List of restaurants in Akita City

This is a non-exhaustive list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with updated entries.

The following is a list of restaurants and bars in Akita City recommended by members of the Akita JET community.

Bars and Cafes

• Akane-ya Coffee Shop (茜屋珈琲店). ☎ 018-833-2661. Walk straight down the covered plaza between Seibu and Itoyokado from the station's west exit; a small front made of dark wood with a kanji-covered wooden sign. 中通2丁目6-2. (map). A very small coffee shop with a lovely, quiet atmosphere. The coffee is good, and they probably have the best hot chocolate in Akita, if not the whole of Tohoku!

• COFFEEJACK. website. ☎ 018-838-7933. 〒010-0876 秋田県秋田市千秋公園１−29. (map). If you're looking for a sandwich or bagel shop, COFFEEJACK is your place. A little on the pricey side, but otherwise it's got some other dessert options as well. You can also buy their bagels wholesale as well. Thurs-Tues 09:00-17:00, closed Wed.

• Pâtisserie STOVE. website. ☎ 018-887-5656. 広面近藤堰越21-2. (map). Fantastic and rather unique cakes, cookies and pastries that you won't find in many dessert shops in Akita. Desserts are generally not too sweet and well balanced, highly recommended. The owner has worked around the world with several world-renowned and Michelin-rated chefs so he knows his stuff. Parking is available and only outdoor seating during warmer seasons. 10:00-18:30.

• Babylon By Bus (バビロン・バイ・バス). website. ☎ 018-834-8455. Opposite the Family Mart on Nakadori. 中通5丁目5-32 佐藤ビル 1F. (map). BBB is an ALT favourite in Akita city, and serves up Jamaican-style (the Japanese interpretation) and mixed cuisine, e.g. chapati with aubergine and pork curry, pizza, pasta, salad, etc. Good food, cocktails (including many originals like Iron Zion Lion), and lovely hosts, plus an extensive collection of reggae records. 18:00-04:00, closed Thurs.

• Tea Lanka (ティー・ランカ). ☎ 018-862-0728. 山王1丁目4-10. (map). Probably Akita's only restaurant that serves Sri Lankan cuisine. They have a killer cup of Chai. 11:30-17:00, closed Sun.

• Yuki's Hookah Bar. website. ☎ 018-832-2590. By the eastern bank of Asahi river, next to the Gochome bridge, down the street from Babylon By Bus. 南通亀の町1-5. (map). A cozy bar with good drinks and several music nights a week. Hosts an English Night once per week that is popular among some ALTs and students from Akita International University. 18:30-00:00, closed Wed.

Chinese Restaurants

• Housenkaku (鳳仙閣). ☎ 018-834-2835. Southeast from the station's east exit. Cross the street near the entrance to Alve, go straight, then take the first right. 東通仲町2-16. (map). A cozy Taiwanese restaurant that serves a variety of meals for affordable prices. 11:00-14:30, 17:00-23:00.

• Takami Chinese Restaurant (太華味 中国料理). ☎ 080-857-2929. 土崎港中央3丁目9-28. (map). Great food and the standard menu is reasonably priced, especially if you go with friends and share. Worth a stop if you are in a group. Hours unknown.

Indian Restaurants

• Halal Pakistani Restaurant DERA (DERA パキスタン・アラビアン＆インド料理 デラ). ☎ 018-893-4144. 山王５丁目１４−12 ナルカビル 1F. (map). If you're concerned about halal options, consider Dera. The owner is a rather talkative fellow who speaks English and limited Japanese. Decor is a bit peculiar for a Japanese or Pakistani restaurant but staff is generally friendly and food is tasty. Parking is very limited around the store. 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00.

• Lakshmi (ラクスミ). ☎ 018-868-1777. 外旭川八幡田121-1. (map). Another one of Akita's delicious Indian restaurants with all you can eat naan! 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sat & Sun 11:00-22:00.

• Diyo (スパイスカリー ハウスDIYO). website. ☎ 018-802-0161. 〒010-0951 秋田県秋田市山王２丁目８−22 杉渕ビル. (map). A restaurant that recently moved into the former Namaste site, Diyo is a Nepalese restaurant with your standard curry fare, but most of the staff can speak English. They have another location in Daisen, and this shop is unrelated to the now-closed Diyo restaurant in Kazuno. Mon-Sat, 11:00 – 14:30, 17:00 – 21:30.

• Peacock (ピーコック). website. ☎ 018-824-6114. 八橋新川向4-17. (map). A curry restaurant that makes soup like curry. Has a sister restaurant in Yokote called Tandoori Kitchen. Vegetarian options on the menu. 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00, Sat & Sun 11:30-21:00.

Korean Restaurants

• Shurakuen (秋楽苑). ☎ 018-853-9094. 山王1丁目12−15. (map). Owned and operated by a Korean and Japanese husband and wife, this little shop is a bit pricey with small portions but if you have a taste for Korean food, this will satisfy that craving. Their menu has your standard Korean offerings, including bulgogi, tteokbokki, kimbap, and of course, kimchi (and not the Japanese kind). Parking is very limited and shared with the next door business (make sure you park at the restaurant parking spots labelled 秋楽苑!).
  17:30-23:00, closed Sundays.
• Kandon (韓丼). website. ☎ 018-893-3737. 高陽幸町８. (map). A smaller nationwide chain, this shop specializes in soondubu (スン豆腐/순두부, a Korean spicy tofu soup), as well as various Korean BBQ meat bowls. You can also buy some other various Korean dishes as well such as bibimbap with or without a stone bowl and spicy cold noodles (ビビン冷麺/비빔 냉면). A little on the pricier side and soups may take a little while to make, but absolutely worth the wait, especially on those cold Akita days and nights! They also do to-go orders as well! Located conveniently in central Akita, across from the central post office.
  11:00-22:30, closed Mondays.

Japanese Restaurants

• Kaitenzushi Sunoya (Sunoya) (回転寿司すノ家). ☎ 018-839-1519. 〒010-1417 秋田県秋田市四ツ小屋与左エ門川原406. (map). A local Iwate chain, it's a great alternative to the major national conveyor belt sushi chains, as the prices are very reasonable as well. But what it lacks in the large variety that the national chains offer, the quality of fish is much better and everything tastes much fresher. Don't be fooled by the aging exterior, the interior is very clean. (Google Maps may want you to enter on Rte. 13 through the car shops, however you cannot enter that way; instead enter from Rte. 9) 11:00 - 21:00 daily.

• Homare Sushi (Homarezushi) (誉寿司). website. ☎ 018-862-5065. 保戸野鉄砲町2-21. (map). Homarezushi has served Edo-style sushi for over 20 years. Their anago (conger eel) is famous within the prefecture and can even be bought at the airport. The husband and wife who own the restaurant don't speak English, but they'll go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Hours unknown.

• Ichiba Ichiban Sushi (市場 いちばん寿司). ☎ 018-884-1844. Look for the red sign that says "中央入口" to the left of the giant marketplace sign. Go down the small stairs, and behind the sign is the entrance. Go inside, it'll be the first place to your left.. 中通4丁目7−35 秋田市民市場. (map). A smaller and local conveyor belt sushi shop, pricier than your chain ones with less variety but the quality of the fish is much better. While an English menu is available, be sure you use the Japanese menu when ordering if you can as it has more selection of different fish and options, such as the Tentoro (fattier than the ootoro), which you might not find it at many other places. 11:00-21:00.

• Kantaro (函太郎). website. ☎ 018-853-0677. 広面樋ノ沖96-1. (map). Excellent sushi restaurant that is a little expensive, but the large pieces of fish make it well worthwhile. 11:00-21:30.

• Machine Gun Ramen (ラーメン・マシン・ガン). 広面昼寝46-1 ヴィーナス店舗B1F. (map). If you are looking for a ramen that will fill you up, look no further than Machine Gun Ramen. This ramen is defined by its extremely thick noodles, sprouts, garlic (ask for ninniku), and its great tasting soup. Not recommended for people who dislike garlic and or being super full. 11:00-15:00, 18:00-21:00.

Takatsu

• Katsudon Takatsu (かつ丼多勝). ☎ 018-010-0101. Turn right out of the License Center. Take a left at the second traffic light. It will be on your right (just before the next light). 秋田県秋田市新屋朝日町12-14. This lunchtime katsu restaurant is a bit on the pricey side, but the quality is to die for. Recommended menu item is the 低温調理 (teion chōri; low-temperature cooked) katsu platter; the low-temperature oil cooks the pork through while keeping the meat pink inside. Served with artisan salts from France and Italy - this is one katsu dish you won't need to drench in sauce! The low-temperature menu hasn't been available for several years, so it may be discontinued; nevertheless, the 上ロース (jōrōsu; special roast) cutlets are amazing, too. (lunchtime hours).

• 
  Low-temp. Cooked Katsu
• 
  Low-temp. Cooked Katsu
• 
  Main Menu
• 
  Low-temp. Menu

Western Restaurants

Artichoke

• Artichoke (アーティチョーク). ☎ 018-893-4566. Go straight out the west exit of Akita Station, down the flight stairs, and turn left at the Sunkus. Artichoke is on the left.. 秋田県秋田市中通2-6-44 new金座街ビル１Ｆ. Artichoke serves the best Italian food in the prefecture. Whether you're looking for a romantic, late-night snack over wine, or a full multi-course meal, Artichoke is the place to go. The atmosphere and wine selection in this venue are top-notch. They fill up on the weekends, so best to make a reservation beforehand.

• La Grotta (ラ・グロッタ). website. ☎ 018-887-4530. Head straight out the West exit of Akita Station and keep going a few blocks. The entrance is on the left, down a flight of stairs from sidewalk level. 中道2丁目2-7 小野時計店タイムブリッジビルB1F. (map). Higher-end Italian food, still not truly Italian but definitely better than your average Japanese "Italian" place. Goes beyond the common pizza-and-pasta menu with various well-prepared meat and fish dishes. Try the mustard chicken and the three-color garlic bread. 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00, 11:30-15:00, 17:00-23:30 Fri & Sat, 11:30-21:00 Sun & holidays, closed Mon.

• Mexican and Tequila San-Toru (メキシカン アンド テキーラ サントール). website. ☎ 018-853-5768. It's a stone's throw from a Lawson's, you will see a small live house "Loud Affection" next door. Look for a small LED sign that will also say "SEN" (which also appears on Google Maps). It will be the wooden door on the first floor facing the street.. 南通亀の町3−44 川原田ビル. (map). Moved from it's previous location, they have a dinner and a late night menu, though sometimes the owner will pull out the late night menu earlier (which has a much more limited selection). If you got a need for some pricey Mexican food or would like to partake in their large selection of tequila, it's worth checking out. Very cramped though with limited seating, can be hard to grab a seat during busy nights. Occasionally you can catch some live music as well. 19:00-01:00, closed Monday.

• Great Burger Masachang (グレートバーガー マサチャン). website. ☎ 070-1159-7198. 〒010-0921 秋田県秋田市大町５丁目１−25. (map). A newer burger joint that has popped up more recently with some very positive reviews. Hours of operation will be the biggest hurdle. 11:00–14:00 Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun, closed Sun, Thurs.

• Nakadori Satisfaction (中通りサティスファクション). ☎ 018-893-4886. A 10 minute walk southwest from the station. 中通6丁目1-5. (map). A burger joint in the prefecture that serves 100% beef burgers. Laid back, hole-in-the-wall vibe. Unfortunately there's been a few recent stories of poor service towards foreigners, so your experience may vary. 11:30–21:00, 11:30-18:00 Sun, closed Thurs.

National Chains

• There are many branches of national chain restaurants in Akita City including:

Cafes
Starbucks
Doutor
Komeda's Coffee
Trenta (トレンタ)
Tully's

Desserts and snacks
Dipper Dan
Mister Donut

Family restaurants, diners
Saizeria
Coco's
Bikkuri Donkey
Gusto (Steak Gusto)

American chains
McDonald's
Subway
KFC
Pizza Hut
Domino's Niida Domino's Shin-Kokudo

Fast food burgers
Mos Burger
Lotteria

Donburi and curry bowls
Yoshinoya
Sukiya
Katsuya
Coco Ichibanya
Hinoya Curry

Japanese/Asian cuisine
Daishoen (大昌園)
Yakiniku King
Gyu-Kaku
Nakau
Wara Wara (笑笑)
Shabu-yo
Bamiyan
Osaka Ohsho
Gindako

Noodles
Ramen Aji-Q
Kourakuen
Marugame Seimen Udon
Hanamaru Udon

Conveyor belt sushi
Kappa Sushi
Sushiro
Hamazushi
Kura Sushi

See Also

• Shopping in Akita City