Sushi by Sea, Ridgefield’s hush-hush, referral-only sushi spot was already one of the coolest restaurants in Jersey. But, this week? It’s made national news.

According to USA Today’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year list, the local powerhouse is one of the top 47 places to eat in America.

“We are overjoyed and deeply honored to be recognized among the best restaurants in America,” Jay Powles, co-owner of Sushi by Sea, said. “For us, this acknowledgement is truly extraordinary, and is made possible by the unwavering support and appreciation of our cherished guests. Sushi by Sea is more than just a restaurant; it’s a sanctuary where guests can escape the day-to-day hustle and immerse themselves in a meaningful culinary journey. This consideration is an achievement we hold dear, and we are committed to continuing to provide lasting memories through the art of sushi.”

How many have you been to?Check out USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year.

What makes Sushi By Sea stand out?

Standing on Bergen Boulevard, one would be hard-pressed to find Sushi by Sea — unless, of course, they were looking for it. The secret restaurant has no signs, no parking lot, no address on its social pages. As far as the outside world is concerned, the place doesn’t exist.

Those with an invite or referral, though, know where to go. 24 hours before their reservation, guests receive a text message with an address, instructions and a password for entry. Following that guide, the seemingly fictitious sanctuary suddenly reveals itself; guarded only by an anonymous man in a black suit, and a door without a handle.

The interior of Sushi by Sea is cool, dark and intimate. A large, open-concept dining counter (which seats 12 guests) fills most of the space. Guests are placed shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, who — as fellow foodies — are generally very easygoing and chatty. The restaurant’s motto, “Come as strangers, leave as friends,” is reinforced through the varying attendees’ interactions with one another.

Performing behind the counter each night is the restaurant’s executive chef, a man who goes by Chef Cris, or Chef C, for short. Throughout the course of the evening, he’ll never reveal his full name — even if you prod him for it.

“As soon as people know who you are,” Cris said. “This becomes your whole life. And it becomes about you, instead of the food. Sushi, Michelin, restaurants; those aren’t my life. I have a three-year-old daughter, and I want to go home to her at the end of the night.”

Regardless of who chef Cris is in the outside world, though, he’s a star at Sushi by Sea.

From center stage, the internationally-trained chef prepares 17 courses of global sashimi and nigiri for his attentive guests. As salmon is smoked table-side, and uni butter is dripped over fatty toro, diners applaud. When cod is topped with house-made miso, they go wild. Each course comes one after another, wowing the audience with a perfectly-timed spectacle of sushi.

And, if that — along with USA TODAY’s tremendous critical acclaim — doesn’t already make you want to try the restaurant, here are some of the incredible dishes that come in the feast.

USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year forHow the list of best restaurants was decided

What to order at Sushi By Sea

Sushi by Sea is an omakase (tasting menu-style) restaurant, meaning the chef selects and curates the meal based on what he would like to cook (or is seasonally available) that night. In the past, however, we’ve seen a few exceptional dishes make repeat appearances.

Some include:

• Toro Hand Roll: These indulgent small bites are one of chef Cris’s signature appetizers. Featuring ground, fatty tuna wrapped in crispy nori, each one is cylinder-shaped and topped with caviar.
• Spanish Akami: This deep-red sashimi course comes straight from Spain, and is an ice-cold, tender testament to the restaurant’s global vision. Instead of hailing solely from Japan (or local shores), Sushi by Sea’s fish are sourced from various countries around the world.
• Smoked Salmon Nigiri: Topped with house-made miso and smoked at the table, this is dish is rich, fatty and salty. The fish lies over an oval of perfectly-seasoned rice, and is held in place by a small touch of wasabi.
• Uni: Imported straight from Japan, the chef assures that “no other restaurant in America uses the same urchin supplier” as he does, thus making his uni “the best you can get in the US.” When we tried it, we were blown away by its buttery taste and smooth texture.
• Barbecue Eel: To many, this is chef Cris’s best dish. With a thick slab of marinated, smoky eel served under a rectangle of decadent foie gras, the creation is a hot, indulgent, umami flavor explosion.

How to make a reservation at one of the top restaurants in America

Ready to eat at Sushi by Sea, but don’t know how to snag a table? We got you. Simply visit sushibysea.com, click “make a reservation” and use “North Jersey Eats” (that’s our instagram, @northjerseyeats) as your referral.

And, if you’re wondering if USA TODAY is right about their declaration? They really, really are.

From its globally inspired menu to its uniquely talented chef, Sushi by Sea is easily one of the best restaurants in America.

Sushi by Sea is located in Ridgefield, N.J. at an undisclosed location. To learn more about the restaurant, visit sushibysea.com, or follow the spot on Instagram @sushibysea.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her in Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.