The Best Food in Osaka: My Top 7 Osaka Restaurants You Need to Try 2026

No matter where I go in Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, or Osaka, food is always one of my absolute top priorities. And today, I want to talk about the best food in Osaka, because I had some amazing food experiences here.

I’ve genuinely become obsessed with food in Japan. The ramen, the sushi, the grilled meats, everything just tastes better than anything I’ve ever had at Japanese restaurants outside the country. Once you eat in Japan, there’s kind of no going back.

I spent around a month in Japan, and pretty much every single day I made it my mission to eat really well. Not fancy or expensive necessarily, just good. Osaka, in particular, stood out to me as a city where amazing food feels incredibly accessible, whether you’re sitting in a tiny ramen shop or standing at a street stall.

In this article, I want to share my personal favorite food experiences in Osaka, the places I actually ate at, loved, and would happily go back to. Hopefully, this helps you plan your own trip and saves you from wasting time on mediocre spots.

The Best Food in Osaka – My Experience

I really loved the food in Osaka, and to be fair, Osaka was my very first stop in Japan, so everything felt new, exciting, and honestly a little overwhelming.

My very first sushi experience in Japan was actually in Osaka at a place called Sakae Sushi. I’d heard so many times that sushi is better in Tokyo than in Osaka, but I’ll be honest, the sushi here was already incredible. That’s also when it really hit me how different sushi in Japan is compared to Europe, Australia, or the US. It’s mostly nigiri and sashimi, with the occasional maki. No California rolls, no crazy sauces, just super high-quality fish done right.

Osaka is also where I had my very first izakaya experience, at a spot called Izakaya Teppan Shuka. Izakayas are basically small local bars that serve drinks alongside small dishes with things like grilled meat skewers and other bite-sized plates. I like to think of them as Japanese tapas. This place was super local, with handwritten menus, zero English spoken, and me having absolutely no clue what or how to order because I didn’t even know what an izakaya really was yet. Luckily, one local guy spoke some English and helped me out, which honestly saved the night. And of course, the food was amazing.

I’m sharing this because during my first couple of days in Japan, I did feel a bit intimidated, mostly by the language barrier and not knowing how things worked. But stepping out of my comfort zone and just going for it ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. So my biggest tip here: don’t be shy. Walk into that local spot, use Google Translate, point at the menu if you have to, and just try things. That’s where the really good food experiences in Osaka (and Japan in general) happen.

What to Eat in Osaka Japan – My 7 Favorite Spots

Before I get into my actual list of the best food in Osaka, I want to add a quick disclaimer. I’m a traveller who really loves to eat and is obsessed with Japanese food, but I’m definitely not a food expert. This list is based purely on the food I personally tried, genuinely enjoyed, and would happily recommend to friends. I’m also 100% sure there are plenty of amazing places in Osaka that I simply didn’t get to.

That’s why I’d suggest using this list as inspiration rather than a strict checklist. Pick a couple of spots that sound good to you, but also leave room to make your own discoveries. Pop into a random ramen shop, squeeze into a tiny sushi counter, or follow a queue of locals, it’s half the fun. 

When it comes to actually finding places to eat in a city like Osaka, a lot of travellers recommended using Tabelog and only Tabelog, claiming it’s far better than Google Maps. I’m not fully on board with that. Yes, Tabelog is worth checking, especially for more upscale restaurants in Osaka, but many of my favourite food experiences in Osaka came straight from Google Maps. In the end, I used a mix of both, and that worked perfectly for me.

1. Sakae Sushi // One of the best sushi restaurants in Osaka

Opening Hours: 6pm-4:30am
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

Sushi in Japan, at least from my experience, is usually a bit more expensive than ramen. Not crazy expensive, but definitely a step up. That said, it absolutely doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and Sakae Sushi is proof of that.

I had some of the best sushi in Osaka here, and easily some of the best value for money too. We arrived around 6 pm and waited about 20 minutes for a seat, which is honestly nothing in Japan, especially for good food. We were seated at the counter, which I loved. The place is small and cozy, with a nice mix of locals and travelers, and it just feels very classic Japan.

The sushi chefs spoke English, which made ordering easy, and the sushi itself was incredible. This isn’t an omakase (set sushi menu), you order whatever you want from the menu, and sitting at the bar watching everything being prepared right in front of you is part of the experience. We kept ordering plate after plate, and my personal favorites were the eel and the mackerel but I also loved the tuna nigiri here.

If I remember correctly, we spent around $60 USD for two people, including plenty of sushi and cold beers. Fresh fish, made right in front of you, great atmosphere, and very reasonable prices, honestly, it’s hard to beat. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

2. Izakaya Teppan Shuka // Best Restaurant in Osaka for Izakaya

Opening Hours: 7:00pm-1:00am
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

I’m not necessarily the kind of person who only hunts for the most hidden, ultra-local spots, but this one is definitely up there with the most local restaurants I’ve been to in Osaka. Izakaya Teppan Shuka is just down the road from Sakae Sushi, and I honestly only found it by accident. It’s tucked away in a small side alley and immediately feels very, very Japan.

The menus are handwritten, the décor is super quirky, and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though they didn’t speak much English.

We sat at the bar, ordered ice-cold Japanese beers, and also tried sake (confirmed: still not for me). For food, we ordered a bunch of small sharing dishes, which is exactly how an izakaya works. Pork-wrapped asparagus, steak, chicken skewers and everything we tried was genuinely delicious.

If you’re looking for a low-key, authentic, and very local dining experience in Osaka, this is such a great spot to try. Don’t overthink it, just go in, order a few dishes, and enjoy tsome amazing food.

3. Ichiran Ramen // Very Famous Osaka Restaurant

Opening Hours: 24hrs
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

One of the most famous ramen restaurants in all of Japan is Ichiran, and the very first time I tried it was actually in Osaka. At the time, I only knew it as “a popular ramen spot” and I didn’t even realize yet that it’s an iconic ramen chain with locations all over the country.

I went to the Ichiran branch in Dotonbori, and when we arrived, I initially thought, oh amazing, no line at all. Turns out, the line was just inside the building. I ended up waiting around 45 minutes, which honestly is pretty normal for popular food spots in Japan. While waiting, I ordered my ramen at a vending machine. Ichiran keeps it simple, they basically have only one ramen, and you customize it with toppings and spice levels.

Once it was our turn, we were seated in one of their famous solo booths, where everyone has their own little space and the ramen is served through a curtain. For someone who had never been to Japan before, this felt as Japanese as it gets. The whole experience was half the fun.

And the ramen itself? Absolutely incredible. Super rich, insanely flavorful, and honestly just delicious. Is it the most local, hidden ramen experience? No. But is it amazing and worth trying? 100% yes. I once read someone compare Ichiran to what In-N-Out Burger is for Americans, and that comparison actually feels pretty spot on.

4. 麺や 蓮と凛と仁 // Some of the Best Ramen in Osaka

Opening Hours: 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

This place deserves a special mention because it easily ranks among the best food in Osaka I had during my entire trip. I don’t know the English name, only the Japanese one, but trust me, this is one of those spots you remember long after you’ve left Japan.

It’s a tiny ramen shop with very limited seating, maybe around 10 seats total, all lined up at the bar facing the open kitchen. Super cozy, very local, and extremely Japanese. The chefs prepare everything right in front of you, which I loved.

We ordered two different ramen bowls and a side of dumplings. I’ll be honest: everything on the menu was in Japanese, so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was ordering. One ramen turned out to be a bit spicy, while the other was richer and creamier but both were just absolutely incredible. The dumplings were also slightly spicy and absolutely delicious.

This is easily one of my favorite food spots in Osaka. Handwritten Japanese menu, tiny space, amazing flavors, if you’re looking for something authentic and unforgettable, you really should check out this Osaka restaurant.

5. Wagyu Idaten // Must Eat in Osaka If You Love Good Meat

Opening Hours: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

When I arrived in Osaka, I remember asking the staff at our hotel reception where we should eat. One thing they all agreed on really stuck with me: eat the meat in Osaka and Kyoto (wagyu and Kobe beef), eat the fish in Tokyo.

They’re locals, so I figured they probably know what they’re talking about. That’s how I ended up at Wagyu Idaten, which is easily one of the most famous wagyu restaurants in Osaka, and honestly, for very good reason.

Waiting here was no joke. We were told to arrive around 10:30 am just to put our names down for lunch. There’s only one lunch seating (at 11 am) and one dinner seating (around 4 pm), with a very limited number of tables. Once we were on the list, we got a QR code that updates you when your table is ready, but from that moment on, we still waited well over an hour. We just wandered around Osaka in the meantime, and trust me, the wait is absolutely worth it.

The wagyu here was hands down the best I’ve ever had. Incredibly tender, insanely flavorful, and just melts in your mouth. We tried wagyu nigiri as well as a wagyu main dish, and both were just incredible. Yes, it takes planning and patience, but if you’re serious about trying amazing wagyu in Osaka, Wagyu Idaten is 100% worth the effort.

6. Onigiri Gorichan // Best Place to Eat in Osaka for Onigiri

Opening Hours: 7am-7:30pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

I’ve got to say, I absolutely love onigiri. I ate countless of them during my time in Japan and especially in Osaka and yes, including the ones from 7-Eleven, which are honestly amazing and ridiculously cheap.

If you’ve never had one before, an onigiri is basically a rice triangle filled with things like salmon, tuna, chicken, or roe, and wrapped in seaweed. Simple, but so good.

While the convenience store versions are great (and super popular with tourists), the non–convenience store version is on a completely different level. That’s where Onigiri Gorichan comes in.

I went there around 5 pm and got lucky with no line at all. The staff told me that earlier in the day it can get crazy busy, with waits of up to an hour. I ordered a few different onigiri, including salmon mayo, tuna, and roe, and every single one was incredibly fresh and flavorful.

If you want to try onigiri done properly, this place is 100% worth it.

7. Manpuku Bakery // Best Bakery in Osaka

Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

As someone who grew up eating bakery goods pretty much daily, I really missed good bread while traveling through Asia. I’ve been on a fairly long Asia trip, and in many places bakeries just aren’t really a thing, at least not the kind with crusty bread and proper pastries.

Luckily, I stumbled across Manpuku Bakery, which is super close to Osaka Castle. They had the most amazing baked goods, and we ended up buying way more than planned. Think sausage- and cheese-stuffed buns plus a couple of sweet danishes and honestly, everything was delicious. Even better: the prices were surprisingly affordable, which made it even more dangerous in the best way.

If you’re craving proper bread while in Osaka (Looking at all my European readers!), this place is a lifesaver.

FAQs About the Best Restaurants in Osaka

What are the best sushi restaurants in Osaka?

From my own experience, I’d say Sakae Sushi is one of the best sushi restaurants in Osaka. The sushi chefs prepare each nigiri, sashimi, or maki right in front of you, you can order as much as you like, and everything is incredibly fresh and delicious, while still being surprisingly affordable for the quality.

What food is Osaka known for?

Osaka is famous for its street food culture. I love food like Takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), ika-yaki (grilled squid), and all kinds of grilled chicken skewers (yakitori).

What is the best street food in Osaka?

I personally love takoyaki. It honestly took me a little while to get used to them, but now whenever I see a stand on a busy shopping street or night market, I can’t walk past without getting some.

Is Osaka worth visiting?

Absolutely. I think Osaka is still a little underrated. It’s so much more than Universal Studios. Osaka Castle is beautiful, Dotonbori is incredibly fun to explore, and the food in Osaka is next level.

Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Osaka, Japan

I’m not claiming this is the definitive list of the best food in Osaka, but it’s definitely up there. From a traveler’s perspective, all of these food experiences were incredible, and I would happily recommend every single one.

I loved the sushi in Osaka, absolutely loved the Wagyu (yes, it was expensive, but 100% worth it), and I honestly don’t think I had a bad bowl of ramen here.

I also think Osaka is a fantastic place to start your food journey in Japan. It felt a bit less overwhelming than Tokyo. Lines were often shorter, and even the number of restaurants I had planned visiting felt more manageable. In Tokyo, I sometimes felt almost paralyzed by the sheer amount of choice.

I hope this little guide on where to eat in Osaka helps you get a rough idea of what food in Osaka is worth trying.

Enjoy Japan, enjoy Osaka, and happy travels 🍜🍣

Check Out My Other Osaka Guides

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4 Day Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent 96 Hours in Osaka

The Best Food in Osaka: My Top Osaka Restaurants

How Many Days in Osaka: My Day by Day Guide

2 Days in Osaka Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Osaka

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