Soooo good. A nicely elevated take on Japanese food but at very reasonable prices. We made reservations on a Sunday at 11 which is recommend because they were pretty busy. They have some seating in the hall outside the restaurant and then a somewhat small dining area inside the restaurant. We got the onigiri to start and was able to add an extra piece since we were a group of 4. For food our table got the chirashi bowl, the curry rice, chicken katsu sandwich and the creamy bacon udon. The three different onigiri were all delicious and different but our favorite was the yaki since the grilled rice added such a depth of flavor with the cod roe. The seasoning they serve on the side is great too. My chirashi bowl even though it was "mini" ate like a full meal. They really put a good amount of rice and salmon. Very well seasoned and everything tasted fresh. The curry rice was a very large portion and the curry tasted homemade. The chicken itself was the thigh and tasted like it had been marinated before being breaded so it was flavorful even without the curry. read more

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Saw that Kisser was on Michelin Bib Gourmand so had pretty high expectations. And I would have to say that it is well deserved! We had reservations and showed up a little bit earlier but was seated right away. They overall had a decent amount of tables separated between inside and outside the restaurant. We ordered the Onigiri which included a Japanese Curry, Snow Crab and Yaki (we ordered an extra Yaki). Each one of them were extremely well made with excellent quality ingredients! My favorite was the Yaki so much flavor and you can taste the grill! For an entree, I got the Curry Rice which came with a chicken katsu. The portion was very generous which I appreciated. Chicken had so much flavor and had a nice crunch. The curry had a nice smooth flavor with small bites of potato and carrots. Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Kisser - Curry Rice - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Kisser is tucked into a small plaza with boutique shops, a Pilates studio, and an aesthetics business. The restaurant is small and quaint, with additional seating in the outdoor corridor. We arrived about 10 minutes before our reservation, and since our table wasn't ready, the hostess offered us outdoor seating. I didn't mind, but it doesn't offer much privacy if that's important to you. We started with the three onigiri: yaki grilled rice with cod roe, snow crab & cucumber, and Japanese curry kabocha squash. The grilled cod roe was my favorite, although I realized onigiri is just a little too rice-heavy for me. The beef tartare served over crispy rice cakes was delish, especially with the dry seasoning and chili oil. The highlight of the meal was the smoky grilled yellowtail collar, served with furikake rice and a bright ponzu sauce with daikon. It was beautifully cooked. Service was good, but an automatic 18% gratuity was added but I usually tip 20% so it felt odd. Overall, Kisser serves well-executed Japanese dishes in a charming space. read more

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Excellent all around. My favorite Japanese curry with beef cheek and picked daikon is so comforting and indulgent. The curry sauce is like liquid velvet as it moves down your throat and the spices warm up your chest. Beef cheek is always falling apart soft. Chicken katsu sandwich is deliciously crispy with a slightly sweet and very butter toasted milk bread. Personally, I find the chicken katsu sandwich at Babychan, Kisser's sister restaurant/bakery, to be crispier and more flavorful, but the one at Kisser is wonderful, too. The hot udon is delicious and the broth is perfectly seasoned. The noodles are handmade; they are chewy and very al dente. Fantastic dish. The tomato sandwich during summer is umami and refreshing. The furikake seasoning puts its over the top. There is a yuzu dessert that is out of this world. I had to order another the first time I tried it. It's on the tart side, which I love, but by no means is it sour. It's creamy, indulgent, and bright. Ideally, I'd eat it every single day. You can make a reservation online so no more arriving at 10:30 AM to wait in line, though that was always worth it! Thank you, Kisser. I love you. read more

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What a wonderful place! Kisser has all of the quality and inspiration of an upscale Japanese restaurant with none of the stuffiness! The cozy dining room is the perfect place for a casual, but top quality lunch. We had a reservation for Wednesday, and we were cheerfully greeted and seated immediately. We got the chirashi bowl, which was probably my favorite dish of the day. It is so artfully executed, with perfect layers of sushi rice, fish, and roe. We also got the onigiri, one of each, and while they were delicious, they were quite filling because of all of the rice. I would suggest getting them to share or as a main dish for one. We also tried the mackerel, which was so buttery, soft and sweet! They also offer an amazing Matcha here. It is clear they put so much love into everything they make! read more

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We came for breakfast on a Saturday because our Airbnb was nearby and everyone else was still passed out. We got there like 15 min early and were the first people in line, which was lucky because it looked like the place filled up immediately after it opened. Got a Japanese breakfast and split the egg salad sandwich. Everything was bomb. Would definitely eat this again. read more

Kisser - Japanese breakfast - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Kisser was excellent. The food was definitely the highlight. We especially loved the beef tartare on crispy rice, mini chirashi bowl, chicken katsu sandwich, chicken curry rice, and creamy bacon udon. Everything was flavorful and beautifully prepared. Our only downside was sitting in the hallway outside the restaurant, which took away a little from the experience. Next time, we'll definitely try to get a table inside. We would absolutely go back. read more

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Service is always fantastic and the food is fresh, flavourful and simply amazing. Strongly recommend making reservations (especially on weekends). The space is cozy and we love watching the chefs work in the open kitchen. read more

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Maybe I got the wrong thing but I thought the food was just average. I was told the wait would be 1.5 hours but got seated and within 15 minutes. I got the chirashi bowl which was good but nothing special. They use smoked salmon so that was interesting and different than the typical raw fish. The server recommended the miso creme brûlée but I would skip this. Service was fast and friendly and the prices were reasonable. read more

Kisser - Miso creme brulee - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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The food is beyond great. Japanese food is hard to beat. Must try the egg salad sandwich. The service is very friendly. They will definitely add the calendar to your dessert on your birthday. They also have a built in 20% so I love them for that. Ambiance is fine. The space seems a little constricted. So come early, make reservations. There will likely be a long wait to be seated otherwise. When making reservations, make sure to ask for table seating if you'd like to avoid countertop seats. read more

Kisser - Entrance - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Our flight from Raleigh landed at BNA at 11AM, and by 12 noon we were checking in for our resy at Kisser Nashville. And the lunch-only spot turned out to be a great start to our long weekend! I was excited to visit the Japanese-inspired restaurant, given all the acclaim (2024 James Beard Best New Restaurant Finalist, 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand). We landed a prime seat at the counter with a front row view of all the magic going down. And the food coming out from chefs Brian Lea and Leina Horii (both with crazy great backgrounds), and their team, did not disappoint. We loved every morsel that we gobbled down, including (see photos)... Beef Tartare - Bear Creek Farm Beef, Crispy Rice Cakes, Avocado, Sesame, Chili Crisp Onigiri - Yaki Grilled Rice, Cod Roe, Yuzu / Snow Crab Avocado, Cucumber / Japanese Curry Kabocha Squash Chicken Katsu Sandwich - Fried Chicken, Cabbage Slaw, Tonkatsu Sauce, Toasted Kisser Milk Bread Miso Clam Ramen - Littleneck Clams, White Miso Broth, Menma, Napa, Wakame, Roasted Garlic Oil Yellowtail Collar - Marinated for 24 Hours then Grilled and Served with Ponzu, Lemon, Daikon Miso Crème Brulée Kisser describes itself as "a homage to the Japanese kissaten... neighborhood spot serving comfort food, where locals can eat, drink, and hang out." I may not be a local, but I'd still love to come back many times for more eating, drinking, and hanging out! Congrats to the entire Kisser team for all you do... @brianslea @leinahorii @kisser_restaurant And yet another terrific spot from the folks. @strategichospitality @maxrgoldberg @benjaminrgoldberg read more

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Still one of my top five restaurants in Nashville, my favorite place to do breakfast/brunch on a weekend, and a must visit if your priority is delicious food in Nashville for a weekend. Kisser brings cozy Japanese cafe vibes to east Nashville with a menu that feels like the quality of a fine dining restaurant but with approachable dishes and affordable prices. You will find me here at least once a month dining solo, with a reservation so that I can waltz right in and take a seat at the chef's bar, watching the chefs prep dishes while I read a book and enjoy my actual perfect meal: an order of one of the delicious high garden teas (my favorites: the orange creamsicle milky oolong or the green magic organic, a green and rose combination!), a single order of the flavorful shrimp inari, and the Japanese breakfast. The food is incredibly filling but also well balanced and so, so delicious. Their Japanese breakfast made me fall in love with vegetables again, and allows me to try a bit of many things for a very reasonable price . There are so many other dishes I love here (the onigiri, the curry rice, the miso creme brûlée, to name a few!) but suffice to say Kisser is truly serving up some of the best food in the Nashville area with some of the friendliest, kindest serving team in the area. The vibes are chill, the food is fantastic, the new system allowing for reservations makes it easy to plan ahead, the parking is free, and it's a new institution (to me) for a must-dine in Nashville. read more

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This little Japanese spot in East Nashville is a MUST TRY !! They are serving Japanese comfort food using high quality ingredients like Beef from Bear Creek Farms. It's a fairly small restaurant with an open kitchen. I recommend making reservations but they do try to accommodate walk ins. They are open for lunch and close at 3:00 p.m. everyday except on Tuesday as they are closed on that day. They are a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot with accolades from Bon Appetit, Food and Wine and The New York Times. They offer Small Plates, Bigger Plates, Fresh Homemade Udon, Desserts and a Japanese Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday. They also have Artisan Sake, Japanese Beers and Premium Hot Teas. As I mentioned earlier, it is a small space so it can gat a little loud, but the food , the staff and the service are all exceptional. The people are all so nice and the food came out in a timely manner. I recommend the Curry Rice and the Katsu Sandwich. We had 3 dishes and a dessert and everything was fresh and delicious. To finish the review-- There is plenty of free parking and I've heard that there can be a line waiting to get in this little gem, so be prepared. I made a reservation for a Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and we got right in a seated right away. ENJOY !! read more

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It is hard to get a reservation? Yes. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!! When you walk in you will notice that seating is quite limited as it's more like a communal eating space. I personally prefer to not sit with strangers but I respect their decision. The food is superb. The chicken Katsu is a no brainer. You need to order this sandwich!! The chicken is fried to perfection. The cabbage slaw & tonkatsu sauce really takes it up a notch and complements the bread & chicken so well. The onigiri plate brings three types of onigiri and let me tell you they each have their own unique flavor. I would like to highlight the Japanese Curry one as it stole the show. The Japanese Breakfast: Miso Marinated Cobia fish Three Vegetable Sides Tamagoyaki Miso Soup Furikake Rice This dish felt like an experience, which I really enjoyed. I can never look at rice the same way because this furikake rice tasted amazing & that is coming from someone that typically doesn't care for rice. The fish, although it was a little small, was full of flavor and buttery soft. The Beef Tataki Udon was another stellar plate! The beef was perfectly cooked & was not chewy at all. The noodles you can tell are handmade & the broth was simply delicious. I get the hype. read more

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My husband and I were here for his work conference. Service was a great balance of attentiveness and distance, and it was a casual, happy atmosphere with incredible food! The creamy bacon udon was my favorite that reminded me of a cross between a carbonara and udon noodles. It was a flavor bomb compared to the normal subtle flavors in traditional Japanese cuisine. The Japanese breakfast (only available on the weekend) was much more traditional flavor-wise with the miso asparagus being the star! We ended with the yuzu parfait. The tartness of the custard and sweetness of the meringue was the perfect end to our meal! read more

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I am so glad Kisser now takes reservations because I was finally able to try it after many years of having this on my list! And the experience did not disappoint! When we arrived for our reservation, we were promptly seated at our table. Our quickly waiter came by to grab our drink orders and give us food recommendations. I had the peach soda to drink. it came in its original bottle and they served it with a small cup I thought was super cute. The real highlight of the show though was the food which I shared with my friend so we could try everything. We started with the Onigiri which came with 3 varieties: Yak (grilled rice and roe), snow crab (with avocado and cucumber), and Japanese curry (vegetable). These were so delicious and my favorite was the Yak. The grilled rice gave the onigiri a nice smoky flavor that was warm and very satisfying. Next, we had the Curry Rice which was composed of Japanese curry gravy, chicken katsu, and steamed rice. Of the 3 dishes we had, this was probably my least favorite, but it was still quite good and hearty; I just thought the other dishes were better. My second favorite dish was the Chilled Curry Udon which came with udon, chilled curry sauce, curry crisp, grilled summer squash and rapini. This was super refreshing and exactly what you would want for a hot summer day. The flavors blended so well together and made for a delightful dish. Las, was the Creamy Bacon Udon which was my favorite of the 3. This was made with fresh udon, creamy white miso sauce, bacon, corn, egg, tempura flakes, and nori. It was similar to a carbonara but was even better than what I expected. The dish was creamy and rich with a touch of saltiness from the bacon and a sweetness from the corn. It was a well crafted dish and I'm so glad I got it! Overall, such a great experience here and I cannot wait to come back! read more

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I am glad I finally got to try this popular lunch spot. This small place has a gentle soul and delicious food. Favorite bites: beef tartare and the yellowtail fish collar. The chicken katsu sando is crunchy and salty with a creamy balance from the cabbage slaw and mayo. The service was great, and I love that the 18% included tip is shared amongst the staff. Get yourself to Kisser. read more

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As a California expat who visited Japan earlier this year, my katsu bar is pretty high. However, Kisser pleasantly surprised me as a yummy choice for Japanese food in the Nashville area. I give them 3.5 stars. We came with friends for Sunday brunch without a reservation, and we waited approximately 30 minutes for a table. The curry was delicious, savory, and packed full of onions and veggies. The katsu was crispy, and most pieces were good with the exception of a few that were fattier than I prefer. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his katsu sandwich, and the ongiri were yummy as well. The crab one was too vinegar-y IMO, but the curry and the squash ongiri were both delicious. 18% gratuity is included by default. If you're looking for decent Japanese cuisine in the Nashville area, I would recommend Kisser. We'll be back! read more

After hearing nothing but hype for this little lunch spot in East Nashville for the last 2+ years ... I finally had to experience it for myself. If you're like me and you're not quite sure if you want to wait in a long line for lunch, let this review be your guide to snagging a coveted spot at Kisser. It's no secret that their hours are very specific, and this isn't just a place you can swing by for a quick bite. So my friend and I made a plan to arrive no later than 10:45 AM on a Monday (we thought a weekday would be easier than a weekend). There were a few people milling around at the entrance, and another group waiting at Flora & Fauna. However, no one was in line yet, so we were able to start the line ourselves! Now, if you don't want to put this much effort into getting a table at Kisser ... I've been told that there's a virtual queue that anyone can join during business hours. I recommend stopping by, scanning that QR code, and then depending on the forecasted wait, either hanging out at the coffee shop next door or running a quick errand on the same side of town before returning. Of course the food was everything we dreamed it would be ... and more. I started with a matcha, which is not my typical order, but I figured it would be well made and it definitely was. Not grassy or grainy at all! My friend and I shared a few different dishes and they were all incredible: the chopped salad, chicken curry rice, chicken katsu sandwich, and the creamy bacon udon. It's hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, it would be the chicken curry rice. This was honestly too much food for two people, but it made for great leftovers! The prices are quite reasonable too, especially given the high quality of the food. We're lucky to have such a unique and tasty restaurant in the neighborhood. read more

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Kisser is so good, I'd happily wait all over again. There's no reservation system, so you'll need to walk up and put your name down -- I went around 1:30 PM and waited about 25-30 minutes. Totally worth it. The food? Next-level. The beef tartare with chewy rice is an absolute must. It's perfectly seasoned and such a fun texture combo. I also tried the inari which was refreshing and definitely worth a try as well. For my main I got the creamy bacon udon which is almost like a Japanese-inspired carbonara, and the udon noodles might just be the best in Nashville -- bouncy, chewy, and absorbed all that creamy & delicious sauce. The space itself is bright and minimalist, and the service was friendly and efficient even with the crowd. If you're looking for modern Japanese comfort food with thoughtful twists, this is the spot. I will definitely be back to try out more menu items! Well done. read more

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First time trying Kisser and the line to wait made sense for how good everything was. We tried all 3 types of onigiri... the yaki was my favorite. We also had the big salad which is not an exaggeration at all it is a BIG salad. Also tried the chicken curry rice and the chicken katsu sandwich. The portions are so generous which is much appreciated. The strawberry matcha was so delicious it is up there with best matcha I've ever had. There isn't much seating but the wait is fairly quick and there are shops near you can look while you do wait. Overall great experience and I look forward to going back! read more

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My fav restaurant in Nashville, very small so serving up amazing Japanese food. My favorites were the curry katsu, chicken katsu sandwich, onigiri, and chirashi bowl. Definitely have to get there at opening to snag a table, very busy when I went but definitely worth it. Service was great and fast read more

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If I can give this place a zero star I would. I stood in front of the menu, in front of thier restaurant and was asked to move because I was blocking. I am looking at the menu, and the way the lady had asked had a very bad tone. It is a Sunday and they are closing at 3pm. They had three empty tables and never offered to sit us in the hallway, very rude customer service. They think that they are so unique but there food is something that you get a Japanese grocery store in california read more

I could go on and on about how this was one of the most incredible meals I've ever had! The food was immaculate and the service was great. We started with the onigiri, and we decided to try one of each of their three different varieties. All three were incredible but the curry one was the standout! For my main, I ordered the creamy bacon udon, and it was savory, creamy, and had just the right amount of bacon. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the sauce was a little thin to where it almost formed more of a broth which worked well with the richness of it. I got the miso crème brûlée for dessert, and it might have been the best crème brûlée I've ever had. The hard shell was perfectly crisp, and the custard underneath was creamy and delicious. The only downside can be the shared tables with other people. The people we were sat with were loud and inconsiderate of others, so I'd recommend coming with more people to avoid it. Overall this place is incredible, and I can't wait to come back! read more

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Ok this was absolutely the juiciest and best tasting chicken sandwich I've ever eaten. The food was just amazing. I only hope to go back and try more. It's a small place in a group of shops made out of an old industrial building. Great small cafe ambiance. The service is great with a very helpful and professional staff. If you can get in, you have to try them. Definitely Michelin Star level food. read more

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I've been to Kisser a few times and I am SO happy that you can make reservations now! It had fallen off my list because I just couldn't wait for hours for lunch. For those who can, I salute you. The inari is delicious! I have that and it hits every time. It is sushi rice stuffed inside tofu skin and topped with shrimp and masago. You get two for $9. We enjoyed the chopped salad and love the carrot ginger dressing. I used to live in Japan for three years and I LOVE Japanese salad dressings-- goma, miso, and ponzu are just a few of my favorites. We ordered the onigiri which comes three per order for $12. One is grilled with cod roe and yuzu. Second one is snow crab with avocado, and cucumber. Third one is Japanese curry with pumpkin. We ordered the big salad as well and I would have preferred it topped with the chicken katsu for an additional $6 to get yourself a $19 chicken katsu salad. They were out of the yellowtail collar the day we went (insert tears). The chicken katsu sandwich was good. It comes fried with cabbage slaw, tonkatsu sauce on tasted Kisser milk bread. I look forward to coming back and trying a few different dishes! It reminds me of Japan. I used to live with a host family that had a kissaten in their home. I'll never forgot that semester. When I'm at Kisser, it brings me back to that time. If only they had warm white sweet sake that my host mother would serve to me after our meal. read more

Kisser has some of the freshest and best Japanese food in Nashville. We have been 4 times in the last few months. You should get a reservation because it's always busy but it's very much worth a trip. The service is excellent and the restaurant has a Japanese influenced design that feels bright and cozy. Highly recommend the chopped salad with its fresh and tangy ginger dressing. The beef tartare is great and comes atop two good size pieces of crispy rice. The chicken katsu curry rice has a well rounded flavor and is very sizable. The beef tataki udon is also great and has a simple but tasty broth. Must get the miso crème brûlée if you are a fan of sweets because it's so good. Only complaints are that it's lunch only and that they don't have a location closer to us! Green Hills could use more Asian food but it's worth the drive and we have gone every month. read more

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Amazing meal! I went with a group of 4 and we ordered a ton and were stuffed, but it was all worth it. From the starters to the mains to the dessert, we really enjoyed every part of the meal. I was visiting from SF, and Kisser's food can honestly compete or even surpass similar spots I've tried in California. Each dish you can tell was an almost perfect version. I would say my favorites are the onigiri rice balls (with the special Kisser chili oil) and curry katsu rice as I tend to enjoy my rice dishes more personally. We did have to wait about 1 hour in line for the food, but we all decided the food was well worth the wait. The space is a bit small and opening times can be limited, so I would recommend arriving 15-20 minures before their opening to guarantee being seated. However, there is a great coffeeshop and clothing store nearby to check out while you're waiting. The entire area was fun to explore and had a lot going on. All in all, this was my favorite food try here in Nashville and will return next time in town! read more

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Fun fact, Kisser now takes reservations! I've done the stand in line fight for a table and I've done reservations. Reservations are better! I've had the tataki udon, curry rice, yellowtail collar, katsu sandwich, egg sando, beef tartare, onigir, etc. and every item hits! It's one of the best restaurants in town. Service, food, atmosphere, etc. It's the move. Period. read more

Kisser was the kind of meal that made my friends and I instinctively clap and dance while we ate-- EVERYTHING we ordered was that good. We definitely overordered because we were so excited to try so many dishes, but we do not regret having leftovers. The onigiri was excellent; our favorite was the yaki because of the grilling on the rice. The wagyu beef tartare was heaping with meat on top of such delicious rice with an incredible, addicting chewiness. I loved the big salad which tasted so fresh and was dressed perfectly. The yellowtail collar was melt in your mouth like butter. The beef udon came in a hot soup which I didn't expect, but the broth was umami and soul-warming, the beef medium rare, tender, and high quality, the mushrooms delicious, and the noodles you could tell were hand-pulled and wonderfully chewy. The chicken katsu sandwich was good, the chirashi bowls were solid, and my friend loved the bacon udon which resembled a carbonara. Service was fast and so friendly, and the setting was bright and beautiful. Our only regret was not saving room for dessert. Next time! read more

Kisser - Beef udon, clam ramen - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Tried the tataki udon recently and it's definitely a new favorite! Still one of the best restaurants in Nashville and my personal fave. Glad Michelin recognized them with a bib gourmand - very well deserved. Also happy that there's a new reservation system that should reduce wait times. read more

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Best Spot InNashville I stumbled across Kisser while visiting Nashville for the first time, and discovered they were 2024 finalists for the James Beard award- which, well deserved. They pay homage to Japanese neighborhood cafes and serve dishes like chicken katsu, udon, and sandos. we got the beef tartar, creamy bacon udon, curry rice w/ chicken katsu, and the arnold palmer. - the arnold palmer was made with green tea and yuzu lemonade, which was a great and refreshing touch especially during the summer heat. - the creamy bacon udon was sooo creamy and umami!! the flavored all meshed so perfectly and the udon noodles was cooked to perfection! - the chicken katsu curry rice was so comforting and tastes exactly how you would imagine. the chicken katsu was so crispy and tender and the veggies in the curry were all cut so uniformly. - the beef tartar was hands down the best thing I tried. the beef was sooo good and umami, literally melts in mouth. the crispy rice was also an amazing chewy and QQ texture. - the miso crème brûlée was a surprising touch and it tasted just like miso. there was a deep flavor profile and you can just about taste the hint of tangy, yet rich flavor of miso. 10/10 and the service was amazing. our server did an amazing job and was so accommodating to our group. Super sweet staff and the lines are always so long especially on weekends, so come early and snag a spot because there is also limited seating! read more

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The food was phenomenal!!! The yellowtail especially was so flavorful and melted in my mouth. Service was quick and the staff were very friendly- would dine here again. read more

Kisser - Beef tartare - Japanese Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Welcome to one of the hottest tickets in Nashville. This walk in only restaurant has lines every day. Part of it is due to the small amount of space and word of mouth. Many 5 star reviews and, unfortunately, I don't quite feel this is quite that level, although it is very good. I would still say it is worth a visit if you can stand a wait. Ambiance reminds me of an omekase joint, with the light wood furnishings and communal style tables. You scan the code to get on the list and then wait for your spot. From an expected 30 minute wait, it ended up closer to 45, but my girlfriend did not want to sit at the counter, so I would rank they are very good at figuring timing out. You are sent a text, so you can explore the other shops here, although the only real choice, IMO, is the Garage Sale Vintage. Service was excellent, keeping up with our needs, with a great understanding of the menu. Both owners working the shop, so the likelihood of a huge miss greatly averted. Served tapas style, so you get things when they come out. Loved the onigiri as a starter. The Chirashi was a bit different than I have ever had, but also very good. Udon was average and the Chicken Katsu, while very tasty and well put togehter, had huge bread that slighltly overwhelmed the katsu. The shining star was the Miso Crème Brûlée, which was only second to Bad Idea for this type of dish. I missed adding in the picture of the blackberry yuzu parfait, which was also nice. I have seen reviews (non-yelp) complaining about a lack of flavor. While the flavors are not as bold as some other restaurants with similar options, I would not call them bland. Would I return? Yes, but I am going to wait until the fanatics allow the restaurant too stay in the full but not 1+ hour wait times, which does happen if you eat closer to noon. read more

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Alright alright alright. I can finally say I've tried Kisser and first thing that comes to mind is wow was this worth the hype. Sometimes these places get put up on a pedestal and create fake hype or manipulate you with a social media presence or chatter around their brand but this easily without a doubt lives up to the hype. There are too many good things to say about Kisser. The food, the experience and authenticity of what they offer is unbeatable and may be the best restaurant in middle TN. I'm glad we waited and were able to secure a spot. Don't be afraid to go crazy and tried a little bit of everything on the menu. My goal is to try to carbonara udon next time. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Kisser is even better than expected. Seriously fantastic food and such a beautiful little space to match! Our favorite onigiri out of the three options was by far the yaki - there is nothing like the flavor of that grilled rice. The inari was absolutely STUFFED with shrimp, and the beef tartare was truly a perfect, rich bite with the crispiest potato. Something I loved about every dish was that all of the food temperatures seemed intentional and extremely well executed - the chicken katsu sandwich had a cold crunchy slaw and a super fresh, hot chicken cutlet. It felt like every dish came out as soon as it was plated, and still, pacing was perfect. What surprised me most about the ambiance is that for as small and popular of a restaurant as it is, it was shocking how the space doesn't get loud at all. It was such a calm, cool atmosphere that really let us enjoy the food. Huge plus that they take resy's now too! read more

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I recently moved to Nashville and wanted to find a spot for good asian food, Kisser was everything and more! I ordered the creamy bacon udon, beef tartare, chicken curry, and miso crème brûlée. All the food was good, but I especially recommend the beef tartare and creamy bacon udon! This place has limited seats and only open for lunch so come early to snag a spot. Ambiance was great and so cute inside. Service was also incredible and our waiter was incredibly attentive and accommodating. Will definitely be returning! read more

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A true gem in nashville! Kisser was the only nashville finalist for the 2024 james beard, a distinction well deserved. Kisser pays homage to the traditional japanese cafe vibes with simple yet intentionally designed bites of food. We ordered the arnold palmer, beef tartare, creamy bacon udon, chicken curry rice, and the miso crème brûlée. # arnold palmer: a refreshing green tea paired with yuzu lemonade blend. very delicious and light, but the yuzu flavor outshined the green tea (7/10) # beef tartare: clean, well seasoned beef over a lightly crisped rice block. topped with furikake + even more delicious with the chili oil dropper they bring to every table (10/10). they also let you order additional ones for $5 each! # chicken curry rice: lightly breaded and moist chicken katsu with a creamy japanese curry and bite sized potatoes and veggies. this dish was good, but nothing outstanding as I am very accustomed to this taste at home. tastes like the curry blocks iykyk! (7/10) # creamy bacon udon: the udon texture- amazing. the creamy white miso, bacon, corn, egg, + texture flakes all come together for an explosive bite. bonus points when adding in the chili oil! (8.5/10) # miso crème brûlée: right before my first bite, I said that i am rating this dessert on how well i can taste the miso, and that was exactly what was delivered. a umami miso paired with a creamy custard all under the candied caramel shell. SO GOOD (9/10) I am so excited to come back to nashville for kisser! They have very limited restaurant hours and seating, so come early! There is a nice virtual waitlist that you can join (QR code), so you can shop around at the vintage store/coffee shop nearby while you wait. read more

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Kisser....chef's kiss! Super friendly staff and clean establishment. The inside of kisser is rather small so there are tables for additional seating right outside in what seems like a common walking area to all the other eateries within. Everything here was pretty tasty. This is the place you come to and try EVERYTHING on the menu. I must say, we almost did just that. The chicken sando wasn't anything spectacular. I've heard great things about the yellowtail collar, so I plan to return for that. The egg salad dish (unsure of the actual name), but it was SO good. Honestly, try it ALL, you can't go wrong. read more

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It might be hard to get into and find a seat, but it's worth the wait and try! I love their salads and starting with onigiri was perfect for us. The curry was so warm and comforting. Everything we ate was delicious and felt light and cooked with love and care! read more