16 Recommended French Restaurants in Shibuya, Ebisu

Features of French Restaurants in Shibuya and Ebisu

Tokyo, a major city in Japan, is home to a concentration of top-notch restaurants, including many French ones. Shibuya and Ebisu stand out for their numerous Michelin Guide-listed French restaurants.

Shibuya, famous for its youthful energy, and Ebisu, known for its upscale residences, are dominated by high-rise buildings with limited natural greenery, leaving few tranquil spots. Despite this, many French restaurants in these areas are hidden away in unobtrusive locations, offering a surprisingly serene atmosphere amid the city's hustle and bustle. Some even feature a hint of natural greenery.

Many of these restaurants provide English menus and have staff who speak English, making them easily accessible and welcoming for international visitors.

French Restaurants in Shibuya That Accept Reservations

1. FUSOU (扶桑)

The restaurant inside Shibuya Sakura Stage, which recently opened in Sakuragaoka, Shibuya, is designed to create the atmosphere of a stone cave. It incorporates Oya stone, the same material used in the old Imperial Hotel's interior. The counter, made from a single piece of fir wood over 300 years old, adds to the serene, natural ambiance.

Chef Satoru Uchida creates dishes using seasonal ingredients he discovers during visits to production sites across the country. Many of these ingredients are sourced directly from producers, and Chef Uchida’s creations consistently impress diners. The standout specialty is beef, which is meticulously aged and grilled to perfection, focusing on achieving a tender texture and rich flavor.

2. LATURE (ラチュレ)

This renowned restaurant has earned a Michelin star for seven consecutive years and was honored with the "Grand Chef of Tomorrow Award" in 2019. It has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, receiving the prestigious Green Star Award.

Owner-chef Takuto Murota, who trained at the esteemed French restaurant Maison Tateru Yoshino, is deeply committed to mastering French cuisine. His passion even led him to obtain a hunting license, allowing him to personally source ingredients. The dishes and cooking techniques are carefully tailored to each guest's experience, making it an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy his versatile, nature-inspired cuisine.

The restaurant offers an English menu and has English-speaking staff on hand.

3. roku

This restaurant has received the Bib Gourmand Award for three years in a row. It's renowned not just for its French cuisine but also for its selection of pastries and cakes. The chef, who sharpened his skills at a game meat restaurant, creates dishes using rare and unique ingredients. Alongside set courses, the restaurant offers a variety of à la carte options, with special attention given to a thoughtfully curated wine list.

4. L’éclaireur (レクレルール)

This Michelin Guide-featured French restaurant was opened by a chef who trained in Europe for 10 years, including experience as a sous-chef at a three-star restaurant in France. In 2022, the restaurant received the “Grand Chef of Tomorrow Award” from a prestigious global gourmet guidebook. The restaurant's name means “those who bring light to all things.”

All dishes are prepared using firewood, with a menu that celebrates the changing seasons. The restaurant offers an extensive wine selection, featuring 170-180 different bottles and 200 varieties of French wine by the glass. English menus and English-speaking staff are available.

5. PATH (パス)

Featured in the Michelin Guide, this casual French restaurant was founded by a chef with 24 years of experience in French cuisine and a pastry chef. Diners can choose from an à la carte menu and enjoy natural wines that complement the dishes. A highlight is their croissants made with homemade yeast, known for their distinctive buttery sweetness. The restaurant’s wooden furnishings create a café-like atmosphere, while it also offers exquisite gastronomic dishes. English menus are available, and staff who can assist in English are on hand.

6. MONOLITH (モノリス)

This Michelin-starred French restaurant boasts an excellent reputation. The chef is renowned in Japan, having been a runner-up for two consecutive years in the prestigious international competition, Le Prix Taittinger. The restaurant is celebrated for its seasonal courses that feature an abundance of fresh vegetables. Especially popular is the 'Menu Neo Monolith,' which presents a new menu composition each month. English menus are available, and there are also lunch course options.

7. Sincère (シンシア)

This Michelin one-star French restaurant celebrates the changing seasons. The chef, who has experience at Michelin-starred French establishments, creates dishes that live up to the restaurant's name, Sincère, meaning "genuine and unpretentious." Passionately blending French cuisine with a Japanese twist, the chef’s specialty is "Taiyaki," a playful reinterpretation of the classic French dish, fish en papillote.

The interior is inspired by a forest setting and features an open kitchen that adds a dynamic touch to the dining experience. English menus and English-speaking staff are available.

8. Keichitsu (啓蟄)

This modern French restaurant, featured in the Michelin Guide, was opened by a chef who previously worked as a sous-chef at the two-starred La Grenouillère in northern France. Instead of a fixed menu, the restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and offers a range of dishes in small portions. The chef aims to provide guests with new experiences and surprises through inventive and unique cuisine.

Another highlight is the wine list, which features lesser-known, connoisseur-approved selections that are hard to find elsewhere.

9. sio (シオ)

The restaurant is a Michelin one-star establishment that offers a range of inventive dishes beyond traditional French cuisine. The chef's signature creation features foie gras paired with American cherries and bettara-zuke (pickled daikon radish), resulting in a delightful blend of cherry sweetness and foie gras umami. The interior, designed by both space and music creators, exudes a casual, café-like vibe, making it a perfect spot for a stylish and enjoyable dining experience.

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10. jinen. (ジネンドット)

This French restaurant is helmed by a chef with European training and experience with the prestigious Ishikawa group, renowned for its Michelin three-star rating. The menu highlights domestic ingredients and showcases seasonal produce from across Japan.

Specialties include a "cream sauce made from chicken stock" and "cauliflower meunière" featuring Hokkaido-grown cauliflower. The cauliflower dish offers a delightful, tender texture and allows the vegetable’s natural flavor to shine. The restaurant’s warm, inviting atmosphere is designed for relaxation, featuring an open layout and garden views from the windows. English-speaking staff are available.

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French Restaurants in Ebisu That Accept Reservations

11. ALADDIN (アラジン)

This Michelin Guide-listed French restaurant offers bespoke dishes tailored to guests' seasonal preferences. Enjoy a memorable selection of French cuisine through a thoughtfully curated course menu. With dinner courses priced around 10,000 yen, it offers great value. The restaurant's cozy, classic ambiance is the perfect setting to savor authentic French dishes, complemented by an extensive selection of French wines.

12. Le Coq (ル・コック)

This renowned restaurant has held a Michelin star for over 10 years. Nestled in a peaceful spot between Ebisu and Shibuya, it is helmed by an owner-chef who moved to France at 19 and trained at prestigious establishments like Guy Savoy and Lucas Carton. The chef focuses on creating dishes that delight the palate rather than merely emphasizing presentation. A standout dish is the smoked salmon appetizer, featuring high-quality salmon marinated in salt and spices, smoked to perfection, and beautifully paired with sour cream.

13. AMOUR (アムール)

This Michelin Guide-listed restaurant is situated in a house in a residential area of Ebisu. The chef, whose father is French, trained in France but aims to create French cuisine that appeals to Japanese tastes. The restaurant emphasizes the use of predominantly Japanese ingredients and incorporates elements of kaiseki cuisine. They offer French dishes with a strong focus on hospitality. The menu changes every two months and features seasonal ingredients. English is spoken here.

14. La maison finistère (ラ メゾン フィニステール)

This Michelin Guide-listed restaurant stands out for its exclusivity—only two reservations are accepted each day. Climb the building's stairs to discover a serene space where you can enjoy a luxurious dining experience. The highlight of the cuisine is its expertly crafted sauces, with traditional options like truffle and lobster. The chef, also a certified sommelier, thoughtfully selects wines that perfectly complement each sauce. To complete your meal, you can savor a selection of aged cheeses and fine wines.

15. recte (レクテ)

This Michelin-starred French restaurant is renowned for its use of a traditional oven. By employing charcoal and wood fires within the stone oven, the infrared heat achieves a high temperature on the surface of the ingredients while keeping the interior at a lower temperature, thereby locking in the flavors. This cooking method enhances the aroma and taste of each ingredient, reflecting a deep respect for nature, the produce, and the producers. English-speaking staff are available.

16. Saucer (ソーセ)

This Michelin Guide-listed restaurant is a hidden gem with no sign. The name "Saucer" derives from the French term meaning "to wipe off the sauce," highlighting the restaurant's emphasis on sauce. The chef brings experience from prestigious restaurants, including a one-star restaurant in Tokyo and France. The dishes are based on a triple consommé, painstakingly prepared over three days, which you can savor as a soup at the start of your meal. The restaurant also showcases contemporary art and offers a diverse selection of wines and dishes.

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