Torikaya

Reviews

• EB

  Erica Bradley

  2 days ago
  5.0
  This place is a must try! I went on Friday night with my boyfriend and 2 teenage kids... everyone loved everything about it! We all ordered different foods off the menu and shared so that we could all taste everything. For the yakitori we got the chicken meatball and pork belly, both were really good. Next we moved to the hand rolls... oh my goodness! we ordered the corn crunch, baked california, soft shell crab and the kals clasico, they were all so good, but the kals clasico was a favorite. Now my favorite part... an absolute must try is the nori cornbread!! We ended up ordering more of it because it was soooo good! Both of the ramen bowls were fantastic! Great flavor! Everything has its own, prefect unique flavor, some ingredients you wouldn't think to put together, but were actually incredible together! The atmosphere was really cool and relaxing. There was a little wait for a table, so we ordered a couple of drinks from the bar and hung out while we waited. It is so elegant, sleek, modern, yet cozy and relaxed n there. Our server was Brenna, she was fantastic! She walked us through the entire menu, explained the dishes and that the best way to experience the flavor of Torikaya was to order from one section, then when that food comes out, order from the next section. That's exactly what we did and the timing was perfect. We would just finish the round we were on and then the next round was coming out to us. We will definitely be going back to try the other menu items seeing has how we were not disappointed in anything we tried on our first visit.
• KP

  kenzie prine

  5 days ago
  3.0
  very underwhelming overall, the only saviors here from our experience was the beer pork ribs (5stars) and the TASTE of the aka kamakazi (comes in the most ridiculously tiny coupe glass), the sushi “rolls” are mini tacos essentially- like a half roll is twice the size of their rolls and it’s the same price, no wasabi, ginger, or soy sauce and the rolls come out at completely different times (about a 15 minute difference for 2 rolls!), the ramen was okay at best but the chicken that comes with it is quite literally boiled chicken in a stick, about 3 oz total of bland chicken half of which is so hard you can’t chew it service was… lacking - we got sat and waited about 10 minutes (not a huge issue at all) when the manager said he was going to grab us a water and get our server, who he found right behind our booth and when he told her, she rolled her eyes (right in front of us ahaha), she stopped by once to make sure we were fine and that was it, no fault on her, it was just bare minimum service for a nicer atmosphere price was not worth the food - portion or taste besides the ribs, im sure most of the other cocktails are great sizes and taste too
• MR

  Mary R

  5 days ago
  2.0
  As someone who has lived in many major cities around the world, I’m still getting used to the Chattanooga “food scene” and the expectations of a new restaurant… Service: very attentive, but the press your fist to your chest thing is pretty cringe and feels forced. Cocktails: or were they mocktails? We couldn’t taste alcohol in either of ours. One of them was good, but with effectively zero alcohol. The other was like a bad soda water. Food: -yakitori: the grill needs to be a good deal hotter. We received multiple that were cool and none were hot. The fat hadn’t rendered on any of those with bacon or beef. And there was none of the hyped charcoal flavor, noted by the host (and typical in real Japanese yakitori spots). -nigiri: fine, bland. No finishing touches as would be expected and typical. -hand rolls: mehhh at best. The salmon seemed like poor quality. The yam was okay. -small plates: 1) shishito & bok choy - the shishito were fantastic, but the bok choy needs additional seasoning 2) crocante noodles were fantastic and unique - this is the one dish that was actually good and ready to be served. We left hungry as we didn’t want to order more… Here’s to hoping they’re able to resolve these issues and turn it into a great spot!
• YW

  Yee Won Wilkey

  6 days ago
  5.0
  Service: We were greeted warmly immediately when we walked in. The space is clean and modern, and the vibes are on the upscale side. The hostess briefly told us how about the yakitori as she promptly sat us. Arturo was our server, and he was well informed about the menu — able to guide about how much food to order for 2 people, and had good recommendations without being at all pushy. He kept our glasses filled with water, and regularly cleared & wiped our table — something typically experienced at high end restaurants (though not always). Arturo even noticed I had checked my watched and asked if we were on a time frame they should be aware of. I wasn’t, but this was so noticeable! The staff said goodbye to us as we left, and a hostess even quickly ran my sunglasses to me that I had left at the table. Our service at lunch today was attentive and warm, and some of the best we’ve had in Chattanooga! Food: The food was delicious! The wasabi mashed potatoes are sooo good — such an interesting flavor combo, I’ve never had anything like it. Nigiri tasted fresh. The caesar salad has sweet croutons that reminded me of mochi. The pork belly yakitori had a great citrus flavor. And sunset handroll was delicious — sweet, savory, and creamy. We were delightfully surprised, and will be back!
• CM

  Charlotte M

  May 13, 2026
  5.0
  Torikaya is exactly what Chattanooga has been missing. Every single thing we ordered was phenomenal…from the izakaya plates to the hand rolls, nigiri, tonkotsu ramen, cocktails, and dessert. You can tell so much care and intention goes into every dish. The flavors were incredible, everything was beautifully presented, and the quality was outstanding across the board. As someone who lived in NYC for years and deeply misses the food scene there, this is truly NYC-level food. Easily. Honestly, this place is Michelin mention worthy all day. The execution, creativity, quality, and atmosphere are that good. What really sets Torikaya apart is the level of craftsmanship behind everything coming out of that kitchen. Nothing felt rushed, careless, or trend-driven for the sake of appearances. Every component tasted deliberate and deeply considered…from the balance of texture and acidity in the small plates to the richness and depth of the tonkotsu broth, which had the kind of slow-developed flavor that only comes from real technique, patience, and respect for the process. The fish quality in the nigiri and hand rolls was exceptional, incredibly fresh and clean with precise knife work and beautifully balanced rice. Even the cocktails and desserts carried the same level of refinement and intentionality. There’s an artistry here that feels rare here. The kind of dining experience where you can genuinely feel the discipline, training, and passion behind every detail. It’s not just delicious food; it’s food made by people who clearly care deeply about hospitality, quality, and creating something memorable. Our server, Becka, made the entire experience even better. She was so attentive, kind, informative, and genuinely sweet. Her recommendations were spot on, especially with the cocktails, and she helped guide us through the menu perfectly. Amazing service like that really elevates a meal, and she absolutely did. We were also warmly greeted when we arrived, and the gentleman who welcomed us and showed us around was so inviting and lovely. The hospitality here is exceptional from the moment you walk in. Chattanooga truly needed a place like this, and Torikaya absolutely delivers. We had such a wonderful experience and already can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend. Ask for Becka. Torikaya is lucky to have her. Beyond 5 Stars.

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