Atlanta’s Japanese restaurant scene has matured significantly over the past two decades, evolving from a small collection of hibachi steakhouses and basic sushi bars to a diverse landscape that includes world-class omakase counters, authentic izakayas, Michelin-caliber sushi, and the globally recognized Nobu brand. Buckhead serves as the epicenter of Atlanta’s premium Japanese dining, anchored by the globally acclaimed Umi and the Nobu franchise at Phipps Plaza, while the Cheshire Bridge Road corridor in Midtown hosts Nakato, one of the Southeast’s oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurants. The Buford Highway corridor in Chamblee has developed a growing cluster of authentic Japanese specialists including izakayas and ramen shops that serve Atlanta’s Japanese-American community and adventurous diners. Atlanta’s demand for high-quality Japanese cuisine has been reinforced by the city’s large business community, which regularly entertains clients and partners at premium Japanese dining venues.
Evaluating Japanese restaurants in Atlanta depends on the experience you seek, whether that is a traditional teppanyaki performance, an omakase-style sushi counter, a casual ramen bar, or an izakaya. For sushi quality, look for restaurants that source fish from trusted Japanese wholesalers and regularly update their omakase offerings based on seasonal availability, since the best sushi reflects the market’s current best catch rather than a static menu. Traditional Japanese restaurants that employ chefs trained in Japan at the management level, like Nakato, typically deliver more authentic preparations of dishes like sukiyaki, tempura, and tatami dining experiences. Atlanta’s competitive high-end Japanese market means buyers have genuine choice among nationally recognized operations.
Top Japanese Restaurant Companies in Atlanta
1. Nakato Japanese Restaurant
Founded: 1972
Leadership: Sachi (third-generation owner)
Address: 1776 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-873-6582
Website: https://www.nakatorestaurant.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-9PM, Fri-Sat 4PM-10PM, Sun 4PM-9PM
Awards & Recognition: Voted Best Sushi and Japanese Dining in Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine in 2023 and 2024
Services:
- Teppanyaki hibachi cooking at tableside
- Sushi bar with chefs trained in Japan
- Traditional tatami room dining
- Authentic Japanese garden setting
- Private event dining (main room up to 50, tatami room up to 16)
About: Nakato was established in 1972 by Mrs. Tetsuko Nakato and her son Kenzo Nakato, making it one of the oldest continuously operating Japanese restaurants in the American Southeast. Now in its third generation under owner Sachi, the restaurant has maintained its authentic character through five decades of operation on Cheshire Bridge Road. All sushi chefs were born and trained in Japan, and the restaurant serves traditional Teppanyaki Hibachi alongside an authentic sushi bar and a traditional tatami dining room overlooking a Japanese garden. Atlanta Magazine named Nakato the Best Sushi and Japanese Dining in Atlanta in both 2023 and 2024, a recognition earned across more than 50 years of sustained quality.
2. Nobu Atlanta
Address: 3520 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 470-945-8800
Website: https://www.noburestaurants.com/atlanta
Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM-10:30AM (Breakfast), 11:30AM-10PM; Sat 7AM-10:30AM, 5PM-11PM; Sun 7AM-10:30AM, 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM
Google Rating: 4.5/5 based on 1,703 OpenTable reviews
Services:
- Japanese-Peruvian Nobu signature cuisine
- Sushi and sashimi
- Black cod with miso signature dish
- A5 Wagyu preparations
- Full bar and cocktail program
- Hotel dining (connected to Nobu Hotel at Phipps Plaza)
About: Nobu Atlanta is part of the globally recognized Nobu restaurant group founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, operating from Phipps Plaza in Buckhead as part of the Nobu Hotel. The restaurant delivers the brand’s signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine that made the original Nobu in New York an international phenomenon, including the legendary black cod with miso and a curated selection of A5 Wagyu preparations. Its 4.5-star rating across nearly 1,700 OpenTable reviews reflects consistent delivery of the premium dining experience that Nobu has built its global brand on. The Buckhead location serves both hotel guests and Atlanta’s broader business and social community who seek a globally recognized dining experience.
3. Umi
Leadership: Chef Fuyuhiko Ito
Address: 3050 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: 404-841-0040
Website: https://www.umiatl.com
Hours: Mon-Thu 5PM-9PM, Fri-Sat 5PM-10PM
Services:
- Premium omakase sushi
- Pristine sashimi and nigiri
- Creative specialty rolls
- A5 Wagyu nigiri and hand rolls
- Curated sake and wine program
About: Umi is widely regarded as Atlanta’s premier sushi destination, led by Chef Fuyuhiko Ito and offering an omakase-caliber experience centered on the finest-quality fish sourced with meticulous attention to freshness and provenance. Located in Buckhead at Two Buckhead Plaza on Peachtree Road, the restaurant draws both Atlanta’s local fine dining community and visitors seeking a world-class Japanese dining experience in the Southeast. Customer reviews consistently highlight the quality of the fish, including signature dishes like the Spicy Hokkaido Scallop nigiri and Wagyu and Foie Gras hand roll, as delivering experiences that compete with the best sushi restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend evenings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Nobu, Umi, and Nakato in Atlanta?
A: Nobu is a globally recognized franchise brand known for Japanese-Peruvian fusion and celebrity association, offering a consistent premium brand experience in a hotel setting. Umi is a chef-driven, locally rooted premium sushi destination focused on Japanese culinary purity, seasonal fish quality, and omakase-style precision at its highest level in Atlanta. Nakato is Atlanta’s oldest Japanese restaurant, offering a traditional full-service Japanese experience including teppanyaki, authentic tatami rooms, and a sushi bar staffed by Japan-trained chefs. Each serves a different function within the Japanese dining spectrum, and experiencing all three over time provides a comprehensive picture of Atlanta’s Japanese culinary range.
Q: What should I expect to spend at top Japanese restaurants in Atlanta?
A: Nakato’s teppanyaki dinners run approximately $50-$75 per person, while sushi bar dining is typically $45-$65 per person. Nobu Atlanta runs $80-$120 per person for a full dinner experience without the tasting menu. Umi’s omakase and premium sushi experience runs $100-$200 per person depending on selections, placing it at the top of Atlanta’s Japanese dining price spectrum. All three restaurants benefit from advance reservations, and walk-in availability at peak times is limited.
Q: Are there authentic ramen and izakaya options in Atlanta?
A: Yes, Atlanta’s Japanese restaurant landscape extends well beyond premium sushi and teppanyaki into casual ramen bars and izakaya-style dining. The Buford Highway corridor in Chamblee hosts several authentic Japanese specialists including Ginya Izakaya, which serves traditional izakaya small plates in an authentic setting, and Shoya Izakaya. Ramen Station in Grant Park serves house-made noodles and rich broths in a neighborhood-friendly format. These options provide accessible Japanese casual dining at $15-$30 per person.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s Japanese restaurant scene delivers world-class dining from multiple distinct vantage points: the 50-plus-year tradition and authentic teppanyaki and sushi of Nakato on Cheshire Bridge Road, the global Nobu brand experience at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, and the city’s most acclaimed premium sushi at Umi. Each represents a different dimension of Japanese culinary culture, and all three reward advance reservations and careful attention to the seasonal menu offerings. The Buford Highway corridor provides additional authentic Japanese dining options for those seeking ramen, izakaya, and street food traditions.