Ascend to this lively Midtown hideaway for authentic yakitori bliss, where the sizzling skewers of succulent chicken and unique bites transport you straight to Tokyo's buzzing nightlife.
"Whenever you need something quick before a show, go to Yakitori Totto for pork neck and tsukune skewers. The slightly smoky room up a flight of stairs on 55th Street smells like grilling chicken, and sake or frosty beer will gear you up for a night of singing in the aisles. Just make sure to keep an eye on the clock—it's easy to get distracted by the good time you’re having here." - neha talreja, bryan kim, hannah albertine, sonal shah, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick
"If we could only go to one restaurant for a quick pre-theater meal for the rest of our lives, it would be Yakitori Totto. Up a staircase, this Midtown West has a speakeasy-ish feel, and a huge selection of skewers. Go for some juicy tsukune and tender chicken oysters, as well as non-chicken options, like pork neck (mostly fat, not complaining), and okra with bonito flakes. It’s smokey and loud, with clinking glasses and people laughing because their skewers are just that good." - will hartman, neha talreja, bryan kim, willa moore
"What’s fun about Yakitori Totto in Midtown is that you get to try so many different things. Kid… candy store… you get what we’re saying. Definitely go for some juicy tsukune and tender chicken hearts, as well as non-chicken options like pork neck (mostly fat, not complaining), and okra with bonito flakes (our favorite among the vegetables). It’s fun to come solo and sit at the counter right in front of the grills. However, coming with one or two other people will enable you to try a lot more things." - bryan kim, sonal shah, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus
"Yakitori Totto is a bit nicer than some of the other options on this guide, so if you need to impress someone in approximately a sitcom’s length of time, do it at this second-floor Japanese spot. The yakitori skewers cost around $3-6 each (with some more expensive exceptions). And since they’re all flash grilled, everything comes out quickly. Although yakitori is definitely their thing, there are plenty of non-yakitori dishes like rice bowls, soups, and salads. And, in the event that there’s a wait, you could always come back after the show - this restaurant stays open until midnight during the week and 1am on the weekends." - hannah albertine
"This somewhat hidden second-floor spot near Columbus Circle has a mind-boggling selection of skewers, and you’ll genuinely have a hard time narrowing down what to order. Definitely go for some juicy tsukune and tender chicken oysters as well as pork neck (mostly fat, not complaining) and okra with bonito flakes (our favorite among the vegetables). This place is casual with lots of counter seating that’s good for solo dining, but coming with one or two other people will enable you to try a lot more things." - team infatuation
