13 Best Restaurants in Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro, a Vibrant District for Young People

Ikebukuro, located on Tokyo's JR Yamanote Line, is a lively area known for attracting many young people, much like Shinjuku and Shibuya. The streets are filled with a variety of restaurants and eateries. Rather than fine dining, you'll find a range of popular spots like izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), ramen shops, and udon (wheat flour noodles) restaurants. Some of these even feature in the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide. This article highlights a few great restaurants around Ikebukuro Station and nearby Mejiro Station, just a short walk away. If you're looking to experience more of Japan's local culture, this guide will be a helpful resource.

13 Best Restaurants in Ikebukuro

1. Mejiro Shunkotei (目白 旬香亭) / Yoshoku

This Western-style restaurant has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for nine consecutive years since 2017 and has been featured multiple times in the Best 100 list on Japan's renowned gourmet review site in 2020, 2022, and 2023. The menu features Western dishes like hamburg steaks and stews, all with a Japanese twist, evoking a sense of nostalgia for many locals.

Chef Tatsuhiro Koga honed his skills as the right-hand of Genjiro Saito, a chef known for his innovative approach to blending French and kaiseki (traditional Japanese multi-course) techniques into Western cuisine. Signature dishes include butter-roasted oysters cooked with a pressure cooker that preserves their umami, giving them the richness of both low and high-temperature cooking, as well as the carefully crafted, rare Asou Akaushi beef cutlet.

2. Otsuka Miyaho (大塚 みや穂) / Izakaya

This izakaya, a favorite among sake lovers, earned a spot in the 2018 Michelin Bib Gourmand and was named one of Japan's top 100 restaurants by a renowned gourmet review site in both 2021 and 2022. A traditional Sugitama (a cedar leaf ball, often seen outside sake breweries and shops) hangs at the entrance, and inside, you'll find over 50 different types of sake from across Japan. The unique ordering system lets you sample small amounts, making it easy to compare different flavors. The menu also features popular dishes like fresh seafood, sourced daily from Tsukiji, and salads made with organic vegetables from select farms in Shizuoka.

3. Kabuto (かぶと) / Unagi

Kabuto is a renowned eel restaurant in Japan that has been featured in the Best 100 list on a popular Japanese gourmet review site in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024.

Following the legacy of the previous owner celebrated for his artisan craftsmanship and appearances on popular Japanese TV programs, the current owner, Chef. Fujimori has maintained the tradition of serving what is often regarded as the "world's best" eel in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The restaurant offers both farmed and rare wild-caught eel, allowing regular customers to compare the two. There's also a unique experience where you can watch the eel being freshly prepared, so if you're curious, it's definitely worth trying.

4. Japanese Ramen Gokan (Japanese Ramen 五感) / Ramen

・Michelin (2024 - 2025): Bib Gourmand

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2023)

This ramen shop earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand award in both 2024 and 2025 and was also ranked among Japan's top 100 gourmet spots by a renowned food review site in 2023.

As its name, “Gokan” (Five Senses), suggests, the chef is passionate about sharing Japanese food culture with people worldwide. The ramen is available in two flavors: soy sauce and salt. All ingredients—from the free-range chicken and eggs to the seasonings and condiments, such as shellfish for the broth and Japanese soy sauce—are carefully sourced from Japan. Even the bowls are made in Japan. This ramen shop offers a truly immersive experience that delights all five senses.

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5. Mejiro Zorome (目白 ぞろ芽) / Unagi

・Michelin (2023 - 2025): Bib Gourmand

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2019, 2024)

Mejiro Zorome is an eel restaurant that has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years starting in 2023 and was also named to Japan's renowned gourmet review site's Best 100 in both 2019 and 2024.

The restaurant is run by a chef who trained for about 25 years at a renowned eel restaurant in Tokyo. They are committed to using domestically sourced ingredients, with a particular focus on the rare Shimizu Unagi, a prized farmed eel from Yaizu, Shizuoka, often referred to as the "phantom eel." This eel is carefully raised and rich in nutrients, making it a standout choice. The menu is diverse, offering lunch options, à la carte dishes, and set courses, along with a curated selection of sake that pairs perfectly with eel. Reservations are recommended if you'd like to try the "Kyosui Unajyu," braised eel served on rice, featuring Shimizu Unagi.

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6. Soba Osame (蕎麦 おさめ) / Soba

・Michelin (2020 - 2025): Bib Gourmand

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Soba Osame is a renowned soba restaurant that has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand for six consecutive years since 2020 and was named one of the Top 100 on Japan's famous gourmet review site in 2024.

Housed in a remodeled traditional Japanese folk house, the restaurant exudes the charm and atmosphere of old Japan, with every detail reflecting its nostalgic elegance. The soba is made from carefully selected seeds, which are freshly ground each day to preserve their natural flavor and aroma. Lunch is offered exclusively as a reservation-only course, while dinner features a variety of dishes that pair perfectly with soba. A wide selection of beverages, including sake, shochu, and wine, is available to complement the meal. Since soba is meant to be savored for its delicate aroma, the restaurant kindly asks guests to avoid strong scents, such as perfume, to fully enjoy the experience.

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7. Kasei Curry (火星カレー) / Curry

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2023, 2024)

This curry restaurant has been ranked in the top 100 by Japan’s most renowned gourmet review site for two consecutive years since 2023.

While curry is now widely recognized as a Japanese dish, this restaurant offers a unique selection of ingredients that you won't often find elsewhere.

Alongside classic choices like beef, pork, and chicken, you can also try more exotic options such as venison and kangaroo.

With five levels of spiciness to choose from and a variety of toppings like cheese and beans, you can create your own personalized curry experience.

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8. Uchitateya (うちたて家) / Udon

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2020, 2022, 2024)

Uchitateya is an udon shop that has been ranked among Japan's top 100 restaurants on a renowned gourmet review site in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Unlike the popular Sanuki udon, this restaurant serves Musashino udon, known for its firm texture and satisfying bite.

From outside the shop, you can watch the udon being freshly made, with noodles delivered daily from a local handmade noodle shop in Ibaraki. Recommended dishes include the niku-jiru udon (noodles in meat broth) and the spicy tsukune-jiru (broth with chicken meatballs). The dipping sauce, crafted to match the udon's boiling time, is made from a blend of various types of bonito flakes, which are steeped overnight, reflecting the restaurant's commitment to quality. Savor the firm, al dente udon, packed with a rich wheat flavor.

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9. PHO THIN TOKYO (フォーティントーキョー) / Asian-Ethnic

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022 - 2024)

PHO THIN TOKYO is a pho specialty restaurant that has been ranked in the Top 100 by Japan’s famous gourmet review site for three consecutive years since 2022. The owner Sumiken, who originally had little interest in Asian cuisine, fell in love with pho at a long-established restaurant he visited in Vietnam, which inspired him to open this shop. Mr. Tin, the owner of a popular pho restaurant in Hanoi with nearly 45 years of history, had always declined offers to open a second location. However, Mr. Sumiken’s passion won him over, leading to the creation of the first-ever second branch in Tokyo. The restaurant is managed by Mr. Kamiyan, who was trained in Hanoi and serves pho with the authentic owner's approval. The menu is simple, featuring only beef pho, but it’s recommended to enhance the flavor with optional toppings like cilantro, egg, and nuoc mam (fish sauce).

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10. Viva la Burger / Burger

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022, 2024)

Viva la Burger is a hamburger restaurant that was ranked among Japan's top 100 on a renowned gourmet review site in both 2022 and 2024.

With its casual, laid-back atmosphere, the restaurant offers a variety of burgers made with seasonal Japanese ingredients, changing throughout the year. A standout choice is the "Viva la Burger" itself, featuring thick, perfectly cooked bacon that's easy to enjoy. In addition, guests can try unique Japanese-inspired burger plates, including options like soup and boiled vegetable dishes, which blend traditional Japanese flavors with the burger experience.

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11. No.18 / Burger

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024)

No.18 is a hamburger restaurant that has been ranked in the Best 100 on a popular Japanese gourmet review site five times between 2017 and 2024. The owner, a graduate of an art university, and his brother aim to create burgers that cater to Japanese tastes, using premium ingredients like avocado and cheese. Thanks to the expertly cut shoulder loin, typically used for steaks, the burgers offer a steak-like experience rather than the usual patty. 

The restaurant's name, "No.18," comes from a Kabuki term meaning "signature performance," reflecting the owner's passion. The design of the tableware and the interior was created by the owner's university friend, adding to the cozy, homely vibe. Recently, the restaurant has been open only for lunch, so be sure to check the hours before visiting.

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12. PIZZA BORSA / Pizza

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)

This pizzeria has been ranked among the top 100 restaurants on Japan’s renowned gourmet review site five times between 2017 and 2023. Inside the cozy space, you can watch the chef’s impressive skills as they prepare pizzas in a wood-fired oven imported from Italy. The dough is made with just four simple ingredients—wheat, water, salt, and yeast—and undergoes a careful 24-hour fermentation process. Topped with Italian tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, the pizzas are baked at a scorching 500°C for about a minute, resulting in a crisp crust and a soft, chewy center. Though it's a popular spot often with long lines, takeout is also available.

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13. Anpuku Ikebukuro (あんぷく 池袋) / Udon, Curry Udon

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2020, 2022, 2024)

This creative udon restaurant has been ranked in the top 100 by Japan's best popular gourmet review site in 2020, 2022, and 2024. The owner, whose father ran a Western-style restaurant, grew up surrounded by food. With experience working at a prestigious kaiseki restaurant known for its fine dining, the owner was inspired to open a more approachable spot where everyone could feel comfortable.

Drawing on training in a variety of culinary traditions, from Italian to Chinese cuisine, the owner expertly blends Japanese broth with global flavors. Signature dishes include Curry Udon and Special Carbonara Udon. This innovative fusion offers a one-of-a-kind, delightful experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Guests can enjoy the diversity of Japanese cuisine in a space where dynamic calligraphy sets the tone.

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