Osaka
in Japan

It may not be a michelin-star dining experience, though this is one of our hot-spots in Osaka when we're after a quick refuel and casual dinner. Unassuming, though big on flavour, pop into Takoyaki Yamachan for some of the tastiest octopus balls. Served with 'Young B' (soy sauce and mayo) or our favourite 'goma-shio' (sesame oil and salt), this makes for an incredibly moreish supper. 

One of Osaka's tachinomiya, or standing bars, there's no better way to round up the day. Akagakiya Namba is the spot where locals and visitors alike flock for a carafe or two of sake. When you're after some pre-dinner snacks order some doteyaki to share.

An eco-friendly multilevel concept store with a coffee shop and a rooftop garden restaurant stop on by for a browse at their made-in Japan denim. Selling everything from organic cosmetics to bonsai trees, grab a coffee before browsing the shelves. 

The vibe is so warm, whether this is due to its dimly-lit open space, or for it's ever-so welcoming waiters. This bistro is the perfect spot to pop in for a drink alone, or come with the family for a dinner. Try the signature quiche (it's flaky, oh so buttery pastry has us hooked) alongside a good glass of vino!

With 20 taps and a huge range of Japanese beer, this is the craft beer spot to settle down for a pint or two. Pull up a bar stool and make yourself at home; if there's a place to do it in it's here. 

With a few branches dotted around Osaka, Elmer's Green Cafe is sure to provide you with a good cup of coffee, and some delicious fresh bakes. From the traditionally British scone zhuzhed up with some peanut puree and cream cheese, to the hearty sandwiches for the savoury toothed, a trip to Elmers guarantees a good lunch.  

If you're looking for a quick pit stop and some delicious food, head straight to Endo Sushi. It's quaint, unassuming, but exceptionally welcoming. Ushering in tourists and locals alike, though the menu is small, the sushi is excellent. 

A casual bakery with freshly-brewed coffee and home-baked pastries, breakfast is sorted! With over 50 varieties of bread rolls, for the indecisive minded out there take a few to try. From tuna and porcini sauce, to grilled Yamagata pork there's something for everyone. 

The neutral colours, open windows, and a design-enthusiasts haven, Fujiya 1935 is instantly welcoming, full of ambience, and a place that will have you wanting to return to time and time again. Serving a lunch or dinner tasting menu, chef Tetsuya Fujiwara aims to create 'a dining table of seasons and memories'. And we think he does just that. 

Okonomiyaki, the dish famous to Osaka, is the speciality at Fukutaro. It's always a hive of activity, so though you should expect to wait for a table we assure you, you won't be disappointed. 

Specialising in soba noodles, Genji-soba is the spot where we want to source all our future noodles from. With their very own grindstone, the term 'fresh' is taken to a whole new dimension. Healthy, hearty, but so very tasty: this is the perfect lunch. 

This hidden gem will have you feeling like a true local. Known as a tachinomi-ya (or standing, drinking bar), Ginzaya is relaxed, low-key, yet, extremely popular. Join the crowds milling around sipping on a beer, or sake, and nibbling on some sashimi, crab cream croquettes, and beef tataki. An evening well spent!          

An interior and homeware store, come kitchen, graf is a space that is unwittingly chic. Find inspiration in every nook before settling down for some hearty, healthy food. 

Though the interiors are paired back, minimalist, and ever-so-simple, the food is anything but. In an experience where cameras are forbidden, Hajime is a restaurant as iconic as it gets. Perhaps best renown for the dish 'Planet Earth', this place is beyond sensational. Save it for that special occasion. 

The spot to go for some delicious oden; order the chef's choice and it won't let you down. Hanakujira honten is a popular spot so be prepared to wait in line whilst inhaling the glorious smells of the soup stock, tofu, and marinating ginger. 

We're pointing you in the direction of this vast department store for one reason: it's incredible food floor. Head straight down to the basement (unless you fancy doing a spot of shopping) where you will find plenty of stalls serving excellent food, and for the beer lovers out there, some wonderful craft beer. From bento boxes, sweet stalls, Japanese teas: you're sure to find some hamper must-haves. 

Locals and discerning tourists alike flock to Honke Shibato for their superb grilled unagi bowls. From a river fish merchant 800 years ago to a booming restaurant spot in Osaka, it's safe to say that Honke Shibato are masters of their craft. Take their speciality Osaka mamushi, or the Ohitsu mamush if you're feeling like a little more jazz. 

A teppanyaki restaurant, though with a luxurious twist. This spot is innovative and creative, putting their own little twist on the classic menu. Come prepared to share a few dishes: from nama-fu, salmon tartare, to the more classic pork okonomiyaki, you'll want to discover it all. 

With only eight seats and two sittings, KAHALA is intimate and so world-renowned it's essential to book well in advance. Chef Yoshifumi Mori iconically blends Japanese tradition with an ode to French cuisine; the flavours are unimaginable, the presentation just phenomenal. A man of many talents, even the crockery you dine on is handcrafted by Mori. 

With rooms designed by architect Toshinori Nakamura, this is a dining experience like no other. Overlooking the idyllic oasis beyond the open windows, dive into a menu focused on the seasons. The 'Dragon Cloud Grill' will constantly play into our dreams!

It is fast food and only made to-go, but Kogaryu Takoyaki is nothing like the fast food we know so well. With some of the finest grade octopus and an age-old commitment to supplying the tastiest of sauces, Kogaryu has become world-renowned for its Takoyaki. Crunchy, flavoursome, and oh so moreish, whether you're after lunch, dinner, or a midday snack this is the place to go. 

It's as though you've step into a fantastical wonderland: this spot is small, ever-so traditional, and ridiculously cosy. If it's not the impeccable ambience that draws you through the doors, it will be the wafts of spices and deliciousness that does it. 

The space is excellent. The food even more so. Chef Yusuke Takada serves up food that is nothing but exquisite, and almost too pretty to eat! Fusing together French cuisine with Japanese style and ingredients, a trip to La Cime is certainly going to be special. 

Although Regalo is not your traditional Osaka institution, it's Neapolitan pizza could transport you to the streets of Italy. So, for when you're fancying a slice of that ever so cheesy bite of pizza, pop in by to this small hangout where the chef operates a one-man show.