15 Best Restaurants in Okinawa, Japan

You'll enjoy pâtisserie perfection at this tiny traditional Okinawan house on Sesoko Island. Relax with a delicious coffee, a macaron, or chou à la crème as you listen to the cicadas. Vincent, the maître pâtissier, worked in France and then Tokyo, but chose to raise a family in Okinawa. The locals now enjoy the gastronomic finery of Paris from the tropics!

This spot serves Ishigaki's finest example of Okinawan izakaya cooking. Be sure to try something with delicious kurumafu, a chewy wheat gluten, and if the crunchy pig's ears are too much for you, try washing it down with golden Orion beer. The food and drink here are terrific, but even better is the twice-nightly floor show (7 pm and 9 pm) where you'll hear and be encouraged to sing and dance to popular Okinawan songs. There is a ¥700 live music charge per person. Reservations advised. 

After a hearty bowl of pho or a plate of gapao rice (fried rice mixed with ground meat and usually served with a fried egg on top), relax in one of the many hammocks and enjoy the stunning views. The presentation of the dishes and location are Insta-worthy. Located just down the road from Pizza in the Sky, access here is best by rental car or taxi. 

While strolling down Naha's Kokusai-dori, stop by one of the island's iconic Blue Seal ice cream shops. "Born in America, Raised in Okinawa," Blue Seal combines American soft serve with Okinawan flavors such as beni imo (purple sweet potato), ube (mountain yam), or brown sugar. If you're desperate for a midnight snack, you can also find Blue Seal ice creams at any 24-hour convenience store.

Perched on the Hope Hills area of Nakijin, Cafe Kokuu serves delicious Japanese and Okinawan cuisine in an elegant wooden building with stunning views of the countryside and ocean. All dishes are created with organic wild and farm-grown vegetables from the Yambaru region. Food is served only between 11:30 am and 4 pm.

This simple tavern serves inexpensive Okinawa favorites such as goya champuru (a stir-fry using bitter melon); Korean-style bibimbap (a delicious, tangy, healthful dish of kimchi, bean sprouts, spinach, and other vegetables stirred into rice); and a plate of katsuo (bonito) sashimi big enough for two or three people. There's live music on weekends.

The wooden walls of this rustic establishment are full of alcoves holding everything from dolls to farm implements to ancient jugs full of awamori (Okinawan sake made with Thai rice). Partially enclosed tatami-style rooms offer intimate experiences, while the beer-hall-style dining area in front of the stage makes socializing easy. There's live music nightly, and cheap, filling, delicious food. Reservations are essential in summer and around Japanese holidays. 

This Okinawan restaurant is best known for its fish menu, but it also serves all the Okinawan classics such as goya champuru (tofu, pork belly, and egg stir-fried with bitter melon), umi budo (sea grapes), mozoku seaweed, and various types of tempura. It is located just across the road from Ocean Expo Park in the Hanasaki Marche group of shops and restaurants.

Pizzas, salads, and drinks are served in this beautiful, traditional Okinawan house. The garden has stunning panoramic views out over the Motobu Peninsula toward Sesoko Island and Ocean Expo Park. Try the fresh acerola juice for a tart cranberry-like refreshment. There is no public transport here, so if you don't have a rental car, take a taxi from central Motobu. Lunch can be extremely busy, and you can't make reservations. In the winter months, stop here for an early dinner and watch the sunset (last order is at 6:30 pm).

This greasy spoon has been serving some of the island's best fare since 1958; locals know it simply as Mutsumi. Everything is twice as big and three times as filling as it looks, with soup and rice included, but it's all cash-only. 

Hidden on the second floor of a building behind the Makishi Station, this laid-back oasis has good food, great music, and a relaxed staff and clientele. A decent drink selection is backed by a surprisingly varied menu, with tacos, curry soups, and alligator steaks. Coffee and cake sets are also available. There's live music some weekends.

In a traditional house with a tile roof, this lively izakaya-style restaurant has a helpful picture menu. On the second floor there are Okinawan music and dance performances most nights at 6:30, 8, and 9 (with an additional ¥1,100 service charge). It's on Kokusai Street a few blocks south of the Starbucks.

This excellent bakery is the perfect place for a quick bite or to assemble a picnic for the beach. There are French staples including baguettes, croissants, and pain au chocolat, plus Japanese favorites such as melon pain.

The longevity of Okinawans has gained worldwide attention, and Ukishima Garden provides the health conscious with delicious meat-free dishes and organic wines. The grain burger is tasty, but on a hot summer's day the cold noodles with crunchy veggies hit the spot.

Vongo & Anchor serves great coffee, pastries, and light meals in a relaxed atmosphere. Located on the sunset walk promenade, it's the perfect place to chill and recharge. The taco plates, acai bowls, and fresh sandwiches are all recommended.