13 Best Restaurants in Umeda and Kitashinchi

Umeda: Osaka's Hub for Michelin-Starred Fine Dining

Situated in the Kita area of Osaka, Umeda boasts a high concentration of Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants, surpassing even the Minami area in this regard. For those who appreciate fine dining, Osaka is a top choice. It offers more restaurant options and less crowding compared to Tokyo, making it easier to secure reservations. Adjacent to Umeda, the Kitashinchi district is renowned for its upscale dining scene. From innovative dishes with Japanese influences to authentic traditional cuisine, you’ll find an array of exceptional restaurants.

This article highlights the best fine dining experiences in Osaka's Umeda and Kitashinchi areas.

13 Top Restaurants in Umeda

1. Sushiroku (鮨ろく) / Sushi

Sushiroku, a renowned sushi restaurant in Nishi-Tenma, Osaka, has earned a Michelin one-star rating every year since 2019. Led by owner Norihisa Horiuchi, the restaurant masterfully combines timeless Edo-style sushi techniques with the distinctive flavors of Kansai culture, offering a truly unique dining experience. The omakase (chef’s choice) course highlights seasonal seafood, carefully selected and served on rice seasoned with either white or red vinegar, depending on the dish. A standout item is the "Kaki no Ha-zushi" (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves), a specialty that honors Kansai traditions. Sushiroku takes pride in using only the finest ingredients, including fresh seafood sourced directly from Hokkaido and Nagasaki, as well as premium tuna from Toyosu Market. With its tranquil atmosphere and private dining rooms, Sushiroku is an ideal destination for special occasions. Experience the harmonious fusion of Edo and Kansai sushi, expertly crafted to showcase the best of both styles.

2. Kassen Iritani (割鮮 入たに) / Japanese

Kassen Iritani, featured in the Michelin Guide, is a Japanese restaurant located in Osaka's Kita-Shinchi district. Chef-owner Genki Iritani, who trained at several prestigious Japanese restaurants, brings a wealth of experience to his establishment. In a serene, traditional setting, guests can enjoy a creative interpretation of classic Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its use of seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan, such as Spanish mackerel from Akashi and sea urchins from Awaji Island. The charcoal-grilled dishes and fresh sashimi are especially recommended for their rich flavors. The menu also features inventive fusion dishes, like thinly sliced cuttlefish with caviar and deep-fried beef cutlet, blending Japanese and Western influences. As a certified wine sommelier, Chef Iritani expertly pairs drinks to complement each dish. With just nine exclusive counter-seats, Kassen Iritani offers an intimate dining experience, showcasing the finest kaiseki cuisine Osaka has to offer.

3. Kushin Garando (空心 伽藍堂) / Chinese

Kushin Garando awarded a Michelin star in the 2024 edition, is a highly regarded restaurant offering innovative Chinese cuisine in Osaka's Kita-Shinchi district. Chef Hiroaki Osawa, who honed his craft in Shanghai with a focus on xiaolongbao, has gained a following for his distinctive culinary style. Signature dishes include “Kawachi duck yún bái ròu” (thinly sliced duck served with a flavorful sauce), clay-pot rice with fresh tiger prawns, and the playful "char siu melon bread." The restaurant also features an impressive selection of over 70 wines, along with expertly paired Chinese teas. Guests can enjoy teas selected by a tea master to perfectly complement each dish. The nine-seat counter, crafted from a single slab of wood, is ideal for those who wish to watch the chefs in action. For special occasions, semi-private table seating offers a more relaxed and intimate dining experience. Chef Osawa's ever-evolving, creative Chinese cuisine promises an exceptional gourmet journey.

4. Oimatsu Tempura Suzuki (OIMATSU てんぷら 鈴木) / Tempura

Featured in the Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka 2024, OIMATSU Tempura Suzuki is a hidden gem just an 8-minute walk from Minamimorimachi Station. After honing his craft at several renowned establishments, owner-chef Hiroaki Suzuki opened the restaurant in 2022. The highlight here is the exquisite tempura, prepared with seasonal ingredients and premium selections like Kuroge Wagyu beef filet and Chateaubriand, delicately deep-fried in safflower oil, prized for being light and healthy. The thin batter enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, while inventive touches—such as tiger prawns wrapped in perilla leaves or the addition of pickled ginger to the kakiage (mixed vegetable tempura)—showcase the chef’s creativity. The interior, inspired by the serene atmosphere of a shrine, further enhances the refined, traditional Japanese ambiance. For a truly special experience, enjoy the exceptional tempura at the counter, where you can observe the chef's craftsmanship up close.

5. YUNiCO (ユニコ) / Italian

YUNiCO, a one-star recipient in the Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka 2024, is a celebrated Japanese-Italian restaurant located near Kitashinchi Station. Owner-chef Jun Yamamoto crafts delicate and innovative Italian dishes that blend elements of Japanese cuisine, using seasonal domestic ingredients such as vegetables from Kyoto and fresh fish from Awaji. Each dish highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients while incorporating bold twists, including kuro shichimi (black seven-spice blend). Guests can also enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of European wine pairings. Come experience this unique take on Japanese-Italian cuisine while watching the chef at work in a serene counter seating setting.

6. Oimatsu Hisano (老松 ひさ乃) / Japanese

Oimatsu Hisano, a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant located in Nishitenma, has earned this prestigious distinction for six consecutive years. The restaurant is owned by Masamitsu Kuno, a highly skilled chef with over a decade of experience in Osaka’s kappo (traditional Japanese fine dining). Chef Kuno’s cuisine is renowned for honoring Japanese culinary traditions while showcasing seasonal ingredients. His dishes, ranging from appetizers garnished with handpicked leaves from the mountains and fields to charcoal-grilled specialties infused with seasonal aromas, are highly acclaimed. The rustic hot pots are also a popular favorite. A standout recommendation is the ""Charcoal-Grilled Pike Conger with Seaweed Salt and Sudachi Vinegar.""

Guests can appreciate Kuno's craftsmanship while seated at a light-colored wooden counter, enhancing the traditional Japanese ambiance. The restaurant is ideal for business meetings or special occasions, and English-speaking service is available. Enjoy a memorable dining experience where the natural flavors of the ingredients shine, complemented by warm, attentive hospitality.

7. Sumibi Kappo Ishii (炭火割烹 いしい) / Japanese

Located just an 8-minute walk from Fukushima Station, Sumibi Kappo Ishii is a standout Kappo-style restaurant that first garnered attention after being selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2020, followed by earning a Michelin star for three consecutive years. Led by the owner, who continues the legacy of the renowned Torisho Ishii, the restaurant offers a unique take on Kappo dining, specializing in expertly crafted charcoal-grilled dishes. Watching the chef shave bonito flakes to a delicate 0.01 mm thickness and prepare broth right before your eyes is a mesmerizing experience. The fish and meat, grilled over Binchotan charcoal, perfectly balance smoky aromas with rich umami flavors. The inventive dishes, featuring seasonal ingredients, along with the seasonal rice cooked in a clay pot, are exceptional. For an unforgettable experience of traditional charcoal-grilled Kappo dining, be sure to enjoy it at the cypress wood counter.

8. Chi-Fu (シーフ) / Chinese

Chi-Fu is a Chinese restaurant that has proudly held a Michelin star for five consecutive years, showcasing the future of Chinese cuisine. The name "Chi-Fu" merges "Chinois-Fumé" (the fragrance of China) and "Chinois-Futurism" (the future of China), highlighting its innovative spirit. Chef Koji Azuma expertly fuses traditional Chinese cooking with French influences. A standout dish is their creative version of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, featuring wontons filled with soft-shelled turtle and beef tendon, all in a rich broth made from premium dried seafood ingredients—truly a delightful surprise. The menu also includes playful options like a vegetarian Peking duck made with yuba (tofu skin) that resembles duck meat. With a remarkable wine cellar boasting over 3,000 bottles from Kansai, complemented by exceptional pairings from their sommelier, Chi-Fu is a must-visit for anyone interested in the evolution of Chinese cuisine. The simple, modern interior enhances the experience of this dynamic culinary journey.

9. Yakitori Torisen (焼鳥 とり泉) / Yakitori

Yakitori Torisen, which has earned a Michelin one-star rating for two consecutive years, is renowned for its "whole chicken" yakitori, ensuring that every part of the chicken is used without waste. Owner Kyohei Obana collaborates with producers in Tanba-Sasayama to raise free-range chickens, cooking each one to perfection. The signature "Whole Chicken" course begins with a piece of thigh meat, served by hand to preserve its juices. Guests can also savor rare cuts like "seseri" (chicken neck) and "bonjiri" (chicken tail). Any small pieces that can’t be skewered are turned into gyoza dumplings, while the bones are used to create stock for dishes like zosui (rice porridge) and oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl). The restaurant also boasts an impressive selection of sake, which pairs beautifully with the aged free-range chicken. Enjoy the rich flavors in the relaxed counter seating area while chatting with the owner.

10. AKA to SHIRO (あかとしろ) / Sushi

AKA to SHIRO, a hidden gem in Kitashinchi, has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, renowned for its outstanding quality. The restaurant’s name, meaning "red" and "white," reflects auspicious colors in Japanese culture, which are thoughtfully woven into the dining experience. What sets the restaurant apart is its innovative use of two distinct types of vinegared rice, perfectly matched to the fresh fish sourced directly from Ehime. Tuna and bluefish are paired with red vinegared rice in the Tokyo-style tradition, while shrimp and white fish are served with white vinegared rice made with rice vinegar and sugar, in the Kansai style. This fusion of Eastern and Western sushi techniques creates a truly unique dining experience that engages all the senses. The extensive selection of Japanese sake is another highlight, offering perfect pairings with the two-tone vinegared rice sushi. For a special encounter with Japanese culture, the counter seating allows you to witness the chef’s craftsmanship up close.

11. Shokudo Akari (食堂 燈) / Izakaya

Located just a 3-minute walk from Kitashinchi Station, Shokudo Akari is a hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant that has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for four consecutive years. True to its name, "Akari" (meaning "light"), the restaurant exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy creative Japanese cuisine that celebrates the seasons. The cozy interior, crafted from wood sourced from the owner’s hometown of Wakayama, creates a perfect setting to relax and unwind. The menu changes daily, featuring seasonal ingredients at their peak. Signature dishes like charcoal-grilled and simmered items are renowned for their delicate flavors and subtle seasoning, perfectly complementing the restaurant's extensive selection of Japanese sake. Don’t miss the chance to experience the essence of Japanese cuisine through fresh sashimi and simmered dishes steeped in rich broth.

12. Tanpopo (タンポポ) / Steakhouse & Teppanyaki & Okonomiyaki

Tampopo, a hidden gem in Kitashinchi, earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024 and offers a delightful fusion of teppanyaki (dishes prepared on a large, flat iron griddle) and wine. Located just a minute’s walk from JR Kitashinchi Station, its stylish interior invites you to enjoy a unique pairing of Japanese grilled dishes and Italian wines. The chef, who has refined his skills through self-study for over 25 years, expertly uses both iron and copper plates to create innovative dishes that blend Japanese and Western flavors. Popular menu items include fluffy omelets, flavorful beef steaks, and Italian-style okonomiyaki (savory pancake) with sage, all perfectly paired with carefully selected wines from various regions of Italy. The restaurant features counter seating, tables, and private rooms, and it also operates as a café during the day, embodying the concept of a “fusion of Japanese and Western cuisines” while offering a fresh culinary experience in Osaka from morning to night.

13. Naniwakappou Noboru (浪速割烹 昇) / Japanese

Naniwakappo NOBORU, a Michelin one-star restaurant for two consecutive years, is a celebrated Japanese dining destination in Umeda, Osaka. Owner-chef Noboru Ochiai expertly merges traditional kaiseki with the creativity of Osaka-style kappo, resulting in exquisite dishes. A highlight is the broth, crafted from natural kombu kelp and select bonito flakes, which is carefully prepared for each dish, delivering a rich and complex flavor. This commitment to quality also shines through in their homemade kombu soy sauce, which enhances the flavors of the sashimi. They place a strong emphasis on rare "Osaka’s traditional vegetables," artfully reflecting the changing seasons in their offerings. Guests can enjoy pairings with 50cc glasses of sake or thoughtfully selected natural wines, and at the counter, they can watch the chef’s techniques and hear stories about the ingredients.