Ranking
An editorial ranking: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 94
Nara · Fine Dining
A seafood-focused izakaya near Shin-Omiya Station in Nara, praised for its exceptionally fresh sashimi and a vast menu of over 80 creative small plates. The warm, personal service from the owner-chef makes it a local favourite.
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Nara · Fine Dining
A French restaurant in Nara where a Michelin-experienced chef serves precise, generous cooking from an open counter. The restaurant is particularly praised for its deeply flavoured bouillabaisse made with local seafood.
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Nara · Café
Experience exceptional kakigori (shaved ice) in Nara at this teahouse, set within a relocated 200-year-old merchant house with serene garden views. It's famous for its giant, fluffy portions and rich, house-made syrups.
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Nara · Casual Dining
In Nara's Mochiidono Center Street arcade, this popular shop serves unique Japanese curry. It's known for its signature flour-free green 'wakakusa' curry and 'aigake' plates that let you combine sauces, with excellent options for vegetarians.
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Nara · Casual Dining
An extremely popular izakaya in Kashihara, near Yamato-Yagi Station, celebrated for its exceptionally generous sashimi platters and a deep, expertly curated sake list available in tasting-friendly half-pours.
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Nara · Izakaya
Specialising in sukiyaki and gyu-mabushi, this restaurant in Nara showcases premium Yamato beef. It's located just a minute's walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, making it a convenient and high-quality choice for visitors.
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Nara · Casual Dining
A takeaway specialist on Mount Yoshino, famous for its kakinoha-zushi. This traditional persimmon-leaf-wrapped sushi, with cured mackerel or salmon, is designed to be eaten the next day for the best flavour.
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Nara · Izakaya
A celebrated izakaya in Nara's Omiyacho district, known for its unique oden where each ingredient has its own dashi, and a standout pork shabu-shabu. A top choice for high-quality Japanese comfort food.
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Nara · Dessert Shop
A beloved institution in Kashihara, Dango Sho Yagi ten has specialized in a single product for over a century: exceptionally soft kinako dango. Visitors come for the simple pleasure of freshly made rice dumplings coated in roasted soybean flour.
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Nara · Fine Dining
Specialising in rare Ikoma beef, Shabushabu Kanoko offers a personal shabu-shabu experience in Nara's Omiyacho district. Each guest gets an individual copper pot to cook the famously tender meat, guided by the owner's signature 'ka-no-ko' technique.
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Nara · Pâtisserie
A factory-direct peanut specialist in Tenri, Nara, famous for its freshly pressed peanut paste and unique Maple & Nuts ice cream. Visitors come for the huge variety of snacks at factory prices, but should expect long queues.
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Nara · Bakery
A small craft bakery in Nara's Takabatakecho district, near Nara Park. Nomokemana specializes in dense, chewy European-style breads made with natural yeast, a welcome find for visitors seeking hearty loaves over softer Japanese-style bread.
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Nara · Pâtisserie
A specialist chocolatier in Nara pairing fine spirits with silky nama-chocolates. Created by a bartender and chocolatier, these are a sophisticated and remarkably affordable gift for adults.
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Nara · Dessert Shop
A celebrated wagashi specialist in Nara, set in a historic machiya townhouse. Known for its performative tea courses and exceptional sweets like kuzuyaki and kakigori, made with rare, high-quality ingredients.
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Nara · Casual Dining
A highly-regarded yakiniku restaurant in Kashihara, Nara, known for serving steakhouse-quality beef at excellent value. It's a destination for its signature harami yukke and expertly handled rare cuts and offal.
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Nara · Casual Dining
A celebrated udon specialist in Koryo, Nara, known for its exceptionally chewy, house-made noodles and oversized chicken tempura. It's a top choice for udon lovers seeking generous portions and great value, despite its out-of-the-way location.
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Nara · Casual Dining
A respected name in Japanese-style Western food (yōshoku), this countryside restaurant in Tenri, Nara, serves refined classics. It's known for its impressive whole fried shrimp and generous market salads.
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