If you’re having breakfast in Otaru! 10 Must-Try Morning Meals

If you’re coming all the way to Hokkaido, you’ll want to enjoy a delicious breakfast that’s uniquely Hokkaido, right? When people think of Otaru, sweets might be what come to mind first, but since it’s a port town, there’s an abundance of seafood as well. With local markets nearby, you can even have a fresh seafood breakfast.
But Otaru’s charm doesn’t end there! Seafood, retro buildings, cozy cafés… there are many ways to enjoy your morning here. We’ve carefully selected 10 places where anyone can have a wonderful breakfast, no matter what kind of morning you’re looking for.
Start your day with a hearty meal and make your sightseeing experience even richer! Let’s dive right in and introduce you to these satisfying breakfast spots.

1. Kita no Donburiya Takinami Shokudo

First and foremost, you simply can’t miss a seafood rice bowl! If you want to start your day fully satisfied with a heaping portion of fresh seafood from morning, the seafood bowls at Kita no Donburiya Takinami Shokudo are exactly what you need.
The "Sankaku Market" during the morning hours can get a little crowded, and especially at this restaurant, it’s not uncommon to wait 30 minutes if you arrive a bit late. But once you’re at the front of the line, the excitement is totally worth it. After all, you’re about to be served massive seafood rice bowls piled high with toppings like uni (sea urchin) and ikura (salmon roe)—the kind of feast that’ll blow your mind!
Of course, the donburi bowls are fantastic, but the side dishes, like their “grilled live scallops,” are also something to write home about. You’ll be amazed by how big they are! It might feel almost too luxurious to enjoy something this extravagant for breakfast, but since you’re in Hokkaido, go ahead and savor the best seafood the region has to offer.

2. Ichiba Shokudo Ajidokoro Takeda

Also located inside Sankaku Market, Ichiba Shokudo Ajidokoro Takeda is another great spot to enjoy fresh seafood. If you’re in the mood to splurge a little for breakfast, you can’t go wrong with their "Sanshoku-don" (Three-Color Rice Bowl). The three luxurious toppings are crab, botan shrimp, and scallops—absolutely indulgent!
They also have set meals like grilled fish teishoku, but since you’re already at the market, you won’t want to miss out on their seafood rice bowls, which you can only enjoy this fresh here.
And if you’re feeling up for it, why not have a beer with breakfast? It’s a moment of pure bliss, the kind of quiet happiness that stays with you.
By the way, their “squid strips in ink sauce” served as an appetizer is also highly recommended! Don’t miss trying it when you visit.

3. Marie Laurencin Café

This is a stylish café that, surprisingly, opens as early as 8:00 AM, making it a perfect spot for breakfast. It’s located on the first floor of Dormy Inn Otaru, so if you’re staying at the hotel, you can treat yourself to a luxurious morning by having breakfast right here at the café.
If you’re someone who can’t start the day without coffee, their iced coffee comes highly recommended. Despite being iced, it has a rich aroma and flavor, with absolutely no watery taste at all. While enjoying this coffee, you might suddenly find yourself craving something sweet in the morning. Luckily, their desserts are exceptional! This café has been a beloved favorite among locals for many years in Otaru, a city known for its competitive sweets scene—proof of just how delicious their offerings are.
The idea of having sweets for breakfast might surprise you, but once you’ve had a sip of their coffee, you’ll surely understand why you’ll end up ordering a slice of cake along with it!

4. Kameju Pan (Bakery)

This bakery is so popular that customers are constantly coming and going from early in the morning. Unlike most bakeries today, where you pick your bread with tongs and pay afterward, this shop sticks to an old-fashioned style—like a cake shop—where you order your bread from the display case.
Their number one recommendation is the Yakisoba Pan! It’s packed with yakisoba noodles that nearly overflow from the bread. One of these is more than enough for a filling breakfast. But here’s another insider tip: their signature item is actually the Thick-Cut Cream Bread. As the name suggests, it’s loaded with cream and is best enjoyed as a sweet treat. However, if you’re looking for a proper breakfast, the yakisoba pan is probably the better choice.

5. Authen Hotel Otaru

When it comes to breakfast in Otaru, you definitely can’t overlook the breakfast buffets offered by hotels. The breakfast buffet at Authen Hotel Otaru is a luxurious spread that will have you enchanted from the start of the day, featuring a dazzling variety of high-end dishes.
The price for the breakfast buffet is 2,550 yen. It’s understandable to hesitate about spending that much on breakfast… but the experience you get here is well worth the cost. First of all, you can immediately tell that even the vegetables taste different—they’re just that fresh and flavorful! The menu is filled with carefully selected Hokkaido ingredients, and no matter what you try, everything is delicious. Just be warned: you might end up eating too much and find yourself unable to move after!

6. Non-Non Restaurant - Rinyu Morning Market Branch

The Rinyu Morning Market in Otaru opens as early as 4:00 AM. Inside the market, you’ll find Non-Non Restaurant - Rinyu Morning Market Branch. Of course, the seafood served here is sourced directly from the market, so you can be confident in both its freshness and flavor.
If you visit, be sure to try their Daily Non-Non Set Meal. You’ll get to enjoy a variety of fresh seafood dishes that change depending on the day’s catch—like grilled fish that’s perfect for a morning meal. Another recommendation is their Ikura Don (salmon roe rice bowl), served with miso soup and pickled radish. You might even think there’s more ikura than rice because of the generous portion, and its vibrant presentation will surely whet your appetite!
In addition, they offer a unique service where they’ll cook the seafood you personally pick out from the Rinyu Morning Market. You can shop for your favorite fresh items and then bring them here to have them prepared and served to you—a luxurious experience for seafood lovers!
There is a small preparation fee for bringing in your own seafood, but it’s only a few hundred yen. If you’re looking for an active start to your day, this is a perfect place to visit.

7. Otaru Narutoya Asari Main Store

Otaru is famous for its delicious seafood, but there are other local specialties that are just as amazing. One standout is the deep-fried half chicken ("tori no hanshin age"). It's considered a soul food for the people of Otaru, and you can enjoy this specialty at Otaru Narutoya Asari Main Store.
Their top recommendation is the Young Chicken Set Meal. It features half of a young chicken, deep-fried and served whole on a plate. Just by looking at it, you can tell it's a hefty meal! They use a special cooking method: after frying the chicken once, they take it out, make precise cuts to ensure even cooking, and then fry it again. This creates a unique flavor and texture that’s different from the usual karaage. If you want to experience deep-fried half chicken in Otaru, this is the place to go.
At lunchtime, there’s often a line of both locals and tourists, and takeout customers constantly come and go. So if you want to avoid the wait or crowds, going in the morning is a smart idea. The shop is located on the premises of a shopping mall, with easy parking available.

8. Misaki Rinyu Branch

The Rinyu Morning Market, which opens at 4:00 AM, is the earliest market in Otaru. Inside this market is Misaki Rinyu Branch, known for its Braised Skate Set Meal ("Kasube no Nitsuke Teishoku"). Kasube refers to skate fish, and their braised version is absolutely delicious. The soft cartilage has a pleasant, crunchy texture that might even make you want to have a drink with it—even in the morning!
Since it opens at 4:00 AM, it's the perfect place to grab breakfast after exploring the market.

9. Aotsuka Shokudo

Aotsuka Shokudo is a casual eatery where you can enjoy fresh seafood at very reasonable prices. As you can see from the photos, despite the luxurious appearance of the dishes, the prices are not too expensive. On top of that, the portions are very generous! Thanks to its great value for money, it’s become one of the most popular places to eat in Otaru.
The restaurant is always bustling with both locals and tourists from Japan and abroad. It’s especially crowded during lunchtime when you’ll likely have to wait for a table, so it’s a good idea to visit in the morning.
While most tourists come for the seafood rice bowls, like Uni Don (sea urchin rice bowl) and Ikura Don (salmon roe rice bowl), the place also serves other common dishes such as ramen, staying true to its name as a "shokudo" (diner). You might also catch the sight (and smell!) of fresh seafood being grilled right in front of the shop. In addition to the eatery, they also run a guesthouse.

10. Takinami Shoten

Their signature dish is the Takinami Don, named after the shop itself. Another popular option is their original Ganso Wagamama Don, which looks luxurious and is exciting even before you take your first bite! Located inside the Sankaku Market near Otaru Station, this shop lets you pick your favorite seafood toppings and create your own custom donburi rice bowl.
You can also upgrade the set’s miso soup to a hearty crab soup for an extra 300 yen.
It’s so popular that there’s often a long line during lunchtime, showing how beloved this place is by both locals and tourists. They open daily at 9 AM, so visiting after a morning stroll through the market and enjoying breakfast here sounds like a great plan.

◎ Summary

Since Otaru is a port town, of course, we want you to enjoy the seafood. But we hope we’ve also managed to convey that there’s more to Otaru’s charm than just seafood. With such an array of delicious breakfast options, you might even feel like having two breakfasts! But don’t worry—Otaru’s lunch offerings are just as amazing, so go ahead and eat to your heart’s content while you’re here.
And of course, don’t forget to indulge in some sweets! Start your day in Otaru with a luxurious breakfast, and enjoy a full course of delicious meals—from breakfast, lunch, café time, to dinner—while you explore this wonderful town!

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If you’re having breakfast in Otaru! 10 Must-Try Morning Meals