It’s no secret that Tokyo has an incredible culinary landscape. The vibrant capital of Japan is considered by many, including top chefs and food celebrities, as one of the best places in the world for a gastronomic journey. Its fine dining scene features a plethora of world-renowned restaurants that perfectly combine the incredible Japanese cuisine with the culinary expertise of esteemed chefs, outstanding service, innovative concepts, and of course, the genuine hospitality that the people of the Land of the Rising Sun are known for. To narrow it down, we’ve listed our top restaurant picks in Tokyo where you can enjoy the ultimate fine dining experience that would satisfy your sophisticated palate.
1. Ise Sueyoshi
Ise Sueyoshi is a small Japanese restaurant located at the heart of Tokyo. Its cuisine follows the traditional style of kaiseki, which is the Japanese equivalent of a multi-course haute cuisine. The restaurant owner, Chef Yuuki Tanaka, prepares the culinary offerings of Ise Sueyoshi, and splendidly brings each course to life by sharing the backstory of each dish and its ingredients.
Ise Sueyoshi serves culinary masterpieces in beautifully plated dishes. Image: timeout.com
The dishes are served and explained by Chef Tanaka himself. Image: timeout.com
The concept of Chef Tanaka’s kaiseki is to take connoisseurs through the passing seasons and traditional flavors of Japan, in the form of beautifully plated dishes that are both intricate and delicious. Dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience, Chef Tanaka can also prepare his dishes according to his guests’ dietary preferences, be it vegetarian, gluten-free, or Halal. The restaurant deviates from the usual open-plan layout of restaurants, opting instead for an intimate yet opulent setting of five seats by the counter and six tables.
Cuisine: Kaiseki
Address: 4-2-15 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 5pm to 11:30pm, last order at 9pm (Closed on Sundays)
Bookings are accepted from 11am to 10pm
Website: www.isesueyoshi.blog.fc2.com
For reservations, visit tablecheck.com/en/shops/ise-sueyoshi/reserve (required)
2. Han no Daidokoro
Situated at the vibrant area of Shibuya, near its famous crossing, Han no Daidokoro is a restaurant that seamlessly blends the incredible cuisine of Japan and Korea. Ideal for gastronomes who seek a lavish yakiniku experience, this restaurant serves all cuts of the finest Japanese wagyu, paired with the most flavorful Korean side dishes. Han no Daidokoro is known for serving Yamagata wagyu beef, but still includes the famous Kobe beef in their menu.
Han no Daidokoro serves all kinds of the finest meat including this succulent Yamagata Beef. Image: gnavi.co.jp
The restaurant’s counter layout allows the culinary team to guide diners on how to grill their meat to perfection. Image: culinarybackstreets.com
The restaurant of Han no Daidokoro is spacious, offering table, counter, and private seats. It also has a dedicated staff that can assist both local and foreign diners and guide them on how to properly use the grill.
Cuisine: Yakiniku, Korean
Address: 2-29-8, Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043
Business Hours: Lunch – 11:30am to 3pm, Dinner – 5:30pm to 11:30pm (Monday to Saturday); 11:30am to 11:00pm (Sundays and Holidays), last order is 30 minutes before closing time
Website: www.yakinikubarhannodaidokoro.gorp.jp
For reservations, visit gurunavi.com/en/a143503/rst
3. Tapas Molecular Bar
Tapas Molecular Bar presents an exceptional gourmet experience to its guests through its culinary masterpieces, sophisticated ambiance, and quality service. Staying true to the private and interactive service of most fine dining restaurants in Tokyo, Tapas Molecular Bar only accommodates an intimate group of eight people at a time. The restaurant also follows a layout similar to traditional sushi bars, allowing guests to witness the skill and intricacy behind each dish as the chefs prepare their meals right before their very eyes.
From meal preparations to plating, Tapas Molecular Bar presents a unique dining experience through creativity. Image: mandarinoriental.com
The interactive restaurant layout allows guests to witness the skillful process of preparing their gourmet meals. Image: mandarinoriental.com
Following the innovative concept of molecular gastronomy, the chefs’ creativity is not only applied to their culinary offerings, but also on how they serve their dishes using test tubes and beakers, giving an appealing science laboratory feel to it. Tapas Molecular Bar is perched on the 38th floor of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel, offering its guests spectacular views of Tokyo’s spectacular skyline and city lights.
Cuisine: Molecular Gastronomy
Address: 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-8328
Business Hours: 6pm or 8:30pm (Reservation is required)
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/nihonbashi/fine-dining/restaurants/fusion-cuisine/tapas-molecular-bar
For reservations, call +81 (3) 3270 8188 or email [email protected]
4. Towers
Towers is a contemporary grill restaurant in Tokyo that takes the fine dining scene to a new level.The restaurant’s culinary offerings are simple yet luxurious, locally sourcing only the best ingredients and finest meats that Japan has to offer, then grilled to tender perfection by a talented team of chefs. Highlights of their menu include local seafood dishes, a selection of prime chops, and the special Akaushi prime rib. They also have a specially curated selection of wine and cocktails to pair with your entrée of choice.
The interior of Towers restaurant combines elegance and comfort. Image: ritzcarlton.com
Perched on the top floor of Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Towers boasts of stunning views of the city. Image: ritzcarlton.com
Fitting to its name, the restaurant is located on the highest floor of the swanky Ritz-Carlton Hotel, providing guests stunning views of the dazzling cityscape. The restaurant’s cozy and relaxing interior is also just as pleasing, where contemporary art is narrated through smooth dark wood accents, glamorous leather furnishing, and abstract metal sculptures.
Cuisine: Contemporary Grill
Address: 9-7-1 45/F The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, 107-6245
Business Hours: Breakfast – Daily, 6:30am to 11am; Lunch – Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 2:30pm; Brunch – Weekends and Holidays, 11:30am to 2:30pm; Dinner – Daily, 5:30pm to 10pm
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/japan/tokyo/dining/towers
For reservations, call +81 3 6434 8711
5. Kikko
A quaint, old-fashioned Japanese restaurant amidst Tokyo’s modern cityscape, Kikko offers diners a taste of Nippon’s days of old with culinary masterpieces served in the artful style of kaiseki. As they feast on their scrumptious meal, guests are serenaded with musical performances using the traditional shamisen, a three-stringed Japanese instrument, which is often considered the highlight of one’s nostalgic dining experience at Kikko.
Kikko offers gourmands a taste of Japan’s traditional dishes through its culinary creations. Image: ambassadors-japan.com
The interior design is inspired by traditional restaurants. The shamisen instrument on display is used to provide musical performances to keep gourmands entertained. Image: www.ambassadors-japan.com
Reminiscent to the beauty of old-world Japan, Kikko features low tables that traditional Japanese restaurants are known for, but providing a small opening on their wooden floor allows modern gastronomes to comfortably sit down while they enjoy their meal.
Cuisine: Kaiseki
Address: 2-2-13 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032
Business Hours: Lunch – 11:30am to 1:30pm, Dinner – 5:30pm to 9pm (Closed on Wednesdays, Dinner not available on Sundays)
Website: www.waentei-kikko.com
For reservations, call +81 3-5828-8833
6. Yakiniku a Five Toku
While it is uncommon for fine dining restaurants to offer all-you-can-eat courses, Yakiniku a Five Toku infuses luxurious dining with buffet dinners through its hearty selection of prime A5 wagyu beef. Although mostly known for its generous servings of the finest meats, the restaurant’s menu also includes delectable noodles and Korean-style dishes. They also have their own wine cellar and a dedicated sommelier to help connoisseurs with wine pairing.
Yakiniku A Five Toku combines fine dining and hearty buffets through its unlimited serving of A5-grade wagyu beef. Image: gurunavi.com
The restaurant’s layout is similar to modern diners, infused with traditional Japanese accents for added sophistication. Image: gurunavi.com
The restaurant’s design is a fusion of modern-day diners and traditional Japanese décor. It features diner booths with comfortable seating and a table with a shared grilled in the middle, while its rustic wood partitions and other Japanese design accents provide the restaurant a more sophisticated ambiance.
Cuisine: Yakiniku
Address: 10-Ginza TOKIDEN Building 8-3-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Business Hours: Monday to Saturday – 5pm to 4am, last order at 3am; Sunday – 5pm to 12 midnight, last order at 11pm
Website: www.ts-corp.co.jp/shop/ya5-toku
For reservations, visit their website or call 050-3184-1629
7. Yakiniku Ikuta
Kobe beef is already arguably the epitome of luxury beef, but lavish gourmets seeking for the best of the best can find what they’re looking for at Charcoal Cuisine Kobe Beef Ikuta. Purchasing directly from farms, the restaurant only serves the highest rank of Kobe beef and offers some of the rarest parts that are sought-after by knowledgeable gourmands.
Yakiniku Ikuta is a great choice for gourmands in search of the finest cuts and rarest parts of beef. Image: gurunavi.com
Yakiniku Ikuta’s restaurant is comfortable and spacious, with atmospheric lighting for a cozy ambiance. Image: gurunavi.com
Diners can pair their scrumptious meal with a selection of cocktails and fine wines which they can enjoy while they grill their beef to perfection. Meals are also served with the fresh, locally-sourced vegetables to spruce up the taste. The restaurant has a good number of tables, but is still spacious for diners to feel comfortable as they enjoy their food.
Cuisine: Yakiniku
Address: 1-31 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
Business Hours: Lunch – 11:30am to 2pm (Monday to Friday); Dinner – 5:30 to 11pm (Daily)
Website: www.oztable.net/ikuta
For reservations, visit their website or call 03-5304-7240
8. Steak House Pound Akihabara
A mesmerizing display of steak prowess best describes Steak House Pound Akihabara. Famous for its unrivaled dry-aged beef, the restaurant showcases its own meat cellar, where dining guests can behold the thorough and meticulous meat aging process that the restaurant takes pride in.
The restaurant’s specialty is their mouth-watering dry-aged beef. Image: gurunavi.com
The restaurant’s interior exudes modern sophistication. Image: ts-pound.com
Their must-try culinary pieces include the beef fillet steak and sirloin steak, and each dish is freshly prepared to guarantee the juiciest steak with perfect tenderness and texture. The restaurant has a contemporary interior design, where touches of white, red, and black are beautifully combined to achieve modern elegance.
Cuisine: Dry-aged beef; Steaks
Address: 4-6-7, Kaikan, Chiyoda-ku , Tokyo 101-0021
Business Hours: Lunch: 11:30am to 3pm; Dinner – 5:30 to 12 midnight (last order is 30 minutes before closing time)
Website: www.ts-pound.com/akihabara
For reservations, call 050-5269-8212050-5269-8212
9. Hakushu Teppanyaki
An ever-present entry to Tripadvisor’s list of best fine dining restaurants in Tokyo and beyond, Hakushu Teppanyaki is definitely the place to be for meat-lovers who want a piece of the finest Wagyu beef. Its wide selection of divine Wagyu and Kobe beef are certainly one of the major reasons why it is held in such high regard.
Known for serving the finest wagyu, Hakushu Teppanyaki is a must-try for sophisticated meat-lovers. Image: tablelog.com
Hakushu Teppanyaki is a family-owned restaurant where warm hospitality and a homey atmosphere will always be part of your overall dining experience. Image: buffalotrip.com
The family-owned teppanyaki restaurant impresses guests with its warm and welcoming hospitality, presenting a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere that feels just like home. The restaurant also follows the concept of Bring Your Own Bottle, or simply BYOB, which allows guests to bring their own bottle so they can drink to their heart’s content.
Cuisine: Teppanyaki
Address: 17-17−10 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0031
Business Hours: 5:30pm to 11pm (Closed on Sundays)
Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/hakusyu
For reservations, call 03-3461-0546
10. Narisawa
Narisawa’s cuisine follows the unique culinary genre that is the innovative Satoyama Cuisine. The restaurant’s theme is beneficial and sustainable gastronomy, serving dishes that are inspired by the rich food culture and wisdom of Japan’s ancestors. Narisawa boasts several recognitions for its outstanding cuisine, including a rare Two-Star from the prestigious Michelin Guide. The restaurant also ranked eighth in San Pellegrino’s 2019 list of best restaurants in Asia.
Following the innovative Satoyama philosophy, the culinary dishes of Narisawa are beautifully served in nature-inspired presentations. Image: narisawa-yoshihiro.com
The restaurants impresses sophisticated diners with its elegant design. Their impressive selection of premium wines is also on display. Image: narisawa-yoshihiro.com
Narisawa has also been commended many times for its wide array of premium Japanese wine and sake pairing that goes so well with their culinary offerings, as well as their interesting tea pairings for those with non-alcoholic preferences. Inside the restaurant, guests are treated with sophistication and elegance from its black and white motif, as well as roomy spaces for a luxurious gourmet experience.
Cuisine: Satoyama, French
Address: 2-6-15 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062
Business Hours: Lunch – 12 noon to 3pm; Dinner – 6pm to 7pm (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Website: www.narisawa-yoshihiro.com
For reservations, call 03-5785-0799 (required)
And that rounds up our top ten picks for the finest dining establishments in Tokyo. While not all restaurants in this list require reservations, all of them are usually fully booked most of the time. We highly recommend that you book in advance so you can be guaranteed a seat on your preferred date and time.
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Featured Image: Tapas Molecular Bar via mandarinoriental.com
