Blissful moments at bistros in Kanazawa! 10 places where you can enjoy creative dishes that pair perfectly with wine

Photograph:食のから騒ぎさん

FIL D'OR in Kikura, Kanazawa, is a bistro where you can enjoy Hokuriku ingredients and wine.

The interior, which blends wood and metal, has a modern feel. There are counter and table seats, so you can spend dinnertime relaxing in comfort.

Photograph:maya(@__gourmet23___)

At dinner, you can enjoy not only courses but also à la carte dishes.

The "Kamo no Confit" is said to be cooked slowly and carefully, finished so moist and juicy that it falls apart with ease. It also pairs well with wine and is a very satisfying plate.

Photograph:カフェモカ男

The "Pasta of the Day" options include dishes such as "Beef Ragu Pasta" and "Shirasu (whitebait) Aglio e Olio."

The photo shows the "Makikunsei (wood-smoked) Arrabbiata." The sauce clings well to the house-made pasta with its chewy texture, and with each bite, the smoky aroma is said to spread through your mouth.

Photograph:phiphik

Ryomon, a bistro renovated from a kominka (traditional Japanese house), is located in Higashiyama, Kanazawa City.

The space has a chic black based design with soft toned lighting that stands out, creating a modern feel. It is recommended for people who want to quietly enjoy the food and wine.

Photograph:ぺーぱーかんぱにー

In addition to the courses, the menu also offers an appealing selection of à la carte dishes.

The "Red Wine Braised Beef Cheek meat" is made with a generous cut of meat and is said to be so tender it nearly falls apart. The sauce, with a hint of red wine acidity, is said to bring out the rich flavor of the meat.

Photograph:もんこのもぐもぐ日記

The Appetizers dish, "aka piiman (red bell pepper) mousse with fresh tomato coulis and essence jelly," is a visually vibrant plate.

This standout dish brings out the sweetness and fresh aroma of aka piiman, and its rich, smooth texture is said to melt in the mouth like butter.

Photograph:utakata.utage

Gurie Jo is a bistro located along the Sai-gawa (Sai River) that runs through Kanazawa City.

The interior feels comfortable, with a Japanese touch and lighting in calm tones. At the counter seats, you can enjoy the live feel of the cooking, while in the Private room, you can chat and enjoy the food without worrying about neighboring tables.

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The dinner à la carte menu has everything from Appetizers to dessert, so you can enjoy it in any combination you like.

The "Appetizers assortment" is a gorgeous plate with small portions of prosciutto, country-style pâté, roast beef, and more. Every dish is carefully prepared and beautifully presented.

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This is the grilled Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese Black beef) round and pan-seared foie gras Rossini style.

You can enjoy the rich flavor unique to lean meat along with the deep richness of the foie gras. The sauce, fragrant with madeira wine and truffle, is said to bring out the great taste of the lean meat and foie gras.

Photograph:タクミネス

Makihara Cave a Manger is a French bistro with a hideaway feel, even though it sits in the heart of Katamachi in Kanazawa.

With drinks lined up across the room, the interior feels like a bar, and the small space has only 8 counter seats. It is said to be a place where adults can relax and enjoy a laid-back time.

Photograph:Cathy906

At lunchtime, they offer three menu options, including pasta and hayashi rice.

Shown here is the "Chicken Thigh Confit," served as the main dish in the Omakase course. The chicken is slowly cooked at a low temperature, giving it a nicely browned surface while the meat stays moist and tender.

Photograph:710vb

This is the weekday lunch only "Chotto Oishii Hayashi Rice (A Little Delicious Hashed Beef Rice)".

The hayashi rice, topped with a demi-glace style sauce, is packed with onions, mushrooms, and beef, making it very filling. You can also add a fried egg for an extra charge or get a Large size portion of meat.

Photograph:栗小太郎

Le Marsu is a small bistro tucked away in a back alley of Korinbo (downtown Kanazawa).

The softly lit interior is a refined space lined with white tablecloths and wine glasses. There are counter and table seats, so you can fully enjoy your meal in a calm atmosphere.

Photograph:rafu0

The weekend-only lunch features a popular course that includes an Appetizers assortment, a choice of main, bread, and a drink.

The "Vegetable Crudites" is a colorful and eye-catching plate arranged with vibrant vegetables. With simple seasoning, it lets you enjoy the vegetables' natural flavors directly.

Photograph:ドラろう

This is Petit Sale, one of the main dishes you can choose.

The salt-cured pork, slowly cooked at a low temperature, is said to fall apart tenderly in your mouth and fill it with rich flavor. The cauliflower and green beans on the side are also said to be perfect for a refreshing break between bites.

Photograph:ロサちゃん

La Conti is a French bistro tucked away in a quiet residential area about a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station.

The interior, furnished with antique-style pieces, is lit with soft-toned lighting that creates a cozy feel. You can forget the noise of everyday life and enjoy your meal in a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

Photograph:ゼミ鳥

The Appetizers item, inaka-fu pate "pâté de campagne," is a dish that goes perfectly with wine.

It has no strong distinctive flavor, and the texture of the fat and nuts adds a nice accent. You can also enjoy a change in flavor when you eat it with whole grain mustard and olives.

Photograph:HONMASARU

The “poêlé of wild madai (Sea Bream)” is a dish finished in the oven to make the skin nice and crisp.

It has a fresh flavor like a vermouth sauce, and its natural sweetness and slight bitterness go well with the madai. It also pairs perfectly with white wine.

Photograph:栗小太郎

Eritage is a bistro known for offering authentic flavors at reasonable prices.

The cozy interior feels warm and inviting, with the texture of wood and lighting in calm tones, making it a place where you can relax and enjoy your meal.

Photograph:じゃりン子チエ

The lunch "Bistro Lunch" is a popular menu item that lets you choose your main dish.

The "Wakadori no Momo Niku Oven-yaki (oven roasted young chicken thigh) Tomato Sauce" in the photo is said to have a crisp and fragrant surface, while the meat is plump and juicy. The tomato sauce, with an excellent balance of acidity and umami, is said to be outstanding.

Photograph:木蔦

For the selectable main course, they offer not only meat dishes but fish dishes as well.

This is the "Shiromizakana (white fish) and cod poêlé with beurre blanc sauce." When paired with the sauce, which has the rich depth of butter and the fresh tang of white wine vinegar, you can enjoy a smooth and rich flavor.

Photograph:ラグナルロズブローグ

"Bistro Oriental" on the 2nd floor of Cross Gate Kanazawa, directly connected to Kanazawa Station, is a brewery restaurant operated by Oriental Brewing.

The interior is a stylish, open space. They say you can fully enjoy pairings of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and their own craft beer.

Photograph:まんぷく夫婦の外食備忘録

The "jizakana carpaccio (local fish carpaccio)" is a perfect dish to go with craft beer.

On this day, they did not have fish from Ishikawa, so it was "madai carpaccio (Sea Bream carpaccio)" from another area instead. It is light yet has a refined sweetness, and the more you chew, the more flavor comes out.

Photograph:まんぷく夫婦の外食備忘録

Their signature drinks are house-made craft beers made with local ingredients, such as Yuwaku Yuzu Beer, Kaga Bocha Stout, and Noto Shio Saison.

The tasting set, which includes both the Local Series and the Craft Series, pairs well with the food and comes recommended for beer lovers.

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Ensemble, near the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, is a bistro known as a place where you can enjoy authentic French cuisine in a casual setting.

The red-and-white interior features an open-kitchen style, and diners say the sounds and aromas of cooking fill the space and make it feel comfortable. It is recommended for people who want to enjoy a meal without feeling too formal.

Photograph:ﾎﾟﾖﾎﾟﾖ

This "Wagyu Braised in Red Wine" is one of the meat dishes served at dinner.

The meat is slowly braised with aromatic vegetables and red wine until the fibers gently fall apart, making it very tender, and letting you enjoy the rich flavor unique to lean meat.

Photograph:大トロ（よっしー）

This is the selectable main for the prix fixe lunch, "Roasted Chicken Thigh."

The carefully cooked chicken thigh has crisp, fragrant skin, and with one bite, its juicy flavor fills your mouth. The crisp texture of the renkon (lotus root) chips adds a nice accent!

Photograph:ガラムマサ夫

Ofu Shokudo Za Faran is a hidden bistrot on the 1st floor of a hotel in front of Kanazawa Station, about a 3-minute walk from the station.

The white-toned interior has a cafe-like feel. In addition to table seating and terrace seating, the restaurant also has Private rooms, so you can relax and enjoy your meal in a private space.

Photograph:大トロ（よっしー）

This is the “Today’s Lunch,” whose main changes daily.

On one day, the main was a hearty plate of roast pork served with curry pasta. It also came as a set with salad and soup, making it very satisfying.

Photograph:710vb

The "Special Curry Rice" sometimes uses not only beef but also local Noto buta (Noto pork).

The roux has the rich depth and mildness of European style curry, with deep savory flavor rather than strong heat. The salad served on the side is said to be perfect as a palate cleanser.