Nara Restaurants & Food
Experience Local dining
Shizuka
59-11 Noborioji-cho | Nara-kōen, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan
+81 742-27-8030
For a bit of local fare, stroll on down to Shizuka (located next to the Nara National Museum, near by Koufuku-ji Temple), for a local dish called Kamameshi (Rice cooked in an iron put with various meats, seafood, and veggies of your selection).
Prices start at around 1000 yen and go as high as 2000 yen. The Shizuka's tremendous reputation always keeps it busy, so expect a 30-60 minute wait before you can be seated.
http://www.kamameshi-shizuka.jp/eng.html
Edogawa
43, Shimomikadocho, Nara-shi, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan
+81 742-20-4400
If you've never had Unagi before (fresh water eel) then its time you've given it a whirl. Edogawa's Ungai is a favorite of locals in Nara prefecture which means its usually busy but don’t let that keep you from having this potentially life-changing experience.
Eel isn't the only thing the serve however, you can find sashimi sets, bentos, etc etc. Be prepared to spend a good $25 USD for eel. Or $40 if you're feeling wild and want to partake in the Eel Indulgence Set, which includes: grilled eel, eel hot pot, eel cucumber salad, Japanese Omelet & Eel, eel bone crackers, braised eel-livers, eel-liver soup... you get the idea.
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k471700/lang/en/
Kana Kana
13 Kunodo-cho | Central Nara, Nara, Nara Prefecture 630-8382, Japan
+81 742-22-3214
Kana Kana is a new hip restaurant in the old town of Nara with a simple menu and a laid back atmosphere.
Menu items are affordable, coming to around 1200 yen for the signature "kana kana gohan", which includes: rice, side dishes, rustic miso soup and coffee or tea. It is noted that at this time the menu offers more beverages than it does dishes, which lends itself to the ‘coffee shop’ type feel.
You must NOT leave Kana Kana without indulging in the Coffee Parfait: Tiramisu topped with Ice Coffee, Coffee Jelly and ice cream. It is wicked!
Totogin
5-1 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan
If you're feeling an overwhelming desire to just stuff your face and gut with delicious sushi then read on.
Located a few minutes East of Kintetsu Nara by foot (going up the hill towards the park) you'll find Nara's Sushi Conveyor Belt Eatery: Totogin.
You'll find a wide array of sushi, whatever your taste may be, they have it. There are even as we like to call them "sushi burritos" where you have a really fat sushi stuffed with a whole assortment of ingredients. One of these Japanese Burritos goes for 1,480 yen, while the smaller ones are between 480 yen and 880 yen. The individual sushi themselves are priced rather competitively.
