Otaru in Hokkaido is known as a popular sightseeing spot with a concentration of delicious gourmet foods.
Major restaurants listed in guidebooks and other publications are good, but there are also “gourmet foods loved by locals” recommended by locals who know the area inside out!

In this article, we will introduce some popular and famous restaurants that you should definitely visit when you come to Otaru!
From maniac restaurants that you can’t find in guidebooks to recently opened ones that are popular among young people, we will introduce you to them all!

This time, we have chosen mainly restaurants that we would like to visit at night.
If you have come all the way to Otaru in Hokkaido, one of the best parts of your trip is to look back on your day with a delicious dinner after a day of sightseeing, and to soak up memories over drinks!
Please refer to this article and enjoy Otaru’s popular and exquisite gourmet dishes loved by the locals.

”Sake Restaurant Fujirin” offers a wide variety of excellent sake in Otaru, Hokkaido.

Quoted：酒処 ふじりん

Sake Restaurant Fujirin is a popular place to taste Japanese sake in Otaru, Hokkaido!

Although it is only a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, it is a popular tourist spot that attracts many customers not only from Japan but also from overseas.

The place features a wide variety of Japanese sake.
The place offers a wide variety of sake from all over Japan, including local sake, as well as rare and popular sake from all over the country, with more than 40 varieties available at any given time, making it an irresistible spot for sake lovers.
You can even enjoy a comparison of the different varieties of sake.

This is not the only secret of its popularity.
The food, which is made from Hokkaido’s seafood and seasonal vegetables, is all reputed to be delicious!
One of the most popular dishes is the sashimi platter, which uses plenty of local seasonal seafood from Otaru, Hokkaido!
For starters, this is one popular dish that many people order as soon as they take their seats.
Another popular item on the menu is the “Hairy Crab,” a whole crab in a luxurious shell that captures the hearts of customers.

The restaurant has a warm and relaxing atmosphere that can be easily enjoyed by a single person.
Oden and fish that go well with sake are also available, so you are sure to be very satisfied!
You can also enjoy a lively conversation about sightseeing with people from all over the country, not to mention the locals!
Why not try it?

“Hokkai Aburiyaki Canal Warehouse” with sightseeing at Otaru Canal

Quoted：るるぶ＆more.

Hokkai Aburiyaki Canal Warehouse is located in front of the Otaru Canal, making it an ideal spot for a meal after a day of sightseeing.

Originally built as a grain warehouse when Hokkaido’s economy was centered on Otaru, the restaurant retains its original atmosphere of a warehouse, and at night the restaurant is beautifully lit, creating a retro atmosphere.
The spacious interior is said to delight many customers who feel as if they have stepped back in time.

As the name of the restaurant suggests, the specialty of this restaurant is to eat fresh seafood and mountain products grilled over an open fire.
The restaurant is popular among men and women of all ages for its ability to enjoy the original flavor of the ingredients, which is concentrated by the vigorous searing process without any cooking or other modification!
Of course, you can rest assured that we also offer sushi, donburi (rice bowl), and a la carte dishes that make the most of fresh fish.
Furthermore, you can also enjoy Hokkaido’s famous Genghis Khan!

When you enter the restaurant, you will be greeted by a unique service of playing Japanese drums, so this is a spot where you can go in the mood for sightseeing (lol).
This is the perfect place for families, couples, and groups who want to enjoy a lively dinner together.

If you come to Otaru, Hokkaido, eat at “Izakaya Yamada-ya” where locals gather!

Quoted：まいぷれ

Izakaya Yamada-ya is known as a popular restaurant visited by many local Otaru residents.
In addition to the seafood menu, the restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes such as hearty skewers and deep-fried dishes that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The owner of the restaurant himself goes to the market every day to buy fresh fish, which he purchases with a keen eye, and he serves delicious fish that is fresh and in season.
Go here, and you can enjoy the whole seasonal taste of Hokkaido as they serve it in the most delicious way!

There is also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including sub-zero Super Dry, sake, and fruit wine.

The interior of the restaurant is a relaxed spot with the warmth of wood in white and brown colors.
It’s so cozy, be careful not to drink too much!

Izakaya Yamada-ya also offers private rooms!
The secret hideaway private rooms are very popular and perfect for relaxing and talking with friends.
It is a popular spot that can be used for various occasions.

“Wakadori Jidai Naruto-Honten“, a can’t-miss half-fried chicken restaurant in Otaru, Hokkaido.

Quoted：北海道Likers

One of the most impactful food items in Otaru, Hokkaido, is fried chicken halves (hanmi-age.)

Look at that! It’s a hearty dish and its appearance is quite impressive.
Of all the restaurants that serve this fried chicken half, the most famous one that is said to be unknown among the locals is “Naruto”!
It is a popular restaurant that has been introduced on TV and in many other media, and is well known and can be said to be a nationally renowned restaurant.

Founded in 1965, this long-established restaurant offers a wide variety of menu items, including ramen and sushi, in addition to fried chicken halves.
The restaurant’s exterior also features a large chicken logo and the name of the restaurant, so you should be able to find your way there without getting lost.
There is another store near the Otaru Canal, a popular sightseeing spot, where you can buy Naruto chicken, but we recommend that you visit the main store to sit down and enjoy it.
The store attracts not only tourists, but also many local fans who love Naruto.

“Terra”, a popular and exquisite Italian restaurant in Otaru, Hokkaido

Quoted：まいぷれ

You may not expect Italian food in Otaru, but this restaurant offers the best Italian food in Otaru.

The restaurant offers a local specialty, “Kaisen Ankake Yakisoba” (fried noodles with seafood sauce) on the menu, which is reputed to be exquisite!
Located a 5-minute walk from Otaru Station, the restaurant is easily accessible from popular sightseeing spots.
Although it has only been open for a short time, this popular restaurant is crowded day and night with locals and tourists.
Many couples visit the restaurant because of its stylish and relaxed atmosphere that can be used for dates.

Make sure to order some dolce on the side!
You can taste authentic desserts such as catalanas and gateau chocolates.

Since it is an Italian restaurant, of course we have a wide selection of wine.
And you can also enjoy hot wine during the cold season.
The wine you can enjoy with margherita and cheese is superb.
Try it!

If you don’t drink, I suggest renting a bike!

We have introduced some of the recommended nighttime eats in Otaru, Hokkaido, but if your trip is during the summer, when the nights are cooler, or if you don’t drink alcohol at night, renting a bicycle is recommended!

In Otaru, restaurants are often located a little far from JR Otaru Station, and although there is some dense restaurant area, it is often a 10-minute walk or more to get there, which can be a little inconvenient to get around.

By using a bicycle rental service, you can enjoy everything from dining to sightseeing in a time-efficient manner.
Basho Trip offers a variety of bicycle rental plans that can be rented for one day.
You can also rent a bicycle for a day and enjoy the popular gourmet spots by bicycle.

Otaru’s must-go dinner spots summary

There are so many more popular and delicious restaurants in Otaru that we could not possibly introduce them all!

You can enjoy drinking with the locals at izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) where the locals gather, or you can have a good time with your friends who have come to Otaru for sightseeing.
There are many restaurants in Otaru, Hokkaido, where you can enjoy yourself in various ways depending on your mood of the day.
In particular, Otaru’s famous fried chicken halves, fried noodles with starchy sauce, and seafood are just a few of the delicacies that you can enjoy only in Otaru, so be sure to check them out!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip