12 Popular Restaurants in Kamakura That You'll Want to Visit Again and Again! Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 15 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Kamakura

12 Popular Restaurants in Kamakura That You'll Want to Visit Again and Again!

Kamakura has many sightseeing spots like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, and is serviced by several railways, including JR and the Enoshima Electric Railway. After exploring many of its tourist sites, you're going to want to take a break and have a bite to eat. Kamakura has a wide selection of restaurants in the vicinity of its train stations, with seafood, Italian and French cuisines, and much more on offer. Furthermore, its fertile soil, enriched with minerals from the sea and mountains, allows them to grow delicious vegetables, and the city's close proximity to Miura Peninsula, known for their tuna fishery, lets them procure various fresh seafood. This article will introduce restaurants in Kamakura that you'll want to visit again and again!

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Kamakura.

1. Kamakura bowls

This stylish restaurant is located on Wakamiya Street (Wakamiya Oji), the approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. The tower of rice bowls visible through the window will surely catch your eye. Their menu features rice bowl dishes made with local ingredients, such as [Ham Katsu-don] (rice bowl dish with fried ham), made with Kamakura ham, as well as [Niku Miso-don] (rice bowl dish with miso-flavored ground meat), which uses vegetables and wheat gluten from Kamakura and Miura. Other recommendations here are their non-rice bowl dishes made with tuna from Misaki, like [Grilled Head of Misaki Tuna], where the umami of the tuna perfectly blends with balsamic vinegar; [Yukhoe of Misaki Tuna Throat], a dish that is almost like eating meat; and [Carpaccio of Misaki Tuna] that makes for a refreshing appetizer.

Kamakura bowls

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (L.O. 5:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
[Weekends, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (L.O. 5:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)　*Reservations not accepted for lunch
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY (dinner course from 3,500 JPY, course with all-you-can-drink from 4,000 JPY) / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY (lunch menu from 1,380 JPY)
Access: 5-minute walk from Kamakura Station. On the right-hand side as you walk down Wakamiya Street towards Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
Address: 2-14-7, Ko-machi, Kamakura, Kanagawa

2. Takeru Quindici

This restaurant offers Italian cuisine, where you can enjoy one-plate meals that change daily, made with seasonal vegetables, fish, and other ingredients. The spacious interior of the kominka (traditional Japanese house) has a retro atmosphere with an open kitchen. Their [Margherita Pizza] is a Neapolitan-style pizza with mozzarella, tomato, and parmesan. It is baked in their wood oven imported from Naples. Their popular [Chicken Liver Mousse] is a superb dish that should be enjoyed with a glass of wine from their extensive collection. It comes with homemade bread and fig jam, which, when combined all together, create a rich flavor. Even those who are not usually a fan of liver would enjoy this dish.

Takeru Quindici

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Friday] Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm)
[Weekends, National Holidays] Lunch 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Divided into two divisions (12:00 pm - 1:50 pm, 2:10 pm - 4:00 pm)
[Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
*Also closed on one additional day each month. Please contact the restaurant for information.
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY (course cuisine from 4,000 JPY) / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: Take the train to Kita-Kamakura Station, exit through the Kamakura Street side ticket gates, and walk towards Kamakura for 3 minutes. Located along the street of Tokeiji Temple.
Address: In front of Kita Kamakura Toeiji, 1384, Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Map
More Details Reservation

3. Kitakamakura En

This is the calm kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea) restaurant housed in a traditional Japanese house in front of the gates of Engakuji Temple. With the gold-leaf ceiling of the interior and Byakuro Lake in the backdrop, you can enjoy an elegant and extraordinary experience. The menu for both lunch and dinner consist of kaiseki courses. Each item of the course is made carefully by hand, and varies depending on the season and what they have procured on the day. The first thing to be eaten is the [Sakizuke], which is 2 items served on a small plate. This can be anything from chawanmushi (savory egg custard) and nanzenmushi (a steamed dish containing tofu) to ginger-flavored simmered oyster. For grilled cuisine, they are particularly proud of the [Wakasayaki of Red Seabream] (grilled seasoned seabream ), which has a deliciously crisp skin. It is salted and left overnight, making it even more delicious.

Kitakamakura En

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
*Reservation required for dinner
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,800 JPY / [Lunch] 5,400 JPY
Access: 10-second walk from West Gate of Kita-Kamakura Station. It is located immediately to the left as you exit the ticket gate, and is on 2F of Kousen.
Address: 501, Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Map
More Details Reservation

4. ete - French cuisine

This is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy French cuisine that seems like it's worth more than the price tag. You can savor your meal while looking into the kitchen from the counter seats of the chic interior. The [Ezo Venison Poêlé with Blue Berry Sauce] is cooked while continuously stirring around the fat. It is a colorful dish of Ezo venison with seasonal vegetables, eaten with a sauce full of umami of the bud of butterbur and other ingredients. [Foie Gras and Mils Consommé] is another popular item, and is a dish that not only tastes great, but is actually served in an impactful manner, where the consommé is poured at the table in front of the customer. Try the [Chocolate and Black Tea Mousse with Coffee Sorbet], with a hint of truffle, for dessert.

ete - French cuisine

Open: [Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
[Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed: Monday, Closed for lunch on Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,500 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: Take the train to Wadazuka Station. The restaurant is located close to the Roku-Jizo Intersection.
Address: 1F, Yamaguchi Bldg., 2-7-20, Yuigahama, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa Map
More Details Reservation

5. Beau Temps

Beau Temps has wooden tables, giving it a natural feel. It is popular as a natural wine bar, where you can try the wine of the day or a glass of recommended wine from their selection of 90 – 100 different kinds. Their [Charcuterie Plate] consists of various meats processed in-house, including chicken liver mousse, pork thigh ham, and pate, as well as gibier products. [Poached Milt], with a perfect balance of umami, sweetness, and sourness, and [Soft-shelled Turtle Croquette with Madeira Sauce], a daring use of soft-shelled turtle, are the other dishes that you should try.

Beau Temps

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Dinner 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: Take the train to Hase Station and walk towards the Kamakura Great Buddha. Turn right at the intersection at Hase Kannon, and go straight down the third side street for 50m.
Address: 1-14-26, Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa Map
More Details Reservation

6. Osteria Gioia

Osteria Gioia is located near Kamakura Station. It has a refined interior colored in a warm hue. The menu changes daily and features dishes made with vegetables grown by the owner himself. The [Seasonal Vegetable Soup] is a recommended dish that is packed with umami (Japanese savory taste) of the season. [Broccoli Cheese Bake], made with fresh vegetables baked over a long time, is another great dish that represents the season. With the seasonal [Marsala Flavor Chestnut Risotto], you can satisfy your hunger with a comforting bowl of rice. The lunch menu mainly consists of set meals that feature items such as appetizers and pasta dishes. In the evening, enjoy one of their seasonal dinner courses along with wine from their vast selection of around 200 varieties that have been carefully chosen by the owner, who is also a sommelier.

Osteria Gioia

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday, 3rd Tuesday of the month
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk (112m) from West Exit of Kamakura Station
Address: 1A, Girasol Kamakura, 13-40, Onari-machi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Map)

7. Shoubaku

Shoubaku is located on Komachi-dori, a shopping area that is a popular sightseeing spot of Kamakura. In the clean and bright restaurant, you can order a rice bowl dish with your choice of toppings. If you're at a loss as to what toppings to pick, order the [Whitebait and Seafood Hitsumamushi], which you can enjoy as a typical rice bowl dish with seafood, as well as an ochazuke (green tea or broth poured on top of rice). It comes with plenty of toppings, such as tuna, whelk, Alaskan pink shrimps, and flaked salmon, but you'll polish it off in no time! The [Tairyo-don] is another rice bowl dish that comes with 12 kinds of seafood, including sea urchin, scallops, salmon roe, and tuna. At lunchtime, you can enjoy the [5 Toppings Lunch] at a discount. It is topped with popular items, including fried and raw whitebait and negi-toro (mashed fresh tuna with chopped spring onion).

Shoubaku

Open: [Weekdays] 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
[Weekends, National Holidays] 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from East Exit of Kamakura Station. Located within the Komachi Street shopping area.
Address: 1F, Komachi Kyodo Bldg., 2-7-32, Ko-machi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Map)
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8. Kogatei

Kogatei is one of Kamakura's 3 great Western-style houses, and it was not open to the public until 2015. Today, you can enjoy seasonal French cuisine made with Japanese ingredients in the refined house, 100-year-old dining space. Dishes like [Grilled Golden Eye Snapper with Kamakura Vegetables] and [Fatty Pacific Bluefin Tuna and Kamakura Vegetables] are on offer here. Savor the umami of the dishes, created by combining seasonal ingredients with the fresh vegetables harvested from the restaurant's farm. For both lunch and dinner, the menu consists of courses with various items, from appetizers to the main dish. Cafe time is also recommended here, as you can take a seat on their terrace and enjoy the views of the 1,500 sq.m. garden.

Kogatei

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm), Cafe time from 11:00 am (until sunset)
Closed: Tuesday
*If Tuesday falls on a national holiday, they will open for business and close the following day instead
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: Take the West Exit of Kamakura Station, turn right at the intersection in front of the city office, and continue straight. Turn at the sign for Kogatei, continue straight, and it is located in the residence on the right hand side.
Address: 1-7-23, Ogigayatsu, Kamakura, Kanagawa (Map)

9. L'EGLISE Kamakura

L'EGLISE Kamakura is both an elegant restaurant and a chapel with a white color scheme. They have a large selection of French-style courses. The [Garden Style Salmon and Kamakura Vegetables] consists of salmon that has been marinated overnight and several kinds of seasonal vegetables coated in a sauce containing vinegar. If you order the [Patissier Special Desserts], you can choose 2 out of a selection of 10 colorful desserts that are prepared every day with seasonal ingredients. [Today's Seafood Poêle with White Wine Sauce] features seafood from Sagami Bay that's been grilled to a crisp finish and served with the flavors of Japanese ginkgo and other seeds.

L'EGLISE Kamakura

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 4:30 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Kamakura Station.
Address: 2F, Tsurugaoka Kaikan Bldg., 2-8-23, Ko-machi, Kamakura, Kanagawa (Map)

10. Kamakura Hachinoki Kita Kamakura Branch

This restaurant values the origin of Japanese cuisine and uses no animal products in their cooking. Enjoy authentic shojin cuisine (vegetarian cuisine of Buddhist monks) made with seasonal ingredients in the retro atmosphere of a traditional Japanese house. Their [Sakura] course meal is popular, featuring 5 tastes (sweet, spicy, salty, bitter, and sour), 5 colors (red, green, yellow, white, and black), and 5 methods of preparation (raw, stewed, grilled, fried, and steamed). Their specialty [Sesame Tofu] is a superb dish with a smooth and refined texture, and is made with water and kudzu powder (starch powder made from the root of the kudzu plant) produced in Yoshino. [Enmei Fukusaage] is another dish of note, where 7 kinds of vegetables are wrapped in half-cooked yuba (tofu skin) and deep-fried. Although it looks simple, the crispy texture and complex flavors make this a must-try item.

Kamakura Hachinoki Kita Kamakura Branch

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm) *Reservation required for dinner
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from the West Exit of Kita-Kamakura Station
Address: 350, Yamanouchi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Map)

11. Chez Kentaro

Chez Kentaro is a French restaurant with a bright and modern interior that incorporates some Japanese elements. The menu here changes daily, and features dishes of local and seasonal flavors, made with techniques that the owner, who is also a chef, learned in France. Courses are served for both lunch and dinner, and consist of hors d'oeuvre, soup, and a main dish. Some examples of dishes that feature as part of a course include [Roast Lamb], where slow-roasted lamb is served alongside colorful vegetables, and [Ravioli of Iwate Yamagata Tankaku Beef], whose umami will spread through your mouth as you take each bite. This restaurant is popular for special occasions, as well as dinner on an ordinary day.

Chez Kentaro

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday, 3rd Wednesday of the month
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station towards Kamakura
Address: 407, Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa (Map)
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12. ESSELUNGA

ESSELUNGA is an Italian restaurant that uses plenty of fresh ingredients from Shonan and Miura. It is housed in a renovated kominka and has an atmosphere that is both modern and nostalgic. It is a great place if you want to escape from everyday life. Make sure to try the [Rump Steak of Domestic Beef], where top sirloin cap, a rare cut of beef, is coated in 12-year-old balsamic vinegar, and the [Terrine of 12 Kinds of Vegetables], a dish made with seasonal vegetables that's served with a special sauce made with organic onion, saffron, and other ingredients.

ESSELUNGA

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: Walk towards the Great Buddha and turn right at the traffic lights in front of Hase Kannon. Walk straight for 50m, take a side street to the left, and it is located around 1 minute down the street, on the right-hand side.
Address: 1-14-26, Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa (Map)
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.