Kauboi Izakaya

1286 S Virginia St, Reno - 89502
243 reviews
Japanese
(775) 453-2592

I've been obsessed with this place for years, I can't believe I never left a review. Perfect for date nights, special occasions, or just treating yourself. Their special cocktails are delicious and go perfectly with the food too. The staff is always very welcoming and very knowledgable and helpful with the menu.

This place has amazing food! Most of the plates seemed to be tapas the chicken Yakitori was topped with wasabi green onions that were out of this world. The short rib with the Fresno-miso sauce was very creative and paired amazing with the asparagus. However as hard as the kitchen works the service was abysmally slow. Over 20 minutes to get the check, no drink refills, and they certainly didn't check back to see if we liked our food, I thought this was kind of strange since they didn't appear to be that busy. No desserts on the menu, and the cocktails were pricey compared to what you can get from the bars nearby.

Super tasty! Parking can be tricky on the street out front but there is a bit more on the backside. They also get really busy during peak hours and as far as I know you can’t make reservations, so potentially be prepared for a wait. But it’s super worth any inconvenience! All Japanese inspired small plates. I’m vegetarian and they still have plenty of tasty options. The ramen is really good. I also recommend the pickled vegetables- the mushrooms were insane. Overall a super fun experience and recommend going with a small group so things can be tried and shared.

My new favorite restaurant! Friends took us here for the first time and it was absolutely amazing! The rice tots are a must! The staff was super friendly and the menu was like nothing I’ve had before! I really liked the atmosphere they’ve got some pretty wild decorations! This is a great place to take friends or family. I highly suggest you eat here if you’re visiting Reno!

Didn't have a bad dish here. There was something for everyone in our party and I love being able to taste a variety of small dishes. The cedar wrapped short ribs are a must.

Amazing food! I mean amazing! Cool ambiance, if not the music was quite loud... No desserts, but plenty of delicious options to fill up on. Would definitely highly recommend and planning to return again soon in the future. Don't miss this one, very well worth it.

High CostExcellent FoodOk food portionsExcellent service and staffGood atmosphereWhen we arrived, we were told that the wait would be about 30mins. The hostess, listened to us with consideration, and was excellent at handling multiple tasks at once. We sat outside to wait, and had drinks served to us as we did. We had the pleasure of sitting at the bar across from the grill, which was in its own right fun to watch. Our waitress was pleasant and knowledgeable, and very punctual to our table, we never felt left out or wanting. Our food was fantastic, the wagyu beef(i forgot to take a picture before we consumed it all) was juicy and soft, melting in the mouth, the shrimp shittake so good and not over fried, and everything was worth the wait, which did take a long time another half hour our so. The music and atmosphere felt modern and mellow, low lights that faded at dusk, to the general western open concept with a japanese undertone, presenting like a bistro or steak house. We had a blast, this is definitely a place to go for a first date or for celebrations.

Absolutely everything about this place makes me want to go back!! Super friendly and fast service. The food was incredible!! I could spend all night ordering everything on the menu. Bonus, if you sit at the bar you get dinner and a show! The menu is unique and so are the vibes. Highly recommend!!

This spot is amazing. Portions are what you would expect from an Izakaya. Some dishes take a bit of time, but nothing crazy. We tried 7-8 things on the menu and they were all very good. The music is loud and probably not an atmosphere for everyone, but it's definitely worth a visit

Amazing! We usually get ramen and a few appetizers, which are all excellent. I never really like ramen until I tried this place…now it’s one of my favorite dishes. Great drinks as well! It gets busy, so either get there early or plan to wait.