Tokyo Food Page Restaurant Listings

Gyoenmae/ 2-chome

La Boheme (Italian). 5366-2242

A big, spacious branch of this late-night budget Italian restaurant, open all afternoon and convenient to visitors to Shinjuku Gyoen. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-1-7. (along the park, near the northeast (Okido) entrance) Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

Aureole (Cafe). 3355-8447

European-style home cooking, wrap sandwiches and other "wrap cuisine" is the focus of the menu at this casual park-side cafe. Full-course vegetarian dinners are available, and everything on the menu is ready for take-out. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-3-12. (along the N side of Shinjuku Gyoen) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Myun (My Dung) (Vietnamese). 5379-5240, 3358-9951

(Called "My Dung" in English). Popular, reasonably priced Vietnamese standards. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-3-8, B1F. Open 11am-2pm, 5-9:50pm (LO) daily.

Le Bistrot da Cote (French). 3359-3066

Rich, hearty traditional French cuisine in a crowded bistro-style restaurant near Shinjuku Gyoen. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-6-11. Open noon-2, 6-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Ondori (Kyushu). 3356-0687

A Kyushu-style chicken specialty restaurant. Call ahead to confirm if you want to arrive after 8pm. Full-course dinners from Y7,000. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-23-11. Open 6-9pm. Closed Saturdays, Sundays.

Kaiundai (Korean). 5269-9353, 3352-7933

A tiny hole-in-the-wall shop serving home-style Korean cooking (i.e. no yakiniku) with few concessions to Japanese tastes. Plenty of fresh seafood dishes, including octopus sashimi, and an excellent lunch special. [feedback]

Shinjuku 1-31-15, 2F. Open 11am-1am daily.

Zuien Bekkan (Chinese). 3351-3511

Nearly as famous for their rude service and their painfully crowded seating arrangements as for their great food. [feedback]

Shinjuku 2-7-4. Open 11am-9:45pm (LO) daily.

Krungtep (Thai). 3358-9085

This casual spot offers simple market-style Thai food with good, authentic flavors, plus an inexpensive wine list. [feedback]

Shinjuku 2-12-4. Open 11:30am-midnight (3am weekends). Closed Mondays.

Sansar (Nepalese). 3354-8553

Excellent curries, tandoori items, and Nepalese specialties from an all-Nepali crew. The chapati is outstanding. [feedback]

Shinjuku 6-13-8. Open 11am-2:30, 5-11pm daily.

3-chome east to Meiji-dori

Donjaca (honten) (Izakaya). 3341-2497

Inexpensive jizake (regional sake) and good grilled fish. Seating can get a little cramped during peak hours, so check out the much larger Suehiro-dori branch just around the corner. No English spoken. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-9-10. Open to about 6am daily.

Dora (Izakaya). 3226-0919

A branch of Donjaka, with a similar menu of inexpensive izakaya-style food and Japanese sake. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-9-5, B1F. (Across from BYGS Bldg.) Open 5pm-5am daily.

Shousuke (Yakitori). 3341-2468

A design-heavy yakitori-ya that also serves good food, including a nice selection of sushi and sashimi. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-10-10. Open 5pm-midnight daily.

Bosphoras Hasan (Turkish). 3354-7947

A full selection of shish kebabs, Turkish pizzas, salads, etc. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-6-11, 2F. Open 5-11:30pm daily.

Donjaca (Suehiro-dori) (Izakaya). 3357-8090

Superlative izakaya-style fare in a lively, noisy setting. They have an impressive and ever-changing selection of jizake (regional sake), plus good sashimi and grilled fish. Intriguing original creations include maguro kimuchii yukke, made with raw tuna and raw egg and flavored with kimchee and sesame oil. No English spoken. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-6-12, 2F. Open 4pm-5am daily.

Agurarou (Chinese). 3351-5975

Food prepared with traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Dinner runs around Y7,000 per person. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-6-9. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Marugo (Wine bar). 3350-4605

Choose from about fifteen wines by the glass or bottle, or pick a Latour or Mouton from the back and put it on your expense account. France is amply represented, with biodynamic wines comprising nearly half of the choices on the frequently changing list. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Shinjuku 3-7-5. Open 5pm-2am daily.

Kowloon (Chinese). 3225-9262

Noodles, stir-fries and other typical Hong Kong-style street stall dishes, prepared exceptionally well. Their "dragon ramen" has giant, tasty chunks of kakuni (stewed pork). [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-10-7. Open 11:30am-11:30pm daily.

Asian Kitchen (Misc. Southeast Asian). 3354-0291

Exotic-sounding dishes from China, Korea and Southeast Asia, prepared for the mass market. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-13-2. Open 5pm-midnight daily.

Toriyoshi (Yakitori). 3353-3357

Yakitori, fried chicken, and other varieties of chicken, along with some interesting regional specialities of the Nagoya area. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-13-5, B1F. Open 5pm-mid. (LO 11), Fr, Sat-4am. Open every day.

Il Bacaro (Italian). 5269-8528

Venetian-style specialties, with a casual Venice-style wine and tapas stand-up bar in front. There are usually a few dozen tiny "cichetti" appetizers to nibble on, ranging from single spears of asparagus to mussels and sardines. Wines at the bar range from Y200-580 per glass, with some very interesting choices. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Shinjuku 3-4-8, Saison Plaza B1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Tiki Tiki (Misc. Southeast Asian). 3226-0996

Yes, it's a real live tiki lounge in Tokyo! Party down with giant tropical drinks, entertaining pan-Asian food and amusingly over-the-top decor. Not to mention the Tahitian floor show. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-4-8, Shinjuku Saison Plaza 4F. Open 5-11pm (LO) daily.

Tokyo Daihanten (Dim sum). 3202-0121

Real Hong Kong-style dim sum, with steaming trolleys rolling through the aisles and lots of Chinese-speaking patrons. [feedback]

Shinjuku 5-17-13. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Canard (French). 3200-0706

Superb French cooking in one of Tokyo's tiniest restaurants. Dinner is Y2,800 for three courses, and they offer a surprisingly wide selection of entrees, cheeses, and wines, considering the restaurant's size. [feedback]

Shinjuku 5-17-6, B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Keitel (German). 3354-5057

Typical German dishes and selected German wines and beers. Budget around Y5000 for dinner. [feedback]

Shinjuku 5-6-4. Open noon-2:30, 6-10pm (LO) daily.

Kabukicho

Nanpu (Okinawan). 3200-1285

A tiny, artfully decorated drinking place in the middle of one of Kabukicho's sleazier blocks, Nanpu attracts a strange assortment of customers. The prices listed on the menu seem to have no relation to the final bill, which can be quite a bit higher. The food is outstanding, though, and even the stir-fried champuru and the pork dishes aren't a bit greasy. Raw goat meat is one of their specialties, if you're brave enough. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-11-3. Open 5pm-midnight. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Shinanoya (Liquor shop). 3204-2365

A good selection of wines and spirits and a dozen or so European beers at discount prices, plus random imported food items. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-12-9. (on the main central street, across from Tokyo Kaisen Ichiba) Open 11am-4am daily.

Niimura (honten) (Shabu-shabu). 3205-2200

Friendly service and high-quality shabu-shabu available until the wee hours of the morning. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-14-3. Open 11-2am (LO 1:30) daily.

Denpachi (Japanese). 3200-8003

One of Tokyo's best sardine specialty restaurants, with branches in Higashi-Ginza and Omotesando. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-15-8. Open 5pm-midnight (food LO 11:30pm). Closed Sundays.

ZuZu (Bar). 5292-3703

The smart drink list offers eleven choices of popular umeshu like Saika and Kakutama, plus a few liqueurs based on anzu (apricot), yuzu and even decopon (the orange-tangerine hybrid). Lots of shochu, a short but sweet selection of nihon-shu, and oodles of cocktails give you more reasons to sit and linger, while dainty servings of chazuke - twelve kinds, as a matter of fact - and other small dishes provide delicious distractions from the hectic world outside. Budget around Y3000 for drinks and a light meal. No English spoken. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-21-2, Itoh Bldg 3/4F. Open 6pm-3am (LO) daily.

Ban Thai (Thai). 3207-0068

One of Tokyo's original Thai restaurants, it hasn't improved with age. [feedback]

Kabukicho 1-23-14, 3F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm (LO) daily.

Hazelburn (Bar). 5285-1470

Hazelburn offers an impressive line-up of Scottish whiskies, along with English draft ales and well-prepared Scottish and English pub food. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Kabukicho 1-6-6, Hashimoto Bldg B1F. Open 6pm-3am (5am Fri, Sat) daily.

Casa Bella (Spanish). 3209-6984

Seafood-heavy paellas, Spanish omelettes and other typical Spanish fare in extremely unpretentious surroundings; full-course dinners from around Y4000. [feedback]

Kabukicho 2-42-11, Casa Shinjuku Bldg. Open 6-11pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Sungari (Russian). 3209-4937

Well-prepared Russian standards like Chicken Kiev. [feedback]

Kabukicho 2-45-6. (on "American Boulevard" across from station) Open 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Meiji-dori to Shinjuku station

Agio (Isetan) (Italian). 3354-6720

A lively "market-style" restaurant, with the emphasis on top-quality ingredients and simple preparation. Grilled meats and seafood, brick-oven-baked pizzas and assorted pastas make up most of the menu, and there are always plenty of daily specials. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-14-1, Isetan 7F. Open 11am-9:15pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Chaya Macrobiotic Rest. (French). 3357-0014

Health-oriented but not really vegetarian fare (there are lots of fish dishes) in a casual French style. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-14-1, Isetan 7F. Open 11am-10pm (LO 9). Closed Wednesdays.

Chang-pha (Thai). 5269-4376

Inexpensive street-market-style food, with lots of stir-fries and curries in the Y800 range. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 4F. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed some Wednesdays.

Decantare (Italian). 5367-2931

Choose from a huge a la carte menu of reasonably priced dishes, including a big selection of pizzas. The 12-item hot and cold appetizer selection is a good place to start. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 5F. Open 11am-3, 6-11pm. Closed Wednesdays.

Nabi to Kamado (Okinawan). 5919-2688

Standard Okinawan fare and a huge selection of awamori. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 5F. Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Kushinobo (Kushiage). 3356-3865

A branch of one of Tokyo's best kushiage chains. (Kushiage is deep-fried meat, seafood and vegetable morsels served on skewers.) [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 8F. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Cafe Yuitto (Cafe). 3354-6808

[feedback]

Shinjuku 3-20-8, Tops House 8F. Open 3-11:30pm daily.

Tavolo di Fiori (Italian). 3354-3790

You'll find some of Shinjuku's best Italian cooking here, along with a wide selection of wines. The trattoria is under corporate management (Isetan), so you won't find too many surprises, just solid, by-the-book Tuscan fare - nice pastas and pizzas and excellent main dishes. Full-course dinners start at Y3,800, or you can order a la carte, including many daily specials. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-16-13. Open 11:30am-3 (LO), 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Chanto (Izakaya). 5919-3440

Modern Japanese izakaya fare with Korean influences, from the management of Ken's Chanto Dining and Daidaiya. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-17-4, Remino Bldg. 8F. Open 5pm-midnight (LO) daily.

El Borracho (Mexican). 3354-7046

Tasty Japanese-style Mexican food, small portions, miniscule tables, and a very lively atmosphere (as you'd expect from a place named "The Drunkard"). [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-17-13. Open 4:30-10:30pm daily.

Vin Vino Brule (Wine bar). 3352-1267

An impressive selection of wines from around the world, varying from the reasonably priced to the very extravagant. They also do up a nice cheese platter. The atmosphere is more formal than average. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-25-9, More Bldg. 5F. Open 6pm-4am. Closed Mondays.

Khazana (Indian). 3352-9455

Friendly service and lots of vegetarian dishes. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-30-11. (Across from Isetan, on Shinjuku-dori) Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Tsunahachi (Tempura). 3352-1012

The main branch of one of Japan's most successful tempura restaurants. They've maintained their high standards while managing to keep prices very reasonable. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-31-8. (from Shinjuku-dori, go down the small street to the left of Mitsukoshi) Open 11:15am-10pm (LO) daily.

Shousuke Shinjuku Sono (Yakitori). 3356-1818

Excellent grilled chicken, sushi and much more in this glitzy, high-rise branch of the popular Shinjuku yakitori restaurant. There's a good selection of premium sake to go with your food; dinner with drinks averages around Y6000. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-32-10, T&T Bldg 7F. Open 5-11pm daily.

Toriyoshi (Yakitori). 3225-1922

Spicy chicken wings, yakitori and Nagoya miso specialties. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-34-16, Ikeda Plaza 5F. Open 5-11pm (LO) daily.

Fan (Misc. Southeast Asian). 3341-6820

Inexpensive and spicy Asian-styled dishes in a lively, student-dominated atmosphere. The Asian buffet lunch is Y950; filling dinners start at Y2300, with a la carte items from Y400. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-34-1, B1F. Open 11:30-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

La Verde (Italian). 3341-6124

Very good budget pastas and other Italian fare, a good wine selection and convenient hours. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-28-13, Shinjuku Nagashima Bldg. 3F. Open 11:30am-2am (LO) daily.

Tsunahachi Tsunohazuan (Tempura). 3358-2788

The deluxe edition of one of Tokyo's most famous tempura shops, with prices starting at Y2500 for lunch and Y6000 for tempura dinner. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-28-4. Open 11:30am-3, 5-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Ken's Chanto Dining (Asian fusion). 5363-0336

The interior by architect Yasumichi Morita is simply thrilling - playful, elegant and subversive all at the same time. The menu features Korean-influenced modern Japanese with lots of unusual ingredients. One outstanding choice is the fresh salmon stuffed with white kidney beans in a creamy, lightly curried sauce with porcini mushrooms and sansai (Y1,200). [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-26-6, FF Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-midnight (LO) daily.

Kurawanka (Kyushu). 3352-5111

Japanese regional dishes from various parts of the country. Lunch from Y700, full-course dinners for Y5,000-Y10,000. There's also an a la carte menu, and many regional sake brands. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-36-6. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Kakiden (Kaiseki). 3352-5121

Accessible kaiseki, with an 18-course mini-kaiseki service for just Y8000. Live koto performances every evening. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-37-11, Yasuyo Bldg 6-9F. Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.

Daidaiya (Asian fusion). 5362-7173

Spectacular "nouvelle Japonaise" cuisine in a stunning modern setting. Standout items on the menu include cold stuffed cabbage kimchee with cashew nuts, minced tuna and Korean bean paste (Y780), sauteed foie gras served on lotus-root cakes (Y1600), and homemade Satsuma pork sausages with a fresh wasabi-mayonnaise sauce. There's also a large a la carte sushi and tempura selection, with items like scallop tempura with green-tea salt (Y200 a piece). The wines are nothing special, but the house sake is a very drinkable Tsukasa-botan at Y1,000 a glass, and there's a full cocktail menu. Plan on spending Y5,000-10,000 per person for a superb meal; reservations are a must. [feedback]

Shinjuku 3-37-12, Shinjuku Nowa Bldg. 3F. Open 5pm-midnight (LO) daily.

Din Tai Fung (Dim sum). 5361-1381

Fantastic Taipei-style shouronbo (xiao long bao) dumplings and other dimsum fare. The lines look daunting, but don't worry - they move very quickly. Take note of the early hours - last order is 7:30. [See branch review] [feedback]

Sendagaya 5-24-2, Takashimaya 10F. Open 10am-7:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Imahan (Shabu-shabu). 5361-1871

Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki made with Ohmi beef, from Y3800 at dinner. Lunch is Y2300-2500. [feedback]

Sendagaya 5-24-2, Times Square Bldg. 14F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Shinjuku station

Air Blan Service (Cafe). 5360-1945

A casual cafe/bar/restaurant with a nice view (out over the Shinjuku station tracks). The menu includes enticing "French barbecue" items like quail with marmalade and pork kushiyaki with garlic and lemongrass. [feedback]