12 Best Lunch Spots in Hida Takayama for Hida Beef and Local Cuisine

Hida Beef is Gifu’s renowned wagyu brand, known for its fine marbling, tender texture, and rich flavor. Raised by skilled local farmers in Gifu’s pristine natural environment, only beef that meets strict quality standards can be certified as Hida Beef. For many travelers, tasting authentic Hida Beef in the Hida region is one of the highlights of their trip.

• Tokai
• Gifu
• lunch
• Yakiniku
• Localgourmet
• Meat dishes

Sakaguchiya

Set in a beautifully preserved machiya townhouse over a century old, this historic restaurant combines traditional atmosphere with Hida Beef specialties.

Its signature Hida Beef nigiri sushi was created to enjoy while strolling Takayama’s historic streets. The menu also features premium steaks, rice bowls, Hida Beef curry, soba, and hoba miso—a regional delicacy of miso paste grilled on a magnolia leaf.

Inside, antique furnishings and vintage items reflect the building’s history. In the traditional kura storehouse at the back, visitors can view Takayama Festival float models, authentic costumes, and even try their hand at operating karakuri mechanical puppets.

Bonds Brew beer craft

Located a 12-minute walk from Takayama Station (JR Takayama Line), this craft beer restaurant serves selected craft beers from breweries across Japan alongside sandwiches made with Hida beef. Housed in a renovated traditional townhouse, the interior blends Japanese charm with modern design. A signature item is the hearty Hida Beef Steak Sandwich, which pairs well with craft beer. From the second-floor lattice windows, you can enjoy views of Takayama's preserved old town, making it a relaxing place to take a break during sightseeing.

Maruaki Takayama-ten

Maruaki Takayama-ten is a restaurant operated by a butcher, serving exceptionally fresh Hida Beef. Enjoy it as yakiniku, shabu-shabu, or sukiyaki. For a great-value meal, the Hida Beef Steak Bento Set and Hida Beef Sukiyaki Bento Set are excellent choices.

If you'd like to enjoy yakiniku, try the Special Assorted Platter, featuring a variety of Hida Beef cuts. From richly marbled slices to flavorful lean cuts, it's an excellent way to experience the full appeal of Hida Beef.

The restaurant offers a spacious, clean, and relaxing atmosphere, with private dining rooms available for groups of up to 40 guests.

Bandai Kadomise

This restaurant is a sister restaurant of Bandai, a traditional Japanese restaurant with over 90 years of history. The head chef trained in Kyoto prepares authentic Japanese cuisine that has made the restaurant popular with both locals and visitors.

Enjoy Hida Beef in the Hida Beef Sukiyaki Set, Hida Manzoku Set, or Hida Beef Hoba Miso Set. The popular Hida Beef Sukiyaki Set features tender Hida Beef loin and vegetables slowly simmered in a sweet and savory broth.

If you'd like to try a local specialty, the Hida Beef Hoba Miso Set is highly recommended. Hida Beef loin is grilled on a magnolia leaf with savory miso sauce, allowing the aroma of the leaf and the rich flavor of the miso to enhance the natural taste of the beef.

Restaurant Cresson

A long-time local favorite, this Western-style restaurant is best known for its Hida Beef Steak. With its tender texture and the natural sweetness of its finely marbled fat, it fully showcases the rich flavor of Hida Beef. Another popular choice is the Hamburg Steak, made with carefully selected ingredients. Thick, juicy, and satisfying, it's a hearty dish that's sure to please meat lovers.

Kyoushi

This restaurant showcases the bounty of the Hida region through creative sushi and Hida Beef specialties. Its signature dish is the Premium Hida Beef Selection, featuring an assortment of nigiri sushi and Hida Beef tekka rolls made with carefully selected cuts chosen specifically for sushi.

Other popular dishes include the Hida Beef Hitsumabushi, served with savory bonito broth, and the Hida Beef Toro-Suji Rice Bowl, topped with tender, slow-braised beef tendon. Limited to just 10 servings a day, the Seared Hida Beef Toro Rice Box features lightly seared Hida Beef layered over rice, offering a delicious balance of smoky aroma and rich flavor.

Tengu

Savor the region's renowned Hida Beef prepared in a variety of styles, including yakiniku (Japanese BBQ), shabu-shabu, and steak. A highlight is the signature grilled Hida Beef yakiniku, served with the restaurant's special house sauce that enhances the meat's rich flavor and pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice.
Choose your favorite cut, such as loin or lean cuts, and experience the exceptional quality and flavor of Hida Beef.

Hida Beef is known for remaining exceptionally tender and juicy even when cooked in broth, making it ideal for shabu-shabu. Enjoy the thinly sliced beef with a refreshing ponzu sauce or the restaurant's original sesame sauce for a light yet flavorful meal.

Kitchen Hida

Founded in 1964, Kitchen Hida is a Hida Beef steak specialty restaurant renowned for its unique "braise and sauté" technique, a method refined through years of trial and error to bring out the very best in Hida Beef.

Carefully selected Hida Beef is aged for two to four weeks to enhance its flavor before the surface is expertly seared. This meticulous preparation locks in the meat’s natural juices, creating a harmonious balance of Hida Beef’s signature sweetness and remarkable tenderness in every bite.

Restaurant Susaki

Nestled in Takayama's preserved old town, Restaurant Susaki is the oldest ryotei in Gifu Prefecture. It is the only restaurant preserving Sowa-style honzen cuisine, a traditional multi-course dining style dating back to the Edo period. A highlight is the Hida Beef Steak Kaiseki, which combines classic Japanese courses with Hida beef steak grilled on a hot iron griddle to bring out its fine texture, rich marbling, and natural sweetness. Another longtime favorite is the Hida Beef Shabu-Shabu, served for more than 50 years. Thin slices of beef are cooked in a traditional copper pot heated with charcoal and served with the restaurant's signature sesame sauce, which enhances their rich flavor.

Shuntei Nakagawa

Housed in a renovated traditional townhouse in Takayama's preserved old town, Shuntei Nakagawa is a Western-style teppanyaki restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. A highlight is the Special Hida Beef Teppanyaki Course, featuring A4 and A5-grade Hida beef grilled directly in front of you at the counter. Another favorite is the Hida beef stew, prepared with a demi-glace sauce refined since the restaurant opened and infused with the rich flavor of Hida beef.

Ginputei

Established over a century ago in Takayama's preserved old town, Ginputei is a long-established restaurant with a relaxed, traditional atmosphere. The menu features seasonal kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, alongside charcoal-grilled Hida beef that highlights the quality of the ingredients. Highlights include the Hida Beef Hoba Miso Steak, served on a magnolia leaf with local miso, green onions, and mushrooms, as well as steaks and roast beef, offering a variety of ways to enjoy Hida beef.

Fudo

Set in a traditional townhouse, this restaurant serves dishes featuring Hida beef and locally sourced ingredients. The interior has a relaxed atmosphere with antique furniture, counter seats, tatami seating, and tables, making it suitable for both casual meals and special occasions. The menu includes Hida beef–focused course meals, a variety of courses featuring local ingredients, dinner sets, reservation-only courses available with at least three days' advance notice, and a selection of à la carte dishes.