What Yamamori Dublin does

Yamamori Dublin is a privately held, family-owned Japanese restaurant and hospitality group operating from Dublin City Centre, Ireland. Founded in 1995 by Derek Ryan and currently led by Managing Director Graham Ryan, the group operates three core restaurant venues — Yamamori South City (flagship, opened 1995 on George's Street), Yamamori North City (opened April 2007 overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge in two Georgian houses), and Izakaya Japas & Sake — alongside late-night venues Yamamori Tengu (nightclub), Izakaya Basement, and the Whisky Bar. The group employs approximately 61 staff across its venues. Its underlying operating technology centres on traditional Japanese culinary preparation techniques using fresh locally sourced Irish produce; the technology stack is otherwise standard third-party SaaS including Square for online ordering and Eventbrite for ticketing.

The business operates across five revenue streams: dine-in restaurant service, takeaway and contactless delivery within a 7km radius of Dublin City Centre, private event venue hire with minimum spends of €3,500-€4,500, off-site corporate catering (boardroom sushi, sushi parties), curated exclusive events (whisky and sake tastings, comedy nights, brand partnership dinners), late-night bar and nightclub operations, and gift card sales. Pricing across event tiers ranges from €10-€75 per person for ticketed experiences and €15-€20 minimum orders for takeaway. The North City Coach House charges €500 non-refundable deposits four weeks ahead of events.

Yamamori's go-to-market approach is event-driven, leveraging recurring branded programming with Japanese-aligned beverage partners (Asahi Super Dry, House of Suntory, Nikka Whisky, Gunpowder Gin, Domaine Bousquet, Rascals Brewing) and cultural partners (Ireland Japan Association, Sake Service Institute). Marketing channels include the company website, email newsletter, organic social on Instagram and Facebook, Eventbrite ticketing, press coverage, and a content creator partnership program. The company serves three primary customer segments: individual and group diners (primary), corporate and business clients (primary), and private event hosts (secondary).

Name

Yamamori Dublin

Legal name

Yamamori

Website

https://yamamori.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Yamamori Dublin is a family-owned Japanese restaurant and hospitality group operating three restaurants and multiple late-night venues in Dublin City Centre. Founded in 1995, it serves individual diners, corporate clients, and private event hosts through dine-in, takeaway, catering, and brand-partnered events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Japanese Restaurants & Hospitality

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Fine Dining Restaurants (THAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC), Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)

Keywords

• Japanese restaurants
• Sushi dining
• Izakaya small plates
• Corporate event catering
• Japanese whisky bar

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Dining: Revenue from dine-in customers across three restaurant venues offering Japanese cuisine including sushi, ramen, tempura, Japanese grill, and Izakaya-style small plates.
2. Takeaway and Delivery: Contactless delivery within 7km radius of Dublin City Centre with minimum order of €20 for delivery and €15 for collection. Online ordering through dedicated platform.
3. Events and Catering: Private event hosting with venue hire fees, minimum spend requirements, and full catering services for corporate events, celebrations, and parties.
4. Nightlife and Bar: Revenue from late-night bar operations at Yamamori Tengu and Izakaya Basement, including DJ events, comedy nights, and branded cocktail experiences.
5. Gift Cards: Sale of gift vouchers for use across all Yamamori locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Yamamori Dublin operates a portfolio of Japanese restaurants and night-life venues in Dublin City Centre, offering dine-in sushi, ramen, tempura, Japanese grill, and izakaya-style small plates across three venues. The business also runs a nightclub, a whisky bar, private event hosting, off-site catering, takeaway and delivery, and curated cultural events such as whisky tastings and comedy nights. Revenue is generated primarily through in-restaurant dining, takeaway transactions, bar sales, venue hire, catering, and gift card sales.

Product overview

Yamamori Dublin is an established Japanese restaurant and hospitality group operating as a multi-venue umbrella brand. The portfolio consists of three core restaurant products: Yamamori South City (flagship, opened 1995, serving tempura/sushi/grill/ramen), Yamamori North City (Georgian venue overlooking Ha'penny Bridge, opened 2007), and Izakaya Japas & Sake (izakaya-style shared dining). Supporting the restaurant operations are sub-brands Yamamori Tengu (nightclub) and Yamamori Whisky Bar. The group also offers catering services (boardroom sushi and home sushi parties), takeaway delivery via Square, private event hosting across multiple venues, and curated exclusive in-house events including comedy clubs and brand partnerships. Gift cards provide an additional revenue stream.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• North City: Japanese restaurant located near Ha'penny Bridge, opened April 2007, featuring 19th-century Japanese artwork and original samurai artifacts.
• South City
• Izakaya Japas & Sake
• Yamamori Tengu

Products and services

• Yamamori South City Flagship traditional Japanese restaurant on George's Street serving tempura, sushi, Japanese grill, and ramen prepared fresh daily. It is the founding Yamamori venue and serves individual diners, couples, families, and groups seeking authentic Japanese dining.
• Yamamori North City Japanese restaurant in two Georgian houses overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge, displaying 19th-century Japanese artwork and original samurai artifacts. It serves traditional Japanese cuisine and is the venue where private event hosting, comedy club, and corporate entertainment programmes are anchored.
• Izakaya Japas & Sake Japanese izakaya concept on South Great George's Street serving small plates (Japas) paired with sake in an informal, relaxed setting. Targeted at casual diners, groups, and visitors seeking a shared-tapas style Japanese experience.
• Yamamori Tengu Nightclub and late-night venue at The Coach House behind North City, hosting DJ nights, comedy club performances, and branded events. It is also available for private hire for corporate and private parties.
• Yamamori Whisky Bar Intimate whisky bar on Northside Quays featuring an extensive Japanese whisky collection and craft cocktails. It functions as both a standalone bar and a venue for whisky tastings and private hire.
• Yamamori At Home (Takeaway & Delivery) Takeaway and delivery service offering ramen, sushi, fried rice, and other menu items. Available via online ordering on the Square platform with contactless delivery within 7km of Dublin City Centre and collection from all three locations.
• Off-site Catering (Boardroom & Sushi Party) Off-site catering service delivering premium sushi platters, nigiri, sashimi, and artfully arranged sushi rolls directly to corporate boardrooms, offices, and private homes. Targeted at corporate meetings, presentations, networking events, and home parties.
• Private Event Hosting Private event venue hire across The Coach House at Tengu (capacity 30-200), The Garden (45 seated), Izakaya Basement (50-100), and Whiskey Bar (30-70), with full catering from the adjoining restaurants, AV systems, climate control, and dedicated staff.
• Exclusive In-House Events Ticketed event programme including the weekly Juicy Koi Comedy Club, whisky and sake tastings, brand collaboration events with partners such as Asahi, Suntory, and Nikka, and seasonal cultural celebrations. Events are ticketed via Eventbrite.
• Gift Cards Digital gift vouchers available for purchase online and redeemable at all Yamamori venues for dining and hospitality experiences.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rascals Brewing CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026Arcade Night collaboration featuring Japanese street food, Rascals craft beer, Taiko no Tatsujin rhythm game, karaoke, and DJ sets. Two-night event series across Yamamori and Rascals venues celebrating independent hospitality and Japanese culture.
• House of SuntorycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 July 2025Japanese whisky tasting events at Yamamori North City featuring Suntory whisky paired with curated Japanese cuisine. Multi-course tasting menu with whisky pairings. Sold-out events showcasing premium Japanese spirits.
• Sake Service Institute (SSI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Sake education and certification body. Sarika Seki Hussey certified as Official Sake & Shochu Lecturer. Events feature premium Japanese sake with proper education.
• Ireland Japan Association (IJA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2025Collaboration for sake tasting workshop and networking events celebrating Japanese culture. Sarika Seki Hussey serves as sake educator. Joint events promoting Ireland-Japan cultural connections through food and beverage.
• ASICSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 February 2025Post-running event celebration at Yamamori North City. ASICS product launch run finishing at the venue with Japanese dining experience. Brand collaboration with Japanese-rooted companies.
• Asahi Super DrycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 October 2024Ongoing brand partnership collaboration featuring 'Super Nights' events at Yamamori Izakaya. Events showcase Asahi Super Dry beer paired with Japanese cuisine and sake tastings. Includes exclusive summer dining events and mural collaboration at Tengu venue.
• Juicy Koi ComedycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2024Weekly comedy club produced by Yamamori Events presenting hilarious and inclusive stand-up comedy in Dublin. Platform for both seasoned professionals and emerging comedy talents. Features rotating headliners and comedians.
• Gunpowder GinminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2024Gunpowder Gin tasting party at Izakaya Japas & Sake featuring artisanal gin paired with Japanese-inspired delicacies.
• Domaine BousquetminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2024Wine tasting event at Izakaya pairing Domaine Bousquet wines with Japanese cuisine. Food and wine pairing experience.
• Nikka WhiskyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 February 2024Exclusive whisky tasting event at Izakaya Japas & Sake. Limited to 50 attendees featuring Nikka Whisky presentations and Japanese food pairings.
• Amy IrwinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFood safety advisor specializing in zero-waste advisory and Zero-To-Landfill initiative. Provided guidance for Yamamori's sustainability journey and waste reduction program.
• Sarika Seki HusseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified sake sommelier and SSI Official Sake and Shochu Lecturer. Hosts sake tasting experiences and workshops at Yamamori venues. Former UN official with global experience spanning 60+ countries.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Itsu: Large UK-based Japanese food chain offering sushi, hot bowls, and grocery products. Comparable as a Japanese cuisine brand operating across multiple formats, though its positioning skews more grab-and-go versus Yamamori's dine-in / izakaya model.
• Wagamama: UK-founded Asian restaurant chain with Irish locations including Dublin. Operates a full-service Japanese/Asian dining model at a larger scale, competing for the same casual Japanese dining occasions while benefiting from group buying and marketing efficiencies.
• YO! Sushi: Established UK-based Japanese restaurant chain specializing in sushi and Japanese small plates. Comparable to Yamamori on cuisine category and customer occasion, but operates at a group-chain scale with a different service format (conveyor belt / counter).
• Busaba Eathai: UK-founded Asian restaurant chain serving Thai-inspired and broader Asian menus. Comparable as a multi-venue full-service Asian restaurant group, though with a different cuisine focus; competes for similar casual dining and corporate event occasions.
• Wasabi: UK-based Japanese sushi and bento chain with high-street presence. Operates at a larger scale than Yamamori in the Japanese quick-service segment, competing for takeaway and casual Japanese occasions in the same broader category.

Direct peers

• Musashi Japanese Restaurants: Dublin-based Japanese restaurant chain operating multiple locations in Ireland. The most direct local competitor to Yamamori, offering a similar sushi-and-grill Japanese menu and competing head-to-head for Dublin diners and corporate catering.
• Kazbar: Dublin-based multi-venue restaurant and bar group operating on the city's dining and nightlife circuit. Comparable to Yamamori in combining full-service dining with late-night bar offerings within walking distance in Dublin City Centre.

Regional players

• The Bridge 1859: Dublin bar and late-night venue operating in the city centre. Comparable to Yamamori's Tengu and Izakaya Basement late-night operations in the Dublin nightlife ecosystem, with overlapping corporate and private event-hire demand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tengunights
• Instagraminstagram.com/yamamoritengu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yamamoridublin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yamamori Dublin