Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Tokyo

Kaffir Lime is a local Thai restaurant serving authentic down-home dishes in a laid-back setting, surprisingly tucked away in upscale Omotesando. The restaurant offers a great alternative from Japanese fare and is especially busy in the evenings. Portions are substantial so it's best to share with friends. The cozy second-floor restaurant opens out into a sunny terrace that's ideal once the sun sets. Pair Singha beer with cold spring rolls, crisp prawn crackers, hearty bowls of coconut-infused green curry, and fried fish in spicy sauce. If you like your food to pack a punch, this little spot can satisfy those spicy food cravings, though there are plenty of milder options on hand too.

Specializing in okonomi-yaki and monja-yaki, two similar yet different kinds of Japanese pizza, Sakuratei's patrons cook fresh, raw ingredients on tabletop hotplates by mixing them together with small silver shovels, waiting until lightly browned and then swallowing, quickly followed by a gulp of cold, local beer. Yum! Sharing space with the funky Design Festa Galley space, this chill, fun and funky resto-bar is extremely popular with Japanese students as well as a great place for a date. Decorated by local, national and international artists, the place has a bohemian feel to it, while being located in the heart of Tokyo's Harajuku and Omotesando fashion districts. Extremely affordable with friendly staff, this a great place to try the local cuisine, with plenty to look at! - Stephen Lebovits

Thrush // Cafe is a somewhat typical Japanese cafe and bar but what really sets it apart is its lovely terrace, overlooking the Happo-En garden, a garden that was host to many high-ranking officials during the Edo period. Thrush // Cafe serves a decent selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non, and, predictably, it gets crowded in cherry-blossom season.

In a venue that sits atop the Tokyo skyline, Two Rooms serves decadent contemporary cuisine made from some of the most prized ingredients in the world. Watch the chefs prepare seafood delights, foie gras, and hearty steaks in the open kitchen, or dine on the terrace to enjoy the glorious view of the city. The walk-in wine cellar leads the way to a private dining room fit for any special occasion. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and polished walnut floors create the perfect ambiance for both romance and business. The lounge and bar is open until 2 am everyday except Sunday, when it closes at 10 pm. Reservations are recommended.

Well positioned below the Yokohama Doll Museum and across the road from Yamashita Park, Café Elliot Avenue brings you the flavor of espresso from Seattle. The bright café has light wood tables and counter seating overlooking the road to the park. It serves a good range of hot and cold coffee from lattes to frozen banana mocha drinks. There is a smaller range of other options, but beer, wine and cocktails are also served. Cakes, cookies and a small lunch menu are offered. Sidewalk tables and chairs shaded by large umbrellas make Café Elliot Avenue a pleasant spot to linger, especially in summer. -AH

A must for beer lovers, Bashamichi Taproom is one of several outlets for Baird Beer, a small brewery dedicated to making flavorsome beers using traditional malted barley, whole flower hops and soft Numazu water. The three-story Taproom has a long bar on the ground floor, a large room with bar and table seating on the second floor and a rooftop beer garden. The range of beers on tap include brown ale, pale ale, IPAs, a lager, a stout, and amber ale, as well as seasonal choices and a guest ale. The food menu offers authentic American style BBQ with beef, pork and chicken. There is also pizza, salad, macaroni cheese and Texas chili. A big-screen TV and regular music events help to create an inviting atmosphere. -AH