M Tempura

The best meal in Durham

To this day, my favorite Durham dining experience has been at M Tempura. Durham’s collection of M restaurants (M Sushi, M Kokko, M Pocha, and the aforementioned M Tempura) are all spectacular but M Tempura is something extremely special.

My first trip to M Tempura was actually before I had moved to Durham. My wife and I severely struggled to find the restaurant tucked away on a side street in downtown Durham on a cold December night. Walking in, we were greeted by a near empty restaurant but the atmosphere was still warm and inviting. We decided to both get the “M” Omakase experience which included several chef-curated courses. We split a bottle of sake and let the meal wash over us. I can’t remember the individual dishes but the experience of gently crunchy tempura, intentional food presentation, and succulent fish remains embedded in my mind.

A cross section of our most recent meal at M Tempura

M Tempura only offers tasting menus which admittedly requires a significant financial and temporal commitment. But, it is well worth your time and money. Embrace the fact that you can’t make specific meal choices. Give yourself over to the experienced M Tempura team. And indulge yourself in perhaps the best meal you’ll ever enjoy.

Pros: I can almost guarantee that M Tempura will blow your mind if you allow it to. The food is exceptional and the presentation is world-class.

Cons: You have to trust that M Tempura will provide you with a great meal. Your choices are limited to what beverage you will enjoy. Reservations are pretty much a must.

Best Time to Go: A snowy evening in December.

Best For: Fancy date nights.

Pro Tip: M Tempura also offers a brunch menu on Sundays from 11:30 AM - 3 PM, so enjoy a unique downtown brunch option on the weekends.