(Written by my 8 year old daughter): At first I was nervous to go here because I'm a very picky eater. I had the ravioli -- it was DELICIOUS! I also had the cucumber and lime drink. It was so yummy! My dad even copied me because he loved it so much. We all had the sourdough bread and it was out of this world! The waitress was so kind. I also like that there's lots of plants where we ate. read more

The food I'll be out and service are all excellent at Dakan. There was some confusion with our reservation when we arrived, but the staff stepped up and ameliorated the situation immediately. Our server, sky, was incredible. Well versed on wines and quick to recommend menu items based on our preferences. Our ordering was somewhat haphazard and one of our party members only had drinks and appetizers, but he rolled with the punches and provided stellar service. We add on the patio, which was charming with twinkle lights and plenty of shade. We came during the height of the summer season, so it was very hot in front of the restaurant, but the patio was noticeably cooler. I would recommend a visit to Dion any time you are in Nevada City. read more

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We were able to slip in without a reservation (which seems like a rare thing to pull off.) The food was very well executed (especially the poutine!) If we lived closer we'd end up as regulars here, but we'll definitely return on random weekends (and making reservations next time.) The feel of the place has a grotto and barn type of vibe. We'll check out the outdoor seating next time. There was nothing on the menu that disappoints so far. We look forward to exploring more (the duck wings will make a repeat appears for us.) This is a fun balance of higher end dining and multi regional creativity that we really enjoyed. The mix of high and low is something we explore a lot in our own kitchen, so we welcome that energy when dining out. read more

When strolling through the hills of Nevada city in search of modern gold and celebrating our wedding anniversary we struck pay dirt at Restaurant Dakan! Upon walking in we were sat at a cozy wheel table before being greeted by the voice of a legend, our server Aaron. He began to describe the dishes on the menu as if each one held a special place in his heart! Our favorites were the beef carpaccio and the scallops! The burger was off the charts as well. This is a place to sit back, and soak in the flavors! The whole experience made our first wedding anniversary a special one filled with smiles and deliciousness. Heartwood for brunch and Dakan for dinner and I have disappeared into a bohemian culinary dream! Thank you Aaron for making our night! read more

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Service: Everyone from the host to our server Skye was super kind and welcoming. Skye had great recommendations and good pacing of the meal even though it was a busy Saturday. Food: The food was delectable. We did two raw bar items, a starter and our mains. We were very hungry, so it was the perfect amount. They have a super curated wine list, and we got a Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley that was excellent. The short rib poutine was SO amazing and I loved my duck. Ambiance: Great, cozy vibe with lot of brick. Bustling but not too loud. We were kind of tucked at a table without a ton of room around it, so that was a little awkward to wiggle into. But overall, if you're in Nevada City, this is definitely where you want to go for a special dinner! read more

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Hot damn! This place is fancy and mouth-wateringly delicious! LOCATION & DECOR: Right on the corner in the location one two kitchen used to be. Down the street from the Crystal Shop and Elixart and up the street from Soulcraft, and Heartwood FOOD & DRINK: -burger and fries -duck wings -venison -assortments of wine -mocktails PRICE: $$-$$$ This is definitely not the cheapest place in town so if you're looking to have a good meal on a budget, this ain't the spot. This is the trying to impress my date spot. -Burger and fries - $20 -venison dinner - $40+ -duck wings appetizer -$20 SWAG/AMENITIES: -bar seating -outdoor patio -reservations, but not necessary -table service -patio heaters -large windows for natural light -In the heart of downtown Nevada City STAFF & EXPERIENCE: The staff at this place are the best in town! Friendly, personable, knowledgeable and just hilarious. Each person is quite the character and they make the whole dining experience better. I came here a couple times, one afternoon friend date and one evening date with a lover and both times was and experience on its own. I sat inside with my friend near the door and pretty much ordered what we saw being delivered to the tables next to us because the smells were intoxicating and the moans from those eating them were delightful. My lover and I had so much fun with the words and descriptions of menu items. We ordered some things just for the names alone and playing around with the words with our waiter was such a blast. I highly recommend visiting this place at least once a month. It's worth the good eats and happening atmosphere. read more

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I returned to Dakan after four months to experience a non-holiday dinner and was, unfortunately, underwhelmed. The food was acceptable, but, with the exception of the squash ravioli filling, not notable. The service was friendly, the wine recommendation was appreciated, but my friend's birthday--the reason for our visit--went unrecognized despite my prior request. And they presented him with the check! All in all an average but expensive evening. read more

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I can't recommend this place enough. I went here for my birthday dinner and it was the first time on a solo birthday trip (a bucket list item for a while now). My server was so warm and friendly she made me feel right at home. All of the staff I interacted with were amazing. The food was epic and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Dakan - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

What a fabulous experience! While visiting my friend, she kept raving about this restaurant so I had to try it. It did not disappoint! Everything was so fresh, you could tell it was farm to table. The flavor combinations were incredible and well balanced showing real skill from the chef. Literally every single thing I tasted was absolutely delicious! The ambiance was upscale yet still laid back in a very comfortable way with beautiful decor and lighting. The waiter was also so knowledgeable and described every little detail of every dish which was really impressive! I felt like nibbles so we shared the truffle fries, I got the ceasar salad and duck wings. OMG I will be dreaming about this whole meal until I have the pleasure of going back again! read more

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This place was amazing! We had the snack bowl to start, the olives were so good. We got the roasted duck and it was cooked to perfection. We also got the brick chicken, delicious. We would definitely try this place again if we are in the area. read more

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Wonderful! Everything we ordered was fabulous! The venison was as tender as it could have been. I went with my mother and she's a tough critic and she loved it. I had the pumpkin gnocchi with clams and truffle and though I must admit that this combine is a quite strange, it worked! The best dish though, had to be the chicken. Lovely flavor and even better texture, nice and juicy. Highly recommend! read more

Had a truly phenomenal experience here at Dakan. We had to shift our reservation and the host was gracious and accommodating. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and provided great recommendations and suggestions. The Venison was to die for!! Literally every single item we tried was delicious. I cannot wait to come back. read more

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I will preface this review by saying that I spent 10 years working in high-end restaurants in New York City. I made a reservation through Rezy American Express app- I noted my food allergies in the reservation and I noted that it was my partner's birthday and I'd like a candle in the dessert. I was looking forward to this meal and I thought we were in for a treat when the hostess said happy birthday upon our arrival. The menu had so many seemingly attractive options. We decided to get a selection of appetizers though we were unsure if that would be enough food however our waiter reassured us we could just tack on an entrée if we decided we needed more. We then waited an agonizing 45 minutes for soup and salad. I asked the bus person where our food was and then I asked The Waiter. I finally told him just to send all of our food as soon as they could as we did not want to wait for things to be coursed. I was hopeful that we would be filled from our appetizers because I could not imagine how long an entrée would take at this point. He assured us that he would fire all of our food and 5 to 10 minutes later out came our soup and salad. Soup was piping hot and the salad was served in a warm bowl... a little strange to say the least We then waited another 25 minutes for our meat based appetizers which were so so to be honest. Overall, the food was lacking in seasonal interest though we do appreciate organic sourcing. At this point, I was not really fully satiated, but I also could not imagine waiting for any more food to come out of this kitchen. We did decide to try dessert. I thought hopefully the evening could be redeemed with a good dessert and a candle in it for my Partner. Of course they did not remember the candle. YIKES We were not the only table waiting forever for food. We witnessed one party pay their bill before their entrées even arrived. I could see the couple next to us anxiously trying to be proactive about getting the food ordered and getting ahead of the schedule. Through all of this our server had a tone of voice in a manner of speaking that was exceedingly pretentious and performative. It was grating to listen to and made me feel that I was an audience to a bad performance rather than a welcome guest being hosted and cared for. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say most folks in Nevada City don't need the bravado. His repeated verbiage was truly out of step with the moment "how are we enjoying everything" (bro, I'm eating olives and almonds for 45 minutes waiting for a damn salad) - not once did he acknowledge how long the food took not once did he actually connect with us to see how we were, instead he spit out his pre-recorded lines with a pseudo British cadence acting as if we were dining at the finest restaurant in the entire world and therefore must be having a fabulous experience. We were never offered a second round of drinks. I wanted one but was tired of asking for service Massive eye roll. It pains me to tip under 20%, but I had to do it. I am unsure if our server simply forgot to order our food in the kitchen was backed up... in the latter case I would suggest that this restaurant does not seat quite so many people at a time as the kitchen Clearly cannot keep up. read more

We came here for dinner and it was phenomenal!! Loved every dish we had. The bread, oysters, ravioli, caviar, skewers, and multiple desserts. Amazing food and service. Such an upscale and elegant restaurant, and the prices are not exorbitant. I would eat here every week if I could! read more

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This restaurant feels like it's trying to position itself as casual fine dining, but unfortunately, the food doesn't quite live up to that expectation or the prices. At this price point, I expect more depth of flavor, creativity, and at least a few memorable dishes. Some of what we ordered lacked flavor, and after three visits, we're still waiting for that "wow" dish or meal but we haven't had it. The location and ambiance are nice, and the service was okay, but overall, the food simply doesn't justify the prices. If the prices were lower, the experience would feel much more in line with what's being offered. read more

Enjoyed our first visit! The beet and Caesar salads were amazing! Olive snack was fabulous! We will be back! read more

Service was fantastic and the food was amazing. We loved the outdoor patio as well as the cool indoor bar area. This will be our go to for fine dining for sure. read more

Dakan - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

Our first time eating here. I was impressed by the dedicated service. We asked the waitress for her food recommendations. We loved everything we ordered. Drinks were great. You have to try this place! read more

Go to Downtown River instead. Food takes forever to come out and the service was non existent. Think we waited 30 minutes in between each course, despite putting it all in at the same time. Our waitress was rude and dismissive, saying "this isn't a quick place." To which I replied - isn't this owned by a Michelin star chef? Most upscale dining establishments prioritize impeccable service. Bit of a night ruiner to be honest. Would not reccomend. read more

Food was amazing. 2 in our party are plant-based and 2 not. We ALL loved our meals. Garret is so creative without overdoing it Service was on point. A bit loud, but we adjusted. Our new go-to for special occasions!! read more

Fifth time going this summer, we tried the burgers.... Outstanding!!!! The flavors and texture of the Wagyu beef were amazing caramelized onions, aioli, melted cheese was mouth watering! Also tried the summer salad. We loved the outdoor patio setting, so pleasant and relaxing!!! read more

We arrived at Dakan early on a Friday evening without a reservation and were able to score a patio table. I highly recommend the outdoor seating, the patio is beautiful and cool even with the oppressive heat. We tried several of the seasonal, local menu items and all of our dishes were incredible and the service was excellent without being overwhelming or pushy. Such a great spot for a romantic date. It's on the pricier side for Nevada City, but the quality and experience are well worth the price. Great spot for a special occasion or date night. read more

We had dinner here on Thanksgiving and they took traditional Thanksgiving foods and elevated to the next level! Returned on Christmas Eve, amazing! The perfect portions, presentation and flavor. You will not be disappointed. read more

The food was excellent with a good variety. Service was a little slow. Ambience was relaxing.

This is my favorite restaurant! The food is always delicious, unique flavors with the ingredients forward. The staff are provide excellent service, always friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. The atmosphere is great and the outside seating is lovely. read more

Excellent quality food-first cuisine and friendly service in a sleek ambiance. Highly recommend. read more

Dakan - Pommes croquette. - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

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Wide and I were visiting for the weekend and popped in for dinner. Really delicious food and great ambiance. Oysters, wine, burger, summer salad were all delicious. Great staff.10/10 would come back read more

Amazing food and the best ribeye in Grass Valley and Nevada City area. Chill vibe and always excellent service. The other dishes are all delicious. Highly recommend read more

Dakan - Pork, lobster, and amazing fries - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

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Historic Nevada City's newest restaurant is Restaurant DaKan. It opened recently and created a positive local buzz about its culinary creativity. We wanted to see for ourselves. We reserved a table for a Thursday night which turned out to be a good idea since the place was packed. Our hostess, Sari (sar-RYE) greeted us at the door and served us attentively for the two hours we were there. The menu had a variety of starters, featured dishes from land and sea, and sides. We started by sharing the Broken Caesar, a nicely-assembled selection of baby romaine, anchovies, croutons and shaved parmesan. Sari recommended the Butternut Squash Ravioli as a second course. Iti is sold by the piece so we ordered 2 of them to share. I am a fan of Butternut Squash Ravioli and this was a first-class rendering of this dish. Our third course was the Hokkaido Scallop, also delicious. We accompanied our meal with a bottle of the 2022 Domaine Vignerau-Chevreau, Vuvray, from the Loire Valley, France. It was spot-on. The prices are in accordance with the quality of the food. The Broken Anchovy Caesar, 2 Squash Raviolis, and 2 dishes of Seared Scallops came to $100 before taxes, tip, and wine. The restaurant was busy and, consequently, moderately noisy. They also have outdoor patio dining available during the warmer months. I would recommend Restaurant DaKan to anyone what enjoys creative fine dining. read more

Dakan - Located in historic Nevada City near the art-deco County Courthouse. - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

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WORST experience ever! My husband and I were born and raised in Nevada City and we have NEVER been treated with such disrespect! We went to Dakan for Valentine's day and had their pre fixed dinner. It was a 5 course meal costing $330 and apart from the desert it was absolutely repulsive. We arrived right at our reservation time and my husband waited inside for 20 minutes before anyone even acknowledged his existence. The staff helped and seated 4 other parties before us and they had arrived after us. They eventually seated us at the bar before our table was ready. We realized that our table was the one right next to their extremely small waiting area by the door and it was at that time, my husband decided to complain to the manager because the table really wasn't fit to seat patrons. The manager was not kind, dismissed our concerns and stated that it was that crappy table or the bar. One solution is they could have moved us once another table became available, but this was never even offered. After the extremely unpleasant encounter, my husband and I decided to sit at the table because who wants to experience fine dining at the bar when we had made our reservation weeks before? During dinner, it was freezing because our table was right next to the door and because there really was not an area to wait, other diners were standing right next to us waiting to be seated. At one point, there was a party of 4 waiting and a gentleman in a bright red blazer was standing a couple inches away from my face. So, I am trying to eat awful food with a big guy's butt in my face! My husband had to tap him to step back. After they were seated, another party of 3 was waiting next to us. An elderly couple in wheelchairs were waiting and the woman's leg was literally touching mine. Of course I didn't want them to wait outside, it was cold, but again, our location should not have even had a table! The food was horrible and the management was even worse. The only nice part was our waitress, Sarah. We did end up leaving a tip because it wasn't Sarah's fault her boss was rude and the food was gross. My husband and I are in our mid 40s and we've dined at many amazing restaurants, but Dakan is a complete regret. read more

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Had an amazing experience and dinner tonight! The Burrata and summer salad, Bomb! Sarah was great!

It's a gem! Best food in Nevada County. Super fresh and delicious from the oysters to the ravioli and the Caesar salad. Killer service. Just a wonderful experience. Loved it. read more

The best place to eat in Nevada City. The best in the gold country. The best east of the Bay Area. Full stop. It manages to be both stylish and cozy. Meghan squeezed us in during a recent trip out that way and we loved our experience. She's a total peach for working that magic. The servers are warm and professional. The menu is delicious and thoughtful. The kitchen crew pour so much love and imagination into their craft. Every bite was a full body experience and pleasure. Thank you. Will be back. read more

Fantastic menu, epic staff, intimate ambiance - this is the perfect spot for your next visit

The food was great... hats off to the chef. The server was fantastic. So, why 3 stars and not 5? Because I was treated with complete disrespect by a fangirl who grabbed my arm and assumed I was homeless. I was in jeans and a nice shirt, short hair and clean and am generous with tips. She did this all the while telling me that this is a great restaurant. What kills restaurants faster than anything is arrogance to customers. You can consider this a one-off - and certainly I want, DaKan to be successful. read more

Dakan was hopping on a Sunday night and did not disappoint. Our food was outstanding - pea raviolis, cacao lamb and black cod with forbidden rice. The service was warm and informative and the vibe is fun and social. They could use a spot to wait inside - maybe sacrifice one table for a bench? Otherwise, we had a great experience and will be back! read more

Dakan - Black Cod with Forbidden Rice and Trumpet Mushrooms / delicious! - New American Near Me - Nevada City, California

Excellent dishes that are made with love and true craftsmanship. The service is top notch along with the ambience of the restaurant. Best restaurant in 20 mile radius hands down. Harbors to the staff and chef highly recommended.! read more

Went there to celebrate our son and his new fiancé, wish I could give more stars!! The food, service, ambiance everything was perfect. Made it a very special night, from rack of lamb, scallops, steak, chicken everything was taken to the next level. Thank you for an amazing dinner and evening!! read more

Wow, blown away! Super nice staff, great (small & lively) atmosphere inside, and the food was insanely good. My wife and I tried a number of things- starting with the kumamato oysters, then on to the crushed burrata, broken ceaser salad, scallop crudo, yakinuku skewers, and the butternut squash ravioli. All so good!! The burrata could have maybe used a sprinkle of maldon salt or a drizzle of balsamic glaze, but other than that everything was a delicious flavor bomb. Can't wait to go back and try the other things we didn't! read more

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We just had a lovely dinner at this new restaurant. I had a really good glass of Spanish wine with my meal too. Oops. I started this review in March. It's now July and I can't remember what I ordered! Oh no! . To finish this review all I can say is that I remember 2 things: Excellent service with a pricey bill at the end. I remember thinking at the time that the cost was a little steep but so worth it. Haven't been back yet, but definitely will. read more