For many, Dotonbori is the heart and soul of Osaka, and really is the place to experience the city’s slogan of kuidaore or “eat till you drop”. There are hundreds of places to eat, drink, snack, and shop, and whilst part of the fun is definitely just exploring aimlessly, it helps to know the best spots before arriving.

If you’re a foodie in Japan who doesn’t want to settle for the touristy side of Dotonbori but wants to find the most authentic, unique, and unmissable bites instead, then this is the guide for you. Keep reading to get our restaurant recommendations, learn the 5 must-try street foods, and some insider tips on exactly where to go in Dotonbori.

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What is Dotonbori?

Dotonbori is an area in Osaka known for food, food, and more food. It runs along the canal in Osaka’s Namba district, and is easily recognisable by its endless bright lights, food stalls, and, of course, the famous Glico Running Man sign.

In fact, Dotonbori has been the centre of Osaka’s entertainment and food culture for centuries. Its history dates back to the 1600s in the early Edo Period, when the canal was constructed to help develop the surrounding area into an entertainment and theatre district. Over time, Dotonbori became known for its kabuki and bunraku performances, as well as the restaurants which popped up around the area.

Today, while the theatres are mostly gone, Dotonbori has no shortage of good food. It’s also maintained its nightlife, with plenty of izakaya, karaoke bars, and clubs. The neighbourhood is a super popular destination, and is definitely considered one of the most must-visit spots in Osaka.

Learn more about Osaka’s nightlife scene

5 Must-Try Street Foods in Dotonbori

Before diving into where to eat in Dotonbori, first, we have to talk about what. Osaka is often referred to as Tenka no Daidokoro, meaning “The Nation’s Kitchen”, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn the city has a lot of speciality foods and dishes. If you want to try as many of them as possible in one night, then Dotonobori is where you need to go.

These are the five street foods not to miss out on when you’re there:

Takoyaki

It’s almost impossible to think about Dotonbori without also thinking about takoyaki. These fried balls of dough and octopus are crispy, savoury, and oh so satisfying. They’re usually served freshly made and piping hot from street vendors, then topped with kewpie, takoyaki sauce, seaweed, and bonito flakes.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Kansai speciality pancake made of cabbage, batter, and fillings like seafood or pork. It’s cooked on a teppanyaki grill and finished with a drizzle of sweet-savoury sauce, Japanese mayo, and bonito flakes. In Dotonbori, you can get it from a stall, or watch it be prepared right in front of you (or even cook it yourself) on the grill at a speciality restaurant.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is Osaka’s beloved deep-fried skewered street food. Various bite-sized pieces of meat, seafood, or vegetables are skewered, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until perfectly crisp. You dip each skewer into a rich, savoury sauce, then enjoy the crispy and delicious flavour.

Torikara

Torikara is a form of Japanese fried chicken that you’ll see sold in snack-size portions up and down Dotonbori. The meat is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before being lightly coated and fried so that each bite is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Daifuku Mochi

We had to add one sweet treat to the mix! Daifuku mochi is a soft, chewy rice cake traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste, although nowadays the ones with strawberries in the middle have become super popular.

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Dotonbori Area Guide: 14 Best Food Spots

One of the best ways to experience Dotonbori is to take some time to wander around without an agenda or destination in mind. The neighbourhood is filled with some amazing hidden gems and corners perfect for people watching that are best when stumbled upon. However, we have to be honest, not everywhere in Dotonbori is worth your patronage.

As a super popular area to visit, Dotonbori has its fair share of over-priced “touristy” restaurants that you’re probably going to want to avoid. Instead of ending up in one of these spots, these are the 14 Dotonbori restaurants we recommend to our clients:

Takoyaki Ebisu Nippombashi

A cheap, truly local spot that’s far from the touristy-style (and priced) restaurants along the canal. Takoyaki Ebisu Nippombashi’s menu is filled with Osaka speciality food, whilst the restaurant itself offers quintessential warm Osaka hospitality. Just a heads up, as this is a classic local spot, smoking is allowed inside.

Must-Try: Takoyaki with spring onion, salt, and mentaiko mayo (ねぎ塩明太子マヨたこ焼き)

Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

Address: 1 Chome-10-12 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073

Zauo Fishing Restaurant

If you like your seafood fresh, then it doesn’t get fresher than at Zauo Fishing Resturant where you can literally catch your own dinner. Kids especially love this spot for the fishing fun, and even if you don’t catch anything, we think you’ll still enjoy the izakaya-style menu. There’s plenty of Japanese favourites like sashimi, tempura, and grilled scallops.

Must-Try: Catch Your Own Fish!

Opening Times: Daily from 5pm to 11pm

Address: B1 Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka Namba, 1 Chome-1-13, Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086

Chibo Okonomiyaki Restaurant

There are so many great okonomiyaki restaurants in Dotonbori, but if you’re looking for a crowd pleaser that hits every time, we have to recommend this spot. It’s the main location for the Chibo chain, which opened in the early 1970s and has become one of the most beloved Osaka okonomiyaki restaurants, with vegetarian and halal okonomiyaki options on the menu.

Must-Try: Dotonbori Okonomiyaki (道頓堀焼ねぎ玉のせ)

Opening Times: Daily from 11am to 11pm

Address: 1-6F Dotonbori Building Chibo, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Teppenyaki Minami

A fantastic teppanyaki restaurant that serves farm-to-table chef’s courses that highlight some of Japan’s best ingredients like kobe beef and abalone. The chefs cook right in front of you, creating a course of beautiful and artful dishes, all for a very reasonable price point.

Must-Try: Premium Course (プレミアムコース)

Opening Times: Daily for lunch from 11am to 3pm, and dinner from 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Address: 10F Swissotel Nankai Osaka, 5 Chome 1-60, Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076

Meat Master NAKATA

A restaurant that serves Daikoku Sen Beef, one of the highest possible grades of beef. The chefs take the utmost care in preparing the ingredients, for instance, the aged meat is matured for 35 days in the largest maturing room in western Japan under precise humidity control. The course menus are indulgent, rich, and simply delicious.

Must-Try: Aged Sirloin (熟成サーロイン)

Opening Times: Daily from 5pm to 11pm

Address: 5F Gendai Koisan Building, 1 Chome-7-16, Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076

Chikuyotei Minamimidoten

Established at the end of the Edo period, Chikuyotei Minamimidoten has been loved especially by writers and artists throughout recent history. The unagi-don (eel bowl) is especially popular, with the menu also offering a la carte dishes and kaiseki meals that make the most of seasonal seafood and vegetables.

Must-Try: Grilled eel bowl (鰻丼)

Opening Times: Daily for lunch from 11:30am to 3:30pm, and dinner from 5pm to 9pm

Address: 2F Minami-Mido Building, 4 Chome 1-15, Kyutaromachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0056

Okonomiyaki Bonkuraya Dotombori

A popular okonomiyaki restaurant with all kinds of unique dishes, including lots of famous local specialities. The atmosphere is laidback and friendly, making it a great spot to experience the full, authentic Osaka okonomiyaki experience.

Must-Try: Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き)

Opening Times: Daily from 11:30am to 11:30pm (Mondays from5pm to 11:30pm)

Address: 2F, 1 Chome 5-9, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Rokkakutei

An intimate local favourite that serves amazing kushiage and kushikatsu. The skewers are served as an omakase course, highlighting the best seasonal ingredients. There is so much food, with each little bite being even more delicious than the last.

Must-Try: The scallops (貝柱)

Opening Times: Daily from 5pm to 10pm

Address: 1-2F Kuromon Market, 1 Chome 21-16, Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073

Yakiniku Kitan

A yakiniku restaurant located in a renovated Japanese restaurant with a 120-year history. The menu offers a variety of dishes, including matured meat and aged beef tongue. The restaurant sources carefully selected beef, mainly Matsusaka beef and Kirishima beef, directly from Miyazaki Prefecture.

Must-Try: Aged wagyu (熟成肉)

Opening Times: Daily for lunch from 11am to 3pm, and dinner from 5pm to 11pm

Address: 1 Chome 7-12, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Ginpei Dotonboriten

Ginpei Dotonbori serves some of the freshest seafood in Dotonbori, including the renowned dish, tai meshi (sea bream rice bowl). The restaurant has great service and even better food, and we’d recommend it for everyone from solo diners to families and big groups.

Must-Try: Tai-meshi (鯛めし)

Opening Times: Daily for lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and dinner from 5pm to 10pm

Address: 1F Ritz Building, 2 Chome 2-20, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Kani Fugu Kaniyoshi Namba

Kani Fugu is the place to try the best kani (crab) and fugu (pufferfish) that Osaka has to offer. You can order à la carte, but the course menu is our recommendation if you want to try as many varieties of crab and local seafood as possible.

Must-Try: Grilled Snow Crab (蟹とうばん焼)

Opening Times: Daily from 4pm to 12:30am

Address: B1 Casa Ponte, 2 Chome 2-20, Chuo Ward, Dotonbori, Osaka, 542-0071

Kisetsu-ryori Ichii

Located in a corner away from the craziness of Dotonbori is Kisetsu-ryori Ichii, a spot to try traditional Japanese food paired with delicious local sake. Inside, the mood is intimate but friendly, and the standout dish has to be the oden, where local ingredients are simmered in a light savoury broth.

Must-Try: Oden (おでん)

Opening Times: Daily from 5pm to 11pm

Address: 1F Nishikido Building, 1 Chome 7-10, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Gyozaoh! Dotonbori

Sometimes there’s nothing better than a hot, crispy gyoza paired with an ice-cold drink, and at this spot, you’re getting that and more. These are easily some of the best gyozas in all of Dotonbori, and the vegan options, dessert gyoza, and great karaage (fried chicken) mean there really is something for everyone.

Must-Try: Speciality Fried Gyoza (名物! 焼き餃子)

Opening Times: Daily from 5pm to 11pm

Address: 2 Chome 4-14, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar (Vegan)

For vegans hoping to experience some of Osaka’s best street food, Pivot Base is the place to go. They create plant-based versions of local classics, takoyaki and kushikatsu, as well as our favourite Japanese staples like tonkatsu, gyoza, and curry rice.

Must-Try: Plant-based Takoyaki (

Opening Times: Daily from 11:30am to 10:30pm

Address: 1F Nakaza Cuidaore Building, 1 Chome 7-21, Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

Exploring Beyond Dotonbori: Namba

One of the best things about Dotonbori isn’t even Dotonbori…it’s Namba, the area around it. Namba has so much to offer in terms of entertainment, cool vibes, and unique shopping, so we definitely suggest planning some extra time to explore beyond just Dotonbori.

Here are a few of our top things to do in the area:

• Shinsaibashi Shopping Street: A long, covered arcade packed with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, cafés, and street food, perfect for browsing no matter the weather.
• Hozenji Yokocho: A narrow, lantern-lit alley that feels worlds away from Dotonbori’s neon glow, home to traditional restaurants and the moss-covered Hozenji Temple statue.
• Namba Yasaka Shrine: Famous for its striking lion-head stage, this unique shrine is a peaceful cultural stop hidden within the busy city streets.
• Den Den Town: Osaka’s answer to Akihabara, filled with anime, gaming, electronics, and pop-culture shops that are fun to explore even if you’re just window shopping.

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