Top Osaka Lunch Spots to Savor in 2025: From High-end Restaurants to Local Favorites
Osaka is known as Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo, and until October 2025, the "Osaka Expo" was held, gathering people from around the world. Osaka is also known as the "city of culinary delights" (kuidaore no machi - literally "eat until you drop"). Characterized by its vibrant cityscape and humorous people, it captivates visitors from all over the world.
This gourmet treasure trove offers endless choices, from locally beloved establishments where you can casually drop by between sightseeing to high-end restaurants where you can spend special moments. For those planning lunch at Osaka 2025, the options range from authentic street food to sophisticated dining experiences.
This time, we've carefully selected must-visit Osaka spots for 2025, introducing a wide range from "high-end" to "local favorites."
Osaka is a City Where Food Culture is Particularly Well-Developed in Japan
Osaka is known as a city where food culture is particularly well-developed, even within Japan. During the Edo period, it was called "the nation's kitchen" and prospered as a commercial center where ingredients from all over the country gathered.
That history still lives on today, and the city has achieved unique culinary development, from wheat-based food culture represented by takoyaki and okonomiyaki, to delicate dashi broth culture such as udon, and even fusion with Western and international cuisines.
From casual, down-to-earth flavors that can be enjoyed without pretension to renowned establishments that have earned Michelin stars, a wide variety is available, continuing to captivate visitors.
Number of Michelin-Registered Restaurants Ranks 4th in the World
As of 2025, Osaka has 95 Michelin-starred restaurants in the "Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka," which ranks 4th in the world by city.
Osaka, which has long been called "the nation's kitchen," has established its position as one of the world's leading gastronomic cities, with its diverse food culture and sophisticated gourmet cuisine being highly valued.
Osaka's Authentic Local Cuisine
There are many specialty dishes that were born in Osaka and spread throughout the nation. When walking through the streets, the aromatic scent of savory sauce and the pleasant aroma of dashi broth stimulate your appetite.
Representative dishes include the following:
- Takoyaki: A dish made by adding octopus and condiments to wheat flour batter and cooking it into round balls.
- Okonomiyaki: A pancake-like dish made by mixing cabbage, meat, and seafood into wheat flour batter and cooking it on a griddle. It's typically finished with sauce and mayonnaise.
- Kushikatsu: A dish made by skewering meat and vegetables, coating them in batter, and deep-frying them. It's a quintessentially Osaka dish known for its "no double-dipping" sauce culture.
- Udon: Characterized by clear broth made with kelp and bonito flakes. The soup is transparent with a rich yet not overpowering flavor.
- Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi): Started in 1958 at a sushi restaurant in Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. It gained attention at the 1970 Osaka Expo and became established as a new style in Japan's restaurant industry.
All of these are specialties where you can enjoy authentic flavors specifically in Osaka. If you're visiting for tourism, these are must-try gourmet foods to experience in their birthplace.
Recommended Restaurants for Lunch at Osaka 2025 to Enjoy Authentic Gourmet
Kushikatsu Daruma - Shinsekai Main Shop
Source:Official website
If you want to enjoy Osaka's specialty kushikatsu, "Kushikatsu Daruma - Shinsekai Main Shop" is a must-visit. Since its establishment, it has been proud of its crispy kushikatsu fried in a secret batter that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients, and continues to be loved by both locals and tourists.
The charm lies in the light and juicy flavor created by the trinity of "special sauce, batter, and oil." It's also known for the "no double-dipping in sauce" rule. A4-grade Japanese black beef, Iberico pork, Hanamidori chicken, and other items that highlight the unique flavors of each ingredient are available. Seasonal limited items include summer hamo (pike conger) and oysters, allowing you to enjoy seasonal flavors.
Of course, there's also a wide variety from classic beef skewers to lotus root and seafood. Located right next to Osaka's symbol, Tsutenkaku Tower, it's a restaurant that's easy to stop by during your sightseeing. It's a perfect renowned restaurant for travelers who want to enjoy Osaka's atmosphere and local flavors.
- Address: 2-3-9 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: 6-minute walk from Exit 3 of Ebisucho Station on the Municipal Subway Sakaisuji Line
8-minute walk from Ebisucho stop on the Hankai Tramway Hankai Line
6-minute walk from Exit 5 of Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Municipal Subway Midosuji Line
8-minute walk from East Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line
8-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya Ekimae stop on the Hankai Tramway Hankai Line
13-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the Nankai Koya Line
- Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:30 (L.O. 22:00)
- Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:30-22:30 (L.O. 22:00)
- Phone: 06-6645-7056
- Official website: https://www.kushikatu-daruma.com/
Okonomiyaki Kiji
Source:Tabelog
Known as a popular restaurant with endless queues, "Okonomiyaki Kiji" is a renowned okonomiyaki restaurant located in "Shin-Umeda Shokudogai" near Umeda Station.
The okonomiyaki skillfully cooked on the large griddle in front of the counter strongly stimulates your appetite with its savory aroma and the sound of the griddle. The signature "Modern-yaki" differs from the typical version, featuring a unique style that layers only eggs on yakisoba noodles without using batter.
Additionally, popular menu items abound, including Sujitama with a textured surface and soft interior, Ebi-potato where you can enjoy the firm texture of cooked potatoes, and the most popular Modern-yaki. The rich sauce pairs perfectly with beer, and this is a restaurant where you can fully enjoy Osaka's okonomiyaki culture.
- Address: 2F Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, 9-20 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: 5-minute walk from Umeda (inside Shin-Umeda Shokudogai)
- Business hours: Weekdays and Saturdays 11:30-21:30 (L.O. 21:30)
- Closed: Sundays
- Phone: 06-6361-5804
Tengu
Source:Yahoo! News
The long-established kushiage izakaya "Kushikatsu & Dote-yaki Tengu" in Osaka's Shinsekai is a renowned restaurant established in 1945.
It's located in the narrow alley of "Janjan Yokocho" near Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Osaka subway. You can enjoy a lively atmosphere at the long counter seats. The kushikatsu fried in a secret batter whose recipe is known only to the third generation has a crispy yet fluffy texture, is delicious even without sauce or salt, and allows you to fully savor the natural flavors of ingredients like shrimp, egg, and onion.
The signature dote-yaki is smoothly finished with sweet white miso, and the texture of the beef tendon is excellent. Takeout is also available, making this a locally beloved restaurant where you can easily enjoy traditional Osaka flavors.
- Address: 3-4-12 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Subway Midosuji Line
5-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya Station (East Exit) on the JR Osaka Loop Line
- Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30-20:00 (L.O. 19:00)
- Closed: Mondays
- Phone: 06-6641-3577
Perfect for Eating on the Go! 3 Recommended Takoyaki Restaurants for Lunch
Hanadako
Source:Tabelog
Hanadako, located in Osaka's Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, is a popular takoyaki shop with a never-ending queue of customers.
Hanadako's takoyaki is known for its exquisite texture, crispy and fragrant on the outside while creamy and smooth on the inside. By cooking at high temperatures all at once, the exterior becomes light and airy while the inside remains smooth and juicy.
Through careful attention to the batter and ingredient ratios, and meticulous cooking, they achieve a flavor that spreads throughout your mouth. This renowned establishment is loved not only by locals but also by tourists, often resulting in long lines.
The takoyaki, with its soft exterior and smooth interior texture, lets you enjoy the classic taste with sauce and mayonnaise. The negi mayo (green onion mayo) has an impressive appearance with plenty of green onions, yet tastes surprisingly refreshing.
The "takosen," takoyaki sandwiched between thin rice crackers, is a dish that's perfect for eating on the go. Watching the takoyaki being cooked through the glass while you wait is part of the enjoyment.
With excellent access just a 1-minute walk from Osaka Station, this beloved establishment is perfect for eating on the go and is popular with everyone from tourists to locals looking for lunch at Osaka 2025.
- Address: 1F Osaka Shin-Umeda Shokudogai, 9-26 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 1-minute walk from JR Osaka Station Midosuji South Exit
- Business Hours: 10:00-22:00
- Phone Number: 06-6361-7518
Takoyaki Kukuru Dotonbori
Source:Tabelog
Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru, with its main store in Dotonbori, one of Osaka's central districts, is a long-established takoyaki shop that has been in business for over 35 years.
The landmark of Kukuru is the giant octopus on the signboard. The takoyaki, cooked with masterful technique, boasts a soft exterior and smooth interior with elastic large octopus pieces inside. The special sauce and white wine sprinkled at the finish enhance the flavor.
Additionally, the akashiyaki made with soft-textured eggs is also recommended. When dipped in broth, the melt-in-your-mouth texture is unforgettable once you try it. You can also enjoy the main store's exclusive creative takoyaki and tako-shabu (octopus hot pot), making this a perfect establishment for eating around Dotonbori and enjoying lunch at Osaka 2025.
- Address: 1F Hakua Building, 1-10-5 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 3-minute walk from Subway Midosuji Line Namba Station
- Business Hours: Weekdays 12:00-19:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00-20:00
- Phone Number: 050-5571-2160
- Official Website: https://dotonbori-kukuru.com/?top
Takoyaki Wanaka Namba
Source: Official website
Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka Namba Store is a long-established takoyaki shop that has been beloved by locals for many years.
Since its founding, they have pursued the technique of creating a texture with a chewy exterior and smooth interior, using fine wheat flour, well-balanced broth, and salted batter. In addition to the star ingredient of octopus, condiments such as tenkasu (tempura scraps), green onions, and salted ginger create an exquisite balance.
The appeal also lies in the variety of flavoring options available, including finishing sauce, dashi soy sauce, spicy sauce, and ponzu. Skilled chefs carefully cook each skewer one by one, making this a renowned establishment loved by everyone from tourists to locals, where you can enjoy authentic Osaka flavors in Dotonbori for lunch at Osaka 2025.
- Address: 3-7-24 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 130m from Osaka Metro Namba Station
- Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00-21:00
- Regular Holiday: Tuesday
- Phone Number: 06-6631-5920
- Official Website: http://takoyaki-wanaka.com/
Casually Enjoy at Lunch! One of Osaka's Top-Class Japanese Restaurants
Matsuzushi
Source:Tabelog
This is a renowned Edomae sushi establishment boasting 50 years of history and continuing to be loved by locals.
Using fresh seafood carefully selected every morning, they spare no effort in meticulous preparation. They maximize the original taste and texture of the fish.
While maintaining traditional sushi, the second-generation owner's techniques, which suggest new evolution, create exquisite balance and mouthfeel in the sushi, completing deeply flavorful Edomae sushi.
The pristine counter is a premium seat where you can enjoy watching the cutting of ingredients and the art of sushi-making right before your eyes. Even at lunch, you can savor authentic Edomae techniques, and they also have a rich selection of carefully chosen sake brands from across the country, including "Matsunokotobuki" and "Harushika."
This is a recommended restaurant for those who want to taste traditional sushi between sightseeing or spend a relaxing time.
- Address: 3-13-6 Oji-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 5 minutes by taxi from JR Midosuji Line "Tennoji Station"
- Business Hours: Wednesday-Saturday Lunch 12:00-, Dinner 18:00-
Tuesday Dinner 18:00-
- Regular Holidays: Sunday and Monday
- Phone Number: 050-5590-3443
Kaiseki Cuisine YUGEN
Source:Hitosara
This is a renowned kaiseki restaurant that reflects the changing seasons in every dish. After opening, it earned one Michelin star in the "Michelin Guide Kyoto・Osaka + Okayama 2021," and is now known as a two-star establishment.
The cuisine is crafted by Keisuke Mifune, who trained at prestigious restaurants. Carefully selecting seasonal ingredients mainly from Osaka and Kyushu, he prepares dishes that convey the natural goodness of the ingredients without over-processing, delivering the profound essence of kaiseki cuisine.
The restaurant features a pristine counter and private rooms for a relaxed atmosphere. The selection of tableware is also carefully considered, allowing guests to enjoy the visual presentation as part of the culinary experience. The restaurant's unique touch of preparing and serving matcha tea at the end of the meal adds a lingering sense of elegance.
This is an ideal destination for special occasions such as anniversaries and business entertainment. Experience the indescribable world of "yugen" (profound grace) with all five senses.
- Address: 1F Zeniya Honpo West Building, 14-14 Ishigatsuji-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Osaka Uehonmachi Station, 10-minute walk from Tanimachi 9-chome Station
- Business Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00 / Thursday 18:00-22:00
- Closed: Wednesday
- Phone: 050-3628-4385
Recommended Tours to Fully Enjoy Osaka's Food Culture in the Gourmet City
For those who want to efficiently enjoy Osaka's gourmet scene, tours with local guides are highly recommended.
These tours take you through Dotonbori, Shinsekai, and Kuromon Market—the heart of Osaka's food culture—where local guides lead you to hidden gems and renowned establishments that tourists often overlook. Even first-time visitors to Osaka can enjoy the experience with confidence.
The tours offer deep Osaka experiences perfect for food lovers and those who enjoy exploring local cuisine. Whether you're planning lunch at Osaka 2025 or exploring evening dining spots, these tours provide authentic insights into the city's culinary traditions.
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
This small-group food tour takes you through Osaka's representative gourmet areas—Shinsekai and Dotonbori—where you can sample takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and other Osaka specialties.
Explore the nostalgic Janjan Yokocho alley filled with downtown atmosphere and retro street corners watched over by Tsutenkaku Tower, enjoying freshly fried kushikatsu at carefully selected establishments chosen by your guide.
In the second half, move to Dotonbori, once called the "nation's kitchen," to savor creamy takoyaki and famous okonomiyaki grilled on hot iron plates.
This tour is perfect for those who want to efficiently experience Osaka's food culture between sightseeing. Popular with families and couples, English-speaking guides provide detailed explanations of Osaka's history and culinary background.
- Meeting Point: Immediately outside Exit 1 of Dobutsuen-mae Station (subway), in front of FamilyMart Sanno Dobutsuen-mae
- Tour Area: Shinsekai / Dotonbori
- Start Time: 11:30 / 16:30 / 17:30 and others
Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba
This bar-hopping tour lets you enjoy Namba's nightlife—Osaka's premier entertainment district—blending in with local customers.
Step into the alleyways with your guide and discover a world apart from the outside hustle and bustle. In lantern-lit yokocho alleys, you'll hear the laughter of regular customers sharing drinks alongside signature kushikatsu and aromatic dashi-infused dishes.
You'll visit three hidden gems that tourists couldn't find on their own. Enjoy an unpretentious, delicious Osaka night with your drink of choice—beer, sake, or shochu.
Guides assist with ordering, so first-timers can participate with confidence. This night tour is recommended for those who want to experience Japan's casual "drinking culture" while traveling.
- Meeting Point: In front of namBa HIPS (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line / Sennichimae Line, Namba Station Exit 15-B)
- Tour Area: Namba, Hozenji Yokocho, Dotonbori area
- Start Time: 18:00 / 19:00 and others
Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour in Osaka
This is a 2-hour tour where you can experience Osaka's food culture while walking.
Set in Kuromon Market with over 100 years of history, you can sample carefully selected local foods bit by bit, including locally beloved takoyaki, fresh seafood, and signature hotpot dishes. You'll also enjoy the market's warm atmosphere and interactions with local shop owners.
The tour not only explores Kuromon Market but also includes souvenir hunting for unique cooking utensils and tableware at Doguyasuji Shopping Street. Additionally, walking around the Dotonbori area allows you to feel the vibrant townscape and culture of Osaka while enjoying a lunch-style experience. Recommended for everyone from beginners to families.
- Meeting Point: Near Exit 10 of Kintetsu Nipponbashi Station, in front of SMBC ATM
- Tour Area: Kuromon Market → Doguyasuji Shopping Street → Namba/Dotonbori area
- Start Time: 10:00 / 11:00 and others (varies by schedule)
