Recommended by Okayama residents! 10 lunch spots in the area where The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama

1. LIFE Cafe & Western Cuisine (Tsuyama City)

[LIFE Cafe & Western Food]

Address: 14-15 Kitazonocho, Tsuyama Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

TEL: 0868-23-5853

Business hours: 9:00-10:30, 11:00-20:00

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available

LIFE Cafe & Western Food | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●If you want to eat Western-style lunch in Tsuyama, this is the place to go. Fried shrimp, hamburger steak, pork cutlet, pork cutlet - all are hearty. The side dishes are vegetables, potato salad, and spaghetti, giving it a classic Western feel. I often have trouble deciding what to eat, but I always end up ordering shrimp cutlet! (30s/female/office worker)

2. Hokkai (Tsuyama City)

【North Sea】

Address: 40-7 Sange, Tsuyama City , Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0868-24-1780

Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-22:15

Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays

Parking: Available

North Sea | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●Hokkai's lunch is truly the best! Whether it's the seafood bowl, steak bowl, or tempura bowl, everything is delicious! It's the only restaurant I'm willing to wait in line in the heat to eat at. (30s/female/office worker)

3. Time (Niimi City)

[Time (Inter Store)]

Address: 2217-1 Takao , Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0867-72-1221

Business hours: 8:00-20:00

Closed: Thursdays (or the following day if Thursday is a public holiday)

Parking: Available

Time Inter Store | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●A coffee shop that I always want to stop by when I'm near Niimi City. They have a wide variety of menu items, including pasta and fried shrimp, so it's more like a Western restaurant than a coffee shop. I always go for the katsu curry. It's not particularly spicy, but the unique aroma of spices really whets the appetite. It's a famous shop and often crowded, but it's a place I don't mind going out of my way to visit. (Male, 50s, office worker)

4. JA Sunny Country Okayama Yakiniku Restaurant Chiya Beef (Niimi City)

[JA Sunny Country Okayama Yakiniku Restaurant Chiya Beef]

Address: 397-2 Shoda , Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0867-72-6605

Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-14:30 (LO 14:00), 16:30-21:00 (LO 20:30) / Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 11:00-21:00 (LO 20:30)

Closed: Tuesdays (open on public holidays, Golden Week, equinoxes, and Obon)

Parking: Available

JA Sunny Country Okayama Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This is a yakiniku restaurant located on the grounds of "JA Harenokuni Okayama Asin Square." The lunch menu includes Chiya beef yakiniku set meals, Chiya beef steak set meals, Chiya beef curry, beef bowls, kalbi bowls, and more, allowing you to enjoy Chiya beef at a relatively low price. (40s/female/office worker) ●You can taste Okayama Prefecture's brand beef, Chiya beef! (30s/female/office worker)

5. Soba Cafe Kiraku (Nagi Town)

[Soba Cafe Kiraku]

Address: 1962-1 Okayama Prefecture, Nagi-cho , Nagi Town

TEL: 0868-36-5850

Business hours: 11:00-16:00 (Last orders for meals are 14:00, and for cafes are 15:00)

Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, and the second Sunday of every month

Parking: Available

Soba Cafe Kiraku Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●These are thin, mild soba noodles that are easy to eat. The soup is especially excellent. My favorite is the thick walnut soup. They also serve Nagi Beef roast beef bowls, so even first-time visitors to Nagi will be pleased. The restaurant is set in a log cabin, and local women will warmly welcome you. I recommend sitting by the window, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the large pond on a clear day. (Female, 20s, Civil Servant)

6. Chinese Restaurant Beijing (Maniwa City)

[Chinese restaurant Beijing]

Address: 145 Yubara Onsen, Okayama Prefecture Maniwa City, Yubara Onsen

TEL: 0867-62-2257

Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 18:00~23:00

Closed: Irregular

Closed Parking: Tourist parking lot available

Chinese Cuisine Beijing | Maniwa Tourism WEB

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●One of the few Chinese restaurants in the northern part of the prefecture. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. (Male, office worker, 50s)

It's a small restaurant on a side street. The owner works alone. There's a counter and a tatami room, so it's easy to eat with small children. (Female, 50s, Civil Servant)

7. Genroku Inn Aburaya (Maniwa City)

[Genroku Inn Aburaya]

Address: 27 Yubara Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Yubara Onsen

TEL: 0867-62-2006

Opening hours: Restaurant: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday, public holidays, and the day before public holidays: 11:30 to 15:00 (Last orders for food: 14:00, drinks: 14:30) / 18:00 to 22:00 (Last orders for food: 20:00, drinks: 21:30)

Closed: Thursdays

Parking: Available

Genroku Inn Aburaya Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The restaurant is quiet and you can dine in a relaxed atmosphere. The Italian lunch was delicious and more filling than I expected. The salad, carbonara, main meat dish, and dessert were all delicious. (Male, office worker, 60s)

8. Okamoto Okamoto Inn (Maniwa City)

[Okamoto Kappo Okamoto]

Address: 2603 Kuze, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0867-42-0660

Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 18:00-22:00

Closed: Wednesdays (open by reservation on Sundays)

Parking: Available

Okamoto Kappo Okamoto Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This restaurant is featured in the Michelin Guide 2021. There are so many different options for lunch, it's hard to choose. The cutlet is freshly fried, piping hot and crispy! There are plenty of vegetables and rice, so it's very filling. The staff are friendly and the homey atmosphere is great! (40s/Female/Other)

9. Matakitei (Misaki Town)

[Matakitei]

Address: 562 Minami, Misaki-cho, Misaki gun, Okayama Prefecture Kume District

TEL: 0867-27-2023

Opening hours: Friday to Monday 11:00-15:00 *Lunch 11:00-14:00

Closed: Tuesday to Thursday

Parking: Available

Matakitei Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

Lunch is served in an old house that was renovated from the mansion of a local doctor. The food prepared by local mothers is delicious, as are the sweets like dumplings. (Woman, 60s, Other)

●It's close to Makiba no Yakata, so the location is great. However, there's no air conditioning, only a fan, so it's difficult to stay in during the summer, but it's great in the fall. They use locally grown vegetables, so the food is tasty and reasonably priced. (Over 70s/Female/Self-employed)

10. Village Restaurant (Shinjo Village)

[Village Restaurant]

Address: Okayama Prefecture, Maniwa District, Shinjo Village, 2190-1 Roadside Station Gaisen Sakura Shinjo

TEL: 0867-56-2908 Business hours: 10:30-15:00

Closed: December 30th to January 3rd, and Wednesdays from January to March

Parking: Available

Roadside Station Gaisen Sakura Shinjo Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

● "Seasonal Curry Rice." This curry is made with locally grown, seasonal ingredients. The balance of spices is exquisite, and the addictive flavor of the complex intertwining of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors is on par with that of a specialty curry restaurant. I was surprised to find such authentic curry available at a roadside station restaurant. If you come across the limited-edition "Beef Tendon Curry," made with rare Shinjo Wagyu beef tendon, it's a must-try! (50s/Female/Other)

There's more! Recommended comments from Okayama residents

[Tsuyama Joto Tofu Teahouse Hayase Tofu Branch]

82 Higashishinmachi, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Tsuyama Joto Tofu Teahouse Hayase Tofu Store Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●You can enjoy healthy tofu dishes in a relaxing Japanese-style space. The portions are just right and the food is very satisfying. (30s/female/civil servant)

[The Hills House Tsuyama]

831 Ota , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

The Hills House Tsuyama Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The location, food, and service are all great. You can really tell when you try the food that the ingredients used are excellent. The drinks and desserts are also great! (Female, 50s, Office Worker)

[Ristorante CIELO]

2230-3 Koyasan Nishi , Tsuyama City, Koya Okayama Prefecture

Ristorante CIELO Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Okayama , and it requires reservations and serves a set course menu. The restaurant has deep ties to Okayama beyond its producers, using stylish chairs from Kita Works in Tsuyama and Bizen Pottery made by Kimura Hajime in Okayama . The dishes are made with seasonal ingredients and are carefully prepared. In November, it was the only restaurant in Okayama to be selected for Italian Week 100, a nationwide event for high-end restaurants, and you can enjoy a set course meal that includes fermented dishes, which is this year's theme. I also recommend the game dishes when the season is right. The wine pairings selected by the sommelier are also of a high standard. (40s/Male/Office worker)

[Meat Scissors Shop]

46-20 Sange, Tsuyama City , Okayama Prefecture

Meat Scissors Shop Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The hamburger is quite large, but perhaps because of the high quality of the meat, it doesn't leave you feeling bloated at all. It's a very small restaurant, so be careful about the time you visit. (Female, 50s, Civil Servant)

[Tamachi Culture Store]

19 Tamachi , Tsuyama City , Okayama Prefecture

Tamachi Culture Store Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●Not only the main dish, but also the miso soup and side dishes are all delicious. (Female, 50s, office worker)

[Mizunoya]

67 Nishishinmachi , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Mizunoya Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

The pizza and pasta are delicious. The soup and side dishes in the lunch set are also delicious. The atmosphere of an old-fashioned house is welcoming, but the food is as delicious as a high-end restaurant, so I've registered this as one of my favorite spots in the northern part of the prefecture. Please be aware of opening hours and business days. (Male, 50s, Other)

[Sakushu Folk Crafts Museum]

18 Nishiimacho , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Sakushu Folk Crafts Museum | Okayama Tourism Web

Voices of the prefecture's residents

You can enjoy homemade bento lunches and udon noodles in this cultural property built in the Taisho era. It is also the venue for the Mori Art Festival, so why not take a break after viewing the exhibits? (Woman, 50s, Civil Servant)

[Con Amore]

806 Oshiiri , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Con Amore Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●Western-style lunches like omelet rice and croquettes. Fluffy pancakes and teddy bear shaved ice are all delicious. (Woman, 50s, Full-time housewife)

[Okonomiyaki Saegusa]

441-5 Kamikawahara , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Okonomiyaki Saegusa Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

Tsuyama's B-grade gourmet horumon udon is delicious, as is the okonomiyaki. (Female, 50s, office worker)

[Menya Daisuke]

47-9 Ichinomiya , Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture

Menya Daisuke | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

This is a popular ramen shop in Tsuyama, and there's always a line. They offer tonkotsu ramen and shio ramen. Both soups are delicious, and it's a shop you'll want to visit again and again. (40s/female/office worker)

[Nowadays, stylish Tsuyama store]

705-9 Shidobe , Tsuyama City , Okayama Prefecture

Ima wo Ikuro Tsuyama store | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The mazesoba is delicious. (Male, civil servant, 20s)

[Italian Restaurant Arca]

Niimi into the Niimi City , 851 Niimi, Niimi City , Okayama Prefecture

Italian restaurant Arca official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

This Italian restaurant is housed in an old Japanese-style house, and serves dishes made with locally grown vegetables and Chiya beef. (50s/Female/Other)

[Popai]

318-9 Niimi , Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

Popai | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●I love the pork cutlet that has absorbed the soup of "Popai Ramen"! The Japanese-style pork cutlet bowl is also recommended, with a soft and runny egg! Park your car in the city hall parking lot and enter from the back. (40s/Male/Civil servant)

[Natural Foods & Organic Cafe Pension Noah]

34-44 Okayama Prefecture , Niimi City, Niimi City, Okayama Ono

Pension Noah Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

This is a lovely restaurant located in the Mori. You can enjoy vegetables grown by the owners. They also cater to vegans and those on a low-carb diet. While you're eating, birds come to play outside the window. (Woman, 50s, Other)

[Pizzeria Lajita]

438-1 Okayama Prefecture, Nagi Town-cho, Katsuta-gun, Okayama Prefecture

Pizzeria Lajita Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●It's fantastic to enjoy Italian food while looking out at the majestic panorama of Mt.Nagi and the stylish Nagi Town Museum of Contemporary Art. The Neapolitan pizza, officially recognized by the Italian government, is baked in an oven inside the restaurant, and is delicious from the first bite to the last, so you never get bored of it. Personally, I also like the salads, gelato, and espresso. (30s/female/civil servant)

[Chinese Restaurant Chu]

1643 Kamimachigawa , Nagi Town -gun, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

Chinese Restaurant Chu | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●There are many menu items, all of which are delicious, and the lunch set comes with coffee. There is a tatami room on the second floor, so if you make a reservation, you can enjoy a leisurely meal even with children. (Woman, 50s, Full-time housewife)

[Tonkatsu Kiraku]

2185-1 Kuze , Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

Tonkatsu Kiraku Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

The restaurant is very attentive to customer service, and above all, the food is delicious. (Male, 60s, part-time worker)

[ALICE2]

13-5 Tomio , Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

ALICE2 | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This old-fashioned coffee shop has a pirate-style interior, giving it an American feel. There are telephone booths and small nostalgic figures, so you can enjoy your wait time. The food is delicious, inexpensive, and plentiful, so it's great value for money. The owner is kind, and it's a very comfortable shop. (20s/Female/Other)

[Maniwa Maniwa Garden]

396-1 Naka , Maniwa City , Okayama Prefecture

Maniwa Agri Garden Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

The menu is gentle on the body, made with carefully selected ingredients. The restaurant has been renovated and is now larger, and the menu is even more extensive. The rice flour pancakes, which are only available during cafe time, were fluffy and delicious. (Female, 50s, office worker)

[Hishio Cafe]

162-3 Katsuyama , Maniwa City , Okayama Prefecture

Hishio Cafe | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

A cafe with a relaxed atmosphere renovated from a storehouse. You can use it as a cafe or for lunch. The beef curry and hash browns are delicious. (Male, 40s, civil servant)

[Yubara Onsen Himawarikan]

24-1 Shimoyubara , Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

Yubara Onsen Himawarikan Official Website

Voices of the prefecture's residents

A drive-in restaurant in the north of the prefecture where you can eat wild game dishes. They also have an open-air bath for pets. Minced venison rice bowl costs 800 yen. (Male, office worker, 50s)

[Sakura Cafe] 1514-1 Toyosaka , Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

Sakura Cafe Official Instagram

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●Good taste, good charm, and good price. (Male, office worker, 50s)

[Yumotoya]

135-1 Yubara Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Yubara Onsen

Yumotoya | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

This is a long-established teppanyaki restaurant. They serve delicious okonomiyaki, yakisoba, ramen, and more. (Male, office worker, 50s)

[Cafe Cactus]

135-3 Yubara Onsen Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

Cafe Cactus | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The two-item spaghetti is delicious. There's a fried egg hidden inside. (Male, 50s, office worker)

[Fukuzushi]

43-1 Yubara Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture Yubara Onsen

Fukuzushi | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The only long-established sushi restaurant in Maniwa City. Other than sushi, everything is delicious, including udon, soba, and rice bowls. (Male, office worker, 50s)

[Cafe Wiener]

389-1 Kamiyuge, Kumenan-cho , Kumenan Town -gun, Okayama Prefecture Kume District

Cafe Wiener | Tabelog

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●A coffee shop with a relaxed atmosphere. If you sit on the booth sofa, you can see the idyllic rice field scenery outside the window. The homemade lunch menu has a comforting taste. (Female, 50s, office worker)