Osaka Tenmabashi Italian Restaurant Nishide ia Selected for the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2026

Nishide ia, an Italian restaurant in Osaka’s Tenmabashi area, has been selected as a Selected Restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2026. To commemorate the recognition, the restaurant will offer special course menus at limited-time prices, allowing guests to experience the world of Nishide ia. In this selection, Michelin evaluated not only the restaurant’s culinary refinement but also its perspective on redefining the value of local ingredients, its sustainable initiatives in collaboration with agriculture, and its creativity in expressing the character of Osaka. Nishide ia was recognized for combining regional identity and innovation, both important elements in contemporary gastronomy. A defining feature of Nishide ia is that it goes beyond simple local production for local consumption. The restaurant works with producers from the ingredient-growing stage. In partnership with the Osaka City Agricultural Cooperative, it shares production plans from the sowing stage and has built a system for continuously purchasing harvested produce. This is considered an advanced initiative within Osaka Prefecture and contributes to agricultural sustainability and stable producer income. The relationship, in which chefs take on the perspective of producers and pursue challenges together, is attracting attention as a new model for food. Chef Masaaki Nishide focuses on local Osaka ingredients from his desire to give back to the region through cuisine. Since 2024, the restaurant has incorporated the perspective of food and agriculture SDGs and shifted toward dishes centered on Osaka-grown ingredients. While addressing challenges such as sustaining urban agriculture and passing food culture on to the next generation, Nishide ia expresses Osaka’s climate and culture through cuisine. By combining traditional Italian techniques with Osaka ingredients and culture, the restaurant proposes dishes unique to Nishide ia. Its signature dish, “Zeppole alla Osakano,” reconstructs Osaka takoyaki as Italian cuisine and embodies the character of the region with humor. Partner farms are located about 15 minutes away by car, including Sasaki Farm, a fifth-generation farm within Osaka City. Owner-chef Masaaki Nishide was born and raised in Higashiosaka and began his culinary career at the age of 18. He trained at luxury hotels including The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, then joined an Italian restaurant group operating in Japan and overseas. He served as executive chef overseeing all domestic and international locations, managing new restaurant launches and overall operations. In 2017, he became independent and has continued to pursue his original style of “Naniwa Italian,” fully drawing on Osaka, the place that forms his foundation. To celebrate its selection in the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2026, Nishide ia will offer special course menus until the end of July 2026. Lunch will be priced at 5,000 yen instead of 8,000 yen, and dinner at 10,000 yen instead of 15,000 yen. Prices include tax; a separate 5% service charge applies. The restaurant is located at 2F DDC Tenmabashi Building, 3-8 Tenmabashi Kyomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Service hours are lunch from 11:30 to 13:00 final entry and dinner from 17:30 to 20:00 final entry. Reservations can be made via the “RESERVATION” page on the official website. A Blue Grotto private room is also available.