Recommended Dining in Tokyo

Nanbantei
£££ - Japanese

This well-known establishment has become something of a tourist landmark in Roppongi, probably because of its delicious yakitori fare and reasonable prices. Yakitori is the Japanese version of the barbecue, with chicken, beef, pork or fish kebabs grilled over oak coals, served with large bowls of crudité vegetables like crisp raw cabbage, carrots and courgettes. Nanbantei offers bargain lunch menus and specialities like namban-yaki (grilled beef dipped in hot miso) and asapura-maki (green asparagus wrapped in thinly sliced pork). Dinner only.

Address: 4-5-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: (0)3 402 0606

Fukuzushi
££££ - Japanese

Enjoy sushi the traditional way at Fukuzushi, which is rated one of Tokyo’s best sushi bars, albeit also one of the most expensive. This busy bar does not take reservations, but guests can enjoy tea or cocktails while waiting for a place at the sushi bar, which is made from a single piece of hinoki wood. About 30 items are made fresh at a time and arranged on a marble slab to tempt diners. Part of the experience of sushi is to enjoy the interaction between the chefs and their customers.

Address: 5-7-8 Roppongi, Minato-Ku;
Tel: (0)3 402 4116

La Tour D’Argent
£££££ - French

Decidedly opulent, the lavish La Tour D’Argent, like its famous sister in Paris, sets the standard for French haute cuisine. The high standard of the food and décor is only matched by the prices in this celebrated establishment situated in the New Otani Hotel. The house speciality is the duck, specially flown in daily from Brittany in France. Other highlights on the menu are pigeon and fricassee of lobster. It is all prepared by chefs trained at the Paris restaurant and an impressive wine list accompanies the outstanding menu, which changes seasonally. Closed Mondays. Dinner only. Reservations essential and dress code is jacket and tie.

Address: New Otani Hotel, 4-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku;
Tel: (0)3 239 3111

What the Dickens?
££ - British

Good old English steak and kidney pie in the heart of Japan? Charles Dickens himself would feel at home in Tokyo’s British pub which serves up a variety of ales and a down-to-earth atmosphere helped along with wooden beams, sprung floors, hand-painted pub signs and dried hops. What the Dickens? also offers live music every night of the week. The menu is reasonably priced and consists of several traditional British favourites such as cottage pie, accompanied by heaps of potatoes and vegetables. Closed Mondays.

Address: 4th Floor, Roob Building, 1-13-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku;
Tel: (0)3 780 2099

Farm Grill
££ - American

The casual Californian-style Farm Grill in Ginza lures mainly foreigners with its tasty American favourite dishes and a continuous ‘all you can drink’ special on soft drinks and beer. Lunch and dinner buffets are available. The à la carte menu features popular platters like Caesar salad and rotisserie chicken, a wide range of sandwiches and pastas and some deliciously rich desserts. Be prepared to queue for a table. Dinner only.

Address: 2nd Floor, Gokan, Ginza 8-5 (near Shimbasi station);
Tel: (0)3 5568 6156

La Granata
£££ - Italian

The twin restaurants of La Granata and Granata Moderna are situated in the basement of the Tokyo Broadcasting Systems building, but the Italian cuisine on offer is top level. La Granata offers a traditional ambience with check tablecloths and brickwork, while Granata Moderna is elegantly modern with mirrors and stained glass. Both offer delicious pasta specialities.

Address: TBS Garden building, basement, 5-3-3 Akasaka;
Tel: (0)3 582 5891

Maisen
£££ - Japanese

This establishment offers the novel experience of eating in a Japanese bathhouse. The baths are gone, but the large building, which now houses Maisen restaurant, was converted from a sento (public bath) about 20 years ago. The huge space makes for an airy dining room where discerning gourmets can enjoy a range of Japanese delights. Speciality of the house is Tonkatsu, tender and crisp deep fried pork cutlets.

Address: 4-8-5 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku (near Omotesando station);
Tel: (0)3 470 0071

The Taj
£££ - Indian

It may look unpretentious with its plastic sheeted linen cloths, but the aromas emanating from The Taj restaurant will soon make you understand why this remains one of Tokyo’s favourite eating establishments, particularly favoured by the staff of the Indian Embassy. The menu is divided into a tandoori and a curry section, and offers more than 40 dishes from every state in India.

Address: 1st Floor, Pagoda Building, 3-2-7 Minato-ku, Akasaka;
Tel: (0)3 586 6606

Tonki
££ - Japanese

It is worth waiting in line to sample the fare at Tokyo’s most renowned tonkatsu (deep fried pork) outlet. Waiters take orders while patrons queue for a spot at the well-worn Formica-topped tables, watching the hustle and bustle of the dozens of busy cooks in action. The reward is delectable treats like hirekatsu (fillet of lean pork) reishoki, or rosukatsu (loin cut), crunchy on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth tender on the inside, or perhaps a tasty kushikatsu (skewered meat with onions). Tonki is closed Tuesdays and the third Monday of every month.

Address: 1-1-2 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku;
Tel: (0)3 491 9928

Chotoku
£££ - Japanese

The humble noodle is elevated to aristocratic status at this establishment, where waitresses in starched blue kimonos hand out brocade bound menus featuring more than 50 variations of noodle dishes. The background music is usually Vivaldi, Mozart or Beethoven, to complement the handmade noodles that form the base to each artistic dish. Patrons can watch noodles being made in the window of the restaurant before entering. Chotoku is closed Mondays.

Address: 1-10-15 Shubuya, Shibuya-ku;
Tel: (0)3 407 889