Nagoya, Japan — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Nagoya, Japan
Restaurants
Recommended restaurants
Bistro Bruhl
A combination of Japanese pub and French bistro style, this restaurant specializes in small European (tapas-like) dishes. It is a friendly and fun eatery, the food is good, and the wine list, while not extensive, is well selected.
4F Amano Building, 3-18-16 Nishiki, Naka-ku
Tel: (052) 971 5353.
Price: $-$$
Casablanca
Fancy some harissa, couscous, kababs or tajine? Head for Casablanca, Nagoya's only Moroccan restaurant. A lovely place with charming staff and excellent food, Casablanca is the real deal - it's like being transported to North West Africa for a nice culinary experience.
Takaoka Residence 1F, 1-9-14 Izumi, Higashi-ku
Tel: (052) 953 7774.
Website: www.casa-nagoya.com
Price: $$-$$$
Nadaman
One of the restaurants in the Nagoya Tokyu Hotel, Nadaman serves Kaiseki courses and Edo-style sushi and tempura. A traditional Japanese atmosphere and wonderful culinary creations based on fresh, seasonal ingredients make this a delightful restaurant.
4-6-8 Sakae Naka-ku
Tel: (052) 241 3551.
Website: www.nagoyatokyu.com
Price: $$$-$$$$
Oolong
A decent Chinese restaurant conveniently located just a minute's walk from the Taiko exit of Nagoya Station, Oolong mixes music club ambience (it has its own DJ booth), cool bar-style interior and hearty, authentic Chinese fare. The food comes in generous portions.
13-24 Tsubaki-cho, Nakamura-ku
Tel: (052) 451 0003.
Website: www.oolong-dj.com
Price: $$
Raffles
This welcoming establishment is run by an Englishman and his Japanese wife, and they serve delicious, spicy food from Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. There are only 30 seats, and the service is personal and friendly.
Shin-Sakae 2-2-22, Naka-ku
Tel: (052) 264 7782.
Website: www.rafflesnagoya.com
Price: $
Saku-Saku
This stylish restaurant offers yakiniku dining to live piano accompaniment. Yakiniku refers to cooking small bits of meat and vegetables (often deliciously marinated) on a charcoal grill, and Saku-Saku makes the experience enjoyable by serving the very best ingredients - top-quality beef and fresh vegetables along with good wines.
2F Monmart Building, 3-18-15 Meieki, Nakamura-ku
Tel: (052) 565 8116.
Price: $$-$$$
Tower Restaurant Nagoya
Located in the Nagoya TV Tower in Hisaya-Odori Park, the Tower Restaurant is a lovely place to enjoy a meal. It offers spectacular views of the city, and the food, service and atmosphere ensure that a visit is likely to be memorable. The cuisine is classic continental with a Japanese touch, and the food is made from the finest seasonal ingredients.
Nagoya TV Tower 4F, 3-6-15 Nishiki, Naka-ku
Tel: (052) 951 3505.
Website: www.heritage.jp/ttrn/restaurant.htm
Price: $$$$
Nightlife
Bars: Elephant’s Nest, 2F 1-4-3 Sakae, Naka-ku, is a classic British-style pub in the heart of Nagoya. Shooters Sports Bar & Grill, 2F Pola Building 2-9-26, Sakae, Naka-ku and Dreams, Tsukasa Building, 4-24-24 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, another sports bar, are popular among locals, expats and tourists alike. More sophisticated (and expensive) is Ryurei, Sasajima YS Building 7F, Meieki 4-27-6, Nakamura-ku, a cocktail bar with a great selection of Scotch whisky. Barns, Amano Building B1, 2-3-32 Sakae, Naka-ku, is a pleasant basement bar with a similarly good whisky selection.
Clubs: The largest nightclub in Nagoya is iD, Mitsukoshi Building, 3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (website: http://idcafe.info/), which constantly attracts big crowds with its DJs, loud music, bars, fun and action on six floors. Just as hectic, with dancing, pulsating beats and plenty of people enjoying the party atmosphere is Lush the Underground, Marumikanko Building 3F-4F (website: www.underground.co.jp). The Cipher and Soulground clubs are also part of the Underground complex. KG’s Bar, GK Building, 3-11-13 Sakae, Naka-ku (website: www.kgsbar.com) is another dance club where the party never stops.
Live Music: Blue Note Nagoya, Manahausu B2F, 3-22-20 Naka-ku (website: www.nagoya-bluenote.com), is one of Nagoya’s most famous jazz clubs, attracting both big stars and less established talents. Memory Lane, Tower Building B1F, 3-15-10 Nishiki, Naka-ku, is a jazz bar that is open until late (or early!) and offers live jazz and soul in a relaxed atmosphere. With a repertoire ranging from jazz to soul and R&B and even hip hop, Gary’s, Koasa Building B1F, 4-2-10 Sakae, Naka-ku is a popular live music club attracting a diverse audience. A wide range of live music, from electro to rock to art pop, can be heard at the Plastic Factory, 32-13 Kanda-cho, Chikusa-ku (website: www.plasticfactory.jp), which also hosts a variety of art events and exhibitions. More mainstream rock and pop music takes center stage at Diamond Hall and Apollo Theater, B1F Flex East Building, 2-1-9 Shinsakae, Naka-ku (website: www.diamond-hall.com), which hosts big international artists at times. Zepp Nagoya, 4-60-7 Naka-ku (website: www.zepp.co.jp) is another concert venue that attracts big names.
