Where to Eat in Kanazawa

Omicho Market

After one step inside this two-story fish market, you won’t be surprised to hear that it sources the majority of the city’s seafood. For a cheap and easy option, pick up a seafood snack at one of the stalls which sell everything from octopus on a stick to oysters as big as your fist. Kanazawa is renowned for its top quality rotating sushi restaurants and some of the best among them can be found at Omicho Market. With restaurants scattered over both floors, don’t miss out on the kaisen-don for around 1,500 yen, a dish made from a bowl of hot rice covered with a patchwork of raw fish including the likes of salmon, tuna and prawns.

Gold Leaf Ice Cream in the Higashi Chaya District

A trip to Kanazawa is not complete without sampling some of the city’s famous gold products. Skip the traditional sweets and go straight for the gold leaf-coated ice cream, a sparkly treat most commonly found in the Higashi Chaya District where you can jazz up your ice cream cone with either a sprinkling or a full sheet of gold leaf. The HAKUICHI Higashiyama shop is a favorite for the ice cream but be warned that it will put you back 891 yen. Reluctant to empty your pockets on a sprinkling of gold leaf? Other shops around the city serve up more affordable options including Imai Kinpaku Hirosaka in between the Kenrokuen Garden and 21st Century Museum of Art and a stall in the Omicho Market sells a soy milk version.

Nagamachi

While the Nagamachi area is most frequently visited for its quaint streets of samurai residences, it is also a breeding ground for trendy cafes and restaurants which continue to pop up along the eastern side of the district’s two canals. Head west of the Kanazawa Castle Park and sneak behind the Korinbo Tokyu Square building to find a stretch of varied eateries along the narrow, peaceful canal. Also enjoy a wide selection of locally brewed beers.

Izakaya in Katamachi

Heading south west out of the center of the city brings you to downtown Kanazawa and the large open streets of Katamachi. While this may be less appealing at first, Katamachi has its own charm as well as some of the best izakaya in town for a typical Japanese tapas-style eating experience. Head off the main street to Kigura-machi and Katamachi Ni-chome which come alive at night with lively restaurants and bars. Enjoy after dark with plenty of bright spots that gather its nightlife.

In this guide we’ll show you our 20 favorite restaurants in Kanazawa.

Coil

Coil is a new-age sushi shop that lets you do the rolling yourself. The colorful ingredients and an assortment of condiments make for some creative combinations, and, as you may have guessed, Instagram is all over this place. You choose what you want, and everything you need to roll your own temaki sushi is brought to your seat. They even have green tea you can steep yourself and a few alcoholic drinks to compliment your experience.

Coil

COIL(コイル)

石川県金沢市袋町1-1 かなざわはこまち2F

0762565076

【URL】http://coil-japan.jp/index.html

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Fu at Saryo Fumuroya

Fu is dried gluten made into a bread-like texture, and it’s a specialty of Kanazawa. Since 1865, Saryo Fumoroya has been making fu dishes, and they put their 150 years of expertise to good use. Expect an upscale atmosphere with black and white decor, but the dishes aren’t only traditional. The restaurant offers modern fu creations that stay true to heritage, and the diverse spread of their set menu is worth a few pictures.

Fu at Saryo Fumuroya

Fu at Saryo Fumuroya

茶寮 不室屋

石川県金沢市尾張町2-3-1

0762242886

【URL】http://www.fumuroya.co.jp/fumuroya/saryo.php heetahs_kanazawa/index.html

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Mystery Cafe Nazoya Coffee Shop

Nazoya Coffee Shop isn’t only about the tasty breakfast menu or the colorful desserts; you can sit down and take some time out to feel like Sherlock Holmes with a little quiz card that comes with your order. Get the wheels turning early with a light-hearted mystery and a mean cup of joe that coffee lovers will go crazy for. It’s an easy cafe atmosphere with a little something extra.

Mystery Coffee Nazoya Cafe

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Yasuechou 19-6

0762083728

7:00-22:00[Sunday]7:00-19:00

【URL】http://nazoyacafe.jp/index.html

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SHARIN Kanazawa Traveler's Inn

5-6 Kasaichimachi Kanazawa Ishikawa

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Seafood at Hirai

If you’re craving seafood, and you want a little taste of everything, then head over to Hirai. Their Special Kaisen-don, or sashimi over rice, has it all: tuna, crab, sweet shrimp, sea urchin, and more. Should you decide to go at night, then they also offer sake local to Ishikawa Prefecture, which completes the package for an all-in-one Japanese seafood dinner that you won’t soon forget.

Seafood at Hirai

ひら井

神奈川県横浜市港北区日吉3-20-13

045-563-5992

【URL】http://www.kaisen-hirai.com/index.html

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Seafood at Iki-iki Tei

Kanazawa is known for its fresh seafood, and you can’t leave without at least trying a kaisen-don for yourself. Iki-iki Tei also serves up the popular dish, but if you have a lot of other things on your Kanazawa bucket list, then it can be difficult to fit in all the essentially Kanazawa meals—until Iki-iki Tei. They open at 7 a.m. and offer a Mini Kaisen-don that can you thoroughly enjoy before heading on your way.

Seafood at Iki-iki Tei

Ikiikitei (Omi-cho Restaurant)

4.0

86 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Aokusamachi 88 Omi-cho Ichiba-kan 1F

0762222621

7:00-14:30

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SOKI KANAZAWA

2-1 Fukuromachi Kanazawa Ishikawa

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Traditional Japanese at Saijiki Ajimu

Ajimu is a reservation-only Japanese restaurant that offers an upscale menu full of dishes prepared completely in-house, including natto, miso, and miso soup. But there’s also the clay pot rice, which uses only the highest quality rice from Ishikawa Prefecture. Getting the picture, yet? Every item that you’ll taste has been painstakingly crafted from the best ingredients to ensure quality. This is Japanese cooking done right.

Traditional Japanese at Saijiki Ajimu

菜喰 安心院

石川県金沢市安江町4-9 東別院門前

0762318123

【URL】http://kanazawa-ajimu.com/index.html

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Oden at Ippukuya

Oden is dashi broth filled with a variety of boiled ingredients, and Ippukuya has an easygoing atmosphere where you can pick whatever piques your interest before heading over to a standing table to get down to business. No need to put on airs here. Saddle up next to a fellow diner before you head back for seconds. In a hurry? No worries. You can even get it to go.

Oden at Ippukuya

Omicho Ichiba Inshoku Machi Ippuku Yokocho

4.0

25 Reviews

Ishikawa Kanazawa-shi Kamiomicho 50

0762233789

9:00-17:00(L.O.16:30)

【URL】http://www.kachigumi.co.jp/ippukuya/index.html

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Bistro Hiramipan

Hiramipan is a chic bistro with an old-world feel. The building itself is from the Taisho era, but the atmosphere is all European. And the French-style baked treats are a sweet addition to a menu that rotates throughout the day, meaning you could circle back around in the evening just in time for their dinner menu and wine selection. No matter what time of day you visit, Hiramipan makes you want to come again.

Bistro Hiramipan

Bistro Hiramipan

4.0

56 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-6-11

0762217831

8:00-18:00

【URL】http://www.hiramipan.com/index.html

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Ethnic Food at Turban Curry

Open since 1971, Turban Curry is a favorite of Kanazawa natives. This curry specialty shop has a curry sauce, made fresh daily, that uses over 20 types of spices and local ingredients, giving it a rich flavor that has a bit of a kick to it. The most popular item on the menu is the L Set, which lets you savor a fried pork cutlet, 2 wieners, and a hamburger steak all in the same meal! Your curry dreams come true at Turban.

Ethnic Food at Turban Curry

Turban Curry Main Shop

4.0

90 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Hirosaka 1-1-48 Unasinville 1F

0762656617

[Weekday]11:00-15:00/17:30-2…

【URL】http://www.turbancurry.com/index.html

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Seafood at Sushi Kuratake

You can’t mention seafood without thinking of sushi in Japan, and Sushi Kuratake is a reasonably priced gem hidden in a retro building. The interior is clean and modern, though, and the sushi is prepared with the fish of the season. You’ll be getting more than what you paid for, so it’s no wonder that locals stand by Kuratake as a favorite place to satisfy the sushi craving.

Seafood at Sushi Kuratake

Seafood at Sushi Kuratake

くら竹

石川県金沢市片町2-8-10

076-223-3122

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Oden at Chikuwa

This oden restaurant takes the casual dish and turns it into a stylish affair, with a modern interior and classy decor that makes Chikuwa popular with the ladies. Aside from the seafood oden options particular to Kanazawa, they also offer a solid selection of sake, as well as a wine menu. It all comes together to create a fashionable spin on the traditional dish.

Oden at Chikuwa

ちくわ

石川県金沢市片町2-10-42 RENNビル1F

0762550303

【URL】https://chikuwa.owst.jp/index.html

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Chokichi

Chōkichi is a yakitori, or chicken skewers, restaurant, but what people come here for is the oyako-don, which is chicken, egg and onions cooked in dashi broth and served over rice. Because Chōkichi uses their charcoal-grilled chicken for the dish, plus a healthy serving of egg, the result is a juicy, delectable lunch that disappears all too quickly. It’ll be busy, but it’s worth a little wait.

Chokichi

ちょう吉

石川県金沢市観音町1-2-2

0762511306

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Western-Style Japanese at Jiyuken

Jiyuken has been around since 1909, and their time-tested recipes are proof of their expertise. The dishes are Western-inspired but still uniquely Japanese, so expect more miso and less pasta. A recipe passed down for generations, the omurice, or an omelet over fried rice, uses a demi-glace sauce instead of ketchup, so it’s more savory than the tangy alternative. Regardless of your order, get ready to take a culinary trip into the past.

Western-Style Japanese at Jiyuken

Restaurant Jiyuken

4.0

123 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-6-6

0762521996

[Lunch]11:30-15:00(LO14:30)[…

【URL】http://www.jiyuken.com/index.html

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古都とき Kototoki

東山1-13-4 Kanazawa

Japanese at Higashiyama Mizuho

This restaurant has an upscale atmosphere with Japanese home-style cooking. The rice at Higashiyama Mizuho is of special importance, though, since it’s produced in Ishikawa Prefecture and then cooked in a clay pot. It’s paired with a variety of side dishes, some specialties of the area, and everything is set out neatly on a lacquered tray for your enjoyment. You’ll probably want a picture.

Japanese at Higashiyama Mizuho

Higashiyama Mizuho

4.0

32 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-26-7

0762517666

[Weekday]11:00-14:00[Saturda…

【URL】https://h-mizuho.jp/index.html

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Kaiseki-Ryōri at Jugatsuya

The elegant presentation of a colorful meal originally meant to accompany a tea ceremony, known as kaiseki-ryōri, is the focus of Jugatsuya. Offering private rooms with views of a Japanese garden, Jugatsuya should be on your list if you’re looking for a high-class experience to match the traditional air of Higashi Chaya district. You can relax and take the time to savor the meal in an intimate environment all your own.

Kaiseki-Ryōri at Jugatsuya

十月亭

石川県金沢市東山1-26-16

0762533321

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Miso Soup at Yamato Soy Sauce & Miso Shop, Higashiyama

Yamato has been making miso and soy sauce since 1911, and that pedigree alone should be reason enough to drop by this shop for a hot bowl of miso soup. The miso soup here is full of goodies, and when you’ve slurped down the last bit, you can buy Yamato spices and fermented food from the front of the store. Fans of amazake should consider the amazake latte or amazake chocolate drink for a sweet treat to take away.

Miso Soup at Yamato Soy Sauce & Miso Shop, Higashiyama

Yamato Soy Sauce & Miso Higashiyama Direct Store

4.5

6 Reviews

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Higashiyama 1-6-10

0762512235

10:00-17:00

【URL】https://shop.yamato-soysauce-miso.co.jp/

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A Light Snack at Cafe Yanagi-An

Set above a chic Japanese handicrafts gallery, Yanagi-An has a unique dish that’s purely Kanazawa: Gold Leaf Chazuke. They start with a savory grilled rice ball, then cover it with a sheet of the gold leaf before adding a special dashi broth and finishing with a dash of mirin. This is a luxurious treat that will commemorate your time in Kanazawa and leave room for dinner.

A Light Snack at Cafe Yanagi-An

A Light Snack at Cafe Yanagi-An

茶房 やなぎ庵

石川県金沢市東山1-13-24 金澤東山しつらえ2F

0762518899

【URL】http://www.kanazawa-shitsurae.jp/yanagi-an/index.html

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FUMUROYA CAFÉ

Fumuroya is a laid-back Japanese cafe that has an array of dishes on the menu that utilize fu. The set menu offers carefully arranged and colorful options for you to enjoy the Kanazawa delicacy, and that’s not all. They also serve quite a selection of Japanese desserts and a few muffins, as well. Presentation is a key point here, so you’ll be delighted by whatever you decide to get.

FUMUROYA CAFÉ

FUMUROYA CAFÉ

Fumuroya Cafe Daiwa Korinbo Shop

Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kourimbou 1-1-1 Yamato Korobo store 5F

0762201452

10:00-19:00

【URL】http://www.fumuroya.co.jp/cafe/fumuroya_cafe.php/index.html

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Oriental Brewing

After tasting all of the diverse flavors of beer in his travels around the world, Makoto Tanaka, the owner of Oriental Brewing, was inspired to bring that variety back to Japan. So, he decided to brew his own styles of craft beer that utilized his experiences in a distinctly Japanese way. Enter Oriental Brewing. Pairing one of their electric oven-baked pizzas with your choice of home-brewed beer is a dream combination. Try it, and thank us later.

Oriental Brewing

オリエンタルブルーイング東山店

石川県金沢市東山3-2-22

0762556378

【URL】http://www.orientalbrewing.com/index.html

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PLAT HOME Kanazawa Kitchen

In just a few years since it opened in 2015, Plat Home has become one of the most desirable hangouts in Kanazawa. Everything from its wooden interior to its calm staff breathes cool. The owners are a talented duo of chefs who met at high school; their passion for cooking is evident as they cook up a storm at the restaurant’s open kitchen. The menu transforms and evolves depending on what’s in season with the menu made up of local vegetables and fish from the Omicho Market down the road. For the best, close-up experience, sit at the bar to watch the expertise that goes into each mouthwatering dish whether it’s miso pork or sashimi finished off with edible flowers.

PLAT HOME Kanazawa Kitchen

プラットホーム

石川県金沢市彦三町1-3-4

076-256-5075

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