Café Kitsuné Aoyama
$ | Minato-ku
Associated with the funky clothing shop that is just around the corner, this cafe is bright and open, and serves quality coffee, cakes, snacks, and gelato. They also have some Kitsuné-branded goods on hand.
10 Best Restaurants in Tokyo, Japan
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Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the most exciting dining cities in the world. Seasonal ingredients reign supreme here, and there's an emphasis on freshness—not surprising given raw seafood is the cornerstone of sushi. And though Tokyoites still stubbornly resist foreign concepts in many fields, the locals have embraced outside culinary styles with gusto.
While newer restaurants targeting younger diners strive for authenticity in everything from New York–style bagels to Neapolitan pizza, it is still not uncommon to see menus serving East-meets-West concoctions such as spaghetti topped with cod roe and shredded seaweed. That said, the city’s best French and Italian establishments can hold their own on a global scale. Naturally, there's also excellent Japanese cuisine available throughout the city, ranging from the traditional to nouveau, which can be shockingly expensive.
That is not to imply that every meal in the city will drain your finances—the current rage is all about "B-kyu gurume" (B-class gourmet), restaurants that fill the gap between nationwide chains and fine cuisine, serving tasty Japanese and Asian food without the extra frills of tablecloths and lacquerware. All department stores and most skyscrapers have at least one floor of restaurants that are accessible, affordable, and reputable.
Asakusa is known for its tempura, and Tsukiji prides itself on its fresh sashimi, which is available in excellent quality throughout the city. Ramen is a passion for many locals, who travel across town or stand in line for an hour in order to sit at the counter of a shop rumored to have the perfect balance of noodles and broth. Even the neighborhood convenience stores will offer colorful salads, sandwiches, and a selection of beer and sake. There have been good and affordable Indian and Chinese restaurants in the city for decades. As a result of increased travel by the Japanese to more exotic locations, Thai, Vietnamese, and Turkish restaurants have popped up around the city. When in doubt, note that Tokyo's top-rated international hotels also have some of the city's best places to eat and drink.
eggcellent Roppongi Hills
$ | Roppongi
No surprise that eggs are the thing at this convenient diner on the first basement floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Eggs are organic and available every which way, including in egg tarts, eggs benedict, pancakes, and a fried breakfast.
Ippudo
$ | Minato-ku
Open from 11 am to 11 pm, this ever-busy ramen joint, now an international chain with almost 30 locations in Tokyo alone, is an ideal quick stop on or after a night out. The classic ramen is the Shiromaru, which features a creamy pork-based stock, thin yet slightly firm noodles, and a topping of chashu pork slices. Other options include the Akamaru, which has a little red miso mixed in the soup, and side dishes such as gyoza dumplings.
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Kasuga
$
Located in a 120-year-old former merchant house on Ichibangai shopping street, this eatery is good for a quick snack on the go or a sit down lunch. It's known for its skewers of soy-basted dango (rice dumplings) and decadent parfaits, but also serves bowls of more filling somen noodles and udon noodles.
Kawatoyo
$$
The culinary specialty of the Narita area is freshwater eel (unagi), and there are plenty of places to try it along Naritasan Omotesando. Close to Naritasan, Kawatoyo has been in business for more than 100 years, serving a classic called unajo, chargrilled eel slathered in a savory soy-based sauce and served over rice. Tradition says the dish is good at fighting fatigue. Because nothing is wasted, you can also order eel liver soup and deep-fried eel bones.
Mercer Brunch Roppongi
$$ | Minato-ku
The concept of brunch is fairly new in Tokyo but thankfully it's starting to take off. By day, this pleasant café offers outdoor seating and brioche French toast with great coffee just minutes from Tokyo Midtown and the art museums of the “Roppongi Art Triangle.” From 5 pm, the menu changes to more expensive grilled meats and pastas.
Spring Valley Brewery
$$$ | Shibuya-ku
This microbrewery produces a core lineup of six ales and lagers in Daikanyama, which explains the large brew tanks you can see as you eat and drink. But this is not just a place to drink; the menu also features a good range of burgers, pizzas, and grilled meats. Helpfully, the food menu comes with beer pairing suggestions. They also brew seasonal and limited releases, such as an 8% Belgian “gran cru” and a 6.5% hop-heavy IPA.
The Palace Lounge
$$$ | Chiyoda-ku
In addition to its elegant decor, plush sofas, and outdoor patio, The Palace Lounge also offers one of Tokyo's best afternoon tea sets, which includes both Japanese and European sweets. The extensive tea menu also makes it a good place to try a variety of unique, high-end teas while taking a quiet break from the day's sightseeing.
Tony Roma's
$$$ | Minato-ku
This casual American chain is world-famous for its barbecued ribs. It also serves kid-size (and much larger) portions of burgers, chicken strips, and fried shrimp. The chain, which started in Miami in the 1970s, is dwindling in the U.S., but it's still going strong overseas. There's another branch in the Hanzomon area.
Towers
$$$$ | Minato-ku
When you're looking for a break from all the ramen, tempura, and yakitori, this restaurant on the 45th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel serves a mix of international flavors that range from American to Southeast Asian to Mediterranean. The prix-fixe lunches include a three-course business lunch (¥6,500), and there are dinners with four and five courses, including one that focuses on produce from Hokkaido (¥13,000). A plush brunch (¥9,500) is also available weekends and holidays. Best of all, the dining room overlooks a panorama of the Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower, which is where the eatery gets its name.
