A friend of mine suggested this place since he's already been before. He made a reservation for six on a Friday night. I loved the vibes and atmosphere. Everything we ordered was fantastic. They also offer some pretty fun, mocktails, perfect since many of us do not drink. Service was fast and efficient. I would definitely come back.
Overview
The first time I ducked into Izakaya Mew after a long Midtown workday, I was mostly hoping for a quick beer and something salty. Instead, I ended up staying nearly two hours, chatting with the bartender about regional sake styles and watching a table of NYU students argue passionately over which karaage was best. That casual, friendly chaos is part of the charm at 53 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001, United States, where this Japanese pub has quietly become a comfort spot for office workers, tourists, and regulars who treat the place like a second living room.
My background in hospitality consulting makes me notice process details most diners miss. Here, the workflow is smooth: servers punch in orders on handhelds, plates come out in tight waves rather than random trickles, and the kitchen batches small plates so nothing sits under heat lamps. According to the National Restaurant Association, more than 60 percent of guests say speed and consistency shape whether they leave positive reviews. You can feel that research in action when your grilled squid arrives still sizzling while the next round of drinks hits the table without you flagging anyone down.
The menu reads like a love letter to Japanese bar food. Instead of overwhelming you with sushi rolls, it focuses on tapas-style izakaya classics. Think takoyaki with creamy centers, agedashi tofu that actually crackles when you bite in, and late-night ramen bowls rich enough to feel like therapy. I once brought a skeptical friend who swore she hated fish, and she left talking about the miso butter corn and pork belly skewers. That is a real-life case study in smart menu design: offer variety without diluting identity.
There is real expertise behind the drinks program too. The sake list rotates every season, and staff are trained to explain the difference between junmai and ginjo in plain English. The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association notes that temperature alone can change aroma perception by up to 30 percent. Watching a server warm a small ceramic flask at the bar, then suggest pairing it with spicy cod roe pasta, is a tiny masterclass in sensory science made friendly.
The room itself looks unassuming from the street, but inside it feels like Tokyo after midnight. Wood paneling, handwritten specials taped to the walls, and music that drifts between J-pop and old-school hip-hop set the mood. On busy Fridays you might hear someone yell this is my happy place over the din, and nobody laughs because everyone kind of agrees.
If you scroll through online reviews, patterns pop up. Guests consistently praise the portions, the late hours, and the ability to wander in solo without feeling awkward. From my own experience, that last point is huge. Many diners are built for groups; this one welcomes the lone office worker nursing a highball at the bar just as much as a birthday party spilling across two tables.
Of course, there are limits. It gets loud, especially after 8 p.m., so it is not ideal for first dates where you want to whisper secrets. The wait can stretch on weekends, and while the location is perfect for Midtown wanderers, it is less convenient if you live uptown or deep in Brooklyn. Those gaps are real, but they also signal popularity rather than neglect.
Over the years I have watched plenty of Japanese pubs open with hype and close quietly. This one sticks because it blends neighborhood soul with operational discipline. You taste it in the broth, hear it in the clink of sake cups, and see it in the steady stream of regulars who know exactly what they are ordering before the menu even lands on the table.
Good to know
Service options
✓ No-contact delivery ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great tea selectionPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seatingOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Comfort food ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Groups ✓ Tourists ✓ University studentsPlanning
✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservations ✓ Usually a waitPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ High chairsParking
✓ Paid street parking ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 3368 reviews
Really worth the long wait. The first thing we had was the mackerel, some of the best I had. I wonder if that sauce would go well with rice. Chicken nanban is a must get. The sauce is amazing either succulent chicken. Niku tofu, really good for sharing, warms you right up, delicious. Pork Katsu was great, but my friend said the pork was dry which I thought was moist. It was incredibly loud, somewhat hard to talk but I think it makes a pretty good date place.
Came here with family and really enjoyed the food - especially the tuna tataki on crispy rice and the agedashi tofu.It was quite loud, though, so not ideal if you’re trying to have a proper catch-up conversation. What truly impressed me was their creative cocktail menu. I especially loved the Matchaholic, it’s such a fun twist on Japanese flavors and culture. Note: they won’t seat your party until everyone has arrived, so be sure to be on time. Considering the price, I’d personally rate it a 4/5 - but given how expensive NYC is in general, the pricing makes sense. It is on the pricier side, but I’d still recommend trying it at least once.
actually amazing spot!!! all of their udon dishes are so so yummy, i especially highly recommend the kimchi creamy udon. if you want something warm to just sip in addition to your main dish, pls get the oden!! its so warm and flavorful esp if its cold out. will for sure come back to try out other things!
We recently dined at this Japanese restaurant and overall had a wonderful experience! The dishes were flavorful, beautifully presented, and full of savory goodness. Every plate brought something unique to the table — from the perfectly seasoned fried rice topped with an onsen egg, to the rich and satisfying omusoba drizzled with mayo and okonomiyaki sauce, and the crunchy sushi rolls bursting with freshness and texture. The tempura avocado tacos were a fun and creative twist, and the cheese fries offered a comforting, cheesy bite. The restaurant itself had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff were attentive — they checked in several times to ensure our food arrived properly and that we were satisfied, which we really appreciated. However, we did find the cheese fries a bit too greasy and heavy, leaving a noticeable oily aftertaste. That was the only dish that didn’t quite meet the high standard of the others. Another small disappointment was being charged $1.50 extra for hot sauce — it was unexpected and felt a bit unnecessary for such a simple request. Despite these minor issues, the food was overall delicious and savory, and the service was kind and attentive. If not for the extra charge for the hot sauce and the overly oily fries, we’d gladly give them a full 5 stars. Still, this is a place we’d happily return to for another flavorful meal!
I had such a great experience at Izakaya Mew in New York! The food was absolutely delicious — every dish was fresh, flavorful. The prices were very reasonable for the quality, which made it even better. The service was excellent too — friendly, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. It’s definitely one of those places you want to come back to again and again. Highly recommended!
Busy and lively basement izakaya. The Yuzu Kiki cocktail was nice, kind of like a sparkling margarita. Food was just average, more like cafeteria dishes. The Frozen Kirin Beer looked cool but wasn’t cold enough and didn’t taste great. Each dish is cheap, and most of the guests looked pretty young. Fun vibe if you like crowds, but not really for the food.
Generally very reasonably priced with. Lot of Japanese pub food. The portions are fair. I recommend going with a small group so you can try/share things. The okonomiaki was pretty large. The mushrooms truffle ramen was very rich. The sushi rolls were yummy but hot dishes are a better value of food quantity for the money.