22 Places to Eat and Drink in Osaka Vicinity

Osaka, Japan was a great place to visit and check off your bucket list. Colin and I had an addiction to Takoyaki and tons of Nigiri sushi while we were in Osaka.

Tabel of Content:

  1. Shinsekai Area
  2. Tennoji Area
  3. Namba Area
  4. Dotonbori Area
  5. Grand Front Osaka
  6. Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)

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Shinsekai Market Area

McDonald’s Tsutenkaku Store: Familiarity with a View

McDonald’s Tsutenkaku Store offers that classic McDonald’s taste, but with a unique twist: a direct view of the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. It’s perfect for a quick, convenient meal when you’re exploring the lively Shinsekai area. Enjoy your familiar favorites or try some Japan-exclusive items.

たこ焼き 千寿: Late-Night Takoyaki Fix

We found たこ焼き 千寿, another takoyaki shop in Shinsekai Market, open late for a craving. While it ranked lower on our list, it was still an enjoyable, flavorful bite for a late-night snack.

Kushikatsu Takoyaki Ajinodaimaru: Takoyaki & Hospitality

This spot earned our #2 ranking for takoyaki! Kushikatsu Takoyaki Ajinodaimaru in Shinsekai offers a delightful fusion. We had their takoyaki bright and early at 11 AM. It was cooked perfectly, though Julian found the sauce a tad too sweet. The staff were incredibly welcoming and diverse, even surprising us with a Vietnamese-speaking member!

たこやき壱番 新世界店: Takoyaki Conversion!

Out of all the takoyaki spots in Shinsekai, たこやき壱番 新世界店 ranked #1 on our list. This is the place that converted Julian (who wasn’t a big takoyaki fan due to texture and sweetness!). Their takoyaki was cooked to perfection, soft inside with a crispy outside. Menu #9, with its generous green onion topping, was divine in every bite. Highly recommended!

Kushikatsu Daruma – Shinsekai Main Shop: Deep-Fried Delights

We had to try Kushikatsu, Japan’s famous deep-fried skewers. This restaurant in the heart of Shinsekai Market drew us in with its amazing sculpture and decor. Even late at night, it was buzzing! We ordered a range of assortments, from vegetables to meats, and can confirm it was a great experience.

Kura Sushi Shinsekai Tsutenkaku: Conveyor Belt Fun

Kura Sushi was our first conveyor belt sushi experience in Japan! Located near Tsutenkaku Tower, it’s known for affordable and delicious sushi. Our experience was great: fresh, self-made matcha, easy ordering via iPad or in person, and decently fresh sushi. While perhaps lower-tiered compared to other places, the conveyor belt experience is definitely worth trying!

Daiko Sushi Minami Osaka: Our Top Sushi Secret

Daiko Sushi Minami Osaka is our #1 hidden gem for the best sushi and sashimi! We adored the experience here: the chefs were incredibly welcoming, everything was fresh, affordable, and tasted amazing. They offer English and Japanese menus, and while the place is small with limited seats, it’s absolutely worth the wait. We loved it so much we went back three times!

Tennoji Area

HAMAYA あべのハルカス近鉄本店ウイング館 Black Coffee Revelation

Hamaya Coffee was easily one of our favorite coffee spots in Japan. We’re not entirely sure if this charming stand in the Tennoji area is still there, but if you’re ever in the area, definitely seek it out! This is actually where Colin had his black coffee revelation. We were sitting beside an adorable Japanese couple, and feeling a bit obligated to just do black coffee without sugar, we decided to order black coffee just like them. Turns out, it was the best decision! We were so happy we tried it, especially alongside a delicious slice of cake. This location was really memorable for us and is our high recommendation.

GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSUGYU Abeno Shinjuku Gochiso Building Store: Crispy Beef Perfection

GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSUGYU, a short walk from Tennoji JR station, specializes in gyukatsu – breaded and fried beef cutlets. For the cost and portion, it’s a great experience for their tender, juicy meat and crispy coating. We weren’t completely full after one order, so we ended up getting an additional cutlet!

Namba Area:

Macha Namba: Matcha Lover’s Paradise

Macha Namba is on Namba Hondori Street right beside (takoyaki doraku wanaka namba) is a dream for matcha enthusiasts and bubble tea fans. This cozy café specializes in matcha-infused treats. Our matcha latte bubble tea was full of flavor with just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy any craving.

Tully’s Coffee – Namba EKIKAN: Convenient, But Not Our Cup of Tea

Tully’s Coffee – Namba EKIKAN offered a cozy escape from busy Osaka. We ordered a black coffee and an iced matcha latte. The matcha latte was quite milky with a faint matcha taste. The black coffee was good quality but too acidic for our liking. Lots of seating, making it convenient for a quick break.

Strike Force Bar and Café (Near Namba): Unique Vibe, Standard Coffee

Near Namba in Nipponbashi, Strike Force Bar and Café features unique military designs and badges. It was a nice spot to rest, and the black coffee was good, but pretty standard – like something from a grocery store. We found it too expensive for an in-house cup, making it a lower-tier coffee experience for us.

Takoyaki Wanaka Namba: Mid-Tier Takoyaki

Colin’s takoyaki addiction led us to Takoyaki Wanaka Namba thanks to its busy line. This spot in bustling Namba is great for a quick snack. We’d rank it mid-to-high tier. It felt similar to takoyaki back in Vancouver, BC – good, but lacked that “wow” factor compared to other Japanese locations.

Strawberry Mana Osaka Namba: Pure Strawberry Bliss

In Namba, we spotted the cute Strawberry Mana stand. Knowing Japan’s famous fruits, we had to try one! The strawberry was refreshing and incredibly sweet, tasting pure and natural, not artificially sweet. An excellent spot for a sweet treat and a shopping break in Namba.

Gokai Tachizushi Nambanankaidori (Near Namba): Quick Sushi, Not Filling

If you’re looking for a quick sushi fix slightly outside Namba, Gokai Tachizushi Nambanankaidori fits the bill. The sushi bar offered fresh and high-quality sushi, but we found ourselves still hungry afterward – not as filling as other places. Worth a try, but we probably wouldn’t return.

Dotonbori Area

100 Yen Bread Osaka Dotonbori Stand: No Cheesy Pull

We saw 100 Yen Bread Osaka Dotonbori Stand online and, being cheese lovers, had to try it. This budget-friendly bakery offers various baked goods. Unfortunately, our 100 Yen Bread didn’t deliver the cheesy, melty pull we saw in videos.

Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu Shinsaibashiten: Our Top Katsu Obsession!

In Dotonbori, we stumbled upon Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu Shinsaibashiten craving katsu on rice, and it blew our minds! Their crispy, flavorful pork cutlets over rice with savory sauce were incredible. Colin had the Curry Katsu Set, and I chose the Regular. With generous portions (3 cutlets!), it was amazing value for a hearty meal. This place ranked #1 on our list, and we returned multiple times before leaving Japan!

Ichiran Ramen Dotonbori – Main Building: The Hype vs. Reality

Ichiran Ramen Dotonbori, famous for its solo dining booths, is a must-try for many. We lined up for about 25 minutes along the canal at their main building. In the area, there are 2 locations for the same restaurant. The vibe is nice and quite to enjoy your meal. Despite all the online hype, we found it to be a standard ramen bowl, ranking it lower on our tier list.

Kinryu Ramen Dotonbori: Dragon-Themed Ramen Win

Kinryu Ramen Dotonbori instantly stands out with its dragon-themed exterior. This iconic spot serves hearty tonkotsu ramen. It’s a standing-only location, but we absolutely loved it, especially with the three big bowls of free sides: minced garlic, pickled vegetables, and kimchi-like greens. Julian ranked this her #2 favorite ramen spot in Japan because the sides made everything incredibly flavorful!

Kukuru (Shinsaibashi near Dotonbori): Good Takoyaki, With a Catch

Kukuru ranked #2 for takoyaki on our list. The only odd rule was having to order one takoyaki per person to dine in. We tried two types: cheese and standard. The cheese takoyaki’s melted sauce was a bit too bitter for us, but the standard one was excellent. The octopus pieces were decent-sized with a good crispy batter. The main drawback? It was more expensive than other takoyaki.

Grand Front Osaka Area

Hakodate Gourmet Kaitenzushi Kantaro Grand Front Osaka

For conveyor belt sushi in Grand Front Osaka, Hakodate Gourmet Kaitenzushi Kantaro ranked #2 on our list. The high-quality ingredients and wide selection were incredible. Every bite of their nigiri felt heavenly, almost melting in our mouths. We went through over 13 orders, costing around $40 CAD. It was so good and consistent that we came back a second time! The staff and chefs were friendly and smiling. We highly recommend shopping at the mall and then having dinner here on the 6th floor.

Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)

Universal Studios Japan is a food lover’s paradise, enhancing the magical experience with themed snacks and drinks. In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, indulging in Butterbeer and a Hogwarts Meat Pie is a must – the pie was nicely baked with good filling, and the Butterbeer was a frothy, sweet delight. If you still have a sweet tooth, try Mario’s Strawberry Short Cake and Luigi’s Grape No Bake Cheesecake Pancake Sandwich. The fruits were sweet, the cream was perfect, and the pancakes were beautifully made. Watching the staff craft these desserts as you wait for your order is part of the fun!

Conclusion

Osaka delivered some amazing food and I hope you can try them out and let us know what you think of the food and drink recommendations.