Izakaya Nana in Chantilly: A Hidden Japanese Alley Restaurant

Disclaimer: This post was written after multiple visits, with the most recent on March 15, 2026.

Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you’re not traveling at all.

At first glance, Izakaya Nana in Chantilly, Virginia looks like an unassuming standalone building tucked into a shopping center. It’s the kind of place you might drive past without thinking twice.

But step inside, and everything changes.

What looks simple from the outside opens into something completely unexpected — a miniature Japanese street scene filled with lanterns, narrow alleyways, and hidden dining rooms. The whole space feels like wandering through a tiny food district somewhere in Japan.

It’s one of those places where the outside gives you no hint of what’s waiting inside.

And that’s part of what makes it such a fun discovery.

The outside of the restaurant is unassuming.

Walking Into a Japanese Alley

Instead of a traditional restaurant entrance, you step into what feels like a small Japanese alleyway.

Lanterns hang overhead. Warm lights glow from windows and doorways. Narrow corridors lead to different dining rooms tucked along the “street.”

The entire space is filled with details — Japanese signage, decorative lanterns, wood textures, and little touches that make it feel like a late-night street somewhere in Tokyo or Osaka.

It’s also incredibly photogenic. Almost everyone walking through the entrance seems to pause for a moment, looking around and taking pictures.

A cozy Japanese-themed restaurant with yellow artificial tree branches overhead, red lanterns, wooden furniture, and shelves displaying various items. A woman stands at the counter while people walk in the background.

A dimly lit hallway in a Japanese restaurant, decorated with colorful hanging lanterns and signs with Japanese writing on wooden walls, leading to private dining rooms at the end.

Warmly lit Japanese-style interior with brick walls, red maple leaves, hanging lanterns with Japanese characters, and a chalkboard at the entrance, creating a cozy and festive ambiance.

A dimly lit hallway in a Japanese-style restaurant features lanterns hanging from the ceiling, a glowing orange window on the left, and decorations leading toward a brightly lit entrance at the far end.

A dimly lit hallway with brick walls, round stained glass window glowing orange and yellow, hanging string lights, and a doorway under a sign reading TONKATSU NANA. Decorative plants and lanterns add ambiance.

A man sits at a table with a menu in a cozy bar with brick walls, warm lights, hanging decor, and people seated at the counter. Yellow leaves and Japanese banners hang from the ceiling.

Private Dining Rooms With Character

One of the things that makes Izakaya Nana unique is the layout of the dining rooms.

Instead of one large open restaurant, many tables are placed inside small themed rooms branching off the alleyways.

Each room has its own personality.

Some feel warm and traditional, with wooden walls and glowing lanterns overhead. Others lean more modern, with neon accents and bold Japanese street-culture artwork.

It gives the entire experience a more intimate feel — like you’ve stumbled across a tiny restaurant tucked into a side street.

A man sits alone at a wooden table in a cozy Japanese restaurant with hanging lanterns, blue banners with Japanese writing, and patterned seat cushions. Plates, cups, and water glasses are on the table.

The Menu

Izakaya Nana’s menu offers a wide mix of Japanese favorites, from small plates and grilled skewers to sushi, ramen, and comforting rice dishes. Like many izakayas, the dishes are perfect for sharing, making it easy to try a variety of flavors in one meal.

Below is a look at the menu from our visit. I love that it’s a picture menu! 🙂

Menu on a wooden table featuring yakitori skewers, sushi and sashimi platters, ramen, rice bowls, desserts, and drinks, with photos of each dish, descriptions, and prices in both English and Japanese.

A Japanese restaurant menu features colorful photos and descriptions of dishes, including cold and warm appetizers, soup, steamed items, and specials, all arranged in sections with prices and chef recommendations.

The Food

The atmosphere might be what draws you in, but the food definitely keeps the experience memorable.

We started with gyoza, perfectly pan-fried dumplings with that crispy lace texture along the bottom. Paired with the dipping sauce, they disappeared from the table pretty quickly.

The sushi rolls were another highlight. One roll came topped with spicy tuna and drizzled sauces that balanced flavor and texture really well.

Another beautifully presented roll featured different types of fish and roe across each piece, making every bite a little different.

And if you’re looking for something comforting and hearty, the katsu curry is a great choice. Crispy breaded cutlet served with rice and rich Japanese curry sauce — simple, warm, and incredibly satisfying.

A rectangular plate of sushi rolls topped with spicy mayo, microgreens, and sauce, garnished with pickled ginger and wasabi, on a wooden table.

A rectangular piece of sushi topped with colorful fish, roe, avocado, herbs, and garnished with an orchid, served on a leaf with ginger and wasabi. Chopsticks and a glass of water are nearby on a wooden table.

A person holds a plate with Japanese curry rice, featuring breaded fried cutlet, shredded cabbage, and a mound of steamed white rice, alongside a spoon and chopsticks. Cups and a water glass are in the background.

On another visit, we had the chance to try a few more dishes that really showcase the izakaya style of dining. The yakitori platter arrived sizzling with a variety of grilled skewers — from juicy chicken to savory beef and vegetables — each one perfectly charred and full of flavor. The karaage chicken was another standout, crispy on the outside and tender inside, served with a lemon wedge and dipping sauce that made it hard to stop reaching for another piece. And to finish things off, we tried strawberry daifuku, a simple but delicious dessert with fresh strawberry wrapped in soft mochi and sweet red and white bean paste. It was the perfect light ending to the meal.