25 upscale places in Sapporo, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Sapporo: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Sapporo food.
The Nikka Bar Sapporo ★ 4.8
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
Nikka Whisky's Hokkaido flagship in Susukino, pouring rare expressions of Taketsuru, Yoichi and Miyagikyo from the company's own cellar warehouse.
Tip: Reservations via Nikka site; the Yoichi single-cask flights need a week's notice.
The Nikka Bar Sapporo ★ 4.8
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
Nikka Whisky's flagship Hokkaido bar in Susukino, pouring rare expressions of Taketsuru, Yoichi and Miyagikyo from the company's own cellar.
Tip: Reservations via the Nikka site; the Yoichi single-cask flights need a week's notice.
Bar Yamazaki ★ 4.7
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0063, Japan
Founded late 1950s by mixologist Tatsuro Yamazaki, Bar Yamazaki is one of Japan's classic Susukino cocktail bars; the Emperor's Imperial Prize landed in 1993.
Tip: Counter only; order the signature Sapporo cocktail to start.
Hikidashi ★ 4.7
maruyama · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0801, Japan
A sommelier-led natural wine bar 10 minutes from Maruyama Park station. Calming wooden interior with washi-paper walls; Hokkaido and French growers feature.
Tip: Reservations recommended; counter seats look across into the kitchen.
Bar Kamata ★ 4.6
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0805, Japan
A Susukino sake bar stocking nearly 300 Hokkaido-produced sake bottles. Otokoyama, Kunimare and Chitosetsuru pour by the glass alongside cellar-only labels.
Tip: Flight of three Hokkaido junmais is the easy intro; closed Sundays.
Bar Kamata Sapporo Sake Bar ★ 4.6
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0805, Japan
A Susukino sake bar stocking nearly 300 Hokkaido-produced sake bottles. Otokoyama, Kunimare and Chitosetsuru are the everyday pours; cellar bottles too.
Tip: Flight of three Hokkaido junmais is the easy intro; closed Sundays.
Bar nano gould ★ 4.5
tanukikoji · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0063, Japan
A Tanukikoji cocktail bar with the concept cocktails as liquid cuisine. Hokkaido-foraged ingredients across a rotating menu; quiet 14-seat counter.
Tip: Counter only; phone reservations strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday.
Bar nano gould ★ 4.5
tanukikoji · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0063, Japan
A Tanukikoji wine-and-cocktail bar working under the concept cocktails as liquid cuisine. Hokkaido-foraged ingredients across both glassware.
Tip: Counter only; reservations via phone strongly recommended Glass-pour list rotates monthly.
Sapporo Beer Garden ★ 4.4
higashi-ku · Higashi-ku, Sapporo 065-0007, Japan
The brewery's flagship hall and Genghis Khan grill in an 1890 brick brewing house. Five halls, dome-grills and Sapporo draft from the source.
Tip: The Trommel Hall in the original brick brewery is the room with the atmosphere; reserve ahead. Closed December 31.
Sapporo Beer Garden ★ 4.4
higashi-ku · Higashi-ku, Sapporo 065-0007, Japan
The Sapporo Brewery's beer hall and Genghis Khan grill in an 1890 brick brewing house, with five themed halls and the all-you-can-eat lamb-and-beer course.
Tip: Trommel Hall in the original brewery is the room with the atmosphere; reserve ahead.
Sake Naga Susukino ★ 4.4
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
A small Susukino sake counter pouring exclusively Hokkaido sake. Twenty-plus producers by the glass, the kitchen leaning on sashimi and grilled fish.
Tip: Counter only; the staff speak basic English and will tailor flights.
Bar Garbo Susukino ★ 4.4
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
A Susukino whisky bar with a one-piece wooden counter and an exceptional Japanese whisky inventory. The Suntory bottle bar in the city's neon spine.
Tip: Counter only; reservations preferred for Friday and Saturday seats.
Matsuo Jingisukan Kita 19-jo Higashi ★ 4.3
higashi-ku · Higashi-ku, Sapporo 065-0019, Japan
The Matsuo chain's flagship east-side branch in Sapporo, 10 minutes from Higashi-Kuyakushomae. Marinated lamb is the house style, opposite Daruma's atozuke.
Tip: Book the comparison set through byFood or Pelago in advance; popular with families.
Matsuo Jingisukan Kita 19-jo ★ 4.3
higashi-ku · Higashi-ku, Sapporo 065-0019, Japan
Matsuo's flagship east-side branch, 10 minutes from Higashi-Kuyakushomae station. Marinated lamb, opposite Daruma's atozuke after-dipping approach.
Tip: Book the comparison set through byFood or Pelago in advance; popular with families.
Bar Garbo Susukino ★ 4.3
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
A Susukino whisky bar with a one-piece wooden counter and exceptional Japanese whisky inventory. The Suntory bottle bar of the city's neon spine.
Tip: Counter only; reservations preferred for Friday and Saturday late seats.
Wine no Maruyama Ya ★ 4.3
sapporo-station · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0004, Japan
A Sapporo wine bar with a Hokkaido-leaning natural-wine list and a charcuterie program built around Hokkaido pork and lamb. Easy walk from Sapporo Station.
Tip: Around 40 bottles by the glass; ask for a Hokkaido vintage in the natural section.
Kani to Yakitori Enishi ★ 4.2
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0806, Japan
A Hosui-Susukino room pairing yakitori and Hokkaido crab in one menu. The three-crab platter lands alongside jidori-chicken skewers at the counter.
Tip: Reserve via Tabelog; counter seats look across into the open grill.
Isari ★ 4.2
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0807, Japan
A Hosui-Susukino seafood izakaya leaning on the morning catch at Otaru and Hakodate. Sashimi platters, seasonal nabe and a Hokkaido sake list.
Tip: Counter and small private rooms; reserve a Friday seat a week ahead.
Kitanoaji Oosuke Susukino ★ 4.2
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0805, Japan
A Susukino seafood izakaya with the owner's port-to-port purchasing run. Sashimi sets, grilled fish and Hokkaido sake at a 30-seat counter and tables.
Tip: Reserve through Tabelog; counter seats face the open kitchen.
Sake Naga Susukino ★ 4.2
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
A small Susukino sake counter pouring exclusively Hokkaido sake. Twenty-plus producers by the glass; sashimi and grilled fish from the open kitchen.
Tip: Counter only; staff speak basic English and will tailor a flight.
Kusuriya San no Wine Bar ★ 4.2
maruyama · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0801, Japan
A Kitayama natural wine bar set into a former pharmacy. Biodynamic French and Hokkaido pours, plus a cheese board of Hokkaido fromage producers.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; bookings via Tabelog for Friday and Saturday only.
Beer Bar North Island ★ 4.1
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
Directly run by the North Island brewery on the outskirts of Sapporo, pouring six original house craft beers. The brewer joins bar staff on Fridays.
Tip: Friday evening is the brewery's own staff night; expect a Q-and-A welcome.
Wine to Yakiniku Maruyama JIN ★ 4.1
maruyama · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0801, Japan
A Maruyama room marrying Hokkaido wagyu yakiniku with a curated Hokkaido and Burgundy list. Counter and table seating with a charcoal-grill centrepiece.
Tip: Book the shin-shin and Hokkaido pinot pairing; reservations through Tabelog.
Moon and Sun Brewing Pub ★ 4.0
odori · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0062, Japan
Moon and Sun Brewing opened 2014 as Sapporo's downtown brewpub with in-store brewing kit. Beers using 100-percent Hokkaido hops and seasonal-fruit one-offs.
Tip: Order a tasting flight to test the rotating lineup; pizza pairs well.
Wine no Maruyama Ya Susukino ★ 4.0
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0804, Japan
The Susukino branch of Wine no Maruyama Ya inside the COCONO complex. Same Hokkaido-natural list, later hours; the after-izakaya glass-of-wine standby.
Tip: Open until 25:00; the only natural wine bar with reliable post-midnight pours in Susukino.