Ikebukuro
Picks:
Spicy: Malay-chan (Malaysian), Phrik (Thai)
Casual modern Japanese: Tsuki no Shizuku
Western: Agio (Italian)
Best theme: Ikebukuro Gyoza Stadium, Nekorobi
Drinks: Belgian beers at Vivo
Hip cafe: Cafe Pause
West Side
Daidaiya serves up innovative fusion cuisine drawing on Korean, other Asian and Italian influences - their "modern" sushi variations are especially interesting. Smaller than most, the Ikebukuro branch is snazzily decorated and it offers views of Western Ikebukuro. Lunch is served till 4pm. | |
The fish here is absolutely fresh, caught from big pools at the center of the wrap-around counter. Full-course dinners are Y5000-12,600, and lunches start at Y1260. Fugu is available in season.   Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-10-10, Spice 2 Bldg. B1F. Open 11am-4:30, 4:30-11pm daily. | |
An inexpensive Thai noodle shop serving Thai and Vietnamese noodles, some curries, and "Thai-style pasta." Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Metropolitan Plaza 7F. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
Many varieties of paella (from Y3200 for a two-person portion), Spanish standards, and Spanish wines from Y1900 per bottle. Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Metropolitan Plaza 8F. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
A modern izakaya with a creative food menu, an attractively stylish interior and reasonable prices. Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-11-1, Metropolitan Plaza 8F. Open 11am-10pm (LO; lunch to 3pm) daily. | |
Well worth the long hike from the station; they offer an excellent selection of wines from around the world at discount prices, as well as liquor and some cheeses and imported foods. Ikebukuro 2-68-5. Open 10am-9pm daily. | |
Palmyra (Middle Eastern). 3981-8293 Syrian cuisine; prix-fixe dinner menus from Y2800, or a la carte. Ikebukuro 2-58-8, TO Bldg 2F. Open 5pm-midnight. Closed Mondays. Very authentic Thai cooking served in a modest little shop. They also run a small Thai grocery store across the street. | |
From the owner of Al Flah supermarket, an authentic Pakistani restaurant popular with Pakistani customers. All meats are halal, and curries average Y800-900. Ikebukuro 2-63-6, Palace Garden Milano 1F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Al Flah specializes in Halal foods, and sells ingredients for Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern and some Southeast Asian cooking -- everything from whole chickens to Basmati rice. They carry a big line-up of packaged and ready-to-eat vegetarian curries. Ikebukuro 2-41-2, 4F. (next to Royal Hotel) Open 11am-11pm daily. Miyarabi (Okinawan). 3971-5061, 5396-4866 This is Okinawan food as haute cuisine, with a good number of special Royal-style dishes in addition to the usual champuru stir-fries. Recommended dishes are the minudaru (tender roast pork with a sesame-based sauce), the rather lean rafti (braised pork), the Okinawan soba and the excellent peanut tofu. There's a short nightly performance of Okinawan dance at 8:30. Prices are a bit higher than the typical Okinawan izakaya; budget around Y6000 for dinner and drinks. Ikebukuro 2-45-1, Ark City Ikebukuro B1F. Open 5:30-10:45pm (LO). Closed Sundays, holidays. | |
Afiya (African). 6907-9338 Run by a young Japanese woman, the tiny, eight-seat Afiya is Tokyo's only Senegalese wine bar, serving Senegalese food accompanied by a mostly French wine list that starts at around Y3200/bottle. Ikebukuro 2-13-7, Miyama Bldg 1F. Open 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays and holidays. A leftover from the days before Nishi-Ikebukuro went relatively upscale. Delicious curries and ambitiously tacky decor. On weekends there's a good lunch buffet. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-26-5. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Tuesdays. One of the early pioneers in Tokyo French cooking, they predate the wave of cheap bistros; prices start in the Y4,000-Y5,000 range (not including wine).  Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-27-1. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Moderately priced deli-style items, both Japanese and Western, in a lively setting. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-28-13, Marui 1F. Open 11am-11pm daily. It's not fancy, but with its reliable food and very reasonable prices, this small yakitori chain offers good value for money. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-30-4. Open 5-11pm (LO) daily. Well-prepared Malay and Malay-Chinese dishes. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-22-6. Open 11am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily. Solid, authentic Italian food in a pleasant setting. There's also a casual dining bar called Shiori on the ground floor. Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-25-2. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO). Closed third Monday. | |
East Side
Yamaya (Liquor shop). 3980-2977 Discount wines and liquors, with some cheeses and other imported foods. Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-43-6, D-Box 1F. Open 10am-9pm daily. Good food and service and a lively atmosphere. Cheap lunch specials (Y680 including coffee). Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-7-10. Open noon-2:30, 6-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Home-style cooking from Cameroon; menu highlights include spicy grilled sea bream; fufu corn dumplings; ndole (spinach and peanut paste served with shrimp and bananas); and curried okra soup. At lunchtime everything is Y500; the choice of four dishes includes couscous served with a tripe stew, and a creamy, peanut-flavored fish and chicken curry. Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-22-13, Dai-go Nakamura Bldg 3F. Open 11am-2:30, 5pm-midnight daily. Vivo (Beer bar). 3987-1588 The amply punctuated Vivo! Beer + Dining Bar serves interesting beers from around the world and foods. Local brews include Yona Yona real ale on draft and Baird Beers from Numazu; there are also plenty of Belgian and German beers by the bottle. Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-4-3, B1F. Open 6pm-3am (LO) daily. | |
The welcoming staff and softly lit, comfortable atmosphere make Nekorobi a popular destination. So popular, in fact, customers may encounter a wait on weekends. For Y1000, you'll get an hour with the cats, unlimited drinks from the vending machine (coffee, cocoa, royal milk tea, etc.), and complimentary cookies. The welcoming staff and softly lit, comfortable atmosphere make Nekorobi a popular destination. So popular, in fact, customers may encounter a wait on weekends. For Y1000, you'll get an hour with the cats, unlimited drinks from the vending machine (coffee, cocoa, royal milk tea, etc.), and complimentary cookies.
You can use the Nintendo Wii or surf the Internet, but most people opt for a long play session with one of the eleven cuddly cats, most of whom can be found lounging on the tall cat tower, nestled into a cushy beanbag, or sharpening their claws on wicker seats that look like giant sombreros.
The clientele is a mix of couples, women, and men of all ages. Although some of the cats were purchased for the cafe, several were rescued or adopted. The cats have free reign of the space, but cages are there for troublemakers. The list of rules in Japanese and English ensures that guests stay out of trouble as well. [Show more] [Show less] Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-28-1, Tact T-O Bldg 3F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Each branch of this chain seems to have its own uniquely appealing decor - here there's an illuminated walkway looking down onto the restaurant on the floor below, and tables are separated by lattice-like screens. The entertaining food menu includes good tofu, sashimi, and grilled chicken. [Go to branch review] Minami-Ikebukuro 1-21-2, Humax Pavilion 6F. Open 5-11:30pm (to 3:30am Fri, Sat) daily. | |
All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and sukiyaki specials for Y1500 (90-minute limit), Y1000 at lunchtime. Minami-Ikebukuro 1-21-2, Humax Pavilion 8F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. Spicy chicken wings, yakitori and Nagoya miso specialties. | |
After your really long escalator ride you're deposited into a maze of small cubbyholes and private booths; there's even a "couples floor" with tiny booths for two. The menu is built around charcoal-grilled Date chicken, other grilled meats (pork, beef, tongue), and seasonal fish. Budget around Y4000 with drinks. [Go to branch review] If you find yourself in Ikebukuro with a hankering for umeshu, look no further than Butazo, where giant pig lanterns hover luminously above the main dining space to add a dash of the bizarre to your dinner. Discover eighty kinds of umeshu and almost as many kinds of shochu as you nibble on tasty kushiyaki, miniature nabes and shabu-shabu, in addition to well-prepared izakaya standards. A couple of drinks and some substantial snacks will set you back about Y4000. No English. | |
Scrumptious fried chicken wings, yakitori, chicken sashimi and much more. A very stylish cafe on an Ikebukuro backstreet; they serve cocktails and a limited snack menu as well as coffee and tea. This is also headquarters for the hip toy company Roughtoyz. Minami-Ikebukuro 2-14-12. Open noon-10:30pm (LO) daily. | |
This friendly neighborhood spot offers a big menu of Turkish favorites, including numerous lamb dishes. Budget around Y2000 at dinnertime for food; multi-course prix-fixe dinners are priced Y2800-4500. Minami-Ikebukuro 3-8-3. Open noon-10:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays. | |
Sunshine City/Alpa
A branch of the original Joe's Shanghai in NYC, known for their first-rate shoronpo (xiaolongbao) and other dumplings. Budget around Y1500 for lunch, Y5000 at dinnertime. Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-1, Sunshine 60, 59F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9pm (LO) daily. Eleven famous gyoza shops from around the country are gathered here in this unusual dumpling-centered theme park inside the very noisy Namja Town game center. (Weekdays tend to be quieter.) The Antei shop offers some nice garlicky gyoza in tonkotsu broth, and good garlicky fried crab gyoza. And check out the dessert park upstairs if you've got a sweet tooth. (Y300 separate admission to get into Namja Town.) | |
 Agio (Italian). 3980-1626 Agio call themselves a "market restaurant," and serve delicious grilled fish and meat and brick-oven-baked pizzas. Higashi-Ikebukuro 3-1-2, Sunshine City Alpa 3F. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
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: Open late
: Notable decor
