10 Recommended Restaurants in Japan's Nara: From Luxury Restaurants to Local Eateries! Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Jun 20 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

10 Recommended Restaurants in Japan's Nara: From Luxury Restaurants to Local Eateries!

When it comes to sightseeing, narrowing a city full of choices down to a single restaurant can be a difficult task, especially in unfamiliar territory. All of the storefront signs and smells can appear enticing before you get to actually try their food for youself, creating quite the dilemma. You also can't forget that Nara also happens to be a standout location in Japan for sightseeing! Between UNESCO World Heritage sites, Horyuji Temple, and the Giant Buddha Statue, the prefecture is rife in attractive places to visit. You’ll find a handpicked selection of the best places to eat in Nara in this article, so you'll hopefully be able to make use of the information as a reference to get the most out of Nara's cuisine!

See full listings of Kaiseki restaurants found in and around Nara.

1. Yakiniku Kappo Bimi

Yakiniku Kappo Bimi, a reservation-only restaurant, specializes in "Omakase Yakiniku Kappo Course" featuring Japanese Black Beef purchased whole. This unique offering allows guests to taste rare yakiniku cuts. Guests can customize banquet menus during reservation, catering to diverse dining needs. The restaurant comfortably accommodates varied party sizes, from large gatherings of 250 guests to intimate dinners for couples. It welcomes all generations, making it a versatile choice for family events, business dinners, romantic dates, and celebratory occasions. Feel free to contact them for inquiries.

Yakiniku Kappo Bimi

Open: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,500 JPY
Access: 13-minute by car from the Horyuji IC Exit
Address: 812-1, Hirao, Koryo-cho, Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara Map
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2. Ristorante Borgo Konishi

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The restaurant specializes in Pici, a thick hand-rolled pasta mixed with rich tomato and sauce americaine. They source organic vegetables from Uda City and Ezo venison from Hokkaido. Their Japanese tiger prawns, shipped directly from the port, guarantee unmatched freshness. The restaurant values a relaxed dining experience, focusing on food flavors without disrupting customer conversations. The spacious venue, featuring a lacquered bar and terrace seating, lets guests savor meals while appreciating Nara's low-rise skyline.

Ristorante Borgo Konishi

Open: [Tuesdays-Sundays/Holidays] Lunch 11:00-15:00 (last order 14:00) / Dinner 18:00-23:00 (last order 21:30)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara station; go straight down Konishi Sakura street, and it will be on your right.
Address: 2F Flats Konishi, 24 Konishi-cho, Nara, Nara Map
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3. Osakanadokoro Sakurachaya

Tucked away under a cherry blossom lamp, Sakurachaya offers fresh, exquisite fish handpicked by the chef’s trusted connoisseurs. Specializing in "fish and shellfish", the restaurant sources directly from Sakaiminato Port in Tottori Prefecture and various Japanese fishing ports. Accompanying these delicacies is a unique selection of sake from small breweries. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a serene, Japanese-style space, perfect for business entertainment and banquets. This hidden gem is a fan-favorite, beloved by many for its relaxing ambiance and exceptional offerings.

Osakanadokoro Sakurachaya

Open: Lunch 11:45 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) *Reservations required by the day before / Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) *Last entry at 9:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 9,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 275m from Shin-Omiya Station
Address: 4-253-3, Omiya-cho, Nara-shi, Nara Map
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4. Teppanyaki Sanga

From Luxury Restaurants to Local Eateries! A Selection of 10 Exemplary Restaurants in Nara

Just a minute walk from Nara Station, you’ll find Sanga, a teppanyaki (a style of Japanese cuisine where ingredients are grilled on an iron griddle) restaurant that exudes an air of opulence. The location puts the restaurant near sightseeing spots like Nara Park, and the luxurious interior offers a high-end but relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant's novelty dishes are made possible through the owner's exclusive access to a supply of fresh Yamagata beef that's all A4 grade or higher. This top-grade, marbled meat is prepared by an artisan chef, and has a melt-in-your mouth texture that’s followed by an umami flavor that disperses throughout your mouth upon sinking your teeth into it. The Yamagata Kuroge Wagyu beef course is available for 8,000 JPY (excl. tax).

Teppanyaki Sanga

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY
Access: On the B1F of Piazza Hotel, immediately from the front exit of JR [Nara Station]
Address: B1F, Piazza Hotel, 11-20 Sanjo Honmachi, Nara city, Nara Map
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5. Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu

MARUTO soy sauce, brewed from locally grown soybeans and wheat in Nara Prefecture, uses yeast maintained for 300 years, offering a mild salty taste and rich flavor. To enjoy the aroma of fresh soy sauce, "Otsukuri (sashimi)" is suggested. Mild "heated soy sauce" is used for the soup stock. Their Takikomi Gohan (seasoned steamed rice), prepared with moromi (unrefined soy sauce lees), releases a delightful aroma when the lid is opened. The restaurant enhances Nara's unique produce, like home-grown vegetables, Yamato beef, and pork, creating diverse expressions with soy sauce. Experience these unique flavors only available here.

Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 12:00 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 6:30 pm) *Please see the official website for temporary closures.
Closed: Wednesday, the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Average price: [Dinner] 13,200 JPY / [Lunch] 5,500 JPY
Access: 10-minute by taxi from Kintetsu Tawaramoto Station
Address: 170, Iyodo, Tawaramoto-cho, Shiki-gun, Nara Map
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6. Kitsune

The Sukiyaki Restaurant, located just an 8-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, offers course meals with sukiyaki as the main dish. Chef Shusaku Toba, owner of the one-star gourmet website awarded restaurant "sio" in Yoyogi Uehara, brings a new dimension to traditional Sukiyaki cuisine. His innovative dishes promise to enhance your dining experience in Nara.

Kitsune

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 5-minutes walk from Exit 1 of Kintetsu Nara Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line / Past Higashimuki Shopping Street, it's one street back from Sarusawa Pond
Address: Shika Saru Kitsune Building, 22, Ganriin-Cho, Nara-Shi, Nara Map
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7. One's Heart Café Naramachi

One's Heart Café Naramachi, nestled in an old Nara residential longhouse, specializes in creative Japanese dishes and sweets using locally sourced ingredients. Their signature offering, the "One's Heart Meal", changes bi-weekly to highlight seasonal ingredients in the main dish and various side dishes. Paired with Nara's sweet, sticky rice, the meal is a gourmet delight. The interior is designed with nostalgic Taisho era influences for a relaxed dining experience. Takeout and pet-friendly outdoor seating (by phone reservation only) are available.

One's Heart Café Naramachi

Open: [Sunday - Tuesday,Thursday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last order 4:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,400 JPY
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8. Aburiyaki Toriyokiyoki

"Aburiyaki Toriyokiyoki" features a unique Miyazaki-style of flamboyantly grilling chicken over charcoal flames. The smoke imbues the chicken with a concentrated sweetness and umami. Their "Yokiyoki Yaki", a three-cut assortment of recommended cuts, is a must-try. Changing daily specials are displayed on a blackboard. You can even order a balanced meal late at night. The owner, who has tasted yakitori nationwide, serves these delicious dishes with confidence. Pair it with shochu in the restaurant's warm, relaxed atmosphere to melt away your daily fatigue.

Aburiyaki Toriyokiyoki

Open: [Sunday,Monday,Wednesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (last order 12:30 am)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
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9. Koiki Ryori Manso

Koiki Ryori Manso is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers seasonal dishes, with ingredients like vegetables shipped directly from Soni Village in Nara Prefecture, and seafood sourced from around the country. The restaurant's owner and chef, Mr. Nagata, changes the menu weekly, offering a unique experience with each visit. Beyond the food, guests enjoy engaging with Mr. Nagata. The restaurant is cherished by locals, with some patrons spanning three generations. Notably, a 25,000 yen course is available exclusively for counter reservations, following a prior consultation to personalize the dish.

Koiki Ryori Manso

Open: Other 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
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10. Yamato Shunsai, Fish, Chicken Junpei

Yamato Shunsai, Fish, Chicken Junpei is a restaurant known for its fresh seasonal vegetables, Yamato chicken, and selected seafood. Specialties include "Swimming Horse Mackerel Sashimi", freshly prepared from tank-kept fish, and the "Signature Vegetable Sashimi Assortment", featuring owner-sourced seasonal vegetables from farmers. A diverse daily menu ensures return visits. An added draw is the owner-selected sake, particularly "Ura Shinomine", crafted to complement the restaurant's dishes. This enhances the flavors, offering a unique food and drink pairing experience.

Yamato Shunsai, Fish, Chicken Junpei

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (last order 11:30 pm) / Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (last order 1:45 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.