Savor Sapporo: 9 Great Restaurants for Food Lovers

The best Sapporo restaurants offer a culinary journey through the city’s rich flavors, featuring local venues that serve Hokkaido’s finest. Sapporo is like a larder that’s full of delicious ingredients, with endless restaurants, Japanese-style bars (izakaya), and cafés where you can sample the food of Hokkaido. From fresh local seafood to a swanky French meal, Sapporo has it all.

You can also go for authentic ramen, soup curry, or grilled mutton. And when you feel like some downtime, take a break at an “art museum of coffee” in Maruyama or enjoy Japanese sweets near Hokkaido Shrine. This guide highlights top spots to savor Sapporo’s unique culinary charm.

1. Morihiko Coffee

A museum of coffee

Good for: Couples, Food

Nestled just a short walk from Maruyama-Koen Station on the Subway Tozai Line, Morihiko Coffee has been a beloved gem since 1996. Located on the site of an old house in a quaint back alley, this house-roasted coffee shop exudes charm with its wooden building, white walls, red roof, and warm, retro atmosphere.

Indulge in the moist housemade cheesecake, perfectly paired with robust coffee. The menu also features delectable options like cheese on toasted organic wheat bread, seasonal tartine, and baked seasonal ingredients on French bread, all complemented by signature French blend or mild blend coffee. For more taste of Morihiko in Sapporo, be sure to visit ATELIER Morihiko, the chain’s second charming location.

Location: 26 Chome-2-18 Minami 2 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0802, Japan

Open: Friday–Wednesday from 9 am to 7 pm, Thursday from 9 am to 3.30 pm

Phone: +81 (0)800-111-4883

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2. Menya Saimi

Miso ramen with rich, ginger-infused broth

Good for: Budget, Food

When in Sapporo, don’t miss Menya Saimi for budget-friendly, delicious Sapporo ramen. A 5-minute walk from Subway Misono Station, there’s nearly always a queue outside before this beloved restaurant opens, and the walls are chock full of the autographs of celebrities who’ve eaten here.

Enjoy the all-time classic miso ramen with medium-thick noodles with toppings like bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, green onions, and soft and aromatic grilled pork (char siu) slices. The rich yet refreshing soybean paste-based soup is balanced exquisitely with grated ginger. Soy sauce and salt options are available, and you can opt for a large serving or a bowl of Hokkaido rice for a satisfying meal.

Location: 5 Chome-3-12 Misono 10 Jo, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-0010, Japan

Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 3.15 pm. Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 3.15 pm and 5 pm to 7.30 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +81 (0)11-820-6511

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3. Tsukisappu Jingisukan Club

Charcoal-grilled mutton with a secret sauce

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

Tsukisappu Jingisukan Club is the go-to spot for one of Sapporo’s most popular dishes, jingisukan, featuring lamb or mutton marinated in a special sauce. Tsukisappu Jingisukan Club specializes in fresh mutton, and here you’ll grill carefully selected cuts on a special jingisukan skillet over a charcoal flame.

The freshness ensures a chewy texture and rich flavor without the typical smell. On sunny days, enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace while taking in Hokkaido’s nature. Don’t miss the restaurant’s secret soy-based sauce, available for takeout.

Location: 11 Chome-2-5 Tsukisamu Higashi 3 Jo, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-0053, Japan

Open: Thursday–Tuesday from 11 am to 8 pm (closed on Wednesdays)

Phone: +81 (0)11-851-8014

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4. Tokachi Butadon Ippin

Specializes in pork bowl

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

Tokachi Butadon Ippin is a famous pork bowl (butadon) restaurant with several branches in Sapporo, offering this specialty of Tokachi, Hokkaido. Pork is the most common meat served in Hokkaido, and here you can enjoy thick slices of pork loin dipped in sauce and grilled over a charcoal fire.

The excess fat is drained, leaving the pork soft and juicy, with flavors and aromas that leap out with each bite. The special salty-sweet sauce pairs perfectly with rice, and you can customize your meal with leek strips and adjust the serving sizes. Pork bowl lunch boxes are also a popular takeout option.

Location: 6th Floor, 3 Chome-5 Kita 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0035, Japan

Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

Phone: +81 (0)11-209-5298

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5. Okushiba Shoten

A chain of soup curry restaurants

Good for: Families, Food

Founded in 2006, Okushiba Shoten has been expanding its unique soup curry restaurants across Hokkaido, each with its own distinct concept. The Ekimaesoseiji branch, conveniently connected to JR Sapporo Station, offers a fusion of Teppanyaki and soup curry. Enhance your soup curry with delicious toppings like Salisbury steak or beefsteak, grilled in the open kitchen.

Just a 10-minute walk from Hokkaido Shrine, the Okushibachan branch is nestled in the residential area of Miyanomori, serving soup curry generously topped with tempura. True to its name, the restaurant is staffed by friendly elderly ladies (bachan), whose warm hospitality and the cozy atmosphere keep patrons returning time and again.

Location: Hokuren Building B1F Pearl Town, 1 Chome, Kita 4 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0004, Japan

Open: Hours vary by shop

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6. Umi Hachikyo

A seafood izakaya

Good for: Couples, Food

Umi Hachikyo offers a delightful seafood experience with fresh catches from Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Surrounded by the Sea of Japan, the Okhotsk Sea, and the Pacific Ocean, Hokkaido is a seafood lover’s paradise. Just a one-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Subway Namboku Line, this seafood izakaya is a must-visit.

The star of the menu is Tsukko meshi, a rice dish overflowing with salmon roe, served with a flourish right at your table. Indulge further with freshly fried octopus, buttery potato with cheese, and a pint of Sapporo Classic Tarunama beer. And why not pair your meal with select Japanese sake?

Location: 3 Chome-5-2 Miyako Building, Minami 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0063, Japan

Open: Monday–Saturday from 6 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm

Phone: +81 (0)11-222-8940

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7. Rokkatei Jingu Chaya

A teahouse at Hokkaido Shrine

Good for: Couples, Food

Rokkatei Jingu Chaya is a must-visit stop for anyone visiting the Hokkaido Shrine, offering the exclusive and delectable Hangan-sama specialty. Nestled within the shrine precinct, this charming teahouse by Rokkatei provides the perfect spot for a relaxing break during your exploration.

Made with buckwheat flour and grilled on-site from selected ingredients all from Hokkaido, the Hangan-sama rice cake boasts a delightful combination of a crunchy exterior and a sticky interior, generously filled with red bean paste. Complement your treat with complimentary Hojicha tea prepared at the shop. For those looking to take a piece of Rokkatei home, boxes of Hangan-sama rice cakes along with other beloved Rokkatei confections make ideal souvenirs.

Location: 474-48 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan

Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

Phone: +81 (0)12-012-6666

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8. Gochiso Kitchen Hatake no Haru

A vegetable buffet

Good for: Families, Food

Visit Gochiso Kitchen Hatake no Haru in Sapporo Art Park for a delightful array of seasonal Hokkaido vegetables. This family-friendly spot offers an open-plan restaurant with stunning museum views and a kids’ space. Lunches are buffets, featuring dishes that showcase the specific regions where their ingredients are sourced.

Make sure you try the home-style dishes such as soft tofu made with Tokachi soybeans and seasoned boiled spinach from Hakodate. For something filling, try the handmade udon noodles crafted from Hokkaido flour or the vegetable curry. Indulge in a variety of drinks and desserts, including the irresistible all-you-can-eat soymilk soft serve ice cream, ideal with coffee after lunch.

Location: 2 Chome Geijutsunomori, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0864, Japan

Open: Daily from 11 am to 5 pm

Phone: +81 (0)11-215-1778

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9. Molière

A Michelin-starred French restaurant

Good for: Food, Luxury

Restaurant Molière is where you can try some French cuisine in a traditional multi-course Japanese meal (kaiseki), using local Hokkaido ingredients. A 10-minute walk from Maruyama-Koen Station on the Subway Tozai Line, Restaurant Molière is located in a quiet residential area overlooking Maruyama Park. This French restaurant has been in business for more than 30 years, and has received three Michelin stars.

Dishes include seasonal soups like burdock or corn soup, rich potato gratin, and colorful seasonal vegetables. The selection of seafood includes horsehair crabs, sea urchins, oysters from Akkeshi, and abalone from Matsumae, and the main meat dishes are Tokachi beef, Hokkaido venison, and duck. There’s no better way to enjoy the taste of Hokkaido.

Location: 2 Chome−1−1 Lafayette Miyagaoka 1F, Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959, Japan

Open: Hours vary by season

Phone: +81 (0)11-631-3155

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