Excellent, creative cooking, friendly service and some of the nicest modern decor in Kobe make this restaurant worth a stop. Be sure to try the local dishes like the cross-cultural dim sum...

One of the best of the tonkatsu chains, Kyoto-based Katsukura offers nice side dishes like yuba (tofu-skin) croquettes and excellent Kyoto-style pickles. And they're open all afternoon if you need a...

This popular cafe-style restaurant serves "farm-to-table" fare, with heaping "one-plate" lunches. The buttermilk fried chicken is a specialty of the house, and is recommended. Japanese craft beers...

This tiny shop prepares fantastic karaage-fried chicken, either on its own or donburi-style over a bowl of rice. The coating is crunchy and the meat is moist and tender, with a nice garlicky flavor....

This small, popular counter shop serves nice meaty gyoza dumplings in a down-to-earth setting. The fried dumplings are slightly more charred than usual, creating a crunchy texture and deeper flavor....

This charming Kobe landmark serves a full range of Sapporo beers, and a huge, 150-item food menu. The small brewery in the basement produced two craft beers - a somewhat fruity wheat beer and a...

A rooftop oasis right in central Kobe, this cafe looks out onto a big garden area, with seating both indoors and out. The casual, inexpensive food menu is a mix of Japanese and Western dishes -...

Akashiyaki is a lighter, fluffier version of takoyaki, made with local octopus, and Tako-no-tsubo is an expert in its preparation. The room cozy dining room - usually filled with the aroma of...

Best known for their noodle dishes, the kitchen here also turns out a complete range of Cantonese standards.

One of the original wave of yoshoku restaurants, Itoh Grill has been preparing original Japanese-style Western dishes since 1923. They've probably redecorated since then, but not too recently. ...

Kansai-style spice curry is the specialty at Rojiura Kitchen Yonemon, and the beautifully presented three-curry combo is highly recommended.

Excellent home-made tofu is the core of the menu here, with tofu-centered set meals at various price levels (Y4000-10,000). The dining room offers a nice high-rise view over the Kobe waterfront.

Many eel connoisseurs consider this well-hidden shop to be the top spot in town for unagi. Grilled over the finest charcoal, the end product is crisp on the outside and fluffy and tender inside. ...

This long-running Kobe institution serves good Indian cuisine, including a lot of vegetable-centered dishes. Budget around Y3,000 at dinnertime.

Churrasco-style Brazilian grilled meats (beef, pork, chicken) are served here, and the waiters will keep bringing you meat until you tell them to stop. All-you-can-eat deals cost around Y4,000 per...

This popular shop lets you cook your own kushiage skewers in a deep-fryer right at your table. It's all you can eat, including various side dishes and a big variety of skewered tidbits. The price...