This spacious cafe-bar is done up in retro early-1970s modern style, with a nice big terrace seating area with retractable roof. It's run by the folks from the always-hip Planet 3rd cafe in Shibuya, and it's attached to a travel-oriented bookstore run my Paper Sky magazine. [feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 1-2-6. (in the block behind Aoyama Twin Towers) Open 10am-2am daily.

The basement room may be unexciting, but the food and wine are first-rate. Great value for money. [feedback]

Kita-Aoyama 1-2-3, Aoyama Bldg. B1F. (diagonally across from Aoyama Twin Towers) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Pickled herring and much more - their awe-inspiring smorgasbord is a real adventure in dining, so come with a hearty appetite. They also have an impressive selection of eight distinctive aquavits. Lunch 3,150, dinner Y6,090; there's also an a la carte menu and weekend dinner specials. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nagatacho 2-14-3, Akasaka Tokyu Plaza 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm (LO 9:30-10) daily.

A branch of the original Yoyogi-Uehara cafe, with far more space and a larger menu. Dinner items include rotisserie chicken (Y1,400 for a half chicken) and grilled swordfish (Y1,700). There's a small selection of California and Australian wines, by the glass or bottle. Service can be hit or miss. [feedback]

Nagatacho 2-14-3, Akasaka Tokyu Plaza 2F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily.

Good reliable sushi from this medium-priced Yotsuya-based chain. [feedback]

Nagatacho 2-14-2, Sanno Grand Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

This casual after-work bar has a simple menu (fish and chips, nachos, lots of sausages) and more than 50 beers from around the world, including Hoegaarden on tap and Anchor Steam. Various party plans are available. [feedback]

Nagatacho 2-13-10, Prudential Tower 1F. Open 11am-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Famous Kyushu ramen; kakuni (Chinese-style stewed pork) is one of their specialties, and helps explain the long lines at lunchtime. [feedback]

Nagatacho 2-12-8, 1F. (on the east side of Sotobori-dori) Open 11-1am (Fri. to 3am). Closed weekends.

Another architectural triumph from the Daidaiya chain, with several distinct dining areas - all of them inspired. The food veers towards creative Japanese/Korean/Asian fusion, with some very interesting sushi variations; budget around Y6000-9000 for dinner. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-1-6, Belle Vie 9F. Open 11:30am-2, 5pm-midnight (LO) daily.

Tasty tapas and main dishes and reasonable Spanish wines from the popular Spanish chain. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-7-17. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30pm-2am (LO). Closed Sundays.

You'll find great Peking Duck here - just Y3680 for a portion big enough for three or four people - plus a big menu of surprisingly inexpensive dumplings and small-plate dishes. [See branch review] [feedback]

Akasaka 3-8-8, Akasaka Floral Plaza Bldg B1F. Open 24 hours a day.

Korean-style rice porridge is the unusual specialty at this small cafeteria-style shop. Porridges come with a wide assortment of ingredients - mushroom and oyster; kimchee and octopus; beef and mushroom; salmon and vegetables; abalone; pine nuts. Everything is also available for take-out. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-18-9. Open 10am-midnight daily.

Reliable, filling Indonesian fare. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-20-6. Open 11am-2:30, 5pm-midnight daily.

This very reasonably priced izakaya chain offers good food and good value. The impressively diverse menu features soba noodles, kushiyaki (both yakitori and other meats on skewers), homemade tofu, "Kyoto-style oden," and lots of good seasonal specials. There are over a dozen different sakes to try, and you can choose any three as a "tasting set" for Y1000; other drinks include awamori cocktails, shochu, beer and wine. There are two other Akasaka branches nearby. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-21-10, Akasaka NS Bldg 1/2F. Open 11:30am-1:45, 5pm-5am (-10pm weekends) daily.

A beautiful rustic-style restaurant opened by famed kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke. Lunches start from Y1000, dinners from Y3000. Food includes homemade tofu, and the drinks menu features Kyushu shochu and sake. [feedback]

Akasaka 4-2-32. (on Hitotsuki-dori, walk uphill towards the jinja but make an immediate left.) Open 11am-1:30, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Free-range chicken dishes and other specialties from Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Kyushu, plus shochu and microbrew beers from down there. The atmosphere is funky-casual izakaya-style. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-14-7, Tani Bldg. 2F. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5:30-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Delicious bite-sized gyoza dumplings; the garlic gyoza are especially recommended. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-14-8, 2F. (on Hitotsuki-dori) Open 11:30am-midnight daily.

Assorted American-style pies, burgers and sandwiches, at this remaining branch of a once-popular chain. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-5-2. Open 7:30am-10:30pm daily.

Inexpensive Thai noodles. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-6-6. Open 11:30am-2, 6-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Buri offers superb traditional Japanese food in small dishes at reasonable prices. The sake serving size is also smaller than usual - 120 ml instead of 180 ml - with correspondingly lower prices, allowing you to try more varieties while putting less strain on your wallet and your sobriety. The well-chosen selection numbers about thirty, most of them standouts. Budget around 4,000 yen per person. [feedback]

Akasaka 3-13-12. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

The large counter at this tapas bar, with its clean white stools and gleaming rows of wine bottles, beckons one in for a quick snack. The menu features tempting Mediterranean dishes like Greek cabbage rolls, fried cauliflower salad, and rice croquettes. Wines from Argentina, Spain and Greece start at Y3900 per bottle, but unfortunately by-the-glass options are limited. Open late on weeknights only; earlier hours on Saturdays and Sundays. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-3am (LO; Sat 10:30, Sun 8:30 LO) daily.

Despite the casual setting - diner-style tables, a big counter and an open kitchen behind it - the menu offers a serious exploration of modern Catalan Spanish cuisine, with dishes like codfish fritters, Iberico pork terrine with figs, stewed oxtail (Y2200), and several traditional rice dishes. Wines are fairly reasonable; budget around Y7000 for food and drink at dinnertime. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Delicious Bretagne-style artisanal sweet crepes and savory buckwheat galettes are served at this charming little cafe, along with hard cider and soft drinks imported from the region. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Suckling pig is the specialty of the house, with a choice of Berkshire pork (kurobuta) from Kagoshima or Iberico pork from Spain (Y4500 and Y6000 respectively for two-person portions). Other mains are lamb stew with herbs and red wine; steamed rabbit meat with turnips; and roast guineau fowl with prunes. And as one might expect there's a good selection of Port and Madeira wines. The dining room is pleasant but far less fancy than this restaurant's Gyre Harajuku branch. Prix-fixe dinners are priced Y4000-7000. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Ten Belgian beers are served on draft here, with 100 more by the bottle. The simple menu includes pastas, Flemish-style beef stew, and of course mussels. The big, shiny semi-circular bar is the focus of attention here, but there's also a cozy table section off to the side. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-midnight daily.

The popular lunchtime buffet is Y1800 and offers a nice selection of Thai classics and original dishes. There's also a cafe-style menu all through the afternoon with stir-fries, noodles and Thai salads. The decor is simple and utilitarian, with baskets under each seat where you can stow your gear while you eat. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

An old Akasaka standby, Granata has been serving good, upscale Italian cuisine for decades. Prix-fixe lunches are Y1600-4500 and dinners are Y7,000-Y10,000. Wines are fairly reasonable: Y5000-16,000 per bottle, from Y600 by the glass. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

This "Japanese folkcraft restaurant" specializes in expensive domestic beef dishes served in old-fashioned private dining rooms. Shabu-shabu dinners are priced Y9,300-15,500 and sukiyaki is Y16,500. The sukiyaki lunch is Y2200. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9:30pm daily.

This self-consciously casual drinking spot offers a wide food menu - everything from Okinawan pork stews and stir-fries to udon noodles carbonara and brown-sugar creme brulee. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower B1F. Open 11am-10:50pm (LO) daily.

A cozy little shop specializing in the famous Singaporean chicken-rice dish and a surprisingly big menu of other street-stall dishes; some take-out is available. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower B1F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

The Akasaka branch, like its sister shop in Azabu-Juban, specializes in a Korean dish called samgetang. It's a richly flavored stew made from tender chicken meat, ginseng, garlic, Korean dates and rice. Full-course meals range from around Y3000-5000 per person, and at lunchtime they serve a half-sized portion of samgetang with side dishes for Y1800; other lunches start at Y700. [See branch review] [feedback]

Akasaka 3-13-6, Kokusai Tenno Bldg. 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11:30pm (LO). Closed 3rd Sunday.

A discount wine retailer with a good selection. [feedback]

Akasaka 2-14-33. Open 10am-9pm daily.

Draught British beers and food, plus sports shown on big-screen TVs. Weekday lunch is Y999; no lunch on weekends. [feedback]

Akasaka 2-13-19, Tamondo Bldg. B1F. Open 11am-3, 5pm-late (no lunch Sat). Closed Sundays.

A quiet Japanese bar serving an incredible selection of Belgian beers for serious beer connoisseurs, including many brands you won't find elsewhere in Japan. Prices average around Y1,200 a bottle. There's also a restaurant area serving Belgian food. Bar area open to midnight. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Akasaka 2-13-21. Open 6-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Respectable mid-level Vietnamese dining from an old neighborhood standby. [feedback]

Akasaka 5-4-14. Open 4-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays and holidays.

Third-generation kaiseki chef (and sometime TV celeb) Yoshihiro Murata is known for his innovative approach to kaiseki cuisine, drawing on French cooking techniques and ingredients. He has two branches in Kyoto, but this is his first Tokyo venture. Full-blown kaiseki service starts at Y15,750. [feedback]

Akasaka 6-13-8. Open 5-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

The room is an unpretentious little basement with a long counter and six tiny tables, but the food is simply superb - creative, light-hearted French cuisine prepared by a master. The foie gras on daikon appetizer features large slabs of foie gras and lightly stewed daikon, perfectly balanced in flavor. There's also an outstanding foie gras and duck confit main course served in a bed of mashed potatoes and leeks, and rather amazing lamb chops in mustard sauce. Some of the desserts, like the banana flambee, are a major theatrical production. The best deal is Y3500 for a three-course dinner that you'd expect to pay much more for. Wines start at Y2500 and reach very high levels. Lunches start at Y1000. [feedback]

Akasaka 6-3-16, B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm. Closed Sundays.

Regional dishes and wines from southwest France are the specialty in this cozy little bistrot-style restaurant. Budget around Y4000 for food; wines start at around Y3000/bottle. [feedback]

Akasaka 6-4-15. Open 6pm-1am (LO). Closed Sundays.

This small neighborhood spot serves good, original California-style cuisine and reasonably priced New World wines, and is popular with the international community. The fusiony menu is full of complicated but well-executed dishes like "maguro tuna steak flavored with tri-color peppers in brandy and port wine sauce served with wild rice." Portion sizes are surprisingly big - the bagna cauda includes nearly a dozen boiled vegetables, and the excellent grilled pork main dish is almost too big for one person. Budget around Y5-7000 at dinnertime; Y850-1000 for lunch. [feedback]

Akasaka 6-17-7. Open 11am-3, 5:30-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Charcoal-grilled meats and fish, nabe stews and rice dishes, with sake, shochu, and Italian and French wines to drink. The decor is simple - plain blond-wood chairs and tables - with few distractions from the wide-open 27th-floor view. Prix-fixe dinners start at Y6000; a la carte is also available, but there's a Y1000 table charge at dinnertime. Lunchtime is a relative bargain, starting at Y1200 for a donburi (rice bowl) lunch plus coffee or tea. [feedback]

Nagatacho 2-11-1, Sanno Park Tower 27F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Reliable, classic French cooking in a bistrot-style setting. Lunch ranges from Y1300 (just a main dish and coffee) to Y5000; dinner is Y5000-Y9000, or a la carte. Entrees include roast lamb (Y3200) and steak tartare with fried potatoes (Y3000); starters also average around Y3000. [feedback]

Akasaka 1-3-13, Tameike Suzuki Bldg. 1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

An old-fashioned steak house from America. Are you ready for the "Diamond Jim Brady" cut? [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Akasaka 2-17-22, Akasaka Twin Tower East B/1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-9:30pm (LO) daily.

This refurbished bar, hovering over the main lobby of the ANA Hotel, serves several different champagnes by the glass or the bottle, ranging from Y1300 to Y3000 per glass. There's also a limited food menu and lunch specials at midday. [feedback]

Akasaka 1-13-33, ANA Hotel 3F. Open 11:30am-11pm daily.

A cheerful cafe with a nice lunch menu (under Y1,000) and a take-away bakery department. [feedback]

Akasaka 1-12-32, Ark Mori Bldg. 2F. Open 10am-10pm (LO) daily.

"Belarus home cooking", with down-home dishes like chicken crepes, stuffed peppers and pork-and-potato dumplings. Choose from Hungarian white wines, Georgian red wines, or Russian Baltika beer. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Azabudai 1-4-2. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Sophisticated, modern and creative cuisine from Chef Shinomura, a veteran of several distinguished restaurants in the French provinces. Prix-fixe lunches from Y4200, dinners from Y9450. [feedback]

Roppongi 3-1-1, T-Cube 1F. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Don't come here looking for fusion cooking - it's all straight-ahead curries and tandoori items, above average in quality although sometimes overly salted. One thing that sets them apart is the Hoegaarden on draft, a refreshing Belgian white beer that provides a very pleasant contrast with the spicy dishes. The decor is fairly pedestrian, with sports on the big-screen TV, but at least the smoking and non-smoking sections are on separate floors. [feedback]

Roppongi 3-3-15. Open 11:30am-10:30pm daily.

The two tiny dining rooms are rustic and cave-like, the stucco walls decorated with animal pelts and a boar's head. The name means "the hunt", and the specialty is seasonal game (pheasant, boar, deer), much of it bagged by the chef himself. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Roppongi 3-5-7. Open 6-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Chanko-nabe (the stuff that sumo wrestlers eat) and surprisingly modern side dishes (like Vietnamese spring rolls). The chanko is flavored with either miso, soy sauce or salt, and it comes with a bewildering assortment of optional toppings. Owned by famous wrestler Wakanohana. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Roppongi 4-1-9, Bellza Roppongi B1F. Open 6pm-4am (LO). Closed Sundays.