Tasca Japonesa Wakasa
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa
Repsol RecommendedFeatured in Spain's Repsol Guide as a recommended restaurant for quality dining.Tasca Japonesa Wakasa is a Japanese izakaya on Carrer de Nàpols in Gràcia Nova, run since 2009 by Natsu (chef) and Taka (front of house), a couple from Osaka. Repsol Recommended.
Background
About Tasca Japonesa Wakasa
The Story
Natsu and Taka are a married couple from Osaka who moved to Barcelona and opened Tasca Japonesa Wakasa in 2009, originally as Taverna Japonesa Wakasa, now operating as Wakasa 3.0. The concept is Japanese izakaya transplanted to a Barcelona side street in Gràcia: Natsu cooks while Taka runs the room, four to six tables maximum, no printed menu on a website, reservations mandatory and often needed weeks ahead. The name has evolved but the ethos has not: authentic Osaka-style Japanese cooking in a neighbourhood setting, run by the same people since day one.
The Cuisine
Japanese izakaya cooking with Mediterranean touches, exactly what Repsol describes as 'excellent Japanese cuisine with Mediterranean touches, quality of raw materials and technique are excellent.' The kitchen produces gyoza, edamame, chicken kara-age, Wakasa udon with sautéed squid, kaizen-don (fresh fish and seafood over rice), salmon nigiri, tuna tataki and carpaccio, and seasonal Japanese preparations. A curated sake selection is central to the offering, Repsol specifically highlighted the sake programme and the staff's pairing guidance.
The Team
Natsu leads the kitchen; Taka manages the front of house. Together they have run Wakasa since 2009, a 16-year partnership in one of Barcelona's smallest and most fiercely loved Japanese restaurants. 's service score of 7.0 reflects the warmth and attentiveness of a restaurant where the owner takes care of every table personally.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Recomendado -- Featured in Repsol Guide 2026
Average spend €50. Authentic Japanese izakaya in Gràcia Nova.
Diner Ratings
4.8
~385 reviews
Professional recognition includes Macarfi food 7.8/10. Diners rate it 4.8/5 on Google.
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Reservations
How to Book Tasca Japonesa Wakasa
Booking
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa has a maximum of around 20 covers and is one of the harder reservations to secure in Barcelona. Reservations are mandatory, walk-ins are not possible. Book by phone (+34 932 081 866) or email (tascawakasa@gmail.com) as far in advance as possible. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner, Sunday for lunch only. Closed Monday and Tuesday. There is no website or online booking system.
Experience
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa Dining Experience
Intimate, cozy, and transporting, four to six tables in a small room that reviewers consistently describe as feeling like Japan in a Barcelona side street. The service is warm and personalised; Taka manages every table directly. 's decor score of 6.0 reflects a room that prioritises honesty over aesthetics, and the consistently high review scores reflect a clientele that finds exactly what it came for. A small terrace of 7.2 m² is available in good weather.
Navigate
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa is on Carrer de Nàpols in the Gràcia Nova neighbourhood, a quiet residential stretch between Còrsega and Roselló, a short walk from Verdaguer metro (L4/L5). The location is resolutely off the tourist route, which is exactly the point: you have to know to look for it.
Nearby
Camp d'en Grassot i Gràcia Nova is the upper, newer part of the Gràcia district, a residential neighbourhood of wide Eixample-style blocks that transitions into the more characterful streets of the old Gràcia village. Carrer de Nàpols is a quiet north-south artery, and the area around Verdaguer metro has become home to a cluster of serious neighbourhood restaurants that serve a local rather than tourist clientele.
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Details
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 20:00–23:30 |
| Thursday | 20:00–23:30 |
| Friday | 20:00–23:30 |
| Saturday | 20:00–23:30 |
| Sunday | 14:00–16:30 |
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Essential. Book by phone at +34 932 081 866 or by email at tascawakasa@gmail.com. Reserve weeks in advance.
Good to Know
Questions
Tasca Japonesa Wakasa FAQ
How far in advance do I need to book at Tasca Japonesa Wakasa?
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Reservations at Tasca Japonesa Wakasa are mandatory and often require booking weeks in advance. The restaurant has only 4-6 tables with a maximum of around 20 covers, making it one of the harder reservations to secure in Barcelona. There's no website or online booking system - you must call +34 932 081 866 or email tascawakasa@gmail.com directly.
Who runs Tasca Japonesa Wakasa and what's their background?
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Tasca Japonesa Wakasa is run by Natsu and Taka, a married couple from Osaka who moved to Barcelona and opened the restaurant in 2009. Natsu leads the kitchen while Taka manages the front of house and guides guests through the sake selection. They've maintained the same authentic Osaka-style izakaya concept for 16 years.
What should I expect to spend at Tasca Japonesa Wakasa?
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The average spend is approximately €50 per person without drinks. Signature dishes include kaizen-don (fresh fish over rice) for €18-24, Wakasa udon with squid for €14-18, and chicken kara-age for €12-16. The restaurant also offers a curated sake selection that Repsol specifically highlighted as excellent.
Where exactly is Tasca Japonesa Wakasa located and how do I get there?
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The restaurant is located on Carrer de Nàpols, 287 in the Gràcia Nova neighbourhood, a quiet residential area off the tourist route. The nearest metro stations are Sagrada Família (L2/L5) and Joanic (L4), both about an 8-minute walk away. It's deliberately located away from the city center in a neighbourhood setting.
What are Tasca Japonesa Wakasa's opening hours?
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The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner only (20:00-23:30) and Sunday for lunch only (14:00-16:30). It's closed Monday and Tuesday. Note that reservations are essential for all service periods.
What makes the sake program at Tasca Japonesa Wakasa special?
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Repsol specifically called Wakasa's sake list "excellent" and highlighted both the quality of the selection and the staff's pairing guidance. Taka, who runs the front of house, personally recommends sake pairings to complement the authentic Japanese izakaya dishes. The sake program is considered central to the restaurant's offering.
What kind of Japanese food does Tasca Japonesa Wakasa serve?
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Wakasa serves authentic Japanese izakaya cooking with Mediterranean touches, as recognized by Repsol. Signature dishes include their kaizen-don (fresh fish and seafood over rice), Wakasa udon with sautéed squid (named after the restaurant), gyoza, chicken kara-age, and tuna tataki. The menu changes seasonally and there's no printed menu available online.