Brasserie Aux Amis

Country-style French cooking at this Parisian bistro in Tokyo’s business district. The menu - consisting of juicy steaks and the ubiquitous ’frites’ - is written in chalk on large wall mirrors and prepared by the celebrated chef Masashi Hadachi. A casual crowd relax on red leather banquettes indulging in hearty sandwiches at lunchtime and more serious 4-course dinners in the evening.

• Web:

  www.auxamis.com

• Address:

  1/F, Shintokyo Building, 3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6212 1566

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Friday: 11.30am-2pm(Lunch), 2pm-6pm(Cafe). Saturday to Sunday: 11am-2.30pm(Lunch), 2.30pm-5.30pm(Cafe), 5.30pm-11pm(Dinner & Bar)

• More info:

  Reservation is required for prix fixe lunch meal.

• Subway:

  Hibiya Tokyo Metro/Toei Station

Burger Mania Hiroo

As the name suggests, this restaurant serves burgers and it serves burgers with every delicious filling. The interior design gives a fresh feeling and if the weather permits there is an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy your food. Be sure to get here with an empty stomach since the staff serves generously sized burgers.

• Web:

  www.burger-mania.com/

• E-mail:

  burgermania2008@gmail.com

• Address:

  2F, 5-15-25, Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5422 7899

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Friday: 11.30am-11pm. Saturday: 11am-11pm. Sunday: 11am-10pm. Close on 3rd Monday.

• Subway:

  Exit 1, Hirro Tokyo Metro Station

Elio Locanda Italiana

Elio lies off the beaten track just enough to convince people they’re eating in one of Tokyo’s hidden treasures. Receiving rave reviews from its many regulars, steaming bowls of pasta are served up amidst noisy chatter from local residents. Service is polished, and the atmosphere is Mediterranean in attitude.

• Web:

  www.elio.co.jp/en/

• E-mail:

  info@elio.co.jp

• Address:

  2-5-2, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3239 6771

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Saturday: 11.45am-2.15pm, 5.45pm-10.15pm.

• Subway:

  Exit 1, Hanzomon Tokyo Metro Station. Or Exit 1, Kojimachi Tokyo Metro Staion.

Ikinari Steak

Aiming to offer high-quality steak at a reasonable cost, Ikinari Steak is a chain restaurant that lets you choose the weight of your meal, to be enjoyed either seated at a table or standing at one of the counters. The menu focuses entirely on beef, with options including black Angus but also the traditional Wagyu.

• Address:

  2-5-11 Shinjuku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6273 2929

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–11.45pm

Ise Sueyoshi

Highly acclaimed restaurant, praised by locals and tourists alike, and many overseas visitors are falling over themselves to get a table at this petite spot. Ise Sueyoshi truly offers a unique dining experience by serving traditional "Kaiseki" (a traditional Japanese multi-course dinner). Chef Yuuki-san is passionate about his craft and has a deep understanding of the ingredients and the flavours of Japan.

• Web:

  isesueyoshi.blog.fc2.com

• Address:

  4-2-15 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6427 2314

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Saturday: 5.30pm-11.00pm (Last entry 8.30pm)

• More info:

  3F Mizuno Bldg.

Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

The name of the restaurant 511 comes from the fact it only uses meat of the highest quality- A5 grade beef with a beef marbling standard value of 11. At this renowned restaurant, you can relish the finest Kobe beef. With your tasty food, choose a glass of wine from the extensive wine list, all served by the attentive staff.

• Web:

  www.a511.tokyo/en/

• E-mail:

  info@a511.tokyo

• Address:

  Akasaka 4-3-28, Minato Ward, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6685 0511

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Saturday: 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm.

• More info:

  Located on B1 of Dear Plaza Akasaka

• Subway:

  Exit 1, Asakusa Tokyo Metro Station.

Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

Discover the well-concealed back-alley bars of Tokyo's Shinjuku on a fun Bar Hopping Night Tour. With the help of a local guide, visit hidden Shinjuku bars you would otherwise have a hard time finding alone. And between drinks and snacks, get fascinating insights into local life and culture.

Geronimo Shot Bar

With a North American Indian theme, this small bar has an intriguing collection of Native American artefacts on the walls and ceiling. Running its business for 24 years, Geronimo Shot Bar is still going strong with its lively and party ambience. From the speakers, a wide range of music selections is played to keep everyone happy. Pop in and see what the fuss is all about.

• Web:

  www.geronimoshotbar.com

• E-mail:

  Chief@geronimoshotbar.com

• Address:

  7-14-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3478 7449

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Friday: 6pm - late, Saturday to Sunday: 7pm - late

• More info:

  Yamamuro Bldg 2F

Golden Gai

Made of six narrow alleys filled to the brim with bars, Golden Gai is a secluded area of Shinjuku that offers multiple options for either bar hopping or spending the night in a single, quiet environment. Every joint has its own visual or musical theme, so you'll struggle to find something that doesn't suit you.

• Address:

  1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3209 6418

• Opening hours:

  Bars are usually open from 8pm until late.

H2 International Bar

Get connected and mingle with both Japanese and travellers, H2 International Bar is a cosy bar with a friendly and fun atmosphere. Sip a cocktail or a beer while listening to music from the 70s, 80s and 90s, including soul, pop, RnB, and rock. If you like singing, then, you have arrived at the right place, they have Karaoke too.

• Web:

  h2jazzbar.bizweb.jp/

• Address:

  3-6-7 Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5315 4531

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Sunday: from 7pm

• More info:

  Kaida Bldg 2F

Kabukicho

Shinjuku's red-light district, Kabukicho, is worth visiting even only for the spectacle of neon signs that brighten its alleys when the sun sets. Every bar has its own quirk to it: Deathmatch in Hell is decorated with horror movies memorabilia for example, but others may come equipped with karaoke machines or all-you-can-drink sake.

• Address:

  Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Mogambo Tokyo

In the heart of Roppongi, Mogambo Tokyo attracts a good mix of expats, tourists and locals, making it a fun place either for a drink or a date on the weekends, and on the weekends, it turns into a vibrant party hangout as the night falls. A place where friendships are formed and unforgettable nights out are guaranteed.

• Web:

  www.mogambo.net

• E-mail:

  chief@mogambo-asia.com

• Address:

  7-14-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6447 4844

• More info:

  2F Yamato Bldg

Dean & Deluca

This is a coffee chain that offers nice coffee and tea. If you are hungry they serve freshly made food or packaged bakery products, like cake and pie, and tasty salads. The one at Marunouchi is a café with a Espresso Bar and both indoor and outdoor terrace seating.

• Web:

  www.deandeluca.co.jp

• Address:

  1F, 1-4-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3284 7071

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Friday: 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm. Saturaday: 10am-9pm. Sunday: 10am-6pm.

• Subway:

  Otemachi Tokyo Metro / Toei Station. Or Tokyo JR/Tokyo Metro Station.

Higashiya

Located in the heart of Ginza, Higashiya is an upscale tea house and confectionary shop offering tea alongside a selection of handmade seasonal wagashi – traditional Japanese sweets – in a setting and service done with finesse.

• Web:

  www.higashiya.com

• Address:

  1 Chome−7−7, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 3538 3230

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–7pm

Kayaba Coffee

Founded in 1938, closed in 2006 after the death of the original owner, and then reopened in 2008 thanks to local volunteers, Kayaba Coffee is a beloved cafe in Yanaka, where you can experience the unique "kissaten culture" of Japan. Housed in an early-1900s building, Kayaba offers coffee, cheesecakes, omelettes, sandwiches, plus tatami seating upstairs.

• Address:

  6 Chome-1-29 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo

• Subway:

  Nippori Station (Joban, Keihin-Tohoku, Yamanote, Keisei lines, Nippori-Toneri Liner); Nezu Station (Chiyoda line)

Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience

Run by tea master Shinya Sakurai, this distinctive spot where past and present beautifully melt together is situated right outside Omotesando station. A place where the guests are invited to discover and enjoy a great variety of top-quality Japanese teas. Shinya Sakurai dedicated 14 years of his life to becoming a tea master, pop in and enjoy the ultimate experience and taste of this hot beverage.

• Web:

  www.sakurai-tea.jp

• E-mail:

  info@sakurai-tea.jp

• Address:

  5-6-23 Minami Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6451 1539

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Friday: 11am-11pm

• More info:

  5th Floor of The Spiral Bldg.

Starbucks Reserve® Roastery

Stretching across four floors in a beautifully designed building in Nakameguro, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is one of the most unique and the biggest Starbucks in Japan. Even if you're not a fan of this coffeehouse chain, we highly recommend visiting it just for the experience alone. And if you don't really fancy coffee, there are plenty of other drink choices for you to enjoy, such as their signature cocktails and an eclectic range of tea blends. Plus, a variety of delicious pastries, bread, and savoury dishes. As can be expected, everything is priced on the higher end. Also, be aware tickets are limited by the day, so be sure to get there early.

• Address:

  2 Chome-19-23 Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 6417 0202

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–10pm

Zarigani Café

With a varied interior and an easygoing atmosphere, this is a good place to sit down and relax. Try their Japanese curry with rice and the fancy apple pie. Read a book, plan the next part of your trip, or catch up with old friends. Note though that smoking is allowed here.

• E-mail:

  zariganicafe.2000.09.25@gmail.com

• Address:

  1F Suite C, 6-11 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

• Phone:

  +81 3 5459 0655

• Opening hours:

  Monday to Saturday: 12nn-11.30pm. Sunday: 12nn-11pm.

• Subway:

  Shibuya Tokyo Metro Station