Ranking
An editorial ranking of restaurants, cafés and bars: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 1,522
Osaka · Bistro
In Osaka's Sonezakishinchi district, Deglacer is an intimate counter bar run by a senior sommelier who also prepares the food. It's a destination for expertly chosen by-the-glass wine pairings and refined French-European small plates.
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Kyoto · Casual Dining
The original shop of a cult ramen group, famous for its incredibly thick, pork-bone-marrow tonkotsu broth. Located in a rural part of Kizugawa, Kyoto, it's a pilgrimage site for fans of the heaviest style of ramen.
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Osaka · Dessert Shop
A celebrated sweet shop in Osaka's Nakazaki district, famous for its ultra-crisp taiyaki and elaborate, fruit-topped kakigori shaved ice. Expect queues for these expertly crafted treats, which have earned the shop multiple awards.
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Osaka · Casual Dining
A tiny, 9-seat counter in Osaka's Tenjinbashi area, celebrated for its daily rotating plates of multiple Indian curries. Expect queues for its expertly spiced sets, which are built for mixing and offer exceptional value.
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Kyoto · Casual Dining
The only Kyoto branch of the legendary Ramen Jiro, serving enormous bowls of hearty noodles and thick-cut pork in the Ichijoji district. A must for fans of the style, with unique Kyoto touches like Kujo-negi and seasonal tsukemen.
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Kyoto · Pâtisserie
A historic Kyoto confectionery dating to 1907, Murakami Kaishindo is famed for its elusive, reservation-only cookie tin. Located in the Nakagyo ward, it also offers a range of classic baked goods for walk-in purchase.
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Tokyo · Casual Dining
In Musashino, Chin Chin Tei (珍々亭) is a legendary shop credited as one of the birthplaces of abura-soba. Visitors come for a taste of history: a simple, satisfying bowl of soupless ramen that's worth the inevitable queue.
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Osaka · Casual Dining
A legendary gyoza specialist in Daito, Osaka, famous for its signature dumplings with an impossibly thin, crispy skin. It's a destination for gyoza purists who appreciate unique texture and are willing to navigate a famously strict reservation…
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Nara · Casual Dining
In Sakurai, Nara, this restaurant from a renowned maker serves authentic hand-stretched Miwa somen. It's a destination for noodle lovers seeking exceptional texture, from the fine 'Hakuryu' to the ultra-thin 'Shiraga'.
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Nara · Casual Dining
Experience top-tier, charcoal-grilled eel in Nara. Unagi no Toyokawa specialises in the crispy-skinned Kansai style and also offers rare eel sashimi, providing exceptional value just a short walk from Tomio Station.
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Kyoto · Bakery
A tiny, takeout-only bakery in Kyoto's Nakagyo ward, where a French-trained chef applies classic technique to an acclaimed lineup of sweet and savoury breads. It's known for excellent value, especially its salty butter bread and brioche doughnuts.
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