Wine bar-restaurants
Aux Amis 59 (Ikebukuro - Wine bar). 5960-4121
This wine bar with a view offers lunches from Y1500 and prix-fixe dinner menus from Y5000. The all-French wine list is quite extensive, ranging from Y4,000 - 99,000 per bottle.
SunmapHigashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-1, Sunshine 60, 59F. Open 11am-11:30pm daily.
Vinos Yamazaki (Ikebukuro - Liquor shop). 6907-8351
A well-stocked wine shop with a decent cheese selection. There's a pretty good selection of wines by the glass at the tiny, five-seat bar area.
SunmapHigashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-2, Sunshine City Alpa 1F. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Vin Vino Brule (Shinjuku - Wine bar). 3352-1267
An impressive selection of wines from around the world, varying from the reasonably priced to the very extravagant. They also do up a nice cheese platter. The atmosphere is more formal than average.
SunmapShinjuku 3-25-9, More Bldg. 5F. Open 6pm-4am. Closed Mondays.
Zoogunzoo (Omotesando - Wine bar). 3400-1496
The smart interior here is a very Tokyo-exotic mix of baked-mud walls, heavy wooden furniture, and organic-looking extra-terrestrial lighting fixtures like something from the set of "Alien". But you're really here for the wine - over 100 different varieties, from all regions of Australia and New Zealand.
decormapShibuya 2-9-11, Aoyama City Bldg. B1F. Open 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays.
UN Cafe (Omotesando - French). 5469-0275
A casual cafe where you can drop in anytime for a drink, a sandwich, or a full-course meal. The menu is California-style French, with both European and Asian touches.
SunmapJingumae 5-53-67. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO; 7pm Sundays) daily.
!W Omotesando The Cellar Grill (Omotesando - Grill). 3400-3552
This lively basement restaurant offers a great selection of wines from around the world at close to wine-shop prices. In fact a small retail wine shop is set up at the entrance, stocking a lot of nice New World and European choices in the Y2000-3000 range. Just pick up a bottle that looks appealing and bring it back to your table; the corkage charge is only Y600. Staff are ready to offer advice if you ask.
SunmapKita-Aoyama 3-10-6, Aoyama Pax Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-3, 5:30pm-midnight (LO) daily.
Az Finom (Jingumae 2-chome - Hungarian). 5913-8073
Well-prepared Hungarian food and an excellent selection of around 40-50 Hungarian wines, mostly under Y10,000 and mostly served by the glass. The dining space has an old-fashioned European air about it, with a big wide counter area, three tables and a tiny private room off to one side.
no smokingmapJingumae 2-19-5, Azuma Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Arossa (Shibuya - Italian). 3469-0125
One of Tokyo's first Australian-only wine bars, with one of the largest selections of rare and expensive wines from that country. The food is mainly Italian, and consistently good.
lateSunmapShoto 1-26-22. Open 6pm-2am daily.
Fujiya Honten (Shibuya - Bar). 3461-2128
This very popular after-work stand bar offers decent food and inexpensive wines. The atmosphere is lively and fun, although it can get rather smoky in the wintertime when the doors are closed.
mapSakuragaokacho 2-3. Open 5-11pm. Closed Sundays.
Diverta (Shibuya - Wine bar). 5468-0055
Small tapas dishes from Y300 and surprisingly good-value boutique wines from Y2000/bottle make this spacious bar a tempting spot to drop in for a quick drink and snack.
SunmapShibuya 3-26-25. Open 11:30am-midnight daily.
!Grape Choice (Ebisu - Wine bar). 5789-9597
The owner of Grape Choice has an encyclopedic knowledge of wine, and his list covers France, Italy, Australia, California, Washington and even Japan, starting around Y5000-6000 and climbing rapidly. Food includes grilled meats and fish, and unusual items like pig's-foot croquettes, squid fritters and cheese fondue with organic vegetables. Budget around Y7000 for dinner with a few glasses of wine.
latemapHiroo 5-22-3, Hiroo Nishigawa Bldg B1F. Open 6pm-2am (LO). Closed Sundays.
Aotea Rangi (Ebisu - New Zealand). 3447-1496
Tucked into a quiet Ebisu back street, Aotea Rangi is one of the few places in town where you can experience the charms of genuine New Zealand cuisine. At first glance the small restaurant looks like an Italian trattoria with terrace seating, but once you're inside the atmosphere seem more like a casual cafe-bar. The lighting is soft and the mood is relaxed. Service is attentive, and the staff is more than ready to help you with the extensive New Zealand wine list.
SunmapEbisu 1-21-18. Open 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.
Le Lion (Ebisu - Wine bar). 3445-8131
With its red leather upholstered seats and wood and brass fixtures, Le Lion offers a little slice of Lyon on the backstreets of Ebisu. Welcoming staff, covered terrace seating, and excellently prepared brasserie - or, rather, bouchon - fare make this cafe/wine bar a lovely place for a casual meal or late-afternoon tipple.
SunmapEbisu 1-21-16. Open noon-11:15pm (LO; -5:15pm Sun ). Open every day.
Wine Cellar Davis (Takanawadai - French). 3440-6007
Lunch from Y1,000, three-course dinner from Y3,900. Wine by the glass Y600-1,200, bottles from Y5,000.
mapTakanawa 2-5-6. Open 6-11:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays, some Sun.
!Le Petit Tonneau (Azabu-Juban - French). 3454-1075
Service is friendly, and staff are ready to help you choose from among the twenty wines by the glass, mostly from Roussillon, Langedouc and other southwestern French regions. The bar menu offers wine-compatible nibbles like a tasty rillette sandwich, or you can explore the more serious restaurant menu.
SunmapAzabu-Juban 2-14-2. Open 11:30am-3, 6-11pm (LO) daily.
!!Decanter (Akabanebashi - Steak house). 4588-0675
Decanter is an international steakhouse with a distinctively modern sensibility. Chef David Ueno's menu is smart and engaging, with entertaining appetizers and first-rate steaks and chops. The gorgeous setting feels more like a stylish lounge or club than a tradtional stuffy dining room - there's sophisticated lighting, cool music on a professional sound system, and a very impressive city view.
no smokingmapAzabudai 2-1-2. Open 6-10pm. Closed Sundays.
!Le Petit Tonneau (Toranomon - French). 5545-4640
Very casual bistro-style fare and a good variety of wines from southern France - they import their own wines and many are available by the glass. The chef is Philippe Batton, formerly of Le Petit Bedon in Daikanyama, and the atmosphere is authentically French. [Go to branch review]
mapToranomon 2-1-1. Open 11:30am-3, 6-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Oregon Bar & Grill (Shiodome - Steak house). 6215-8585
Grilled seafood and steaks from Oregon. Charcoal-grilled dry-aged steaks start at Y3800; there's also a nice selection of Oregon wines.
SunmapHigashi-Shimbashi 1-5-2, Shiodome City Center 42F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
!Arossa (Ginza - New Zealand). 5524-1146
This New Zealand wine bar and restaurant is a branch of the popular Australian wine bar in Shibuya. The cellar offers more than 200 different New Zealand wines, and the kitchen focuses on grilled grass-fed lamb and beef as well as traditional Maori "hangi" dishes. Lunch from Y1000, prix-fixe dinner Y5000, plus a la carte. [Go to branch review]
lateSunmapGinza 2-4-6, Ginza Velvia-kan 8F. Open 11am-2:30, 6pm-1am (LO) daily.
Aux Amis des Vins (Ginza - Wine bar). 3567-4120
The small, bistro-style ground-floor dining room serves a Y4,800 prix fixe dinner until 10pm (last order). There's also a second-floor wine bar with an a la carte snack menu available till 2am.
latemapGinza 2-5-6. Open 5:30pm-2am (noon-midnight Sat.). Closed Sundays.
!Vin Picoeur (Ginza - Japanese). 3567-4122
"French barbecue" is the specialty here - basically kushiyaki with French names. Charcoal-grilled pork and chicken parts on skewers are served alongside excellent pate, foie gras, and pot-au-feu (amusingly described as French oden). The respectable in-house French wine list is supplemented by the book-size menu from sister restaurant Aux Amis des Vins just around the corner. Wine prices range from budget-friendly to stratospheric, and the multi-course set dinners (Y2800/Y4000) are a good deal. Seating is at the counter, with one small table in the back.
mapGinza 4-3-4. Open 6pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.
Cardenas (Ginza - International). 5537-5011
After branching out into charcoal-grilled meats, Chinese fusion and seafood, Cardenas has gone back to their California-inspired roots with this high-rise branch, a welcome addition to the Ginza dining scene.
decorSunmapGinza 6-9-9, 7F. (across from Matsuzakaya) Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10pm (LO) daily.
Brasserie Aux Amis (Marunouchi - French). 6212-1566
Upmarket French wines and excellent country-style French cooking; chef Masashi Hadachi (formerly of Aux Bacchannales in Harajuku) is in charge of the kitchen. The bistrot-style setting is casual, occasionally cramped. Y4500 prix-fixe for three courses in the evening. Their afternoon cafe menu (2-6pm), featuring sandwiches, steak frites and other light fare, is worth knowing about if you're in need of a late lunch in this neighborhood.
SunmapMarunouchi 3-3-1, Shin-Tokyo Bldg. 1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO). Open every day.
Vin Picoeur Marunouchi (Marunouchi - Japanese). 6212-1011
French-style Japanese kushiyaki (or is it the other way around?) - charcoal-grilled pork and other meats, with some French dishes like pot-au-feu. The French wine list is very large.
mapMarunouchi 3-3-1, Shin-Tokyo Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Aux Amis Tokyo (Marunouchi - Wine bar). 5220-4011
A souped-up branch of Aux Amis des Vins, one of Ginza's best French wine bars, with a high-octane view. Dinnertime set menus start at Y6300, lunches from Y1800.
decorSunmapMarunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 35F. Open 11am-2:30, 5:30-11pm (LO) daily.
!!Sant Pau (Nihonbashi - Spanish). 3517-5700
Serious Catalan cuisine in this fancy Tokyo branch of Chef Carme Ruscalleda's famous Barcelona restaurant. The tasting menu is Y21,000, and main dishes run around Y7000 each. (The lunchtime "quick menu" is Y8000.) There's a more informal wine bar downstairs, with some 350 varieties of mostly Spanish wines and a light tapas menu. (Wine bar open to 1am; on Sundays only the wine bar is open.)
decorSunmapNihonbashi 1-6-1, Coredo Nihonbashi Annex 1/2F. Open noon-1:30, 6-9pm (LO) daily.
Da Salice (Yotsuya 3-chome - Wine bar). 6457-8983
This small neighborhood counter-only bar offers over 200 French, Spanish and Italian wines by the bottle. There's also a good daily selection of wines by the glass, priced from Y600. The Italian-inspired food menu includes light antipasti, daily meat, fish and pasta dishes, and a special uni spaghetti; budget around Y2000-3500 for food at dinnertime. Weekday-only lunch is Y850.
mapArakicho 1-2. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
El Camino (Iidabashi - Spanish). 3266-0088
A tapas bar with Spanish wines.
latemapKagurazaka 3-1. Open 5:30pm-4am. Closed Sundays.
!Le Petit Tonneau (Kudanshita - French). 3239-6440
Bistro-style food from Petit Bedon chef Philippe Batton (including perfect duck confit and world-class roast potatoes), plus an eye-opening selection of wines from southern France, with many choices available by the glass.
mapKudan-Kita 1-10-2. Open 11:30am-3, 6-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
!T.Y. Harbor Brewery (Tennozu Isle - Brewpub). 5479-4555
This bayside brewpub features an eclectic California-style menu, along with a nice selection of freshly brewed beers.
decorSunmapHigashi-Shinagawa 2-1-3, Bond Street. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.
Sympa (Ogikubo - Wine bar). 3220-2888
This wine-bar restaurant is run by the chef from the old Dominus wine bar (which used to occupy this space) along with a new sommelier.
SunmapOgikubo 5-16-23, B1F. Open 6pm-midnight. Closed Wednesdays.
Teppen (Sangenjaya - Italian). 6805-5773
This friendly wine bar has a lively atmosphere and a neighborhood feel. Although interior is fairly large (and certainly bigger than it appears from the entrance), the counter setup with its display of tapas-style daily specials gives it a cozy feeling.
latemapSangenjaya 2-14-19. Open 6pm-4am (LO). Closed Sundays.
Trois (Sangenjaya - French). 3419-0330
Trois offers a good selection of reasonably priced wines from around the world, including many organic and biodynamic varieties. The food menu offers country-style French dishes like lamb chops and pork spareribs served cassoulet-style, and a very meaty Venison Parmentier stewed in red-wine sauce and served with mashed potatoes.
mapSangenjaya 2-15-14, ABC Bldg 110. Open 6pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.
Zizi (Yokohama Sta. - Wine bar). 045-311-6770
A small Italian wine bar with food. Full-course dinners are Y3000.
mapSengencho 1-4-9. (About 10 minutes from Yokohama station) Open 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays.