Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.6

82 Reviews

$31 to $50

Sushi

Top Tags:

Established in 1997 Waraji has been offering an extensive selection of sushi, sashimi & authentic Japanese cuisine. We also feature a unique selection of Japanese microbrewery rice-based beers. Our sushi menu includes the highest quality sushi and sashimi and a wide variety of specialty house rolls (Scary Jerry, The Waraji, Hinata, and The Sweet Dragon just to name a few) Our authentic kitchen offers a full menu of tempura, teriyaki grilled items, nabeyaki udon, shabu shabu hotpot, A5 wagyu, ishiyaki. Chef Masa, with over 30 years of sushi experience, invites you to join him and his staff for a true taste of Japan.

Waraji recently renovated and added an Izakaya Bar/Lounge carrying the largest Sake and Japanese Whiskey selection in the Carolinas, along with many beers on Tap including Japanese Beers like Kyoto Bakushu Matcha (Green) IPA only served exclusively here at Waraji. Also, we carry Japanese Beers in Bottles and Cans like Orion, Sapporo, Kirin, Asahi, and Echigo Koshihikari

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 29, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Sushi, Japanese, Asian
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(919) 783-1883
Website
https://www.warajijapaneserestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Masatoshi Tsujimura
Catering
Catering available on Large Trays or Wooden Boats. Onsite Catering with Private Chef Availabale
Private party facilities
Large area for Private Events from 20-100

Location
5910 Duraleigh Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612-2582
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Cross street
Duraleigh Rd off of Glenwood Avenue and Pleasant Valley Rd on the Corner
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

What 82 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.3Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh
Healthy

82 Reviews

F
Fashionista
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Waraji has quickly become our favorite lunch spot.
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SR
SuzieR
Raleigh
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our waiter, Max, was awesome. The sushi was fresh and the eel bowl was the best we’ve ever had. We will definitely be back.
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MS
MargaretS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious authentic Japanese food and great ambience. Server was attentive and the food came out fast and delicious. Would absolutely return.
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TW
TimothyW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Waraji is easily the best sushi in the Raeigh area. The most expansive Saki menu I have ever seen. It's delicious! Highly recommended.
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CH
CourtneyH
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great time dinning on the patio for our first time at Waraji :) food and service were great
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C
Clare
Raleigh
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Love this restaurant and always loved the food. Prices have gotten a little steep for us, unfortunately. Great service and food
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KJ
KenJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had not been here for a number of years and I was surprised and happy to see that they expanded; which indicates they have attracted more customers. The dining experience on this night confirmed my hopes that the expansion was due to good food and great service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food and friendly service! We will definitely be back soon!
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M
Meg23
Charlotte
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best sushi I have ever had. Excellent service and great selection of gluten free options with separate gluten free menu. Food was prepared safely gluten free, no reactions after dining here. Highly recommend.
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LJ
LeeJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Best sushi in Raleigh. Will definitely be dining there on a regular basis with family, clients and friends.
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CC
CindyC
Greensboro
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
We started dining at Waraji about a year ago and were sushi novices. We stuck to the basics (crunchy rolls, nothing raw etc). On our second or third visit, we were talking to our server Carla and she explained the menu and coaxed us into trying trying new things by making suggestions or even having us modify some of the rolls to our liking. We are now regulars and will eat any type of sushi. We’ve never tried anything that we didn’t like. The food is extremely fresh and has opened is up to a whole new world! One of our favorite restaurants!!!
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l
lovesomesushi
Alabama
5 reviews
vip
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
sushi not as good as typically is, not sure why.
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MS
MelissaS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Casual dinner in the bar. Sushi was really awesome! Amazing salad dressing! Matcha cake was incredible!
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DW
DomW
Raleigh
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience4
We made reseravation to celebrate my wife's Birthday. And this is our first time to this restaurant. Firs of all, the hostness was not friendly at all. Did not really greet us with friendly approach other than asking how many in your party. This was not a good start at all. The waitress was friendly and no issue there. The food took really long time to come and we waited for at least 20+min for our first round of order of Sushi and Rolls, but they didn't seem to be over busy at all. and just slow in the service. Though the 2nd round of our order was quicker. The food was really good and that's the plus. At the end, they did not even provide my wife a proper greetings of Happy Birthday other than just paying the bill and leave. I'm not expecting them doing much but at the least, they should greet my wife with "Happy Birthday". Overall, a bit disappointing for an expensive meal.
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LO
LeonaO59
Raleigh
28 reviews
vip
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
Very good sushi…..fish is always fresh. Perfect amount of sushi rice used. Love this place. New owner has done a really good job of maintaining the quality and at the same time creating a new vibe and new dishes.
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R
Rosey
Raleigh
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on August 25, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience3
Still exceptional quality sushi and sashimi. Things take a little while, but I'm guessing that is due to take out orders.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
I think it’s the best sushi in Raleigh. Long wait for it but worth it.
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D
Dave
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience3
We ate there for the first time this weekend. In short, the quality of sushi is high and the service made for a pleasant evening out. Our server Mark was attentive and helpful. His recommendation for a sushi roll we tried was right on point given our tastes that we shared with him. His service showed he wants to ensure his guests enjoy their experience. Recommend a reservation as it was busy, but we were sat shortly after checking in with the host. I recommend the Firecracker Lava Shrimp and a house salad to start things off. Other Japanese / sushi restaurants in the area have similar offerings, but these were particularly noteworthy. The shrimp was tender and perfectly cooked. The secret house ginger dressing on the salad was amazing. Main course consisted of a few specialty rolls. They were all very good, and I could easily go back to try others that appealed to us. Overall, 5 out of 5. Ambience was rated a 3 because we were sat in the bar area, but that is to be expected.
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j
jfaries
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
As always the food is superb. The new izakaya menu adds many new and interesting dishes not often found on menus locally. My only complaint is that the restaurant is now divided into the main dining room and the expansion which is the izakaya. The decor and furnishings there are more suited to what it is - a bar. I wish I had been able to reserve for one or the other room. I assumed with my reservation I would be seated in the main dining room but there was a large party filling it. If I had known that I would need to book the darker and less polished bar I would have booked for a different date. I was taking someone for their birthday so the I was quite displeased to be taking my guest to the less fancy option. I will always go there for the best Japanese food in the state but I wish I could choose which room I am booking for in future.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Saturday afternoon lunch prompt service and the food was awesome.
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A
Andi
Western NC
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Quality food and a friendly server but a rattled reception area at check in.
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KC
KCLJARM
Raleigh
68 reviews
vip
3.0
68 reviews
Dined on August 6, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience3
This was our first time eating at Waraji. When we walked in, the hostess wasn't there, after waiting for a few minutes I had to look for someone to seat us. We were asked if we wanted a drink menu, we said no, but they gave us one anyway. We started off with the crunchy green beans, they were VERY good, just not enough dipping sauce to go with them. I ordered the chicken katsu, which was basicly chicken tenders with a Japanese BBQ sauce. It also came with a small salad, mizo soup that had tofu in it and a small bowl of unseasoned white rice. My wife ordered some sushi that salmon in it, it also came with a salad and soup. She said it was good, but has better. The portions were good, but the meal was over $50, which we thought was a little much but not excessive. Overall the meal was just ok.
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C
Charliegirl
Raleigh
100 reviews
vip
3.0
100 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience2
Very noisy. Waited forever for sushi. Sushi was very good. Sashimi really good too. Chicken wings fair. Pork belly sliders were excellent. Octopus balls not good. Overall experience just ok.
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ON
OneNoGirl
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My mom just had a way of finding hidden gems when it came to Asian restos and this one is still my #1 over 20+ years, with the most legit Japanese menu both in quantity and quality. And the charming tatami room makes dinner out extra special. The closest thing to some of the best restos we used to eat at, in the Los Angeles area. Sushi is not only fresh but the sides and entrees are those I’ve just not seen on any other menu in the Triangle (fish collars, roasted eggplant, for example). Pretty much my go-to for Japanese cuisine.
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SM
StephanieM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
For the past 20 years now, Waraji's has been my FAV place for sushi. The quality of the food is like none other. It is truly the BEST in NC!
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MJ
MJamesT
Raleigh
28 reviews
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on July 31, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience3
I would skip the sashimi appetizer and the shushi appetizer, as they are mostly salmon, tuna, and whitefish. Good, but nothing special. But, everything else we had was unique, exotic, and delicious, including the specialty cocktails that are uniquely designed to go with shushi. The Ika butter and the Tokyo Drift cocktail went especially well together. The oshinko, tobiko with quail egg, and mutsu were all very good, and the miso soup was very savory and delicious. Expensive, but worth the price. We will be back to try more unique flavors of Japan.
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SW
SarahW
Las Vegas
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Hinata roll and Spicy Dragon rolls were amazing!
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PG
PaulaG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Food is authentic and very good. Ambience is outstanding.
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AW
AimWage
Raleigh
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a good experience at Waraji! Consistently great food, drink, and service.
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L
Laandraleigh
Raleigh
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Family gathering, delicious food, great service, will return soon!
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SO
SheilaO
Raleigh
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My favorite place for sushi and our waiter was outstanding!
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SC
SteC
Raleigh
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent sushi and nigiri! Very good service as well
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
This was me and my wife first time here and one thing I can say is I was overwhelmed with great service and outstanding atmosphere. Our server MARK!!! ( I really had too put ur name I bold letters ) DUDE!!! You are amazing man really amazing because you break down the menu to us ,one thing I can say is I will be coming back
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience3
Meh. This was the best spot for Japanese about a decade ago. However, a lot can change in ten years and it did for Waraji. Don't get me wrong, the sushi is still pretty good. However, the other menu items are disappointing. I've left underwhelmed the past two times I've eaten here. And that's not acceptable given the high prices. Skip this and try either City Market Sushi or Kashin.
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d
dajielua
Raleigh
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent in all dimensions: food, interesting wines, great service. We love this restaurant.
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K
Kristy
Austin
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 3, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
We sat outside with our dog. Our service was a bit slow and our waitress forgot a few items (one app and another side sauce) so we just canceled those items. Sushi was great - huge portions for both rolls and nigiri.
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Y
Younglady
Atlanta Metro
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 2, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience4
Review was so good and had a high expectation. Deco was not modern classic, just neighborhood restaurant . Food was okay , salad dressing & miso was too salty for our taste , nigiri sushi was okay but ika was chewy I had to spit it out . Did try once because of the reviews but going back .
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B
Babs
Raleigh
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on July 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love the "new" Waraji! The menu is very helpful, and there is a very extensive menu for gluten-free items; be sure to ask for it.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Nashville
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food! Great service! Everyone was so nice. Will for sure be back.
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R
Rissa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Our waiter Max was sooo AMAZING! He was so attentive and answered all of our questions. The food was so delicious and beautifully presented. The only negative was where we were seated there is a door that was swinging open and was banging on the wall. We didn’t figure it out till later. We told Max about it and he was so apologetic and was appreciative that we told him. Other than that we enjoyed the experience.
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FAQs

Waraji Japanese Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 783-1883.

Waraji Japanese Restaurant is rated 4.6 stars by 82 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 29, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Waraji Japanese Restaurant

5910 Duraleigh Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612-2582

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Duraleigh Rd off of Glenwood Avenue and Pleasant Valley Rd on the Corner
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Sat 11:30 am–3:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Cuisines
Sushi, Japanese, Asian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Masatoshi Tsujimura
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

Website
https://www.warajijapaneserestaurant.com/
Phone number
(919) 783-1883
Catering
Catering available on Large Trays or Wooden Boats. Onsite Catering with Private Chef Availabale
Private party facilities
Large area for Private Events from 20-100

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 82 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Waraji Japanese Restaurant offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Waraji Japanese Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is Waraji Japanese Restaurant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information