Top 10 Nara Foods & Restaurants 2026: Reviews & Ratings

Based on the latest rankings from Japan’s foodie site Tabelog, This is a Top list of foods in Nara, like Shizuka Kamameshi, unagi (grilled eel over rice),

and premium Yamato beef.

Top Nara 10 Food & Restaurants

Nara Eats #1: Shizuka Kamameshi

A 60-year-old Nara staple right by Todaiji Temple, ideal for post-temple meals. The signature “Nara Seven Ingredient Kamameshi” mixes sea shrimp, crab,

conger eel, chicken, burdock, carrot, bamboo shoots, shiitake, and Japanese parsley, with springy rice soaked in umami broth.

• Price: Seven Ingredient Kamameshi ~ $11.4; Set Meal ~ $15.4
• Address: 59 - 11 Noboriojicho, Nara 630 - 8213
• Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM–3:00 PM; Weekends/Holidays 11:00 AM–4:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
• Tabelog: 3.44
• Pro Tip: Arrive before 11:00 AM to skip 1–2 hour waits.

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Nara Eats #2: Unagiku (Nara Main Store)

Unagiku sits beside Kikusuiro, Nara’s century-old famed establishment, as an Edo-style annex brimming with retro charm. Because Kikusuitei’s eel rice bowl

became wildly popular, they opened this dedicated unagi spot. Here, live eel is gently steamed, then charcoal-grilled and brushed with a secret sauce. It’s

served with fragrant Koshihikari rice, plus pickles and a clear broth—so appetizing you’ll find yourself going back for bite after bite!

• Address: Inside Kikusuiro, 1130 Takabatakecho, Nara 630 - 8301
• Tabelog rating: 3.68
• Hours: 11:00 AM–2:45 PM; 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)

Nara Eats #3: Sukiyaki and Beef Bowl at Momoshiki
 

Located right next to Kintetsu Nara Station, the restaurant is a breeze to reach. Both the sukiyaki and beef bowls are made with A4 Nara Japanese Black

Wagyu (Yamato Beef), known for its tender, silky texture. Whether simmered into sukiyaki or served over rice as a beef bowl, the meat practically melts in

your mouth.

If you’re craving wagyu shabu-shabu, the second location is right across from the original shop—it just opened in July 2025 and is already a hit!

• Address: 29 Higashimuki Kitamachi, Nara, 630-8214 Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.62
• Opening Hours: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM

Nara Eats #4: Unagi no Himekawa (Nara Main Store)

Unagi no Himekawa sits right by Nara Park and has become a favorite in recent years for eel lovers. The restaurant uses farm-raised eels from overseas,

keeping prices easy on the wallet without sacrificing quality—the eel is just as tender and rich. Paired with Nara Prefecture’s Hinohikari rice, every bite is

packed with flavor. Here, you can enjoy both shirayaki (eel grilled without sauce) and kabayaki (eel glazed with a sweet soy sauce) at very reasonable prices

truly a great deal with excellent value!

• Address: 12-1 Babacho, Nara, 630-8354, Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.28
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00–8:00 PM

Nara Eats #5: Mentou-an

Mentouan is a must-visit udon noodle shop in Nara, conveniently located just a 10-minute stroll from Kintetsu Nara Station. Their absolute showstopper is

the 'Fukubukuro Udon' – a culinary delight where a giant, savory-sweet fried tofu skin (aburaage) lovingly embraces a generous portion of perfectly chewy

udon noodles. It's truly a 'lucky bag' of flavor! The delightful balance of sweet and savory from the tofu skin, combined with the satisfying texture of the

noodles, creates an unforgettable taste experience. And trust us, the portions are incredibly hearty, so you'll walk away feeling wonderfully full and happy!

• Address: 30-1 Hashimotocho, Nara, 630-8217, Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.46
• Hours: Monday, Friday, and Sunday 11:00 AM–3:00 PM; Saturday 11:00 AM–4:00 PM (Closed Tuesday–Thursday)

Nara Eats #6: Wagyu Sukiyaki at KITSUNE

"KITSUNE" is a sister restaurant from "sio," a restaurant in Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo. It brings a fresh way to enjoy Japan’s beloved sukiyaki. Although the

sukiyaki is cooked in the classic style, they offer three signature sauces that make every bite more layered and satisfying. The ingredients are sourced

from Nara, including the region’s own Yamato beef and locally produced rice milk, which makes the sukiyaki broth even sweeter and more delicious.

• Shika Saru Kitsune Building, 1st Floor, 22 Ganriincho, Nara, 630-8221 Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.73
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00–9:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)

Nara Food #7: Nakatanidou

Nakatanido’s mugwort mochi is a must-try sweet you simply can’t miss when visiting Nara! Located right on Nara’s bustling shopping street, it’s easy to

spot—just look for the steady line at the door. Hang around and you might catch their famous high-speed mochi-pounding show, which always draws a

crowd of curious onlookers.

Each piece is wonderfully soft and tender. The outer layer is made with Japan-grown mugwort, giving every bite a delicate herbal aroma, while the filling

is silky red bean paste that’s sweet without being cloying.

• Address: 29 Hashimotocho, Nara, 630-8217 Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.72
• Hours: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM

Nara Eats #8: Hiraso Persimmon Leaf Sushi
 

Hiraso Kakinoha-zushi is a time-honored sushi shop in Nara with more than 150 years of history. Loved by locals, kakinoha-zushi is also a hugely

popular souvenir! This specialty is made by marinating sea bream, mackerel, and salmon, then wrapping them in persimmon leaves. Not only does it

keep for several days, the leaves’ distinctive aroma infuses the sushi, making the flavors even richer!

• Address: 30-1 Imamikadocho, Nara, 630-8374 Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.19
• Hours: 11:30 AM–8:00 PM (closed on Mondays)

Nara Food #9: Great Buddha Pudding

Beyond its mugwort mochi, Daibutsu Pudding is a star in its own right! This cozy shop sits right next to Kintetsu Nara Station and serves up a tempting

lineup of flavors—Yamato tea, no-bake cheesecake, coffee, and more. The runaway best-seller is the classic custard. Puddings come in two sizes—large

and small—and the jars are printed with an adorable Great Buddha design you’ll want to snap a photo of. The pudding itself tastes a bit like panna

cotta: silky-smooth and delicate without being overly sweet. One important tip: Daibutsu Pudding can’t be taken on flights back to Taiwan!

• Address: 29 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara, 630-8225 Japan
• Tabelog rating: 3.13
• Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM–6:00 PM; Weekends & holidays 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

Nara Eats #10: Mitsuba Ramen
 

Mitsuba Ramen is near Tomio Station in Nara City. Though it’s not in the downtown area, plenty of travelers still come just for a taste! Mitsuba Ramen

once earned the No. 7 ranking in Japan. You can choose between tonkotsu (pork bone) and shoyu (soy sauce) broths—the soup is rich and silky, and the

noodles are delightfully springy. Every bowl comes with a soft-boiled egg, and when the yolk spills out and melds into the broth, it becomes even more

aromatic and flavorful!

• Address: Japan 〒631-0078 Nara, Tomio Motomachi, 3 Chome−3−15 １
• Tabelog rating: 3.74
• Opening hours: Weekdays 10:30 AM–2:00 PM; weekends and holidays 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

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