Tokyo
The Most Romantic Restaurants in Tokyo
Get the inside scoop on the best restaurants for a great date night in Tokyo.
If you're searching for the best romantic restaurants in Tokyo, look no further. From affordable places to intimate settings, our curated list highlights the best restaurants for date nights. You'll find options that are nothing short of spectacular, such as Jambo Hanare, Butagumi, and Sushi Mizugami. The guide is based on recommendations from World of Mouth experts including the likes of Tristin Farmer, Justin Hurst, and Naoyuki Honda, so you can trust that your next date night will be memorable.
Jambo Hanare
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3-chōme-27-9 Hongō, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Jambo Hanare is a cozy yakiniku spot in Tokyo that people often call a favorite when visiting the city. Diners appreciate the personal touch of having each bite prepared right in front of them, adding to the memorable and relaxed experience. The intimate counter seating makes it feel special, so planning ahead is a good idea.
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Fantastic ExperienceJambo Hanare branch on the counter is a great way to have yakiniku. The meats are fantastic and it is all cooked for you to perfection. I would say it was our favorite yakiniku this past trip to Tokyo. Make sure to pre order the beef rice. It is incredible. I have posted a photo of this dish.
Goryu Kubo
Japan, 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City, Nishiazabu, 1-chōme−13−１４ シャロム西麻布 3階
Goryu Kubo is a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo where diners appreciate the careful attention given to each aspect of the meal. Many praise the overall quality and thoughtful preparation of the changing menu. The restaurant is also planning to open a location in Los Angeles, making it an exciting time for anyone who values skillful Japanese cooking.
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Really one of my best meals ever. Each course was immaculate. Really one of my best meals ever. Each course was immaculate, cuisson perfect. From the turnip in kombu niban dashi, with yuzu. So mild and quiet, to the amazing somen and the grilled fish with kinome. Love that place.
Butagumi
2-chōme-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0031, Japan
Butagumi is housed in a traditional two-story Japanese building in Tokyo, with a focus on carefully sourced ingredients from different regions. The chefs pay close attention to every detail, and while the price can be higher, many find the quality well worth it.
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Butagumi, beautifully located in a traditional two-story Japanese house, offers some of the best tonkatsu in Tokyo. The impressive menu lists more than thirty varieties of carefully selected pork from different prefectures in Japan (plus some specially imported ones). The chefs are detail-obsessed, and a visit here can be a religious experience if you're a pork connoisseur. Price is on the higher end but you’ll get what you pay for.
Sushi Mizukami
3-8 Ichibanchō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0082, Japan
Sushi Mizukami is a small sushi restaurant in Tokyo’s business district, headed by Chef Michinobu Mizukami, who spent years at Sukiyabashi Jiro. The eight-seat Hinoki counter, designed by Keiji Ashikawa, creates an intimate setting. Although it opened during the pandemic, it’s already drawing interest for its thoughtful approach to sushi.
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High level sushi in a business district of TokyoOpened during the pandemic, Sushi Mizukami is from Chef Michinobu Mizukami who worked for 15 years at Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi and 1 year at the original Ginza location. The beautiful 8 seat Hinoki counter was designed by Keiji Ashikawa who has also designed a number of Blue Bottle branches in Tokyo. Open for lunch and dinner, there are a couple menu course options but get the dinner course if you want to go all out (even for lunch). 6 otsumami, 16 pieces of nigiri and seasonal fruit rounded out one of my new favorite Omakase experiences in Tokyo. Watch for Mizukami-san to gain more attention and accolades as the restaurant hits their stride post-COViD.
Akasaka Ogino
Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 6-chōme−3−１３ 一階
Akasaka Ogino is a small, counter-only restaurant in Tokyo’s Akasaka district, offering a contemporary kaiseki experience often described as Michelin-level. The chef draws on years of experience at notable Kyoto and Tokyo establishments, preparing refined, seasonal fare right in front of guests. The warm service and intimate atmosphere make it an inviting choice for those looking for a special meal.
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Top Level Contemporary KaisekiOgino-san has worked at some of the most notable kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto and Tokyo and opened his own in 2019 in the Akasaka district of Tokyo. An intimate, counter-only spot that’s become very hard to book. Cooking is top notch, all done right in front of you in the open kitchen. His grilled eel and hassun (seasonal delicacies) are both standouts. The service is warm and friendly.
TROIS VISAGES
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7-chōme−16−２１ 雲ビル 1F
TROIS VISAGES is an intimate spot in Tokyo offering a relaxed, casual fine-dining experience led by Chef Ryouhei Kuninaga. The mostly counter seating and minimalist interior create a calm space where you can watch the chef at work. It’s a comfortable place to connect with friends while enjoying thoughtfully prepared courses highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.
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Intimate casual fine-dining by chef Ryouhei KuninagaOpened in April, this intimate casual fine-dining spot in Higashi Ginza is a great choice for catching up with a couple of friends. The vibe is relaxed, with mostly counter seating in a calm, minimalist setting. Working in the open kitchen, chef Ryouhei Kuninaga is a charming and chatty host who's passionate about ingredients. The enoki mushrooms he mixes into his signature sausages are grown with seawater to add notes of minerality and sweetness, while the "salad" is a sorbet of fragrant shishito peppers. The savory courses conclude with a deeply flavorful and restorative shamo (gamecock) consomme – delicious.
Sharikimon Chawanbu
Japan, 〒160-0007 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Arakichō, ３−２２ 北島ビル １階
Sharikimon Chawanbu is run by a seasoned chef who has worked in some of Tokyo’s top establishments, and it’s located in a quieter part of the city. This spot focuses on high-quality ingredients and a comfortable dining experience. It’s a good choice if you want a laid-back meal that still respects the finer points of Japanese cooking.
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Top notch Tonkatsu restaurant opened by a pedigreed Chef from some of Tokyo’s top restaurants.Located in a more quiet part of Tokyo, Sharikimon Chawanbu offers some of the best Tonkatsu you can find in the city. The menu offers pork loin and tenderloin sets, with the option to choose premium pork varieties from different parts of Japan. The fry is a slightly lighter style, which really showcases the high-quality pork. Pro tip: be sure to order the curry!
The Blind Donkey
Miyoshi 2F, 1-chōme-7-14 Miyoshi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0022, Japan
The Blind Donkey is a friendly spot in Tokyo that combines Japanese and Californian cooking styles. They focus on using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced directly from local producers, creating a humble and inviting dining experience.
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Japanese-Californian authentic farm-to-table cult institution.A very charming hidden gem that combines Californian and Japanese light cuisine (due to the owner-chefs’ backgrounds). Wonderfully innovative but humble cuisine.
TSURUTOKAME
Iwatsuki Bldg II B1, 6-chōme-7-15 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
TSURUTOKAME in Ginza features an all-female team of chefs who bring a warm and personable touch to traditional Japanese cooking. The restaurant offers both counter seating and private rooms, creating a relaxed space for various occasions. Their focus on seasonal ingredients keeps each visit fresh and inviting.
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Amazing all female chef kaisekiLovely and intimate setting breaking the boundaries. Led by all female chef team, rarely seen in this culture. Putting beautiful cuisine with great ingredients. Extremely friendly staff.
Bia
Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 7-chōme−3−２１, Kitayama Bldg., 2F 来山ビル2F
Bia in Tokyo combines Japanese and Thai influences in a casual omakase setting. Bright flavors and a gentle hint of spice stand out, all prepared by a single chef using high-quality ingredients. It’s a welcoming spot where you can enjoy fresh tastes in an intimate atmosphere.
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Japanese - Thai OmakaseSuper interesting concept and delicious food! Thai flavour profiles, with very high end Japanese ingredients. Bright acidity, light food and an elegant spice to it! Only 1 chef in the kitchen which is even more mind blowing with the food he is cooking!Really cool space, book a table while it's still one of Tokyo's best secrets!
Narukiyo Izakaya
Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2-chōme−7−１４ ＶＯＲＴ青山 地下 １階
Narukiyo is a lively izakaya in Tokyo with a loyal local following and a fun, laid-back vibe. It’s been around since 2003 and even appeared on a Netflix show. Reservations are a must, but the experience is worth the effort.
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Good vibes only. Japan's best standing izakaya.Opened in 2003 and I've been a regular ever since. Be sure to take seats at the counter and order Omakase.Enjoy the objects and the atmosphere! But don't be surprised! If you want to feel the real Japan, not for tourists, this is the one.
Nihombashi Kakigaracho Sugita
Japan, 〒103-0014 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashikakigarachō, 1-chōme−33−６ ビューハイツ日本橋 地下１階
Nihombashi Kakigaracho Sugita is an intimate Edomae sushi counter in Tokyo that has earned high praise since 2017. Its calm setting and careful attention to detail make each visit feel special. Though reservations can be hard to come by, many guests say it’s worth the effort.
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Edomae sushi counter awarded with the gold award from Tabelog since 2017.This was probably the absolute best meal in our entire life. Right away when you enter this place, it already feels so special, as if you already know something amazing is about to happen. Then, the counter is beautiful, a 9-seat counter made of Hinoki, perfectly clean, and behind the kitchen you can see chef Takaaki Sugita starting to prepare everything for what we consider the most perfect meal we’ve had, with so much precision, purity, and so calm. Now, focusing on the menu, we had about 8 otsumamis, 11 nigiris, a clam soup, tamago and 3 extra pieces we ordered, and some of those dishes were the following:* Chawanmushi with anago.* Ankimo in sugar, shoyu, sake and mirin.* Kohada nigiri.* Tako.* Chu toro nigiri.* Kuruma ebi.* Bafun uni hokkaido.* Anago.* Tamago.This doesn’t even include some of our favorites, mainly given the poor photo quality (because we are bad photographers and we tried to max take 5 seconds taking the pic of each nigiri), but honestly each and every time we put a nigiri in our mouth it was like touching heaven, we can’t really put it into words.
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