This popular Berkeley restaurant features eclectic Japanese cuisine with a focus on sushi and grilled skewer dishes.

(510) 984-3742

2100 Ward St (Shattuck Avenue)
Berkeley, CA 94705 37.8593 -122.2671

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhood: South Berkeley

kiralaberkeley.com

Hours:

Mon 5:30pm-9:30pm

Tue-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm

Sun 5pm-9pm

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Kirala

Kirala Restaurant

What People Are Saying About Kirala

The Owner

Kirala

Owner

What a treat to find an excellent neighborhood restaurant like Kirala. Kirala is not just another good Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. Kirala has one-of-a-kind sushi creations and delicious specialties from Robata grill that you will not find anywhere else. For 15 years, it's been consistently voted one of the Best Japanese restaurants, where loyal patrons spend a relaxed evening ordering tasty appetizers and main dishes, while enjoying Japanese beer and premium sakes from Japan.

The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

In Short – The minimalist decor centers on the long, curved sushi bar--a popular destination for Cal students and young professionals. Toro tuna, yellowtail and an avocado-laden Caterpillar roll typify the expansive menu. Numerous skewers and tidbits off the robata grill are also offered. Other dishes range from miso-marinated cod with crisped skin to sea bass with butter sauce and smoky grilled corn. Lamb chops are seared until the outer crust is thick and meaty.

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/18/07

AVOID

by kk2007 at Citysearch

This place is not worth your time. With such great reviews online my partner and I were excited about having dinner here. Let down is an understatement. The wait was estimated at 30 minutes but we waited almost 2 hours for our table. With no lobby or place to stand, this put our evening off to a bad start. Once we sat down the service was so so and the sushi was NOT good. After leaving I became sick and threw up. Today my partner is sick in bed thanks to bad sushi.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: the entire experience
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/11/07

decent food. expensive, and long wait.

by eastbaygirl86 at Citysearch

took an hour and a half to be seated, others who had come later then us were seated first and we had to keep reminding them that we were there. when we were finally seated they had messed up my order and my friends. When we tried to tell our waiter he did not understand. He had brought me the nigiri combination when i had ordered the sashimi combination. Then the hostess came over and fixed our order but when the sashimi mix had come it was a very small portion for the price. Not to mention on the menu it said which fish it came with and when they brought it to me there was no salmon, and thats the main reason why I get sashimi is for the salmon. When i asked where it was they said that they were out, but they could have told me this before i ordered. everytime i go it is a very long wait, and it is not worth it at all. I recommend man puku on college avenue where its more of a casual restaurant but prices and food is great!

  • Pros: food isnt bad. restaurant is nice and fancy inside
  • Cons: always crowded. always a long wait, bad service, expensive
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/05/07

Japanese food?I don't think so.

by hunter at Citysearch

I can't understand why they are famos.....taste was very bad.

If you like this restaurante,You don't know Japanese food.

The Details on Kirala

Know Before You Go:

Kirala doesn't take reservations. Be prepared to wait for a table, even on weekdays.

Parking:

Street parking is available, but Kirala asks its patrons to park in the triangular lot across Shattuck to keep residential neighbors happy.

Category:

Japanese, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Date Spot, Carry Out

Cuisine:

Japanese

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

Oakland

Best of Citysearch

Oakland

Message from Kirala

  • Kabobs
  • Variety of sushi
  • Authentic Japanese food

What a treat to find an excellent neighborhood restaurant like Kirala.

Kirala is not just another good Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. Kirala has one-of-a-kind sushi creations and delicious specialties from Robata grill that you will not find anywhere else. For 15 years, it's been consistently voted one of the Best Japanese restaurants, where loyal patrons spend a relaxed evening ordering tasty appetizers and main dishes, while enjoying Japanese beer and premium sakes from Japan.

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