Kiraku

  4.6 – 764 reviews   • Japanese restaurant

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Busy izakaya-style Japanese tapas eatery featuring locally sourced ingredients in a modest setting.

✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery Kiraku 94704

Hours

Friday5:30–11 PM
Saturday5:30–11 PM
SundayClosed
MondayClosed
Tuesday5:30–10 PM
Wednesday5:30–10 PM
Thursday5:30–10 PM

Address and Contact Information

Address: 2566B Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone: (510) 848-2758

Website: http://kirakuberkeley.com/

Menu Photos

kirakuberkeley.com

Photo Gallery

Related Web Results

Kiraku Berkeley – Authentic Japanese Izakaya

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ABOUT – Kiraku Berkeley

ABOUT US THE CONCEPT Unlike every other Japanese restaurant in America, Kiraku strives to deliver a genuine izakaya experience … Berkeley, CA 94704. Call Us. ( …

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Reviews

Sydney Lim
Went here last November and absolutely loved it! Me and my cousins got a little bit of everything instead of getting one order per person which I definitely preferred. The place was packed but it was no biggie. Overall, everything was great and would definitely love to come back!
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Shania
Truly my best dining experience ever. The food was absolute perfection and there were options for everyone. The omakase sampler, shrimp tempura, beef tataki, and corn tempura were definitely standouts. The yuzu sake was one of the best drinks I’ve ever had. Celebrated my birthday here and when you order dessert they will sing for you.
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Kara Chan
Great food. Authentic Japanese food. Some of the dishes are very adventurous. Highly recommend to make a reservation if possible. It will be a long wait if not and also has a time limit for dinner.
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Maggie Q
Service: The oldest waitress was rude. I did not know that outside drink is not allowed. She came to tell us, and then directly reached out to my unfinished drink and wanted to throw it away without asking my permission. NOT OKAY. This just ruined the whole experience.

Food: We ordered beef tataki, nigiris, kaisen don, yaba, ankimo mousse, matcha Mont Blanc. 200$ in total. Highly recommend kaisen don.
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My Duong
We came 10 min before opening and got a table for dinner on Saturday. The space is small so seating is a bit cramped.

Food:
– Tako Wasabi (5/5): good portion, raw and spicy, not for everyone
– Beef Wagyu Tataki (3/5): ponzu overpowered any taste of the beef
– Mini Kaisen Donburi (5/5): such a treat! It was topped with 3 small pieces of uni and I thought it was worth it for $22.
– Garlic edamame (5/5): A MUST!
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David Lowell
Hidden gem with soul – this is where Japanese food feels right.
Every dish at Kiraku is crafted with care, precision, and that rare sense of warmth that’s hard to find outside Japan. But what truly sets this place apart isn’t just the taste – it’s the consistency. Year after year, the quality doesn’t fade. It actually improves.

The staff? Always kind. Always attentive. The atmosphere? Casual but cozy, like your favorite local spot back home.

If you’re new to the Bay Area or just hunting for a place that gets Japanese food right, start here. Kiraku isn’t just a restaurant. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back before you’ve even left.
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Leah
This is honestly my favorite spot in the entire SF/Bay Area — no competition, no close second. I mean it. Nothing else compares.

I first came here around 2022 and was absolutely blown away. I live far, but this is still a place I’ll happily drive an hour for, wait 40+ minutes for, and revisit 10+ times without hesitation. Zero complaints. Always worth it.

The space isn’t big, but the sticker-covered walls and posters give it so much personality. It feels like a place that’s been loved and thoughtfully run for years — a true neighborhood gem with soul.

✨ My forever must-orders (these NEVER miss):

• Ankimo mousse + sweet potato chips — this combo is unreal
• Roasted beef tongue with truffle oil — insanely tender and bouncy; WAY better than the tongue skewers (not even the same level)
• Wagyu tataki — rich, buttery, milky wagyu flavor… I sometimes order two
• A5 ribeye nigiri — just WOW. If you love wagyu, you CANNOT skip this

These feel like permanent-menu-level safe choices. I’ve ordered them countless times and the quality is always consistent.



Other favorites from past visits

Corn tempura, miso black cod, and tuna 3 ways are also great picks.



New dishes we tried this time

• Hamachi carpaccio salad — light and refreshing, great palate reset
• Yuzu chicken udon — comforting, and the hint of yuzu is genius. So satisfying.

Grilled rice ball was just okay for me, but my boyfriend loved it.
Sweet potato brûlée for dessert was creamy and not overly sweet — so good.



Service

Always lovely. Angelina especially is such a sweetheart. Every time we come, she always has the warmest smile and is so attentive, just adorable energy.

⚠️ Reality check

This place is VERY popular. Expect a 30–60 min wait, even on weekdays.

Best tip: come right at 5:30pm opening or join the Yelp waitlist in advance.

Writing this review makes me sad thinking about the day I leave the Bay Area and can’t come back here anymore.

Kiraku is absolutely a must-try in the Bay Area. Come experience it yourself — you won’t regret it.♥️
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butternut
Truly a special place. Seafood was fresh and well curated, and their hot dishes were amazing, too. A little cramped inside but that adds to its charm. Reservation is HIGHLY recommended.
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Nutchapol Nick Phaungjit
If you appreciate Japanese food that’s thoughtfully executed where technique meets flavor, and the atmosphere feels authentic, Kiraku is a gem. It excels at the izakaya concept: you come for good drinks, shareable plates, skilled cooking, and a relaxed but lively ambiance.

Whether you’re a sake lover, enjoy grilled skewers, or just want something beyond the typical sushi bar, this place is definitely worth a visit.
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Joanne Yuen
I love this place so much, have been here for years and their food never fails to impress me. Definitely check for reservations ahead of time if you can because it gets busy. Kiraku is definitely one of the best izakaya spots in the Bay Area with a wide range of dishes and fresh seasonal ingredients. You can’t go wrong from their tempuras, to sushi, to skewers. Highly recommend bringing a friend so you can maximize trying different dishes. Prices are a bit higher, but well worth it.
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