Kirala

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2100 Ward St (at Shattuck Avenue)
Berkeley, CA 94705

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(510) 556-3093
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Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Kirala - Berkeley, CA
Reviews
( 12 )
( 27 )
( 5 )
( 7 )
( 5 )

Best

The food at Kirala is so good that it overcomes the wait. The fish is nice and fresh, the robata dishes are nicely prepared, not drenched in teriyaki sauce like a lot of places a...

Worst

The rice was hard and the service was bad the first time I went. I gave them another try but the food just isn't that great. It's pretty pricey for what you get.

Greasy & bland 2/11/2011

I absolutely LOVE Japanese food, but this place doesn't do the cuisine justice. The sushi was totally bland. The eel pieces just tasted like cooking oil--yuck!--and the green beans with tempura were soggy. The food was just totally lacking that bright, fresh flavor and texture that makes Japanese food delicious. I am giving them two stars because the food wasn't HORRIBLE--it just wasn't very good either. I did find the service very friendly and efficient, though. more
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Great place for sushi 6/14/2010

This place is extremely popular. It has a cult-like following. You always see a long line of people waiting outside. It serves two kinds of food: Sushi and Robata (grilled small dishes. Prepared when ordered). Sushi is very fresh. Robata is O.K. \r \r The ambiance was great. With the long wait, I would suggest you try some other places. There is a great deal of good Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. I definitely recommend you try some other restaurants. This place is good but not great. more
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excellent, but small rolls 8/2/2008

Kirala is not for the cheap eater. Japanese food costs more than average already, and Kirala is on the... more
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excellent, but small rolls 8/2/2008

Christopher Provided by Partner
Kirala is not for the cheap eater. Japanese food costs more than average already, and Kirala is on the higher end of pricing. I had to wait 30 mi... more
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excellent, but small rolls 8/2/2008

Christopher Provided by Partner
Kirala is not for the cheap eater. Japanese food costs more than average already, and Kirala is on the higher end of pricing. I had to wait 30 mi... more
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AVOID 11/18/2007

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 more
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Good food, too busy 10/1/2007

It's quite difficult to be seated here pretty much any night of the week. Prepare to wait 30 minutes to an hour.\r \r Other than that, they have good food and sushi. They also have a great sake selection. They serve a couple of flights which are great intros to sake tasting.\r \r Entrees run about $15. more
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decent food. expensive, and long wait. 9/11/2007

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 more
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Japanese food?I don't think so. 8/5/2007

I can't understand why they are famos.....taste was very bad. more
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I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a... 6/11/2007

I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a 4 because their food is good. Worth the long... more
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I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a... 6/11/2007

Jenna Provided by Partner
I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a 4 because their food is good. Worth the long wait? I'm not sure. Good japanese food but i... more
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I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a... 6/11/2007

Jenna Provided by Partner
I'll be liberal with the ahem stars and give this place a 4 because their food is good. Worth the long wait? I'm not sure. Good japanese food but i... more
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While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, th... 6/5/2007

While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, the long wait annoys me and I've never been able to... more
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While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, th... 6/5/2007

Justin Provided by Partner
While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, the long wait annoys me and I've never been able to get full without breaking the bank. I d... more
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While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, th... 6/5/2007

Justin Provided by Partner
While I've enjoyed the sushi each time I've come here, the long wait annoys me and I've never been able to get full without breaking the bank. I d... more
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Robata Galore 5/23/2007

Their robata is the best around. They have a really good selection of robata items to try. Shizo chicken,... more
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Robata Galore 5/23/2007

DunkinDonut Provided by Partner
Their robata is the best around. They have a really good selection of robata items to try. Shizo chicken, Asparagus beef, eggplant... try it and ... more
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Robata Galore 5/23/2007

DunkinDonut Provided by Partner
Their robata is the best around. They have a really good selection of robata items to try. Shizo chicken, Asparagus beef, eggplant... try it and ... more
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Unique menu to the area, but difficult dining experience. -really difficult. 1/21/2007

*The menu at Kirala is unique to it's area, (East Bay) so I'd say they have a bit of a captive audience syndrome. Customers flock from miles around to enjoy well reviewed sushi and noodles at this large and convenient location. I've been there a few times for lunch, but not yet for dinner, And I have to say, it's really not worth the headache. Pros: Unique menu, easy to park roomy seating. Cons: difficult seating policy, vast menu, but nothing actually available more
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It's good, but... 10/25/2006

I just don't think it's as good as people say. I've eaten my fair share of good Japanese food, and this is in slightly above average range. The sushi is by far better than anything else I've had in Berkeley, but again I don't think that's saying all that much. Been here several times, and it's usually pretty crowded. Never sat there, but there's a group table in the back, next to the bathrooms if you like that... Pros: Good sushi Cons: Over hyped, crowded more
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Menu for Kirala


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

Owner Message

  • 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.

Editorial

  • 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...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon 5:30pm-9:30pm Tue-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm Sun 5pm-9pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: South Berkeley
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