Must see restaurants in Tokyo

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One of Tokyo’s most gracious restaurants is located in a former sake brewery (moved from northern Japan), with an exquisite traditional garden in the…

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There is no better-value sushi in Tokyo than the omakase (chef's choice) course here. The menu changes daily (and sometimes hourly), but you're guaranteed…

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German-born chef and Noma alumnus Thomas Frebel leads an international team of young chefs here at Inua, one of Tokyo's most talked about openings in…

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Kikunoi is one of Japan's storied ryōtei, the high-class restaurants that serves kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine). Its Akasaka branch is (relatively…

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The former Miyagino sumo stable is the location for this one-of-a-kind restaurant that has preserved the dōyō (practice ring) as its centrepiece. Playing…

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Among the oldest and most famous of Tokyo's wagyū (Japanese beef) restaurants, Imahan (in business since 1895), specialises in courses of sukiyaki and…

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There are sushi shops that pride themselves on hewing to tradition and then there is sushi m (and blessedly Tokyo has room for both). Here there are two…

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Eatrip is one of the big players in Tokyo's farm-to-table organic movement. Chef Shiraishi Takayuki works closely with domestic producers and his cooking…

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It's hard to beat Kozue's combination of exquisite seasonal Japanese cuisine, artisan crockery and distractingly good views over Shinjuku. As the kimono…

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Sahsya Kanetanaka is the entry level offshoot of exclusive kaiseki (haute cuisine) restaurant Kanetanaka. At lunch (served until 2pm) choose two mains …

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In a gorgeous wooden building dating to 1875, Innsyoutei (pronounced 'inshotei' and meaning 'rhyme of the pine cottage') has long been a favourite spot…

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Tonki is a Tokyo tonkatsu (crumbed pork cutlet) legend, deep-frying with an unchanged recipe for over 80 years. The seats at the long counter – where you…

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Narukiyo is many people's favourite 'secret' izakaya, serving all the classics (sashimi, charcoal grilled chicken, etc) with a low-key attitude that…

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There are only two things on the menu at Matsukiya, established in 1890: sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef cooked in sake, soy and vinegar broth, and dipped in…

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While sushi has moved in the direction of faster and fresher, Kizushi, in business since 1923, is keeping it old school. Fourth-generation chef Yui…

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Onigiri, rice moulded into triangle and wrapped in sheets of nori (seaweed) is Japan's ultimate snack. You know, the ones at the convenience store; try…

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Kanae is a perfect example of one of Shinjuku-sanchōme's excellent and all but undiscoverable izakaya: delicious sashimi, seasonal dishes, simple staples …

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Kyūbey, running since 1935 is one of Tokyo's prestige sushi restaurants, where each piece of nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi) is made and delivered one…

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Proof you don't need to shell out a small fortune to eat well in Tokyo is this humble restaurant specialising in Sanuki-udon, wheat noodles from Kagawa in…

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Nobody in Tokyo does tempura vegetables like chef Kondō Fumio. The carrots are julienned to a fine floss; the corn is pert and juicy; and the sweet potato…