Top Restaurants in Hakuba
One of the added benefits of skiing in Japan is the access you get to some of the best alpine food in the world. The ingredients are fresh without parallel, the flavours are delicious and funnily enough, Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world – so they’re definitely eating right! Keep reading to discover the top restaurants in Hakuba.
Nagano is the food basket of Japan, and has overtaken the far southern prefecture of Okinawa for having the longest life expectancy. It’s famous for its fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, wild game meat and fresh seafood from neighbouring Niigata. Just outside the city of Nagano, lies the Hakuba Valley, and boy does the good food continue. But, please note, restaurants in Hakuba are extremely busy during the winter months, so you need to book early. Read below, get hungry and get booking your next gastronomic experience.
Top Western Restaurants in Hakuba
When it comes to western eateries in Hakuba, there are plenty of options. And, the great thing is, plenty of our favourites spots are open all day, meaning you can enjoy coffee and breakfast at sunrise through to après at sunset! Our top pick for this is The Rabbit Hole in upper Wadano. Serving up delicious breakfasts, through to toasties and burgers and plenty of happy hour deals at the end of the day. We’d also suggest heading to The Clubhouse, Cantina and Calico is now open for an epic Aussie breakfast and brunch. Or, head along later in the day as they come alive with music and plenty of cocktails.
For dinner, head to Cherry Pub in Echoland for all your pub classics or Bernd’s Keller at Hotel Marillen for hearty German cuisine. If wood-fired pizza has your name on it after a long day on the slopes, head straight to Blizzard at Happo Gondola.
Top Japanese Restaurants in Hakuba
As you’d expect, there are plenty of amazing traditional Japanese restaurants in Hakuba serving up a range of delicious delicacies. If you’re like us and love dumplings, make sure you check out Yamagami in Hokujo. Or if noodles are more your thing, Soba Shubo Zen specialise in tasty soba noodles. For the freshest sashimi and sushi, Kikyo-ya is the perfect spot. Or if you want a restaurant that offers all the Japanese classics in one place, head to Izakaya Hie.
Top Fine Dining restaurants in Hakuba
Fancy fine-dining? There are plenty of memorable gastronomic experiences in Hakuba to enjoy after a day on the slopes. One of our top pics is Mimi’s Restaurant and Bar at the Phoenix Hotel in Wadano. Husband and wife, Kazu and Yuki Shimamoto have been providing a memorable tasting experience for years. This has in turn seen Mimi’s become one of the most highly sought after restaurants in Hakuba. If you like modern fusion cuisine, we’d highly recommend booking a table at Hybrid – you won’t be disappointed. Lastly, a new favourite. Helmed by head chef, Andrea Ferrero, who previously worked as executive chef in some of the world’s finest hotels, The Clubhouse by Stars’n Cacio is new for the 2023/24 season. Bringing with it incredible Italian food, American nibbles, and innovative cocktails.
Top Après & Nightlife Spots in Hakuba
As the sun goes down, Hakuba’s restaurants and bars come to life. Our pick this season is the new double-level Hakuba Après bar on Nakiyama! The first floor is home to an indoor-outdoor après-ski bar with a focus on mulled drinks and beer, while the second floor is an upmarket speakeasy lounge bar serving mostly whiskeys, cocktails, wine, and champagne. Other top picks are The Rabbit Hole, in Upper Wadano Bar Refuel at Happo Village and Mockingbird at Echoland.
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