Where to Eat in Kanazawa, Japan (18 Must-Try Restaurants!)

So special, it may as well be covered in edible gold. (Oh, wait. Thanks to the city’s many traditional gold leaf workshops, it usually is.)

To top it off, Kanazawa is home to the gloriously authentic Omicho Market, the crown jewel of all Japanese seafood markets (in my opinion).

All of this, surrounded by perfectly preserved Edo-era geisha teahouse districts? Ancient samurai homes? And a 400-year-old castle? With hardly any other tourists in sight? Sounds good to me!

Best of all, it takes less than 2.5 hours to reach Kanazawa from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka via the Shinkansen (bullet train). 

Ready to taste the freshest sashimi ever? To try rich Kanazawa-style curry? To slurp your way through a steaming bowl of snow crab ramen? And to devour kaisendon covered in gold leaf? With this list of the best restaurants in Kanazawa, you are.

I recently spent a whole week (of my three-month trip to Japan!) eating my way through Kanazawa. And I happily spared no expense creating this guide for you. From sushi bars to oden stalls to curry houses, here’s your ultimate guide to where to eat in Kanazawa, Japan!

Best Restaurants in Kanazawa

Deciding where to eat in Kanazawa is the most important part of planning your trip to “Little Kyoto.” Let’s start with the best restaurants in Kanazawa! (Later, we’ll dive into street food stalls, teahouses, cafés, and more.)

HOT TIP: I highly recommend booking this Taste of Kanazawa Tour (of Omicho Market and Higashi Chaya). We went on this tour during our second day in Kanazawa and visited the Omicho Market, the charming Higashi Chaya geisha district, watched artisans making gold leaf, and tried lots of delicious food along the way! We also gained some much-needed historic background knowledge about Kanazawa. Click here to book your Taste of Kanazawa Tour.

Ramen Taiga

Every major city in Japan has its own take on ramen. Sapporo made miso ramen. Hakodate City invented shio ramen. Tokyo created shoyu ramen. And Fukuoka dreamt up the mighty tonkotsu ramen.

Ramen Taiga is the ultimate trendsetter for offering a seasonal crab miso ramen with Noto pork! And it is so, sooooo good. Ingenious.

First of all, the umami miso broth is deeply crabby and porky simultaneously. It’s filled with crab chunks and perfectly chewy noodles. And topped with Noto pork slices, fresh ginger, yuzu, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and a jammy miso egg.

Coming in at ¥2,230, it’s the most expensive bowl of ramen I’ve ever seen in Japan. By far. But who cares (it’s still only about $14 USD)? This bowl of ramen is a joy to eat. 

Ramen Taiga is also known for its flavor-packed black miso ramen and spicy miso ramen. Plus, for an obligatory side dish, order a small bowl of Noto beef with rice, topped with a bright-orange egg yolk!

This is one of the few ramen shops in Kanazawa – and certainly the best. Expect to wait in line. We arrived around 6 PM on a weeknight and had to wait about 20 minutes.

Maimon Sushi

Maimon Sushi’s reputation precedes it as one of the best restaurants in Kanazawa! Before we arrived, many Japanese people told us we had to visit this small, elegant sushi bar in the main train station. 

Only the finest, freshest ingredients find their way onto Maimon’s menu.

I ordered a 7-piece nigiri platter of local, seasonal fish (for ¥2,800, or about $19 USD). Plus, we ordered plenty more a la carte sushi and delicacy dishes from the Hokuriku region, like vinegared mozuku seaweed. 

The ama ebi (raw sweet shrimp) nigiri, spiked with wasabi, was unbelievably sweet and creamy – we had to keep ordering more! The flavor-packed bone-in fish miso soup and pickled pumpkin rolls were favorites, too. 

I recommend visiting outside of peak lunch/dinner hours. We arrived around 4 PM on a weekday and only had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. 

OTHER IDEAS: Okina Sushi is a great (and less expensive) sushi bar option; this little joint was full of locals, the chefs were so welcoming to us, and the fish looked super fresh. Sadly, it’s cash-only, and we didn’t come prepared. Otherwise, for a sushi bar within Omicho Market, check out Iki-Iki Tei.

Fukuwauchi

Nabe (Japanese hot pot) is a leisurely, family-style dining experience in which food is simmered in iron pots over gas stoves built into your table. Fukuwauchi combines a fun, uber-traditional nabe dining experience with the best udon you’ll find in Kanazawa!

While your udon simmers, you’ll sip matcha tea and a sweet vegetable appetizer (both included).

Once it’s finished cooking, you’ll turn the flame down to low, portion the udon into small bowls, and enjoy until it’s all gone! We ordered kinoko udon featuring five different types of mushrooms and a light soy broth, plus kaga sanpei udon with salmon, veggies, and spicy miso broth. 

Then, you’ll have more tea and a traditional red bean and sesame dessert. 

Thanks to the tatami-style seating (cushions atop woven bamboo floor mats and a low table), three-course meal, perfectly chewy udon noodles, umami soup broths, and intimate, relaxing ambiance, this was one of our favorite meals during our three-month Japan trip. So lovely!

Pricing is very reasonable at around ¥3,500 (about $25 USD) per person. This small and cozy restaurant only has a few nabe tables. Call ahead to make a reservation!

Fuwari

Welcome to Fuwari, one of Kanazawa’s best izakayas (Japanese-style bar with “tapas”).

In this dark and moody lantern-lit tavern – filled with the aromas of charcoal-grilled chicken – it’s your job to order as many of Fuwari’s creative yet traditional, charcoal-infused dishes as you can. And to share them. Alongside some draft beer, of course.

From the fresh seafood to the bitter wild mountain vegetables to the wagyu beef from the lush Noto Peninsula, Fuwari clearly deals in local Hokuriku produce. 

Some of the best things we ordered included Fuwari’s signature pressed sushi with horse mackerel and shiso leaves; wild mountain vegetables tempura; an assortment of perfectly charcoal-grilled chicken and pork; and a grilled rice ball in fish broth with plum, shiso leaves, and seaweed.

Make a reservation on their website. This place is popular – and rightly so!

Otafuku Udon & Soba

Set in the most beautiful traditional house, surrounded by trees and a bright-green mossy garden, Otafuku Udon & Soba will make you feel like you couldn’t be anywhere but Japan… And as though you’re in for something great. (You are.)

After a warm welcome, you’ll admire the high-vaulted ceilings, old-school cooking equipment, wooden interior, and folk art. 

Choosing from the menu can be tricky since they serve up so many iconic dishes – like thick-cut udon curry topped with a pork cutlet; dipping soba served on a sieve-like bamboo tray called a zaru with tempura shrimp and local vegetables; and udon noodles steaming soup with wagyu beef.

The food is traditional and simple but lovely – as are the atmosphere and service. Reservations are not essential but recommended.

Best Restaurants & Stalls at Omicho Market

Generally speaking, the best place to eat in Kanazawa is the beloved Omicho Market.

Unlike the Nishiki Market in Kyoto (which I can’t stand nowadays – it’s so crowded and touristy!), Omicho Market is authentic as it gets and is mainly visited by local Kanazawa-jin and domestic Japanese tourists.

This sprawling indoor seafood market is one of the best foodie destinations on earth. It brims with the freshest local fish, snow crab, shrimp, octopus, oysters, you name it, mainly hailing from the Sea of Japan.

And, of course, Omicho Market is also home to some of the best restaurants in Kanazawa, including sushi bars, curry houses, and izakayas. 

Now, let’s discuss exactly where (and what) to eat in Kanazawa’s Omicho Market!

HOT TIP: I highly recommend booking this Taste of Kanazawa Tour (of Omicho Market and Higashi Chaya). We went on this tour during our second day in Kanazawa and visited the Omicho Market, the Higashi Chaya geisha district, watched artisans making gold leaf, and tried lots of delicious food along the way! We also gained some much-needed historic background knowledge about Kanazawa. Click here to book your Taste of Kanazawa Tour.

Ushioya

Tucked away behind a seafood retail shop in Omicho Market, you’ll find Ushioya. This intimate little sashimi bar is a great place to eat kaisendon (a bowl of rice topped with raw seafood) in Kanazawa!

To be expected of any kaisendon, local and seasonal fish is the focus. But, because this is Kanazawa, the seafood is as good as it gets… And the premium bowls are dusted with locally made gold flakes – for good measure!

I ordered a seasonal bowl with bluefin tuna, seared yellowtail, rosy seabass, seared salmon, two different kinds of shrimp, and salmon roe. And it was probably my favorite meal in Kanazawa!

My lunch set came with miso soup, local pickled vegetables, and pickled seaweed. It was ridiculously amazing and came out to ¥3,000 (about $20 USD). I also had to order an extra side of yellowtail… Because I LOVE IT.

Kanazawa Curry Laboratory

Kanazawa curry is known for its dark, rich, chocolatey color, bold flavor, and thick roux sauce. It’s usually served on a stainless steel plate, with shredded cabbage, and eaten with a spork or fork! It’s my favorite type of Japanese curry, by far!

During our lengthy stay in Kanazawa, we tried many curry houses. And precisely none of the rest came close to Kanazawa Curry Laboratory. Their rouxs are made with caramelized onions, local sweet potatoes, minced meat, fruit, and a secret house blend of spices. 

Here, you design your own curry! You can choose between 3 different curry rouxs, 3 types of rice, and 20 different toppings. Plus, you pick your desired spice level.

My go-to order is the classic Golden Kanazawa Curry with turmeric rice, topped with shredded cabbage, hard-boiled eggs, and the premium Noto pork cutlet. (Promise me you’ll order this cutlet!)

So good, we had to return for a second helping before hopping on the Shinkansen to Kyoto! 

Mori Mori Sushi

Welcome to Mori Mori Sushi, Kanazawa’s favorite conveyor belt sushi restaurant, located in the heart of Omicho Market.

Thanks to its proximity to the bountiful Sea of Japan, you can find some pretty unusual delicacies on the menu.

Our favorite nigiri sushi here included hotatekai (scallop), hamachi (yellowtail), nodoguro (rosy seabass/blackthroat seaperch), the many types of maguro (tuna), and especially the zuwaigani (snow crab), which was piled on generously! The uni (sea urchin) “ship” sushi was excellent, too.

The sushi here is as fresh as it is affordable. We ordered plate after plate after plate and struggled to spend more than ¥6,500 (about $40 USD) for two.

There’s always a wait here. On the weekend, you may have to wait an hour. I recommend going on a weekday afternoon for a significantly shorter wait (maybe 10 minutes, if you’re lucky).

HOT TIP: For a sushi bar (not conveyor belt) in Omicho Market, try Iki-Iki Tei. Locals recommended this popular shop to us, but we didn’t have time to stop by.

Kanazawa Oden Ippukuya

Oden is the iconic one-pot dish behind the heavy steam and intriguing smells emanating from Kanazawa Oden Ippukuya. Oden is served all over Japan, but Kanazawa has its own style!

Bathing in a light yet umami-packed dashi (broth) made with katsuobushi (smoked and fermented tuna flakes) and kombu (seaweed), vegetables and seafood await the next order.

Walk up to the counter and choose your favorite delicacies – from fish cakes, fishballs, octopus, sea snails, and shrimp, to konjac noodles, rolled cabbage, potatoes, tofu, and Japanese omelets. Whatever you pick will be served in a bowl of steaming hot broth with spicy Japanese mustard on the side.

Oden is one of the most popular restaurant meals for cost-conscious Japanese. Visit on the weekend, and you’ll find people lining up for it all day long!

Ohmi Super

You’ll find Ohmi Super in the center of the Omicho Market. Locals swarm this fishery’s grab-and-go store for its freshly prepared sushi, sashimi, rice bowls, bento boxes, and seafood dishes. There’s also a barbecue section where you can select Noto pork and wagyu skewers for on-the-spot grilling! 

We visited this shop multiple times and found something cheap, easy, fresh, and delicious each time. We opted for Noto wagyu skewers (some of the best beef we have ever had!), unagi (eel) skewers, and maki sushi. Plus, some Brew Classic craft beers to wash it all down.

Walking while eating isn’t allowed in Omicho Market. Luckily, this store offers ample standing tables.

Best Teahouses & Cafés in Kanazawa

This guide to where to eat in Kanazawa wouldn’t be complete without the best teahouses and cafés!

Whether you’re after a cup of matcha with a beautiful view, an oat latte from a specialty café, or a Western-style breakfast (since Japan isn’t very big on breakfast – beyond rice and miso soup), I’ve got you covered! Here are my favorite morning options in Kanazawa (before heading to sushi for brunch!).

Gyokusen-an

You can’t miss Gyokusen-an for a zen matcha-drinking experience within the beautiful Kanazawa Castle Park complex. A local told me about this, and now, I’m passing on the favor to you!

Set amongst the Gyokusenin Maru Garden’s serene greenscape of banzai trees, mirror ponds, meandering paths, and bridges, geisha donning kimonos served us bitter matcha tea and beautiful wagashi (Japanese sweets made with bean paste).

We loved sitting on tatami mats, sipping matcha, and enjoying the perfect views of the century-old garden. Best yet, the experience costs just ¥800 (about $5 USD). No reservation is required.

Petra Bake & Coffee

The first thing on my daily agenda is an oat latte! You too?

Petra Bake & Coffee, on the edge of the Omicho Market, is the perfect place for a specialty cuppa and grab-and-go pastries (like banana bread, cookies, and carrot cake), and friendly service. 

MORE IDEAS: We also enjoyed the specialty coffee and calm vibe at Townsfolk Coffee. The coffee and breakfast sandwiches and wraps at Curio Espresso and Vintage Design Café were good, but the service was shockingly slow.

isotope アイソトープ

Isotope アイソトープ is a trendy café nestled in the Nagamachi District – which is full of quiet alleys, samurai homes, shops, and restaurants. Stop here on your way to the Ninja Temple!

Isotope focuses on locally-sourced superfoods, coffee, smoothies, cakes, and a couple of Western-style breakfast options. 

We ordered some interesting amazake (fermented rice) drinks, plus hearty bowls of congee (stewed rice porridge) with chicken, kaga lotus root, spinach, and sesame oil drizzle

Kanazawaya Coffee

Heading to Kanazawa Castle and looking for an excellent cup of coffee nearby? Swing by Kanazawaya Coffee!

Their menu features 8+ bean varieties, each roasted to bring out the optimal flavor. I picked the geisha from Ethiopia, which was soft and balanced!

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