This old-fashioned hideaway bar is notable for their excellent Japanese real ale (Yona Yona) on draft as well as their single-malt scotch collection. The food is mainly pastas and other light items. [feedback]

Chayamachi 1-5, Chayamachi Chabindo Bldg. B1F. (on the little street running between EST and Ings, about 1 min. past Ings on the left, just past a soccer shop and downstairs from a large karaoke establishment) Open 4pm-1am. Closed Mondays.

This quiet, well-hidden bar has plenty of space spread out over three floors, and they offer a good selection of whiskey and bourbon, cocktails and a few Japanese craft beers, as well as an inexpensive food menu. [feedback]

Chayamachi 13-9. (walk N on the street running along the E side of Umeda sta about 3 min. N of the station, turn R (just before Chayamachi Applause and the Hotel Hankyu International)) Open 6pm-2am (5am weekends) daily.

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.

Unusual Kirin ale, stout and weitzen beers are brewed on premises here; there's also a light food menu of Japanese and Western-style snacks. [feedback]

Soemoncho 7-2, Kirin Plaza Bldg 3F. (just N of the Dotonbori River, 1 block E of Midosuji; 3 min. from Nanba sta. exit 14; 5 min. from Shinsaibashi sta. exit 6) Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm daily.

This little hole-in-the-wall bar, down a tiny alley off the shopping arcade, is swarming with toy bears and awash in microbrew beers from around the world, including a good number from Japan. [feedback]

Bakuromachi 3-4-9. (from Shinsaibashi sta. walk a few blocks N under the shopping arcade (1 block E of Midosuji-dori), turn right after Maruzen Bookstore, then turn left immediately into a tiny alleyway - it's at the end of the alley, on the left) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30pm-midnight daily.

Craft beers from Japan and elsewhere along with Japanese food. There's also a good selection of sake and shochu (over 140 varieties). [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Higashi-Obase 1-1-15, Shinko Bldg 1F. (1 min. E of JR Tamatsukuri sta.) Open 6-10:30pm (LO). 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.

Yes, it's another American concept restaurant, this one a branch of an LA place that serves "Chicago-style ribs" and microbrew beers. There's plenty of seafood, grilled chicken and steaks in case ribs aren't your thing. [feedback]

Shimaya 6-2-61, Universal Citywalk 5F. Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.

You'll find a fantastic trove of unusual, limited-edition sakes in this off-the-beaten-track sake pub. The food menu is just as eclectic, and well suited to the drinks. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nijodori Higashinotoin Higashi-iru. (on Nijo, 2 blocks north, 2 1/2 blocks east of Karasuma Oike intersection) Open 6pm-midnight. Closed Mondays, 1st Sunday.

A pleasant, medium-sized bar with a serious selection of single-malt Scotch whiskies and one very good Japanese microbrew beer (Yona Yona real ale on tap). [feedback]

Nijo Kiyamachi Higashi-iru, Valls Building 2F. (across the street from Hotel Fujita) Open 6pm-3am (5am weekends) daily.

This conveniently located cafe is part of the popular chain of Osaka Belgian beer bars, and stocks around 100 beers, mostly from Belgium. Unfortunately the food menu is rather lackluster, and even Belgian specialties like mussels and frites are only average. The main dining area is lively but it can get smoky. [feedback]

Shibata 1-5-2. (on a small alleyway 2 blocks north of New Hankyu Hotel) Open noon-12:30am (LO) daily.

Bears serves more than 100 different beers from around the world, along with bar food like nachos, sausages, calamari, and fried chicken fajitas. The stand-up bar is open till 2am weekends; there's also a sit-down dining room across the hall. [feedback]

Chayamachi 10-12, NU Chayamachi B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO; 2am Fri/Sat) daily.

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.

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.

Thick, meaty hamburgers and a good assortment of sandwiches are served at this Hawaii-based shop. There's some terrace seating. [feedback]

Nanbanaka 2-10-70, Nanba Parks 6F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Known as the "beer dining" branch of Dolphins, they offer mussels, frites and other Belgian and French fare along with plenty of Belgian beers. [feedback]

Higashi-Shinsaibashi 1-8-14. (from Shinsaibashi sta. exit 5 walk E about 5 min, just past the Minami-Shogakko (elementary school); also accessible from Nagahoribashi sta. exit 7 - walk W about 1 1/2 blocks) Open 4pm-1am 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.

More of a bar than a restaurant, with counter seating on the main level and lounge-y sofas upstairs. They offer a limited Italian food menu, and serve Belgian beers as well as Italian wines. [feedback]

Dojima-Hama 1-1-9. (on the N bank of the river, just W of Midosuji) Open 5pm-1:30am (LO). Closed Sundays.

Oude Kaas's chef worked in Holland for 13 years before he decided to bring the flavors of Dutch cooking back to Osaka with him. There's a good selection of beers (German and Belgian mainly) to go with the unusual food. The latter include excellent stamppot (mashed potatoes with whatever vegetables and seasonings are around the kitchen that day) and over 60 pancake variations (combos like cheese, banana, rum raisin and salami). [feedback]

Nishi-Tenma 2-5-2, Nishitenma Bldg B1F. (from Yodoyabashi station walk N on Midosuji, crossing two bridges, then turn right at the police box) Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

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.

This very casual beer bar attracts an assortment of tourists and representatives of Kyoto's foreign community. (Open to 3am weekends.) [feedback]

Kawaramachi-dori Sanjo-sagaru, Kuromachi 71. Open 5pm-midnight daily.

This tiny but charming late-night cafe at the edge of Chinatown has a surprisingly big selection of Spanish tapas and Belgian beers. [feedback]

Motomachi-dori 1-3-12. (from Koikawasuji take the first right turn S of the Motomachi arcade; it's on the left, just before Chinatown) Open 11:30am-4, 5pm-midnight. Closed Mondays.

One of the few places in town where you can find a multiplicity of Belgian beers, in a convenient location right at the foot of Ikuta Road. [feedback]

Kita-Nagasa-dori 1-1-3. (at the base of the road leading up to Tokyu Hands, at the railroad tracks) Open 11:30am-11pm daily.