Three Quick Bites

Authentic Italian

For a spot of bona fide Italian pizza, pasta, salad, lasagne, or perfectly aldente pasta, Cucina Gakki is a top choice for this part of town. Perched just outside the Tenjinbashisuji shotengai (the longest shopping arcade in Japan, approx. 2.6km north to south) this quaint little place is a definite don’t-miss especially if you happen to be in the area around lunch time. For only ¥690 you can receive a salad and pasta set and choose from a range of divinely flavoursome options such as a hearty Bolognese, creamy carbonara, and for vegetarians; mushroom sauce or basil and mozzarella. Fish lovers will fancy the ragu tomato fish sauce, the creamy rose ko ebi shrimp sauce, and of course the spagetti and umi no sachi to yama no sachi (bounties of the sea and the mountains). The ever-gracious and friendly chef and waitress duo will have you swooning over your plate in minutes.

Cucina Gakki
Open: Lunch 11:30am–2:30pm (L.O. 2pm);
Dinner 5:30pm–10:00pm (L.O. 9pm)
• Price Range: ¥700~¥1500
• Access from Station: Take exit 4-B; turn right and walk to the arcade; turn right into the arcade and walk down about 50m; take the first left out
• c-gakki.com

Irresistible Indian

Recently re-opened post renovations, Laxmi is back better than ever with Indian delights guaranteed to hit the spot. Lunchtime chicken, keema, or vegetable curry sets that include rice, naan, a side salad, and a drink are a bargain deal at just ¥750, or for a little extra, ¥950 will get you two types of curry plus a little chicken tikka and shish kebab on the side. If you’re around at dinner time, seriously consider the coriander chicken curry set for ¥1500 (it’s the chef’s recommendation), but if you’re not a cilantro fan then you’ll be equally satisfied with one of the four dinner set options for between ¥1100 and ¥2000, or your choice from the curry menu for ¥1000. There are a range of spice levels to suit your taste buds but a complementary post-meal lassi or house made chai tea is a definite must. Aside from the deliciously satisfying cuisine, the friendly service alone will have you vowing to go back.

Laxmi
Open: Lunch 11am–3pm;
Dinner 5pm–10:30pm (L.O. 10pm)
• Price Range: ¥750~¥2000
• Access from Station: Take the JR exit; walk 800m east and turn right at the large intersection; walk straight south a further 200m
• laxmicurry.com

Fabulous French

Get excited for unique, homemade style dishes at Bistro Couleur where staff will welcome you with warm smiles, sit you around a big, long wooden table with kotatsu-style seating, and offer to match your choice dish of the day with a choice wine from their collection. There’s a lunch deal to be snapped up at ¥900 for a starter, salad, a main, plus a drink, and a petit dessert is just an extra ¥200. The system is to choose either a pasta, a risotto, a fish dish, or a meat dish, and you can choose rice or bread to have with the meat or fish. Starter options include soup, quiche, terrine, salad and several other vegetarian alternatives. Dessert temptations include cheesecake, a cheese platter, or you can finish off with a simple café latte. This restaurant has a distinctly homely feel, so don’t forget to take your shoes off at the door after you go inside.

Bistro Couleur
Open: Lunch 11:30am–2pm; Dinner 6pm–11pm (L.O. 10pm)
• Closed: Sundays/National Holidays
• Price Range: ¥900~¥2800
• Access from Station: Take exit 4-B and walk to the south gate of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine; restaurant is a further 150m south of the shrine
• tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270103/27074589/