Kirala - Feedback

Japanese, Sushi, Sake

Reviews

Overall Total Score
4 out of 5
Impressive | 5460 reviews

Reviews from various websites

Top-rated

Last update : 15.06.2023

5.0 ★ from 10 reviews
boehm-izabella
15.06.2023

Robata barbecue dishes are always excellent. This time I had a Saturday lunch special Bento box with fog grilled cable a finger of Tonkatsu, both excellent. Open for brunch Sat Sun. No more lunch Tue thru Fri. Dinner Tue thru Sun.

weldon83
15.06.2023

Really fresh food with quality preparation. We loved everything we tried. Definitely expensive for the amount but. Service was fast and polite.

ufisher-student8
15.06.2023

Excellent quality in every stage of preparation and serving. Highest respect for freshness in all its raw fish sources and meat and vegetables. Really one of the most delicious meals can be found in every Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area. I've been here for 30 years, and it's still a great experience.

nadia50-1
15.06.2023

Food was really good, although we didn't try the sushi. Service was good. They kept our water and green tea filled. It's a small eating area, so be aware that there's a wait time get table. We came early: around 4:45 pm on a Sunday and they open at 5pm. There was already a short line. The line lengthened by 5pm. If your party is more than 4 people, definitely get there early before opening to get a table. I had the grilled marinated mackerel and it was delicious! My uncle enjoyed his salmon teriyaki. My nephew liked his udon the broth was very yummy. The tonkatsu my brother ordered was perfect. We also ordered edamame, Agedashi Tofu, and grilled eggplant for appetizers and loved it.

corrine-hane
15.06.2023

Absolutely fabulous sushi. We loved what we ordered the first time so much that we had seconds. Great place with great energy. Will definitely come back.

Kirala in Berkeley is a popular spot known for top-notch sushi and robata dishes. While the wait can be long, the food is worth it. The robata selection is excellent, and the sushi is consistently good. The ambiance is cozy, and the service is attentive. Highlights include amaebi and grilled mackerel. The spider roll, squid off the robata, blackened cod, and wagyu beef are highly recommended. Overall, Kirala is a standout Japanese restaurant in the Bay Area, perfect for special occasions or casual dining. Reservations not accepted, so plan accordingly.

Menuism

Last update : 23.03.2023

3.8 ★ from 4 reviews
weldon83
23.03.2023

While I enjoyed the sushi every time I'm here, I'm annoyed by the long wait and I could never get full without breaking the bank. I remember that the amaebi (sweet shrimps) was great and the fried shrimp heads with which they came were also delicious. There's some fun biting in small heads...

garland48
23.03.2023

Kirala is not for the cheap esser. Japanese food costs more than average, and Kirala is at the higher end of prices. I had to wait 30 minutes, and I came there before the wait got bigger. The ambience is beautiful, with a modern feeling. I was pretty sure the sushi reels will be small as most noble Japanese places seem. I ordered a California roll, rock and roll and a tuna and avocado roll. I was right because they weren't too big. They taste very good. The seaweed around the sushi actually added sushi taste and texture. The Californian role seemed like it had real crabs or something because it tasted better than the typical one. I really enjoyed all the roles, although it was very filled. A damn shame it costs so much money just for a few small rolls. They have excellent food and a beautiful atmosphere, but the long waiting period and the high prices bring the experience easily. Good place for a nice date, or if you like pamper yourself in fine Japanese food (and you have the money to burn).

garland48
23.03.2023

Your Robata is the best. You have a really good selection of robata articles to try. Shizo chicken, asparagus beef, eggplants... try it and you'll love it. Your sushi is okay, not spectacular. I had better fish in pleasant. Rolls are standard. Also be prepared for the long waiting period, there are no reservations.

owiegand-fish0874
23.03.2023

I will be liberal with the ahemists and give this place a 4 because their food is good. Was that worth a long wait? I'm not sure. Good Japanese food, but it tends to be hyped as AMAZING and I don't really know about it, seems overestimated. Go to Joshuya on Dwight and Telegraph. It is not so unusual, but who needs pleasure if you can have beautiful ambience with great taste and cheaper prices?

Yelp

Last update : 03.11.2023

4.0 ★ from 1852 reviews
alexis-k-bush0
03.11.2023

My partner and I live near Kirala and we always smell the delicious barbecue and yakitori coming from their kitchen. We decided to finally walk over and try it out.

howard-u-1
03.11.2023

I have been dining at Kirala Restaurant since 1990. The food is consistently fresh and delicious.

grace-t-bank1
03.11.2023

I recently had the chance to eat at Kirala Restaurant, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the sushi and sashimi. Honestly, I was impressed by...

Restaurantsdb

Last update : 31.07.2025

4.9 ★ from 1071 reviews
david-george-johnson-6
31.07.2025

OMG! Just had my first experience here. Wanted to treat myself. The moment I walked in, the smell of food excited me. Asked for Sapporo and they have it on draft! Told the waitress what I like for sushi and she recommended a roll. AMAZING! She also asked if I’d like an appetizer, sure! Got the Saba. OMG! Was cooked perfectly! My waitress was Sagan and was a gem! I just left thinking, “That was sooo good!” I’ll be back for HH and with a friend! Thanks guys! Price per person: $50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Roll, Saba

jonathan-kvitky
31.07.2025

The fish was fresh and tasty, and the green tea ice cream paired with bean paste was delicious. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4

barbara-rion-1
31.07.2025

Kirala has the best sushi I've ever had. I also love their cha soba, miso, sunomono, house sake (chilled), and nigiri. Be sure to get there 10-15 minutes before they open because people line up in advance to get a table. Worth it! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Menu

Last update : 19.09.2020

1.0 ★ from 1 reviews
wanda-mraz
19.09.2020

Kirala, a longtime Berkeley institution, has the best sushi I have eaten anywhere! Great to go at lunchtime, when it isn't too crowded and there's no line. In the evening, expect a line out the door. It does move somewhat quickly. You can choose to wait at the bar where you can eat a more limited menu or hang on the line and talk to your companions and others from the neighborhood. It's the only restaurant that doesn't take reservations where I will eat. It's worth it

Foursquare
3.9 ★ from 272 reviews
Google
4.5 ★ from 661 reviews
Tripadvisor
4.4 ★ from 175 reviews
Opentable
4.0 ★ from 1 reviews
Int Restaurants
4.2 ★ from 1412 reviews
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4.0 ★ from 1 reviews

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