Paul's Okinawa restaurant recommendations

Naha

Apiecere - My number 1 cuisine is Italian food and I was so happy to find this fine Italian place in Naha. It is not hearty family italian. There is no pizza. It is fine, healthy italian using vegetables and fish of the season including Okinawan ingredients. The wine is amazing too. It is small so you need to make a reservation.

Urasoe

Arinkaya - This place blew my mind. We have been here 2 times for lunch. The main cuisine of this place is inari-zushi. This is not a category you would choose to launch a restaurant around. But they are on a different level. The inari-zushi is inventive and yummy. And the other dishes are kind of Michelin-level inventive and tasty. Definitely go here.

Chatan

Pao Pao the Elephant - This Thai food tastes pretty authentic to me. I have been to so many Thai places in Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan where they sweeten it up and tone down the heat to make it acceptable to Japanese customers. This one tastes satisfying to me - a person who has been to Thailand many times and loves the heat.

Motobu/Nakijin

Anettaijaya - The name means Asian tropical tea house. It has a pan-Asian menu including pho. But don't worry too much about the menu. Go for the stunning view of the ocean to the west.

Tida Moon - A casual place which serves a large teishoku in the morning and at lunch. At night it turns into an izakaya. Despite the very Okinawan building, it has a surprising menu with pate, pasta (Carbonara!), pizza, tan tan men.... All very tasty. The chef was trained as in french cuisine and came from Tokyo.

On the Beach Cafe - Don't worry about the menu. It is decent lunch-time fare. Go here becuase it is on a nice, white sandy beach. Fantastic view of the ocean.

Shiki no Aya - This is a simple, set lunch place in the middle of the mountains and jungle. Such a beautiful setting and view and healthy ingredients. Love it.

Cafe Kokuu - This is a Japanese set lunch place. What makes it special is the healthy, veggie-centric ingredientcs and the view, high on a mountain.

Pescheria Due - Not sure how to describe this place. This is expensive, high class cooking. Very inventive tastes and dishes. They must be going for a Michelin star. You will be moved. It is not operating year round, so check their site and make a reservation.

The Key Bakery - You can get decent bread here including a bagette. You should call and reserve it the day before however.

Awayk - Unfortunately this place closed...

Photo is from Arinkaya and their inarizushi.