Nakato Japanese Restaurant Reviews

Excellent excellent excellent. Incredibly fresh sushi & delicious noodle bowls.

Tin Tin and Jackson made sure we had an outstanding experience! The food was delicious! Cannot say enough!

We have eaten at this restaurant for 45 years and it has maintained its quality and friendly service all these years. There is a sushi bar and hibachi in addition to the regular dining. Very wide variety of dishes. We have never been disappointed

We have eaten quite often at this restaurant and always had a wonderful and colorful meal. This time they were obviously short-handed and the service wasn't up to their usual standards. The food, however, was delicious.

Fresh fish, great selection, amazing sushi, cheff’s make sure to give you options and suggestions depending on your preferences as to the fish or non common sauces that they carry. Service is amazing, always checking on patrons to see if they need anything or if food is as should be. Highly recommended

We had not been to Nakato in many years. In fact, it was so long ago that they were at a different location. I believe they were the first Japanese restaurant in Atlanta. Anyway, our experience confirmed that the way a restaurant stays in business for so long is by providing a good experience at a reasonable price. We chose to go early on a Monday night to take advantage of their "early bird" specials, where you pay about two-thirds of their usual price if you order before 6:30. We opted for the now-familiar arrangement where you are seated at a shared counter to watch a chef cook your food (shrimp, steak, and/or chicken) on a grill in front of you and provide some pyrotechnics along the way. The menu-- miso soup, salad, stir-fried vegetables, rice and the meat -- was tasty and efficiently served. If you want a more gourmet experience, other areas of the restaurant offered a sushi bar and many other Japanese specialities. We decided to try that the next time we visit.

We went on a Wednesday night, around 7pm without a reservation and wanted to sit on the fine dining side. The restaurant had only 3 tables seated, and yet when our party of 3 arrived without a reservation, the hostess rudely told us that we'd have to wait a few minutes and handed us a buzzer. Normally, I wouldn't have minded, except when we sat down in the lounge, we could see the restaurant was almost completely empty. 20 minutes later they were "setting up our table" and a few minutes later, she finally seated us. There was absolutely no need to make us wait because we didn't have a reservation and even while we dined, only 1-2 more tables filled up, leaving most the fine dining side empty. Luckily for Nakato, the food was very good, and all 3 of us enjoyed everything we ordered, both sushi and regular menu items.

We ordered out as a celebratory dinner the night my husband was discharged from the hospital after his double lung transplant. The order was ready early, which was great because I got there early to pick it up. When I arrived the ladies took everything out of the bag to make sure our order was correct. A lot of places make you do that yourself. We got hibachi shrimp and chicken, hibachi shrimp and scallops, and terriyaki chicken. The entrees came with noodles AND rice, which was a nice little addition. It came with salad and soup as well. Everything was delicious! No one was disappointed! We also got tons of little plastic containers to use while we live near the hospital for several weeks! Score! I would definitely eat here again, though it’s a little pricey because the food was so good and though I was only there for a few minutes I was impressed by the service! Side note: if you eat there you get complimentary valet.

I was visiting Atlanta in May 2010 and a person in my traveling party decided that they had a taste for some Japanese food. I was referred to Nakato Restaurant by Jezebel Magazine, a magazine for upscale consumers in the Atlanta area, that I had purchased in Chicago. Jezebel called it "one of the best Japanese restaurants in Atlanta," and said that it was the best place for "mainstream Japanese cuisine," which was exactly what we were looking for. Being from the North Shore of Chicago, which has a large Japanese and Korean population, we had very high standards for the quality of Japanese food. Our hotel was in Buckhead, and we were pleased to find out that Nakato was so close, just 3 miles away. I was impressed with the courtesy of the restaurant staff, everyone from the hostess, the valet (which is free!), the waiter, and Habachi chef. The only disappointment with the service is that, while they were aware of a birthday in our group, the only thing they offered was a birthday dessert which we would have to pay for. That is not good customer service, especially given the price bracket of this restaurant. The food quality was surprisingly good given our high standards. I was not impressed with the Gomae or salad, and the fried rice side was not spectacular. The entrees, beef, shrimp, lobster, and chicken were very good, among the best. Atmosphere again was great, if not the best, and very authentic. Being from Chicago I am accustomed to the high cost of food, but this was pushing it. The price per person was near $40 per person, but we did order some of the more expensive menu items. I think the value for this is about average for the quality, but far above average for Atlanta. The cost of food here ranks up with the cost of meals at some of the celebrity chef restaurants. Overall I recommend if you are looking for a quality Japanese restaurant in Atlanta.

she LOVED IT!!! Everything about our four-person meal was good, from decor to flavor to friendliness of staff. The one thing that keeps our meal from getting five stars from me is the timing from the kitchen was completely off. We ate in the main dining room; shared a mushroom appetizer as well as a spicy tuna roll as appetizer. We ordered our primary meals (all but the mushrooms - those we ordered at the top when our server (lovely person!) recommended them) and sushi at the same time, being specific about how we wanted each portion delivered. I know that sounds snobbish but I don't mean it to; I only mean we were plain and clear when we spoke with our server and she was absolutely clear in her understanding of us. So when our mushrooms arrived for all of us to share, GREAT! But then my husbands main dish (tempura soft shell crab) arrived at the same time our sushi appetizer did... not good. And then two in our party had their identical entrees arrive before anything else and, at last, my entree... mine was warm but everyone else waited for mine to arrive so theirs weren't quite warm, if not cold. This was clearly an issue with the kitchen and needs to be corrected by the management/ownership as we were told this head chef had been with Nakato for 25 years! ALL THAT SAID We ALL enjoyed our meal and my Japanese mother-in-law, new to Atlanta, completely enjoyed her dining experience. My husband (her son) wondered of the lettering on one wall hanging and when she couldn't decipher it, another Japanese woman (employee!) came to our table in a beautiful kimono and explained the artwork to us. Then she and my MIL hit it off and I think my elderly MIL now has her first new friend in ATL. THANK YOU NAKATO!!

Trust the chefs for the freshest and most interesting fresh fish. The nigiri special was superb, complemented by a few more pieces of uni, unagi, yellowtail—a great meal. King Kong roll very good too.

My daughter and I ate here recently when passing through town and had a great time. There's the usual show that comes with a hibachi meal, which can be fun. I personally can't stand the "catch a shrimp" nonsense and thankfully they didn't do it. :) The portion sizes were generous and well seasoned. There is quite a bit to choose from on the menu and they have a decent wine list. Our server and chef were both very friendly and went out of their way to make sure our whole table had a good evening. If you like hibachi, this is a good one.

This place had a feel of 'this is the place to go to be seen'. Unique Japanese dishes outside of the normal Sushi/Japanese steakhouse. Sat at the Sushi bar - the Sushi chief was very pleasant and helpful. I've been to a lot of the Asian restaurants in Atlanta and this is in the top 5% for trendiness and atmosphere.

Like many Japanese restaurants in the US, Nakato caters to a Western audience. It's a large restaurant with a few dining areas. One dining area, which is where we sat, was for those interested in a Hibachi meal. You can of of course get a non-Hibachi meal, which is what I did. I've always found the whole Hibachi thing a bit too commercial. Nakato has an extensive menu. I was the only one in our group of seven who didn't order Hibachi, and instead had Sushi, which arrived quickly. I was finished eating before any of the other food was finished cooking. Of the three items I had, the only one that was a bit of a let down, was the spicy tuna roll. Could have been a little spicier. The Unagi on the other hand was excellent. Everyone else in the group enjoyed their food. The Hibachi Chefs were a bit campy, but entertaining. Nakato has a full bar, that includes some Asian beers. While I enjoyed the food, I prefer a restaurant that's more intimate.

We arrived a little late, they didn't even notice. They served us like that we were the best friends. The food was excellent and came quickly. They took care of our grandchild,like she was a special guest. We had from the grill and sushi and it was all first class

This is my favorite place to get Japanese food in Georgia, so my family thought it would be a great idea to have my birthday dinner here! I had a blast! Everyone was so caring and pleasant. I ordered a double order of the chicken fried rice with only zucchini and broccoli. I also ordered a Filet Mignon and noodles with my main course meal. A delicious onion soup with no mushrooms and a fresh salad with tomatoes and cucumbers with a ginger dressing were served to us before our other food came out. What a Glorious night! This place is excellent for special occasions and is kid friendly. We had one of the private dining rooms to ourselves. I'm glad I spent my 32nd birthday here!!! ~Ashli H. ❤ 🎂🎁🎈❤

Wow just so good I have tried all different areas in this incredible place. They have it great everything they do. Teppanyaki grill tables where’s chef cooking in front of you steak, shrimp and fried rice while doing a show. Sushi bar where everything is prepared fresh in front of your eyes, waitresses dressed in kimono cooking on your table and giving you lessons in traditional healthy food preparation. Traditional tea ceremonies. All in all in extremely affordable price and extremely friendly service with the most friendly management. Highly recommend this secret gem in Midtown Atlanta, they provide free valet parking as well. They should be ranked much higher and the staff and management need to know we as a customers love them to bits:) Keep up the great work Nakato and be proud of what you do❤️

I have eaten here a couple times over the past number of years. The good is comparable to other Japanese streak houses. You can sit at one of the big grill/tables where they come out and prepare the food in front of you and do some "grill tricks". This is good for a big group so make reservations. If this is too "in your face" they have more standard seating as well. If you don't have enough people to fill up one of the grill/tables, but want to eat at these tables, you will be seated with some strangers...just to inform you if that is not your things. The food is good, agree with another reviewer that said it's a bit on the salty side. You get alot to eat so you will leave full.

From the valet parking to the excellent dessert selections Nakato is superb! The sushi is, in my opinion, the best in Atlanta. The sake selection is excellent and the service is warm and friendly without being overbearing. We couldn't have asked for a better venue for our 25th anniversary selection. Highly recommended!!!

We live in Nashville (land lock state, never eat sushi in TN and are from Miami Beach) so we know great sushi when we taste it. Over the past few years when we've travelled to ATL to shop we've ALWAYS stop in Nakato for dinner. Well, last month (Dec. 30th) we stopped in for take out. We were sooooo disappointed with not only the quality of the food, but the portion size too! I don't know if they changed owners or what, but it's not the same. The tuna sashimi were tiny and not very red in color and the eel handroll was small. The shrimp dumplings were good, but the eel and dynamite rolls were bland. We will NEVER return to this restaurant again.....in addition our take out wasn't ready in the 20mins they told us, we had to wait an additional 30mins! REALLY~ I think mall sushi would've been better.......

Stopped by while in Atlanta on business and close to my hotel. This was my second time dining here. I had 2 of their specialty rolls. The lox and salmon roll was killer. The sashimi roll was good but nothing special. They do have a specialty beer from Okinawa called Orion that is tasty - very similar to Sapporo. All in all very good. Not the best but good.

Note that this review applies to the SUSHI BAR ONLY. My wife (who is Japanese) and I moved to Atlanta eight months ago and have been searching for a good sushi spot ever since. We FINALLY found our spot at Nakato. We prefer authentic Japanese nigiri sushi and sashimi (as opposed to Korean and/or American sushi and sushi rolls), and it has been a struggle to find in Atlanta. We were encouraged by the fact that Nakato is Japanese-owned and operated, with actual Japanese sushi chefs. So we opted for Nakato to celebrate our son's birthday. It was absolutely fantastic, start to finish. Our sushi chef, Nishihara-san, recommended the freshest fish and cuts for us, and boy did he deliver. The salmon and flying fish (tobi-uo) nigiri were particularly amazing. He also had fresh aji (Spanish mackerel), which is rare. The sushi is not cheap, but we would happily pay twice the price here versus most of the other sushi joints we've tried previously. The fish was fresh, delicious, and butter-soft. Scallop sashimi literally melted in our mouths. We went on a Friday night, which was perfect, as Nishihara-san said the fish is flown in from the Tsukiji fish market on Thursdays. The service was also excellent, and to finish the night off the staff sang our son a traditional Japanese birthday song and treated him to dessert. My advice......if you want cheap sushi go to one of the myriad pretender joints; but if you want delicious authentic nigiri and sashimi, spend a bit more at Nakato and go home happy. We will most certainly be going back.

Right now, the restaurant is a little difficult to get to if you're coming from the north (the bridge on Cheshire Bridge Road is out), but it's well worth making a detour to visit the restaurant. Valet parking is available. They serve teppanyaki, sushi and other Japanese dishes. You have to choose whether you plan to have teppanyaki or other dishes when you make a reservation. We had mankato chawan mishi and baked mussels with mussels with masago and spicy aioli for appetizers and a bento box which included tempura, rice, miso soup, black cod, Japanese pickles, grilled yellow tail collar, and sashimi. Their chawan mishi contained an assortment of seafood, including scallops (which I'm allergic to). When the server found out about my allergy, she had a separate version of the chawan mishi prepared without scallops for me. Service was prompt but not intrusive.

Great Hibachi for a Monday night! Lively environment and great chefs. They really know what they are doing. Great food👍🏻

They offer a great happy hour deal from 5:30-6:30. The food is very fresh and thry have some authentic items. It is pricey at regular dinner but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. Great bartenders too!

We met up with some out of town friends with a 6 year old son and decided last minute to hit up Nakato. The wait for a hibachi table was a little too long ( we didn't have reservations ) so we opted for a regular table. Service was attentive and took care of our questions and needs. We shared some edamame ( tasty ) and I had the combo lobster / shrimp entree. There was plenty of each and it was very well prepared. My third trip to Nakato and it's been very good each time.

We had great food and service. We loved our chef he was fun and kept us laughing. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was that the Manager was trying to rush us out before we had even finished our food. We were a party of 14 and we were seated for less than an hour. Just know this is not a place to sit and talk after your meal.

Enjoyed a great dinner. We did not have a reservation and were seated at a hibachi table within ten minutes of arrival. The food was very well prepared and tasty. The portion was more than enough, having enough for leftovers. We had the Hibachi shrimp and steak and scallops. The meals came with soup, salad, noodles, veggies and white or fried rice. I would recommend this restaurant.

If you want to have a true sushi experience, skip all the Buckhead see and be seen places, and head straight for Nakato! This is the freshest sushi you’ll get anywhere in the city with fish flown in daily.

they were able to accommodate large parties at the last minute and provide separate checks. good and fast service. good food. great for birthday parties. they were easy to work with.

Had a great time at this Hibachi Restaurant on our granddaughters 3rd birthday. The Chef was very entertaining and played especially to her. Along with the entertainment he provided, the food was really good. Definitely one to put on your radar.

Good chef specials. Good service and atmosphere. Had a difficult time finding the place with imap. Yelp was much more helpful. Average wine list.

This was the best all around experience i've had at a Japanese restaurant in years! Alyse, one of the hostess, represents this place well! She was very warm and knowledgeable and made our experience great from the very start! We were seated by Alyse and all of the sudden more people started flooding in! This place is huge and excellent for special occasions like anniversaries, and birthdays. Initially, they sung happy birthday to someone sitting caddy corner to me and made the night even more special! Happy birthday was sung several times while we were there and even to someone in the habachi area we were sitting! Each time the employees had the same awesome amount of enthusiasm while singing! The sushi is fresh, like all of the food being served. The miso soup is not too salty and tasted homemade like the salad dressing served on the salads. My filet was cooked to perfection like my rice, noodles, and vegetables. This was truly an authentic Japanese experience and worth every penny! The servings are HUGE and the first bite is as delicious as the last! Every request I made was willingly accommodated. I will be eating here more often! Ps. The other side of the restaurant had the most beautiful grand piano in it! Ashli H.😉❤

Very good food in a nice atmosphere. I loved their fried rice, scallops, and filet mignon. The chef was entertaining and did a great job. I just with there was one of these in Raleigh.

We arrived without a reservation with 16 people - that was our fault. The wait was about an 1 or a lil' more. We were eventually squeezed into a table with another party - not comfortable and they moved four of our party to another table. The party that was already seated had their little show and then it was our turn. Our food was not prepared at the same time and some of our party had almost completed their noodles, rice and veggies before receiving their meat. The issue was they really wanted us to leave but we were waiting on our checks so one of the hostesses came over to help out (she didn't help just made the wait longer because our server became nervous and overwhelmed). Several of us received the wrong checks and before we could explain to our server what the problems were, they were snatched out of hands and hurried back for correction - but they did not know what the problems were. The part of part that was removed from our group was charged a gratuity but they were like "we did not get to dine with our party so you cannot charge us for being with a large party". That was finally corrected. Our checks were returned; they were still incorrect but no one wanted to listen so we paid what the checks said and left. We will look for another option next time.

This is a place I have driven by for over 2 years and always wondered about. I was so happy that tonight I decided to experience this authentic Japanese restaurant right here in Atlanta! First, valet parking makes it easy. Next you have your choice of experiences from private dining to habachi tables, and then there are a series of even more private specialty areas (if you haven't seen them, you need to go back and ask for a tour!) Our waiter was super conscientious and our food came out at a decent speed. I ordered the Illuminati roll which was amazing. The tuna tartar was beautiful and quite large too. And the salmon with spinach was delicious! The only one thing I didn't like was a mother dining with her teenage sons at another table was on her cellphone doing FaceTime on speakerphone for the entire time they ate dinner. That should have been stopped by management but I didn't want to draw attention to us or to be embarrassed. (I've never seen anyone do that ever--hard to believe someone wouldn't know better!) So I will absolutely be back and will bring friends. I look forward to many fun nights at Nakato!

My fiance and I came here for his birthday. We chose traditional dining (which is a la carte). The staff was amazingly friendly and efficient. We were immediately greeted by everyone when we walked in. The prices were amazing. The two of us had two entrees, two sides of rice, an appetizer, and drinks for under $40. The portions were very satisfying as well! We took the extras to go, and they didn't even make it home. Oh well. We will definitely come here whenever we are back in Atlanta!

My husband loves Japanese food, I myself am not a fan so I wasn't expecting much when we arrived. We'll usually go to Happy Sumo, Haruichiban, for sushi and have been to Beni Hanas (Which I think is terrible) so, with that said.... This was a really nice place, the sushii was priced for the quality unlike some restaurants that charge lots of money for low grade sushi. I would compare this to Happy Sumo, but with better grade sushi and service. Prices are about the same. I highly recommend the spicy salmon roll. This would be a perfect place to take and impress a date with the Japanese garden outside and beautiful decor inside. A great break from the main stream hibachi places. Real roses on every table, and the most beautiful floral arrangements in different areas of the restaurant. This is one Japanese restaurant you won't be hungry 2 hours later after eating.

This restaurant has been in business for over 50 years. Tghey advertise ftghat they get fresh fish dayly. We were there for dinner. The atmosphere is nice, service is polite and friendly. Most of the food we ordered was tasty and fres, however it is very expennsive; a dinner for 3 without alcohol was over $400. So go there but be prpared to have a dent in your wallet

While visiting in Atlanta the Concierge’s at our hotel suggested Nakato Japanese Restaurant when we told him what we were in the mood for. My sister-in-law and I both LOVE hibachi grills so we were excited to try this one. It was a nice place and had lots of grills spread throughout the restaurant. We made reservations but had to wait when we got there. The wait wasn’t long so no worries on that factor. The food was delicious and the cooking show was enjoyable. The prices were a little high because it was an upscale restaurant but we would certainly go back if ever in Atlanta again.

This restaurant has superb food at very reasonable prices considering the quality of the fish. We asked for an amber jack carpaccio that was off menu and was wonderful. Be careful: the restaurant has two sections, one for very large parties that was far less sedate than the front section (which I prefer). You also have to fight your way to your table through crowds that are waiting to be seated. If eating Japanese food has a spiritual dimension for you it will probably have lost that by the time you get seated!

I messed up my initial reservation by booking the traditional and not the hibachi but called early enough that they were able to accommodate us 15 minutes after our original reservations. Was concerned at first with a bit of a backup at the complementary valet, but crew was hustling and got it straightened out quickly. I believe they were a man short but manager was already on top of it. Even more concerned when we saw a couple dozen prom couples waiting to get in. No problem. We were seated 10 minutes ahead of our new reservation time. Waiter was friendly as was all the staff. Recommendation to the bartender to not greet someone wearing a proud GA Tech graduate parent shirt with "how bout them dogs". Food was good and even the two year old enjoyed both the food and the show. Nice little side Japanese garden off to the side of the small lounge area.

Service was not what it could have been. A lot of birthday celebrations were going on. Had a chef come to our table, check our orders and then left. Had another chef come to the table and we hadn't gotten our soup and salad yet. He started cooking and left to tell the ataff we needed our soup and salads. I had the spicy tuna roll. It was pretty good but I've had better for a lower cost. Overall, I just wasn't impressed. We had been there onve before.

So, we visited Nakato with friends for a casual Saturday night eve out. I walked in the front door and was immediately struck by the dated appearance; looked like I imagine it did 20-30 years ago. No mood/ambiance, brass everywhere - 80's fine dining that never got a facelift. We almost left to go somewhere else, but I was hungry + REALLY in the mood for sushi. We were glad we stayed because the sushi and drinks were DELISH (truly), but have your expectations set correctly when you go and you won't be disappointed. This is not a hip spot for the 20's crowd for a date night - this is now a neighborhood restaurant full of casual diners, families with kids, and GREAT sushi!

"I ordered the seafood combo Hibachi- with lobster, scallops and shrimp; however the chef went in the back (kitchen) and gave us some cold chicken fried rice that taste like it had been sitting for some time. Usually the chef cook the chicken breast on the hibachi grill and the rice in front of the customers. Furthermore, the chef appeared irritated when I requested onions and broccoli only for my veggies. I didn't want the mushrooms and zucchini. It was a very uncomfortable experience to say the least. However, my seafood, 2 veggies and noodles was great! I didn't eat the awful chicken fried rice.

Terrific authentic Japanese food in Atlanta. The sashimi is succulent, the service attentive, the Japanese garden outside is amazingly authentic. I lived in Japan for some 4 years, and find the restaurant to be a truly pleasant reminder of the culinary traditions of what is probably the world’s best cuisine. Japanese cuisine demands terrific attention to detail, and my birthday dinner tonight absolutely met that exacting standard. I am so impressed that this gem of a restaurant is under management by successive generations of the same family - for almost 50 years now!

Traditional Japanese restaurant. If you do the Tabanaki, you get a pretty good value with soup and salad included in the menu. Always fun to watch the chefs cooking. Taste is great, too!

We travel up and down the east coast and frequent many japanese Restaraunts. This one has to be in our top 5! Loved it!!

We went here during our stay in Atlanta and couldn't have been happier with our choice. I have read bad reviews about other Japanese joints in Atlanta and Nakato was our only hope. They exceeded our expectations. The staff was friendly and the service was prompt. The chef was very interactive. The food was very good. We even tried the sushi and it was tasty. Overall a great experience, we will be back.

This is my favorite place to get Japanese food! My special requests are always honored here. For example, I order my fried rice with no veggies and my vegetables minus the mushrooms & no one ever makes a big deal about it! My Filet is always made to perfection and if all of the tea pots are occupied, my hot tea is always refreshed immediately by my server. This is a happy restaurant that many ppl chose for occasions like birthdays. There are two parts, the habachi side, and the restaurant side. The main difference between the two is on the habachi side the food is cooked in front of you and the other side has the food preparation taking place in the back. We ate ever morsel of our large but delicious portions of food! My brother, one of my sisters, and some family friends met up here because I had a craving for their fine food! I'll be back once I try some of the other restaurants in the area!!! Ashli H. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

As many people have noted, the hibachi side of the restaurant can be quite noisy. However, if you know that going in, it's really a fun experience. The sushi side is much lower key and probably more appropriate for a quiet date night. Another note, unless your party is 10 or more, expect to be sat with strangers. Frankly, after you've been a few times, watching the reactions of others is half the fun. The meal is quite good, a bit pricy for some but keep in mind you are getting several courses. The meal starts with a very simple broth soup, followed by a small simple salad of lettuce and tomato with a great ginger dressing. By now the show is starting... they always start with a fire blast and it's fun to watch the unprepared jump. Whether you call it appetizers or just sides you get the following in this order: a ramen type noodle, vegetable mix of zucchini, mushrooms and onions, fried rice, two shrimp and finally your choice of entree which is the standard fare of chicken, steak, salmon, lobster, shrimp, etc... The also offer combos of two meats. They do offer an a la carte menu including sushi but I honestly never even look at that side. Lower end would be single entree of chicken at around $22 and combos of two meats can reach $40. Between the great show and quality food, I would say it's priced right on. Feel free to go in dressed to the nine's or in jeans and a T-shirt (at least on the hibachi side).

I have given 4 star because of the food which I will get to later. We decided to go to this restaurant on a Saturday evening. Called them up to make a reservation and were told that they don't accept reservation and wait time is usually 20-30 min. Anyhow drive to Cheshire bridge and they have a valet parking. So far all good. Once we went inside we were told that wait time for Hibachi was 45 min!! Now that we were here so we decided to wait. Ordered beer from the bar (full bar) . I felt the drinks were expensive then the similar types of bar/ restaurant in the area. Wait of 45 min became 60 min and finally I had to go and asked to be seated as we were at a point when we thought of going elsewhere. Got seated and hostess was there to take order for appetizers and entree. Waited for another 30 min to see some of our appetizer to appear. By that time chef was there to start our main course and I was still waiting for my appetizer to come. In a nutshell service was slow. Had soft shell crab and chicken/shrimp with fried rice. It's was awesome. I feel they need to better manage the customer flow as one hour wait is ridiculous. Although I would like to visit again but I am not sure if I am willing to wait again that long so I would avoid it until they have a better service. By the time we were done with our dinner it was almost midnight. Definitely this place is to be avoided on weekends. Week days might be a better option.

My experience started with the inability to make a reservation for 10 people on open table but when i called i was able to secure one for 9pm - i arrived at 815 and asked to be split up and or seated early and was told very professionally that it was easier to seat us as a group so i agreed to wait. The bottom line is the communication was straight forward and professional. The dining experience and service were very good and the food was excellent! Great job all around. The only issue i have with these types of restaurants is that no matter how early you order a sushi app, it comes with soup and salad even though i asked to have it quicker. Overall i would recommend this a must go - benhihana has nothing no this place. Beware the portions are huge - my wife and i shared a meal and it was more than enough. There is an up charge for the fried rice but they inform you upon ordering which is nice.

We had a large group of 12 so they served us quickly and food enjoyable. They have large hibachi table for 15 so worked out nice for us. The server were efficient and chefs good. We some some sushi roll that were great. The portions are large…which was unusual. My kids usual don't get full in Japanese steakhouses, but they had left overs here. They served noodles on the side which was also different. Overall….great experience…had a good time.

The food is great as usual. Keep in mind if you go on the weekend its going to be real loud. There is nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind lots of people have there Birthday's here and they drums they play to celebrate are loud as heck!. Get ready for the drums to play every 10 minutes also. You can't go wrong with the food and the Ciroc drinks are good!

My family (wife and 2 young children) visited Nakato Japanese Restaurant on a Sunday night after coming from the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. I like that they offered complimentary valet parking (not just for Lexus vehicles as you sometimes see). Our wait to be seated was about 5 minutes. We were greeted immediately by our waitress. We were seated in one of their main dining areas where they cook the food in front of you with other customer seated with you as well. My children were a little skeptical about being told the chef was going to "make fire." When the chef came out, he was friendly and greeted each person seated at his table. He double-checked the customers' orders for accuracy and was friendly with the kids. He also asked the parents if the kids were okay with fire. We assured him they were okay with it. When the chef made the fire rise, my 2 year old daughter wasn't liking it. The chef immediately tried to comfort my daughter by letting her know that there would be no more fire. She calmed down and was okay. The food was prepared quickly and tasted wonderful. Each dish came with noodles and rice (fried rice for extra $3.75). We had chicken, shrimp and scallops. The prices were reasonable. Upon leaving, I did have to go around the side of the building to get the valet and give them my ticket for our vehicle, but that wasn't an issue. The vehicle was brought promptly. Good food and service is how I will remember visiting Nakato Japanese Restaurant.

Nakato is a japanese restarant that is very good. They cook in front of you and do all sorts of tricks with their supplies. There are some rooms where you can actually sit on the ground like in Japan! Service is great and everyone there is really nice but you must make a reservation. There are alot of choices to choose from. This place is very kid friendly and it is almost like you are in Japan there! The food comes quick and tastes so good! But sometimes you have to share a large table with other people and make sure to tell them if it is your birthday because they will sing you happy birthday in japanese and give you a japanese dessert! There are also drinks that are from there bar and they have alot to choose from! This is a really great place for any occassion!

After speaking extensively with the management of Nakato, it seems that they are really trying to educate their staff about food allergies and intolerences, so they they can safely serve the allergen community their fabulous food going forward. They are even working on reviewing all their ingredients, for all services they offer (sushi, etc.) so they can offer more than just Hibachi meals to people with Celiac. Their efforts will be appreciated by many in our community I'm sure, including me.

The meal was ok, but my girlfriend found a hair in her food. Also, the place was kind of dirty. The restrooms were filthy and in general it looks like cleaning isn't a priority. That is a bit concerning for a habachi / sushi restaurant. The food was decent, but we won't be back. The meal was entertaining though, so they have that going for them. They just need to put a bit more emphasis on the cleanliness of the environment.

Great sushi and hibachi, friendly staff, good prices.

Went here with our kids family of 5 and it's was a Sunday night around 7:30 was seated quickly which was good for a hibachi in atlanta, server came over quickly and took our drink order and then our dinner order along with appetizers well they brought out mine Goyza and forgot my wife's until dinner was served which took 30-35 min so as food was cooking we never seen our server until we had to ask for her to refill our drinks. Then during dinner all people were served there main course and mine was steak and chicken ( most popular ) I think but I was never given my steak and was even asked how I liked it cooked , finally it came after I reminded him that I ordered a stark and he cooked it for last which was hurried up and not seasoned so in all it was ok would have stoped a 4 star if they didn't forget a lot of our meals and it does need a face lift on there carpet situation little worn and runs down !!!!!!! But the food was good not great

人々が往来し、車の走る音が溢れている。その喧騒を過ぎ、玄関から中門へと入っていくと、市中に存在するとは思えない、本物の日本の料亭がそこに現れる。 昼間に訪れると、緑豊かな苔が生え、鳥のさえずりほどの音しか聞こえる。 中藤レストランを訪れると、仕事もプライベートも忙しい現代人にそのストレスを 苔の緑や鮮やかな花々がそれを少しずつ落としてくれる。 Modern people are busy, at both of public and private life. Though they are too concerned with worldly things. Greens and silence make them forget these. It’s amazing that　Nakato　Restaurant is in a big city. When we pass the garden, we can’t believe standing at middle of the city. 玄関に入ると、何処でもドアを開いたかのような日本の世界。現在の日本でも大都会の中にこれ程の設いの寿司屋は少ない。 When you enter the front door, the Japanese world is as if you had opened[ the magic Doraemon's door . Even in today's Japan, there are few such sushi restaurant set up in large cities. メニューも、その出来栄えも、和服でサービスされるそのサービスも、その全てが揃っていないと客を満足させることはできない。そのことを十分に知り尽くした、三代目女将が取り仕切る。少し、サービスのテンポが速すぎると思うのは、この空間と日本の味を十分にゆっくり、堪能したいからだろうか。 Even if the menu, its performance, and its service provided in Japanese clothes are not complete, it can not satisfy customers.A third generation proprietress who is fully aware of that well manage. I feel that the tempo of the service is a bit too fast because I want to enjoy this space and the sufficient taste of Japan little more.

I went here for my birthday because I was craving sushi and checked out the reviews on TripAdvisor and found this to be the top rated sushi/hibachi joint in Atlanta. Boy, was I mislead. Overall, this place had average sushi, but with inflated prices and disappointing value. I got a sashimi plate that cost $20 and only got about 8 to 10 really small pieces that was not even close to being worth the price. To be fair, the sushi tasted fresh and no one got sick afterward, but I got the feeling this place was so highly rated by reviewers because Nakato has been around for such a long time and there might be some "homers" who rated it high for the fact they've been going there since they were kids. I can't think of any other reason why. Nakato really isn't that special and you kind of get the feeling it's going downhill. I easily made reservations the day before for a Saturday night at 7:30 and when we got there only half the place was occupied. I have no allegiance to any sushi/hibachi joint, so comparing this one to places I've been to around Atlanta, the suburbs, and Athens, this place is very average with prices so high that it will put a damper on the whole experience. Most of the rolls cost at least $8 to $10 (my roll cost even more than that), and single pieces of sushi are at least $3 to $4 a piece. Maybe if the sashimi, nigiri, and rolls were bigger and displayed with more "fancy flair", I wouldn't feel as bad paying higher prices. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I never had the hibachi when I went, but it's hard to mess that up. Just don't go there for the sushi and don't go there expecting there to be any good deals. There are plenty of other sushi places around town that provide better value and a better atmosphere than Nakato. The dining room area had high ceilings with Japanese artwork, but in my opinion it still felt a bit like a high school cafeteria for some reason. There apparently is a nice Japanese garden with landscaping, but you couldn't see it from inside because there weren't any outdoor lights to allow you to see it. Service wasn't that good either. I thought it was awkward and strange that they brought out everything (salads, appetizers, and main courses) all at the same time. They forgot to bring out one of the rolls I ordered, but when I asked about it 20 minutes after everything else had been brought out, they said they were still making it. Needless to say they were lying to me. It just made me mad that their response made it seem like I was being impatient rather than taking responsibility and apologizing that they made a simple mistake. It wouldn't have bothered me at all if that hadn't been my server's response to the situation. They did sing Happy Birthday to me in Japanese and gave me an interesting dessert that was a tiny ice cream ball wrapped in a chewy sugar cover, so they did try to make the occasion special. But the restaurant was very unimpressive and overrated given the ratings on here and on other rating sites. Maybe if I hadn't expected so much given the high ratings I wouldn't be so disappointed. I would not recommend this place to others and don't plan on going back.

The hibachi makes for a fun environment and great food. My party had ages ranging from teens to 80s; it was a hit with everyone. The chefs are excellent. I have a shellfish allergy and the restaurant took all the necessary precautions to ensure there was no cross contamination

Terrible. 40 minutes to place an order Food was below average and service very slow. I would never done there again.

For my birthday, my father treated me to dinner at Nakato. This was my first visit after many years. . . and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Nakato offers full-service dining, a sushi bar, hibachi and traditional dining options along with a small bar. On this particular evening, the restaurant seemed fairly busy, especially the hibachi section. We were seated at a table and, after enjoying sashimi and edamame appetizers, our order of a variety of rolls arrived. The order included the Crunch Roll as well as eel and tuna options. Each was tasty and well-prepared. We finished our meal with a serving of rich chocolate cake. My only complaint pertains to the valet service. When we arrived, the valets were quick to park our cars and tell us how to request it upon finishing our meal. As we were leaving, however, it took what seemed like an unnecessarily long time to retrieve the car. Several customers were leaving at once and there seemed to be some confusion. However, after an extended wait, our car arrived and we departed.

We found the restaurant after we have a quite good neighborhood style Japanese restaurant 2 days ago with a reasonable price. This one looks more fancy and it is 50 years old stable in ATL. The waitress is very nice for introducing some better value (not cheap) with Japanese caught and regular sashimi combine. We ordered the “Peach”, Monk Fish Liver Salad, Softshell Crab and Shrimp Tempura, and finally added Uni, Snow Crab, and Amabi sushi. It is because they are so good even though the portions are big. I live in NYC and regular travel around the world, this is high quality and reasonably priced and bigger than it should be portioned. Take a look at the photos and you can’t beat it. Thanks! Nakato

Worst Japenese Rest I ever visited, no tables available at Hibachi Grills, food was cold, service was slow, salad and soup were not good. Nakato at Myrtle Beach has always been good but not this place.

This was not our first time dining here. The food is wonderful and service is good. However, tonight's experience was marred by extremely loud noise in the waiting area. Perhaps the type of clientele coming to the Hibachi section of the restaurant thought they were at some 'sports bar'. Their behavior was inappropriate. My ears were ringing for a full 30 minutes after leaving the restaurant. Service in bringing the food was prompt and efficient. Waiting for the check took a full 20 minutes, increasing the agony of listening to the loud noise from the crowd waiting for the Hibachi. Overall a very disappointing evening. Compounded by their refusal to honor the value of a groupon.

Delicious soup, green salad with ginger dressing, stir fried vegetables, and plain spaghetti noodles start your Hibachi meal. The you have a choice of many proteins a and either steamed, fried or brown rrice. You are seated at a C shaped table around as cooktop where a chef prepares your meals. Nakato also has the option of traditional, private dining at individual tables or sitting on the floor to eat communally. I haven't tried those options a nd look forwa rd to those in the future. The Hibachi is excellent!

We celebrated a birthday, and overall we had good service and the food was all very good. For anyone who frequents hibachi restaurants, you know the routine. The dining area is pretty packed with the table arrangements but we had enough room; it can be a little loud though.

There were 13 in our birthday party, dined in the extra cost Tatami room. You sit on straw mats with a dugout space for western legs. We ate delicious sushi and beef sukiyaki ( prepared at table ). A very authentic atmosphere and cuisine. It was expensive, about $80+ per person. Valet parking is available.

I would prefer the Japanese restaurant side of the restaurant for a date night, but the hibachi restaurant was a great first hibachi experience for the kids while the grandparents were visiting. The fire is a little scary for younger kids and it's more food than you can eat!

This was a pricy place, but the sushi was worth it! The Mr. Derrick roll is their claim to fame, and it is de-lish!

Nakato has two very distinct sides, a Japanese fine dining restaurant and a hibachi steakhouse. I've eaten in both areas and highly recommend each. The wait staff are very good and the food is even better.

A friendrecommended my husbnd and I try Nakato Japanese Restaurant. My husband was exceptionally hesitant since he said in the past, all Japanese restaurants he visited left him hungry and the food wasn't the best. However, because of the recommendation, I convinced him we should try it. To begin with, whether you want to or not, you have to do valet parking. It wasn't expensive at all, but I like to have options. The atmosphere was very nice and we were accompanied to a table with three other dinner guests. Since it was nearing the time things would start, the cook shut down the table so he could move on. He was quick, efficient and very much of a showman which is what they are supposed to do. I ordered the steak and chicken with fried rice and my husband had the with filet and scallops. You got a mini salad and soup automatically and they have a full bar. The meals were very good. My friend told me there was no difference between the steak or filet, but I have to say, after sampling my husband's filet, I could definitely taste the diffrerent and would go that route the next time. Food was tasteful and plenty. We even had a small portion left that could have been a take out, but opted not to. All in all, it was a nice experience - something different to do. The best compliment is that my husband said he didin't leave hungry and he will definitely go back!

I went to Nakato for my birthday. We didn't wait because we had a reservation. The place was very crowded. The food wasn't the best. We ordered the dinner thing with two types of meat, and it comes with rice and noodles, if you want fried rice then you have to pay extra $5 or something around that. I wish that instead of the noodles (that were very salty) you could get the fried rice without paying extra money for that, because honestly that rice doesn't deserve extra $5. The meat and chicken was a lot but not good quality, do they need to serve less but make it better. The waitress was in a rush all the time, my boyfriend ask for a dessert with a candle and she completely forgot about it. I did not like this place, it is too expensive for what you get, I am not coming back.

Based on the Benihana model, the place offers customers seating around a stove on which various orders are chopped up, sliced, and squirted with unknown concoctions. There are lots of loud noises and drum beating but zero Japanese cooking. Another guest at the event determined that they did not like the rolls they had ordered and offered them around. Tasting a sample, I could not devine what it was made of and didn't like it even a little either. Avoid the place. They are proud of their cooking and charge like it is good. It is not.

We were in bulkhead for my wife's birthday and wanted some sushi on the 4th of July. However, the place across from the hotel was closed for the 4th so we googled the next closest sushi restaurant. It was about 4 miles away. However, from bulkhead, you have to pass a sketchy area with strip joints and porn shops. I was thinking it was time to turn around. However, when we got there it was a nice hibachi place. The food was excellent and the service was as well. My daughter and I had sushi and 2 hibachi dinners, both seasoned well and cooked to perfection. My only complaint would be the salad dressing was a little too salty. Overall, very good food and service.

Nice family restaurant. Hibachi fun for kids. We did have a reservation for 7:30 and we were not seated until 7:55. Then our chef didn't come to start cooking the meal until after 9pm. But overall fun family outing.

I have been coming to Nakatos for years. It is my favorite hibachi restaurant. The cooks are fun, the food is great, valet is always swift and I'm never left disappointed.

This place is amazing! We did the hibachi grill and it was literally the most amazing squid I had ever eaten. This place is just exquisite. The inside is so gorgeous. I am planning to come back soon to sit in the other dine-in area. There are many amazing options for you to choose from. For 2 to eat, plus a plate of sushi and drinks is about $70-$80, which to me is a bit expensive but it is absolutely worth it and makes for a wonderful memory and great time! Please try this place out if you're still skeptic, it is so beautiful and amazing! If you love Japan and its culture as much as I do, then you will definitely have a great time in here! There's even a traditional dine-in area where you take your shoes off and sit on a mat on the floor to eat. いただきます！(Let's eat!)

We tend to go here about twice a month for their "Happy Hour." If you order before 6:30 (I think) you can do it from a happy hour menu. You get 5 appetizers and an alcoholic beverage. A great way to sample some of their dishes at a great price - just $15 per person. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean. Recently, they added a few craft beers at the bar, which is a definite plus. Try the Aga Dashe tofu. I always order two of these!

We were in Atlanta and the traffic was horrible. My wife and I chose to eat instead of getting frustrated on the road. Within 15 minutes of our location was this restaurant. I love Japanese cuisine so it was a no-brainer. We arrived at the beginning of their service hours. The place was vacant except for a handful of diners. My wife and I ordered at the hibachi area because they had a large party in the dining room. That's backward to what I'm used to, but it was fine wherever they wanted to start us. I ordered the filet mignon and my wife ordered the filet mignon with shrimp. The only complaint I had for the meal was the chives. They were in the soup and they were in the fried rice. I could have done without chives. Otherwise, this location is highly recommended!

This place has amazing view of celebrites at this Hibachi/sushi restaurant. Its a hotspot...

Really great food...just the right amount! We had a wonderful evening...entertaining chef. The steak and shrimp was excellent. Great fried rice...only complaint...to much dressing on the salad.

It is hard to find a good Japanese restaurant while on the road - especially in unfamiliar cities that aren't necessarily known for their sushi. Locals have myriad reasons for liking a restaurant that have little to do with what is important for travelers. That being said, I can't imagine a local, traveler, or anyone else who wouldn't find something they like at Nakato. I had a variety of well-prepared dishes, including a great tuna tataki that is served on a huge salad dressed with yuzu, some of the best spicy tuna roll I've ever had, a nice, simple cold cooked kabocha dish, and a very well-prepared, delicate and tasty agedashi dofu. Yes, service is scattered and hectic, and empty sometimes plates piled up on the table for too long, and the location is sketchy and hard to find. The quality and presentation of the food more than made up for any inconvenience. Highly recommended.

The restaurant isn’t huge in size which I like. There is 1 sushi and bar area and 2 hibachi areas, one of which you take off your shoes and sit on the floor. The atmosphere is great and the food is wonderful. This restaurant is really one of my favorite.

One night we got out of a meeting extremely late and had a craving for Hibachi and Sushi. We headed over to Benihana and it was closed. So, myself and some other patrons in the parking lot brainstormed and came up with Nakato on Cheshire Bridge. We immediately called to see what time they closed and they said 10 PM. When we arrived, the service was wonderful and they even let us sit in a private room where you remove your shoes and dine. The food was spectacular and it included soup, salad, a shrimp appetizer, noodles, veggies, main course and rice. Also, if you are able to get there before 6PM on Sunday-Thurs, there's a special for approximately 11-12 bucks per person. Fantastic and I will definitely be back!

Went for a family dinner at what is supposed to have the best teppanyaki experience in Atlanta. The hostess did not tell us that there was an option to sit in the regular hibachi dining room or to sit on the floor by a hibachi grill. We didn't find out we'd be seated on the floor until we got there. The first thing they did was tell us to take off our shoes and then sit on hard floor chairs. (Side note, the servers and hostesses will walk around with their shoes on which is unsanitary and pointless.) I wish I would've known before I sat down because I had on a dress. The area around the grill was small and congested. The area around the grill can seat about 6 - 7 people but they'll crowd people around that makes an uncomfortable dining experience for customers. Then there's a 3.75 up charge for fried rice, which makes no sense since it's a hibachi restaurant. Also if you want any item customized, (example no teriyaki sauce on your meat) they'll cook your food in the back and it'll be a smaller amount than if they cooked your food in front of you. Then when you get the bill, you'll be charged 18% gratuity even if you have a small party. Everyone that was sitting in the same area as us was upset and vowed to not come back to the restaurant, since the taste of the food is not worth the price and the hassle that comes with dining here.

Located on Cheshire Bridge Road, Valet Parking, Full Bar, SOME Japanese staff, huge Sushi counter, very fresh ingredients, Tatami private rooms (one with a dug out place for western legs) by reservation at extra cost. Our party of 7 persons had 2 sukiyaki orders ($40 each) for the entrée. Service was a little bit slow at times. ENJOY!

Traditional, not trendy- but excellent sushi bar! Japanese chefs, ultra fresh traditional sushi in a tranquil setting. If you want more excitement, try the teppan rooms. You can also order sushi from the dining room or one of the lovely private tatami rooms. For a special treat call ahead for an "Omakase" dinner of the chef's special selections. You will not be disappointed.

Visiting Atlanta and friends recommended this restaurant highly...one of the best in Atlanta for Japanese Food prepared before your eyes although not quite the same as Steak and Shake. The staff was very, very courteous and professional. The chef was on top of everything. Menu offered great choices. The food was good but not the best I have ever had from a Japanese steak house. The next day, however, both my wife and I experienced some unwanted GI issues that resolved but shouldn't have happened in the first place. Nonetheless, you may want to give it shot....it is a fun place overall!

We went to Atlanta over Holleween weekend and we decided to try this place since it was close to the hotel. Vallet parking is recommended since there are no parking space in fron the resurants. The vallet man was amazing and made sure he parked our car in the front. The wait wasn't long and while we waited there is tv and a bar to keep you company. The food and seating ws great. We had a private room with one other family and we watched the cook show off his talent. Portion size was perfect, price wasn't to expensive. The only thing is that we had 3 seperate checks, but some how they decided to add the tip into my check for my party and the other family...I told him to take it off, which he did with no problem. Overall, it was great.

We discovered this place through Groupon, and they have a menu specifically for Groupon users, which includes several choices of rolls (you can choose just one), edamame, 2 choices of the main course: Sukiyaki or Shabu-Shabu, and desert. Both main dishes required self-cooking on the stove right on the table.We didn't know anything about Sukiyaki or Shabu-Shabu, and our waitress helped us to define our choice. We choose Sukiyaki. First I was concerned about "self-cooking", but they show you how to cook the first batch, which is basically just adding everything together to the boiling soy sauce. The food turned out to be delicious (just a little bit salty to my taste) and it was a fun experience. I doubt that it was worth $64, if we would have to pay the full price, but thanks to the Groupon special deal it was $23 dinner for two, and we even had most of our Sukiyaki packed 'to go' because it was so much food. The service was amazing and restaurant has a very nice atmosphere, so if you don't mind to cook for yourself, I definitely recommend this experience. They have many other dishes on the non-Groupon menu and it seems that the restaurant is very popular among sushi lovers.

I love sushi and I am spoiled by the fact that we have so many wonderful options for amazing sushi on Buford Hwy. After reading the reviews on here, I was excited about having an option closer to Midtown. The sushi here was not bad, but it was't great either. There was no 'WOW' factor. It was just your run of the mill sushi. The dining area was loud and the band kept playing theme songs from various TV shows. Of all their choicess, I have to say that "The Odd Couple" was my personal favorite. They were a good band, just loud and out of place in a high end Japanese restaurant. At the end of the day, I probably wil not go back. It was noisy, just ok sushi, and the service was good but not great. There are better options in Atlanta.

My daughter and I shared a wonderful hot pot dinner at this landmark Japanese restaurant. The service was terrific. I loved the shrimp tempura roll too

The food and atmosphere were fantastic here. It's entertaining and fun like other Hibachi restaurants. But they also have a great bar and decent wine list. We had a fantastic time.

Great food, beautiful restaurant. Prices a bit above average for Japanese food but you are paying for the ambiance and excellent service

While on a Saturday trip to the bustling Atlanta my friends and I had a craving for Asian cuisine. Discussing back and forth between Ty, Chinese, or Japanese we decide on Nakato Japanese Restaurant. Getting there before the “Dinner Rush” we ask approximate wait time to be seated. None of us having ever been before; being from out of town we are informed that there are two types of seating, and two different menus for each area. Not offered menus to look at we are told by the hostess Hibachi food is only served on the Hibachi grill seating side. Selecting that as our section of choice we are told 15 to 20 minutes would be the wait time. Everyone in our party in agreement to the more then reasonable wait time we give the name of our party and move to the seating area inside near the bar. We wait 30 minutes decide to get some drinks to make the time pass and one of our party goes to check that they know our party is waiting. Told they are aware and we will be seated shortly we contently pass another 30 minutes talking and laughing. Over that time the restaurant steadily becomes bustling with patrons leaving, as well as, new customers arriving at their reserved times. When other parties arriving afterwards, without reservations begin being seated we chalk it up to party size that they need to fill all the seats around the grill. Convinced though there must be some mistake at the 1 hour and 30 minute mark we make our way, yet again, to the hostess area. The foyer is packed and peeking over the shoulders and through the arms I give the name and ask how much longer. I was told 10 to 15 more minutes they would come and get us. Relaying the message to my now ravenous friends they express their concern with the integrity of the information being provided. Looking for support from other patrons who appeared to be passed over as well we ask about reservations and what they had been told in wait time. Discovering that even with a reservation there were other groups not being seated and waiting for close to an hour. Puzzled by this we observed other customers walking right in and be seated immediately during the last good faith 15 minute wait. Approaching the hostess, yet again, to make our final inquiry/stand about the wait times and other customers clearly being shown preferential treatment we were met with the following. “Those customers are VIP.” and “Those customers are friends with the Manager.” Then when asked why they had not been honest and upfront in the beginning or any of the other times asked, her reply was, “That’s why we don’t give wait times.” Other customers hearing this having observed our plight and witness preferential treatment, and quoted wait times made their exit with us. This of course does not even account for the customers with Reservations who gave up due to the commitment made not being honored. I do not recommend the Nakato Japanese Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia to anyone. I owe this experience to poor customer service, and the management/hostess forgetting who their true customer is. The daily droves off the street or travelers from out of town who have heard it was nice, not the “VIP” who will patron, if lucky, once a month.

A little hard to find, but worth it...the Sushi was fresh and delicious, the service was fine even though we did not get the "Full" show I guess because it was so late on a Tuesday when we arrived....I would definitely go back!

We went there with a large family group, we sat on the floor around the hibachi table, and that keeps conversation down since we can't holler far enough to talk. The quality of the show depends on the cook. The place is a little run down, but seemed to be clean, the food is typical, and filling. Next time we'll try sitting at a regular table and skip the show.

It's early on a Saturday morning.... I don't feel like writing much, but wanted to jot down my opinion of this place. I had great memories of Benihana years ago, and jumped at the chance to try Nakao on Cheshire Bridge Road. Overall, a big disappointment. The food wasn't as good as I remembered this type of food (hibachi/tepanyaki) to be. It just wasn't memorable. The chicken was bland, the shrimp was ok (but not great), the fried rice was bland, etc. We took our nephew there (17) as he loves these types of places. He wasn't that impressed either. We were in/out in under one hour, as many people have said. They "gun it" as soon as you sit down. As we were paying the bill, we heard screams across the room at another table. Everyone was jumping up from their grill/chairs. I don't know what it was, so I won't make assumptions, but they were quickly seated at another table, and someone came out with a big rage to scoop up whatever was scurrying around their plates. I know what I think it was, but you can figure it out for yourself. I definitely won't go back, but now I'm anxious to try Benihana again to compare the two. Three people at the grill, plus one coke and two beers = $98 without tip. Ciao, Alex

I visited Nakato Japanese on Christmas night and it was such a GREAT experience! The cook was fun and entertaining and very friendly. The food was wonderful, the pasta appetizer was a real treat.and very unique. I will be back to this restaurant again for sure.

Excellent food and attentive staff! The best Japanese restaurant in Atlanta and very authentic. You have the choice of a traditional dining option or Hibachi. The Hibachi is is fun and entertaining and the traditional dining option is relaxing and quiet.

The service was excellent. The bar is well served with some signature cocktails worth trying. The menu is varied and a vegetarian will have no problem eating here.

I loved the Hibachi Room Experience, the Sake and Cocktail list, and portion sizes were generous enough for leftovers. I loved the show the Chef put on as the food was prepared before a live fire.

A few months ago I went with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We made a reservation and after about an hour of waiting for a table the hostess shared it will be at least another 30 minutes. By the time we sat down for a 8PM reservation it was nearly 10PM and the service was then rushed as the staff was tired and wanted to close. They sweep under our feet and we could smell cleaning fluids as they cleaned around us. It was an awful experience. Poorly managed and overpriced for the service received.

Loved the location and the service.. Food was great .. Could use a little more saki to cook but overall great experience!! Will return again..

Love the sushi and the "pink sauce".

I love the hibatichi side of Nakato. The food is great, the waiters are friendly, and the atmosphere is perfect. For a family dinner, my kids enjoy watching the waiters cook the food on the large grill. Although the food is great, they serve a lot of stuff and by the time you're onto your main meal, (of what you actually wanted) you're stuffed! They serve fried or white rice, soup, noodles, salad, sauces, and you're main dish. It's a lot to eat so if you're starving I recommend it!

Had a large group of 12 for business and this restaurant is a terrific venue for a team dinner. My only complaint was the food was very salty.

Super Crunch Roll with Smoked Salmon and lemon on top is to die for!

Great place. Very Classy they have both sections for Habachi or just sushi etc. The Habachi is amazing because they give you noodles also. It does mean you do get cut short on the veggies. Great quality and love going here.

Probably the most authentic Japanese steakhouse I have ever been in FL and Georgia. Everything on their tappanyaki grill is really tasty. They are at the pricy side though if you do not hold a coupon. We got a $10 coupon for 4 people at restaurant.com but apparently each of us still spend about $20. If you are lucky and can get a $25 coupon from the website then it's would be a really really worthy treat. Save your money for dinner and do not use valet parking. Park at the other side of the road and walk from its back parking lot.

We went there to celebrate a birthday. We were the only customers in the restaurant (there were a few in the hibachi section.) We were seated immediately, of course, and service was excellent. The shrimp tempura was good. But the "Kaki Rockefeller" was awful. The oysters were raw and not very fresh (and oysters are not raw in oysters Rockefeller, nor were they supposed to be in this dish.) Overall the meal was disappointing, especially considering that it cost almost $200 for three people. A travel guide once told me "Don't go to restaurants that don't have many customers." How right she was!

I went to dinner at Nakato with five friends on the occasion of a business get-together event. The restaurant is nice, clean and offers 2 main rooms in which you can sit at the table or even around the counter in front of the open kitchen. We tasted a little of everything on the menu, both cooked and raw were very good. Friendly staff and good selection of cocktails and drinks to go with them. Not cheap but worth it for the quality of the food, I would go back indeed

Being from Atlanta, this is always a "go to" place if you can't decide what to have. I especially love the menu which allows for almost anything. Have been in all of the dining areas and do not have any complaints. It can be a bit pricey for those on a budget but well worth the expense because of the quantity served. I always had a "doggie" bag. This is better than your typical Benihana restaurants.

Nakato is a 3rd generation authentic Japanese restaurant with a long history or quality but they have amped it up lately. You can eat hibachi on one side of the restaurant but we ate the menu from the fine dining side of the restaurant. One of the chefs said they have just gotten back from a restaurant tour of Japan so maybe that's what has them doing even better. Their sushi is Atlanta's best. Will definitely be back.

As hibachi style places go, Nakato is a decent choice. I'm not going to give them a glowing review, but I'm not going to tarnish their image either. We have actually dined here 2-3 times, but this latest time was on Valentine's Day. When we arrived we were promptly seated at a almost-full hibachi table (which is great, because I hate being seated as the first party at a hibachi table). Our drink orders were taken swiftly as well, but after we had sipped a bit of green tea the table attendant (not the hibachi chef), filled our tea cup with soup broth... and it was not a pleasant flavor when mixed with the green tea. They did apologize and correct the error, but at first the table attendant didn't want to believe we had just been served soup as a beverage. The side salad and soup (the actual soup that comes with your hibachi meal) were standard hibachi quality. I got the hibachi scallops and my wife got the hibachi shrimp. We felt that these were very good. Interestingly, Nakato serves noodles (along with rice) when eating hibachi. I don't think I've ever encountered another hibachi restaurant that does that... but it's a good wrinkle in their experience. The veggies, rice, and noodles were great as well. I do think their prices are a little higher than most hibachi restaurants (many of which offer coupons), but I would be willing to go back to Nakato sometime soon.

Our kids love it

Nice environment for friends and couples. Food is delicious. We tried sushi and hibachi and both are great.

I've been to tons of Japanese Steakhouses, and of all of them, this was a favorite. We lucked out and got there in time for the Early Bird. This was an excellent deal! The food was very tasty! The steak was cooked perfectly to order, and the chicken was delicious without any sauce. I especially appreciated the extensive wine list.

Excellent classic Japanese restaurant with many varied types of food. Very beautiful place with authentic cuisine.

Nakato's was a standard for our family when our children were growing up; we lost that connection when they went off to college, got married, and started families, but in December we, as a matter of nostalgia, decided to have our Christmas Eve dinner there. 5:30 reservations, i believe, but because we were not all there (10 out of 17 were) they would not seat us. When the others arrived by 5:45, they told us we would have to wait. An hour+ later we were finally seated, but it only went downhill from there. The chef was unfriendly, not very good, and the quality of the food was definitely off several notches. The salmon sushi my daughter-in-law was suspect, and she did not eat it. Overall, it was overpriced, not up to what we expected, and not something we would try again. I'm sure Christmas Eve was part of it, but they were ill-equiped to handle it. We would not go back.

Perhaps I have spent too much time in Japan, but this Japanese restaurant was not up to standards set by other Japanese tepanyaki restaurants in the states. I think Benihana does a better job. It is noisy and they rush you through the dining experience. There is plenty to eat but the quality is average at best. Probably will not return.

Had a birthday dinner with the family this weekend. This place had fans set up attempting to cool it down; not sure why civilized air conditioning wasnt capable. Carpets are worn and disgusting, hibachi tables are worn, dirty and the whole place resembles a ghost town of a hibachi place set in 1983. Food was mediocre; filet was not good, nor was it worth $36. With so many Hibachi options, it's baffling how this dump stays open.

Great place to go with a large group. We generally choose to dine in the hibachi dining room. The food was excellent. Shrimp and scallops were wonderful. The scallops so tender they melt in your mouth. The tempura calamari was the best we have ever tasted. Large pieces of delicate and tender calamari lightly fried in tempura batter. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection and was tender and seasoned well. Loved the noodles they give you as part of your appetizer. One complaint about the food was the portion of stir-fried vegetables that came with our meals seemed skimpier than previous visits. The service was a bit slow in regards to refills, and we had to hunt someone to pay our bill. Also, I would not recommend their mixed drinks. We were very disappointed with the fruit flavored ones we ordered (they all had strange aftertastes and no alcohol which they graciously removed two of them from our bill) .....stick with beer, wine/sake. Overall compared to other Japanese Steakhouses they offer a nice meal for a good value and lots of fun with friends and family.

In the 20 years I've been going to Nakato I've always had a great experience. The sushi is fresh, plump, and tasty and prepared with artistic care. Take the time to walk through the gardens. For a relaxing and romantic evening, bring a date and reserve one of the private tatami rooms. Be daring and order an Omakase course dinner (let the chef decide) - you'll discover there's much more to the cuisine than a California Roll.

I am sorry I missed this in the past. But I am making up for it with multiple visits this trip. The food is authentic and really delicious. Very fresh and perfect sushi and sashimi. Not one thing I have had wasn't delicious. They have some hard to find favorites, too, such a ankimo, aji, and buta kakuni, I was missing others such as shishamo and kinpira gobo. I'll keep hoping.

The last time we took a group here for a confirmed reservation (birthday) we waited 1 1/2 hours past our seat time and received terrible service. Avoided the place for over a year and tried it again last night. Talked to staff prior and was assured that things have been corrected and would be fine. This time was seated right at 730, group of 9 and waited at the table without food for 1 1/2 hours. Several drinks we ordered never showed, grill was dirty and was overall not worth the hassle. At 10 people @ $100+ each, non of us will visit this location again. We are all local and have many other options.

We four had reservation for Saturday night at 10p, complimentary valet, short wait in nice cozy lounge with bar, variety in menu, order taken in timely fashion, and food presentation with chef began shortly after that. This location offers noodles along with the standard meal... Surprised it was so good. The waitress was great and the chef was awesome. I think this was the fastest the food has been ready at a hibachi grill for me & my husband ... And still nothing was missing. 3 of us had chicken & one had salmon with fried rice. The standard was soup, salad, shrimp, noodles, and veggies. Everything was awesome! We all left with leftovers. Found it on tripadvisor as one of the best hibachi grills in ATL and it didn't disappoint. The free valet is a nice bonus.

We went once in July and it was great. Then we are visiting ATL again, this time a bit of disappointed. We ordered the same “ Peach” combination in addition to tempura, sushi,…etc. You can see their fried food is dark which means the oil is dirty. Their Peach dish giving us cheaper fish compare to last time. The server was good and knowledgeable and friendly. We may go again next time but not so much looking forward to like this time.,,

Great traditional Japanese dining.

I will preface this review with a couple of confessions. I do not eat sushi. In fact, I do not eat fish, when possible. That said, my wife requested a sushi dinner in conjunction with Mothers’ Day, so I went hunting online. After looking over several reviews, I realized that Nakato had been in Atlanta for over 50 years, and that I’d passed in innumerable times. I felt that it was time to pay them a visit. I think that it’s nice that it is still run by the same original family. We arrived for our reservation around 5:30 p.m. If you enter via Cheshire Bridge Road, there is valet parking. However, later on we explored a walking path which appears to lead to a secondary self-parking lot accessed from Piedmont. Suit yourself. There were some people leaving even as we arrived, so reservations are probably advisable. We entered and were greeted at the host station. To the right was apparently the hibachi section, which appeared quite crowded. We had opted for the regular dining room, which at that time was sparsely populated. More people did arrive there while we were eating. I won’t claim to give anything approximating expert advice, but per their menu they serve a variety of sushi dishes plus some fish shipped in fresh daily from Japan. My wife opted for one of the sushi options. I got a salad and a couple of their appetizers (Goza and Japanese mushrooms). We both finished our portions. We may have split a dessert, but I don’t specifically recall. Service was attentive and good. We also noted that they had a private dining room with the whole tatami / sunken table vibe, if you are interested. After we left, we briefly explored the ‘garden’ area along the left side of the restaurant (if you are facing it from Cheshire Bridge). This is the walking path that leads to the other parking area. If you are seeking an authentic Japanese dining experience, I assume this place will more than meet your expectations.

i never get full there, food is so good, but the portions are ridiculous small. i always leave hungry since i dont want to spend over 50 dollars.

This is one of the best advised Japanese restaurants I have ever been (3rd time visit), not only for the food itself, which was absolutely extraordinarily good, but also for the service. Waiters are all the time looking after guests and providing any need, even before you have to ask for it. Of course sushi is the signature dish, and it is as fresh and pleasant as you can expect after reading all the positive reviews. Every pice of Nigiri, Sashimi, Maki and California roll are out of this world, and carefully and precisely cooked by Japanese chefs in order to offer the best Japanese food ever in Atlanta. Their sake is really smooth, something I haven't experienced before, in any of the many Japanese restaurants I have tried. 2 or 3 brand beers imported from Japan is a nice touch. Taking into account that you are eating the freshest fish in town, at the end the bill was fairly reasonable.

My family and I enjoyed our recent dinner at Nakato (2nd time to visit). HIghly recommend tatami room even though there may be a slight upcharge. Staff is friendly and attentive. I believe that we were there for at least 2.5 hours and were never hurried. Their sake selection is good and they carry some beers that are still imported from Japan (Such as Orion). The menu is varied and sets them apart from your newer sushi places. For example Ankimo, monk fish liver is offered and my wife very much enjoyed as well as their seasonal mushroom soup. Honestly, I do not eat much raw fish so this type of place which offers so many dishes besides sushi is very appealing. I would argue that even though Japanese food is always associated with sushi, the other foods and their careful preparation and presentation are just as important and are excellent to eat. That being said, the rest of my family enjoyed their sushi there very much. In sum, Nakato offers an authentic Japanese experience that is quite enjoyable. Have a nice time.

We had six family members enjoy a hibachi dinner and celebrate a birthday at Nakato. The food and service was very good and enjoyed by all. The dinner "show" was more about cooking and serving our dinner quickly rather then providing entertainment. This would be a positive for folks just coming for the food, but perhaps a negative for those coming for the entertainment experience.

This is probably one if not the oldest Japanese/Sushi restaurants in Atlanta. It is still probably one if not the best. It is on the same block with other Atlanta institutions like the Colonade, Nino's, Alfredo's and Rhodes. These are old style classics. They each do what they do really well, consistently and that is why this is a create restaurant row. The sushi here is always fresh. It is cheap, but for what you get it is a good value and a nice night out.

Wonderful atmosphere with exceptional service. Most importantly, the food was delicious. Being half Japanese I am very discerning regarding the food. We ate on the traditional side, but may opt for the hibachi side for our next visit. The ingredients were all very fresh and prepared well. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone wanting very good Japanese food.

I spend alot of time in Japan on business travel so I'm hard to please when it comes to Japanese food outside of the island. This place was ok, but not notable.

Consistently excellent service and high quality meal. The staff are well trained in serving an excellent meal. Most appear to be fluent in Japanese as well as English. The setting is relaxing and elegant. They also offer hibachi style meals which are fun for groups and families. We chose the peaceful luxury of sushi.

Had nice diner at this restaurant with very good quality of raw fish. My only disappointment was on the interior that look very outdated and with the smell coming from the tepaniaki served at tables next to mine while I was eating Sashimi. Not the best combination.

We have been here multiple times and everytime we have loved our food and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. We will definitely be back again.

The food is always so fresh and the service is always so friendly here! I have food allergies that they took very seriously to corn & mushrooms. Although we were sitting on the hibachi side of the restaurant, my food had to be prepared away from everyone else's food. I ordered two orders of chicken fried rice, steak & chicken teriyaki, with a side order of noodles. My food was decadent and worth it! This is my favorite Japanese food restaurant in GA! We went because I had a taste for amazing food on a Friday night and everything was perfect! See you guys soon!!!! ~Ashli H.❣❣❣❣❣❣

We visited this restaurant twice while we were in Atlanta. The food was excellent! We tried many types, and I had my best of the 9 selections from every region in Japan. The first night we were at the sushi bar. I had the omakase with the nine selections on a plate. The slices were terrific. I loved my fish plate from different regions in Japan. On both nights we enjoyed a few dishes such as agadashi tofu, edamame, sushi sashimi combo, mussels, etc. We had a chance to say hello to the Chef, Kinjo-San. We had a very nice waiter and waitresses, Victor the first night and Jena the second. On our second night, we enjoyed sushi with our business friends. We ordered a sushi and sashimi combo and some rolls. Everything we had was terrific because the fish was fresh! The restaurant is huge! It has several sections, including a hibachi, sushi bar, bar section, and huge dining room. There is plenty of parking in the back. This place looks exactly like a traditional Japanese house. It felt like walking in Japan. Perfect service and delicious sushi! Highly recommended!

My wife and I have had dinner at Nakato about a dozen times over the last six months. Inevitably, we sit at the sushi bar and have head chef Yoshiharu “Kaki” Kakinuma serve us omakase-style, choosing our dishes for us. Having tried just about all of the top-tier sushi places in Atlanta, I can confidently say that Kaki prepares the best sushi in the city, hands down. Moreover, Kaki is changing the expectation of what fine Japanese dining in Atlanta is all about, proving that simple, elegant preparation can be every bit as sublime as the fussy creations of his competitors. Nakato, which is celebrating 40 years as a family owned Atlanta restaurant, has two distinct personalities. Walking in, you’ll see that on one side, there is a lively hibachi service. This area often hosts large groups (e.g. high school proms, birthdays, etc) and looks like lots of fun, though I’ve never eaten there. Most of the community reviews of Nakato are talking about this side of the restaurant. Then there’s the sushi side, which has quiet tableside service overlooking a beautiful garden, as well as a sushi bar and several private back rooms that can be booked for an even more traditional experience. The hibachi and sushi sides really are two different restaurants (in fact, they have separate bookings on OpenTable) and if you’ve only tried the hibachi, I’d absolutely recommend another trip to try the other end of things. One testament to the quality of the sushi service is that during the week, about a third of the guests in that half of the restaurant are Japanese. Kaki was trained in Tokyo by Masahiro Yoshitake, of Sushi Yoshitake, which was awarded three Michelin stars in 2012. Kaki learned his craft from a true master, and it shows. He also has great relationships with suppliers at fish markets in Tokyo and around the world. Each week, he has unique offerings flown in, and this is the main reason why I’d strongly recommend letting Kaki handle the ordering (omakase) if you’re sitting at the sushi bar. That being said, Kaki is not a “sushi Nazi”. He wants to know what you like, and if you want a California roll with extra mayo, he’ll happily make one for you. But if you’re smart, you’ll keep an open mind and just let Kaki do his thing. And Kaki’s specialty is fish, served simply and beautifully. I’ll describe the courses served during our most recent visit, but a few elements are common to every meal that are worth discussing. First, the rice. Good rice, served at the right temperature, formed into just the right portion and density, is every bit as important as the quality of the fish when it comes to good sushi. Kaki seems to agree, and the rice served with his nigiri courses really melts in your mouth; it’s just firm enough so that it doesn’t fall apart. I once asked Kaki about his philosophy on rice, and he explained that proper rice preparation can allow a diner to eat twice as much sushi without feeling any more full. He’s right. One thing worth mentioning is that because the rice is presented at just the right temperature, you need to eat each course right away. If you prefer, using your hands instead of chopsticks is totally acceptable. Second, the seasoning. During an omakase meal at Nakato, you’ll add soy sauce to one or two of the dozen or so courses, at most. This is because Kaki carefully seasons almost every dish he serves, often using ingredients he makes himself. Examples include house-pickled ginger, eel sauce that’s reduced continuously for three weeks, rice-wine marinated ikura (salmon eggs) and of course, fresh-ground wasabi. The real artistry is in the way Kaki combines these simple enhancers with the fish he serves. Kohada (gizzard shad, a type of herring) is marinated in a bit of salt and rice wine vinegar about 20 minutes before serving. Tai (sea bream) is served with freshly-ground sea salt and shiso leaf (a Japanese herb similar to mint, but with more depth). Chutoro (medium fatty tuna) is served with rice alone. In each case, the sushi is full of flavor, but the subtleties of the fish are permitted to come through. And if you’re ever in doubt about how to eat something or whether or not to add soy sauce, don’t hesitate to ask Kaki – he’s happy to help. Of course, you can also just do your own thing, because Kaki isn’t the type to judge you if you don’t eat things “correctly”. During our most recent meal, we started with a serving of seared chutoro (medium fatty tuna) with scallion, served over a broth of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic oil. The hint of garlic really enhanced the seared flavor, and the fish quality was outstanding. Our second course was a sashimi platter with maguro (tuna), suzuki (striped bass), and more chutoro (medium fatty tuna) all complemented by a serving of chopped aji (Spanish mackerel) served with the whole mackerel decoratively wrapped around the chopped fish. The mackerel would make a second appearance later in the meal, when we were served the fried bones as a chip-like snack. Kaki provided a bit of freshly-made wasabi with the sashimi, and this was the only course of our meal where we used a splash of soy sauce. Next up was our first hot course, a tempura of shishito pepper and ika (squid) seasoned with freshly ground sea salt and a bit of lemon. After the tempura, we were served broiled kampachi (amberjack) cheek, which was moist, tender, and delicious. A bit of a challenge to eat with chopsticks, but worth the effort. After that, it was on to nigiri, which has absolutely been the highlight of every experience I’ve had at Nakato. The courses were: Tai (sea bream) with sea salt and shizo leaf Suzuki (striped bass) brushed with house-made soy sauce Kohada (gizzard shad) marinated in rice vinegar and salt Aji (Spanish mackerel) with scallion Kampachi (amber jack) Striped solo with house-made soy sauce and house-pickled ginger Chutoro (medium fatty tuna) House-cured maguro (tuna) with shiso leaf and house-made soy sauce Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) Grilled anago (saltwater eel) with Kaki’s special 3-week eel-sauce reduction Ikura (salmon egg) roll with shiso leaf and scallion Each of these courses was absolutely excellent, with the gizzard shad, medium fatty tuna, golden eye snapper, and salmon egg roll standing out as particularly delicious. We ended the meal with some complimentary green tea, very full, and very happy. It’s worth saying that Kaki knows us pretty well by this point. Since we love shiso, he tries to work that in for us a little more often than he might for other diners. Also, the medium fatty tuna was particularly good that night, and a favorite of ours anyway, so Kaki served it several times, in different configurations. The great thing about eating omakase at Nakato is that Kaki can take into account the best fish he has available, combined with your personal tastes, to create an unforgettable dining experience. Such an experience isn’t cheap, at $50-80 per person before tax, tip, or drinks for the full-blown, no-holds-barred omakase service. However, compared to good sushi places in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York, Nakato is a downright bargain. And in Atlanta, there simply isn’t any other Japanese restaurant in the same league, at any price. Is Nakato the best sushi I’ve ever had? No. That honor belongs to the kaiseki service at Urasawa in Los Angeles, where my wife and I lived until last year. But on his best nights, Kaki can go toe-to-toe with very good sushi places along the West Coast or in New York. Considering that sushi in those markets is an ultra-competitive arena with dozens of great local suppliers, the fact that Kaki has created such an amazing oasis of quality sushi here in Atlanta is all the more astounding. In fact, when Nakato is just “really good” and not quite “incredible” it’s almost always because of supply issues. For example, Kaki makes an award-winning dish with sake and ankimo (monkfish liver). Good ankimo is extremely tough to find, and the two times I’ve had Kaki’s version, it was just okay. The only place I’ve consistently had good ankimo is at Ino Sushi in San Francisco, so it’s not Kaki’s fault – just part of the reality of serving fine sushi in Atlanta. Uni (sea urchin) is also hit or miss. Every time Kaki has served it, it’s been excellent, but during my 12 dinners at Nakato (which were mostly over the course of a winter, when uni is in season) Kaki felt the uni was worth serving during his omakase service just three times. Some final words of advice. Fish is typically flown in on Thursday, so that’s the best night to go. Also, if you go on a Friday or Saturday night, it will be busy. If you opt for omakase on one of those nights and insist on being served at the sushi bar (as you should) expect to spend a lot of your time waiting. Kaki and his assistant are churning out sushi not just for guests at the bar, but also for two dining rooms. If things are really hectic, you might find that a few courses of sushi will be served simultaneously, which isn’t ideal. These inconveniences are pretty minor, when you consider that if it weren’t for the high-volume business created by Nakato’s customers in the hibachi area, Kaki wouldn’t be able to serve the amazing sushi that he does; one restaurant effectively subsidizes the other. This turns out to be a happy arrangement for people who love great sushi, because even though it’s a bit expensive, I would guess that overall, Kaki’s omakase service is a money-loser for Nakato. As I said before, Kaki is not just serving the best sushi in Atlanta – he’s revising this city’s definition of great sushi. For Kaki, innovation isn’t about building gargantuan rolls stuffed with “fusion” ingredients, or sprinkling truffle oil over toro and charging $40 for it (as the now-defunct MF Buckhead was fond of doing). Instead, Kaki is attempting to get back to the roots of traditional Japanese dining, and I get the sense that it’s a journey which is just beginning. I encourage anyone who loves Japanese food to help support this movement (and have an amazing meal, to boot) by visiting the sushi bar at Nakato as often as possible. PS If you’re interested in learning more about the art of simple sushi, I’d highly recommend the recently-released independent film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”. I was lucky enough to see this movie a week before its American release at the Midtown Arts Cinema in Atlanta, where Kaki gave a talk and answered questions after the screening. It was a neat opportunity to learn more about how Kaki thinks about his food, and a great experience.

We had the hibachi dinner and it was fun. The food was nothing spectacular but the tween girls loved the food show. They do give you tons of food if you are more into quantity than quality. The noodles are more like thin spaghetti than your typical Asian noodle which is super disappointing.

Aside from the friendly, professional and fun staff this was some of the best sushi I have ever had and I have eaten sushi all over the world! Testudines Nishihara was a great chef and did a wonderful job making custom creations according to our liking. He was super friendly and his food can be described as nothing less than exquisite. If you like traditional Japanese cuisine this is the place of you!

Unimpressed. Sashimi salad had a very few small chunks of sashimi and avocado on a bed of bagged iceberg lettuce. Hibachi meat was average. Fried rice and veggies well below average.

good sushi