A Midtown Izakaya With 260 Sakes Beneath the Offices
Japanese small plates meet more than 260 sakes in a tucked away Midtown izakaya.
🍶 Sake Meets Small Plates
Sakagura sits one level below the street at 211 East 43rd Street, tucked beneath an office building where blond wood, geometric screens, candlelit tables, and low amber light set a calm izakaya mood. The room feels private without losing the city outside.
Order around the table. The kitchen serves Japanese dishes in a tapas style plus homemade desserts, while the drink list runs past 260 sakes. Think small plates landing in waves, then a pour that keeps the meal moving at its own pace. The spread brings sashimi, tempura, simmered bites, soup, and lacquered bowls to the table against warm wood.
Sakagura dates to 1996 and holds a 4.5 rating across 1,466 reviews. Lunch runs 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays, dinner starts at 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and the doors stay shut on Sunday. Go when you want a below street level Manhattan dinner with range, texture, and enough sake to make choosing part of the evening.
