Mako — Restaurant in Nikko

Don’t listen to the 1 star reviews here. Those are from really picky people! (e.g., Karens)

Family of 4 dining here for the first time, thanks to a recommendation by Stay Nikko Guesthouse (you should stay here by the way if you’re looking for lodgings in the area). We came here in the evening in early-December and it’s low season for Nikko this time of the year, so the restaurant was deserted when we came. It’s located at a side street just off the main road in Nikko (the road that leads to the Tobu-Nikko/JR Nikko station). There’s parking available on the lot adjacent to the restaurant.

We were reluctant to eat here at first because of the gaudy decor. Apparently it’s modeled to be like a kissaten from the Showa period. The chef himself greeted us on the way in and showed us to our table. We were served by a very lovely local lady that will try her best to speak English with you. The service was impeccable. The menu itself has English headings, but the menu items themselves are all written in Japanese. Despite that, there are pictures affixed on all the menu items, so you can just point and choose. Hint: You can also use Google Translate’s camera feature! It’s better than most other services.

Honestly, the food was outrageously good. It wasn’t because we were starving either. I had the Wagyu Hamburg Steak and the rest of the fam ordered the Wagyu Tenderloin Steak, and you can choose to get it a la carte or as a set. The wagyu beef was so tender and delicious. You can choose between demi-glace/pepper sauce. I choose the demi-glace sauce and it was spot on. The set meal includes a salad appetizer, a choice of rice/bread as a side, 2 very small french fries, string beans, and 2 carrot sticks. You are also given a choice of Coffee/Tea as a post-meal apperitif. Also to note, I think these places like to cook their meat closer to well-done, so if you like your steak rare let them know cause they will not ask beforehand.

Highly recommend to dine here if you’re visiting or staying in Nikko! Will come back again...

We came to Nikko and many of the restaurants were closed already (730pm). But there, on the horizon was this lovely restaurant with free parking. We were the only customers at the time, but don’t let that dissuade you. The owner was very polite and friendly, the atmosphere was quiet but cozy. We ordered ginger pork and beef stew sets (each came with salad, soup and rice or bread and drinks). This have time to truly appreciate the cleanliness of the restaurant. Never have I seen a place so free of dust, dirt and all things a countryside restaurant usually has. The furniture was beautiful, solid wood pieces hand carved, pictures from local photographers on the wall, overall great ambiance. Now to the food.. salad? Fresh and good portions. Corn Soup? Delicious. Great texture! Beef stew? So good! The beef was so tender, roasted potatoes so crispy and sweet carrots topped it off. Ginger pork was soft, perfectly cooked, and so good. Large portions of both beef stew and ginger pork. Highly recommend to come check this quaint...

First off, the food looked barely acceptable, yet we were hungry enough to try it. Luckily a local patron stole the waitress from us mid-order so we felt obliged to leave as we had been so disrespected by the local patron. I have never been so offended by a restaurant patron. To go out of their way to take the wait person’s attention while she was attending to us is not something I’ve ever experienced, and to have it happen in Japan of all places. In the end it forced us to find a better dining experience in a local...