Top 20 Restaurants in Kurashiki That You Should Visit For a Delicious Lunch

6 Recommended Lunch Spots in Kurashiki

1. Kappa

This spot is well known for the Kurashiki specialty, demikatsu (fried pork cutlet topped with demi glace sauce). Their version of this treat comes with plenty of rich demi glace sauce, which is what makes patrons want to keep coming back. Definitely give this unique demikatsu a try the next time you're in Kurashiki!

Each bite of the hot tonkatsu will release the delicious, sweet pork juices trapped inside. It goes extremely well with their rich demi glace sauce, made with a secret recipe. The result is a dish so delicious that it makes people want to come back for more, again and again.

2. Cafe&Bar KAG

This cafe situated in front of Kurashiki Station is like a lounge, and offers entertainment in the form of seasonal tunes and art. Their freeing causal atmosphere is what sets them apart from the rest and makes them popular.

For lunch, get the hamburger or hotdog. Since they also have a well-stocked liquor shelf, why not sip on a glass or two of alcohol while enjoying a delicious hamburger for dinner?

3. GranCarro

This tranquil Italian restaurant that's just 5 minutes away from Kurashiki Station by car places importance on homecooked dishes made with organic ingredients. They offer an original menu filled with dishes that you can only try in Kurashiki. The secret to their dishes' deliciousness lies in the careful preparation, done in a way that makes the flavors of the ingredients stand out.

Their Pasta Course (1,300 yen) is an extremely affordable menu item consisting of pasta (choose from 3 choices), salad, homemade bread, and dessert.

4. cafe dining Ospitare

This cafe is located inbetween Kurashiki and Okayama Stations. While they are particularly known for their original vegetable curries and demikatsu, it is highly recommended that you get their omurice (rice stuffed inside an omelette) that's filled with seasonal vegetables.

Another popular menu item is the Pair Lunch (2,800 yen) where two people can share two main dishes, the pizza of the day, two drinks, and a dessert plate. It's highly recommended for those looking to eat a lot at a reasonable price.

5. DADACCO Main Branch

This teppanyaki and okonomiyaki restaurant serves up delicious Kansai-style okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes) within the shopping street in front of Kurashiki Station. They have a range of lunch items, including a daily lunch special, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, and rice bowl dishes. All of these items come in large portions, so make sure to come hungry!

Although Kurashiki is home to many okonomiyaki shops, this is the best place to go if you want to eat delicious Kansai-style okonomiyaki.

6. CAFE REGOD

This cafe has a welcoming interior, and you can see just how unique they are through details such as the tableware being used. Their stewed demi glace hamburger steak, of which only 10 servings are available per day, is extremely popular.

Spend a day off at this restaurant that's super Instagrammable from head to toe, from its exterior to its interior and dishes.

6 Must-Visit Lunch Spots Within the White Walls of the Historical Quarter

1. TRATTORIA Hashimaya

TRATTORIA Hashimaya is located within the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, an area known for its beautifully contrasting townscape consisting of willow trees lined along the Kurashiki Canal and storehouses. The building that it is housed in has been chosen as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

The owner is extremely selective with the ingredients used, only working with ingredients that they have picked out themselves. Here, you can enjoy a lunch menu that makes full use of these ingredients.

This chic cafe situated within a gorgeous townscape naturally gets very busy during event periods like Christmas and Valentine's Day, so don't forget to book in advance if you wish to come during those times.

2. Hamayoshi Mamakari-tei

Head over to Mamakari-tei if you want to try eating some delicious local Okayama foods! Whatever you order - be it sashimi, sushi, or nanban-zuke (fried and marinated fish) - it will surely taste amazing.

Time will definitely fly as you dine on regional foods and selected local liquors inside this quiet, peaceful restaurant. Come here to experience Kurashiki's atmosphere and delicacies for yourself!

3. pizzeria CONO foresta

This hidden gem of a restaurant offers a lunch set where you can get dessert and pizza or pokke (sandwiches made with pizza dough).

There are terrace seats, so you could also enjoy a casual lunch outside during the warmer months.

4. Yuurin-an

Yuurin-an is a guesthouse and cafe within the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter that is housed inside an old townhouse. It was constructed 100 years ago, during the latter half of the Edo period (1603 - 1868). They are famous for their Shiawase Pudding.

Another specialty of theirs is the Tamago-kake Gohan, which comes with organic rice that has been steamed for a long period of time and a super fresh raw egg.

5. Premier

Visit Premier if you want to eat some French cuisine for lunch at the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter! The ingredients they use are all directly shipped from a farm belonging to a relative of the owner. It's a great place to enjoy luxurious French food made with fresh ingredients.

Its location within the alleys of the atmospheric Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter means that you're sure to have a grand time even before entering the store. They change up their menu for each season with options like vegetable soup or their various appetizers, so you'll want to visit more than once.

6. KuraPura

This famed restaurant has appeared several times on television for its kaiseki (Japanese course cuisine) and kaeshi-zushi made with seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. Kaeshi-zushi is a dish that arranges the budget sushi toppings of the Edo period in a modern way. It is the realization of a popular saying back then that went, "A meal should consist of a single dish."

This well-reputed restaurant is just 10 minutes away from the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. With private rooms as well as other kinds of seating, it ensures that you can use them for any situation.

2 Great Lunch Spots Around Kojima Station

1. Sentazushi

This sushi restaurant overlooking the Seto Inland Sea is extremely popular with the locals. It's a great spot for enjoying plenty of seafood along with a great view.

We recommend getting the Tokujo Nigiri, which comes with delicious vinegar rice and thickly sliced toppings. It's the perfect way to savor top-class ingredients!

2. Seika

This restaurant offers various ways to enjoy seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, such as sashimi, tempura, and hot pot. You can't come here without trying the live octopus, which is spectacularly grilled on an iron griddle in front of you!

This is the spot for Japanese food within Kojima in Okayama Prefecture. The shop also has counter seats, so feel free to come even if you're dining alone.

4 Little-known Shops for Savoring Kurashiki Delicacies for Lunch

1. Sakuraso

This shop is so popular that you'll find it difficult to get in without a reservation. The exterior is so atmospheric that you'll be filled with anticipation even before you enter the restaurant!

Their private rooms are comfortable, with either horigotatsu (sunken table) or normal table seating. Definitely come here if you've got a craving for fresh seafood from the Setonai area!

2. 72cafe

This fancy cafe was designed by the top-rate architecture firm Ishodo. Their popular Kurashiki Afternoon Tea is a gorgeous masterpiece that you'll most certainly want to take a photo of.

Their lunch menu consists of items arranged in an artistic way to be incredibly Instagrammable, with options such as butter baked seafood from the Seto Inland Sea (changes weekly) and various meat dishes.

3. Hachikengura

This restaurant belonging to Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel is situated within Ohashi House, a renovated rice storehouse selected as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The interior is decidedly Japanese style, with tall ceilings that make it seem incredibly large and freeing.

The weekday-only Kura Lunch is a great and insanely affordable course meal for savoring Kurashiki's seasonal delicacies. It beautifully shows off the chef's talents.

4. cRie cafe&kitchen

This isn't just a cafe, but also a rental kitchen space. The interior is chic, wide, and incredibly clean. While here, make sure you try the incredibly popular Spaghetti Bolognese with red wine mixed in.

Their colorful array of appetizers and homemade sweets are also popular and happen to be available for takeout. Dine at this place if you want to relax somewhere for lunch!

2 Restaurants in Kurashiki with Private Rooms for Lunch

1. KIYUTEI

This restaurant is located just a minute's walk away from Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel, right in front of the Ohara Museum of Art. Housed within a building with a unique tiled roof that was built during the Meiji period (1868 - 1912), its exterior perfectly matches the townscape of the historic city of Kurashiki.

For lunch, order the Grilled Steak which is cooked on a wire grill. Only 15 servings of this steak set are served per day, making it a menu item you have got to try at least once!

2. vingtcing

This popular restaurant is located right outside of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Its lovely white exterior will have your heart beating fast at the thought of what lays within.

This restaurant is extremely popular for its classy atmosphere and delicious food. Come here if you'd like to savor both of those things at once!

Try Kurashiki Specialties for Lunch!

All of these lunch spots are reasonably priced and have plenty to offer, so why not visit them during lunch time to indulge in the local fare of the beautiful city of Kurashiki?

Header image: Niradj / ShutterStock

 

Translated and republished with permission from: Relux Magazine