Osaka Honmachi/Shinsaibashi
Higobashi
This small specialty beer bar is managed by Minoh Brewery, which is well represented at the taps. They offer seven other Japanese craft beers as well, all on draft, along with a small but tasty food menu. Tosabori 1-1-30, Osaka River Building 1F. (on the N (river) side of the little road that runs alongside the river, between Higobashi (bridge) and Chikuzenbashi (bridge), 4 doors E of the latter) Open 5-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
More Belgian beers and inexpensive food from this popular beer-bar chain. Edobori 1-18-27. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
George Ohsawa, the father of macrobiotics, would be proud of Japan's return to its culinary roots, and Satoyama Cafe is part of the trend. The healthy lunch sets served here include a selection of obanzai (small dishes), brown rice, pickles and a main dish for less than Y1000. Located in an old legal office, the brick building has high ceilings and a small garden to the side for looking out on while you dine.  Tosabori 1-1-4, Yamauchi Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-8pm daily. | |
This new branch of Beer Belly is quieter, more spacious and more gently lit than the original Higobashi branch. They offer a weekly rotation of fifteen Japanese craft beers plus the full line of Minoh beers, with an emphasis on higher gravity beers. Highlights on the ever-changing food menu include beef tongue udon and broccoli-cheese udon.  Edobori 2-1-21. (from the West Exit of Higobashi Station, walk 8 minutes on Tosabori-dori, and then turn left at Trajal College of Hospitality and Tourism) Open 5pm-1:30am (LO). Closed Sundays. As behooves a dynamic metropolis, Osaka knows its drink. And long before the advent of the Irish pub there was The Leach Bar. A 1960s homage to Japanese folk craft, The Leach eschews wainscot for brick and bamboo. In collaboration with craftsmen Kawai Kanjiro and Serizawa Keisuke, the famed British potter Bernard Leach created this interpretation of an English "cottage bar" in 1965. [See FULL REVIEW.] Nakanoshima 5-3-68, Rihga Royal Hotel 1F. Open 11am-midnight daily. | |
Yodoyabashi
Barrel (Belgian rest/beer bar). 06-6233-0455 Good, authentic Belgian cuisine and a nice assortment of Belgian beers, including several on tap. Kitahama 4-7-28, Sumitomo Bldg #2, 1F. Open 11:30am-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
Carbon (Spanish). 06-6220-4848 A sophisticated, stylish dining spot with serious Spanish food. The emphasis is on the grill, and there's also a good selection of tapas-style snacks plus nice wines (starting at around Y4500). Budget around Y5000 at dinnertime. Kitahama 4-4-12, Sumitomo Shoji Yodoyabashi Bldg. 1F. (in the street behind the Sumitomo Building, 3 min. from Yodoyabashi Sta. exit 10; walk 2 blocks south, turn left, then right) Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Paellas and other hearty Spanish fare; from the same management as Carbon, but in a more down-to-earth setting. The dining room is big and comfortable, with a view out over the river towards Nakanoshima. Budget around Y6000 at dinnertime. Kitahama 2-1-21. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Honmachi
Inexpensive Nepalese and Indian dishes in a casual cafe-bar atmosphere. The restaurant often hosts parties and live music, so call ahead to check. There's some outdoor seating. Utsubo-Honmachi 1-13-1, Osakaya Honmachi Bldg. 2F. (1 block W, 1 block N of Yotsubashi and Honmachi-dori; from Honmachi sta. exit 28 walk one block W and 2 blocks N) Open 11am-2:30, 5pm-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
This tiny "bio and slow tea house" sells organic Swiss chocolates, German herbal teas, Austrian jams and honeys, and a few toys and knick-knacks. Utsubo-Honmachi 1-14-11. Open 11am-7pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Mimiu (Japanese regional). 06-6231-5770 This main branch of one of Osaka's most famous traditional restaurants specializes in udon sukiyaki and other noodle dishes, tempura, and seasonal fish and vegetables. Prices are quite reasonable, with lunches around Y1000 and dinners from Y3000. The main dining rooms are rather functional and hotel lobby-ish, although there's a nice view of the Japanese garden out back. There is a non-smoking room. Hiranomachi 4-6-18. Open 11:30am-8:30pm. Closed Sundays. | |
French-style pastries and fresh breads from this neighborhood bakery; there's also a miniscule cafe attached if you want to stop for coffee. Awajimachi 4-3-1. Open 8am-7pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Qbrick (Beer bar). 06-6203-0690 Despite its small size, Qbrick plays an important part in Osaka's beer scene as a host location for various craft-beer and real-ale events. The regular menu features more than 200 brews from Japan and around the world. Hiranomachi 4-6-12, Kyo-on Bldg 1F. Open 11am-midnight (Sat 5pm-). Closed Sundays. Dolphins (Belgian rest/beer bar). 06-4705-0012 The Sekaisuji-Honmachi outpost of Dolphins is the "beer bistrot" branch, with a basic food menu and a large selection of Belgian beers. Honmachi 1-7-1, B1F. (in front of exit 13, Sekaisuji-honmachi subway station) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm daily. | |
Bibian (Japanese). 06-6231-3300 This lavishly decorated dining bar offers an interesting and moderately priced food menu to go with your cocktails or shochu.  Awajimachi 3-5-1. (about 3 1/2 blocks N, 1 block E of Honmachi sta.) Open 11am-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
Established in the 1840s, Yoshino is the place to go for Osaka-style sushi. Set meals are Y2000-5000, with sushi kaiseki service priced at Y3600-10,000. Awajimachi 3-4-14. (about 3 1/2 blocks N, 1 block E of Honmachi sta.) Open 11am-9pm. Closed weekends. | |
Uoman (Izakaya). 06-4706-6706 An upscale izakaya with a good sake selection and an attractive modern interior filled with smooth, tan-colored wooden surfaces and strategic lighting. Awajimachi 2-6-11, Awajimachi Park Bldg B1F. Open 11am-2, 5-9:50pm (LO). Closed weekends. | |
Hibachi-grilled meat and seafood are the specialty at this friendly little izakaya, with top-quality ingredients from around Japan; budget around Y3500 at dinnertime. Kawaramachi 2-6-14. (east from Honmachi sta. Exit 1, turn left after the fourth block) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
This stylish "dining bar" has a resort-like atmosphere and a big menu of unusual Indonesian food. Budget around Y3000-3500 for dinner and drinks, Y900 for lunch. Minami-Honmachi 3-4-10. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm. Closed Wed, 3rd Sun. The downtown Osaka branch of this lively tourist spot serves up good burgers and fries along with the music. Minami-Honmachi 3-6-14, Ito Bldg 1F. (on Midosuji just N of the highway; 1 min. from Honmachi sta. exit 9) Open 11:30am-midnight daily. | |
Paul (Bakery). 06-6263-0212 Excellent sandwiches, breads and pastries from this French bakery; there's also a spacious cafe behind the shop. (Paul also has retail branches in Daimaru and Hanshin department stores.) Honmachi 2-3-14. Open 10am-10pm daily. | |
A funky-casual cafe with outdoor seating (heated in the winter) and three stories of dining space; the second floor is fashioned after a European brasserie, and the top floor is a popular party space. The inexpensive food menu includes pizzas and pastas, spare ribs and the ubiquitous Caesar salad. Bakuromachi 4-4-7, BBB Bldg. 1/3F. (5 min. N of Shinsaibashi Sta.) Open 11:30am-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Excellent home-made tofu is the core of the menu here, with tofu-centered set meals at various price levels (Y4000-10,000). Bakuromachi 3-5-1, Epson Bldg 21F. Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily.
Kitahama/ Tenmabashi
Another jewel in the El Poniente Spanish-food empire, this is a more casual tapas-bar setup, an easy spot to grab a glass of wine and a snack after work. Hiranomachi 1-6-11. (from Kitahama Sta exit 5 go 2 blocks S, turn left at Hiranocho 1 crossing; it's the second block on the right side) Open 3pm-2:30am (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A branch of the long-established, highly regarded sushi shop in Ginza that invented gunkan-maki (sushi wrapped in nori strips, "battleship" style). Set menus at dinnertime are priced Y6,825-24,150. A lunchtime donburi starts at Y1890, and lunchtime sushi kaiseki service is Y12,600-18,900. Tenmabashi 1-8-50, Imperial Hotel Osaka 24F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm daily. Excellent home-made tofu is the core of the menu here, with tofu-centered set meals at various price levels (Y4000-10,000). Tenmabashi 1-8-30, OAP Tower Bldg B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily. Tofu and yuba are the specialties here, and the menu offers some unusual dishes like soy-milk cheese fondue, nama-fu and soy-milk gratin, and hot apple pie with soy ice. You'll also find seasonal dishes like crab tempura and deep-fried fugu. Drinks include several types of umeshu as well as shochu and sake. Tenmabashi Kyomachi 1-1, Keihan City Mall 8F. (above Tenmabashi station) Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily. | |
Oli (Italian). 06-6940-2876 This Italian restaurant specializes in dishes made with gourmet olive oils - you can check their list of eight olive oils and see which one is used in each dish. Mains include charcoal-grilled fish, pork, and lamb; there's also a good selection of pizzas and pastas in the Y1100-1600 range, plus a few well-assembled risottos. Most of the olive oils are also available by the bottle to take home. Some outdoor seating is available upstairs at their rooftop bar. Tenmabashi Kyomachi 1-1, Keihan City Mall 8F. (above Tenmabashi station) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This flagship of the Dolphin group of Belgian beer bars offers a huge selection of Belgian beers along with inexpensive food. Uchi-Hiranomachi 1-2-6. (from Tenmabashi sta. exit 4 walk S, turn W at the Freshness Burger) Open 11:30am-2, 6pm-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
Fancy French dining with a great view - the menu was designed by Michelin 3-star chef Guy Martin, with fellow Parisian chef Pierre Gay running the kitchen. Dinners start at Y7350, lunches Y3150. Kitahama Higashi 4-33, Osaka Obayashi Bldg 30F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
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: Open late
: Open Sundays
: Notable decor
