Must-see restaurants in Kansai

  • Yōshūji

    Kansai

    Yōshūji serves superb shōjin-ryōri in a delightful old Japanese farmhouse with an irori (open hearth). The house special, a sumptuous selection of…

  • Wanaka Honten

    Osaka

    This famous tako-yaki (octopus dumplings) stand, just north of Dōguya-suji arcade, uses custom copper hotplates (instead of cast iron) to make dumplings…

  • Chibō

    Osaka

    One of Osaka's most famous okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurants, Chibō almost always has a queue, but it moves fast because there's seating on…

  • Yotaro Honten

    Osaka

    This two-Michelin-starred restaurant specialises in exceptionally light and delectable tempura served at the counter, where you can watch the chefs, or in…

  • Endo Sushi

    Osaka

    Trek out to Osaka's fish market to taste the exceptionally fresh sushi at cosy Endo, in business for over a century. You can choose from four different…

  • Yururi

    Kansai

    Miyama's natural bounty is a big draw, and this restaurant in an elegantly updated thatched-roof farmhouse serves menus of seasonal local ingredients …

  • Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma Honten

    Osaka

    Daruma has branches around town, but for many Japanese a pilgrimage to the original shop in Shinsekai – opened in 1929 and said to be the birthplace of…

  • Imai Honten

    Osaka

    Step into an oasis of calm amid Dōtombori's chaos to be welcomed by staff at one of the area's oldest and most-revered udon specialists. Try kitsune udon …

  • Bononsha

    Kii Peninsula

    This chill spot – more Goa than rural Japan – with great wooden beams serves vegetarian dishes like tofu cheesecake that seem indulgent compared to temple…

  • Yoshino Sushi

    Osaka

    In business since 1841, Yoshino specialises in Osaka-style sushi, which is hako-sushi ('pressed sushi'). This older version of the dish (compared to the…

  • Shōtō-an

    Kansai

    This antique-strewn century-old house is a wonderful place to sample Matsusaka's famous wagyū (Japanese beef). Lunch sets of sukiyaki (thin slices of beef…

  • Kōbe Plaisir

    Kōbe

    This is a great place to try Kōbe beef prepared in a variety of styles, including teppanyaki or shabu-shabu (thinly sliced beef cooked with vegetables in…

  • Mankō

    Kii Peninsula

    The speciality here is ochazuke, a bowl of rice and toppings over which hot tea is poured. Everyone's here for the popular katsuo ochazuke (¥1450), topped…

  • Osatsu Komado

    Kansai

    In a hut overlooking the ocean, ama (professional, mostly female, shellfish divers) grill seafood lunches – including items from their morning haul – and…

  • Irori Dining Mikuni

    Kansai

    Mikuni serves local speciality Tajima-gyū (a high-end brand of Japanese beef). Different cuts are served different ways, and not just as steaks: sirloin,…

  • Mikami

    Kōbe

    Mikami is a beacon of good food in the otherwise forlorn zone between Shin-Kōbe Station and Sannomiya. For both lunch and dinner it does excellent…

  • Orizuru

    Kansai

    This is an elegant sushi counter, frequented by locals, offering reasonably priced set meals. In winter you can sample local crab sourced from Tsuiyama…

  • Kadohama

    Kii Peninsula

    Kadohama specialises in goma-dōfu (sesame tofu) prepared several ways. The lunch sets come beautifully presented in bamboo baskets with eight small dishes…

  • Hirasō

    Nara

    A good place to sample local Nara specialities like kakinoha-zushi (pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaf – don't eat the leaf!) and chagayu (rice…

  • Isuzu Bakery

    Kōbe

    The most famous of Kōbe's bakeries, Isuzu is particularly famous for its crisp, fluffy 'curry pan' (¥160; カレーパン ), a deep-fried doughnut stuffed with beef…

  • Butasute

    Kansai

    This local institution specialises in gyū-don (sliced beef on rice). Early-morning shrine visitors can pick up menchi katsu (croquettes stuffed with…

  • Hirobun

    Kansai

    This is a good place to sample kawadoko 'above-river' dining on platforms. A friendly crew of ladies run the show and the food is quite good; they are…

  • Okeshō

    Kansai

    Located above a fish market, this casual restaurant is a popular local spot for kaisen-don (raw seafood on rice; ¥1400 to ¥1950), but there are also…

  • Robatayaki Isaribi

    Osaka

    Head downstairs to this spirited, friendly izakaya (pub eatery) for standards such as skewered meats, seafood, veggies fresh off the grill and giant…

  • Sōmen-dokoro Morishō

    Kansai

    Here you can sample nyūmen (にぅめん), a Miwa speciality of sōmen (very thin wheat noodles) in hot broth. It's served topped with mitsuba (Japanese wild…

  • Shoubentango-tei

    Osaka

    That this kappō-ryōri (Osaka-style haute cuisine) restaurant isn't more expensive is surprising considering its pedigree: established over 100 years ago,…

  • Sushi-kyū

    Kansai

    Occupying a former ryokan from the early 19th century, Sushi-kyū is known as the go-to spot for Ise's speciality, tekone-sushi (bonito dipped in soy sauce…

  • Kaiten Sushi Ganko

    Osaka

    This reliable kaiten-sushi (conveyor-belt sushi) shop is a popular choice for many a hungry commuter, meaning the two whirring tracks of plates are…

  • Shinbe

    Kii Peninsula

    In the warren of tiny restaurants called Ajikoji ('Flavour Alley') near Kii-Tanabe Station and the tourist-information center, this boisterous, family-run…

  • Eki Marché

    Osaka

    This excellent collection of wallet-friendly eateries and takeaway counters is on the southwestern side of JR Osaka Station, close to Daimaru and Hotel…

  • Yukari

    Osaka

    This popular restaurant in the Ohatsutenjin-dōri arcade serves up that great Osaka favourite, okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), cooked on a griddle before…

  • Nakai Shunpūdō

    Kansai

    You can watch the chef make kuzu (arrowroot gelatin) sweets in the shop window here – it's kind of like magic as the kuzu transforms from starch to…

  • Yumeichi-chaya

    Kansai

    A great spot for lunch in Asuka, above a local produce market and taking advantage of all those fresh ingredients in home-cooking-style dishes. Try the…

  • Grill Jūjiya

    Kōbe

    In a city thick with east–west heritage, this old-fashioned charmer specialises in yōshoku, early Japanese takes on Western cooking, like hayashi rice …

  • Wanto Burger

    Kōbe

    Wanto serves towering, teetering burgers made with Kōbe beef – and also somewhat less expensive varieties of wagyū (Japanese beef). It's run by a cool…

  • Kiraku

    Kii Peninsula

    This very popular local shop does excellent teishoku (set meals) with sashimi (raw fish), yaki-zakana (grilled fish) and more.

  • Nishiya

    Osaka

    A peaceful retreat from the busy streets of Shinsaibashi, this welcoming Osaka landmark serves udon noodles, hearty nabe (hot pot) dishes and shabu-shabu …

  • Mimiu Honten

    Osaka

    Mimiu is the originator of a beloved local speciality called udonsuki (a hot-pot dish of simmering chicken, clams, prawns and seasonal vegetables). After…

  • Seryō-Jaya

    Kansai

    Seryō-Jaya serves tasty soba noodles and other fare incorporating produce from the area, such as mountain-harvested mushrooms and pickled plums. There is…

  • Chikara Mochi

    Kansai

    Chikara Mochi has been making its signature pillow-soft mochi (pounded-rice cakes), generously dusted with a mix of kinako (roasted soy-bean flour) and…