A great central location away from the crowds
Located just a few steps away from the Vatican City, yet hidden in a cosy street, Nakai offers something increasingly rare in Rome’s historic center: exceptional quality and a very welcoming venue.
The space itself reflects a commitment to being different from the nearby trattorias. Two main dining areas showcase clean, contemporary design, while a soundproofed private room, Sala Kiwami, can host groups seeking an intimate setting for special occasions or business gatherings.
Behind Nakai stands chef and restaurateur Koji Nakai, whose culinary journey began in Kobe following the example of his grandfather, a professional chef. Chef Nakai spent his early years between restaurant kitchens and the city’s bustling fish market – an education that encouraged both technical skill and an understanding of ingredient quality. Growing up, Nakai specialized in Italian cuisine and decided to move to Italy to further his knowledge. Eighteen years later, he’s still here, participating into the city’s diverse culinary life.
How I consider myself? A total Roman-Japanese. This is the reason why my amatriciana noodles are great! Koji Nakai
Philosophy: a meeting between East and West
Nakai’s menu brings together the best of both worlds: Japanese cooking methods using fresh Roman ingredients. The result is a thoughtful blend of two great food traditions.
The starters are a fusion between Roman food and Asiatic vibes: his takoyaki (a Japanese snack) comes filled with octopus ragù and coconut cream, topped with seaweed and bonito flakes. He also makes a Japanese version of Rome’s famous supplì (fried rice balls), adding scampi cream, red prawns, burrata, and basil.
When it comes to the main dishes, Chef Nakai shows all his passion: try his delicious noodles tagliolini with clams and spring onions, tossed in a fragrant dashi broth infused with porcini and shiitake mushrooms or a revisited coda alla vaccinara with steamed rice.
If you are coming to Nakai with a group of friends or colleagues, you shouldn’t miss out on a shared plate of sushi rolls. My dream, aroma, coracao maki are among the most popular at Nakai. Chef Nakai plays with colours and textures and all combinations are full of taste and quite unique in the Roman food scene.
INSPIRATION
Rome’s Best Sushi Spots
The Sakè empire
The drink menu deserves attention too. There’s a wine list with about 30 Italian options as well as international labels, but sake is the real star here. Nakai offers over 20 different types of sake, chosen with the help of a sommelier – sake pairing courses are also available upon booking.
Address:
Via di Santa Maria alle Fornaci, 14 (Vatican)
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 7 p.m.- 11 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m.- 3 p.m.
