Caffe Ponte

A classy Italian restaurant on the edge of Peace Park, Caffe Ponte shows the many visitors that pass through the park each day that Hiroshima is worth taking the time to enjoy. There are tables inside, but dining out on the terrace on a sunny day is a real treat.

The pizzas and pastas are very popular and their daily set courses offer especially good value. Dishes are made from quality, regional vegetables, fish, meats and seafood, including Hiroshima’s famous oysters.

Having been to Ponte many times with a friend, in a larger group and even by myself, I am always impressed by the high quality of the dishes and the good service by well trained staff. They are open from early in the morning to late in the evening, you can order à la carte or set meals.

The bilingual (English-Japanese) menu boasts organic vegetables, light breakfasts of eggs and salad or foccacia sandwich set with a drink for under ¥1000. The lunch sets include a pasta, salad and drink for just over ¥1000 or add a plate of appetizers and a main meat dish for a delicious and filling meal at ¥3500. The dressings and sauces were light and tangy, the vegetables crisp and the fish and seafood fresh. The oyster menu provides creative ways to enjoy one of Hiroshima’s most famous local products.

The wine and alcohol menu is also substantial, and its inclusion shows a European influence. They also tend to hire international servers and all of the staff seem quite proficient in English.

It can feel a bit strange to sit enjoying yourself eating, drinking and being merry so close to Peace Park for obvious reasons, but as some of our friends who were born and raised in Hiroshima say, it is a park to be used and enjoyed – not only to be kept as a symbol of peace. Peace park is alive and full of activity many times of the year for the flower festival, food festival and cherry blossom viewing in Spring- so it is not unnatural to sit enjoying yourself by eating and drinking there. The restaurant itself has no official connection to the government or with the peace park.

• English menu
• English spoken
• Reservations and private bookings accepted
• No parking
• Credit cards OK
• Vegetarian options
• Family friendly,no kid’s menu, but smaller sets and portions available
• Non-smoking
• locally grown produce and regional fish and meat used
• Eco-friendly utensils (no waribashi disposible chopsticks)
• Outdoor and indoor seating

Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00-22:00 Weekend & holidays 08:00-22:00 (in August 07:30-22:00)
Address: 1-9-211 Ote-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi
Walk to the end of Hondori and you will find Caffe Ponte at the first corner of Peace Park on the left in front of the river cruise boats.
Tel: 070-5679-9134
URL: www.caffeponte.com