Eye on Kanazawa | Kanazawa Cuisine

IPPEI SUSHI［一平鮨］

Authentic but Affordable
Who says sushi bars have to be expensive? The moment you slide back the entrance door to be greeted by the cheerful chef and kimono-clad okamisan (mistress) you’ll find yourself won over by this authentic and reasonable sushi bar. The thick omelette is a must.

AKAME SUSHI［あかめ寿司］

Great Location and Affordable Sushi
Family-owned Sushi bar just a 5 minute walk from Kanazawa station. They serve not only sushi but also side dishes such as Kaga vegetable Tempura, roasted yellowtail, and other steamed dishes. Try superb delicacy utilizing high quality ingredients as well, and also some of the local sake they stock! They have tatami rooms for 4-30 people.

JANOME-ZUSHI［蛇之目寿司 本店］

Long-established Sushi Bar
This Sushi bar is well-known for being a long-established Sushi restaurant, in business since 1931. They’ll serve you not only Sushi, but also the local dishes of Kanazawa. For your convenience, they are also open for lunch, where you can quickly grab an affordable Sushi set! Their English speaking Sushi chef is very friendly!

JUGATSUYA ［十月亭］

Real Taste of Kanazawa
Refurbished, but still boasting a chaya (geisha house) atmosphere, this 140-old architectural gem serves expertly prepared and beautifully presented Japanese food without breaking the bank. Located within the exquisite environment of Higashi Chaya-Gai, savoring a meal here will be a highlight of a visit to Kanazawa. You can also enjoy Japanese sweets.

AMATSUBO［あまつぼ 柿木畠店］

Oden is one of Their Specialties!
From excellent seafood to local dishes, they have served Kanazawa people excellent Japanese food for 45 years. With an English menu, you can’t miss their Oden varieties! Their mini Kaiseki (course meal) lunch on the weekends is perfect for spending quality time in Kanazawa!

a.k.a. ［アーカ］

Food Meets Art
a.k.a. serves contemporary Japanese cuisine refined for the modern era. It’s highly popular with the Kanazawa’s urbane set on account of its sleek minimalism, offering two set courses of which every dish is executed with creativity. An extensive choice of local sake or homemade liqueur is available. *Reservation recommended. *Note that fish stock is used in almost every dish.

UMIHIKO［海彦］

Good Local Sake and Food!
Just three minutes from Kanazawa station, on the 3rd floor of Central Hotel, this casual Izakaya boasts fresh seafood grilled on charcoal. They have many private tables with Horizaseki style seats, so don’t worry about numb legs. Many local kinds of Sake are stocked, not only from Ishikawa but also from Toyama, Fukui, and Niigata.

DAIAN ［だいあん］

Welcomes Foreign Tourists
This popular Izakaya located next to Kanazawa station welcomes foreign tourists. The chic interior offers counter seats as well as western or Japanese table seating. Some dishes are traditional Japanese, while some are fusion. Enjoy both and pass the plate with your friends as you share a delicious experience!

HIZUKI ［ひづき］

Located Next to the Station
Serves authentic Japanese food and popular local dishes adjacent to the station. Seafood and local vegetables are a must! Assortments are recommending for sampling or sharing. Skilled chefs are looking forward to cooking for foreign tourists. Choose either counter seating, or a western or Japanese style table.

UO-YAKI ITARU［魚焼いたる］

Perfect Izakaya Ambiance
Their fresh seafood and charcoal roasted chicken and pork can’t be beat! Come visit one of the most hopping joints in town. Take in the perfect Izakaya ambiance with local people. Located 1 minute from Itaru Honten or 5 minutes from Kohrinbo branch, try their other branch if one is too busy!

HIROSAKA-TEI ［ヒロサカ亭］

Sophisticated Japanese cuisine
If you are in the mood for a modern Izakaya with a sense of style, we recommend Hirosaka-Tei. You’ll find an abundant selection of Japanese food with an emphasis on seafood at very reasonable prices. The lighting is kept low to match the smooth jazz flowing in the background.

CHOCHINYA Katamachi ［鳥珍や 片町店］

The Tebasaki Can’t be Beat!
The humble young owner grills skewers, meat, and vegetables everyday. Don’t leave Kanazawa without trying their special ‘Kanazawa Tebasaki’ (crispy chicken wings), the specialty of the house! Order at least 3-5 per person! It can get pretty packed on the weekends, so it may be best to go on a weekday. Enjoy the fragrant smoke of the yakitori grill and a merry scene!

UNKAI JAPANESE RESTAURANT ［雲海］

Delight of Kaiseki Cooking
UNKAI boasts sophisticated Japanese cuisine and a stunning view of a Japanese garden. Tempura is highly recommended. While it’s possible to order a-la-carte, most diners order teishoku (lunch) or a course meal. Counter seats are available where you can sit and watch your food being prepared.

KAGA TEPPANYAKI ［鉄板焼 加賀］

Luxury Teppanyaki Dining
Situated on the top floor of ANA CROWNE PLAZA KANAZAWA, this classy teppanyaki restaurant boasts the finest taste and view in the town. Top quality beef, fresh seafood and vegetable from the Hokuriku area are cooked in front of your eyes on a flat grill by skilled chefs.

FUKU-WA-UCHI［福わ家］

Comfy Time with a Garden View!
While you are waiting for their Udon noodle hot pot, they’ll serve you a cup of Matcha green tea and sweets. Afterwards, you can enjoy cooking the noodles at your table! Their tasty Dashi soup and noodles (firm but not hard) are what they’re known for! Finish the rest of your soup by throwing white rice balls in it!

Grill New Tanuki ［グリル ニュー狸］

The Perfect Yoh-Shoku
Just a 5-minute drive from Kenroku-En Garden, come in for some delicious Yoh-Shoku food! This homely restaurant, which has 16 counter seats and 14 table seats, has been delighting local fans for 42 years, attracting a wide range of diners of all ages. The secret to its popularity lies in the unique menu that the chefs take great pride in.

RESTAURANT JIYUKEN ［レストラン自由軒］

Yoshoku at Higashi Chaya District
Conveniently situated in the Higashi Chaya district, this long-established yoshoku restaurant has always been popular among the locals and tourists. (Yoshoku is the Japanese take on Western cooking.) It’s hard to go wrong with any of their fairly priced dishes served by a friendly staff.

CASCADE DINING ［カスケイドダイニング］

Smart Hotel Dining
Located inside the upscale hotel next to Kanazawa station, CASCADE DINING offers contemporary European meals that use fresh local ingredients that provide the customer with authentic “Kanazawa cuisine.” Their lunch and dinner buffets (Sat, Sun and national holiday only) are absolutely fantastic.

EDEL［英出瑠］

Affordable but Fantastic Hotel Buffet
Just in front of the station, this brick color building is easy to find. Located on the 1st floor of the Garden Hotel Kanazawa, the restaurant Edel offers you an affordable but brilliant hotel buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also experience course meals and a-la-carte dishes.

KARIN CHINESE RESTAURANT ［花梨］

Refined Chinese Cuisine
Chef Kiyoshi Kawakami, the recent recipient of an international cooking award, offers refined Cantonese food with a dash of dim sum for extra pizzaz. Enjoy their course meals or the delicious a-la-carte selection including Chinese noodles, roast duck, and chicken and fried rice in a relaxed atmosphere.

JIM HALL ［ジムホール］

Stylish Bar with Terrace Seats
A pleasant and affordable dining bar located on the 3rd floor of the building facing the Kata-Machi “scramble” intersection. They have an extensive cocktail menu with refined and delicious food, with only a cover charge of ¥800. Enjoy the nighttime city lights accompanied with drinks in a mellow, laid-back atmosphere.

INFUSION ［インフュージョン］

Drink the night away
Tiny bar near Kanazawa station serving standard drinks without a seating charge. Neither upmarket nor sleek, but this is a great place to enjoy a drink while soaking up the cozy ambience. Foreigner–friendly owner who once lived in San Diego, California is a member of KGGN (volunteer guide of Kanazawa), so ask him where to go and what to do in this city.

JO-HOUSE ［ジョーハウス 高尾台店］

You’ll feel good!
A family-run cafe tucked away at the southern fringe of the city. With modern jazz flowing in the background, this cheerful joint is very popular among expats as a place where music and travel lovers gather. Turn up here to talk about your travels and favorite songs, the friendly staff will be happy to see you! The specialty of the house is Java curry!