Editor’s Note: Transit Cafe was originally reviewed on Okinawa Hai on March 20, 2007; you can read a PDF copy of that original review HERE. The post below is an updated take on this restaurant, published May 20, 2013.

CONTRIBUTED BY SHELL BURGER

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

I was first introduced to Transit Café by pure accident. Some friends and I were searching for a place to eat after getting pedicures at CocoK by the seawall, and stumbled upon the sign for Transit Café.  We decided to chance it and wandered up the stone stairs.

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai 

To our surprise, the place was packed on a Thursday night; even though we did not have a reservation they found a spot for us at the bar. Little did they know that by working us in that night they created a tradition for us.  Now each time we get pampered we end our “girl’s night” with dinner at Transit.

The food at Transit fluctuates on the availability of ingredients, but they typically always have certain staple dishes.  One of my favorites is the cheese fondue.  I normally get the large platter that includes meat, veggies, and bread to dip.  Honestly, I can normally make that my whole dinner.  My two year old daughter loves the fondue also; we normally order extra bread and share it.  

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

The fondue is not all they are known for; their specialty drinks (like a Carmel Mocha) are amazing, entrees are magical creations, and their desserts are very decedent. A few of their deserts are the Brown Sugar Cake, Cheese Soufflé, and Tiramisu.

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

Luckily some of my co-workers ordered these so I could snap some photos. They told me they were amazing. They also have a fully stocked bar and have pages of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in their menu.

I have now eaten at Transit several times and enjoyed several of their dishes. One of the most unique items I have had is the Quattro Cheese Pizza with honey. Unfortunately, I always dive into it before I remember to snap a photo. I have also had their Caesar Salad, which made me crave more of it. It was probably the best Caesar Salad I have eaten.

Their menu also varies on the time of day you go. If you go for lunch you will be limited to their lunch menu, which, I am sad to say, does not include any of their tasty pizzas or the Caesar salad. They do offer lunch sets and the cheese fondue. They have a few salad options, one of which is not called a salad, but an Open Faced Chicken sandwich. I rolled the dice during lunch last week with my coworkers and tried it. It did not disappoint; it was very tasty and filling.

Transit Cafe l Okinawa Hai

The ambience at Transit is very peaceful and serene.  Transit Café is located on the seawall, and if you are lucky enough to sit on the balcony (I recommend making a reservation), you will be able to see the beautiful ocean while enjoying a delicious gourmet meal. If you are interested in observing them make their creations, you can sit at the bar inside and watch magic happen. They do make the food to order in the small open kitchen, so be prepared to wait a little while for your food. Trust me though; the wait will be worth it.

Transit Cafe l Okinawa HaiHours: Lunch 1100 ~ 17:00 (OS 1600)

            Dinner 17:00 ~ 25:00 (OS 23:50)

Phone: 098-936-5076

Website: https://www.transitcafe-okinawa.com/transit/index.html

Payment: Yen and Credit.

 Directions: It is located in Chatan on the seawall. From Kadena Gate 1, turn left onto 58. Take your first right (GI Bill Pay and Sunny net will be in the shopping plaza on the right corner).  Follow that road straight until it dead ends at the sea wall. Turn right (traffic will be one way on this street). Transit will be just on your right. I normally park along the seawall.  

Address: 2-220-2F Miyagi, Chatan, Okinawa

This post was featured in Stripes Okinawa!

 

19 COMMENTS

  1. I have mixed feelings about this place. I loved their drinks they make. I had a strawberry margarita and it was delicious and a beautiful presentation. The cheese fondue was delicious but they gave me a big bowl of fondue and then three small pieces of bread so I was displeased with that. The prices are pretty pricey for me for the size of the small portions. Not sure I would go back because of those reasons.

  2. Dinner menu is much better then lunch. Lunch usually only has 4 specials to choose from. i live next door so im there often. only 3 tables inside, 2 outside. i always get the fondue at lunch, oreder off the appetizer menu. the fondue is delicious!! I also enjoy there chocolate mousse cake.
    Ps: Not kid friendly! No booster/high chairs and if you sit outside there’s no railing to keep a toddler from falling off the balcony. Also no “kid menu” or even anything a typical kid would eat.

  3. One of my favorite restaurants to go to!! The staff are always welcoming and the food never ceases to amaze me. I love the beef meal. OMG!! I’ve been here quite a few times after 10 p.m. and we were always seated with ease.

  4. I LOVE transit cafe. My husband and I went with a friend in October. We ordered a spring roll that had shrimp and veggies inside with a sweet spicy sauce (I’d go back JUST for this, amazing) and of course… The French toast. Served with frozen fruit, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream… Incredible!!! Make sure you get some when you go.

  5. I agree the service can be slow, but I’m not surprised considering how tiny their kitchen is. I like eating at the bar, because you can watch them make your food and put together some amazing-looking drinks. It’s a good way to figure out what I want to order the NEXT time I eat at Transit …

    I also enjoy stopping here just for dessert and coffee sometimes — their desserts are both beautiful and delicious.

  6. My husband and I had a wonderful dinner here to celebrate our anniversary. We had fondue- which was very delicious… My husband had a pizza and I had tried the salmon… It was delicious. We had a great time…

  7. Just had dinner there this past Saturday night with my girls and it was delicious. I agree that the serving of the dinners were slow but the food was good. I had the buttered soy sauce beef meal(whatever the name of it was).

    I will be going back.

  8. We tried Transit Cafe today. The food was pretty good, however, the service was very slow. And half of us received our food long before the other half of our lunch group (I noticed that everyone who ordered the Special of the Week received their lunches first… I don’t know if this had anything to do with the time lapse between orders or not…). We made a reservation and they seated our party right away. But after waiting so long for our food to arrive, lunch took over an hour and a half. The food was good and I wouldn’t mind going back, but definitely on a day when I have a couple hours to burn for lunch.

  9. My friend and I visited recently. We had outdoor seating. Food was good, just wish there were bug repellents of some sort near the tables? ..had a few bugs flying near and onto my food 🙁 Friend had the fondue set (came w/ vege, bread, chicken) and I had the open sandwich set (soup, potato salad, sandwich). Requested a reserve seating and they honored this also..so call ahead if you want to ensure you have a table when you get there. Oh, and dinner menu is much more extensive than lunch. Drinks selections looks delic!

  10. So glad you liked it, Kimberly. Another good one by the Sunabe seawall is Hokulea above The Beach Hotel. It’s got a fabulous view w/lots of interesting items on their menu. One of these days, I’ll blog it when I remember to bring my camera to dinner. 🙂

  11. We just got back from dinner here (on your recommendation) and it was fabulous! We took our 2 year old and did sit outside next to the rock garden! We had a great view of the sunset as we dined on a delicious camembert fondue, pasta with spinach and salmon in a cream sauce, and pork in a mustard glaze. We can’t wait to go back and try out some of the other dishes that looked so good!