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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
The style here is robatayaki, a dining experience that segues into pure theater. Inside a large U-shape counter, two cooks in traditional garb sit on cushions behind a grill, with a cornucopia of food spread out in front of them: fresh vegetables, seafood, and skewers of beef and chicken. You point to what you want, and your server shouts out the order. The cook in back plucks your selection up out of the pit, prepares it, and hands it across on an 8-foot wooden paddle. Inakaya is open from 5 pm and fills up fast after 7. If you can't get a seat here, there is another branch, Inakaya West, on the other side of Roppongi Crossing.
3--14--17 Roppongi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 106-0032, Japan
Known For
- Entertaining service
- Fresh ingredients grilled just right
- Fun, lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Shinjuku-ku |
The Park Hyatt's 52nd-floor bar and restaurant may have come to international fame thanks to Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, but expats and locals have long known that it's one of the most elegant places to take in Tokyo's nighttime cityscape over a steak or cocktail. The restaurant menu showcases excellent steaks and grilled seafood in the evening, and has one of the city's best lunch buffets during the day. If the restaurant is out of your budget, come instead to the bar when it opens (before the ¥2,200 evening cover charge is added to your bill) and enjoy a drink as the sun sets over the city. The cover charge for the bar starts at 8 pm every day but Sunday, when it starts at 7 pm.
3–7–1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 163-1055, Japan
Known For
- Impressive views over Tokyo
- High-end modern American cuisine
- Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
Anyone looking to experience Japanese haute cuisine in a more relaxed atmosphere should look to this kappo-style restaurant, where diners order and eat at the counter. Third-generation chef—and 2002 Iron Chef champion—Kimio Nonaga displays his artistry in every element of Nihonbashi Yukari's menu. Dinner here is a multicourse affair, with each dish showcasing the freshness and quality of the seasonal ingredients. To witness him at work, and get the full kappo dining experience, be sure to request a counter seat when making reservations. As a bonus, Nihonbashi Yukari also offers a lunch setting for a fraction of the price of dinner, which is unusual for this kind of restaurant.
3–2–14 Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
Known For
- Excellent kappo-style lunch sets
- Affordable for high-end kappo dining
- Chef Nonaga's creative take on Japanese cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
The exclusive specialty here is tofu, prepared in more ways than you can imagine—boiled, steamed, stir-fried with minced crabmeat, served in a custard, or wrapped in thin layers around a delicate whitefish paste. Tofu is touted as the perfect high-protein, low-calorie health food; at Ume no Hana it's raised to the elegance of haute cuisine. Remove your shoes when you step up to the lovely central room. Latticed wood screens separate the tables, and private dining rooms with tatami seating are available. Prix-fixe meals, from ¥5,000 to ¥8,000 at dinner, include a complimentary aperitif, while lunchtime is very budget-friendly considering the quality (courses from ¥2,100). Ume no Hana shops in Ueno and Ginza are also worth visiting.
2–27–18 Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 107-0062, Japan
Known For
- Varied set meals
- Delicious thin sheets of yuba tofu
- Good value lunch courses
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
For his Michelin-starred contemporary French creations, chef de cuisine Shintaro Miyazaki sources the finest Japanese beef, poultry, seafood, and vegetables from around the country. Served on the 45th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, the resulting prix-fixe lunch courses (from ¥5,800) come with a choice of four or five dishes from a changing monthly menu. For dinner there are chef's tasting menus, which are paired with wine selected by the hotel's sommelier. The dining room, decorated in soft beige, white, and black, and crowned with a city skyline view, provides the appropriate tony setting.
9–7–1 Akasaka, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 107-6245, Japan
Known For
- Classy atmosphere
- Stunning views
- Delightful tasting menus
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | Shibuya-ku |
Carnivores flock here for the all-you-can-eat Brazilian grilled chicken and barbecued beef, which the efficient waiters keep bringing to your table on skewers until you tell them to stop. It comes with a self-serve salad bar and for an extra fee all-you-can-drink beer, wine and other alcohol for two hours. Hardwood floors, lithographs of bull motifs, warm lighting, and salmon-colored tablecloths provide the backdrop. The drink menu provides the chance to try a selection of Brazilian cocktails. Look for the entrance just off Omotesando-dori on the Harajuku 2-chome shopping street (on the north side of Omotesando-dori), about 50 yards down on the left. There's also a Barbacoa near Tokyo Station, as well as others in Roppongi, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. Dinner with drinks can easily run ¥10,000 per person, but the weekday lunch buffet offers largely the same selection at a fraction of the price.
4–3–2 Jingumae, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 150-0001, Japan
Known For
- Meat lover's paradise
- Range of wines
- Excellent salad buffet
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$$$$ | Chiyoda-ku |
On top of the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant serving contemporary French cuisine with a twist. Est presents eco-conscious, seasonal menus with 95% of ingredients locally sourced in Japan. With a focus on reducing food waste, Chef Guillaume Bracaval crafts innovative and singular dishes that can be traced from source to plate.
1–2–1 Otemachi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 100-0004, Japan
Known For
- Night view of Tokyo Skytree
- Seasonal outdoor terrace
- A focus on sustainability
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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$$$$ | Chiyoda-ku |
A short walk from the Imperial Hotel, the Hibiya branch of one of Yokohama's oldest and best Chinese restaurants commands a spectacular view of the Imperial Palace grounds from 28 floors up. Call ahead to reserve a table by the window. Much of the clientele comes from the law offices, securities firms, and foreign banks in the building.
2–2–2 Uchisaiwai-cho, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 100-0011, Japan
Known For
- Kaisen ryori, a banquet of steamed seafood
- Lush, classic decor
- A popular venue for power lunches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$$ | Shiba-Shiodome |
Perched on the 46th floor of the Carretta Shiodome Building overlooking Tokyo Bay, this seafood-focused izakaya is a nice escape from the chaotic frenzy below. Specialties include grilled fish and house-made tofu. As the name suggests, Suntory's highly rated Hibiki whiskey is also on the menu, along with wines and sake that pair well with the food.
1–8–2 Higashi-Shimbashi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 105-0021, Japan
Known For
- Open, big glass windows
- Seasonal ingredients
- Outstanding scenery on a clear day
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
The appeal of Ajioka's seasonal specialties like fugu (puffer fish) and suppon (Japanese turtle) lies as much in the unique texture and experience as in the subtle, nondescript taste. Licensed chefs prepare these in every way imaginable—raw, fried, stewed—using the fresh catch flown in straight from Shimonoseki, a prime fugu-fishing region. Try the house specialty of suppon (Japanese turtle) and fugu nabe, fugu sashimi, or fugu no arayaki (grilled head and cheeks). Menus change by season and reservations must be made two days in advance to order fugu.
7–7–12 Ginza, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 104-0061, Japan
Known For
- Courses that give a small tast of unique Japanese foods
- Excellent nabe (hot pots) courses
- Intimate atmosphere and friendly staff (though little English is spoken)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
The specialty here is shabu-shabu: thin slices of beef cooked in boiling water at your table and dipped in sauce. Kisoji, which has been serving the dish for more than 60 years, elevates the experience, with all the tasteful appointments of a traditional ryotei—private dining rooms with tatami seating (at a 10% surcharge), elegant little rock gardens, and alcoves with flower arrangements. The easiest way to order is to opt for a course, which range from ¥5,000 to ¥10,000. There are branches in Ginza, Shimbashi, Shinjuku, Ueno, and elsewhere as well.
3–10–4 Akasaka, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 107-0052, Japan
Known For
- Elegant atmosphere
- Melt-in-your-mouth beef
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
In contrast to the borderline solemn atmosphere at many top sushi restaurants, this world-famous spot proves that a high-end sushi restaurant does not have to be cold and unfriendly to be refined. In addition to their skill with a knife, many of the sushi chefs know English and are happy to chat with customers about the food and restaurant, making Kyubey a great choice for one's first high-end sushi experience.
8–7–6 Ginza, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 104-0061, Japan
Known For
- Originator of the gunkan-maki style sushi rolls
- A history of making excellent sushi dating back to 1935
- Easier to book than other high-end sushi restaurants (make reservations a couple weeks in advance rather than months)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
The main draw at Oshima is sampling the Kaga ryori cooking of Kanazawa, a small city on the Sea of Japan known for its rich craft traditions. Waitresses dress the part in kimonos of Kanazawa's famous Yuzen dyed silk, and Kutani porcelain and Wajima lacquerware grace the exquisite table settings. As you'd expect from waterfront cuisine, seafood at Oshima is superb, but don't ignore the specialty of the house: a stew of duck and potatoes called jibuni. Kaiseki full-course meals are pricey, but the kaiseki lunch course costs about a third less.
5–8–20 Ginza, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 104-0061, Japan
Known For
- Excellent seafood from the Sea of Japan
- Jibuni (duck and potato stew)
- Affordable introduction to kaiseki dining
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
Japan enjoys a special reputation for its lovingly raised, tender, marbled domestic beef, and if your budget can bear the weight, Rangetsu serves excellent dishes with this beef as a star ingredient. Try the signature shabu-shabu or sukiyaki course for a primer. For a blowout celebration, call ahead to reserve a private alcove, where you can cook for yourself or have a kaiseki meal brought to your table by kimono-clad attendants. Although dinner can damage the wallet, there is also a good variety of lunch sets available for a quarter of the price.
3–5–8 Ginza, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 104-0061, Japan
Known For
- Succulent snow crab
- Over 140 kinds of sake
- Semiprivate dining rooms
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
In a neighborhood thick with Korean-barbecue joints, Sankoen stands out as the best of the lot. Korean barbecue is a smoky affair; you cook your own food, usually thin slices of beef and vegetables, on a gas grill at your table. The karubi (brisket), which is accompanied by a great salad, is the best choice on the menu. If you like kimchi (spicy pickled cabbage), Sankoen's is considered by some to be the best in town. Customers from all over agree, including those from the South Korean embassy a few blocks away. And they line up at all hours (from 11:30 am to midnight) to get in.
1–8–7 Azabu Juban, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 106-0045, Japan
Known For
- Excellent cuts of meat to grill at your table
- Cozy, simple interior
- Fills up quickly at dinnertime
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
This elegant French restaurant on the 37th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel has wonderful views of the Tokyo skyline as well an open kitchen, where diners can see the masterful chef Nicolas Boujéma and his staff at work. Boujéma has an impressive résumé, having worked in kitchens such as La Tour d'Argent, Le Balzac, and most recently with Pierre Gagnaire. And his cuisine does not disappoint. Inspired by Japanese kaiseki, the menu changes with the seasons. There is also a fine wine list here that includes biodynamic and organic selections.
2–1–1 Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 103-8328, Japan
Known For
- Fine French cuisine with a Japanese flair
- Stunning views of the city below
- Luxurious, modern atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
Diners here need a dose of luck—there are only seven counter seats and reservations fill up fast (ask your hotel concierge to make a reservation for you). You also need a full wallet, as high-end sushi comes at a pretty price. But for the few that manage to cross those two hurdles, Sushiso Masa gives a sublime experience. The interior is unpretentious, putting the focus squarely on the gorgeous presentations for each course. But what really sets this apart from other upscale sushi spots is the extreme quality of the cuts of fish, and the garnishes that use incredibly rare ingredients, such as zha cai (pickled stem of the mustard plant).
4–1–15 Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 106-0031, Japan
Known For
- Impeccable attention to detail
- Extremely high-quality, fresh fish with rare garnishes
- Focus on service as well as the food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Shibuya-ku |
This restaurant may lay on more glitz than necessary—the mural in the bar depicts the fall of Pompeii, the banquettes are upholstered in red leather, and the walls are papered in antique gold—but the service is cordial and professional and the food, which is centered on Italian cuisine and U.S. steaks, is superb. The wine list is one of the most varied in town, with more than 200 bottles covering everything from affordable house wines to rarities that will set you back upward of ¥200,000 a bottle.
11–6 Sarugakucho, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 150-0033, Japan
Known For
- Decor that feels like stepping into a French picture book
- Classic high-end European fare
- Impressive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Jacket and tie required
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$$$$ | Chuo-ku |
Occupying a mysterious place between traditional sushi counter, tapas bar, science lab, and magic show, this award-winning restaurant breaks new ground. In full view of diners, the team of chefs assemble a small parade of bite-size morsels in surprising texture and flavor combinations. There are only eight seats, and seatings are at 6 and 8:30 only (plus 1 pm on weekends), so reserve as early as possible.
2–1–1 Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, 103-8328, Japan
Known For
- A playful take on fine dining
- Exclusive, intimate atmosphere
- Watching the chefs is almost as good as the food itself
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Minato-ku |
The entrance here may make you feel as if you are stepping into a nondescript office, but once inside you will get a front-row seat for some professional and exceptional frying (and even some private tables if you want a truly luxe experience). The tempura here is excellent for dinner, but the lunch sets are reasonably priced (one-third to half the cost of dinner) yet can still give you a proper tempura experience. You can also order additional individual pieces à la carte or as recommended by the chef.
2-7-13 Kitaaoyama, Tokyo, Tokyo-to, Japan
Known For
- Elaborate lunch and dinner sets
- An airy atmosphere
- Fresh, seasonal ingredients
