World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

A 5% consumer tax is added to restaurant bills and luxury restaurants may also add a 10–15% service charge. Tipping is not customary and might offend.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include VAT but do not include tip.

Gastronomic

Hai Whan
Located in the upscale Ginza district, Hai Whan serves progressive Cantonese haute cuisine in grand surroundings reminiscent of an imperial banquet hall. The emphasis is on seafood and the chefs pride themselves on the freshness of their ingredients, which range seasonally from abalone to lobster, sea bream or crab. Unusual seasonings are incorporated into many dishes and the Chinese-style sashimi is a surprising and delicious addition to the menu.

World Town Building, 5–8–17 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3573 0080.
Website: www.haiwhan.co.jp
Price: 15,000. Wine: 6000.

La Tour d’Argent
Considered by many to offer the very finest French dining in Japan, this Akasaka branch of the celebrated Parisian restaurant serves classic cuisine in a dramatic setting of period opulence. The wine list is renowned for its selection and quality and the seasonally based menu typically features carpaccio with caviar, roast pigeon with fresh truffles or the restaurant’s renowned roast duckling.

New Otani Hotel, 4–1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3239 3111. Fax: (03) 3221 2619.
Website: www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/restaurants/westerncuisine
Price: 20,000. Wine: 9000.

Nobu
Amid the stylish decor of artworks, exposed brickwork and giant pink rose emblems, the ‘New Japanese Cuisine’ of celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa has arrived in Tokyo’s upscale Aoyama district. Nobu’s masterful blending of traditional Japanese ingredients with New World flavours results in exquisite signature dishes such as black cod with miso, squid in light garlic sauce and the renowned ‘new-style sashimi’. For a culinary adventure, the omakase course (chef’s tasting menu) is recommended.

6–10–17 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 5467 0022. Fax: (03) 5467 0023.
Price: 15,000. Wine: 6000.

Spago
Wolfgang Puck’s Spago is one of the originators of New American cuisine and the Tokyo branch will not disappoint. The atmosphere is classic Californian – bright and airy with a cheerful terrace of flowers. In addition to the renowned gourmet pizzas, imaginative entres, such as prime rib steak with jalapeo garlic gravy sauce, are excellent, as are the Californian wines.

5–7–8 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3423 4025. Fax: (03) 3403 1726.
E-mail: spago@wdi.co.jp
Website: www.spagotokyo.co.jp
Price: 7000. Wine: 4000.

Takamura
Serving kaiseki (Japan’s haute cuisine and an art form in itself), Takamura creates a traditional Japanese dining experience never to be forgotten. Seated in one of eight serene tatami rooms overlooking Japanese gardens, guests are presented with a succession of intricately prepared dishes, such as delicate slices of sashimi or quails eggs, each item seasonal and exquisitely displayed on the finest of Japanese ceramics. Takamura is located on a wooded hill and seems a world away from the bustling city below. Advanced reservations are required.

3–4–27 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3585 6600.
Price: 25,000.

Business

Les Saisons
Long renowned as the top formal French restaurant in Tokyo, the award-winning Les Saisons is conveniently located in the Imperial Hotel. The elegant opulence of the Provenal-style surroundings is extremely inviting and the seasonal menu features classic dishes such as steak with foie gras, bouillabaisse (fish soup) and cider-roasted lobster. The restaurant is rumoured to be Tokyo’s ultimate location for elite political and business ‘power breakfasts’.

Imperial Hotel, 1–1–1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3539 8087. Fax: (03) 3581 9146.
Website: www.imperialhotel.co.jp
Price: 20,000. Wine: 6000.

Miyuki
The Japanese restaurant of Tokyo’s top class Four Seasons Hotel, Miyuki specialises in kaiseki, its multiple courses creating the most formal and exquisitely presented of Japanese dining experiences. In addition, the restaurant offers teppanyaki, sushi, tempura and shabu shabu menus. The decor is elegantly Japanese and kimono-clad staff present each course on a selection of fine Japanese ceramics. Lunch sets are from 5000.

Four Seasons Hotel, 2–10–8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku
Tel: (03) 3943 2222. Fax: (03) 3943 2300.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/tokyo/dining/dining_22.html
Price: 12,000. Wine: 4500.

New York Grill
An oasis of sophistication on the 52nd floor of Shinjuku’s Park Hyatt Hotel, just securing reservations for this award-winning restaurant will impress any Tokyo client. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide magnificent views and the vibrant, contemporary design features bold artworks and an open kitchen. The cuisine is creative American and the honey-glazed rotisserie duck and prime Japanese steaks are particularly notable. Naturally, the Californian wine list is first class and the service impeccable. There is an excellent weekend brunch buffet (5800) and the adjacent New York Bar features live jazz.

Park Hyatt Hotel, 52F, 3–7–1–2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 5323 3458. Fax: (03) 5322 1288.
Website: www.tokyo.hyatt.com
Price: 18,000. Wine: 6000.

Sabatini di Firenze
This stylish Ginza restaurant is known as one of Tokyo’s finest Italian dinner venues. Amid surroundings reminiscent of a grand country villa, freshly made pasta cooked to perfection compliments dishes such as grilled sea bass. The dessert trolley is bursting with temptation and the wine list, featuring an extensive selection of Italian and French wines, rounds off the experience. Set lunch menus start at 4500.

Sony Building 7F, 5–3–1 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3573 0013.
Price: 15,000. Wine: 5000.

Teppanyaki Asuka
A favourite for less formal business occasions, the Palace Hotel’s teppanyaki restaurant showcases the considerable skills of the chef, as he cooks each meal to order. Guests sit at a crescent-shaped counter and choose from a menu encompassing everything from abalone, prawns and seasonal fish to Kobe beefsteak with Madeira sauce, all accompanied by soup, salad, rice and kimchee pickles. Guests may also enjoy cooking for themselves at private tables.

Palace Hotel Tokyo, BF1, 1–1–1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3211 5211. Fax: (03) 3211 6987.
Website: www.palacehotel.co.jp/english/index.html
Price: 6000. Wine: 5000.

Trendy

Daidaiya
This upscale Ginza restaurant, serving nouvelle cuisine Japonaise, is a treat for the eyes as well as the palate. Theatrical lighting and dramatic avant-garde decor accentuate the succession of unique dining spaces, ranging from rooms to counters and tatami areas, plus a cigar bar. The Japanese menu with a twist includes grilled meats and seafood with delicate sauces and excellent sushi and tempura. Set menus are from 4500. Daidaiya has branches in Shinjuku and Akasaka.

GinzaNine No 1 Building, 2F, 8–5 Saki, Ginza-nishi, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 5537 3566. Fax: (03) 5537 3570.
Price: 6000. Wine: 3500.

Branches:
Shinjuku Nowa Building 3F, 3–37–12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Bellvie Akasaka 9F, 3–1–6 Akasaka, Minato-ku

Fujimamas
Asian fusion is the ‘in thing’ in Tokyo dining and trendy Fujimamas is riding the crest of the wave. This Harajuku restaurant, bar and caf has a warm, comfortable atmosphere, wooden verandah and rustic-style decor with a stylish twist. Among the dishes offering a unique take on world cuisine are grilled chilli-marinated pork loin with tomato chutney and sweet potato fries, and crispy tofu steak with Indonesian cucumber sambal. A fine selection of Californian wines rounds off a great meal.

6–3–2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 5485 2262. Fax: (03) 5485 2261.
E-mail: info@fujimamas.com
Website: www.fujimamas.com
Price: 3500. Wine: 3000.

Immigrant’s Caf
Located in trendy Aoyama, this funky caf-bar invites guests to ‘experience the world’ through its Asian fusion menu. Dishes range from clam chowder to Thai fish balls but it is the unusual decor – colourful retro with an industrial edge – that makes the place stand out. A DJ booth, video graphics and lively bilingual staff add the finishing touches to a fun venue. Vegetarian friendly.

Kyodo Building B1, 5–9–15 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 5766 8995. Fax: (03) 5766 8996.
Website: www.immigrantscafe.com
Price: 2000. Wine: 2500.

The Pink Cow
The Pink Cow is a wine bar that is fast becoming a star on Harajuku’s trendy caf scene. The atmosphere is colourful and relaxed, with funky furnishings and a maze of rooms hung with the work of local artists. The list of Californian wines is excellent and the vegetarian friendly home-style cooking – from burritos and bagels to fudge brownies – is an added bonus. The weekend dinner buffet is 2500.

1–10–1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 5411 6777.
E-mail: cowmail@thepinkcow.com
Website: www.thepinkcow.com
Price: 2500. Wine: 2500.

TY Harbour Brewery Restaurant and Bar
This large, stylish microbrewery on the Tennozu Isle area of Tokyo Bay offers harbour views and excellent food in addition to a wide variety of fine beers and wines. Californian-style dishes include roasted whitefish with crispy spring roll and light tomato sauce or beer marinated chicken with thyme and garlic. The flower-filled terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the daily lunch specials and weekend brunch menu.

2–1–3 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku
Tel: (03) 5479 4555. Fax: (03) 5479 1696.
E-mail: ty-info@tyharborbrewing.co.jp
Website: www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/eng/index.html
Price: 4500. Wine: 3000.

Budget

Jangara Ramen
Two minutes from Harajuku Station, an enthusiastic clientele means long peak-time queues. But the bowls of steaming Japanese noodles are well worth the wait. Cheerful staff dish out the standard Jangara or richer Bonchan with meat, fish and egg added according to choice. Jazz music and quirky artwork add to the colourful atmosphere.

Shanzel Building No. 2 1F/2F, 1–13–21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3404 5405.
Website: www.jangara.co.jp (Japanese only)
Price: 1000. Beer and sake by the glass: From 500.

MealMUJI
Just across the railway tracks from the Tokyo International Forum, this bright, spacious caf extends the MUJI lifestyle brand to food. Focusing on organic, preservative-free ingredients, the freshly baked breads and 25 deli choices, such as curries, grilled fish and seasonal salads, attract a relaxed, youthful crowd.

3–8–3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 5208 8241.
Price: 1200. Wine: 400 (by the glass).

Moti
Located in the Roppongi nightlife district, Moti has been serving Tokyoites with authentic Indian food for two decades. Vegetable curries such as palak panir and channa masala offer a haven for vegetarians, while meat eaters will enjoy specialities such as Punjabi chicken tikka and mutton kofta. Mughal-style arches and murals give an exotic feel to the decor. Lunch specials are just 900. Moti also has a branch in Akasaka.

Roppongi Hama Building 3F, 6–2–35 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3479 1939.
Website: www.tokyo.to/moti
Price: 3000. Wine: 2000.

Branch:
Kinpa Building 3F, 2–14–31 Akasaka, Minato-ku

Phothai Down Under
This bustling, down-to-earth Thai restaurant is a great place to fill up before hitting the Roppongi nightspots. The extensive menu covers all the favourites, from tomyam noodles to beef coconut curry, plus a selection of Australian wines, beers and, somewhat bizarrely, steaks. The tasty lunch buffet (weekdays only) is popular with local office workers and excellent value at 1000.

Roppongi Five Plaza Building 2F, 5–18–21 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3505 1504. Fax: (03) 3443 7258.
Price: 3500. Wine: 2500.

Tengu
This cheap and cheerful chain of Japanese-style pubs (izakaya) is popular with students and office workers. It offers a wide range of snack foods, such as yakitori grilled chicken and sashimi fish, plus Japanese interpretations of salads and pizza, washed down with reasonably priced beer and sake. Guests can order as little or as much as they want from the convenient picture menu, and the many branches are easily recognised from the red, long-nosed demon mask emblem.

Ginza Roku-chome Branch, 6–13–3 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3248 2588.
Website: www.teng.co.jp (Japanese only)
Price: 1500. Wine: 1000.

Personal Recommendations

Angkor Wat
Just south of Shinjuku, this Cambodian restaurant’s extensive menu of tasty dishes, such as beef chilli curry and tangy shredded chicken salad means that it has been doing a roaring trade for 20 years. The pumpkin cake and coconut ice cream is not to be missed. If the Japanese-only menu is too overwhelming, there are a variety of set meals, starting from 1000. Colourful travel posters and lively Cambodian staff liven up the no-frills atmosphere.

Juken Building 1F, 1–38–13 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3370 3019. Fax: (03) 3379 0306.
Price: 2000. Wine: 2500.

Heiroku Sushi
A landmark in the Omotesando fashion district, this bright and cheery chain sushi restaurant is easy and fun – customers take whatever and as much as they want and pay at the end according to their number of empty plates. A steady stream of customers means that the sushi, ranging from tuna belly and salmon to sea urchin, is always freshly made. Crab mayonnaise, egg and cucumber rolls are also available for more timid pallets. Hot green tea and pickled garlic are free.

5–8–5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3498 3968.
Website: www.heiroku.com (Japanese only)
Price: From 120 (per dish). Bottled beer: From 600.

Nanbantei Yakitori
The concept of yakitori (grilled chicken pieces served on skewers) is extended to a variety of other meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables at this popular traditional-style restaurant in busy Shibuya. Specialities include beef grilled in a tasty miso sauce (nanban-yaki), and pork and asparagus rolls (aspara-maki). The counter seats allow diners to watch their orders being prepared. Nanbantei has branches in Roppongi and throughout the city. Set menus start at 3500.

Iwamoto Building 2F, 1–22–7 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3461 2913. Fax: (03) 3461 2913.
Website: http://gnavi.joy.ne.jp/gn/en/G041701h.htm
Price: 3000. Wine: 2500.

Branch:
4–5–6 Roppongi, Minato-ku

Mominoki House
This Harajuku ‘food concept house’ is often billed as vegan but rather offers healthy, organic dishes, such as grilled tofu burgers or spinach and white radish salad, amid a menu also featuring fish and meat. Nevertheless, it is a welcome find for vegetarians and Paul McCartney is rumoured to have dropped by. The atmosphere is relaxed and youthful, with a variety of seating arrangements on several levels.

You Building 1F, 2–18–5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3405 9144.
Price: 3000. Wine: 2500.

World Buffet L’Etoile
One of a host of restaurants in Shimbashi’s Dai Ichi Hotel, L’Etoile offers sumptuous ‘all you can eat’ lunch and dinner buffets of specialities from around the world, served in a pleasant conservatory-style atmosphere. From sushi and dim sum to smoked salmon roulade, three cheese ravioli and a wide range of cakes, ice cream and sherbets, the enormous selection ensures guests leave satisfied. The all-inclusive price, slightly higher on weekends and during holidays, is discounted for children.

Dai Ichi Hotel Tokyo, 1–2–6 Shimbashi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3501 4411.
E-mail: info@daiichihotel-tokyo.com
Website: www.daiichihotel-tokyo.com/english/topframe.htm
Price: 2700 (lunch), 5200 (dinner). Wine: 4000.