Tomoya Kawada's Sazenka in Minami-Azabu was Japan's first three-star Chinese restaurant, awarded 2020. Chinese technique meets kaiseki rhythm.
Signature: Tea-Zen-Chinese tasting course, Smoked duck, Hand-pulled noodles
Order: The full tasting; the smoked duck and house-made hand-pulled noodles are the through-line.
Tip: Closed Sundays and irregular Mondays. Booking via byFood opens 60 days ahead for international guests.
Tempura Uchitsu in Tokyo's Minami-Azabu is Daisuke Uchitsu's two-Michelin-star tempura counter, all sesame-oil frying, eight seats and seasonal omakase only.
Signature: Sesame-oil tempura omakase, Anago and shrimp openers, Tendon rice bowl closer
Order: The full omakase tempura course; ten to twelve pieces and a tendon rice closer.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Phone reservation in Japanese only; Pocket Concierge handles English bookings.
Savoy Pizza Azabu-Juban in Tokyo is the AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizza counter that built Tokyo's wood-fired pizza scene. Two-item menu, six counter stools.
Signature: Margherita D.O.P., Marinara classica, Diavola pepperoni and chilli
Order: The Margherita and the Marinara, side by side.
Tip: Cash only at the counter. Closed Mondays; queue from 11:30 for lunch.
Ippudo Roppongi in Tokyo is the Hakata-style tonkotsu chain's late-night branch, open until 03:00 weekends. The standard intro to creamy pork ramen.
Signature: Shiromaru classic tonkotsu, Akamaru modern miso-tonkotsu, Karaka-men spicy tonkotsu
Order: Akamaru modern with extra-firm noodles; add a kaedama refill.
Tip: Open 11:00-03:00 Fri-Sat, until 24:00 weekdays. Counter and tables, English menu.
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu in Tokyo is the wood-beamed izakaya famous as the Kill Bill restaurant inspiration. Yakitori, soba and a dramatic two-floor room.
Signature: Yakitori skewers, Hand-cut soba, Tempura set
Order: Mixed yakitori platter, soba and an Asahi pilsner.
Tip: Reservations recommended. Open daily 11:30-03:30. Lunch sets are calmer and cheaper than dinner.
Billboard Live Tokyo in Tokyo Midtown is the 4th-floor terrace dinner-show room. Three-tier seating, big-name pop, jazz, and rock tours from Japan and abroad.
Tip: Service area tables face the stage but cost more; casual cocktail seats further back are cheaper. Two sets nightly, reservations via the official site.
Maduro on the 4th floor of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi Hills is the late-night jazz lounge. Leather sofas, gas lanterns, deep whisky list.
Tip: Live music charge 2,200 yen after sets begin around 20:00. Reserve a sofa for a group; cigars allowed in the side lounge.
Gen Yamamoto in Tokyo's Azabu-Juban is the eight-seat counter run solo by Yamamoto-san. Seasonal-fruit tasting cocktails in four or six courses, no menu.
Tip: Reserve the four or six-course tasting in advance; phones discouraged, photos rarely permitted. Closed Mondays.