Excellent, creative cooking, friendly service and some of the nicest modern decor in Kobe make this restaurant worth a stop. Be sure to try the local dishes like the cross-cultural dim sum assortment and the terrific eel sushi. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Sannomiya 1-10-1, Kobe Kotsu Center Building 10F. (above JR Sannomiya station, on the south side) Open 11am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Oden and yakitori are the specialties at this upscale izakaya, and the Y4000 oden-yakitori dinner menu gives you plenty of both. Sticks of Nagoya cochin (game bird) start at Y200 if you just want to snack. Drinks include a decent sake list and wine. [feedback]

Sannomiya 1-10-1, Kobe Kotsu Center Building 10F. (above JR Sannomiya station, on the south side) Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Located in the new "Dining Road" complex upstairs from JR Sannomiya station's Central Gate, Usuusu specializes in soba noodles and grilled chicken. It's a very convenient place for an inexpensive mid-day meal or a pre-train ride drink and snack. [feedback]

Nunobikicho 4-1-1, JR Sannomiya station 2F. (up the escalator from JR Sannomiya Central Gate) Open 11am-11pm daily.

This relaxed cafe features a cute two-table nook up front, and serves pho noodles and other simple Vietnamese fare. A row of blenders stands ready to churn out various tropical cocktails. [feedback]

Kumoidori 7-1-1, M-int Kobe 8F. (next to JR Sannomiya, south side) Open 11am-10pm daily.

The first Kobe branch of the popular chain serves up raw and cooked oysters, hearty seafood chowders (called "pan roasts") and Cajun-style gumbo. [feedback]

Kumoidori 7-1-1, M-int Kobe 8F. (next to JR Sannomiya, south side) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

The large and varied all-you-can-eat buffet is served in a pleasant, library-themed dining room. Y1800 before 5pm, Y2200 after. [feedback]

Kumoidori 7-1-1, M-int Kobe 7F. (next to JR Sannomiya, south side) Open 11am-10:30pm daily.

Uoman is an upscale izakaya chain is known for their creative, solidly prepared food, their well-selected sake and shochu menu and their stylish decor. [feedback]

Kumoidori 7-1-1, M-int Kobe 8F. (next to JR Sannomiya, south side) Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm daily.

More than just good food, Wada delivers an entertaining dining experience. The food menu is full of pleasant surprises - innovative flavor combinations, unexpected but well-tuned ingredients, and dramatic presentation. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Kumoidori 7-1-1, M-int Kobe 8F. (next to JR Sannomiya, south side) Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

This small, popular counter shop serves nice meaty gyoza dumplings; sets of gyoza, rice and side dishes cost around Y700. [feedback]

Sannomiya 1-8-1, Sannomiya Sun Plaza B1F. Open 11am-9pm daily.

Good-quality sushi at this tiny underground counter shop which is connected to the more well-known Tensuki north of the station (078-391-2073). Dinner starts at Y5000, and take-out is available. [feedback]

Sannomiya 1-8-1, Sun Plaza B1F. Open noon-8pm daily.

Good, reasonably priced izakaya standards, including home-made tofu and yuba dishes. The stylish interior is divided up into numerous semi-private dining spaces. [feedback]

Sannomiya 1-4-3, Clefy Sannomiya 7F. (from Sannomiya intersection (just S of the JR station) go S to the first traffic light, 1 block W, then turn R into the arcade; Clefy is on the left) Open 5-11pm. Closed Tuesdays.

A pleasant dining-bar style restaurant with a nice view over central Kobe; the food menu is a mix of izakaya standards and creative originals, and drinks include cocktails and wine. [feedback]

Sannomiya 1-4-3, Clefy Sannomiya 6F. (from Sannomiya intersection (just S of the JR station) go S to the first traffic light, 1 block W, then turn R into the arcade; Clefy is on the left) Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Far more affordable than the typical hotel teppanyaki-ya, this attractive department-store shop serves up good-quality seafood, chicken, and of course Kobe beef. The steak lunch is just Y1260, and a full-course seafood teppanyaki dinner is Y3300. [feedback]

Isogami-dori 8-1-23, Sogo Wing 6F. (from the intersection in front of the S exit of JR Sannomiya go 2 blocks S and 1 block E to Sogo Wing) Open 11:30am-9pm (LO) daily.

A rooftop oasis right in central Kobe, this cafe looks out onto a big garden area, with seating both indoors and out. The casual, inexpensive food menu is a mix of Japanese and Western dishes - oxtail stew, pork cutlets, pastas, and of course desserts. [feedback]

Goko-dori 8-2-6, Kobe Kokusai Kaikan 11F. (on Flower Road about 3 min. south of JR Sannomiya station) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Akashiyaki is a lighter, fluffier version of takoyaki, made with local octopus, and Tako-no-tsubo is an expert in its preparation. The room cozy dining room - usually filled with the aroma of simmering octopus - is organized around one large wooden table that everybody sits around. [feedback]

Sannomiya 3-3-3. (from JR Motomachi take Koikawasuji S, then take the first alley on the left after the Center-gai shopping street) Open noon-9:45pm (LO) daily.

Best known for their noodle dishes, the kitchen here also turns out a complete range of Cantonese standards. [feedback]

Motomachi-dori 1-11-3. (take Koikawasuji S from the JR tracks about 2 blocks, turn right (before the Motomachi arcade); it'll be on the right side of the street) Open 11am-2:30, 5-8pm. Closed Wednesdays.

One of the original wave of yoshoku restaurants, Itoh Grill has been preparing original Japanese-style Western dishes since 1923. They've probably redecorated since then, but not too recently. Their signature beef stew is Y2500, and they offer local Japanese wines to wash it down. [feedback]

Motomachi-dori 1-6-6. Open 11am-2:30, 5-8:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

This tiny but charming late-night cafe at the edge of Chinatown has a surprisingly big selection of Spanish tapas and Belgian beers. [feedback]

Motomachi-dori 1-3-12. (from Koikawasuji take the first right turn S of the Motomachi arcade; it's on the left, just before Chinatown) Open 11:30am-4, 5pm-midnight. Closed Mondays.

Featured in architecture and design magazines as well as restaurant guides, this beautifully repurposed space is the former lobby of a British bank built in 1938. It's a stylish spot for an afternoon coffee or an after-dinner drink (but less inspiring for dinner). [feedback]

Kaigandori 9, Chartered Building. Open 11:30am-5am daily.

Excellent home-made tofu is the core of the menu here, with tofu-centered set meals at various price levels (Y4000-10,000). The dining room offers a nice high-rise view over the Kobe waterfront. [feedback]

Kaigan 3-chome, Kaigan Building 15F. Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily.

More classic Kobe yoshoku fun - the specialties here are beef-tongue croquettes and tongue stew. [feedback]

Higashi-Kawasakicho 1-6-1, Mosaic 1F. Open 11am-2, 5-9pm (LO) daily.

Not just ordinary pork, but premium-grade meat from Kagoshima goes into the cutlets here. Ebikatsu is another of the menu's strong points. [feedback]

Higashi-Kawasakicho 1-6-1, Mosaic 1F. Open 11am-2, 5-9pm (LO) daily.

Spicy Korean dakkalbi chicken stew is the specialty of the house; full-course dinners start at Y2625. [feedback]

Higashi-Kawasakicho 1-6-1, Mosaic 3F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Churrasco-style Brazilian grilled meats (beef, pork, chicken) are served here, and the waiters will keep bringing you meat until you tell them to stop; all-you-can-eat deals cost around Y2000 per person. The Brazilian music and staff add to the atmosphere. Open throughout the day. [feedback]

Higashi-Kawasakicho 1-6-1, Mosaic 3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.