Best of Tokyo
Where locals eat in Tokyo
Start with Iseya in Kichijoji for yakitori and a beer by Inokashira Park, Kanda Matsuya in Kanda for goma soba or kamo nanban with a beer and Kanda Yabu Soba in Kanda for the seiro soba and tempura soba. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- IseyaKichijoji · Yakitori
Get: yakitori and a beer by Inokashira Park. Smoky, cheap, packed with Tokyoites
Kichijoji yakitori spot with smoky charcoal grills, cheap skewers, and a lively izakaya crowd.
- Kanda MatsuyaKanda · Soba
Get: goma soba or kamo nanban with a beer. Handmade noodles since 1884
Historic Kanda soba shop dating back over a century, known for cold seiro noodles and tempura.
- Kanda Yabu SobaKanda · soba
Get: the seiro soba and tempura soba. Rebuilt after a fire, over 100 years old
Historic Kanda soba house in a traditional building, known for cold soba and old-Tokyo atmosphere.
- TaimeikenNihonbashi · yoshoku
Get: the tampopo omurice, split open over the rice at the table
Old school Nihonbashi yoshoku diner famous for its fluffy omurice and nostalgic Showa era atmosphere.
- HarukiyaOgikubo · Ramen
Get: the chuka soba, soy broth with dried sardine. Ogikubo's ramen since 1949
Ogikubo ramen shop credited as a birthplace of Tokyo-style shoyu ramen, with long devoted queues.
- KamachikuNezu · Udon
Get: the cold handmade udon in a hundred-year-old storehouse. Expect a ticket wait
Serene Nezu udon restaurant in a converted traditional house, known for silky handmade noodles.
- Kamiya BarAsakusa · historic bar
Get: a Denki Bran with a beer chaser at the formica tables. Regulars since 1880
Historic Asakusa bar dating to 1880, famous for its potent Denki Bran cocktail and old-school atmosphere.
- RengateiGinza · tonkatsu, Japanese
Get: the original omurice or the pork cutlet. Western-style cooking since 1895
Historic Ginza spot credited with inventing tonkatsu, serving old-school Japanese comfort food since the Meiji era.
- Teuchi Soba YakkoGakugei Daigaku · Soba
Get: sake, a few small plates, then seiro soba. Fourteen seats
Gakugei Daigaku soba spot known for handmade noodles and a quiet, neighborhood feel.
- TonkiMeguro · Tonkatsu
Get: Rosu katsu (loin) set at the counter
Since 1939, an open kitchen where a team of cooks fries in silent choreography.
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What are the local restaurants in Tokyo?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Iseya (Kichijoji), Kanda Matsuya (Kanda) and Kanda Yabu Soba (Kanda). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Iseya, get yakitori and a beer by Inokashira Park. Smoky, cheap, packed with Tokyoites. At Kanda Matsuya, get goma soba or kamo nanban with a beer. Handmade noodles since 1884. At Kanda Yabu Soba, get the seiro soba and tempura soba. Rebuilt after a fire, over 100 years old. At Taimeiken, get the tampopo omurice, split open over the rice at the table.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Tokyo?
Most of these are in Kanda. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Tokyo: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Tokyo
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.