For first-time visitors
First time in Tokyo?
Start here. How to order, what to tip (nothing), and how to book a table, explained before you go.
Latest from Tokyo
What Japanese diners are queueing for this week.
The standard
Every restaurant we list is one that people who live in Tokyo go back to. Not a tourist trap.
We do not try to list everything. We choose, we say why, and we tell you plainly how to get a seat, whether that means booking a month ahead or joining the queue.
— The Editors
I
By cuisine
Start with what you want to eat.
II
By neighbourhood
Or start with where you will be.
- Shibuya Casual and late around the crossing; quieter counters a short walk out.
- Shinjuku Easy to eat well without a reservation, and hard to choose in. Arrive with a plan.
- Ginza Known for formal dining. Lunch is the way in.
- Asakusa The food of old downtown Tokyo around Senso-ji. Eat on the early side.
- Ueno Ameyoko market under the tracks: inexpensive, informal, good for grazing.
- Akihabara Fast and filling between shops; walk to Kanda for an older kind of dinner.
- Tokyo Station A place to eat in its own right: restaurant arcades, ramen, and boxed meals for the train.
- All neighbourhoods →
III
Before you book
Plain advice, written for people who have not been yet.
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12 November 2026
Halal Food in Tokyo
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12 November 2026
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Tokyo
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12 November 2026
How to Order Ramen in Japan
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12 November 2026
Typical Food in Tokyo: What to Eat on Your First Trip
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12 November 2026
Tipping in Japan: What to Do Instead
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20 August 2026
Japanese Dining Etiquette: Chopsticks and Customs
For restaurants in Tokyo
Would you like to be listed?
Listing is free. We are looking for restaurants that local diners already return to and that would welcome guests from overseas.