10 Great Restaurants in Nagasaki

Ryoutei Kagetsu is a restaurant in Nagasaki famous for being the birthplace of the shippoku Japanese culinary style. Shippoku is heavily influenced by the cuisines of China, Portugal and the Netherlands. Menu favourites include tempura, braised pork, and red snapper fin soup, which you can enjoy in the traditional dining room or the pristine garden.

After your meal, take a tour of the building that was established in 1642 and which retains its architectural features dating back to the Edo period. Ryoutei Kagetsu is almost always high in demand, making it essential to reserve a table before visiting.

Tarafuku is a traditional izakaya restaurant in Nagasaki that attracts both locals and visitors with its diverse range of fresh seafood dishes and grilled meats. Popular meal options include sashimi, oysters, fried fish and sushi, plus grilled Japanese staples such as yakitori. You can also enjoy a range of local beers, wines and soju.

Reservations are required at Tarafuku Asa, a popular and affordable dinner spot that stays open until midnight daily. You can reach this izakaya by taking the tram to Shiambashi Station, which is only 2 minutes away on foot.

Yossou is a cosy restaurant in Nagasaki with traditional Japanese interiors and a menu full of popular Japanese staples. The highlight of the menu is the chawanmushi (savoury egg custard), alongside other iconic dishes such as steamed sushi, tempura and sashimi. You can either enjoy your meal at a dining table or experience the traditional local culture by dining on the floor.

You’ll usually be seated right away without a reservation at Yossou but be prepared to wait for a short while at lunch on Sunday. The nearest tram stop is Kankadori Station, just over 200 metres away.

Shikairou Chinese Restaurant is one of Nagasaki’s busiest restaurants and it has been serving foodies since 1899. Furthermore, the restaurant boasts a large and lively dining room with harbour views. On the menu, you’ll find a host of classic Chinese meals, with noodle dishes being the most popular. A particular must-try is champon noodles in a rich fish soup broth.

Shikairou Chinese Restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of Nagasaki, just next to the Oura Cathedral tram stop. It’s a great meal stop while you’re in the area, with historical landmarks such as The Former Ringer House and the 19^th-century Oura Church nearby.

Horaiken in Nagasaki serves a variety of flavourful Mandarin fare in bright green, red and yellow interiors. This restaurant’s biggest draws are the Nagasaki staples of champon, a noodle soup, and sara udon, a noodle plate containing pork belly and seafood treats like quail eggs and shrimp. We also recommend trying the shumai dumplings.

Before tucking into dinner at Horaiken, you can get a glimpse into Nagasaki’s past at the nearby Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. You can also explore the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Hall, both located next to the museum.

Osakaya Hamanomachi is a high-value restaurant in Nagasaki that specialises in Japanese yakiniku cuisine – ideal for those who enjoy grilled meats. The menu features chicken, pork and 4 types of beef preparations as well as dishes for vegetarians. All meals are served with a glass of local wine.

Osakaya Hamanomachi can fill up on any day of the week, so it’s worth booking in advance. Expect to pay a premium price per person for premium-grade cuts from the set menu – sides include kimchi, seaweed salad and pickled cucumber.

Kairakuen is often full to the brim in the evening, despite being spread over 5 floors. The famous Nagasaki speciality, champon noodle soup, is the main draw of Kairakuen, but we also recommend the shumai or jiaozi dumplings with made-to-order spring rolls. The Peking duck and sweet and sour pork are also local favourites.

It’s worth reserving a table in advance at Kariakuen, especially if you want a dining table in one of the more formal rooms. There are usually plenty of free tables available around 3 pm, making it an ideal place to grab a spontaneous late lunch while in Nagasaki.

Goninbyakusyou is a Japanese izakaya restaurant in the popular Dozamachi neighbourhood, right on the border of Nagasaki’s Chinatown. Locally adored for quality food at below-par prices, Goninbyakusyou serves a range of tasty meat and seafood dishes, from yakitori chicken and hiyayakko (chilled tofu) for fans of Japanese fare to blowfish and raw horse sashimi for the more daring types.

If you want to relax with a drink after dining at Goninbyakusyou, you’ll find dozens of bars along surrounding streets such as Dozamachi-dori Street and Dozainari-Dori Street. The Kankadori tram stop is just a couple of minutes away on foot.

Bunjiro Higashi Furukawacho has a long list of Japanese staples, but most visit this restaurant for its tonkatsu, which consists of soft pork cutlets deep-fried in breadcrumbs. Other menu favourites at this sleek and modern Japanese diner in Nagasaki include fried shrimp and refillable plates of miso soup, shredded cabbage and rice.

As one of Nagasaki’s best-known tonkatsu restaurants, Bunjiro Higashi Furukawacho often attracts queues of hungry visitors at lunchtime, when discounted meal deals are on offer. Crowds start to dissipate after 2 pm but keep in mind that the restaurant closes its doors at 3 pm.

Kaniya is a snug and homely restaurant in Nagasaki that’s locally revered for its seafood dishes. On the menu, you’ll find a range of Japanese staples such as akadashi miso soup and salted mackerel rice balls. As an izakaya restaurant, it’s busy in the evening with locals who come to eat and drink after work.

Kaniya is situated in the popular Dozamachi district, where other well-known izakaya bars include Goto, Hiikiya and Goninbyakusyou. The easiest way to reach the restaurant is by taking the tram to the Kankodori stop, located just a block away.