Gallery
In this section you will see the restaurant experience and some sample dishes, all freshly prepared in front of you by Head Chef, Darren Yates whilst you dine. Every care is taken sourcing fresh ingredients from the best suppliers worldwide, to create our Auradaze authentic Japanese dishes. We also cater for special dietary requirements as well as vegetarian and vegan. If you see something you like or would like to know a bit more about some of the dishes, please use our contact page or pop in and see us.
.
A very friendly welcoming atmosphere
Having travelled to Japan and experienced various food outlets there, and have eaten Japanese food around the world, this place is as good, if not better than any I’ve tried. A small unassuming place, certainly not pretentious. Good food served with a passion and knowledge in a very friendly welcoming atmosphere.”
Pip B – Restaurant Guru 5 out of 5
Spectacular
The word above says it all – simply spectacular food. We are huge (vegetarian) foodies and not that easy to impress, but this completely blew any potential contender on our list out of the water by a country mile. Just go! We’ll be back. Thank you. (-:
AnotherTraveller2014 – June 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finest Japanese deli
Overall I find Auradaze amazingly satisfying. While they do not do delivery, the manager gave us her number the first day we went, telling us to call them an hour or so in advance for them to prepare food for us to pick up. I highly encourage you to visit, just make sure to fill up your wallet AND TRY THE GREEN CHAI TEA!”
Henrietta B – The Boar
Stunning Omakase Tasting Menu
We had an early sitting after a walk and were greeted with a very warm welcome by chef Darren and his lovely wife. Both were extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Japanese cuisine and that really showed through in the food and service. We both had the Omakase tasting menu which was excellent value for money with incredible variety and generous portions. Best Japanese we have had in the UK.
kermit_and_ali – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent food and service
Spotted this new place on our first night in Ambleside decided to try it out at some point in our week and thank goodness we did! Not being well up on Japanese cuisine we decided to play it as safe with the introductory menu. Miso soup, sushi, gyoza and 2 mains for £20.95 per head. Exceptional value for money. The portions were huge and the fish on the sushi was of extremely high quality couldn’t believe what we got for what we paid. Laura and Darren were extremely friendly, helpful, passionate and enthusiastic. We were so full when we finished and can’t wait to come back next time we’re in Ambleside….we will definitely be more adventurous next time!
Claire C – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best Japanese restaurant…
Best Japanese restaurant I’ve been to in the UK. We went for the £29 menu. Laura and Darren (chef) explained every dish to us. Very fresh food but also large portions, which makes me hard to believe it’s only £29. The environment is very cosy. Definitely will come back again and I already start to imagine dine on a cold winter night, drink sake together with the delicious food. Winter life can’t be better.”
Oscar Q – Restaurant Guru 5 out of 5
Absolutely outstanding
Had 1 week in Ambleside and ate here twice in 3 days!! Simply amazing place. The best Japanese I’ve ever had and my wife who’s been to Japan said it’s equal to or better than some places she ate in Japan. The sashimi and sushi were very tasty with the freshest fish ever. The cooked items simply ouzed umami flavour. Portion sizes very generous and ran by a brilliant couple. All in all, you leave feeling full, well looked after and happy. Can’t wait to come back in August! See you guys soon.
GarethH828 – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best Japanese restaurant by a mile
Fantastic food. Superb atmosphere. Really really interesting to sit and chat to the owner while he’s preparing your food. Can’t recommend highly enough.”
Sam B, TripAdvisor 5 out of 5
Japan on a Plate
Dined on authentic Japanese food which blew us away and we left feeling we had made new friends in owners Darren and Laura. Very evident that Chef Darren has spent years in Japan to master this craft as he and his lovely wife took us on an amazing gastro trip! Will definitely return with friends and fellow Sushi/Sashimi lovers!
Toonagh – June 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Superb!!
Best sushi I’ve had in years, so fresh and the best quality, this place is definitely worth a visit if your in The Lakes, lovely couple that run the place and bring your own alcohol, I found a lovely wine shop just around the corner and overall it was a lovely dining experience, one of the best for The Lakes, I’m sure all the top chefs in the area will be eating here.
1556898 – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best Japanese outside Japan
Having spent quite a bit of time in Japan it’s difficult to find anywhere that comes close, however Auradaze was superb. The fish was so fresh and melt in the mouth, the rice perfectly done. A really tasty meal and potentially the best we’ve had outside Japan. Thanks!
crookshankles – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fantastic Sushi & Kobe Beef
My wife and I had lunch here and it was amazing. We’re massive sushi lovers and find it hard to find good sushi restaurants. This is 5 star sushi, they even do Kobe beef at half the price you would find in London. The chef was telling us it’s very hard to source but he has the best contacts from his long experience working in Japan. We can’t wait to go back, but we will take our teenage girls next time, we have already booked accommodation in Ambleside, on the prefix of dining at Auradaze, and we will be having the Kobe steaks. The Lakes are so lucky to have a restaurant like this, it’s got to be the best sushi in the north of England without a doubt.
Syri07 – May 2019, Trip Advisor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brilliant as always…
We’ve been to Auradaze many times over the last few years, it has never been anything short of brilliant. Amazing sushi and sashimi, the miso soup with smoked fish is awesome. Try and sit at the “bar” so you can chat to Daz while he works his magic.”
TripAdvisor – 5 out of 5