The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, November 2018 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: May 09 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka area, November 2018

Planning a trip to Kyoto and Osaka area and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

1. SETSU GETSU KA - Kobe Beef Steak, Teppanyaki

SETSU GETSU KA - Kobe Beef Steak, Teppanyaki cuisine

[Moved to a new location on September 8!] Despite being located in the center of Kobe's largest commercial district, this teppanyaki restaurant is a perfect place for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. Here, you can savor Kobe beef - one of the three best Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) - that's been aged using proprietary techniques. There's also a variety of seafood, from abalone and Kuruma shrimp to super-fresh fish that's been taken out of a fish tank, that can be eaten together with over 90 different brands of wine. They only have counter seating, where you will be served by highly trained chefs, starting from the head chef who has been dedicating himself to teppanyaki for 30 years. They're both skilled chefs and conversationalists, making this restaurant perfect for dates and business dinners as well. Groups of up to 8 people can make use of their private rooms. Why not have a blissful dinner at a restaurant that has appeared in the Michelin Guide Kansai for 5 consecutive years?

SETSU GETSU KA - Kobe Beef Steak, Teppanyaki

Open: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY
Access: 116m from [Kobe-Sannomiya Station] on the Hankyu Railway
Address: 8F, Rainbow Plaza Bldg., 1-9-3, Kitanagasa-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo (Map)
More Details

2. Setsu-Getsu-Ka Sumibiyaki - Kobe beef Steak Kappo

Setsu-Getsu-Ka Sumibiyaki - Kobe beef Steak Kappo cuisine

At this restaurant, you can experience the joy of savoring Kobe beef - known for its vivid red and delicately marbled meat, as well as for its mellow sweet aroma - in a variety of ways. The menu consists primarily of course meals, through which guests can enjoy fresh Kobe beef and other ingredients that are cooked in several different ways to enhance their natural appeal. The [Sumibiyaki Steak] of Kobe beef that has been dry aged and cooked in a special kiln is especially outstanding. The concentrated umami (Japanese savory taste) that fills the mouth is complemented by the aroma of binchotan (premium charcoal), creating a taste that is out of this world. Eat together with rare sake (a type of Japanese alcohol) or wine, it guarantees a blissful time! This is a great restaurant for special occasions and business dinners, so why not visit to dine on Japanese cuisine based around Kobe beef and branded alcohol?

Setsu-Getsu-Ka Sumibiyaki - Kobe beef Steak Kappo

Open: 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from [Sannomiya Station]. Go straight on Kitanozaka Street and turn right at the cake shop. It is on the 2nd Floor of Parfum Bldg., which is on the left.
Address: 2F, Parfum Bldg., 4-8-19, Kano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo (Map)
More Details

3. Osaka Konamon Bar DENNER

Our bar is on the second floor of [Otomo Bldg.] 3 minutes walk from Shinsaibashi Station, in the area with many restaurants. We serve creative okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake). Enjoy our high-quality thick okonomiyaki with a fluffy pancake-like texture, using less flour for the dough. Their sophisticated and certain taste is created by fusing the goodness of Japanese cuisine and authentic French cooking techniques obtained in France. Our wide variety of creative and fun dishes are instagrammable. Various alcohols are available including wine, beer, cocktail, shochu (Japanese liquor), and sour (shochu & soda). We also offer courses with all-you-can-drink with more than 40 kinds of drinks, ideal for banquets with many people. This bar, with a chic and relaxing space mainly in black, is also suited for anniversaries and dates.

Osaka Konamon Bar DENNER

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 3:00 am [Sunday] 5:30 pm - 1:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 3 minutes walk (270 meters) from [Shinsaibashi Station], or 5 minutes walk from [Nagahoribashi Station] on Osaka Metro
Address: 2F, Otomo Bldg., 1-18-4 Higashi Shinsai-bashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka

4. K's Kitchen

K's Kitchen reopened recently in April of 2018. Until 17 years ago, its illusory Italian cuisine attracted customers from all over the country for its combination of fresh-caught fish, vegetables, pasta, and junmaishu (rice wine without any added alcohol or sugars). The current Japanese-Italian fusion style was actually established 25 years ago. Sitting at the open counter, you'll be able to watch as Kobe beef and wild-caught fish from the Seto Inland Sea are grilled over Kishu Binchotan charcoal and transformed into mouth-watering cuisine. It's a feast for the eyes! Come along and taste the burning passion of an experienced chef who has been preparing his art for the last 17 years.

K's Kitchen

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,500 JPY
Access: Around 120m from [Sannomiya Station], the West Exit of [Kobe-sannomiya Station], or the East Exit of [Motomachi Station].
Address: 2F, Taishin Sunset Bldg., 2-5-1, Kitanagasa-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo (Map)
More Details

5. Koushi-ya Kobe Sannomiya

[Koushi-ya Kobe Sannomiya] serves [Kobe Beef], one of three major Japanese beef in Japan. If you want to enjoy meat in a gorgeous way, high-quality Japanese beef is the best. Enjoy our yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) and a-la-carte dishes with [Kobe Beef], a brand beef from Kobe. In addition to meat, we are also proud of our [rice] that is carefully-selected by a rice meister, which brings out the savory taste of the meat. Our high-quality dishes have been popular through word of mouth, and many famous people have also visited us. Our rooms are all private and have a chic and relaxing atmosphere, where you can relax and enjoy meals without worrying about other guests. Please visit us for various occasions, from private gatherings to entertaining your important clients.

Koushi-ya Kobe Sannomiya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 0:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk from [Sannomiya Station]
Address: 3F, LA DOLL RAY Kobe Sannomiya, 1-25-6 Naka Yamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo (Map)
More Details

6. Craft Beer & Pizza 100K

Here, they truly put their heart and soul into their various handmade products. Craft Beer & Pizza 100K is a gastropub with the concept of offering a "chance" to experience the wonders of Kyoto and Japanese culture from a unique point of view. Sourced from craftsmen of Kyoto, Osaka, Akita, and many other parts of Japan, their beer is poured directly from the tap. Drinking it almost feels like making a new friend! In addition, their handmade [Neapolitan-style Pizza], baked to order, is a true treat for both the heart and stomach, and will offer you a luxurious experience. Combining style with a laid-back atmosphere, the restaurant feels like an oasis where everyone is welcome to drop by. Why don't you head to [100K] to enjoy the chef's skills and his unforgettable delicacies?

Craft Beer & Pizza 100K

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 10:30 pm)[Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:30 pm)[Monday - Thursday, Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)[Friday, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (L.O. 4:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: It's 490m from Kyoto Station, on the 1st floor of GARNET Bldg. along Shichijo Street.
Address: 1F, GARNET Bldg., 217-2, Maoya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

7. Yakinikuan Kizashi

The beef on offer at Yakinikuan Kizashi is carefully selected on a daily basis by the store manager, who refined his skills while working at a butcher store. Both the [Special 3-Second Loin], where the quality of the meat can be fully appreciated, and the [Omakase], where 11 different cuts can be tasted and compared, are highly recommended. This is an ideal place to come for special occasions, such as dates and business dinners, due to their [Anniversary Course] that includes a variety of popular menu items and signature dishes. The interior was professionally designed to produce both a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere. 5 small private rooms are also available to allow small groups to kick back and enjoy some quality time together. Due to the fact that Yakinikuan Kizashi refuses to compromise on the quality of the meat, as well as its trimming and cut, you will no doubt be able to thoroughly appreciate the deliciousness of their Kuroge Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) yakiniku (Japanese BBQ).

Yakinikuan Kizashi

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drink L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station. Located towards Wakamiya Street after the Shichijo Shinmachi intersection.
Address: 709, Ebisuno-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

8. Ebisu Michi

[Ebisu Michi] offers Japanese cuisine created with skillful techniques using high-quality ingredients, and a wide variety of alcohol. Master Chef Nakazawa carefully selects very fresh fish and vegetables from Senshu in Osaka, and seafood from a fishing port in Wakayama. Enjoy our local dishes carefully created one by one with high-quality ingredients. We also serve a wide variety of alcohol including carefully-selected sake (Japanese alcohol). Even single guests can casually visit our simple Japanese style restaurant with a casual and cozy atmosphere. The name of our restaurant [E-Bi-Su (meaning smile, tasty, and sake)] shows our wish to make you smile with our tasty cuisine and sake.

Ebisu Michi

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm (Reservations are always required) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 7 minutes walk, 569 meters from [Rinku Town Station] on Nankai Electric Railway Airport Line / 13 minutes walk from [Izumisano Station] on Nankai Electric Railway Main Line
Address: 1-7-24 Kasamatsu, Izumisano, Osaka

9. felicibo

[felicibo] is especially popular among ladies from Namba. Our female chef Hasegawa, who improved her skills in Italy, creates nutritious dishes using carefully-selected high-quality seasonal ingredients. Enjoy our recommended dishes using fresh vegetables from Omi and seafood caught in the near sea, such as [Acqua Pazza with Wild Sea Bream from Akashi] with an impressive savory taste. As we also serve as many as 20 kinds of pasta dishes with seasonal ingredients, including the pasta of the day, you will never get tired even if you visit us every day. We are also suited for a girl's party or an anniversary dinner, offering 3 different kinds of reasonable yet gorgeous [Courses of Chef's Recommendation]. The name of our restaurant is the combination of the Italian words [felice (happy)] and [cibo (meal)]. As the name shows, we give you power for tomorrow with our happy cuisine.

felicibo

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from the exit No.5 of [Namba Station] on Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, and Sennichimae Line / 2 minutes walk from [Namba Station] on Nankai Lines
Address: 1F, Namba Bldg., 3-9-1 Namba Naka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka

10. Gion Kibo

Relax and enjoy our seasonal Japanese dishes bringing out the original taste of the ingredients, with sake (Japanese alcohol) at [Gion Kibo]. We stick to using wild and natural ingredients, especially various dishes with [wild Pacific bluefin tuna], including exquisite [Rice Bowl with Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna] with the savory taste of high-quality soy sauce and the good texture of smashed Japanese yam. Also enjoy our special dishes with Japanese black beef, such as [Japanese Black Beef Steak] with a rich savory taste and moist tender texture. Inside the restaurant is a special space with only 8 counter seats, where you can decide your order through conversation with the chef. We are also ideal for entertaining your clients, as the whole restaurant can be booked even with a small number of people.

Gion Kibo

Open: [Wednesday - Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,800 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from [Gion Shijo Station] on Keihan Main Line. Go north along Higashi Oji-dori Street, then we are on the street after Shijo-dori Street.
Address: 101, Pickle Bldg., 347-26 Gion-machi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, Kyoto

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.