
Busy izakaya-style Japanese tapas eatery featuring locally sourced ingredients in a modest setting.
Hours
| Friday | 5:30–11 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30–11 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2566B Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 848-2758
Website: http://kirakuberkeley.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Kiraku Berkeley – Authentic Japanese Izakaya
ABOUT – Kiraku Berkeley
Kiraku Berkeley (@kirakuberkeley) – Instagram
Reviews
Food: We ordered beef tataki, nigiris, kaisen don, yaba, ankimo mousse, matcha Mont Blanc. 200$ in total. Highly recommend kaisen don.
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!
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.
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.♥️
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.