Ranking
An editorial ranking of restaurants, cafés and bars: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 2,446
Tokyo · Fine Dining
An intimate, eight-seat counter in Ginza serving a masterclass in Edomae-style sushi. Sushi Takahashi (鮨 たかはし) is celebrated for its precise balance of inventive small plates and exceptional nigiri, making it a destination for a top-tier omakase…
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Tokyo · Izakaya
A celebrated yakitori counter in Umegaoka where a chef-sommelier serves expertly grilled skewers from two types of chicken. Known for its pinpoint fire control, rare cuts like chicken sashimi, and a thoughtful wine list.
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Hokkaido · Fine Dining
A high-end kaiseki restaurant in Sapporo's Susukino district, Matsukura showcases Hokkaido's finest seasonal seafood and foraged produce. Diners come for the multi-course menu featuring creative techniques and signature dishes like a century-old…
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Kyoto · Fine Dining
A refined kappo counter in Gion, celebrated for its seasonal seafood and an unusual fillet steak finale. While dinner is by introduction only, lunch offers a chance to experience the chef's skill with dishes like charcoal-grilled unagi.
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Kyoto · Fine Dining
A high-end sushi counter in Kyoto's Gion district, celebrated for its uni-centric omakase. Expect a theatrical experience with multiple varieties of sea urchin, premium nigiri, and a famously convivial atmosphere.
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Tokyo · Fine Dining
A long-standing institution in Nishiazabu known for its classic Shanghai cuisine. Famed for its tableside-carved Beijing duck and rich shark's fin soup, it's a top choice for special occasion dinners and high-value lunches.
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Kanagawa · Pâtisserie
A celebrated Viennese-style patisserie in Kawasaki, housed in a charming storybook-like building. It's a destination for its exceptional Sachertorte, seasonal fruit pies, and buttery baked goods, though expect long queues for its takeout-only…
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Tokyo · Fine Dining
A unique omakase in Arakicho dedicated entirely to crustaceans. Ubuka (うぶか) serves a multi-course menu exploring various species of crab and shrimp through precise techniques, making it a destination for shellfish connoisseurs.
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Hyōgo · Fine Dining
A highly-regarded sushi counter in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, where chef Matsumoto serves a single omakase menu. It's known for its excellent value, pairing inventive small plates with technically precise Edomae-style nigiri.
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Tokyo · Bar
From acclaimed chef Kei Kobayashi, this stunning restaurant on the 49th floor of Toranomon Hills Station Tower offers an à la carte menu of creative French grill dishes and signature small plates, all with panoramic views of Tokyo.
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Tokyo · Fine Dining
A specialist unagi restaurant in Yaesu, near Tokyo Station, where you can watch chefs prepare whole domestic eels using the classic steam-then-grill method. It's known for its theatrical open kitchen and melt-in-the-mouth texture.
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Kanagawa · Fine Dining
A unique 'sushi auberge' in Manazuru, set in a renovated house with sea views. It offers a single omakase menu focused on local fish from Sagami Bay, with the option to stay overnight. Reservations are essential and notoriously difficult to secure.
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Hokkaido · Fine Dining
A tiny six-seat counter in Sapporo where a Paris-trained chef applies refined French technique to Hokkaido's best produce. Expect a theatrical tasting menu with Japanese influences and precise wine pairings.
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Hiroshima · Fine Dining
A modern French restaurant in Hiroshima's Kyobashicho district, where a chef trained at Domaine Les Crayères presents a seasonal omakase menu rooted in local ingredients. It's a destination for a precise, ingredient-focused tasting experience.
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Kyoto · Fine Dining
In a converted consulate overlooking the Kamo River in Kyoto's Shimogamo district, middle serves a single, highly creative omakase menu that fuses classical French cooking with Japanese fermentation techniques.
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Tokyo · Casual Dining
In Ginza, this tiny six-seat counter serves a unique style of ramen with a clear, consommé-like broth. It's a destination for its French-influenced bowl, which can be transformed by a signature foie gras and truffle ravioli.
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Tokyo · Casual Dining
A legendary ramen shop in Shinagawa's Nakanobu district, celebrated for its complex, layered broths and house-made noodles. It's a destination for connoisseurs willing to navigate its ticket system for a top-tier bowl.
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Tokyo · Casual Dining
In Asakusabashi, Motenashi Kuroki (饗 くろ喜) elevates ramen to an art form. Chef Naohito Kuroki is famed for his crystal-clear, multi-layered broths and inventive seasonal bowls that attract connoisseurs from across the city.
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Okinawa · Diner
A celebrated soba shop on Kurima Island, serving one of Okinawa's most highly-regarded bowls. Visitors queue for its clear yet deeply flavoured bonito broth, two types of housemade noodles, and meltingly tender pork.
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Kanagawa · Bar
An intimate speakeasy in Yokohama's Aioicho district, hidden behind a bookshelf door. The Bar CASABLANCA (ザ・バー・カサブランカ) is celebrated for its meticulously crafted seasonal fruit cocktails, served with a signature consommé.
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