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
Kyoto · Casual Dining
The only Kyoto branch of the legendary Ramen Jiro, serving enormous bowls of hearty noodles and thick-cut pork in the Ichijoji district. A must for fans of the style, with unique Kyoto touches like Kujo-negi and seasonal tsukemen.
No bookingView details
Kyoto · Pâtisserie
A historic Kyoto confectionery dating to 1907, Murakami Kaishindo is famed for its elusive, reservation-only cookie tin. Located in the Nakagyo ward, it also offers a range of classic baked goods for walk-in purchase.
No bookingView details
Tokyo · Casual Dining
In Musashino, Chin Chin Tei (珍々亭) is a legendary shop credited as one of the birthplaces of abura-soba. Visitors come for a taste of history: a simple, satisfying bowl of soupless ramen that's worth the inevitable queue.
No bookingView details
Kanagawa · Dessert Shop
A fruit parlour in Yokohama's Sakuragicho district, run by a century-old fruit merchant. Go for exquisite parfaits made with perfectly ripe, seasonal Japanese fruit, presented with jewel-like precision.
No bookingView details
Kyoto · Coffee Shop
A classic basement kissaten in Kyoto's Shimogyo ward, specializing in single-origin pour-over coffee. Go for the extensive bean selection, detailed flavour chart, and signature desserts like the omurette.
No bookingView details
Tokyo · Fine Dining
On the 53rd floor of the Tokyo Opera City Tower in Nishishinjuku, this restaurant serves premium Matsusaka beef. It's known for its panoramic city views and especially for its high-value sukiyaki and steak lunch sets.
No bookingView details
Kanagawa · Steakhouse
The flagship of a beloved local chain, this log-house restaurant in Yokohama is famous for its 100% beef hamburger steaks. They're cooked over charcoal and finished theatrically on a sizzling iron plate at your table.
Book days aheadView details
Osaka · Casual Dining
A legendary gyoza specialist in Daito, Osaka, famous for its signature dumplings with an impossibly thin, crispy skin. It's a destination for gyoza purists who appreciate unique texture and are willing to navigate a famously strict reservation…
Book days aheadView details
Nara · Casual Dining
In Sakurai, Nara, this restaurant from a renowned maker serves authentic hand-stretched Miwa somen. It's a destination for noodle lovers seeking exceptional texture, from the fine 'Hakuryu' to the ultra-thin 'Shiraga'.
No bookingView details
Nara · Casual Dining
Experience top-tier, charcoal-grilled eel in Nara. Unagi no Toyokawa specialises in the crispy-skinned Kansai style and also offers rare eel sashimi, providing exceptional value just a short walk from Tomio Station.
Book months aheadView details
Tokyo · Fine Dining
A rare taste of authentic Austrian cuisine in Ginza. The chef, a state-qualified Küchenmeister, serves Viennese classics in a salon-like dining room, making it a destination for a special occasion or a refined lunch.
Book days aheadView details
Okinawa · Steakhouse
A long-running teppanyaki steakhouse in the Kume district of Naha, celebrated for its exceptionally tender beef. Diners come for the simple, perfectly cooked tenderloin and sirloin, served as part of a classic set menu in a cozy, neighborhood…
Book months aheadView details
Kyoto · Bakery
A tiny, takeout-only bakery in Kyoto's Nakagyo ward, where a French-trained chef applies classic technique to an acclaimed lineup of sweet and savoury breads. It's known for excellent value, especially its salty butter bread and brioche doughnuts.
No bookingView details
Aichi Prefecture · Fine Dining
A century-old butcher's restaurant in Nagoya's Higashisakura district, serving premium sukiyaki and wagyu steak. Staff cook the beautifully marbled beef at your table for a classic, high-end experience.
Book days aheadView details
Hokkaido · Izakaya
A focused seafood izakaya in Sapporo's Chuo ward, Gyo Sai pairs top-quality Hokkaido fish with an extensive, well-curated sake list. It's a destination for diners who want to explore premium sake by the glass alongside expertly prepared sashimi.
Book days aheadView details
Aichi Prefecture · Casual Dining
A beloved local restaurant in Nagoya's Hongo district, serving distinctive Japanese-style European dishes (yoshoku). It's known for its signature 'non-kneaded' hamburger steak, which is exceptionally soft and juicy.
Book days aheadView details
Osaka · Izakaya
A celebrated izakaya in Osaka's Kitashinchi district, Binbiya serves seafood of exceptional quality. With a handwritten menu that changes daily with the catch, it offers kaiseki-level preparations in a lively tavern setting.
Book days aheadView details
Kyoto · Bakery
An acclaimed bakery in Kyoto's Takagamine district, celebrated for its exceptionally flaky croissants and deeply flavorful, long-fermented hard breads. It's a destination for high-quality viennoiserie and savoury bakes that incorporate local…
No bookingView details
Hyōgo · Pizzeria
A certified 'True Neapolitan' pizzeria in Akashi, serving pies from a Naples-imported oven. It's known for its standout crust and creative toppings that feature local seafood, like the signature Beatrice pizza with Akashi octopus.
Book days aheadView details
Shizuoka · Izakaya
An iconic 8-seat counter in Shizuoka's Aoba Yokocho alley, serving the city's famous 'black' oden from a long-simmering pot. Run by a husband-and-wife team since 1948, it's a local institution praised for its atmosphere and value.
Book months aheadView details