Exploring Fukuoka’s Italian Scene: Top 4 Restaurants for Delicious Salads

Hello, I’m Shiro.

The Italian scene in Fukuoka continues to evolve, particularly in the Tenjin, Yakuin, and Hirao areas, where many casual trattoria-style Italian restaurants take pride in their salads. Hearty, appetizer-style salads that rival a platter of hors d’oeuvres, along with healthy dishes featuring seasonal seafood, pair perfectly with wine.

This time, I’ve selected four restaurants known for their high satisfaction with salads from the casual Italian eateries in Fukuoka that have been trending on YouTube. From long-established spots in Tenjin to hidden gems in Yakuin and Hirao, these places cater to a wide range of dining occasions from lunch to dinner.

I’ve compiled the highlights, access information, and budget for each restaurant, so those looking for delicious Italian salads in Fukuoka should definitely take a look.

First Restaurant: Trattoria HICKORY (Tenjin, Nishidori)

Located on Nishidori in Tenjin, Trattoria HICKORY is a long-established Italian restaurant in Fukuoka, having been in business for about 40 years. After taking the elevator to the 6th floor, you’ll find a surprisingly spacious interior where you can enjoy your meal in a calm atmosphere with sofa seating. It’s popular among inbound tourists, and the menu is also available in English.

Recommended Point: A Luxurious Appetizer-Style Salad

When talking about HICKORY’s salads, one cannot miss the “Appetizer-Style Salad” (1,600 yen). This colorful dish resembles a platter of appetizers and is brought together by a homemade dressing. With a volume perfect for sharing, it can be enjoyed while sipping wine. The course that includes Wagyu minced Bolognese (topped with a soft-boiled egg and finished with plenty of cheese right in front of you) and Quattro Formaggi pizza is also popular on social media.

Restaurant Information

• Address: 1-12-66 Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, BM Nakamura Building 6F
• Access: About a 5-minute walk from Nishitetsu “Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station” / About a 4-minute walk from Subway “Tenjin Station” (along Nishidori)
• Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM / 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM (varies by day)
• Closed: Irregular holidays (mainly closed for dinner on Tuesdays)
• Tip for Visiting: Reservations are recommended for weekend lunches as it gets crowded. Sharing salads, pasta, pizza, and steak among a few people yields the highest satisfaction.

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

Second Restaurant: Pasta Shokudo Amabile (Yakuin Oodori)

Pasta Shokudo Amabile, within walking distance from Yakuin Oodori Station, is a casual Italian restaurant known for its impressive display of dried flowers throughout the interior. It attracts many customers for girls’ gatherings and dates, and its Instagram-worthy atmosphere has spread through word of mouth. Despite being a pasta specialty shop, it has gained a reputation for its hearty salads, with many saying, “I want to come back just for the salad.”

Recommended Point: Impactful Volume Salad

When discussing Amabile’s charm, the volume of its salads is always mentioned. They are served in generous portions that allow for a substantial intake of vegetables, satisfying even the heartiest of appetites. The space adorned with dried flowers is designed to be Instagram-friendly, allowing guests to enjoy taking photos not only of the dishes but of the ambiance as well. The overall coordination with pasta leads to high satisfaction, and the cost performance is also highly rated.

Restaurant Information

• Address: 2-3-5 Yakuin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Ecole Yakuin 2F
• Access: About a 1-minute walk from Subway Nanakuma Line “Yakuin Oodori Station”
• Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (L.O. 9:00 PM) *Lunch until 4:30 PM
• Closed: Tuesdays
• Tip for Visiting: As it attracts many female customers, it tends to fill up during lunch hours. Ordering a salad and pasta set offers great cost performance.

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

Third Restaurant: Osteria Falco (Yakuin)

Osteria Falco, nestled in Yakuin, is a chic Italian hideaway characterized by its calm atmosphere with a sophisticated brown decor. It’s a popular spot for dates and girls’ gatherings, consistently receiving high ratings on review sites. Known for its outstanding pasta quality, guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a tranquil environment.

Recommended Point: Exquisite Pasta with Rich Appetizers and Salads

Visitors to Falco often rave about the “Taliolini with Truffle and Porcini Mushrooms.” The rich aroma of mushrooms combined with truffle flavor creates a memorable dish. The appetizers and salads are also carefully crafted, using seasonal vegetables to add color to the overall meal. The chic and calm space not only looks great on social media but also leaves a good impression on foreign travelers as an “authentic Japanese space.”

Restaurant Information

• Address: 11-1 Ifuku-machi, Yakuin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, KAZ Building 2F
• Access: About a 7-minute walk from Subway Nanakuma Line “Yakuin Oodori Station”
• Business Hours: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM / 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
• Closed: Mondays
• Tip for Visiting: It’s relatively easy to get in even on Saturday afternoons. The budget is suitable for special occasions, with lunch costing around 5,000-6,000 yen and dinner around 8,000-9,000 yen.

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

Fourth Restaurant: Pizzeria gnamo (Hirao)

Pizzeria gnamo, located in Hirao, is a casual Puglian-style pizzeria and Italian eatery that has been loved by locals for a long time. Both the pizza and pasta are authentically made, and it has received high praise from repeat customers for its “hearty salads.” It’s a reliable spot in the Hirao area where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine while maintaining a balanced meal.

Recommended Point: Hearty Salads to Match the Pizza and Pasta

The charm of gnamo lies not only in the quality of its pizza and pasta but also in the high standard of its salads. As the reviews suggest, the freshness and volume of the vegetables are both substantial, allowing you to balance meat, carbohydrates, and vegetables in one meal. Despite being located in the local area of Hirao, the content is authentic, providing satisfaction that makes you want to return for lunch repeatedly.

Restaurant Information

• Address: 4-8-6 Hirao, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Sanso Building 101
• Access: About a 6-minute walk from Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line “Hirao Station”
• Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (L.O. 2:00 PM) / 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM (L.O. 10:00 PM)
• Closed: Tuesdays (irregular holidays may apply)
• Tip for Visiting: Ordering a balanced selection of pizza, pasta, and salad enhances the overall experience. It’s relatively easy to get in during weekday lunches.

Check reviews and English menu on Tabelog

Comparison Table of the 4 Restaurants

Conclusion

The four restaurants introduced this time each embody the charm of salads in different ways. From the homemade appetizer-style salad at Tenjin’s long-established “HICKORY,” the impactful volume salad at “Amabile” in Yakuin, the carefully prepared appetizers and salads along with exquisite pasta at the hidden gem “Osteria Falco,” to the locally loved balanced meals at “gnamo” in Hirao—each is a powerhouse in Fukuoka’s casual Italian scene.

When visiting Fukuoka, I hope you experience not only ramen and Hakata cuisine but also the richness of casual Italian dining. Enjoying the unique salads from each restaurant is a luxurious culinary journey that can only be experienced in Fukuoka.