M Tempura
Phone: (919) 748-3874
M Tempura, one of only a handful of true tempura restaurants on the East Coast, was named by Bon Appetit as one of the top 50 best new restaurants in the country in 2019. From Chef Mike Lee, who also owns M Sushi, M Pocha and M Kokko downtown, M Tempura is also home to Chef Savannah Miller, one of the 'chef-testants' on season 21 of Bravo's Top Chef.
Cuisines
- Casual Dining
- Japanese/Sushi/Korean
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Map
Google Rating
-
The kaiseki omakase experience was great. I sat at the bar and got to watch the chefs make some of the dishes which was really cool to watch. The food on the other hand was JUST good. I am spoiled by the other restaurants in the “M” series and the food here didn’t wow me in the same way and it was a similar price point. I definitely recommend trying it once for something different and to taste their obviously top notch ingredients. -
We went partially because we’re Top Chef fans, but we were also intrigued by a Japanese brunch. We sat at the bar so we could watch the cooking which was really fun to engage. Please be aware there is no Omakase at brunch, but there’s a whole bunch of intriguing choices and we quite enjoyed it. It is meant to be shared the only challenge we had was picking which dishes to order. We thought the omelette was incredible and I think that was the biggest surprise The only disappointment at least for brunch it doesn’t seem you can trust the online system if there’s space or not. We were driving home so we thought we’d chance to see if we could get in for brunch even though it looked like it might be filled.
-
Go there with a small group or by yourself. Sit at the counter. Get the M Omakasa... Yeah it cost some money but the experience is worth it.
Listen to Chef explain each course of Tempura to you.
I enjoyed every course so much I forgot to take pics until they served the Miso-Marinated Seabass.
ALL KILLER NO FILLER
Enjoy yourself, you're worth it, it's worth it. -
Not my first rodeo...4th or 5th time over the past couple of years, but oh so good and consistent. Last minute reservation ended resulted in us sitting at the bar, but Chef Jim guided us through the omakase menu and made it quite the experience. Can't wait to go back again.
-
Outrageously good meal! Took another couple here and we each had the Kaiseki menu. If you have the time (3.5 - 4 hours) for dinner, ABSOLUTELY recommend getting this option.
My husband has been here numerous times for work dinners and I've been once previously, and each time has been fantastic.
Nearby Businesses
.01 Miles Away
.02 Miles Away
.02 Miles Away
.02 Miles Away
Related Stories
The Best Noodles in Durham
Discover the best noodles in Durham, from bold bucatini pasta to dishes to tasty tonkotsu ramen bowls.
Your Essential Guide to Durham’s Restaurants
In a food city like Durham, it can be hard to know where to begin. Kristin Bedinger, Discover Durham's Director of…
The Ultimate 2026 Durham Bucket List
We’ve got a blueprint for a year of exploration and discovery in Durham. How will you do it in Durham?
What Chef Mike Lee Loves About Durham
We sat down with chef Mike Lee to talk about why he started his restaurant empire here and what makes this…
Durham’s Award-Winning Restaurants
For a small city, Durham punches far above its weight when it comes to food. Find out everything you need to…
Staff Menu Picks: Our Favorite Dishes in Durham
Discover Durham's staff and volunteers know Durham's restaurants like it's our job. Find out our biased opinions on Durham's most crave-able…
What Top Chef Finalist Savannah Miller Loves About Durham
Durham local and Top Chef finalist Savannah Miller shares her experience on the show and her favorite Durham bites.
A Retiree’s Guide to Exploring Durham
Retirees don’t need to move to Durham to enjoy its many pleasures. Durham is also a great destination for retired travelers…
