10 Great Restaurants in Kobe

Kobe Plaisir is where you can experience Japanese fine dining in the city’s bustling Chuo Ward. This acclaimed restaurant serves premium cuts of Kobe beef alongside a rich seasonal menu. With the Hyogo prefecture bound by the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea, Kobe’s diverse climate and geography foster one of Japan’s most respected agriculture industries. 

Book a table at Kobe Plaisir to experience the prefecture’s celebrated Kobe and Tajima beef cuts, alongside wonderfully presented vegetables, sake, and rice.

Kaisendonya Sannomiya Seriichi is a popular seafood restaurant in the center of Kobe. Here, you’ll find a wealth of fresh seafood caught from the region’s biodiverse waters, including sea urchins, oysters, and shrimp. Other specialties such as Kobe beef and foie gras are also on the menu.

Kaisendonya Sannomiya Seriichi is renowned for its lively atmosphere, with locals packing into the joint for a splendid meal and a few beverages. Enjoy a Japanese beer or delve into the extensive selection of sake and shochu available. This bar-cum-restaurant is within walking distance of Sannomiya Station and Motomachi Station.

Mouriya Kobe is one of the city’s oldest steak restaurants, with origins dating to 1887. This place serves premium-quality A5 wagyu beef, which has incredible marbling on the meat. Plus, with expert chefs cooking everything on a teppanyaki broil right before your eyes, this dining experience is simply unbeatable.

Whether you choose a rump steak or the finest fillet steak on the menu, your sumptuous dish is usually served with fresh vegetables. Mouriya Kobe is incredibly easy to reach, thanks to its convenient location in the city centre. The restaurant is just a short walk from Sannomiya Station.

Kobe Harborland Sandaya is an outstanding steak restaurant with striking views of the Port of Kobe. Its thick-cut Kobe beef and Japanese black beef are served alongside locally grown vegetables. All beer connoisseurs will appreciate the local beers on tap, such as the Kihachiro beer made using bottom fermentation.

Your dining experience is elevated further with the restaurant's elegant interior décor and live piano. With Kobe Harborland Sandaya situated within a vast shopping complex, leave some time to explore the neighboring retailers before soaking up the night-time city views.

Wakkoqu Kitanocho focuses on the teppanyaki dining experience where chefs skillfully prepare your Kobe beef steak right in front of you on a teppanyaki grill. You can witness the cooking process and enjoy the sizzling spectacle. While Kobe beef is the star, they also offer other options like seafood and vegetables cooked teppanyaki style.

Wakkoqu Kitanocho is situated in the Kitanocho district, known for its high-end restaurants. It's a 6-minute walk from Sannomiya Station. Lunch and dinner courses are available. Be prepared for a higher price point due to the premium ingredients and upscale setting.

Set on the hillside of Kitano-cho, Kitano Club is a well-established spot for French cuisine. Creative tasting menus offer delectable servings of roast lamb, beef, or duck with salads, grilled vegetables, and desserts. The setting is very romantic, and its elevated position lets you enjoy dramatic views across the city in the valley below.

The scenery inside is often just as appealing since this chic dining spot attracts the most stylish of Kobe's residents and visitors. While Kitano Club's longevity has made it a local institution, even returning diners will always find something fresh to try with new menu selections every month. Reservations are recommended.

If you’re looking for a quick meal or take-away or fresh produce, head to Kobe Hankyu Department Store's food court near Sannomiya station. The food court is brimming with a vast array of prepared meals and snacks such as kimchee, sushi, yakitori, baked goods, grilled fish, and beautifully packaged Japanese sweets. Pickled goods and savory crackers make for great snacks to enjoy while sightseeing. And why not pick up some authentic Japanese tea to bring home as a souvenir?

You’ll find the food court in the basement level of the Main Building. This level is directly connected to the basement of the New Building which has daily groceries such as meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables. 

Hyotan is an institution when it comes to Japanese dumplings, or gyoza. Gyoza are crescent-shaped wheat pockets usually filled with a mixture of ground pork, shredded cabbage, chives, ginger, and garlic. The pockets are then either pan-fried, deep-fried, or boiled.

The simple Hyotan restaurants have been attracting Kobe’s foodies for more than 40 years with its fast service, great value, and tried-and-true concept. At a Hyotan restaurant, you’ll know what you’ll get, and you won’t have to dig too deep into your pockets to get it. Kobe has 2 Hyotan restaurants, one near the Sannomiya station and another near the Motomachi station.

Nishimura Coffee is a highly regarded coffee institution in Kobe, boasting a rich history and multiple locations throughout the city. Their signature brew is known for its rich flavor and aroma, made with carefully selected beans. They also offer various coffee options to suit different preferences. The menu extends beyond coffee, featuring a selection of light meals, pastries, and desserts. You’ll find delicious sandwiches, cakes, and other treats perfect for an afternoon break. 

With over 10 branches spread across Kobe, you're likely to find a Nishimura Coffee conveniently located during your exploration. Nishimura Coffee shops are an excellent choice to put your feet up after a long day of sightseeing.

Grill Ippei Sannomiya was founded in 1962, offering locals and visitors delicious Japanese-style western cuisine. Located in the middle of Kobe, this laidback joint is especially admired for its beef cutlets, homemade brown sauce, and deep-fried oysters served in large portions.

Thanks to Grill Ippei Sannomiya’s extensive menu, you’re bound to discover a flavorful dish that leaves you completely stuffed. Then, once you can’t take another bite, you can quickly wander into the inner-city districts or head straight for Sannomiya Station just a couple of blocks away.