Manga like Sono Otoko, Amatou ni Tsuki

Ristorante Paradiso

Also known as Ristorante Paradiso.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

At the age of 21, Nicoletta travels to Rome to find her mother, Olga, who abandoned her long ago. Nicoletta finds her at Casetta dell'Orso, a charming little restaurant owned by Olga's husband. The staff of bespectacled gentlemen welcomes Nicoletta warmly, but Olga's reception is not so pleasant. Olga has never told her husband that she ever had children--and he must never know.

In exchange for Nicoletta's playing "the daughter of an old friend," Olga offers Nicoletta a place to live and an apprenticeship at the restaurant. Nicoletta fits in well among the unique personalities at Casetta dell'Orso. She gets along particularly well with the kindly headwaiter, Claudio, a divorced man who, after years, has still never taken off his wedding ring. As Nicoletta's feelings for Claudio become complicated, she finds a sympathetic ear in Olga, leading the estranged pair to form a friendship neither expected. But as they grow closer, the pressure exerted by the secret they share becomes too much to bear.



Tags: Josei , Iyashikei , Heterosexual , Foreign , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Age Gap , Food , Bar , Work , Restaurant

Tonari ni

Status: Finished
Genres: Romance , Slice of Life

The first time he saw him, Tohru was on his way home from his hobby of taking photos. He’s queued for the Shinkansen’s unreserved seating, just right next to him.

Tags: LGBTQ+ Themes , Office , Boys' Love , Age Gap , Photography , Work , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Trains , Bisexual , Iyashikei

Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten

Also known as Antique Bakery.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

A high school crush, a world-class pastry chef, a former middle-weight boxing champion...and a whole lot of cake! Ono has come a long way since the agonizing day in high school when he confessed his love to handsome Tachibana. Now, some 14 years later Ono, a world-class pastry chef and gay playboy has it all. No man can resist Ono's charms (or his cooking skills!) but he has just found a new position under a man named Tachibana. Can this be the only man who resisted his charms, and if so, will the man who once snubbed the "magically gay" Ono get his just desserts? And how in the heck did a former middleweight boxing champion wind up as Ono's cake boy?



Note: Recipient of 26th Kodansha Manga Award in the shoujo manga category for 2002.

Tags: Food , Shoujo , Primarily Male Cast , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , LGBTQ+ Themes

Shitsuren Chocolatier

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

Souta, who’s attending a confectionery school, is in a relationship with Saeko, a girl one year older than him. He fell in love at first sight with her four years ago, and right before Christmas last year, they finally had their first kiss. Because his girlfriend loves big chocolate, every day, Souta tries to polish his chocolate-making skill. Even when his girlfriend smells like cigarettes although she doesn’t smoke, even when she turns down his invitation to a date on Valentine’s day, he’s still not broken-hearted at all, and he still continues to love her…

Note: Won the 2012 Kodansha Manga Awards in the Shoujo category and was nominated for the 4th Manga Taisho Awards in 2011.

Tags: Love Triangle , Shoujo , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Food , Work

Taberu dake

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

The gourmet manga revolves around a mysterious, perpetually hungry, goddess-like girl whose name, age, and job is unknown. This woman will appear out of nowhere only to have a meal with others. Each chapter follows her encounter with a new person: as she drinks milk with an elementary school girl after a bath, eats an entire cake with a lonely man on Christmas Eve, and even as she transcends time to eat deer hot pot with the inhabitants of a mountain village in ancient times. When she leaves, those she encounters are left with smiles on their faces. Included one-shot: Taberu dake (2-part pilot)

Tags: Episodic , Female Protagonist , Seinen

Gente: Ristorante no Hitobito

Also known as Gente.

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Buona sera! Welcome to Casetta dell’Orso, a quaint little restaurant in the heart of Rome. The food’s delicious, but the handsome staff of bespectacled gentlemen is the real draw. Follow these dashing men home and witness their romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams in this delightfully whimsical continuation of Natsume Ono’s beloved Ristorante Paradiso.

Go back to the beginning, when the owner Lorenzo was just opening Casetta dell’Orso. His wife Olga’s particular preference for a certain bartender inspires Lorenzo to hire an entire staff of gentlemen in glasses. Watch the cranky-but-kind Luciano juggle babysitting duty and the advances of an amorous customer. Witness handsome playboy Vito meet a healthy young college student who will eventually become his wife. All this and more awaits you, just beyond that discreet restaurant door…



Note: Includes three extra chapters.

Tags: Josei , Work , Male Protagonist , Bar , Iyashikei , Found Family , Foreign , Primarily Adult Cast , Politics , Food , Ensemble Cast , Heterosexual , Age Gap , Restaurant

Couverture

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Romance

Couverture, a specialty store run by a pair of handsome brothers dealing in fine chocolates,

For the times when you are swaying in between career and love.
For the times you are troubled awaiting a spring romance.
For the times when you feel like you have forgotten how to smile or be gentle.

If you take one step into the shop, you will understand the flavor of happiness they want to share with everyone.

Tags: Josei , Food , Episodic , Anthology , Male Protagonist