Japan Guide
Western Honshū
Eating
1 Applause At the Hotel Granvia, 1-5 Ekimoto-chō. The main lounge bar on the nineteenth floor of this upmarket hotel often does good-value buffet lunches between 11.30am and 2.30pm. The cityscape view, especially at night, is unbeatable.
2 Bukkake-tei 2-6-59 Omotechō-shōtengai Located inside the main shopping arcade, this restaurant specializes in udon noodles, served in cheap set menus with tempura on rice. Price: Set menus around ¥800 per head Opening time: Daily except Tues, 11am–7.30pm
3 Cheesecake Factory Omotechō-shōtengai This very bright café provides an ample menu, ideal for recharging after sightseeing. There are always at least 15 types of cheesecake (from ¥400) on display, served artistically with a mountain of whipped cream, colourful sauces and chocolate flakes. Opening time: Daily 11am–8pm
4 Cozzy's 2F, 1-1-40 Omotechō A rival to the myriad coffee chains in the Omotechō area, this chic little café has espresso drinks, sandwiches and a wide range of gourmet hamburgers including ones with avocado, hot apples or teriyaki sauce. Price: ¥680–1200
5 Musashi Momotarō-dōri. This traditional restaurant is the best place to try Okayama cuisine. The set lunches at ¥750–1200 are the best value, while dinner starts at ¥3000 per head. Opening time: Closed Sun
6 Okabe 1-10-1 Omotechō. All forms of tofu are celebrated in this little restaurant on a side street off the shopping arcade. Recommended dishes are daily teishoku (¥700) and the very creative yuba (tofu skin) donburi (¥750). Opening time: Mon– Sat 11.30am–2pm
7 Soba-bō 6F, Cred Building A buckwheat extravaganza, this easygoing restaurant has soba tea, soba snacks, and soba teishoku (from ¥900). If you order zaru-soba, you can grind your own wasabi (horseradish). Opening time: Daily 11am–9pm
8 Tenda Rossa Momotarō-dōri Plaid tablecloths and rustic decor complement the pseudo-traditional Italian menu at this large pink restaurant. Some of the staff speak a little English; the menu (in Japanese only) contains straightforward pastas, pizzas and grilled meats and fish from ¥1200. Opening time: Closed Mon
9 Torkari 30-10 Ekimoto-chō The narrow shape of this Indian restaurant may make you feel like you're eating in a tunnel. English menus display good-value, delicious lunch specials ranging from dal tarka to chicken masala with rice and naan at ¥600–1350 (set dinners are twice the price). Opening time: Daily 11.30am–10pm