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 · Casual Dining
A legendary okonomiyaki spot in Higashiyaguchi known for a unique, slow-cooked style. The owner's famously abrasive service is part of the experience, making it a polarising but memorable meal for those who book ahead.
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Hokkaido · Diner
A tiny, nine-seat counter restaurant in Otaru's Ironai district, run by a single chef. It draws crowds for its unique signature dishes, especially an intensely savoury crab-miso cream pasta and a decadent beef-toro flake rice bowl.
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Kanagawa · Casual Dining
A small restaurant in Yokohama's Tobe district, specializing in authentic, rotating plates of South Indian 'meals' and Nepali dal bhat. It's known for its bold, complex spice work and generous portions, drawing regulars for its daily-changing…
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Yamanashi · Casual Dining
In Kofu, Yakitori 58 offers a high-level yakitori experience focused on local Koshu Jidori chicken. Guests enjoy a "stop"-style omakase of precisely grilled skewers, praised for its exceptional quality for the price.
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Nara · Pâtisserie
A celebrated pâtisserie in Nara's Shijo-oji district, known for its World Cup-winning Ambroisie cake. The elegant salon offers exquisite, technically precise French cakes and seasonal parfaits.
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Hokkaido · Casual Dining
A retro Chinese eatery in Sapporo's Tanukikoji Market, celebrated for its 'drinkable' mapo tofu and exceptional egg fried rice. Expect generous portions, a lively atmosphere, and a classic town-Chinese experience.
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Kyoto · Dessert Shop
A tea-first shop in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, near Kiyomizu Temple. It's known for intensely pure Uji matcha desserts like kakigori shaved ice and soft-serve, served alongside a simple menu of handmade udon.
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Tokyo · Izakaya
A tiny, owner-run counter in Senju famed for its handmade gyoza and Shanghai-style small plates. It's a destination for solo diners seeking exceptional food, but be prepared for a very particular set of house rules.
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Shizuoka · Casual Dining
A long-standing yōshoku restaurant in Atami, specializing in dishes that showcase fresh local seafood. Known for its rich sauces and high-quality abalone steak, it offers excellent value in a small, intimate setting.
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Tokyo · Izakaya
A popular modern izakaya in Daikanyama, celebrated for its rice cooked in traditional hagama pots. It's a great spot for a high-quality, affordable Japanese set lunch, but be prepared for long queues.
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Hyōgo · Fine Dining
Specialising in a deeply concentrated chicken hot pot (mizutaki), this Ashiya restaurant is the sister establishment of a notable yakitori shop. Go for the signature golden soup, which reviewers say is worth the trip alone.
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Kanagawa · Izakaya
A celebrated oden specialist in Odawara, known for its vast menu of over 50 regional varieties and a famously clear, layered dashi. It's a destination for those seeking artisanal kamaboko and a classic broth.
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