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: Open late  : Open Sundays  : Notable decor  : Wine served in Riedel glasses
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Shimbashi/ Shiodome/ Hamamatsucho
Picks:
Western: Tateru Yoshino (French)
Exotic Western: Sophia (Bulgarian)
Japanese: En (izakaya), Atagoya (tofu), Yamanekoya (Okinawan), Sai (izakaya), Tanyu Kurumaya (yakitori/izakaya)
Ethnic: Bombay Club (Indian), Din Tai Fung (dim sum)
Budget: Robata Kaba, Konaya
Drinks: sake at Kohju, Shutei Kikuhime; beers at Agoo, Delirium Cafe, wines at Le Petit Tonneau, Italiana Enoteca D'Oro, cocktails at TwentyEight
Best decor: Fish Bank, Aqua, TwentyEight
This guide covers the area east and southeast of Shimbashi station, down to Hamamatsucho. Please see our Ginza guide for listings north of Shimbashi station.
See area restaurant map.
Toranomon/ Uchisaiwaicho
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 in charge is Philippe Batton, formerly of Le Petit Bedon in Daikanyama, and the atmosphere is authentically French. Breakfast is served from 8am on weekdays, and Saturday brunch is from 11am. [Go to branch review]  Toranomon 2-1-1. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. This specialty bar imports beers directly from Belgium, and serves an impressive selection of ten different varieties on draft, including varieties we haven't seen elsewhere around town. Open to 1:30am Wed, Thu, Fri nights. Kasumigaseki 3-2-6, Tokyo Club Bldg, Kasumi Dining 1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Tasty steaks, including USDA prime beef, from this American steakhouse chain. The decor is on the conservative side (lots of brown and beige), and the music can be repetitive (we were treated to a short tape loop of Dixieland jazz). Wines are priced Y5,000-100,000 - mostly from California, but with some pricier French selections for the big spenders in the house. Steaks range from a 230g petite filet (Y5,500) to the 370g Wagyu NY Strip steak (Y19,000); side dishes are extra. Kasumigaseki 3-2-6, Tokyo Club Bldg, Kasumi Dining 1F. Open 11am-2:30, 5:30-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A stylish izakaya-slash-dining bar serving modern Tokyo cuisine - a mix of Italian, Spanish and Japanese regional dishes made from premium ingredients. There's an excellent sake list that rotates regularly. Budget around Y5000 at dinnertime. Kasumigaseki 3-2-6, Tokyo Club Bldg, Kasumi Dining 1F. Open 11am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
The specialty of the house if yakitori-style skewers and wings of Nagoya kochin game birds. Kasumigaseki 3-2-6, Tokyo Club Bldg, Kasumi Dining 3F. Open 11am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Although the atmosphere at this sake-industry information center is rather utilitarian, they do offer sake tastings during the day (Y300 per tasting) along with occasional special events. And of course there's an enormous amount of reading material, although it's almost entirely in Japanese. Nishi-Shimbashi 1-1-21. Open 10am-6pm. Closed weekends. | |
Szechuan-style ramen noodles. Uchisaiwaicho 2-1-1. Open 11am-9pm. Closed Sundays. High-quality budget Italian, with a good wine selection. At lunchtime there's a wide selection of pizza and spaghetti variations, most in the Y1000-1500 range. Uchisaiwaicho 2-2-2, B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Shimbashi
Kohju (Izakaya). 3575-0939 Good food and an excellent selection of hard-to-find premium sakes make this hidden-away basement spot worth looking for. The ceiling is plastered with sake labels, and customers include serious sake connoisseurs as well as the usual after-work Shimbashi crowd. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-2-17, B1F. Open 5:30-11:30pm. Closed weekends. | |
A lively, often crowded beer bar located under the JR tracks near Shimbashi station. They stock a good selection of US microbrews. Shimbashi 3-25-10. Open 5pm-12:30am. Closed Sundays. Charcoal-grilled fish and seafood from the Hokuriku region of northern Honshu are the specialty at this robata-style izakaya. They also stock more than 100 kinds of sake. The food is good, but the atmosphere can get hot, noisy and smoky depending on the size of the crowd. English-speaking staff and English menus are available. Easy-to-order prix-fixe menus start at Y4000, or budget around Y6000 for a la carte. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-1-2, Asoruti Higashi Shinbashi 2F. Open 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
Managed by the famous Kikuhime sake brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture, this izakaya showcases Kikuhime sake and shochu. You can try twenty-one types of Kikuhime sake, plus a few more seasonal specials, as well as four types of shochu. Prix-fixe dinners are Y6000, and there's a big a la carte menu of sashimi and other sake-drinking snacks. Shimbashi 2-15-17. Open 5-10:30pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Mimiu (Japanese regional). 3503-3350 Udon-suki from Osaka is the specialty of the house (Y3,500 per person); they also have seasonal dinners priced at Y5,800-7,800, and their own house brand of sake. Shimbashi 2-5-6. Open 11:30am-8:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays. | |
A large four-story restaurant specializing in the cuisine of Dalien, in Liaoning Province. The concrete slab walls are covered with workers' slogans, and the fourth floor is reachable via an external stairway that looks like the fire escape. As the name implies, dumplings are one of the mainstays here. Shimbashi 2-8-14. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm. | |
This long-established izakaya mini-chain serves excellent Kyushu cuisine and a good assortment of sake and shochu from the southern island. Budget around Y4000-5000 for dinner with drinks. [Go to branch review] The regional specialties of Kagoshima (southern Kyushu) are served, including tonkotsu (pork stewed in shochu) and chicken sashimi. They also have a selection of southern Kyushu shochu (distilled liquor), including the distinctive imo-jochu (made from sweet potatoes). Shimbashi 3-17-5, Hama Bldg. 2F. Open 5-10pm (LO). Closed weekends. Ayumasa (Japanese regional). 3431-7448 This Tokyo branch of a Shimane-based kappo restaurant serves exquisite seasonal seafood - including fugu - from that region. Full-course dinners range from Y7,000-17,000. Shimbashi 4-17-5. Open 5-10pm (9pm Sat). Closed Sun; 2nd, 4th Sat. Superb tofu dinners and kaiseki menus; lunch is Y1200-2200, and dinner ranges from Y3000-7000. The drinks menu includes beer, sake, original cocktails and their own brand of house wine. Call ahead to reserve. Shimbashi 6-13-12. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO), Sat. 4-8pm. Closed Sundays, some Sat.
Shiodome
Aqua (Misc. Southeast Asian). 5537-3540 "Oriental cuisine" - Thai and other Asian-influenced dishes in a luxurious high-rise restaurant. While they're a bit pricey at dinnertime (mains are around Y3000), their Y1200 lunches are a good value. Enjoy a view looking out over Tsukiji Market and Hamarikyu Gardens. | |
Good-quality grilled fish and chicken, home-made tofu and seasonal specialties at this upscale izakaya. Weekday lunches start at Y1200, and the deluxe Y2800 lunch includes tofu, sashimi and Yamagata beef steak. There's an impressive nighttime view of Tokyo Bay. Budget around Y6000 at dinnertime. | |
Bice (Italian). 5537-1926 Beautifully decorated and hosting an ever-changing exhibition of photography and contemporary art on its walls, this skyscraper restaurant is an impressive setting for a date or business meeting. Prix-fixe dinners start at Y9,450, and mains average around Y6000. | |
Spectacular Taipei-style, hot-broth-squirting xiao long bao (shoronpo dumplings) and other dimsum fare. The weekend lines may look daunting, but don't worry - they move very quickly. [See FULL REVIEW.] Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO) daily. | |
The tasty curry-flavored udon noodles here have a quirky charm all their own, especially served with bananas. (They also come with shrimp tempura or mochi.) Bibs are provided to protect your clothing from slurpage-related incidents. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. Open 11am-10pm daily. | |
To say that this retail liquor specializes in shochu is an understatement: they stock 2300 varieties of the potent Kyushu spirits, and are ready to offer expert advice and tastings. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. Open 10am-9pm daily. | |
Smart Thai dining in an attractive setting, with a wide range of Thai standards and original dishes. Around Y3500 at dinner, lunch from Y980. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. Open 11am-2:30, 3-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Run by the company that makes Bulgaria yogurt, Sophia serves authentic Bulgarian cuisine - hearty stews and vegetable soups and of course lots of yogurty dishes. There's also a small yoshoku portion of the menu with classics like omu-rice (fried-rice omelette) and Japanese curry. Prix-fixe Bulgarian lunch is Y3635, and dinner is Y3635-4750. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. | |
Sui is one of the premium branches of the popular Tsunahachi chain, offering deluxe tempura meals from Y6300 at dinnertime. Lunch starts at Y945. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome B2F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
Capturing two popular Tokyo bar trends at once, Beer Garage offers a wide range of tapas and Belgian beers. Beers on draft include Maredsous, De Koninck, Vedett and Poperings Hommel. Tapas items are priced at Y300, Y500 and Y650, and there are a handful of Belgian dishes as well. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome Canyon Terrace 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 2:30-10pm (LO) daily. | |
California cuisine and wines from the popular Cardenas group, inside the modern atrium space of the Dentsu high-rise. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome Canyon Terrace3F. Open 11am-midnight daily. | |
This venture from the Maharaja chain bills itself as a New York-style Indian restaurant and cafe, with an interesting menu and an attractive interior. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-5-2, Shiodome City Center 2F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm daily. | |
This modern French-Japanese seafood-centered restaurant features a splashy entrance hall (literally - it comes complete with waterfall) and a gorgeous two-story main dining room with views of the Rainbow Bridge. Prix-fixe menus from Y6800, with an optional 4-glass "wine bank" for Y3950. | |
 En (Japanese). 5537-2096 Excellent Japanese dishes, creatively prepared and served. There's also a fantastic view of Ginza. [Go to branch review] | |
Grilled seafood and steaks from Oregon. Charcoal-grilled dry-aged steaks start at Y3800; there's also a nice selection of Oregon wines. [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
Besides the usual tonkatsu they offer variations like deep-fried shrimp and scallops, yuba (tofu skin) croquettes), and nice side dishes like chawanmushi, tofu salad and kakuni stewed pork. The original shop is in Kyoto. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-5-2, Shiodome City Center B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily. | |
"East meets west" modern Vietnamese, a branch of the main shop in Kobe. Take-out is also available, with lunch boxes at Y680. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-5-2, Shiodome City Center B1F. Open 11:30-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
This unpretentious pub serves a big assortment of beers from around the world, including some unusual finds (Rugenbrau from Switzerland) and a few nice Belgians and popular US micros (Sam Adams, Anchor Steam). The food includes lots of fried items (chicken, potatoes) as well as nachos and quesadillas. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-11:30pm. Closed Sundays. | |
This is sort of a fish-centered izakaya rather than a standard sushi shop - there's a big selection of nigiri-zushi from the counter, but they also serve lots of grilled fish and sashimi along with a few decent regional sakes. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Choose from over 30 varieties of chazuke - with both katsuo- and pork-based broth - at this modest little budget shop. Side dishes and drinks are served in the evening, plus chazuke-centered set meals like pork shogayaki. Take-out is available. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Sai (Japanese). 6274-5231 Definitely the fanciest spot in the Pedi complex, this lively dining bar is decorated with illuminated orange fiberglass bamboo trunks and shochu bottles mounted in museum-like display cases. The menu features lots of daily sashimi specials, charcoal-grilled fish and chicken, and original dishes, along with a serviceable selection of craft sake. Budget around Y4000. | |
The menu at this stylish, upscale izakaya is built around awa-odori - the lean and flavorful free-range chicken from Tokushima - and it features yakitori, deep-fried chicken, chicken legs stewed in beer, and chicken rice with assorted toppings. There are a few sake brands to choose from, plus Sankei's own original brand of shochu. Budget Y3500-5000. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-11pm daily. | |
Shijan means "marketplace," and the kitchen here focuses on seafood, vegetables, and other fresh-from-the-market ingredients. The chefs have a light, modern approach to Korean cuisine, adapted somewhat for Japanese tastes. Although many dishes are less spicy than expected, the Korean flavors are intact and everything is skillfully prepared. Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily. | |
The Conrad Hotel's all-day dining restaurant is also from Michelin 3-star chef Gordon Ramsay (like his namesake restaurant next door), and the format here is brasserie-style with a big open kitchen. Breakfast is served from 7am. | |
British celeb chef Gordon Ramsay's first restaurant in Japan serves the Conrad Tokyo luxury hotel in Shiodome. Prix-fixe menus of Ramsay's impressive modern French cuisine run Y15,500 at dinnertime (or Y21,350 with wines). [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
Located in the lobby of the Conrad Hotel, TwentyEight is an oasis of muted monochromes with discrete edges. Dusk is arguably the best time to visit; calm settles over the space as the sunlight fades and votive candles flicker to life. The scene gets busier in the evenings, when the after-work crowd rolls in and the live band strikes up, but beware the Y1800 seating charge after 8pm. [See FULL REVIEW.] | |
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.] | |
This combination cafe and design showroom serves a casual Italian menu on weekday evenings, and a more limited lunchtime menu until 2:30pm. Open to 5pm weekends. | |
Hamamatsucho
Tofu kaiseki and tofu-centric full-course dinners from Y3000-7000; Y1200-2200 at lunch. They even have tofu ice cream. (The main branch is up the road in Shimbashi 6-chome.) Shiba-Daimon 1-6-1. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO), Sat. 4-8pm. Closed Sundays, some Sat. Hamamatsucho 1-25-6. Open 5-10pm. Closed Sundays. | |
Aen (International). 5776-0831 Healthy seasonal cuisine with lots of vegetables is the attraction at Aen, and the spacious, plant-filled dining area is a pleasant place to enjoy it. The menu is mix of dishes from everywhere - gorgonzola-honey pizza; stir-fried vegetables in XO sauce; stewed Berkshire pork with tomatoes; natto salad. The Y1680 lunchtime buffet includes your choice of one main dish; dinner averages Y3000 before drinks. Kaigan 1-2-20, Shiodome Building 1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily. | |
A spacious bar serving meaty German fare and great beer. Four German brews from Spaten and Franziskaner are on draft (starting at Y600/glass) with several more by the bottle. The Y3500 prix-fixe menu consists of assorted German hams, sausages, pork cutlets, spaetzel dumplings in cheese sauce, and a pretzel. Unusual for this neighborhood, they're open till 4am Thursday and Friday nights. | |
A lot of Korean restaurants focus on one particular dish, and here the specialty is called tahhanmari - a very tasty, delicately flavored chicken soup. One order of soup is Y3600 - large enough for 2-4 people, it includes a whole chicken along with leeks and other vegetables. A lot of Korean restaurants focus on one particular dish, and here the specialty is called tahhanmari - a very tasty, delicately flavored chicken soup. One order of soup is Y3600 - large enough for 2-4 people, it includes a whole chicken along with leeks and other vegetables. Extra toppings are available and, as with Japanese nabemono, it's traditional to add udon noodles or rice at the end of the meal to soak up the fantastic chicken broth.
To make your meal more interesting there are some two dozen side dishes to choose from. Our favorites include the garlicky egg-and-vegetable custard (keranchimu) that's far more exciting than Japanese chawan-mushi; Korean gyoza dumplings; fantastic smoked ham, and deep-fried chicken-skin sembei. Unusual for a Korean restaurant, very few of the dishes here are spicy-hot, and the flavors are a good match for the drinks menu, which offers several varieties of makkoli, an earthy Korean-style milky sake. [Show more] [Show less] Kaigan 1-2-20, Shiodome Building 1F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10:45pm (LO) daily. | |
There's no need for an elaborate meal if you're not in the mood; here you can settle in with a simple pizza margherita, a sampling of their fifteen different hams and salamis, and a nice bottle or two of Italian wine. The cellar stocks around 300-400 different bottles, so it may take awhile to choose. Open late Thursday and Friday evenings; budget from Y4000 at dinnertime with drinks. | |
An upscale yakitori chain featuring delectable free-range birds from Miyazaki Prefecture - charcoal-grilled, fried, stewed, and even raw. The interior is simple and pleasantly decorated, with a lively counter area at its heart. Budget around Y4500 for food and drink. | |
Unzen (Kushiage). 6807-1601 This attractively appointed izakaya is a branch of a popular Osaka shop specializing in grilled and fried morsels of meat and vegetables on skewers. But not just any morsels on skewers - the 40-odd varieties range from simple salted prawns and chicken wings to green peppers stuffed with minced shrimp and salmon with porcini sauce. Try them all! An assortment of eight skewers is Y2650; budget around Y3000-6000 for dinner and drinks. | |
Kaba (Izakaya). 6802-3370 With its corrugated metal facade, utilitarian stools, colorful banners and noisily shouted greetings, Kaba strives for a down-home feel and is probably the most boisterous spot in the Hamasite Gourmet complex. The mainstay on the menu is seafood flown in fresh daily from the San-in region of Western Honshu - some thirty or forty varieties, both raw and grilled. There are also dozens of sake from Shimane and Tottori, and a comprehensive English menu covering both food and drink (all but the daily specials). Budget around Y4000 with drinks. Kaigan 1-2-20, Shiodome Building 2F. Open 11am-11:30pm daily. | |
Thirty beers are available, including a small but select group of Belgian brews. The food is a mix of European and Asian snacks - grilled steaks; lamb kebabs; skewers of grilled chicken, beef and duck; sausages; Thai-style curries. Budget around Y3000 at dinnertime for drinks and snacks. Hamamatsucho 2-4-1, World Trade Center Bldg B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily. | |
Less tourist-driven than most Okinawan places, with modern tropical decor, good food, and a very serious selection of awamori. [See FULL REVIEW.] Shiba-Daimon 2-3-6. Open 11am-2, 5-11pm daily. | |
Agoo (Belgian rest/beer bar). 3432-1535 The vibe at this small neighborhood bar is friendly and laid back - comfortable enough to stop in for a drink by yourself or for a quiet conversation with friends. There's a decent selection of Belgians at average-for-Tokyo prices, plus a small snack menu. Shiba Daimon 2-4-5. Open 5pm-1am (2am Fri/Sat). Closed Sundays. | |
Malian and Senegalese cuisine is served here, along with South African wines. Hamamatsucho 2-10-1. Open 6-11pm. Closed Sundays. A down-to-earth little shop that offers an impressive variety of sakes for tasting. There are two brightly lit, stand-up counters where a mostly neighborhood crowd gathers for an after-work drink - this is as unpretentious as it gets. [See FULL REVIEW.] Hamamatsucho 2-3. Open 11am-9pm. Closed weekends. | |
The prices are cheap and the yakitori is above average (as is the sake list), but note that the pre-selected assortment is fairly hardcore - skin, cartilege and organ meats - so some people might prefer to order a la carte. The decor is utilitarian and unpretentious, and the menu and service are in Japanese only. Hamamatsucho 2-3-32. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5-10:30pm. Closed Sun, 1st, 3rd Sat. | |
Shiba-Koen
Gorgeous modern French cuisine (with subtle Japanese influences) from master chef Yoshino. Prix-fixe lunch from Y3675, dinner from Y6825. [Go to branch review] Shiba-Koen 1-5-10, Shiba Park Hotel Annex 1F. Open 11:30am-2, 6-9pm. Closed Sunday nights.
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