Tasting Awaji: 5 Must-Try Restaurants on Awaji Island

Discover Culinary Delights on Awaji Island

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group / PR Times

Nestled in the Seto Inland Sea, Awaji Island stands as a culinary paradise, enticing food enthusiasts from far and wide with its delectable offerings. Renowned for its fertile soil and temperate climate, this island gem boasts a bounty of exceptionally sweet and flavorful produce, including renowned Awaji onions and juicy mandarins.

The gastronomic delights of Awaji extend beyond its vibrant fruits and vegetables; surrounded by the ocean, the island offers an abundance of delicious seafood, alongside premium meats such as Awaji beef, prized for its exceptional quality.

Awaji Island is a haven for discerning palates and passionate food lovers alike. With numerous restaurants offering authentic cuisine, visitors can indulge in the island's culinary delights while enjoying its stunning natural beauty.

Awaji Island: Restaurants and Cafes

1. SEIKAIHA Aonoya: Refined Japanese Cuisine
2. Awaji Chef’s Garden: Diverse Cuisine
3. Miele the DINER: Casual Dining
4. Ocean Terrace
5. Awajishima Burger - Awajishima Onion Kitchen

1. SEIKAIHA Aonoya: Refined Japanese Cuisine

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

SEIKAIHA Ao no Ya is a Japanese cuisine restaurant offering a unique dining experience that goes beyond just food. Designed like an auditorium, guests are seated on elevated steps facing an open kitchen, where they can watch the culinary magic unfold before their eyes.

Aonoya Gozen Set, consisting of classic Japanese dishes. Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

Utilizing fresh produce sourced directly from nearby Yura Port, the menu boasts a selection of authentic sushi and crispy tempura, showcasing the island's bounty.

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

The seating arrangement and heavenly view were unlike anything I had ever experienced before! Floor-to-ceiling glass windows provide diners with a stunning panoramic view of the ocean, creating a captivating backdrop for their dining experience.

At night, projection-mapping art transforms the space into a mesmerizing spectacle, with a fireworks show against the backdrop of the ocean. The restaurant is decorated with original artworks created by disabled Japanese artists, a wonderful way to involve the local community.

With its innovative design, culinary delights, and artistic flair, Ao no Ya offers an unforgettable dining experience that engages all the senses and was a standout dining experience in my life!

SEIKAIHA Aonoya
Address: Hyogo, Awaji, Nojima-okawa 70 Map
Lunch: 11:00 - 15:00 (Last in 14:00, Last order 14:00)
Dinner: 17:00 - 21:00 (Last in 19:30, Last order 20:00)
*The restaurant is closed on Thursdays
Website: https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/

SEIKAIHA - Aonoya

70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723

Every seat at this Japanese restaurant has breathtaking views of the open kitchen and ocean waves. Savor sushi, tempura and other classics of “washoku” made with seafood freshly caught at the nearby Yura Port, and produce harvested on the island, on Aonoya’s own farm! Tiered counter seats make this restaurant a theater where the star of the show is the amazing sunset view seen through floor to ceiling windows. After dark, enjoy a multimedia projection-mapping art show of fireworks against the background of the Seto Sea. Renowned as one of Japan’s finest sushi restaurants, Aonoya offers simple yet exquisite Japanese dishes that bring out the best in top quality local ingredients. Special delicacies of each season are celebrated in rare dishes such as pike conger or blowfish.

2. Awaji Chef’s Garden

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

The Awaji Chef’s Garden brings together a collection of renowned specialty restaurants from across Japan, offering locally sourced cuisine in a unique dining experience.

Created as a response to the challenges faced by chefs and industry professionals during the pandemic, this culinary haven provides a platform for showcasing skills and creativity and boasts cuisine from 27 diverse restaurants.

Committed to preserving Awaji Island's natural environment, the Chef’s Garden utilizes eco-friendly bagasse containers made from sugarcane pulp for plates and cups, promoting sustainability by composting them after use. As someone who personally tries to make environmentally friendly decisions as much as possible, this was particularly impressive and made my dining experience even more enjoyable!

Visitors can delight in a diverse array of culinary delights, from Nagoya's famous Kishimen noodles at Hoshigaoka Seimenjo to vegan fruit sandwiches at Piccolo and savory Awaji beef at Awajyu.

With its commitment to sustainability and diverse gastronomic offerings, Awaji Chef's Garden offers a truly unique dining experience that celebrates both the flavors of the region and the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Awaji Chef's Garden
Address: Hyogo, Awaji, Nojima Okawa 57-3 Map
Hours: 11:00 - 20:00 *Please note that stores may have different closing days.
Website: https://www.awaji-chefgarden.com/ (Japanese)

Awaji Chef's Garden by PASONA

57-3 Okawa Nojima, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, 656-1723

The best cuisine from across the country come together at this outdoor resort! Whether American, Asian, European or South American, there’s something for every taste served up from brightly colored shipping container shops. Chefs from all over Japan make the most of the wide variety of locally grown foods on Awaji Island, a legendary treasure trove of ingredients. Take a seat on the seaside terrace with friends, loved ones, or family and marvel at a spectacular view selected as one of the "Top 100 Sunsets in Japan."

3. Miele the DINER

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

miele the DINER offers a laid-back dining experience with a focus on classic American seafood, situated alongside Café miele and miele the Garden.

With a casual atmosphere, guests can enjoy dishes like lobster, steak, and clam chowder. Also, the second-floor café is a relaxed spot offering a menu of drinks, bagels, and tarts made with Awaji Island fruits.

Miele is a great choice for visitors seeking a more relaxed and casual dining experience.

miele the DINER
Address: Hyogo, Awaji, Nojima Hikinora 985-1 Map
Hours: 1F restaurant 11:00 - 20:00, 2F cafe 11:00 - 19:00
Website: https://miele-the-diner.com/menu/

miele the DINER

985-1, Nojima Hikinora, Awaji Shi, Hyogo Ken, 656-1721

miele the DINER joins the popular Café miele, and miele the Garden on Awaji Island’s west coast. The garden terrace filled with greenery is an ideal spot to soak in the resort island atmosphere. The island’s mild climate and stunning ocean views of the Seto Sea conjures memories of California's Pacific shores. The lively, casual seafood diner on the 1st floor serves classic American seafood dishes such as lobster, steak, and clam chowder. After a hearty meal, head up to the calm, open 2nd floor café offers to chill out on the outdoor terrace with a variety of drinks, bagels and tarts made with rare fruit from Awaji Island.

4. Ocean Terrace

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

Lovers of meat cuisine can experience a one-of-a-kind dining adventure at Ocean Terrace, Japan's first "self-grill" style steakhouse in Awaji.

Picture courtesy of the Pasona Group

Overlooking a breathtaking ocean sunset, indulge in locally sourced vegetables and perfectly cooked steak on a large lava-stone grill. Delight in the rare opportunity to taste Awaji beef, sourced from just 200 heads of cattle annually.

Ocean Terrace
Address: Hyogo, Awaji, Nojima Hikinoura 816 Map
Lunch: 11:30 - 15:00
Dinner: 17:00 - 21:00
Website: https://ocean-terrace-awaji.jp/

Ocean Terrace

816 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721

Ocean Terrace on Awaji Island is one of the few restaurants with Awaji Beef Certification. True to its name, “Ocean Terrace” offers outdoor seating with prime ocean views overlooking the clear blue sky and glittering Seto Inland Sea. At dusk, enjoy what has been selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets.” Awaji Beef is one of the rarest of all Japanese meats, with only 200 heads of the best cattle chosen each year as worthy of the designation. Diners can choose to grill their own, or have their steaks prepared by expert chefs. Unlike regular BBQ, the lava stone grill drives heat to the center of the meat, ensuring perfectly even cooking that locks in maximum flavor.

5. Awajishima Burger - Awajishima Onion Kitchen

At Roadside Station Uzushio, Awajishima Onion Kitchen has become a culinary landmark, drawing crowds with its specialty hamburgers. The most popular menu item is the Awajishima Onion Beef Burger, priced at 660 yen, which won the top honor at the Burger Festa Nationwide Burger Grand Prix.

This mouth-watering burger features a deep-fried onion cutlet perched atop fresh vegetables, complemented by a generous serving of sweet and spicy Awaji beef drenched in rich tomato sauce. One bite and the savory juices fill your mouth, making it clear why this burger is a standout favorite. On weekends, expect long lines as visitors flock to savor this delectable creation.

Awajishima Burger - Awajishima Onion Kitchen
Address: Hyogo, Minami Awaji, Fukurahei, Roadside Station Uzushio Map
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Website: http://eki.uzunokuni.com/etc/hamburger.html (Japanese)

Enjoy the Culinary Delights of Awaji Island

Awaji Island invites you to savor an unparalleled range of fresh ingredients and bursts of flavor, all while enjoying breathtaking views! Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and discover an extraordinary culinary paradise that promises both relaxation and unforgettable dining experiences!

Fore more information, visit the Awaji Island West Coast website which features more facilities on Awaji.

Main image courtesy of the Pasona Group