A high end japanese restaurant. Good variety of food. Lots of seating. Went on a Saturday night but the place wasn't filled. Parking is easy too. The private room is good. Staff are quick and we'll knowledgeable.

Inconsistent Food | Aged Location | Recommended With Caution ——- Detailed Review Below ——— Nihonbashi is a restaurant in Colombo that served outstanding Japanese food experiences for many years. Based on my experience, and recent reviews, it seems its best days are far, far behind it. Founded by celebrity chef, Dharshan Munidasa (as a nod to his part-Japanese upbringing and heritage), Nihonbashi was recognized as one of the Top50 Restaurants in Asia for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017. It is telling that the awards and recognition stopped in 2017 just about the time that Ministry of Crab, his other venture, began to take off. Nihonbashi has seemingly been left without interest, supervision, and a sense of ownership - much like a toy abandoned by toddler who found another exciting toy. The location MUST have been beautiful at some point but now looks old, jaded, and uncared for, with humidity-damaged walls, peeling paint, etc. They do have secluded Japanese style dining rooms but those were already fully booked. The food was hit and miss. We ordered 1 Sushi Platter (Funa Mori Dai) - 7/10 2 Maguro and Shake Sashimi - 8/10 3 Asa Dori No Karaage - 4/10 4 Olive Oil Kake Taicha - 9/10 The service was atrocious. We placed an order for Beef Donburi that the staff forgot (🤨!!). We eventually canceled that dish after being made to wait for 15 minutes. Note that a 10% service charge is automatically added - irrespective of group sizes or quality of service. In summary, Nihonbashi seems to have masterfully committed harakiri after having previously touched great heights. In its death throes, it still manages to produce some masterful dishes. But a sporadic masterpiece here and there cannot sustain a restaurant - where visitors demand and deserve consistency. Right now, stuck in a downward cycle, a quick and swift end looks like the most merciful outcome - for the owners, waiters, and patrons. Verdict: Recommended with huge caution Food/ Quality - 3/5 Location/ Ambiance - 2/5 Price (Value for Money) - 1/5 Service - 2/5 Others: (Past) Asian Top 50 experience - 5/5

The pinnacle of Japanese restaurants in Sri Lanka. Nihonbashi offers the best in ambience, selection and service. The food we tried was authentic and excellent. Surprisingly the sushi etc was not that much more expensive than any other Japanese restaurant. If you're interested in fine dining, there are quite a few more expensive dishes on the menu as well. Overall a wonderful experience.

True genuinely loveable Japanese craftsmanship. Extensive menu initially a little daunting to grasp in its full span. However, as understated the location may be, as over-delivering the flavours and meticulosity of the presentation are. Such an address preceding the Ministry of Crab take-off! Service is both approachable and attentive. Mr Gayan and his team shine as hospitaliers at heart!!

I really don’t like to write bad reviews but I feel like I need to say something about it. This place was recommended to us as the sushi place to go in colombo.I cannot recommend it . I hope they will put more effort in future. their website is inviting, the location itself not at all.

The 50 best reward from 2013-2018, something like that. For 80€ for 3 we had an amazing experience , lunching on the floor for our baby to walk around , and more than enough food, with lots of flavour. To have such quality in Belgium would cost us much much more. So thank you for this amazing cuisine! ( The chef is half Japanese)

Was given the understanding that this is the best Japanese restaurant in Colombo; well, don't quite think so. Restaurant is located along Galle Face Terrance, a dead end small alley between Cinnamon Grand and Taj Samudra along Galle Main road. The place is poorly lighted at night but since this is the only odd looking place, one would not miss it. Interior space is reasonable but furnishing is just average. Menu is terrible; there is few pictures and if one is not familiar with Japanese food, one will not be able to decipher what food to order. There is a small BBQ yakiniku at the side of main entrance but varieties/choices are limited. Menu food option, main course, noodles and dessert, is quite standard and taste is average (some are quite salty); nothing unique. Japanese tea come in a small pot and not unlimited supply per head. Drinks and food are very pricy (especially wagyu beef!) vs quality and taste. Japanese alcohol is serves here as well, again limited choices and expensive. Service is fast and acceptable. Not unless one is desperate for japanese food, this place should be in the bottom of the list.

Very delicious food but pricy 🔥 I tried Funa Mori Chu I highly recommend it 👍😍 the best mushroom i have ever tasted The sushi was ok The noodles was not good for me The staffs were very friendly The place is excellent in designed ( the private room )

The place is easily reachable and has good parking space. The ambience is cool. They do offer private rooms for dining as well. The food items in the menu are not the usual but authentic Japanese cuisine. The items are high priced but worth a try. The pork belly dish was soo good. The portion sizes are alright. The waiters were very helpful in navigating us through the menu and helping us choose dishes. Also the menu had a variety of dishes to choose from. The value for money with the services offered was good!

Holidaying back home, for nostalgia sake my daughter and I went for lunch to Nihonbashi. Entering, the place smelled like toilets and bad air freshener. We were happy to see a staff member from Tuna and Fish in Galle who was lovely and helpful. But food that followed was the worst we have eaten ant any Japanese restaurant in Lanka.Nothing popped and everything was flat. No balance of flavour and the tempura prawn felt overcooked or stale. (Could not figure that one out) We were very surprised as this used to be a place we loved to eat good Japanese at. Frustrated and annoyed at the price for below par food. Sad at the state.

The first time we went to Nihonbashi (three weeks prior) we had the most amazing food with great service. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) Fast forward three weeks and the service was awful. The servers were not attentive and the food (albeit tasty) took forever to come out. We would have ordered more but the sushi chefs disappeared from behind the bar and the servers were not even concerned. (I do have to say that there were political protests going on nearby, but it did not excuse the lack of service at Nihonbashi.) (⭐️⭐️) I just hope once the country settles down, the restaurant will return to the wonderful service we experienced mid-March.

Nihonbashi is an exciting Japanese restaurant in Colombo owned and managed by Darshana Munasinge, a person of mixed Japanese and Sri Lankan parentage, serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Wide variety of Japanese food is available in the menu, and not being an expert I cannot comment on individual items, but the restaurant overall has a nice ambience and very good food. Private dining rooms are available for a more personal experience. Prices are at the top end, and might I add that the most expensive single dish I have ever had was tasted here - a wagyu beef stake. (I was not paying the bill), but luckily for most dishes we come down to earth. Overall a good experience.

Spectacular food, dining & service. A magical highlight of our trip & will be coming back as much as we can. A must when in Colombo. Excellent

On the pricey side. I won't come here again food is pretty average. There's better Japanese available around town. Please control the rat problem. Not cool when a rat run out of the restaurant when you just enter. No one seems to notice or care. I thought this type of stuff is a big deal ilwhen it comes to restaurants. Hey what do I know.

Had an amazing experience at Nihonbashi. The food was absolutely fantastic and Chef Munidasa took extremely good care of us.

I went to Nihonbashi for a lunch and the atmosphere as soon as you walk in is so cozy and spotless. The food was great with a good balance of flavors and to top it up the service of the staff was a cherry on top. Can't wait to visit again

When we went the place was empty , the food was great . The staff were friendly but service is very slow . They take too much time clearing tables and being there especially for a group of 8 and the restaurant was empty was expecting much better service .

I found this restaurant on the list as one of the best Asian restaurants, not sure how it get there. Very outdated &smelly location. Food quality is totally average, far a way from fine dining restaurant.

Food was amazing and attractive seating arrangements. Friendly staff.

As a first timer, Nihonbashi was a lovely experience and lived up to all the reviews I've read about the place. The service, ambiance, and most importantly the food, was superb!! The steak don was delicious and was some of the best beef I've had in recent years. Additionally, the Maguro (tuna) salad maki, gun kan maki and the karapincha (curry leaves) tempura were mouthwatering and the night was topped off with the one of a kind coffee jelly dipped in milkmaid. Love how the restaurant is nestled away quietly in busy Colombo with zero to minimal branding, it's almost like opening the secret door in 'The Secret Garden'.

5 Star service with smile! I went there as a Uber Eats delivery partner today though their customer service was Awesome! I was really happy with the service they provided for me. Such a great service!

Great food and ambiance....sushi jst melts in ypur mouth...only complain is that the salmon was slightly over cooked...evthing else was jst perfect

Top quality food that's cooked and served perfectly.

I used to go to this place relatively often, however i had not been for a while and going this time, i noticed the quality of the sashimi i had decreased, the tuna especially. As i did not try the salmon sashimi im not sure about that. However the service was excellent and their speciality dishes such as the N sashimi were just as i remembered, still amazing. You must definitely have those if you are going there. The service was excellent as usual. The pricing is expensive but sushi is generally expensive, however i think the quality of the fish is less now for the price they are charging, at least the main sushi most people will order.

They provide best service.This is one the best place i have visited.I felt so happy.While I am staying there I came to know about askjosiyar website.They provide best astrology service such by selling gemstones.I book an appointment with the askjosiyar website's astrologer and I bought the 100%purity gemstomes.

Standard drop, only two tables.... Waiting time terrible and staff chatting away... Wonder why take so long to serve... I only have two order...

One of the best japanese restaurants in colombo!!!! The staff was so helpful and always come and check on us and ask if there’s anything we want!!! One staff member came and described us about the items on menu like how to eat or drink them , what are the ingredients it contain, what are the health benefits of it etc!! And good news is that they git 50% discount on weekdays from 6-8 at yakitori garden these days!!!!! And we tried salmon and tuna sashimi for the first time thanks to that staff member!! It was hell of an flavor elevator !!! Hats off guys!!!

Amazing Japanese cuisine! Some dishes are slightly expensive, but it is very tasty! Staff is friendly, and helpful - very knowledgeable about the dishes and give good recommendations.

Loved it. Amazing food. Will be going back soon. Quick service too.

I ordered Teriyaki chicken burger (Rs.1299) from @nihonbashiburgers because i saw sooo many good reviews about their burgers and also because i looooveee Teriyaki Chicken!!!😍😍 They have 3 varieties of Teriyaki burgers. Chicken, pork and mutton. The burger was filling as they use 180g of the finest meat for each patty and the bun was super soft!!! i must say that their packging is unique!!Received the burger in an origami inspired box and i love the branding on the bun!!! Sooo cool!!! You can order these burgers via pickme, ubereats

I would have given it more stars but the power ran out and the kitchen closed. However the staff were great. I could see that there was nothing they could do as they were not prepared for the power cut.

Sharing the most disappointed experience I had on my birthday. I always prefer Japanese restaurants, because not only they are clean, tidy and well mannered,but also they are punctual and tell us the exact waiting time. I have been to many Japanese restaurants in Sri Lanka and in some other countries too. But this was the worst experience I have ever had. I have recommended this restaurant for many of my friends according to my past experiences. But unfortunately the golden era of this restaurant has gone! My husband has booked a private room in this restaurant for my birthday dinner. The booking was done a week before prior to my birthday and husband has re-confirmed our arrival a day before the birthday. On my birthday we reached there around 8 p.m. Parked our vehicle and entered the restaurant! We were shocked as there was no one around and the inside was dark. Then one staff member came out and informed us that the restaurant is closed due to a water supply issue. Further, If we really want to have something, the only item available is sushi 🍣 and sashimi which can be arranged at outside sushi corner. My husband was very disappointed as he wanted to spend my birthday evening at one of my favorite place. If they had an issue in restaurant's operation,they could have informed us in advance then we would have arrange another restaurant. Finally we went to the sushi corner and asked for the menu as it was too late to go for another restaurant. We had to wait almost 15 minutes there and no one was caring about us. Then my husband called another Japanese restaurant while we were waiting for the menu. Fortunately that restaurant was open until 11.p.m. So we decided to go there and left this horrible place. I think the staff and the chefs have been changed and everything was totally different than before. I would never recommend “Nihonbashi” for anyone hereafter. They will definitely ruin your happy moments.

Extremely slow service. Ordered at 1, the food arrived at 2:05 and the explanation they give us is unacceptable. If they were busy we would completely understand but that wasn’t the case. Food quality was definitely not worth the hour of waiting time. Surely not returning back and very very disappointing experience. Please take this feedback seriously.

Good skewers! Especially the liver and chicken wing, my favorite! They are now having happy hours from 6pm - 8pm something (call them and ask for details), all the skewers and Carlsberg beer are half of the price, only you will need to sit outdoor. Bring along mosquito repellent if you are attracting to them.

One of the best Japanese restaurants in Srilanka. Of you are a Japanese food enthusiastic person you must visit this. This place can provide authentic Japanese food experience but its bit expensive place