5 places to eat beef in Kobe

Mouriya Honten

This restaurant founded in 1885 is well known as one of the best beef restaurants in Kobe. The cheapest menu starts at 5,500 yen ($49) for lunch and dinner, including a round steak, soup, rice and tea. To have a filet of their finest meat, expect to pay at least 10,000 yen ($89). The restaurant, with its modern and European-inspired decor, has limited place settings, so it is strongly recommended to book ahead on their website. If you sit at the bar, the chef will give you an explanation of the process as he prepares the meat on a teppanyaki (hotplate) in front of you.

Steak Aoyama

This small, family-run restaurant with just 8 seats offers a particularly warm welcome to enjoy Kobe beef in a great atmosphere. Seated in front of the chef, everything is explained to you as he cooks, from the origin of the ingredients to the cooking technique. For the basic menu with 100g of meat, a starter, soup and coffee, it will cost 5,200 yen ($46) per person. The relaxed family atmosphere is very pleasant, and they offer reasonable rates for good Kobe beef.

Misono

Misono is a chain of restaurants founded in Kobe in 1945. They are, more or less, the creators of teppanyaki cooking - or cooking on a hot plate in front of the customer. In other words, Misono is the benchmark when it comes to Kobe beef restaurants. This chic establishment offers a true dining experience, to try at least once in your life, with top quality food and service. The price of the classic menu, around $140, is accordingly high, but worth it!

Wakkoqu

In this elegant restaurant near Shin-Kobe Station, cuts of meat are on offer from 9,010 yen ($80) for sirloin (ribeye), and prices can go up to almost 15,000 yen ($133) for the finest cuts of meat. The chef cooks the fresh meat in front of you, with perfect seasoning. The lunch menu is recommended as it includes a small piece of Tajima beef as well as the accompaniments such as rice, soup, vegetables, plus dessert and coffee, for a very reasonable 5,380 yen ($49).

Kobe Beef Steak Ishida (Kitanozaka)

This Kobe beef chain is located in Kobe's Sannomiya district. It's best to go there for lunch - the menu, including a 130g ribeye steak is offered at 8,800 yen ($78), while a dinner will cost you at least 12,900 yen, or $115. The restaurant also offers prime cuts, such as A5 quality tenderloin - the best steak going. It will, however, cost you 17,000 yen ($150) to taste this exceptional meat...

To make a reservation, visit their website.