10 Best Restaurants in Yamagata for Amazing Local Food
While Yamagata is famous for its scenic views, the best restaurants in Yamagata offer just as much to rave about.
From fresh mountain vegetables to premium wagyu, there’s plenty to explore. Local favorites and hidden gems serve dishes that showcase Yamagata’s unique flavors. Whether you prefer sophisticated cuisine or hearty meals, there’s something for you.
Ready to discover the best restaurants in Yamagata? Start your journey here!
10 Best Restaurants in Yamagata
1. Ajinosato Bandai
Address: 7 Koshōmachi, Yamagata, Japan
Price: ¥300 – ¥5,000
Cuisine: Robatayaki
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Ajinosato Bandai presents a unique dining experience when food is grilled right before you. Cooking fresh fish, locally grown vegetables, and mushrooms to your taste, Ajinosato Bandai ranks among the best restaurants in Yamagata for robatayaki fans. The traditional wooden paddle the chef uses to present each dish accentuates the ambiance. This is a venue worth visiting for people wishing to savor carefully made, premium foods.
2. Gyuriki Yakiniku Restaurant
Address: 3-chōme−10−3, Yoshihara, Yamagata
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥10,000
Cuisine: Yakiniku
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Renowned for its rich marbling and soft texture, Gyuriki is a top pick among the best restaurants in Yamagata for yakiniku. With special choices like Tokujo Karubi and rare steak Yukke style, guests may grill their assortment of meats right at the table. Families and parties will find it a fantastic fit for the roomy inside with sunken kotatsu seating. This place delivers good wagyu in a laid-back environment.
3. SHOJIYA Yamagata Main Branch
Address: 14-28 Saiwaicho, Yamagata 990-0038 Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥3,000
Cuisine: Soba
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
Known for its handmade mushroom soba, this long-established soba house is one of the best restaurants in Yamagata for traditional flavors. Local favorites are the mushroom soba with its rich umami broth. SHOJIYA is a fun stop thanks to a peaceful, friendly environment and courteous service. This is a terrific place to go if you want traditional Japanese tastes with premium soba.
4. Teppanyaki Mogamitei Japanese Cuisine
Address: 1-chōme-1-1 Kasumichō, Yamagata, Japan
Price: ¥5,000 – ¥20,000
Cuisine: Teppanyaki
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Highlighting the finest of the local ingredients, Teppanyaki Mogamitei specializes in Yamagata beef on its menu. From steak, shabu-shabu, or sukiyaki—each expertly made by talented chefs—guests have options. Different seating choices come from private rooms and a banquet space. This restaurant is a popular choice if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Yamagata when it comes to premium steak and seasonal vegetables.
5. HIRATA BOKUJO
Address: Kasumicho 1-1-1 Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata 2F, Yamagata 990-0039 Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥3,000
Cuisine: Tonkatsu
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Famous for its perfectly fried tonkatsu, HIRATA BOKUJO attracts diners seeking comfort food, ranking it among the best restaurants in Yamagata. One of their best offerings is the Sangenton Filet Pork Cutlet Dinner, which presents crispy outside and soft meat inside. Customers can ground their own sesame seeds and test several dipping sauces. Perfectly close to the train station, it’s a quick pick for a good dinner.
6. Yamagatagyu Steak & Yakiniku Kakashi
Address: 1-16-34 Kasumicho Higashiguchi Kotsu Center 2F, Yamagata 990-0039 Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥5,000
Cuisine: Yakiniku, Steak
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
This restaurant presents steak and yakiniku choices together with excellent Yonezawa beef. At the table, guests can grill their own meat from well-marbled slices emphasizing the rich taste of the beef. Anyone wishing to eat wagyu without paying a lot of money should consider it here since the laid-back vibe and low rates make. This eatery is a great choice if you wish to enjoy excellent meat in a laid-back environment.
7. Robata
Address: 42-5 Zaoonsen, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥2,000 – ¥3,000
Cuisine: Yakiniku
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Customers of this interactive yakiniku restaurant can cook their own meats and vegetables right at the table. A must-try dish is the Genghis Khan lamb dish that has tender slices grilled over an open flame. To maintain the experience free from mess, disposable aprons are given. For a laid-back dinner with friends or family, Robata is a great location with nice personnel and a comfortable surroundings.
8. Inokoya Yamagatada
Address: 1-1-1 Jonanmachi 1F, Yamagata 990-8580 Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥4,000 – ¥5,000
Cuisine: Yamagata Beef, Sake Bar
Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Offering both individual meals and set menus, this restaurant specializes in Yamagata and Yonezawa beef. Customers may sample the Specialty set, which highlights local tastes, or the Yamagata Beef Steak set. A nicely chosen sake improves the dinner, and interestingly, you’ll find plenty of uncommon variants here. Experience Yamagata’s local food in this cozy, welcoming environment with first-rate service.
9. Sakaeya
Address: 2-3-21 Honcho, Yamagata Yamagata Prefecture
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥2,000
Cuisine: Ramen
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
This small but well-known ramen shop is famous for its cold ramen, a refreshing dish served with ice cubes in the broth. The mild soup keeps the meal interesting while the noodles remain chewy and delicious. There are also hot ramen choices featuring flavorful, thick broths. The traditional touch of the tatami room seating makes this a comfortable place to sample authentic Yamagata dishes.
10. Yoshitei Restaurant
Address: 1-chōme-3-46 Montōmachi, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-0039, Japan
Price: ¥600 – ¥10,000
Cuisine: Japanese, Yonezawa Beef
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Offering a laid-back but refined environment, Yoshitei Restaurant combines Western and Japanese elements. A local favorite, the chilled soup—which has exquisite broth and fresh seasonal vegetables—is something you really should try. Local sake accentuates the tastes while yonezawa beef dishes highlight the prized meat of the area. This is a fantastic option for anyone wishing to enjoy classic Yamagata tastes with a little refinement.
Final Thoughts
Yamagata is a paradise for food lovers, offering everything from premium beef to unique local dishes. For more dining recommendations and to explore the best of Japan’s culinary scene, check out our other lists on Jasumo!
