Niwa Cafe Miyama — Restaurant in Hatsukaichi

Dining here was really a stroke of luck for us. We had plans to get lunch elsewhere, but unfortunately arrived later than expected and most locations had already closed. Fortunately we happened to be visiting on a Wednesday and this cafe was open from 11am - 8:30pm. Perfect.

As an unplanned lunch stop I wasn't sure what to expect, but this cafe ended up being one of the better meals of our trip. We were hoping to get a Japanese Beef lunch set but they had unfortunately already sold out of this by time we got here.

Instead we were able to order some pizza and some Japanese beef off the night menu instead. The pizza was simple, but amazingly flavourful, and the beef incredible also. We got a pudding as a sweet treat at the end also which was delicious.

The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is beautiful. It just seems to be the backyard of someone's house in essence, but the garden is really nice and relaxing. The staff were also super friendly, though I think they were a bit embarrassed to not speak much English. Was absolutely no problem though, you could tell they were really enthusiastic about giving great service and making us feel welcome.

The location was a little tricky to find, you basically have to walk down an alleyway to the backyard of the home. They do have signage out the front though to make it a bit easier. The location is super popular even after the lunch rush, as we had to wait a while just to get a table (but was well worth it).

Options for food outside of the standard lunch / dinner hours are pretty slim pickings on Miyajima Island, so the fact this location is open for most of the day (at least on a Wednesday) makes it super accessible. Bonus points for the fact the food is so good also.

If possible, I would try to plan your trip around visiting Miyajima island on a day where this cafe is open for lunch (Wed/Sat/Sun) as it is...

Niwa Cafe Miyama is a true hidden gem nestled in the heart of Miyajima. The serene atmosphere immediately transports you to a place of calm. The staff here are not just courteous, but positively divine, adding a touch of warmth to the experience.

Now, let's talk about the food - scrumptious would be an understatement. The port cutlet rice bowl was a standout dish. Each bite was a symphony of flavors that left me wanting more.

I highly recommend choosing an outdoor seat, where you can bask in the beauty of their Zen-inspired garden. And the thoughtful touch of heaters beneath the tables ensured we were comfortably warm throughout our visit.

Niwa Cafe Miyama is a must-visit for anyone seeking a peaceful escape and exquisite cuisine in Miyajima. It's an experience that lingers long...

Holy cow! There are a lot of great dinning options here, but I am so glad we chose This cafe. It was really delightful. We stopped in for lunch around 12:30 and were the last to be seated for their lunch hours. Plenty of others came after us, but unfortunately the staff put out the “lunch sold out” sign.

We had the steak lunch sets with dessert and drinks. I cannot recommend this enough! It was more expensive (about ¥3,000), but it was some of the most delicious beef I’ve had in Japan. The pudding at the end paired with a simple green tea was a perfect finish. The picture of the steak, rice, and miso soup came with a lovely assortment of sides, but I was so excited to start trying foods they did not make the photo (hence the...