restaurants

Eating out can be expensive, and dipping into Tokyo’s increasingly well-stocked wine cellars will likely double the price of dinner. Restricting your restaurant meals to lunchtime helps: set-menus for lunch are often less than half the price of evening meals. Thankfully, a growing number of places have a well-priced evening “course” tucked away at the back of the menu.

It is becoming essential to book in advance for restaurants in the Akasaka, Roppongi and Shiodome areas, even for restaurants with counter service. Dinner is served early—from 6pm—and last orders at traditional restaurants are taken at 9pm. Having someone with you who speaks Japanese is a distinct advantage, as there is no guarantee you will find English-speaking restaurant staff. English menus, however, are available at most of the more upmarket restaurants we have reviewed. If you find yourself at a smaller restaurant, order the chef’s choice, o-makase, which is almost always delicious. Restaurants add a 10% service charge and a 5% consumption tax to your bill and do not expect an extra tip.