ZipPicks Awards
Best Sushi Rolls in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Best Date Night Sushi in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Master Critic Review
Blue Mountain
8.1
Blue Mountain is a sushi, Asian cuisine, and bar-lounge hybrid on 3rd Avenue where roll combos and signature maki share space with cocktails and hot dishes. It’s popular with neighborhood groups who want a relaxed room, strong happy-hour energy, and big boats loaded with nigiri and rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue Mountain boat with signature rolls, 3-roll combo with soup, Chef’s signature roll selection
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.3
What makes it special: Sushi-and-cocktail lounge where roll combos and boats dominate tables.
Who should go: Groups wanting relaxed sushi, drinks, and plenty of rolls.
When to visit: After work or weekend evenings for bar and lounge energy.
What to order: Blue Mountain boat, 3-roll combo, chef’s signature roll.
Insider tip: Share a sushi boat instead of multiple entrées to sample more rolls cheaply.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited on 3rd Avenue; closest option is a paid garage within 1–2 short blocks. Rideshare is the most stress-free move at night.
Dress code: Trendy casual to smart casual—stylish tops and sneakers are fine, but the room leans dressy after dark.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy early evening but gets louder as the bar fills up.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—avocado, cucumber, sweet potato rolls, veggie tempura, and several hot vegetable dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but doable—vegetable rolls and select noodle dishes without sauces can be customized.
Gluten-free options: Yes—sashimi, nigiri, and gluten-free soy sauce available upon request; tempura is not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially if you want casual energy over candlelit romance. The cocktails and shared roll format give easy conversation starters without heavy formality.
Can I get a table without a reservation? On weeknights before 7pm, usually yes with little wait. On weekends, expect a wait unless you arrive early or snag bar seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than small kids. There’s no kids menu, but familiar rolls and noodles work well for older children during earlier dining hours.
Best For
Better for: Larger groups, sushi boats, lively cocktail energy, and social dining where sharing and drinks matter as much as the rolls.
Skip if: You want quiet omakase precision, ultra-premium fish sourcing, or an intimate date-night sushi counter experience.