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Hours
Tue
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$25.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
Japanese
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
meals, features
Is this a Japanese restaurant?
Details
About
The best Japanese restaurant I have tried outside of Japan; they had all my sashimi and sushi favourites, great tempura, and an excellent range of nihonshuu (sake). We went there two nights out three that we were in Auckland; spent close to $300 (NZ) and enjoy every moment of our 2 dining experiences... Les and Anna.. Nov 2011...
PRICE RANGE
$25.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
Japanese
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, American Express, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
61 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
14
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Mimi T
Auckland Central26 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
Wonderful tasteful ambience, very, very good staff, guided by the Maitre d', who I believe is the owner, EXCELLENT beautifully executed menu, and for those of us of a Certain Age - bliss - quiet enough to be able to hear others one shares a table with! And a soothing, very atmospheric decor. Apart from the distance from where I reside, I now realise I have no excuse for not coming here before this, despite having driven past it for at least a decade. Despite it categorising itself as 'izakaya style', I found it more refined and the dishes less casually prepared than the type of izakaya catering to casual eating I'd experienced in Japan. I'd rank the Japanese style sushi/sashimi (as opposed to those catering for mass consumption here) amongst the top in Auckland currently, although possibly suffering from the same difficulty in accessing a variety of seafood common to 99+% of Auckland/NZ eateries offering sushi/sashimi, and seemed to me to have managed to keep to the Japanese style of sushi/sashimi, with the texture, temperature, and flavour of the rice, and the way the fish is sliced. Not to mention the gorgeous garnishes with the presentation. I have a prejudice for this dish, hence the overlong comments, but the other items on the menu ordered by our table appeared to have all been prepared and presented with the same attention and professionalism. There was also a distinct thoughtfulness in how each was presented - for example, I have never seen agedashi dofu presented as such a lovely complete main, which I think any vegan/vegetarian would be satisfied and delighted with. The edamame was presented with a classic origami newspaper basket, opened out with a lovely flourish by the server, for the husks - another really nice touch. Having the photos of the day's specials and desserts presented on a tablet by the maitre d' (who I am sure is also the owner and very likely a traditional professional Japanese cuisine chef/itamae himself) was very nice - possibly a conscious harking to the sort of izakaya I've been to in Tokyo, where menus and ordering on tablets is not uncommon?
Having Specials of the Day so obviously a real result of what was seasonal - couldn't get more seasonal than asparagus in September, surely - spoke to me of a true interest in food, and passing that on to the customer. Kuni, the Maitre d', spoke to me of trying to convey the spirit of Japanese mochi (rice based cakes and confectionary) in one of their desserts, without the worry of people choking on it (an oft-reported New Year's accident, when edentureless people try to eat mochi cakes, only to find they can't chew it adequately) - resulting in a Japanese flavoured panna cotte variation.
Couldn't fault the range of beverages, either, or the way that they were served (disclaimer - none at our table tried the non Japanese drinks, so can't comment). Our feeling was - very, very fair prices, too.
Basically, I am really looking forward to returning.
Written 22 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise22936106972
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • family
Highly recommend this restaurant. The food is spectacular, great variety, I am stuck on the dumplings lol. The menu is a real treat because it is so interesting, and is always so fresh. The seafood for example tastes like it was caught an hour ago. The staff (Kuni) always has a smile and remembers who you are. We have been going there for over five years - and it has never disappointed ........ Seeing the specials on the tablet by Kuni is a great way to see what's on offer. If you want, there is the option of sitting up the top and watching the chefs cooking. SO GO THERE - YOU WILL LOVE IT
Roger, Bobbie & Deb
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dick74
114 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Squid balls, Gyoza dumplings but top of the starters was sliced John Dory sashimi with fish eggs. Prawn tempura followed and walnut baked apples finished the meal. Service was immaculate and the wine menu always good. My wife had a 300 ml sake. The whole came $172. Excellent value and will return.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnthonyPJ
Melbourne191 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
Excellent food, service and very friendly host. We tried most things on the menu, all were excellent. We also tried the sake tasting and would thoroughly recommend this. Will certainly go again on our next visit to Auckland.
Written 30 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Miyamoto
22 contributions
Jan 2022 • family
Great people, delicious food and great drinks selection. Chef is real skillful Japanese guy. Wonderful friendly service. We were happy with everything. Parking is plenty of side streets and an easy walk. I definitely recommend stopping in here.
いつも良いサービスでフレンドリーなスタッフさんです♪ 本物の板前はオークランドには少ない中 タントさんには、凄腕の板前がいます。料理はもちろんドリンクのセレクションも充実しており、家族で行きましたが大満足でした。パーキングも周りにいっぱいあるので車で行って安心です。誕生日やお祝いの日の選択におすすめのお店です。
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maxwell L
Barcelona2 contributions
Mar 2020 • family
Was a nice dinner out. Very impressed about Japanese food, like gourmet but enjoyable. Quality and quantity is a good value for money. Also the atmo3is friendly as a home. Definitely a nice place to visit
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna B
Fishers3 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
Genuine Japanese restaurant with a passionate staff and beautiful atmosphere. Pictures of the specials and desserts blew us away.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn B
Palmerston North18 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
The service was friendly, and helpful. The food was delicious. They were fully booked on the evening that we went so it pays to book ahead. I recommend the plum wine
Written 28 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike P
Auckland302 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
I enjoyed a few of the entries and a main at this small and friendly restaurant. The staff were outstanding the the service was excellent. It was midweek and full of happy customers.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
udoab
Hamburg452 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
the chef(or owner) was always around and the mix of traditional clients and tourists like us was fine. the typical jap. dishes were all perfect and so was the service.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RICHARD F
Auckland Central11 contributions
Oct 2019 • none
A 1st time visitor there last evening with another couple of friends -We had a great evening , wonderful food , every dish we ordered was simply delicious -I have lived in Japan for 4 years and I rate the food at Tanto as good as any I have had in Japan --Lovely fresh food , beautiful presentation and fair pricing -With such nice owners and staff
This is a Hidden Secret for sure we are going back ASAP
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John491
Auckland668 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
You just cannot go wrong dining at Tanto, If you like Japanese food, who doesn't, you will enjoy anything on their interesting menu. The octopus balls and the salt and pepper squid is a good way to start. We followed that up with the Tempura Snapper and the Seafood Chowder - full of flavour, excellent quality as was the service. We shared a Tiramisu - delicious. Highly recommend.
Written 24 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathrine909
Auckland78 contributions
Mar 2019 • couples
My husband and I visited here last Saturday. The food was delicious and the menu well explained by the elegant waitresses. We were a table of 2 set close between larger groups, so it didn't feel intimate. Perhaps it's a place better suited for 4 or 6 diners. However, we were thrilled to find Katsudon on the menu - a long-time favourite dish which doesn't feature on many Japanese menus any more. Thumbs up for this place
Written 25 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Euge W
Christchurch60 contributions
Nov 2018 • solo
First time visit to Tanto. I had the large sushi platter and it was very good. To my surprise they had fresh wasabi on the day of my visit. I sat in front of the sushi bar watching my sashimi being prepared in front of me. The kitchen staff and waiters were Japanese. It felt very authentic.
Written 22 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OptomAbroad
Auckland64 contributions
Nov 2018 • couples
We’ve been here several time over the last 8 years. It’s always been excellent with attentive superb service and tasty food.
I highly recommend Tanto for a casual meal out with friends, family or as couple.
Written 16 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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