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Are you looking for ideas for good places to eat and drink when you’re in Shibuya on your Japan trip? We asked local expert Yu Yamamoto (Yama) for his top tips.
One big problem with the way I explore Japan is that I usually walk about 20km each day. This means that by 7 p.m., I cannot face stumbling more than about 500 metres from my hotel to find food, and trekking around to find this latest ‘it’ restaurant is absolutely not part of my evening plans!
This means I rarely post restaurant recommendations on here for the best places to eat, as I’m no expert, so I decided to find some people who are!
And today, we’re talking about where to eat and drink in Shibuya with Yu Yamamoto, aka Yama.
Photographed by Naomi Endo. Image used with permission of Single O.
Yama grew up in Japan but moved to Sydney, where he worked as the general manager at super cool coffee chain Single O (more on them in a minute). He then headed up Single O’s expansion to Japan, which involved moving back there for a while. They have branches in a few different places around Tokyo, but when I saw that he had worked on the one in Shibuya, I knew what I wanted him to discuss: his favourite places to eat and drink in the Shibuya area.
And here they are.
1. Absolute Favourite Place to Eat in Shibuya?
‘A soba noodle and natural wine restaurant with standing-only space. There is a bottle shop upstairs. The seasonal menu is my favorite, and the current seasonal Ebi Tempura is the best.’
Want to Go?
SUBA VS is located a little east of the main tourist area of Shibuya. It’s about a seven-minute walk from the Hachiko Statue or Shibuya Sky.
As with all the suggestions here, it’s clearly marked on Google Maps.
It’s open from noon to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Soba dishes cost 800 to 1800 yen, depending on the topping.
Remember, there are no seats. You stand, eat your noodles and go, so it’s not a ‘spend the whole evening here’ kind of place. This isn’t unusual in Japan – see what happened when we went to a standing bar here.
2. Favourite Breakfast Place?
‘There aren’t many places serving breakfast in Shibuya (or even throughout Japan). Bills is located in the heart of Shibuya, near Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine. It’s on the 7th floor of a department building and opens at 8:30 every morning. My favorite dish is the Full Aussie Breakfast, a classic café-style breakfast.’
Want to Go?
As Yama says, you’ll find Bills inside another building—the fantastically mirrored Tokyu Plaza. Before or after your meal, you might want to go up and down the escalator a few times to get photos like the one above!
It’s open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. The Full Australian Breakfast is currently 2900 yen, and the other Australian staple, Avocado Toast, is around 1700 yen.
This is perfect to keep you going while you explore all the shops of Harajuku or upmarket Omotesando, the nearby Meiji Shrine, and more.
3. Where Is Good For Coffee (other than Single O)?
About Life Coffee Brewers Shibuya
‘This café shares a space with the Mikkeller Kiosk beer bar. They offer banana bread and small snacks. The owner, after visiting Sydney, decided to open About Life Coffee Brewers to bring Australian-style coffee to Shibuya. I usually order filter coffee, but their White Coffee is also great.’
Want to Go?
About Life is located near the Miyashita Park mall (you might want to stop by and see the Hachiko Compass while you’re there). It’s open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
They offer both soy and oat milk, if you’re in need of an alt-milk, and they have decaf.
And where is Single O, you ask? It’s a bit further south – closer to the station and the famous crossing. They’re open 8 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 7 pm on weekends. See more about them here.
They offer a rotating selection of single roast blends – and have both oat milk and decaf!
Note for Aussies. Despite their Oz origins (ozrigins?), neither of them offers a Flat White on the menu! Branch out Aussies, branch out (said the person who takes her own teabags to Japan).
Image of Single O. Used with permission.
4. Favourite Place for Ramen in Shibuya?
‘Menya Tamotsu’s current seasonal special is Roast Duck Ramen. In Japan, duck and leek are a classic combination. My regular order is Niku no Kaoru with a side of Karaage (deep-fried chicken). This ramen shop is famous for its clear soy soup, which is inspired by Japanese Udon stock and has many layers of flavor. The Karaage here is also very popular.’
Want to Go
Right now, you’re talking my language, and Menya Tamotsu’s location Ayoyama location is now firmly added to my Shibuya map. Yama’s right – that karaage chicken looks amazing in the pictures,
Ayoyama is slightly farther east than the area most tourists visit in Shibuya, but it’s still less than a 15-minute walk from the famous crossing.
As I mentioned in our guide to eating for under US$10, it’s a brave ramen shop that charges more than 1000 yen for a bowl, and Menya Tamotsu is no exception. Their bowls start at 930 yen (including tax).
They’re open from 11 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
5. What’s Your Favourite Japanese Dish?
‘My favorite Japanese food is Yakitori. It’s hard to find good Yakitori outside of Japan because the quality of chicken in Japan is exceptional. You can even find chicken sashimi (raw chicken) in many places because the chicken is fresh and carefully treated.
I recommend Tori Chataro, a Yakitori Omakase-only restaurant that accepts reservations and serves at the counter. If you love Japanese Yakitori, this is a must-try.’
Want to Go?
Tori Chataro is located south of Shibuya Crossing, about a 13-minute walk away.
Omakase is a style of eating in which the chef makes the decisions. It usually consists of several small dishes.
The menu at Tori Chataro starts at 2970 yen per person for six dishes and goes up to 6160 yen per person for the Chef’s Choice menu, which consists of 10 small dishes served over two hours.
Tori Chataro is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm. Sunday is 5 pm to 11 pm. They close on Mondays.
The restaurant has only 12 seats, so reservations are needed. You can dine here solo, but small children aren’t allowed. You can easily make a booking via ByFood.
6. Best Choice for a Special Occasion?
‘A French bistro in the Oku Shibu area, which means the deeper part of Shibuya. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Scramble Square, through a narrow street full of small shops.
Pignon uses seasonal ingredients, so their menu changes accordingly. However, you’re sure to find something you like, as they offer everything from fish to red meat. They also have an excellent wine selection.’
Want to Go?
As Yama says, visiting Pignon will take you to a more local area of Shibuya. It’s surrounded by small bars and restaurants, plus some independent stores and galleries.
It’s open from 6.30 to 10.30, six days a week. Closed on Sunday.
The menu is a la carte (and they do have an English version).
Expect to pay around 2200 yen for a starter and 4000 yen for a main course. They also have an omakase course menu for around 10,000 yen.
If you’d like to make a reservation, ask your hotel to call. The number is on their website here.
7. Favourite Bar in the Area?
‘This cocktail bar is run by the world-renowned bartender Shingo Gokan. They have their own Shochu, a traditional Japanese spirit, which is a must-try. Be sure to sample their SG Shochu.’
Want to Go
You’ll find The SG Club about a 10-minute walk away from the Shibuya Crossing.
It’s divided into three areas: Sip, the dimly lit basement reminiscent of a prohibition Speakeasy in New York, and Guzzle, a lighter, brighter area on the ground floor. There’s also a member-only cigar bar.
Expect to pay around 1500 yen for a normal cocktail. Seasonal options can go a little higher.
It’s been on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for the last eight years, so it’s very popular. Get here early, or try to make a reservation in the Sip area.
They are open from 5 pm to 2 or 3 am, seven days a week.
8. What Foodie Experience Would You Recommend in Shibuya?
‘At Sakurai, you can enjoy a Japanese tea degustation, offering various ways to experience Japanese tea. It’s an exclusive experience that can only be found in Japan.
My favorite drink here is Gyokuro, a tea with intense flavor and savory Umami. After brewing, you even eat the tea leaves, which is an unforgettable experience. There’s also a cute shop in the same building.’
Want to Go?
The Sakurai Tea Experience is located on the fifth floor of the Spiral Building, near Omotesando Station.
The Tea Course Experience costs 5800 yen. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the daytime and turns into a bar with tea-based cocktails in the evening.
You can make a reservation here. Please read the rules carefully regarding how many people you can book for and the rules regarding small children. Also, note that they ask you not to wear heavy perfume.
So there you have it. Yama’s suggestions for great places to eat and drink in the Shibuya area. Enjoy.
