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.

Sant Pau (サンパウ) modern Spanish A branch of the Michelin three-star restaurant in Catalonia, Spain opened in the center of Tokyo in 2004. The lunch and dinner menus feature the same elaborate courses that are served at the original location that encourage slow dining, with the addition of a 'quick menu' during lunchtime. Elegant, modern interior that includes wine and cigar bars. Many ingredients and wines are directly imported from Catalonia. Dinner from about ￥18,000. Menu in Spanish, English and Japanese. Coredo Nihonbashi Annex, 1-6-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku Restaurant 03-3517-5 Station: Nihonbashi more information...

Senbikiya Nihonbashi Main Branch (千疋屋日本橋本店) fruit parlor, café, restaurant and gift shop Sky-high prices for fruit parfaits, juices, fresh fruits and more, but each delight is worth every yen as Senbikiya fruits are grown and served to perfection. Recommended: every Monday they host an all-you-can-eat fruit buffet (￥4,200, at the Fruit Parlor) featuring 20 types of premium fruits, their signature mango curry (among other savory dishes) and drinks. Make reservations early as these sittings often fill up a month or two in advance. Unlike the other Senbikiyas, fine dining is available at the Nihonbashi Main Branch at restaurant De-Meter. Recommended: the seasonal fruit parfaits, delicious and gorgeous. Café from about ￥1,500. Menu in Japanese. Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower 1-2F, 2-1-2 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku 03-3241-1630 Station: Mitsukoshimae (metro exits A4, A6, A8) more information...

Vionys (ヴォニス) Salon de Champagne A collection of 260+ bottles of champagne and over 50 of red and white wines. Every day there are four kinds of champagne available by the flute. With French-influenced dishes to whet your appetite for more, let the bubbly flow! Open for pre-or post-dinner toasts, or dinner itself. A glass of Champagne from ￥1,365. Food menu in Japanese, wine list in French. Ginza 8818 Bldg. 3F, 8-8-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku 03-5537-0700 Station: Ginza (metro exit A2), Shinbashi (metro exit 1; JR Ginza exit) more information...

Ginto (銀兎) New York-Asian fusion Geometric design in black, white, and silver. Ginto serves original dishes like fusion sushi, with rice cooked in red wine. The head chef studied at a three-star restaurant in France before leading his staff at Ginto. Courses from ￥3,500. Menu in English and Japanese. Minami-Ikebukuro Kyodo Bldg. 4F, 1-19-5 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3980-0800 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 39) more information...

Honkaku Coffee Showa (本格珈琲昭和) café Time travel back to the Showa era. Coffee beans are ground and brewed upon ordering, so sit back in the dark wooden chairs and take your time looking around the nostalgic interior. Recommended: don't rush your stay, as refills are half-price. Coffee from ￥600. Menu in Japanese. Fujii Bldg. B1F, 3-24-3 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3987-0230 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 1B) more information...

La Fête French brasserie Reasonablably-priced French fare that doesn't compromise on flavor. Priced from just ￥2,730, all dinner courses allow you to choose both an appetizer and entrée—each with over half a dozen selections, like the smoked salmon tourtiere appetizer and beef cheek simmered in red wine entrée (both pictured)—as well as a fresh homemade sweet from the dessert cart. The lunch is popular among neighborhood OLs. Recommended: wine bottles are half-price on Monday evenings. Dinner from about ￥3,000. Menu in Japanese with some French. 2-27-2 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3985-5885 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 39) more information...

Meisha Chakan (梅舎茶館) Chinese tea and café The owner goes to mainland China and Taiwan herself in search of teas to serve at this café. Over 25 types of Chinese tea at any time, and visitors are welcome to ask the staff for recommendations based on his or her mood or health. Visits from around￥1,500. Menu in Japanese. 2F, 2-18-9 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku (above the dry cleaners) 03-3971-2256 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit) more information...

Mutekiya (無敵家) tonkotsu-shoyu ramen (Japanese) The rich gravy-like broth made of tonkotsu (pork bones) blended with a splash of shoyu (soy sauce) yields a delicious, surprisingly not-too-heavy ramen. Juicy chaashuu (BBQ pork slices) and perfectly soft-boiled eggs are among the popular toppings. Be prepared to wait in line during lunch and dinner hours. Recommended: hon-maru men（本丸麺, ￥730, pictured）, with a little bit of everything in their signature broth. Ramenn from ￥630. Menu in English and Japanese. 1-17-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3982-7656 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit) more information...

Oedo (活魚 大江戸) kaiten sushi (sushi on conveyor belts) The president of Oedo went all the way to Malta in the Mediterranean Sea to strike a deal on hon-maguro (本鮪, or bluefin tuna). This means when the ootoro fatty tuna sushi comes around on the conveyor belt, it's yours for only ￥315. Recommended: go mid-afternoon to avoid the lunch and dinner crowds. Meals from about ￥1,800. Menu in Japanese. 1-40-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku 03-3980-7973 Station: Ikebukuro (JR east exit; metro exit 34) more information...

Bar Depo bar A stylish bar with reasonable party rates. On weekdays, the "Skip Course" (￥3,500) gets you a decent dinner and an open bar for three hours (two on weekends). Dimmed lights and wooden counters gives the bar an intimate feel. Pronounced 'day-po'. Drinks from ￥700 (plus a ￥300 table charge). Menu in Japanese. B1, 2-12-11 Ueno, Taito-ku 03-3837-3085 Station: Ueno-Hirokoji (metro exit 3) more information...