The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, December 2019 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Feb 01 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Okinawa

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Okinawa and Southeast Islands, December 2019

Planning a trip to Okinawa and Southeast Islands and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Okinawa.

1. Steak Man

Steal Man has an eye-catching, yellow sign outside and an interior with a nostalgic ambience. This restaurant serves generously-portioned meat dishes, including tender and lean Angus steaks. At 300 grams, their [Original Steak], made from an original recipe and seasoned with garlic, is a very satisfying dish. The [Agu Hamburg], a Japanese-style Salisbury steak made with local Agu pork, has a rich, savory flavor and an irresistibly juicy texture. The chicken served here is also popular. [Local Yanbaru Chicken] is roasted whole and is great either eaten alone or shared. There are table seatings with red tablecloths and private zashiki (straw mat rooms) as well. This restaurant welcomes everyone from solo diners, groups of friends, colleagues, or families.

Steak Man

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 1.5-hour drive from Naha Airport. A 10-minute drive from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, or a 5-minute drive from Sesoko Island. Look for the yellow sign.
Address: 879-15, Ohama, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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2. Restaurant 6

This restaurant aims for perfection not only when it comes to ingredients and plating, but even the unique touches like the sculptural objects, stones, and driftwood brought to the table to bring each dish to life. At first glance the dishes may seem merely playful, but they have all been painstakingly crafted to draw out the natural qualities of each ingredient. The chef is firmly committed to serving dishes that have been prepared with rationality. Both lunch and dinner seatings are by reservation only. The chef's choice is the only item on the menu available, with a simultaneous start for all guests. All sixteen tables have a panoramic ocean view with Kouri Bridge at its center. Guests can watch the come and go of boats over the water, the passage of cars across the bridge, and way the blue of the water changes as the breeze carries clouds through the sky. This sky blue becomes even more unforgettably beautiful as twilight falls.

Restaurant 6

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 20,000 JPY / [Lunch] 10,000 JPY
Access: Around a 2-hour drive from Naha Airport.
Address: 499-1, Kouri, Nakijin-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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3. Misakigyu Takahara Branch

[Misakigyu Takahara Branch] is the long-awaited second restaurant that follows [Misakigyu Main Branch] in Ishigaki City. Here, you can enjoy Misaki beef, the pride of Ishigaki Island, in a relaxed and stylish environment. A special dish available here is the [Misaki Beef Premium Set], which is an assortment of 4 types of rare cuts of beef - delicious sirloin, top blade, chuck flap, and fillet - that are considered the best cuts of Misaki beef. The fat that melts at body temperature and the rich, savory flavor of the meat blends together in perfect harmony. The restaurant has private rooms and horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu tables) zashiki (rice straw mat rooms), making this an ideal venue for entertaining or work dinners as well as for family meals and dates. If you're dining out with small kids and are looking for a filling yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) meal at a reasonable price, try the [Family Set].

Misakigyu Takahara Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday] Lunch: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Dinner: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A 5-minute drive from AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom or a 1 minute walk from Family Mart Hiyane Branch.
Address: 1-2-6, Hiyagon, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa (Map)
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4. Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU

Enjoy coming in contact with Ryukyuan cuisine and cultures at [Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU]. We offer carefully-selected alcohol including Awamori (Okinawan liquor), and Ryukyuan cuisine in the dinner course that always requires reservations. We are ideal for adults to visit on their days off. Fully enjoy receiving our traditional Ryukyuan hospitality in an old house. You can casually experience not only Ryukyuan food culture, but also wearing a Hanagasa (flower hat) and Ryukyuan dance costumes. We are ideal for anniversaries, and also for guests from outside Okinawa or even Japan. Also enjoy our set meals and afternoon tea sets during lunchtime and teatime. Please feel the attractive Ryukyuan cultures with our various healthy dishes using an abundance of natural ingredients.

Ryukyuan Cuisine NUCHIGAFU

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm / Teatime 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm *Reservations are always required / Last entry is 8:00 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute walk from Tsuboya Yachimun-dori Street / A 5-minute walk from Kokusai-dori Street
Address: 1-28-3 Tsuboya, Naha-shi, Okinawa (Map)
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5. Ryori ga umai dakeno mise WAKASHI

Ryori ga umai dakeno mise WAKASHI cuisine

[Ryori ga umai dakeno mise WAKASHI] is the place where carefully selected fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables are gathered from within Okinawa and across Japan. Like [A Grilled whole fish supplied today], the dishes are cooked by simple methods to bring out the flavors of ingredients; methods such as robata (fireside cooking), warayaki (roasting over fire-fueled straws) and tempura, all masterpieces of craftmanship. They have a wide variety of sake (Japanese rice wine) and shochu (Japanese alcohol drink) which compliments the ingredients and the dishes well. The decor of the restaurant is a modern Japanese style. This is the place where you can sample food a little bit tastier than usual, with has a relaxing atmosphere that is more than an izakaya yet less than a kappo (Japanese cuisine) restaurant. There are five private rooms when combined with the affiliated restaurant [Wakana] across the road. Suitable for mothers-get-together lunch, girls-get-together, or drinking party with friends. Also, by combining the two restaurants they can cater a party of up to 110 people.

Ryori ga umai dakeno mise WAKASHI

Open: Dinner 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O 10:30 pm) *Food L.O. 10:00 pm, Drinks L.O. 10:30 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: On Kokusai-dori Road within Heiwa-dori Road near Makishi kosetsu-ichiba market
Address: 2-8-37 Matsuo, Naha city, Okinawa (Map)
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6. Taishuryori Haebarugoten

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[Taishuryori Haebarugoten] is located in Haebaru-cho, Okinawa. For lunch time, they serve Okinawa style set menu with three dishes with soup, for evening, it is a hybrid inexpensive restaurant where they offer izakaya menu to go with Okinawa awamori and shochu. Their dishes, mainly local dishes of Okinawa, are great for people who want to fully enjoy Okinawa on their trip, as well as for local people. They are also proud of the operation of the restaurant, which has a concept of "a family restaurant for three generations" and is loved by different age groups. Their hospitality can be seen in the variety of children's dishes, having a play room for children and s barrier-free design They can cater up to 100 people, perfect for relaxing time with family or friends. Come and enjoy relaxing time at a place where the southern wind blows.

Taishuryori Haebarugoten

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm / Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) Last order of food 10:00 pm / drinks 10:30 pm
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: From Meijibashi on Route 58, head towards Haebaru on Route 329. Enter Tsukazan bypass and go straight ahead, it is located near the Haebaru interchange
Address: 301-8 Teruya, Haebaru-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa (Map)
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7. Buranco

[Buranco] offers a spacious and modern space to enjoy Japanese cuisine. They have a wide variety of dishes, made using fresh seafood and premium meats. The [Sashimi 7-kind Assortment] is especially recommended for sashimi-lovers to try a delicious assortment of fresh fish. [Seared Sablefish with Saikyo Miso] combines the aroma of top-quality miso with the sweetness of sablefish to create a truly addicting dish. They also offer creatively playful desserts, like the gorgeously arranged [Arigateau au Chocolat]. As for seating, there are many types including counter seats for solo diners, box seats for groups, and even tatami rooms that are perfect for business dinners. There are even various party courses available with all-you-can-drink deals. This restaurant is enjoyed by both locals and visitors for their delicious Okinawan cuisine.

Buranco

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:45 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Located around 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport, right near Ginowan Elementary School.
Address: 1-5-13, Aichi, Ginowan-shi, Okinawa (Map)
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8. Yakiniku shokudo Koken

[Yakiniku shokudo Koken] is established in November 2016. Ever since then, they have been providing a wide variety of dishes ranging from high-quality black wagyu beef to a casual all-you-can-eat and drink menu. It is increasingly becoming popular among the people of Uruma. Mr. Kouchi was brought up in a house where they raised fighting bulls and thus was in touch with bulls as a child, then had training as meat professional. He recommends with confidence the premium dishes such as [bone-less short rib], [tenderloin] and [sirloin]. Around 120g tenderloin and sirloin make their presence known through their thick slices, and you can taste the flavor of selected ingredients. In the clean and bright restaurant, guarded by several shisas (Okinawan lion statues), they have booth-style table seats, counter seats, and horigotatsu table(sunken kotatsu table) seats, and some of them are inside private rooms. This restaurant is great for parties as well as small groups.

Yakiniku shokudo Koken

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY
Access: It is on Route 329, near SAN-A V21 Higashionna-shokuhinkan supermarket
Address: F1 Fukutoku Bldg., 652-5 Ishikawahigashionna, Uruma city, Okinawa (Map)
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9. Coffee & Bar Verona

[Coffee & Bar Verona] is a café during the day and a bar with DJ and music at night. Its extensive menu includes Italian food such as [pizza margherita] and [pincho] and Okinawan drinks such as [Habu sake (snake wine)] and [awamori] as well as a selection of German liquors. A self-serve, all-you-can-drink style ensures that all sake loving customers have a satisfying experience. Its easy-going atmosphere is relaxing with English-speaking staff, with darts and movies on the screen, make for a entertaining a "play ground for grown-ups" aesthetic.

Coffee & Bar Verona

Open: [Monday-Thursday, National Holidays] 0:00 pm - 0:00 am / [Friday-Sunday, Day before National Holidays] 0:00 pm - 2:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,500 JPY
Access: 10-minute walk from [Makishi station]
Address: 1F, 2-11-13-1 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa (Map)
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10. Grilled fish and Sushi Yakino Uojima

Grilled fish and Sushi Yakino Uojima cuisine

[Grilled fish and sushi Yakino Uojima] is the place where you can enjoy caught-on-the day fresh seasonal seafood cooked in a variety of styles. Having a seafood wholesaler parent company assures the freshness and great cost. Their masterpieces include sashimi, sushi, and genshi-yaki, a grilled dish cooked in the hearth of the open kitchen. Once excess fat is drained, the good essense is trapped to create a sophisticated flavor. Eating the grilled fish with coarsely grated daikon raddish is so irresistible. They also have wines selected by the head chef, who has extensive knowledge of wine and selected sake from all over Japan, they will complement these dishes. This luxurious restaurant has a private room for up to 8 people, suitable for business meetings and anniversary dating.

Grilled fish and Sushi Yakino Uojima

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Yokoyama intersection on Route 58
Address: 2-16-3 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa (Map)
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.