10 Best Restaurants in Aichi for Must-Try Local Food
Aichi Prefecture isn’t just about Nagoya Castle or traditional ceramics. The best restaurants in Aichi offer dishes that leave a lasting impression on locals and travelers alike. Think about crunchy hitsumabushi, juicy miso katsu, and aromatic tebasaki.
Hungry yet? Let’s jump straight into the best restaurants in Aichi where bold flavors and unforgettable meals await.
10 Best Restaurants in Aichi
1. Nikuya Setsugekka Nagoya
Address: 4-chōme-6-23 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Price: ¥25,000 – ¥30,000
Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Nikuya Setsugekka is where one should be for the best Wagyu experience. Prepared utilizing a distinctive Niku Kappo process, this hidden gem presents excellent Japanese beef including Matsuzaka, Kobe, and Sendai. The chefs create meals emphasizing the inherent tastes of the meat by deftly combining French and Japanese culinary techniques. Meat enthusiasts seeking an amazing eating experience should definitely visit this restaurant since every mouthful indicates accuracy and respect for the products.
2. Atsuta Horaiken Matsuzakaya
Address: Sakae, Naka, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥3,000 – ¥7,000
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Famous for its hitsumabushi, Atsuta Horaiken is one of the best restaurants in Aichi, attracting customers back in droves. Three ways one can enjoy the dish are as-is, with garnishes, or with broth. Perfectly grilled, the eel has a strong, smokey taste and is just slightly crunchy but delicate inside. The quality more than makes the somewhat high price justified. This is the ideal place to try a specialty of Nagoya or love eel.
3. Maruya Honten
Address: Tokoname, Chita District, Aichi, Japan
Price: ¥3,000 – ¥4,990
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Maruya Honten is a must-visit for unagi lovers. Their trademark hitsumabushi is eel cooked to perfection and covered with an aged secret sauce spanning more than 180 years. From the fine eel to the precisely cooked rice and tamari-based soy sauce, every component is meticulously selected. Every mouthful of the rich, deep, well-balanced flavors makes one delighted. Having a long legacy of excellence, Maruya Honten is a top pick for unagi enthusiasts searching for the best restaurants in Aichi.
4. Maid Cafe MAID MADE
Address: 3-35-23, Osu, Naka, Nagoya 460-0011 Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥2,000 – ¥6,000
Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
For a fun and unique dining experience, Maid Cafe MAID MADE delivers a mix of cute performances and comforting meals. Their menu features omurice, curries, desserts, and themed beverages all presented with whimsical appeal. A tutorial on the maid café culture allows first-time guests to find it friendly for everyone. Visitors can even enhance their stay by means of a staff live performance. This is worth seeing if you want a quirky, amusing experience in Nagoya.
5. Yakiniku Sawagi Nishiki Branch
Address: Nishiki-sanchome, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Price: ¥880 – ¥2,500
Opening Hours: 6:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Yakiniku Sawagi Nishiki Branch, close to Sakae Station, is ideal for late-night BBQ cravings. Focusing on A5 Hida beef and fresh offal cuts, the restaurant provides reasonably priced, premium meats. While private rooms serve bigger groups, the sunken kotatsu seating creates a warm environment. For a whole yakiniku feast, match your meal with their all-you-can-drink selection. Both residents and visitors will find this location excellent with pleasant, bilingual personnel.
6. Tajimaya Lalaport Nagoya Minato Aquls
Address: 2-3-2 Komei, Nagoya 455-0002 Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥3,000
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Families and big groups are perfect for this shabu-shabu restaurant. The all-you-can-eat experience allows you to savor endless excellent meat in aromatic broths. The personnel guarantees a seamless dining experience by being courteous and attentive. The centerpiece is Wagyu beef; every mouthful melts in your tongue. Also, there’s a complimentary ice cream stand to finish your dinner with a sweet taste. This is a good option if you search for a reasonably priced but fulfilling hotpot experience in Nagoya.
7. Gyutan Shabu-shabu to Niku-nigiri Gen’s
Address: Nishiki-sanchome, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Price: ¥1,900 – ¥7,500
Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Gyutan Shabu-shabu to Niku-nigiri Gen’s is absolutely a must-visit if you enjoy gyutan or beef tongue. Meat sushi and the amazing Wagyu Beef Tongue Tower—a shabu-shabu experience unlike anything else—are among their specialty cuisine. The all-you-may-eat Another feature is A5 Kuroge Wagyu, which provides great quality within economical cost. For events or private meals, it’s fantastic with private rooms and cosy horigotatsu seating. Gen’s provides a unique experience for meat lovers whether your celebration or just indulgence.
8. Midtown BBQ Nagoya
Address: 5-24-3 Meieki, Naka, Nagoya 450-0002 Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥6,000
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Bringing American-style barbecue to Japan, Midtown BBQ is mostly about strong tastes and premium meats. Their menu runs with classic burgers, jerked pork, fire-grilled steaks, and smoked brisket. A laid-back dinner with friends or family would be perfect in this comfortable, casual environment. Emphasizing hospitality, service is kind and inviting. If you’re craving for real BBQ in Nagoya, this is the ideal place to sample home-style cuisine executed correctly.
9. Yabaton Yabacho Honten
Address: 3-6-18, Osu, Naka, Nagoya 460-0011 Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥3,000
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Miso katsu lovers flock to Yabaton, making it one of the best restaurants in Aichi to try Nagoya’s signature deep-fried pork cutlets. The set dinners include rice, miso soup, and cabbage refills; portions are large. One of the best dishes is crispy tonkatsu with a good sauce. For tourists, English menus and big-picture screens simplify ordering. Yabaton is the restaurant you should visit if you like to sample one of Nagoya’s most famous cuisines.
10. Antica Roma
Address: 39-18 Daikancho Higashi-ku Nihon Tojiki Center 1F, Nagoya 461-0002 Aichi Prefecture
Price: ¥5,000 – ¥6,000
Opening Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Closed Sundays)
Step into a little piece of Italy at Antica Roma, one of Nagoya’s largest Italian restaurants. Located in a baroque-style building, the restaurant offers an authentic Italian experience with a pizzeria, wine bar, and even a wine cellar. The menu consists of traditional pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and a large assortment of wines. Perfect for both informal eating and major events, the environment is sophisticated yet friendly. This is where one should be for a real Italian feast.
Final Thoughts
Aichi’s food scene offers something for every taste, from hearty local dishes to international flavors. Craving more? Explore our other restaurant guides here on Jasumo!