Kanazawa (Ishikawa)
Local Supporter
6 Recommended Lunches to Enjoy in Katamachi, Kanazawa. Famous Restaurants Frequented by Local Staff.

Located in the heart of Kanazawa, Katamachi is home to a wealth of unique dining establishments, ranging from restaurants boasting local specialties and long-established shops beloved by locals, to newly opened spots. Here, we introduce a selection of the best lunch spots around Katamachi, including famous restaurants you absolutely must visit when traveling to Kanazawa.

A collaboration between katsudon and katsu curry

"Mixed Bowl" 1,000 yen, "Coquille Roll (small plate)" 850 yen
"Mixed Bowl" 1,000 yen, "Coquille Roll (small plate)" 850 yen

Since its founding in 1938, this long-standing Western-style restaurant has preserved its unchanging flavors, and their top recommendation is the "Mix Bowl." It is a great-value dish that brings together their famous "Sara Katsudon" (plate pork cutlet bowl) and popular "Katsu Curry" on a single plate.
The sweet sauce mixed with onions and eggs, combined with the rich curry simmered for over 8 hours, creates a perfect harmony even when eaten together. The freshly fried pork cutlet has minced meat sandwiched inside, allowing you to enjoy a crispy yet tender texture. Another great point is that it is very affordable despite being a hearty portion.

A long-established Western-style restaurant with fans spanning generations

A warm and inviting space with striking crimson chairs
A warm and inviting space featuring striking crimson-purple chairs

Don't forget their other specialty, the "Coquille Roll." Hidden inside the crispy coating is a cream sauce with eggs wrapped in pork loin. The sweetness, which evokes a sense of nostalgia, is sure to be addictive. You will be surprised by the rich texture, featuring crispy batter, the springiness of the meat, chunks of boiled egg, and creamy sauce.
Their "Hanton Rice" and "Yakimeshi" (fried rice) are also popular. With many multi-generational fans, this is a restaurant that continues to receive constant praise from the locals who visit it frequently.

Local
Supporter

Currently, the fourth-generation owner, Chieko Nakamura, preserves the traditional flavors. The atmosphere, made soothing by Chieko-san's smile, is also part of its charm.

Grill Nakamuraya
  • Address4-20 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 11 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 4 minutes
  • Business hours11:00–14:30 L.O.
  • ClosedThursdays, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
  • TEL076-221-3512
  • ParkingNone *Paid parking available nearby

Authentic Japanese cuisine, casually served. A hidden gem you'll want to keep to yourself

"Yellowtail Steak Bowl Lunch"
"Yellowtail Steak Bowl Lunch"

A Japanese-style dining bar where the owner, who has gained experience at high-end ryokans and prestigious Japanese restaurants, shows off their skills. The goal is to be a place where you can enjoy authentic cuisine in a casual setting. The signature lunch menu item is the "Yellowtail Steak Bowl." The thick-cut yellowtail steak, coated in a sweet homemade sauce that enhances the natural flavor of the fish, is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It uses one slice each from the leaner back part and the fatty belly part, so you can enjoy the difference in flavor.
All lunch sets come with two small side dishes, tofu salad, clear soup, and pickles, making for a satisfying meal.

A lunch menu where you can casually enjoy seasonal seafood

"6-Kind Sashimi Assortment Lunch"
"Assorted 6-Kind Sashimi Lunch"

At this restaurant, which prides itself on its seafood dishes, the "Assorted Sashimi Lunch (6 types)" is also highly recommended. You can enjoy plenty of seasonal seafood caught in the Hokuriku region, including Kanazawa Port, such as striped jack and sweet shrimp. Other menu items include "Deep-fried Local Sweet Shrimp" and "Simmered Yellowtail Collar," reflecting the owner's expertise in handling fish.
The welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to drop in even if you are alone, and the appeal lies in being able to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. The restaurant is located in Saiwaicho, about a 10-minute walk from Katamachi, Kanazawa's main downtown area, making it a convenient stop during your sightseeing.

Local
Supporter

In 2025, the restaurant moved from Katamachi to its current location in Saiwaicho and has been upgraded. You can enjoy authentic cuisine with the casual feel of an izakaya. You can even order additional à la carte dishes during lunchtime, making it a great spot for daytime drinking. It is a hidden gem that I would actually prefer to keep a secret.

Japanese Dining Shirobee
  • Address2-2 Saiwaicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station and get off at "Saiwaicho"; it is right there.
  • Business hours11:30–14:00 (L.O.), 18:00–22:00 (L.O.)
  • ClosedMondays
  • TEL090-9607-8815
  • ParkingFree

A moving dish that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients

"Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice" 1,650 yen, "Zensho Gyoza" 660 yen
"Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice" 1,650 yen, "Zen-Sho Gyoza" 660 yen

Founded in 1990. This renowned Chinese restaurant was established by a chef who trained at high-end Chinese restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama and traveled across Asia, adapting the Chinese cuisine he encountered there to a Kanazawa style. You can fully enjoy unique flavors that make abundant use of local ingredients, such as Kaga vegetables and fresh seafood from the Hokuriku region.
Their "Legendary Lettuce Fried Rice," which has reportedly sold over 2 million servings, is a luxurious dish that uses an entire red snow crab. With the crunchy texture of the lettuce as an accent, this airy, melt-in-your-mouth fried rice is exquisite. Enjoy a dish that brings excitement with every bite.

The momentum of the "Zen-Sho Gyoza," which has sold 1.5 million servings over 50 years, shows no signs of stopping

Savor your meal slowly at the open kitchen counter
Savor your meal slowly at the open kitchen counter

Chosen as the "No. 1 Mail-Order Gyoza" by gyoza enthusiasts and featured on television, "Zensho Gyoza" has been so popular that the phones haven't stopped ringing since the broadcast, with 3,000 pieces selling out in just three minutes. Wrapped in handmade skins is a filling packed with plenty of vegetables. A delightful point is that you can really taste the sweetness of the vegetables.
The flavor, achieved only through a thorough commitment to handmade quality, is a must-try. You won't be able to take your eyes off the lively performance visible from the open kitchen, allowing you to experience excitement even before the food is served.

Local
Supporter

Each dish is very hearty, so sharing is recommended for those who want to eat a lot. The "Mapo Tofu" and "Ebi Chili" (shrimp in chili sauce) are also exquisite. In the evening, half-size portions are available, which is great for solo diners.

50-Year Gyoza and Addictive Mapo Tofu Zenkaikoushou
  • Address5-7 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 12 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 4 minutes
  • Business hours11:30–14:00, 18:00–21:30
  • ClosedMondays
  • TEL076-222-4262
  • ParkingNone *Paid parking available nearby

Authentic taste enjoyed at a long-established shop famous for "Kanazawa Curry"

"L Set Curry" (medium). You can choose from small, medium, large, or extra-large for the curry.
"L Set Curry" (Medium). You can choose from small, medium, large, or extra-large sizes for the curry

"Kanazawa Curry" is beloved as a soul food among Kanazawa citizens. It is characterized by being served on a stainless steel plate, featuring a rich, thick roux topped with a cutlet drizzled with sauce and shredded cabbage, and eaten with a fork or a spork. This restaurant is a pioneer, founded in 1971. The "L Set Curry," which is luxuriously topped with a pork loin cutlet, sausage, and hamburger steak, was born when the owner decided to serve items that were previously offered on separate plates all together on one, and this is said to be the origin of the current Kanazawa curry presentation.

A traditional taste worth waiting in line for!

The interior is centered around counter seating. Orders are placed at the ticket machine in front of the shop.
The interior is centered around counter seating. Place your order at the ticket machine in front of the shop

The original sauce drizzled over the freshly fried, fragrant pork loin cutlet is rich and mild. Furthermore, the roux, with its spicy kick, pairs perfectly with the cutlet, rice, and shredded cabbage. If you are trying Kanazawa curry for the first time, the "Pork Loin Cutlet Curry" is recommended so you can thoroughly enjoy this harmony. Since the restaurant only operates within Ishikawa Prefecture, many tourists visit specifically to taste this flavor that can only be experienced in its home region. There may be a line during lunch hours, but because the turnover is fast, you can often get in relatively smoothly.

Local
Supporter

Each restaurant puts its own unique touch into its rich roux and the sauce poured over the cutlets. It is fun to start with this restaurant and compare the flavors of various other shops.

Turban Curry Main Store
  • Address1-1-48 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk approx. 3 minutes
  • Business hours11:00–20:00 (L.O. 19:30)
  • ClosedYear-end and New Year holidays
  • TEL076-265-6617
  • ParkingNone *Paid parking available nearby

The appeal lies in the surimi (fish paste) dishes that offer an encounter with the unknown

"Ageha Gozen" 2,000 yen
"Ageha Gozen" 2,000 yen

A specialty restaurant for surimi (fish paste) dishes that always has a line. Here, surimi, which is often a supporting role, takes center stage, capturing the hearts of visitors while richly bringing out its potential.
There is only one reason to visit at lunchtime. It is for the "Ageha Gozen," which includes the famous "Seafood Manju," as well as satsuma-age (fried fish cake), sashimi, seafood kimchi, a small side dish, rice, and soup. The "Seafood Manju" can also be ordered separately. The ingredients for the manju change with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy inventive flavors such as "White Shrimp Kakiage Manju" and "Marron Shrimp Manju."

A taste that makes the inevitable queue understandable. Savor it thoroughly until the very last bite

The food, enjoyed along with conversation with the humorous owner, is exceptional.
The food, enjoyed alongside conversation with the humorous owner, is exceptional

The "satsuma-age" served piping hot and freshly fried is sure to surprise you with its high quality. The fluffy texture and the umami that fills your mouth are sure to become addictive. The sashimi, made from incredibly fresh fish caught locally, is just as delicious as the surimi.
You can get one free refill of rice. We recommend getting a refill and enjoying it as dashi chazuke (rice with broth) along with the seafood kimchi you saved. Conversations with the talkative owner have also become a specialty, and enjoying the food in such a fun atmosphere is something unique to this place.

Local
Supporter

During long holidays, it is said that they have sometimes sold out just from the line formed before opening. Be aware that there are many days when they close suddenly due to the owner's circumstances. It is better to call before visiting.

Ageha
  • AddressHirosaka Palace 1F, 1-1-28 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 12 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 4 minutes
  • Business hoursFri, Sat, Sun 11:30–15:00 (ends when sold out)
    Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun 18:00–22:00 (reservation required)
  • ClosedMon, Tue, Wed *Irregular holidays may apply
  • TEL090-8260-2995
  • ParkingNone *Paid parking available nearby
  • NotesDinner requires a reservation

Enjoy a delicious and affordable pasta lunch

"Lunch Menu" 1,300 yen
"Lunch Menu" 1,300 yen

An Italian restaurant where the chef, who trained in authentic settings while traveling across Italy including Rome, Milan, and Tuscany, prepares the dishes. The "lunch menu" of authentic Italian cuisine is a great value at 1,300 yen, including pasta, salad, homemade focaccia, and a post-meal drink, leaving you very satisfied.
You can choose from two types of pasta that change weekly. While reasonably priced, they offer carefully prepared dishes in a casual atmosphere, making it popular among local residents for office lunches.

Treat yourself to a slightly upgraded lunch as a reward

Counter seats made from a single slab of wood where you can relax comfortably.
A counter seat made from a single slab of wood where you can relax in comfort.

In addition, a set that includes an assorted appetizer platter, a choice of pasta, dessert, and an after-meal drink is also popularLunch(priced at2,700 yen) (reservation required).For those who want to enjoy a leisurely and luxurious lunch by themselves, the counter seats are recommended. Having a quiet lunch in a chic, calm space while watching the open kitchen is truly exceptional.

Local
Supporter

For dinner, you can enjoy à la carte dishes and courses that make abundant use of locally caught game and local produce, as well as authentic Italian cuisine.

ASCOLTO
  • Address2-12 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 12 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus accessTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum," and walk for about 4 minutes
  • Business hours11:30–14:30 (L.O. 13:30), 17:30–22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
  • ClosedSunday
  • TEL076-260-0838
  • ParkingNone *Paid parking available nearby

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Back to top of article
*The information provided is current as of the date of the article's update. Please check in advance as it may be subject to change.