Restaurant Japan - The 10 best restaurants Japan in 2024

Practical information : Eating out Japan

Timetable

The hours are random. If some restaurants serve continuously from 11am to midnight, the smaller ones have reduced hours: 11am-2pm for lunch, 6pm-10pm for dinner. Others remain open but no longer serve lunch after 2pm and offer a different menu.

Budget & Tips

Expect to pay between ¥900 and ¥1,500 for a bowl of noodles or a small platter of sushi. There are water vending machines everywhere, but it's much cheaper to have a reusable bottle that you fill up in parks, shopping malls or train stations. Water is drinkable everywhere (unless otherwise stated). Tax is 8% on takeaway orders and 10% on the premises.

What costs extra

Prices are usually quoted with and without taxes (10%). There are no nasty surprises at the checkout and no tipping is tolerated. A glass of fresh water or barley tea is always offered upon arrival, as well as a small towel to dry your hands. Payment is made at the cashier's desk when you leave. In small restaurants, a machine allows you to choose your dish and pay at the entrance. You then receive a ticket that you give to the waiter.

The local way

The type of cutlery in Japan depends on the menu. Most restaurants serving Japanese food will have only chopsticks, but a curry restaurant will have spoons. The portions can be quite small. Sometimes there is the possibility of getting a free refill of rice or the option of oomori, which is a larger portion of rice or pasta.

To be avoided

Some rules about chopstick use: don't stick your chopsticks in your dish, don't point your chopsticks at someone or something, and don't cross your chopsticks with another person's.

Kids

Smaller restaurants may not allow children into the restaurant, but most of them welcome them. Chairs and children's menus are often available.

Smokers

The law changed not so long ago. Since April 2020, smoking has been banned inside restaurants, with the exception of small bars and gargotes run by a single person or a family, which have a smaller footprint. However, some restaurants and hotels have designated smoking areas.

Tourist traps

In busy neighborhoods, restaurants are often upstairs. Hustlers call out to passers-by on the street to invite them upstairs. It is better to check the menu and the prices before letting yourself be taken.

The best restaurants Japan

UZUKI

OKONOMI-MURA

KOBE PLAISIR

MARION CREPES NIKKO

IPPUDO TAO FUKUOKA

RYOTEI SUZAKI

HIPPARI DAKO

KANI-DORAKU

ISSEN YŌSHOKU

UENO YABU SOBA

OMEN

SAPPORO BEER GARDEN

SOMETARO

KAKIDEN

GONPACHI NISHIAZABU

PIZZA SALVATORE CUOMO & GRILL

TSURUTOKAME

UMI NO RESTAURANT

MAIDO RAMEN

YOKOBACHI

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