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Inside Akoya, Times Square’s Elegant New Sushi Bar in the Sky
April 23, 2025, 10:18.54 am ET

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Photos: Briana Balducci

It’s not every day that a sushi bar opens with a panoramic view of Times Square, but Akoya—debuting at The Knickerbocker Hotel’s iconic St. Cloud Rooftop—isn’t about doing what’s expected.

This 33-seat jewel box of a restaurant, including a 13-seat shandroll bar, is the latest culinary collaboration between hospitality titan Charlie Palmer, Executive Chef Adam Raksin (formerly of Eleven Madison Park, Daniel and Per Se), and sushi master Taishi Yamaguchi, whose résumé spans global hotspots like Katsuya, Aman and EN Japanese Brasserie. Together, they’re bringing a dose of serene Japanese precision to one of the city’s most chaotic corners.


Taishi Yamaguchi

Akoya is all about the temaki, or hand rolls. Think warm, seasoned rice wrapped in crisp nori, filled with things like yuzu-cured scallops, grilled oyster (Akoya) or Australian Wagyu finished with Platinum Osetra caviar and wasabi aioli. But don’t expect a marathon omakase—this is hand roll dining with a view, meant to feel personal, precise, and unfussy.

“Every detail at Akoya is intentional,” added Chef Taishi Yamaguchi. “From the quality of our nori to the last garnish on a roll, the goal is to offer something pure and exceptional—something that feels quiet and personal, even in the heart of Times Square.”

Cocktails are as considered as the cuisine. The Sakura Spritz with cherry blossom liqueur and iichiko shochu channels Tokyo springtime, while the Hibiki Glow leans smoky and citrusy with a mix of Dos Hombres mezcal, cranberry, orange juice and prosecco. A robust sake list, shochu, and a few non-alcoholic options round out the drinks list with global flair.

Inside, Akoya is a study in understated luxury. LUCID’s design draws on Japanese minimalism—black granite, warm oak, and textured Élitis wallcoverings—creating a space that feels more like Kyoto than Times Square.

So yes, Akoya is technically smack in the middle of Midtown mayhem. But with a hand roll in one hand and a yuzu spritz in the other, it might just feel like another world.


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