Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This hospitable izakaya is a warm, efficient bastion of Miyako-jima quality, serving fresh, thoughtfully prepared local fare such as kobushime-yawaraka-ni…
Must-see restaurants in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This old-school family noodle joint exudes a Shōwa-era movie vibe if only for its fabulously faded original decor. Friendly hosts dish out hearty bowls of…
Naha
For a memorable, elegant meal in Naha, don't pass up dinner at the hilltop Nuchigafū, off the southern end of Tsuboya Pottery Street. Formerly a lovely…
Naha
You'll be lucky to get a seat here, but if you do, you'll be treated to some of the best Okinawan food around, served in traditional but bustling…
Naha
If you can hold out for this little late-night eatery, you won't be disappointed. The standouts of the drool-worthy menu (which is, incidentally,…
Yaeyama Islands
This Ishigaki city favourite serves all the Okinawan and Yaeyama standards. The boisterous atmosphere and kitchen get top marks, although smokers detract…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This blingy little bistro gets bonus points for its delightfully secluded location, resting atop a shaded grassy knoll on a white-sand beach, whose…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Nanraku is Miyako-jima embodied in an izakaya – an earthy, convivial atmosphere, with ingredients sourced from local bounty. Chef Nanraku-san is a local…
Naha
Perfect for lunch after touring Shuri-jō, Ashibiunā has a traditional ambience and picturesque garden. Set meals feature local specialities such as gōyā…
Amami Islands
This super-friendly izakaya in Wadomari offers small dishes such as gōyā champurū (bitter melon stir-fry; ¥500). See if you can break the local beer…
Naha
With pork featuring prominently in traditional Okinawan cuisine, Ukishima Garden is a refreshing, cleansing change. Here vegetarian and vegan creations…
Yaeyama Islands
A contemporary version of the old-school dining yokochō (alleys) ferreted away in Japanese cities, this new restaurant complex is the perfect place to…
Amami Islands
Head towards the port from town, and on the main road after the bridge you'll spy an ersatz waterwheel in front of a corner restaurant. Step inside and…
Amami Islands
This delightful terraced gallery-cafe with ocean views is something you'd expect to find perched on a Greek cliff; it's no surprise to find chicken gyros …
Yaeyama Islands
Tucked into a tiny, tidy space in Euglena Mall, Ishigaki-jima Kids serves good Yaeyama-style cafe fare – sōki-soba, taco rice and the like – all detailed…
Amami Islands
An atmospheric izakaya in downtown Naze, Hokorashi-ya dishes up toothsome Amami specialities such as aosa-no-tempura (fish-and-shellfish cakes fried in a…
Yaeyama Islands
This little Ishigaki city izakaya is a friendly refuge true to its name, which means 'the shade of the forest'. Local treats are sliced steak of Ishigaki…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Kume-jima's most famous soba shop is open for lunch only and is worth the trip. Serving handmade noodles out of his own home, the hospitable Nakasone-san…
Yaeyama Islands
In Kubura, this cosy izakaya is a local favourite. Though the menu is in Japanese only, we recommend the kajiki (locally caught swordfish) sashimi and the…
Naha
Come to Mikasa hungry, and at any hour, for cheap, no-nonsense grub with the locals. All the Okinawan favourites are whipped up here – gōyā champuru and…
Amami Islands
Locals pile in for the excellent okonomiyaki (batter and cabbage cakes cooked on a griddle) at this excellent Naze eatery. For carnivores, we recommend…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
If you couldn't see this hole-in-the-wall bakery, you'd smell it. It's unique for its owner's commitment to selling fresh bread throughout its opening…
Yaeyama Islands
This sunlit soba place in Kabira serves local dishes like chilled yomogi-soba (mugwort soba) served in a conch shell, or tebichi soba (Okinawan soba…
Yaeyama Islands
In the centre of Sonai is this delightful little Okinawan izakaya that serves local specialities such as Ishigakigyū-sutēki (Ishigaki-style steak; ¥1300)…
Yaeyama Islands
In the Tsuki-ga-hama area, the relatively upmarket Kitchen Inaba serves the usual local specialities in a spot where no other dining options exist. It's a…
Ōsumi Islands
Down a dirt road and facing a field of wild reeds, this cute cafe feels vaguely Hawaiian. The menu, however, leans more toward Thailand. Lunch sets range…
Ōsumi Islands
Head to this friendly little izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) in Nishi-no-Omote to sample tasty dishes such as the sashimi teishoku (sashimi set; ¥1200)…
Yaeyama Islands
This comfy daytime eatery serves up Okinawan favourites, like gōyā champurū teishoku (¥850) and Yaeyama soba (¥500), in a homely dining room with an…
Yaeyama Islands
Near the road from Uehara Port and beside the petrol station, this relaxed cafe-restaurant has sets such as ishigakibuta-no-misokatsu teishoku (miso…
Yaeyama Islands
There's lots to love about this spotless restaurant serving Indian and Nepali cuisine, from what appears to have been a former gas stand or car-rental…
Okinawa-hontō
If you're exploring southern Okinawa-hontō, seek out this serene, ocean-view cafe nestled in the forest. This is a lovely place for refreshing vegetarian…
Ōsumi Islands
Find a full range of Japanese standards such as sashimi teishoku (sashimi set; ¥1700) or ebi-furai teishoku (fried shrimp set; ¥1400). Look for the blue…
Yaeyama Islands
This tiny restaurant on the northwest side of the village (look for the blue banner and the umbrellas) serves up sōki-soba (¥800) and Yaeyama soba (¥600)…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Cheap, delicious, friendly and therefore popular, the busy Marumiya offers a variety of Okinawan and Japanese dishes. Its inexpensive lunch specials are a…
Okinawa-hontō
Relax on the outdoor patio of this Bise cafe and slurp some noodles, such as ajian-soba (Asian-style soba), while enjoying views of Ie-jima.
Ōsumi Islands
Stock up on provisions for camping or hiking at this supermarket on the main street in Miyanoura, just north of the entrance to the pier area.
Amami Islands
Spacious and relaxed, the cafe run by Pension Green Hill has reggae setting the mood (of course) and Japanese-style surf grub like green curry and tom yum…
Ōsumi Islands
This simple restaurant serves a ¥520 breakfast set with eggs, toast and coffee and a tasty tobi uo sashimi teishoku (flying fish sashimi set meal; ¥980)…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Fresh spring rolls, green curry, gōyā champurū (bitter melon stir-fry) and nasi goreng all feature on the menu here. A young crowd keeps it lively if you…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
A family-run grocery in Hirara, with a buy fresh, shop local vibe.
