Foodspotting

Miyabi Cafe

If you’re craving a change of café scene, or simply need some time out after navigating Kobe’s hectic Sannomiya Station, visit nearby Miyabi Cafe for a reviving coffee in relaxing surroundings. A bakery at street level and a café above, Miyabi takes the typical coffee-shop dessert menu to a new level with its signature ‘honey toast’ – a tempting combination of brioche and ice cream. The café’s golden-lit, restful atmosphere, combined with a generous sprinkling of power points, attracts rows of laptop users catching up on work or study, while a window seat overlooking Sannomiya’s north side is ideal for a spot of people watching. Take a moment to experience the calm and sip chai latte from a colorful china cup before heading back out to face the world. And nobody will blame you for giving in to the tasty array of baked goods on sale as you leave!
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Open: 7am–10:30pm
• Price Range: ¥350–¥1000
• Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, less than 5-min walk
• tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280101/28042387
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Gyoshou Taka-Aki

Sashimi fanatics and seafood lovers, look no further than Gyoshou Taka-Aki for ultra-fresh fish in the centre of Kobe. On the way in, you’ll pass tanks and boxes brimming with the fruits of the ocean, straight from Kobe’s central fish market. Take a seat upstairs or downstairs and order the assorted sashimi, which comes enticingly presented on a bamboo boat with daikon and shiso. Wedges of juicy tuna and creamy salmon are accompanied by rarer treats, such as sea urchin and abalone. For a break from raw fish, there’s breaded shrimp with a lemon mayonnaise dressing, or oysters fetched from their iced box by the front door especially for you, then cracked open and fried in butter. If you’re feeling daring, the finely-sliced fugu (pufferfish) comes highly recommended. One of four restaurants in the Taka-Aki family, this flagship branch also boasts a well-stocked bar.
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Open: Lunchtime: 11:30am–2pm; Evening: 5pm–1am
• Price Range: ¥1000–¥5000
• Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, 5-min walk
• tabelog.com/en/hyogo/A2801/A280101/28003491
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Daizuya

Get ready to cast off your preconceptions of tofu as a plain and unexciting vegetarian staple. At Daizuya, the humble soy bean’s versatility is exploited to the max, creating an array of tastes and textures. The ¥3000 seasonal set menu combines the traditional with the unexpected; as well as tucking into tempura, shrimp rice, steamed vegetables and soup, you’ll sample tofu flavored with mustard, black sesame, miso, and green tea. The variety of Daizuya’s soy-based offerings – including firm and soft tofu, regional varieties, and even tofu skin with avocado (surprisingly delicious) – is matched only by the range of condiment options. If you’re not fond of bean curd, see the à la carte menu for alternatives, such as grilled chicken, or shrimp and avocado salad. Make a reservation to be sure of securing a booth, and enjoy the comfortable surroundings, new taste sensations, and service with a friendly smile.
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Open: Sun–Sat; Lunchtime: 11:30am–2pm; Evening: 5pm–12am
• Price Range: ¥1500– ¥4500
• Access: JR Sannomiya Stn, 6-min walk
• ko-z.com/daizuya
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