experiences I've ever had, with the warmest service. Each dish exuded love and care. The ambiance is sophisticated without pretension and cozy without claustrophobia. I didn't want to write this review because I don't want reservations to become impossible but everyone who works here deserves a shout out. read more

Absolutely amazing food and service! The wagyu in particular was one of the best steaks I've had in New York, but everything from the chawanmushi to the dessert was incredible. I loved how intimate the dinner felt and how you got to watch the chefs plate and prepare the food. A top 5 meal in New York for sure read more

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Recently celebrated my anniversary here and everything was wonderful, I highly recommend coming here read more

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Pleasantly surprised at how delicious this was! The chef has polish roots and does Japanese inspired food with polish twists, often fun and innovative read more

This is hands-down, the most beautiful sushi bar in New York City. The woodwork and the design deserves an award. The food is a Polish-Japanese fusion that is also highly unique. It is heavier than your typical prix fix sushi meal. I personally would have preferred a bit more sushi and a bit less root vegetables. Nevertheless, it is an experience I will not soon forget. read more

Every aspect of the experience is enjoyable. From the warm welcome you receive when the host/hostess checks you in and remembers if you've been before, to the beautiful decor and ambiance to the food and drinks themselves, which come with fun and interesting backstories for how the dish was inspired. Waitstaff were incredibly friendly and attentive, and always willing to help point you to the perfect pairing for what's coming next. The food itself was incredible. Everything perfectly prepared with vibrant flavors and beautiful plating and designs. Sure it's a little expensive, but you truly get what you pay for here and it doesn't hurt that it's owned by a not for profit that gives back to the community. Just a truly special experience that I'm excited to go back to whenever I can! read more

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As a native Brooklynite who is tired of the same old restaurants popping up, I find it refreshing that a new style of restaurant has popped up. Ikigai is a kaiseki-style restaurant (think a symphony of courses focused on balance and flavors) fused with the executive chef's Polish heritage. The restaurant is STUNNING, I felt like I was in some speakeasy restaurant straight from Japan. I frankly wanted to steal some of the dishware (but I did not!) The experience was stellar, from starting in the outdoor garden room, where you were welcomed into the experience, to the helpful and informative servers and the executive chef who told the stories, many from childhood, that inspired the dishes. And the food - WOW. So beautiful. Creative. Unique. And DELICIOUS. I'm still dreaming of several of the dishes. I also had the non-alcohol pairing, and the friendly beverage director kept coming to me to explain each drink, especially since many options are not available to the public, even in specialty non-alcohol stores. Overall, this restaurant is a nice alternative to the common omakase restaurants that have now popped up all over the place. It's perfect for a date, solo, or with a few friends for a special occasion, and I'll definitely be back sometime soon! read more

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A perfect tasting menu, a mix of seafood and meats, finely executed kaiseki in new york. Japanese inspired with a touch of Polish. And it is non-profit?! Say no more. Definitely deserve a praise. Glad we got to try it before it gets busy! Ambiance, service, food, timing.. were all perfect. read more

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This is a gem of a restaurant. When you enter you feel like you are stepping inside a private club in Japan. The restaurant is stunningly beautiful with the most exquisite counter of hinoki wood and curved wood paneling. I think there are only 16 seats which face the chef. Beautiful. Everyone who works there brings a sense of pride and calm. The food is a series of small dishes - fish, meat, vegetarian. Besides the opening of freshly baked milk bread and miso butter we were served a fresh salad. Then our favorite interpretation of chawanmushi arrived. Soothing savory pudding with truffle notes and little surprises. Onward to two fresh fish courses flown in from Tokyo. The amberjack was kissed with fresh citrus. The mackerel was blasted with a torch. Both blew us away. A choice of supplements were offered: toro topped with golden osetra caviar or wagyu beef tartar. Our group ordered both and everyone swooned. Another course had carrots cooked and served like eel but peppery with tinge of Szechuan peppercorns, a lovely scented bowl of rice and the most delicious miso soup. Wow. Another dish was Japanese sweet potato with a savory and sweet sauce. A wagyu beef course served simply with perfectly buttery mash -- Followed by exquisitely cooked duck slices. Dessert - of course. The chef combines his Polish grandmothers dumpling with mochi in a light fruit sauce... yum. We have gone twice. We will be back back - but this place is a find and no doubt reservations will be hard to come by. They told us it is a not for profit and money flows to the food insecure. So when the bill comes -- you know two things - you had a mind blowing meal and you are supporting a great cause. Arigato read more

My wife and I finally had the chance to try their tasting menu last night at their 5:30 seating, not knowing much about this spot. Each subsequent course continued to surprise us with unique flavors and playful combinations, shared at a welcoming chef's table style counter with 11 other patrons after the first course and tea in the back garden. Food was served to everyone simultaneously with a wonderful explanation from one of the chefs. An Okinawa potato with black garlic and red cabbage almost converted us to vegetarians despite the excellent sushi courses prior. The Tamagoyaki with brioche folded in and a healthy portion of shaved truffle was decadent and the final savory course of crab in a ridiculously luxurious sauce with a haricot verts salad topped in powdered sour kraut was a flavor explosion. Looking back at the first course being a simple but delicious piece of Shima Aji dressed in brown butter and fleur de sel, it was apparent how the flavors progressed from restrained (but progressive) takes on a traditional sushi course to the bold fusion dishes towards the end. The mochi with cheese cake filling in a sesame and sour cream sauce drove this home as the final course. I'll remember several of these dishes for a long time. As long time Fort Greene locals we've eaten at a few of the previous restaurants that occupied this space but this is one we hope to dine at more frequently. The price felt fair for the experience and quality of the dishes, the staff was wonderful as expected at a restaurant of this caliber and we really felt transported during 2 hour dinner. All the chefs were quite friendly and happy to answer questions about the menu and speak to the inspiration behind the dishes. Dinner ended with everyone raising a complimentary libation to toast a gentleman's birthday at the end of the bar. I don't really write reviews but Ikigai is an establishment that is very welcome in the neighborhood and I felt compelled. Did I mention that they're also a non-profit supporting food insecurity in the city? Can't wait to try the winter menu! read more

Their kitchen creates dishes that defy explanation! Locating this restaurant made us happy! The kitchen produces visibly excellent food. Their team elevates everything about this restaurant. I'm very happy with this restaurant. I need to return for more menu items. read more

The full dining cycle provided consistent quality. Each taste confirms their reputation. This spot feels increasingly familiar. Exceedingly friendly, assistive, detailed. Don't overlook any menu option. read more

The flavors here are honest and true. The place has a pleasant ambiance. They prepare dishes with skill and flavor. Their service team was mindful of our needs. This restaurant makes me deeply happy. read more

Let's just say that from the entry way you begin the encounter that Ikigai promised. The service was awesome, the staff provided an excellent experience, throughout the night they were very tentative to any needs you might have and worked in sync with the chef to provide service. I did not want to use the word experience again but Ikigai is an 'experience' that everyone should try. The food is soft on the palate and you get to taste every flavor that the chef put on the plate, even if he did not explain what the food was you could describe every ingredient. read more

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If you just walk by the brownstone apartment building, you wouldn't even have guessed that there's a restaurant hiding in the half-basement, let alone that it is a Michelin-worthy restaurant. If Ceasar Ramirez, a Mexican chef, can do Japenese cuisine, why not a Polish chef from such great pedigree as Eleven Madison Park and Masa?! Once you've found the restaurant, you must ring the bell, and wait patiently to be ushered in, first to a tranquil outdoor space that's more like a zen garden for meditation than a preamble for fine dining, where you sit, and relax, and have a cool long drink. Then a cold salad made of thinly sliced lotus root, slimy okra, and served with warm toasty bread. Once you've settled down your mind and spirit, and settled down your initial hunger, you are invited in to the warm-toned interior, and seated at the chef-counter-only table. And then the dinner starts in earnest. Dish after dish of just pure perfections and delectable delights. Everything was just so good, it's hard to pick one, or two, or three, favorites. Their signature dish is a quail egg (medium) surrounded by Hokkaido sea urchins resting on a warmly toasted carb, and sprinkled on top with edible flowers. The ginger rice bowl served with roasted baby carrots was quite memorable. The toro with caviar was very good, but the portion was a bit small for an extra $65. The non-alcoholic pairings were fantastic. I've done NA pairings in Alinea (Chicago), Bom (NYC), and A/O/C (Copenhagen). They all have this in common: some of the drinks were just weird. But Ikigai has mastered the NA pairing. Every drink was very good, and paired very well with all the courses, beginning with a sparkling chilled Oolong tea, and ending with a hot tea with dessert. Just very well thought out, and very well thought through. Tonight was only their 19th night of service. A brand new restaurant that's hitting all cylinders right out of the gate. Good luck to them. I'm sure a Michelin Star is soon forthcoming. read more

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I came here with my significant other a month ago for his birthday. We had such a great experience--the food, environment, and service were all top notch. I'm writing this review today as I am still thinking about this meal. Absolutely delish. One of the dishes had cream in it (I had cream and dairy) and it was still fire. Would definitely recommend and will be dining here again! read more

Ikigai - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Absolute perfection in every way. Every dish was on point. The service was impeccable. The tunes were not what you'd expect from a Japanese place but in a good way. It felt like a fresh, modern but also utterly wonderful modern take on Japanese. read more

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I came here last week and hands down loved everything about my experience here!! Do yourself a favor and please try it out for yourself. Ambience wise - this place is super intimate and sleek. It exudes class yet maintains a warm and inviting environment. The chefs are interactive and engaging but not so much where it takes away from convos with your dinner date. And do not get me started on the food. It is by far one of the most tastiest and creative tasting menu I've had. Every little detail was accounted for and each dish was SO flavorful, beautifully crafted and I loved the range of the menu. It was truly a feast for my eyes and mouth!! I've been to Japan and have always felt they excelled in food and ambience. This restaurant pays a beautiful homage to the culture that is Japan.. yet keeping its own identity. As the Terminator once said.."I'll be back!" read more

I'm so glad I was able to get a spot at this hidden gem before it blows up! Hands down the best meal I've had all year. My 4 friends also agreed. The owner and his wife have put in so many personal touches into Ikigai. It is fine dining without being stuffy. The atmosphere is stunningly beautiful and the seasonal menu blew me away. And the fact it's a non profit really makes this place exceptional. read more

We had an amazing time at Ikigai. The food was fantastic (especially loved the duck, wagyu, and egg), the service was great, and it was so interesting to hear about the owner's long pursuit / passion to open this restaurant. We were particularly impressed by the decor and the non-alcoholic pairings (not an easy or common thing to offer). Added bonus is that this is a nonprofit restaurant with a meaningful mission. Definitely will be back! read more

I haven't left a review in years but was inspired to do so tonight. We got an early seating and had the place to ourselves. Food, drinks, service, and ambience were all top notch. We'll be back for a special occasion. read more

Absolutely amazing meal! Every course was delicious, and the presentation was great. Space is beautiful as well. Will definitely go back. read more

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Absolutely amazing! Easily the best dining experience you could ask for. The food, the flavors, and every single bite was incredible. The entire staff was warm, friendly, and hospitable too. The ambiance of everything inside was unique and tier 1 all around. Cannot wait to come back again. Definitely a must and more than once. read more

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My friend and I dined at Ikigai the other evening and I must say we were more than impressed. From the moment we stepped into the serene zen like room we were transported. Everything from the delectable Ikigai "that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose." Cuisine, the service, the chef description of each perfect course and his team of very knowledgeable and professional sous chefs was impeccable. I will be back with more friends.I've been to many fine establishments over the years and this one is at the top of my list! read more

first let me say we came here to celebrate our anniversary so we had high hopes. but from the jump, we got off to a rocky start. they were persistently confused about my husband's food allergies, despite the fact that I 1) added them to the resy and 2) confirmed via text the day before our dinner. they asked him twice in person, mixing up his allergies with another tables. while we enjoyed the tea room experience, it was unfortunate we had to wait 45 minutes from the start of our reservation for any food to arrive, only for it to be two measly pieces of bread and some bitter lettuce. when the server did finally bring out this food, the bread basket was empty! he had to go back into the kitchen to retrieve another. we kept having to ask for tea refills, because for some reason they only seemed to want to refill water, and there was a point where they came with an empty tea kettle. this is not befitting of service you expect when your meal is $350+ (and prepaid, at that). the omakase portion started off strong but quickly took a turn. what I thought would be the star of the show, a dish featuring uni and egg, was completely overpowered by a sweet pastry flavor to the point that no umami came through--just a completely odd mix of textures that made me want to gag. that was probably the most disappointing part of the night. two dishes we were very excited about, the duck and wagyu, both came with meat that was so cold it was almost inedible. then, as our final dish before dessert, we were served carrots rice and soup?? the rice was overcooked, the carrots had a bizarre flavor, and the soup tasted medicinal. all in all, the service was extremely lacking for a restaurant that charges this much, nonprofit or not. and unfortunately, the food didn't make up for it. we ended up going home and making another dinner ourselves because we were so disappointed. added one star because they did gift us a glass of N/A champagne for our anniversary and it was considerate that they both had a non-alch option and realized we weren't drinking. read more

I did not expect what I consider a Michelin worthy meal to be in the neighborhood. Gorgeous restaurant with a beautiful back patio that transports you to Japan. Inside, beautiful wood panels on the wall and ceiling with a large curved chef / dining table and the most comfortable chairs. Food had so many unexpected surprises that made the experience so fun and of course each course was delicious!! Service was impeccable. Highly recommend this for a date night or special occasion! read more

I love ikigai, the food and service are both impeccable! Plan to come back here over time