Kansai
Yōshūji serves superb shōjin-ryōri in a delightful old Japanese farmhouse with an irori (open hearth). The house special, a sumptuous selection of…
Must-see restaurants in Kansai
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Kansai
In a hut overlooking the ocean, ama (professional, mostly female, shellfish divers) grill seafood lunches – including items from their morning haul – and…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Kansai
This local institution specialises in gyū-don (sliced beef on rice). Early-morning shrine visitors can pick up menchi katsu (croquettes stuffed with…
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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…
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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…
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Osaka
Head downstairs to this spirited, friendly izakaya (pub eatery) for standards such as skewered meats, seafood, veggies fresh off the grill and giant…
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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…
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Osaka
That this kappō-ryōri (Osaka-style haute cuisine) restaurant isn't more expensive is surprising considering its pedigree: established over 100 years ago,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Osaka
This popular restaurant in the Ohatsutenjin-dōri arcade serves up that great Osaka favourite, okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), cooked on a griddle before…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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Kii Peninsula
This very popular local shop does excellent teishoku (set meals) with sashimi (raw fish), yaki-zakana (grilled fish) and more.
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
