Shobara, Hiroshima, Japan｜庄原バル（スペインBAR）

The food is amazing, the owners and bartender are super friendly, outgoing, and funny, and the overall atmosphere is cozy and lively. The owner also knows a lot of English, if you don’t speak Japanese like me, which was extremely helpful. The menu is only in Japanese, though. His restaurant was almost Midnight Diner-esque; I asked for Hawaiian pizza and (Canadian) iced tea which aren’t on the menu, and he managed to find the ingredients in the back to make them for me anyway. I was pleasantly surprised when he also added clementines and onions to the pizza. The iced tea was perfectly sweetened, unlike a lot of “iced teas” I’ve been getting in Japan, which are literally just tea, but with ice. He also had really good sashimi, which he offered me and my friend for an appetizer. It was unbelievably delicious. Probably the best sushi I’ve had in Japan so far.

An excellent bar with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The owner is fluent in English and incredibly personable. Spirits selection is good as well. Unlike the majority of Japanese bars, they have no problem making any Western cocktail you ask for. If food's more your focus the bar's selection is a mix of italian and Spanish style. Although the owner's often experimenting with different dishes, so there's always a unique dish if you ask about it.

Charming and friendly place right near the train and bus stations, with generous yet affordable cocktails and a variety of fusion dishes. And the owner speaks English! One of my favorite spots in town.