Ranking
The best places to eat in Japan
An editorial ranking of restaurants, cafés and bars: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 1,522
303
Alarde: Modern Basque Cuisine with a Japanese Soul
Osaka · Fine Dining
A theatrical one-man show of Basque cuisine in Osaka's Awaza district. Chef Yamamoto's counter-focused tasting menu blends Japanese seasonality with traditional charcoal grilling, famously featuring a foie gras "bonbon" and spectacular roasted ribs.
No tables in the next 2 monthsView details
304
Hoch: Refined Home-Style Korean Cuisine
Osaka · Izakaya
From the 'omoni' of the former two-Michelin 'Houba', Hoch serves a singular course of refined Korean home cooking in Osaka's Kita ward. Expect subtle, deeply layered flavours in a set menu that is notoriously difficult to book.
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305
Tsukumo: Narrative Kaiseki Rooted in Nara
Nara · Fine Dining
In a quiet part of Nara, Tsukumo (白) serves a highly personal form of kaiseki cuisine. Each dish is a thoughtful interpretation of the city's history and festivals, crafted with masterful technique and local ingredients.
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308
The Pizza Bar on 38th: A Counter-Style Pizza Omakase
Tokyo · Pizzeria
An intimate eight-seat counter on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Nihonbashi, serving a unique pizza omakase. Go for the theatrical experience and the exceptional, 48-hour fermented Roman-style dough.
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309
Wafu Motsu Ryori Arata: Exquisite Beef Offal Omakase
Osaka · Casual Dining
A celebrated counter in Osaka's Nishinakajima district serving a multi-course omakase of exceptionally fresh beef offal. It's a destination for adventurous eaters seeking rare preparations at remarkable value, but be prepared to queue.
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310
Yoshoku Ogata: Elevated Japanese-Western Classics
Kyoto · Fine Dining
A celebrated Kyoto restaurant applying high-end culinary techniques to *yoshoku* (Japanese-Western) comfort food. Located in Nakagyo-ku, it's a destination for its masterfully cooked hamburg steak and pork dishes.
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311
luogo: Seasonal Italian Counter Dining
Tokyo · Casual Dining
An intimate eight-seat counter in Jiyugaoka where a solo chef delivers a masterclass in seasonal Italian cooking. It's a destination for its charcoal-grilled dishes and inventive house-made pastas, especially the famed summer ayu pasta.
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312
Edo Yakiniku: A Theatrical Counter Omakase
Tokyo · Casual Dining
An intimate six-seat counter in Ginza where chef Taisuke Chikashige presents a theatrical yakiniku omakase. The experience is built around rare purebred Tajima beef and premium cuts, making it a destination for a high-end, meat-focused meal.
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313
Raamenya Shima: Destination-Worthy Shoyu Ramen
Tokyo · Casual Dining
One of Tokyo's most sought-after ramen bowls, served at a six-seat counter in Shibuya's Honmachi district. The solo chef-owner prepares a complex shoyu broth with premium toppings, making it a destination for serious ramen enthusiasts.
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314
400℃ Pizza TOKYO: High-Hydration Neapolitan Pizza
Tokyo · Pizzeria
A highly sought-after pizzeria in Shinjuku, famous for its unique, 'drinkable' high-hydration dough baked at 400°C. It's a destination for pizza connoisseurs seeking a distinctive, chewy crust and inventive toppings.
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315
Shutei Yuzawa: Elevated Yakitori & Kappo Omakase
Tokyo · Izakaya
An intimate, counter-only yakitori restaurant in Higashinihonbashi. Shutei Yuzawa serves a refined omakase course that pairs expertly grilled skewers with creative small plates and a celebrated chicken ramen.
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317
Yoshoku Izumi: Refined Japanese-Western Cuisine
Osaka · Fine Dining
In Osaka's Nishitenma district, this intimate counter restaurant offers a front-row seat to watch a single chef elevate classic yoshoku dishes. It's a destination for its signature creamy omurice and show-stopping beef katsu sandwich.
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318
Homemade Ramen Muginawa: Award-Winning Shoyu & Iriko Ramen
Tokyo · Casual Dining
One of Tokyo's most acclaimed ramen shops, located in Minamioi, Shinagawa. Homemade Ramen Muginawa draws crowds for its exceptionally clear, complex shoyu and iriko broths and artisanal house-made noodles.
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319
Una Zen: Masterfully direct-grilled unagi
Fukuoka · Fine Dining
An acclaimed unagi specialist in Fukuoka's Takasago district, celebrated for its direct-grilled eel with exceptionally crisp skin. Run by a welcoming family, it's a destination for enthusiasts seeking top-tier white-yaki and kabayaki.
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325
Mieda: Creative Hokkaido Seafood Omakase
Hokkaido · Fine Dining
In Sapporo's Susukino district, Mieda is an intimate eight-seat counter serving a highly creative omakase. Chef Mieda pairs the best of Hokkaido's seafood with luxury ingredients like caviar and truffle for a memorable, theatrical meal.
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