Brasserie Aux Amis

This Parisian-style bistro in Tokyo's business district serves country-style French classics. The menu, featuring juicy steaks and the ubiquitous frites, is chalked onto large wall mirrors. A relaxed crowd fills the red leather banquettes, enjoying hearty lunches by day and more substantial four-course dinners each evening.

• Web:

  www.auxamis.com/brasserie

• Address:

  1/F Shin-Tokyo Building, 3-3-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6212 1566

Burger Mania Hiroo

As the name suggests, Burger Mania serves burgers with every delicious filling. The interior design gives a fresh feeling and if the weather permits there is an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy your food. Be sure to get here with an empty stomach since the staff serves generously sized burgers.

• Web:

  www.burger-mania.com

• Address:

  2F, 5-15-25, Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5422 7899

Elio Locanda Italiana

Elio lies off the beaten track just enough to convince people they’re eating in one of Tokyo’s hidden treasures. Receiving rave reviews from its many regulars, steaming bowls of pasta are served up amidst noisy chatter from local residents. Service is polished, and the atmosphere is Mediterranean in attitude.

• Web:

  www.elio.co.jp/locanda

• Address:

  2-5-2, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3239 6771

Ikinari Steak

Offering high-quality steak at a reasonable cost, Ikinari Steak is a chain restaurant that lets you choose the weight of your meal, to be enjoyed either seated at a table or standing at one of the counters. The menu focuses entirely on beef, with options including black Angus but also the traditional Wagyu.

• Web:

  www.ikinaristeak.com/shopinfo/shinjuku-2

• Address:

  2-5-11 Shinjuku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6273 2929

Ise Sueyoshi

Highly acclaimed restaurant, praised by locals and tourists alike, and many overseas visitors are falling over themselves to get a table at this petite spot. Ise Sueyoshi truly offers a unique dining experience by serving traditional Kaiseki (a traditional Japanese multi-course dinner). Chef Yuuki-san is passionate about his craft and has a deep understanding of the ingredients and the flavours of Japan.

• Web:

  www.ise-sueyoshi.com/top-en

• Address:

  4-2-15 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6427 2314

Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

The name of the restaurant 511 comes from the fact it only uses meat of the highest quality — A5 grade beef with a beef marbling standard value of 11. At this renowned restaurant, you can relish the finest Kobe beef. With your tasty food, choose a glass of wine from the extensive wine list, all served by the attentive staff.

• Web:

  kobebeef511.jp/en

• Address:

  B1F Deer Plaza Akasaka, 4-3-28, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6685 0511

Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

Discover the well-concealed back-alley bars of Tokyo's Shinjuku on a fun Bar Hopping Night Tour. With the help of a local guide, visit hidden Shinjuku bars you would otherwise have a hard time finding alone. And between drinks and snacks, get fascinating insights into local life and culture.

• Web:

  www.magical-trip.com

Geronimo Shot Bar

With a North American Indian theme, this small bar has an intriguing collection of Native American artefacts on the walls and ceiling. Running its business for 24 years, Geronimo Shot Bar is still going strong with its lively and party ambience. From the speakers, a wide range of music selections is played to keep everyone happy. Pop in and see what the fuss is all about.

• Web:

  www.geronimoshotbar.com

• Address:

  Yamamuro Building 2F, 7-14-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3478 7449

Golden Gai

Golden Gai is a legendary district in Shinjuku, a warren of six narrow alleys crammed with over 200 tiny, character-filled bars. A relic of post-war Tokyo, it has evolved from a black market into a bohemian haunt for artists and musicians, retaining a palpable sense of history in its low-slung wooden buildings. Each bar is a deeply personal domain, often seating fewer than ten people and reflecting the unique taste of its owner. While some bars maintain a traditional, locals-only policy, many now welcome curious travellers. The best approach is to wander the photogenic lanes and look for English signs or a welcoming gesture. Be prepared for small spaces, a cover charge, and an intimate, often non-verbal, interaction. It’s less a bar crawl and more an immersion into a vanishing, fiercely independent side of Tokyo.

• Web:

  www.goldengai.jp

• Address:

  1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3209 6418

H2 International Bar

H2 International Bar is a versatile and welcoming spot in Shinjuku that defies a single category, blending the roles of a sports bar, karaoke lounge and darts pub. Its main appeal is a genuinely international and social atmosphere where travellers and locals connect. The music policy is eclectic, spanning decades and genres from 60s soul to modern EDM, with free requests encouraged. Patrons can watch live sports broadcasts, sing karaoke, play darts, or enjoy a shisha. With free entry, a full cocktail menu, and a reliably lively vibe, it’s a dependable choice for a fun, unpretentious night out.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/h2internationalbar

• Address:

  Kaida Building 2F, 3-6-7 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5315 4531

Mogambo Tokyo

In the heart of Roppongi, Mogambo Tokyo attracts a good mix of expats, tourists and locals, making it a fun place either for a drink or a date on the weekends, and on the weekends, it turns into a vibrant party hangout as the night falls. A place where friendships are formed and unforgettable nights out are guaranteed.

• Web:

  www.mogambo.net

• Address:

  Yamato Building 2F, 7-14-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6447 4844

New York Bar

From the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt, the New York Bar delivers the breathtaking, cinematic Tokyo skyline made famous by Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation”. The ambiance is pure jazz-age glamour, with live musicians providing the soundtrack against a backdrop of murals inspired by New York's legendary music halls. The extensive menu spans classic cocktails, including a signature Old Fashioned and a nod to the film's LIT cocktail, to a wide selection of whisky, wine, and sake. For a late-night bite, options range from wagyu sliders to New York-style pizza. It’s an experience that defines the city's upscale nightlife.

• Address:

  52F Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5323 3458

Dean & Deluca

Dean & Deluca is a well-regarded café chain offering a solid selection of coffee and tea. Its locations, such as the one in Marunouchi which features an espresso bar and both indoor and terrace seating, provide a convenient spot for a light meal. The menu includes freshly prepared food, packaged bakery items like cakes and pies, and a range of salads.

• Web:

  www.deandelucanyc.com/japan

• Address:

  Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Central Branch 1F, 1-4-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3284 7071

Higashiya

In the heart of Ginza, Higashiya presents the art of the Japanese tea ceremony with refined simplicity. This elegant shop and salon specialises in handmade wagashi (traditional sweets crafted to reflect the seasons), which are served alongside a curated selection of premium teas. Stop by for an understated interior, a range of beautiful tableware and a serene escape from the district's buzz.

• Web:

  www.higashiya.com/shop/ginza

• Address:

  1−7−7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3538 3230

Kayaba Coffee

Kayaba Coffee is a cherished piece of Yanaka's history. This kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee shop) first opened its doors in 1938 and, after a brief closure, was revived by local volunteers in 2008. Housed in a building from the early 1900s, it serves a classic menu of coffee, cheesecake, and light meals like omelettes and sandwiches. For the full experience, head upstairs to the tatami-mat seating area.

• Web:

  www.taireki.com/en/kayaba.html

• Address:

  6-1-29 Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Koffee Mameya

Koffee Mameya in Omotesando operates more as a coffee bean gallery than a conventional cafe. The small, minimalist space focuses on a curated selection of beans from respected Japanese and international roasters. The baristas provide individual consultations, discussing flavour profiles and brewing methods before you can sample a drink or purchase beans to take home. This is a specialist destination for coffee enthusiasts, not a place for a casual sit-down. The personal service means queues are common, and the capacity is limited to a handful of standing customers. For a deeper exploration, their sister location in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa (Kōtō City, eastern Tokyo) offers a dedicated omakase-style coffee tasting.

• Web:

  www.koffee-mameya.com

• Address:

  4-15-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 54139422

• More info:

  Koffee Mameya has a second location in Kōtō City in eastern Tokyo.

Maidreamin Shibuya Store

Maidreamin in Shibuya is a well-known maid cafe, part of a national chain with a theme centred around a dreamlike, kawaii aesthetic. The service is structured around set courses that include food, drinks and dessert, with items often decorated to appear adorable. A central part of the experience involves staff, dressed in maid costumes, performing short, choreographed songs. The cafe operates on a pre-purchased course system rather than a standard à la carte menu. Staff make an effort to communicate with international visitors in English.

• Address:

  Karaoke Kan Shibuya, 30−1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6744 6726

Onibus Coffee Nakameguro

Onibus (literally "demon bus") Coffee operates from a renovated house directly beside Nakameguro Station. Housed in a renovated traditional home, this specialty roastery is a pilgrimage site for serious coffee drinkers. The aesthetic is functional and minimally adorned, focusing squarely on expertly roasted single-origin beans from producers in Rwanda and Guatemala. The menu is pleasingly straightforward: choose from espresso, americano, latte, or hand drip. While a few stools sit outside, this is primarily a grab-and-go spot, especially during extreme weather. For a more relaxed experience, seek out their larger, quieter outlets around Tokyo. Come for the precision and an Instagram-worthy photo, stay for the potent, no-frills caffeine hit.

• Web:

  www.onibuscoffee.com

• Address:

  2-14-1 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6412 8683