This outpost of Osaka's El Poniente Spanish restaurant empire is located in a charming old brick building on Nakanoshima-dori. It's mostly counter seating, with a big open kitchen area and a spacious feel. The big tapas-style menu includes lots of daily specials - the pork brochettes and the lamb stew are especially recommended. [feedback]

Nakanoshima 3-6-32, Dai Bldg. 1F. (on Nakanoshima-dori, about 3 min. W of the Rihga Grand Hotel) Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

This small specialty beer bar is managed by Minoh Brewery, which is well represented at the taps. They offer seven other Japanese craft beers as well, all on draft, along with a small but tasty food menu. [feedback]

Tosabori 1-1-30, Osaka River Building 1F. (on the N (river) side of the little road that runs alongside the river, between Higobashi (bridge) and Chikuzenbashi (bridge), 4 doors E of the latter) Open 5-midnight. Closed Sundays.

More Belgian beers and inexpensive food from this popular beer-bar chain. [feedback]

Edobori 1-18-27. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

George Ohsawa, the father of macrobiotics, would be proud of Japan's return to its culinary roots, and Satoyama Cafe is part of the trend. The healthy lunch sets served here include a selection of obanzai (small dishes), brown rice, pickles and a main dish for less than Y1000. Located in an old legal office, the brick building has high ceilings and a small garden to the side for looking out on while you dine. [feedback]

Tosabori 1-1-4, Yamauchi Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-8pm daily.

As behooves a dynamic metropolis, Osaka knows its drink. And long before the advent of the Irish pub there was The Leach Bar. A 1960s homage to Japanese folk craft, The Leach eschews wainscot for brick and bamboo. In collaboration with craftsmen Kawai Kanjiro and Serizawa Keisuke, the famed British potter Bernard Leach created this interpretation of an English "cottage bar" in 1965. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nakanoshima 5-3-68, Rihga Royal Hotel 1F. Open 11am-midnight daily.

Good, authentic Belgian cuisine and a nice assortment of Belgian beers, including several on tap. [feedback]

Kitahama 4-7-28, Sumitomo Bldg #2, 1F. Open 11:30am-midnight. Closed Sundays.

A sophisticated, stylish dining spot with serious Spanish food. The emphasis is on the grill, and there's also a good selection of tapas-style snacks plus nice wines (starting at around Y4500). Budget around Y5000 at dinnertime. [feedback]

Kitahama 4-4-12, Sumitomo Shoji Yodoyabashi Bldg. 1F. (in the street behind the Sumitomo Building, 3 min. from Yodoyabashi Sta. exit 10; walk 2 blocks south, turn left, then right) Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Paellas and other hearty Spanish fare; from the same management as Carbon, but in a more down-to-earth setting. The dining room is big and comfortable, with a view out over the river towards Nakanoshima. Budget around Y6000 at dinnertime. [feedback]

Kitahama 2-1-21. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Inexpensive Nepalese and Indian dishes in a casual cafe-bar atmosphere. The restaurant often hosts parties and live music, so call ahead to check. There's some outdoor seating. [feedback]

Utsubo-Honmachi 1-13-1, Osakaya Honmachi Bldg. 2F. (1 block W, 1 block N of Yotsubashi and Honmachi-dori; from Honmachi sta. exit 28 walk one block W and 2 blocks N) Open 11am-2:30, 5pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.

This tiny "bio and slow tea house" sells organic Swiss chocolates, German herbal teas, Austrian jams and honeys, and a few toys and knick-knacks. [feedback]

Utsubo-Honmachi 1-14-11. Open 11am-7pm. Closed Sundays.

This main branch of one of Osaka's most famous traditional restaurants specializes in udon sukiyaki and other noodle dishes, tempura, and seasonal fish and vegetables. Prices are quite reasonable, with lunches around Y1000 and dinners from Y3000. The main dining rooms are rather functional and hotel lobby-ish, although there's a nice view of the Japanese garden out back. There is a non-smoking room. [feedback]

Hiranomachi 4-6-18. Open 11:30am-8:30pm. Closed Sundays.

French-style pastries and fresh breads from this neighborhood bakery; there's also a miniscule cafe attached if you want to stop for coffee. [feedback]

Awajimachi 4-3-1. Open 8am-7pm. Closed Sundays.

The Sekaisuji-Honmachi outpost of Dolphins is the "beer bistrot" branch, with a basic food menu and a large selection of Belgian beers. [feedback]

Honmachi 1-7-1, B1F. (in front of exit 13, Sekaisuji-honmachi subway station) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm daily.

A great gourmet izakaya - the menu is especially strong in soba, tofu dishes, oden (Kyoto-style) and premium sake. [feedback]

Awajimachi 3-6-3, NM Plaza Midosuji B1F. (on E side of Midosuji, about 2 1/2 blocks N of Honmachi sta. (exit 5)) Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

This lavishly decorated dining bar offers an interesting and moderately priced food menu to go with your cocktails or shochu. [feedback]

Awajimachi 3-5-1. (about 3 1/2 blocks N, 1 block E of Honmachi sta.) Open 11am-midnight. Closed Sundays.

Established in the 1840s, Yoshino is the place to go for Osaka-style sushi. Set meals are Y2000-5000, with sushi kaiseki service priced at Y3600-10,000. [feedback]

Awajimachi 3-4-14. (about 3 1/2 blocks N, 1 block E of Honmachi sta.) Open 11am-9pm. Closed weekends.

An upscale izakaya with a good sake selection and an attractive modern interior filled with smooth, tan-colored wooden surfaces and strategic lighting. [feedback]

Awajimachi 2-6-11, Awajimachi Park Bldg B1F. Open 11am-2, 5-9:50pm (LO). Closed weekends.

Hibachi-grilled meat and seafood are the specialty at this friendly little izakaya, with top-quality ingredients from around Japan; budget around Y3500 at dinnertime. [feedback]

Kawaramachi 2-6-14. (east from Honmachi sta. Exit 1, turn left after the fourth block) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

The downtown Osaka branch of this lively tourist spot serves up good burgers and fries along with the music. [feedback]

Minami-Honmachi 3-6-14, Ito Bldg 1F. (on Midosuji just N of the highway; 1 min. from Honmachi sta. exit 9) Open 11:30am-midnight daily.

Excellent sandwiches, breads and pastries from this French bakery; there's also a spacious cafe behind the shop. (Paul also has retail branches in Daimaru and Hanshin department stores.) [feedback]

Honmachi 2-3-14. Open 10am-10pm daily.

Another jewel in the El Poniente Spanish-food empire, this is a more casual tapas-bar setup, an easy spot to grab a glass of wine and a snack after work. [feedback]

Hiranomachi 1-6-11. (from Kitahama Sta exit 5 go 2 blocks S, turn left at Hiranocho 1 crossing; it's the second block on the right side) Open 3pm-2:30am (LO). Closed Sundays.

Tofu and yuba are the specialties here, and the menu offers some unusual dishes like soy-milk cheese fondue, nama-fu and soy-milk gratin, and hot apple pie with soy ice. You'll also find seasonal dishes like crab tempura and deep-fried fugu. Drinks include several types of umeshu as well as shochu and sake. [feedback]

Tenmabashi Kyomachi 1-1, Keihan City Mall 8F. (above Tenmabashi station) Open 11am-3, 5-9pm (LO) daily.

This Italian restaurant specializes in dishes made with gourmet olive oils - you can check their list of eight olive oils and see which one is used in each dish. Mains include charcoal-grilled fish, pork, and lamb; there's also a good selection of pizzas and pastas in the Y1100-1600 range, plus a few well-assembled risottos. Most of the olive oils are also available by the bottle to take home. Some outdoor seating is available upstairs at their rooftop bar. [feedback]

Tenmabashi Kyomachi 1-1, Keihan City Mall 8F. (above Tenmabashi station) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

This flagship of the Dolphin group of Belgian beer bars offers a huge selection of Belgian beers along with inexpensive food. [feedback]

Uchi-Hiranomachi 1-2-6. (from Tenmabashi sta. exit 4 walk S, turn W at the Freshness Burger) Open 11:30am-2, 6pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.

This casual "comfort maze cafe" has a relaxed, rustic-chic atmosphere (rough wooden beams and posts everywhere). The original food menu features small-farm produce and meats (like the excellent Berkshire pork from Kagoshima), while drinks include hand-pumped real ale from Minoh, a local microbrewery. Dinner runs around Y3000. Lunch is served until 2:30pm. [feedback]

Yariyamachi 1-1-10. (1 min. from Tanimachi 4-chome sta. exit 3.) Open 11am-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.