Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Interior - Kisser, Nashville, TN
Award-winning

Kisser

4.9 (164)
$30 and under
Japanese
747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207-5508

Make a reservation

A photo of Kisser restaurant

Kisser

4.9
$30 and under
Japanese
Talbot's Corner

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Hot spot
Kisser, created by Brian Lea and Leina Horii, is a nod to Japanese kissaten—a cozy spot for comfort food, drinks, and community. Brian, a California native, honed his skills under chefs like Charlie Palmer and Jose Andres. After roles at Husk and Trois Mec, he returned to Nashville with Strategic Hospitality. Leina, from a restaurant family, shifted from pre-med to working at renowned eateries like Red Medicine and Bastion. Kisser marks their first venture together. In November 2025, Kisser was awarded a MICHELIN Bibb Gourmand.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Thu, Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm
  • Website
    https://www.kisserrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Brian Lea and Leina Horii
  • Location
    747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207-5508
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2025
  • Neighborhood
    Talbot's Corner
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    taystytravels

    A post worth double tapping that ❤️ button and definitely saving! KISSER has received a lot of praise since they opened including making the New York Times's 2023 list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States. The food, drinks, desserts, and overall vibe is just perfection! 📍747 Douglas Ave., Nashville, Tennessee ⏰ Open Monday, Thursday - Sunday #nashville #nashvilletn #nashvillefood #nashvillerestaurants #nashvilleeats #ChiefEatingOfficer #TAYstyTravels

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Kisser.

4.9

4.9
(164)
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Nashville

    Best Overall

  • Nashville

    Best Food

  • Nashville

    Best Service

  • Nashville

    Best Value

  • Nashville

    Best Overall

  • Nashville

    Best Food

  • Nashville

    Best Service

  • Nashville

    Best Value

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kisser offers an exceptional dining experience with "excellent food, outstanding service." Renowned for its inventive Japanese dishes, the "chicken katsu sandwich" and "onigiri" are highlights. Guests praise the "amazing" service and cozy ambiance. Recognized by Michelin Bib Gourmand, it's a must-visit in Nashville, delivering consistent "delicious" meals and warm hospitality.
164 Reviews

  1. Felice

    Philadelphia7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was terrific! From making a reservation (thank you!!) to the greeting, service and food, all simply sensational. We loved everything we ordered—the three options of onigiri, the egg salad Sando with roe, the yellow tail collar and the beef udon. Truly sensational!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kathryn

    Greater Boston1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed Kisser on our trip to Nashville. The wait staff was exceptional - friendly and really helpful. The food is delicious. Don't sleep on the egg salad sandwich! Really enjoyed.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Alex

    Nashville2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is phenomenal and works with every and all diets and restrictions! Food and service is top notch.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Carmelo

    Nashville1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Kisser is fantastic. The children katsu sandwich was one of the most memorable sandwiches I ever had. The onigiri starter was also great. Looking forward to returning. We arrived early so we killed time with a beer and a game of pool at Garage Sale Vintage while waiting for our table.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Chih-Long

    Orlando2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good eats. Very much enjoyed. Creative recipes. Good service.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Shea Gold

    Mobile3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 26, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, outstanding staff/service. Cant wait to go back

    Is this helpful?

  7. Nathan Gold

    Indiana3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Was a good dining experience. However, I was not blown away by anything to where I absolutely want to come back to order this specific item. We had the beef tartare, inari sushi rice, and the mini chirashi bowl. I will say that the value was unexpected. You can get similar things at fine dining restaurants for a hefty mark up. The chirashi bowl was the favorite as the simplicity, but flavor left us satisfied. Everything tasted remotely fresh as well. I had ordered the Peach Yuzu Parfait and I think this is what stood out. Loved finishing the meal with this. We definitely will be back to try other things on the menu such as the sandwiches and maybe a main dish to give a more fair review as I really want to give this place 5 stars.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Gabriela Gold

    Orlando2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Japanese spot in Nashville (excluding sushi). Everything is excellent. The food is consistently good every time we've gone. It's a cute, small restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Dameon

    Nashville1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wife and I celebrated her birthday brunch there. Food is spectacular. Prices were very reasonable for the quality of food you receive. Cozy spot with parking. Kisser is everything you think it is and deserves all the rave reviews.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Lauren

    Nashville1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful place. Beautiful people. The food was delicious. In a world where restaurants are more social media than authenticity… yall are keeping it real

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Thu, Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm
  • Website
    https://www.kisserrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Brian Lea and Leina Horii
  • Location
    747 Douglas Ave, Nashville, TN 37207-5508
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2025
  • Neighborhood
    Talbot's Corner
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Weekends are a standout, Saturday and Sunday mornings (Kisser opens at 10:00 am those days) are popular for weekend breakfast and brunch favorites.

Kisser was created by Brian Lea and Leina Horii, their first venture together, presented as a homage to the Japanese kissaten.

Guests say portions are satisfying, many reviewers note that combinations of small and big plates leave them comfortably full.

Yes, reviewers recommend Kisser for dates and anniversaries, praising its cozy, attentive atmosphere and memorable dishes.

Kisser fills up quickly at lunchtime, guests report lines forming before opening and waits of up to 1–2 hours; reservations are now offered, so booking helps.

Kisser feels like a cozy, sunlit lunch spot, a small, thoughtfully designed space with light wood and blue tiles, an open kitchen and counter seating that make dining intimate and immediate.

Business casual is the guide at Kisser, aim for neat, put-together attire rather than anything formal.

Lunch is the sweet spot, Kisser is a lunch-focused spot (open weekdays 11:00–3:00, weekends 10:00–3:00), and reviewers recommend arriving shortly before opening to avoid long lines.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Nashville
  4. Nashville
  5. Talbot's Corner

Make a reservation

A photo of Kisser restaurant

Kisser

4.9
$30 and under
Japanese
Talbot's Corner

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo