Japan Guide
Kansai
Eating
1 
A-1 2-2-9 Shimoyamate-dōri 
078/331-8676 Renowned Kōbe beef restaurant where the steaks are served teppan-yaki-style on a hot grill. This place is particularly hospitable to foreigners. Price: ¥6000– ¥8000 for a meal Opening time: Daily 3–10pm
2 Café Madu Pizzeria 4F 2-11-3 Sannomiya-machi 078/335-2181 
www.mediterrasse.jp Italian restaurant in the striking pastel-coloured Mediterrasse boutique building in the Sannomiya Centrer-gai shopping arcade, near Tor Road. There's a fairly standard menu of pasta and pizza dishes. The ¥2300 dinner set is good value, as you get to pick one pasta, pizza and main dish from the menu.
3 Café Mamounia 2F 3-2-16 Kitanagasa-dōri 078/332-2837 Trendy French-Moroccan style café; nice for a "one plate lunch" (¥1200) or a late coffee with sweets. Mint tea also available (¥400). Opening time: Open daily until 11pm
4 La Tripe 1-4-12 Motomachi-dōri 078/332-1282 French restaurant close to Chinatown serving mostly fish and meat dishes. Lunch sets start at ¥1260 and comes with one free drink. Evenings are candlelit and it's also possible to stand at the bar for a drink with some tapas-style nibbles. Opening time: Closed Tues
5 Montana 2-5-2 Shimoyamate-dōri 078/391-1223 Very cute café serving indulgent cakes, pitta sandwiches, apple pie and macaroni cheese doria (¥800). Sit at the second-floor counter or chill out on the third-floor lounge with balcony. Opening time: Closed Wed
6 Nailey's Café 2-8-12 Kanō-chō 078/231-2008 Trendy bar-café with a simple but tasty menu – the ¥1000 lunches include soup, salad and coffee in addition to the main course, and the open front is a nice place to sit in summer. Internet access also available. Opening time: Closed Tues
7 New Melfil 3F 2-12-6 Kitanagasa-dōri 078/321-7579 Indian restaurant conveniently located in the Sannomiya entertainment area. The thali lunch set is recommended (¥1400). There's also an all-you-can-eat evening buffet (¥4500). Opening time: Open daily
8 Tanto Piatto 12-6 Kano-chō 078/242-1589 Tasty pasta and other Italian dishes in a small but stylish contemporary restaurant. Lunch specials, starting at ¥950, are a great deal. Opening time: Closed Wed
9 Yaoya 2-14-20 Yamamoto-dōri 078-222-1031 Organic Japanese-style cuisine serving fish and vegetable dishes (including home-made tofu). Their yuba-gyoza (tofu-skin dumplings) are excellent (¥700). Price: Lunch sets from ¥890 Opening time: Closed Wed and the first Tues of the month