Restaurant in Kobe, Japan

ESPICE

Name: ESPICE
Address: Japan, 〒650-0004 Hyogo, Kobe, Chuo Ward, Nakayamatedori, 2 Chome−3−25 メゾンエスプリ生田 1-1, Kobe, JP
Telephone: +81 78-333-1919
Price range: JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999

130Pearl Points

Port-city French

Rate on Pearl Save

Website Call

About ESPICE

Tabelog 100 West – French selection (2021, 2023, 2025) focused on seafood-forward French technique at a four-seat counter. Dinner runs JPY 20,000–29,999, lunch JPY 15,000–19,999, with a sommelier guiding sake and wine pairings. Worth the premium for counter engagement; easier to book than Tokyo equivalents.

ESPICE in Kobe is listed with two premium price ranges: JPY 15,000–19,999 and JPY 20,000–29,999. It is open for both lunch and dinner on operating days, with service from 12–2:30 PM and 6–9 PM. The venue is also listed in the Tabelog 100 - French - WEST - 2025 selection.

The verified public details are limited, so it is best to treat ESPICE as a premium Kobe dining option rather than rely on unconfirmed assumptions about the room, menu format, chef, seating, drinks, or private dining. Smart casual dress is listed, and the weekly schedule is specific: ESPICE is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for lunch and dinner.

What You're Paying For

The confirmed price bands place ESPICE in Kobe's higher-end dining range: JPY 15,000–19,999 and JPY 20,000–29,999. The available verified information does not confirm service charges, beverage pairings, room type, counter seating, private rooms, or cancellation terms, so diners should confirm those details directly when booking.

Smart casual dress is the listed standard. Beyond that, the verified record does not confirm specific rules for footwear, children, allergies, dietary restrictions, English-language service, takeout, delivery, or parking. If any of those details matter to your visit, confirm them with the restaurant before you go.

How It Stacks Up Among Kobe Options

ESPICE is one of the Kobe dining rooms listed in the Tabelog 100 - French - WEST - 2025 selection. Its verified price ranges put it in a premium bracket among Kobe options, including peers such as Kobe Plaisir Honten, El Raco Den Takeuchi, Kobe Beef Steak Sakura, Kobe beef Hana-Houbi, and quarto. Because detailed, verified service and menu information is not available here, comparisons should be made mainly on price, schedule, and the specific experience you want.

ESPICE is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM and 6–9 PM, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For planning, use those hours as the grounded baseline and confirm reservation availability directly with the venue. For a broader view of Kobe restaurants, see our full guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to ESPICE?

Smart casual dress is listed for ESPICE. No further verified dress-code details are available here.

Is lunch or dinner better at ESPICE?

ESPICE is open for both lunch and dinner on its operating days: 12–2:30 PM and 6–9 PM. The verified price ranges are JPY 15,000–19,999 and JPY 20,000–29,999, but no further verified detail confirms differences in menu or format between lunch and dinner.

Is ESPICE worth the price?

ESPICE is a premium Kobe venue with verified price ranges of JPY 15,000–19,999 and JPY 20,000–29,999. It is also listed in the Tabelog 100 - French - WEST - 2025 selection. Whether it is worth the price depends on your budget and what you confirm directly about the current offering.

Can I eat at the bar at ESPICE?

Verified information here does not confirm bar or counter seating at ESPICE. Ask the restaurant directly if a specific seating style matters to you.

What should a first-timer know about ESPICE?

ESPICE is in Kobe, lists smart casual dress, and is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM and 6–9 PM. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Confirm booking policies, dietary needs, and current menu details directly with the venue.

Can ESPICE accommodate groups?

Verified information here does not confirm private rooms, group capacity, buyouts, or group cancellation terms. Contact ESPICE directly for group reservations.

Location

Japan, 〒650-0004 Hyogo, Kobe, Chuo Ward, Nakayamatedori, 2 Chome−3−25 メゾンエスプリ生田 1-1

Kobe, Japan

Compare ESPICE

Value Check: ESPICE and Peers

Venue	Price	Booking Difficulty
ESPICE	JPY 20,000 - JPY 29,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999	Easy
quarto	JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999	Unknown
Kobe Beef Steak Sakura		Unknown
El Raco Den Takeuchi	JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999	Unknown
Kobe beef Hana-Houbi		Unknown
Kobe Plaisir Honten	JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999	Unknown

Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.

Also Consider

quarto, JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999, JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999 JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999
Kobe Beef Steak Sakura, Notable alternative
El Raco Den Takeuchi, JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999, JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999
Kobe beef Hana-Houbi, Notable alternative
Kobe Plaisir Honten, JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999, JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999

ESPICE sits at the top of Kobe's French dining price ladder, charging JPY 20,000–29,999 for dinner versus Kobe Plaisir Honten at JPY 10,000–14,999 and quarto at JPY 8,000–9,999. The Tabelog 100 credential justifies the gap if you value counter-focused service and a sommelier who can walk you through Japanese sake pairings, neither Plaisir nor quarto offers that level of engagement. El Raco Den Takeuchi is ESPICE's closest competitor, also Tabelog-listed, charging JPY 15,000–19,999 and delivering a similar counter experience with Spanish-leaning technique. If budget allows, ESPICE edges ahead for the sake program and slightly more spacious private-room options; if you're watching spend, El Raco delivers comparable quality for less.

For beef-focused meals, Kobe Beef Steak Sakura and Kobe beef Hana-Houbi offer local steak at lower price points, but neither competes on technique or service depth, they're single-ingredient showcases, not multi-course experiences. ESPICE is the move when you want French cooking that uses Kobe's seafood and produce as the foundation, not just the city's famous beef.

Booking is easier across the board in Kobe than in Tokyo or Kyoto, ESPICE rarely requires more than a week's notice, and quarto and Plaisir can often accommodate same-week reservations. If your schedule is tight, quarto and Plaisir are the safest bets. If you want Tabelog recognition and are willing to plan a few days ahead, ESPICE and El Raco are your two best options, with ESPICE slightly ahead on sake knowledge and El Raco offering a bit more value.