We used to have a favourite Japanese restaurant in Auckland & couldn’t find anywhere as good in BOP until we dined at Takara. This place exceeds expectations with the delicious food, staff are always welcoming, super friendly & go out of their way to celebrate an event if they know about it (birthday + wedding anniversary for us) and we are thrilled it is local. THANK YOU. Totally recommend.

All my Japanese friends say they have the best raamen in NZ…however I have found out it’s not the noodle itself that’s the star…it is the soup…the soup with the raamen has 100% authentic Japanese taste to it..I would give it 5/5, however it’s just so far away and I have to drive a good 20 mins from Auckland to get there each time

What can we say. The whole experience was fantastic. Exceptional customer service, not just from front of house, but also waitresses and chefs. The food was outstanding. We can’t wait to come back. By far the best restaurant in Tauranga. Thanks guys!

We dined at Takara on the 15th and I’d have to say that this is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to with the combination of atmosphere, service, food and the staff. I was amazed with how fast the food came out, the staff were always there when you needed something, but not in an annoying way. The food was great and presented beautifully. They noticed it was my birthday and I had the best surprise ever! I cannot fault anything at this restaurant and I can honestly say we will be back. This is now my local favourite. Thank you very much for an enjoyable dining experience.

Can’t think of any restaurant I’d rather go to than Takara. Food the best, service the friendliest, atmosphere great. Everyone looks like they are happy, staff and guests alike. Three cheers for Rachael and her staff, not forgetting the wonderful chef !

We love Takara, we are actually from Auckland and every time we come down to Tauranga we always make a point of having lunch there at least once or twice. Great food and service, we’ll be back in a couple of weeks.

First time to this restaurant and we will be back! Service is awesome ….food is really great – highly recommended!
We had a lovely time – a fabulous dining experience.
From the moment you walk through the door you feel welcome and special. The menu is clearly laid out with photographs of the dishes and great descriptions. The food is beautifully presented and they are using the freshest of ingredients. A special mention must be made of our waitress Rachel who was so friendly and helpful.

Third time there, and yet again loved it. Food is delish, staff are really attentive and the birthday song is hilarious as long as it’s not your birthday!!!

Will keep coming back as often as I can….

From the moment you walk in you receive the best customer service!This is the best Japanese restaurant I’ve ever been to.
The staff are very friendly and tend to your every need.
It’s not hard to see why you need to book a reservation and if the service doesn’t impress you, the food sure will.
I highly recommend Takara to anyone.
If you’re in Tauranga, ring and book your table or you will miss out.
We’ll be back
Joe and Jen

went on monday the 24th September with my wife and the
place was bussing everything I’d read in the reviews were
true.The staff were friendly and the meals were amongst the best weve ever had. Will certainly go again and recommend
the “Takara” to friends and family .
John and gloria

Awesome friendly staff, very welcoming. Food is lovely and well presented. Always something nice to choose from. Service is prompt. Will be recommending Takara to people for sure. Will surely be going back for more lovely food.

From the moment we entered I was impressed. The staff were very friendly and ensured we had what we needed. The food was amazing!!! Something to suit everyone. This is a place I would definitely recommend and encourage people to try. I will be going back

I was taken here for lunch with my family. It was my first experience of Japanese food and I was impressed. Everything was great and would definitely go back there.

Awesome restaurant. Great food and service at great prices. I couldn’t recomment it more.

We’ve been here multiple times and have never been dissapointed. The personell were incredibly friendly and they’ve been more than happy to cater for special wishes.

Our Sushi was always fresh and tasty, and the ice-cream deserts were, despite our initial reservations, incredibly tasty.

We had a very enjoyable night here recently, the food was lovely, very tasty and fresh, and the customer service is great, really made to feel welcome by our waiter and waitress.

Takara – Tauranga – I am absolutely “over-the-moon” about Takara!

The food, the ambience, the customer service are second to none – not to mention the special surprise I received………

My partner and I booked in for dinner last week (11 July) and had a fantastic meal! After paying the bill, the host chatted with us and asked if we were out celebrating something – as it happened we were – it was my 70th birthday!! He said “OH, please take a seat and I’ll bring you some ice-cream”. How nice, I thought. After a while, suddenly the music stopped and over the speaker came “Happy Birthday” – just as he came up behind me and produced a lovely assortment of ice-creams complete with lighted candle! Everybody sang and clapped and I was totally amazed!!

What a delightful surprise Takara – I will never forget you!!

This is by far the best Japanese food outside of Japan, having lived there for a time, I should know!
I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough, my boyfriend and I are always very excited to eat here as we know we are going to have a good time.
The staff are always very attentive and courteous, the meals are prompt and the chefs never falter in deliciousness and quality.
Literally one of the only high-quality places to dine in Tauranga, don’t waste your money anywhere else!!

Beautiful fresh food that melts in your mouth,friendly service with a smile…other restaurants in town could learn from this place! This has to be Taurangas No1 Japanese restaurant, look forward to returning soon!

We went to Takara for our anniversary dinner last night, it was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious, it all practically melted in my mouth. The service was brilliant, they were very pleasant and helpful, and the atmosphere is lovely. This is my new favourite restaurant, I don’t think I would go dine anywhere else. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. Well done guys!

Brilliant! Best Japaneses in Tauranga! Would highly recommend. Good price (Cheap), taste and service! Great environment. We have been here many times and the experience is great every time. Its great and it BYO…WINNER

it was stunning, really enjoyed the meal, was value for money and all very fresh. waiters were very friendly and attentive.
A Mirror above the kitchen facing down to the work bench would be a cool thing so the customers can see how the chefs prepare the meals just abit of theartre eating.

Have dined here on numerous occasions now and every time has been a fantastic experience! Love the food and the staff.

A group of friends and I went for lunch at Takara. None of us had been there before so we were excited to try the place out. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. It was a great experience trying something totally different. I am vegetarian and they were very accommodating to my needs.

I can’t wait to go back with my friends. My plan is to eventually try everything on the menu Friendly staff, good food…what more do you want!

Went on a busy saturday night. The service was good and cheerful but the food is over priced for what is being servied. I had chicken Katsu which is a good size but for $25.00 and when having drinks and entree is over the top.

Enjoyable meal served by friendly and efficient staff. Like the menu which has photos of the various dishes available.
Staff are flexible as to what is on offer and the meals are good value and not very expensive.
Will definitely go there again.

Wonderful relaxed friendly atmosphere. Decor dated but new owners are gradually making improvements. Wonderful food, great prices and beautifully presented. Have introduced family and friends to this establishment and they are now all regulars. However, Takara, please have iced water, the last few times I have been the water has been warm, but this is just a minor problem, can’t fault the rest of it.Well done.

Often have a relaxed dinner or lunch with friends and family at Takara. Nice friendly service and usually pretty quick. FOOD IS DEVINE! Tried most of the menu and all has been full of flavour and most of all fresh! This is reflected through made to order sushi that is always yummy! Decent prices and always busy, this reflects great food, good price, friendly staff! =)

I often go to Takara with my family and Japanese friends for both lunch and dinner. Great service, and not to mention food! Delicious, fresh authentic Japanese food with a variety of flavours. The sushi here is premium – the freshest in Tauranga in my opinion, as they make it to order. My favourite meals are the sashimi, unagi-don, teriyaki chicken and green tea ice cream (which I thought would be incredibly strange but proved to be sweet creamy and just amazing!) great service – fast and friendly. Food is absolutely great (menus are a little pricey, but very filling and worth it). The busiest times are Saturday lunchtimes and dinners (around 7pm onwards). Will keep coming here for great Japanese food!

September / October / November / December 2011 January 2012 – Lunches

Change in owners, and wow, what a transformation, the place has been brightened up and spruced up and its looking HEAPS better.

Menu’s slightly changed, but still FANTASTIC, have almost been through everything, although have my favourites. Still very very affordable for in town.
Love the fact that they will swap or make or change anything for you, you just have to ask.

Good service, good standards, great value for money, good food.

Fast becoming a once weekly stop in.