M Tempura

Name: M Tempura
Address: 111 Orange Street, Durham, NC, United States, 27701
Telephone: (919) 748-3874
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.9

4.9 (644)

$50 and over

Japanese

111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 3, 2025

10:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Charming
Innovative

M Tempura, in Downtown Durham, is part of the acclaimed M Restaurants group by Chef Michael Lee. Specializing in traditional Japanese tempura and Kaiseki Omakase, M Tempura elevates these classics with unique twists and subtle European influences. Each meticulously crafted multi-course menu balances tradition with innovation, delivering a refined and unforgettable dining experience. Guests must select the same menu option for their entire party. Please note, we cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, or seafood allergies. Experience reimagined Japanese cuisine at M Tempura.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Tempura, Asian
Hours of operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm
Phone number
(919) 748-3874
Website
https://www.m-restaurants.com/location/m-restaurants-tempura/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Michael Lee

Location
111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701
Neighborhood
Durham
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Tempura Tasting Menu
$38.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Our Traditional Omakase is the most casual of our experiences. Guests start with a seasonal salad and then proceed to 10 pieces of chef's choice fish and vegetable tempura. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final dessert course of housemade ice cream. Flavors vary often but are always delicious. This is the best option for guests who are going to a show or event in town! Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
M Omakase Tasting Menu
$79.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Our M Omakase is a 7-Course experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Guests start with three small plates including Tuna Tartare, Crudo, and Savory Chawanmushi. They then proceed to 8 premium tempura pieces such as Lobster Tail from Maine and Scallop topped with Golden Kaluga Caviar. After tempura, guests will enjoy a final entree course of miso-marinated seabass over rice with house-cured salmon roe, nori, wasabi, and pickled daikon. Finally, guests will finish with a unique housemade dessert. Desserts vary often but are always delicious. Guests with allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to contact us with any questions at 919-748-3874.
Kaiseki Omakase Menu
$127.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Kaiseki Omakase requires 24 hours advance notice. WE CANNOT HONOR SAME-DAY REQUESTS. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that uses different cooking methods in each course. Our adaptation of the Kaiseki focuses on seasonality and locality of ingredients. It includes 10 Unique courses that the chef may adjust according to seasonal availability. Please see the menu for course details.

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Sakizuke
Bison tartare, egg yolk, black truffles, sunchoke
Otsukuri
Chef’s choice sashimi or crudo of the day
Nimono
Chawanmushi, steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil
Atsumono
Scallop from Hokkaido Japan, Curried Cauliflower Puree, Kaluga Caviar
Agemono
Pink Prawns, Lobster, Saltwater Eel, Asparagus
Suimono
Shabu Shabu, dashi, ponzu sauce
Yakimono (grilled dish)
Wagyu pave, soy cured egg yolk
Shokuji
Blue crab handroll, miso soup
Pre-Dessert
Brie Cheese Tempura, Nori, Honey, Black Truffle
Dessert
Chef's Choice

M Omakase

$75 Per Person, Chef May Substitute Items Based on Availability

Tuna Tataki*
Tuna Tartare, Nori, Tobiko
Crudo*
Sea Trout, Aji Amarillo, EVOO, Radish, Micro Shiso, Crispy Shallot, Black Tobiko
Chawanmushi
Steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil
Tempura
Pink Prawns w/ Heads, Softshell Prawn, Asparagus, Saltwater Eel, Mero Seabass, Maine Lobster*, Scallop w/ Golden Kaluga Caviar, Brie Cheese w/ Nori, Black Truffle, and Honey
Meal
Miso-Marinated Seabass over rice, House-Cured Ikura, Pickled Daikon, Nori, and Wasabi. Served with Miso Soup.
Dessert

Tempura Tasting

$38 Per Person, Chef May Substitute Items Based on Availability

Chilled Tofu Salad
Miso dressing, Katsuobushi, Cucumber, Lettuce, Kaiware
Tempura
White Shrimp, Asparagus, Shiitake Mushroom, Lotus Root, Mero Seabass, Salmon, Scallop, Eggplant, Sweet Potato
Dessert

A La Carte

Not available for standalone purchase. May be added in addition to your meal. All tempura items are 2 pieces per order.

Lobster*$14.00
Mero Seabass$10.00
Pink Prawns w/ Heads $9.00
Maitake Mushroom$8.00
Softshell Shrimp$7.00
Salmon$7.00
Scallop*$7.00
Veggies$4.00
Choose; Asparagus, Lotus Root, Shitake Mushroom, Eggplant, or Sweet Potato
Miso Soup$3.00
Rice$3.00

What 644 people are saying

M Tempura reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
5.0Service
4.7Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Best Food
Durham
Best Overall
Durham
Best Food
Durham
Best Service
Durham
Best Value
Durham
Innovative
Durham
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

M Tempura offers a captivating dining experience with its standout "omakase" and "kaiseki" menus. Renowned chefs like Ava and Savannah create "amazing" dishes with "rich flavors," ensuring "excellent food and service." The intimate setting, combined with a "cozy atmosphere," makes it a top choice for special occasions and repeat visits.

644 Reviews

S
Stephanie
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We snagged a last minute reservation at the bar and had an amazing experience! We did the $38 Tempura Tasting menu, which was plenty of food and allowed us to try a good number of items fried right in front of us by Ava (who was great), as well as some whipped tofu, a celery sorbet palate cleanser, miso soup, wheat noodle main course, and ginger ice cream. Wonderful from end to end! The next time we're in Durham we'll try to plan ahead and make reservations for one of the higher end menus and maybe even do the sake pairing!
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L
Lisa
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing! Must try the tasting menu every course was perfect!
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D
Dennis VIP
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill40 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
M Tempura is an absolutely fabulous choice for dinner. We arrived at 6:15 and enjoyed the M Omakase option before a DPAC show at 8. The meal consisted of about 10-12 small bites (shrimp, salmon, sea bass) and one rice bowl and miso soup at the end followed by ginger ice cream with ginger crumbles. Neighbors were having the saki pairings and seemed pretty happy with their choice. we had wine and beer. Ava was the master chef attentive to our every need and Rook made sure my Sapporo did not run dry. It was a fabulous meal and ambience. We ate at the bar which I like because we see our food being prepared. The restaurant size is also nice since there are about 5 tables and 10 bar spots so not too busy, crowded or noisy. Well done Michael Lee !!!
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J
Jackie
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review
5.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful omakase meal. Rich flavors, comfortably paced procession of dishes. Savannah is amazing!
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S
Stephanie
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Omakase was the best meal I've ever had. I'll be thinking about several of those dishes for a long time to come. Chef Savannah took time to chat with us and was very lovely. Our waitress was really knowledgeable about the food and provided fantastic service.
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D
David VIP
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review
5.0
Dined on June 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was delicious and the service was great.
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J
James
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review
5.0
Dined on June 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and great service. Highly recommend doing one of their experiences.
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J
Jared
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review
3.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Service was great with cozy atmosphere. Fifth time we have eaten here and have tried the various course menus. We tried Kaiseki this time and while usually delicious, tonight was not to standard. Portions are usually smaller and that’s ok but for the higher dining price and tonight’s subpar food it left us hungry when dinner was complete even after ordering extra tempura from the a la carte menu. Food did come out very fast and almost as soon as we finished the previous course. May or may not be back again.
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R
Russell
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill4 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our favorite restaurant and chef Ava was great. Sitting at the bar it was almost like having our own personal chef for our 25 year anniversary. Highly recommended, the omekase menu is delightful. Thank you
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S
Sarah
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Fantastic meal. Pacing of the courses was excellent, and it was fun to chat with the chef!
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FAQs

M Tempura is rated 4.9 stars by 644 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 3, 2025

10:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

111 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701

Additional information

Neighborhood
Durham
Hours of operation
Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:30 am–3:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Japanese, Tempura, Asian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Michael Lee
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.m-restaurants.com/location/m-restaurants-tempura/
Phone number
(919) 748-3874

M Tempura

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Tempura Tasting Menu

M Omakase Tasting Menu

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

Kaiseki

Sakizuke

Otsukuri

Nimono

Atsumono

Agemono

Suimono

Yakimono (grilled dish)

Shokuji

Pre-Dessert

Dessert

M Omakase

Tuna Tataki*

Crudo*

Chawanmushi

Tempura

Meal

Dessert

Tempura Tasting

Chilled Tofu Salad

Tempura

Dessert

A La Carte

Lobster*$14.00

Mero Seabass$10.00

Pink Prawns w/ Heads $9.00

Maitake Mushroom$8.00

Softshell Shrimp$7.00

Salmon$7.00

Scallop*$7.00

Veggies$4.00

Miso Soup$3.00

Rice$3.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is M Tempura restaurant rated?

Is M Tempura currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information