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Interior - M Tempura, Durham, NC

M Tempura

4.8 (709)
$50 and over
Japanese
111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701

Make a reservation

A photo of M Tempura restaurant

M Tempura

4.8
$50 and over
Japanese
Durham

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Healthy
  • Neighborhood gem
M Tempura, in Downtown Durham, is part of the acclaimed M Restaurants group by Chef Michael Lee. Specializing in traditional Japanese tempura and Kaiseki Omakase, M Tempura elevates these classics with unique twists and subtle European influences. Each meticulously crafted multi-course menu balances tradition with innovation, delivering a refined and unforgettable dining experience. Guests must select the same menu option for their entire party. Please note, we cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, or seafood allergies. Experience reimagined Japanese cuisine at M Tempura.

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Durham
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Tempura Tasting Menu

    $44.00 per person

    1 - 6 people

    Multiple dates available
    Our Traditional Omakase is the most casual of our experiences. Guests start with a seasonal salad and then proceed to 10 pieces of chef's choice fish and vegetable tempura. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final dessert course of housemade ice cream. Flavors vary often but are always delicious. This is the best option for guests who are going to a show or event in town! Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
  • M Omakase Tasting Menu

    $79.00 per person

    1 - 6 people

    Multiple dates available
    Our M Omakase is a 7-Course experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Guests start with three small plates showcasing diverse flavor profiles and temperatures. They then proceed to 8 premium tempura pieces with special made sauces and seasonings, as well as palate cleansers. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final entree course of ochazuke style miso-marinated seabass over rice with house-cured salmon roe, nori, wasabi, and pickled daikon. Finally, guests will finish with a unique housemade dessert. Desserts vary based on seasonal ingredients and chef's discernment. Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
    M Omakase Tasting Menu Photo
  • Kaiseki Omakase Menu

    $127.00 per person

    1 - 6 people

    Multiple dates available
    Kaiseki Omakase requires 24 hours advance notice. WE CANNOT HONOR SAME-DAY REQUESTS. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that uses different cooking methods in each course. Our adaptation of the Kaiseki focuses on seasonality and locality of ingredients. It includes 10 Unique courses that the chef may adjust according to seasonal availability. Please see the menu for course details.
    Kaiseki Omakase Menu Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at M Tempura.

4.8

4.8
(709)
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Durham

    Best Service

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
M Tempura offers a "culinary artistry at its finest" with its Omakase tasting menu, praised for "super high quality ingredients" and delightful variety. Diners enjoy the "impeccable ingredients" and "fantastic" food. The interactive experience, especially at the bar, and attentive service make it a "must" for Japanese cuisine lovers.
709 Reviews
  1. Lynn Gold

    Raleigh11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service and impeccable ingredients as always.

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  2. Brian

    County Durham16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love M Tempura along with all the M restaurants. This was our 4th or 5th time here. The tasting menu is more than enough food and the selection of tempura pieces has changed slightly every time we have been there keeping it interesting. This time we had a piece of soft shell shrimp which was a first for us but delicious!

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  3. Colleen

    Raleigh3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 12, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Highly recommend the 10 course meal with the pairing!

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  4. Gian

    Washington DC20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Simply the best. Culinary artistry at its finest.

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  5. Ashley

    Raleigh2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went early before a show and it was a delightful experience. Food was amazing and the service was excellent. Highly recommend!

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  6. Pietro Luca

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on August 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience, Omakase tasting menu was the best way to go for the first time dining. We will be back bringing friends.

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  7. Mitchell Gold

    Raleigh10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We've had dinner here maybe 10 times since opening in '18. Always had the Omakase. From the beginning it's been great, and so have been the various iterations. But this time....it was our absolute, hands-down, favorite! Our dinner guest was also quite impressed to find this in Durham.

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  8. sarah

    Raleigh2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 8, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love it here!! Food is next level, the omakase is perfect for a special occasion.

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  9. Vivian

    Greensboro26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 8, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Omakase menu was perfect, in fact, it's the fifth time we've had it over the past couple of years. It is tweaked so not always the same, and we left a wee bit over fed. We made a very last reservation and had to sit at the bar. That turned out to be perfect as the chef, Jim, explained every dish and we got to see the magic happen as they cook right there at the bar.

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  10. Marianna Gold

    New York City17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on August 7, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If you have tried M Sushi or love Japanese food or elegant food in general , M Tempura should be a MUST! Light on the tongue tempura and the fish and scallop courses are etheraeal. The price for a multi-course omakase could not be better ($44 was the one I eat), and each course is utterly delicious. Easy on the budget. Delightful for the brain and the taste buds. I love this place. The parking is simple too (easier than for M Sushi). So by all means GO!!

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Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Durham
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Midweek is often nicest, guests describe Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as quieter and unhurried, ideal for a more relaxed meal.

Yes, guests describe ordering wine, beer and sake pairings, and even brunch cocktails like a pomegranate mojito during their visits.

For a quieter, more relaxed visit to M Tempura, aim for a weekday evening, guests specifically call out Tuesday or Wednesday nights and early (around 5:00 pm) seatings as calm.

Yes, families do visit M Tempura; guests report sitting at the bar with their children and enjoying the interactive chef experience.

Yes, M Tempura's intimate, upscale-casual setting and multi-course Kaiseki and M Omakase tasting menus make it a popular choice for anniversaries and date nights.

M Tempura centers on an intimate tempura bar where many guests sit to watch the chefs, with a few dining tables as well, private parties are also accommodated.

Yes, M Tempura requires the whole party to select the same menu, and their policy explicitly notes they cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, or seafood allergies; reservations also typically require preselecting your experience (and sometimes a credit card).

The chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) is a recurring favorite, it appears on the menu with crab and trout roe and is frequently called out by guests as a highlight.

Business casual sets the tone, aim for neat, polished attire rather than formalwear, and many guests treat it as a date-night or special-occasion place to dress up a bit.

M Tempura feels intimate and approachable, a small, cozy spot with a tempura bar where many guests sit at the counter to watch the chefs, making it a popular choice for date nights and special occasions.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Durham
  5. Durham

Make a reservation

A photo of M Tempura restaurant

M Tempura

4.8
$50 and over
Japanese
Durham

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
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