The Top 10 Restaurants In Kanazawa, Japan

The Cottage

The Cottage doesn’t sound very Japanese. And it is, in fact, a distinct departure from regional cuisine. But maybe that is why so many people like it. Just as the name implies, The Cottage is cozy and inviting and serves up home style fare that is equally comforting. So, when you’ve had your fill of sushi, try The Cottage for classics like handmade pasta, pizzas, and hearty beef stew. They even make a layered vegetarian lasagna that is delicious. It’s an unexpected and pleasant surprise in Kanazawa’s restaurant scene.

The Cottage, 香林坊２丁目１２−１０, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0961, Japan, +81 76 262 3277

Kanazawa | © Yuya Tamai/Flickr

Curio Espresso and Vintage Design

In the heart of the modest and traditional city of Kanazawa, a little slice of Seattle opened in 2014. Curio Espresso and Vintage Design is like a hip indie-style coffee shop that took a wrong turn and ended up in Japan. But, we’re glad they did. The restaurant brings the best of western independent coffee shops to the east, with good food, great service, and, most importantly, excellent coffee. Along with fresh bakery treats and homemade banana bread, customers rave about the pulled pork sandwich. And if it is too late in the day for coffee, order a glass of cold IPA instead.

Curio Espresso and Vintage Design, 1-13 Yasuecho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, +81 76 231 5543

Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District | © 663 Highland/WikiCommons

Fuwari

Fuwari offers a more traditional, regional menu but mixes it up with new, fresh ideas and ingredients. It’s difficult to find a bad review of this place, as everyone seems to be raving about it. Order a classic sashimi plate, with its clean flavors and presentation. Then follow it with warm prawn croquettes and tender grilled beef. Just to warn you, Fuwari has deservingly made a name for itself in the area and can be quite busy. Think about making a reservation.

Fuwari, 2 Chome-6-57 Owaricho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0902, Japan, +81 76 207 3417

Itaru Honten

Itaru Honten has been in business for a number of years and has become known as one of the best restaurants in the city. However, it maintains a service-based attitude and an atmosphere that is welcoming. All of the seafood is incredibly fresh, coming from local waters. The sushi makes a great first plate, and then maybe choose a grilled catch-of-the-day fish plate. If you’re feeling like soup, try the pork and vegetable stew. Whichever you choose, be sure to wash it down with a glass of sake. The restaurant offers an impressive variety, with many being locally produced.

Itaru Honten, 3-8, Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, +81 76 221 4194

Morimori Sushi Omicho

Morimori Sushi has a carousel system that delivers a large selection of sushi plates to its guests, but unlike those other restaurants, you know that you are getting great quality. Instead of items sitting on a conveyor belt for some time and going round and round, each guest orders their plates from an iPad at the table, and it is made fresh to order. The playful presentation style at Morimori Sushi provides a vibe that is casual, comfortable, and open.

Morimori Sushi Omicho, 88 Aokusamachi, Kanazawa 920-0907, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, +81 76 262 7477

The Omicho Market | © GanMed64/Flickr

Omicho Market

Both restaurateurs and regular consumers flock to the Omicho Market for fresh produce and seafood. The day’s wares come in from the night’s fishing boats and are sold within hours of leaving the water. But this market goes far beyond just selling the ingredients, it is also a great place to get a meal while you peruse the merchandise. Try fresh fruit and vegetables, locally grown and freshly harvested, while you pick a main dish. You’ll be able to find broiled eel and scallops, grilled prawns, and raw oysters. It’s a great way to sample a bit of both the local cuisine and the local culture.

Omicho Market, 51 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0905, Japan, +81 76 231 1462

A sashimi, crab, and udon meal at the Omicho market | © GanMed64/Flickr

Otomezushi

A meal at Otomezushi is truly an experience. The restaurant, though unassuming on the outside, is a true gem in Kanazawa. And after having been in business for over 50 years, it stills attracts busy crowds due to its high-quality and master sushi chefs. Upon entering, guests walk through a lush zen garden, setting the tone for an experience that is both refined and relaxing. The dining area is small: only seating ten guests, so a reservation is absolutely required. All that is on the menu is sushi and sashimi, but all of it is perfectly prepared and presented. The entrance to Otomezushi is kind of tucked away, back from the street, but you will be rewarded for your searching efforts.

Otomezushi, 4-10 Kiguramachi, Kanazawa 920-0988 , Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, +81 76 231 7447

Sushi © Jirka Matousek / Flickr

Spice Box

For something a little bit more laid back and less Japanese, try Spice Box. The Sri Lankan owners have brought the rich, warm flavors of India to Kanazawa. Hearty curry dishes like chicken korma, coconut prawn, and dal are the stars of the menu, as are the crepe-like filled dosas. And whatever you order, you must get a side of the naan. The soft, chewy flatbread is made fresh every day and served piping hot.

Spice Box, 2 Chome-30-8 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0981, Japan, +81 76 234 3313

Sushi Ippei

Sushi Ippei is definitely worth a visit. It is not the elegant, high-end sushi restaurant that you will find elsewhere, but the staff and atmosphere are friendly, accommodating, and relaxed. It’s a great place for good sushi on a budget. Sushi plating is always as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach, and Sushi Ippei is no exception. The restaurant serves classic rolls with ingredients that you know and love, and it always looks and tastes great. It’s a wonderful spot for a low-key evening meal.