10 Great Restaurants in Kanazawa

Curio Espresso and Vintage Design Café is popular for its authentic lattes made by an owner from Seattle. The authentic Seattle-style coffee served here is a big hit with international visitors to Kanazawa.

There are also snacks such as pastries, pies, soups, and sandwiches that might remind you of a typical Seattle café. English is spoken, too, so this is a cool choice if you want to take a few minutes out from your Japanese experience.

Cottage is a restaurant owned by a chef from Ireland who serves pizzas of the day, delicious desserts, and a selection of wines. You can spend a lively evening here while enjoying the craic with the owner and his wife.

If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, this is the place. Stop by for dinner and drinks with an international crowd for a change of scene.

Ippei Sushi is cosy restaurant in Katamachi run by the owner and his wife. Ippei Sushi serves fresh seafood from the Hokuriku region at affordable prices, so it’s ideal if you’re on a budget.

You can soak up the nostalgic atmosphere as you have some nigiri-zushi (hand-rolled sushi) with a beer or perhaps some local sake at a counter seat. Just being here is a pleasure in itself.

COIL is a concept restaurant where you can casually experience Kanazawa's hosomaki (slender sushi roll) culture. You can choose your favourite ingredients and make your own sushi rolls to eat. Each set also comes with tempura, so it’s quite filling.

There’s even a tea-tasting stand where you can compare the flavours and aromas of different types of sencha (green tea) and hojicha (roasted green tea), as well as a miso soup bar where you can enjoy miso soup with monaka (Japanese wafer filled with bean paste). With a wide range of drinks and sweets, too, you can't really go wrong.

Itaru Honten is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) that serves Kanazawa's local fish, local sake, and local dishes. It’s hugely popular thanks to its reputation as a place where everything is delicious, which explains why there’s always a queue to get in.

Here you can savour the seasonal delicacies of the Hokuriku region featuring seafood delivered directly from fishing ports in Shinminato, Ushitsu, and Kanazawa every day. Also be sure to try the dishes prepared using rare Kaga vegetables. Everything on the menu is of top-notch quality, bringing in locals and tourists alike.

Kaorin Sushi is a sushi restaurant conveniently located near Kanazawa Castle Park. The locals love this place because the sushi is made with local fish at reasonable prices.

You could also try the sashimi, side dishes, and grilled seasonal fish, all of which are excellent. This is an ideal spot to end your night in Kanazawa by enjoying exquisite dishes with sake. Seating is limited, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Kanazawagin is an authentic Japanese restaurant that specialises in charcoal-grilled small dishes. They use natural charcoal to grill fresh seafood caught off the coast of Hokuriku and in the Sea of Japan, and the results are spectacular. Check out the delicate smoky aroma of the perfectly-cooked eel and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) dishes. The food here is a perfect match for the local sake.

As well as charcoal-grilled dishes, you can also order sashimi, side dishes, simmered dishes, soups, and tempura, so you’re not likely to get bored. This is a must-visit for all foodies, and the owner and proprietress always give a warm welcome.

Zeniya is the ultimate restaurant to visit if you want to enjoy first-class service and Kaga cuisine in Kanazawa. The level of hospitality here is rightly famous and every meal at Zeniya is an unforgettable event.

Booking ahead is essential, and children who aren’t yet in secondary school are not allowed to enter. The set meal features the choicest ingredients of the day, full of seafood and other Kanazawa delicacies, and the quality is such that it’s pretty obvious why this place has been awarded 2 Michelin stars. This is the perfect place for special occasions and celebrations.

Komatsu Yasuke is a high-end sushi restaurant in Kanazawa with a reputation that extends nationwide. It’s currently located in the annex of Ryori Ryokan Kanazawa Chaya. It’s invitation-only and even then you need to book in advance, so only the lucky few can enjoy the sushi served here. But if you are lucky enough to try sushi served here, you’ll find a level of perfection that most other restaurants can only dream of.

Praised as one of Japan’s finest sushi restaurants, this famous spot even has an international reputation. The legendary chef is in a different class in terms of skill as well as the spirit of hospitality.