Cheese cuisine and cheese platters
ššObica Mozzarella Bar - Italian: Nishi-Shinjuku
Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9:30pm (LO) daily.
In spite of the Shinjuku business-district address, this branch of the Rome-based eatery has the feel of a friendly (but sophisticated) neighborhood Italian spot, where you can pop in for a...
Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-9:30pm (LO) daily.
Cheese Stand - Cheese: Shibuya
Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
Artisanal mozzarella and ricotta cheeses are freshly made right here in Shibuya in this combination retail shop, cafe and factory. Take them home - fresh mozzarella is Y550/100g, ricotta Y470 - or...
Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
šRacler - Cheese: Shibuya
Open 11am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO; Sun -10) daily.
"Cheese makes you happy!" declares the sign at the entrance to Racler, and we certainly can't argue with that sentiment. This popular cheese-focused restaurant specializes in fondues, raclette...
Open 11am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO; Sun -10) daily.
šWa Cheese Tensai - Tempura: Ebisu
Open 11am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
While fondue and raclette specialty restaurants are popping up all over Tokyo, Tensai takes a unique approach, supplementing those cheesy staples with unusual Japanese-influenced fare such as cheese...
Open 11am-2, 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
šCascina - International: Ebisu
Open 11:30-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.
Standing out from the ever-growing crowd of Tokyo cheese-specialty restaurants, Cheese Tavern Cascina takes a more sophisticated approach than average, supplementing the usual fondue and raclette...
Open 11:30-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.
Obica Mozzarella Bar - Italian: Shinagawa
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Obica serves ten types of pizza, topped with buffalo mozzarella and your choice of other ingredients such as truffles, mushroom paste, zucchini, anchovy fillets and Sardinian mullet roe. They also...
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Obica Mozzarella Bar - Italian: Roppongi Hills
Open 11am-10pm (LO; Fri, Sat -11pm) daily.
Gourmet pizzas are the centerpiece of Obica's menu - the kitchen prepares ten in all, including Verdura (eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans and smoked mozzarella) and 7 Formaggi...
Open 11am-10pm (LO; Fri, Sat -11pm) daily.
šGrill Republic - Pizzeria: Roppongi 1-chome
Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO; Sat, Sun -9pm) daily.
Original deep-dish pizzas and grilled meats are the specialties of the house here, served along with a handful of craft beers from Tokyo's Rio Brewery. Chicago-inspired pies feature a tasty,...
Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO; Sat, Sun -9pm) daily.
šSaika - Cheese: Ginza
Open 5-11pm daily.
Fermented foods are the specialty at this unusual Ginza dining bar, with an emphasis on European dishes incorporating either miso, cheese, or both. A tasty four-cheese fondue, flavored with...
Open 5-11pm daily.
Racler - Cheese: Ginza
Open 11am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
The signature dish at this cheese specialty shop is their raclette platter - a hearty cold-weather treat of melted raclette cheese from Switzerland slathered over an assortment of grilled meats,...
Open 11am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
Lasola - Bhutanese: Ichigaya
Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays, holidays.
Chili pepper daredevils may be interested in trying out the Ema Datshi, a chili-cheese stew that's absolutely packed with peppers. Prepared by Lasola's Bhutanese chef, it's one of the spiciest...
Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays, holidays.
Fromatique - French: Iidabashi
Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
The set lunch menu at this cheese specialty restaurant is one of the better raclettes in town, and a pretty good deal. It comes with premium-grade heirloom vegetables and tasty home-made sausages,...
Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
šGatemo Tabum - Bhutanese: Yoyogi-Uehara
Open noon-2, 6-11pm. Closed Mondays.
Tokyo's premier Bhutanese restaurant offers an exciting menu of exotic dishes from the mountainous kingdom, most of them incorporating a hefty dose of chili peppers. The national dish of Bhutan is a...
Open noon-2, 6-11pm. Closed Mondays.
Obica Mozzarella Bar - Italian: Yokohama Sta.
Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
This branch of the Rome-based, cheese-centric restaurant offers a stylishly decorated dining room and all-day service. In addtion to cheese tasting plates, the menu features ten kinds of pizza,...
Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
Le Bar a Vin 52 - Wine bar: Ebisu
Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
Run by Seijo Ishii, the import-heavy food and wine market, this unpretentious wine bar serves very reasonably priced wines by the glass or bottle. There's a full menu of grilled meats, hefty...
Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
šLe Bar a Vin 52 - Wine bar: Azabu-Juban
Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
As the name implies, wine is the main focus at this bustling bar-restaurant, with a food menu designed to play a supporting role. Wine prices are extremely reasonable (the shop is run by the Seijo...
Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.
šGrand Marche de Vin - Wine bar: Ginza
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Cheese lovers take note - the custom five-cheese platter at this casual wine bar, priced at Y980, may be one of the best deals in town. The cheese counter offers dozens of different varieties, so...
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
šBertrand Larcher Bar a Cidre - French: Kagurazaka
Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Mondays, Tuesdays.
Attached to fancy French restaurant Bertrand Larcher, the Bar a Cidre is a great place to explore French ciders along with modern Breton cuisine. The food is first rate, with very appetizing starters...
Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Mondays, Tuesdays.
Hagare - Wine bar: Shimo-Kitazawa
Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.
If you're a cheese fan it's well worth dropping by this casual wine bar just to try their excellent four-cheese platter. The shop offers around a hundred wines by the bottle and twenty by the glass,...
Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Poutine, other dishes
Toyoda's Cheese Steak - American: Takadanobaba
Open 11am-10pm daily.
The tiny original branch of Toyoda's in Hatagaya makes the best Philadelphia-style cheesesteak sandwiches in town, so the opening of a larger branch in Takadanobaba is a welcome development.
Open 11am-10pm daily.
šOreryu Shio-ramen - Ramen: Shinjuku
Open 11am-11pm daily.
Oreryu's Special "Ga-Ba-Chi" Ramen (aka "Garlic Butter Cheese") is a very satisfying bowl of noodles. It's moderately spicy and heavy on the garlic, with toasted garlic chips supplementing the roast...
Open 11am-11pm daily.
Mensho San Francisco - Ramen: Nishi-Shinjuku
Open 11am-11pm daily.
One of an small chain of ramen shops noted for their inventive recipes, this branch of Mensho specializes in tori paitan (creamy chicken stock) ramen. The beige-colored soup is light and refreshing,...
Open 11am-11pm daily.
Gau's - Beer bar: Shibuya
Open tpm-1:30am (LO; Fri, Sat -3:30am). Closed Mondays.
Notable for their late-night hours, Gau's offers a handful of US craft beers on tap from breweries like Lost Coast, Rogue and Left Hand, with three-part tasting flights a popular option. They only...
Open tpm-1:30am (LO; Fri, Sat -3:30am). Closed Mondays.
Oreryu Shio-ramen - Ramen: Iidabashi
Open 10am-6am daily.
Ramen maniacs come here for the Gabachi ramen - the "ga-ba-chi" stands for garlic, butter and cheese - made with a rich, spicy base of roasted garlic oil. Other popular variations include Yuzu...
Open 10am-6am daily.
šToyoda's Cheese Steak - American: Hatagaya
Open 11am-10pm daily.
This neighborhood sandwich counter serves Philadelphia-style cheesesteak and pulled pork sandwiches, and sometimes meatball subs. The cheesesteak comes in either hoagie or sandwich format (the...
Open 11am-10pm daily.
Grilled-cheese sandwiches
šEgg Tokyo - American: Ikebukuro
Open 10am-8pm (LO) daily.
It's always a pleasure when a famous signature dish lives up to its reputation, and "Eggs Rothko" is worthy of the acclaim. A creation of chef George Weld that was first served at his Brooklyn...
Open 10am-8pm (LO) daily.
Potamelt - Sandwiches/ burgers: Kita-Sando
Open 8am-7pm daily.
Grilled-cheese "melt" sandwiches are the specialty of the house here, and the Blue-Cheese Melt is especially recommended. It's got just enough blue cheese in the blend to give it some bite, but not...
Open 8am-7pm daily.
šHohokam Diner - Burgers: Harajuku
Open 11am-3, 3-9pm (LO) daily.
Excellent burgers and sandwiches, good American craft beers by the bottle, and outdoor terrace seating are some of the attractions at this stylish all-day burger joint in the heart of Harajuku.
Open 11am-3, 3-9pm (LO) daily.
Luke's Lobster - Sandwiches/ deli: Shibuya
Open 11am-7pm daily.
The popular New York-based lobster shop serves up tasty sandwiches - both seafood rolls and grilled-cheese style - featuring Maine lobster, crabmeat and shrimp. They also carry American craft beers...
Open 11am-7pm daily.
šBuy Me Stand - Sandwiches/ deli: Shibuya
Open 8am-9pm (LO) daily.
Located midway between Shibuya, Daikanyama and Ebisu, Buy Me Stand serves excellent grilled-cheese sandwiches along with soups and salads. In the mornings (before 11am) it's breakfast time, with...
Open 8am-9pm (LO) daily.
Looking Good - Sandwiches/ deli: Otemachi
Open 7:30-9:30, 11am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed weekends.
It's good to have a specialty, and this tiny shop has single-mindedly devoted itself to toasted cheese sandwiches, served morning, noon and night. They're nicely prepared and served on crunchy...
Open 7:30-9:30, 11am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO). Closed weekends.
Allpress Espresso - Coffee shop: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
Open 8am-5pm (Sat, Sun 9-6) daily.
Occupying a beautifully restored timber warehouse, this combination roastery and cafe is a convivial and very hip spot to relax in for a serious cup of coffee or a mid-afternoon snack. The food is...
Open 8am-5pm (Sat, Sun 9-6) daily.
Potamelt - Sandwiches/ burgers: Naka-Meguro
Open 8am-9pm daily.
Grilled-cheese sandwiches are the specialty of the house at Potamelt, and the Blue-Cheese Melt is especially recommended. It's got just enough blue cheese in the blend to give it some bite, but not...
Open 8am-9pm daily.
šBuy Me Stand - Sandwiches/ deli: Yokohama Motomachi
Open 8am-10pm daily.
Classic American diner-style grilled-cheese sandwiches are the specialty here, along with BLTs, hearty soups, gourmet coffee, and various breakfast dishes in the morning. We enjoyed a well-executed...
Open 8am-10pm daily.
Cheese retailers
Seijo Ishii - Retail: Ebisu
Open 8am-11pm 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...
Open 8am-11pm daily.
National Azabu - Retail: Hiroo
Open 9am-8pm daily.
One of the best of the international supermarkets, with the widest range of imported foods in Tokyo (along with Nissin in Azabu-Juban). You'll find good selections of wines, cold cuts and imported...
Open 9am-8pm daily.
Nissin - Retail: Azabu-Juban
Open 8:30am-9pm daily.
Meat is Nissin's strong point, with over a dozen types of cold cuts, a cornucopia of sausages, and unusual items like pheasant, rabbit, and even kangaroo meat. And the third-floor wine shop is worth...
Open 8:30am-9pm daily.
šGrand Marche de Vin - Wine bar: Ginza
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
Cheese lovers take note - the custom five-cheese platter at this casual wine bar, priced at Y980, may be one of the best deals in town. The cheese counter offers dozens of different varieties, so...
Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
šEataly - Italian: Marunouchi
Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.
This commuter-friendly, underground branch of the popular Italian chain includes an imported food market, a cafe, a casual wine bar, and a full-fledged pizza- and pasta-centric restaurant, all...
Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.
Hokkaido Foodist - Antenna shop: Yaesu
Open 10am-8pm daily.
Located at the western end of the Yaesu underground shopping area next to Tokyo station, Foodist is a veritable supermarket of Hokkaido food and drink. The dairy section is especially well stocked,...
Open 10am-8pm daily.
šVoice of Cheese - Cheese shop: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
Open 11am-7pm daily.
Some shops are worth visiting for their name alone, and this is clearly one of them. The cheese-meister here is a specialist in artisanal cheeses from Hokkaido, which have earned an excellent...
Open 11am-7pm daily.
Costco Tamasakai - Retail: Machida
Open 10am-8pm daily.
The American big-box retailer stocks a lot of imported goods as well as local produce and packaged foods. They also sell wines and liquor at discount prices. Individual membership is Y4200 per...
Open 10am-8pm daily.
This page lists restaurants with notable cheese cuisine or cheese platters. See also our guide to Tokyo pizzas.
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