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Restaurant

Ora Restaurant

8 Danks St, Waterloo NSW 2017, Australia

Recommended by 11 people

Updated

Find Ora Restaurant

8 Danks St, Waterloo NSW 2017, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 6261 0088
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Ora Restaurant

Behind Waterloo's quiet Danks Street facade sits a soaring industrial warehouse turning out serious Japanese dining. Regulars head straight for Executive Chef Nobuyuki Ura's omakase counter—an unhurried procession of seasonal nigiri and warm broth where the chef talks you through each cut. Out in the airy main room, groups lean into shared feasts of Balmain bug san choi bao, crisp tuna rice, and charcoal-grilled wagyu. Bartenders mix a dealer's choice "bar-makase" cocktail on the fly, tailoring each glass to cut right through the richness of seared A5 nigiri and spicy karaage.

  • Chef-Led Omakase: Executive Chef Nobuyuki Ura guides guests through seasonal nigiri, sashimi, and broth with personal technique notes.
  • Bar-Makase Cocktails: Bartenders shake custom, off-menu drinks matched on the fly to diner preferences.
  • Warehouse Space: High ceilings, widely spaced tables, and turning architectural doors anchor the industrial dining room.
  • Modern Japanese Plates: Shared dining anchored by Balmain bug san choi bao, crisp tuna rice, and A5 Kagoshima wagyu.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurantFine Dining

What's On at Ora Restaurant

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Ora Restaurant

Discover why diners choose Ora for intimate counter omakase, tailored cocktails, and design-led celebrations.

  • Chef-Led Omakase Counter

    Executive Chef Nobuyuki Ura guides diners directly at the counter, explaining ingredients and course preparations while presenting masterfully balanced nigiri.

    Executive Chef Nobuyuki Ura made the evening even more special. He took the time to explain each dish, talk us through the ingredients and preparation, and was so warm and welcoming throughout the night.

    Kara Wiltshire

  • Bespoke Bar-Makase Mixology

    Ora's bartenders showcase creative cocktail artistry through off-menu dealer's choice selections and personalized flavor pairings.

    The drinks menu is super creative and unique (I’ve had the bar-makase aka dealer’s choice twice and both were amazing)

    Millie Zhang

  • Effortless & Attentive Hospitality

    Attentive, accommodating floor service anticipates guest needs effortlessly, creating an unpretentious atmosphere where milestone occasions exceed expectations.

    Staff anticipate needs effortlessly and guide the evening with genuine warmth and professionalism, making the service impossible to fault.

    Daniel

  • Fulfilling Value & Generosity

    Diners enjoy peace of mind with multi-course banquets and omakase menus that deliver generous portions and exceptional culinary value.

    It’s great value for money. Very generous portion size for Omakase. I left feeling super full.

    Annie Lin

  • Spacious Architectural Warehouse Layout

    The dining room offers a rare sense of breathing room within a converted warehouse, featuring high ceilings, turning architectural doors, and well-spaced tables.

    The place itself is amazing to observe having the chefs visible and the tables well distributed.

    C Kurochan

  • Accommodating Shared Banquets

    Curated sharing menus simplify group dining and date nights by delivering beautifully presented, dietary-friendly Japanese dishes seamlessly.

    We went on a date night to Ora and we had the banquet that they made amendments for dietary requirements. It is an incredible atmosphere and the staff are lovely

    Roshy S

Signature courses and standout dishes praised by guests

  • Omakase

    We did the Omakase and it was honestly one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had.

    Kara Wiltshire

  • Shared Banquet

    highly recommend the shared banquet...every dish was tasty and wonderfully presented

    stu b

  • Balmain bug san choi bao

    the Balmain bug san choi bao and Charcoal grilled wagyu were standouts

    stu b

  • Kingfish sashimi

    Highlights from the dishes were the kingfish sashimi which was as pretty as a flower and tasted as good as it looked.

    Niki Vasiliadis

Other favorites

Creative cocktails and theatrical sweet finishes

  • Bar-makase

    I’ve had the bar-makase aka dealer’s choice twice and both were amazing

    Millie Zhang

  • Spicy marg

    we also love the spicy marg (super spicy) and the lotus blossom (fruity & delightful).

    Millie Zhang

  • Japogato

    The dessert was theatrical - absolutely loved the Japogato, a twist on the Affogato.

    Niki Vasiliadis

  • Ly-chee-me cocktail

    I usually like sweet drinks so the ly-chee-me cocktail suited my tastebuds.

    Cat B

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful, above-and-beyond hospitality touches that elevate dining at Ora Restaurant.

  • Chef-Led Culinary Storytelling & Bonus Courses

    Executive Chef Nobuyuki Ura guides diners through every course, explaining techniques and ingredients personally and offering surprise extra tastes at the end of the meal.

  • Bespoke 'Bar-Makase' Cocktail Tailoring

    Bartenders craft dealer's choice cocktails tailored directly to guest preferences or customized to match special occasion cakes.

  • Customized Banquet Dietary Adjustments

    The kitchen effortlessly modifies multi-course set menus and shared banquets to seamlessly accommodate specific dietary needs for date nights and group events.

  • Architectural Turning Doors & Airy Open Layout

    The high-ceiling industrial warehouse features architectural turning doors and generous table spacing, creating a spacious and theatrical arrival.

Before you head over

Practical guidance on reservations, parking, and dietary adjustments for your visit to Ora.

  • Book Weeknights for Easier Reservations

    Secure a weeknight reservation if you want easier booking availability when planning a dinner date or tasting menu.

  • Allow Extra Time for Street Parking

    Street parking on surrounding Waterloo streets can be limited, so allocate additional arrival time or explore quiet side street options.

  • Request Banquet Dietary Amendments Early

    The kitchen readily tailors its multi-course banquet menus for dietary requirements, so inform staff in advance when ordering.

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