Osaka’s ever evolving flourishing food scene is a real treat for the discerning diner. In a city where eating out in style is effectively a living right, it can be tricky to narrow down a quality list of top-notch restaurants in Osaka to visit.
Nevertheless, after much deliberation, I have selected the best restaurants in Osaka to convene for a gastromonic meeting. Impress your friends and/or colleagues on sight and venture to the following places to enjoy outstanding Japanese cuisine.
Hajime
Osaka is colloquially touted as Japan’s food capital and for good reason. Restaurants such as Hajime deliver a Japanese fine dining experience that goes above and beyond your wildest expectations.
This highly commendable three-Michelin-star restaurant is owner-operated by its namesake, the esteemed Japanese chef Mr Hajime Yoneda. Hence, the meals here are consistently outstanding fare.
Fresh produce and intricate presentation is paramount to preparing dishes that seamlessly interweave French technique and Japanese sentiment. Which is precisely what the Hajime cuisine team have expertly mastered. The overall restaurant ambience evokes a welcoming and peaceful essence. Perfect for a semi-casual or smart corporate catch up over a most memorable meal. Hajime is by far one of Osaka’s best restaurants!
Matsusaka Yakiniku M
If Japanese steakhouses could be classed as royalty, then I declare the Matusakagyu M restaurant to be king of the cuts. Located in Hozenji okocho Alley, home to a collection of small izakaya pubs, bars and eateries in a lantern filled laneway behind the marvellous Hozenji Temple (where you can splash the buddha statue with water for good luck) in Central Osaka.
Beef aficionados and barbeque devotees takenote, Matsusaka is a breed of Japanese beef raised in Mie prefecture, where the cattle are nurtured with the utmost care and fed a special diet which results in a meat that has a high fat-to-meat ratio.
Not dissimilar to the more internationally recognized Kobe beef and as equally delightful. So, if you want to find fantastic Matsusaka beef in Osaka? Congratulations, you are here!
Group bookings at Matusakagyu M may dine al a carte, banquet style or choose independent menu items such as beef ramen noodles, delicately marbled steak sushi, zesty short ribs. Plus, sides of vegetables, rice and a dash of kimchi spice.
Restaurant ZK
Located on the 57th floor of the Osaka Marriot Miyako Hotel. Restaurant ZK delivers superb food with unparalleled Osaka city skyline views. It caters to both Western and Japanese tastes and is a relaxed place.
The combined dining options mean guests can select from an extensive Japanese teppanyaki spread, cooked flamboyantly on the grill before your eyes. Or, choose from modern western dishes, that are mostly European in essence. Restaurant ZK has plenty of space in what is a typical Japanese minimalistic setting. Ideal for a great dinner in Oska with friends or an informal business meetings over dinner and drinks.
However, it really is that magnificent panoramic view (you are after all in Japan’s tallest building) that takes the proverbial cake. Speaking of which, the desserts on offer at ZK are appropriately heavenly. This is sky high dining done right, indeed.
Travel Hint: guests can access the observatory on the 58th floor, it’s a terrific photo opportunity to capture the big city lights at night.
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