Murata Restaurant
A Portland institution since 1988, Murata offers an authentic Japanese dining experience with exceptionally fresh sushi and a serene atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Murata Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Portland institution since 1988, Murata offers an authentic Japanese dining experience with exceptionally fresh sushi and a serene atmosphere.
"The sushi was very good and I love sushi and do not say that often. Awesome place!!"
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for tatami rooms on busy days.
Counter Dining
Sit at the sushi counter for access to daily specials flown in from Japan.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Japanese Cuisine
Experience genuine Japanese flavors, with sushi and sashimi so fresh, it's like dining in Japan itself.
Cozy Tatami Rooms
Dine in traditional tatami rooms for a private and serene Japanese dining experience.
Fresh Sushi & Sashimi
Savor melt-in-your-mouth bluefin tuna and a wide array of expertly prepared sushi and sashimi.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for tatami rooms on busy days.
Counter Dining
Sit at the sushi counter for access to daily specials flown in from Japan.
Lunch Specials
Enjoy affordable lunch sets with broiled or fried fish, rice, and miso soup.
Custom Orders
Inquire about customized options if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for tatami rooms on busy days.
Counter Dining
Sit at the sushi counter for access to daily specials flown in from Japan.
Lunch Specials
Enjoy affordable lunch sets with broiled or fried fish, rice, and miso soup.
Custom Orders
Inquire about customized options if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Murata Restaurant is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh and authentic Japanese cuisine, particularly its sushi and sashimi. Diners frequently praise the cozy atmosphere, especially the traditional tatami rooms, and the attentive service. While generally highly rated, some reviewers note occasional scattered service or higher price points.
"I had the ribeye, and I was really impressed. It was a good cut, cooked to a nice medium rare, and had great flavor and char. The miso soup also got the spot. Definitely will go back and try other options! The staff was friendly and the service was quick."
T F
"We had a small group and reserved tatami room. We all had a great experience. The service was great. Everyone we interacted with was awesome. The food was great! We had a few in our group that "didn't like raw fish" not really knowing. At the end of the evening they absolutely love sushi. We tried a lot of different things and it was a ton of fun."
Elijah Steinbauer
"We had lunch for two, both taking a $28 combo of a succulent, large steak, three sushi, three pieces of a roll and miso soup. We loved it! Parking at nearby garage is validated. Excellent value. What could be better? Service was a bit scattered, and servers appeared overwhelmed. Side salad featured a tasteless tomato and similarly tasteless iceberg lettuce."
Jack Reerink
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially if you wish to dine in the tatami rooms or during peak hours.
Sitting at the sushi counter allows you to enjoy amazing nigiri and daily specials directly from Japan.
Yes, they offer affordable lunch specials featuring freshly fried or broiled fish, served with rice and miso soup.
The restaurant is open to accommodating dietary preferences or restrictions; it's best to ask about customized options.
Signature dishes include fresh sushi, sashimi (especially bluefin tuna), spicy tuna rolls, and specialty items flown in from Japan.
The restaurant has a traditional Japanese interior with a cozy atmosphere, including private tatami rooms.
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19 Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon Right Now
A truly heavenly sushi restaurant in an unassuming building in Southwest, open since 1988. Why we love it: From fatty tuna sashimi and a wide range of specialty rolls, to appetizers like umeboshi (salty plum) soup, Murata never disappoints. Every meal begins with a few pickled veggies and edamame on adorable tiny plates, and each course that follows will blow you away.
Portland’s best sushi: Our critic’s picks for cheap chirashi, opulent omakase and everything in between
Opened in 1988 and ranked among Portland’s best sushi restaurants ever since, Murata (200 S.W. Market St.) remains an elite place to drop by for a business lunch, date night or quick dinner before a show at the nearby Keller Auditorium. For some, Murata is little more than a welcoming place to slip away from the office for a chicken teriyaki bento. It’s also the first place I tried raw geoduck, the giant clams grown in the Pacific Northwest but more prized in Asia than the United States.
The Case for Portland, OR as the best “Food City"
Just up the hill from that market is Murata, a Japanese place I've been going to for decades now, and still one of my favorite restaurants of any kind in the USA. And in the same neighborhood is Higgins, an institution of the Pacific Northwest culinary philosophy and vision, and the place I drank a five-star vintage Barolo on my 21st birthday. It was in this ilk that lots of other places would later iterate, serving increasingly refined food absent the fine dining pageantry and pricing.
Our 12 Favorite Portland Sushi Spots
This tiny jewel of a traditional Japanese restaurant has been open since 1988. Even today, it has an old-school feel, where the sushi chefs wear ties and playfully chat with customers, and smooth jazz wafts through the air. A small sushi bar and a few tables fill the main room, while tatami rooms offer a private, peaceful place to enjoy a meal.
Dining On a Budget in Downtown Portland Oregon
Murata on SW Market is the best of the best, but you’ll pay accordingly.As for cheap sushi, you can fill your gullet just fine at the conveyor belt staples of Sushiland on NW 10th near Davis, or Sushiville on NW 23rd. Saburro’s sushi in Sellwood has a legion of fans, and super long waits for its “large sushi”.
Portland Neighborhood Guide
There are several excellent Portland Seafood restaurant review websites. It’s always a good idea to read Portland restaurant reviews prior to selecting a restaurant to get a better understanding of what to expect. If you find the best seafood restaurant in Portland and we don’t have it listed, let us know!.
Highest-rated Asian Restaurants in Portland, Oregon, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (99 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Japanese, Sushi- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 200 SW Market St Ste 105, Portland, OR 97201-5722- Read more on Tripadvisor
Japanese Restaurants in Portland, Oregon (and surrounding areas)
12/05Portland's "most authentic" Japanese restaurant; popular with Japanese businessmen. Small place, not too many seats; reservations strongly recommended. Fresh, good quality sushi & sashimi, traditionally prepared.
15 Best Sushi Restaurants in Portland, OR [2025 Updated]
Murata is a traditional Japanese eatery located directly across from Keller Auditorium. It serves everything from Japanese hotpot to pickled mackerel. The cafe offers both take-out and dine-in options.
39 Best Restaurants in Portland
200 SW Market St, Portland, OR 97201Phone: 503-227-0080 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Murata Restaurant (@muratarestaurantpdx)
Sushi in Portland
I've read wonderful reviews about Murata but unfortunately did not have a chance to try it. You can try tripadvisor for reviews and tips.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit