LO : "last order"
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Kita-Horie/Shinsaibashi/ Nagahori
Beneath this ordinary-looking sake shop - through a hole in the floor and down a narrow ladder - is a hidden sake tasting cave with a big selection of premium sake from around the country, including many koshu (aged sakes). Tasting-size glasses are just Y200 each, and the only food is chunky miso from Wakayama and umeboshi (also Y200 each). Itachibori 3-5-1. (1 blk E of Itachibori 3-minami crossing) Open 9am-7pm (6pm Sat). Closed Sundays. | |
A big bar serving good hamburgers and lunchtime sandwiches; they even have poutine, that mysterious French-Canadian dish involving fried potatoes, cheese and gravy. There's a games room in the back, and a good sound system.  Kita-Horie 2-5-10. Open noon-4pm, 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays. | |
Lime (Italian). 06-6578-8889 Late-night drinks and Italian food in an ambitiously decorated after-hours lair.  Kita-Horie 2-3-3. Open 6pm-5am daily. Absynthe cocktails are the specialty here; they also serve a nice, extensive menu of Greek/Mediterranean specialties all day long. Kita-Horie 1-16-18. Open 11:30am-3am. Closed Tuesdays. | |
Bunny's paella is chock full of seafood - squid, shrimp, mussels and clams - along with a healthy dose of chorizo, lamb, chicken and, most importantly, saffron-infused rice. It is but one of the ways Bunny and his lovely wife Azusa transport their customers, via their taste buds, to the land of flamenco, olives and sherry. [See FULL REVIEW.] Kita-Horie 1-22-26, Casa Kitahorie 1F. (from Nishi-Ohashi station exit 4 walk 1 block south and turn right) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30pm-late. Closed Mondays. | |
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. | |
This old-fashioned yoshoku shop specializes in cream croquettes (beef and shrimp) and Japanese curries. (Formerly known as "Viola.") Nishi-Shinsaibashi 1-6-23. (1/2 block W of Big Step) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm. Closed Wednesdays. Mekong (Vietnamese). 06-6252-6222 The two-story concrete-walled space has a decidedly modern feel, yet it's still comfortable and laid-back. The menu includes a typical assortment of market-style dishes, plus Vietnamese shabu-shabu; dinners start at Y2500. Nishi-Shinsaibashi 1-6-21, Le Feniche Bldg B1/2F. (1/2 block W of Big Step) Open 11:30am-3, 5:30-11pm (LO) daily. | |
A pleasant, trendy little cafe in the heart of Shinsaibashi with hip decor and a nice vibe. Unusual for Osaka, they serve an American breakfast plate from 7am-noon. Nishi-Shinsaibashi 1-5-24, Hearton Hotel 1F. Open 7am-midnight daily. | |
Umenohana's menu offers a dizzying assortment of prix-fixe options (from Y4000), all revolving around their excellent home-made tofu, supplemented by grilled fish, sashimi and many other side dishes. There's a nice 11th-floor view of central Osaka from some tables, and private-room options for parties. Nishi-Shinsaibashi 1-4-3, Shinsaibashi OPA Bldg. 11F. (on Midosujidori) Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily. | |
Hafez (Middle Eastern). 06-6538-8830 Solid Persian cuisine at reasonable prices in an unpretentious setting. Budget around Y3000 in the evening, Y800 at lunch. There's also a dessert menu during the day. Kita-Horie 1-2-14, Matsuya 2F. (on Yotsubashi, 1 min. from Yotsubashi sta. exit 5) Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Konak (Turkish). 06-6534-7277 Osaka's first Turkish restaurant, connected with a popular Istanbul chain, has been preparing mezze, kebabs and other authentic Turkish fare since before the turn of the century. They have occasional musical performances and belly dance shows. Budget around Y3000 for dinner. Minami-Horie 1-11-1, B1F. (in the basement of an office building on Yotsubashi, diagonally across from Hafez Persian restaurant) Open 11:30am-3, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Ootoya (Japanese). 06-6120-5047 A budget teishoku shop with a difference - they serve good helpings of vegetables with your meals, with a variety of creative side dishes. Ootoya has over 100 shops in the Tokyo area (so they must be doing something right), but this is their first foray into budget-conscious Osaka. Set meals are well under Y1000. Nishi-Shinsaibashi 1-15-13. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Tex-Mex standards like burritos, enchiladas and fajitas, along with a good variety of tequila. This bustling little spot has been a Shinsaibashi favorite since 1979. Shinsaibashi-suji 1-10-1, Shinsaibashi Tower Bldg 8F. (at entrance to Shinsaibashi Suji mall, opposite Sony Tower) Open 11:30am-11:20pm daily. | |
A branch of Kobe's highly regarded Igrek restaurant, in a beautifully decorated, very elegant dining space. They kitchen turns out modern French fare that stays clear of the butter and the heavy sauces. Prix-fixe menus start at Y1700 for lunch, Y4000 for dinner.  Shinsaibashi-suji 1-3-10, Shinsaibashi Inoue Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-3, 6-9:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. | |
Well-prepared, authentic Thai cooking, with an emphasis on Isan barbecue chicken, sausage and other regional dishes from the northern part of the country. The interior is clean and functional, with various Thai knickknacks brightening up the basic coffeeshop decor. Shinsaibashi-suji 1-2-24, Tamaki Bldg. 2F. (on the small street just S of Nagahori-dori, 1/2 block W of Sony Tower) Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm daily. | |
An attractive, central branch of the popular Vietnamese restaurant chain managed by Gnocchi's. Shinsaibashi-suji 1-4-28. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This branch of the popular Kyoto-based Nepalese restaurant serves tasty curries and tandoori items, including ample vegetarian options. The restaurant is upstairs in a gorgeous atrium building in the heart of Shinsaibashi. Shinsaibashi-suji 1-5-30, The Atrium Bldg. Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm daily. | |
Known as the "beer dining" branch of Dolphins, they offer mussels, frites and other Belgian and French fare along with plenty of Belgian beers. Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-8-14. (from Shinsaibashi sta. exit 5 walk E about 5 min, just past the Minami-Shogakko (elementary school); also accessible from Nagahoribashi sta. exit 7 - walk W about 1 1/2 blocks) Open 4pm-1am daily. | |
Ifuu (Korean). 06-6282-4123 A "Korean robata" serving good charcoal-grilled meats and vegetables with a Korean flavor, plus more traditional chige stews, dakkalbi chicken stew and samgetang ginseng-chicken soup. Spread out over two floors, Ifuu has a big, rustic counter upstairs and a large, comfortable dining room down in the basement. Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-8-14, Obu Nate Bldg 1F/B1F. Open 5pm-midnight daily. | |
Axum (Ethiopian). 06-6241-5838 Authentic cooking from a former Ethiopian Embassy chef at this lively bar/ restaurant/ party space. The traditional Ethiopian dinner contains several spicy stews and other dishes served on spongy injera bread, which is used for scooping up the stews by hand - utensils are not provided. Chicken shish kebabs and sambusa lamb pastries are available if you just want snacks with your cocktails. After 11:30 is bar time, featuring lots of reggae music. Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-17-15, Marusei Bldg. 5F. (on Shimizu-dori, 2 1/2 blocks W of Midosuji) Open 5pm-3am. Closed Mondays. The Daidaiya chain serves some of the most interesting Japanese food around - mostly fusion-oriented, with excellent grilled meats, modern sushi variations and creative original dishes. Daidaiya is also known for their stunning interior design, and this branch is no exception. | |
Thai pop music blares from the little food stall right out on the street, where take-out Thai dishes are available until midnight. Inside is a small cafe-style space and art gallery; the food is an assortment of Thai and other Asian standards and original dishes. Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-17-2. Open 5:30pm-2am daily. | |
This famous traditional shop has been serving Osaka-style sukiyaki and similar beef-based dishes since 1881. Dinners start at Y7600. Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-16-27. Open 4-10pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Link (Coffee shop). 06-6251-6390 Serious gourmet coffee from around the world, in a stylishly modern coffeehouse that wouldn't look out of place anywhere in North America. [See FULL REVIEW.] Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-13-19, NT Bldg 1F. (from Midosuji turn E on the street that runs along the north side of Daimaru; keep walking for 3 blocks until you get to Family Mart on your left hand side; at Family Mart turn left; Link is located about 10 meters north, on the right hand side) Open 9am-10pm. Closed Mondays. | |
One of a few Kansai branches of the excellent Tokyo-based Toriyoshi chain, known for their tastefully modern interiors, great spicy chicken wings and tofu, and reasonable prices.
Chotto (Izakaya). 06-6282-2031 A seafood-oriented budget izakaya with numerous multi-course set meals starting at Y2625. Minamisemba 2, Crysta Nagahori B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm daily. | |
The original Japanese cuisine here includes lotus-root burgers, beef croquettes, and lots of grilled chicken. The dramatically lit interior and cave-like entrance make the most of this underground shopping mall location. Minamisemba 2, Crysta Nagahori B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10:15pm (LO) daily. | |
Good-quality kushiyaki deep-fried skewers from this Tokyo-based chain. Minamisemba 2, Crysta Nagahori B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily. | |
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