Japanese food lovers love to eat in izakayas. This is because izakayas are a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks and, similar to Spanish tapas bars and American taverns or pubs, are casual places where friends and colleagues meet up and enjoy some drinks and food. The ambiance is cool and relaxed. Some serious izakayas even serve really good Japanese food and these are not as expensive as those you order in Japanese restaurants. They are like hole-in-the-walls that serve freshly made/cooked and delicious Japanese food—the kind you discover and bring friends and family to.