The 10 Best Restaurants in Setagaya

Dining Scene in Setagaya

Setagaya is the second largest of Tokyo's 23 wards, home to over 900,000 residents. While it’s not typically known for high-end dining, the areas around Shimokitazawa and Ikejiri-Ohashi, just a few train stops from Shibuya, feature Michelin Guide-listed and Bib Gourmand-winning restaurants.

The area is vibrant, with over 3,400 eateries ranging from traditional Japanese restaurants to cafes and fast food spots, as well as numerous large retail stores.

Setagaya is characterized by its blend of urban and natural landscapes, with city parks and ravines integrated into the residential areas, alongside various academic and cultural facilities such as theaters and art museums.

In this article, the editorial team at OMAKASE, the exclusive Michelin Guide partner for Japan's gourmet online scene, highlights the top 10 restaurants in Setagaya.

Note: When making a reservation, it’s helpful to book not only the table but also any specific courses or dishes you wish to enjoy to ensure a smooth dining experience.

Fine dining in Setagaya

1. Sushi Ikki (鮨 一喜) / Sushi

Sushi Ikki, featured in the Michelin Guide, meticulously prepares each piece to bring out the natural flavors of its ingredients. Every bite is crafted with precision, and the dishware is carefully chosen to match the season and cuisine, enhancing the dining experience both visually and gastronomically.

The restaurant offers a course menu centered around sushi made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Lunch consists of 18 thoughtfully prepared dishes, including steamed egg custard and sushi. Dinner is a 22-course experience featuring sashimi (raw fish slices), sushi, seasonal steamed egg custard, and the chef’s daily specialties.

Sushi Ikki also provides takeaway options, such as bara-chirashi (scattered sushi bowl) and a signature Edo-style thick sushi roll with whole conger eel, allowing guests to enjoy their meal at their accommodation—an appealing option for diners.

2. DAN (ダン) / French

Featured in the Michelin Guide, DAN is a casual French restaurant led by a chef-owner with a background in gastronomy.

This reservation-only spot offers a single chef’s choice menu, blending traditional French recipes with Japanese ingredients for a familiar yet refined experience. A distinctive element is the inclusion of risotto, a nod to the importance of rice in Japanese cuisine.

With just eight counter seats, the restaurant provides an intimate setting where guests can enjoy a warm, lively atmosphere while watching their meals being prepared and served.

Conveniently located near the Awashima bus stop, DAN is also easily accessible from Shibuya Station.

3. songbook (ソングブック) / Italian

Featured in the Michelin Guide, this Italian restaurant stands out for its distinctive approach of cooking everything—from pizza and seasonal vegetables to meat, seafood, and desserts—using a wood-fired oven. The restaurant also offers a curated selection of natural wines from both domestic and international sources to complement the menu.

The à la carte offerings include artisanal pizzas, and the Basque cheesecake highlights the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes through slow wood-fire baking. Additionally, the restaurant features three different course menus, with the prefix course being especially popular.

The interior is thoughtfully designed to enhance not just the dining experience but also to celebrate music, interior design, and fashion, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere for guests.

4. Sushi Ichigo (鮨 いち伍) / Sushi

Featured in the Michelin Guide, Sushi Ichigo uses premium Koshihikari rice grown using the rice-duck farming method in Okitama, Yamagata. The restaurant’s choice of red vinegar stands out, enhancing both delicate white fish and richer, more flavorful sushi.

The fish is carefully selected by the owner, who personally visits Toyosu Market to choose the best ingredients. The menu is exclusively an omakase (chef’s choice) course, featuring eight appetizers and ten pieces of sushi. To complement the meal, a curated selection of seasonal sake, shochu, and wine is also offered.

5. Shunsai Oguraya (旬菜 おぐら家) / Japanese

Shunsai Oguraya, recognized as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide for two consecutive years, offers dishes crafted from seasonal organic vegetables sourced from across Japan, including the owner’s home region of Yamanashi, as well as Koshu pork, duck, and seafood.

The course menu is a daily omakase (chef’s choice), showcasing seasonal specialties and featuring the restaurant’s signature seasoned rice.

The à la carte menu includes a diverse range of options, such as this month's highlights like sashimi (raw fish slices) and grilled fish, as well as seasonal vegetable dishes. The restaurant also offers a unique selection of sake exclusive to this location and a curated list of French wines that pair wonderfully with the food.

6. Sushi Nishizaki (鮨 西崎) / Sushi

Sushi Nishizaki is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood. The chef, having honed his skills at various sushi and Japanese restaurants, apprenticed at Sushi Nanba Hibiya and, after gaining experience at Sushi Shunsuke, opened his establishment.

The restaurant is located in the basement of a building with a raw concrete facade. Inside, the atmosphere evokes a traditional tea room, with a striking counter made of thick Kiso cypress wood.

Every morning, seafood is delivered from Toyosu Market to ensure the freshest ingredients for the omakase course. The signature dish is “ankimo” (monkfish liver), meticulously prepared to be free of any unpleasant odor. The restaurant offers a diverse selection of alcohol, including sake and wine, and operates on a reservation-only basis.

7. Lien (リアン) / French

Lian has been recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight consecutive years. This French restaurant, where a chef trained at prestigious establishments in Tokyo and Paris welcomes diners, is renowned for its high-quality cuisine.

The restaurant prioritizes ingredients such as meat and seafood from reputable producers and highlights organic Western vegetables and naturally grown Jonathan apples to showcase their exceptional qualities.

Lunch and dinner are served exclusively as course meals. Alongside a curated selection of French wines, the sommelier offers a range of domestic wines personally chosen from Japanese vineyards.

Featuring an open kitchen with counter seating, the restaurant provides guests with the opportunity to interact with the chef and experience the vibrant atmosphere of food preparation.

8. BISTRO GLOUTON (ビストロ グルトン) / French

BISTRO GLOUTON, a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner for three years running, is a charming French restaurant tucked away in a quiet alley off the main street. With just eight counter-seats, the place offers a relaxed yet refined bistro vibe.

The sauces are meticulously made, allowing guests to enjoy flavorful bistro classics and the chef’s unique creations. Instead of a set course menu, the restaurant features a range of à la carte options, so you can choose exactly what you’d like to enjoy.

9. NATIVO (ナティーボ) / Italian

Nativo, a Michelin Guide-featured restaurant for two consecutive years, specializes in Italian cuisine with a unique twist. The chef, trained in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, brings a blend of tradition and originality to the menu.

The extensive à la carte options allow you to enjoy authentic Italian regional dishes. Highlights include the "Fried Greeneye Fish with Radicchio," made with seasonal Italian ingredients, and the "Oven-Baked Onions Piedmont Style," which are slow-cooked for about four hours to achieve a delectable sweetness and texture.

The restaurant's interior features a chic, green-toned antique style. Its U-shaped counter, which encircles the chef, is perfect for both solo diners and groups, adding to its versatility for any occasion.

10. Sushi Kimura (すし 㐂邑) / Sushi

1. Michelin (2018 - 22): Two star

Sushi Kimura, a Michelin two-star restaurant for five consecutive years, is a reservation-only sushi spot renowned for its unique "aged sushi."

The restaurant’s signature dish is the "Striped Marlin," aged for an impressive 60 days to develop a distinctive aroma and rich flavor. As you bite into it, the fat melts in your mouth, releasing a subtle fermentation aroma and a unique umami taste. The sushi rice is meticulously prepared with just the right moisture and quickly absorbed vinegar from Iio Jozo Brewery, showcasing the chef's dedication to detail.

The beverage selection is also notable, offering a diverse range of limited-edition sake, authentic shochu, beer, and champagne.

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