You can’t miss this when you come to Okinawa! 4 recommended gourmet spots in Motobu Town

Motobu Town, located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, is a tourist destination known for the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Motobu also has four beaches, including Minnajima Beach and Emerald Beach, where you can fully enjoy marine leisure activities such as diving. Along the roads, you can see pineapple and tangerine fields, and there are many gourmet spots where you can taste fresh local ingredients. In this article, we’ll introduce four must-visit gourmet spots in Motobu Town.

1. Barbecue Garden Churaumi

Located inside the stylish “Centurion Hotel,” known as the accommodation closest to Motobu’s most famous tourist attraction, the Churaumi Aquarium. You can enjoy grilled dishes in an open-air setting while gazing at the beautiful Churaumi night view. The restaurant offers premium meats such as domestic beef, pork loin, and Okinawan island pork sausage, seasoned with a secret sauce from a famous restaurant with over half a century of history.

In addition to the barbecue plan, there are more luxurious grilled meal plans featuring sirloin, rib roast, and seafood. The terrace seats, where you can feel the ocean breeze and enjoy Motobu’s sunset view, are especially popular.

2. Steakhouse 88 Churaumi Branch

When you think of Okinawa, you think of steak! Okinawans are even known for eating steak late at night after drinking. Among Motobu’s gourmet spots, you can’t skip the classic steakhouse chain “Steakhouse 88.” Located along the route from Nago to the Churaumi Aquarium, this new-style restaurant offers over 20 types of American steaks and hearty Okinawan dishes.

The simple, country-house-style building along the national highway gives off a relaxing vibe. You can enjoy the popular T-bone steak, the rare Ishigaki beef, or even taco rice while feeling the ocean breeze on the terrace. A hidden gem on the menu is sushi made with marbled local Wagyu beef—lightly seared to enhance its aroma for a luxurious flavor. This is a must-visit gourmet restaurant where you can eat steak to your heart’s content under the starry Motobu sky.

3. Shimabutaya

Shimabutaya is a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Okinawa soba, one of Okinawa’s classic dishes. The restaurant’s signature touch is its use of the famous Okinawan brand pork “Agu,” marinated in a secret sauce for three days before being charcoal-grilled. The thick, hand-pulled noodles made with premium flour and Okinawan salt are also loved for their firm texture and smoothness. The soup is made from an Agu pork broth, ensuring rich flavor throughout.

For seasoning, they use “Motobu Acchan’s Salt,” which is highly praised by chefs, giving the dish a light yet deep flavor. Toppings include eggs from Yanbaru, kamaboko fish cake from Motobu, and condiments such as Okinawan green onions and shredded ginger—every ingredient carefully sourced from Okinawa. The dishes are served in traditional Okinawan “Yachimun no Sato” pottery, offering a truly Okinawan dining experience.

4. Showa Izakaya Hokuzan Shokudo Motobu Branch

Hokuzan Shokudo is a retro-style izakaya located in Motobu Town, with its main branch in neighboring Nakijin Village. The restaurant is designed in full Showa-era style, filled with nostalgic decorations, signs, and posters collected by the owner over many years. Even those unfamiliar with the Showa period can feel a sense of nostalgia and warmth as soon as they step inside, making it a hit among younger visitors as well.

At the Motobu branch, you can enjoy simple yet delicious seafood dishes made with fresh catches from the nearby fishing port, as well as Okinawan classics like various champuru stir-fries. The highlight is the local bonito—Motobu’s pride. It’s delicious both as sashimi and as fried cutlets. A fun feature of the restaurant is its unique faucet that dispenses awamori (Okinawan liquor)! You can enjoy unlimited drinks during the all-you-can-drink time limit. With convenient access from tourist attractions and resort hotels such as the Churaumi Aquarium, this retro izakaya is a top pick for a food-and-drink stop in Motobu.

◎ Summary

Motobu Town in Okinawa offers not only marine sports and sightseeing but also a variety of gourmet spots. From resort hotel barbecues and classic steaks to Okinawa soba and nostalgic Showa-style izakayas, there are plenty of places to satisfy your appetite while enjoying Motobu’s natural beauty. When visiting Motobu, don’t just stop by the aquarium—make sure to explore its culinary scene as well.

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You can’t miss this when you come to Okinawa! 4 recommended gourmet spots in Motobu Town