12 Best Restaurants in Ueno

Ueno: A Hotspot for Bars and Izakayas

Ueno is a one-of-a-kind destination where you can experience the refined elegance of the Yamate district alongside the nostalgic charm of Tokyo’s traditional culture.

In Tokyo’s Yamate area, Ueno Park, the oldest park in Japan, is home to nine cultural facilities, including museums, a zoo, and art galleries. Among these, the Ueno Zoo stands out as a favorite, drawing both domestic and international visitors with its star attraction: giant pandas. Ueno Park is also one of Tokyo’s top cherry blossom viewing spots, offering a perfect blend of cultural landmarks and natural beauty.

In contrast, the nostalgic area is a shopping hub, packed with malls and bustling shopping streets. A highlight is Ameyoko Shopping Street, where visitors can find everything from trendy fashion to food. It’s especially lively on weekends. The street is also known for its panda-inspired snacks, like panda-shaped cakes and bread, a nod to the beloved pandas at Ueno Zoo.

Despite its central location, Ueno offers a rare combination of nature, culture, and history. It’s also a foodie’s paradise, with a diverse selection of restaurants. Choices range from classic Japanese dishes like tonkatsu (breaded deep-fried pork cutlet), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), tempura (lightly fried seafood and vegetables), unagi (eel), and kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese meal), and sushi to international favorites such as pizza and curry.

This article highlights 12 restaurants, featuring establishments that have received Bib Gourmand honors from the Michelin Guide and others ranked among the Top 100 on Japan’s leading gourmet review site.

12 Best Restaurants in Ueno

1. Ponta Honke (ぽん多 本家) / Tonkatsu

1. Michelin (2015 - 2025): Bib Gourmand
2. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017, 18, 19, 21, 23)

Ponta Honke, a long-established restaurant founded in 1905, has earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide for 10 consecutive years since 2015. It is also the birthplace of katsu (Japanese cutlet). The cutlet, which has remained true to its original recipe, is made from the tender core of the meat, with all fat and sinew carefully removed. The pork is deep-fried slowly at a low temperature to achieve a perfectly crisp exterior while preserving the meat's natural sweetness. The moment you take a bite, the crispy texture delights your senses, and as you chew, the rich flavor of the meat unfolds, leaving you in awe of its deliciousness. The restaurant does not focus on specific pork brands or regions but rather selects the finest available pork with a keen eye for quality. The menu is available in both English and Chinese.

2. Nodaya Iriya-Kishimojin Tokyo (入谷鬼子母神門前のだや) / Unagi

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018, 19, 22, 24)

Nodaya Iriya-Kishimojin is a renowned eel restaurant. It has been selected four times in the top 100 of Japan's famous gourmet review site. The restaurant offers all four major domestic farmed eel brands, along with two premium domestic wild eel varieties. One highlight is the Kyosui Eel from Shizuoka, considered a rare and mythical delicacy, available in only about 40 restaurants nationwide. The eel is expertly grilled using a secret technique called "Manben-gaeshi," which gives it a fragrant, tender texture. Guests can savor it with their choice of spicy sauce, sweet sauce, or rock salt. English menu is available.

3. Wokotote (をことて) / Japanese

1. Michelin (2025): Bib Gourmand
2. Michelin (2024): Selected Restaurant

Wokotote is a Japanese restaurant recognized with a Bib Gourmand distinction in the Michelin Guide. Helmed by a chef with training from prestigious establishments, the restaurant offers meticulously crafted dishes that delight both the eyes and the palate. Only the finest seasonal ingredients are used, and the signature dashi broth is prepared fresh from scratch every day with exceptional care. The thoughtfully curated selection of premium sake and wines complements the cuisine perfectly. Guests can savor these beautifully presented dishes in a welcoming, modern Japanese ambiance. English menu is available, and English-speaking staff are ready to assist.

4. Tompachitei (とん八亭) / Tonkatsu

1. Michelin (2016 - 2024): Bib Gourmand
2. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 2024)

Tompachitei, a renowned tonkatsu restaurant, has been awarded a Bib Gourmand distinction in the Michelin Guide for nine consecutive years. With a legacy spanning nearly 70 years, it is now run by its third-generation owner-chef who has refined his craft both in Japan and abroad. The restaurant uses premium domestic pork sourced from a trusted butcher, which is carefully prepared to order and deep-fried to perfection in 100% lard. The result is tonkatsu with a crisp, golden crust and tender, juicy meat that bursts with flavor in every bite. To suit diverse tastes, a variety of sauces is provided, allowing guests to customize their dining experience. The restaurant offers an English menu and has staff fluent in German to assist international visitors.

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5. Torie Ueno Hiro Koji (鳥恵 上野広小路店) / Yakitori / Ueno

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018 - 2023)

Torikei Ueno Hiro Koji is a renowned yakitori restaurant consistently ranked among the top 100 on a popular Japanese gourmet review site for six consecutive years. Helmed by a master chef who honed his skills at some of Tokyo’s most celebrated yakitori establishments, the restaurant takes pride in grilling premium chicken to perfection. The menu features top-quality ingredients like Kagoshima’s Kuro Satsuma chicken and Tottori’s Daisen chicken, seasoned with either a rich, time-honored tare sauce or delicately flavored salt. From opening until 9 PM, the restaurant exclusively offers an omakase (chef’s choice) course, showcasing expertly grilled yakitori and seasonal specialties, with the option to order additional dishes. Guests are encouraged to enhance their dining experience with a selection of fine wines and sake, thoughtfully curated by the in-house sommelier. Menus are available in both English and Chinese for international visitors. To fully appreciate the delicate aroma of the charcoal grill and the food, patrons are kindly asked to refrain from wearing strong perfumes or fragrances.

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6. Isen (井泉) / Tonkatsu

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 19, 21, 24)

Isen is a celebrated Japanese tonkatsu restaurant that has earned a spot among Japan’s top 100 eateries on a popular gourmet review site five times. Established in 1930, this historic establishment remains true to its founder’s vision, serving "tender tonkatsu so soft it can be cut with chopsticks." Isen is also famed as the birthplace of the katsu sandwich. Designed for convenience, these sandwiches feature specially crafted, smaller bread, offering not only exceptional flavor but also effortless enjoyment. Available for takeout, katsu sandwiches are a popular choice for souvenirs or gifts. Experience the artistry of Isen through its handmade tonkatsu and katsu sandwiches, crafted with expert care.

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7. Ten Suzu (天寿ゞ) / Tempura

1. Michelin (2018 - 2020): Bib Gourmand
2. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2023)

Ten Suzu, a restaurant that has been awarded a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years, is renowned for its tempura. Established in 1928, this long-standing family-run establishment is now operated by the third generation. The tempura showcases premium domestic seafood, such as Japanese tiger prawns, and fresh seasonal vegetables, each expertly prepared to perfection. By adjusting the oil temperature and frying time to suit each ingredient, the restaurant ensures every bite is at its best—a testament to decades of culinary expertise. Another standout offering is their tendon (tempura rice bowl), featuring their signature tempura. The crispy tempura drizzled with a lightly sweet sauce infused with the fragrant aroma of sesame oil, pairs wonderfully with the rice. It’s a dish you won’t want to miss. For added convenience, the restaurant also provides an English menu for international guests.

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8. da GIORGIO (ダ ジョルジョ) / Pizza

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 2019, 2021, 2023)

da Giorgio is a restaurant specializing in authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian cuisine, which has been named among the top 100 on Japan's premier gourmet review site five times. The pizza is crafted by a skilled pizzaiolo who trained at a renowned establishment in Naples, Italy. Ingredients are imported directly whenever possible to faithfully recreate the authentic flavors of Italy. The restaurant goes to great lengths to source the freshest buffalo mozzarella, an essential component of Neapolitan pizza, flying it in three times a week to ensure peak quality. There’s no fixed manual for making their pizzas; the recipe is adjusted daily based on the temperature and weather to achieve perfect results. The restaurant also offers menus in English and Italian and has multilingual staff available to assist guests.

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9. Ningyocho Imahan Ueno Hiro Koji (人形町今半 上野広小路店) / Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Ningyocho Imahan Ueno Hiro Koji is a sukiyaki and shabu-shabu (Japanese hotpot dishes) restaurant that earned a spot among Japan's Top 100 on a renowned gourmet review site in 2024. Established in 1895, this historic eatery specializes in dishes crafted from premium Kuroge Wagyu beef, carefully selected by one of Japan's finest connoisseurs.

The restaurant’s signature sukiyaki features beef that is aged for about 20 days and sliced to the perfect thickness for this iconic dish. A hallmark of their preparation is a distinctive cooking technique described as "grilling while simmering," which locks in the meat’s rich, savory flavors. Diners are treated to the unforgettable experience of tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef. For the convenience of international guests, the restaurant offers an English menu.

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10. Gensen Yoshoku Sakurai (厳選洋食さくらい) / Yoshoku

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2020, 22, 23)

Gensen Yoshoku Sakurai is a Western-style restaurant, celebrated for being featured three times in the Top 100 on a popular gourmet review site. Famous for its nostalgic flavors, it’s a beloved spot in Ueno known by locals and visitors alike. Their signature Omurice features fluffy, creamy soft-cooked eggs wrapped around savory ketchup-seasoned rice, with a choice of two delicious sauces. The demi-glace hamburg steak is another standout dish, made with a blend of coarsely ground domestic beef and pork and topped with a rich, velvety demi-glace sauce that’s slow-cooked for two hours. Indulge in these timeless dishes crafted from carefully selected ingredients.

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11. DELHI Ueno (デリー 上野店) / Curry

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 20, 22 - 24)

DELHI Ueno is a renowned curry restaurant that has been recognized seven times among the Top 100 eateries on a prominent Japanese gourmet review site. Established in 1956, this long-standing institution is dedicated to crafting "curry you can enjoy every day without ever growing tired of it." Blending authentic Indian flavors with Japanese culinary techniques—reflecting the founder’s background in traditional Japanese food—it delivers a truly unique, original curry experience. The standout dish is the Kashmiri Curry, a richly spiced, black, soup-like curry. Be warned—it’s intensely spicy, so those sensitive to heat are better off opting for a milder version.

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12. Sushi Mana (鮨 真菜) / Sushi

Sushi Mana is a specialty sushi restaurant, run single-handedly by the owner and offering just five counter-seats. Its popularity makes reservations essential. Guests can enjoy authentic Edo-style sushi, crafted from meticulously selected ingredients sourced from Toyosu Market. The menu is exclusively course-based, with the Omakase Course being the standout favorite. Renowned for its premium, fresh ingredients, and impeccable craftsmanship, the restaurant is celebrated for showcasing the natural flavors of its high-quality offerings. Beyond sushi, the generously portioned course includes a variety of delectable appetizers. A wide selection of sake, featuring seasonal options, further enhances the experience, making this spot a must-visit for sake lovers.