Must-see restaurants in Shikoku

  • Sanzenkai

    Shikoku

    The three kanji characters that make up this classy restaurant's name say it all – mountain, river, sea. Out at the spectacular Iyashi-no-sato eco-hotel,…

  • Kappō Yano

    Ehime Prefecture

    Yano-san and his family have been serving traditional meals at their popular seafood place a block back from APA Hotel for more than 30 years. Choose from…

  • Iya Bijin

    Shikoku

    For a taste of local Iya soba, head to Iya Bijin, in an attractive black-and-white building with lanterns hanging out the front, overlooking the gorge…

  • Otona-no-Izakaya Kagoya-Tarō Kamuan

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    There aren't many nonsmoking izakaya out there! This place, up the white stairs almost at the end of the arcade, offers a smoke-free environment, healthy…

  • Tokushima Station Bar Alley

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    Definitely the hottest eating and drinking spot in Tokushima is downstairs in the Clement Plaza building, under the station. New in 2018 is Bar Alley,…

  • Hirome Ichiba

    Shikoku

    Dozens of mini-restaurants and bars specialising in everything from gomoku rāmen (seafood noodles) to tako-yaki (octopus balls) surround communal tables;…

  • Café Bleu

    Ehime Prefecture

    This lovely little music cafe serves tasty, simple sustenance with a picture menu and daily specials. The decor includes photos of Andy Warhol and Mick…

  • Ofukuro

    Kagawa Prefecture

    This fabulous washofu (local eating house) in the heart of the entertainment district offers a well-priced and hearty dining experience. A number of…

  • Tosa Binchōtanyaki Onomi

    Shikoku

    You'll need to be a tad adventurous to eat here as there's no English menu, but it's a top spot for regional meat cuisine, especially wild venison shot by…

  • Bahati

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    A superb little spot a tad east of Shishikui, Bahati is run by keen surfer Tsuji-san. Serving everything from pasta to katsu-kareē (pork cutlet, curry and…

  • Kawanishi Broiler

    Kagawa Prefecture

    A top spot for beer, yakitori and just about anything featuring chicken. Relax inside at the counter or tables and enjoy the mayhem as locals come and go,…

  • Ikkaku

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Honetsuki-dori (spicy grilled chicken on the bone) is a Marugame speciality – try it at Ikkaku, a very popular local restaurant that has expanded its…

  • New Green

    Kagawa Prefecture

    A cute neighbourhood spot where the local women cackle over coffee, New Green is also one of the few restaurants in town open for dinner. If the salads,…

  • Aunt Dinah

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    Get ready for a friendly welcome, country music and a great range of curries, pastas and pizzas at this rustic spot on the main road near the impossible…

  • Wabisuke

    Ehime Prefecture

    This restaurant, just off the arcade, is an elegant spot to try the local tai (sea bream) specialities, available here as a tai-meshi gozen (sea bream set…

  • Iya-soba Momiji-tei

    Shikoku

    At the West-West centre, Momiji-tei offers a good opportunity to try Iya soba. It's the lovely old building in the garden at the northern end of the…

  • Agetai

    Ehime Prefecture

    This is a new concept taking into consideration that Ehime Prefecture is well known for its tai (snapper). Agetai offers up tasty dishes such as deep…

  • Izakaya Ikiiki

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    This slick little izakaya is well worth the adventure of having to battle Japanese-only menus. Just past the northeast corner of the park, Ikiiki has…

  • Dōgo-no-machiya

    Ehime Prefecture

    With a traditional shopfront along the Dōgo arcade, this former teahouse now serves as a bakery-cafe offering burgers, sandwiches and soul-satisfying…

  • Cafe Hikōsen

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    This small roadside cafe is a locals' favourite, particularly for the impressive Japanese/Western breakfast that will keep everyone satisfied. Expect a…

  • Kinako Cafe

    Shikoku

    This tiny, lovingly run place serves tasty set meals at lunchtime, then morphs into a jazz and wine bar serving top-quality otsumami (snacks) in the…

  • Tengu-no-Kakurega (Tengu Retreat)

    Ehime Prefecture

    A chic izakaya (inn) serving yakitori (skewers) and other dishes in a pleasant setting; try the omakase (chef's choice) set of grilled, skewered carnivore…

  • Hakobe

    Shikoku

    This is one of the few remaining cook-it-yourself okonomiyaki (pancake) joints in Kōchi serving cheap and cheerful Japanese pancakes. The 'mix' of ika …

  • Boulangerie Riz

    Ehime Prefecture

    Heavenly, light and crisp pastries and breads made with rice flour (50% – not gluten-free) are the house speciality at this bakery along the Kisaiya Road …

  • Bijin-tei

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Smiling mama-san sees all at this discreet seafood izakaya. Point to the menu items already plated – the pickled tako (octopus) is a mouthful – or ask for…

  • Dōgo Uotake

    Ehime Prefecture

    At the start of the arcade in front of Dōgo Onsen Honkan, Uotake offers up excellent set-menu seafood meals. Enjoy the booth seating and inspect the…

  • Cafe Penguin Hotel

    Ehime Prefecture

    Hotel… no, cafe… yes! Despite its name, you can't stay here. This cosy lunch spot offers lovingly prepared meals of pan-Asian cuisine, from bulgogi …

  • SOHSOH

    Ehime Prefecture

    This is the first store of what has become a Japan-wide chain for Ehime-based SOHSOH. While meals are not completely vegetarian, they are vegetable and…

  • Goshiki Sōmen

    Ehime Prefecture

    Next to the central post office is this elegant Matsuyama institution, which specialises in goshiki sōmen (thin noodles in five different colours). You'll…

  • Ichimonya

    Shikoku

    Part of the new Hotel Sunriver Shimanto complex, this place has good-quality Japanese regional cuisine with sizeable portions at very reasonable prices…

  • Olu-Olu

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    Ikumi White Beach Hotel runs an inexpensive restaurant called Olu-Olu, featuring a picture menu and plenty of dog-eared Japanese surf mags. Eat inside, or…

  • Udon Honjin Yamada-ya

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Something special not too far from the base of the Yakuri Cable Car east of Takamatsu. This is udon in a lovely setting in the old Yamada residence, a …

  • Konpira Udon

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Just short of the first set of steps leading up Konpira-san, this is one of dozens of Sanuki-udon joints in Kotohira. You can't miss it: the front window…

  • Tokushima Ramen Men Ō

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    There are about 20 seats in this Tokushima classic only a couple of minutes' walk from the station. Right outside the front door is a machine with the…

  • Tsurumaru

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Sit at the counter and watch the noodles being pounded by hand in this popular spot, which is busy with the bar-hopping crowd until late into the night…

  • Soba Dōjō

    Shikoku

    At Soba Dōjō on Route 439, you can sample a bowl of zaru soba and even make your own (¥2500; reservations required). The restaurant has a rusty reddish…

  • Uchiko Fresh Park Karari

    Ehime Prefecture

    Above the Oda River, this farmers market offers fresh, locally grown produce, prepared bentō (boxed meals) and regional specialities. There's a restaurant…

  • Restaurant Karari

    Ehime Prefecture

    This lovely spot by the walking bridge serves good teishoku meals. Try the Karari set (¥1200) and choose a main, served with bread or rice, from the…

  • Nanze

    Ehime Prefecture

    Nice spot out the back of the visitors' centre with tons of parking. Offers interesting options including a seasonal set lunch, French toast, spaghetti…

  • Kawafuku

    Kagawa Prefecture

    One of Takamatsu's best-known udon shops, Kawafuku serves its silky Sanuki-udon in a variety of ways. Choose from the plastic food models outside. Look…