Where To Eat in Sapporo: 12 Best Restaurants in the Capital

Although rarely making the top five Japanese foodie cities, do not underestimate Sapporo's culinary options. As you would expect from the Hokkaido capital, Sapporo's staple delicacies are delectable bowls of comfort.

Still, the city also has a few notable locations worth checking out if you're looking to make your visit food-centric. Keep on reading for tried and tested Sapporo restaurant recommendations. 

Is it your first time in the city? Check out our post on what to eat in Sapporo.

There’s no question about it: jingisukan (transliterated from “Genghis Khan” due to its resemblance to northeastern Chinese dishes) is the quintessential Hokkaido food.

Like many Hokkaido dishes, at its core, it’s simple — sliced lamb, mutton and assorted vegetables cooked on a central grill — but hearty and nourishing to sustain people through the frigid winter nights. 

Based in Susukino and easily accessible, Hokkai Shabu Shabu is the place to go for Hokkaido's specialty of lamb shabu-shabu hot pot, with lamb and mutton flown in all the way from New Zealand.

If melt-in-your-mouth mutton and lamb isn't what you're feeling, there are plenty of other options to indulge in while looking out over Sapporo from the window seating; seasonal-exclusive snow crab legs and fat, juicy prawns.

Explore their selection of course menus for a meal you won't forget, including pork and wagyu beef shabu-shabu with crispy snow crab tempura and more.

Hokkaido wagyu beef reigns supreme in yakiniku grilled meats, shabu-shabu, steak and sukiyaki. Expect generous servings and menus that change with the seasons, taking your taste buds on a journey of Hokkaido's regional delicacies.

The most luxurious experience comes in the form of their Hokkaido wagyu yakiniku course menu, including Hokkaido wagyu short ribs, sagari (hanging tender), sirloin and chateaubriand, each offering unique textures, flavors and aromas.

Cozy up in a semi-private booth or celebrate with a larger group in the restaurant’s banquet-style rooms. 

Yakiniku Bar Tamura may have a modern, relaxed interior, but the behind-the-scenes preparation of its premium wagyu beef is anything but. The chefs are involved in the entire meat consumption process; from procurement to production, to distribution and consumption, and to cooking and nutrition, ensuring that not a single element of the final product misses the mark.

Prepare to experience fillets, sirloins and skirt steaks, served in Sapporo’s Genghis Khan style alongside lamb yakiniku and other grilled greens. For a guarantee that you'll get a feast of the finest ingredients, opt for their Hokkaido Beef Course For 2 or Special Wagyu Beef Selection Set.

In the world of high-end gastronomy, Molière could be considered the birthplace of French cuisine in Hokkaido. The Michelin-starred establishment uses Hokkaido ingredients of the highest caliber, from fresh fish to seasonal vegetables. It's a little bit outside the city center, but if you can reserve a table, it might be the best meal you have during your visit. 

Molière also has two sister restaurants in Sapporo: L'enfant qui rêve in Morenuma Park and Molière Café near Sapporo Station. The café offers a more affordable experience of Molière's famed cuisine and is closer to other attractions, making it easy to pop in, eat, and head to your next activity. 

Eating local is a big part of Japanese cuisine, and Hokkaido is no exception. For meat lovers, The Meat Shop is where you should head if you want a bite of local game. Relatively affordable considering the portion sizes and dishes, the restaurant has a casual setting but offers exquisite dinner options. As you might expect, the meat options change daily according to availability.

This Sapporo recommendation is a common one, and it's because it's worth the hype! If you're going to have soup curry, another Hokkaido-born dish, let it be at one of Beyond Age's locations. 

With a vast menu, you can fully personalize your soup curry experience and select your preferred broth, protein, and toppings. Select locations also offer vegetarian and vegan options.

A Sapporo resident favorite in Susukino, Osteria Crocchio offers comforting Italian food. On weekends, expect a bit of a line if you didn't reserve your table in advance. A pro tip from us: Visit at lunch or on a weekday night. Their risotto and lasagna, especially, will warm your belly. 

Whether you're visiting in the dead of winter or in the middle of summer, a trip to Sapporo isn't complete without treating yourself to a delicious bowl of ramen. Sapporo is home to its own variety of Japan's favorite noodle dish, which features an umami-rich miso-based broth and butter (like, a chunk of it) and corn toppings. There are other great ramen joints in Sapporo, too. 

Teshikaga Ramen puts its own spin on the classic Hokkaido miso ramen by adding succulent pieces of snow crab meat to the mix. The meaty and buttery flavors are the perfect way to warm up from the chilly Hokkaido weather. 

The shop is located in the famous Ganso Ramen Yokocho and often has a line, so make sure to go early and give yourself extra time.

Menya Saimi is the home of one of Japan's most famous miso ramen. With such a reputation, you can expect to line up for a while before slurping your noodles, but the wait is so, so worth it. 

For more ramen recommendations, check out our list of the best five ramen restaurants for miso ramen in Sapporo.

No meal is complete without a great dessert. Sapporo is the home of shime parfait, or "closing parfait," which is a parfait that you eat after your dinner on a night out. And these are not your small cup-sized parfaits; these are towering desserts with fruit, ice cream, and other treats.

You could say they are a work of art. Most shime parfait cafes in Sapporo open at 5pm and close around midnight. Because it's such a widespread tradition, you can also expect to wait in line — sometimes up to two hours — at some of the city's most popular spots.

For an elevated and indulgent shime parfait experience, visit Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato. As you might've guessed, this specialty cafe offers courses that feature parfaits, coffee, and sake. Most menu items are seasonal, using fresh fruit and high-quality chocolate to create gorgeous edible creations. 

If you're itching for wagashi (Japanese confectionery), head to Enikaitamochi. This small shop near Nakajima Park offers daifuku, both classic and new, and dango. There is always a line, and the shop closes when it runs out of stock, so head here earlier in the day to grab some daifuku for yourself. 

Enrich your trip to Japan's northernmost prefecture with food experiences in Sapporo, Niseko and Otaru:

Design your own version of a beloved Sapporo treat

Shiroi Koibito (meaning white sweetheart) are European-style langues de chat cookies and one of Hokkaido's most popular souvenirs. During this tour and experience, you can do more than taste the famous cookies. 

You'll start with a tour of the Shiroi Koibito factory as you learn how the delicious cookies are made. Then, it's time to make some of your own! Use colorful chocolate pens to draw beautiful designs and create your unique Shiroi Koibito. You'll leave the experience with a truly special souvenir. 

Niseko is known for its winter sports and ski slopes, making it a popular winter destination for domestic and overseas travelers. That’s not everything that Niseko has to offer though. It also boasts some of the finest seafood and produce in Japan. 

In this cooking class, you’ll learn to make 13 types of sushi using Niseko’s fresh seafood. A professional chef will teach you everything you need to know about making each delicious piece of sushi. When you’re finished cooking, it’s time to dive into your handmade lunch.

Situated about an hour northwest of Sapporo is the port city of Otaru. Picturesque spots abound, from the canal that cuts through the city's north end, to the Triangular Market that houses fresh seafood, produce and sweets. 

On this tour, you’ll get to explore all those spots and much more as you experience the charms of this seaside gem. Enjoy a fresh seafood bowl, visit a water shrine and take a trip to Otaru’s exclusive brewery for a taste of delicious sake.

And if you really can only visit Sapporo, rest assured that whatever you eat will be delicious. The city is home to a growing community of cooks, brewers, and farmers who care deeply about what they bring to the table. Be sure to enjoy every bite!

The city may be most well known for Sapporo beer, which is popular throughout Japan and worldwide. It’s also famous for the Sapporo Snow Festival held every February, featuring huge snow and ice sculptures. 

Sapporo has a wealth of things to do no matter when you visit. Try a beer flight at the Sapporo Beer Museum, go up to the top of the Sapporo TV Tower for a beautiful view, or try some of the delicious ramen and seafood available throughout the city. If you visit in February, make sure to check out the snow festival. 

For more ideas, check out our list of the 25 Best Things to do in Hokkaido.

Sapporo is fun to visit no matter the season, but the best time to go might be in winter. With snow festivals, winter sports and beautiful snow covered scenery, Sapporo comes alive in the winter. 

If you have the JR Pass, the most economical way to travel to Sapporo is the Shinkansen. However, the journey takes upwards of 8 hours as opposed to just an hour and a half by plane. 

Flying is the better option for those who don’t have the JR Pass or are on a tight schedule. Flights are plentiful from either Haneda or Narita and round trip tickets normally cost between ¥11,000-¥40,000 depending on when you book.