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It’s no secret that Japan is home to some of the world’s best cuisine and nowhere showcases that better than Tokyo – the city with the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, boasting an impressive 160 starred eateries. Here, omakase magic meets alleyway yakitori and tiny izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), with plenty of reasons to loosen your belt. Read on for our pick of just some of the best restaurants in Tokyo.
1. Nakiryu, Otsuka
You can’t come to Tokyo without slurping some soul-warming ramen, and Nakiryu serves some of the best in the city. So good, in fact, that locals and tourists alike are willing to queue for up to two hours to earn their bowl – so, come prepared to wait and arrive early. Don’t miss the best-selling tantanmen (dan dan noodles in a rich, spicy sesame-based broth), which has won the hearts of many since 2017. The restaurant once even gained a Michelin star, though the guide has since stopped awarding stars to ramen restaurants (much to the collective dismay of noodle fans).
Top tip: Cash is king at Nakiryu, orders are limited to one ramen per person, and weekdays have shorter waiting times – so plan ahead and slurp smarter.
2. Narisawa, Aoyama
Regularly named among the best restaurants in both Asia and worldwide – and holder of two Michelin stars – Narisawa’s focus on sustainability is as delicious as it is meaningful. There’s no fixed menu, just an ever-evolving tasting journey inspired by the country’s natural landscapes and seasonal ecosystem. Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa – a pioneer of Satoyama cuisine – often opens with his signature Bread of the Forest with Moss Butter, arriving as raw dough and baked right before your eyes. The space is calm, modern and quietly luxurious, letting the food steal the spotlight. Reservations are essential, with tables booking up weeks in advance.
Top tip: If you’re not ready to splurge on the tasting menu, head around the corner to Bees Bar by Narisawa for inventive sips and more casual bar bites like fried squid or ramen.
3. Sumibi Yakiniku Nakahara, Ichigaya
If you came to Japan curious about wagyu, start here. Sumibi Yakiniku Nakahara takes its meat seriously, with premium A5 cuts showcased in a curated menu that’s all about timing, temperature and maximum flavour. The tender beef tongue has reached almost mythic status, but make sure to pre-order when making your reservation – it sells out fast.
4. Tachigui Sushi Uogashi Yamaharu, Toranomon
This standing room-only eatery skips the fuss, proving that exceptional sushi doesn’t always need the frills. Here, the focus is on pristine nigiri and other small plates, enjoyed shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow sushi enthusiasts. Expect seasoned rice, market-fresh fish and a menu that changes based on whatever the season’s catch has to offer. Tucked right under Toranomon Hills, it’s the perfect spot for a quick (and surprisingly affordable) bite in between sightseeing near the Imperial Palace.
Top tip: Lunchtime is the sweet spot – excellent-value sets let you enjoy premium fish at a fraction of the usual Tokyo sushi prices.
5. Censu, Jingumae (Harajuku)
Offering a quirky and modern take on Japanese cuisine, Censu invites diners to sit at the counter for a front-row seat as magic unfolds within the small open kitchen. A lantern-lit terrace is open during warmer months. Cointreau drunken duck, caramel butter corn and the restaurant’s signature cheeseburger spring rolls are just a few of the creations you can expect here.
6. Tamawarai, Jingumae (Harajuku)
A low-key favourite among Tokyo’s soba lovers, Tamawarai transforms a humble bowl of noodles into something genuinely special. This refined yet unpretentious restaurant is known for soba made from house-milled buckwheat – a detail that makes all the difference once you take that first nutty, fragrant bite. The menu shifts with the season, so expect anything from warming duck broth to crispy tempura or tamagoyaki (a lightly sweet, rolled omelette).
Don’t miss: The fan-favourite hot soba-seiro – warm buckwheat noodles served on bamboo wicker, with a flavourful dipping sauce on the side.
7. Den, Jingumae (Harajuku)
Led by the ever-smiling chef Zaiyu Hasedawa, this Michelin-starred favourite serves up a refined tasting menu in an intimate setting. Imaginative plating and exceptional hospitality often place Den among one of the best restaurants in Tokyo, with recognition on The World’s Best Restaurants. For the full Den experience, order the Dentucky Friend Chicken – a crisp, stuffed chicken wing served in a quirky takeaway box that perfectly captures the restaurant’s playful spirit (without compromising on flavour).
8. Sushi Yuki, Hiroo
Among the freshest names in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026, Sushi Yuki has been quick to earn a reputation as one of the city’s most talked-about new sushi joints since opening in March 2024. Recently awarded its first Michelin star, this intimate spot has crisp, white interiors, a hinoki cypress counter and just eight seats for a pared-back omakase experience. Chef Yuuki Hayashinouchi seasons the sushi rice with salt and rice vinegar in a classic Edomae style – a method that yields a gently acidic base, letting the fish shine rather than steal the show.
Top tip: Seats are limited and word is spreading fast, so book ahead. For a more affordable experience, plan for the nigiri-only lunch menu.
9. Zakuro Ginza, Ginza
A long-standing favourite in the heart of Ginza, Zakuro has been serving shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot) since 1955, and is the very restaurant that originally brought the beloved dish to Tokyo. Impeccably marbled A5 and A4 wagyu beef arrives thinly sliced and ready for swishing in the simmering broth or a sukiyaki pan, before being dipped in Zakuro’s signature spicy sesame sauce. Ask for a private tatami room for a more traditional, intimate experience, and enjoy a night of swish-and-dip dining at its most refined.
10. Teppanyaki Akasaka, Akasaka
Pair your feast with glorious views over Tokyo when you dine at Teppanyaki Akasaka, found on the 37th floor of ANA InterContinental Tokyo hotel. From succulent black-haired wagyu to fresh seafood straight from Toyosu Market, this impressive fine diner is sure to impress. The interior is sophisticated but not flashy, letting the food and the views do the talking. If in doubt, order the degustation menu featuring Kobe beef sirloin with lobster or abalone, then watch expert chefs slice and sear with precision as you sit back and indulge.
Top tip: Time your meal around sunset and round off the night with a sky-high cocktail at MIXX Bar & Lounge one floor below.
11. Bistro Fukumimi, Ginza
Tucked away in Ginza’s thrumming Corridor Street, this energetic izakaya is a go-to for those eager to experience Tokyo’s after-hours food scene. Specialising in juicy yakitori (Japanese grilled chicken skewers), this lively eatery will draw you in with rich, smoky aromas before you even step inside. Top-quality meat is grilled over white wood charcoal by certified grill masters, and the menu showcases more than 40 different skewers, including different cuts of chicken and some beef options. There’s an extensive range of sake and local beer to round things out.
12. Ginza Bairin, Ginza
One of the city’s most beloved tonkatsu (crispy breaded pork cutlet) spots, Ginza Bairin was founded in 1927 as Tokyo’s first specialty tonkatsu restaurant. It remains a trusted institution almost a century later. The tonkatsu here is served with finely sliced cabbage, miso soup, rice and special condiments: comfort food at its finest. The diner’s laidback, unfussy atmosphere allows you to focus on flavour over formality.
Top tip: If you don’t have time for a sit-in meal, order the popular cutlet sandwich to go.
