Daikanyama Restaurants
LO : "last order"
late : Open late
S: Open Sundays
decor: Notable decor
Riedel: Wine served in Riedel glasses


Daikanyama/ Naka-Meguro
Picks:
Japanese: Aburiya Fudo, Tetsugen
Spicy: Junkadelic (Mexican)
Pet-friendly: Frames, Deco's Dog Cafe, Three Dog Bakery
Hangout: Combine
This guide covers the Daikanyama and Naka-Meguro neighborhoods. Bordering areas include Ebisu and Meguro.

See area restaurant map.

Daikanyama

Deco's Dog Cafe (Cafe). 3461-4551
A place to dine with your dog; they offer a separate, health-conscious dog menu.
Ebisu-Nishi 2-20-14. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.
La Casita (Mexican). 3496-1850
This Tokyo Mexican-food landmark has been here since 1976, serving better-than-average Mex and Tex-Mex standards at reasonable prices. Budget around Y3000 at dinnertime.
Daikanyamacho 13-4. Open noon-10pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.
Three Dog Bakery (Bakery). 5458-0085
Gourmet dog biscuits, including six varieties of "bagel bones" and plenty more for your pooch.
Sarugakucho 2-7-101. Open 10am-8pm daily.
!Frames (Cafe). 5784-3384
A very spacious, relaxing place to while away some time. Wine and other drinks are relatively inexpensive, and there are plenty of light dishes to nibble on. Pets are allowed, and dog biscuits and water bowls are available. [See FULL REVIEW.]
latedecorSarugakucho 2-11. Open 11:30am-3am (LO) daily.
Fish & Cake Deli (Japanese). 5728-4147
Japanese fishcakes (kamaboko), served along with soups and salads, are the unusual specialty at this casual three-story hillside cafe. The entire menu is also available for take-out.
Daikanyamacho 10-1. Open 11am-7pm daily.
Seijo Ishii Select (Retail). 5784-2878
This deluxe branch of the popular international grocery and liquor store sells imported cheeses and other gourmet foods along with a good selection of wines and sake. And they're open all night!
Daikanyamacho 14-23. Open 24 hours a day.
De'Longhi's Tokyo (Italian). 5428-4631
This venture from the well-known Italian company De'Longhi offers reliable, traditional Italian cuisine in a spacious and gorgeously decorated dining room. Prices are less expensive than you might expect from the posh decor, and there are nice touches like three different olive oils to dip your bread in. Upstairs is a showroom where you can check out the latest espresso machine models, plus a "bruscetta bar" with terrace and indoor seating. [See FULL REVIEW.]
decorSarugakucho 24-7, Daikanyama Plaza 1F/2F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays.
La Boheme (Italian). 3476-4799
Budget-priced pastas and other Italian fare.
lateDaikanyamacho 16-2. Open 11:30-5am daily.
Tableaux (International). 5489-2201
Under the same management as Zest and La Boheme, this is one of their two high-ticket California-style restaurants (along with Stellato). There's also a separate bar and cigar-smoking room (with a very effective ventilation system, fortunately).
Riedel glassesSarugakucho 11-6, Sunroser Daikanyama Bldg, B1F. Open 5:30-11pm (LO) daily.
Linamha (Korean). 5458-6300
The first Korean restaurant from the Ken's Chanto/Daidaiya chain, with interesting, not-too-spicy Korean delicacies amid Daikanyama-stylish surroundings.
decorDaikanyamacho 20-20. Open 5pm-midnight (LO) daily.
Kaien (Chinese). 3780-0781
A beautifully decorated classic Chinese restaurant serving updated traditional Cantonese dishes like mango sweet and sour pork (with nice lean pork chunks balanced by the sweet mango) and excellent chili shrimp. Y1680 at lunchtime gets you two half-size portions from eight choices along with rice and dessert, or there are several noodle options at a similar price.
decorDaikanyamacho 20-20, B2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.
Cue Cafe (Cafe). 5784-1270
This hip little cafe serves tasty smoothies like chocolate-banana and chocolate-espresso (Y680 each), plus sandwiches (shrimp-avocado, Croque Monsieur, etc.). The soundtrack is Brazilian jazz and lounge, with MTV visuals onscreen in the non-smoking back room.
Ebisu-Nishi 1-34-28. Open 10am-9pm (LO) daily.
Symposion (French). 5458-6324
"Tokyo cuisine" - French cooking using Japanese ingredients. Dinners from Y5000. Part of the Hiramatsu group.
Sarugakucho 17-16, Daikanyama Forum B1F. Open noon-2, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
Pachon (Expensive French). 3476-5025
Normandy-based regional cooking from chef Bernard Anquetil (formerly of the popular Brasserie Bernard in Roppongi). Full-course dinners Y6,000 - Y12,000, not including drinks.
Sarugakucho 29-18, Hillside Terrace B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm (LO) daily.
Aso (Italian). 3770-3690
Lunch from Y3500, dinner from Y8000.
Riedel glassesSarugakucho 29-3. Open noon-2, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
Michelangelo (Cafe). 3770-9517
A great location for Daikanyama crowd-watching.
Sarugakucho 29-3. Open 11am-midnight daily.
Le Petit Bedon (French). 5457-0086
The traditional French food and ambience here has made it popular with French customers. Lunch from Y4000, dinner from Y8000.
Hachiyamacho 13-13. Open 6-10pm (LO).
Monsoon Cafe (World cuisine). 5489-3789
A branch of the Nishi-Azabu and Shibuya Monsoon Cafes, with eclectic Asian cuisine.
lateHachiyamacho 15-4. Open 11:30-3am (LO) daily.

Naka-Meguro

Kinsai (Izakaya). 5725-9025
A casual bar-restaurant from the folks who brought us the original gourmet stand-bar, Buchi, and its French cousin, Bongout Noh. Drinks include wine by the glass and plenty of premium sake brands, and the food menu covers seafood, charcoal-grilled meats, tofu and vegetables, with dishes like foie gras and daikon miso dengaku (Y1400).
lateAobadai 1-27-12. Open 5pm-1am daily.
Buzenbo (Japanese). 3710-5425
At first glance this elegant space looks like a typical cafe - artful ikebana arrangements on the eight small white tables, a small counter, and Bossa Nova music playing softly in the background. So it may come as a surprise to learn that they offer more than just good espresso - they also have excellent Kyushu-style udon noodles. [See FULL REVIEW.]
lateHigashiyama 1-11-15. Open 11:45am-2:30, 7pm-2am daily.
Queen Sheba (Ethiopian). 3794-1801
It's hard to describe Ethiopian food as bland, but many of the dishes here taste very similar, and aren't as exciting as they ought to be. They also have live entertainment.
Higashiyama 1-3-1. Open 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Aburiya Fudo (Izakaya). 3792-4555
Top-quality charcoal-grilled meats and fish from all over Japan, plus an excellent sake selection. [See branch review]
lateHigashiyama 1-6-16. Open 6pm-2am (LO; Sundays 10pm) daily.
Gibier (Izakaya). 5725-3130
This hidden backstreet bar serves game meats - carpaccio of venison and horse and grilled game birds in particular. Drinks include wine, shochu, and some unusual sakes.
lateAobadai 1-22-4, Ma Mall B1F. Open 6pm-3am (LO). Closed Sundays.
Kamachido (Ramen). 5773-5567
Late-night gourmet ramen.
lateKami-Meguro 3-1-8, Bourree 1F. Open 5pm-2am (LO; 10pm Sundays) daily.
Combine (Cafe). 3760-3939
Tucked into a leafy lane along the Meguro River, Combine feels rather like a hidden gem. Reminiscent of a converted loft, the industrial concrete and aluminum interior is tempered by velveteen chairs that encourage lounging and a marvelous bookcase that dominates the west wall. [See FULL REVIEW.]
lateNaka-Meguro 1-10-23-103. Open noon-4am (food LO 2am) daily.
Living Diner (Cafe). 5768-2203
Herbs and vegetables are heavily featured at this casual cafe, with healthy-sounding dishes like asparagus mousse with shrimp; steamed cabbage with yuzu-orange sauce; roast chicken and baked salmon. In the afternoon you can enjoy good juices and smoothies, pastas and pizzas.
Kami-Meguro 3-6-18. Open 11:30am-10:30pm (LO; 9:30 Sun) daily.
Cecil B (Bar). 3713-6613
It's an early-sixties swinging bachelor pad, with charmingly kitsch decor and a nice collection of vinyl R&B spun on their old-fashioned record player. Drinks are reasonable, and there's a small food menu if you're in the mood for some grub, daddy-o.
lateKami-Meguro 3-6-12-102. Open 8pm-4am. Closed Sun, 1st and 3rd Mon.
Tetsugen (Korean). 5773-0218
The Tetsugen chain (of three branches) is known for their top-quality meats, including fresh lamb, horsemeat and premium wagyu. This branch specializes in Korean-style grilled meats, fired up over a charcoal-burning hibachi at your table and accompanied by Korean side dishes and sauces. Drinks include Korean shochu and various types of makkoli (milky-white unpasteurized Korean sake). The decor is pleasantly modern, with glass bricks, an all-white counter area and drop-down blinds between tables providing a bit of privacy. Budget around Y4000 with drinks.
lateKami-Meguro 3-5-21. (walk down Meguro Ginza Sanbangai 1 min, turn right just past the Family Mart; it's on the left, upstairs) Open 6pm-2am (LO; 10pm Sun) daily.
Ceylon Inn (Sri Lankan). 3716-0440
Excellent, authentic Sri Lankan cuisine prepared by native chefs at this friendly little neighborhood spot. The chef's special menu includes chicken live stew, fish curry and masala chicken. Budget around Y2500 for dinner, Y1000 for lunch.
Kami-Meguro 2-7-8. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10:15pm (LO) daily.
!Junkadelic (Mexican). 5725-5020
A friendly, casual little spot with some of the better Mexican fare available in town. [See FULL REVIEW.]
lateKami-Meguro 4-10-4. Open 6pm-2am. Closed Wednesdays.
Bordering areas include Ebisu and Meguro.

See area restaurant map.
Updated 2008/04/28