Date Night! Romantic Spots for a Night Out in Fukuoka!
I usually write these articles based on the demand I find within myself when trying to find a place to eat. Finding the perfect spot to match the perfect occasion can sometimes be difficult, but I’ve done all the research so you don’t have to! If you’re looking for something a little special for a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or any other celebration, I’ve got you covered! Scroll down below to browse my personal picks for a special night out in the city!
A lot of people don’t know you can do this, but Mariera offers lunch and dinner cruises around Hakata Bay, departing from downtown at the Bayside. A great way to mark a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, the cruises last anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours, circling the harbor while showing off Fukuoka City from the sea, and the experience can cost as little as 2,200 yen simply for the cruise + one drink, to 14,000 yen per person for the most expensive French course.
Personally, I used this service when my parents came to visit Fukuoka and it was a great way to welcome them to the city.
Pricing is on a sliding scale, so you can choose the course that best fits your budget. On one floor, the Mariera offers a buffet-style dining experience for guests to take as much food as they want. On the second deck is a French style course menu that cycles through 6-8 different dishes. Prices vary by time slot, by floor, and by course, so please check Mariera’s English website for the exact details!
Sakurazaka ONO
A short walk up the hill from Sakurazaka Station, Sakurazaka ONO is a classy upscale “modern izakaya” located in an old remodeled Japanese-style home overlooking the city. Part of the “Ono Group”, which is well-known in the city for their stylish bars and restaurants with unique themes and exciting flavors, the menu here serves seasonal Japanese-style “kaiseki” course meals, priced at 5,000 yen or 7,500 yen per person, or a chef’s choice “omakase” style course which costs 10,000 yen - 15,000 yen per person.
Reservations in advance are strongly recommended and can be made online (JP) via Gurunavi.
Rojiura No Shiki
Nestled between Yakuin and Tenjin, in a cozy backstreet, is this small and intimate “non-genre” course-dining restaurant is known simply as Rojiura No Shiki, which roughly translates to “‘Seasons’ on the Backstreet."
With a rotating menu that gets upgraded every few months (in tune with the seasons, as per the name), this is a cost-friendly option for a fancy and creative prix fixe meal. Lunch is available on the weekends only, for 3,900 yen per person 6-course meal, and dinner adds the option of a 4,900 yen 8-course meal.
I used this restaurant to celebrate a birthday of a close friend and it was perfect. The courses were exciting and gave us plenty to talk about.
They also specialize in cocktails and pairings, and have developed their own type of Japanese-tea cocktails which they strongly recommend pairing with their dishes. Some of the cocktails can be made non-alcoholic for the non-drinkers.
Ristorante Fanfare
This popular Italian-style restaurant, located a 3 minute walk from Akasaka Station, serves creative course meals showcasing some of Kyushu’s finest seasonal ingredients. It is very popular with locals, and is seen as a trendy place to dine.
There are several course tiers with different pricing, so you can find one to suit your budget. Lunch runs about 2,000 yen - 5,000 yen, and dinner running between 3,500 yen and 12,000 yen for a full chef’s selection specialty course.
Reservations can be made online, however the reservation website is in Japanese, so some language expertise might be required. It is recommended that reservations are made at least two days beforehand, as some of the more complex courses require an accurate headcount to accommodate.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse @ The Grand Hyatt
Although Wolfgang’s Steakhouse has some of the nicest steaks in Fukuoka, at 16,000 yen for steak for two, it doesn’t run cheap. Still, this is a great place for a Western-style steakhouse experience, and although the steaks are pricey, they’re filling, thick, and cooked to perfection.
The restaurant has an in-house dry aging room and the meat is cut on premise. Authentic seafood dishes including lobster and salmon are offered as well. Highly recommended side dishes include German Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, Garlic Sautéed Spinach, Mashed Potatoes and Lobster Mac and Cheese which extremely go well with steaks.
If you can afford it, the experience overall is very satisfying and portions are quite large. If you can’t finish your steak, they encourage you to take it home! Lunch is a great way to experience the atmosphere without spending an arm and a leg.
Specials and course options can be booked through third-party sites such as Ikyu for a discount rate.
Imuri
Up on the hill behind Sakurazaka Station, close to Fukuoka Zoo, Imuri overlooks all of Fukuoka City with sultry ambience and a cozy, dim-lit interior. It is classified as a Washoku (Japanese) / French fusion restaurant, but the general impression is that the Japanese course is better.
The omakase (chef’s choice) courses are priced at 6,000 yen, 8,000 yen, and 10,000yen, while the monthly seasonal specialty course is 8,800 yen. For a substantial amount of food, the 8,000en course and up are recommended, and for a special date, an anniversary plan can be selected at 20,000 yen per pair, and will include a special cake.
I have used Imuri a few times as a date spot - it was my first date with my current boyfriend and we used it as an anniversary spot as well. I’m in love with the view of Fukuoka City from here, so this is a personal favorite of mine.
This is a nice place to experience a Japanese-style omakase course while enjoying romantic ambience.
Teppanyaki Kinyotei @ The Hilton Seahawk
Japanese-style teppanyaki with possibly the best views in Fukuoka City! Located on the 35th floor of the Hilton Seahawk Hotel, this restaurant is flawless in service, quality, and romantic ambience. Lunch can run between 3,600 yen and 7,500 yen per person, while dinner starts at 9,800 yen and can run as high as 20,000 yen per person.
No matter the time of day, you can guarantee that the views of Fukuoka city from the large windows will be special - There are regulations in Fukuoka City that prevent tall buildings from being built so close to the airport, and the chance to eat dinner this high off the ground is quite rare.
Combine it with a trip to the nearby Boss EZO for the TeamLab exhibit, for a truly romantic evening.
Bar & Dining Mitsubachi
Located in the center of Fukuoka’s downtown Nakasu district, with open air dining along the riverside, Bar & Dining Mitsubachi is great for a casual first date, or a birthday with friends (and hey, there’s even a fancy refurbished hotel attached to the restaurant, if that’s helpful!)
With a-la-carte meals, course options, and an extensive cocktail, beer, and wine menu, this is one option in the city where you are not necessarily going to be spending a week’s salary on a meal. Courses can range from 3,000 yen - 6,000 yen per person, and all-you-can-drink options are available for those who prefer to have free-flow drinks all evening. A great option for those looking to kick off a night on the town, or wind down after.
I have used Mitsubachi a few times over the past few years, from casual meetups with friends from out of town, to drinks after a dinner date somewhere nearby. This bar restaurant has a buzzing, social atmosphere and is great if you want something low-key where you aren’t the center of attention.
Book in advance if you want a riverside open air seat, as they are popular and tend to fill up quickly.
For more up-to-date restaurant listings and reviews (in ENGLISH!) be sure to check out my Instagram feed below!
Did I miss anything important? Let me know your tips and recommendations in the comments below! I always love hearing when you’ve gone and tried any of my recommendations, so don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know if you’ve enjoyed something—or even if you didn’t! Your tips can help other travelers plan their itineraries when they come to visit, so all information is helpful!