Japan Guide
Central Honshū
Eating
1 
Hōraiken 503 Gōdo, Atsuta-ku 
052/671-8686 
www.houraiken.com Hitsumabushi is a famous Nagoya unagi (eel) dish and this is the most famous place to eat it. There's a branch next to the southern entrance of Atsuta-jingū but it's worth heading to the main one, a couple of blocks further south, in an atmospheric traditional mansion with tatami rooms. You eat the delicious eel on top of rice in three ways: first as it is; second with a sprinkling of dried seaweed, spring onion and wasabi; and third with the soup added. Opening time: Tues– Sun 11.30am–2pm & 4.30–8.30pmPrice: Set meal ¥2520
2 Kabesu 7F, La Chic Bldg, 3-6-1 Sakae, Naka-ku 052/259-6715 www.kabesu.jp One of the best places to eat in the very fashionable La Chic shopping mall. Sit at the long wooden counter and you can watch the chefs prepare the Kyoto-style meals of small, exquisitely presented dishes. Price: The eight-course-dinner menu is great value at around ¥4500 Opening time: Daily 11am–3pm & 5–11pm
3 Ōshō 3-91-1 Sakae, Naka-ku One block south of the Maruzen bookshop on one of Sakae's main shopping streets, this is a cheap and cheerful Chinese café. Has an English menu and pictures of the excellent-value set meals. Price: Set meal under ¥1000 Opening time: Daily 11am–11pm
4 Sekai-no-Yamachan 2-4-16 Kanayama-chō, Naka-ku Don't leave Nagoya without getting your chops around the addictively spicy chicken wings, and other tasty, cheap dishes, served at this fun izakaya. Popularly known as Yamachan, it's a local phenomenon, with 33 branches in Nagoya alone and more spreading across Japan. They have an English menu. Opening time: Mon– Sat 5–11.30pm, Sun 5–10.30pm
5 Sozansō 1001 Tokugawa-chō, Higashi-ku 052/932-7887 www.gr-tokugawa.jp Attached to the fancy French restaurant overlooking the beautiful Tokugawa Gardens, this chic café-bar in a reconstructed VIP guest house dating from 1937, with it's own garden views, is in fact the better choice. During the day sip on a variety of premium teas or coffee and nibble on Nagoya's own style of onigiri rice balls. In the evening drop by to drink in sophisticated surroundings. Price: Course lunches are from ¥3800, dinners from ¥7000 in the main restaurant Opening time: Daily café-bar 10am–5pm & 7pm– midnight, restaurant 11am–2pm & 5–10pm
6 Tiger Café 1-8-26 Nishiki, Naka-ku. Fairly authentic 1930s-style French café-bistro. Good for a sandwich, an espresso or an after-dinner digestif. There's another branch at 1-9-22 Higashi Sakura, Higashi-ku. Opening time: Both open Mon– Sat 11am–3am, Sun 11am– midnight
7 Torisei 3-19-24 Sakae, Naka-ku 052/951-7337 www.torisei.jp You'll need to book ahead, especially at weekends, to enjoy the excellent yakitori and other chicken dishes at this restaurant, with counter seating downstairs and tatami rooms upstairs. M Opening time: on– Sat 11.30am–1.30pm & 5–10.30pm
8 The Tower Restaurant 4F Nagoya TV Tower, 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku 052/951-3505 www.zetton.co.jp The exposed girders of the TV tower cutting through this stylish restaurant lend it a retro sci-fi feel. They serve excellent European-style food including roast beef. Their pasta lunch at ¥2300 is very tasty and the views across to Oasis 21 are great. At the base of the TV Tower there is also a collection of casual eateries and bars that are appealing hangouts. Opening time: Daily 11.30am–2.30pm & 5pm– midnight
9 Yamamoto-ya Honten B1, Horiuchi Building, Meieki 052/565-0278 The chief outlet of this noodle café chain, on Sakura-dōri, a few minutes' walk from the JR station. The specialities are miso nikomi (thick udon noodles in a bean paste), locally reared Nagoya kochin (chicken) and Berkshire pork. Price: Around ¥2000 per head Opening time: Daily 11am–7.30pm