13 Best Restaurants in Gotanda

Gotanda: Ideal for Both Business and Leisure

Located just 15 minutes by train from Shinjuku, Gotanda is an area bustling with offices, hotels, and restaurants. While it's often associated with IT offices and vibrant neon streets, there's another side to Gotanda. A short walk from the station reveals peaceful parks where you can enjoy the changing seasons, as well as quiet, upscale residential neighborhoods that give the area a diverse charm.

The neighborhood is also home to many casual cafes and ramen shops that locals love, offering a chance to experience its authentic, laid-back atmosphere.

13 Best Restaurants in Gotanda

1. Yakiniku Shimizu (焼肉 しみず) / Yakiniku

Yakiniku Shimizu is a restaurant specializing in premium Kuroge Wagyu beef. Renowned for its rare cuts of female Wagyu, celebrated for their fine marbling and the delicate sweetness of their fat, the restaurant takes pride in offering an unparalleled dining experience. Their signature dish, the thick-cut beef tongue, is a true delicacy—only five slices can be obtained from each cow. While the thinly sliced beef tongue is common, few establishments dare to serve the bold, generously thick cuts that have become Yakiniku Shimizu’s hallmark. Indulge in the exquisite flavors of expertly prepared Wagyu, skillfully sliced by the chef, within the serene and elegant ambiance of the restaurant.

2. Shokudo Todaka (食堂とだか) / Izakaya

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Gotanda, Shokudo Todaka is a cozy and inviting izakaya (Japanese tavern) with a warm, homey ambiance. Owner-chef Todaka honed his culinary skills in renowned restaurants in Kagoshima, his hometown, and Tokyo.

The intimate space features only counter seating, offering an up-close and personal dining experience. The menu is both creative and visually stunning, with standout dishes such as the indulgent "Uni-on-the-Nitamago"—a rich pairing of sea urchin and salmon roe atop a boiled egg—and the hearty "Gyu Gohan," a satisfying dish of rice topped with generous portions of tender, flavorful beef.

Since being featured on Japanese television, Shokudo Todaka has become a sought-after hotspot, making reservations notoriously difficult to secure. If you're eager to visit, be sure to book well in advance or keep an eye on social media for last-minute openings.

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3. Kappou Miyanaga (割烹 みやなが) / Japanese

Opened in 2021 by Kenichi Miyanaga, a highly skilled chef who trained under Rokusaburo Michiba—renowned as the "Iron Chef of Japanese Cuisine" on the famous television series—this restaurant celebrates the artistry of authentic Japanese cooking.

Kappou Miyanaga remains true to the essence of Japanese cuisine, featuring expertly crafted dishes that showcase dashi broth made from freshly shaved dried bonito and the finest seasonal vegetables.

At the counter, guests can observe the chef’s precise and artful techniques as he prepares each dish with meticulous care. The restaurant’s tranquil ambiance creates the perfect setting to savor the refined yet profoundly flavorful traditions of Japanese cuisine at a leisurely pace.

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4. Ne Quittez pas (ヌキテパ) / French

1. Michelin (2024 - 25): Selected

Ne Quittez pas is a French restaurant recognized as Michelin Selected for both 2024 and 2025. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, its interior is so serene that you might forget you're in Tokyo. The owner, who has an unconventional background as a former Olympic gymnastics hopeful and professional boxer, leaped into the culinary world. After gaining experience working in an oden (Japanese one-pot dish) shop and training at several three-star Michelin restaurants in France, he opened this establishment. Each morning, the menu is crafted based on ingredients sourced from trusted producers, with a focus on the fresh, natural flavors of seafood and seasonal vegetables. Enjoy unique dishes like the rare 'soil course,' offering a one-of-a-kind experience of tasting 'earth,' and the distinctive 'watermelon cake,' created by the owner himself, a watermelon enthusiast.

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5. MAY (メイ) / French

At MAY, the chef, who trained at a Michelin one-star restaurant in Tokyo, serves French cuisine that has been tailored to suit Japanese tastes. With additional experience at several restaurants in France, the chef skillfully blends traditional French techniques with Japanese ingredients to create unique dishes. The main courses, in particular, offer a delightful contrast between "classic" and "modern" flavors. The restaurant’s luxurious ambiance is further enhanced by a carefully curated selection of wines from both France and Japan.

6. Sumibi Yakiniku Horumon Maruha (炭火焼肉ホルモン まるは) / Yakiniku

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Sumibi Yakiniku Horumon Maruha is a renowned yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant that was named one of the top 100 on a famous Japanese gourmet review site in 2024. The owner-chef, who has a background in French and Italian cuisine, serves fresh, high-quality Wagyu beef.

A standout feature of Japanese yakiniku is “horumon” (offal), known for its fresh ingredients and juicy, one-of-a-kind texture. The restaurant also offers rare cuts of meat, such as rump cap and rump.

The most popular dish is the A5-grade Wagyu short ribs, grilled over charcoal. Enjoy the rich sweetness of the fat and the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that is characteristic of top-tier Wagyu. They also recommend a unique lemon sour drink made with sherbet-like shochu.

7. Washoku Shinkuro (和食しんくろ) / Japanese

Washoku Shinkuro is a restaurant where the owner, hailing from Shizuoka, is committed to using only domestically sourced ingredients, beverages, and tableware. Here, you can enjoy traditional Japanese dishes made with fresh ingredients from all over Japan, including rice carefully selected by local farmers. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of Japanese sake, as well as domestic whiskey and wine, all of which pair perfectly with the food.

The owner personally curates the tableware, which is handcrafted by skilled artisans from across Japan, because he believes that the dishware is just as important as the food itself. In the tranquil and welcoming atmosphere, you can fully appreciate the restaurant's dedication to quality, all sourced from Japan.

8. Meat Yazawa Gotanda (ミート矢澤) / Yoshoku

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2020, 2022 - 23)

Meat Yazawa Gotanda is a Western-style restaurant known for its steaks and hamburgers. Since 2020, it has been ranked among the top 100 by Japan’s most renowned gourmet review site. The restaurant is directly managed by Yazawa Meat, a Tokyo-based supplier of premium Japanese Kuroge Wagyu beef. Skilled butchers carefully select the finest cuts of this high-quality beef. A standout dish is the "100% Fresh Hamburger Steak made with A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu," famous for its juiciness, often compared to the "Niagara Falls of Meat Juices." The restaurant's takeout bento boxes are also popular with celebrities.

9. Nichinan (日南) / Izakaya

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2021, 2022, 2024)

Nichinan is a long-established izakaya that has been serving customers for over 40 years and is ranked among Japan's top 100 by a renowned Japanese gourmet review site. The interior exudes a calm, nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, where you can enjoy popular meat dishes. The standout items are the "beef skirt steak" and the "hamburg steak with beef cartilage," each of which can only be ordered once per person. After the original owner's passing, his wife took over the business, and some regular customers have been coming for more than 40 years. The walls are decorated with signatures from many famous people, showcasing the deep connections formed over decades of history. Experience Japan's izakaya culture, paired with a wide selection of shochu and sake.

10. 7025 Franklin Avenue (フランクリン・アベニュー) / Burger

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 20, 2022, 2024)

7025 Franklin Avenue is a popular hamburger joint that has consistently ranked among Japan's top 100 by a renowned gourmet review site, including four consecutive years starting in 2017, as well as in 2022 and 2024. The owner, who trained for five years in the U.S. to bring authentic, non-chain burgers to the area, has been running the shop since it opened in 1990, enjoying steady popularity ever since. A standout on the menu is the “Mushroom Cheeseburger,” which offers the perfect pairing of cheese and mushrooms. The restaurant's interior, located in a quiet residential neighborhood, is bright and spacious.

11. Age Fuku (あげ福) / Tonkatsu

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018 - 19, 2021 - 22, 2024)

Age Fuku is a highly regarded tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) restaurant that has been ranked among the top 100 several times on a well-known Japanese gourmet review site since 2018. It is run by Yazawa Meat, renowned for its premium Kuroge Wagyu beef, as mentioned in Restaurant 8.

The restaurant serves expertly crafted tonkatsu, using high-quality pork selected by experienced meat connoisseurs, with careful attention to how the meat is cut, fried, and paired with sauces. One standout dish is the "Meat Mix," which allows you to enjoy a combination of chicken, pork, and beef served as menchi katsu—a breaded and deep-fried hamburger patty. The menchi katsu is especially popular in Japan for its juicy, savory flavor.

Both lunch and dinner sets come with pork soup, rice, pickles, and cabbage, and offer free refills of rice and cabbage. The cabbage, which serves as a refreshing counterpoint to the rich fried dishes, is an essential part of the meal and worth savoring.

12. Oniyanma Gotanda (おにやんま) / Udon

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 20, 2022, 2024)

Oniyanma Gotanda is an udon (wheat flour noodles) shop that has been ranked among Japan's top 100 on a well-known gourmet review site six times since 2017. The shop offers a unique "tachigui" experience, where customers stand while eating, with no chairs available.

This standing dining style is surprisingly affordable, and the service is quick, ensuring a high turnover rate. As a result, it is particularly popular with busy professionals in Japan. Despite its casual format, Oniyanma prioritizes quality. The udon noodles are handmade daily on the shop’s second floor, using wheat flour and vegetables sourced from Kagawa, a region famous for its udon. The recommended pairing is to enjoy the chewy, authentic Sanuki udon from Kagawa alongside crispy tempura (deep-fried vegetable and seafood).

13. Menya Sign (麺屋 彩音) / Ramen

1. Michelin (2022): Bib Gourmand

This ramen shop was featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022. The name "Sign" is said to be derived from the title of a song by a popular Japanese singer. They offer ramen with a variety of ingredients, based on three main flavors: salt, soy sauce, and niboshi (dried sardines). If you're undecided, the most popular option, the salt ramen, is highly recommended. In addition to these classic options, they also offer monthly limited-edition ramen, so it's a great place to visit when you're craving something a little different. Unusually for a ramen shop, they also offer pairings with Japanese sake that complement each flavor. Enjoy the unique combination of flavors in a clean, cafe-like interior, offering a distinctly Japanese experience.