Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, is a series of subtropical islands with something for everyone. From pristine beaches to crystal clear oceans, a rich history and a wealth of unique customs and dishes, each day offers something new to experience.
You might have already explored our recommendations for things to do in Okinawa, the best attractions and restaurants on Ishigaki Island, and the irresistible regional specialties of this island paradise, but let’s get into the best restaurants in Okinawa, shall we?
9 best restaurants in Okinawa
- Mahoroba Irori Okinawa
- ocean good table Ishigaki
- Aomi (Halekulani Okinawa Hotel)
- La BOMBANCE Kourijima
- Yuikaji
- Painushimahyoka
- Yuunangii
- Mie
- SOUTH WEST GRAND HOTEL: SHIKAKU, Teppanyaki Matsuo, A LONG VACATION
1. Mahoroba Irori Okinawa
Combining the relaxed atmosphere that Okinawa is known for with the rustic vibes of Japanese irori sunken hearth cuisine is Mahoroba Irori Okinawa, a Naha-based spot that’s reviving a type of cooking that disappeared from Okinawa altogether in the 1940s.
Thanks to restaurants like Mahoroba Irori, this unique style of cuisine is back, reinvented for the modern day with easy-to-use hearths, filled with charcoal or firewood and situated in the center of natural wood tables.
Resting on a mesh above the popular Tosa Binchotan charcoal — beloved by chefs for its long-lasting heat and odorless properties — you’ll find juicy yakiniku grilled meats, blending traditional Japanese food with the local specialty of Agu, a native Okinawan pork that uses Motobu beef from the northwestern part of the main island and Okinawa-raised wagyu.
Reserve your table for irori cuisine at Mahoroba Irori.
2. ocean good table Ishigaki
BBQ and Okinawan beaches — does it get any better? It does if you sit down for lunch or dinner by the beachside ocean good table Ishigaki, promising ocean views and farm-to-table fare, ranging from meat to seafood to local produce.
Two local delicacies worth trying while you’re here are Ishigaki wagyu beef — a rare wagyu breed, with only 600 to 800 cattle being reared every year — and Agu pork, a breed of pig native to Okinawa that almost went extinct after World War II, valued for its fatty texture and intense umami.
These are two dishes you’ll struggle to find anywhere else, so don’t miss out…
Reserve your table for Okinawan BBQ at Ishigaki.
3. Aomi (Halekulani Okinawa Hotel)
Surely one of the reasons that the Halekulani Okinawa Hotel has five stars, Aomi is one of the hotel’s four signature restaurants, specializing in Japanese cuisine.
From shabu-shabu to sushi, take your taste buds on a journey of Okinawa’s seafood cuisine and course menus, best enjoyed under the high ceilings and contemporary interiors of this stylish restaurant.
Indulge in locally-sourced shellfish and seaweed, opt for fish caught only moments away, or request a counter seat for dinner with a show.
Reserve your table at Aomi for traditional Japanese food.
4. La BOMBANCE Kourijima
La BOMBANCE boasts seaside views from the luxurious base of One Suite THE GRAND Hotel and Resort on the island of Kouri. Owner-chef Okamoto Shin and head chef Kajiwara Shinji offer their Michelin-recognized expertise, turning local ingredients into Japanese and French fare.
Breakfast and lunch is exclusive to hotel guests, but you could experience a decadent dinner experience from their indoor tables or outdoor terrace. For an even more intimate experience, take a seat at the eight-seat counter and get a front-row seat for their seasonal “Sun” or “Moon” course menus.
Reserve your table at La BOMBANCE for seaside dining.
5. Yuikaji
In the center of Okinawa’s Ishigaki Island, Yuikaji is an izakaya (Japanese-style bar) that blurs the line between bar and live music venue. While you’re enjoying local Misaki beef — a tender, highly marbled cut of beef — enjoy the cultural stylings of live shamisen performances.
From premium meats to the exclusive musical skills of the Japanese shamisen, there’s only one thing missing. Something to sip on from their wide variety of awamori (Okinawan distilled alcohol) and Ishigaki beers.
Reserve a table at Yuikaji for izakaya-style food.
6. Painushimahyoka
Painushimahyoka is somewhat unique on this list, swapping out full meals for additive-free and handmade popsicles — located in Tamatorizaki Observatory, and offering a scenic spot to cool down with unmatched views of the sea.
This husband-and-wife team in the southernmost Yaeyama Islands created handcrafted fruit popsicles, cutting Okinawa’s fresh fruits at peak ripeness before freezing them to lock in the flavor. As an iconic fruit of this tropical area, their pineapple flavor is highly recommended.
7. Yuunangii
Yuunangii is a popular go-to restaurant for typical Okinawan dishes, opened in 1970 and featured in many different tourist media since then. Even so, the dishes are still incredibly affordable, with dishes ranging between ¥600 to ¥800.
Most people will be tempted by two regional specialties: rafute or inamuruchi. Rafute is an especially tender pork belly, stewed in awamori, soy sauce and sugar — although Yuunangii gives it their own spin by using miso.
Inamuruchi is another local Okinawan dish, a unique soup dish of tender pork, mushrooms and fish paste. It is usually served at celebrations, but doesn’t your trip to Okinawa deserve celebrating?
Reserve yourself a table at Yuunangii.
8. Mie
Mie maintains the essence of Japanese fine dining, focusing on Okinawan royal cuisine consisting of only the finest local ingredients.
Offering three types of courses that spotlight the culture and flavors of Okinawa, you’ll discover a world of island flavors — one of the most memorable is sure to be the pork slices coated in black sesame, included in each of their course menus.
Pair your meal with Okinawan shochu for the full experience, getting a little taste of the paradise that’s promised on this sun-kissed island.
Reserve traditional Japanese food at Mie.
9. SOUTH WEST GRAND HOTEL
SOUTH WEST GRAND HOTEL actually features three restaurants:
- SHIKAKU
- Teppanyaki Matsuo
- A LONG VACATION.
Each offers its own take on Japanese and international cuisine, from the traditional Japanese dishes of SHIKAKU and the lively open-plan kitchen and Italian dishes of A LONG VACATION to the exquisite Japanese beef course menus of Teppanyaki Matsuo. You won’t leave hungry.
While you’re here, explore our full list of restaurants in Okinawa, check out things to do, regional specialties and the best vegan restaurants on the island.
Where to eat in Okinawa FAQs
Where is Okinawa?
Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, made up of a chain of islands with a subtropical climate. Getting there from Japan’s main island of Honshu usually requires a flight from Tokyo or Osaka to Okinawa’s Naha Airport.
What to do in Okinawa?
Okinawa is an area that is rich with culture and natural beauty, ranging from the castles of ancient Ryukyu kings to enviable beaches and coastlines, famous for their coral reefs. You could also go diving, whale watching or simply relax on their soft, sandy beaches.
Find out more: Top Things to Do in Okinawa, From Beach Activities to Cultural Deep-Dives
What is Okinawa best known for?
Okinawa is best known for its subtropical climate and breathtaking beaches and coastlines, boasting eye-catching flora and fauna. However, it’s so much more. Okinawa is also the home of unique history and culture, from its own customs and dishes to a fascinating and often traumatic past.
