Osaka is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo. Osaka residents are so passionate about food that they're said to "eat themselves bankrupt," a phrase describing their willingness to spend money on dining. Osaka's unique food culture and signature dishes continue to captivate people to this day.
Located near the former capital Kyoto, Osaka benefited from good transportation links and thriving commerce as a castle town. This background led to an abundance of ingredients from all over Japan converging in Osaka, earning it the nickname "the nation's kitchen."
Today, Osaka is still known as a "culinary capital" due to its enthusiasm for food, high-quality ingredients, and excellent cuisine. With many food connoisseurs, Osaka ranks fourth in the number of Michelin-starred restaurants, following Tokyo, Paris, and Kyoto.
In this article, we'll introduce recommended dinner restaurants in Osaka 2024, categorized by area!
Osaka is home to a wide variety of dining establishments
Osaka, with its abundance of ingredients and developed economy and commerce, has long been rooted in a food culture known for high-quality ingredients and cuisine. As a result, high-quality restaurants of various genres have gathered from all over the country.
Moreover, Osaka is the birthplace of many famous Japanese dishes such as "takoyaki" and "kushikatsu." With many restaurants serving Osaka-style cuisine lining the streets, numerous tourists visit today to enjoy authentic local gourmet food.
Here, we'll introduce restaurants where you can savor authentic Osaka cuisine, perfect for your visit to Japan. These will provide new discoveries and valuable experiences, creating lasting memories of your trip.
Area Guide: 10 Recommended Restaurants to Enjoy Dinner at Osaka 2024
Namba / Dotonbori Area
Taishuu Sukiyaki Hokuto GEMS Namba Branch
Source:Tabelog
If you want to enjoy "sukiyaki," a popular Japanese dish, "Taishuu Sukiyaki Hokuto" is recommended for your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Sukiyaki is one of Japan's representative dishes where thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and tofu are cooked in a shallow pot with a sweet and savory sauce made from sugar and soy sauce, then dipped in raw egg before eating.
This restaurant uses high-quality Japanese beef, allowing you to savor the umami and sweetness of the meat. Their lunch menu, in particular, offers a generous serving of vegetables and well-marbled beef, providing a satisfying meal. With the option for rice refills, even big eaters will be content.
The restaurant's interior is comfortable, allowing for a relaxed dining experience. There are counter seats with night views and seats perfect for leisurely enjoying drinks.
This is an excellent opportunity to casually experience the high-end cuisine of sukiyaki. Be sure to visit during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: GEMS Namba 7F, 3-7-19 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:30) / 17:00-23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: 12/31, 1/1
Phone: 050-5487-6089
Official Website
Kyochabana Minami-Senba Branch
Source:Tabelog
"Kyochabana" is a restaurant where you can enjoy Osaka's specialty "okonomiyaki" in an innovative way during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Osaka has developed a food culture using flour and dashi stock. Among these, okonomiyaki is truly a representative local gourmet of Osaka. It's made by mixing flour, water, and eggs with cabbage and other vegetables, adding preferred meat or fish, then cooking on an iron griddle. It's typically topped with sauce, mayonnaise, and dried seaweed flakes. This restaurant is characterized by its use of unique ingredients that differ from typical okonomiyaki.
Recommended menu items include "Tomato Okonomiyaki," which features a batter infused with bonito dashi, plenty of tomatoes, and a perfectly matched sauce, and "Avocado Black Yakisoba," which combines Japanese soba noodles and avocado with an original soy sauce-based sauce.
Even as a Japanese person, I'm surprised by these innovative ways of eating, but you can enjoy okonomiyaki with a new sensory experience.
Address: 2-6-5 Bakuro-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Hours: Lunch 11:00-14:00 / Dinner 17:00-23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Closed: None
Phone: 050-5269-9708
Official Website
Jinsei
Source:Tabelog
For sushi lovers, the sushi restaurant "Jinsei" is highly recommended for your dinner at Osaka 2024. This small restaurant with only 6 counter seats is popular for allowing guests to watch the sushi chef's techniques up close while enjoying the finest sushi.
The restaurant sources fish from all over Japan through trusted wholesalers. The sushi toppings, refrigerated in a cypress ice room and served at their best condition, harmonize with the slightly sweet and crisp sushi rice, creating a sensation from the first bite. Fans flock from all over the country for the deliciousness of the carefully selected and prepared ingredients and rice.
Moreover, the chef's craftsmanship and friendly conversation add to the special, live atmosphere that contributes to its popularity. Please enjoy high-quality sushi recognized by Japanese sushi connoisseurs, surrounded by the chef's skills and unique ambiance during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: 2-1-3 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Hours: 18:00-23:00 *Two seatings at 18:00 and 20:30
Closed: Sundays
Phone: 050-5493-6917
Official Website
Umeda / Kitashinchi Area
Kitashinchi Kushikatsu Bon
Source: Official website
"Kushikatsu" is a famous Osaka dish of skewered meat and vegetables deep-fried in batter. While there are numerous kushikatsu restaurants in Osaka, "Kitashinchi Kushikatsu Bon" stands out from the crowd. This Michelin-starred restaurant has branches in Tokyo and Paris as well.
Using seasonal ingredients and high-end items like Chateaubriand, each skewer is carefully prepared, challenging the concept of kushikatsu as a casual dish. They use an oil blend based on cottonseed oil, making the kushikatsu easy to eat without causing stomach discomfort.
The flavors of the ingredients pair wonderfully with the dipping sauce. The perfect frying time and serving timing are the result of the chef's years of experience. If you want to enjoy gourmet kushikatsu in a creative and refined setting during your dinner at Osaka 2024, be sure to visit Kitashinchi Kushikatsu Bon.
Address: Dojima Meriesu Center Building B1F, 1-3-16 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Hours: 18:00-24:30 (Last entry 22:30 due to course meals)
Closed: 12/31, 1/1
Phone: 06-6344-0400
Official Website
Kashiwaya Osaka Kitashinchi
Source: Official website
At "Kashiwaya Osaka Kitashinchi," a Michelin one-star Japanese restaurant, you can enjoy seasonal course meals during your dinner at Osaka 2024. With all counter seating, you can watch the chefs' knife skills and plating techniques up close.
The restaurant pays special attention to "dashi," an essential element of Japanese cuisine, using carefully selected kombu from specialized wholesalers. Each dish presents a delicate appearance and refined taste, adding creativity to traditional Japanese cuisine. You can enjoy everything from the appetizers to desserts in the course meal.
The seasonal ingredients and menus that reflect Japan's four seasons are all delicious, making you want to visit in different seasons. Experience this impressive Japanese cuisine during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: 1-7-4 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Hours: 18:00- (Leave by 20:15) / 20:45- (Leave by 23:00)
Closed: Sundays and holidays
Phone: 080-6103-0979
Official Website
Kuushin Garandou
Source: Official website
"Kuushin Garandou" is a renowned Osaka restaurant where you can enjoy unique fusion Chinese cuisine during your dinner at Osaka 2024. It's a sister restaurant of the famous Chinese restaurant "Kuushin" and has earned a Michelin star.
Signature dishes like the "Melon Bread with Melon" and "Clay Pot Rice with Prawns and Jasmine Rice" are creative dishes that combine Japanese and Chinese cuisines, surprising even Japanese diners. The chef, who studied in Shanghai, creates original dishes full of creativity, satisfying guests with both taste and atmosphere.
Moreover, over 70 carefully selected wines and tea pairings by tea sommeliers further enhance the dishes. The refined and luxurious cuisine at this restaurant provides the high-level satisfaction typical of popular Osaka establishments.
For those who want to experience an unprecedented fusion of Japanese and Chinese cuisines during their dinner at Osaka 2024, Kuushin Garandou is highly recommended.
Address: Zero Kitashinchi 4F, 1-5-18 Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Hours: 18:00-23:00 (Food L.O. 22:00, Drink L.O. 22:30)
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Phone: 06-4256-6604
Official Website
Shinsekai / Tennoji Area
Okonomiyaki Chitose
Source:Tabelog
"Okonomiyaki Chitose" is an okonomiyaki restaurant that's extremely popular among foreign visitors. Currently, the second-generation owner, who inherited the business from the famous predecessor, uses English to welcome guests from around the world, incorporating traditional Japanese hospitality.
The Osaka specialty "okonomiyaki" cooked on an iron griddle in this retro-style restaurant is exceptional. You can enjoy various types of okonomiyaki, from standard ones with pork or seafood to unique ones with pineapple that pairs well with the sweetness.
For vegetarians, there are also menu items using plant-based meat, so everyone can enjoy their meal. The restaurant's specialty, "Takasugayaki," which layers negiyaki (a type of okonomiyaki with lots of green onions) and sobameshi (fried noodles and rice), is a must-try. Be sure to visit during your trip to Japan for dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: 1-11-10 Taishi, Nishinari-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:30-14:15 / 16:30-19:15
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Phone: 06-6631-6002
Official Website
Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store
Source:YAHOO! JAPAN Travel
"Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Main Store" is the originator of the Osaka specialty "kushikatsu." This restaurant is where kushikatsu first spread to the world.
The taste that has been passed down for 90 years is characterized by a crispy batter followed by a chewy texture. The frying oil isn't too heavy, allowing you to enjoy kushikatsu to your heart's content. The signature sauce pairs perfectly with the kushikatsu.
There's a wide variety of kushikatsu options, including meat, fish, and vegetables. Featured in media and gaining popularity, the number of branches has increased. Experience the now internationally popular kushikatsu at its original restaurant during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: 2-3-9 Ebisu-higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
Hours: 11:00-22:30 (Last order 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Open daily
Phone: 06-6645-7056
Official Website
Abeno Takoyaki Yamachan
Source: Official website
"Abeno Takoyaki Yamachan" is a popular shop for "takoyaki," one of Osaka's famous gourmet dishes.
Takoyaki is a representative Osaka dish made by pouring batter mixed with dashi into a special round griddle, adding octopus and condiments, and cooking it into ball shapes. It's a familiar Japanese food that most Japanese people have eaten since childhood, and it's one of my favorite Japanese foods too.
The distinctive feature of this shop is the flavorful batter made with chicken and vegetable soup simmered for 4 hours, along with kombu and bonito dashi. It's recommended to eat the takoyaki without any sauce. Each takoyaki is hand-cooked by skilled chefs on a thick, custom-made iron plate, serving piping hot takoyaki.
When visiting Osaka, you must try authentic takoyaki. You'll be amazed by the original, fluffy takoyaki infused with dashi flavor during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
Address: 1-2-34 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka
Hours: Weekdays & Saturdays 11:00-23:00 / Sundays & Holidays 11:00-22:00
Closed: 3rd Thursday of the month, New Year's Day
Phone: 06-6622-5307
Official Website
Night tours are also recommended for those who want to enjoy Osaka gourmet food at night!
For those who want to fully enjoy Osaka's cuisine or savor delicious food with drinks, the following two tours are recommended:
A tour that combines Osaka's famous gourmet foods in the Dotonbori and Shinsekai areas with visits to temples and historical sites, and a tour in the Namba area where you can enjoy drinks and food along with the local atmosphere. Both are guided by locals, allowing you to efficiently enjoy Osaka's exquisite cuisine without getting lost!
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
This 3-hour food tour through Dotonbori and Shinsekai is recommended for those who want to indulge in Osaka's famous cuisine during their dinner at Osaka 2024. You can enjoy 8 types of gourmet foods selected by locals, including Osaka's three major specialties with origins or connections to the city: "takoyaki," "okonomiyaki," and "kushikatsu," all inclusive.
Additionally, the guide will introduce you to Osaka's hidden gems along with their history. With a knowledgeable local guide, you can learn about the area beyond just famous tourist spots. The content allows you to experience more of Osaka's charm, regardless of age.
Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba
Osaka has a history as a city of commerce and culinary indulgence, with many gourmet foods that pair well with sake, beer, shochu, and other alcoholic beverages. On this tour, you can enjoy three different dining establishments for an hour each during your dinner at Osaka 2024.
"Izakaya" is a style popular among foreigners, where you can enjoy a cheerful atmosphere with friendly Osaka locals. As it's all-inclusive, you can freely choose from the menu at izakayas, and it's also possible to accommodate vegetarians, so you can participate with peace of mind. The unique experiences possible with a guide will create lasting memories of your trip.