Tucked along 14th Street in Midtown, Chirori has quietly built a following for its approachable omakase and good sake selection since opening in 2019. Dinner omakase currently runs $99 (with a $65 lunch option), offering an accessible entry point into the format in Atlanta. Next door to sister restaurant Wagaya, a longtime ramen spot with a small Japanese grocery, the pair anchors a cozy corner for casual Japanese dining. It’s just as easy to walk in and melt into one of the green chairs for a la carte ordering, where a menu of nigiri specials, sushi rolls, seaweed salads, and grilled dishes shines.
What to order
- Build a plate of individually priced nigiri, and make sure to try the hamachi with pesto ($7.50). The green herbs lift the fresh fish in a rare sushi pairing. Also get shima aji (striped jack, $6.50) and o-toro tuna with fresh uni ($13) for clean, delicate flavors.
- For an easier route, order the chef’s 10-piece nigiri selection ($45), which removes the guesswork and highlights the kitchen’s strengths.
- The Suigei tokubetsu junmai sake (“Drunken Whale,” $16 a glass) is an earthy and balanced sake served chilled. Ask for a wine glass instead of the ochoko cup for better aromatics.
- The Dancing Goat cocktail ($16), made with black tea-infused tequila and a Thai chile agave, lands as a tangy and refreshing take on a spicy margarita.
- The lunch and dinner omakase experiences punch high above the price.
The vibe
The compact dining room feels airy and relaxed, with photo prints documenting stages of sake production: from a toji sprinkling koji mold over rice to workers mixing fermenting mash in massive tubs. Linen curtains separate the dining area from the omakase counter, where diners’ feet swing from barstools. Soft laughter echoes as the chef quips jokes. Jars of pickled vegetables line the walls, and warm, attentive service reinforces the neighborhood feel.
Insider tip
Chirori hosts live tuna-cutting events that are well-worth the experience. Check the events listing on Resy for dates.
