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: 2,446
Osaka · Pizzeria
An award-winning pizzeria in Osaka's Kita ward, serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza from a wood-fired oven. Go for the signature light, chewy crust and standout pies like the Leone, with prosciutto, lemon, and ricotta.
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Osaka · Casual Dining
A celebrated Sri Lankan-style curry spot in Osaka's Minamisenba district. It's famous for its 'Dekkao Special' plate, where diners mix a bone-in chicken curry with daily specials and sides for an evolving flavour.
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Nara · Casual Dining
A celebrated ramen shop in Ikaruga, Nara, known for its signature foamy, emulsified pork and chicken broth. Visitors come for the rich yet airy soup, thick-cut chashu, and excellent value for money.
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Tokyo · Wine Bar
Experience a sophisticated kushiage omakase in Ginza. At Ginza Rokukakutei, skewers of premium ingredients are deep-fried with a famously light touch and served one by one at the counter, often with wine pairings.
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Fukuoka · Casual Dining
A long-standing Fukuoka institution for 'Kyushu Lanka' curry, a local take on Sri Lankan cuisine. Located in Akasaka, it's known for its multi-part curry plates with a signature sharp, addictive spice.
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Kanagawa · Casual Dining
A celebrated tantanmen specialist in Oppama, Yokosuka, drawing crowds for its intensely aromatic bowls. The key is Japanese sansho pepper, stone-milled fresh in-house daily for a unique floral, numbing spice.
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Aichi Prefecture · Café
A celebrated coffee counter in Nagoya's Meito ward, where the owner hand-drips single-origin coffees served with precisely paired house-made pastries. Expect queues for one of the few seats at this focused, craft-driven shop.
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Osaka · Casual Dining
A lively grill restaurant in Osaka's Bingomachi district specializing in high-quality fresh lamb. Visitors come for the signature thick-cut lamb chops and tender meat with almost no gaminess, cooked on a flat iron plate.
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Osaka · Izakaya
A late-night izakaya in Osaka's Kita-Shinchi district, specializing in exceptionally light, hand-formed onigiri. With over 20 varieties and a large oden pot, it's a popular spot for a full meal centered on high-quality rice.
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Osaka · Bar
In Osaka's Kawarayamachi district, Takoriki operates as a high-end takoyaki counter by day and transforms into an intimate wine bar with a course menu by night. It's a destination for a sophisticated take on a classic street food.
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Kanagawa · Izakaya
A celebrated izakaya in Kamakura pairing an extensive, rotating sake list with impeccably fresh local seafood. It's a destination for those seeking a ritualised tasting experience over a casual meal, located on the 2nd floor of the Ueyama Building.
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Hyōgo · Casual Dining
Authentic, boldly spiced Thai cuisine in Ashiya, where dishes are presented with dramatic flair. Known for its beautiful plating with carved vegetables and edible flowers, it's a popular spot for both its visual appeal and genuine flavors.
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Aichi Prefecture · Izakaya
A high-end izakaya in Toyohashi known for dramatic presentations of exceptionally fresh seafood. Go for the live squid sashimi, straw-seared bonito, and an extensive sake list in a lively, stylish setting.
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Fukuoka · Wine Bar
A compact, chef-led Spanish bar in Fukuoka's Watanabedori district, celebrated for its authentic paella with a pronounced 'socarrat' crust. It's a destination for expertly cooked Spanish classics in an intimate setting.
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Okinawa · Casual Dining
Fukakiso Ba (帆掛きそば) is a lunch-only Okinawa soba shop in rural Uken, Uruma, about an hour's drive from the airport. The owner fishes for the broth himself, and his clam soba is the reason to go.
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Aichi Prefecture · Wine Bar
A one-man, counter-only bistro in Nagoya's Shinsakae district, pairing an extensive natural wine list with bold game dishes. It's a destination for serious wine drinkers who appreciate live counter preparation.
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Okinawa · Izakaya
One of the few places in Japan to serve rare Kosaka chicken, Yakitori Ichiha offers a precise omakase experience in Naha's Makishi district. The chef's expert charcoal grilling is the main draw for visitors and returning regulars.
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Ishikawa · Fine Dining
A celebrated seasonal restaurant in Kanazawa's Owaricho district, open only from October to April. Mifuku is a destination for its singular oyster hotpot, where plump Noto oysters are cooked at the table in a rich, warming broth of white miso and…
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