Kanazawa Restaurants

Along the Katamachi shopping street, there are many "coffeeshops" that serve afternoon tea and desserts to weary shoppers. If you are in Kanazawa in summer, you must not miss the absolutely delightful desserts extravagantly topped with ice cream, fruit jellies, red bean, yuzu juice and lots of ICE - perfect for the blazing heat.

Favorite Dish: Eveything on the menu looks good....

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If you’re in Katamachi and shopping on the Tatamachi walking street be sure to stop into Funny Story for one their iced drinks. They serve coffee, tea, ice cream drinks and fruit drinks with jello balls. It is surprising good, though a little small for 400 yen. It’s a local shop so at least you feel good about supporting local people. The shop can be found half way up Tatamachi on the right hand side. Sorry no English menu here. just point at the picture of the drink you want.

Favorite Dish: Mango ice drink

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If you’re looking for a place to have some excellent ice cream, look no further than CaFEE Gallery Tealand. It slightly out of the way, located between the station and Katamachi, directly across from the Rifare building. The café serves a variety of food, most which can be safely skipped in favor of there superb ice cream sundaes. The menu has English but staff will most likely not speak any English. Nice décor as well.

Plan on 500 to 800 yen for a sundae. Sorry, Japan is not cheap when it comes to ice cream.

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Rte 8, which runs on the west side of the city is home to many of the shopping outlets in the city. Unfortunately for the casual travel this is a bit far to go and this tip is mainly for the locals and very dedicated travelers to see the Japanese in their natural environment. The new Aeon is home to nice little Otaku café called conano de café. The coffee is of high quality and variety. As well, they offer all you can eat pastry and bread for a scant 480 yen. It’s a pretty good breakfast deal. Plus great decorations especially if you’re a fan of comic and movies.

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A Kanazawa favorite that you won’t find any other place in Japan is the cake shop Maple House. You can take or leave the cakes, but the creampuffs are to die for. You can order them by their “Japanese” name, shu-cream, which is French I believe. For 110 yen a pop you can’t go wrong.

You’ll find a few Maple House through out Kanazawa. There is one in Kanazawa station. The best one is in Diawa department store located in Katamachi district. Maple House is on the bottom floor, with lots of other places to eat. You’ll have to look around to find it though.

Favorite Dish: shu-cream

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This is add on tip for Rubinaa. Please see my first tip for regular restaurant information.

So, if you’re willing to shell out the extra money (5000 yen per person) the chefs at Rubinaa will make an extra special meal for your special occasion. It’s perfect for an anniversary or something like that. The thing that made the meal so amazing was that everything they made for us was NOT on the menu. Everything was entirely unique and above the already extraordinary food. The personal attention we got for the staff was also fantastic. The meal was perfect in every way and well worth the money. Rubinaa really made the night special. This is highly recommended!

Favorite Dish: See Rubinaa tip #1

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For a fun time and wicked meal, head up towards Kanazawa University to sample Japan’s take on Chinese dumplings. The place is a greasy spoon, but its oh so goooood! You can choose to sit below and watch the cooking and rushing of the staff or for a few hundred extra yen you can rent a private room on the 2nd or 3rd floor and dine Japanese style. I recommend the later.

Now order Dinana Gyoza from anywhere in Japan and they will ship to you. You have to wait 24 hours though.

Favorite Dish: The house specialty is white gyoza, garlic and pork. Its not to be missed. Also try the boiled gyoza for a “healthier” go at it.

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You won’t find a better place to chow down on authentic Indian food in Kanazawa. Everything is top of the line at Rubinaa. Extremely friendly service, a beautiful restaurant and a 5 star taste. The chefs are from Indian and certainly are masters of their trade. Staff doesn’t speak English, but there is an English menu. The only down side is the restaurant a little far from central Kanazawa. If you don’t care about dishing out the money for a taxi or can arrange transport you surely will not be disappointed in Rubinaa.

11:30-3pm and 5:30-10pm

I’ve put the address in Japanese so a taxi driver can use it.

Favorite Dish: You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but try the chicken spinach curry or cashew chicken curry. The cream boneless chicken with garlic is also out of this world.

For dessert I recommend a mango lassie float.