Glicine
Kusatsu
Restaurant in Kusatsu, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 JPY 8,000 - JPY 9,999
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
A six-seat Italian omakase above a residential block in Kusatsu, where chef Tsutomu Fujisaki (Tuscany-trained) serves synchronized courses at noon and 18:30. Lunch is JPY 8,800, dinner JPY 13,750 plus service; Tabelog 100 recognition (Italian WEST, 2023 and 2025) confirms technical depth, but the format is rigid; reserve by the day before, arrive on time, no à la carte. Worth it for omakase discipline; skip if you want flexibility.
About Glicine
Glicine is a Kusatsu restaurant with verified lunch and dinner hours every day: 12–3 PM and 6:30–9:30 PM. The verified price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999, the dress code is smart casual. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025. Beyond those confirmed details, specifics such as chef background, seating count, menu format, exact dishes, beverage pairings, parking, child policies, reservation rules are not verified here and should be checked directly before booking.
What Is Verified About Glicine
The confirmed essentials are straightforward: Glicine is in Kusatsu, operates for both lunch and dinner daily, sits in a premium price range. Lunch hours are listed as 12–3 PM, while dinner hours are listed as 6:30–9:30 PM. The verified price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999.
The dress code is smart casual. If you are planning a special meal, that makes Glicine a better fit for diners who are comfortable with a polished but not overly formal setting. Details such as seating layout, service style, dietary accommodations, course structure are not confirmed in the verified data, so avoid assuming a counter format, omakase format, or specific menu experience without checking with the restaurant.
Price, Peers, Whether It Earns the Premium
Glicine’s verified price bands place it above many casual meals in Kusatsu and in a range where diners should confirm the current offering before committing. The restaurant’s clearest confirmed distinction is its inclusion in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025. That recognition gives it a useful point of reference, but it should not be used to infer unverified details such as seat count, chef history, tasting-menu structure, wine program, or exact course pricing.
For comparison, diners may also consider comparisons names such as Kogetsu, Pan du Marche, SPANISH BAR PLOMO, Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, 馳走 とし藤, or simply compare Glicine with other dining in Kusatsu. Do not assume those venues offer the same format, location, or price level; use them only as broader alternatives when planning a meal.
The verdict: Glicine is worth shortlisting if you want a premium Kusatsu restaurant with confirmed lunch and dinner service, smart-casual dress, Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025 recognition. Before booking, confirm the current menu, reservation method, seating, dietary policies, any service details directly with the restaurant.
Planning details
- Location
- Japan, 〒525-0055 Shiga, Kusatsu, Nojicho, 469-4 2階
- Website
- instagram.com/glicine.kusatsu.shiga.official/?hl=ja
- Phone
- +81 77-564-6617
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Glicine presents a quiet, inviting atmosphere that leans into simplicity and sincerity. The small, couple-run space is described as cozy and centers on an intimate dining experience with just six seats. The restaurant’s ethos, summarized as 'Essence Served Simply and Sincerely,' reinforces a restrained, unfussy approach to hospitality and cooking. The scale and ownership give the room a personal, lived-in quality: service feels attentive and familiar rather than formal, and the overall impression is one of warmth and understatement. Guests encounter a focused, small-scale environment where the setting enhances rather than competes with the food.
Best For
Glicine is best for guests seeking a quiet, intimate meal rather than a large-group night out. Its six-seat layout and couple-run operation make it particularly well suited to date nights, one-on-one dinners, or solo diners who appreciate undistracted, small-scale service. The compact footprint means the experience is inherently personal and slow-paced: conversations can be private and the attention is concentrated on each guest. This is not a venue for boisterous gatherings; instead, it rewards diners who want a close, understated meal with a strong sense of hospitality.
Ordering Tips
Menu detail for Glicine is available via its Tabelog listing, which the description highlights for featuring menus, maps, user reviews and photos. The restaurant’s cuisine is listed as Italian, with pasta and yoshoku (Japanese-style Western dishes) noted, so expect a focus on those categories. Given the extremely small dining room, consult the Tabelog page to review photos and user comments before you go to get a sense of portioning and dishes. The listing is the primary source for up-to-date menu information and guest impressions.
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate, quiet setting with only a single six-seat table, giving the feel of a private dining room and allowing for attentive, personalized service typical of a small high-end Italian restaurant in Japan.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Quiet
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
Omi beef course dishes
Planning details
Location
Japan, 〒525-0055 Shiga, Kusatsu, Nojicho, 469-4 2階 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- 馳走 とし藤, Notable alternative
- Pan du Marche, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown
- SPANISH BAR PLOMO, JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999, JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999
- Kogetsu, Notable alternative
- Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
Restaurant context
Against Kusatsu peers, this sits alone in the omakase-Italian lane. SPANISH BAR PLOMO offers tapas at JPY 6,000–7,999 with walk-in ease and à la carte flexibility, making it the better choice for casual groups or spontaneous bookings. Pan du Marche anchors the budget end (bakery-café, JPY 1,000–1,999) and handles breakfast or lunch without reservations. Kogetsu and Hakata Tonkotsu Masao operate in different categories (Japanese kaiseki and tonkotsu ramen, respectively) but share broader menu accessibility, if you want choices rather than chef-driven omakase, either works better than the six-seat counter here.
The value proposition depends on how much you prize intimacy and technical polish. At JPY 13,750 for dinner (plus 8% service), you're paying double what SPANISH BAR PLOMO charges, but you're also getting Tabelog 100 recognition, sommelier-led beverage pairing, a format where the chef cooks for six guests simultaneously. For special occasions or diners who find omakase structure appealing, that premium makes sense. For everyday dining or groups seeking variety, the tapas bar or Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze (JPY 2,000–2,999, casual yoshoku) deliver better flexibility per yen. The booking difficulty is low once you commit to the reservation window, but the synchronized start times (noon or 18:30 only) narrow your window more than most Kusatsu dining rooms.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glicine good for a special occasion?
Glicine may suit diners looking for a premium meal in Kusatsu, with verified price bands of JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999 and a smart-casual dress code. Specific celebration services, private booking options, seating details are not verified, so confirm them directly.
What are alternatives to Glicine?
Other allowed names to consider when planning include 馳走 とし藤, Pan du Marche, SPANISH BAR PLOMO, Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, Kogetsu, along with other dining in Kusatsu. Confirm each venue’s current location, price, format, hours before deciding.
Is Glicine worth the price?
Glicine’s verified price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025. Whether it is worth the price depends on the current menu and service details, which should be confirmed directly before booking.
