Restaurants in Nagoya
Experiencing the food scene in Nagoya is one of the highlights of a visit to the city. From traditional fare such as cochin (local chicken) or unagi (eel) cuisine to stylish restaurants serving modern fusion food which effortlessly blends Japanese traditions with international influences.
The Nagoya restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over ¥6,000)
Moderate (¥3,000 to ¥6,000)
Cheap (up to ¥3,000)
These Nagoya restaurant prices are based on the cost of a three-course meal for one including a half bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. Tipping is not expected in Japan.
Expensive
Aikyou
Cuisine:Aikyou is near the central fish market and serves the freshest seasonal ingredients. This top-end restaurant in Nagoya is well known for its wild turtle cuisine, which is served as sashimi and nabe (hotpot). However, most diners opt for the Aigo Nabe – a delicious bouillabaisse of local meat and seafood including Matsuba crab, Ise shrimp, blowfish, Hida beef and cochin (Nagoya) chicken.
Address: , 1-31 Nishino, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 683 0010.
Website: http://www.aikyou.jp
Garden Restaurant Tokugawaen
Cuisine:This top restaurant in Nagoya offers exquisitely presented French and Japanese cuisine in a magical setting overlooking the famous, Edo period Tokugawa-en traditional garden and pond. Dinner courses are based on meat and fish dishes and also include seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere and service are both calm and incredibly efficient. During spring and autumn, the Garden Restaurant is very popular so make sure to book well in advance.
Address: , 1001 Tokugawa cho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 932 7887.
Website: http://www.gr-tokugawa.jp
Kawabun
Cuisine:Built at the time of Nagoya Castle and once belonging to the Owari Tokugawa family, this exclusive ryotei restaurant (not to be confused with an Italian restaurant called Kawabun Nagoya, also in the city) offers traditional Japanese fare and kaiseki banquets. The tables surround a beautiful interior garden; sit back and marvel at each exquisite course created from seasonal ingredients.
Address: , 2-12-19 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 222 0873.
Website: http://www.kawabun.jp
Moderate
Atsuta Hōraiken Honten
Cuisine:This is the place to try hitsumabushi (eel in a secret sauce with rice and condiments), as the queues will attest - especially in the summer; go around 5pm to ensure less of a wait. The eel four ways is especially popular, and comes with an English guide with instructions on how to eat it. The restaurant is set in a traditional house near a popular shrine.
Address: , 503 Godo, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 671 8686.
Website: http://www.houraiken.com/honten
Horaiken
Cuisine:This restaurant has been in business since 1873 serving another famous Nagoya dish, hitsumabushi - charcoal-grilled eel served on rice in a lacquer box. Horaiken is located in a lovely old traditional mansion with a garden near Atsuta Shrine. You can sit in private tatami rooms to enjoy your meal.
Address: , 503 Godo, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 671 8686.
Website: http://www.houraiken.com
Taiko Honten
Cuisine:Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki are cooked at your table at this restaurant in Nagoya with top-quality local kuroge (black) beef, and eaten with a delicious sesame-flavoured dipping sauce. Taiko Honten also serves kaiseki (traditional multi-course banquet), which includes local specialities and seasonal produce.
Address: , B1, 2-2-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 222 2323.
Website: http://www.taikohonten.co.jp
Cheap
Nanpu
Cuisine:Nanpu specialises in Okinawan cuisine as well as teppanyaki (iron grill) and kushiyaki (grilled skewer) dishes. One of Nanpu's more unusual fusion dishes is their "goya pizza" – a grilled pizza with goya, the Okinawan bitter gourd vegetable, as the main ingredient. You can sit at the counter and watch the chef in action, or share a table with friendly locals. Okinawan beer and cocktails are also on the menu.
Address: , 1-4-4 Nakamaru-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 910 3654.
Website: http://www.nanpu.co.jp/meieki.html
Sekai no Yamachan
Cuisine:This extremely popular Nagoya-based izakaya (Japanese pub) chain is famous all over the country for its spicy tebasaki (chicken wings) and other tasty bar food dishes. Locally brewed bottled beers are also on the menu. Sekai no Yamachan's cheerful atmosphere makes it an easy place to drop into for just a snack or a full dinner course, at very reasonable prices.
Address: , 2-4-16 Kanayama-cho, Naka-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 242 1342.
Website: http://www.yamachan.co.jp
Yabaton
Cuisine:This is the place to come for a hearty serving of the Nagoya specialty misokatsu – breaded pork cutlet with miso (fermented soy bean paste) sauce, served with rice and shredded cabbage salad. Yabaton also serves crab croquettes and chicken cutlets. The interior is porcine and sumo themed.
Address: , 3-6-18 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya,Telephone: +81 52 252 8810.
Website: http://www.yabaton.com
