10 Best Restaurants in Tokyo: Chow Down at These Must-Eat Dinner Spots!

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One of my favorite things about visiting a new country is checking out all of the new foods to eat! So, when I visited Japan for the first time in 2016, eating at the best restaurants in Tokyo was at the top of my to do list. Though, as it turned out, there are a LOT of best restaurants in Tokyo.

So…where do you even start?

I was just a noobie traveler back then, so with the help of a few of my travel blogger friends, we’ve narrowed down the list to the top 10 best restaurants in Tokyo that are either traditional Japanese restaurants, innovative fusion cuisines, or fun unforgettable experience. Their common thread: they are all incredibly DELICIOUS.

Now, for people traveling with food allergies or dietary restrictions, I’ve tried to make note of restaurants with more robust vegan and vegetarian options. If you are pescatarian though, Japan will treat you very well! When in doubt, carry a food allergy card or a translation of food items you need to avoid because it is not common for all restaurant staff to be fluent in English (or whatever non-Japanese language you may speak).

ALSO, eating out in Japan -overall- is not cheap. But if you are traveling on a budget, check out my cheap eats in Tokyo post for a more wallet-friendly guide to dining in Tokyo!

Ain Soph

Location: 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−8−9 新宿Ｑビル 1F

by Eunice from EuniceTan.co

The Ain Soph restaurant chain is one of the few vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo and they focus on Japanese fusion cuisine. Ain Soph. Soar & Ain Soph. Journey

You can find Soar near Ikebukuro’s Sunshine city and Journey is right outside exit C5 of the Shinjuku Sanchome station. Both restaurants serve rice and pasta dishes and have a clean, minimalistic aesthetic, yet manages a relaxing and cozy ambience. A meal is about $30 per person, including desserts/drinks.

Ain Soph. Ginza has a more traditional concept. Ginza serves a delightful 5-course meal with a Kissho box, which translates to an auspicious box, as its main course. The box comes with 9 compartments, each serving a different dish. The curation is seasonal, to ensure the quality of the food. The 5-course dinner costs $50 per person. While the main courses differ from branch to branch, the main staple of their restaurants has to be their heavenly pancakes. The pancakes are topped with seasonal fruits and soy-based ice cream and are as heavenly as they claim!

Ninja Akasaka

Location: 〒100-0014 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Nagatachō, 2 Chome−14−3 赤坂東急プラザ 1階

There are a lot of themed restaurants in Tokyo. Like. A LOT. Futuristic themed. Kawaii themed. Prison themed (….). But honestly, a lot of them, while super fun or cute (or weird), don’t taste that great. So if you really want to visit a themed restaurant, make it Ninja Akasaka.

As the name suggests, it’s ninja themed. But not only is it exciting and different, it also has GREAT FOOD, making it one of the best restaurants in Tokyo. It’s a little on the pricier side (ninja’s gotta eat too yanno), but with 6-8 course meals on the table, the bang is definitely worth the buck! The menu is contemporary Japanese, though with some iconic items tempura and Wagyu beef steak. There is also a vegetarian course option.

You will need to make reservations in advance, and they accept credit cards as well.

Sushizanmai

Location: 3-11-9 Tsukiji Square bldg1F, Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045

by Greta from Greta’s Travels

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Tokyo, you have to add Sushizanmai in Tsukiji Fish Market to your Tokyo itinerary. Not only is it iconic, but it’s downright delicious as well!

As the name suggests, this is a delicious sushi restaurant! Tsukiji is Tokyo’s famous fish market, where you can find a huge variety of fresh fish. From sea urchins and oysters, there is something for everyone. Dotted amongst the market stalls you will find many sushi restaurants, but Sushizanmai is one of the most popular. From the outside it looks like any other sushi restaurant, but the ever present queue outside, of both locals and tourists alike, gives away just how good the sushi is here.

The inside of the restaurant is huge, spread out over multiple floors. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and you can choose between sitting at a booth, table or along the counter facing the sushi chefs. They have lots of set menus with a variety of sushi pieces, or you can choose specific sushi pieces and make your own platter (this however usually works out a bit more expensive). You can get the sushi set pictured below for 3,100 yen.

Pokémon Café

Location: 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−11−2 日本橋髙島屋S.C.東館 ５階

Have you really tried all of the best restaurants in Tokyo if you haven’t caught them all? Pokemon is one of the most recognizable shows around the world, so it’s only fitting to check out Japan’s only permanent Pokemon Cafe.

The menu is as cute as you would imagine, with dozens of Pokemon-inspired dishes such as Pikachu curry and Pokemon lunch plates. They even have a seasonal menu with items that rotate out like Teddiursa milk coffee and Pancham fried rice. Also on the menu are an assortment of desserts and beautifully crafted (non-alcoholic) drinks.

Reservations are required and must be made at least a day in advance, with reservations open online up to a month before. And, like many of the other Pokemon Centers around Japan, there is a merch and gift shop!

Hakushu

Location: 〒150-0031 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sakuragaokacho, 17−10 ＭＣＤビル B1F

Anna from Anna Sherchand

One of the best dinner restaurants to go during your 3 week in Japan itinerary is Hakushu, especially for Teppanyaki. It is located about 5 minutes from Shibuya Station and is an extremely popular Teppanyaki restaurant among both local Japanese and foreign visitors.

It is a family-operated restaurant that offers authentic Teppanyaki cuisine with its warm hospitality. A simple interior that tells the main focus is the food. Highly recommend the finest Kobe Beef they serve – it will melt in your mouth and fresh seafood and veggies that are cooked on iron plates in front of the diners. Hakushu is one of the top rated restaurants in Tokyo and offers the best value for money and excellent service.

They not only serve creative Teppanyaki dishes but also meals with a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisines, with selected ingredients including Wagyu Beef and fresh seafood. Their classic and modern venue is the perfect place to spend a special night.

Nabezo

Location: 30-11 Shinjuku Takano Dai2 Bldg 8F, Shinjuku 3 Chome

Hungry for hot-pot? At Nabezo, you can get all-you-can-eat nabe, or Japanese hot pot, for a set price. The only catch – there’s a 100 minute time limit. It is a popular chain throughout Tokyo, mostly due to it’s affordable rates (for Tokyo anyway) and high quality food.

The soup is completely customizable with a variety of different flavors, and if you can’t choose just one, you also have the option for ordering two different soups. This works well for groups with split tastes or spicy levels. All of the vegetables are fresh, and you can request as much meat as you want.

It’s one of the best restaurants in Tokyo, and easily accessible no matter where you stay in the city. It is casual dining, and perfect for larger or small groups as well.

Ippudo

Location: 〒150-0012 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Hiroo, 1 Chome−3−13 ハイネス恵比寿

By Disha from Disha Discovers

Tokyo is a food lover’s heaven. It’s undeniably one of the best foodie cities in the world. If you’re after a Japanese meal, especially ramen, Ippudo is the best restaurant in Tokyo to satisfy your craving. There are several locations scattered throughout the city so you won’t have to travel far to eat here.

Ippudo is a no-frill restaurant. It’s where a lot of locals eat and you’ll rarely see tourists here. Depending on when you go, the queue may be pretty long. Insider tip — the best time avoid the queue is around 11 AM right before the lunch rush. After you finish your meal, make sure you pay immediately and leave. This isn’t a restaurant where you linger and catch up with your friends.

If you’re up for a challenge and you like spice, definitely try the Karaka Spicy ramen. Pair it with a side of gyoza if you’re extra hungry. Ippudo first opened in Tokyo in 1995 and has been making ramen lovers quite happy ever since — not only with the taste but with the price point as well. You can expect to pay around $12 USD per bowl and the portions are generous.

New York Grill & Bar

Location: 52階, 3 Chome-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-1055

by Cecily from Groovy Mashed Potatoes

On the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku, you will find New York Grill & Bar, a glamorous steakhouse with one of the best views of the city. And, as it turns out, one of the best restaurants in Tokyo. The iconic restaurant was the setting for the movie Lost in Translation, where Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) and Bob (Bill Murray) met. Put on a fabulous outfit and pretend you’re Charlotte or Bob for the evening.

The Japanese and New York inspired cuisine is exceptional and worth the splurge. They offer USDA premium steaks or beef from renowned regions in Japan, such as A5 Tokyo Akigawa Wagyu and Hyogo Kobe. The Wagyu or Kobe beef from Japan melts in your mouth and is a once-in-a-lifetime foodie experience. It is truly one of the best restaurants in Tokyo.

Ask your server to reserve a spot for you in the bar next door where you can listen to live jazz and sip well-crafted cocktails. The comfy chairs and couches provide a cozy ambience and you can even cap off your night with a Montecristo cigar. It’s a must visit during your time in Japan if you enjoy the finer things in life!

Ramen Street (Soranoiro Nippon and Ikaruga)

by Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog

If there is one place that you can’t miss on your Tokyo itinerary, it is famous Ramen Street, located in the basement of Tokyo Station. Be warned, it will take a bit of effort to find Ramen Street as there are hundreds of shops and restaurants at this huge station, but it’s worth the effort!

There are eight ramen restaurants at Tokyo Station, each with their own specialty. But if you want to narrow it down to the best restaurants in Tokyo, the two ramen shops you should check out on Ramen Street are Soranoiro Nippon and Ikaruga. The Chinese soba at Soranoiro Nippon is delicious, though their signature dish is Veggie buckwheat ramen.

At Ikaruga, go for the Tokyo Station Spicy Ramen for 1100¥ (only opt for the spicy option if you like spicy food, if you don’t, stick to the regular Tokyo Station Ramen). The restaurants are all very casual, but always busy. Lines are long at all of the eight restaurants and you need to use the ticketing machine to order your bowl of ramen.

Soul Food House

In a warm atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re coming home, Soul Food House is one of the best restaurants in Tokyo, especially if you’re looking for some good ol’ fashion SOUL FOOD. Where else are you going to find gumbo in Japan??

A family restaurant, Soul Food House has extremely flavorful recipes and super friendly staff. Some of the dishes they are most known for are their chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and of course – mac & cheese, which is actually vegan!

They even have special meals around holidays such as American Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’ve experienced Christmas in Japan, then you know how hectic things can get around the holidays, so reservations at Soul Food House are basically REQUIRED then.

Best Restaurants in Tokyo: Conclusion

Hopefully you have an appetite, because you’re going to need quite a big one to eat your way through these best restaurants in Tokyo! Which of the ones above caught your eye?

If you’re an early riser, I have an entire post dedicated to the best breakfast in Tokyo, so give that one a look when you’re ready! Overall, I loved the food in Japan, though there were a bit more fried chicken than I expected haha. For a super quick bite, I always recommend popping in a 7-11. TRUST ME. They’re a lot different (and actually delicious) in Asia!

Do you have any other food recommendations that could make it on this best restaurants in Tokyo list? Let me know in the comments below!

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