If you’ve celebrated a special occasion in Atlanta, chances are Nakato Japanese Restaurant makes the short list every time. A local legend since 1972, this third-generation-owned staple has a story as special as the experience it offers diners—one elevated since its renovation this past summer. From traditional Japanese dining to a tempura bar, Teppanyaki and more, all using the finest and freshest fish flown in daily from Japan, it’s only evolved as a dinner destination for locals and visitors (and A-listers), alike. Sachi Nakato Takahara holds the reins today, handed down by her mother and grandmother, and shares the parts of this hotspot she holds
most dear.
Q: What are you most proud of in the evolution of Nakato?
Sachi Nakato Takahara: I’m proud that we have served so many generations of families in Atlanta. Having that personal connection is truly special to me. Many of them have had their first bite of sushi at Nakato! I’m also proud that we still pay very close attention to authenticity. We have one of the few authentic tatami rooms in the U.S. (something my grandmother worked with then Governor Jimmy Carter to introduce) and our dishes are similar to what you’d find at an izakaya in Japan.
Q: How does Nakato stand out among sushi and hibachi in Atlanta?
SNT: We bring in seasonal fish and showcase on a map where each is from, so guests can get a complete appreciation for the fish they’re enjoying. Many of our sushi chefs are from Japan and completed their sushi apprenticeship there, bringing the magnificent, artfully crafted sushi skills to our guests. And now, with the state-of-the-art technology of the hibachi grills and ventilation we just installed, our guests will get the optimal hibachi experience at Nakato.
Q: What does it mean to you to have been a part of the Buckhead community for so long?
SNT: The people in our community are truly the backbone of Nakato. In fact, a longtime guest, Whitney Wolf of The Jack Ellis Company, saved the wood from a white oak tree that had fallen in his parent’s yard a couple of years back, earmarking it especially for our renovation because he knew that White Oak was indigenous to Japan. He crafted the most spectacular bar top from it that we combined with a bar canopy created in Japan from paulownia wood.
I designed it to be embedded with the beautiful Asanoha design, one of my favorite traditional Japanese designs.
Q: Where can people find you when you’re not at the restaurant?
SNT: I love to shop at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market or at Lenox Square Mall with my daughters. We love to hit up Bucket Shop Cafe for late-night eats.
