Washoku Guide
← Milan
Milan · 居酒屋

Authentic Izakaya
in Milan.

Japanese taverns: small plates, charcoal grills, sake and shochu. The room matters as much as the food.

01
Yazawa — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Centro / Brera

Yazawa

¥¥¥¥
Centro / Brera · Izakaya · a la carte
JapaneseYakinikuWagyuKurogeJapanese BBQ

Milan's sole specialist Kuroge Wagyu yakiniku restaurant, Yazawa brings the Tokyo original's precision beef culture to Brera with Japanese chef Tsuyoshi Noikura overseeing marbling selection, cooking technique, and guided service. Critics call it 'few ethnic restaurants in Italy serve preparations this authentic.'

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02
Sakeya — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Navigli / Porta Genova

Sakeya

¥¥¥
Navigli / Porta Genova · Izakaya · a la carte
JapaneseSake BarObanzaiJapanese-Italian FusionPorta Genova

Sakeya is Milan's definitive sake destination — a Japanese-owned house with 150-plus premium labels, a kitchen guided by Japanese chef Masaki Inoguchi drawing from Kyoto's Obanzai tradition, and the backing of Japan's prefectural authorities. Winner of Gambero Rosso's special Sake award 2025 and listed in the Michelin Guide Italy.

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03
Kanpai — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Porta Venezia

Kanpai

¥¥
Porta Venezia · Izakaya · a la carte
JapaneseIzakayaNo SushiKaraageKakuni

Kanpai is Milan's quintessential no-sushi izakaya — a rare beast in a city where Japanese equals rolls. Head chef Jun (Japanese) declined four starred-kitchen job offers to open this Porta Venezia institution in 2018, and his technique-driven menu of karaage, kakuni braised pork, and signature black cod has kept it packed ever since.

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05
Sumire — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Sempione / Moscova

Sumire

¥¥
Sempione / Moscova · Izakaya · a la carte
JapaneseIzakayaNigiriUramakiRamen

Sumire is a small, reservation-only Japanese trattoria near Moscova — one of the few in Milan certified as 'real Japanese' by the local Japanese community. Chef Taka San's home-style menu spans nigiri, uramaki, ramen, gyoza, and donburi, with desserts imported directly from Japan.

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Other Japanese cuisines in Milan
Kaiseki in MilanSushi in MilanDonburi in Milan
Authentic izakaya in other cities →All authentic Japanese in Milan →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

What makes izakaya in Milan authentic?
Japanese taverns: small plates, charcoal grills, sake and shochu. The room matters as much as the food. In Milan, we apply the same standard: chefs trained in the discipline, ingredients and technique consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya-first format rather than a mixed menu.
How do you define authenticity?
Washoku Guide defines authenticity by the kitchen's grounding in Japanese culinary tradition: trained chefs (often in Japan), techniques and ingredients consistent with Japanese practice, a focused menu rather than a pan-Asian one, and a coherent dining format (sushi-ya, ramen-ya, izakaya, kaiseki, etc.). We weigh these signals together — no single factor decides.
Do you require Japanese ownership?
No. Japanese ownership is one positive signal, but it is not required. We also recognise restaurants with Japanese-led kitchens or non-Japanese chefs who have trained extensively in Japan and apply traditional techniques with discipline. What matters is the cooking, not the passport.
How are restaurants selected?
Each entry is researched and chosen by Washoku Guide editors — not voted in, not paid for, and not algorithmically ranked. We read kitchen biographies, study menus, talk to people in the industry, and visit when possible. Restaurants pay nothing to be listed.
Are the listings ranked?
No. Washoku Guide is a curated guide, not a ranking. Order on a city page is editorial and may change as the guide evolves; it does not imply that #1 is better than #5. Every listed restaurant has met our authenticity bar.
Are these the only authentic izakaya restaurants in Milan?
These are the ones Washoku Guide has researched and stands behind today. The guide grows over time; if you know an authentic izakaya restaurant in Milan we should consider, please get in touch.