Kobe's wineries and dineries

This is my attempt to produce a going out and getting stuffed/pissed guide to Kobe. I've listed the places in alphabetical order for easy reference. Please contribute if there is somewhere you really love (or hate). Either E mail me, or use the guestbook on the front page. You will be given recognition for your efforts. People all over the world could be reading your name. Think about that, eh!

Recently moved Yakitori shop, now situated just north of JR Hyogo station. For a long time (until it was destroyed in the earthquake), my favourite eatery in Kobe. Delicious and amazingly cheap, the new shop lacks some of the atmosphere of the old, smoky, underground place, but the food is quite exceptional.

A pretty good attempt at an Irish pub in Motomachi. Only open a few months, but already known to everyone. Guinness and Kilkenny are on tap, but at 850 yen a pint. Still, beggars can't be choosers. The staff are friendly, and the fish and chips is good value (and tasty) at 750 yen. Located next to Daimaru on Tor Road.

A cramped, but tasty Indian restaurant on Yamamoto Dori avenue. Food reasonable and good quality. Indian and Japanese beers available. Staffed by genuine Indians. Try the super-hot-and-hot curry, but order a few beers and a toilet roll in advance.

Rather half-hearted attempt at an English pub just opposite Tokyu Hands in Sannomiya. Most of the ex-pat clientelle have now shifted their loyalties to The Dubliners (see above), but between 5:00 and 7:00 on weekdays, cocktails are 100 yen. Still not enticing enough for many. CRAP juke box.

Very "cool" rooftop bar in Kitano-cho, with great decor (especially in the toilet), and reassuringly expensive drinks. Particularly pleasant on Summer evenings, when you can sit on the balcony and watch the world go by below you.

Garlic restaurant, situated on the slope upto Kitano-cho. The portions are large, it is reasonably priced and tasty, but take a packet of mints with you, particularly if you decide on the garlic toast. Eat here regularly, and you should never, ever catch a cold. You'll never, ever score in the disco, either.

French restaurant in Suzurandai between the station and the women's university. Best French bread anywhere in the universe, and the gratin is pretty irresistable, too. The owner and his wife speak good English, but the menu is Japanese only. The "Pierre set" is amazing at only 1000 yen.

Enormous Turkish (?) style beer hall in Mosaic, Harbourland. The menu is rather limited, and beer a little expensive (except for ORIX's annual pennant-winning give-away). In fact, about the only good thing about this place are the interesting costumes worn by the waitresses. Oh, sorry. the chicken with cashew nuts isn't bad.

American style steak-house located on the waterfront at Harbourland. Food quite tasty, if a little pricey for the portion. There used to be a brilliant nomihodai (all you can drink) option, until a certain group of rowdy gaijin went a little OTT and scared all the "normal" people away. Swordfish delicious.

A splendid little "Izakaya" (beerhall is the nearest translation) just opposite Shinna women's university in Suzurandai. Friendly "master" who can rustle up a staggering range of tasty dishes in seemingly no time. Beer is also dirt cheap. A huge draft beer will cost you only 680 yen. Tell him that Matthew recommended the place and you (and I) might both get a discount.

An excellent yakitori (grilled chicken) restaurant in Suzurandai. Friendly host, great charcoal-grilled bird, and an array of beer and sake. Also features 1 stunningly beautiful waitress. Try the chicken grilled with garlic, but don't even think about any hanky-panky afterwards unless you drink abottle of Listerine.

Large, cavernous, curiously-named "Izakaya" located near Tokyu Hands in Sannomiya. Interesting food, reasonably priced beer, and unusual decor and costumes ensure that this place is always a good spot for a fill-up. There used to be 2 shops, but 1 was flattened in the earthquake.