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: 2,446
Nihao: Specialist Gyoza Dumplings
Tokyo · Casual Dining
A celebrated gyoza specialist in Nishihara, Shibuya, known for its unique house-made dumplings. Diners come for the distinct textures of its pan-fried, boiled, and deep-fried gyoza, all made with thick, chewy skins.
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Sawayaka Hamamatsu entetsu ten: Sizzling Hamburg Steaks
Shizuoka · Family Style
Famous for its 100% beef hamburg steaks, cut and seared on a sizzling iron plate at your table. Located on the 8th floor of the Entetsu department store in Hamamatsu, it offers a theatrical meal at great value.
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Diamond Biryani: Hyderabadi Biryani Cooked to Order
Osaka · Casual Dining
A specialist biryani restaurant in Osaka's Nakatsu district where each portion is cooked to order in its own iron pot. It's famous for its aromatic Hyderabadi-style spices and theatrical tableside presentation, but expect to queue.
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Rokukaku tei: Fine-dining kushikatsu omakase
Osaka · Wine Bar
An upscale take on Osaka's signature fried skewers, Rokukaku tei in Nipponbashi serves a 20-course kushikatsu omakase. Go for the creative ingredient pairings, delicate batter, and an extensive wine list curated by a sommelier.
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Sailer: Authentic Austrian Bakery & Café
Fukuoka · Bakery
A genuine Austrian bakery and café in Fukuoka's Minami ward, run by a fourth-generation baker. It's a local favorite for its authentic pretzels, Viennese-style sandwiches like the Reuben, and classic cakes in an elegant, wood-furnished setting.
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CHEDI LUANG Kitahorie honten: Authentic Northern Thai Cuisine
Osaka · Buffet
Experience authentic Northern Thai cuisine at this resort-styled restaurant in Osaka's Kitahorie district. Famed for its generous lunch buffet, it offers a true taste of Chiang Mai that many visitors find remarkably close to the real thing.
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Ise Zushi: Local Hokkaido Sushi in Otaru
Hokkaido · Fine Dining
A celebrated sushi bar in Otaru, Hokkaido, known for its masterful use of fresh, local seafood and an engaging counter experience. Reviewers praise the excellent price-to-quality ratio compared to big-city sushi.
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Sweet Basil: Authentic Regional Thai Cuisine
Osaka · Casual Dining
An acclaimed Thai restaurant in Osaka's Oyodominami district, serving authentic, spicy regional dishes. Known for its herb-forward curries and popular Pad Thai, it offers a genuine taste of Thailand for visitors seeking uncompromising flavours.
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SAKURA BURGER: Smoky, House-Made Bacon Burgers
Nara · Sandwich Shop
A top-rated burger shop in Nara, famous for its coarse-ground, smoked beef patties and thick, house-made bacon. Located just steps from Kintetsu Nara Station, it's a popular spot for a high-quality, satisfying meal.
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Chuka Soba Oshitani: Refined chicken and seafood ramen
Nara · Casual Dining
A top-rated ramen shop in Nara's Shijooji district, celebrated for its clear, complex broths blending chicken and seafood with aromatic oils. Visitors queue for its signature shio and shoyu bowls and standout seasonal specials.
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106 South Indian Fukuoka tenjin ten: Authentic South Indian Cuisine
Fukuoka · Casual Dining
A rare find in Fukuoka, this restaurant in the Imaizumi district serves authentic South Indian cuisine. It's known for its generous portions, bold spices, and standout dishes like masala dosa and huge cheese naan.
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Fujiya Honten Nihonbashi hamacho: Inventive Bistro & Wine Bar
Tokyo · Bar
A lively standing bar and bistro in Nihonbashi, serving creative, restaurant-quality plates from a theatrical open kitchen. It's a top choice for its excellent natural wine list and remarkable value for money.
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Yume Kabou Takara Kasugachou honten: Seasonal Fruit Daifuku
Kagawa · Dessert Shop
A celebrated wagashi shop in Takamatsu, famous for its seasonal fruit daifuku. Visitors queue for its signature creations, which often feature a whole piece of fruit wrapped in an exceptionally thin, silken layer of mochi.
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Bledor Hayama honten: Acclaimed Bakery in Hayama
Kanagawa · Bakery
An acclaimed bakery in Hayama, Kanagawa, famous for its 90-minute morning bread service. Visitors make the trip for the unique experience and signature bakes, like the raisin bread with a whole Camembert.
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Kanda Koju: An Izakaya for Sake Aficionados
Tokyo · Izakaya
An acclaimed izakaya in Tokyo's Kajicho district, just minutes from Kanda Station. Kanda Koju is a destination for sake lovers, celebrated for its vast collection of rare bottles and a signature multi-dish appetizer plate designed for pairing.
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Tatsumi: Juicy Gyoza and Town-Chinese Classics
Aichi Prefecture · Izakaya
A beloved neighbourhood eatery in Nagoya's Shinsakae district, Tatsumi draws long queues for its signature dish: large, soup-filled gyoza. It's a top destination for an inexpensive but high-quality meal.
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