Nakahara Japanese Restaurant

Inside Nakahara Japanese Restaurant

Nakahara Japanese Restaurant offers a straightforward but thoughtfully crafted sushi and Japanese dining experience on Broad Avenue in Leonia. This full-service spot centers around fresh, well-prepared dishes with an emphasis on sushi and sashimi, making it a fitting choice for those seeking authentic flavors without the formality of high-end omakase-only venues.

The space has a cozy, unpretentious vibe with a clean interior and subtle jazz playing in the background, creating a relaxed atmosphere where small groups, couples, or solo diners at the sushi bar can feel comfortable. It’s a place that balances casual dining with attentive service, with staff who tend to be responsive and eager to explain menu options.

The restaurant’s menu covers a solid range of Japanese dishes beyond sushi, including noodle soups like chanpon and tempura udon, deep-fried specialties like ankou karaage (monkfish), and some satisfying sides. The sushi offerings feature familiar choices like bluefin tuna and fluke alongside more adventurous items such as uni hand rolls and yam tempura roll. Omakase sets, including the sushi & sashimi omakase, provide a sampling of fresh cuts that are generally well regarded by patrons looking for value without going fully off-menu.

Locals appear to appreciate Nakahara for a reliable midday sushi lunch or a relaxed dinner outing where the focus remains on freshness and straightforward presentation rather than elaborate plating or trendy twists. The bar seating especially suits those dining solo or in pairs who want to watch chefs at work and engage with staff.

While many find the experience satisfying, visitors might notice some variability depending on timing and crowd; the energy behind the counter can be lively, and service style occasionally leans toward talkative, which might not be for everyone. Weeknights and early dinners tend to be calmer, offering a chance to enjoy the food and ambiance without rush.

Overall, Nakahara works best for guests who prioritize honest Japanese flavors in a venue that feels like a neighborhood staple rather than a destination restaurant. It fits well within the local dining scene for those who regularly explore sushi spots around town but prefer a quieter, less fussy setting that still delivers quality fish and classic preparations.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Popular for

Popular for lunch

Popular for dinner

Good for solo dining

What they serve

Serves alcohol

Serves comfort food

Serves healthy options

Serves small plates

Serves wine

Best for

Serves dinner

Has counter service

Serves dessert

Has seating

Accessibility

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Plenty of parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

What Locals & Travelers Say

323 Reviews

Chun T

31 Dec 2025

We got sushi & sashimi omakase, 85 dollars each and it was fresh and delicious. You get the usual fishes and I like the otoro and roe with rice the most. We didn't have a reservation and was quickly seated and served at the bar table. Good value, would come back for other sets in the future.

Dongik Lee

17 Dec 2025

disappoint me here. It was Very nice sushi I always enjoyed But not this time. The (owner ?) lady was too loud never stop talking. Compare to 10 month ago … It was not the same quality I had special of day Oyster tempura but it looks like over cooked or reheated it was so hard..

Jaewon Kim

06 Dec 2025

Local hidden gem. We have tried most of the sushi spots in our area and this is definitely our favorite. Sushi is fresh and delicious. Very authentic Japanese food, we always get the sushi for two set.

Lauren Ciancia Apgar

05 Dec 2025

My family has enjoyed Nakahara for several years and it’s always fantastic. The fish is very fresh, the atmosphere is clean and cozy with gentle jazz in the background and the service is attentive and friendly. There are many sushi options in the area, but this is one of a kind!

Hiromi Tateishi Ichikawa

04 Nov 2025

My husband and I have been meaning to check this place out for some time now and finally decided to dine here for dinner. When you enter, it seems like any other ordinary Japanese restaurant and gives a comforting atmosphere. Once we were seated, our server was very attentive throughout the night and made our dining experience pleasing. For appetizer, we tried their ankou karaage (deep fried monk fish) and tempura appetizers. The monk fish tempura was great, but definitely very filling. Then we ordered our sushi set - my husband tried their sushi omakase and I decided to stick with the chef special sushi. We were blown away by how fresh it was and each piece tasted so good to the point they melt in your mouth! We’ve been searching for an authentic japanese sushi restaurant near our place and this is definitely A+ in our mind. Sushi Chef/owner is also Japanese so you can definitely trust his technique :) Overall, really good sushi place in our local NJ area and HIGHLY recommend if you’re looking for a good sushi restaurant nearby.

Peter Yong (PedroJoven)

23 Sep 2025

Good food, creative, scallops apertizer was really good, sashimi was fresh, mussels were done well service was great and price was decent for the quality and portion of food. We tried the Omakase and it was pretty good. Steak was tender but not melts in the mouth type of steak.

Inside Nakahara Japanese Restaurant

Highlights & Local Essentials

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

What Locals & Travelers Say

323 Reviews

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