Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and bar that's the epitome of Tokyo cool. The multilevel
space has an open kitchen that allows you to watch the
delicious range of dishes being prepared. The lunchtime
“course menus” (see p.145) are great deals at ¥2100
(dinner's more like ¥6000), and they have a fine selection
of sake and
shōchū
to match.
Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight.
Homework's
5-1-20 Hiro-o, Shibuya-ku
T
03 3440 4560,
W
homeworks-1.com;
Hiro-o station; map pp.100-101.
This popular pit stop at the end of Hiro-o's main shopping
street does good, chunky, home-made burgers (from ¥1000)
- and the French fries are well up to scratch, too.
Mon-Sat
11am-8.30pm, Sun 11am-5.30pm.
Ì
Iroha Sushi
͍Ζण࢘
1-5-13 Kami-Meguro,
Meguro-ku
T
03 5722 3560,
W
irohasushi.com; Naka-
Meguro station; map pp.100-101.
Relaxed sushi den
that's the diametric opposite of most diners in this fancy
part of town - you won't see any hipsters or bohos
here, just salary-folk and older locals. Every single piece
is freshly made, yet the place remains cheaper than any
kaiten-zushiya
, especially at lunchtime, when huge sets go
from just ¥680.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm & 5-10.30pm.
Pizzeria da Isa
ϐοπΣϦΞμΠʔα
1-28-9 Aobadai,
Minato-ku
T
03 5768 3739,
W
da-isa.jp; Naka-Meguro
station; map pp.100-101.
The Japanese head chef at this
authentically Italian-style pizzeria scooped a clutch of awards
in Napoli - if he made his mark in the very home of pizza,
you can be sure that this is the best you'll find in all Japan.
Pizzas go from ¥1450, though note that every diner needs to
order one dish and a drink; service is also notoriously uppity.
Tues-Sun 11.30am-2pm & 5.30-11pm.
Ì
Tonki
ͱΜ͖
1-1-2 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku
T
03 3491 9928; Meguro station; map pp.100-101.
This minimalist, sharp-looking, family-run restaurant,
where a seemingly telepathic team create order out of
chaos, is the most famous place in town for
tonkatsu
.
Expect to have to queue up for a seat at mealtimes. Sets
from ¥1800, cutlet alone ¥1250.
Daily except Tues
4-10.45pm.
14
HARAJUKU, AOYAMA AND SHIBUYA
AtoZ
5F 5-8-3 Minami Aoyama, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5464
0281; Omotesandō station; map pp.108-109.
Enter the
offbeat world of artist Yoshitomo Nara, whose pieces
decorate this impressive café - part art installation, part
kindergarten for the art-school set. The food includes tasty
salads, noodle and rice dishes - all the kind of things a
Japanese mum might cook up - for around ¥1000 a meal.
Try the brown-sugar coconut pudding for dessert.
Daily
11.30am-11.30pm.
Curry Up
2-35-9
Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5775
5446,
W
curryup.jp; Meiji-jingūmae station; map
pp.108-109.
Punning name aside, there's not much to
dislike about this stylish curry canteen where they keep
the menu simple and the food hot and spicy. Try their
butter chicken (¥800-1200 depending on the size of the
portion).
Daily 11.30am-9pm (Sun till 8pm).
Ì
Eat
2-12-27 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku
T
03 6459
2432; Gaienmae station; map pp.108-109.
The top-
quality Kōbe beef burger (¥1050, or ¥1470 for a double-
decker) headlines at this fab little diner, but they also do
an equally delicious lamb version and classy renditions of
American faves such as seafood gumbo and burritos.
Owner Michi, a top chef in LA for 24 years, speaks fluent
English and loves to chat with the customers.
Mon-Sat
11.30am-3.30pm & 6-10.30pm, Sun 11.30am-3pm.
Ganso Kujiraya
ݩ͘͡Β
2-9-22 Dōgenzaka,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 3461 9145,
W
www.kujiraya.co.jp;
Shibuya station; map p.115.
Like it or not, the Japanese
have eaten whale meat for centuries, and this smart
venue is a good option if you'd like to see - and taste -
what the fuss is about. You may not be able to make head
or tail of the menu (though it does feature pictures of
the latter), so take a Japanese-speaker along if possible;
most dishes are ¥780-980.
Mon-Fri 11am-2pm &
5-10.30pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am-11.30pm.
Gaya
զ
2-2-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
T
03 3498 8810,
W
gaya.co.jp;
Shibuya station; map pp.108-109.
Macro-
biotic food and stylish decor rarely go hand in hand, but this
unconventional
izakaya
manages the trick nicely, offering
plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes (around ¥1000 each)
alongside those with meat and fish.
Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm
& 5.30pm-midnight, Sat & Sun 5.30pm-midnight.
Gonpachi
14F E-Space Tower, 3-6 Maruyama-chō,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 5784 2011; Shibuya station; map
p.115.
A sister restaurant to the famous one in Roppongi
(see p.152), this is great for a meal with a view - even Bill
Clinton came along once. Under an elegant grid of dangling
lamps, sushi dishes go for ¥250 and up; interesting veggie
options include okra, ginger and seaweed. Service can be
a little slow.
Daily 11.30am-2am.
Hanamaru
ͳ·Δ
B1, 2-1 Udagawa-chō, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5428 0870,
W
hanamaruudon.com; Shibuya
station; map p.115.
Simple noodle restaurant which is a
touch classier, and certainly makes tastier food, than the
bigger chains. Their cheapest udon is ¥280, and though
nothing's in English, picture menus help out somewhat.
Daily 9am-10pm.
Hiroba
B1 3-8-15 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku
T
03
3406 6409; Omotesandō station; map p.113.
Hearty
lunch buffets with plenty of veggie options for ¥1200 are
served at this casual operation, attached to the Crayon
House natural food shop just off Omotesandō.
Daily
11am-10pm.
Kaikaya
։Ֆ
23-7 Maruyama-chõ, Shibuya-ku
T
03
3770 0878,
W
kaikaya.com;
Shinsen station; map
pp.108-109.
This convivial, smoky
izakaya
, specializing in
