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    Yunta Nikkei

    4.7 (541 reviews)
    ModeratePeruvian, Bars, Japanese
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Yunta Nikkei Takeout or Delivery

    Yunta Nikkei Photos

    YUNTA NIKKEI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Yunta Nikkei

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    Nina S.

    Yunta is hands down one of the best fusion restaurants I've experienced to date. Their Peruvian-Japanese (Nikkei) concept is executed flawlessly, and it shows in every single detail. From the drinks alone, you can tell they take their craft seriously. The cocktails are incredible, but what really stood out to me were the mocktails. Thoughtful, well-balanced, and not an afterthought like they often are which I appreciated very very much. I've now tried just about everything on the menu, and every dish has been consistently amazing. That kind of consistency is rare and says a lot about the kitchen. This has become my go-to spot for special occasions - anniversaries, birthdays, or whenever I have friends visiting Charlotte. Without fail, everyone leaves saying it was the most memorable dining experience they've had here. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, perfect for both celebrations and a really good night out. And the service!!! Truly exceptional. The team takes their time to walk you through the menu, explain dishes, and make sure you feel taken care of. Easily a 5/5. A restaurant and staff worth celebrating!

    Arroz con Mariscos
    Leeanne A.

    Ambience- great ambience. It's a low light environment with a live DJ that plays instrumental music. The tables are situated snuggly together and each table has a little yellow light lamp and it really feels like a modern, New York City style, eatery. It's quite a big establishment but is packed to the brim with people so make a reservation! I sat on the patio outside and it was a great space for fresh air while still feeling cozy and intimate. Service- incredible service. Our waiter was attentive and informative. No notes. Food- the complimentary appetizer is this fried/puffed corn that they refill on your table if needed. This was a perfect light snack to have when you're just talking with friends and waiting for your food. If you've ever had the gas station snack called a Corn Nut, it's very similar to that but seasoned with just salt and it's a little more airy As for the food, it would take too long to genuinely review everything but these are the heavy hitters . The Peruvian seafood risotto was the best version of itself I've ever had. It's creamy, flavorful, and the seafood is perfectly cooked and plentiful. I don't understand how they pack so much flavor and so much food into this dish. The portion is very generous. And it made for perfect leftovers the next day. It felt so luxurious and the presentation really matched the energy of the restaurant. The salmon nigiri and the scallop nigiri with truffle butter was absolutely phenomenal. These are the only nigiri I've tried here but listen to me when it say the flavor of these two was unlike anything I've tried. The addition of yuzu in the salmon perfectly cuts through the fattiness of the salmon. And the rice is perfectly cooked and a little warm. The scallop with truffle butter is torched at your table and the subtle earthy flavor of the truffle butter (if you like truffle) is incredible and creates for the most luscious buttery and comforting bite. Both were incredibly tender pieces of nigiri and given that there's only 4 pieces per serving, you're forced to really savor and appreciate each bite. This is definitely something I will order again. Ceviche- the best ceviche I've had at least in the Carolina's. The fish is cut into generously sized cubes, which make for a hearty and flavor packed bite each time which I really loved. I feel like a lot of places I've been to serve too small of a portion of the fish is cut too small or whatever the case. The punch of citrus and spiciness complimented the ceviche SO well. This is perfect to share with 1-2 others. Grilled octopus and roasted potatos- there aren't many places that serve grilled octopus in Charlotte but of the places that do, this place does it the best- hands down. The octopus has a perfect char and it's not chewy at all. It's warm and has a wonderfully soft, citrusy, and ever so slightly bouncy bite to it that you'd want from octopus. And as for the potatoes, while roasted potatoes are nothing unique, somehow these found a way to make their mark. These were a great accompaniment to the octopus in that it contrasted well by being a heavier and creamy counterpart. Potatos are flavorful and perfectly cooked. Maki roll- we ordered one roll to share and while it tasted good, it didn't feel elevated or special in any way. You can get something very similar at places like Pisces (sushi restaurant in charlotte) I would skip this going forward in preference for the other dishes I talk about above.

    Sa'Rah H.

    Where do I start with this place? The ambiance, the service, the food 5 stars all around. The lighting was dark and moody and the little table lamps were perfect for highlighting the food items as they were delivered. We ordered so much food and cocktails. We started with the tostones which was the perfect complement to the ceviche trio. The Trio was absolute perfection- the freshness and the flavors were exactly what I was looking for. All three were perfect. We also had the Mariscos Al fuego which was a taste of yummy buttery grilled seafood. Tasty but not meant as an entree. We also had the octopus which was tasty but a bit hard to chew. The Peruvian pineapple was the best possible cocktail to pair with all the dishes. I loved everything about this place.

    Kailee N.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte! The food is absolutely amazing I have not gotten anything I don't like. The ceviche is fresh, portions are big and fully of flavor. The yuca balls are a must try. Recently went for a birthday and the service was wonderful, the manager even came over and laughed with us. Awesome vibes, they have a Dj on the weekends and an open kitchen. 10/10 recommend for date night or birthday.

    Yuca balls
    Angél F.

    Yunta has everything I look for in a place with a vibrant nightlife: good food, good drinks, good music, and excellent service! The restaurant was very well decorated as well. The Peruvian fusion menu was diverse enough to offer something everyone would like, including several gluten free options. Our bar tender was extremely attentive, he made sure we had fun and were well taken care of. You definitely need to book a table here in advance. We came on a Saturday night with no reservation and we were seated at the bar after roughly 30 minutes, the wait was longer for a full table. I will definitely be returning (with a reservation next time!)

    Desiree P.

    I have been wanting to try Yunta forever since I first saw them pop up in social media. It definitely passes the vibe check from the moment you step inside. There was a live DJ by the large bar area that faced the open kitchen, beautiful lighting, and cozy seating throughout. Our main server was super sweet and patient as we took our time figuring out the eclectic menu. Everything we ended up ordering was a win. The drinks were beautiful and delicious, the food was creative, and everything was plated skillfully. I'm still thinking about the chicharron! Do yourself a favor and make a reservation asap, it's an experience!

    Beef Nigiri
    Anna B.

    Words aren't enough. My new favorite in Charlotte (to no one's surprise since their sister La Lima is my reigning champion). Every dish was flavorful, perfectly cooked and served at the perfect temperature. The staff were so kind and helpful with questions about the menu. The setting is absolutely gorgeous in the day or night time - can't wait to go back. Get the whole menu!!!! You can't go wrong.

    Verde Tiradito and Panza Nigiri
    Gail S.

    Yunta is an upscale Peruvian restaurant that is always crowded and difficult to get a table unless you have a reservation, which we did. There is a lovely (small) enclosed patio, bar seating and booths. The restaurant is small and crowded and gets very noisy in the evening. This was the first time a restaurant has asked us to leave our table after the 1.5 hour time slot (listed on their website). Our service was very slow compared to other tables causing us to go over the 1.5 hour time and when asked to move we were quite surprised since it was due to slow service. We quickly finished our meal and left (dissatisfied). Prices were very high for the amount of food received but I guess you're paying for the ambiance. When you're seated you're offered a bowl of spicy roasted corn to snack on. We also started with the grilled/ charred edamame which was oily and spicy, the panza nigiri was fresh but only 4 pcs, the verde tiradito was flavorful but small for a main entree, the lomo saltado was overpriced with few potatoes and tough beef, both drinks - Peruvian Pineapple and Mancora Margarita were well made and refreshing. Our favorite was the chocolate lucuma dessert - beautifully made and delicious.

    Beef Nigiri
    Christine L.

    One of the best restaurants I've been to!! Yunta is Peruvian/japanese fusion, which I was so excited since this was two cuisines I loved and the fusion makes me excited to see what's in store. A fantastic start with the beef nigiri. I know beef and nigiri sounds ironic, but this was SO GOOD!! They torched the beef pieces in front of you and the sauce and seasoning on top was incredible. The tuna ceviche 100/10. Wow. SO FRESH and flavorful with a little bit of lime. They ask for spice level and they recommended mild and have the chili sauce on the side. Thank goodness we did that, the chili sauce on the side was no joke!! If you like raw fish, get the ponjo tradito. It's thinly sliced tuna in thi citrus ginger sauce that I honestly can drink haha. Soooo fresh. All the sauces and details of each plate was perfection. I also got the passion fruit cocktail and it was delicious and not too sweet. Service was incredible, the waitress we had gave us really good recommendations and she was honest if something wasn't the best.

    Sabrina P.

    We loved Yunta. We stopped by on a Friday night. It was hard to get reservations before 8:30 so we wound up arriving there late evening. We found parking fairly easily in the neighborhood and walked in. Restaurant had low lighting with a DJ playing mixed house music. It was loud and space was limited even to stand and wait for our table. We ordered a few small plates --our favorite were the yucca balls and shrimp croquettes. We also ordered the pork belly and Udon Noodles as the entree. The drinks were also really good. Service was prompt and helpful. Our waitress knew the menu and guided us as best she could. Once we paid we were invited to sit at the bar by the bar manager since they likely needed our table for another party.

    Aimee T.

    This place is so good. I came here again with my hubby after I dropped in one afternoon in the summer with friends. Let me tell you. You don't want to pass this place up. He had beef nigiri which was delicious (great if you don't want raw fish), and Ponja Tiradito which he loved. I had Yunta Ceviche after having tasted a bite the first time I came and knew I had to have my own. It did not disappoint. It's cold, slightly sweet from the Peruvian corn and sweet potatoes, but bright with citrus flavors. It's super fresh, but be advised, it is a filling dish because of all the amazing seafood proteins. We also shared the Chicharron and that was just ok. Something didn't quite come together for me and the pork part was dry and needed more flavor. But I almost hate to say that because everything else I've had here is amazing. The staff is nice and the manager on both occasions was very involved- greeted us, asked how the food was, helped bring drinks over when need be. Basically acted like a true manager. Loved that. Yunta is a great place to experience. Sexy vibes and awesome food! And don't forget your reservation. Even week days at lunch can be busy.

    Cameron K.

    If you're heading to Yunta Nikkei, make a reservation. We walked in around 5 PM on a Friday and got incredibly lucky to be seated quickly before it got packed. The ambiance here is top-tier--great cool house music with a DJ giving off Rüfüs Du Sol vibes. Service was 10/10; my water was never empty. For the food, we started with the Poseidon Causita. The fish on top was incredibly fresh and went perfectly with the potato base. The absolute standout was the Lomo Saltado--probably one of the best I've ever had, especially with the green dipping sauce. The Arroz con Mariscos was also awesome and a massive, filling portion. My only critique of the night was the Tuna Sushi; it just didn't taste fresh, and something was off about the rice. We finished with the Guanábana dessert, which was a really interesting mix of soursop and caramel. It's definitely worth a try, but I already have my eye on their crème brûlée for next time.

    Drink Menu

    Yunta Nikkei is an inviting and aesthetically pleasing restaurant for drinks, catching up with a friend, or date night. Catching up is exactly what my friend and I did! Enrique provided really great service at our table and giving recommendations. We love that! 10/10 Drink(s): Sprite (which was crispy and fresh) and S. Pellegrino sparkling water. Starter(s): Leche de Tigre ceviche (10/10) Entree(s): Arroz Chaufa (10/10) and Fino Maki (10/10) We will be back for sure!

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    Excellent Food. Everything was tasty. Loved the Lomo Saltado. Great atmosphere and prompt service!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Yunta Nikkei

    How loud is this restaurant? I like to take a date here and be able to talk to her.

    The bar area can be a little loud but we sat at one of the tables and we were able to have a normal conversation. Make sure you make reservations!

    Is yunta open for lunch on Thursday?

    They are only open for lunch fri-sun

    Gluten free options?

    Definitely. Most of the ceviches can be prepared gluten free.

    Does the menu have gluten free options?

    View All 5 Questions

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    3.5/5 stars. Went back to Blue Door to give it another chance with the new menu... it's still my…read moreleast favorite cocktail bar in all of charlotte. The menu this time is theme park theme... again, a fun concept but not well executed. Pretty overwhelming, especially with the bartenders explaining the menu to us twice with the same spiel there is too much to look at it makes it difficult to pay attention to the drinks. I really did not love my drink (starbreaker?) you could only taste the lychee The bartenders not a vibe, it was not that comfortable to sit at the bar. They now serve food, hotdogs... which do NOT match the vibe at all, so that was interesting that their only food (other than the free popcorn) is not hot dogs..

    This place blue my mind…read more I was visiting my best friend while in town for a conference on amusement ride standards. We had a reservation for Blue Door for Saturday night, and it was amazing. Now while she was vaguely aware of their "spirited kingdom" menu, I had NO CLUE. It was the best surprise! They have such a cool menu with a full theme park map containing 4 lands with 4 cocktails each. The cocktails all match the type of ride they are, it's honestly such a cool idea, and it was so well done. I loved the art. I will say, I was skeptical that all of their drinks would actually work and worried that they'd be too caught up in the theme to make results but . . . Oh my goodness I was so impressed by the drinks here. I think a lot of bars these days can get so caught up in trying to be unique that their drinks become nearly undrinkable. This place definitely doesn't suffer there. They brought us an aperitif when we came in, but unfortunately I have a blueberry allergy so we skipped that. We had 4 drinks between the 2 of us and they were all awesome. I ordered the star breaker and the green dragon (what can I say, I love gin and a good coaster), and they were both balanced and tasty. My friend got the diablo and the neon shift, and they were both fantastic as well! The neon shift was served with a black light too which was super cute. The one drink I have to call out specifically is the green dragon. There was something about this drink that was so unique, I have genuinely never had anything like it but I would order it a thousand times over. It's so good. It keeps me up at night. It haunts my every bar order. I will be writing home about it. What else can I say about this place - the service was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the DJ was amazing. I thought "wow this guy really likes sax covers" only to look over and see him PLAYING HIS SAXOPHONE LIVE?? Iconic. This place was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing about it. The spirited kingdom menu will only be around for 6 months according to the waitress, so definitely catch it while it's there! If I'd heard about it sooner, I would've maybe descended upon them with 200+ theme park engineers in town for the conference (maybe it's a good thing I didn't know they were there until after it was over), but instead I will just say DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW

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    We went on a Sunday and we were able to get a huge table outside for our party of 10 on a football…read moreSunday which was amazing!!! They had all the football games on different tv's both inside and outside. I got a beer and the buffalo chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. It was very good! She gave us a beer tower of water since our party was so big- very smart!!! Our server was nice and attentive. The restaurant, including the bathroom was clean and there was a changing table in the bathroom for my baby (you surprisingly don't see these everywhere!)

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    Visiting charlotte for a few days and found this hidden gem !…read more They have nice outdoor seating with TVs Inside they have high tables and chairs /TV . Staff was very nice and friendly got us seated and served pretty quickly and our waitress checked on us frequently . The brewery has fantastic wood fired pizza my fav ! So I was excited when I saw the menu ! To start I ordered the st. Germain spritz with cranberry which was really good ! Cranberries were fresh and tasty ! For our appetizer we tried the pretzel bites and they were AMAZING ! Highly recommend ! Nice and crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside , served with mustard , pimento cheese , and a creamy aioli . Hands down the best pretzel bites I have had ! For the pizza we tried their most popular vodka sauce with pesto chicken ! And I must say it was really good! The crust was perfect thin and crispy and thick and fluffy end crust ! Highly recommend ! Will definitely be back !

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    Sausage and broccoli rabe Bianco
    Such a cool place. Had a great early dinner with some awesome beverages. Fantastic live jazz band too
    Such a cool place. Had a great early dinner with some awesome beverages. Fantastic live jazz band too
    Sausage and broccoli rabe bianco

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    Yunta Nikkei - peruvian - Updated June 2026

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