13 Best Restaurants in Shibuya

Shibuya: A Vibrant Hub for Young People

Shibuya is one of Japan's most dynamic areas, teeming with a variety of shops and restaurants. It's especially popular among young people and is renowned for setting fashion trends. The iconic Scramble Crossing, bustling with pedestrians, is a must-see for foreign visitors to Japan. The statue of Hachiko, located right in front of the station and the inspiration for the film "HACHI," serves as a popular meeting point. I hope you get to experience a different side of Japan that contrasts with its traditional image.

Dining in Shibuya

With it's stylish fashion buildings and commercial centers, Shibuya offers an extensive range of dining options, from restaurants to cafes. It's particularly famous for its affordable izakayas(Japanese-style pubs), ramen shops, and yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants. You'll also find a diverse selection of international cuisine, including Italian, French, Spanish, Korean, Indian, Thai, and other ethnic foods. Be sure to enjoy the creative blend of each country's flavors with Japanese ingredients. This article highlights some fine dining options around Shibuya Station, featuring Michelin-rated restaurants and other well-known spots.

13 Best Restaurants in Shibuya

1. Kuhara (久原) / Japanese

Kuhara is a Japanese restaurant that received the Michelin Bib Gourmand in both 2023 and 2024. The owner, whose passion for food began in childhood, opened the restaurant after gaining about 20 years of experience in shojin (Buddhist vegetarian) cuisine and kaiseki (traditional multi-course) dining. Together with his wife, who also developed a love for serving food from a young age, they run the restaurant as a couple.

The restaurant’s signature duck dishes, starting with the “grilled salt-seasoned duck and green onions,” allow guests to savor seasonal ingredients. The interior, crafted from high-quality wood, creates a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Guests can also enjoy carefully selected sake, chosen by the proprietress, and beautifully designed tableware that enhances the dining experience.

2. Daikanyama Issai Kassai (代官山 いっさい喝采) / Izakaya, Japanese

This Japanese restaurant earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023 and was named a Michelin Selected Restaurant in 2024. The owner, with around 30 years of experience in Japanese cuisine, previously worked as the right-hand assistant to a renowned chef on a popular Japanese TV show and later guided three Japanese restaurants in New York to receive Michelin recognition. The restaurant is dedicated to perfecting the flavors of familiar Japanese comfort foods like potato salad and croquettes. Guests can enjoy clay pot rice and expertly grilled dishes made with carefully chosen ingredients in a calm, sophisticated setting.

3. Ajuuta (あじゅう田) / Sushi

Ajuuta is a sushi restaurant run by its owner-chef Ajuuta. After starting his career in French cuisine at the age of 20, he shifted to the world of sushi at 25, drawn by the dynamic energy of sushi chefs working behind the counter.

He is passionate about sourcing only the finest ingredients, often personally selecting them. His specialties include high-quality conger eel, tuna, and sea urchin, and he puts meticulous effort into preparing the rice and other components.

The restaurant’s modern interior, crafted by a skilled designer, offers a sophisticated ambiance, highlighted by a striking granite serving counter that enhances the dining experience.

Ajuuta also takes pride in its curated selection of sake, featuring rare and limited-edition bottles. A knowledgeable sommelier is on hand to recommend pairings, not only with sake but also with tea and other drinks to complement the dishes.

4. Torinosu (酉乃洲) / Yakitori

Just a short walk from Shibuya Station, Torinosu is a high-end yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant located on the 11th floor. The grilling area uses a special system that draws smoke away, keeping your clothes fresh and smoke-free. Fresh, seasonal vegetables are sourced daily from the market to ensure the best quality. The restaurant features healthy, high-quality local chicken, including Miyazaki Jidori and the rare Amami Kuro-Horohoro-Cho, carefully selected by the owner. The drink menu is also thoughtfully curated, with a wide range of domestic wines. A highlight is their signature gin, "Torinosu SHIBUYAREMIX," infused with a touch of sansho pepper and ginger for a subtle complement to the meal.

5. Yakinikuhorumon Araiya Shibuya (焼肉ホルモン 新井屋 渋谷) / Yakiniku

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022, 2023)

Ranked among the top 100 on Japan’s renowned gourmet review site in both 2022 and 2023, this yokiniku restaurant offers a unique dining experience with "horumon"—a term for offals that lets diners enjoy the distinctive flavors and textures of items like liver and beef large intestine. It’s a hidden gem in the world of Japanese cuisine.

The owner perfected his craft at high-end yakiniku chains and well-known Tokyo establishments, specializing in the preparation of offals. He sources premium Wagyu beef and offals through trusted suppliers he has worked with for many years.

Their signature dish is the “thick-cut salted beef tongue,” offering a bold, satisfying alternative to the typical thin slices. Other must-tries include the “thick-cut liver” and the house-made “Araiya Special Curry,” which is packed with beef tongue, beef tendons, and more. Don’t miss out on these!

6. Keichitsu (啓蟄) / French

Keichitsu is a French restaurant known for its inventive cuisine and was named a Michelin Selected Restaurant in 2024. The name "Keichitsu" comes from a period in the Japanese calendar around March, symbolizing the awakening of life as creatures emerge from hibernation. It embodies the owner’s passion for offering guests fresh and unexpected experiences.

With a background as the former sous-chef at the two-star restaurant La Grenouillère in northern France, the owner brings a sense of adventure to the menu through unique flavor pairings and creative presentation. Signature dishes include the whimsical “Popcorn Kudzu” spongecake and the visually striking, texture-rich “Butternut Chorizo.”

7. Yakiniku Horumon Araiya Hanare (焼肉ホルモン 新井屋 はなれ) / Yakiniku

Yakiniku Horumon Araiya Hanare is located on the 4th floor of a building, just two doors down from Yakiniku Horumon Araiya, which was introduced as No. 5 in this article. If Araiya is fully booked, this spot is an excellent alternative. The restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere, with counter seating for two, providing a welcoming space for all types of guests. Highlights on the menu include the "BIG Heart Steak," a delicious combination of thick-cut heart and rich herb butter, as well as the "Wagyu Tail Stew," slow-cooked for 4-5 hours. A powerful ventilation system ensures that food odors won’t linger on your clothes.

8. Hachiyama (鉢山) / Yakiniku

Hachiyama is a yakiniku restaurant offering premium Kuroge Wagyu beef, located just a 10-minute walk from Shibuya or Daikanyama Station. The owner, originally from Korea, has over 40 years of experience and serves exceptional homemade Korean dishes in a cozy, relaxed setting.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary "Namul assortment," featuring around 10 types of seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, avocados, and bean sprouts, all beautifully arranged for a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. A standout dish is the "Gomtang Soup," a customer favorite, made by slowly simmering high-quality Kuroge Wagyu beef tail.

The restaurant features state-of-the-art smokeless roasters that prevent charring while preserving the beef's natural flavors. The menu also includes a curated selection of wines and sparkling wines, thoughtfully chosen to pair perfectly with the rich flavors of Kuroge Wagyu.

9. FUSOU (扶桑) / French

Just a 3-minute walk from Shibuya Station, this French restaurant offers a truly unique experience on the 38th floor of a city skyscraper. The chef, with a deep appreciation for Japan's four seasons, selects the finest seasonal ingredients from across the country. A standout feature is the "aged meat," prepared by the chef himself, who mastered his craft at a specialty restaurant. Guests can enjoy the cozy warmth of the wooden counter seating while watching the chef's impressive skills up close. In addition to wine pairings, the restaurant also provides non-alcoholic options for those who prefer. Guests can also explore the chef's curated selection of Japanese sake, perfectly paired with French cuisine.

10. chompoo (チョンプー) / Ethnic

chompoo is a Thai restaurant led by a chef renowned in Japan's culinary scene. Alongside a Thai chef who is also skilled in Japanese cuisine, they create unique fusion dishes that blend Thai and Japanese flavors—offerings you won’t find anywhere else. A standout dish is the Thai rice salad "Khao Yam." The rice, featuring a striking blue hue, is naturally dyed with butterfly pea flowers. It’s beautifully plated with over ten varieties of vegetables, herbs, and fish like sweetfish and mackerel, all mixed with a sauce for a delightful experience. The restaurant also offers a vegan course, and the drink menu is extensive, featuring everything from natural wines to Chinese teas.

11. Sanchokuya Taka (産直屋 たか) / Izakaya

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 2022), Bronze (2017 - 2020)

This upscale izakaya has been recognized as one of Japan's top 100 on a renowned gourmet review site for six consecutive years since 2017, offering an exquisite selection of fresh seafood. The owner encourages guests to "enjoy the bounty of the sea simply" by providing a diverse array of fresh seafood sourced from across Japan. "Sanchoku" translates to "direct from the production area," and they serve ingredients like sea urchins and oysters, which are air-freighted every morning from various regions. The drink menu features only beer for toasting and a carefully curated selection of about ten types of sake that complement the dishes perfectly, allowing guests to savor a different flavor with each glass. This izakaya is highly recommended for seafood and sake enthusiasts.

12. Hayashi (はやし) / Ramen

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 23)

Hayashi has been recognized as one of the top 100 on Japan's renowned gourmet review site for seven consecutive years since 2017. Opened in 2003, this ramen shop specializes in a single type of tonkotsu (broth based on pork bones) seafood ramen, and is famous for its long lines.

Although the menu is simple, offering just two toppings—flavored soft-boiled eggs or char siu pork—it enjoys a loyal following as a celebrated establishment. Many ramen enthusiasts in Japan commend the owner's attention to detail. The simplicity of the dish truly showcases the owner's skills, making it a must-try for anyone seeking authentic ramen.

Keep in mind that the restaurant is only open for four hours during lunch and will close once the soup runs out, so plan accordingly.

13. Katsuo Shokudo (かつお食堂) / Japanese

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2021, 24)

This restaurant has been recognized as one of the top 100 on a renowned gourmet review site in Japan for both 2021 and 2024, where you can enjoy skipjack tuna, known as katsuo. It’s run by a vibrant female owner who originally worked in a corporate job. Her fascination with skipjack tuna began when she was captivated by her grandmother’s technique for shaving bonito flakes. Bonito flakes are created by drying skipjack tuna, which concentrates its umami flavor. The basic set menu, generously topped with freshly shaved bonito flakes right before your eyes, lets you fully appreciate the appeal of katsuo. The miso soup and pickles that come with the set also use katsuo broth, making this dish a true celebration of katsuo.

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