Izakaya in the Sakai area! 20 places where you can enjoy great food and drinks

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Binchotan Yakitori Kinoshita, a 2-minute walk from Nakamozu Station, is a yakitori restaurant where you can enjoy charcoal-grilled yakitori made with Daisen Herb Chicken. They also have a wide selection of drinks, so it works well for a casual izakaya meal.

The interior has a stylish feel, with counter seating on the first floor and table seating on the second floor.

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Daisen Herb Dori (herb-fed chicken) is chicken raised on herbs in the rich natural surroundings of Tottori Prefecture. The meat is tender with no off notes, and it is known for its rich flavor.

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), finished over charcoal to lock in the flavor, has a great reputation for being excellent across the board. There is also a wide variety, including rare cuts. It also pairs perfectly with beer, they say.

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The restaurant also serves izakaya dishes that pair well with drinks. The “Hokkaido korokke (potato croquette)” in the photo is a simple potato croquette with a nice buttery flavor.

The “Kinoshita Mankitsu Course,” where you can fully enjoy Daisen Herb Dori (herb-fed chicken from Daisen) and which also comes with All you can drink, features Omakase dishes and is recommended for those who want to drink plenty.

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Located on the basement level of a building just a 2-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station, Sumibi to Wine to Junmaishu King Momo is a hideaway restaurant where you can enjoy as much izakaya food as you like along with wine and Junmaishu.

The interior is said to be stylish and calm. It has counter seats and Private room options.

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The restaurant mainly offers two 3-hour Omakase courses. The food is the same in both, including the signature charcoal grilled skewers, but you can choose either an alcohol or soft drink All you can drink option.

One of the highlights is that after the final meal is served, you can order another round of any dishes you liked. It has a reputation for being highly satisfying.

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The main charcoal grilled skewers come in an assortment of 7〜10 kinds. They are served on top of shokupan (Japanese milk bread), which turns into cheese bread at the end. Every dish is said to be excellent, and they all pair well with drinks.

For those who want to drop in for a casual drink, the course with an Appetizers assortment, a finishing dish, and 90 minutes of All you can drink alcohol is recommended.

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Toriiwa Sabaki Mozuno Nakamozu Honten serves fresh chicken dishes made from a whole chicken butchered right in front of you. It also offers a wide range of izakaya menu items that pair well with drinks.

The stylish interior has counter and table seating. It is located a 2-minute walk from Nakamozu Station.

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The counter seats are recommended for people who want to enjoy food and drinks while watching the charcoal grilling. At times, the flames even rise dramatically.

The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) uses Kyoto red chicken and freshly slaughtered jidori (local chicken). They offer a wide range of cuts, and every one of them is said to be undeniably delicious.

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Vegetable meat-wrapped skewers are also popular. Pictured here is the “Hanjuku Tamago Maki,” a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk wrapped in bacon. It is a great dish to go with drinks, and its cute look is part of the appeal.

The drink menu is also extensive, including the specialty fruit sour. Since this is a popular restaurant, making a reservation is recommended.

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Chihiro no Michi, located along Prefectural Route 26 and about a 15-minute walk from Kitanoda Station, is an izakaya where you can enjoy seafood and Japanese food. One of its features is that it offers All you can drink even during the day.

The interior has a calm atmosphere and is said to be comfortable. In addition to counter and table seating, it also has Private rooms with Sunken kotatsu seating.

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The hugely popular Nama-mon Ninki-mori (popular assorted fresh items), which lets you enjoy seven kinds of chicken and fish sashimi, is so popular that every group orders at least one serving per person. The freshness is outstanding, and it lets you fully enjoy the rich flavor. Each sashimi is also available A la carte.

They also offer a wide selection of sushi made with fresh fish. Their house-made sweet soy sauce pairs very well with the fresh fish, too.

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They also have a full lineup of grilled skewer dishes. Along with yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), one of the highlights is the wide variety, including beef, pork, and vegetables.

They also offer several reasonably priced courses that let you enjoy a wide range of dishes from Appetizers to dessert. If you want to make the most of the drinks, you can also add All you can drink.

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Itadakiya is a casual izakaya known for its suji-nikomi (simmered beef tendon stew) and fresh seafood. It is about a 2-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station. The large white paper lantern at the restaurant serves as a landmark.

The interior has a calm atmosphere and is said to feel very comfortable. It has counter seats, table seats, and zashiki (tatami seating) that can accommodate up to 35 people.

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The "suji nikomi (beef tendon stew)" is a signature dish simmered in a large pot at the entrance of the restaurant, with the beef tendon cooked until meltingly tender and the daikon radish simmered until it fully soaks up the dashi broth. It has a light, slightly sweet seasoning and goes great as a snack with drinks.

You can order it a la carte, but you can also enjoy it in any course that comes with All you can drink.

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Fresh seafood is sourced either by direct delivery from fishing ports in Kochi (Kochi Prefecture) and Aomori (Aomori Prefecture) or through market purchases. The photo shows the "5-kind assorted sashimi assortment." The selection varies depending on what is available, but everything is fresh and tasty, and it pairs well with drinks.

They also offer a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, including highballs.

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Sumibiyaki Tori Sakaba Torishin is a yakitori izakaya on Prefectural Route 210, about a 3-minute walk from Otori Station. Here you can enjoy dishes made with On-the-Day sourced, Special chicken.

The interior has the lively feel of a casual izakaya. The first floor has counter and table seating, while the second floor has zashiki (tatami seating).

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The "Oyadori Momo Sumibiyaki" made with thigh meat from Satsuma Chiran-dori (free-range chicken from Chiran, Kagoshima) that is raised long term in southern Kyushu is one recommended dish. It is quickly grilled over charcoal to lock in the flavor and give it a smoky charcoal aroma.

The meat is known for its firm bite, and the more you chew, the more juicy flavor comes out, making it a great match for drinks.

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The chicken nanban (fried chicken with tartar sauce) is especially popular for being so good. They top the crisp fried chicken cutlet with plenty of house made tartar sauce made with carefully selected eggs.

It is also very filling and offers a high level of Manzoku. You can enjoy it with any full course that comes with All you can drink or order it a la carte.

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Ninnin Sakaihigashi Honten serves creative washoku (Japanese cuisine) by a head chef famous in the media. It also offers a wide selection of drinks including Japanese sake and shochu, so you can enjoy it like an izakaya.

The interior has counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating, in a space that blends traditional Japanese charm with modern style.

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They offer both course meals and à la carte dishes. You can also add All you can drink to the courses for an extra charge.

The course content varies depending on what is available that day, but every dish is carefully prepared and has a reputation for being delicious. The beautiful presentation is also part of the appeal, and it looks great in photos.

The tasty katsuo no wara-yaki (straw-seared bonito) is said to pair perfectly with drinks. Wara-yaki (straw searing) is one of the traditional cooking methods in which the surface is quickly seared over the high heat of burning straw. The light smoking adds a rich aroma.

They also offer a wide range of izakaya menu items, including sashimi and potato salad.

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Tosa Ryori Umi is an izakaya where you can enjoy Tosa ryori (cuisine from Kochi Prefecture) made with Special ingredients. It stands in the Sakaihigashi Nakakawaracho Shopping Street, a 2-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.

The interior has a calm Japanese-style atmosphere and is said to be very comfortable. The restaurant spans three floors and has counter seats, table seats, and Private room.

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The "katsuo no tataki (seared bonito)" lets you enjoy the dramatic show of it being straw-seared right in front of you. The thick-cut bonito is fragrant and said to melt in your mouth. It is served with ponzu sauce made by mixing citrus juice and vinegar.

The "shio katsuo no tataki (salt-seasoned seared bonito)," eaten with garlic, is also popular. There is also a "katsuo and shio katsuo 2-kind assortment" so you can enjoy both.

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They offer four different courses with All you can drink, letting you fully enjoy Tosa ryori (Tosa cuisine) and drinks. The most popular option is the "Take" course, where you can casually compare two kinds of wara-yaki (straw-seared) katsuo no tataki (seared bonito).

Every dish gets great reviews for being undeniably delicious, and they also pair perfectly with drinks such as Japanese sake and shochu.

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Yamato Takeru is a community supporting izakaya where you can enjoy drinks along with creative Japanese Western fusion dishes made with fresh local ingredients.

The bright and open interior features counter seats, table seats, and Semi-private room seating. It is also easy to get to, just a 1-minute walk from the south exit of Sakai Station.

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They offer both an à la carte menu and courses with All you can drink. A kikizakeshi (Japanese sake sommelier) owner carefully selects Japanese sake from local liquor shops, which is one of the highlights. The "JPY6,500 all inclusive course" also includes All you can drink Japanese sake.

The "ate 3-shu assortment" in the photo lets you choose 3 items from 9 kinds of ate (small dishes), making it perfect with your first drink.

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The house specialty, “Naniwa Kurogyu no Aburi Chii-niku,” is made with very rare Osaka-produced Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese Black beef). The seared meat is said to be so good it practically melts in your mouth.

You can choose toppings from “ikura (salmon roe)” in the front of the photo, “uni (sea urchin)” in the back, or “truffle.” Ikura is fish roe known for its popping texture.

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Wakon Sosai Taroyan is an izakaya (Japanese pub) about an 8-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station. You can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood that the owner personally selects every morning.

The interior has a warm, homey feel with the comfort of wood. It has counter seats where you can enjoy the live cooking atmosphere, as well as spacious zashiki (tatami seating) seats where you can relax.

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You can order from either the à la carte menu or a course menu. The course contents vary by day, but you can enjoy owner-approved dishes to match your budget. They also offer courses with All you can drink.

Everything is said to be hearty and tasty, and pairs well with drinks. They also have a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, including Japanese sake and shochu.

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Taroyan Meibutsu Doteyaki, perfect as a snack with drinks. Doteyaki is one of Osaka’s local dishes, made by simmering beef tendon for a long time in miso and mirin.

It is said to be very rich, with the sticky texture of the beef tendon making it really addictive. It is usually eaten with chopsticks, but one of its distinctive features here is that it is served on skewers.

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Sosaku Ryori Izumi offers creative dishes made with fresh ingredients and tasty Japanese sake, and is a popular izakaya that is always lively with local regulars.

The cozy interior comes with counter seats and Sunken kotatsu seating. It is a 5-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.

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The "5-Variety Sashimi assortment" is recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy fresh seafood. You can enjoy five selections from tuna, kanpachi (greater amberjack), salmon, squid, octopus, large shrimp, and more.

Not only is it delicious, but its beautiful presentation is part of the appeal too. It also pairs perfectly with the wide selection of jizake (local sake).

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The highly praised "nasu no dengaku (miso-glazed grilled eggplant)" is said to be outstanding. Dengaku is a local dish made by grilling ingredients coated with miso. It is usually served on skewers, but here they serve it without skewers.

The slightly sweet house-made miso goes perfectly with the eggplant, and it is said to pair well with drinks. They also offer dengaku with cucumber and konnyaku (firm yam cake).

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"Sohonzan Katsura" is an izakaya where you can casually enjoy very fresh seafood dishes and chicken dishes. It is a 1-minute walk from Kitahanada Station, and from Sakai Station it is diagonally across from Xavier Park, about 10 minutes away.

The interior has a calm atmosphere and comes with counter seats, table seats, and zashiki (tatami room) seating.

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You can order from courses with All you can drink and from the a la carte menu. They also offer an A la carte All you can drink course, which is great for people who want to enjoy plenty of drinks.

The sushi crafted by skilled chefs is said to be fresh and delicious. If you are not sure which toppings to order, the "osushi assortment" with 10 pieces comes recommended.

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The “Daisendori charcoal basket grill” is popular as a fragrant and great-tasting dish that pairs well with drinks. For this kago-yaki (charcoal basket grill), they boldly grill the chicken while basting the charcoal fire with chicken fat so the meat takes on a smoky charcoal aroma.

They offer five cuts, including seseri (neck meat) and thigh.

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Uoryu Sandaime Matafuku serves dishes made with fresh fish that the owner personally selects every morning at the wholesale market. It is in a convenient location just a 1-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.

Inside, the restaurant has a lively atmosphere like a casual izakaya.

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They offer courses with All you can drink and an à la carte menu. Every course is chef's Omakase, and the contents change depending on the day's sourcing.

The "otsukuri (sashimi) assortment" is popular for its thick cuts, satisfying texture, and fresh, great taste. You can choose from 3, 5, or 7 kinds. It also pairs perfectly with alcohol.

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Not only does it offer the standard menu, but it also has a wide selection of On-the-Day recommendations, so many people seem to have a hard time choosing what to order. Every dish is said to be good, and it has a reputation for high Manzoku.

They also offer many rice dishes to finish the meal. The "Salmon Butter Kamameshi" in the photo is said to have plenty of crispy rice at the bottom, making it so tasty that you cannot stop eating.

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"Teppan Kushi Private room Izakaya JYU" is an izakaya where you can enjoy Teppan-yaki skewers and creative skewers made with meat, fish, and vegetables. It is located on the basement level of the TEK Building, a 2-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.

The spacious interior, with the warmth of wood, looks like a great place to spend a relaxing time.

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If you want to enjoy the real appeal of Teppan-yaki, the counter seats are recommended.

You can order from either the course menu or a la carte. A popular option is the "Best value All you can eat for social media worthy Beef Tongue skewers, dashimaki (Japanese rolled omelet), and more," which lets you enjoy all you can eat items such as the "Beef Tongue Skewers" that are said to be tasty and great with drinks. You can also add an All you can drink plan.

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There is also a wide variety of dishes beyond skewers. The "mentai butter udon" in the front of the photo is said to be so good that people want a second helping. Mentaiko (seasoned pollock roe) is made by salting the ovaries of Alaska pollock, then fermenting them with seasonings such as chili pepper.

The lightly spicy mentaiko and the rich butter flavor are said to pair very well with alcohol.

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At Social Light, you can enjoy drinks while grilling and eating high quality kamo (duck) and chicken yourself.

The compact interior is stylish, with only 13 counter seats. It has an atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in even on your own. It is located a 3-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station.

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For the duck, they use Kawachi Gamo (premium Domestic crossbred duck), a top grade duck with rich flavor. For the chicken, they use Yamato Nikudori (free-range chicken from Nara Prefecture). It is said to be juicy and full of strong flavor.

The "Omakase assortment" in the photo is a good pick when you are not sure what to order. You can tell them your budget when ordering.

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Another plus is that they also offer izakaya menu items beyond grilled dishes, so you can enjoy a variety of food without getting bored.

The photo shows "torikawa ponzu (chicken skin with ponzu sauce)," a perfect snack to go with drinks while you wait for the meat to arrive. It features chicken skin topped with plenty of green onions, served simply with ponzu, a seasoning made by mixing citrus juice and vinegar.

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Gyosakaba Gobugobu is a seafood izakaya where you can enjoy standout dishes made with seafood shipped directly from multiple wholesale markets, along with Japanese sake.

The interior has a small, homey feel. It has counter and table seating. It is also easy to get to, just a 2-minute walk from the south exit of Sakai Station.

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They offer courses with All you can drink and A la carte options. There are also two types of All you can drink only courses, and the "Premium" option lets you enjoy shochu and Japanese sake as well.

The food menu is also extensive, and everything is said to be tasty and highly satisfying. The plating is beautiful too, which adds to its photo worthy appeal.

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A key feature of the sushi is the rice, which uses a house blend of akazu (red vinegar). Its balanced acidity and sweetness are said to bring out the fresh fish.

Every topping is said to be large, fresh, and tasty, making it easy to keep the drinks flowing. If you are not sure what to choose, the Omakase is recommended. You can order it in sets of 5 pieces, 8 pieces, or 10 pieces.

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"Izakaya Tacchan" is an izakaya where you can casually enjoy dishes made with super fresh seafood caught that morning. Since it is a popular spot, reservations are recommended.

The interior has a homey atmosphere, with counter seats and Sunken kotatsu seating. It is a 3-minute walk from Mikunigaoka Station and is near Nintoku-tenno mozu (shrike) Mimihara no Naka no Misasagi.

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They offer both courses and à la carte. Since almost all courses come with All you can drink, this is a nice point for people who enjoy alcohol.

The "otsukuri assortment" is included in every course, though the number of items varies. It is said to be fresh and delicious, and a great match with alcohol. You can also order it à la carte.

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The “Jiman no Sengyo to Tempura no Casual Banquet Course All you can drink Included” lets you enjoy tempura with ease. It includes 7 kinds of tempura, sashimi, ate (small dishes to go with drinks), salad, and grilled items. It is perfect for people who want a lighter meal and mainly enjoy drinks.

You can also order the tempura à la carte.

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"Kyushu Izakaya Hirotanaka" is an izakaya on the second floor of a building, a 7-minute walk west of Sakaihigashi Station. You can enjoy Kyushu cuisine made by a chef who trained at a popular izakaya in Hakata, Fukuoka, in the Kyushu region.

The calm interior is equipped with counter seats, table seating, and Sunken kotatsu seating.

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The signature “mentai-nose motsu-nabe (Hot Pot topped with spicy cod roe)” is popular for being filling, tasty, and great with drinks. This motsu-nabe in Sea Bream broth is topped with mentaiko (spicy cod roe), made by salting Alaska pollock ovaries and fermenting them with seasonings such as chili pepper.

You can enjoy it as part of the “Haku Tanaka Zeitaku Course” or order it à la carte.

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All courses come with All you can drink. One nice point is that it includes shochu and Japanese sake as well.

The “Kyushu Mankitsu Course” includes “Miyazaki Chicken Nanban,” a local dish that originated in Miyazaki Prefecture. The tartar sauce contains mildly spicy mentaiko (pollock roe), which pairs well with drinks. You can also order it a la carte.

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KICHIRI Sakaihigashi Ekimae Ten is a casual dining restaurant located about a 3-minute walk from Sakaihigashi Station, inside Sakaiginza Shotengai (Sakai Ginza Shopping Street). They offer a wide selection of drinks, so you can casually use it like an izakaya (Japanese pub).

The interior has a stylish and calm atmosphere, and it is said to be very comfortable. The restaurant is fully equipped with box seats, zashiki (tatami seating), and fully private rooms.

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You can order either a course with All you can drink or from the A la carte menu. One nice point is that they also offer an All you can drink only course.

The photo shows “Hakata jidori (free-range chicken from Hakata) salt Kara-age eaten with green onion salt sesame,” which you can enjoy either in several courses or as A la carte. It is said to be juicy Kara-age, with the green onion salt sesame bringing out its savory flavor.

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The "raclette cheese potatoes" are said to go perfectly with alcohol. This is a traditional Swiss cheese dish where melted cheese is scraped from a wheel warmed at the cut surface and poured over the ingredients.

It is said to be rich and deeply creamy. One of its main draws is getting to enjoy the performance of the cheese being scraped right in front of you.

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Uotami Nankai Sakai Nishiguchi Ekimae Ten is an izakaya where you can enjoy mainly washoku (Japanese cuisine). The interior is a refined Japanese style space filled with the warmth of wood, and it comes with many Private rooms. It is said to be a calm place where you can relax at your own pace.

It is located within the grounds on the 1st floor of Hotel Agora Regency Sakai, right by the west exit of Sakai Station.

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They offer A la carte and courses with All you can drink. If you want to enjoy plenty of drinks while picking your favorite A la carte dishes, the A la carte All you can drink course is a good choice.

The photo shows the eye-catching "oke-mori (bucket assortment) kaisen-don (seafood Rice bowl)." This bold dish comes with plenty of fresh seafood piled high over rice.

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The hearty signature motsu-nabe (beef small intestine Hot Pot) lets you enjoy beef small intestine selected for its rich flavor and texture. You can also add your favorite ingredients, such as bean sprouts, garlic chives, and ramen noodles.

The rich soup, made with a miso base blended with tonkotsu (pork bone) broth and aromatic vegetables, is said to be so tasty that drinks go down easy.