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Kisser

4.7 (177 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

Kisser Photos

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KISSER ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
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Recommended Reviews - Kisser

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Reviews With Photos

Beef Tartare - Bear Creek Farm Beef, Crispy Rice Cakes, Avocado, Sesame, Chili Crisp
Charlie B.

Our flight from Raleigh landed at BNA at 11AM, and by 12 noon we were checking in for our resy at Kisser Nashville. And the lunch-only spot turned out to be a great start to our long weekend! I was excited to visit the Japanese-inspired restaurant, given all the acclaim (2024 James Beard Best New Restaurant Finalist, 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand). We landed a prime seat at the counter with a front row view of all the magic going down. And the food coming out from chefs Brian Lea and Leina Horii (both with crazy great backgrounds), and their team, did not disappoint. We loved every morsel that we gobbled down, including (see photos)... Beef Tartare - Bear Creek Farm Beef, Crispy Rice Cakes, Avocado, Sesame, Chili Crisp Onigiri - Yaki Grilled Rice, Cod Roe, Yuzu / Snow Crab Avocado, Cucumber / Japanese Curry Kabocha Squash Chicken Katsu Sandwich - Fried Chicken, Cabbage Slaw, Tonkatsu Sauce, Toasted Kisser Milk Bread Miso Clam Ramen - Littleneck Clams, White Miso Broth, Menma, Napa, Wakame, Roasted Garlic Oil Yellowtail Collar - Marinated for 24 Hours then Grilled and Served with Ponzu, Lemon, Daikon Miso Crème Brulée Kisser describes itself as "a homage to the Japanese kissaten... neighborhood spot serving comfort food, where locals can eat, drink, and hang out." I may not be a local, but I'd still love to come back many times for more eating, drinking, and hanging out! Congrats to the entire Kisser team for all you do... @brianslea @leinahorii @kisser_restaurant And yet another terrific spot from the folks. @strategichospitality @maxrgoldberg @benjaminrgoldberg

Single beef tartare - a must order
Priya B.

Still one of my top five restaurants in Nashville, my favorite place to do breakfast/brunch on a weekend, and a must visit if your priority is delicious food in Nashville for a weekend. Kisser brings cozy Japanese cafe vibes to east Nashville with a menu that feels like the quality of a fine dining restaurant but with approachable dishes and affordable prices. You will find me here at least once a month dining solo, with a reservation so that I can waltz right in and take a seat at the chef's bar, watching the chefs prep dishes while I read a book and enjoy my actual perfect meal: an order of one of the delicious high garden teas (my favorites: the orange creamsicle milky oolong or the green magic organic, a green and rose combination!), a single order of the flavorful shrimp inari, and the Japanese breakfast. The food is incredibly filling but also well balanced and so, so delicious. Their Japanese breakfast made me fall in love with vegetables again, and allows me to try a bit of many things for a very reasonable price . There are so many other dishes I love here (the onigiri, the curry rice, the miso creme brûlée, to name a few!) but suffice to say Kisser is truly serving up some of the best food in the Nashville area with some of the friendliest, kindest serving team in the area. The vibes are chill, the food is fantastic, the new system allowing for reservations makes it easy to plan ahead, the parking is free, and it's a new institution (to me) for a must-dine in Nashville.

Kimberly M.

I am glad I finally got to try this popular lunch spot. This small place has a gentle soul and delicious food. Favorite bites: beef tartare and the yellowtail fish collar. The chicken katsu sando is crunchy and salty with a creamy balance from the cabbage slaw and mayo. The service was great, and I love that the 18% included tip is shared amongst the staff. Get yourself to Kisser.

Beef udon
Andrea R.

It is hard to get a reservation? Yes. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!! When you walk in you will notice that seating is quite limited as it's more like a communal eating space. I personally prefer to not sit with strangers but I respect their decision. The food is superb. The chicken Katsu is a no brainer. You need to order this sandwich!! The chicken is fried to perfection. The cabbage slaw & tonkatsu sauce really takes it up a notch and complements the bread & chicken so well. The onigiri plate brings three types of onigiri and let me tell you they each have their own unique flavor. I would like to highlight the Japanese Curry one as it stole the show. The Japanese Breakfast: Miso Marinated Cobia fish Three Vegetable Sides Tamagoyaki Miso Soup Furikake Rice This dish felt like an experience, which I really enjoyed. I can never look at rice the same way because this furikake rice tasted amazing & that is coming from someone that typically doesn't care for rice. The fish, although it was a little small, was full of flavor and buttery soft. The Beef Tataki Udon was another stellar plate! The beef was perfectly cooked & was not chewy at all. The noodles you can tell are handmade & the broth was simply delicious. I get the hype.

Beef udon, clam ramen
Naomi S.

Kisser was the kind of meal that made my friends and I instinctively clap and dance while we ate-- EVERYTHING we ordered was that good. We definitely overordered because we were so excited to try so many dishes, but we do not regret having leftovers. The onigiri was excellent; our favorite was the yaki because of the grilling on the rice. The wagyu beef tartare was heaping with meat on top of such delicious rice with an incredible, addicting chewiness. I loved the big salad which tasted so fresh and was dressed perfectly. The yellowtail collar was melt in your mouth like butter. The beef udon came in a hot soup which I didn't expect, but the broth was umami and soul-warming, the beef medium rare, tender, and high quality, the mushrooms delicious, and the noodles you could tell were hand-pulled and wonderfully chewy. The chicken katsu sandwich was good, the chirashi bowls were solid, and my friend loved the bacon udon which resembled a carbonara. Service was fast and so friendly, and the setting was bright and beautiful. Our only regret was not saving room for dessert. Next time!

Beef tartare
Georgia M.

The food was phenomenal!!! The yellowtail especially was so flavorful and melted in my mouth. Service was quick and the staff were very friendly- would dine here again.

Chicken Katsu sandwich
Presley J.

First time trying Kisser and the line to wait made sense for how good everything was. We tried all 3 types of onigiri... the yaki was my favorite. We also had the big salad which is not an exaggeration at all it is a BIG salad. Also tried the chicken curry rice and the chicken katsu sandwich. The portions are so generous which is much appreciated. The strawberry matcha was so delicious it is up there with best matcha I've ever had. There isn't much seating but the wait is fairly quick and there are shops near you can look while you do wait. Overall great experience and I look forward to going back!

Yellowtail collar
Rachel H.

My fav restaurant in Nashville, very small so serving up amazing Japanese food. My favorites were the curry katsu, chicken katsu sandwich, onigiri, and chirashi bowl. Definitely have to get there at opening to snag a table, very busy when I went but definitely worth it. Service was great and fast

Chopped Salad
Bailey D.

After hearing nothing but hype for this little lunch spot in East Nashville for the last 2+ years ... I finally had to experience it for myself. If you're like me and you're not quite sure if you want to wait in a long line for lunch, let this review be your guide to snagging a coveted spot at Kisser. It's no secret that their hours are very specific, and this isn't just a place you can swing by for a quick bite. So my friend and I made a plan to arrive no later than 10:45 AM on a Monday (we thought a weekday would be easier than a weekend). There were a few people milling around at the entrance, and another group waiting at Flora & Fauna. However, no one was in line yet, so we were able to start the line ourselves! Now, if you don't want to put this much effort into getting a table at Kisser ... I've been told that there's a virtual queue that anyone can join during business hours. I recommend stopping by, scanning that QR code, and then depending on the forecasted wait, either hanging out at the coffee shop next door or running a quick errand on the same side of town before returning. Of course the food was everything we dreamed it would be ... and more. I started with a matcha, which is not my typical order, but I figured it would be well made and it definitely was. Not grassy or grainy at all! My friend and I shared a few different dishes and they were all incredible: the chopped salad, chicken curry rice, chicken katsu sandwich, and the creamy bacon udon. It's hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, it would be the chicken curry rice. This was honestly too much food for two people, but it made for great leftovers! The prices are quite reasonable too, especially given the high quality of the food. We're lucky to have such a unique and tasty restaurant in the neighborhood.

Menu
Ken R.

Ok this was absolutely the juiciest and best tasting chicken sandwich I've ever eaten. The food was just amazing. I only hope to go back and try more. It's a small place in a group of shops made out of an old industrial building. Great small cafe ambiance. The service is great with a very helpful and professional staff. If you can get in, you have to try them. Definitely Michelin Star level food.

Beef tartare
Alexis M.

Kisser is so good, I'd happily wait all over again. There's no reservation system, so you'll need to walk up and put your name down -- I went around 1:30 PM and waited about 25-30 minutes. Totally worth it. The food? Next-level. The beef tartare with chewy rice is an absolute must. It's perfectly seasoned and such a fun texture combo. I also tried the inari which was refreshing and definitely worth a try as well. For my main I got the creamy bacon udon which is almost like a Japanese-inspired carbonara, and the udon noodles might just be the best in Nashville -- bouncy, chewy, and absorbed all that creamy & delicious sauce. The space itself is bright and minimalist, and the service was friendly and efficient even with the crowd. If you're looking for modern Japanese comfort food with thoughtful twists, this is the spot. I will definitely be back to try out more menu items! Well done.

Miso Crème brûlée
Sarah H.

I could go on and on about how this was one of the most incredible meals I've ever had! The food was immaculate and the service was great. We started with the onigiri, and we decided to try one of each of their three different varieties. All three were incredible but the curry one was the standout! For my main, I ordered the creamy bacon udon, and it was savory, creamy, and had just the right amount of bacon. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the sauce was a little thin to where it almost formed more of a broth which worked well with the richness of it. I got the miso crème brûlée for dessert, and it might have been the best crème brûlée I've ever had. The hard shell was perfectly crisp, and the custard underneath was creamy and delicious. The only downside can be the shared tables with other people. The people we were sat with were loud and inconsiderate of others, so I'd recommend coming with more people to avoid it. Overall this place is incredible, and I can't wait to come back!

Katsu curry
Franklin Z.

Amazing meal! I went with a group of 4 and we ordered a ton and were stuffed, but it was all worth it. From the starters to the mains to the dessert, we really enjoyed every part of the meal. I was visiting from SF, and Kisser's food can honestly compete or even surpass similar spots I've tried in California. Each dish you can tell was an almost perfect version. I would say my favorites are the onigiri rice balls (with the special Kisser chili oil) and curry katsu rice as I tend to enjoy my rice dishes more personally. We did have to wait about 1 hour in line for the food, but we all decided the food was well worth the wait. The space is a bit small and opening times can be limited, so I would recommend arriving 15-20 minures before their opening to guarantee being seated. However, there is a great coffeeshop and clothing store nearby to check out while you're waiting. The entire area was fun to explore and had a lot going on. All in all, this was my favorite food try here in Nashville and will return next time in town!

Brunch spot!!!

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Ask the Community - Kisser

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Kosho  - Chicken skewers

Kosho

4.8(98 reviews)
3.0 miSobro, Downtown

First time dining here and I already can't wait to be back…read more I started with the wagyu and truffle hand roll, along with the spicy tuna hand roll. Both rolls were very fresh and the pickled ginger complemented them very well. The cassava fries paired with the yuzu aioli went perfectly with the chicken karaage. The unagi and crispy rice tasted amazing, the combination of the buttery soft sweet eel with the crispy rice and freshness from the jalapeño and miro herbs made for the perfect bite. As a main entrée I had the signature garlic noodles with shrimp, bonito flakes, and mushrooms. Normally I'm not a huge mushroom fan, but everything in this plate was delectable. The service is amazing even from the very entrance, you instantly feel welcomed. Vicky was amazing both drinks were a work of art with refreshing aromatic flavors. The Ube Banana pudding was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. A must every time I visit! The inside is beautifully decorated. The two floors allow for private intimate seating and casual dining.

A MUST TRY! We heard about this restaurant from a friend, and it lived up to the hype. I really…read morelike the modern well curated vibe, and superb hospitality. The menu is filled with good food, all of which have unique flavor profiles and all complement each other. The drink list is equally as impressive as the food menu, and the service is A+. My favorite food items that we had were the Chicken and Scallion skewers, Chashu Pork. Bao, Tebasaki Wings, Unagi Crispy Rice, Chicken Karaage, and the Ahi Toast! Favorite drink was the Paper Airplane! Can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu.

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Kosho  - Dining room

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Kosho  - Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

Kosho  - Unagi crispy rice

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Two Ten Jack - Tonkotsu Ramen

Two Ten Jack

3.9(957 reviews)
1.3 miLockeland Springs
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In Chattanooga for a long weekend girls trip and ate at TwoTen Jack. It was my first time in…read moreChattanooga and first time at this restaurant. Our friend got there early so she was able to secure a table. We started with the happy hour house white wine and ordered various shareable small plates. We ordered the jfk - Japanese fried chicken, not pictured below - edamame- because everyone knows what edamame looks like, crispy brussels, pork gyoza, yellowtail jalapeño sashimi. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the yellow sashimi. I could eat more of that! Our server was Kyler and he was fantastic. He made sure we were taken care of and at the end of the night, ordered the house sake, which Kyler highly recommended, I enjoyed the layout of the restaurant and the dark wood and bar area. It wasn't crowded on a Thursday night which I enjoyed having the restaurant to ourselves, at least it looked that way since we were in the back area across from the bar. Would definitely come back in the winter or a cold day to try the ramen.

Honestly, I wanted more from two ten jack!! It was decent, but the portions were minuscule for the…read moreprice!! I tried: -crispy Brussels: 9/10 - delicious!!! Amazing flavor, very rich. Loved. -Wagyu stuffed shishitos: 4/10 - didn't taste like much of anything interesting, despite my love for Wagyu, and paying $8 for 4 tiny shishitos is a crime. -Crab noodles: 7/10 - good crab flavor, but very simple. -Tori paitan shoyu: 6/10 - it kind of just tasted like microwave ramen. The broth did not have much depth of flavor and the fact it came with only two small meatballs was kind of disappointing.

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Two Ten Jack - Indoor seating

Indoor seating

Two Ten Jack - Rock shrimp - tempura  breaded - delicious

Rock shrimp - tempura breaded - delicious

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Hawkers Asian Street Food - Summer rolls, chicken dumplings, coconut shrimp

Hawkers Asian Street Food

4.4(1.6k reviews)
1.4 miEdgefield
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I loved this place and got quite inebriated while I was loving it so much…read more Good news is that I walked here from my hotel room and could just walk back. Now... if only I could remember where I am staying. LOL. Just kidding! I made it. I got so lit in Japanese whiskey flights that I ordered enough food for two people. The "Flight to Tokyo" lived up to its namesake tremendously. That dang whiskey is wicked man. Combined with the beers that go down like water and you may be like me.... Wasted Soup dumplings are so damn cool. It's also either an engineering marvel or some sort of biblical miracle. How is the soup born inside the little dumpling?? So many questions!! I had some here and they were sure tasty!! I also had some killer crispy fried pork belly and some kick ass twice fried Korean wings!! Pork belly had tremendous umami flavors and was sticky sweet and yummy all at once! Loved it! But then came the Star.... I love chicken wings as much as I love life! That my friend, is a whole fucking lot!! I am more full of myself than you could possibly imagine. I loved these particular chicken wings a little more than life. I walked through downtown Nashville alone, on a random weeknight, just to eat these wings because I saw them on Yelp. I had already eaten dinner at Eddie V's earlier in the evening, but these wings called me from more than a mile away... Come eat me, Adam.... Is all I could hear after I saw others pictures of the wings.... Shhhh. Wings. I can't. But you must, said the wings.... I can't, I have no transportation.... You have two feet still, the wings said... Guess who won that argument? '26 - 23

Hawkers was such a great experience from start to finish! I came in on a Wednesday evening around…read more7:30 p.m., and even though the restaurant was busy, my party was seated right away. The ambience is bright and energetic, with fun neon signs and decor. The space feels open and spacious with plenty of seating. We started our night with the Pork Belly Bao Buns, but since they were out of pork belly, we tried the Chinese BBQ Pork instead. I wasn't upset because they were phenomenal. The Soup Dumplings were just as amazing, but the Roti Canai (Malaysian flatbreads with curry sauce) stole the show. The curry was rich with the perfect amount of spice. You're missing out if you skip the appetizers here. For my entrée, I ordered the Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Soup, and all I can say is wow. The broth and tender wontons were the perfect combination. My boyfriend loved his Pad Thai as well, and the only downside was the portion size for the price. I want to give a huge shoutout to our server, Jaylen, for making the experience top-notch. He was incredibly attentive, patient, and offered great recommendations through the night. Hawkers is on my list for date nights, ladies' nights, or a casual evening out (especially for drinks and appetizers!)

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Hawkers Asian Street Food - Korean wings, tom yum, edamame

Korean wings, tom yum, edamame

Hawkers Asian Street Food - Menu

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Hawkers Asian Street Food - Chicken dumplings

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Kase X Noko

Kase X Noko

4.9(70 reviews)
1.4 mi

Last night at Kase x Noko was my very first omakase experience and it completely exceeded every…read moreexpectation I didn't even know I had. We initially arrived at Noko and were graciously guided over to a somewhat hidden, speakeasy-style sliding barn door into the intimate bar at Kase x Noko. The transition alone felt like stepping into another world. Brooke took incredible care of us, helping us explore a few cocktails while we waited for our full group to arrive and truly, every drink was perfect. Standouts included the Princess Ichigo, Naked & Afraid, Komorebi, and a 2 oz pour of Hibiki Harmony Japanese whisky. My friend reserved a private dining experience for 14, and it couldn't have been more perfect with an intimate tabeled bar, two sushi chefs, and a front-row seat to artistry in motion. Course by course, we worked our way through what felt like a perfectly curated journey with each bite more impressive than the last. Fourteen rolls later, I was still in awe. Vinny, our server, brought such a fun energy to the night, he was engaging, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions with ease and elevated the entire experience. Standouts for me: the salmon caviar, yellowtail, red snapper, fatty tuna belly, and Japanese wagyu, although all were truly melt-in-your-mouth heavenly experiences! And ending with strawberry mochi was the most delicate finish. I also really enjoyed the pickled ginger bites between rolls as a palate cleanser. The aesthetic was stunning: warm, immersive, almost transportive. It felt like we had been carried somewhere far away, where every detail was intentional and every sense was engaged. An unforgettable night. I honestly went in a skeptic and unsure having never eaten raw fish, now I cannot wait to stay up til midnight and try to get a booking again soon!

Pretty good for Nashville standards, especially as someone who's had omakase in Japan, California,…read moreand Hawaii. For the price of $75, you really can't go wrong. The main difference I noticed compared to other omakase experiences was the nigiri preparation. The pieces here seemed to be pre-cut, whereas at other places I've usually seen the chef slice and prepare each piece in front of you, which adds more to the experience and presentation of the fish. This omakase also follows more of a set menu format, so it doesn't really change based on seasonality or fish availability. Overall, would recommend in the future if I'm in Nashville again.

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Kase X Noko - First entrance at the mini bar

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Kisser - japanese - Updated May 2026

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