12 Recommended Restaurants in Sakae, Nagoya's Downtown District Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Nagoya

12 Recommended Restaurants in Sakae, Nagoya's Downtown District

In addition to being the home of many art galleries, leisure facilities, and shopping malls, Nagoya's downtown district of Sakae is also one of the prefecture's most fierce gourmet battlegrounds. Here are some of the area's recommended restaurants to enjoy while sightseeing!

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Nagoya.

1. Tajima Suiboku (Kaiseki)

14 Recommended Restaurants in Sakae, Nagoya's Downtown District

Built on the concept of merging Japanese cuisine and meat, Tajima Suiboku is a popular restaurant where visitors can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine made with carefully selected meats and seasonal ingredients. The inside of the restaurant is arranged in a traditional Japanese style, creating a mature atmosphere that is perfect for dates or business meetings, with both counter seats and private seating available for use. One dish from their extensive menu that must be tried is the [Seared Beef Loin and Sea Urchin Roll], which is a dish renowned for its unforgettable taste. Enjoy this marriage of tenderloin full of umami (Japanese savory taste) with fresh sea urchin.

Tajima Suiboku

Open: 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
*Closed during the beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Address: 2F, Kinsei Bldg., 3-12-22, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

2. Koga (Yakiniku)

Amongst the array of flavors offered by different meats, horse meat has recently begun to attract the attention of foodies as a healthy meat that is high in protein and low in calories. Koga is a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant with a popular menu that offers horse meat, which is known as both "baniku" and "sakura niku" in Japanese. Their [5-kind Assortment] offers customers a taste of that day's recommended cuts of meat. This excellent dish serves an assortment of 5 different types of horse meat, all of which are chosen based on what has been purchased that day, centered around popular menu classics, such as the uchimomo (top round) and shimofuri (marbled meat).

Koga

Open: 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
Address: 2F, Pibot Square, 3-19-5, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)
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3. Tempura Kitao (Japanese Cuisine)

13 Recommended Restaurants in Sakae, Nagoya's Downtown District

Made with seasonal ingredients like meat, seafood, and vegetables, tempura is a representative Japanese dish. As its name suggests, Tempura Kitao is a restaurant that's popular for serving delicious, high-quality tempura that's cooked as customers watch from their counter seats. They only serve course meals, which feature delicious recipes based on the fresh, seasonal ingredients that the head chef is able to purchase on the day. Visitors must try the kuruma shrimp tempura! The level of freshness is outstanding, as the dish uses wild kuruma shrimp from Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, that are kept alive until right before they are cooked!

Tempura Kitao

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Monday
*Closed the following day if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Arrow Sakae Bldg., 3-23-5, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

4. TEPPAN & WINE MASA (Teppanyaki)

TEPPAN & WINE MASA is a famous teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) restaurant that cooks its ingredients, such as meat and seafood, right in front of the counter seats. One dish they offer is the [Fillet Steak of Tokushima Produced Awa Beef]. The Awa beef, known for being tender and lean, is sourced directly from partnered ranches in Tokushima Prefecture. The meat is so tender and delicious that anyone will be satisfied from just one bite! As the restaurant is also affiliated with a wine shop, there are many varieties of wine available. Consulting with one of the sommeliers to see which wine best suits the dishes of that day can also make the experience even more enjoyable.

TEPPAN & WINE MASA

Open: 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (last entry at 10:30 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Emerald Bldg., 5-11-21, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)
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5. Teppan Dining Ozesan (Teppanyaki)

This popular teppanyaki restaurant exudes warmth with its wooden interior. Among its varied menu, the one unmissable dish for any meat lover is the [Special Kuroge Wagyu Loin Steak] (a type of high-quality beef), which uses A4 and A5 ranked meat. The restaurant purchases whatever is the best available ingredient of that day, regardless of where it is produced, making this a reasonably priced dish with great flavor. Freshly made-to-order, the [Teppan Dashimaki Tamago] (grilled rolled omelet) is also popular. It is cooked in a way that results in a bouncy, fluffy texture.

Teppan Dining Ozesan

Open: 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Address: 4-15-23, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)
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6. Toriyou (Kaiseki)

Over 80 years have passed since this restaurant was established in 1936, and throughout all these years, it has been well supported by the foodies of Nagoya. This restaurant has also become famous for serving dishes made using Nagoya Cochin, which is a brand of chicken raised in Nagoya. For those who want to fully enjoy this ji-dori (local chicken) full of umami, it is best to order the [Nagoya Cochin Cuisine Kaiseki]. From nabe (hot pot) to yaki-mono (grilled dishes), a variety of dishes made with Nagoya Cochin will decorate the table. Customers must try the [Nagoya Cochin Kuwayaki], which is made using thigh meat. It fully shows off the delicious aroma and springy texture of this chicken.

Toriyou

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Food L.O. 8:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,980 JPY
Address: 3-7-39, Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

7. Alice in the Silver Screen (Italian Cuisine)

With its sparkling chandeliers and giant tables and chairs, anyone who visits this fantastic Italian restaurant will feel as though they have become a character in the children's book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The various dishes they offer are also designed around Alice's wonderland and are full of originality. The popular [7 Colored Rainbow Cheese Fondue of Your Choice] is a cheese fondue of chicken seasoned with garlic and seasonal vegetables. The 7 sauces vary depending on the season.

Alice in the Silver Screen

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Address: 3F, Nagoya Parco Midi, 3-29-11, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

8. Dining Bar Sinzan (Italian Cuisine)

The gentle flicker of light shining from spirit lamps creates a relaxing atmosphere in this popular Italian restaurant. In addition to table seating, there are also 4 private rooms available, making this the perfect spot for occasions like dates or group dinners. For groups of friends who enjoy excitement, the [Assortment of 4 Kinds of Lean Meat] is a must-try. This platter is filled with various types of red meats that are truly enjoyable to eat, such as beef rump and top round. The [Avocado and Tomato Seaweed Jelly Salad] is another popular dish.

Dining Bar Sinzan

Open: [Monday - Thursday] 6:00 pm - 2:00 am
[Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 3:00 am
[Sunday, National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,200 JPY
Address: 2F, New Yutaka Bldg., 4-7-1, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)
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9. TRATTORIA MIGLIACCIO (Italian Cuisine)

TRATTORIA MIGLIACCIO is a lively restaurant where customers can enjoy southern Italian cuisine through dishes from regions like Naples and Sicily. These dishes make use of vegetables from Naples, as well as fresh ingredients like locally-sourced sardines or live octopus from Mikawa Bay (Mikawa-wan). With options that change daily, customers select their hors d'oeuvre from the display case. There are also plenty of wines from all over Italy that are available, such as Piedmont, Sicily, and Tuscany, some of which are sold by both the glass and the bottle to enjoy alongside the food.

TRATTORIA MIGLIACCIO

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Address: 8F, Lachic, 3-6-1, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

10. Le Restaurant Shinji Koga (French Cuisine)

This French restaurant is like an urban oasis, helping customers relax with its calming atmosphere. The salon-like interior is eye-catching thanks to its shining Swarovski chandelier, and it is here that customers can enjoy a full-course French dining experience for lunch or dinner. The 2 private rooms available are perfect for those who wish to take their time enjoying their meal. Dishes such as the [Sea Urchin and Consommé Lasagne] and the [Cabbage Roll of Whole Truffle] offer customers a taste of traditional French cuisine that has been fused with the chef's contemporary style. Enjoy the unique flavors available at this restaurant!

Le Restaurant Shinji Koga

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
*Closed twice a month on Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 18,000 JPY / [Lunch] 8,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Okaya Koki Bldg., 2-4-18, Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)
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11. Show's Miyacho (Italian Cuisine)

Since its establishment over 30 years ago, this popular restaurant and bar have continued to serve up carefully-selected wines and dishes made with seasonal ingredients from Aichi Prefecture. Inside the modern Asian interior that merges the East with the West, customers can enjoy the finest wines chosen by a sommelier to accompany their creative Italian cuisine that fully embraces the seasons. The chef himself recommends the [Fresh Fish Carpaccio], made mainly with locally-sourced fresh fish. Preserving the delicious flavors of the seasonal seafood, the sauce for this outstanding dish clearly shows the cook's excellent sense of taste.

Show's Miyacho

Open: [Tuesday - Thursday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:45 pm (L.O. 11:15)
[Friday, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 11:45 pm (L.O. 11:15 pm)
[National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, Monday if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Address: 2F, Moriyasu Nishiki Bldg., 3-15-31, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi (Map)

12. RESTAU K YAMAUCHI (French Cuisine)

RESTAU K YAMAUCHI is a restaurant where customers can enjoy French cuisine made with plenty of ingredients from Aichi prefecture. There are many dishes that allow customers to experience the flavors of the area, impressing the taste buds of food lovers. For example, the meat dish for one day might use Sanshu Mikawa Mirin (traditional Japanese seasoning) to draw out the delicious flavors of venison sourced from Okazaki. Only course meals are offered for lunch and dinner. Enjoy traditional French cuisine served in a modern style through their stand-out dishes!

RESTAU K YAMAUCHI

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm), Dinner 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 16,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Address: 3F, Nishiki Kanaan Bldg., 2-12-21, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi

In the gourmet district of Sakae in Nagoya, you can experience delicious food from every corner of the world: from Japanese cuisine to Western and Chinese food. Visit various restaurants in the area and enjoy the world tour of flavors!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.