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    Tomi Jazz

    4.4 (968 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    TOMI JAZZ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Tomi Jazz

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    Reviews With Photos

    Happy Birthday Icecream
    Tati C.

    Had an amazing night here for my dads birthday. Aside from having to stand in the cold, the wait was so worth it once we were inside and enjoying the food. It is very tight inside, so the limited seating is understandable. But they do a decent job in making everyone feel as comfortable as they can with the limited space. The drinks were good, i had a frozen lychee which was really good, hubby had the Alexander, and my parents got the Pearl Harbor. For food, we started with croquettes: shrimp, crab, & corn. For our entrees we had the avocado spaghetti, seafood spaghetti, curry rice and hayashi rice. I really enjoyed my dads seafood spaghetti, he mentioned it was a lil salty, my husband seemed to enjoy his avocado spaghetti, my hayashi rice was good, it reminded me of oxtail stew just with thin slices of beef, & my mom enjoyed her curry rice. The staff and musicians were great too, they even played happy birthday and brought my dad a nice dessert . The vibes the whole night was fantastic, I'd def recommend but be ready to wait. I can't wait to return again

    best cocktail
    Jude K.

    Magic -Worth Every Minute of the Wait! I went in with high expectations for Tomi Jazz and I walked out even more impressed. This place is the quintessential NYC jazz bar experience. The Experience: It's a cozy, intimate Cocktail Jazz Bar where you can enjoy live music while sipping on drinks and having a bite to eat. The atmosphere is warm and authentic--it feels like you've been transported to a hidden basement bar in Tokyo. The Food & Drinks: The Cocktails: Truly top-tier. They are well-crafted, balanced and far better than your average "jazz club" drinks. The Food: Even the "simple" dishes are executed at a high level. I had the Pasta and it was surprisingly delicious and comforting. I was so busy enjoying the vibe that I completely forgot to take a photo of it! A Fair Warning: The only catch is the popularity. Be prepared to wait in line for at least an hour (or more). My advice? Bring a friend you like talking to, wear comfortable shoes and just embrace the wait--because once you're inside, the music and the mood make you forget the line instantly. Final Verdict: If you love live jazz, great cocktails and a soulful atmosphere, this is a must-visit. Just get there early!

    Chicken wings
    Eric H.

    Real men wait in long lines... especially when there's jazz, whiskey, and crab croquettes involved. Walked into Tomi Jazz in Midtown East and instantly felt like I accidentally time-traveled into a Tokyo basement where cool lives permanently. Tight space, dim lights, live jazz... and suddenly I'm nodding like I understand music theory. Started strong with the crab croquettes -- crispy outside, creamy inside, and that egg yolk dipping sauce? Dangerous. I almost asked for a second yolk like it was a side of fries. Then the wings showed up... bold, satisfying, and gone faster than my self-control. Washed it all down with Yararak 12 Year Single Malt like a gentleman who totally knows what he's doing (I don't, but it tasted fantastic). And just when I thought it couldn't get better... the live jazz kicked in. Smooth, classy, and suddenly my casual dinner turned into a main-character moment. Long line. Small space. Big vibes. Tomi Jazz isn't just dinner... it's an experience. And yes... I'd wait in that line again like a man.

    Okonomiyaki
    Nicole K.

    Such an awesome spot. There's normally a wait, but it's worth it. Food is also much better than expected

    Entrance
    Kinte C.

    I've ran across my fair share of jazz clubs in NY but Tomi Jazz stands out amongst the most unique for its unique intimate environment ,incredible performer's and eccentric cuisine. ENVIRONMENT It's quite easy to walk right past the recluse entrance on 53rd St. The line of individuals outside is the only "tell" that you've made it to the right spot. As others have mentioned, the wait times to enter can be quite excessive but upon stepping past that last outdoor heater(a godsend) you're met with a barrage of lovely sounds, whiffs of scrumptious food and an intimate oasis that resembles the hull of a ship. FOOD During my visit, I tried the Sea Urchin Cream Croquette, Truffle Fries, and the Seasoned Octopus with Wasabi. The standout was the Seasoned Octopus which had just the perfect amount of kick via the wasabi. Tomi Jazz is a remarkable addition to the NY jazz scene and its popularity is well-justified. While seated there were a plethora of guests taking pictures of the performers, food and decor which is quite easy to understand given the outstanding presentation of it all. However, Tomi Jazz is best experienced being present amidst its incredible ambience and flair. Wear your most comfortable pair of shoes for the wait,it's well worth it. Happy eats!

    Dave A.

    Affordable authentic japan food. Good chill music Cozy little bar Crazy good drink

    Dominic A.

    I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Truly feels like a hidden jazz club in japan. Everything from the deaign, to the menu, to the staff. This place executes at a super high level. I was extremely lucky and waited only 15 minutes to get inside. I was able to snag a solo bar seat and enjoyed a whisky and a toast w green tea ice cream. They warned me it was big for one person and i said nahh i gotta do it for the vibe. There was a trip playing, one guy on bass, one guy on drums, and one guy on electric guitar. Really a perfect vibe and would definitely recommend checking this place out

    Japanese Curry Rice
    An C.

    I am a sucker for ambiance and this place gets 10 stars on ambiance alone. From the intimate dark environment, live jazz band, lit candles, background chatter and vintage Japanese decor, this place is a real gem! Not to mention the food is delicious. Additionally, the staff all speak to each other in Japanese, which adds to the authenticity of this place. They are casual and accommodating, the busy bartender even offered to take a photo for us after watching us struggle! You will be elbow to elbow with the other guests, and Im not sure if the jazz band teleported into their tiny corner but it's amazing that they managed to squeeze in. I adored this place. All our food was great, but my favorite dishes were: 1) Okonomiyaki - I'm just a sucker for okonomiyaki 2) Fried Oysters - light and fresh 3) Wasabi Octopus - raw, and texture was very fun, though I can see it not being for everyone We got in line 30 minutes before they opened, were maybe 5th in line, and only waited another 5-15 minutes to get inside. The line after we left looked absolutely atrocious, though. They also had tons of desserts on their menu that I will definitely be back to try next time!

    Melon soda float
    Zoe T.

    We visited this placed on recommendation from my friend while we were in New York. We arrived early around 5:30ish on a Monday, and there was no line yet. Even though we were waiting for our friend to show up after work, they were nice enough to let us sit inside the restaurant, right next to the jazz musicians. The interior decor and vibes were really unique, warm, and cozy. It's a small tight place, so I recommend coming early or you may have to wait awhile to get a seat inside. The food and drinks we got were great (I liked my melon soda float the best), and the servers were very attentive. The jazz music was good and started at 6PM, then they took a break at some time in between. It was a little hard to talk/listen over the music because we were right next to the musicians, but we still had a wonderful evening with our friend at Tomi Jazz. It was a fun first time NY jazz club experience, and I would highly recommend if you like jazz and japanese food/drinks.

    yaki soba
    Stella G.

    I was stupid for thinking that the line might be a little shorter since it was a Wednesday on a colder night... We got there at 6 and ended up waiting 1.5 hours still. When I got inside, I could see why. It's a super tight space, to the point where I was afraid that my backpack was going to knock something over. I loved how they decorated the place; there was something to look at every single inch of the space. We were initially seated in a separate room towards the back, which I honestly didn't mind. It was very cozy and quiet, very easy to hold a conversation here. We ordered the curry croquette, crab cream croquette, omurice, and yaki soba. After we got our croquettes, they said that there was a table that opened up closer to the performers. We ended up being right in front of them, which was very cool but hard to really talk there. You wouldn't expect it at a jazz bar, but the food was incredible! The omurice is probably my favorite in the city. The yaki soba was very flavorful, and I loved how it was cooked in the egg. The curry croquette was a lot better than the crab cream croquette though. Despite the line, five stars for the vibes alone. I felt like I was transported to another world walking inside; I couldn't believe I was still in midtown. This place would definitely be a regular date night spot if the line wasn't so crazy. But maybe that makes it even more special.

    Bar | IG & TikTok @territheplatypus.eatz
    Theresa L.

    Great experience at Tomi Jazz, but is it worth the hour-long (at minimum) wait? Depends what you are looking for. We went to Tomi Jazz on the Sunday of a long weekend, hoping that there would less of a crowd with people out of town. They open at 5pm, so we arrived at 4:40pm to get in line. They seat one party at a time even after opening, so even though we were among the first 10 parties in line, we weren't seated until 5:30ish. Music doesn't start until 6pm, so plenty of time for them to funnel people in. The service was super friendly and helpful!! We were given the option between a few open tables, and after choosing, the waitress informed us that there would be practically no view of the band. She even gave us the option to move seats for a better view! Really appreciated the heads up since it was our first time here. The restaurant is sooooo tiny though!! Literally shared space with tables if you are near the band, so adjust your expectations accordingly! I believe there's a separate seating area upstairs, but I didn't get a look at it. Drinks are STRONG. The Zen was soooo strong and packed a punch at first sip-- I wouldn't recommend unless you are a fan of strong drinks. I had the Mandarin Slushy, which was a lot more palatable for my preference of fruity/sweet drinks. The food exceeded my expectations as well. For starters, we had the Crab Cream Croquette, which was nice and creamy inside, and the Fried Chicken Legs & Thighs. The Fried Chicken was equally as enjoyable! Very flavorful and crunchy. As for mains, we tried the Cod Roe Udon (my personal favorite) and the Omurice! Both were great. The Cod Roe Udon was nice and creamy, and the udon noodles were al dente. I'm normally not an Omurice fan either, but the egg on this one was perfectly runny!! Music was wonderful too. They had a three-person band, and the live music added to the cozy and intimate atmosphere of the spot. I'm super glad I got to try Tomi Jazz after the spot being on my list for so long, but I probably wouldn't come back unless someone who was in town reaaaalllly wanted to come.

    Omelet Rice with Demi-Glace / デミオムライス
    Karen L.

    We arrived at 4:45 and got in at 5:30 on a Sunday. They only let in one group at a time and seem to stagger it a lot. The food took a little while to come but the room itself was like a museum with trinkets and paintings everywhere. The live music started at 6 and it was super relaxing and entertaining. The band was awesome. The cod roe spaghetti was also incredible with a little kick. The cod roe udon looked awesome too so I would get that the next time I come. The omurice/omelet on top of the rice was kind of disappointing though because it was so small, barely any rice. Otherwise, the service was great and the vibes were cozy.

    Jennifer K.

    This was my second visit, and unlike the first time--when I waited over two hours--I was seated within 20 minutes, likely because I arrived at 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday. I ordered the omurice again, along with the sausage appetizer, cream soda, pasta, and shrimp croquette. Every dish was excellent, making it difficult to branch out on future visits since I'm already eager to enjoy these same items again. We were seated directly in front of the band, which provided a fantastic view of the performance, though it did make conversation with my friend a bit challenging. One note of caution: my friend accidentally burned his finger on the table lamp, so I recommend diners be mindful of the lighting fixtures. Overall, it was a wonderful experience with delicious food and lively atmosphere, and I look forward to returning.

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    cool spot.........................................................................................

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    Tomi Jazz Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tomi Jazz

    My bf and I are under 21 can we still go?

    There is no age limit. It's a restaurant!

    What's the line like on weekends?

    Friday night, after work, seemed like a 2 hour wait.

    When does the kitchen close?

    How much minimum do you have spend?

    No min, but there's a $10 music cover charge on fri - sun.

    Can I bring my 7 years old kid with me?

    The jazz bar is an adult-only. Not ideal for kids.

    Does tomi jazz still offer happy hour?

    Nope they don't :(

    What time does the kitchen close ? And when is last order for food DELIVERY?

    Do you have to be 21 or older to enter? Is ID required at the door?

    No, ID is not required at the door!

    Is there a cover charge?

    Only on Fri and Sat, $10 per person

    Does everyone in party have to be present to make reservation (1 of 4 put name down to wait)?

    No reservations. First come, first serve basis.

    Do you take they reservations? I keep seeing different answers online :(

    I don't think so - I recommend going there early right when they open so you can be guaranteed a table without the wait!

    Is there live music for the outdoor seating?

    when I visited this place, only outdoors allowed so yes there was live music for outdoor seating

    Are Shorts and slippers available to enter?

    I wore shorts

    Is this spot 21+?

    It's ambiguous, I did not see any 21 and under there but alcohol is served. Best case is to email and ask as they are very responsive

    Is there a better time to go when it's not jam-packed full of people talking loudly over the music?

    I'd say Sunday- Wednesday.I think the chatter will always be there. I went on a Monday night. Not packed but still loud.

    Do you allow kids?

    Yes - they allow kids, but kids cannot sit at the bar.

    Do u not take a reservation on Friday?

    Yes

    View All 24 Questions

    Review Highlights - Tomi Jazz

    Delicious cod roe udon and fried bries, with a great selection of drinks and small snacks to accompany them.

    Mentioned in 41 reviews

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    Katsu-Hama

    Katsu-Hama

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    0.5 miMidtown East
    $$

    I am a sucker for delicious Katsu and you'll struggle to find better than Katsu-Hama. Katsu-Hama…read morehas a quaint, Japanese vibe in a small but comfortable dining area. It's not especially big, so you may have a bit of a wait if you frequent right at lunch or in the evening but whatever amount of time you have to wait it will be well worth it. Service is top tier but you come for the food. They have a varied menu with a lot of options so if you're bringing a buddy that isn't up for Katsu, they'll have plenty to choose from. The Katsu is the star and I think what sets this place apart is that they offer Berkshire pork katsu as an option. Arguably some of the best pork, it's great to have the option if you're looking to heighten the experience. I love their pork katsu and go nuts over the chicken katsu curry. It's super crispy, slightly greasy but never off-putting. And it's served with the most delicate and delicious cabbage slaw. I could eat a mountain of this it's so good. Highly recommended.

    This place is a bit hard to spot, but it's on the same side of the street as the sorta famous (50…read moreyears +) Phil's Stationery. Katsu-Hama is about two doors to the Left of Phil's, and has minimal, very discreet signage. I got some tonkatsu...I forget the exact type, but it was essentially the most fatty of the tonkatsu offered. It came with cabbage (with a sesame ginger type dressing), daikon radish (with some type of sauce on top), and the standard sauce for the tonkatsu, along with some crushed sesame seed and hot mustard. I'd have to say...the tonkatsu was quite good....not quite as sublime as my favorite tonkatsu place in Tokyo...but still, very, very good. The dish also came with a bowl of miso soup (good, and not overly salty) and a bowl of white rice, which I considered the most disappointing part of the meal. The rice seemed a bit dried out...not moist.... All in all, an excellent meal. I'd definitely come back.

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    Izakaya MEW - Salmon Carpaccio

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3(3.3k reviews)
    1.1 miMidtown West
    $$

    Honestly, I really enjoyed my time at Izakaya Mew. I love the underground vibe because it gives it…read morethat cozy dim vibe. The servers were pretty attentive and funny, they'd check on us regularly, somehow managing to convince us to get even more items based on what we liked. As a big fan of seafood, I really enjoyed the Scallop Uni Butter Scallop and the Shishamo Fritters. A lot of the items didn't feel heavy which is always a plus with Izakayas, and allowed us to order and try even more items on the menu. Definitely the perfect place to come with a group of friends after work !

    Great tasting food that will surprise. Tried the toro taku crispy rice, it was a recommended item,…read moreand this one surprised me the most. Great variety of textures and taste. The creamy kimchi udon was ok. It didn't feel like one dish, but tasted good. The una don was great. Good sauce and blend of supporting veggies to enhance the taste. Service was super quick. Everything was rapid fire: order taken, food comes out quick, water gets replinished before asking, plates are taken the moment they are finished, and check comes immediately after asking for it. Interior was cramped and loud. Really fitting as many tables as they can in the space. I saw others mentioning to make reservations. I went without one and got lucky. There was a table opening 30 minutes out. Would recommend having one, but you can definitely try walking in. First come first serve basis Overall, solid spot for great tasting food. Great for smaller parties of 2, but expect it to be tight with spacing

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    Dining area

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    Okatte Tanto NY

    Okatte Tanto NY

    4.5(60 reviews)
    0.2 miMidtown East

    Called beforehand on a Friday night for two and seats were ready when we arrived at 8:30pm. Upon…read moreentering, it felt like I teleported to Japan. Many of the clientele are Japanese so we knew we were at an authentic place. We got: - Fried oysters: the batter was light and crispy and oysters piping hot - Vinegared Mackerel w/ Ponzu Sauce: fresh & tangy - Intestines Hotpot: comforting & light despite the fattiness of the intestines - Creamed Mentai Udon: they split it in 2 small bowls for us since we were sharing. Udon had a nice bouncy chew and sauce was not heavy We also got a bottle of sake, and they poured it in a beautiful sake decanter to keep it cold. First time seeing cold sake presented this way which was very cool. We tried Suntory draft beer since that was the only draft they had, which was odd since most Japanese places carry Asahi/Sapporo, definitely not as light as the other two beers I'm used to. Even though I was stuffed by the end, I didn't feel lethargic, everything felt light without compromising flavor. Service was attentive although our udon came at the very end, we thought they had forgot about it.

    There are a few restaurants in NYC that make you feel like you are stepping into a Japan portal,…read moreand Okatte Tanto is no doubt one of those. As you step into the restaurant, you immediately feel a sense of formality and strictness. It's also very quiet in the restaurant, and friendly to solo diners, adding on more to the Japan-esque feel. The food is high quality here, but the portions are small, and it is pricey. I would budget to spend around $100 a person here after tip and tax, if you ignore the prices on the menu and try a variety of things. The tuna from the bone is the most famous dish here, but I was not able to get it as they sell out very fast. But I tried the sashimi and it was high quality -- just that it was not enough food for me. But that makes it more in line with portions back in Japan. They have an extensive sake list and they also have the casual cocktail options like lemon drops you would find in Tokyo. The atmosphere really transports you straight into Japan if that is something you are looking for. Expect to pay a premium for small-ish portions, but at the same time very well-made and authentic food.

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    Okatte Tanto NY
    Okatte Tanto NY
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    Tomi Jazz - japanese - Updated May 2026

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