Restaurants, Bars and Cafés Beauty & Health Points of Interest

One of the greatest things about living in Tokyo is that the world is, literally, at your fingertips--especially at the dinner table. In the land where culinary excursions are practically a national hobby, good food is plentiful; you just have to know where to look. Here are some of our recommendations to add to your favorites.

Leroux French, Italian The chef goes out of his way to serve only the freshest—and often organic—vegetables. Fine pork chops and a large menu of organic wines also available. Pets are allowed on their balcony seating. Families with children welcome. Courses from ￥3,500. English menu available by request when making your reservation. 1-16-3 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku 03-3467-1247 Station: Sangubashi (Odakyu line), Yoyogi (JR) more information...

Mikura at Mark City Shibuya (御蔵マークシティ渋谷店) rustic Kyoto cuisine This is a tranquil rest stop amid the hustle and bustle of Shibuya station. Traditional soul food like tonyu-nabe (豆乳鍋, soymilk hotpot), seasonal tempura vegetables, and saikyo-yaki (西京焼き, fish marinated in Kyoto miso), are served in plates and bowls as beautiful as the presentation. Reasonably priced. Recommended: the budget-friendly lunch sets starting from ￥2,100. Dinner from around ￥4,500. Menu in Japanese. Shibuya Mark City West 4F, 1-12-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku 03-5459-4011 Station: Shibuya (JR, metro, Keio Inokashira line: follow signs for Mark City 4th floor) more information...

The Pink Cow Californian A laid-back hangout of a restaurant frequented by the foreign and internationally-minded crowds. Owner Traci is the epitome of a “people-person” and hosts fine parties for various communities and events. Reasonable prices, worldly cuisine, friendly and chill atmosphere. Dinner from ￥1,500 on weekdays and Sundays, from ￥2,700 on Fridays and Saturdays. Menu in English and Japanese. Villa Moderna B1, 1-3-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku 03-3406-5597 Station: Shibuya (JR east exit; metro exit 11) more information...

Restaurant Kinoshita (レストラン・キノシタ) French This 30-seater is one of the hardest places in Tokyo to get a reservation. Diners around the city flock here for the casual atmosphere, the casual price tag and chef Kinoshita's culinary art. With full courses ranging from just ￥3,800 to no more than ￥7,500, it's not hard to understand why. Recommended: if you find yourself with a free evening one night, call up the restaurant and see if there are any last-minute cancellations. A table for two is sometimes available. Dinner from around ￥4,500. Menu in Japanese. Reservations accepted on the first Mon of each month, 16:00-18:00, for the following month. 3-37-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku 03-3376-5336 Station: Yoyogi Koen (metro exit 2) more information...

Ambrosia French In classical mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods. Feel divine looking down at the world below from the 44th floor of this Keio Plaza Hotel restaurant. The head chef received recognition for his culinary skills from the French government before establishing himself here. Perhaps this is the perfect place to forget your mortal worries... at least for a few hours. Open year-round. Dinner from around ￥11,500. Menu in French and Japanese. Keio Plaza Hotel 44F, 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3344-0111 (hotel Station: Shinjuku (JR west exit), Nishi-Shinjuku (metro), Tochomae (Toei Oedo line exit B1) more information...

Hanezu (朱華) steak The secret is in the seasoning. Hanezu keeps it simple using a special type of salt from saltwater and seaweed, which is they assure customers is all the flavoring one needs when cooking the finest Japanese Black cattle. Enjoy your steak hot off the teppan (grill) inside the East-meets-West interior. Recommended: though the VIP room may be tempting, request a seat at one of the main teppanyaki counters to get the most out of the sizzling action. Courses from ￥8,000. Menu in Japanese. Aitosu Bldg. 2F, 2-22-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku 03-5287-5622 Station: Shinjuku (JR east exit), Higashi-Shinjuku (Toei Oedo line), Shinjuku-Sanchome (Toei Shinjuku line) more information...

Kao Tai (カオタイ) Thai Feel like you are back on Khaosan Road―the restaurant is just as lively as the famous strip in Bangkok where locals and visitors come together. Recommended: the refreshing and authentic Spicy Green Papaya Som Tam Salad (￥1,030, pictured), flavored with just the right combination of lemon and fish sauce to give it that kick. Recommended: start your afternoon with the lunch buffet (￥900 on weekdays, ￥1,000 on weekends) before taking a stroll down all the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood. Dinner from around ￥2,500. Menu in Japanese. Arai Bldg. B1, 2-14-6 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku 03-3204-5806 Station: Takadanobaba (metro exit 6; JR, Seibu Shinjuku line: Waseda exit) more information...

Kouei (幸永) Korean barbeque Our favorite spot for late-night juicy yakiniku (焼肉, Korean barbeque) cravings, especially the innards (ho-ru-mon or ホルモン, and it tastes better than it sounds!). Due to the popularity of the original restaurant, the operation has grown from one to four shops, all in Shinjuku. Glowing red lanterns and shichirin (charcoal braziers) outside the shops are your markers. Recommended: tan-shio (タン塩, salted beef tongue), kiwami horumon (極ホルモン, beef innards), and the various soups. Dinner from around ￥4,000. Menu in Japanese. 2-4-11 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku 03-3205-4364 Station: Higashi-Shinjuku (Toei Oedo line exit A1) more information...

Polestar bar The dark and chic interior is a beautiful contrast to the glittering view outside, whether it's the sunset or the evening skyline. Sit at the counter and see Tokyo sprawled out before your eyes, or sit back on the comfy lounge sofas and soak in the atmosphere. Recommended: watch the sunset with \800 drinks during Twilight Cocktail Time every day until 19:00. Cocktails from ￥1,365 (plus a 10% service charge). Menu in English and Japanese. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Honkan 45F, 2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3344-0111 (hotel Station: Shinjuku (JR west exit; Keio, Odakyu, metro: exit A16), Tochomae (Toei Oedo line exit B1) more information...

Shinjuku Nakamuraya (新宿中村屋本店) curry restaurant, bakery Nakamuraya has been a Shinjuku landmark since setting up shop in 1909. With six stories including the basement and an attached east wing, several trips may be necessary to take in the whole package. The different restaurants and tea salons serve a wide range of cuisines to satisfy any cosmopolitan gourmand, from Chinese to European to Indian curry. They are most famous for their Indian curry and their sweets and breads. Recommended: for a quick bite on the road, order the curry bread from the first floor. It's deep fried at the store, so eat it while it's hot! Curry bread ￥158 on the 1st floor. Curry from ￥1,470 on the 2nd floor. Menu in Japanese. 3-26-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 03-3552-6161 Station: Shinjuku (JR east exit; metro exit A6) more information...