Go on a Sightseeing Date in Kawagoe! 10 Gourmet Spots Recommended for Couples Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Feb 01 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Kawagoe

Go on a Sightseeing Date in Kawagoe! 10 Gourmet Spots Recommended for Couples

Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture is a leading sightseeing destination in the Greater Tokyo Area, and it's gaining popularity for its high concentration of classy restaurants, known to a select few. The area is perfect for a day trip from Tokyo, so how about taking your special someone on a sightseeing date and visiting an elegant eatery next weekend? There's plenty of choices for all tastes, from French restaurants with private rooms and a garden view, to exclusive British-style cafes, popular meat cuisine, and Italian restaurants where you can enjoy tea or a full meal. You might have a hard time picking just one!

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Kawagoe.

1. Milky Wave

In its chic interior characterized by undressed concrete walls and musical instruments on display, Milky Wave offers yoshoku (Japanese-style Western cuisine). Their signature dish is the classic [Omurice] (omelet filled with fried rice). Its simple yet timeless flavor comes from their over the 20-year-old traditional recipe. Additionally, their customers love the feeling of nostalgia they get from items such as [Napolitan] (spaghetti with tomato-based sauce) and [Hamburger Steak], which they have known and loved since their childhood. Come and visit with your partner, if your partner likes to eat large servings.

Milky Wave

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
*Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Closed: Monday
(open if it's a national holiday)
Average price: 1,500 JPY *All kind of parties are welcome. Please, inquire.
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station, walk for about 5 minutes from the Fudanotsuji crossing on Chuo Street, and you'll find it on the left side.
Address: 17-2, Shita-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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2. Trattoria Caro

Serving stone-baked pizzas and pasta dishes, Trattoria Caro is Kawagoe's top authentic Italian restaurant. The laid-back atmosphere inside makes it particularly suitable for couples. Their classic [Margherita] is their most recommended pizza. The simple yet fantastic combination of basil, mozzarella, and tomato sauce is baked to a superb finish. As an Italian restaurant, they also put a lot of effort into their desserts. Make sure you leave space for some pudding or vanilla gelato, both made with eggs and milk from carefully selected farms.

Trattoria Caro

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,100 JPY
Access: From Hon-Kawagoe Station, proceed towards Toki no Kane, turn right at the traffic light after Renjaku-cho crossing, then turn left at the first crossing and you'll immediately find it on your right
Address: 1A, Chateau Renjaku, 14-2, Renjaku-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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3. Hatsuneya Garden

Hatsuneya Garden serves authentic French dishes, and you can opt for a table in a private room facing the stunning garden. For both lunch and dinner, there are several sumptuous courses of varying contents and price ranges. The building, which used to house Hatsuneya - a long-established ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) that was frequented even by the Imperial Family - was designated as an Important Urban Scenery Structure by the city of Kawagoe. While preserving its facade and character, the interior has been modernized, and it now operates as a French restaurant. Don't miss this opportunity to taste a unique fusion of tradition and innovation!

Hatsuneya Garden

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) *Reservation required (up until 7:00 pm of the previous day)
Closed: Tuesday, Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY *Reservation required up until the day before. / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY *Casual lunch courses available.
Access: 1 minute walk from Fudanotsuji bus stop, accessible via Tobu Bus from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station.
Address: 1-9-8, Moto-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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4. Hatsuneya Garden Cafe

Hatsuneya Garden Cafe is the annex cafe of the French restaurant, Hatsuneya Garden. Located in a back alley one street away from Kawagoe's main street, its modern Japanese space feels like a cozy getaway, perfect for couples to drop by during a date. Both the menu options and atmosphere are perfect for teatime right after lunch. Other than their signature drinks like [Kawagoe Matcha Latte] and [Kawagoe Hojicha Latte], they have [Frura], which is a flavored ramune (carbonated soft drink) - a popular drink that adds a classy touch to Kawagoe's retro flavors.

Hatsuneya Garden Cafe

Open: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (L.O. 5:30 pm) *May be fully booked for private parties
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 700 JPY / [Lunch] 700 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Fudanotsuji bus stop, accessible via Tobu Bus from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station.
Address: 1-9-8, Moto-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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5. Brighton Cafe

Brighton Cafe is the perfect British-style location for a classy and fun lunch date. Although it is a British-style cafe, its charm lies in the casual atmosphere that recalls a harborside townscape, with a sense of openness and freedom. While being an excellent option for lunch, it also stays open until late, so you can also visit it for an after-dinner drink. Check out the port city-style look of their breathtaking [Giant Shrimp Tomato Cream Pasta]! The [Homemade Jumbo Sausage] comes highly recommended as well for its dynamic appearance and juicy flavor. From pasta and meat to salads, the menu has something for everyone! This lovely and bright restaurant will put you in a good mood.

Brighton Cafe

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
*Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday *Available for booking the entire cafe. Please inquire.
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station. Take the side road next to FamilyMart, turn right at Sukiya, and proceed for 200m. Alternatively, 13-minute walk from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station.
Address: 8-1-1, Tori-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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6. Koedo Country Farm Kitchen

Standing in Kawagoe's tourist area called "Koedo" (little Edo), Koedo Country Farm Kitchen is a buffet restaurant managed by a greengrocer. Now that you know that, you might imagine something rustic and simple, but this place is actually very classy, with a natural, countryside look. It's suitable if you're just looking for a cafe, but also if you're in the mood for a filling meal. A special thing about this restaurant is that there's also a corner where they sell fresh vegetables. The buffet food is available for take-out too, so you can bring home a bento (meal box) or buy some vegetables as souvenirs.

Koedo Country Farm Kitchen

Open: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (L.O. 6:00 pm) *Closing time depends on the situation. Check with them beforehand.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 8-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station, west exit. Cross the pedestrian crossing and proceed to the north. Turn right at Renjaku-cho's traffic light, turn left at the taro chips shop, and you'll find it after about 50m.
Address: 1-22-11, Matsue-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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7. Kan

Kan is a classy yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant characterized by a sophisticated exterior. Conveniently located near Hon-Kawagoe Station, this is a great choice for dinner on your way back from your Kawagoe sightseeing date, especially if you're in the mood for yakiniku. The restaurant's recommended menu item is [3 Rare Cuts of Fukaya Beef], which allows you to taste a carefully selected premium beef brand from Saitama. According to the daily stock, you can choose 3 of 5 cuts: top blade, chuck flap, chuck eye, top sirloin cap, and flap meat. Decorated under the concept of "a yakiniku restaurant which makes different from any other yakiniku restaurant," the interior feels quite luxurious. Do pay it a visit with your date and enjoy their upper-class flavors.

Kan

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Inside the West Exit Rotary area of Hon-Kawagoe Station.
Address: 202, Lilac Villa 1st Bldg., 2-25-4, Nakahara-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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8. MIKURIYA grill&bar

MIKURIYA is one of Kawagoe's chic gastropubs. Its quiet atmosphere is ideal for couples. If you are particularly hungry, their signature dish of [Lamb Chop] or the [Meat Sushi] of Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) should do the trick! If you enjoy fine dining, you'll appreciate their mouth-watering delicacies like raw or grilled oysters, as well as their stylish cocktails. Order the super meaty [Grill Plate] if you both love food. You can choose from the reasonably priced [Grand] and the luxurious [Premium].

MIKURIYA grill&bar

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm) (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from the East Exit of Kawagoe Station
Address: 1F, Urban M Wakita-machi, 14-1, Wakita-machi, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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9. Mitsuboshi Kitchen

The "Meat Bar & Italian" type of restaurant is hugely popular lately, and if you want to try it in Kawagoe, you can go to Mitsuboshi Kitchen. Despite its classy and elegant interior, you can enjoy casual meat or pizza-based meals. If you have meat cuisine, pair it with their colorful [Bagna Cauda], which comes with plenty of vegetables. In general, the menu offers plenty of dishes that will bring your date to a whole new level, like the luxurious-looking [Grilled Chicken Skewers] and [Grilled Seafood Skewers], or the [Homemade Roast Beef Mountain] that is fantastic in both flavor and appearance. It's a recommended restaurant for a fun date.

Mitsuboshi Kitchen

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 1 minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station
Address: A-Section, 3F, Kawagoe Bldg., 2-1-1, Shintomi-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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10. Cafe Torocco

Established in the corner of YAMAWA, a ceramic shop in Kawagoe, Cafe Torocco is a unique cafe managed by the ceramic shop. They specialize in dishes made with sweet potato, which is a specialty product of Kawagoe. Many people love sweet potatoes, so it's a great place for a date. Above all, an experience you definitely can't miss is the [Sweet Potato Mini Kaiseki], available for lunch only. It's casual and colorful kaiseki (traditional Japanese course cuisine with tea) that is made with plenty of sweet potatoes. They even have Kawagoe's local [Sweet Potato Beer], which you should try at least once!

Cafe Torocco

Open: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm *Open even during the beginning and end of the year
Lunch 11:45 am - 3:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Lunch] 1900 JPY
Access: Exit Hon-Kawagoe Station and go left. Before the "Toki no Kane Entrance" crossing, you'll find it inside the fine china store, Yamawa, on the left side.
Address: 7-1, Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.