Itaru

Overview

If you're in Kanazawa and craving a delightful dining experience, Itaru in the heart of the city should be on your radar. Located at 2 Chome-7-5 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0981, Japan, this cozy yet vibrant spot offers a unique taste of traditional Japanese cuisine with a twist of modern flair. Whether you're a local or a visitor, stepping into Itaru feels like stepping into a warm, welcoming atmosphere that combines the charm of a traditional diner with the trendy vibe of contemporary dining.

From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll notice the inviting ambiance. The interior is thoughtfully designed with wooden accents and subtle lighting, creating an intimate yet lively setting that makes it perfect for a casual meal or a night out with friends. The seating is comfortable, and the staff is incredibly friendly, adding to the overall positive dining experience. It’s not the type of place where you feel rushed; you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal at your own pace.

The menu at Itaru is an absolute highlight. It features a wide variety of Japanese dishes, from sushi and sashimi to more hearty offerings like ramen and donburi. What sets Itaru apart from other restaurants in the area is its commitment to high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of its dishes. The sushi, for instance, is always fresh, and the chefs use seasonal fish to create a burst of flavors in every bite. The sashimi is thickly sliced and melts in your mouth, perfectly accompanied by a little wasabi and soy sauce.

For those seeking something more filling, Itaru's ramen is a must-try. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the noodles are made fresh daily, ensuring that each slurp is as satisfying as the last. The donburi bowls, served with various meats and toppings over steaming rice, are equally as impressive. Itaru doesn’t just serve meals; it crafts experiences that leave you feeling content and happy.

What makes dining at Itaru even better is the attentive service. The waitstaff is always eager to help you navigate the menu, suggesting pairings or offering recommendations based on your preferences. This personal touch really adds to the dining experience, making you feel more like a guest than just another customer.

As for the drinks, Itaru offers an excellent selection of Japanese beers, sake, and cocktails. If you're in the mood for something a little different, their creative cocktail menu is well worth exploring. The bartenders know their craft, and they make sure each drink complements the meal perfectly.

But don’t just take my word for it. The reviews from locals and visitors alike consistently praise Itaru’s food quality, service, and atmosphere. Many frequent diners mention the restaurant’s attention to detail, from the fresh ingredients to the consistency of the flavors. A lot of people also appreciate the restaurant's location, right in the bustling Katamachi district, making it a convenient stop for both lunch and dinner.

It's not often that a restaurant strikes the perfect balance between traditional Japanese flavors and modern dining aesthetics, but Itaru manages to do just that. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick lunch or a more leisurely dinner, it’s clear that the restaurant has built a reputation for being a top choice in Kanazawa. The combination of great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and excellent service ensures that Itaru will remain a favorite for years to come.

In a city full of dining options, Itaru stands out as a place where every meal feels special, and every visit feels like you're part of a family. If you haven’t been yet, make sure to put it on your list - you won’t regret it!

Good to know

Service options

Dine-in Delivery

Popular for

Lunch Dinner Solo dining

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating

Offerings

Alcohol Beer Small plates

Dining options

Lunch Dinner Dessert Table service

Amenities

Toilet

Atmosphere

Cosy Quiet Trendy

Crowd

Tourists

Planning

Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait

Payments

PayPay

Parking

Paid parking lot

Photos

Location

Reviews

- No ratings yet 1498 reviews
Amazing 749
Great 472
Okay 174
Not Great 76
Terrible 68
Richard Halim

Come here at 11.45, the restaurant is full, so need to wait around 1 hour which is quiet long. To be honest the customer turnover process is very slow. I can see lots of customer has paid around 12.15-12.30, but we still need to wait for a while until we got seated (same with 2 persons before us) The dish: there are 2 main dishes during lunch, nodogoro (white grilled fish) and gomaburi, which is a sashimi donburi. They are pretty expensive as others said and not so big especially the nodogoro. Taste is quite unique, its above standard but does not has that wow factor. Overall, we enjoyed our food

Midori P.

Wrote our names on the waiting list before the shop was opened. But were confused which shop was it and went to Itaru next door to queue, went in and realise the menu is different. Apologised to the waiter and we went back next door - luckily they only called the first group in, our names were on the second of the list. Went in, ordered & served with side dishes we ordered - deep fried tofu and bone crackers. Both dishes were great! We also ordered the blackthroat fish rice bowl each but wasn’t very impressed by the flavour of the sauce in the rice - could have been more flavourful. The fish is soft and smooth - not tough and dry kind. For the price, maybe I expected abit more fish than this. Overall, if I have to queue and wait for more than 20 mins, I wouldn’t have came. But this time round we didn’t had to wait long because we were early to write our names on the list.

Julian Macias

Amazing food. They basically have just one meal: Noduguro Meshi. Yumny! Worth to try when visiting Kanazawa’s Castle. Sticky rice is wonderfully cook and the rosy seabass is to die for.

carlo valdez

Good food and experience, serving size a bit on the smaller side. was still hungry after our meal.

Grace Angelia

Highly recommended! The restaurant usually requires a reservation, but we walked in an hour before closing and was lucky enough to wait only about 5 minutes for a seat. We ordered Kanazawa’s specialty, Nodoguromeshi (Blackthroat Seaperch fish), which was served over fluffy white rice in a hotpot and slightly torched, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor and aroma. It can then be enjoyed with chazuke broth, enhancing the taste of the fish.

Christopher Lim

"Nice fish — just like any other fish. Omelette egg with a hint of madness? Surprisingly good. Potato salad? Solid. Real solid."

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