Kamakura Restaurants: 8 Eateries both Bold and Traditional

8 Kamakura Restaurants for Discerning Epicureans

Kamukamu

From pudding to tuna to house-roasted coffee, Kamukamu accommodates a wide variety of tastes. Every cup of coffee here starts with green coffee beans, all perfectly roasted to match the cuisine; each dish is crafted with carefully selected ingredients. The kabuto-yaki maguro, or roasted head of tuna, uses fish sourced from Misaki, while the high-grade katsuo fish flakes found in their trademark broth are painstakingly dried for over two years before being served. For dessert, Kamukamu’s popular Arita Porcelain Pudding is richly flavored and served on original Arita porcelain, one of Japan's traditional handicrafts, which patrons can take home as a souvenir.Dinner: 2,500 JPY / Lunch: 2,000 JPY

Ete

As with many restaurants in Kamakura, dining at Ete is about more than eating delicious food—it is also about stimulating all five senses, most especially sight, sound, and smell. Ete offers sophisticated cuisine at reasonable prices, each dish imbued with true French spirit. Feast on Challans duck, flown in from France, and special citrus fruits from Kumamoto. The dinnertime hors d'oeuvres include unique foie gras creations that vary daily. Ete sources ingredients both domestically and from overseas without preference so long as the quality is excellent. Patrons can see directly into the open kitchen, giving them an opportunity to enjoy watching the chefs hard at work. Ete blurs the line between food craft and artistic expression, yet another one of the restaurant’s charms.Dinner / Lunch: 3,000 JPYRead More

Beau Temps

Have a seat at the counter and savor a plate of charcuterie with an excellent glass of vino at wine bar Beau Temps. Their tempting platter of homemade meats includes wild game such as deer and foie gras pâté, rabbit and pig trotter terrine, as well as duck liver mousse. Try it with their house-made relish or a fresh salad, created with local vegetables purchased from the Kamakura farmers market nearby. Their thinly-sliced, softshell turtle croquette in Madeira sauce is also a superb treat.Dinner: 6,000 JPY / Lunch: 2,500 JPYRead More

Kitakamakura En

Those curious about Kamakura restaurants that offer a true taste of Japan should be sure to visit Kitakamakura En, where the hallmark is traditional Japanese cuisine made with top-tier ingredients from all over the country. Specializing in kaiseki dining, the seasonal banquet food of Japan, the menu at Kitakamakura En changes throughout the year. In winter, the grilled or stewed cod from Himi in Toyama prefecture, buri (yellowtail), and firefly squid all come highly recommended. In fall, enjoy warasa and inada yellowtail, also from Himi. The Nanzenji egg custard, made with steamed egg and silken tofu served together with oysters boiled in ginger soy sauce, is also an excellent choice.Dinner: 10,800 JPY / Lunch: 5,400 JPYRead More

Ohama

Relish the less-hurried pace of Kamakura life at the cozy restaurant Ohama, where various seasonal vegetables are showcased throughout the year. Ohama staff buy their ingredients directly from local producers in Zushi each morning, only deciding on the menu after purchasing the freshest items available. With a single chef doing all of the cooking and serving, there are times when patrons at Ohama must be patient; but the fabulous food is well worth the wait. As the restaurant has become incredibly popular among the locals, those averse to counter seating should try to arrive early as the single table in the restaurant books up quickly.Dinner: 5,000 JPYRead More

Onzoshi Kiyoyasutei Kamakura Prince Hotel

While there is a plethora of excellent restaurants in Kamakura, not a few treasures can be found just beyond it. Just west of Kamakura lies the Onzoshi Kiyoyasutei Kamakura Prince Hotel, where one can savor seasonal delicacies while taking in the exquisite scenery of the Enoshima coastline. Every seat offers an ocean view, allowing patrons dine while basking in the sunset and the spellbinding nighttime lighting. Throughout the year, the ever-changing yet always comforting “Gastronomic Gozen Meal” palatably highlights the flavor and feel of the seasons through the skillful use of limited-time ingredients.Dinner: 7,000 JPY / Lunch: 2,200 JPYRead More

Yakiniku Rashomon

Appreciate the elegant wooden decor at Yakiniku Rashomon while feasting on meticulously grilled Japanese black beef. Their “Japanese Beef Plate”, which includes choice cuts of lean-cut meat for a mild, clean taste, epitomizes Rashomon’s unwavering commitment to quality. Try this dish with the house tare BBQ sauce or some ponzu citrus dressing with grated daikon radish. The “all-you-can-drink” plans make Yakiniku Rashomon an excellent place to celebrate for every occasion and group size.Dinner: 3,200 JPY / Lunch: 980 JPYRead More

Japanese Restaurant Kamakura Agu

True to its name, which has the Japanese nuance of “a small place that offers the best flavors,” no culinary corners are cut at Japanese Restaurant Kamakura Agu. This establishment offers traditional Japanese kaiseki banquet dining, each one of the four possible courses crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. From the very first tray of delicacies to the last, every bite at this Kamakura restaurant will impress with its special seasonal sensibilities.Dinner: 6,000 JPY / Lunch: 5,000 JPY

Restaurants in Kamakura Just the Beginning of a Culinary Journey

With its close proximity to Tokyo, peaceful Kamakura by the sea is a favorite getaway for those living, working or staying in the busy Tokyo metropolis, a way to combine an excellent day of leisurely sightseeing with an equally excellent meal. Those heading back to the city may wish to stop off in Yokohama, where authentic Chinese cuisine is just one of many possible culinary delights on offer. Whether choosing to dine in Kamakura, Yokohama or beyond, Savor Japan is by far the best resource available.Savor Japan—come for the news and the reviews, and stay for the food.