"The tour's over and I'm starving! Time for lunch!" I headed to a restaurant, only to find it completely full. Another place was temporarily closed. Because there are so few restaurants on Iriomote Island, there are a lot of "lunch refugees" who find themselves unable to eat because of long lines.
The author, a local guide who has lived on Iriomote Island for eight yearsShops I actually go to repeatedlyWe've carefully selected and introduced these options by area. A quick look before your trip will save you from rushing around for lunch.
Recommended lunch spots in the Uehara Port area
Although there are more restaurants than in the Ohara Port area, during the busy summer season, tour groups flock to the area all at once, and the time between 12:00 and 13:00 becomes a "lunch battlefield."Many restaurants don't take reservations, so it's best to aim for right after they open..
Kitchen Inaba
If you ask someone in the Uehara Port area for a must-visit restaurant, this is one of the first places that comes to mind.
You can enjoy dishes that make full use of local island ingredients, such as Pescatore pasta made with island fish and Ryukyu wild boar noodle soup (lunch only). A nice feature is that you can choose the type of pasta to suit your preference!
For those with a big appetite, the "Yaeyama Soba Napolitan" is highly recommended, with its rich ketchup and perfectly grilled spam. There's also a kids' size (top right in the photo), which is great for families with children, but even my child, who has a relatively big appetite, couldn't quite finish it.
The restaurant is spacious and has a stylish atmosphere. The moment the food arrives, you're sure to be surprised and think, "Wow, this quality on a remote island like this!?"
- Address
- 742-6 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-84-8164
- Opening hours
- 11:30～15:00 18:00～23:30（L.O.22:30） 月・木曜日定休
- Remarks
- Payment methods: Cash, electronic money, QR code payment
MeiMei
Authentic Chinese food on Iriomote Island? You might be wondering. To be honest, I was skeptical at first too.
Opened in July 2025, MeiMei is an authentic Chinese restaurant located along the prefectural road, about a 2-3 minute drive from Uehara Port.
Locals frequently visit the restaurant seeking its spicy and numbing tantanmen noodles and stir-fried noodles with a thick sauce made with Yaeyama soba noodles.
It's a very popular restaurant, and on the day I visited for the interview, it was almost full from the moment it opened, and it closed after 12 o'clock due to running out of ingredients.
I recommend the "Sichuan White Sesame Dan Dan Noodles" and the "Yurinchi Set."
The Dan Dan noodles have a nice numbing kick, but the white sesame makes them easy to eat, and the Yu Lin Chicken has a refreshing flavor from the shikwasa citrus used in the sauce. Both are perfect for the hot Iriomote Island!
It's popular with families with children, and they also offer half-size portions of fried rice and kids' ramen.
The regular closing days may change, and there may be temporary closures due to school events or community events, so be sure to check the business calendar on Instagram in advance.
- Address
- 397-62 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-87-8957
- Opening hours
- 11:30-14:00, 18:00-21:00 (Lunch only on Wednesdays, Closed on Sundays)
- Remarks
- Payment methods: Cash, credit card, QR code payment
Island Food Cafe MAHANA
This island-style restaurant, Cafe MAHANA, just opened in June 2025. Lunch is served until 2 PM, and you can enjoy cafe service until 4 PM.
It's about a 10-minute drive from Uehara Port, off the main road on the way to Unarizaki Park.
The shop has high ceilings and an open, spacious interior. It's a pleasant space that lets in plenty of sunshine from Iriomote Island.
The lunch menu mainly consists of pasta and plate dishes. The portions are modest, but the taste and presentation are very satisfying.
Recommended for couples and girls' trips!
- Address
- 10-720 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-87-0500
- Opening hours
- 11:00 AM - 16:00 PM (Lunch until 14:00 PM) Irregular closing days *Please check Instagram for details.
- Remarks
- Payment methods: Cash, credit card
Island Curry Restaurant Hiyoko
This authentic, homemade spice curry contains no spices that would normally cause spiciness, making it safe even for young children. Those who prefer spicier food can adjust the spiciness to their liking using the chili oil provided at the table. It's a favorite spot for my family, including a mom who loves spicy food, a dad with a sweet tooth, and a family with young children.
- Address
- 933-2 Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 090-3632-2199
- Opening hours
- 11:00-14:00, 18:00-20:00 Closed on Tuesdays and other irregular days. *Please check Instagram for details.
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Lafla Garden
Located on the second floor of a building just a few minutes' walk from Uehara Port, this restaurant is famous for its hearty hamburgers on the lunch menu! They also offer a variety of other popular dishes, including miso katsu set meals and dishes using local island ingredients. The Kore garlic olive oil sold at the register is absolutely delicious and makes a great souvenir.
- Address
- 550-1 Uehara, Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-85-7088
- Opening hours
- 11:30 AM - 13:30 PM, 18:30 PM - 21:00 PM. Closed on Thursdays.
- Remarks
- Payment methods: Cash, credit card, electronic money
美々
This Yaeyama soba restaurant is also easily accessible, located about a 10-minute walk from Uehara Port. Their signature dishes are the classic, simple Yaeyama soba, soki soba, and vegetable soba, and occasionally they offer unique variations such as toriten soba in limited quantities. The owner also runs a farm on the island, and for a limited time you can enjoy authentic mango juice made with fresh mangoes.
- Address
- Uehara, Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-85-7178
- Opening hours
- 11:00 AM - 17:00 PM (until 14:00 PM on Mondays), Closed on Tuesdays.
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Hoshizuna-tei
If you're visiting Hoshizuna Beach, you should definitely stop by this diner run by the island's elderly residents. The Okinawan home cooking, prepared by the energetic grandfather and the warm-hearted grandmother, is absolutely delicious!
The restaurant has plenty of seating, including tatami rooms, but during busy times, it can take a while for the food to arrive, so we recommend going in with plenty of time and a good appetite.
- Address
- 289-1 Uehara, Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-85-6640
- Opening hours
- 12:00-14:30, 18:00-19:30 Closed on Wednesdays
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Recommended lunch spots in the Ohara Port area
The Ohara Port area has significantly fewer restaurant options compared to the Uehara Port area.That's why prior research is so important. Trying to figure things out once you arrive is risky.
Conversely, the fact that there are fewer shops means that each shop has its own distinct character, which is part of the charm of this area.
Azahaemi
This shop, located about a 10-minute drive from Ohara Port towards "Minamikamida Beach," is a place I've frequented since I moved to Iriomote Island.
All lunch menu items are reasonably priced at 700 yen (except for Yaeyama soba, which is 600 yen), yet they offer high-quality meals. You can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, from classic Yaeyama soba to hearty Okinawan-style miso soup, rice bowls, and Western-style food. My recommendation is the "Omelet Rice (with cheese topping for an additional 50 yen)." Actually, the topping menu is only posted at the counter seats, so be sure to check it when you enter the restaurant!
- Address
- Haemi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-85-5777
- Opening hours
- 11:30-13:30, 18:00-21:00 (Irregular closing days)
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Free Style Island Dining Shinchan-tei
This is a brand new restaurant that just opened in December 2025. The menu changes every two weeks, focusing on omurice (omelet rice), pasta, and set lunch meals.
When I visited, there were three options: "Fluffy and creamy omelet rice with scallops and snap peas (1,500 yen)", "Clam and natto pasta (1,100 yen)", and "Agu pork minced cutlet set meal (1,200 yen)". You can check the menu on the restaurant's official Instagram.
- Address
- 201-139 Minamikaze, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 080-6481-0044
- Opening hours
- 11:30 AM - 15:00 PM, Closed on Mondays
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Watabunbun
You can enjoy lunches filled with the owner's passion, such as tuna cutlet set meals made with tuna caught in nearby waters, and vegan options.
Because they sometimes set up stalls at various events on the island, it's a beloved shop among islanders, with many people saying, "I've never been to the shop, but I know it's delicious."
- Address
- 508-9 Minamikaze, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 050-6883-3396
- Opening hours
- 11:30 AM - 14:30 PM (Last Order 14:00 PM) Irregular closing days *Please check Instagram for details.
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Kitchen Matsuyama
Kitchen Matsuyama, conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Ohara Port, is a popular restaurant known for its traditional Yaeyama soba noodles handmade by the island's grandmothers. While the restaurant itself is relatively new and clean, the owner previously ran a deli in the Uehara area (Sonai settlement) for many years.
This is recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic Okinawan home cooking.
- Address
- 201-140 Minamikaze, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 090-6858-4491
- Opening hours
- 10:30 AM - 14:00 PM, Closed on Tuesdays
- Remarks
- Payment method: Cash
Summary
To avoid disappointment when having lunch on Iriomote Island, here are four key points to keep in mind.
● Narrow down your choices based on your usual area of activity (Uehara or Ohara)
●For popular restaurants, aim for right after opening! Be especially careful during the peak hours of 12:00 to 13:00.
●Business information is subject to change, so it's best to call ahead to confirm.
● Carry plenty of cash! Cashless payment options are still scarce on the island, and there are only two ATMs, both located in the island's post office.
Bookmark this article; it'll be convenient to quickly refer back to it on the day of your trip.
Have a wonderful lunch!
Dad on a remote island
A guide and captain who has lived on Iriomote Island for eight years and loves its nature. In his private life, he is a father of two.
This guide provides easy-to-understand explanations of the island's ecosystem and stunning scenic spots. Grab your camera and embark on a family adventure around the island on your next day off.
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