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
1702
Bona Festa: Refined Russian-Japanese Cuisine
Tokyo · Fine Dining
In Tokyo's historic Asakusa district, Bona Festa offers a unique Japanese interpretation of Russian cuisine. It's celebrated for its meticulously prepared signature dishes, like the silky cabbage roll and a dramatic cream soup baked under a pastry…
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1705
Kiyo Suke: Personal-style sukiyaki at the counter
Osaka · Fine Dining
Enjoy sukiyaki cooked just for you in a personal pot at this counter-style restaurant in Osaka's Chuo ward. Praised for its high-quality wagyu and attentive service, it's a great spot for solo diners and those seeking an authentic experience.
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1706
Taimeshi to Sumiyaki Tatsuan: Charcoal-grilled fare and sea-bream rice
Hyōgo · Fine Dining
This popular restaurant in Kofuen, Nishinomiya, specialises in charcoal-grilled dishes and its signature tai-meshi (sea-bream rice). It's particularly known for its lavish, high-value lunch sets.
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1707
Takara Kasho Sugaya Yamamoto ten: Acclaimed Wagashi & Cakes
Hyōgo · Dessert Shop
A celebrated wagashi shop in Takarazuka, known for its signature *kinpukurin* chestnut confection and a unique range of hybrid Japanese-Western sweets. A destination for its elegant, gift-worthy creations.
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1709
Tatsunami Ichiban: Legendary Chanko Nabe Hotpot
Osaka · Casual Dining
A famous single-menu restaurant in Toyonaka, Osaka, serving a theatrical chanko nabe hotpot. Staff cook the entire meal for you at the table, making for a unique dining experience governed by a set of famously strict house rules.
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1712
motsu sen: Creative Offal Hotpot and BBQ
Aichi Prefecture · Casual Dining
A stylish, intimate restaurant in Nagoya's Nagono district, motsu sen specializes in high-quality offal. The main draw is the signature 'motsu-suki', a multi-stage hotpot cooked at your table with a small flambé performance.
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1714
Ryotei Nagasaka: Traditional Irori Hearth Dining
Aichi Prefecture · Casual Dining
In a quiet Nagoya neighbourhood, Ryotei Nagasaka (料亭 長坂) offers a memorable dining experience where charcoal-grilled dishes are cooked on a traditional irori hearth in your own private room. It's a destination for its unique, ritualistic approach to…
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1715
Todaya: Authentic Sichuan Mapo Tofu
Fukuoka · Casual Dining
A specialty shop in Fukuoka's Tanotsu district dedicated to mapo tofu. Todaya serves two distinct styles, from a classic Sichuan version to an intensely numbing 'Chen' style, attracting spice lovers from across the region.
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1717
Bishoku Shubou Nyoi: Superior Seafood and Sake Izakaya
Nara · Casual Dining
An extremely popular izakaya in Kashihara, near Yamato-Yagi Station, celebrated for its exceptionally generous sashimi platters and a deep, expertly curated sake list available in tasting-friendly half-pours.
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1719
Alma.De Churrasco Nagoya Sakae: Authentic Brazilian Churrasco
Aichi Prefecture · Bar
A full-service Brazilian churrascaria in Nagoya's Sakae district. Staff carve 13 cuts of meat, including picanha and wagyu, table-side from skewers in a moody, intimate third-floor dining room.
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1721
Teppanyaki Ishikari: Skyline Views and Premium Wagyu
Hokkaido · Steakhouse
Enjoy prime teppanyaki with a stunning 26th-floor view over Sapporo. Located in the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel, Teppanyaki Ishikari specializes in A-5 Shiraoi Wagyu and live Ezo abalone, cooked before your eyes.
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1722
Shunsai Kokabu Tei: Seasonal Omakase in Okinawa
Okinawa · Fine Dining
A refined kappo restaurant in Naha's Kumoji district, serving a seasonal omakase that culminates in a spectacular donabe clay-pot rice. It's a top choice for a special-occasion seafood dinner with excellent sake pairings.
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1723
Johnny no Biryani Oosaka kitahama ten: Daily Speciality Biryani
Osaka · Casual Dining
A lunch-only pop-up in Osaka's Koraibashi district serving a single, daily-changing biryani. Known for its fragrant basmati rice and bold, complex spices, it's a top spot for a quick, high-quality solo lunch.
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1724
Okiru: Kagawa-Sourced Omakase
Kagawa · Fine Dining
A small, family-run restaurant in Takamatsu offering a tasting menu (omakase) that serves as a tour of Kagawa prefecture's finest ingredients. It's a top choice for travellers wanting to experience the region's unique produce.
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1725
THE LOUNGE: Private University Campus Sushi
Osaka · Casual Dining
A tiny, exclusive sushi counter hidden inside Kinki University in Higashiosaka. It offers a private, one-group-per-service experience focused on premium seafood, much of it farmed by the university itself.
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