Mura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

first - best sushi in raleigh. get the screaming o. the service there is great. bartenders and servers care about what you are getting and how much you enjoyed your evening. after reading a previous review about a management complaint- i would have to say i have had the opposite experience. they are more than accommodating and friendly and a disgruntled night at Mura is a one in a million chance. please go and enjoy their great food and service. a bad night is so rare i couldn't even imagine one! i highly recommend this place for a casual dinner or an excellent date! Pros: the screaming o Cons: closes early more

I've been dinning at Mura for a couple of years, and I appsolutely love that place. They recently changed there GM & AGM and the attitude of the hole place has changed for the better. The food knowledge and the all around hustle of the staff and team work speaks for it's self! Keep up the good work guys. You have not lost me to Sono, see ya this weekend. Pros: The screaming "O" Cons: Wish I could eat more sushi more

I've been to Mura before and always had a good time. The last time I went, however, the wait time was ridiculous, the food was good (not great) and the manager was incredibly rude. We waited 2 hours to get a table (after being promised a 30-45 minute wait); once at the table it took over an hour for our food to arrive and then after our plates were cleared from the table it took another 45 minutes just to get our checks. Finally fed up, we complained to the manager and his attitude was "What do you want me to do about it? You waited too long to say something." He even had the nerve to say, "It's not normally like this. Go on Citysearch and read all the great reviews about us." Pros: piano roll, screaming-o Cons: wait time, poor service, terrible manager more

I recently had a craving for sushi and was told that Mura at Northhills was the best in town. There was a thirty minute wait which was fine, to me that confirmed what I had been told about there food. The hostess was very kind and I was told I would be seated A.S.A.P. I was taken to my table, very classy restaurant. The waiter arrived at the table and introduced his self. I was asked if I had ever dined at Mura before? My reply was no, It's my first time. Atutomatically He began to smile and said welcome and we'll take great care of you. He recommended a glass of red wine that was then delivered not by him, but the manager who also welcome me and gave me a couple of recommendations. The waiter returned and took my appetizer order. I got the edamame and was very impressed. For my second course was the screaming o and it was amazing! Before I could finish my sushi, the manager came to check on me again to make sure the that I was happy with the roll and the service, and ask If I had saved room for desert? I was really full but assured him that I would be back . I was so blown away by the attention to detail from the hostess, bartender, waiter, food and management. I read the most resent review and felt it did not do justice to the great service that they give. Some people just need to eat at home. I definitely will return and tell everyone I know about where to get the best sushi and service in Raleigh. Pros: Great food and service Cons: Didn't get to eat dessert :( more

To be honest, I really have mixed feelings about this place. They have hands down the best sushi I have ever eaten, specifically the Scream'n O, however this place majorly lacks class. I just had a really bad experience last time I went there. I simply wouldn't suggest taking someone there your trying to impress just in case you have to confront the waitor/manager with a problem. I ordered the scallops appitizer and they came out really chewey. I then told the waitress that they were not cooked right and i'd like to order something else. She sent the manager over and I re-told him the problem and he responds in a very snarley way, "well I mean what do you want ME to do about it. Our chefs are top notch and I have a hard time beleiveing they weren't cooked right." Arguing with the customer over a measly appitizer? Come on! Pros: Best Sushi Ever! Cons: Rude manager more

I've been to Mura quite a few times now and have always been happy...which is why I thought it was time to finally write about it and praise them! I sit at the bar or in the lounge area and always have a wonderful time with Deliah, Constatine and some of the others who are there all the time! These people know good food, and the servers are always helping when I bring someone new to pick out stuff....they also tell us about the things not on the menu, like the O roll or the real wasabi or their daily specials....The food is great, atmosphere is lovely and the few people who are there all the time are always such a pleasure. Deliah has told us that they are opening a new place downtown and I cannot wait since I work downtown! Now I'll have a weekly lunch spot! Pros: food, service Cons: none! more

My girlfriend and I have eaten here twice and both times were okay. The food was good but nothing really special. We both felt that the food and service at PF Changs is much better. Pros: Nice ambience, okay food Cons: Disappointing service more

Wow Mura restaurant provided the best dinner, service and ambience of any restaurant I've eaten at in NC. We ate in a private room that was isolated from the rest of the restaurant using traditional Japanese paper walls. Once we got in the room we had our own table that was recessed into the floor so we would have seating, but still get the feel of sitting on the floor and eating food in the traditional Japanese way. Eating in this room will cost you and extra 20% in gratuity but it is worth it if you want a really unique, special dining experience unlike anything you've had before.\r \r Our service from the waiter was also amazing. He was honest and well informed in his recommendations and did not bother us excessively during our meal, but was available whenever we needed anything. \r \r And the food... Wow!!! It was soooo delicious. The chef prepared it perfectly, not a second overdone or under cooked. Each bite was a delectable and memorable experience. The vegetables were so fresh and more

Every year in our aniversary we try a diferent place, this time we choose Mura and was a great experience. They reserved a private room for me and my husband to have our aniversary dinner, our server Constantino was a great help and give us a pleasure dinner with all his recomendations. Fair prices for the service and food. Great tuna stake, sushi one of the best I ever tried. Excelent wines and desserts. The whole experience was owesome. I highly recommeded. more

I dine here regularly for business and personal. Best Sushi in town! Lunch deals are fantastic! Love the atmosphere! Pros: It's All Good. Cons: Little Pricey more

I eat at Mura probably once a week on average, when I first moved to Raleigh it was my absolute favorite, but for the last month the service has been terrible. Its amazing to me that people (like me) can eat there probably 6-7 times a month and never once get a greeting from the manager. I always see him, I thought he was a customer at first. I normally sit in the lounge and although the wait staff is friendly, you will be lucky if they do not get stuck tending bar while they need to be waiting on you. Sometimes the Sushi is excellent, while other times it is small and avergage tasting at best. For two people you cannot get out without paying $45+ (even on nights with specials). The most annoying aspect of dining there is waiting for your server to notice when you need your check. I have gone before and waiting close to 20 minutes just to pay. more

I've been to this place quite a few times. I go back because most of the time I get good service and most of the time the sushi is great. It's weird though...sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad. Best bet is go to the sushi bar. The kitchen food is ok..but not great. The firecracker shrimp is good but tempura shrimp was a rip off. It tasted good but too expensive. And the sushi..find the right one to sit in front of and go there on none busy times... Far better service and food when they are slow. If you go on slow days and none peak hours..the sushi can be incredible. As far as freshness, variety, and creativity no other place competes...not even one of my other favorites waraji. Waraji has good food and are consistant. Mura can be one of the best and the worst. Take my advice and go on slow hours, usually early evenings are best bet. If you have a problem...don't bother asking for the manager. I had several bad encounters with him. He doesn't seem like he cares if we are happy or not. I usually dine at mura about once a week so I am familiar with the manager. Don't bother asking for him...it will just make everything worse. Half the time I see him he's smoking or drinking. Have enough consideration for customers to atleast pop a tic-tac after you smoke. Even on busy times he sits at the bar or the couch and does nothing. Maybe it's just coincidence and I just catch him on a bad time everytime I'm there. This restaurant can be a great place. I wish the owner steps up and takes care of his management. He might even consider getting a manager from mcdonalds. Seriously. Pros: Beautiful place, great sushi most of the time...go on none peak hours. Cons: Not consistant..it can be the best and worst dining experience. more

I love sushi and japanese cuisines. I've been trying out almost every single japanese restaurants around town since I've moved here from California. First time I visited this restaurant the service was bad and food was just ok. But since I love sushi and besides couple of other sushi joints in town, this is about as good as it gets...I gave it another try. This time around I sat at the sushi bar and it made a BIG difference. There was this sushi chef(kinda young looking) I think was the head sushi man...i think his name was Michael....but I sat in front of him. He asked me what type of food I enjoyed and what the specials were for that day. He then explained to me about the different types of fish they had that are not on the menu and described each of them for me. What a difference in quality and taste!! Very good quality fish and he even made me some dishes that are not on the menu for me to try for free. This sashimi pizza thing was very good. He says I got lucky because he was in middle of making a course meal for a regular customer and was giving me little bit to taste. It was probably one of the best meals I've had in long long time. I just wish the dining experience could be the same. I definitely recommend this place when dining at the sushi bar. I haven't tried their entrees but I will next time I go...hope it is good as the sushi I had. Pros: Great meal sitting at the sushi bar. Cons: wish the meals were good normally and a little expensive. more

I had head a lot of great things about Mura. So, was excited when I had the opportunity to meet a few friends there for dinner and drinks. I thought the service we received at the bar was excellent. Pros: Ambience Cons: Service more

Tips for a good time at Mura are sit at the bar and talk to the chefs. The menu at Mura isn't very good and there is a lot of great stuff that's not on there. There are also seasonal or hard to find fish that aren't listed on the menu because they don't always have them... Examples of great stuff I tried at Mura that isn't on the menu are The Screaming "O" roll, real Wasabi (not from powder), Sea Urchin, and Toro (fatty Blue Fin Tuna). These are things I never would have experienced had I not sat at the bar. The chef's know what's fresh and they know what they're good at, they won't recommend something they don't think you'll like, mainly because you're sitting right in front of them and they'll have listen to you complain :) So, ask the chef what's good, he'll ask you what you like, and the adventure starts there. Also, for a real adventure, stay away from the "boats" and "combos" they are fixed priced samplers and the chefs are limited in what they can serve you in them. Go a la cart, its only a little more expensive and the chef can really show off for you. Pros: the chefs at the sushi bar, sake' selection, off-menu specialties, real wasabi Cons: uninspired menu (see pros), little LED suns more

I called in to make reservations for a party of 8 to sit on the patio and was told when I called that patio seating would be fine. When we got there we noticed the patio section was almost full, and definitely not enough room for 8 people. When I asked the answer to why it was almost full they didn't even have a record of an 8 party reservation. We waited for 25 minutes before being seated. 10 minutes just to be greeted and have water brought to us. Food was mediocre for the whopping prices. I ordered aged ribeye for close to 30 dollars. 70 dollars for a steak just seems crazy. Waiter wasn't able to answer questions about the menu. Steak was okay but for the price was definitely not worth it. Never coming back, nor are my friends and anyone else we can tell. Pros: It looks nice inside Cons: Poor communication between employee's, too pricey for the quality of the food more

the cali roll was good but the spicy tuna roll was okay and messy. Some of the slices were thin some were to thick and it wasnt very spicy The girl that took my take out was great and the dining room was empty but trendy -- I would try it again maybe to dine in :) Pros: the service was good and quick Cons: not very impressive for the price more

Lots of variety, very chic, however, I found the sushi to be just ok. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but overall better at other places. Particularly, the sashimi pieces were very thin in comparison. Pros: atmosphere Cons: thin sushi more

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! more

Very good quality Sashimi, Roll's are ok, probably better on the Bar, but overall a absolut A ++++ Pros: Private Tatami room with incredible service Cons: none more