Osaka is often referred to as the food capital of Japan or the nation’s kitchen, and rightly so. As a port city, fresh fish is at the forefront of the food scene in Osaka. Dining through the city, you can enjoy unique dining experiences, traditional Japanese street food as well as Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants, with some of the best tempura, sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and sweet treats like mochi or fluffy cheesecakes. Here are the 12 best restaurants and places to eat in Osaka.
Tip #1: Le Petit Chef
At The St. Regis Osaka guests can look forward to an immersive dinner show; Le Petit Chef & Friends. This unique dining experience combines 3D tabletop animations with a delicious menu. Meet the smallest chef in the world from France and his thumb-sized friends from Spain, Italy, and Japan as they compete in a cooking contest for a golden chef’s hat.
Visit our extraordinary 3D dinner-show Le Petit Chef at The St. Regis Osaka.
Do not miss this unique dinner-theatre experience that immerses diners with the use of 3D projection mapping and a delicious 4-course menu including special treats at the start and finish of the evening. Choose from a premium, classic or kids menu variant and look forward to a culinary spectacle like no other.
Dietary options:
For food allergies, please contact the restaurant in advance.
Speciality:
A unique 3D Projection Mapping dining experience, featuring the smallest chefs in the world.
Price:
Four-course menu:
MENU DU MASTER CHEF: JPY 25,000
MENU DU SOUS CHEF: JPY 20,000
KIDS CHEF MENU (AGE 5 TO 12): JPY 14,000
Hours:
Reservation is necessary and booking available online.
Location:
The St. Regis Osaka
Le Petit Chef Dining Room (11F)
3-6-12 Honmachi, Chuo-ku
Osaka
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6105-5659
E-mail: restaurantreservations.osaka@stregis.com
Webpage: https://lepetitchef.com/osaka
Tip #2: Shunsaiten Tsuchiya
Shunsaiten Tsuchiya is a quiet restaurant located in a residential area of Suita, brought to life by Chef Yukihiko Tsuchisaka. Here, guests can enjoy counter-style seating and a tranquil atmosphere while observing preparation of tempura courses and traditional kaiseki cuisine, elegant dishes are served in a sequence.
While tempura is a popular Japanese dish, where wheat flour is applied to the ingredient before frying, Shunsaiten Tsuchiya offers a unique take on their courses. Look forward to experiencing one of a kind dining where seasonal ingredients are complemented by Japanese sake and wine pairing.
Dietary options:
Please inquire with your reservation.
Speciality :
Seasonal Tempura and Kaiseki cuisine.
Price:
Ten pre-set menu options starting from JPY 8,800 to JPY 33,250.
Hours:
Mon: 6.00 pm – 9.30 pm (Last order at 8.00 pm)
Tue – Sat
Lunch: 12.00 pm – 2.30 pm (Last order at 1.00 pm)
Dinner: 6.00 pm – 9.30 pm (Last order at 8.00 pm)
Reservation is required
Location:
41-4 Toyotsucho
Suita
Osaka 564-0051
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6338-2288
Webpage: https://tempura-tsuchiya.com/
Tip #3: Izakaya Toyo
Izakaya Toyo is a food stand with more than 25 years of operation. Here, the Chef Toyoji Chikumoto, known as Toyo-san, not only serves some of the best street food in the city, but entertains with his theatrical cooking as well.
The food is consumed standing up and guests return for the Aburi Maguro (flame-seared tuna) fatty tuna sashimi, sea urchins and salmon roe.
With affordable and tasty food, Izakaya Toyo is one of the best places to visit in Osaka for those looking to experience traditional local food and warm hospitality.
Dietary options:
No primary vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Japanese style tavern.
Price:
Average spend per person including drinks is between JPY 2,000 JPY and JPY 3,000.
Cash only.
Hours:
Tue, Wed, Fri: 1.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Sat: 12.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Sun, Mon, Thu: Closed
Location:
3 Chome-2-26 Higashinodamachi
Miyakojima Ward
Osaka, 534-0024
Contact:
Phone: +81 75-882-7020
Tip #4: Hajime
Located in the Nishi district, Hajime, is a contemporary fine dining eatery that was awarded three Michelin stars a year and a half after its opening in 2008. Hajime offers a truly special high end, artistic dining experience with a message. Named after the chef Hajime Yoneda, this innovative restaurant is inspired by nature and space.
The menu is prepared one day in advance and the signature dish, ‘Planet Earth’, features 110 different vegetables assembled around shellfish foam representing land and sea. This dish is not featured in the short tasting menu variant.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly options.
Speciality :
Contemporary eatery offering an elegant, veggie-forward tasting menu & a robust wine list.
Price:
Tasting menus:
Standard: JPY 71,500
Short: JPY 60,500
Vegetable: JPY 67,100
Hours:
Tue – Sat: 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Sun, Mon: Closed
Reservation is required and booking available online.
Locations:
3-2-28 Namba
Chuo-ku
Osaka
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6447-6688
Webpage: https://www.hajime-artistes.com/
Tip #5: Rikuro’s Namba Main Store
Rikuro’s Namba is a bakery located just a 2 minutes walk from the Namba station specialising in Japanese style cheesecakes. This fluffy delicacy is baked fresh every day and comes with a raisins lining at the bottom. As soon as the fresh batch is out of the oven, the staff announces it by ringing a bell.
The cakes are also a popular souvenir. While they are light and airy when fresh, they gain a richer flavour once consumed cooled. Visitors can also unwind with a sweet treat and coffee in the Riku Cafe Room located on the second and third floors above the store.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian Friendly.
Speciality:
Freshly baked Japanese cheesecake.
Price:
Price of the whole cake is JPY 725.
Hours:
Daily: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Location:
Ebisu Bashi-Suji Shopping Street
3 Chome-2-28 Namba
Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0076
Contact:
Phone: +81 120-572-132
Webpage: https://www.rikuro.co.jp/en/
Tip #6: Menya Jouroku
Located on a narrow street, 5 minutes away from the Namba Station, Menya Jouroku is renowned for Takaida-kei style ramen topped with thin slices of pork. This style of ramen has a darker and richer broth with smoky and sweet flavours due to Tamari shoyu, a type of soy sauce made purely of soybeans that helps balance the saltiness.
As Menya Jouroku is one of the best and most popular places to enjoy ramen in Osaka, guests might not be able to avoid lines, but the Takaida-kei style ramen bowl is worth the wait.
Dietary options:
Not suitable for vegetarians.
Speciality:
Eatery specialising in ramen.
Price:
Takaida-kei style ramen is JPY 750.
Cash only.
Hours:
Thu – Tue: 11.30 am – 3.00 pm, 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Wednesday closed.
Reservations are not accepted.
Location:
6-16 Nanbasennichimae
Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0075
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6643-6633
Tip #7: Echigen
Echigen, is one of the best local restaurants to enjoy kushikatsu (battered deep-fried, skewered meats and vegetables). This small restaurant with counter seating is located close to Osaka’s iconic Tsutenkaku Tower and about 3 minutes walk from the Ebisucho tram stop.
An array of crispy delicacies is on the menu. From signature Egg Kushiage served with sweet and sour or soy sauce, through Chicken Cutlet Kushiage complemented by a lemon salt dip or wasabi, to pork ribs. If you are looking for a taste of local cuisine and flavours, Echigen is the right choice.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Kushiage and kushikatsu restaurant.
Price:
Single skewer starting at JPY 100.
Cash only.
Hours:
Fri – Wed: 12.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Thu: Closed
Location:
2 Chome-3-9 Ebisuhigashi
Naniwa Ward
Osaka, 556-0002
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6631-2696
Tip #8: Kanbukuro
Located just a 5 minutes walk from Nanshuji, Kanbukuro is a mochi shop that was established in 1329. Kanbukuro sells Kurumi Mochi (walnut rice cakes) that are sticky in texture and soaked in a sweet green bean paste then topped with shaved ice, which have become a popular refreshment in the summertime.
When visiting in summer, lines are likely to form in front of this unique mochi shop with people wanting to cool down. The shop will close when all items are sold out, so be sure to be quick.
Dietary options:
Vegan friendly.
Speciality:
Mochi shop serving Kurumi Mochi.
Price:
Kurumi Mochi JPY 410
Shaved ice on Walnut Mochi JPY 420
Hours:
Thu – Mon: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Tue, Wed: Closed
Location:
1 Chome-2-1 Shinzaikechohigashi
Sakai Ward, Sakai
Osaka 590-0964
Contact:
Phone: +81 72-233-1218
Webpage: https://www.kanbukuro.co.jp/
Tip #9: Akagakiya Namba
Akagakiya Namba was founded more than 100 years ago and is a popular standing bar or as locals call it ‚tachinomiya‘. For anyone looking for a perfect place to unwind after a busy day and experience a true taste of Osaka, Akagakiya Namba is a must-try.
You can easily taste your way through Osaka’s vibrant food culture, with oden (Japanese one-pot dish), doteyaki (slowly simmered stew using beef tendon), sashimi and seasonal dishes.
This unique Japanese style tavern in Namba is a perfect place for a light drink and pre-dinner snacks, offering the local soul food to share with friends.
Dietary options:
Not suitable for vegetarians.
Speciality:
Japanese style tavern.
Price:
Menu items range between JPY 280 to JPY 1050 for an assortment of sashimi.
Drinks range between JPY 280 – JPY 480.
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10.00 am – 10.30 pm
Sun: 10.00 am – 9.30 pm
Does not accept reservations.
Location:
3 Chome-1-32 Namba
Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0076
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6641-3384
Tip #10: Houzenji Sanpei
Houzenji Sanpei is a small restaurant that delivers big flavours. Their speciality is okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancakes), a true local treat. Okonomiyaki stands for “whatever you’d like, grilled.”
The pancake itself is made from a simple yet well balanced cabbage batter and the favourite toppings include pork and kimchi, shrimp and shiso, shimeji mushroom or scallops and cheese. Guests can observe the chef preparing the Okonomiyaki on the griddle. The finishing touch is a sauce, mayonnaise and paper thin bonito flakes, slowly moving on the top.
Dietary options:
Not suitable for vegetarians.
Speciality:
Okonomiyaki restaurant.
Price:
Okonomiyaki with various topping combinations range from JPY 1100 to JPY 1760.
Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Sat, Sun: 11.30 am –2.45 pm, 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Tue: Closed
Location:
Nishikido Building 1F
1 Chome-7-10 Dotonbori
Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0071
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6211-0399
Webpage: https://hozenji-sanpei.gorp.jp/
Tip #11: Muguni
Muguni is a small restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and counter seating. The restaurant is a staple because of its Omurice that combines parts of Western and Japanese cuisine. This local dish typically features an omelette that is served over fried rice and then topped with ketchup. However, at Muguni guests can enjoy elevated flavours of this traditional and comforting dish. The sophisticated toppings of Omurice at Muguni include Kobe beef, Truffles or Gorgonzola which are served over fluffy rice and eggs.
If you are looking for a place in Osaka where you can enjoy a generous portion of this local specialty, Muguni is a popular option because of its unique fusion style.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian friendly.
Speciality:
Japanized Western restaurant.
Price:
Omurice with Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce and Truffles is JPY 1,628.
Hours:
Daily: 11.00 am – 2.30 pm
Location:
Mittera Hall
2 Chome-9-5 Nishishinsaibashi
Chuo Ward
Osaka, 542-0086
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6212-5068
Tip #12: Sushi Tsune
Sushi Tsune is a cosy restaurant with six counter seats that was first established in 1891. Known for its rich history, Sushi Tsune continues to delight sushi lovers since its reopening in 2016.
The restaurant is a Michelin Bib Gourmand holder and the birthplace of Battera (pressed Mackerel sushi). The founder Naka Tsunekichi created a wooden boat-shaped mould to softly press the fish that is used again in Sushi Tsune nowadays.
Apart from the Battera set, not to be missed during dinner service is the Chef’s Choice option, consisting of an appetiser, two seasonal side dishes, three types of sashimi, eight pieces of nigiri sushi, two slices of battera and a miso soup.
Dietary options:
Not suitable for vegetarians.
Speciality:
Cosy sushi restaurant where Battera was created.
Price:
Battera set is JPY 4,000
Chef’s choice starting at JPY 12,000
(Prices exclude tax)
Hours:
Mon – Wed: Closed
Thu: 5.00 pm – 9.30 pm
Fri – Sun: 11.00 am – 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm – 9.30 pm
Location:
2 Chome-4-3 Tenjinbashi
Kita Ward
Osaka, 530-0041
Contact:
Phone: +81 6-6351-9886
Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!
As Marketing Executive, Barbora knows the Le Petit Chef fun dining concept inside out and is happy to answer any questions you may have.
