Recommended lunch spots in the central area of Okinawa Main Island
Yomitan Village in Okinawa Prefecture is the most populous village in Japan. It is a place rich in nature where time flows slowly, creating an atmosphere that makes you want to go for a drive while taking in the scenery. In the surrounding area, there are unique eateries, including shops attached to pottery (yachimun) workshops, restaurants with stunning views, and organic food spots. Here, we introduce recommended lunch spots in Yomitan Village and the surrounding central area for when you visit.
1Ryudonya
One of the few specialty poke bowl shops in Okinawa
Located along the main street of Yomitan (Prefectural Road 6) is a specialty shop for "poke bowls." In Okinawa, where American culture is deeply ingrained, authentic American gourmet food is one of the joys of traveling. While classics like hamburgers and steaks are great, Hawaiian poke bowls are also highly recommended.
A poke bowl is similar to what we call a marinated fish bowl (tsukedon) in Japan. At Ryudonya, you can choose your main ingredient from local tuna, salmon, steamed shrimp, or chicken breast. You can choose between white rice or brown rice, and for an extra 50 yen, you can even substitute it with island tofu, allowing for complete customization. You can enjoy your very own personalized poke bowl.
Seats with a panoramic view of the Yomitan village townscape
The restaurant is situated on a hill, and outside the windows, a view of the Yomitan Village townscape unfolds. At night, it becomes a prime seat for viewing the beautiful night scenery. There is an extensive drink menu, which is available during lunch hours as well as at night. The food menu includes not only poke bowls but also Hawaiian a la carte dishes perfect for pairing with drinks, such as "mochiko fried chicken" and "garlic shrimp." We also recommend enjoying a drink while taking in the view from the window or terrace seats, surrounded by the relaxed pace of Okinawa.
Local
Supporter
Located near a U.S. military base, this shop is frequently visited by Americans who are familiar with poke bowls. Why not enjoy creating your own combination of ingredients to suit your taste?
2Yachimun Cafe Gunjo
A cafe attached to a Yachimun pottery workshop
A cafe attached to the Yachimun pottery workshop "Toshin-gama" in Yomitan Village. The interior also serves as a gallery for Yachimun pottery, allowing you to enjoy both dining and shopping. All the tableware used in the cafe is made in the workshop next door. When you actually use them, you can feel the quality of Yachimun that fits comfortably in your hands.
The menu features pizzas baked in a stone oven. The recommended "Butter Chicken Curry & Garlic Cheese Pizza" is served in a style where you use the pizza dough like naan and dip it into the curry. The combination of the moderately spicy curry and the garlic-infused pizza dough is excellent.
Check out the handmade Shisa pizza oven
The Shisa-shaped pizza oven sitting at the back of the kitchen was handmade by the owner and his child. Since it is glass-enclosed, you can watch the pizzas being baked inside the Shisa's mouth from the dining area.
The Neapolitan pizza created by the owner, who trained under an Italian master, has an exceptional dough. Using carefully selected flour, the dough is slowly fermented and aged over 3 to 4 days before being baked all at once in the stone oven using firewood. Why not try a pizza with a crispy outside and a chewy inside?
Local
Supporter
The owner transitioned from being a pastry chef to Western cuisine before arriving at pizza. In addition to the pizza, the desserts, which are all handmade, are also recommended.
- Yachimun Cafe Gunjyo
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2898-21 Zakimi, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP 
Approx. 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Weekdays 10:00–17:30 (L.O. 17:00)
Weekends and holidays 10:00–18:00 (L.O. 17:30)
(PIZZA from 11:00 *Closes when sold out)
Wednesday
098-927-9167
Free
3Hamabe no Kitchen Momenbaru
A cafe within walking distance of the beach
A shop that appears as you head toward the sea along a narrow road. The lunch set menu is a semi-buffet style, with unlimited refills of salad, soup, and rice.
The recommended "Chicken Green Curry" contains longevity spinach (chomeiso), which is also prized as a medicinal herb in Okinawa, and its refreshing flavor is addictive. It is highly recommended as it is prepared with a level of spiciness that is easy for Japanese people to enjoy. The menu is wide-ranging, including not only green curry but also Chinese, Western, and taco rice, so you can enjoy different flavors no matter how many times you visit.
Pleasant terrace seating where you can hear the sound of the waves
On the ocean side of the restaurant, there is a spacious garden where wedding parties are sometimes held, and terrace seating that seems to jut out over the area. The terrace, which reached its current size after two expansions since opening, is a very pleasant spot where you can hear the soothing sound of the waves. You might find yourself losing track of time and relaxing.
Beyond the garden is the entrance to the beach, and after passing through a tunnel of trees, a beautiful beach appears, filling your field of vision. Why not take a stroll before or after your meal?
Local
Supporter
A greedy spot where you can enjoy a beach stroll and a delicious meal all at once. It is also recommended when you do not have much time in your sightseeing schedule.
- Hamabe no Kitchen Momenbaru
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- 502-1 Toguchi, Yomitan-son, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- 11:30–22:00 *Dinner is by reservation only
- Mondays, irregular holidays
- 098-957-1533
- Free
Currently open for lunch only
4BIRTHCAFE
A cafe serving delicious and healthy organic food
A cafe committed to additive-free and organic ingredients. There is a wide variety of menu items, from light options perfect for breakfast to hearty meals.
Due to the recent rise in demand, there are also many vegan options, and among them, we recommend the "Double Veggie Curry," which uses no meat at all. It consists of two types of curry: a "Keema Curry" made with soy meat and a "Coconut Milk and Spinach Curry." It is very filling but not greasy, so you can eat it without feeling heavy afterward.
You can also shop at the attached organic store
Next to the restaurant is an attached shop that carries a carefully selected range of organic products. Some of the items sold in the shop are also used in the cafe, so you can purchase anything you enjoyed on the spot.
The selection is wide, with over 1,000 items including organic vegetables, bulk-sold dried fruits, instant foods, and wine. There are also snacks and drinks to accompany your drive, as well as Okinawa-produced goods that are perfect as souvenirs. Of course, you are welcome to use just the shop.
Local
Supporter
You might think that healthy food lacks satisfaction, but everything here is satisfying in both flavor and volume. It is perfect for your stomach, which can be easily burdened while traveling.
5Banta Cafe by Hoshino Resorts
A seaside cafe where you can feel the greenery, the breeze, and the sound of the waves
One of the largest ocean-view cafes in the country, standing on a cliff on the west coast. In this extraordinary space that makes the most of the grounds stretching along the cove and the natural coastline, you can enjoy casual menu items that give you a taste of Okinawa.
The "pork tamago onigiri" (pork and egg rice ball), a soul food you definitely want to try when visiting Okinawa, comes with two types of egg: slightly sweet plain and aosa (sea lettuce), along with pork (luncheon meat). The "garlic shrimp," with its punchy aroma of spices and garlic, is a perfect match for beer.
A healing space free from noise
Banta Cafe, which stretches along the cove, features four areas on its vast grounds: the "Large Roof Deck," "Beach Terrace," "Rocky Terrace," and "Gorogoro Lounge." The appeal lies in being able to enjoy both the sea and the greenery at the same cafe, and choosing where to sit based on your mood that day.
For a sense of excitement like being in a secret base, head to the "Rocky Terrace," surrounded by large rocks eroded by the waves and lush plants. As you sway in a rocking chair, you might find yourself drifting off to sleep... It's the perfect place to spend some stress-free time.
Local
Supporter
This place, surrounded by lush plants, is always exciting! There is even a shortcut leading to a secret beach.
- Banta Cafe by Hoshino Resorts
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- 560 Gima, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- 10:00 to 1 hour after sunset (L.O. at sunset)
8:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
- Open every day
- 098-921-6810
- 60 minutes free with cafe purchase
- Business days and hours are subject to change.
6Taiwan Shokushi Hualien
An authentic Taiwanese restaurant you can enjoy in Okinawa
A small Taiwanese eatery in Futenma. Okinawa and Taiwan are only about an hour and a half away by plane and have a history of cultural exchange. "Taiwan Shokushi Hualien" was opened by a Taiwanese owner who moved to Okinawa.
When it comes to Taiwanese gourmet food, you can't miss the xiao long bao. The secret to their deliciousness is the use of Okinawan pork and the fact that they are handmade from the skin up, with no effort spared. By wrapping them in a skin that is neither too thin nor too thick, but just right, they are able to lock in the soup. The authentic taste is so good, you might mistake yourself for being in Taiwan.
A warm and inviting interior that also features raised tatami seating areas
The interior features counter seats that are easy to sit at even for one person, table seats, and a raised tatami area that is great for those with children. It is a relaxing space that feels nostalgic despite the Taiwanese-inspired decor. The wonderful personality of the smiling owner is reflected in the warm atmosphere of the shop.
The shop is open four days a week, from Wednesday to Saturday. Since the shop is located in a narrow alley off the main street, if you are driving, it is recommended to park at the nearby Sun Phutema (Ryubo) supermarket and walk from there. You can park for free for up to 3 hours.
Local
Supporter
A popular restaurant that sometimes has a line. It is a rare place where you can enjoy authentic Taiwanese cuisine with a solid kick of spice. Why not get a taste of Taiwan while on your Okinawa trip?
- Taiwan Shokushu Hualien
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- 2-6-15 Futenma, Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Lunch L.O. 2:00 PM, Dinner L.O. 9:00 PM)
- Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays
- 098-988-9982
- Free
7Kaisen Shokudo Ajike
A diner on Henza Island where you can enjoy incredibly fresh seafood
A restaurant located right next to Henzajima Fishing Port. As you drive along the Kaichu-doro Road, a classic driving route in central Okinawa Island, and cross over to Henza Island, you will see "Ajike" on your right. You can enjoy fresh fish purchased at the auctions held at the fishing port.
In the Okinawan dialect, "imaiyu" means fresh fish. The daily special features the recommended fish of the day. We also recommend the "maasu-ni" (fish simmered in salt), a unique Okinawan style of boiled fish, and the seafood bowl.
An interior where you can also feel the atmosphere of the fishing port
Since the fishing port is on the other side of the window, you might even see local fishermen (uminchu) working in their wetsuits. Eating fish while looking at the place where it was landed makes it feel even fresher. Be sure to look up the Okinawan fish you are eating to learn more about it as you enjoy your meal.
The interior is spacious, with not only table seats but also five raised seating areas with sunken kotatsu tables. Why not stop by while you are out for a drive?
Local
Supporter
The freshness of the seafood unique to Okinawa. Be sure to try the simmered white fish, butter-grilled fish, and sashimi of local tuna!
- Kaisen Shokudo Ajike
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- 9396-6 Henza, Yonashiro, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport
- 11:30 AM until sold out
- Mondays
- 098-977-7783
- Free
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Yuka NakamuraA beautiful person with a lovely smile
HOSHINOYA Okinawa
Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture
A luxury resort along one of Okinawa's finest coastlines. From every oceanfront room, you can enjoy an exclusive, breathtaking view that stretches all the way to the horizon.
Access About 1 hour by taxi from Naha Airport
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥27,324