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
Hokkaido · Casual Dining
A boisterous izakaya in Sapporo's Susukino district, famous for its rich, spicy offal stew (motsu-nikomi) and generously portioned grilled skewers. It's a go-to for a lively, authentic taste of local nightlife.
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Tokyo · Casual Dining
A lively izakaya in Ebisu serving both modern Kansai and house-style Hiroshima okonomiyaki. Famous for its teppan counter cooking and a great-value 'marunage' tasting course, it's a top, traveller-friendly choice for this Japanese classic.
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Osaka · Pâtisserie
A takeaway patisserie in the basement of Osaka's Hankyu Umeda department store, specializing in classic French baked goods. Visitors come for the signature financier, known for its crisp exterior and moist, buttery interior.
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Osaka · Coffee Shop
A historic kissaten (traditional coffee shop) in Osaka's Kawaramachi district, serving its signature '100-Year Coffee' and classic donuts since 1921. It's a destination for those seeking an authentic taste of Showa-era cafe culture.
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Kyoto · Pâtisserie
A celebrated Kyoto café known almost exclusively for its legendary Tarte Tatin. Located in the Shogoin area near the Heian Shrine, LA VOITURE offers a unique dessert experience in a distinctive, antique-filled setting.
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Kyoto · Bakery
A celebrated townhouse bakery in Kyoto's Shimogyo ward, MASH Kyoto applies French techniques to local ingredients. It's known for its inventive breads, like the signature white-miso croque-monsieur, and its large, buttery croissants.
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Okinawa · Pizzeria
A popular pizzeria in Onna, Okinawa, known for its authentic wood-fired oven and creative use of local ingredients. Expect pizzas topped with Okinawan seaweed and oysters, alongside fresh seafood pastas, all with a view of the sea.
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Ishikawa · Casual Dining
By Kanazawa's central market, this bustling diner serves exceptionally generous seafood bowls and set meals. Its combination of fresh, thick-cut fish and near-wholesale prices makes it a favourite for both locals and savvy visitors.
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Hyōgo · Casual Dining
In Kobe's Nakayamatedori district, Misaku is a long-running teppan counter beloved for its braised beef tendon dishes and sobameshi. Visitors come for the lively griddle-side cooking and authentic local flavours at a great price.
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Okinawa · Izakaya
Experience exceptional Agu pork shabu-shabu in a renovated 100-year-old house in Nago, Okinawa. This izakaya is celebrated for letting guests compare types of the famously sweet pork alongside a platter of rare island vegetables.
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Okinawa · Izakaya
A stylish izakaya in Hirara on Miyakojima island, serving creative small plates that showcase local Okinawan seafood and produce. Go for the inventive cooking, lively atmosphere, and the hands-on sugarcane sour.
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Hokkaido · Casual Dining
A celebrated Sapporo restaurant elevating Japanese-style Western classics (yoshoku) with high-quality Hokkaido ingredients. It's known for its rich, slow-cooked demi-glace and meticulously prepared dishes like hamburger steak and fluffy omurice.
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Kyoto · Izakaya
A stylish izakaya in Kyoto's Shimogyo ward, known for its precise, seasonal cooking. The experience begins with a mandatory set course of soup and small dishes before opening up to an à la carte menu of creative plates.
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Tokyo · Fine Dining
A hunter-owned kitchen in Nishiazabu where guests grill rare wild game like bear and deer over a traditional irori hearth. Famous for its rich wild boar and bear hotpot, it offers a rustic, hands-on dining experience.
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Fukuoka · Casual Dining
A specialist takeout shop in Fukuoka's Watanabedori district, famous for one thing: artisanal inari sushi. The fried tofu pouches are soaked in a rich dashi broth, creating a uniquely juicy texture that has earned it a city-wide reputation.
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Osaka · Fine Dining
A tiny, six-seat counter restaurant in Osaka's Kitahama district, dedicated entirely to multi-course tasting menus of anago (conger eel). Go for a masterclass in how one ingredient can be prepared in a dozen different ways.
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