Nakato in Atlanta: A Local Guide to This Long-Running Japanese Restaurant

If you’re looking for Japanese food in Atlanta and keep hearing about Nakato, you’re not alone. This family-run restaurant on Buford Highway has been a mainstay for locals, visitors, and anyone exploring the city’s international dining scene for decades.

Below is a practical guide to what Nakato is, what to expect, and how to make the most of a visit when you’re in Atlanta.

What Is Nakato?

Nakato Japanese Restaurant is an Atlanta institution specializing in Japanese cuisine, including:

• Teppanyaki / hibachi-style grill tables
• Traditional Japanese dishes (sushi, tempura, noodles, grilled fish, etc.)
• A mix of classic and more contemporary Japanese menu options

It sits on Buford Highway, one of Atlanta’s most diverse food corridors, known for its wide range of international restaurants. For many locals, Nakato serves as a go-to spot for birthdays, work dinners, and family gatherings, especially when a hibachi-style experience is part of the plan.

Where Nakato Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta’s international food scene is spread across neighborhoods like Buford Highway, Midtown, Doraville, Duluth, and Chamblee. Within that landscape:

• Nakato is often seen as a more traditional, sit-down Japanese restaurant rather than a fast-casual sushi bar.
• It offers both a showy, interactive hibachi-style experience and a quieter dining room with more classic Japanese dishes.
• For many Atlanta diners, Nakato feels like a “special occasion” spot that’s still approachable enough for a weeknight dinner.

If you’re comparing it in your mind to general “hibachi chains,” Nakato usually leans more toward Atlanta-local, family-owned, and Japanese-focused rather than a generic, high-volume chain experience.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Nakato is located in the northeast part of the city, near I-85 and Buford Highway, a convenient area whether you’re coming from Midtown, Buckhead, or the northern suburbs.

Typical things Atlanta diners consider:

• Driving: Most people drive; the location is car-friendly.
• Parking: There is usually on-site parking in a surface lot. At busier dinner times and weekends, it can fill up, so arriving a bit early is often helpful.
• Rideshare: Many visitors use rideshare to avoid parking and to be free to enjoy drinks with dinner.
• MARTA access: Direct rail access isn’t right at the door. People who want to use transit often ride MARTA to a nearby station (such as Lindbergh Center) and then take a short rideshare or bus along the Buford Highway corridor.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or near Lenox Square, Nakato is usually a short rideshare or drive away.

Dining Options at Nakato: Teppanyaki vs. Traditional

You’ll want to decide what kind of experience you’re after before you go or when you make a reservation.

Teppanyaki / Hibachi Grill Tables

At these tables, a chef cooks on a large steel grill in front of you. In Atlanta, this is popular for:

• Birthdays and celebrations
• Group dinners with kids or coworkers
• Visitors who want a “dinner and a show” experience

Typical features:

• Shared grill with other diners (if your party is small)
• Set combinations like steak, chicken, shrimp, or scallops with rice, vegetables, and sides
• Theatrical touches like onion “volcanoes,” quick knife work, and interactive moments

If you’re planning a birthday dinner or bringing a group, mention the occasion when reserving. It helps the staff seat your party appropriately and sometimes tailor the pacing.

Traditional Dining Room

If you prefer a quieter, more classic Japanese meal:

• Ask for or reserve a spot in the regular dining room instead of at the grills.
• You’ll typically find:
  • Sushi and sashimi
  • Tempura
  • Teriyaki dishes
  • Noodles (udon, soba, etc.)
  • Grilled or simmered fish and meat

This side of Nakato tends to appeal to:

• Diners who want a more relaxed, conversation-friendly meal
• People who enjoy traditional Japanese flavors without the hibachi show
• Date nights or business dinners where you want to talk without interruption

What You Can Expect to Eat

Menus can change, but Atlanta diners generally find:

Common Teppanyaki Choices

• Steak, chicken, shrimp, and scallops cooked on the grill
• Combos like steak + shrimp or chicken + scallops
• Fried rice or white rice, vegetables, soup, and salad

These are the kinds of dishes Atlanta families often choose for celebrations or group nights out, especially where not everyone is familiar with Japanese cuisine.

Traditional Japanese Dishes

In the main dining room, you’re more likely to see:

• Sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi
• Tempura (lightly battered and fried shrimp or vegetables)
• Yakitori or grilled items
• Teriyaki plates with rice and vegetables
• Noodle dishes (like udon) and rice bowls

If you’re new to Japanese food, many locals start with:

• A simple sushi roll (like a California roll or spicy tuna roll)
• A tempura entrée
• A teriyaki chicken or salmon dish

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Depending on where you sit, Nakato can feel like two different experiences under one roof.

Teppanyaki area:

• Louder, more energetic
• Good for groups, kids, and celebrations
• Shared table experience, which can be fun if you don’t mind sitting near new people

Traditional dining area:

• Quieter and more relaxed
• Better for date night, conversation, or business meals
• More focused on the food than on a performance

If you have a strong preference, mention it:

• When you call to reserve
• When you check in at the host stand

Price Range and Budget Tips

Nakato typically falls into the moderate to higher mid-range for Atlanta dining, especially if you choose teppanyaki, sushi, or multiple courses.

To plan your budget:

• Teppanyaki entrées are often more than basic casual dining, especially for steak and seafood combinations.
• Sushi and sashimi can add up if you order several items.
• Drinks, appetizers, and desserts will increase the cost, as at most Atlanta sit-down restaurants.

💡 Money-saving tips Atlanta diners often use:

• Go for lunch instead of dinner, when available, for smaller portions at lower prices.
• Share appetizers or sushi rolls among the table instead of everyone ordering extras.
• If you’re on a budget, choose one main (like teriyaki chicken or a simpler hibachi combo) and skip multiple add-ons.

Reservations, Groups, and Special Occasions

Because Nakato draws crowds for birthdays, holidays, and weekends, Atlanta locals often:

• Reserve in advance, especially for:
  • Friday and Saturday nights
  • Large groups (6+ people)
  • Holidays and busy seasons (graduations, December gatherings)
• Call ahead if you have:
  • Young kids and need booster seats or high chairs
  • A tight schedule and need to be out by a certain time

For large parties:

• Ask how they handle group seating at the grills, including how many people fit at one table.
• Clarify whether separate checks are available or if they usually do one bill for the table.
• Let them know if you’re celebrating a birthday or other milestone so they can plan the seating and timing.

Dietary Preferences and Choices

While Nakato is not a specialty “diet-focused” restaurant, many Atlanta diners with specific preferences can still find options.

Common approaches:

• Seafood-focused: Plenty of fish and shrimp options in both hibachi and traditional menus.
• Lighter options: Sashimi, simple grilled fish, miso soup, and side salads.
• Vegetarian-leaning: Some vegetable dishes and sides; availability and details can vary, so it helps to:
  • Ask your server what’s available without meat or fish.
  • Clarify how items are prepared (for example, whether broths or sauces contain fish or meat ingredients).

If you have strict dietary needs or allergies, Atlanta diners usually:

• Call the restaurant ahead of time to explain requirements.
• Confirm options with the server before ordering.

When Locals Typically Go

Patterns Atlanta residents often follow:

• Weeknights: Quieter, easier to get in, better for a relaxed meal.
• Weekends (especially Friday/Saturday evenings):
  • Busier, louder, especially around the hibachi tables.
  • More birthday groups and families with kids.
• Special occasions and holidays: Often quite busy; reservations are commonly recommended.

If you prefer a calmer experience, consider:

• Early evening on weekdays
• Later dinner times after the main rush, depending on your schedule

How Nakato Compares to Other Japanese Options in Atlanta

Within Atlanta’s Japanese and international dining scene:

• Nakato is known more as a sit-down, full-service restaurant with a long local history on Buford Highway.
• The teppanyaki/hibachi section makes it stand out from smaller sushi-only or ramen-focused spots.
• For people exploring Buford Highway, it can be an accessible introduction to Japanese cuisine, surrounded by many other international restaurants (Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, and more).

If you’re trying to decide where to go in Atlanta for Japanese food and want:

• A show and group experience: Nakato’s hibachi side often fits well.
• A traditional, quieter Japanese meal: The main dining room can be a solid choice.

Practical Tips for Visiting Nakato in Atlanta

Here’s a quick summary of how to plan your visit:

Is Nakato Right for You in Atlanta?

You’ll probably enjoy Nakato if you:

• Want a Japanese restaurant with history in Atlanta.
• Are planning a birthday, team dinner, or family outing and like the idea of hibachi.
• Prefer having both a showy grill option and a quieter dining room in one place.
• Are exploring Buford Highway’s international food scene and want a sit-down Japanese meal.

If your priority is a fast, ultra-casual bite or a narrow specialty (like only ramen or only grab-and-go sushi), there are other spots across Atlanta that might be a better fit. But for many residents and visitors, Nakato remains a solid, long-standing choice for Japanese food and teppanyaki in Atlanta.