10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Sapporo

Bikkuri Donkey, which translates to "Surprise Donkey," is a Sapporo staple and a chain of child-friendly hamburger restaurants that are perfect for a casual meal. The star of the Bikkuri Donkey menu is their hamburger steak, a dish they've perfected over the years. They offer juicy patties with a variety of toppings and sauces to choose from.

Don’t be surprised if your burger is served on a wooden plate and comes with chopsticks. There are over a dozen Bikkuri Donkey restaurants scattered throughout Sapporo, so you’re guaranteed to find one wherever you are in the city.

Nijo Market sells seafood at its freshest from hole-in-the-wall food stalls. With over 15 fisheries and fishmongers, you'll find a dazzling display of the day's catch, including crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin, various fresh and prepared fish like hokke (Okhotsk atka mackerel), and much more.

Nijo Market is a haven for foodies. Many shops allow you to try samples before you buy, and there are also restaurants and stalls serving ready-made meals like sushi, seafood bowls and grilled seafood skewers. In addition to seafood, the market offers a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced directly from Hokkaido farms. The market is located in central Sapporo, three blocks south of the TV Tower at Odori Park.

Suginome Main Susukino lets you dine on Hokkaido cuisine in the privacy of Japanese-style rooms. The warehouse restaurant has served fresh seafood to members of the Japanese Royal Family and other distinguished guests in its illustrious past. You can select from daily catches and enjoy full-course menus only available in Hokkaido. The traditional Japanese design heightens the ambience as the delightful staff serves each dish.

The Hokkai course features ruibe (frozen salmon), sea urchin, soi (rockfish) and other seafood served on ice. Caught in the Sea of Okhotsk, kichiji (rockfish) makes a savory dish with intense flavor. You can also order dishes a la carte with selections such as horsehair crab, sanpei soup, yukimochi dumplings and broiled king crab.

The popular and exciting Onyasai Sapporo Ekimae specialises in shabu-shabu, a Japanese hot pot dish. Shabu-shabu involves dipping thinly sliced meat (typically beef or pork) and vegetables into a simmering pot of flavourful broth at your table. You cook the ingredients to your desired doneness before enjoying them with dipping sauces.

Onyasai Sapporo Ekimae provides a variety of meat options, including high-quality Japanese black beef, Tsuyahime pork from Hokkaido and even duck. You can also choose from different types of soup broth to customize your shabu-shabu experience. Located near Sapporo Station, this thrilling restaurant offers a convenient dining option if you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal.

The sushi legend Kikuzushi has been in operation since the Taisho period (1912-26) and is considered to serve some of the freshest sushi and sashimi in Japan. Sitting at the counter and watching the chef diligently prepare your meal is an experience you won’t forget.

Ask for the omakase set, and let the chef help you choose your meal, including both miso soup and as much green tea as you can drink. Kikuzushi is also renowned for its generous selection of Japanese sake, the perfect accompaniment to sushi, featuring brands from all over the country.

Nihonryori Hanashiro serves up traditional dishes from Kyushu, Japan's southernmost major island. This is an elegant restaurant is located in Premier Hotel Tsubaki Sapporo and offers excellent opportunity to try out different aspects of Japanese food.

Order one of the set courses available to experiment with sashimi, grilled fish and seafood, pickled and fresh vegetables and the famous Kyushu basashi which is thin slices of raw horsemeat accompanied by grated ginger and soy sauce. There’s plenty of beer and sake available, but the best drink to accompany your food here is shochu, a Japanese liquor. The dining rooms are as traditional as the fine-dining cuisine.

Sushi Toriton Toyohira is a popular restaurant famous for its mouthwatering sushi and sashimi. Part of the popular Toriton Sushi restaurant chain, the Toyohira branch is a great place to experience unpretentious, local dining.

Hokkaido is revered for its fantastic seafood, so visitors should certainly consider giving it a try here. For anyone who doesn’t like seafood, there are also other options available such as chicken and noodle dishes. Menus are available in English and diners pay by the plate, with 2 pieces of sushi per plate. Hot green tea is served free, and beer and sake are available for anyone hankering after something a little stronger.

The popular Sapporo Kani Honke restaurants specialise in authentic crab cuisine and are highly recommended for all seafood lovers who want to splurge on a memorable meal. These upscale restaurants use high-quality, fresh crabs sourced directly from Hokkaido. The menu features an array of delectable crab dishes, including fresh crab sashimi, boiled or steamed crab legs, grilled crab and even crab hot pot.

While crab is the star of the show, Sapporo Kani Honke restaurants offer other dishes to complement your meal, such as sashimi (fresh fish slices), tempura (fried seafood and vegetables) and rice dishes. The 2 Kani Honke restaurants in Sapporo boast a sophisticated and traditional Japanese atmosphere. To secure a table, an advance booking is recommended.

For a meaty experience with lots of beer to swill it down with, try the Sapporo Beer Garden and Genghis Khan Hall. Combining a large German-style Bierkeller with an all-you-can-eat buffet (known as Genghis Khan), you’re guaranteed to discover a fun and lively dining experience. The building itself is worth a visit with its red brick façade and imposing and cavern-like interior.

This laidback and down-to-earth restaurant is perfect for groups, so why not get together with your friends for a couple of brewskis, some hearty food, and a fun night out? You can find the beer garden just 10-minutes’ walk from Higashi-ku Yakusho-mae Station on the Toho Line.

Sky J is a chic and sophisticated rooftop restaurant offering stunning views of downtown Sapporo. The cuisine in this upscale and elegant venue is a mouthwatering mix of European, American and Japanese flavors. Located on the 35th floor of the JR Tower Hotel Nikko, you’ll be in the best spot to snap the most breathtaking holiday photos from your table.

Around noon, Sky J serves an abundant lunch buffet, including a wide variety of European and Chinese dishes that feature Hokkaido ingredient. From the bar, you can order wines and whiskies produced in Hokkaido, as well as tantalizing cocktails. Breakfast is available for staying guests only. Reservations are necessary.