We Ate Our Way Through Osaka: The Best (and Worst) Food Spots You Can’t Miss!
- Big World Travel
- Jan 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 13
Where are the best places to eat in Osaka?
Osaka is a food lover’s paradise, offering a mix of world-famous dishes and hidden gems. If you’re after hearty comfort food, Oretachino-Curry Ya serves up incredible prawn katsu curry with portions big enough to satisfy any appetite. For dessert lovers, Pablo Shinsaibashi is a must-visit for their creamy brulee cheese tarts that will leave you craving more. If fluffy cheesecakes are on your list, head to Rikuro’s Namba Main Branch, where the jiggly, melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake lives up to the hype. For traditional Japanese savory pancakes, Okonomiyaki Mizuno is the spot to experience Osaka’s iconic dish. Even chain cafes like Starbucks impressed us with their unique menu offerings, like the Hojicha tea latte. With so many incredible places to eat, it’s no wonder Osaka is called the “Kitchen of Japan.”
I go into more detail about all these incredible spots below, sharing our personal experiences, must-try dishes, and honest ratings. Keep reading to discover why these places stood out to us during our Osaka food adventure!
If you're a curry fan, this place is a must. We ordered prawn katsu curry, and wow—what a dish! The deep-fried prawns were perfection—crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. I also had noodles alongside my katsu, and the sauce was beautifully balanced—not too spicy, just rich and flavorful. The portion sizes were incredibly generous (we definitely didn't leave hungry), and to top it off, the owner, who told us he was from South Korea, was so friendly and appreciative of our visit. This kind of warmth really adds to the experience. A solid 9/10!
Walking past Pablo’s, it was impossible to resist the sight of their mini cheese tarts displayed in the window. The queue wasn’t too bad, so we decided to give them a try. I opted for the brulee, and my wife went for strawberry. Both were delicious, but the brulee was absolutely out of this world—silky smooth with a perfectly caramelized, sticky top. They were so good that we returned the next day to try the chocolate tart. It was nice, but nothing beat the brulee. I could eat those every day without a second thought. Easy 10/10.
Ah, fluffy cheesecake heaven! We'd seen Rikuro's famous jiggly cheesecakes all over social media and knew we had to try one. We picked up a whole cheesecake and took it back to our hotel, only to realize we didn’t have any cutlery. What did we do? We embraced chaos and devoured it with our hands, laughing the whole time. The cake was light, airy, and not overly sweet—a perfect treat. Unfortunately the cake didn't last long enough to get a picture! I'd give it 8/10.
Okonomiyaki is one of Osaka's signature dishes, and Mizuno is a popular spot to try it. My wife went for the seafood version, while I chose the vegetarian one. Imagine a savory pancake or omelette packed with flavorful fillings and topped with tangy sauces—it’s as satisfying as it sounds. I paired mine with a Sapporo, and the combo hit the spot. While I noticed Mizuno only has 3.8 stars on Google, I suspect it's due to Osaka's overall high food standards because, in our opinion, it was a fantastic meal. 8/10.
For American readers, this might seem like a strange choice to highlight, but where we’re from, Starbucks isn’t a thing. It became our go-to breakfast spot, and we quickly fell in love with their Hojicha tea latte—a creamy, roasted green tea drink that reminded us of a chai latte but with a unique twist. Their shrimp and broccoli salad wrap might not sound exciting, but it was incredibly flavorful and fresh. Who knew Starbucks could be such a standout? 9/10.
One evening, we decided to grab a few drinks and snacks at Smoked Bar Motokara. While the atmosphere was decent, the experience was underwhelming. My wife enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and I stuck with beer, but the service was slow, even though the place wasn’t busy. The snacks were forgettable, and honestly, there are better places to hang out in Dotonbori. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great either. 6/10.
When in Japan, obviously sushi is a must, so we stopped by this lively spot for dinner. The sushi was good—not the best we had in Japan, but still enjoyable. The service was attentive despite how packed the restaurant was, though the space felt a little cramped. The overall vibe was fun, and we’d happily return for a casual sushi night. 8/10.
Final Thoughts
Osaka truly is a food lover's paradise. From fluffy cheesecakes to crispy katsu curry and those addictive Pablo cheese tarts, every meal felt like an adventure. Even the more average spots were still enjoyable because of the city's lively energy and our shared moments of laughter (and hands-on cheesecake eating!).
If you ever find yourself in Osaka, bring your appetite—it’s impossible to leave disappointed.
And if you’re planning a trip to Japan, don’t miss out on the rest of this incredible country! Check out our full two-week Japan itinerary for tips, recommendations, and inspiration to make the most of your adventure.
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