The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, January 2020 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, January 2020

Planning a trip to Okinawa and Southeast Islands 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 Okinawa and Naha.

1. Italian Restaurant FRANCESCA

[FRANCESCA] located on the 2nd floor of Aeon Nago branch opened in 2003, as a restaurant where families and friends can enjoy Italian cuisine in a casual manner. All of their dishes, prepared by skillful chefs, are authentic. They include pizzas with chewy and fragrant bases made with flour shipped direct from Italy, the dough is stretched and baked after guests order the pizza. For the pasta dishes, guests can choose fresh pasta if they wish. If you order lunch including mini salad and drinks, you can spend an elegant afternoon in this high-ceiling open space. In the evening, the restaurant takes on a more sophisticated atmosphere which suits a dining experience such as spending a relaxing time with wine and a la carte dishes. The party plan, recommended by the owner, offers some off-the-menu dishes such as stylish antipasto and meat dish, and can be booked for 4 people or more.

Italian Restaurant FRANCESCA

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm / [Saturday, Sunday ,National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: It is on the 2nd floor of Aeon Nago shopping center
Address: 4472, Aza-Nagomidorikawabaru, Nago-shi, Okinawa Map
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2. Agu Pork Shabu-Shabu Specialty Restaurant - Ocean BOO!

Agu Pork Shabu-Shabu Specialty Restaurant - Ocean BOO! cuisine

This restaurant now manages a holiday rental property. Located a 15-minute drive from the restaurant, it is ideally located in a resort area just 2 minutes from the beach. Discount set plans are also available. Feel free to contact the restaurant for details. [Ocean BOO!] is the restaurant specializes in shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables) of carefully selected local Agu pork. With selected local ingredients and the ever popular shabu-shabu, guests can enjoy flavors unique to Okinawa. The owner recommends the terrace seats where guests can relax while gazing out at the cobalt blue waves. Parking is available, making this an ideal spot for a meal while visiting Cape Zanpa for diving or sightseeing. Another great perk is that preschool children and younger can dine here for free of charge.

Agu Pork Shabu-Shabu Specialty Restaurant - Ocean BOO!

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (Last admission: 8:00 pm) *By Reservation Only
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: Located on the 2nd floor of the apartment building along Prefectural Route 6 (500 meters from Zanpa Exit Intersection). Around a 12-minute drive from Cape Zanpa Lighthouse
Address: 201, Costa Vista Apartment, 821, Senaha, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Map
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3. Sushi Murakami

Outstandingly delicious sushi of Okinawan fish made with traditional Edomae style technique. [Sushi Murakami] which serves such [Ryukyu suhi] opened in Makishi in 2019. The chef, Mr. Murakami, who polished his Edomae sushi skills in places like Tsukiji, Tokyo, prepares specialty Okinawan fresh fish like [Irabucha (Steephead parrots)] and [Ojisan (Five-barred goatfish)] by marinating with miso or irizake (traditional soy source) to bring out the flavors. Fresh tiger prawns, another Okinawan specialty, can be enjoyed as tempura or sashimi as well as sushi. They also serve various seasonal dishes going well with drinks, such as [Simmered head of fish] and [Grilled fish]. The seating of the restaurant is 10 counter seats only and they are all close to the chef, which creates a very relaxing atmosphere. They welcome local residents and people work in nearby area. The restaurant is also a great place for visitors of Okinawa from both inside and outside of Japan.

Sushi Murakami

Open: Dinner 6:00 pm - 1:00 am
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY
Access: From Makishi station of Yui Rail, straight ahead on Kokusai-dori Road towards Kenchomae. Turn right at Kaikatsu CLUB and straight ahead along the road for 3 minutes
Address: 102 Daiichi-Wako mansion, 2-13-20 Makishi, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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4. Ristorante CROSS 47

[Ristorante CROSS 47] has been attracting attention from local gourmets in Okinawa since it opened in January 2019. The blue and green toned interior is a spacious and airy space that brings to mind an image of Okinawa's natural environment. Chef Ishikawa, who previously displayed his skills at this restaurant group's main branch, [CROSS TOKYO], creates stunning Italian cuisine from carefully-selected, largely Okinawan ingredients. [Cacio e Pepe Pasta], made using long pepper from Ishigaki Island and organic Sri Lankan black pepper, shows off Chef Ishikawa's refined sense. The simple recipe highlights the depth of flavor of the cheese and the fresh flavor of the two varieties of pepper. This restaurant is one of the largest in the area, able to accommodate up to 80 guests, and is also available for parties. The staff includes many veterans with experience working in Tokyo, so you can feel confident leaving special occasions like business events and anniversaries in their capable hands.

Ristorante CROSS 47

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 2:00 am (L.O. 1:00 am)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Asato Station
Address: 2-4-7, Asato, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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5. Fruits Fruits Okiwana

[Fruits Fruits Okinawa] is a pineapple-yellow cafe along Okiei-dori. Their concept is "have fun with fruit" and they welcome guests with a photogenic menu and space. Colorful, cute drinks and foods made with Okinawan tropical fruits are lined up. [Oshokuji Sweets], that are inspired by local Okinawa food such as "Pork egg" and "Taco rice", are also popular menu. Recommend to order with fresh fruit soda or fruit cocktail. Enjoy, relax, and refresh yourself at this stylish fruit cafe.

Fruits Fruits Okiwana

Open: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Closed:
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY
Access: It's the yellow restaurant on Okiei-dori, right near [Starbucks Naha Kokusai-dori Makishi branch] on Kokusai-dori
Address: 2-1-4, Makishi, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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6. Steam Dining Shimabutaya

As the name of the restaurant suggests, their specialty is bamboo steamed dishes. It is a very popular restaurant as steam dishes are not common in Okinawa. They prepare superb ingredients like [Agu pork] and [Shimakuru pork] with lots of time and effort to make them into tasty dishes. Their signature dish [Bamboo steamed food] has many repeat customers. They also serve evolved traditional Okinawan cuisine. Their [Goya chanpuru with Agu pork] has less bitterness and the deliciousness of goya (bitter melon) is brought out. This new taste is even rated by local people and it is popular with tourists and children who are usually not keen on goya. They have value-for-money course meals as well and it is a place suitable for family and group dining.

Steam Dining Shimabutaya

Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from [Prefectural Office Station] on Yui Rail
Address: 1F, Kumoji Mansion, 3-29-41 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa Map
More Details Reservation

7. Teppanyaki Ten

This teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) restaurant is located in [Okinawa EXES Naha] which opened in 2019 as a premium brand from Kariyushi Hotels. You can savor grilled dishes based on western cuisine in it's a luxurious space. Their original dishes made with Ishigaki beef and other Okinawan products as well as ingredients carefully selected from abroad, are a treat for all your five senses. It's quite luxurious to have a meal while watching the performance of the chef from up close. This restaurant is the kind of fancy place where you would take an important person on a special day. The U-shaped counter seats surrounding the iron griddle are highly recommended for both couples and tourists. 130 types of wine are available so that you can enjoy paring them with dishes.

Teppanyaki Ten

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 15,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: 4 minutes walk from Prefectural Office Station on Okinawa Monorail Yui Rail Line
Address: 1-11-5, Izumizaki, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
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8. Hon Maguro Robata Gekijo Uojimaya Kumoji main branch

Hon Maguro Robata Gekijo Uojimaya Kumoji main branch cuisine

The northern most Hokkaido to southern most Kyushu, fresh fish is delivered every day. It is quite amazing to get the fish caught in the morning delivered from remote fish markets and to be able to enjoy it in Okinawa by that evening. Guests can select meal from more than 20 different kinds of dishes on [Higawari (today's special) menu] every day. The restaurant's regular guests look forward to the daily specials saying that they never get tired of it even if they eat there every day. [Hon Maguro Robata Gekijo Uojimaya Kumoji main branch] specializes in Maguro (Tuna), so the guests can always enjoy the specialty dish [Hon Maguro Gekijo Sashimi Plate]. The restaurant also boasts the dishes made with rare-cuts of tuna fish. [Kama Toro Robata-yaki] and [Slow-simmered Maguro Toro Cheek with Tofu] are only available in limited number. [Maguro Kurau Course], which is very popular among foreign tourists, includes all-you-can-drink option and [Chunky Maguro Tail Sauteed on Cast Iron Pan with Garlic Butter].

Hon Maguro Robata Gekijo Uojimaya Kumoji main branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00pm - 12:00am (L.O. Food 11:00pm, Drinks 11:30pm) [Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00pm - 2:00am (L.O. Food 1:00am, Drinks 1:30am)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Walk for 5 minutes from Prefectural Office Station on Yui Rail Line . On the back side of Kumoji Elementary School.
Address: 3-15-19, Kumoji, Naha-shi, Okinawa Map
More Details Reservation

9. En

[En] is an Okinawan restaurant located at the Makishi Public Market, a popular tourist spot with various Okinawan food. It takes 10 minutes on foot from Makishi Station. The chef's excellent skills led to her being appointed as a politician's exclusive chef in Taiwan. At the Makishi Public Market, Okinawan cuisine cooked by popular chefs has long had an exceptional reputation. They use fresh Okinawa goat meat and Agu pork directly from the market and vegetables directly from the farmers. You can bring the vegetables and meat purchased at the market and have them cooked. A blissful time where you can buy and enjoy the unique ingredients of Okinawa. Enjoy exquisite Okinawan cuisine at this spacious Okinawan restaurant.

En

Open: 8:15 am - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 10 minutes walk from Makishi Station or Miebashi Station on Yui Rail Line, about 16 minutes by car from the airport
Address: 2F, Makishi Public Market, 2-7-10 Matsuo, Naha-shi, Okinawa

10. Okonomiyaki Monja Okinawa Teppan Tanuki

Okonomiyaki Monja Okinawa Teppan Tanuki cuisine

[Okonomiyaki Monja Okinawa Teppan Tanuki] offers various teppanyaki (grilled on iron griddle) and Okinawan dishes, with an abundance of local ingredients from Okinawa prefecture. Fully enjoy [Monja-yaki (watery Japanese savory pancake)], [Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake)], and [Motsu-nabe (hot pot with offal and vegetables)]. Fresh high-quality ingredients, such as [Agu Pork], [domestic beef], and [vegetables], are used. This restaurant style is for you to have a relaxing and peaceful moment with everyone, surrounding your iron griddle and cooking the ingredients on your own. Recommended for couples, families, and tourists as well as local guests. Please visit this new hot topic in Okinawa, to fully enjoy an relaxing moment in a space with a nostalgic atmosphere from the Showa period.

Okonomiyaki Monja Okinawa Teppan Tanuki

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 15 minutes by car from Kyoda IC
Address: 27, Nakama, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Map
More Details Reservation

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.