There’s no lack of great places to eat for tourists in Tokyo.
However, there can be language barriers or menus that don’t speak English!
If you’re worried about going hungry while out and about, see our top recommendations.
We’ll show you where to find old-style Tokyo street food, fish markets, and even restaurants with views.
To make things easier, there are plenty of food tours available too.
So get your appetite ready as we reveal the best places to eat in Tokyo for tourists.
1. Shinjuku Golden Gai
Shinjuku Golden Gai is a nostalgic remnant of old Tokyo.
It’s made up of maze-like alleys, mostly filled with drinking establishments.
Enjoy the unique ambiance of tiny niche bars or brave the steep narrow staircases to hidden places above.
Many bars, however, are for ‘members only’, or not open to bar-hopping tourists.
If you see a bartender with a welcoming smile and an English menu, then that’s the place for you.
Some bars to look out for include ARAKU, Tachibana Clinic, and Death Match in Hell.
Although it’s easier to follow a local guide so you can hit the top food and drinking spots.
There’s a lot to discover here but it’s best to arrive after 9pm.
- Opening Hours: Most bars open from 8pm
- Highlights: Small bars
- Location: Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
2. Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
Omoide Yokocho is one of the best places to get a taste of the rough and tumble of Tokyo’s good old days.
Most of the original shops burnt down in 1999 but were soon rebuilt to the original vibe.
It’s a steaming alleyway wafting with the smells of mostly small yakitori or fried chicken stalls.
There are also izakaya pubs that serve a wider variety of foods.
Some menus are in English, but it’s easy enough to see the fare, especially at the many skewer eateries.
You can get there from either the east or west exit of Shinjuku Station.
- Opening Hours: Most shops open early evening til late at night; few open for lunch
- Highlights: Small bars & restaurants
- Location: 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
3. Ameyoko Shopping Street
Ameyoko is south of Ueno Station.
It was once famous for selling candies and then American goods after the war.
Now, it’s more of a broad shopping experience, but popular for fresh produce and also seafood.
You’ll also find items like souvenirs, bags, and cosmetics.
There are plenty of resting spots along the street at cafes and casual diners.
You can easily get full from snacking as you walk down the street.
Shops are tourist-friendly so there’s room to bargain with vendors, although prices are quite low already.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am-8pm
- Highlights: Sweets, fruits & seafood
- Location: 6 Chome-10 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
4. Yurakucho Yakitori Alley
Yurakucho Alley is another unique place to eat in Tokyo.
Here you will find small eateries built beneath the overhead railway tracks.
They run on either side of Yurakucho Station, especially towards Tokyo Station.
But there are more shops on the west side.
The majority of eateries are for yakitori fried chicken or other kinds of izakaya Japanese pub foods.
Yurakucho district is a more laid-back and less pretentious shopping alternative to next-door Ginza.
Prices are quite reasonable too.
- Opening Hours: Daily 5pm-10:30pm
- Highlights: Small bars & meat skewers
- Location: 2 Chome-3-3 Yurakucho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
5. Tsukishima Monja Street
‘Monja’ street in Tsukishima of lower Tokyo is dedicated to monja-yaki.
Monja-yaki is a type of savory fried batter with selective toppings that you just have to try.
Basically, you DIY at a table with a built-in fry griddle, but the staff will help you out.
Many shops also cook up the heartier Osaka ‘okonomiya-yaki’ with cabbage mixed into the batter.
It’s popular to follow up monja-yaki with okonomiyaki and then yaki-soba or fried noodles.
Some shops also have English menus and the best places tend to have queues at peak times.
There are private tours led by local guides who can show you the best place to try Monja-yaki.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am-10:30pm
- Highlights: Monjayaki (fried pancakes)
- Location: 1 Chome-3-丁目 Tsukishima, Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan
6. Asakusa – Nakamise Shopping Street
Asakusa is home to one of Tokyo’s most famous tourist sites and temples, namely, Sensoji.
The temple’s famous Kaminarimon gate with the giant lantern is a short walk from Asakusa Station.
From here, stroll along Nakamise Street towards Hozomon gate which is the main temple entrance.
If you walk straight through the street, it’s only a 5-minute walk.
But there are many touristy places to eat in the side alleys, mostly affordable by Tokyo standards.
Most sit-down restaurants will have food displays in the window or picture menus you can easily choose from.
While it’s just a short walk to Sensoji temple, you could easier spend 1-2 hours at various stalls.
- Opening Hours: Shops daily 10am-5pm
- Highlights: Street food at Nakamise Shopping Street & Sensoji Temple
- Sensoji Temple: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
- Nakamise Shopping Street: 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Check Tours Nakamise site | Sensoji site
7. Kappabashi (Kitchen Town)
Kappabashi Doguya or ‘Kitchen Town’ is more the place to buy your favorite ramen immortalized in plastic.
The street is dedicated to restaurant kitchenware, but non-retail customers are welcome.
You can pick up top-quality Japanese knives, ceramics, and useful gadgets.
There are shops that sell popular food magnets, noren curtains, plastic food displays, and your best ever chopstick set.
The street is named after an infamous water imp-like creature.
It’s about a 10-minute walk from Sensoji Temple and there are local eateries along the way.
You can also take the Tsukuba Express Line to its Asakusa Station.
From here, walk up Kappabashi Shion Street to Kappbashi Dougugai.
- Opening Hours: Most shops Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
- Highlights: Kitchenware
- Location: Kappabashi Street, Tokyo, Japan
8. Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji used to be Japan’s largest and most vibrant fish market.
Tourists loved this place, especially the tuna auctions, but then things got out of hand.
Since then, the main commercial market has relocated to the new Toyosu Fish Market.
Tsujiki Outer Market is what remains, and it’s a treasure trove for seafood lovers.
Professional restaurateurs still come here to buy fresh produce and sample food.
It’s all super fresh since they’re delivered from Toyosu Market.
You can grab a fishy breakfast at Outer Tsukiji as early as 5 am.
Most eateries close around noon or by 2 pm, so come in the morning and you can catch brunch on the fly.
- Opening Hours: Most shops 6am-2pm; Sunday & Wednesday closed
- Highlights: Sushi & Seafood
- Location: 4 Chome-16番2号 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
9. Toyosu Fish Market
Toyosu Fish Market is Tokyo’s modern answer to where tradition meets curiosity.
It was built to replace the older Tsukiji Market in 2018.
There’s now an observation deck where tourists and visitors can safely view the auctions.
For food, check out the three food areas featuring original restaurants or branches relocated from Tsukiji.
Some of the best sushi can be found here, but it does get busy.
You can also visit the Yokocho Market which sells non-perishable goods including teas and other souvenirs.
Tsukiji Outer Market is still the better deal unless you want to watch the tuna auctions.
- Opening Hours: Daily 5am-2pm
- Highlights: Seafood & tuna auction
- Location: 6 Chome-6-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan
10. Tokyo Skytree
When it comes to the best tourist attractions in Tokyo, there is no dearth of places to eat and shop!
The Musashi 364 Sky Restaurant is an exclusive dining experience.
If you want to experience fine dining here, you have to book ahead.
For something casual, Sky Tree Cafe sells coffee, beverages, light snacks, and sweets, but it can get crowded.
You’ll find Sky Tree Cafes on floors 340 and 350.
Alternatively, dine in the Solamachi annexed shopping complex.
They have restaurants on the 6th and 7th floors, many with English menus.
The 30th and 31st floors have premium restaurants and a lounge with views of the Tokyo Sky Tree.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am-9pm
- Highlights: Observations decks & Musashi Sky Restaurant
- Location: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
11. Shibuya
Shibuya Station is famous for its iconic Scramble Crossing intersection.
The city itself includes Harajuku and Omotesando, but Shibuya Station is the main hub.
Around the station are shopping centers such as Shibuya 109, Scramble Square, and Hikarie.
Along Shibuya Center Gai you can find some of the best-priced sushi in Tokyo.
North of the station, in Udagawacho, are small cafes and more select places to eat in a quieter atmosphere.
Food Show, beneath Shibuya Station, is an amazing food mall for deli take-outs, sweat meats, and snacks.
After dark, head to Nonbei Yokocho, with its alleys of small bars and yakitori-style eateries.
- Opening Hours: Most restaurants close by midnight
- Highlights: Shibuya crossing
- Location: Shibuya, Tokyo
12. Ginza
Ginza, the most upscale Tokyo district, is well-known for its Michelin Star restaurants (at least five).
Apart from many fine dining establishments, there are casual dining choices too.
Ginza Mitsukoshi Food Hall is its most famous basement food mall where you can pick up top delicacies and confectionaries.
If you’re brave enough, look for restaurants serving blowfish.
Besides Japanese food, there are plenty of international restaurants.
For the drinkers, check out Bar Lupin, Gaslight Eve, or Bar Evans for jazz and cocktails.
There are also places where you can experience a tea ceremony.
- Opening Hours: Most restaurants 11am-11pm
- Highlights: Fine dining & cocktail bars
- Location: Ginza Tokyo
13. Akihabara
Akihabara is Tokyo ‘geek central’ – ground zero to all things tech, anime, and manga.
Maidreamin is Japan’s largest ‘maid supplier’ with seven maid cafes in Akihabara.
If you don’t want to tramp too far away, there’s dining in Yodobashi Camera.
Also next to the station is Akihabara UDX with restaurants including Tempura Hisago — serving tempura since 1918!
Not to be missed are Akihabara’s ramen restaurants such as Aoshima Shokudo, Motenashi Kuroki, or Ramen Tsugumi.
There are other famous local eateries such as Tonkatsu Murago east of the station.
Just over the bridge, close to Ogawamachi Station is Kanda Matsuya – one of Tokyo’s oldest soba restaurants.
- Opening Hours: Most maid cafes close by 11pm
- Highlights: Maid cafes, anime & manga
- Location: Akihabara, Tokyo
14. Harajuku
Harajuku is home to ‘kawai’ and the fast-moving trends of Tokyo’s youth culture.
Locals come here for the numerous cafes, especially desserts or sweets stalls.
As a tourist, you’ll love shopping, cosplay, and souvenir hunting, but the food on display will distract you!
On the north side towards Takeshita Street, you’ll find plenty of sweet cafes.
You may even come across pet cafes with cats, hedgehogs, or other small animals.
Coming off the east side of Meiji Jingu Mae (Harajuku) Station are more cafes as well as the trendy Cat Street.
Omotesando Hills shopping center is just on the other side of the Cat Street intersection.
- Opening Hours: Shops typically open 11am-8pm
- Highlights: Cosplay culture; cute cafes & desserts
- Location: Harajuku, Tokyo
15. Yanaka
Yanaka district is known as a ‘shitamachi’ or a downtown area.
It’s an old untouched part of Tokyo a short walk from Ueno Park.
The main street, or Yanaka Ginza, sells all sorts of daily items including sweets, snacks, and fresh foods.
In the opposite direction is Yomise-dori street, famous for manju or steamed sweet buns and green tea.
Keeping to the old town charm, many buildings have been repurposed into more trendy types of cafes and eateries.
It’s worth joining a tour to learn more about its history.
And of course, trying local food along the way.
- Opening Hours: Most shop 10am-6pm
- Highlights: Traditional old town & street food
- Location: Yanaka Ginza, Tokyo
Tokyo Map – Places to Eat
FAQs
Ameyoko in Ueno is one of the best places to go on a stroll while eating.
You can easily get a filling lunch from sweet treats and other tasty snacks.
There are also numerous casual sit-down eateries along the street or down its side alleyways.
After breakfast or lunch, you can visit some of the popular museums in Ueno Park.
Tsukiji Outer Market sells the freshest sushi in Tokyo.
It’s best to have lunch a little early since the market closes up early in the afternoon.
Shinjiku main street is another good option for sushi.
Most restaurants have reasonable prices during the day and at night.
Undoubtedly many of Tokyo’s more expensive as well as most acclaimed restaurants are in the Ginza district.
Ginza has the most Michelin-starred restaurants compared to other areas in Tokyo.
It’s best to always make a reservation if you dine at more bespoke restaurants in Ginza.
Weird may vary depending on perspective, but there are a few suggestions.
Akihabara’s maid cafes come tops for indulging the cute and frivolous, but perhaps the clientele are more on the weird side.
Alternatively, the exotic pet cafes that you can find dotted around the Harajuku area may seem a bit strange to some.
In terms of actual food, some restaurants serve blowfish (also known as Fegu or Puffer Fish).
You’ll know it’s on the menu when you see large fish tanks with blowfish swimming around.
Musashi 364 at the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree will get you higher up than any other location.
It’s a more exclusive dining experience and you will need to make a booking.
The Solamachi annex building on the 30th and 31st floors is another option.
A number of restaurants have tables near the windows with up close views of Tokyo Sky Tree.
Prices are more affordable as well.
Summary
| Tokyo Places to Eat | Highlights |
| Shinjuku Golden Gai | Small bars |
| Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) | Small bars & restaurants |
| Ameyoko Shopping Street | Sweets, fruits & seafood |
| Yurakucho Yakitori Alley | Small bars & meat skewers |
| Tsukishima Monja Street | Monjayaki (fried pancakes) |
| Asakusa | Street food |
| Kappabashi (Kitchen Town) | Kitchenware |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | Sushi & Seafood |
| Toyosu Fish Market | Seafood & tuna auction |
| Tokyo Skytree | Observations decks & Musashi Sky Restaurant |
| Shibuya | Shibuya crossing |
| Ginza | Fine dining & cocktail bars |
| Akihabara | Maid cafes, anime & manga |
| Harajuku | Cosplay culture; cute cafes & desserts |
| Yanaka | Traditional old town & street food |
