The magnificent view of nighttime Kobe makes this a popular spot for parties and events (although the hilltop location makes it a bit of a climb to reach on foot). The menu covers the bases of Italian- and Asian-influenced international cuisine - fettucini with Thai curry sauce; Cajun chicken; California-style crabcakes; foie gras sushi. Mains average around Y1800, pastas and starters Y1200. The bar is open till 2am. [feedback]

Kitanocho 1-5-10. Open 6-9:30pm (last in) daily.

A chic little Spanish cafe and tapas bar with laid-back lounge music and a fashion-conscious clientele. Their Kobe beef dinner (Y6300) - featuring Catalonian salad, pinchos and paella along with your steak - adds a nice local touch to the menu. Regular dinners from Y3150, lunches from Y1260. [feedback]

Kitanocho 3-6-17, Akita Bldg. B1F. Open noon-3, 6-9pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Although this may look like the restaurant that time forgot, the lace-curtained, ultra-kitsch Swiss Chalet is often packed with diners tucking into the many fondue variations (beef, cheese and chocolate, served in various combinations). Cheese fondue and raclette dinners start at around Y3000; lunches from Y1260. Reservations are recommended. [feedback]

Kitanocho 3-2-4. (NE corner of Hanta-zaka and Yamamoto-dori) Open 11:30am-4, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

With its brick, timber and stucco interior, Rote Rose has the feeling of a sprawling Alpine ski lodge. The impressive wine list offers more than 100 German wines, and there are frequent wine dinners (call for information). Food includes imported cold cuts and other light fare to nibble on with your wine, although you can opt for a full-course meal if you're hungry. [feedback]

Kitanocho 4-9-14. (on Tor Road, N of Yamamoto-dori, after it's wound to the right and then to the left) Open 5-10:30pm. Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays.

A German wine specialty shop with more than 300 varieties in stock; downstairs is a large wine bar and restaurant. [feedback]

Kitanocho 4-9-14. (on Tor Road, N of Yamamoto-dori, after it's wound to the right and then to the left) Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays.

Certainly one of grandest cafe settings in town, Freundlieb occupies the former Kobe Union Church, a Kitano sightseeing landmark. The menu includes sandwiches and salads as well as fresh pastries and bread from the Freundlieb bakery downstairs. [feedback]

Ikuta-machi 4-6-15. (1 block E and 1 block S of Kanocho 2-chome crossing, in the former Kobe Union Church) Open 10am-6:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

With excellent food and a comfortable, casual atmosphere, Patrie also delivers good value for money - full-course dinners are around Y6000, and their lunchtime buffet is Y2300. [feedback]

Ninomiya 4-20-5, Hotel Piena Kobe 2F. Open 11am-2, 5-8:30pm (LO) daily.

Priding themselves on their high-quality meat, this quiet neighborhood shop offers shabu-shabu in addition to yakiniku. Budget around Y5000 for dinner. [feedback]

Ninomiya 3-2-10. (on Nishinomiya arcade, 2 1/2 blocks S of Yamate-kansen) Open 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

This lively cafe is perched in an ideal people-watching location midway up the Kitanozaka hill, with a popular outdoor sidewalk terrace that takes full advantage of the view. The menu includes everything from light snacks and sweets to full-course French dinners (from Y2500). [feedback]

Yamamoto-dori 1-7-21. (1 block S of Yamamoto-dori and Kitano-zaka) Open 10am-11pm (LO) daily.

Upscale Italian cooking in a cheerful modern space - the terrace looking out over Kitano-zaka is especially attractive when weather permits. Prix-fixe lunches from Y1800, dinners from Y4000, plus a la carte. They have an extensive wine list from both Italy and California. [feedback]

Kitanocho 3-1-32. (on W side of Kitano-zaka just N of Yamamoto-dori) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Lavish, traditional French cooking for those special occasions. The dining room is elegantly appointed, and there's some terrace seating as well. Prix-fixe lunch from Y2700, dinner from Y6300. [feedback]

Kitanocho 2-8-9. (on S side of Kitano-dori just E of Kitano-zaka) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Old mansions are one thing, but this adventurous four-story gingerbread construction looks like something that was dreamed up by Disneyland's imagineers. The focus is on northern Italian dishes, with pastas and gnoccis starting at Y1500 and veal and other main dishes in the Y2500 range. [feedback]

Yamamoto-dori 2-3-2. Open 11:30am-2:15, 5:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

The confident, modern French cooking and the warm, friendly atmosphere make Kondotei one of the better casual dining choices in this neighborhood. Lunches start at Y1260, and the evening bistro menu is Y3000-4500. The wine list is surprisingly large and diverse, starting at under Y3000/bottle. [feedback]

Yamamoto-dori 2-1-1. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Yet another reminder of Kobe's historical past, Balalaika has been here since the 1950s, although they've modernized since then. The menu covers all the Russian favorites - cabbage rolls and meatballs, stews, piroshikis, borscht and so on. Dinner runs around Y3500. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 1-22-13, Hillside Terrace 3F. (on Kitano-zaka 1 block N of Yamate-kansen, SE corner, next to Basin Street jazz club) Open noon-2:30, 5-8:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Tasty curries, "egg hoppers" and other authentic Sri Lankan fare are prepared by native chefs in this branch of the Tokyo-based chain. Dinner averages around Y2500. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 1-23-16. (W side of Kitano-zaka, 1 block N of Yamate-kansen) Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Jamaican stews, jerk pork, and other spicy fare prepared by the native Jamaican owner-chef here. Dinner averages around Y2500. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 1-22-27, Dom's Bldg. 8F. (N side of Yamate-kansen, just E of Kitano-zaka) Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-11pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Chilean cuisine is another unexpected find in Kitano. The food is reasonably priced and the atmosphere is friendly, with frequent live musical performances. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 1-26-7. (on Hanta-zaka just N of Yamate-kansen) Open 5:30pm-midnight. Closed 3rd Wed.

The spiffy modern dining room is tastefully decorated with wooden carvings and potted plants, the air filled with aromatic Thai spices and the strains of Thai pop music. The food is fairly average in quality, although they do offer the unusual "Thai sukiyaki" - a cauldron of seafood dumplings, meatballs and transparent noodles. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 1-27-12. (on Hanta-zaka just N of Yamate-kansen) Open 11:30am-2, 5-9:30pm. Closed Tuesdays.

This small corner store looks like it's been transported from small-town America circa 1950. The shelves are jam-packed with American and European brands seldom seen in Japanese grocery stores. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 2-19-2. Open 10am-7:30pm daily.

This Halal grocery store is a good place to find Indian and south Asian spices as well as various prepared foods. [feedback]

Naka-Yamate-dori 2-17-3. Open 11am-8pm daily.

Peking-style cuisine, with an emphasis on Peking duck, is the specialty at this rather grandiose Kitano landmark. The "mini-lunch" is Y4000, with full-course dinner menus running Y6000-15,000. [feedback]

Yamamoto-dori 3-14-18. Open 11:30am-2, 5-9pm daily.