In a city where eating is taken very seriously, it’s only natural that you can find some of the best sushi restaurants in the country. Here is a short list of our favorites, all personally tasted and enjoyed!
Sushi at Jiro - image © Florentyna Leow
The sushi restaurants listed here are all excellent and, more importantly, approachable. Yes, you might find better sushi at a few of Osaka’s elite restaurants, but it would be hard to enter such places without a Japanese friend. The places listed here are all places you can actually visit and enjoy.
- Endo Sushi Kyobashi (Kyobashi/Osaka Castle Area; budget to moderate)
If you’re looking for decent, affordable sushi, Endo Sushi Kyobashi is the place for you. It’s a great pitstop if you’re travelling between Osaka and Kyoto via Kyobashi Station! - Daiko Sushi Minamiten (Tennoji; budget to moderate)
Visiting Shinsekai but not keen on deep-fried food at all the kushikatsu restaurants? Check out Daiko Sushi in Jan Jan Arcade for a cheap and cheerful meal. It's perfect budget traveller fare. - Aoki (Kita; expensive)
Sushi Aoki is a tiny sushi restaurant in the Fukushima area in Kita Ward serving fresh, delicious sushi at very reasonable prices. It might be a bit of a walk from the nearest station, but it’s entirely worth the extra effort! - Sushitokorojinsei (Minami; expensive)
Sushidokoro Jinsei is a tiny sushi restaurant located in the Shinsaibashi district. It’s a pretty fantastic place that’s worth the price tag. If you have very limited time in Osaka, however, you might want to save your meal quota for something else. - Sushi Hayata (Central; moderate)
Hayata is a decent, small sushi restaurant very close to Honmachi Station. It’s a pretty good value and the fish is of good quality. Just be warned that this restaurant still allows smoking. - Harukoma (Kita; budget)
With generous fish portions for their sushi at fantastically reasonable prices, it’s no wonder Harukoma in the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade sees lines out the door for lunch! Locals love this place and so will visitors. - Ginza Kyubey (Kita; expensive)
High-end Edomae-style sushi in the west? You’d better believe it. At Kyubey in Imperial Hotel near Tenma, diners get to enjoy some great high-end sushi - with the bonus of a relatively relaxed atmosphere and English-friendly service. - Honto Sushi Kaiba (Minami)
Can you believe a hipster neighbourhood like Kita-Horie has great sushi? Honto Sushi Kaiba near Yotsubashi does, indeed, serve up some delicious sushi. But if you don’t like raw fish, don’t fret - there’s plenty of cooked items on the dinnertime menu for a tasty meal.
Best Osaka Restaurant Recommendations
- Best Osaka Restaurants
- Best Takoyaki In Osaka
- Best Okonomiyaki In Osaka
- Best Kushikatsu In Osaka
- Best Sushi In Osaka
- Best Ramen In Osaka
- Best Izakaya In Osaka
- Best Soba In Osaka
- Best Udon In Osaka
- Best Tonkatsu In Osaka
- Best Yakitori In Osaka
- Best Curry Rice In Osaka
- Best Vegetarian In Osaka
- Best Unagi In Osaka
- Best Kaiseki Kappo And Other Haute Cuisine In Osaka
- Best French Restaurants In Osaka
- Best Resutoran-gai In Osaka
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
