Toraya Restaurant

02/10/07

Best and most authentic Japanese food in Boston

by xclamation at Citysearch

This is the only place in Boston I'm not embarrassed to take native Japanese people

Sure, other places might be more glamorous and more expensive, but if excellent sushi and Japanese cuisine is what you're looking for, hop out of the city to Arlington for some of the best authentic Japanese food. The waitresses actually speak Japanese (unlike some of the other Asian run "Japanese" restaurants in Boston) and the chefs prepare beautiful dishes.

It is a little restaurant with minimal seating, so it's a great place for a date or to bring friends for excellent food. (Probably not so great for fancy special occasions if you're looking for real atmosphere) Really, the food is what's worth coming here for. The service is attentive and fantastic with native bend-over-backwards hospitality, the specials are creative, and the prices reasonable. It's no wonder its visited with Japanese families all week.

More people ought to know about this place--but until word really gets out, enjoy the short wait for a table and enjoy. I looked on citysearch for hours to find a place to replace my beloved Roka in Central, and I'm so glad that place is just a short drive or hop on the 77 from Harvard Square.

• Pros: Excellent food and service
• Cons: little small, no "real" atmosphere

03/20/05

Great Sushi

by katinmass at Citysearch

There is nothing fancy about this place, but the sushi is fabulous and you can tell how fresh it is just by looking at.

01/19/04

tiny but perfect

by susanpb at Citysearch

For the last few years, we've eaten at Toraya a few times a month. We've never been disappointed. Fresh, flavorful, delicate, and delicious. Worth the trip. Every neighborhood should be as lucky as ours is to have a restaurant like Toraya!

• Pros: excellent food, easy parking