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Restaurants Where They Cook in Front of You

20 Restaurants Where They Cook in Front of You

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Shari Mason

If you have ever eaten at a Japanese restaurant, then you have probably seen skilled chefs flaunting their cooking skills on a grill.

Our dining experiences in hibachi and teppanyaki restaurants are extra special and memorable because we can watch the impressive tricks from the chef while cooking the food before our eyes. 

So, if you want an extraordinary dining experience, here are our highly recommended teppanyaki and hibachi restaurants where they cook in front of you. Read on.

Top 20 Amazing Restaurants Where They Cook in Front of You

1. Fuji Hibachi 

chef cooking in front of the customer

Address: 321 West 42 Street, New York, NY 10011

Opening Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Friday–Sunday: 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM

What We Like About It: 

Fuji Hibachi is a casual Japanese-style steakhouse that has an open kitchen and hibachi grill table where you can watch the chefs cooking your dish. When we dined last March, the staff was attentive, making our dining experience more memorable and enjoyable.

Fuji Hibachi restaurant creates delicious traditional Japanese food with a style and a bit of show only a master chef can provide.

Read: How Do Restaurants Keep Prime Rib Warm?

2. Flame

Address: 100 W 82nd Street, New York, NY 10024

Opening Hours:

Monday–Friday: 1:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Saturday–Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM

What We Like About It: 

Flame is one of the Japanese restaurants known for its remarkable food presentations, offering a hibachi grilling experience, a sushi bar, and Asian bistro cuisines.

We enjoyed watching the exciting part where the expert chefs cooked before us, flaming up the grill while entertaining the guest by singing and doing food grilling tricks.

Read: How Much Do Restaurants Make In A Day?

3. Benihana

Address: 47 W 56th Street, New York, NY 10019

Opening Hours:

Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Benihana is one of the most famous hibachi-style restaurants across the US using modern hibachis. It was founded in 1964 and was one of the hibachi restaurants that started in the US.

We tried their hibachi dishes, sushi, sashimi, other seafood dishes, and their steak, especially the filet mignon.

Benihana is an excellent Japanese hibachi restaurant if you want great dishes and something entertaining. We were impressed with the chef’s skills while he was cooking our food.

Read: How Do Restaurants Reheat Lasagna?

4. New York Sushi Ko

Address: 91 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening Hours: Permanently Closed

What We Like About It: 

New York Sushi Ko is a Japanese restaurant known for catering an 11-seat Omakase-style restaurant, an intimate dining experience. Unfortunately, its business closed in January 2018 [1]. 

Taking photos and using mobile phones are prohibited in this restaurant. It made our dining experience more exclusive and special. Also, we recommend you try their sushi samplers.

5. Shogun

Shogun

Address: 470 N.Halstead St. Pasadena, CA 91107

Opening Hours:

Sunday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Monday–Thursday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Friday–Saturday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Shogun is a hibachi restaurant across southern California. It has a wide selection of sushi bar entrees and teppanyaki steak dishes, including filet mignon and New York steak.

This hibachi restaurant also offers a fine dining experience while you can watch the chef cooking every meal of your choice. 

It has become popular throughout southern California because of the chefs’ great skill in slicing and preparing food right before you.

6. Nikko

Address: 325 Arlington Ave #108, Charlotte, NC 28203

Opening Hours:

LUNCH

Monday–Friday: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

DINNER

Sunday–Tuesday: 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Wednesday–Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Nikko is a Japanese restaurant offering a sushi bar prepared in front of you. Along with the sushi bar, I like their drinks and cocktails menu.

They can cater special events and give different dining experiences for everyone, from a private dining service to a club-like atmosphere that can suit the crowd.

7. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Address: 620 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Opening Hours:

Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Another great restaurant is the Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, but this hibachi restaurant has a twist. I cooked our food, similar to the cooking concept of Korean food, Samgyeopsal.

It’s a fun experience having a twist of hibachi grilling on Japanese food. Every restaurant’s table has a small charcoal grill where you cook the food how you want it. 

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is similar to the famous Dons Bogam Wine Bar, but Gyu-Kaku serves Japanese food menu items.

8. J-Spec

Address: 239 E. 5th Street, New York, NY 10003

Opening Hours: 

Tuesday–Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Sunday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Monday: Closed

What We Like About It:

Like other hibachi restaurants, you can expect an entertaining show in J-Spec from cooking your meal. J-Spec means Japan-Specification, and it is known as a premier Wagyu destination.

As we dined at J-Spec, we were impressed with its two-restaurant experience under one roof, offering a great sushi bar menu, a seafood dish, and the highest grade of Japanese Wagyu meat.

9. The Chef’s Table

Address: 431 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018

Opening Hours: 

Monday–Saturday: 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:45 PM

What We Like About It: 

Chef’s Table is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant at Brooklyn’s Fare inspired by Japanese cuisine and French techniques.

“I find that there are a lot of similarities between French and Japanese food. I think they’re two countries that have really systemized their cuisine and codified it.”

– David Chang, Restaurateur/Author

Chef’s Table makes great food using fresh ingredients, seafood, and meat. But before going to this restaurant, reservations are needed, and you should be in a formal dress code.

10. Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse

Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse

Address: 8812-14 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Opening Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Friday: 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Saturday: 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Sunday: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Since it is a hibachi restaurant, you can expect a luxurious performance from Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar. Their chefs put on a show on your meal using hibachi grilling tricks.

The tables are communal, and kids can eat for free,, which is a plus because we brought our nieces and nephews. But on their new menu, the restaurant added Japanese alcoholic beverages, so you might not want to drink around the kids.

11. Yakiniku Futago

Address: 37 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening Hours:

Monday–Saturday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Last seating at 9:30 PM)

Sunday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Last seating at 8:30 PM)

What We Like About It: 

When we dined in, the meat quality in Yakiniku Futago Japanese restaurant never disappointed us. This hibachi restaurant offers fresh food, such as seafood and meat dishes that they cook in front of you.

Yakiniku Futago restaurant is a great place that offers dinner service. It’s an upscale Japanese BBQ house offering steak dishes.

12. Odo

Address: 17W 20th Street, New York, NY 10011

Opening Hours:

LUNCH Wednesday–Sunday: 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM

DINNER Tuesday–Saturday: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Monday: Closed

What We Like About It: 

Odo is a Japanese Restaurant offering kaiseki or a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. The restaurant has a modern outdoor, sophisticated setting offering tasting meals.

All their dishes are freshly prepared, and they cook in front of you. However, Odo’s menu isn’t for plant-based diners because they don’t offer a menu or prepare food for vegans.

13. KanaHashi

Address: 981 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening Hours:

Sunday–Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday–Saturday: 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM

Thursday: Closed

What We Like About It: 

KanaHashi is a Japanese hibachi-style restaurant offering dinner hibachi-style food that their professional chefs prepare and cook in front of you.

This restaurant is known for its delicious fresh offerings; organic miso soup and hibachi steak are my favorites.

14. MOMO Hibachi Steakhouse & Bar

Address: 1901 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Opening Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Friday: 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Saturday: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Sunday: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

If you’re in Brooklyn and you’re craving to eat some Japanese dishes, including hibachi, sushi, and steak, MOMO Hibachi Steakhouse is a great restaurant to go to.

When we ate here, I discovered that when choosing hibachi dinners, you must buy two minimum orders from MOMO. Also, aside from excellent Japanese dishes, the restaurant offers a wide range of cocktail drinks.

15. Sushi Suite 101 

Sushi Suite 101 

Address: Hotel 3232, 32 E 32nd St Suite 1001 Suite 1001, New York, NY 10016

Opening Hours:

Monday-Sunday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM

What We Like About It: 

Sushi Suite 101 is a high-end restaurant with hibachi-style foods prepared and cooked by a private chef. It’s the world’s first hotel room turned restaurant experience.

We enjoyed dining here because we hired a private chef for 60 minutes for 17-course omakase-style dining in a 4-seating capacity. It is expensive but worth to try.

16. Fogo De Chão

Address: 800 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 – 10:00 PM

Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM

Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

What We Like About It:

Another must-try restaurant where they cook in front of you is the Fogo De Chão. It is a Brazilian restaurant in America with an extensive menu specializing in churrasco. 

Our dining experience in Fogo De Chão is memorable because the meats are incredibly tender. Also, they offer a wide variety of dishes, from steak and seafood to lamb and chicken. 

It’s a recommended restaurant if you want some Brazilian-inspired dishes and have someone cook your meal at your table.  

17. Dons Bogam Wine Bar & BBQ

Address: 17 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016, United States

Opening Hours: 

Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Hibachi Restaurants have become a trend in the US, but Dons Bogam Wine Bar and BBQ are worth a try if you want something more intimate. 

We visited NYC last February, and my partner and I were looking for a hibachi restaurant that leans more toward fine dining. 

You can sit close to the chef, but we prefer a private table. No worries, because you can still watch the chef work. 

The restaurant also serves Korean food, so we’ll return next time. 

18. Del Frisco’s

Address: 1221 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, United States

Opening Hours: 

Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Saturday: 04:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Sunday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

What We Like About It:

If you want an excellent steakhouse to dine in with your family and loved ones, you should visit Del Frisco’s. 

It is one of the best restaurants that offer fine dining, and while Chef doesn’t cook in front of you, food prep occurs tableside. 

I enjoyed my meal because the waiter helped me decide which wine to get with my Prime Ribeye. Don’t hesitate to ask for their help because they were expertly trained.

19. 99 Favor Taste

Address: 285 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States

Opening Hours: 

Monday to Wednesday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Thursday: 1:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 MN

What We Like About It:

If you are like me, who craves Chinese food occasionally, you can stop by 99 Favor Taste for a quick fix. 

It’s a hot pot restaurant where your orders are set up on the table, and the waiter will help with the hot pot. 

You can be your own chef because they let you add ingredients yourself. I enjoyed the hot pot dishes because they were flavorful and filling. 

20. Boucherie

Boucherie

Address: 99 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014, United States

Opening Hours: 

Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 MN

Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM

What We Like About It:

You don’t have to travel to France for an authentic French dining experience; you can eat at Boucherie. 

I have been to Boucherie thrice, and I love to sit at their butcher counter and watch the chef prepare the meats. 

Aside from their delectable authentic French cuisines, I surprisingly enjoyed their cocktails-especially that I could watch as they prepared them.

FAQs

u003cstrongu003eWhat do you call restaurants where they cook in front of you?u003c/strongu003e

Teppanyaki and hibachi are restaurants where they cook in front of you. These restaurant styles offering grilling food over an open flame in front originated from Japanese cuisine. 

u003cstrongu003eWhat is the difference between teppanyaki and hibachi? u003c/strongu003e

Teppanyaki Japanese restaurants use flat grills, also called teppanyaki grills, made from an iron griddle with a propane flame as a heat source.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eMeanwhile, Hibachi grill-style are round or box-shaped braziers, cast iron, or a small container with a grill, using charcoal as their heating sourceu003cstrongu003e. u003c/strongu003e[u003ca href=u0022https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/hibachiu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2u003c/au003e]

u003cstrongu003eIs it expensive to dine in restaurants where they cook in front of you?u003c/strongu003e

Yes, it is generally more expensive to dine in restaurants where they cook in front of you. u003cbru003eUnlike other restaurants that serve simple meals, Hibachi restaurants hire chefs to perform, and it takes time and skill, making the food more expensive.u003cbru003e

Let’s Sum It Up

If you want to do something extra in having your normal dining experience, you can start trying the hibachi and teppanyaki restaurants, where they cook the food right in front of your eyes.

Aside from all Japanese cuisines, many of these restaurants offer Western steak dishes such as Fuji Hibachi, Yakiniku Futago, Arirang, and MOMO Hibachi Steakhouse.

But if you’re into the more intimate dining experience, you can try Dons Bogam Wine Bar & BBQ. Also, make a reservation before going to these restaurants to secure your seat.

References:

  1. https://ny.eater.com/2018/1/4/16849532/sushi-ko-closing-nyc 
  2. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/hibachi 
Shari Mason

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