4 Best Restaurants in Nagoya, Ise-Shima, and the Kii Peninsula, Japan

Craftbeer Keg Nagoya

$$$ | Higashi-ku

The focus of this laid-back eatery near Hisaya Odori Station is craft beer, with 13 taps pouring a frequently changing lineup of well-handled microbrews, mostly from Japan, such as excellent Ise Kadoya brews from Ise. To go with the beer, there's a menu that includes wild boar sausages, lamb and garlic dumplings, and pizza. The only drawback, as with all of Japan's craft pubs, is price: not-quite-pints are typically ¥880.

Ibasho

$$$ | Naka-ku

This fabulous old wooden restaurant specializes in grilled eel (unagi), which fills the restaurant with a mouthwatering, charcoal-grill aroma. Some of the seating is at low tables on raised tatami-mat flooring, though there are also tables and chairs overlooking a small Japanese garden.

3--13--22 Nishiki, Nagoya, Aichi-ken, 460-0003, Japan
052-951–1166
Known For
  • hitsumabushi, a Nagoya specialty featuring chopped eel smothered in miso sauce and served on rice<i/>
  • charming rustic interiors
  • English menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., and the 2nd and 3rd Mon. of each month

Izakaya Toramaru

$$$

This traditional restaurant in a replica warehouse in the Kawasaki area does not open unless there is a delivery of fresh fish, which indicates how seriously the cooks take their food. As well as a wide variety of fresh fish dishes, there are also plenty of meat and izakaya staples on the menu, all served in haphazardly shaped pottery dishes.

2--13--6 Kawasaki, Ise, Mie-ken, 516-0009, Japan
0596-22–9298
Known For
  • good selection of sake and shochu
  • expertly prepared sashimi
  • welcoming atmosphere
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch

Recommended Fodor's Video

Zazahanare

$$$ | Nakamura-ku
Head to this plush traditional izakaya near Nagoya Station for a variety of local flavors that include Nagoya favorites tebasaki (chicken wings), hitsumabushi (char-grilled eel), kishimen noodles, and miso-coated pork cutlets. Most seating is at dark wooden tables on tatami mats in the large main dining hall, but there are also some intimate private rooms available.
3-13-13 Mieki, Nagoya, Aichi-ken, 450-0002, Japan
052-562–9995
Known For
  • Nagoya meibutsu set (includes all local specialties on the menu)
  • good selection of local sake