CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH PEVEHOUSE, additional photos & content by Pamela Oliveras
Every morning I take my little girl for a brisk 5-mile walk along the Araha Beach fitness path. Recently I discovered a wonderful new little café near our turn-around spot (near Himaraya Sports but on the water side). Sea Side Café by Takaya is a brand new café on the beach of Araha.
They have a well-blended menu of French, American and some Japanese lunch specials. The special of the day is always displayed on their menu board and are always priced at 850 or 1000 Yen. The portions are very large too, which was a pleasant surprise. I always leave full!
Takaya and his wife are from Tokyo. They have a wonderful daughter, Airi whose boyfriend, Mickael is from Paris. They met while studying abroad in Australia! It’s definitely an international affair…Takaya owned a Japanese restaurant near Osaka for many years, but the lure of the ‘easy’ life of Okinawa and of course the ocean views brought the whole family here last September on a whim. The menu was decided in 20 days!
I met the young couple and they are so incredibly friendly! They are first time entrepreneurs with the help of Airi’s parents who occasionally come in and help in the kitchen. Their English is amazing and I am able to ask so many questions about the food and specify things about my food I would prefer. They are always willing to substitute meat or make me something not even on the menu!
The inside of the café is very minimalistic and relaxing. The view out the front windows is of the waves crashing at Araha. They have recently added a wooden deck onto the front giving such a wonderful dining experience whether night or day – the beach breeze is perfect!
They also have a little mascot who is a delightful little longhaired Daschound.
The day that my friends and I went, there were two different lunch specials to choose from. One was a more traditional Japanese lunch set with some Sashimi and deep-fried pork, edamame and rice, the second was a pasta with red sauce and meatballs accompanied by a yummy quiche. All specials get a drink and dessert. The dessert was is a hand made banana cake served with cream and fruit.
Payment: They accept Yen and U.S. Dollars.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Directions: From Lester turn left onto 58. Follow 58 towards Foster until the light by CowCow Auto Sales. Turn right at this light. At the end of the street there is a light. Turn LEFT at this light and then almost immediately afterwards turn right onto a side street that is between an apartment building and a business called Mansion Gallery (very green, big sign). If you come to Himaraya Sports you have gone to far. Once you find it – it is so easy – but the initial locating feels a little tricky.
Everyone that I have taken here just raves about it and insists on introducing others to this wonderful little café.
The directions listed aren’t correct. If you are coming from Camp Lester, you take a right at the CowCow (it’s the only option), then at the end of the road take another right. Take the first left and you will see the water right in front of you. The road wraps around to the left and you will see the Cafe on your left.
This place is great and has a beautiful view of the water!
BEST food on island!
Hi, I wanted to commit on your website. Looking at the website I notice that there is no way of knowing how to get to the Seaside cafe without any direction and no map to see the location. I hope in the near future you would be able to put the direction and map on your webside. I enjoy eating at the Seaside cafe, I am a very satisfied customer. The service, the cleaniness, the food, and the beautiful view is wonderful. Thank you.
@Kim – we are actually adding maps to our site in the next few weeks. If you happen to have the coordinates for Seaside Cafe, let me know!
They are currently changing their opening hour- was 8AM when I was there last. But, she was polling customers about another possible option for opening time.
The coordinates are as follows:
Latitude, Longitude
26.298176,127.758366
I walk past it twice a day at least and google mapped it. It really is cute as all get up, with the pink exterior. Take 58 to the Cow Cow car dealership, turn right (or left if you are coming from Futenma) This road is labelled Kitamae at the light. Go past the Green Apartments. You will come to a light. To the right of the light is a parking lot for a restaurant that is only open at night. I think it is okay to park there or their dirt lot. Walk across the street to the Araha trail. Its hard to miss, unless you fall into the Ocean easily. Make a right on the trail and about 1 block down is the tell-tale pink restaurant on the right (ocean on your left).
Thanks, all! Have changed the written directions and added in the map!
My favorite spot on island! The French toast is so thick and the milkshakes are huge. I love everything I’ve tried on the menu, the pictures here don’t do it justice.
I love this place. This is by far the best restaurant to enjoy a great atmosphere with coffee and delicious food!!
The hours on this post are incorrect. We just went there at 7:00 pm and were turned away – they say they close at 7, not 9pm. Just an FYI to others.
Went for late morning breakfast. limited parking can be tight on narrow street. loved our outdoor table on front deck with nice view of the water. also tables and counter inside. english menu available. nice sized portions and the signature French Toast is delicious. comfortable setting and friendly staff. dollars and yen accepted, no credit cards. worth the trip.
Sea Side Cafe’s hours are now Wednesday – Sunday 8am to 5pm (1700). They are closed Monday and Tuesday. I’m really sad they don’t stay open past five because we can’t eat there during the week if we wanted too due to my husband getting off at 4:30pm.
I really need to try their new stuffed french toast!
Hi Nore,
Thanks for letting us know the hours have changed! I’ve updated the post with the new hours.