13 of the best restaurants in Osaka

Barbora Klimeková

As Marketing Executive, Barbora knows the Le Petit Chef fun dining concept inside out and is happy to answer any questions you may have.

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 – here are the 13 best restaurants and places to eat in Osaka.

Tip #1: 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.

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Tip #2: 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.

Tip #3: 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.

Tip #4: 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.

Tip #5: 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.

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Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: 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.

Tip #7: 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 summer.

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.

Tip #8: 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.

Tip #9: 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.

Tip #10: 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.

Tip #11: New Matsuzaka Umeda 32

New Matsuzaka offers a teppanyaki lunch with a panoramic view of Umeda! The taste, atmosphere, and service are all wonderful at this restaurant.

New Matsuzaka has a very quiet and calm atmosphere, so it is perfect for a special occasion.

For the unbeatable price of 1980 yen, you can enjoy this teppanyaki lunch with a view from the 31st floor of Umeda, making it one of the best restaurants in Osaka to visit and enjoy the scenery as you dine on great food.

Tip #12: Curry Yakumido

If you want to try japaneses style curry, this is the place to be! Osaka’s gourmet food spots offer a wide variety of choices, from traditional flavors to the latest trend eats.

The very popular curry specialty restaurant Curry Shop Yakumindo is a must-visit recommendation. Dote Curry is inspired by Osaka’s soul food ‘Doteyaki’ and ‘Veggie Curry’ is made without using animal ingredients and is super healthy.

Tip #13: 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. It is 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.

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!