Edobori Yamaguchi
For tourists not thoroughly initiated into Japanese culture and etiquette, this Japanese restaurant is a good place to visit for a traditional kaiseki meal. Many similar restaurants are reluctant to accept foreigners as guests, but Edobori Yamaguchi specialises in teaching tourists about Japanese food and how it should be served and eaten. It is a plus that the food served is indeed excellent.

3-6-49 Edobori, Nishi-ku
Tel: (06) 6441 4901.
Website: www.edobori.co.jp
Price: $$$$

Ganko Umeda Honten
You can't go wrong at Ganko Umeda Honten. A generalist rather than a specialist restaurant, this big eatery covers most bases within Japanese cuisine (from sushi to okonomiyaki and beyond) and it does it well. A comprehensive menu and great food make this a popular choice.

1-5-11 Shibata
Tel: (06) 6376 2001.
Price: $-$$

Hon Sekiguchi
Located near Kuromon market in Sennichimae to the east of Namba, Hon Sekiguchi has been serving Kansai-style sukiyaki (one pot meal) for more than 130 years, and it is still going strong. The sukiyaki and shabu-shabu (similar, but more savoury and less sweet) are very flavoursome and made with top-quality black cattle beef. Guests can choose between Western-style table seating or Japanese dining rooms with tatami mats and low tables.

2-2-7 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku
Tel: (06) 6641 2303.
Price: $$$

Kani Doraku
This restaurant is probably most famous for the huge mechanical crab movings around on its outside wall - it has become a symbol of the whole Dotonbori area. But the food here is actually very good, provided you like crab. Crab prepared in all possible ways is available - crab shabu-shabu, crab kaiseki, crab salad, crab with sushi etc - and it is all good.

1-6-18 Dotonbori
Tel: (06) 6211 8975.
Price: $$-$$$

Mizuno
This third-generation family restaurant is located in Dotonbori and is famous for its okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes). This dish is supposed to have originated in Osaka, and you're unlikely to find a better place to eat it than Mizuno. Vegetables, meat, squid, shrimp and cheese are among the typical topping ingredients. Try to get a seat by the big iron plate where the chefs prepare the food. It's fascinating to watch them in action.

1-4-15 Dohtonbori, Chuo-ku
Tel: (06) 6212 6360.
Website: www.mizuno-osaka.com
Price: $$

Umeda Hagakure
This is an Osaka classic, with long queues forming every day particularly at lunchtime. The reason for its popularity is the famous udon (noodles) it serves with its own specially made soy sauce. At its busiest this is not a place to linger, so there's limited time to savour the food, but for a quick meal you can't do much better in Osaka.

1-1-3 Umeda
Tel: (06) 6341 1409.
Website: www.hagakure.cc/umeda/index.html
Price: $