Hello dear
Welcome To Nakato
At Nakato, a cherished Japanese steakhouse in Charlotte since the '70s, dining transcends mere sustenance—it's an experience. Known for its exceptional hibachi and sushi, each meal unfolds with thrilling chef performances and authentic flavors. Guests relish complimentary onion soup and ginger salad, paving the way for mouthwatering main courses like hibachi scallops and New York strip. The vibrant, family-friendly ambiance enhances every gathering, whether it's a celebration or a casual dinner. With attentive service and generous portions, Nakato remains a go-to destination for both local food enthusiasts and families seeking quality, taste, and an interactive dining adventure.
About
Nakato
Welcome to Nakato, a cherished Japanese steakhouse nestled in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. Located at 8500 Pineville Matthews Rd, Nakato has been a family-owned staple since the 1970s, making it a perfect destination for celebrations, family gatherings, and casual dinners alike.
As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance adorned with traditional Japanese decor, inviting you to unwind and indulge. The restaurant boasts an array of features: from hibachi dining, where skilled chefs prepare your meal right before your eyes, to an extensive sushi menu crafted by expert sushi chefs. Notably, diners rave about the hibachi experience, with one reviewer, Cooper H., stating it’s the "best place for hibachi!" as they enjoy fresh salads, savory shrimp, and the meticulous attention of staff ensuring your glass is always filled.
- Reservations: It's advisable to make one, especially during busy hours, as the demand for hibachi seating can lead to a wait.
- Vegetarian Options: Nakato is inclusive, offering numerous vegetarian dishes for non-meat eaters.
- Awards & Acclaim: Frequent compliments about the enthusiastic chefs and their culinary theatrics elevate each dining experience.
Food enthusiasts will appreciate the generous portions, making it easy to share or enjoy leftovers, as noted by Katie E., who emphasized the substantial hibachi combo plates that feature a delicious variety of shrimp, chicken, and filet mignon. The traditional accompaniments, such as onion soup and ginger salad, provide a delightful start to the meal, further complemented by mouthwatering garlic noodles and fried rice served with your main dish.
Don’t miss out on the Volcano Roll, praised by Kamilia L. as her new favorite. The intricacy of flavors from fried California rolls and crab toppings exemplifies Nakato's commitment to quality sushi, making it a must-try.
The charm of Nakato extends beyond the food. It offers an inviting atmosphere for kids and groups, with outdoor seating available for those who prefer alfresco dining. The addition of a full bar and the ability to accommodate larger parties enhances the restaurant’s appeal. Plus, it’s wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy the delicious offerings.
Overall, Nakato provides an exceptional dining experience that captures the essence of Japanese cuisine. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a delightful meal, Nakato brings an unparalleled blend of flavor, entertainment, and comfort.
With its welcoming atmosphere and impressive menu, Nakato is undoubtedly a cornerstone of the Charlotte culinary scene. It's time to gather your friends and family for a memorable dinner that you’ll talk about long after the last bite.
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“ This restaurant is the best place for hibachi! Watching it cooked in front of you is a treat! The soup, salad, noodles, shrimp, and sauce is the best. The waiter made sure that your glass would never go empty. The ambiance has an amazing Japanese feel with pretty furniture and paintings. Please I do recommend (it is a little pricy). ”
“ Decent Hibachi experience in Charlotte! Definitely recommend making a reservation. We got seated right away with ours and there was a long line of people when we arrived waiting to get their names in. There's not a ton of options for hibachi tables in Charlotte. I would honestly recommend doing one of the travel ones that comes to you for the best experience. But as far as restaurant hibachi tables this one was average if not a little above! Our chef was a lot of fun and interactive. Although he didn't have us catch shrimp in our mouths! They were very good about drink service and came around often to see if anyone needed another drink! The food portions were large! We had to take a lot of it home with us, but it was delicious! We usually get some combo of either shrimp, chicken or filet! Overall a good experience! ”
“ Family owned since the 70s, nakato is a charlotte staple for special occasions and fun date nights. Not only do they have a mouth watering hibachi menu, they also boast a great sushi menu prepared at their sushi bar chef. My typical order begins with a sushi roll, following that I get the hibachi scallops and New York strip. The main courses come with a lot of sides and apps. They start you off with a salad and onion soup, both of which are brought out before the grill gets going. Then you receive a hibachi shrimp appetizer, followed by hibachi veggies containing zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, and carrots. Next is the garlic noodles and your main protein. Oh, and can't forget the fried rice! Always a good time! ”
“ I don't see why this place has low scores? It's a cute Japanese gril with awesome sushi. We tried the Volcano Roll, which is my new favorite. It's a Fried California Roll with Crab and Carrot toppings. It's not hot at all but it's delicious. We had a small party of 2 and ordered the Filet Mignon, Shrimp, Chicken, and a Hibachi Dinner that includes a NY Strip Steak and chicken. The cook was even and made perfectly. The traditional accompaniments of Onion Soup and Ginger salad were delicious. The ginger wasn't stringent either but more mellowed out. I was disappointed in the Yum Yum sauce as it was watered down. The service was great. The safe was attentive and focused on all their tables. Ours had 3 birthdays being celebrated that night! It's a great spot for a family sitdown experience. ”
“ Went for my sons birthday - it was his first hibachi. The food was excellent - service was great. The whole fire onion tower was probably the best I've seen. I love the show of hibachi but sometimes don't love when you can't really converse during it - but for this we could chat and interact in a perfect mix. He devoureddddd his meal. I like to have leftovers :) I wish they were open a little later. But it was a Tuesday night, A friend also got the birthday special for him - so there was cake and singing and they take a group photo and print it and put it in a little cardboard frame folder for you, super cute. ”
“ They are reservation only. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Since theres alot of hibachi id recommended people with asthma and weakness to smoke fair warning. Also, a huge number of birthday parties. If you're entertained by parents wrangling children like rabid animals, i definitely recommend this place. However, the light shines above all else. The sushi chef works on Saturday. OH MA GAWD. This man is funny, diligent , clean ive no complaints. I usually dont eat sushi out cause it's hard to find good quality , but this guy is right here. Hes the real fucking deal. I can't wait to go back for more. Oh yea, sushi bar accepts walk-ins. ”
“ I thoroughly enjoyed a birthday dinner at Nakato last night! It's been like a decade since I've gone to this type of restaurant so I was nervous excited lol. We had a reservation for 7:30, for a group of 4. We weren't seated until 7:45 and a server didn't come over until almost 8pm, so that was annoying. They were pretty busy, but the issue with this was they closed at 9pm. Towards the end of dinner I felt very rushed to eat because they were trying to close down. I get it, but it took them 30 minutes to even get us started. That's my only complaint. Now, on to the fun and yum! I ordered the teriyaki steak hibachi situation, it comes with miso soup, salad with ginger dressing, fried rice, noodles and vegetables! I was so hungry so I was too excited for all this food. I also ordered the Dojo sushi roll and OMG.....legit one of the best rolls I've had in a long while. The roll had a bunch of different types of fish, salmon skin, eel sauce...all of my fav things. It was phenomenal. My honey ordered the dragon roll and his was pretty tasty too! The rest of food was pretty good, of course I drowned it in the yum yum sauce (I mean that's why I was there lol). Everything was tasty, well cooked and hot. You really get so much food too. We all had a big old box of leftovers. I also ordered the hot sake with chambord and it was a nice addition to the meal and evening. Now, onto this theatrical presentation of a dinner. Amazing Chef, amazing show and great service! Our Chef wasn't super chatty like I'm used to in the past, but times have changed. He was definitely nice and had a joke or two, but he was pretty quiet the whole time. Our group of 4 chatted a bit and enjoyed the show. This was a great experience overall and I'd definitely come back again! ”
