A big, spacious branch of this late-night budget Italian restaurant, open all afternoon and convenient to visitors to Shinjuku Gyoen.[feedback]

Shinjuku 1-1-7. (along the park, near the northeast (Okido) entrance) Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

Perhaps the best deli counter in town, with a huge selection of cold cuts, pates, salads and ready-to-go gourmet picnic baskets. Lunches are priced from around Y1000, and breakfast is served on weekdays from 8 to 10:30am. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nishi-Shinjuku 3-7-15, Shinjuku Park Tower 1F. Open 8am-8pm (weekends from 11am) daily.

This bistrot branch of the highly regarded L'Artemis restaurant in Jingumae offers a more casual experience and convenient late-night hours. The kitchen covers the standards very well - excellent grilled lamb and pork confit - but they also turn out dishes we don't often see at the typical bistrot - blood sausage served with chunks of baked apple, avocado-shrimp salad, and an eye-opening red pimento creme brulee. The extensive wine list starts at around Y3000; budget Y4500-7500 for dinner. Tables are a bit snug, but there's no smoking, except in the tiny garden area out front. The restaurant is very popular with a young local crowd, so advance reservations are recommended. [See branch review] [feedback]

Sendagaya 4-5-11, Victoria Plaza 1F. Open 5pm-1am (LO). Closed Tuesdays.

Good panini and other Italian-style sandwiches, desserts, coffee, tea, and wine by the glass. There's a small counter area, but business is mostly take-out. No smoking.[feedback]

Sendagaya 3-15-12. Open 8:30am-midnight. Closed Sundays.

A very well-stocked sake shop, plus a small stand-up bar where you can try samples in small 50ml tasting sizes. Usually there are around ten sakes open for tasting, priced Y200-400. There's also a small snack menu - prosciutto, cheese, dried mentaiko. The retail side of the shop stocks over 100 premium brands of sake, and unlike many shops that seem to specialize in those humongous isshobin bottles that won't fit in your fridge, most of the sake here is in convenient 720ml bottles or in tiny single-serving mini-bottles. [feedback]

Jingumae 4-12-4, Omotesando Hills 3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

In addition to their standard ramen (Y1200), Mist also offers a Y2800 prix-fixe ramen dinner (with salad, grilled pork and other dishes), and a Y5500 ramen "concept menu." [feedback]

Jingumae 4-12-4, Omotesando Hills 3F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

The tiny cafe area attached to this spice shop serves spice-oriented dishes like lamb tajine and yogurt blanc mange with cardamom and lemongrass; at lunchtime there are curries and a bread and deli platter. The take-out counter handles standard and special-blend spices, cheeses, small deli items, Indian biryanis, olive oil, pasta and other assorted goods. [feedback]

Jingumae 4-12-4, Omotesando Hills 3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

This unusual wine bar and retail shop offers more than 80 wines by the glass - mostly French, but with a good selection from elsewhere around the world. Wines come in three different tasting sizes (20ml, 50ml, 90ml), with prices averaging Y300-700 for the 50ml size. A new-fangled nitrogen dispenser system keeps the wines fresh, and automatically dispenses your selected wine when you insert a prepaid card. (Cards are sold in various denominations.) The chef here trained in France and New York, and his food menu ranges from simple small-plate dishes (in the Y500-1000 range) to full meals; at lunchtime you'll find mostly sandwiches. [feedback]

Jingumae 4-12-4, Omotesando Hills B3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

High-grade conveyor-belt sushi, Y120-300 per plate.[feedback]

Jingumae 1-14-27. (across from Harajuku station) Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

From French celeb chef Alain Ducasse, a Mediterranean restaurant covering the cuisines of Italy, Spain, North Africa and Greece. The dining room is comfortable and attractively laid out, with nice views of Aoyama-dori, Shibuya and Shinjuku. Service is professional without being stiff. The wine list has some nice choices for under Y9000, and wine by the glass is fairly reasonable. Prix-fixe dinners from Y8,000, lunches from Y4500. [feedback]

Jingumae 5-51-8, La Porte Aoyama 10F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

Spectacular, creative, fun French haute cuisine from the famous Michelin three-starred chef. Dinner starts at Y17,450, and the market lunch is Y7,350 (+12% service); wines cover the full range, starting around Y5000. [feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 5-3-2, Aoyama Square Bldg 4F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm. Closed Sundays.

The basement of Crayon House has an organic vegetable shop and two separate natural-food restaurants: "Hiroba", serving Japanese food, and "Home", with French cuisine. "Hiroba" offers an interesting buffet lunch for Y1,200.[feedback]

Kita-Aoyama 3-8-15. (walk down Omotesando towards Harajuku, turn left at the Hanae Mori Building and walk one block) Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.

Kurkku's attractive and spacious dining room is tucked into the back of a trendy-looking design shop, and the main focus is on the wood-burning grill at the heart of the open kitchen. The menu is built around premium grilled meats but also includes hefty portions of vegetables and greens. Prix-fixe dinners of ample size start at Y5500, and they include a vegetable-centered chef's menu. A few decent wines can be found for under Y6000, but it's easy to spend more if you want to splurge. The Y2800 three-course lunch is an especially good deal. [feedback]

Jingumae 2-18-21, Koti Bldg 1F. Open 11:30-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Excellent French cooking and a substantial wine list (around 180 varieties), starting in the Y3000 range but covering all the bases. They also have an extensive and unusual selection of eaux-de-vie. Lunch starts at Y1000; three-course dinners from Y4000. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Jingumae 2-31-7, Villa Gloria 101. Open noon-2:30, 6-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

This newest venture from the popular budget Italian chain promises to serve "an Italian mama's home-cooked meals." [feedback]

Udagawacho 20-11, Shibuya Mitsuba Bldg B1/B2F. (across from HMV, between Seibu A and B) Open 11:30am-2am daily.

Fancy French food with a skyscraper view; prix-fixe dinners from Y8000, with lots of good wines in the Y10,000-15,000 range. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Sakuragaokacho 26-1, Cerulean Tower Hotel 40F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

A huge, bustling branch of this popular Tex-Mex chain. The open-air rooftop seating can be very pleasant when the weather is warm.[feedback]

Ebisu 1-22-1. Open 11:30-5am daily.

Deluxe-level cooking and service in an elaborate castle-like setting. At dinnertime there's a rather extravagant 18-course tasting menu for Y35,000 per person (plus 12% service charge). Downstairs you'll find "La Table de Joel Robuchon" (03-5424-1338) - a more casual, convivial restaurant with inventive cuisine and a very reasonable wine list; prix-fixe lunch from Y2800 and dinner from Y5000.[feedback]

Meguro-ku, Mita 1-13-1, Yebisu Garden Place. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-8:30pm (LO) daily.

Smart, cutting-edge California-influenced cuisine, with an emphasis on grilled items and sashimi. The mostly California wine list is well assembled and comfortably priced. Tables are adequately separated, and the large two-story space, which is reached by crossing the entrance moat, is unusually luxurious for Tokyo. Dinner with drinks will probably start at around Y6000 per person. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Ebisu-Nishi 1-12-14. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30pm-2am (LO) daily.

A very small branch of this Tokyo chain; a good place to stop for late-night drinks and inexpensive pastas.[feedback]

Minami-Aoyama 7-11-4. (on Nisseki-dori, just off Roppongi-dori and next to Nishi-Azabu Park Towers) Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

Good sushi and other straight-ahead Japanese fare from the late-night Global Dining group (La Boheme, Zest, etc.). The massive, multi-story space is always buzzing with activity, and sometimes seems to be the center of an international social scene in Tokyo.[feedback]

Nishi-Azabu 1-13-11. Open 11:30am-5am (sushi bar to 1am) daily.

Although they're not our favorite oyster bar in Tokyo, Grand Central does offer an impressively big selection of oysters from all over. There's also a large, varied wine list (heavy on the whites, naturally), with lots of choices by the glass, in case you feel like just dropping in for a drink at the bar.[feedback]

Konan 2-18-1, Atre Shinagawa 4F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

This small but stylish bar specializes in koshu (vintage sake), and they offer several different tasting sets to guide your explorations. The Y1260 set features three different types of koshu, and changes weekly. There's also a set comparing three different mature koshu (Y1890), and a set comparing 5-, 10-, and 32-year-old vintages from the same brewery (Y3150). The food menu is very simple - assorted cheeses and smoked dishes. There's a Y450 cover charge; budget around Y4000.[feedback]

Takanawa 4-10-18, Wing Takanawa West 2F. Open 5-11:30pm (3-11:30pm Sat/Sun) daily.

Chef Seiji Yamamoto does a very impressive take on experimental cuisine from a Japanese perspective, with eye-openers like edamame foam with pulverized ice cream and foie gras with figs. Eleven-course prix-fixe menus run Y15,750, Y21,000 and Y26,250, and there's a seven-sake selection paired with the food for an extra Y5000. [feedback]

Roppongi 7-17-24, Site Roppongi Bldg 1F. Open 6pm-2am. Closed Sunday.

"New-style French dining" in a very stylish dining room. The food is first-rate and the ambience is casual, with all counter seating. The focus of attention is the open kitchen space on the other side of the counter - a performance space really - where the chefs go about their work. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Roppongi Hills, Hillside 220. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10pm (LO) daily.

Superb, inventive American cuisine from noted Tokyo chef Ian Tozer, built around a deceptively casual menu. The dining room is pleasantly smoke-free, and there's outdoor patio seating when the weather permits. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Roppongi 6-6-9, Piramide Bldg. 1F. Open 11am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.

This upscale fast-food shops offers unusual burgers like maguro with wasabi dressing and chicken with ume and shiso. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Roppongi 4-9-8. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Inexpensive pastas and Italian wines by the glass, with convenient late-night hours.[feedback]

Azabu-Juban 2-3-7. Open 11:30am-5am daily.

Confident American cuisine and an excellent California wine list.[feedback]

Higashi-Azabu 1-20-3. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

This stunning venture from the Hiramatsu group and the famous French chef Paul Bocuse occupies one of the most spectacular public spaces in Tokyo, inside the new national art gallery. Three-course prix-fixe lunch is Y1800; in the evening a la carte mains average around Y2700. [feedback]

Roppongi 7-22-2, Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan 3F. Open 11am-9pm (LO; lunch -2pm). Closed Tuesdays.

Famous Kyushu ramen; kakuni (Chinese-style stewed pork) is one of their specialties, and helps explain the long lines at lunchtime.[feedback]

Nagatacho 2-12-8, 1F. (on the east side of Sotobori-dori) Open 11-1am (Fri. to 3am). Closed weekends.

An unassuming little sandwich shop in the middle of the Toranomon office district. The menu includes bagel sandwiches, salads, quiche and frozen yogurt, and everything is available to go. Bagels are Y150, and sandwiches start at Y520. No smoking.[feedback]

Nishi-Shimbashi 1-23-9. (on Karasumori-dori five minutes south of Toranomon, or ten minutes west of JR Shimbashi station.) Open 8am-7pm. Closed Sundays.

Modern French cuisine from chef Tateru Yoshino, formerly of the Michelin-starred Stella Maris in Paris. The menu includes dishes like risotto of watercress with frogs legs; carpaccio of Canadian shrimp with corn ice cream; duck foie gras with crystalized eggplant in cacao sauce; and roast lamb with pumpkin puree. The attached wine bar offers cheaper a la carte options and very late hours for this office neighborhood. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Higashi-Shimbashi 1-7-1, Park Hotel Tokyo 25F. Open 7-10:30am, 11:30-2pm, 6-9pm (LO) daily.

Lavish contemporary and traditional French fare in a luxurious setting here in the Imperial Hotel's flagship French restaurant. Chef Thierry Voisin, formerly of Michelin two-star Les Crayeres in Rheims, mans the kitchen. Breakfast starts at Y3465, lunch at Y5775, and dinner at Y12,600.[feedback]

Uchisaiwaicho 1-1-1, Imperial Hotel Mezzanine. Open 7-10am, 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm daily.

Five famous Japanese curry shops have gotten together to create this tiny 15-seat counter. Try them all - for Y2500 you can get a set of curries from all five shops, or you can order individual curries for around Y1000 each. (The collaborating shops are Ethiopia, Delhi, Topca, Dom Pierre, and Hongou Petit Feu.) [feedback]

Yurakucho 2-7-1, Yurakucho Itocia Plaza B1F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Simple, well-prepared Japanese standards, including grilled chicken, in a lively atmosphere.[feedback]

Ginza 1-2-3. (under the highway, across from Seiyo Hotel) Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

Inexpensive pastas, cheap Italian wines, late-night hours.[feedback]

Ginza 1-2-3. (under the highway, across from Seiyo Hotel) Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

Good solid food from the Tex side of the Tex-Mex border, with colorful frozen and non-frozen margaritas.[feedback]

Ginza 1-2-3. (under the highway, across from Seiyo Hotel) Open 11:30-3am (LO) daily.

The third Tokyo restaurant from Lyon-based celeb-chef Paul Bocuse offers prix-fixe dinners from Y5500-9500. Wines are Y5000-250,000, with less scarily priced options by the glass or carafe. The impressively large dining room has a curved wall of windows overlooking Ginza to the south. [feedback]

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 10F. Open 11am-2:30, 5:30-9pm (LO) daily.

This outpost of the popular Miravile restaurant in Komaba specializes in desserts - with an Y1890 three-course menu (starter dessert with tea, main platter of two desserts with tea, final dessert plus tea or coffee) and a Y2980 version that includes drinks. The decor is elegant and casual - boldly colored graphics on the walls, burnt-orange stools at a wide counter plus a few small tables along the wall. [feedback]

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 10F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Raffles is a good place to sample some of Singapore's favorite national dishes - Hainan chicken rice, laksa noodle soup, fish head curry, chili crab, fried carrot cake, roti prata, rojak and many more. The decor is cafe-style Colonial-era retro - white marble tables, dark brown wooden chairs, and a two-meter-high white lion guarding the entrance. Prix-fixe dinners are Y3800-6500 (plus many a la carte options); lunch is Y1200-1400. [feedback]

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 11F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Refined Vietnamese classics from the chef behind the upscale Queen Alice restaurants. Try the desserts recommended by their "vegetable sommelier"! Budget around Y4000 for dinner. [feedback]

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 11F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

This first Tokyo branch of a famous Nagoya shop prepares eel that's grilled over bincho charcoal and served with their own special Nagoya-style tamari sauce. Lunch and dinner sets are Y1900-3800; there are also other eel and side dish options and a better-than-average sake selection. [feedback]

Ginza 2-2-14, Marronnier Gate 12F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

The immodestly named Dazzle is one of Tokyo's flashiest restaurants, with futuristic lighting and a theatrical entrance - the elevator deposits you in the middle of the kitchen, after which you take a second ride to the glitzy dining room. The food is entertainingly fusionesque, and is accompanied by wines from France, Italy, Spain, Australia, America and Japan, starting in the Y5000 range. Budget around Y6,000-9,000 per person before drinks. [feedback]

Ginza 2-4-12, Mikimoto Ginza 2, 8/9F. Open 5:30-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Master chef Alain Ducasse's joint venture with Chanel provides excellent modern French cuisine in a lovely setting. The food isn't quite as spectacular as the prices though - mains average Y8000-9000, with prix-fixe dinner menus from Y17,000. Lunches start at Y6000 (for a three-course vegetarian menu), and there are a few wines under Y10,000. There's also a popular afternoon tea set (Y2600) served from 2:30-4pm.[feedback]

Ginza 3-5-3, Chanel Building 10F. Open 11:30-2:30, 2:30-4 (tea), 6-9:30pm (LO) daily.

With 450 varieties of world teas from 32 countries, Mariage Freres in Ginza offers the tea aficionado a rare combination of elegance, atmosphere and quality. Only the "finest harvests" are offered to complement an excellent selection of light meals and sinful desserts. Non-smoking. [feedback]

Ginza 5-6-6. Open noon-8pm.

Inexpensive pastas and Italian wines by the glass, with convenient late-night service.[feedback]

Ginza 6-4-1, Tokaido Ginza Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-5am daily.

Some of the finest sushi in the land, from the inventors of gunkan-maki (the wrap-around technique for fish roe and similar sushi). Lunches start at Y4000 for a nigiri set menu, or Y8000 for omakase. Dinners from Y10,000, with a Y30,000 kaiseki sushi course that's quite a spectacle. [feedback]

Ginza 8-7-6. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm. Closed Sundays.

The first branch of a legendary Japanese curry shop in Sasebo, Nagasaki, that's been going strong since 1951. Beef, chicken and vegetable curries and "hayashi rice" are Y700 each. The small, counter-only shop is no smoking.[feedback]

Ginza 4-12-7, B1F. Open 11am-8:30pm (LO) daily.

Mother Leaf brews aromatic teas from five varieties of Sri Lankan tea leaves in a peaceful, smoke-free atmosphere. [feedback]

Ginza 5-14-5. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

All their set menus are Y600, and the atmosphere is just like dropping into some night stall in Bangkok - loud pop music, fantastic cooking aromas, and minimal decor.[feedback]

Marunouchi 3-7-11. (under the Yamanote-sen tracks next to Tokyo International Forum) Open 11am-11pm daily.

This first Tokyo branch of one of Kyoto's best Italian restaurants occupies a small, minimal but elegant dining room facing the street. Dinner is either Y7500 or Y10,000 - chef's omakase menu only - with reasonably priced bottles and half-bottles of Italian wines. Lunch from Y2000. [feedback]

Marunouchi 2-7-3, Tokyo Bldg Tokia 1F. Open 11am-2, 6-9pm (LO) daily.

Hawaiian-style burgers and sandwiches. The atrium deck is very airy and pleasant, but seating there is limited. [feedback]

Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 5F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Michelin-starred traditional French dining overlooking Tokyo Station. Prix-fixe lunches are Y3,500-6,000, dinners Y7,000-12,000. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-5-1, Shin-Marunouchi Bldg 5F. Open 11am-1:30, 6-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Mostly an all-day cafe/restaurant, although they also have a small deli counter and grocery section with coffees and teas, spices, baked goods, cold cuts, four kinds of smoked salmon, and real dill pickles. Groceries cover the luxury end of the spectrum, with Y1800 jars of pasta sauce and exotic pates.[feedback]

Marunouchi 1-4-5, Mitsubishi Trust Building 1F. Open 7am-11pm daily.

This tiny standup bar always has a number of good Japanese microbrews and international beers on tap. Food is limited to snacks.[feedback]

Yaesu 2-8-10. Open 5:30-11pm. Closed weekends.

Here inside the Mandarin Hotel's 38th-floor Oriental Lounge, the seven-seat "Tapas Molecular Bar" serves cutting-edge modern cuisine. 21 plates of highly inventive, deconstructivist bite-size morsels are presented over the course of two hours (Y12,000+10%sc). Seatings are at 6 and 8:30pm, and reservations are required. [feedback]

Nihonbashi Muromachi 2-1-1, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo 38F. Open 6, 8:30pm daily.

Excellent traditional French cooking in a comfortable, smoke-free dining space reminiscent of a provincial French inn. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Wakaba 2-7, Video Focus Bldg 1F. Open noon-2, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Who would have guessed there were so many kinds of rice gruel! Prices start at Y550 a bowl, with toppings of the month a bit extra. Take-out is available.[feedback]

Ueno 7-1-1, Atre 1F. Open 11am-11:30pm daily.

Inside Glien Passage, the theme-park-extravaganza restaurant complex in Aquacity, Gompachi offers a straight-ahead robatayaki menu - yakitori, grilled fish, assorted side dishes and a handful of soba variations to round things out. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Daiba 1-7-1, Mediage 4F (Aquacity Odaiba). Open 5:30pm-1am (LO) daily.

A comfortable smoke-free cafe that serves good Singapore-style chicken rice, although unfortunately they only serve it with fragrant jasmine rice on the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month; you get regular rice the rest of the time. Other dishes include very good Malaysian curries with excellent fried roti (bread), and other Malaysian/Singaporean specialties. There's a tiny art gallery located right next door.[feedback]

Nishi-Ogi-Kita 3-21-2. Open 11am-9:30pm. Closed Tuesdays.

French biologique wines and gorgeous seasonal vegetables are the highlights here, with prix-fixe dinners starting at Y3500. Both all-vegetable and meat and fish options are available. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Tomigaya 1-16-3. Open 11:30am-2, 6-11pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

A tiny cafe with a limited menu of four Bhutanese stews with rice, including a fiery version of ema datshi, a cheese and chili stew that's Bhutan's national dish. The other stews (pork and daikon, chicken, potato-cheese) are milder, and you can opt for a two-stew combo plate for Y900. There are also a few salads, fried tofu, and a tasty "Indian snack mix" with chopped vegetables and Masala spice. The drinks menu offers Edelpils beer on tap, German and Chilean wines, and Bhutanese rum, whisky, and teas. Classical music plays in the background, and the cafe is entirely non-smoking, just like Bhutan itself. [feedback]

Uehara 1-22-5. (on Uehara-Ginza shopping street between Inokashira-dori and the post office) Open 6pm-midnight daily.

Inexpensive, competently prepared pastas and other dishes that are very popular with a young, local crowd.[feedback]

Ikejiri 1-9-11. Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.

The prix-fixe menus here (Y4000, Y5800) let you mix and match from a big list of pastas, starters and main dishes while you enjoy the impressive nighttime view. Set lunches are Y2500 to Y7000. [feedback]

Takashima 2-18-1, Yokohama Sogo 10F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Yet another cafe where you can bring your pet; this one also carries a full line of canine fashion and grooming items. The dog menu includes items like pate, pork and beans, and bean risotto.[feedback]

Minato-mirai 2-2-1, Landmark Plaza 1F. Open 11am-8pm daily.