Japan Guide
Northern Honshū
Eating
1 Aiueo 4F, Bandai Ciné Mall, 1-3-1 Bandai Popular, rustic izakaya where English speakers are usually on hand to help out with the menu. Reasonable prices. Opening time: Daily 4.30pm– midnight (Sat until 2am)
2 Cable Beach 1-2-15 Komeyama Intimate Italian restaurant on the quiet side of Niigata station. Follow the main road outside the south exit; it's on the righthand side. Opening time: Closed Tues
3 Choen 1-6-2 Higashi-ōdōri Cheap and cheerful Chinese restaurant serving good-value lunch sets from ¥700 and menus from ¥2000. Opening time: Closed third Mon of the month
4 Inaka-ya 1457 9-chome, Furumachi-dōri Wappa-meshi (steamed rice with various toppings) is the order of the day at this unpretentious locals' restaurant.Price: From ¥600, or ¥1100 for set meals
5 Keyaki-ya 1-1-2 Komeyama Lively izakaya facing the south side of the station. Lots of snack foods and small meat dishes on the menu (¥700-950) and crowds of enthusiastic 20-somethings fill the two floors of funky booths and long tables.
6 La Barcarola 7-920 Nishiborimae-dōri It's hard to resist the smell of pizzas cooking at this relaxed Italian place in Furumachi. The excellent lunchtime deals (Mon– Sat 11.30am–1.30pm) include a choice of pasta, pizza or paella, salad and free coffee refills for ¥720. Opening time: Closed Wed
7 
Rococo 3-1-15 Komeyama Extremely popular restaurant with eclectic furnishings that match the randomness of the menu, where spring rolls and pad Thai mingle with spicy cheese pizza and chicken wings (dishes ¥350–850). The delicious cakes – partly responsible for the large crowds – are ¥100 at lunch time and half-price after 6pm. Opening time: 11am–12.30am