M Tempura

4.8

624 Reviews

$50 and over

Japanese

Make a booking

2 people

11 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 2 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem
Innovative

M Tempura, in Downtown Durham, is part of the acclaimed M Restaurants group by Chef Michael Lee. Specializing in traditional Japanese tempura and Kaiseki Omakase, M Tempura elevates these classics with unique twists and subtle European influences. Each meticulously crafted multi-course menu balances tradition with innovation, delivering a refined and unforgettable dining experience. Guests must select the same menu option for their entire party. Please note, we cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, or seafood allergies. Experience reimagined Japanese cuisine at M Tempura.

Private dining

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Additional information

Location
111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701
Phone number
(919) 748-3874
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Tempura, Asian
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Michael Lee

Experiences

Tempura Tasting Menu
USD 38.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Our Traditional Omakase is the most casual of our experiences. Guests start with a seasonal salad and then proceed to 10 pieces of chef's choice fish and vegetable tempura. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final dessert course of housemade ice cream. Flavors vary often but are always delicious. This is the best option for guests who are going to a show or event in town! Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
M Omakase Tasting Menu
USD 79.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Our M Omakase is a 7-Course experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Guests start with three small plates including Tuna Tartare, Crudo, and Savory Chawanmushi. They then proceed to 8 premium tempura pieces such as Lobster Tail from Maine and Scallop topped with Golden Kaluga Caviar. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final entree course of miso-marinated seabass over rice with house-cured salmon roe, nori, wasabi, and pickled daikon. Finally, guests will finish with a unique housemade dessert. Desserts vary often but are always delicious. Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
Kaiseki Omakase Menu
USD 127.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Kaiseki Omakase requires 24 hours advance notice. WE CANNOT HONOR SAME-DAY REQUESTS. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that uses different cooking methods in each course. Our adaptation of the Kaiseki focuses on seasonality and locality of ingredients. It includes 10 Unique courses that the chef may adjust according to seasonal availability. Please see the menu for course details.

Sakizuke
Bison tartare, egg yolk, black truffles, sunchoke
Otsukuri
Chef’s choice sashimi or crudo of the day
Nimono
Chawanmushi, steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil
Atsumono
Scallop from Hokkaido Japan, Curried Cauliflower Puree, Kaluga Caviar
Agemono
Pink Prawns, Lobster, Saltwater Eel, Asparagus
Suimono
Shabu Shabu, dashi, ponzu sauce
Yakimono (grilled dish)
Wagyu pave, soy cured egg yolk
Shokuji
Blue crab handroll, miso soup
Pre-Dessert
Brie Cheese Tempura, Nori, Honey, Black Truffle
Dessert
Chef's Choice

M Omakase

$75 Per Person, Chef May Substitute Items Based on Availability

Tuna Tataki*
Tuna Tartare, Nori, Tobiko
Crudo*
Sea Trout, Aji Amarillo, EVOO, Radish, Micro Shiso, Crispy Shallot, Black Tobiko
Chawanmushi
Steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil
Tempura
Pink Prawns w/ Heads, Softshell Prawn, Asparagus, Saltwater Eel, Mero Seabass, Maine Lobster*, Scallop w/ Golden Kaluga Caviar, Brie Cheese w/ Nori, Black Truffle, and Honey
Meal
Miso-Marinated Seabass over rice, House-Cured Ikura, Pickled Daikon, Nori, and Wasabi. Served with Miso Soup.
Dessert

Tempura Tasting

$38 Per Person, Chef May Substitute Items Based on Availability

Chilled Tofu Salad
Miso dressing, Katsuobushi, Cucumber, Lettuce, Kaiware
Tempura
White Shrimp, Asparagus, Shiitake Mushroom, Lotus Root, Mero Seabass, Salmon, Scallop, Eggplant, Sweet Potato
Dessert

A La Carte

Not available for standalone purchase. May be added in addition to your meal. All tempura items are 2 pieces per order.

Lobster*USD 14.00
Mero SeabassUSD 10.00
Pink Prawns w/ Heads USD 9.00
Maitake MushroomUSD 8.00
Softshell ShrimpUSD 7.00
SalmonUSD 7.00
Scallop*USD 7.00
VeggiesUSD 4.00
Choose; Asparagus, Lotus Root, Shitake Mushroom, Eggplant, or Sweet Potato
Miso SoupUSD 3.00
RiceUSD 3.00

What 624 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

M Tempura in Downtown Durham offers a unique and innovative dining experience, specializing in tempura omakase. Diners rave about the "wonderful experience," "creative and delicious Japanese cuisine," and "amazing chef Savannah." The attentive service and high-quality ingredients ensure a truly memorable meal, perfect for special occasions.

624 Reviews

R
Roshni
Charlotte7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent omakase experience. Flavors, textures, and portions were delicious. Can’t wait to try the other locations on another trip up to this area!
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E
Emily
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, quick service. The restaurant was able to accommodate my pregnant guest by preparing the raw fish appropriately
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R
Reinaldo
Raleigh7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Hands down one of the best restaurants in Durham. Consistent creativity and excellence. Unlike and other Japanese restaurant out there.
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H
Hunter
Raleigh15 reviews
1.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
My wife and I went for a 8pm seating of a valentines fixed menu Kaiseki Omakase. The kitchen was behind and still serving the 5:30 seatings when we arrived. All 26 of the 8pm seatings waited until 8:45pm to be seated. First dish took maybe 15 minutes to come out. There were only 2 servers and a host taking care of 26 patrons. Did not leave the restaurant until midnight. Some courses we had to ask for food, as tables around us had been served but not us. The food was good, some dishes great, some blah. This was our first experience here. This service felt like a new restaurant but this place has been open for 7+ years. We have enjoyed M Sushi, but I can't say I will be back to M Tempura.
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D
David VIP
Raleigh7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
One of most unique dining experiences in the Carolinas
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D
Daniel
Raleigh1 review
5.0
Dined on 12 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We love M Tempura and have eaten there a number of times Outstanding food (Savanah is the best chef) and service! We recommend eating there early ( 5-6) or late as the noise from other patrons can sometimes be difficult to talk over!
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D
Diane
Raleigh4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 11 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Amazing food, cooked to perfection. It never disappoints.
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S
Stephen VIP
Charlotte18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 11 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We took refuge from truly nasty weather in the refuge of cozy (49 occupancy) and warm M Tempura. This was our third time here and the food was again marvelous. We had the omekase and all of the dishes were delicious and light. Chef Savannah Miller doesn't tinker much with the menu, mostly seafood, but I wouldn't want her to. One novel addition was a dolma with a shiso wrapper and almond dukkah. So nice!
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T
Tom
Raleigh4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Superb and unique cuisine. There are some rules about ordering food that are common in Japan but American customers might be confused or annoyed. I generally like to take my daughter out to eat, but not at this restaurant, because she does not want to order the same food that I want to order. It is expensive, but in my opinion it is equal to or better than some big city restaurants that cost twice as much - exquisite ingredients are expensive! And it is much less costly than traveling to Japan for a similar experience. There is a smaller tempura tasting menu that is quite reasonably priced, and excellent, if you do not want to splurge on the kaiseki menus. M Tempura is one of the very best dining experiences in the Triangle.
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D
Dan
Hawaii2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The chef was so nice and made the experience special. For people that love tempura, it’s a great place to go!
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FAQs

M Tempura is rated 4.8 stars by 624 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

11 Mar 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 2 times today

Experiences are available.

111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701

Additional information

Phone number
(919) 748-3874
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Tempura, Asian
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Michael Lee

M Tempura

Make a booking

Private dining

Additional information

Tempura Tasting Menu

M Omakase Tasting Menu

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

Kaiseki

Sakizuke

Otsukuri

Nimono

Atsumono

Agemono

Suimono

Yakimono (grilled dish)

Shokuji

Pre-Dessert

Dessert

M Omakase

Tuna Tataki*

Crudo*

Chawanmushi

Tempura

Meal

Dessert

Tempura Tasting

Chilled Tofu Salad

Tempura

Dessert

A La Carte

Lobster*USD 14.00

Mero SeabassUSD 10.00

Pink Prawns w/ Heads USD 9.00

Maitake MushroomUSD 8.00

Softshell ShrimpUSD 7.00

SalmonUSD 7.00

Scallop*USD 7.00

VeggiesUSD 4.00

Miso SoupUSD 3.00

RiceUSD 3.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is M Tempura restaurant rated?

Is M Tempura currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information