Ebisu
Picks:
French: A Ta Gueule; Brasserie Manoir; Hiromichi
Western: Calm Terrace (International); Cardenas Charcoal Grill (International)
Japanese: Shunju Yurari; Toki No Ma; Ebisu Kaigan; Tetsugen
More meat: Kurobutaya (Berkshire pork); Bakuro (horsemeat); Blacows (wagyu Angus burgers)
Ethnic: Le Parc (dim sum); Hainan Jeefan Shokudo (Singaporean)
Budget: Voco (wine bar); Ippudo (ramen); Chinese Cafe Eight (Peking duck)
Wine bars: Amandine; Grape Choice; Tio Danjo
Quirky bars: Bonsai-ya; Enjoy House; Loco Blue
This guide covers the Ebisu neighborhood.
Ebisu east side
North of Komazawa-dori
Refined sushi in a comfortable, relaxed setting. At lunchtime, nigiri-zushi set menus start at Y2650. The chirashi-don, generously laden with a variety of fish - baby octopus, shad, fatty tuna, turgid pearls of salmon roe - is a terrific value at just under Y1500. Prices shoot up at dinnertime, so expect to pay around Y15,000 per person in the evening. No lunch on Sundays.   Ebisu-Minami 1-2-4. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5-10:30pm daily. Salads, ethnic-style dishes and other light fare are served along with coffee and cocktails. Located in the Liquid Room concert space, the cafe also hosts small musical events of its own. Free wi-fi access. Higashi 3-16-6, Liquid Room 2F. Open 11:30am-11:30pm daily. | |
Simple, expertly prepared "seasonal dishes and Italian wines" in a casual setting. Lunch is Y700 and Y1450; full-course dinners from Y3800. Pizzas start at Y1400. Higashi 3-17-14, 2F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Coci (Italian). 3442-5151 This stylish two-story cafe-bar looks like a ski chalet that's been sliced along the diagonal, with big windows looking out over the picturesque (at least at night) Shibuya River. Stop in for a late-night drink - there's plenty of reasonably priced wine by the glass or bottle - or a full meal. This stylish two-story cafe-bar looks like a ski chalet that's been sliced along the diagonal, with big windows looking out over the picturesque (at least at night) Shibuya River. Stop in for a late-night drink - there's plenty of reasonably priced wine by the glass or bottle - or a full meal.
The menu is a mix of creative Mediterranean (brussels sprouts stuffed with seafood; pork-belly rilettes) and Thai classics (Isan sausage; green papaya salad). No cover charge; budget around Y3500 for dinner. [Show more] [Show less] | |
Hiroo 1-chome / Meiji-dori
This popular shop is known for their light, "cafe-style" shoyu ramen. Voco (Wine bar). 3447-8929 Wood-fired thin-crust pizzas for Y500 and wines by the bottle from Y1900 at at this sister shop of Shibuya's Cona. | |
Taki (Japanese). 5791-1954 A beautifully appointed Ginza-style establishment on a back street in Ebisu. Full-course dinners range from Y5000 to Y12,000 per person, but it is perfectly acceptable to allow your guest to assume they cost much more. [See FULL REVIEW.] Ebisu 1-6-3. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A creamy, richly flavored cheese-tonkotsu ramen is the specialty at this popular shop. A second branch of the popular cafe, with late-night hours, good food, and good prices. (Formerly called Lenox Saloon.) Excellent chicken and game bird dishes and seasonal grilled vegetables. Twenty kinds of sake and 100 varieties of shochu. Budget around Y5000-6000 per person. Hiroo 1-15-6, Hiroo Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-11pm (LO; 3am Fri, Sat). Closed Sundays. Stylish Japanese food and sake. Dinner from Y6000 plus drinks. They are also known for their excellent handmade soba noodles. Hiroo 1-3-1, Hagiwara Bldg. 1F. (on the left side of Meiji-dori going towards Hiroo) Open 11:30am-3, 5pm-midnight daily. The first Tokyo branch of a renowned Hakata ramen shop (they also have a branch at the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum), they serve thin, slightly chewy noodles in a pork-based broth ("red" or "white"), with or without extra chashu. You can add your own freshly grated garlic -- you'll find bowls of whole garlic cloves on the counter along with graters. | |
The decor here captures the feeling of the French countryside, with mirrors everywhere, wood panels, and ducks and a deer head mounted on the walls. The restaurant is connected with Hazel Grouse Manor in eastern Hokkaido, which supplies them with fresh vegetables, seafood and wild game. The decor here captures the feeling of the French countryside, with mirrors everywhere, wood panels, and ducks and a deer head mounted on the walls. The restaurant is connected with Hazel Grouse Manor in eastern Hokkaido, which supplies them with fresh vegetables, seafood and wild game.
You'll find grouse, wild duck and other game from October through January, and Ezo venison year-round. The venison steak with mushrooms and red wine sauce is a standout, and the wild duck was a revelation - pleasantly gamey in flavor and far less fatty than expected. Recommended starters include the four-meat terrine and the foie gras pate with fig.
Wines are from Bordeaux, Burgundy, California and Chile - more than sixty wines in total, at all price ranges. Around Y8,000-10,000 for dinner with drinks. [Show more] [Show less] | |
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. It's a bit of a trek from the station to this dining bar on the border of Ebisu and Hiroo, but wine lovers will find it well worth the walk. The wine list boasts over 250 varieties from around the world - Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and even one from Lebanon - including an impressive selection from California and the Pacific Northwest. Prices by the bottle range from moderate (Y4800 for NV Sokol Blosser Evolution No. 12) to extravagant (Y210,000 for '79 Petrus). Around six wines are available by the glass; selections change daily.
The food menu bills itself as "Japanese-French," and features a number of tasty dishes to accompany the wine. Crispy croquettes filled with oozy, gelatinous pig's feet offer a delightful contrast of textures (Y600). Charcoal-grilled Hoei pork from Hokkaido comes with a small dish of mild vinegar and fresh organic vegetables. The fat from the succulent lamb chop with thyme is removed and grilled separately. Meat can be ordered in two sizes: regular or half portions.
The space is elegant and intimate, service professional but unpretentious. The small private rooms seem to be the default option for seating; there's also a comfortable counter overlooking the kitchen area plus a few more tables. [Show more] [Show less]  Hiroo 5-22-3, Hiroo Nishigawa Bldg B1F. Open 6pm-2am (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Ebisu 1-chome / Zest street
This tiny Ebisu standing bar looks as though it's been plucked from the backstreets of Barcelona. Choose from a variety of tapas like bacon-wrapped dates or jamon iberico to snack on as you sip on a glass of wine (Y500-) or fino sherry (Y600-). Ebisu 1-12-5. Open 5:30pm-midnight (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Casual Kyoto-style cooking; full-course dinners from Y5200 plus drinks.  Ebisu 1-13-3. Open 5pm-midnight (LO). Closed Sundays. The food is nicely prepared but a bit more expensive than expected. The large, comfortable dining room has been known to become rather raucous at times. Ebisu 1-15-9. Open 5:30-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Very authentic flavors and atmosphere - it's almost like being in Bangkok, and sometimes there's even a tuk-tuk parked outside. Ebisu 1-18-16. Open 5:30-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Jamaican-style jerk chicken and pork, in a no-frills dining room. It's not particularly spicy, but you can add your own condiments. Non-stop old-school reggae plays in the background. Ebisu 1-26-13. Open 11am-10:30pm daily. | |
Tasty tropical drinks and Hawaiian and Okinawan snacks. | |
Interesting, garlicky food from around the world. No reservations accepted, so you have to take your chances. Ebisu 1-26-12. Open 6-11pm (LO) daily. | |
Good home-made pasta and charcoal-grilled meats in this tiny (12-seat) restaurant located on an Ebisu back street. Wines are mostly Y5000-8000 per bottle. Budget around Y7500 at dinnertime, Y1800 for lunch. Ebisu 1-33-8, MH Bldg 1F. Open noon-2, 6pm-midnight (LO). Closed Sundays. 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. [See FULL REVIEW.] Ebisu 1-21-18. Open 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. | |
Ebisu 1-21-14, Costa de Verano 1F. (behind Zest) Open 11:30-1:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed 3rd Monday. | |
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. 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.
Wines are available by the glass (selections change daily) from around Y700 and the bottle from Y4600. They serve drinks and light bites like creamy rillette (Y600), decadently silky goose liver pate (Y800), and fluffy stuffed omelets (Y850-) all day.
Dinner service starts at 6pm, when they bring out the chalkboard announcing the specials of the day. Portions are hefty and meant for sharing; individual dishes come out one at a time, so it's best to come with a small group and a big appetite. [Show more] [Show less] Ebisu 1-21-16. Open noon-11:15pm (LO; -5:15pm Sun ). Open every day. | |
This tiny (15-seat) hideaway restaurant is a true gourmet destination, serving high-level cuisine at down-to-earth prices. Owner-chef George Sumura is a veteran of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and a two-star restaurant in Brussels, and his cooking has a number of Belgian influences, like his mussel dishes and stews made with Belgian beers. This tiny (15-seat) hideaway restaurant is a serious gourmet destination, serving high-level cuisine at down-to-earth prices. Owner-chef George Sumura is a veteran of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and a two-star restaurant in Brussels, and his cooking has a number of Belgian influences, like his mussel dishes and stews made with Belgian beers.
The menu includes dishes like Iberico pork sausage (a standout), rabbit terrine with foie gras, duck confit cassoulet, and a game dish of the day. A two-course prix-fixe lunch is Y2900, and the three-course dinner is Y4800. The all-French wine list ranges from around Y5500-13,000. [Show more] [Show less] Ebisu 1-23-15. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays. | |
Massa (Italian). 5793-3175 Former Iron Chef Masahiko Kobe's tiny restaurant has just 10 tables, so reservations are essential. Full-course dinners are Y6000 and Y8000; lunch is Y2000. Ebisu 1-23-22. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays, 1st Tue. | |
Disarmingly casual, comfortable yet stylish, Wanoba is the kind of place that will impress your friends with your knowledge of cool, hidden late-night hangouts. Food and drink are reasonably priced, and traditional and modern Japanese crafts are well represented in the beautiful tableware and the tasteful modern decor. Disarmingly casual, comfortable yet stylish, Wanoba is the kind of place that will impress your friends with your knowledge of cool, hidden late-night hangouts. Food and drink are reasonably priced, and traditional and modern Japanese crafts are well represented in the beautiful tableware and the tasteful modern decor.
The food is basically Japanese with a few fusiony touches - for example the tasty nikujaga (stewed beef and potatoes) is prepared au gratin and veers into shepherd's-pie territory, and the final-carbs section of the menu offers pastas as well as curry udon and rice dishes.
Custom-made salads encompass a wide choice of vegetables and dressings, while mains focus on grilled items - Kagoshima beef steaks, pork, chicken, and several types of himono (dried fish). Wines start at Y3800/bottle, with four types by the glass (Y800-), including two Japanese wines. [Show more] [Show less] Ebisu 3-1-1. Open 11:30am-1am daily. | |
Lots of Naples-style pizzas and grilled dishes, and even a few vegetarian items are on the menu. Ebisu 1-22-20. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-11pm daily. | |
Ippo (Izakaya). 3445-8418 If it weren't for the illuminated sign advertising "Fish and Sake" in English, you might have trouble finding this second-story hideaway in Ebisu. The interior is modestly appointed with a few small tables around a long wooden counter. This understated approach to decor reflects the bar's no-frills philosophy. They specialize in two things: fresh fish and sake. If it weren't for the illuminated sign advertising, "Fish and Sake" in English, you might have trouble finding this second-story hideaway in Ebisu. The interior is modestly appointed with a few small tables around a long wooden counter. This understated approach to decor reflects the bar's no-frills philosophy. They specialize in two things: fresh fish and sake.
The fish comes directly from Tsukiji every day. Seasonal specials change frequently, but standards like the fuwa-fuwa satsuma age (Y650), fried fish cakes, and the namero (Y950) - raw fish minced with herbs - are available all year round and come highly recommended. The fluffy and delicate satsuma age release a tiny puff of air as you bite into them. The namero offers a contrast of intense flavors - bright versus briny - in each mouthful.
The sake menu (in Japanese and English) features over fifty varieties and changes with the seasons. Along with big names like Kudoki Jozu and Hiroki are lesser-known producers like Shinkame, and even smaller producers like Mutsuhassen. The friendly but unobtrusive staff can help you make you make a selection. Sake is available in two sizes, 120ml (Y500-) and 180ml (Y750-). If, for some reason, you decide not to have sake, the bar also serves shochu and awamori (about twelve varieties). [Show more] [Show less] Ebisu 1-22-10, Kamasuya 2F. Open 6pm-1am (LO) daily. | |
Zest (Tex-Mex). 5475-6291 A huge, bustling branch of this popular Tex-Mex chain. The open-air rooftop seating can be very pleasant when the weather is warm. | |
Live music (often from the talented owner, "Sam") and relatively inexpensive food. Ebisu 4-6-1, B1F. Open 6-10:45pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
This quiet spot, with its Spanish tile tables, wooden-framed glass doors, and cream-colored walls, resembles a Balinese resort. Sink into a wicker chair and sip on a cool glass of fresh fruit juice. Ebisu 4-8-10. Open 11:30am-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Kurobutaya is a friendly, upbeat izakaya with a stylish flair that sets it apart from run-of-the-mill drinking spots. Distinguishing them even further is their unique menu - they specialize in pork, specifically the "kurobuta" breed that's the most famous of Japan's name-brand pigs. Originally from England, the breed is also known as Berkshire pork, and it's prized for its distinctive flavor and its ample marbling, which gives it a juiciness not found in ordinary pork. [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
Okinawan dishes and steaks. A 150g tenderloin steak is Y2310; budget around Y3500 for an average-sized dinner. | |
Seasonal Japanese cuisine plus a special menu of limited-edition sake and wines. Full-course menus are Y6000-8000, or you can order a la carte. Ebisu 4-9-15. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-10pm. Closed Sundays. Chef Sakurazawa is a veteran of the popular fusion establishments Citabria and Tableaux, and he brings a solidly grounded, creative vision to the menu. Drinks include a good selection of reasonably priced California wines. The attractively decorated dining room features double-height ceilings and a no-smoking mezzanine level. Most of the staff speak English, and English menus are available. Ebisu 4-27-1. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-11:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays. | |
Ebisu 3-chome
One of the better Italian joints in the neighborhood, although there's lots of competition. Ebisu 4-27-17. Open noon-1:30, 5:30-11pm (LO) daily. | |
Solid, self-assured new American cuisine and an inspired selection of 40 California wines in an exuberantly urban setting. The culinary influences are more European than Asian, and memorable past dishes have included rack of lamb with dried fig sauce, enticing okra-shrimp spring rolls, and huge, succulent scallop appetizers. Solid, self-assured new American cuisine and an inspired selection of 40 California wines in an exuberantly urban setting. The culinary influences are more European than Asian, and memorable past dishes have included rack of lamb with dried fig sauce, enticing okra-shrimp spring rolls, and huge, succulent scallop appetizers.
The venue is small but plush, with terra-cotta-colored walls and distinctive wall murals, open-beam ceilings and a beautiful glass-fronted walk-in wine cellar. In the evening the prix-fixe dinner is Y5500, and wines start at Y3500, with even premium labels very nicely priced. [Show more] [Show less] | |
Dainty, overpriced French food in a pleasantly post-modern setting; not worth a special trip, but nice enough if you're in the neighborhood. Lunch Y1,800, dinner from Y3,800. Ebisu 3-9-25, La Maison Franco-Japonaise. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-9:30pm. Closed Sundays. | |
A very French-style multi-story cafe with a relaxed atmosphere; they serve light food items and desserts as well as coffee and drinks. | |
Unlike other cheese shops in Tokyo, the well-stocked Casa de Queijo also has a "cheese bar" where you can sample their wares along with wine or Belgian beers. A five-cheese assortment is Y2500, original pizzas start at Y2000, and camembert fondue is Y1200. There are also many special events timed with the arrival of new imports, and on the 11th of every month there's an all-you-can-eat special for Y4500. Ebisu 2-8-7. Open noon-11pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays. | |
Yebisu Garden Place
This airy, open-plan bar (formerly R Gath water bar) serves several wines by the glass, four beers on tap (including the excellent Edelpils), and a limited menu of raw oysters (Y1000 for 3), shrimp cocktails, sausages and ceviche. Ebisu 4-20-4, Yebisu Garden Place Glass Square B1F. Open 3-10:30pm (LO), from 11am Sat/Sun daily. | |
Standard Thai fare in pleasant surroundings; there are a few California wines as well as the usual Thai beer. Desserts are above average. Ebisu 4-20-4, Yebisu Garden Place Glass Square B1F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Chibo (Okonomiyaki). 5424-1011 Perhaps the only place in Tokyo offering inexpensive okonomiyaki and steaks with a skyscraper view; yakisoba starts at Y780; sirloin steaks are Y1300. Ebisu 4-20-3, Yebisu Garden Place 38F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm daily. | |
A modern charcoal-grill specialty izakaya serving great free-range chicken plus homemade tofu and kamameshi rice dishes. And a great night-time view. Full-course dinners from Y2500-5000. | |
Relatively inexpensive yakitori, seasonal fish and other izakaya fare, and of course Yebisu beer here above their former brewery. Ebisu 4-20-3, Yebisu Garden Place 39F. Open 11am-2, 4:30-10pm (LO) daily. | |
A big selection of 17 types of oden (starting at 170 yen) plus very good grilled chicken. Seating is at spacious counters wrapping around the central grilling area. Ebisu 4-20-3, Yebisu Garden Place B2F. (in the basement directly across from the Mitsukoshi food floor) Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm daily. | |
Mostly French wines, with some rare bottles you won't find elsewhere in town. Be prepared to pay, though. There are several different caves, with prices going up the farther in you go. In front they also sell cheeses, imported foods and party supplies and wine accessories. Ebisu 4-20-7, Yebisu Garden Place B1F. Open 11am-7pm. Closed some Mondays. | |
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). The wine list covers some 1200 different varieties. | |
Located on the first floor of the Robuchon castle in Ebisu, this is a much more casual version of the main dining room upstairs, with inventive modern cuisine and a very reasonable wine list; prix-fixe lunch from Y2950 and dinner from Y7800. Located on the first floor of the Robuchon castle in Ebisu, this is a much more casual version of the main dining room upstairs, with inventive modern cuisine and a reasonable wine list; prix-fixe lunch from Y2950 and dinner from Y7800.
The food is excellent, but the level of service is less impressive, and the dining room can get quite noisy. [Show more] [Show less] | |
At first glance this looks like an ordinary museum cafe, but Claire is worth knowing about for their surprising selection of Belgian beers, one of the best in Ebisu. The cafe is split into two sections on separate floors of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography; the upstairs section is a bit nicer. Meguro-ku, Mita 1-13-3, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Open 10am-8pm. Closed Mondays. | |
The Westin's lobby restaurant is known for their lavish lunch and weekend brunch buffets, with frequent special events featuring food from various regions of the world. They also offer an appetizer and dessert buffet in the evenings, and a breakfast spread (Y3600) from 6:30-10:30am. Meguro-ku, Mita 1-4-1, Westin Hotel 1F. Open 6:30am-11:30pm daily. | |
One of the most highly rated teppanyaki restaurants in town, Yebisu also boasts a nice 22nd-floor view and convenient English menus. Full-course dinners with premium domestic beef, seasonal seafood and vegetables run Y15,000-25,000 and lunch is Y4,000-10,000. The menu often includes seafood-only dinners as well as beef-centered ones.
Station area
Beautiful modern decor and very reasonably priced food and drink; budget around Y3500-4500 at dinnertime. The specialty of the house here is bulgogi, a traditional Korean marinated and grilled meat dish, but the stylish decor and all-black color scheme might make you think you'd wandered into a trendy California-style restaurant by mistake. Drinks include California and French wines and ten kinds of Korean fruit shochu. [See FULL REVIEW.] Ebisu 4-3-1, Quiz Ebisu Bldg B1-A. Open 5pm-midnight (LO) daily. | |
Gourmet noodles and izakaya fare, with shochu and wine to drink. Ebisu 4-4-14, Ina Bldg 2F. Open 6pm-1am (LO). Closed Sundays. Deep-fried individual skewers of seafood and vegetables. Ebisu-Minami 1-5-5, Atre Ebisu 6F. (above Ebisu station) Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Imported foods from around the world, including cheeses, spices, and canned and packaged goods. There's also a big stock of mostly European wines. Prices vary from great bargains to inexplicably expensive, so shop carefully. Ebisu-Minami 1-5-5, Atre Ebisu 3F. (next to the upstairs exit from Ebisu station) Open 8am-11pm daily. | |
Ebisu west side
North of Komazawa-dori
Cafe Heavens serves up solid bistro fare at friendly prices all day (lunch 11-4, dinner til 11) in a fun and lively atmosphere. The drinks list includes a good selection of organic wines. Large, colorful paintings adorn the walls, and the space has an airy, northern California feel. | |
This comfortable, luxuriously spacious restaurant is designed around a "Napa Valley" theme and offers a big list of Napa wines. The food is first-rate international cuisine, and while many other wine-oriented restaurants in town focus heavily on the higher-priced bottles, C'zon offers a big selection of wines in the Y3000-6000 range as well as more expensive choices. No smoking in the main dining room. (Formerly named C'zon.) [See FULL REVIEW.] Ebisu-Nishi 2-10-10, Elegante Vita Nacora 2F. Open 11:30am-midnight daily. | |
Gourmet burgers made with black Angus wagyu beef, from Y1300. Ebisu-Nishi 2-11-9. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Enjoy the mini-forest of bonsai trees while you relax with a cocktail or a New Zealand wine in this tiny, charmingly quirky early-evening bar. Ebisu-Nishi 2-8-9, Daikanyama Takara Bldg III, 4F. Open 8pm-midnight. Closed Sundays. | |
The atmosphere at this legendary hipster hangout is funky to the extreme, with raggedy old sofas barely visible in the dim light through a haze of incense. The music is great though - experimental jazz, contemporary electronic and everything in between, depending on the DJ and the night. No cover or table charge. Ebisu-Nishi 2-9-9, 2F. Open 1pm-2am (-4am Fri/Sat). Closed Mondays. | |
It's easy to appreciate the beauty of Bar Guapos, where Y1500 is enough for a glass of tinto or blanco and one or two tasty tapas. There are about fifteen Spanish wines on the drink list, plus a number of Sherries. It's easy to appreciate the beauty of Bar Guapos, where Y1500 is enough for a glass of tinto or blanco and one or two tasty tapas. A complimentary dish of grana cheese, scooped directly out of the gigantic wheel on the counter, will give you something to nibble on as your contemplate your next order. There are about fifteen Spanish wines on the drink list, plus a number of Sherries.
Check out the daily specials written on a blackboard at the back of the bar, or stick with the favorites on the regular food menu. Stuffed mushrooms arrive sizzling in their ceramic dish; adorable ham croquettes come topped with a dab of tomato sauce. Burnt-orange walls and flamenco music add to the Iberian flavor, but you don't have to habla Espanol to get a drink: the affable bartender speaks very fluent English. There are a few seats, but it's mostly standing. [Show more] [Show less] | |
A bit of Roppongi nightlife dropped into Ebisu - live bands, English beers (mostly bottled), and inexpensive, filling pub dishes like shepherd's pie. | |
If you're not well acquainted with the subtleties of horsemeat cuisine, Bakuro can be a revelation. The food here is fantastic, showcasing a surprisingly wide range of flavors and styles. The atmosphere is lively and fun, the drinks list is well put together, and prices are very reasonable for this level of quality. If you're not well acquainted with the subtleties of horsemeat cuisine, Bakuro can be a revelation. The food here is fantastic, showcasing a surprisingly wide range of flavors and styles. The atmosphere is lively and fun, the drinks list is well put together, and prices are very reasonable for this level of quality.
Bakuro occupies a narrow two-story residential building filled with antique furnishings and horse-themed bric-a-brac, which contribute to the charming retro-chic ambience. The upstairs dining area, reached via a steep staircase, is especially cozy, with little nooks, bottle-lined bookshelves and an artfully hidden toilet. Sitting on a quiet side street surrounded by other tiny drinking spots, it attracts a mostly young and well-dressed crowd - even by Ebisu standards.
The horsemeat here comes raw, charcoal-grilled, and served sukiyaki-style. All are worth trying, but the grilled section of the menu really highlights the diverse flavors of the meat. Horse belly is deliciously fatty and reminds us of prime beef, while the richly flavored sausage and bacon seem closer to pork, but with an extra oomph. The tsukune (meatballs) on the other hand are quite heavy and gamey, but definitely worth experiencing. Our grilled platter arrived with a big pile of rocket greens, a much nicer match than the usual cabbage or lettuce that one might expect in a typical izakaya.
The basashi (raw horse) platter makes a good starter, letting you compare several different cuts of meat. Everything we tried was tender and flavorful - in fact Bakuro serves some of the tenderest raw horse we've found in town. We finished off the meal with a filling, and quite economical, nabe pot. The thinly sliced meat is quick-cooked in a light broth, making it closer to sukiyaki than a heavy winter stew. It comes complete with stacks of vegetables, something we had missed in the earlier part of the meal (although we did enjoy an excellent Caesar salad with horse bacon). As with any good nabe dish, you can opt for an order of a filling starch - in this case udon noodles - to soak up the broth at the end.
If we had one complaint it would be that the menu is perhaps a bit too tightly focused - we would have loved some grilled seasonal vegetables to go with our grilled meats. Satsuma-age (Kyushu-style deep-fried fishcake) was one of the few non-equine items on the menu, and it was outstanding - fluffier, moister and less greasy than is typical for this dish. (We noticed that the other branch of this restaurant, in Kanda, seems to have a slightly wider menu which includes fish sashimi.)
Since horse cuisine is a Kyushu specialty, the drinks menu naturally leans towards shochu, however we also found several excellent, unusual sake labels. If you like, you can treat Bakuro as a drinking spot - just order some grilled meat and basashi to accompany your sake or shochu - or add on a pot of nabe at the end to turn it into a full meal. Budget around Y3000-4000 for a substantial dinner with drinks. [Show more] [Show less] Ebisu-Nishi 1-7-12. Open 5-11:30pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Spicy chicken wings, yakitori and Nagoya miso specialties. Ebisu-Nishi 1-7-3, Zain Ebisu 5F. Open 5pm-midnight daily. A mere two minutes from Ebisu station, this comfy hide-away will make you feel right at home. Retro velour-covered sofas and a row of giant airplane windows overlooking the street below add a splash of nostalgia. Open til 4am on weekends. Ebisu-Nishi 1-8-2-207. Open 11:30am-midnight (4am Fri, Sat) daily. | |
This stylish little late-night stand-up bar serves a nice variety of hot and cold Spanish tapas and pinchos (small snacks on bread), along with Spanish wines. Most food items are Y250-500, with wines from Y400/glass. | |
This African bar-restaurant serves Senegalese dishes like mufe peanut stew and thiebou yapp (marinated beef with onions, olives and garlic), plus original fare like egg pizza and bar snacks. Ebisu-Nishi 1-8-10, Takahashi Bldg 3F. Open 5pm-12:30am. Closed Tuesdays. Modern Italian cuisine, with home-made pastas and a nice twelve-appetizer assortment to get things rolling. More than 120 wines are served by the bottle, with more than a dozen by the glass. Budget around Y8000 at dinnertime. Ebisu-Nishi 1-12-11. Open 11:30am-2, 6-9:30pm. Closed Sundays. 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.] | |
This stand-up bar specializes in one-cup sake from around the country; the selection perhaps isn't as exciting as a regular sake bar, but the atmosphere is convivial and the shop makes a good first stop on an Ebisu tour. | |
An attractively appointed gourmet izakaya serving top-quality food and drink. | |
With its Francophile name and decor, this Ebisu hideaway has all the trappings of a French bistro, but it's one of the best places for dim sum in the city. Incongruous though this must seem, once you step through the heavy wooden door, there will be no mistaking the delicious aroma of authentic Hong-Kong style Chinese cuisine. [See FULL REVIEW.] Ebisu-Nishi 1-19-6. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:20-10pm (LO) daily. | |
South of Komazawa-dori
A pleasant "Mediterranean Rim" restaurant with a very casual cafe area up front (including outdoor seating) and a more formal dining room in back. The food is serviceable but not spectacular, and includes Spanish, French and Italian main dishes and starters, pizzas, paellas and pastas. There's also an extensive (and not very expensive) wine selection. Ebisu-Minami 3-1-24, City Square Ebisu 1F. (on Komazawa-dori) Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily. | |
If you're in the mood for fantastic fresh fish and seafood, Ebisu Kaigan is the next best thing to an early-morning trip to Tsukiji Fish Market. Occupying a renovated old Japanese house, this cozy little restaurant (whose name means "Ebisu Beach") exudes a relaxed and homespun atmosphere. You can take your dinner at the counter downstairs while you chat with the chefs, but the second-floor tatami-mat area is even more fun - it almost feels like you're visiting friends or relatives at their beach house as you enjoy the best of the day's catch. [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
The wide menu here covers a lot of ground, but particularly notable are the top-quality meat dishes featuring Hokkaido lamb, game birds and gourmet pork. The cozy dining room has mostly counter seating, with two small hori-kotatsu tables. Budget around Y4000. | |
The impressive sake list includes a number of small-kura limited-edition seasonal sakes; there's also plenty of shochu. The food is also top-notch, with unusual specalties like satsuma-age (Kyushu-style fish cakes, here available in eight different variations). [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
Excellent contemporary Japanese cuisine in a splashy designer space. Budget around Y9000 at dinnertime. Ebisu-Minami 1-7-8, Ebisu South One Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Nepalese and Tibetan curries, noodles and Tandoori-style dishes. The restaurant is tucked into a back alley a few blocks from Ebisu station, and is divided into several small, cozy rooms spread out over several levels. At lunchtime on weekdays there's an all-you-can eat buffet for Y1,200. Ebisu-Minami 1-9-11. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
A cafe and noodle shop on the first floor, and a full-fledged restaurant upstairs (dinner only). They also sell Vietnamese coffee and tea. Ebisu-Minami 1-9-3. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Intriguing "French colonial" cuisine, with prix-fixe lunches from Y1050, dinners from Y3990. The long, narrow dining room is pleasantly decorated and very casual. Ebisu-Minami 1-16-3. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays. | |
Chef Hiromichi Kodama, formerly of Michelin-starred restaurant Chemins, prepares elegant modern classics - tender beef cheeks in red wine and perfectly cooked slices of foie gras drizzled with a port wine reduction, served with bite-sized morsels of braised pear. Weighty confit of beef heart is brightened by sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a flurry of shaved Parmesean cheese. Chef Hiromichi Kodama, formerly of Michelin-starred restaurant Chemins, prepares elegant modern classics - tender beef cheeks in red wine and perfectly cooked slices of foie gras drizzled with a port wine reduction, served with bite-sized morsels of braised pear. Weighty confit of beef heart is brightened by sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a flurry of shaved Parmesean cheese.
In addition to the a la carte menu you can choose prix-fixe lunches (from Y2600 weekdays, Y3900 weekends) and prix-fixe dinners (from Y5600). [Show more] [Show less] Meguro-ku, Mita 1-12-24, MT3 Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-1:30, 6-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Whether you're an abstemious vegetarian or a shameless hedonist, a meal at Asante Sana will leave you feeling positively virtuous. Attached to a store selling Asian imports, all-natural soaps, and organic food items, this tiny cafe off the beaten track near Yebisu Garden Place takes a holistic approach to natural living. [See FULL REVIEW.] Meguro-ku, Mita 2-7-10-102. Open 11am-8pm. Closed Sundays. | |
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Afuri (Ramen). 5795-0750
