Last Updated on May 16, 2026 by Home in the World
Welcome to part 2 of 2 of the latest guest-post series on Tokyo’s dining scene from the team at AutoReserve, the no. 1 site for restaurant reservations in Japan (read part 1 on Tokyo cafés here, and their earlier guest post on sukiyaki restaurants in Osaka here).
In this post, you’ll discover a handy guide to restaurants in Tokyo, with 11 must-visit spots (complete with booking options) and their signature dishes.
All text and photos are by AutoReserve. Enjoy this comprehensive guide to restauarants in Tokyo, as recommended by local experts!
And if you’re looking for more Japan travel content, don’t forget to check out the rest of my Japan section!
The ultimate guide to Japanese cuisine in Tokyo: 11 must-try Japanese dishes & top restaurants in Tokyo
Hello! This is the AutoReserve Editorial Team.
We’re excited to bring you this special gourmet feature in collaboration with Home In The World, designed to make your trip to Tokyo even more memorable and enjoyable.
AutoReserve is a convenient service that allows you to book restaurants not only across Japan but around the world. Our AI assistant ensures a smooth reservation experience, so you can dine with confidence—no language barrier required.
For more details, please take a look here.
In this article, we introduce 11 must-try Japanese food styles – such as kappo (traditional Japanese dining), sukiyaki, and sushi – that you should experience when visiting Tokyo. Alongside each genre, we highlight recommended restaurants in Tokyo and their unique appeal.
Discover exceptional culinary experiences that can only be found in Tokyo, where tradition and innovation coexist.
1. Kappo (traditional Japanese dining)
Seasonal artistry on a plate – refined craftsmanship of Japanese cuisine
Kappo is a traditional style of Japanese dining where you can watch the chef’s craftsmanship up close across the counter. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, each dish is carefully crafted to bring out the natural flavours of the ingredients.
The visually stunning presentation and seasonal sensitivity are part of the experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in Japan’s omotenashi (hospitality) culture with all five senses.
Restaurants in Tokyo: 『代官山 いっさい喝采』 Daikanyama Issai Kassai
A hidden gem in Daikanyama, Tokyo, this refined Japanese izakaya has been featured in the Michelin Guide. Guests can enjoy delicate seasonal dishes in a calm and elegant setting.
The open kitchen adds a dynamic, live atmosphere. From charcoal-grilled dishes and fresh sashimi to rice cooked in clay pots, every dish highlights the essence of its ingredients. A wide selection of sake and natural wines makes it perfect for intimate dining.
◆ Recommended menu
- Signature clay pot rice: Freshly cooked rice prepared in a clay pot with ingredients such as salmon belly, salmon roe, Wagyu beef and seasonal toppings (served with miso soup and pickles)
- Charcoal-grilled blackthroat seaperch (nodoguro)：A reservation-only specialty. Rich, fatty nodoguro is carefully grilled over charcoal, creating a fragrant and luxurious dish.
- Seasonal tasting course：A kaiseki-style course featuring seasonal ingredients, including small plates, sashimi, a hot pot dish, fish, Wagyu beef, clay pot rice and dessert (approximately 8–9 dishes)
（※Kaiseki cuisine: a traditional form of hospitality cuisine originating from the Japanese tea ceremony.）
Address: 2-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Satou estate building 3 B1）
Make a reservation at Daikanyama Issai Kassai
2. Sukiyaki
A rich, sweet-savory hot pot – Japan’s celebratory dish
Sukiyaki is a classic Japanese hot pot where thinly sliced Wagyu and vegetables are simmered in a sweet-savoury sauce and dipped in raw egg before eating.
The melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavour make it a beloved dish, often enjoyed during special occasions with family and friends.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『すき焼き十二天』 Sukiyaki Juniten
Located in Marunouchi, Tokyo, this specialty restaurant was ranked among the Top 30 in the “SAVOR JAPAN Best Restaurant Award 2024–2025.” It serves A5-grade Wagyu with the highest BMS score of 12.
The beautifully marbled beef, balanced with lean meat, pairs perfectly with raw egg for an enhanced flavour experience. The modern Japanese interior and private rooms make it ideal for special occasions or business dinners.
(※ BMS value: a numerical indicator that represents the degree of marbling in beef.)
◆ Recommended courses
- Sukiyaki course (Kuroge Wagyu assorted platter): A course where you can compare A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu, featuring both richly marbled and lean cuts (6 dishes in total: appetiser, sashimi, specialty dish, sukiyaki, meal and dessert / from 2 guests / shared style)
- Sukiyaki Jūniten lunch course: A casual lunch set featuring A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu (4 dishes in total: appetiser, starter, sukiyaki, and meal / from 2 guests / shared style)
Address: Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 2 Chome−6−1 ブリックスクエア 3F
Make a reservation at Sukiyaki Juniten
3. Sushi
A harmony of sea and craftsmanship in every piece
Sushi, one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, combines fresh seafood with vinegared rice. From the freshness of the fish to the precision of slicing and shaping, every detail reflects expert craftsmanship.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『鮨 りんだ』 Sushi Rinda
A Michelin-selected sushi restaurant known for its approachable atmosphere despite its high-end quality.
Chef Kono trained at renowned restaurants in Japan and abroad, focusing on sourcing the best ingredients regardless of origin. His meticulous techniques and dynamic presentation – including searing – create an engaging dining experience.
◆ Recommended courses
- Seasonal omakase course: A full-course menu featuring carefully selected seasonal ingredients, composed of sushi and a variety of small dishes.
- Lunch nigiri omakase: A satisfying lunch course that includes 12 pieces of nigiri sushi, a roll, three small dishes, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) and a soup.
Address: 2-24-12 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Sushi Rinda
4. Unagi (grilled eel rice)
A rich and aromatic traditional energy dish
Grilled eel glazed with sweet-savoury sauce and served over rice is a luxurious and nutritious dish, especially popular during the summer months.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『山の茶屋』 Yamanochaya
An eel-focused kaiseki restaurant nestled within the grounds of Hie Shrine. Surrounded by a charming, mountain lodge–like building and a garden that reflects the beauty of each season, guests can enjoy delicate Japanese cuisine centred around eel. The restaurant also offers private tatami rooms, making it an ideal setting for business entertaining or special occasions.
◆ Recommended menu
- Lunch course – Unagi Kaiseki: A course of around 8 dishes featuring sesame tofu, grilled eel liver, shirayaki (plain grilled eel), kabayaki (eel glazed with sweet soy sauce), rice, red miso soup and seasonal fruit.
- Dinner course – Unagi Kaiseki: A comprehensive course with 10 or more dishes, offering a wide variety of eel preparations such as crispy eel bone crackers, appetisers, sashimi, chawanmushi (savoury egg custard), shirayaki and kabayaki.
- Shirayaki & Kabayaki eel: A signature dish that lets you fully appreciate the natural flavours of eel – featuring fluffy shirayaki and kabayaki coated in a refined, savoury-sweet sauce.
Address: 2-10-6 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Yamanochaya
5. Tempura
Light, crispy batter highlighting natural flavours
Tempura features seafood and vegetables lightly battered and deep-fried, offering a delicate texture and refined taste.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『てんぷら 深町』 Tempura Fukamachi
A renowned Edomae tempura restaurant that has consistently earned one Michelin star. The chef trained at the prestigious Hilltop Hotel Tokyo (Yamanoue Hotel) and brings over 50 years of experience.
The tempura is characterised by its light, delicate batter made with pure white sesame oil and the masterful technique that draws out the natural flavours of carefully selected seasonal ingredients. The interior features a calm, traditional Japanese setting centred around an L-shaped counter, where guests can enjoy a live cooking experience of freshly fried tempura right before their eyes.
Today, the chef’s sons also work in the kitchen, and the techniques and spirit passed down through generations continue to evolve.
(※ Edomae tempura: a traditional style of tempura that developed in Tokyo.)
◆ Recommended menu
- Tempura course (lunch): A course featuring tiger prawns, seasonal seafood and seasonal vegetables (approximately 11–13 dishes)
- Tempura course (dinner): A more extensive course offering a luxurious selection of tiger prawns, seasonal fish and vegetables (approximately 13–15 dishes)
- Tiger prawn tempura: A signature dish characterised by a light, crispy batter and the concentrated natural sweetness of the prawn.
Address: 1F, A・M Kyobashi Building, 2-5-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Tempura Fukamachi
6. Yakitori
Charcoal-grilled skewers infused with smoky aroma
Yakitori features various parts of chicken grilled over charcoal. From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, this cuisine continues to evolve across both casual and fine dining scenes.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『鳥焼き 小花』 Toriyaki Ohana
A chicken specialty restaurant selected for the Michelin Guide’s ‘Michelin Selected.’ Supervised by the renowned Torishiki, it offers an innovative ‘toriyaki’ style – grilling chicken without skewers – to bring out the full umami of each ingredient.
Using premium breeds such as Date-dori and Shingen-dori, each cut is carefully grilled over charcoal with precise heat control, resulting in a fragrant exterior and juicy interior. With only 10 counter seats, the intimate setting allows guests to experience the craftsmanship up close while enjoying a truly special dining experience.
◆ Course guide: Omakase course
A course consisting of approximately 20 dishes, including appetisers, soup, grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, palate cleansers, a finishing dish and a frozen dessert.
Address: 1F SP15 EBISU, 3-28-2 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Toriyaki Ohana
7. Ramen
A bowl of endless innovation – Japan’s beloved comfort food
A popular Japanese dish with a wide variety of combinations of soup, noodles and toppings. Flavours differ by region, including soy sauce, miso and tonkotsu (pork bone broth). While it can be enjoyed casually, each specialty shop offers a deeply crafted bowl with its own unique character.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『Japanese Soba Noodles 蔦』 Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta
A renowned ramen restaurant that became the first in the world to earn a Michelin star in 2016. With a Japanese dashi-based broth that fuses Japanese, Western and Chinese techniques, it presents an innovative bowl that elevates ramen beyond its traditional boundaries, showcasing it as a true culinary creation.
The interior features a modern and calming atmosphere, with a simple counter-centered layout. In this refined setting, guests can casually enjoy highly artistic ramen.
◆ Recommended menu
- Shoyu soba: The signature dish, featuring a rich, aromatic broth based on Japanese dashi, harmonised with delicate toppings.
- Special foie gras & truffle wonton shoyu soba: A premium bowl distinguished by the sharp, refined taste of soy sauce and its deep, aromatic fragrance. As you enjoy the soup together with the toppings, the flavours gradually evolve, layering multiple notes to create a complex and multidimensional taste experience.
Address: B1F, Frontier Yoyogi-Uehara, 3-2-4 Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo1
Make a reservation at Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta
8. Tonkatsu
Crispy coating and juicy pork—the perfect balance
A popular Japanese-style Western dish consisting of thick-cut pork coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. It features a crispy exterior and juicy interior, and is typically enjoyed with a special sauce or salt. Commonly served with rice and shredded cabbage, it is a highly satisfying dish.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『とんかつひなた』 Tonkatsu Hinata
A popular tonkatsu restaurant in Takadanobaba that has been selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand for nine consecutive years. By purchasing whole Miyagi-raised ‘Kampo Sangen Pork’, the restaurant offers a wide range of cuts – including rare parts – achieving outstanding quality and excellent value.
In addition to classic cuts like loin and fillet, diners can enjoy a variety of options such as rump and pork jowl. After 5:00 PM, tasting courses that allow guests to compare different cuts are also available.
◆ Recommended menu
- Premium loin tonkatsu set: A signature dish that brings out the full umami and natural sweetness of Kampo Sangen pork.
- Assorted cuts tasting course: A luxurious course where you can enjoy 6–8 different cuts at once, including loin, fillet and rare parts.
Address: Suzuki Bldg. 1F, 2-13-9 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Tonkatsu Hinata
9. Wagyu steak
An indulgent experience with melt-in-your-mouth marbling
Steak made with globally acclaimed Wagyu beef is known for its fine marbling and exceptionally tender texture. It melts in your mouth, releasing rich umami flavors. Precisely because of its simple preparation, the superior quality of the meat can be fully appreciated.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『銀座うかい亭』 Ginza Ukaitei
A renowned teppanyaki restaurant located in Higashi-Ginza. Blending antique art with stately architectural beauty, it offers an extraordinary, theatre-style dining experience where guests can enjoy the chef’s teppan performance up close.
The restaurant serves immersive courses featuring premium ingredients such as carefully selected Kuroge Wagyu, spiny lobster and abalone, all expertly prepared on the iron griddle right before your eyes. With both counter seating and private rooms available, it provides an elegant setting perfect for special occasions and business dinners.
◆ Recommended courses
- Special lunch course: A course consisting of appetisers, soup, seafood, premium beef steak, garlic rice and more (from 2 guests)
- Seasonal specialty course: A chef’s omakase course centred on Kobe beef, incorporating seasonal delicacies from both land and sea (from 2 guests)
Address: 1F Jiji Press Building, 5-15-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Ginza Ukaitei
10. Okonomiyaki
Japan’s savory pancake – grilled comfort food
A dish made by mixing flour-based batter with cabbage, meat and seafood, then grilling it on a hot iron plate. It is finished with savoury sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes for a fragrant, satisfying flavour. There are two main styles – Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style – each with distinct characteristics such as differences in ingredients and batter thickness depending on the region.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『鉄板ベイビー 新宿東口店』 Teppan Baby Shinjuku East Exit Store
A teppanyaki restaurant in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho where you can enjoy authentic Hiroshima-style flavours. Its signature okonomiyaki is made with ingredients shipped directly from Hiroshima and special house-made noodles.
The interior features a warm, wood-toned design, with sunken kotatsu seating and large monitors. The casual atmosphere makes it ideal for a wide range of occasions, from dining with friends and group gatherings to watching sports.
◆ Recommended menu
- Negi Tsukimi Baby: A signature Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki topped with plenty of green onions and a soft egg, made with special sauce and fresh Chinese-style noodles.
- Okon (Hiroshima Okonomiyaki): A classic dish prepared with noodles shipped directly from Hiroshima and finished with an original house-made sauce.
- Premium special teppanyaki course: A 7-course meal featuring edamame, simmered Wagyu beef tendon, grilled seafood, A4-grade Kuroge Wagyu sirloin steak, okonomiyaki and dessert (from 2 guests).
Address: B1F Pocket Building, 1-17-4 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Make a reservation at Teppan Baby Shinjuku East Exit Store
11. Soba
Simple yet profound – traditional Japanese noodles
Thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, known for their smooth texture and delicate aroma. They can be enjoyed in various styles, such as cold zaru soba or hot kake soba, depending on the season and preference. Light and healthy, soba is a dish that reflects the essence of Japanese food culture.
Restaurants in Tokyo:『浅草 ひら山』 Hirayama Asakusa
A Michelin Bib Gourmand–awarded restaurant established in 2021, where guests can enjoy 100% buckwheat soba made from house-milled flour alongside seasonal small plates in a calm, modern Japanese setting.
Meticulously crafted from whole buckwheat seeds, the soba is known for its rich aroma, firm texture and smooth finish. Paired with tempura, soba appetisers and Japanese sake, diners can savour the flavours of the season at a relaxed pace. The interior, centred around a wooden counter, exudes warmth and offers a cozy, hideaway-like atmosphere.
◆ Recommended menu
- 100% buckwheat soba (Juwari Soba): Aromatic soba made from house-milled buckwheat flour, prepared without any binding agents.
- Tempura: Lightly fried dishes made with seasonal ingredients such as Kaga vegetables.
- Soba appetisers & small plates: A selection of dishes including duck specialties and seasonal appetisers, designed to pair perfectly with Japanese sake.
Address: 1 Chome-3-14 Nishiasakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0035
Make a reservation at Hirayama Asakusa
Tokyo is home to a wide variety of culinary experiences that represent the essence of Japanese food culture. From traditional dishes crafted with masterful skill to modern creations that continue to evolve, the possibilities are endless.
The 11 food genres introduced here are all exceptional choices that will enrich your travel memories.
Be sure to make a reservation at the restaurants in Tokyo that catch your interest, and enjoy a truly unforgettable gourmet journey in the Japanese capital.
For inquiries regarding reservations, please contact AutoReserve directly. The blog operator does not handle reservation-related inquiries.
Post written by AutoReserve
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I am sure this will come in very handy for visitors to Tokyo, Japanese food is so popular
Yes, a very diverse cuisine. Hope people find it useful!